October 2018 Pepper Box

CONSPIRACY THEORIES

BEST HALLOWEEN CANDY

Staff and students share their views on conspiracy theories

DISTRICT SHAKE UPS

Coaches and players react to constantly changing district assignments

The Pepper Box ranks Halloween favorites

SPOTLIGHT Pg. 4-5

SPORTS Page 8

A&E Page 7

THE PEPPER BOX RITENOUR HIGH SCHOOL

ISSUE 2, VOLUME 97

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

OCTOBER 2019

Vaping increases amongst high school students nationwide Students are turning to e-cigarettes without knowing all the health risks VERONICA SUSOVICA Pepper Box Staff Vaping has become a concern in schools across the country, and in many cases, students do not even really understand the harm that their actions could be causing.

More than half of teenagers that use any e-cigarette in the U.S. say that there is “just flavoring” in their e-cigarette. They did not mention nicotine or any other chemical. These students do not even know what they are putting in their bodies but yet, they continue to vape.

Additionally, it doesn’t help that so much of the youth have been exposed to advertisements about e-cigarettes and vapes that have been proven to be a factor in consumption.

Approximately 78.2% of middle and high school students (20.5 million youth) have been exposed to e-cigarette advertisements at least once in their lifetime, which is an increase from 68.9% in 2014.

A very popular e-cigarette brand among U.S. high school students, known as Juul, contains glycerol, propylene glycerol, nicotine, and benzoic acid. Nicotine is already commonly known

as an addictive and harmful chemical, but propylene glycerol can be found in products such as antifreeze, polyurethane cushions, paints, and others.

“It is getting a bit out of hand. Students are vaping in school and getting caught, which is ridiculous, but it is an example of how big the problem is. I do not think any crackdowns will lessen the issue though,” senior Destiny Chandler said.

Nicotine vaping was found to be used by 1 in 11 students in 8th grade, 1 in 5 in 10th grade, and 1 in 4 students in the 12th grade across the country.

“The use of vaping is actually really common, but not as common as other types of drug use,” Chandler said.

Nicotine, as well as any other drug, can easily change important brain areas, which are crucial to keep the body alive. Since these areas are affected, it can lead to addiction quickly and hinder brain development since the brain does not stop developing until age 25.

Students at Ritenour believe that there has been an increase in use amongst students.

“I have seen people randomly vaping in the middle of the hallways, bathrooms, and classrooms,”

Photo by Mackenzie Davis, photo manipulation by: Ron Steinschriber: Teenagers have been vaping using e-cigarettes, but many nationwide do not understand the chemical composition of what they are ingesting. It has become such a concern that one local school district is suing the manufacturers.

junior Maria Castillo-Vega said.

The use of nicotine brings risks such as mood disorders, as well as a permanent lowering of impulse control.

Additionally, nicotine alters the way synapses are formed.

This can potentially lead to damaging parts of the brain that influence the ability to pay attention and learn.

Assistant principal Chris Isaacs has noticed a shift in use at Ritenour.

“I would say it is probably more prevalent than kids

smoking cigarettes. I think part of that is because it has been billed as safer than cigarettes. I think there are kids that are going to do it and go that route anyway. It is not healthier, but it is a safer alternative,” Isaacs said.

It has been recently reported that the Francis Howell School District, along with others across the country are planning to sue Juul over concerns for student health. The lawsuit said Juul took tips from the old tobacco playbook when advertising

to kids, which would get them addicted quickly with nicotine pods which have the same strength as two packs of cigarettes.

“I know Francis Howell is part of the districts that are suing the vaping companies for that. I had not heard whether or not Ritenour is a part of that or is joining that. It makes sense to do that because it is creating a public health issue for kids,” Isaacs said.

New immigration policies concern families New immigration policies have brought an increase in raids for undocumented citizens SAMANTHA LEWIS Pepper Box Staff Since President Donald Trump took office in January of 2017, part of his platform has included focusing on illegal immigration in the United States, and the increase in raids

and conditions in detention centers have sparked discussion amongst staff and students at Ritenour.

Over the summer, President Trump announced an expansion of expedited removal of undocumented immigrants who can not prove they have been in

Photo courtesy: Staff Sgt. Andrew Satran/U.S. Air Force Agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been carrying out raids at the request of President Trump.

The agents have interviewed and screened more than five times as many people during the Trump administration as they did when President Obama was in office.

IN THIS ISSUE

the country continuously for the last two years.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal law enforcement agency that works under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. They are responsible for immigration enforcement, which has increased since President Trump took over, and might increase even more as Trump has threatened nationwide mass raids.

According to an article by Emily Ryo in The Conversation, during the last year of the Obama administration, ICE interviewed and screened 5,940 U.S. citizens about their legal right to stay in the country. In the first year after President Trump took office, 27,540 U.S. citizens were subject to this process.

This change has led to plenty of people fearing for their safety as well as the safety of their families, even if their families are not undocumented. Junior Crystal Rendon, who has family

THE NFL PROBLEM

THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA

CONSPIRACY THEORIES

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members who were not born in the United States, is concerned about the welfare of her family members due to these raids.

“Half of my family is from Mexico and I fear every day that they might be taken away in a raid,” Rendon said.

This approach has come under scrutiny the past couple of years due to their tactics for raids, and the private detention centers where undocumented citizens are being held have also been criticized. On Sept. 15, a federal appeals court had to rule that children held in the detention facilities in Texas had to have basic hygiene products.

While there has been an outcry from protesters, junior Patricio Mendez-Gonzalez approves of the way ICE handled things: “I still think they are doing respectable work, at least now they are doing a better job of it,” Mendez-Gonzalez said.

While people like to think that opinions are either black or white, occasionally people’s

opinions fall into the grey area, such as social studies teacher Michael Murray. He believes that while people coming into America should be checked, he thinks that the way ICE is doing it does not have the right emphasis.

“It seems very arbitrary who they are picking and why they are picking them,” Murray said.

