Issue 1 fall 2017 final draft full

NEW TEACHERS

Meet the 11 new staff members roaming the RHS halls SPOTLIGHT, Page 3

SPORTS CAPSULES Check out how the fall sports teams are doing this semester.

SPORTS, Page 6

MOVIE REVIEW

Everything, Everything hit the theaters as a movie targeting teens.

OPINION, Page 8

THE PEPPER BOX RITENOUR HIGH SCHOOL

ISSUE 1, VOLUME 44

9100 ST. CHARLES ROCK ROAD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63114

SEPTEMBER, 2017

Total eclipse at the “R”

Ritenour staff and students stepped outside on August 21 to see the solar eclipse at 98% totality

By TRYSTAN BELL The Pepper Box Staff On August 21, a solar eclipse passed over Ritenour High School with 98% totality.

The district provided students and staff members alike with officially licensed solar eclipse glasses, and they stared up at the sun to witness the phenomenon of the shadow of the moon covering the sun.

This experience won’t ever be forgotten by Ritenour staff and students. The students and staff went outside to the football field, where science teacher Rick Rodgers narrated the events and told students about the scientific significance of the eclipse.

Some students went with their families to see the eclipse elsewhere. Senior Gabrielle Anderson shared her perspective on the spectacle in the sky. Her family took the opportunity to get into 100% totality for the event, and it was an event that she says she will not soon forget.

“It was really cool to see how dark it got and then how only a small portion of the sun lit everything up again.

“Seeing totality was worth skipping school,” Anderson said. “Being in direct sunlight without feeling the heat of the sun was my favorite part of the eclipse, and I will definitely see the next one in 2024, I’d love to be in the center of totality next time.”

The celestial phenomenon of the moon passing in front of the sun and shadowing the earth is an uncommon experience for the United States. The last solar eclipse that all of the continental United States witnessed was Feb. 26, 1979. The path of totality was right through the states of Washington, Nebraska, and North Dakota.

Sophomore Mackenzie Davis witnessed the eclipse in totality, going with her family on a road trip for the excitement and enjoyment of the eclipse.

“My expectations were sort of met; people kept hyping up the eclipse and how amazing it was. It was pretty amazing, but people saying how amazing it was ruined it. As soon as the totality hit, we took our glasses off and just stared in awe. We are probably going to do the same thing as this year

for the next one,” Davis said.

The path of totality for the eclipse ran through northern Missouri, and went on an upward curve through the states. Many students traveled with their family to see totality, the Ritenour families who stayed got to view it together.

Junior Danielle Walters excitedly gave her take of the event, being with her friends and peers to see the eclipse.

“I’m a total nerd and love space, so even though I wasn’t in totality I thought it was beautiful and may or may not have cried. My expectations were not really met, just because I wasn’t in totality,” Walters said.

Even though her plans to see totality had been canceled, her spirits were not broken.

“I had plans to go where it was total, but because of school I couldn’t, it was still amazing though. I think the part where it got dark was my favorite, and the exact point it happened. It was a really rare and beautiful experience,” Walters said.

Isabelle Rohlfing, an incoming freshman, stated her outlook on the affair,

Grace Humphres Above: The moon covers the sun during the eclipse.

Below: Staff and students stare up at the eclipse on Sept. 21 as they heard information being narrated by science teacher Rick Rodgers at the moment of the eclipse.

Grace Humphres seeing the eclipse in totality, and seeing beauty in the happening.

“My expectations were kind of met, I was expecting a lot less but in reality it looked exactly like it does in pictures for me. When it got dark and

chilly and everyone took their glasses off and were in awe was my favorite part. I will definitely see the next one, I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Rohlfing said.

Ritenour celebrates 150 years INDEX

By LILA IRBY The Pepper Box Staff

Ritenour has reached the 150 year milestone, surpassing a century. Not only this, but this year’s graduates are the 100th class to receive their diplomas. The achievement is one for the books, or rather,

the paper.

For over a century, Ritenour has been an integral part of Overland, and of its students’ lives. Rich with history, many who walk Ritenour’s halls and spend four years of their lives learning within it’s walls do not know it’s past.

For those who choose not

to bulk down and take on the daunting task of reading the contents of “Ritenour… Our First 132 Years,” a booklet produced in 1978, here is a briefing of Ritenour’s history, Beginning in 1846, the intersection of Woodson and Lackland, once green and SEE RITENOUR HISTORY - 2

NEWS..................Front Page NEWS.........................Page 2 SPOTLIGHT................Page 3 SPOTLIGHT................Page 4 SPOTLIGHT................Page 5 SPORTS......................Page 6 SPORTS......................Page 7 OPINION....................Page 8

Check out information from this issue, as well as additional content from the Pepper Box and KRHS on ritenourlive.org

News

Page 2 September 2017 Spotlight Editor: Martin Trujillo: trujillocarrazcom164@ritenourschools.org

RITENOUR HISTORY Continued from the front page

sprawling, was where the slight, one room cabin stood that began the legacy of Ritenour School District.

