Staff Editorial The Pepper Box staff believes that it is important that all people finish what they start. There are many words that can describe accomplishment and one of those words is completion. The word completion means the action or process of finishing something. Accomplishments are not always school related. For example, people can just finish a meal, finish a video game, or do something as important as graduate from high school. Linton Weeks of National Public Radio (NPR), wrote an article last year about the activities that Americans are finishing less each year. He cited the Natural Resources Defense Council to show that 17% of Americans leave their meals unfinished, when that food could go to someone that actually needs the food. According to Education Sector, fewer than six of every ten full-time, first time college students complete the work for their degrees in less than six years, and 400,000 college students drop out each year. The importance of completing things affects both the student and the person they are completing something for. For example, when completing a group project everyone needs to put forth effort to finish the project. When one person does not finish a part of the project, the whole group will get behind on the project. Completing something as simple as a meal or a project can affect the people around you. Even though completing something simple is important, so is completing high school and college. There are many different things that can happen during the time you are in high school and in college. One thing that students experience that causes them not to complete something is distractions. However, students need to understand that they need to fight through the distractions in order to make themselves less stressed. Todd Van Lulling of the Huffington Post wrote that completing tasks makes people generally feel better. Students also now get more distracted by phones, computers, and televisions. The more technology that is being invented, the more distractions students will have. Even though those different obstacles might get in the way, we can still overcome them. When completing something, people have a great sense of confidence and the feeling of success. Completing anything from a meal to high school is still a great accomplishment and necessary for our society to function.
Opinion
PEPPER BOX STAFF Advisor: Ron Steinschriber Content Manager: Aeriel Morrow Design Manager: Kristen Teoli Production Manager: Melissa Griffith Business Manager: Morgan Sweeney News Editor: Brittany Mixon Opinion Editor: Kaylee Houston Online Editor: Ariella Smith Sports Editor: Daedra Wallace Spotlight Editor: Ashley Meyer Staff Members: Allison Baker, Sean Baker, Leia Boyd, Shaquan Brown, Carcea Carr, Charles Daniels, Kelsey Degardin, Sara Declue, Morgan Diamond, Sidney Lee, Jessica Steele Ryan Tiefenbruch Editorial Policy: The Pepper Box is designed and created by members of the newspaper staff of Ritenour High School. The purpose of the newspaper is to provide a forum for the students to focus on issues, give opinions, and share information with the Ritenour High School community. The opinions expressed in this paper do not reflect opinions of our faculty or administration. Letters to the editor are welcome and accepted, but they may not contain profanity, obscenity, or anything innappropriate to school. They may be e-mailed to Ron Steinschriber at steinschriberr@ritenour.k12.mo.us, or dropped off in room 240. The staff reserves the right to edit these letters.
Front, middle and back cover created by Kristen Teoli.
A thing or two to remember Senior Melissa Griffith shares some words of wisdom in her last column
MISS UNDERSTOOD Written by: Melissa Griffith Production Manager Saying good-bye, farewell, see you later, ta-ta for now, all of that nonsense is always something that is difficult for people to say. I have immensely enjoyed writing my columns. They give me a way to rant for people to hear, however, they also give me a way to express to people what is morally right; such as showing people respect, recognizing that veterans are an important part of our lives, being considerate of others, and how to speak grammatically correct. This column also gives me a way to point out what is morally wrong with people; talking back, insulting people, and being rude. I would like to think that people will keep in mind the
things that I have been discussing the past two years, however, I know that that will not happen. I do hope that people do keep some things in mind. I hope everyone keeps in mind the things that I have tried to drill into my reader’s heads over the past two yeara. If people take anything out of my columns, respecting people is my biggest thing I would like people to remember. You cannot get anywhere in life if you do not show people respect. Treat others how you want to be treated, how you would treat your parents, grandparents, or how you would want people to treat your children. Respect is one of those things that people should just have instilled in their heads from birth, although not everyone does. So when you are in any situation, stop and think to yourself, “Would my parents be happy if I said or did this? Would this be something that my parents and grandparents would be proud of and brag to others about?” If the answer to either of those is
no, then you more than likely should not say or do that thing. I would like to thank Ron Steinschriber and Emily Waters for giving me this opportunity. I would not have started writing my opinion column, and expressing my thoughts to everyone without them. I do not think that I would be so open about how much I express my thoughts. I also do not think that I would have started to enjoy writing so much. I would still be trying to figure out what I what to do with my life. I would not have known that I like to take photos, and that I am actually kind of good at taking photos. I would not have found out that even though taking photos is tedious, time consuming, and causes headaches, it is still something that interests me and that I have grown accustomed to that I am good at. Well, now is my time to say it, so good-bye, farewell, see you later, bye, ta-ta for now(TTFN), and all that nonsense.