On Sept. 25 several different human rights groups accused detention centers of poor care to the LGBTQ detainees in their detention centers, along with accusing them of providing poor care to the detainees with HIV. The human right groups have asked for ICE to release the detainees to them in order for them to seek proper treatment, The Department of Homeland Security has kept over 300 individuals that identify as transgender in the custody of ICE since October of 2018, and no one besides the ICE workers and the detainees in the detention centers know what is going on.

BEHIND THE TOP HALLOWEEN NEW DISTRICT SCENES OF CANDIES MATCHUPS HOMECOMING PAGE 6

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Opinion

October 2019

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PEPPER BOX STAFF Visual EIC: Abigail Richardson Content EIC: Caroline Ramos-Herrera Production EIC: Catalina Mundin Spotlight Editor: Amelia Norman

Opinion Editor: Chloe Pagan Sports Editor: Alberto Linares-Cervantes News Editor: Daniela Saenz Online Editor: Caroline Wong Business Manager: Quynh Trinh Photography Editor: Mackenzie Davis Special Editions Editor: Andrea Rojo Social Media Manager: Faith Boyd A&E EIT: Jordan Fritzsche A&E EIT: Darleen Garcia Adviser: Ron Steinschriber Staff Members: Kayla Baker, Maxine Bee, Kristyn Bills, Torin Blevans, Kaitlyn Broomfield, Chris Campos, Jersie Cox, Samia Fouche, Tyrell Gilwater, Brianna Graham, Lizbeth Hernandez, Samantha Lewis, Miranda Martin, Elena Martin, Jessica Murillo, Kayley Norman, Kaylyn Riggs, Madison Secrease, Veronica Susovica, Toni Taylor, Kimberly Teoli, Peter Tran, Samantha Wagner 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.

School safety has to become the main priority

Editorial Schools are not as safe as they used to be, and there is no doubt about that.

Mass shootings have gone up, high schools have to institute new enforcement policies, and student fights seem to break out every day.

The number of mass shootings that have occurred in schools in the United States in 2019 alone shows that there is a problem in student safety. Even if the firearm is

accidentally discharged, it does not excuse the fact that it happened and the serious or fatal injuries that could have occurred.

All across the nation, schools now institute school shooter drills, which were not as strict as before. Stores have even resulted in selling bulletproof backpacks, coming in a variety of colors, and for all ages. Here at Ritenour, it is enforced that students must wear ID’s as a form of verification to ensure that no stranger and their unknown intent can gain

access to our campus.

Another policy that has been introduced to Ritenour this year is during home football games, large bags and backpacks are prohibited whilst attending the game.

Purses, diaper bags, and bags for medical reasons may be allowed upon inspection at the main gate when first entering.

Students bringing weapons to school has always been a problem, but in 2017, about 4% of students in high school in the U.S. have reported that they have carried a weapon

on school property. The intent of use is undetermined, whether it was carried for the purpose of self-defense or otherwise.

The easy access that we as high schoolers have to obtain firearms in the present day can be considered a major factor in school violence. In the state of Missouri, it is not required to have a permit when in the possession of a firearm or to have the weapons registered. Legally, a 17-year-old can own and possess “long guns” when it is sold or given by an adult.

The school is definitely headed in the right direction with how they are approaching school safety. While the students may not like the idea that they cannot open doors for friends or bring large bags to football games, they have to understand that it is for the safety of everyone at this school.

Any school safety concern must be seen as a major concern to make sure that all Ritenour students are kept safe at all times.

Antonio Brown highlights an NFL problem Brown sees nothing wrong with his actions after his release by two teams, cites other issues Sweet Caroline

Caroline RamosHerrera All over the news you are hearing about Antonio Brown and his alleged sexual assaults. He was released by the Oakland Raiders before the season even began, then signed with the New England Patriots, and then was released from the New England Patriots after playing just one game.

Antonio Brown is accused of sexual assault and rape and

is denying the accusations as of right now. Brown’s trainer, Britney Taylor, claimed that Brown sexually assaulted her multiple times in the course of three years, including “forcible rape.” Taylor claims the assaults happened on many occasions from June 2017 to May 2018.

Though Antonio Brown’s case is saddening and grotesque, this is not the first time that such an act was committed by an NFL player.

Brown soon blasted Robert Kraft and Ben Roethlisberger on Twitter about how Kraft had charges brought against him for soliciting a prostitute sometime last winter and how many other NFL players like Roethlisberger were accused of sexual assault.

Greg Hardy of the Carolina

Panthers was convicted in July 2014 of assaulting and threatening to kill a woman after throwing her in a bathtub. Hardy is not in jail, and in fact, he played another season with the Dallas Cowboys after only serving a four-game suspension.

Earlier I mentioned that Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a woman. His punishment was a six-game suspension that was even cut to a four-game suspension.

Many may believe if they were able to easily dismiss the other accusations of other players, they should be able to easily dismiss Brown’s accusations. Along with thinking, what makes Antonio Brown different from other football players?

Where my opinion and Antonio Brown’s opinions differ is that he thinks that he should get off easy because everyone else did. I believe that there should be stricter punishments for NFL players because they are not above the law. NFL players like Antonio Brown are not the law; Brown reacted to being laid off by both teams as if it was unfair to him because of the fact that he has been facing a harder time than the other players, rather than looking at what he did as a problem.

Antonio Brown got kicked off of two teams in a matter of months. Brown believes the issue is that he is being treated differently than other people who have done what he has done. What the NFL

needs is stricter punishments for their players. What the NFL needs are rules put in place so that they are punished for their actions.

A four-game suspension is not enough; a four-game suspension is another form of a slap on the wrist.

They need to start holding people accountable for their actions. The NFL should help launch actual investigations instead of pushing sexual assault cases to the side like they are nothing. We need justice and strong reforms.

We need NFL players to snap back into the reality that they are human just like everyone else.