Though cited as having roots in 1867, Buck School, which later merged with Ritenour, is slightly more ancient than legend holds, starting in 1941.

To give some perspective about the time period when the district first began, Honest Abe was only 37 years old, Queen Victoria had only reigned for nine years, and Dred Scott was still struggling in the fight for human rights.

As time progressed, the classroom welcomed more children, and the school house was brimming with students and promise. In 1867, Buck School became Ritenour, as it is more commonly known, after a wealthy landowner under the name of J.S. Ritenour passed away. The school was subsequently given his surname.

One major alteration in Ritenour is the ever continuing list of classes that are offered. In comparison to Buck School, Ritenour’s offerings are vast and varying.

The meager list of classes that were taught in the original log cabin included grammar, arithmetic, geography, history, spelling, reading, mental arithmetic, pronunciation, and they ended with penmanship.

This isn’t the only drastic difference between the beginning of Ritenour and Y HASED Bit IF PURCWhen the present.

0 first 3 R E B M E SEPT began, there were less than 100 students enrolled. In fact, the entirety of the school’s population could fit

in the minuscule, one room cabin. In 1910, less than 50 years after Ritenour began its legacy, the amount of students jumped to 596. Now, however, enrollment has climbed to 1,860 students.

Resident Ritenour alum, Jerry Nolen has a slightly more modern take to the ever-shifting dynamic of Ritenour High School. As a former student, he has seen the school through the 70’s and into the 17’s---2017, that is.

He gave some insight into Ritenour during the 70’s.

Not only was the auditorium not there, (it was built only five years ago) but the pool, library, and engineering rooms were not present.

According to Nolen, the new rooms, completed during his senior year, were the only ones with air conditioning.

“You prayed that you got an air conditioned room,” Nolen said.

The lack of schoolrooms was surprising, but even more surprising is the fact that there were actually more students enrolled during the 70’s than there are now. Nolen recalled that there were a total of about 3,000 students.

Compared to the current enrollment, that’s about 1,200 more students in the halls.

However, compared to Buck School’s starting enrollment, 3,000 is a colossal number.

The layout of the school was not the only thing that is contrasting to present day Ritenour. Though it may sound surprising to students who lament the no hat rule or the requirement of two finger

Illustration by: Rebecca J. Courtois, 1978 This illustration was created for a 1978 publication called “Ritenour...Our First 132 Years.”

The drawing was based on a photo from 1893 which showed the spelling as “Ritnor” instead of what we currently use today. The painter of the sign, Oscar P. Baldwin, was a board member of the school, and preferred the shortened spelling. straps, the dress code was science classes, like ecology are implemented, and classes much stricter, especially for and botany, and certainly no that are offered, Ritenour has boys. engineering classes. transformed throughout the “Dress code was extremely However, there were years. From Buck School in different. You had to wear a a number of classes that 1846, to the class of 2018, belt. If you didn’t wear a belt, challenge current safety there is a span of a century. you either got sent home, or standards. Ritenour in the 70’s The amount of electives and they had some belts and you offered shop, which entailed clubs that are offered now had to wear it,” Nolen said. welding and hot metal. It also are more abundant than ever, The dress code isn’t the gave students the opportunity giving students at Ritenour a only thing that was more to participate in the festive myriad of opportunities and restrictive in past times. The sport of archery, where possibilities for learning. classes that were offered, students were taught the art of Nolen said that students though arguably more varied the bow and arrow. should take advantage of than those originally offered The dynamic of Ritenour Ritenour at it’s prime, even if at Buck School, were limited. has shifted. From the size of it is not yet at its peak.

There was no broad range the school, the students that “Join something,” Nolen of history, no innovative inhabit it, and the rules that said.

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Spotlight

Page 3 September 2017 Spotlight Editor: Victoria Taylor: taylorv512@ritenourschools.org

Ritenour welcomes 11 new staff members

JESSICA BRANDT Subject: SSD Years Experience: Since February of this year Fun Fact: “I am from Creole, La.”

KATY KASHIF Subject: Nurse Years Experience: “I was a nurse at Mercy in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for 2 years” Fun Fact: “I really like helping people and being there for people when they need it.”

MOLLY DAHLQUIST

RACHEL HANSER

JULIE HEATH

Subject: English Years Experience: First year Fun Fact: “A mouse ran through my classroom during student teaching once. They didn’t catch it for two days.”

Subject: English Years Experience: First year Fun Fact: “I am a Ritenour graduate.”