Yearbooks will be handed out during lunch the week of May 18. Any leftover books will be on sale for $60 all week. Preserve your memories before supplies run out.
Two added to Ritenour Board Incumbent Bob Young and newcomer Selena Amerson are elected to the Ritenour Board of Education for 14 years, and is currently employed at the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Before joining the Board, Amerson was an active member of the Ritenour Strategic Planning Committee, Ritenour Quality Curriculum Committee, Ritenour Calendar Committee, and the Leadership team at Buder Elementary School. Amerson takes the place of Dr. Thao Dang-Williams, who served on the Board from 2012Bob Young and Selena Amerson won the April 2015. 7 election to the Ritenour Board of Education. The returning Board Photo courtesy Ritenour School District member is Bob Young, who was Written By: Allison Baker just re-elected to his fifth term. Staff Writer After being named to his previous position, Young was also re After an election on elected as the vice president of April 7, the Ritenour Board the Ritenour Board of Education. of Education has welcomed a “Being re-elected to my newcomer, as well as a returning 5th term is a very good feeling. member. Not only is it an honor to serve Selena Amerson is the the community in this capacity, I newly elected official on the am grateful for the tremendous Board. She won the spot by support that I receive from the garnering 28% of the votes in Ritenour community daily,” Young the district. Amerson has two said. children who attend the high Young’s primary profession school; senior Rodney Amerson is as a firefighter, and he balances and freshman Asha Amerson. working with the Board and She also has two children who serving his duty at the fire attend middle and elementary station. school in the district. Her son, “Since first getting Joshua Amerson,is a sixth grader elected in 2003, serving on the at Hoech, and her other son, Ritenour Board of Education Ahmad Amerson, is a fifth grader has become a passion for me. at Buder elementary school. Serving on the Board is a way I She also has a daughter, Alyssia can be a part of the community Amerson, who graduated from in greater capacity and give back Ritenour in 2012. to the community, while at the Amerson has lived in same time working to make a the Ritenour School District difference for kids and Ritenour,” Young said. Being a firefighter gives Young more of a flexible schedule,
News
which allows him to fully participate in Board activities. “Being on the Board and being a firefighter at the same time is not really a problem. On one side, my job schedule allows me extra time to dedicate to Board service that a regular job may not. On the other side, because of that very schedule, I occasionally must miss some meetings and events,” Young said. Young’s family understands the importance of his role, as all of his children attended Ritenour, and his wife, Tammy Young, serves as the financial secretary at the high school. She works along with his schedule to make sure that they can attend every meeting possible. “There are a lot of meetings and events that we must schedule our personal lives around in order for him to participate. Our family is very supportive of his service on the board and understands the priority that it often takes,” Tammy Young said. Tammy Young said that sometimes it can be difficult for her during her job because of the balance she must have between being a Ritenour employee and the wife of a Board Member. “First of all, I am proud of him for volunteering so much of his time for such an important job, but sometimes it can be difficult,” Tammy Young said. “Sometimes I am asked questions I do not have an answer for. Also, if someone has a problem or issue that they want to get back to the Board, that is often shared with me so that I can let Bob know of these issues.”
Dangerous senior night temptations Operation Graduation is in effect so that Ritenour students are not in danger on graduation night Written By: Dornae Moore Staff Writer Every year prom and graduation are the two biggest events of a senior’s life. While everyone should be basking in overwhelming joy and keeping safe, that is not always the case. Accidents as a result of drug and alcohol use turn out to be the causes of death for many teens. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and about a third of those are alcohol related. Although drinking and driving itself is a major cause of accidents and death, the fact that teenagers are doing it will increase the percentages. According to the CBC, compared with a sober driver of the same age, a driver age 16 to 20 years old with a blood alcohol level of at least 0.08 percent is estimated to be 32 times as likely to die in a single-vehicle crash and 13 times as likely to be in a crash in which the young driver lives but someone else dies. Students may often succumb to misguidance from things such as their friends and surroundings,and extend drug and alcohol influence for those nights. “It is a sad thing that events like this occur after such a beautiful night. I do not know how I would feel if I lost one of my friends,” senior James Woolfolk said. Students Against Drunk
Spotlight