Comics Sinister Seals

Illustration by Kayla Baker

Tales of a High School Something

Illustration by Abby Richardson

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Opinion

October 2019

Students suffering from trauma need more options CLOpinions

Chloe Pagan The effects of trauma experienced by the average student are far more powerful than any adult might think.

The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence has proven that over 60% of students are exposed to trauma in some way. Typically, students are not given or able to access the proper needs necessary for coping with these situations.

While many schools claim their concern for the student as an individual, just how far does that concern go?

The average workload for a student in basic classes can be anywhere from two to four hours. On top of school, a student must handle their own non-school related activities, and also find time

to eat healthily and get a decent amount of sleep.

For some students, this may be manageable, yet not all students are the same.

As stated before, over 60% of teenagers are exposed to some form of trauma in their high school years, which can lead to negative effects. Trauma may come in many forms and for many reasons which may include sexual assault, maltreatment, violence in the home, medical trauma, loss, natural disaster, LGBTQ and minority conflicts, and many more.

Many students who experience trauma along the lines of not being heard, or being treated as “less than human” can be subject to act out in order to gain that attention they lack in their home life. Students who experience trauma are also stuck in a “fight or flight” mindset. This means they may be easily triggered by loud noises, being called on to speak openly, or too many sensory actions happening at once. This causes the student

to either fight (act out), or fly (shut down).

The question I ask is, “what can we do to help these students?” Free counseling is offered at schools to any student who might need it, which might be one answer.

It is true that districts often offer counseling for students who might need it.

However, this counseling is more focused on building relationships with peers and solving man vs. man conflict than it is on the student and their mental state.

In the case that a counselor might actually focus on a student’s mental health, students are usually afraid to ask for help. Being subject to silence and/or fear of some sort in a student’s home life causes them to carry that fear wherever they go. The stigma around mental health might mean poor peer relationships, or might keep students from talking about it. Victims are afraid to ask for help because they are fearful of the consequences that help may come with

because of what they have learned through trauma. They fail to realize that in a caring environment, there is no consequence. Can schools do better to teach that?

Maybe a better solution would be to reach out to students individually.

Whether it be through a survey or through meeting with each student individually. At Ritenour High School, we have four counselors and nearly 1,790 students. A possible solution could be to reach out to all individual students each month in order to evaluate their mental state. Meeting with students does not have to be any longer than ten minutes and will allow for each teenager to feel heard.

Simply open dialogue in a safe space. If a problem is identified, a followup session would be favorable.

This idea, I believe, is a simple way to display care and concern that some feel they might lack on a regular basis.

This process would take about two weeks, which includes

time for counselors to handle other job tasks.

Students need an outlet.

They need to be given the time that schools claim they have for them. We must take the initiative and make each individual feel like they are more than just their grades.

We need to grow on the safe space that is promised through counseling. *If you do not feel comfortable sharing face-to-face there are mobile alternatives such as hotlines; SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800662-HELP (4357), PTSD Hotline: 1-866-233-3462, Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990, National Child Abuse Hotline: 800422-4453, National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-6564673, and many others.

Traumainformed.org shares an extensive list of hotlines for specific events (all 24 hours).*

The second amendment is under attack Always Right

Torin Blevans “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

The Second Amendment (2A) has been something in our modern society that has a lot of controversy behind it. We have some left-wing politicians who fear-monger and say incorrect things such as “it’s a shoulder thing that goes up” (Carolyn McCarthy) when talking about barrel shrouds and the right-wingers who are not budging on the idea of no gun control.

Let’s break down 2A so we can better understand it. According to District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court ruled that the 2A allows the individual person to carry guns and it is unconstitutional to limit that right in public, meaning we the American citizens are the “well-regulated militia.”

When the 2A says “the security of a free State”, it means that we the people are responsible to keep the government from becoming a non-tyrannical government.

Next, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed,” this means that the government has no right to take guns away or infringe on it by unreasonably limiting our 2A right. So the 2A says in simplified terms: we the people are responsible to keep the government from becoming a nontyrannical government and the government cannot stop us from protecting ourselves against them or from anyone else. If the government were to do that then they would be a tyrannical government and then we need to stop them.

There are no “ands” or “buts” about that; it is stated in black and white.

A common misconception is that the Founding Fathers didn’t have the kind of firepower that we have today, such as AR-15s and AK-47s.

That is somewhat true and somewhat false. In 1777, Joseph Belton created the Belton Flintlock. It was a flintlock that shot up to eight rounds in 8.5 seconds. They were the first semi-automatic rifles in recorded history and

President George Washington commissioned Ben Franklin’s friend, Joseph Belton, to make 100 “repeating arms” for the Continental Army. In 1718, James Puckle created the “Puckle Gun” which was the first known Automatic rifle. It could shoot 63 rounds in seven minutes when a standard flintlock could shoot three rounds in seven minutes. There are many more rifles and guns that are just like ours, maybe not as advanced, but they still had strong-firepower for their time.

Gun control will not work in our society for multiple reasons. Most of the ideas proposed by gun control activists are already in place. Background checks are already mandatory for all licensed gun sellers to conduct. Even if you buy a gun from a private seller the ATF still requires you to record the sale on paper and keep it for 20 years to ensure safety for America. It is already illegal for people who are mentally ill to own guns or even ammunition.

Automatic weapons have been banned in the US. It is a felony to change,alter, or take apart a gun to change the components. Even if the Democratic party bans all

guns or AR-15s (Armalite Rifle-15 not Assault Rifle-15) who is coming to get those guns? People with guns.

Does that make any sense?

The government should not be trusted under any circumstances and that is why we have 2A. 2A is not just for protection against a tyrannical government, but for protection against criminals. A Defensive Gun Use (DGU) is when a gun is used lawfully to protect other people’s lives. A study done about DGU said that about 4.7 million DGUs happen a year. That is 4.7 million times someone did not die, did not get robbed, did not get their car stolen, get kidnapped, get raped, or worse. Guns save lives.