ADRIANA QUEVEDO-BOTER Subject: Spanish Years Experience: 10 years Fun Fact: “I repeatedly called a student the wrong name because she had a doppelganger.”

KORI RICHARDSON

SARA ROZNOS

ZOEY SPOONER

Subject: MCAC College Adviser Years Experience: First year Fun Fact: “I love cats so much!”

Subject: Science Years Experience: First year by myself, fifth year in education.

Fun Fact: “At the end of my student teaching, the kids made this huge sign that had goodbyes and sweet remarks.

Also, they all tackled me on the football field.”

Subject: ELL Years Experience: First year Fun Fact: “I was voted most forgetful and most interesting of my High School Class.”

Subject: Nurse Years Experience: Been a nurse for 12 years Fun Fact: “I am an Air Force Brat, my family and I lived in Japan & The Philippine Islands during grade school.

MARLEE HOSKINS Subject: CTE Years Experience: First Year Fun Fact: “My graduating class only had 25 students.”

From the desk to the podium

Many former Ritenour students have come back to work at their old high school and recognize how much has changed since they graduated

By BAILEY STOCK Production Editor-in-Chief

JOSH WINSTRAL Subject: Math Years Experience: First year Fun Fact: “I used to walk the Brooklyn Bridge to and from work every day.

I had a great view of the Freedom Tower and the Statue of Liberty. My office was around the corner from where George Washington took the oath of office, and where Alexander Hamilton was buried.”

In honor of Ritenour’s Class of 2018 being the 100th graduating class of the school district, the teachers who once walked the halls of Ritenour High School as students are reflecting upon the similarities and differences between their classes and the classes of today.

Coach George Lee, who is an ISS advisor and also Ritenour class of 1991 graduate, has seen some major differences since he was once a student sitting in class.

“The biggest difference that I see from 1991, the year I graduated, to now would be the advances in technology. I recall using the card catalog

to research books and information. Now everything is at your fingertips,” Lee said.

While reflecting on the changes of the school, some of the alumni reminisced about the most memorable moments they encountered during their time as a student of Ritenour High School.

Math teacher and 1983 Ritenour graduate, Mary Jane Petralli, remembers the setup of the building when she was here, which would most likely seem peculiar to the students of today.

“During my time here, the library was a new addition to the school and the only place where we had great AC, so obviously it was the “hot spot” to be when the temps went up.

The area outside in the front

of school was the smoking area. And yes, smoking was allowed if you had a permission slip,” Petralli said.

Spanish teacher and Leadership advisor Tavonda Palmer, a class of 2000 Ritenour graduate, enjoys remembering the fun activities she was once a part of as a student and later began to continue as a teacher.

“My favorite memory would probably be our pep assemblies and me being the MC and having to record music off of the radio to use during the assemblies,” Palmer said.

Drew Lohnes, Ritenour’s Athletic Director and 1993 Ritenour graduate, reflects a lot on his time here as a student-athlete.

“My favorite memories are playing soccer and baseball.

Games and bus rides were always fun. I made a lot of great friends during that time,” Lohnes said.

Tenth grade counselor and Ritenour class of 1992 graduate, Dina Durnin, recalls the style that was popular during her student years and the diversity that still exists in Ritenour today.

“The thing I liked about Ritenour back in 1992 was when hair was big, jeans were tight rolled, and color block shirts took mainstage in the diversity. We went to school with a mixture of students and cultures. We even had foreign exchange students from SEE RITENOUR ALUMNI - 5

Spotlight

Page 4 September 2017 Spotlight Editor: Victoria Taylor: taylorv512@ritenourschools.org

Freshmen transition into high school

Ron Steinschriber Members of the cheerleading team, marching band, and color guard all performed as freshmen walked into the building on Freshman Transition Day.

By SHELBY LANGHORST Online Editor Aug. 17 marked the first day of the 2017-2018 school year for the Ritenour school district, but for a special group within the high school it was the beginning of a journey that would lead them to a diploma.

The Class of 2021 embarked on their 4-year journey toward graduation and it was filled with mixed feelings for students in the class.

“I really did not know what to do or where to go, but luckily I had friends in all of my classes who helped me out,” freshman Howard Slaven said.

Ritenour High School is one of the larger schools in

the St. Louis area. In order to accommodate for the 1,871 students, the building is large and it can be overwhelming and somewhat confusing to the newly added freshmen.

Some claimed to have gotten lost, but have were assisted in one way or another by friendly people around the school.

“I got lost multiple times, but people were outside in the halls to help us, so I enjoyed that,” freshman Ashley Bryant said.

Other freshmen, like Jessica Murillo, felt comfortable in the building thanks to her experience the day before school.

“I didn’t get very lost, thanks to the help of orientation,” Murillo said.