Driving (SADD) polled teens who projected a majority of students will drink and drive while attending prom or graduation. “Drugs and alcohol get involved a lot with teenagers. Responsibility is an absent thought when you are caught in the moment,” Woolfolk said. Senior Alex Bell believes that even though teenagers recognize that Statistics from dosomething.org and ncadd.org this behavior could be dangerous, they think it is Graduation night in 2013 when something that just happens at her older daughter, Kathryn, events like prom and graduation graduated. and they continue what they have “As a parent, I know seen. there are many students in the “Growing up, we tend district that do not have parents to watch our surroundings and at home that they can share or eventually imitate what we have ask questions and I hope they feel seen as kids,” Bell said. “I feel comfortable with us volunteers to all of this can be prevented by help or just have a familiar face simply making smarter decisions. to say “hello” to,” Teoli said. “I No drinking and driving, no drugs want them to enjoy a fun night or anything. The main reason with their classmates before they I feel people act like this is enter into their next stage of because were close to the end life.” of our high school lives and were Operation Graduation will about to be free in this world. take place on graduation night, Once we graduate, were broken and Teoli hopes that this event from that bondage.” will help prevent any negative Ritenour parent Julie outcomes. Teoli is involved with Operation “By hosting this event, Graduation, a program that I hope to accomplish keeping Ritenour has to help students stay thegraduating Seniors safe on chemical free on graduation night the night of their graduation. I Teoli got involved with would like the students to know Operation Graduation because that me and the other parents she has a daughter, Kristen, that who volunteer are looking out for is a senior and will be graduating them.” this May, and she originally volunteered at Operation
Freshman Briona Henry
Freshman Haley Culley
Freshman Ashley Hayes
Freshman Karry Chambers
Ritenour students show off what they have completed
Written By: Ashley Meyer Spotlight Editor Throughout this school year, both Ritenour students and staff members have been able to celebrate a variety of things they have been able to complete. Most people have something in mind that they would like to complete, or something that they are on the way to completing. No matter if it is short-term, or long-term, setting these goals gives students something to work towards and feel a sense of accomplishment when finished. A ceremony is not necessary for something someone has completed to be considered important, or worthwhile. Whether the thing completed is small or large, these accomplishments mean a lot to the student with a goal in mind, even if they may not be Junior Joey Cristosomo
recognized for it. Ritenour students had a variety of different reasons for wanting to both start and complete new things, and had to persevere and work hard towards the completion. From completing homework for the first time all week, or receiving an award, having the ability to complete something is something every student should want to strive for. Principal Gary Spiller has advice for students who are trying to complete something and need extra motivation. This year, he feels that one of the greatest things he has completed or accomplished is his transition into the high school this year. “Start, get some movement and continue to work hard, but always keep your eyes on the prize,” Spiller said. Completing something does involve a lot of time, patience, and energy in order to accomplish
Junior Daniela Lucero-Mendieta
the final goal. “When you are finished, I encourage people to cut the ribbon, and celebrate your successes, but more importantly, continue on the path because really, you never truly fully arrive. You always continue to get bigger, better, and stronger,” Spiller said. Secretary Sally Raney has been announced as the Ritenour School Distrtict employee of the year. Despite this being something she was nominated for, and not something she was really striving to achieve, it is still important that students have something they are working towards even if they do not know how it will end for them. “You cannot complete anything without putting in the work for it, you have to prioritize and like what you do. Everyone needs a reason to get up in the mornings,” Raney said.
Junior Travis Allen
Junior Jessica Babcock
Freshman Dorian Doll
Freshman Keyvion Hopkins
Freshman J’von Halbert
Freshman Emily Ledbetter
Junior Andrea Webb
Freshman Alexis Reyes
Sophomore Miranda Rodriguez
Why did she want to do this: “To know that I am not a horrible cook is quite an accomplishment in my opinion! It is a step in the right direction!”
Why did he want to do this: “I wanted to make varsity because I love soccer.”
Why did she want to do this: “I wanted to do it because I was always uncomfortable with myself.”
How did he do this: “I made it because I tried my best.”
How did she do this: “I decided last year that I wanted to pursue a career in culinary arts.”
Senior Cheyenne Weber
Junior Kyra Watson
How did she do this: “I started believing I was perfect the way I am!”