People often talk about mass shootings as reasons for gun control, but influential gun rights activist Mark Robinson said “it seems like every time we have one of these shootings, nobody wants to blame, put the blame where it goes, which is at the shooter’s feet. You want to put it at my feet!” We always blame legal gun owners and the NRA for shootings. I believe we do not have an issue of gun violence but of mental illness. We need to

stop blaming the gun, and instead blame the person.

Blaming a gun for a shooting is like blaming the car for a DUI; it doesn’t make sense. We need to help more people take care of their mental illness and have access to help, which leads to a whole other problem.

America would fall apart if we got rid of 2A, America would lose about 300,000 jobs and $15 million in wages, we would have no way to protect our First Amendment, or protect us from the government.

We need more jobs in America right now and canceling gun production would not help us out.

2A is the structure of the Bill of Rights, it protects and secures all other rights.

Without it, America will fail in the future and would have failed in the past. We need to support gun owners and teach Americans how to shoot and handle weapons. If every American knew how to shoot a gun, we would have fewer accidental shootings and no fear of guns. We also need to address the mental health issue in America and help these people who cannot take care of themselves.

Political Cartoons

Illustration by Kayla Baker

Illustration by Chloe Pagan

Spotlight

October 2019

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To believe or not to believe, that is the question Staff and students share their beliefs in conspiracy theories which have become popular on social media CHRISTOPHER CAMPOS & TONI TAYLOR Pepper Box Staff The term conspiracy theory has evolved since its first use in the late 1800s to what is now used today.

While once limited to outsiders, the use of social media has created more widespread appeal and acknowledgment of conspiracy theories in modern times. These theories could arise from historical

storytelling, to a general mistrust of information being put forward by the government and the media, or even social concerns like lack of privacy.

While jokes abound throughout the high school

about certain conspiracy theories, there are many staff and students who truly do believe in some of the conspiracy theories that float around. Some beliefs are new, such as the “birds aren’t real” theory that just came into

existence in 2017, and some beliefs have been held for over 20 years by staff members.

In the spookiest of months, these are the stories of some conspiracy theories, and the staff and students who believe that they are true.

FAKE MOON LANDING Many conversations have sparked on whether or not Neil Armstrong was actually the first man to walk on the moon. Much tension between the Soviet Union and the U.S. at the time caused a competitive space race to the moon.

Believers of the conspiracy have thoughts that NASA purposely destroyed and tampered with the hardcore proof that would have credited them with being on the moon. It is speculated that they have purposely gotten rid of many TV transmissions, radio broadcasts, and even rock samples in an attempt to cover up their tracks of the faked first moon landing.

The fake moon landing is said to have been shot on a movie set to get the same video you could get if you were actually on the moon. Throughout some of the actual saved clips and photographs of the actual moon landing, there are several rocks on the floor marked with a “C”. The mark is supposedly clearly visible through the naked eye and it has been said that the letter signifies it as a prop in the television community. Once the two astronauts place the American flag into the ground, it can be seen swaying in the wind. Due to the harsh atmosphere it should not be waving in the wind.

The shadows also play a huge role in this conspiracy. There have been inconsistencies in the direction and color of them, ultimately suggesting to the community that it could have been filmed on a soundstage with artificial lighting.

Junior Kaila Anderson does not think the U.S. actually went to the moon with Neil Armstrong. Just like many other conspiracy theorists, Anderson believes it was faked by the U.S. solely for the purpose of giving the people what they wanted and winning the space race.

Photo by: Mackenzie Davis “Our technology is way more advanced now a days and we have not had Junior Kaila Anderson believes that the moon landing was faked and that the many people up on the moon since then. It seems like we’re going back with our “discoveries” instead of making improvements to our supposed moon operations,” one that was shown on television was created in a soundstage. Conspiracy theorists have pointed to items that looked like the letter “c” on some of the Anderson said. rocks, as well as the American flag swaying once it was planted as reasons that With the technology available in the late 1960s, around the time the first the video could not have actually been from the surface of the moon. moon landing occurred, Anderson feels that it seems odd to be able to pull off such a rigorous mission. Many factors go into the development of a suit such as regulation of temperature, protection from the atmosphere, and harmful space effects.

“People get skin cancer or sunburns all the time even with sunscreen lotion. So if we can barely protect ourselves within the earth, how is it supposed to happen outside of the earth’s protective layers,” Anderson said.

BIRDS AREN’T REAL If you have been going to this school for a while, you just might have heard someone say something to the likeness of “birds aren’t real!”

Though this may seem a little odd at first, to a lot of people this statement is a fact. Although this is not a well-known conspiracy, junior Bella Rohlfing is adamant that it is true.

“Birds are actually robots that the government uses to spy on us with. Real birds were replaced during the Reagan administration to, again, spy on people,” Rohlfing said.

Rohlfing said that she had proof that this was true, based on something she witnessed last year. “ Did you notice that during the government shutdown last year? We did not see any birds? I did not see any birds during the shutdown,” Rohlfing said.

The birds aren’t real conspiracy is only two years old, as it was first introduced on Reddit in 2017. The theory combined satire, real privacy concerns and Internet culture to hatch a group of people who truly believe that all birds have been replaced by government drones.

Rohlfing thinks that this idea is very important for everyone to know because it could lead to them losing their privacy and freedom.

“People should know if the government is watching them. It is an invasion of privacy,” Rohlfing said.

Photo by: Mackenzie Davis Are birds real, or are they just another government machine watching our every move?

Junior Bella Rohlfing believes that birds are not real, and has had the sticker on her chromebook since her sophomore year. She believes that birds are drones created by the government to spy on its citizens.

LOST CITY OF ATLANTIS The lost city of Atlantis is described to be an island mentioned in one of Plato’s great works “Timaeaus and Critias.”

It is supposed to be the ideal state of how civilization should be. Even though this was a minor part of the story, the Lost City of Atlantis has made it big.

Atlantis is described as a flourishing land in the shape of a circle with a ring of flora and fauna around it.