One thing that can be determined with starting a

new school with numerous returning students is that meeting new people is almost inevitable. Although friends did move up to the high school with each other, there were students from multiple middle schools joining Ritenour.

“I did meet a lot of new people in my classes,” Murillo said.

Ritenour High school’s students come together in various ways of socializations to improve the relationships within the school. This was especially true this year when the first day of school was Howdy Day, where staff and students did ice breaker activities to get to know everyone in each class and start building relationships.

“The first day presented me with a lot of gregarious

situations which I feel will better myself for the greater good,” freshman Darion Dickerson said.

Assistant Principal Jennifer Nilges will follow the 2021 class until their graduation date. Most of the freshmen got acquainted with their new principal during freshman transition day on Aug. 15, and are starting to get to know her more as the year continues forward.

“The teachers and principals all seem nice,” Slaven said.

During the freshman transition festivities, students were greeted by the marching band as they entered the building. They then took photos in a cap and gown to show their commitment to graduation, as well as signed a large banner that said that they were going to do

whatever it took to graduate.

This entrance was followed by an assembly to go over expectations for the year, and then the students went to their first three classes to meet their teachers and learn about what Ritenour has to offer.

For those freshmen who did not attend transition day, the expectation assembly on Wednesday, Aug. 23 introduced most of the school’s administrative faculty and walked the students through the expected behaviors and actions.

Dickerson said that things have not gone exactly as planned, but he is excited about what has occurred.

“Although high school is not what I expected so far, it still provides a foundation for the next four years of my life,” Dickerson said.

Ron Steinschriber Freshmen students and their parents packed into the lower lobby and auditorium for a quick assembly before going to their first three classes on their schedules.

Generations of Ritenour graduates

Ritenour graduates often remain in the area, so current students are second or third generation Ritenour students

By LILA IRBY The Pepper Box Staff

Ritenour has been a school to multiple generations of students, and many current students have family members who are Ritenour graduates.

Many who go to Ritenour can name an aunt, uncle, parent or grandparent who graced the halls of the high school, and for each, Ritenour 1986 Ritenour Yearbook has a different underlying Mark Anderson (c/o 1987), feeling. It is filled with a and father of senior Gabrielle different set of memories and Anderson, flipped this diving perspectives for everyone who photo as a joke, and it made has strode through it’s halls, or it into the 1986 yearbook. taken a seat in its classrooms.

Junior Seth Adams had grandparents who attended Ritenour during the seventies, beginning in the same year, from 1966 to 1970. Adams said that the school district played a major role in how their relationship started.

They met at school, and were high school sweethearts, who eventually married.

They recalled a Ritenour of a different dynamic, observing that the surrounding municipalities had also only recently evolved.

Junior Hope Houston said her mother, Jeannie Houston, joined the Ritenour school district in 1975, and ended her years at Ritenour in the summer of 1989, when she graduated. She cited her favorite aspect of Ritenour, perhaps the founding trait, as the school spirit, and noted

that the school’s culture was prominent to her while she attended.

According to her, however, the school was not as diverse as it is at present, and the class offerings were somewhat lacking.

“There is more availability and opportunity than ever before,” Jeannie Houston said.

Senior Gabrielle Anderson also has Ritenour family members. Her father, Mark, began school at Ritenour in kindergarten until he graduated in the class of 1987. He was the last class of Ritenour’s sixth graders to be included in the elementary school, was a member of the yearbook staff, and remembers using a dark room to develop photos in the days before digital cameras.

He recalled his time in

yearbook with a humorous anecdote “In the 85’-86’ yearbook there’s a picture in the sports section that is intentionally upside down. It was a picture of a guy diving and he was so high up that you could see the ceiling. So, I flipped the photo upside down and captioned it, “Ritenour’s newest sport: ceiling diving. Unfortunately, the teacher changed the caption, but somehow left the photo upside down,” Mark Anderson said.

Another notable remembrance of Ritenour for him was that of a teacher.

“Mr. Mansfield was my favorite teacher. He was like everyone’s surrogate father and really shaped us into men,” Mark Anderson said.

Page 5 September 2017 Spotlight Editor: Victoria Taylor: taylorv512@ritenourschools.org

Spotlight

RITENOUR ALUMNI Continued from page 3

1980 RHS Yearbook Choir Director Dr. Richard Bell was a Ritenour graduate in 1980. This was his senior yearbook photo.

Courtesy: Dina Durnin Counselor Dina Durnin took a picture in her home before she went to the Homecoming dance in 1992. She recalls big hair and tight rolled jeans.

Norway,” Durnin said.