Though this land is seen as fictional there are people who believe in this wondrous place. History teacher Zach Buxman’s belief in the existence of Atlantis is very serious. He believes this to actually be fact, having studied this through his history coursework and knowing the background of it.

“Atlantis, or something similar to Atlantis, definitely existed. The island was most likely in the Sea of Morocco and might have been an island called Sardinia, but a volcano came and destroyed the island,” Buxman said.

According to Plato’s works, Atlantis was a powerful kingdom that sank into the ocean around 9600 B.C. It was supposed to be the most advanced and powerful kingdom of its kind, and it sank in a night and a day.

Photo by: Mackenzie Davis History teacher Zach Buxman points on the map to where the lost city of Atlantis most likely would have been. Buxman believes that Atlantis actually did exist and that it could have been destroyed by a volcanic eruption.

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Spotlight

October 2019

MANDELA EFFECT The Mandela Effect was the spark that really began to bring the conspiracy theory community to the mainstream. It is essentially referring to any situation where groups of people all remember an event occurring when it never did.

The name of the conspiracy arose from many believing that Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s President, had died in 1980 in prison. In reality, he did not pass away until 2013. A large mass of people vividly remember this occurrence along with a speech given by his wife shortly after his “death” in 1980. The shared memory caused an uproar on the Internet where other similar situations had surfaced.

An explanation for the basis of the Mandela Effect is quantum physics, which ultimately relates the timeline we exist in today to other timelines from alternate universes. If there is a mixture of alternate timelines with ours, it can cause different occurrences to go off here and there.

“It does not make sense how we can all remember something being a certain way, but, in reality we are all just wrong. Something is definitely up,” junior Evynn Scherretz said.

Scherretz explained how she has had this phenomenon occur to her on many different occasions. These experiences range from her own “mini” Mandela Effect experiences to the bigger worldwide known situations, such as the Berenstain Bears, the Monopoly’s Man non-existent monocle, and the famous phrase from Snow White that is actually “Magic mirror on the wall.”

“It genuinely blows my mind. It is crazy how we can all believe in one thing and then it turns out to be the complete opposite or completely different from what we all thought,” Scherretz said.

Photo by: Mackenzie Davis Junior Evynn Scherretz is unsure how so many people can remember something in exactly the same way when it did not actually happen like that historically. One of the elements of the Mandela Effect is that Cheez-Its had a “z” at the end of their name on the box, when in fact the cracker has never been pluralized in its name.

TUPAC IS STILL ALIVE Tupac Shakur, a famous West Coast rapper loved by millions, was killed September 13, 1996.

Though this news was spread worldwide and known to many, there are still people who believe that Tupac is alive today.

In fact, English and Journalism teacher Ron Steinshriber is one of these people.

“When it happened, there were a lot of reports about missing autopsy reports, and him being cremated quickly and things like that,” Steinschriber said.

Steinschriber also noted the connection to a famous political writer that was made shortly before Tupac was supposedly killed.

“I was also a big believer in the connection that he made by rebranding himself as Makavelli on his last album, and the connection to Machiavelli and faking a death to fool one’s enemies. That sounds exactly like something that a figure like Tupac would do. Additionally, he had a lot of unreleased material that came out after his death, and it seemed more and more unlikely as it kept coming out,” Steinschriber said.

While Steinschriber admitted that this belief is only semi-serious, he said that his age and connection to the music play a role in why he has this belief.

“Tupac was one of the people who shaped my high school and college experience. While I was not a major fan, I grew up in Los Angeles and listened to hip hop, so he was one of the people who contributed to my young adult soundtrack. His music helped me create my views on the world and how to Photo courtesy: Ron Steinschriber create some change in communities that need help,” Steinschriber said.

English and Journalism teacher believes that there were many inconsistencies in what has been reported in the death of Tupac Shakur. In this photo from 1997 (a year after Tupac was reported dead), Steinschriber poses with a sign indicating that a property in Northern California belonged to someone named Tupac.

BUBBLEHEAD ROAD In North St. Louis County lays Carrico Road; a popular attraction where teenagers meet up to attempt to catch a glimpse of the Bubblehead family.

Much of the attention brought to the area has brought complaints from neighboring families of loud car speakers and teenagers’ screams in the middle of the night.

Two versions of this conspiracy float around in the St. Louis area. Some speculate that the Bubblehead family willingly volunteered to take experimental drugs that caused their heads to swell up like a pumpkin. This pushed the government or pharmaceutical company involved to buy them off and isolate them on Carrico Road. Others claim that the family is so heavily isolated because of physical deformities caused by inbreeding.

The physical deformities of the family had created isolation from the world. It is believed that an encounter with a Bubblehead could end in a rage-fueled attack for disturbing their peace. Many teenagers still venture out for an experience with the infamous Bubbleheads, walking away with damage to their vehicles and a chilling experience.

Junior Guadalupe Rico traveled down Carrico Road herself with some friends over the summer. The group of teenagers approached the street and started to have second thoughts on actually getting out of the vehicle. They decided to finally get out to take a look around, just to make the trip worth something.

“I am not sure if it was just the eerie silence or the actual thought of coming across some deformed monsters that had us all on edge as we walked around,” Rico said.

Eventually coming across a body of water, stones could be heard being thrown into the pond.

Photo courtesy: Djuradj Vujcic (Wikimedia Commons) “Everyone abruptly froze in place waiting for someone to burst out laughing admitting for the strange noise. We just stood there like a deer in headlights.

The place referred to as Bubblehead road actually exists in North County. The That’s when I saw Jose start sprinting up towards the car and all of us soon followed. I wasn’t quite sure what I saw out of the corner of my eye, and I’m sure actual name is Carrico Road, and while people, including some Ritenour students, have visited there looking for the family, the residents on the street do not like the Jose doesn’t even know either. What I do know is that I will not be going back to attention. There are signs, like the one pictured here, letting people know that there that road. You could not pay me a million dollars,” Rico said. is no trespassing allowed and that authorities will be called.

Spotlight

October 2019

Page 6

A behind the scenes look at the stages of Homecoming Staff and students spent many hours preparing for all aspects of Homecoming day and night KAYLYN RIGGS Pepper Box Staff Spirit week laid down a red carpet for the impending event laying at the end of it; Homecoming day.

Ritenour students had all been waiting for so long, with many even having a countdown on their phone.

However, this was not just a one-and-done day. People were preparing for weeks, even months; excitedly buying Homecoming dresses, renting trailers for their floats and practicing intensely as they awaited the arrival of the beautiful night.

Saturday morning came as quickly as a blink, and finally the parade was here. Working for weeks before the actual dance, math teacher Danielle Swallow was beyond ready for the parade to actually begin.

Seniors surrounded her as they began to march with their float.

“We have been reusing a lot of stuff from last year, many of my seniors have been spending a lot of time helping. I would say we have spent about eight hours on it,” Swallow said.

She smiled as she finally got to watch her group of seniors, who would soon be gone from the halls of Ritenour, march in their final Homecoming parade.

As the parade ended abruptly with all of the floats turning back into the school, students rushed home to prepare themselves for the Homecoming football game that would soon take place back at Moore field.

Senior Kevin Tyler had been preparing for the Homecoming game extremely hard with his team. Anyone

who stays anywhere within a four mile radius of the practice field after school could tell you undoubtedly that the football team had been working extremely hard, changing daily habits and running more hills than they even knew their feet could handle.

“I already stretch daily to make sure my body is ready, but now it tends to be a focus in the morning and before practices. I have been focusing on how much water I take in and I am sure the rest of the team has been doing the same thing,” Tyler said.

Tyler spoke with confidence that the Homecoming game would indeed be a good one.

“We worked extremely hard in practice, we had extra practice days in the weeks coming up to Homecoming itself,” Tyler said.

As the football game came to a close, many began to prepare themselves for the enticing Homecoming dance.

Sophomore Leniyah Robinson’s eyes widened as she sat, perched on her living room window sill, excitedly awaiting the arrival of her mom’s car. It was 1:30 p.m. and Robinson happily relished in the fact that her boyfriend had to wake up and smell the roses; he was to be her date to Homecoming.

Talking with Robinson for any longer than a minute made it obvious the excitement she held for Homecoming. Many upperclassmen rolled their eyes at the event, and some just simply avoided it, but Robinson was not part of that rally as she began spending money months

Photo courtesy: Lee Laskowski Math teacher Danielle Swallow leads the class of 2020 float at the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 5. Swallow and the class officers worked on the float for weeks leading up to the parade, using a combination of items from last year as well as new effects.

before the night even happened. Standing at a table at lunch Robinson recounted everything she had planned.

“I am spending about $100 on hair and makeup, I spent at least $50 on the accessories, the dress and shoes alone were...woof,” Robinson said.

Not an ounce of regret laid behind her eyes as she showed off an inordinate amount of photos of her in a cotton blue dress.

On the morning of Homecoming, with one step into the door, Robinson began barking orders.

“Alright, I have to get my makeup done now.

Hopefully- if everything goes my way, which it never does, I will have my hair done at the same time or shortly after,” Robinson said.

Her mother and sister’s eyes widened, slightly scared of the time that laid ahead of them and they prayed silently for her boyfriend, sophomore John Vanover.

Robinson sat, chin up in a chair in her kitchen. Ring lights surrounded her as her sister hovered over her, practically crouching, Gollum style, obsessing over the blues and silvers Robinson insisted on. While makeup went smoothly, no where near the purple glitter look she sported last year, hair was an entirely different story.

“It is simple,” Robinson said, “bun, curls coming out, twisties, clips.”

Her slightly horrified mother tried desperately to understand what Robinson meant. Fire brewed behind Robinson’s not-so-calm facial expression, as she looked in the mirror to see what hairstyle had been created on her head.

Robinson huffed and growled, hoping the next time her mother would be able to correctly achieve the hairstyle they had been talking about for months.

Eventually, when Robinson’s tears dried in her eyes and she finally was able to breathe, she looked in the mirror once more and saw that the picture she had in her head was looking back at her. She shared a quick hug with her mother, showing her affection without wasting time on a measly hug, she was not even dressed yet.

She said that as she stepped into her dress, though she did not look up and see the faces of the women surrounding her, she

Photo courtesy: Leniyah Robinson Sophomore Leniyah Robinson spent months preparing to attend Homecoming with her boyfriend, sophomore John Vanover.

Robinson planned out her dress, hair, and makeup and wanted the night to go just as she had planned.

knew the faces they held were off my relationship. I don’t full of pride, looking at their think I’ve ever been this daughter and sister standing comfortable anywhere else in her room, a growing young This was important, but I did woman, gorgeous and happy- not have to force it. It already knowing she was going to was a great day,” Everett said.

Homecoming with someone Everett recalled the she loved, appearing as ravishing sunset she watched beautiful as she did. lazily before getting home Robinson smiled, finally and finally changing into taking a pause from the her suit. Hanging on her chaotic day. window, Everett stared down “I’m grateful for you both,” the flawless suit she had been Robinson said. restlessly looking at for weeks Robinson’s mom nodded now. She took it down from in understanding. the hanger and brushed it off.

As Robinson tightened her Everett did not get her heels, and prepared to leave, hair or makeup done like in another room across town Robinson, she sat down with sophomore Michelle Everett her two cats and played with tightened her tie. them in her suit and tie before Instead of carrying along leaving to go to the dance. a weighted, poofy dress and The only thing she really had tall stilettos, Everett displayed to do was use her lint roller to a Calvin Klein suit and a new get all of the hair off. tie.

“I cannot explain how “I am really excited to be excited I am,” Everett said. myself. I feel like I am finally in a school where I can be who I want and wear what I want. It is refreshing,” Everett said.

Everett smiled as she showed pictures of her in the dark and handsome suit, with a bold blue button up and black tie.