“Getting to know different people and understanding their traditions was really cool and I think helps get a glimpse into others perspectives,” Dr. Richard Bell, who is Ritenour’s choir teacher and a graduate of the class of 1980, appreciates the changes in the Music Department from when he was a part of it as a student and now as an administrator of it.

“Of course, the number one thing that is so much better now than when I was in school is having such a wonderful performing arts facility. While a student at RHS, the music department had to perform in the North Gym (at that time it was called the Girls Gym,” Dr. Bell said.

“It was not the best of venues for a concert.”

Lastly, Activities Director and graduate of the class of 1972, Jerry Nolen, has seen many changes throughout Ritenour. He is the earliest graduate who still works at the school today.

“We now have grades 9-12.

When I was here, it was just grades 10-12. Freshmen were still at the junior high schools.

We had 3000 students in the building when I was a student at Ritenour. My graduating class was over 1000.

Graduation ceremonies took almost four hours,” Nolen said. “The auditorium was not here. The area where the

auditorium is was a parking lot and houses. The swimming pool was just completed. The library was just completed, as well as what is now the PLTW hallway. Back then, those were offices and large lecture rooms.”

From hair and clothing styles to extracurricular activities and the building setup, these teachers have witnessed so many different changes from when they attended Ritenour High School.

Today, they are now given the opportunity to take the roles of their past teachers and use the advancements in technology and architecture in order to enhance their students’ education at their very own alma mater.

“The biggest difference that I see from 1991 to now would be the advances in technology. I recall using the card catalog to research books and information.

Now everything is at your fingertips,” ISS teacher George Lee

Courtesy: George Lee Above: ISS teacher George Lee played in the 1991 Homecoming game. Lee is now a coach of the boys basketball team at Ritenour.

Courtesy: Mary Jane Petralli

Left: Math teacher Mary Jane Petralli poses at prom with her date in 1983.

Where are they now - Class of 1986 Jennifer Page

The first in a series where The Pepper Box catches up with Ritenour Hall of Fame members

By VICTORIA TAYLOR Spotlight Editor While looking back over the last 150 years of Ritenour, a common sign from the past is the Hall of Fame photos hanging outside the auditorium. There are many faces hanging on the wall that represent the positive contributions that Ritenour graduates have made to society. In an attempt to bring the past to the present, the Pepper Box will be writing a series of features on Ritenour Hall of Fame members throughout the course of the year.

Jennifer Page, a 1986 graduate, was inducted into the Ritenour Hall of Fame in 1998 for her work as a physician. She attributes much of her success to the experiences she had at Ritenour High School.

“I received an excellent education, support, and encouragement from teachers and counselors who believed in me, and helped me reach my goals. I grew up with two parents who were deaf and we used sign language as our only source of communication,” Page said. “But I never felt disadvantaged.”

From the time she graduated, Page attended an accelerated 6 year medical program at the University of Missouri Kansas City, while also cheerleading for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs from 19881992. She then graduated with a Medical Doctorate.

“I had teachers who spent extra time with me in applying for college and the interview process. I am grateful to Dr. Bebe Kennedy, my counselor, who saw my potential and encouraged me and assisted in my application

to apply for medical school at the University of Missouri Kansas City,” Page said. “Cathy Nickens, my leadership teacher and sponsor for student council, introduced me to public service and the importance of leadership and service to the community. It was during one of the health fairs we sponsored that I recognized my interest in the field of Medicine.”

In addition to her counselor and leadership teacher, Page credits a history teacher for some of the traits that have been instilled in her for her future career in medicine.

“Dr Burt Boxerman, my US History teacher and National Honor Society sponsor, would accept nothing less than your best work in his class. He taught me always to question, learn from the past,

and strive to be the change for a better future. He was the Democratic Committeeman for Creve Coeur Township.

One my highlights was being able to serve with him as his Democratic Committeewoman from 2008-2010.”

Afterwards, Page received residency training and became Chief Resident in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, IL. She currently serves as the Medical Director for the Acute Rehabilitation Unit at St. Anthony’s/Mercy Hospital, and has done so for the past 20 years.

Although she has had a career that includes helping others in their time of need, Page said that she takes the most pride in what she has been able to accomplish with her family.

COURTESY: RITENOUR SD

“My greatest accomplishment has been marrying my college classmate, St. Louis County Councilman Dr. Sam Page, and raising our 3 sons. Logan is a sophomore at Washington University, Luke is a junior at Ladue High School, and Jake is a freshman at Ladue High School,” Page said.