Everett’s homecoming night was nothing compared to Robinson’s. When the game ended, Everett strolled home, choosing to walk rather than drive, enjoying the beautiful night that began to fall. Of course, she had been looking forward to this night for months, and spent a lot of money like Robinson had, but it just was not as urgent to her.

“It was a romantic night, Photo courtesy: Michelle Everett and I was not going to waste a single moment of it being Sophomore Michelle Everett felt stressed or angry, I finally comfortable attending this year’s got to wear a suit and show Homecoming in a suit and tie.

October Club of the Month - Games & Anime DANIELA SAENZ Pepper Box Staff Wednesday, Sept. 18 in the library, the Games and Anime club held an Escape Room.

English Language Arts teacher, Laura Beamer came up with the idea of making her own escape room as one of many different types of events that the group does.

She had a lot of ideas, but she just could not really finish them. Beamer then found out that she could just buy them, so she felt that it was a good starting point.

The Escape Room game kit she bought is called, “The Werewolf Experiment.”

Beamer has gone to several escape rooms and has had a good time. The last time Beamer went, she thought about how much fun the club members would have with something like that, so she wanted to recreate that experience.

“Still, even though we had a couple of bumps in the road, everyone seemed to enjoy the experience and were excited at the victory,” Beamer said. “It was a little frustrating at times because a few of the puzzles did not work the way they were supposed to, so in the future I am going to be prepared for things not to go perfectly.”

Photo by: Daniela Saenz Games and Anime club sponsor Laura Beamer watches as members of the group try to solve the escape room that she created. This is one of many activities that the group participates in over the course of a school year.

Page 7

A&E

October 2019

“Tall Girl” has big What’s trending? - Candy The Pepper Box reviews Ritenour’s top 5 Halloween candy problems The Netflix movie misses the mark besides curling your hair and a bit of lip gloss, and of course having an unoriginal, sassy, black character as your Over the weekend I was best friend. This character scrolling on Netflix, scouring has to defend the main for new movies to watch, and character (Jodi) by telling off as always, it did not have that people who come in Jodi’s many good movie selections. path. I feel as if this movie Soon enough a movie could have done better in caught my eye, “Tall Girl.” many ways.

Although I cannot relate to As I continued to watch being a blonde, blue-eyed Jodi try to win over Stig, high schooler who falls in the boy she has a crush on, love with a foreign exchange I soon began to realize that student or being any other although I was only twenty height other than 5’5”, I minutes in, I could predict clicked the title solely because how the movie would unfold.

I found the cover picture I became bored with the interesting. movie very quickly because “Tall Girl” is about a there are hundreds of Netflix teenage girl who is 6’1” and movies just like it. has difficulties with being Jodi gives herself a the ‘tall girl’ in school. In the makeover not to feel more intro, she says “You think confident in herself, but to your life is hard? I’m a high catch the eye of a boy as school junior wearing size she ignores her friend who 13 Nikes. Men’s Nikes. Beat actually genuinely has had that.” a crush on her ever since Ah yes, being a tall, elementary school. However, blonde, attractive woman she refuses to date him who is wealthy and has two because he is ‘too short,’ loving supporting parents which in my opinion is a bit is so hard. It really belittles contradictory since in the people who go through actual movie she complains about life-changing issues due to how no one will date her the fact that she makes her because of her height. height problem feel as if it Now don’t get me wrong, is the worst thing that can I am 100% sure that there happen to a person. are plenty of women who are Hearing that immediately over 6’0” who have troubles made me roll my eyes as I similar to Jodi’s, and that proceeded to watch the movie their struggle of being tall is about how ‘oppressed’ she is. something that does deserve The movie was predictable to have awareness. However, and cliche. It included all the this movie is so blown out of unoriginal things that make a proportion that many fellow cliche teenage movie, such as tall people have cringed and having a crush who happens made fun of this movie on to be the boyfriend of your the Internet. worst enemy, getting a glam Overall, I give this movie makeover that is nothing a four out of ten mostly because of the fact of how cheesy the movie is. This movie tried to become a ‘feelgood’ movie about how to embrace your height, but the way that the movie was going only gave the message of instead of accepting yourself you should just give yourself a makeover to impress a boy and make your enemy jealous. This movie had so much potential, but Photo courtesy: IMDB instead, it flopped.

JERSIE COX Pepper Box Staff

JORDAN FRITZSCHE A&E EIT

REESE’S Reeses has variety and that gives them a leg up. The Pumpkin Reeses is unlike any other Reeses, or any other Halloween chocolate for that matter. The peanut butter to chocolate ratio is better. Ever seen those tweets about how superior the Pumpkin and Christmas Tree Reeses are? It has the proper ratio to make something that is actually enjoyable. God tier.

Pepper Box Ranking: 10/10 KIT KAT The people’s favorite, who doesn’t love a good Kit Kat? The wafer provides some much needed relief from straight chocolate bars. In hindsight, the contrast sets it apart. The commercials do not lie, the crunch of a Kit Kat is as soothing as a harmonious choir of angels, however, it does get old. This a great Halloween treat.

Pepper Box Ranking: 8/10 TWIX The Twix is almost like Snickers, but it breaks up that heavy mouth labor with a nice cookie. It has the crunch, chocolate, and the caramel but it just works better than a Snickers. You could eat more than one Twix without losing a tooth to a peanut.

Pepper Box Ranking: 8/10

SNICKERS “You are not you when you’re hungry.” Growing up, Snickers were a favorite of my grandpa’s.

Not only does it have the chocolate, and caramel but it has nuts! Trifecta? You would think. While a Snickers may be good, let us be honest, the caramel mixture causes a lot of mouth work.

Pepper Box Ranking: 7/10 CANDY CORN Never. Candy corn is just a triangular sugar cube.

Candy Corn is peak Halloween sadness; it is the thing at the bottom of the bowl you resort to as you watch Monster House for the fifth time that week in your Lazy Boy recliner and think about how your last relationship could have ended better. The flavors do not work, it is not cohesive.