Sports

Page 6 September 2017 Spotlight Editor: Coralis Bobe: bobec863@ritenourschools.org

2017 Ritenour Fall Sports Capsules

Football

• • • •

Jeremy Housewright

• • • • •

• •

Coach Hoyt Gregory Last Year’s Record: 7-3 Current Record: 5-0 Captains: Mann McGruder, Derrick Walton, Blake Rogenhofer, Triston Talton, Nick Williams, Trie Beach • Key Returners: Mann McGruder, Derrick Walton, Blake Rogenhofer, Triston Talton, Nick Williams, Trie Beach, Craig Thomas, Tiyler Grayson, • Key Newcomers: Devon Hutson, Meechie Jackson, Barrion Clemons, Brandon Martin, Dylan Licare, Rashad Caves • Expectations: Win 11+ Games Quarterback E’myzra McGruder drops back to pass in a game against Northwest.

Girls Volleyball

Coach Ellen Kim Last Year’s Record: 18-9-1 Current Record: 5-5 Captains: Brenda Reed, Coralis Bobe Key Returners: Alyssa Dougherty, Coralis Bobe, Makayla Hollyfield, Brenda Reed Key Newcomers: Natasha Taylor, Faith Curd, Mekayla Stephens, Montrice Bolden Expectations: To complete the season near the previous record - maybe even a little Olivia Hilliard better, to win districts again. Sophomore Faith Curd serves the ball in a volleyball match.

Boys Soccer

• • • • • •

Boys Swimming

•

RHS Athletics Senior Amber Brinker scoops up a ground ball in a game this season.

Coach Jennifer Wakefield Last Year’s Record: 4-8 Current Record: 2-5 Key Returners: Nick Virga, Jacob Volkert, Pierre Brown, Logan Causey, Brendon Stock • Key Newcomers: Javier Brown, Michael Godfrey, RJ • Holland, Gavin Shaw Expectations: Our record does not reflect effort. We would like to keep improving swim strokes and dropping times.

• Senior Nick Virga competes this season. Virga is • one of the key returners on the swim team.

RHS Athletics

RHS Athletics

Girls Tennis

• • • • • •

Senior Benita Zossoungbo returns a volley.

Zossoungbo is the captain of the team.

• •

•

Coach Tom Anderson Last Year’s Record: 10-13 Current Record: 2-7 Key returners: Izzy Clark, Reese Sherman, Amber Brinker, Chloe Pagan, Mia Key, Roxann Rivera Key Newcomers: Lina Palermo, Kaitlyn Lacovich, Mallory Waller, Jayden Frost Expectations: Win Conference, Win District, Win State

Girls Golf

Coach Jack Heeter Last Year’s Record: 0-7 Current Record: 0-10 Captain: Emma Stiebel Key Returners: Kili Garcia and Emma Stiebel Key Newcomers: Allie Inman and Adreona McCraw Expectations: I expect the girls to improve their individual scoring and further develop their enjoyment of the game.I am hoping to see Emma’s and Kili’s scores good enough to go to to districts this year.

Senior Emma Stiebel tees off to begin a hole. Stiebel is the captain of the golf team.

Jeremy Housewright

Jenna Hutson

•

•

•

Coach Mike Murray Last Year’s Record: 5-16-2 Current Record: 4-4-1 Key Returners: Seniors Jon Bishop, Alexis Reyes and Ryan Howerton Key Newcomers: Sophomore Goalkeeper Kevin Dominguez.

Expectations: To reverse all of the one goal losses from last season (7), and be competitive against the top teams in the state

Senior Trenton Kwasa dribbles the ball in a match against Clayton.

• • • •

• • • • • •

• • • •

Softball

Coach Michael Aitken Last Year’s Record: We didn’t have a record so to speak but had some successes with several of our athletes having successful seasons. Mamadou Diouf, John Teoli, Austin Cornell and Mike Schutzius lead us to a strong overall season with Mamadou just narrowly missing a sectional qualifier. Mike was one of the top freshman in the conference.

Captains: Calvin Pulliam & Zabdy Gonzalez Key Returners: Sophomore, Mike Schutzius is our top returner on the men’s side and will look to better his performances from last season. Emma Stiebel and Zabdy Gonzalez return for the women’s team.

Key Newcomers: We have a very young team but the top additions for the men’s team are Calvin Pulliam and Josh Loy, both seniors. For the women we have several newcomers with Jazmine Brevik having some early season success.

Expectations: On the men’s side we lost 3 of our top 4 runner’s from last season so this will be a rebuilding year but we have a group of hard working guys that will look to build towards late season success at Conference and District. Our women’s team is growing and we hope to have some really solid PR’s by season’s end!

•

Coach Beth Seibold Captain: Benita Zossoungbo Last Year’s Record: 2-9 Current Record: 3-10 Key Returners: Benita Zossoungbo and Adriana Martinez Key Newcomers: SilkLyn Mcleod, Leanna Morales, Makilya Brisby and E’mysha McGruder Expectations: To continue growing and improving as a team

Cross Country

RHS Athletics Sophomore Jazmine Brevik competes in a cross country meet.