Candy Corn is only seen as a classic because of its aesthetics.

Pepper Box Ranking: 1/10 (would give 0 if possible)

Photos by: Mackenzie Davis

The best haunted houses in St. Louis If students are looking for a spooky time, they can check out one of these three haunted houses DARLEEN GARCIA A&E EIT As Halloween approaches, the Pepper Box A&E editors reached out to the students to see what the best haunted houses were in St. Louis.

These are the responses.

CREEPY WORLD Creepy World is a haunted house in Fenton, MO. Creepy World’s schedule is Thursday from 7-9:30 p.m.

Friday through Saturday 6:45 p.m.-12 a.m. and Sunday 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $75 depending

on what event and activities you plan on doing.

“I would rate my experience a 9/10 while visiting Creepy World. It was extremely fun and would be great for a group of friends.

The only reason why I would deduct one point is due to the fact that it is a little pricey, they are only open for a short time, and the lines are long.

Ultimately though, I would recommend going if you want a good scare,” sophomore Kaitlyn Hurst said.

THE DARKNESS The Darkness is in Soulard,

MO. The Darkness schedule is Friday through Saturday from 7:30-10:30 p.m. and Sundays from 6-8:45 p.m. Their tickets range from $25 to $75 also regarding what event and activities you attend.

“I would rate my experience a 9/10. Screaming and being thrilled was non stop. Although the tickets were pricey, I bought the tickets that let you skip the long line and go straight into the building. I am one of those people who get scared easily, so my screaming was non-stop because the performers came around

every second. I could barely speak when it was over,” sophomore Angeles Perez said.

SIX FLAGS FRIGHT FEST

The Six Flags Fright Fest is in Eureka, MO. Fright Fest’s schedule is anytime between September 27th through November 3rd.

The tickets range from about $35 to $100 depending on whether you decide to get season passes which can cover you throughout the year. Even then there are various passes that cover the food, drinks, and parking.

“I would rate my experience a 9/10. The thrill did not stop, even between the rides. The tickets are a bit pricey, unless you get a season pass, which is worth more than just a spooky experience.

A season pass gives you access to the amusement park all year long for that one price. The actors are one of the best parts. They are very good at scaring people, even the hard to scare. They are also really funny if you act like you’re not afraid of them,” junior Skyler Gayden said.

Sports

October 2019

Page 8

Coaches and athletes prepare for rotating districts The fall teams are preparing for new district matchups as they reach the end of their seasons KIM TEOLI Pepper Box Staff With the districts changing every couple of years for each sport, Ritenour athletics coaches must stay on their toes.

This can be seen as exciting for some athletes and coaches, but stressful for others.

Coaches must learn to adjust their coaching and game plan for the approaching season to prepare for the new competition.

There is some contrast on the coaches’ opinions about the district change. Some are all for it, such as varsity softball coach Tom Anderson.

“The districts changing every two years does not effect softball very much.

The idea behind it (keeping districts more competitive) is great,” Anderson said. “We will prepare for our opponent regardless of who we are playing and working on a game plan to beat them.”

Other coaches feel more affected by the bi-yearly

changes, such as varsity volleyball coach Ellen Kim. “It is definitely impactful because it determines how strong the competition is that you have to face in order to move on,” Kim said.

Volleyball player Makayla Hollyfield has played with the varsity team since her freshman year, so she has some experience with districts being changed on her team. She has a similar opinion on it as her coach.

“Having our districts change every year can be challenging because we never know what new teams could be in our district,” Hollyfield said.

Depending on the district in which teams are placed, they could have either a very challenging post-season or one that is more evenly balanced. It also contributes to how well teams must perform at the district championship games in order to be successful. Kim takes all of this into account for her team at the beginning of the

season.

“We check every August and early September and talk with the varsity team about who is in the district and what it will take to win,” Kim said.

Anderson takes a more casual approach, just working on a few things but not forming any specific kind of game plan.

“We don’t change our plan or team philosophy, but we modify and change how we prepare based on who is in our district. If we were playing a team that bunts a lot we’ll work more on bunt defense that week leading up to it. Besides that, not much else changes,” Anderson said.

Sometimes district pairings can change dramatically, such as the boys soccer district.

They generally have tough competition, but this year things are a bit different.

“This cycle we have three MCC schools with us, easily making this the most challenging district in the state, and possibly the

country,”varsity boys soccer coach Michael Murray said.

“I am not sure why MSHSAA would put this year’s district together like this when neighboring districts do not have anywhere near the competitive balance as ours. However, (Assistant) Coach (Jim) Coletta and I will continue focusing on our team getting better each

day to prepare for November playoffs.”

The change in districts can be seen as a good thing to some coaches and players because it encourages diversity, and sometimes it challenges teams. It is all about what teams do to adjust and prepare, to ensure they have a successful season.

Photo by: Lizbeth Hernandez Senior Edwin Lopez kicks a ball upfield in a match this season.

Lopez and the rest of the soccer team has a district that has been described by their coach as one of the toughest districts in the country.

Inside the Huddle - Staying positive Question: What has been going great for your team this season?

Sophomore Anna Wilson Golf

Junior John Cervantes-Pina Soccer

“We have a new coach. I think our new coach helps us work with better techniques, and what we do wrong, he makes us do right again.”

“The team got closer. Our teamwork and effort has gotten better.”

Senior Makayla Hollyfield Volleyball

Senior Malaki Romer Swimming

“We already have more wins “Our teamwork has gotten than last season, we have better, and I think we have won every game so far to improved as a whole. We have win Districts, and I think all gotten faster and I feel everything is going well for us like that is because we push as far as adjusting to different each other and encourage defenses and working everyone to do the best we together to make plays on our can at meets and practices.” side.”

Ritenour’s 2019 Fall district matchups

Information compiled by Tyrell Gilwater

Illustrations by Alberto Linares-Cervantes