According to Coach Michael Aitken, Brevik is a newcomer who has had some early season success.

Sports

Page 7 September 2017 Spotlight Editor: Coralis Bobe: bobec863@ritenourschools.org

By JENNA HUTSON Content Editor-in-Chief

Junior Barrion Clemons

Keith Laney, 1975

The 1975 Huskies had a record of 5-3 with a new coaching staff and athletic director.

The football team of ‘75 also sported new uniforms and were claimed to have a “revamped” offense with “several new plays” by the ‘75 Melaureus.

Since 1975 the Huskies have traded their signature paw-print on their helmets for our redesigned Ritenour “R”, lost the pinstripes on the sides of their pants, and added some lightning flare to their jerseys.

The Huskies currently have a record of 5-0.

Ritenour sports: Now vs 1975 How have things changed?

Junior Coralis Bobe

Back in 1975, the Ritenour volleyball team was split into two separate teams, a and b teams. Both teams ended the season with a 5-4 record.

Donna Paulus, 1975

Flash forward to 2017 and the varsity volleyball team stands on it’s own with a 5-5 record thus far. The girls traded in their knee high socks for knee pads and Asics. The volleyball team also scrapped the stripes and went for a basic black and orange short sleeve and spandex.

Fall captains lead their teams to early success

By JENNA HUTSON Content Editor-in-Chief

By JORDYN BARBER Opinion Editor SOCCER

FOOTBALL

For many captains, being chosen to represent their team is a huge reward. This statement is nothing short of true for RHS varsity soccer captain Maurice Lewis.

“It truly is a privilege (to be chosen as captain),” Lewis said.

“It feels good that my coaches trust me to lead my team.”

As a captain it is important to work with the team on its key issues. Captain Daniel Villela hopes to work with the forwards this season.

“I would say that our forwards need the most help and I hope that I’ll be able to help by commanding the strikers,” Villela said.

Captains also leave a mark on the team that is to hopefully carried on for years to come. RHS senior and soccer captain Abdul Haimed hopes to carry on some traits from previous years captains.

“I just want to continue to be a good role model for the younger athletes here at Ritenour like the captains before me were for me,” Haimed said.

The Husky football team leads further into the season undefeated with a record of 5-0. Guided by captains E’Myzra McGruder, Nick Williams, Derrick Walton, Blake Rogenhofer, and Demeetrie Beach, the team has gone against opponents with a mindset that clearly helped them succeed.

Nick Williams explained that it takes true dedication to the sport in not only the ability to perform physically, but mentally as well.

Senior E’myzra McGruder agreed, and said that it has led him to sacrifice in other areas.

“It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice to become captain.

It took giving up time with friends to dedicate more time to my craft,” McGruder said.

The captains also mutually expressed the honor that comes with being in that position on the team. Senior Derrick Walton appreciates the influence he has been able to have on others.

“All the other teammates look up to me for advice,” Walton said.

Jenna Hutson Above: Senior Daniel Villela defends the ball against Clayton.

Below: Senior Nick Williams lines up against Summit.

Jeremy Housewright

Opinion

Page 8 September 2017 Spotlight Editor: Jordyn Barber: barberj801@ritenourschools.org

PEPPER BOX STAFF Adviser: Ron Steinschriber Content Editor In Chief: Jenna Hutson Production Editor In Chief: Bailey Stock News Editor: Martin Trujillo Opinion Editor: Jordyn Barber Online Editor: Shelby Langhorst Sports Editor: Coralis Bobe Spotlight Editor: Victoria Taylor Staff Members: Trystan Bell, Allison Both, Pierre Brown, Hannah Cornish, Alexandria Eyster-Cool, Marquis Gladden, Grace Humphres, Lila Irby, Tabitha Peebles, Dori Sloan, Madison Waldrup

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.

Everything, Everything

By ALLY EYSTER The Pepper Box Staff Just like every other teenage love movie, ¨Everything, Everything¨ has a dramatic and twisted story plot.

It starts off cheerful, with the addition of some minor sad parts, and gets into the sappy romantic relationship between the two main characters Maddy Whittier, played by Amanda Stenberg, and Olly Bright, played by Nick Robinson.

The teenagers meet after Olly and his family move into the house next door to Maddy and her mother. They do not immediately meet, considering the fact that Maddy cannot leave her house, nor has she ever left her house, due to her lifelong illness.

A dangerous, sneaky relationship grows between Olly and Maddy, which causes some problems in both of their lives, but also some very positive moments and feelings.

Maddy’s mother ends up coming in between Olly and Maddy, which then creates bigger complications in Maddy’s life. Maddy learns that she has been lied to, however the truth makes her life much easier.

While watching the movie it felt like the two teenagers really connected and shared true feelings with each other, which caused the quality of the movie to be even stronger.

Maddy ended up taking matters into her own hands towards the end of the movie, creating powerful emotions for the audience and a clear ending.

The story plot was interesting and surprising, as well as having an appropriate and cheerful ending.

Everything, Everything Starring: Amandla Stenberg as Maddy Whittier; Nick Robinson as Olly Bright; Anika Noni Rose as Pauline Whittier; Ana de la Reguera as Carla; Danube Hermosillo as Rosa; Taylor Hickson as Kayra Rated: PG-13 Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5

Blocked in my first attempt The Barber Shop

By Jordyn Barber Hello everyone and welcome to the most magnificent column since, well, since last year.

I mean, come on now, they only gave me this space because the ridiculously talented seniors graduated.

Either way, I will be talking about the beautiful hideousness of writer’s block so prepare yourself to get lost.

Before we jump in, I must inform you of two things. I am very opinionated. Like, it should be considered a disease to be this passionate.

However, I would rather not argue about what should already be known, so just

accept that life is filled with opinions and mine just happens to be the one you’re dying to read.

Next up, I am absolutely confident… that I am not confident. My words may seem believable and certain of themselves, but I might as well let you to know now that I am never sure of myself.

I am convinced it takes the ability to doubt yourself to truly reach success.

So let us get right into it, shall we?

My very first column will be about how I could not get a single idea for my very first column. Yes, I am without a story, and as I sit here addressing a nonexistent prompt, I wonder if these words are the right ones to use. Are they snarky enough?

Do they make you think?

Probably not.

Are you now thinking I talked myself up just to send my credibility to the ground?

Well yes, you are correct. I figured writing a killer intro may possibly cover my thick layer of incompetence to come.

I feel incapable of doing this, and with the stress of the deadline ahead, I know

my words will be practically meaningless. It is ridiculous how much I want to impress you all, but my thoughts just continue to ramble on instead of doing so. My brain picks itself apart looking for ideas and in the process tears me to pieces.

With a blockage like this, creativity is a thing of the past. The metaphors turn into random words and the random words into blank pages.

Writer’s block can, however, be dealt with. I cannot say all of these things I am about to mention have worked for me, but maybe they can work for you.

Maybe you could take a break. I clearly need to take a little bit of a break, but I know I’ll come back strong next issue.

You could outline your work before you write. Of course, when you are this blocked, an outline of nothing is still nothing.

Finally, you can listen to something creative from your favorite musician. This could help get the creativity flowing and break you from the spell of writer’s block.

How will we honor history?

By MARTIN TRUJILLO News Editor It is almost universally agreed that history is something that should be remembered. It is how we celebrate our culture and remember our ancestors, and it is how we reflect on our past mistakes and swear to never let them occur again.

It was George Santayana that said the familiar quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. Humans usually learn from the past; even if the mistake is repeated twice, or thrice, sometimes even more than that. History is such an integral part of our lives.

Children read “The Magic Tree House,” students have history class everyday, and adults hear about new artifacts found all over the world.

Unfortunately what history should be celebrated is not universally agreed upon. This disagreement has turned violent in cities that are discussing removing statues that commemorate Confederate Army generals.

Opponents believe that The Confederate States of America is an important

part of southern history, and erasing it would be degrading southern culture. Confederate pride runs deep in southern states in America.

Proponents of removing statues believe that these statues are being worshiped instead of being remembered as their opponents claim.

Their support for the removal of these statues is based on several things. First, the Confederate statues are closely linked to inhumane slavery.

Second, these statues are of people that illegally decided to secede from the union.

This clash between the two opposing groups turned deadly when a protester in Charlottesville drove his car into a group of anti-protesters killing Heather Heyer. The events in Charlottesville became about more than just the removal of a statue when white supremacists and NeoNazis began chanting Nazi slogans.

After these horrendous events, President Donald Trump claimed there was violence “on both sides”, yet failed to specifically condemn Neo-Nazis and white supremacy. A few days later

President Trump tried again, and again Trump blamed “both sides” specifically blaming the “alt-left” and, finally, white supremacists and Neo-Nazis.

The question then becomes whether President Trump is responsible for enabling this type of behavior. He may not be responsible for their behavior, but he is responsible for creating an atmosphere where the KKK and NeoNazis do not feel the need to hide their faces and can proudly spew their hate.

In Trump’s second speech regarding Charlottesville he brought up an interesting point. Where will the taking down of statues stop? He brought up that the first president of this country, George Washington, owned slaves.

I think this is a bad example, considering Washington helped build this country while Confederates tried to break it apart.

Still, should the positive contributions of the historical figures be disregarded due to their ethics, or should their unethical actions be overlooked?