Junior Sierra Smith
Sophomore Adela Rico
Social Justice Club forms on campus In the wake of national social justice protests, Ritenour forms a group to engage students in the process
Social Studies teacher Isaiah Melendez leads a meeting of the Social Justice club early in the semester. Photo courtesy: Jerry Nolen
Written By: Aerial Morrow Content Manager Ritenour High school hopes to strike change throughout the school and community with the help of newfound Social Justice Club. The Social Justice club was founded by Social Studies teacher Isaiah Melendez with the help of the student body to help create a social atmosphere free of stereotypes and pre-judgments for all. Events such as those that happened earlier this year in Ferguson, Mo. and Baltimore, Md. have shined a spotlight on social justice issues around the country. Although most believe the Social Justice’s club only goal is to overcome racial boundaries, their goals consist of overcoming boundaries for gender, race, and sexuality. “One thing I noticed is that more students who are in [the social justice club], their eyes are being opened. They need to be,
it is just ignorant for us to accept how everything is and we want to create change,” sophomore Daniel Lee said. Students of the Social Justice Club want to start inward with addressing the issues at Ritenour, and then working outward by reaching out to the community. “I feel like it is not the teachers or the students, but the parents. It is basically what the students are raised into because in the end, there is ignorance in the students through the parents,” Lee said. According to Melendez, The Social Justice Club is a group of student leaders who are passionate about making right the inequalities they witness in their school, the community, and region through education and reform initiatives. In, simpler terms, they promote change for the better by the actions they take. “We believe everyone
should have an equal opportunity to excel in life. We believe that systems designed by men, when they begin to oppress any group of people should be reformed. We believe the greatest barrier to human progress is ignorance. Some may initially disagree, but when looked at from the standpoint of how education has the power to transform; we believe that they may then be convinced,” Melendez said. Although the Social Justice Club has only recently begun, they have much planned for the future. “The club was just created this past January so we are still really developing our identity and coming together as a group. We just added 15 members through an interview process this past March, and may even still refine those numbers until we have the right committed group to initiate the changes necessary to improve the school,” Melendez said. In addition to adding new members and planning new activities for the school, the club is also planning to take on a more active audio and video communications strategy. “We have begun to document our experiences and intend on establishing a partnership KRHS to publish our actions,” Melendez said.
Log in to Ritenourlive. org for the first Social Justice Club video
Spotlight
All-Ritenour Team Girls Golf
MVP Jayda Taylor Jayda is a talented golfer; she has the devotion and the drive to go after what she desires during her matches. She has such a passion for golf that she is a manager during her off-season.
A Pepper Box staff panel of varsity athletes looked through statistics and did interviews to find the varsity team MVP and newcomer of the year for every sport. They then wrote up vital information about the athletes. The Panel included: Daedra Wallace, Sean Baker, Ryan Tiefenbruch, and Shaquan Brown.
Cross Country
Newcomer Ashelie Smith
B. Swim
Newcomer Logan Causey
Football
MVP Ricky McCoy Junior Ricky McCoy finished the season with 6 touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry, and 23.5 yards through the air.
Newcomer Carl Garmon
Sports
Victoria Rico came out on top with the fastest times, and over her four years in Cross Country she made it to state twice and sectionals all four times.
Newcomer Ransome Drexler
MVP Luke Shocklee
Luke Shocklee has notoriety on the team as being a dedicated swimmer. His team speaks very highly of his attitude and his ability. In his Individual Medley he had the time of 2 minutes and 21 seconds.
MVP Victoria Rico
Softball
MVP Alyssa Noble
With a .333 batting average in the regular season, Alyssa Noble carried over her productivity to the district playoffs. She also drove in the game winning run to crown the Huskies District Champions.
Newcomer SyNia Lanier
MVP G. Baker Volleyball FourHannah year varsity player,
Hannah Baker led the team in kills this year.
Newcomer Sarah Jackson
B. Soccer
Senior Kody Nicks scored a team high of 11 goals on the year and led with 9 assists. Kody’s remarkable ability to score and the way he led the team earned him MVP for boys soccer.
MVP Rachael Zelle
G. Tennis
Rachael Zelle is the most consistent and all around best tennis player on the team. In the 2014-2015 season, she was named team captain and earned the spot at first singles.
Newcomer Jasmine Harper
MVP Ellie Preis
G. Soccer
Newcomer Maurice Lewis
Girls MVP Jordyne Frost BasketballJunior Jordyne Frost was second leading scorer, second leading rebounder, and led the team in free throw percentage.
Senior Ellie Preis is second leading scorer behind the team’s newcomer Alexis Ramey.
Newcomer Alexis Ramey
Girls Swim
MVP Kelsey Inman
Kelsey Inman has shown tenacity and dedication in reaching her goals for the season. Her stats are superb and she show great promise in the future. Her butterfly time was 1 minutes and 13 seconds.
Newcomer Emma Norman
MVP Kody Nicks
Newcomer Jessica Myers
Wrestling
MVP Tyler Hearns Tyler Hearns ended the season with a record of 24-6, he put hard work into becoming as good as he is.
Newcomer Ryan Howerton
Sports
MVP Boys Carlton Blanton BasketballSenior Carlton Blanton was
Baseball
the third leading scorer, along with leading the team in rebounds and assists.
MVP Timmy O’Leary
Newcomer Derell Moton
Boys Golf
MVP Joey Crisostomo Newcomer Joey has shown in the past seasons to be an admirable and outstanding golfer with the ability to get 350 yards in distance and 30 pars he has shown the merit of a great player.
Newcomer Jonah Gleckler
Boys Track
Josh Hanners
Boys Volleyball
MVP Seyvon Kenney
Girls Track
MVP Leslie Brooks
Leslie Brooks has worked her way up the ladder putting in work day in and day out to be the best and fastest on the track.
Newcomer Lachai Allen
MVP Cahlil Tolliver
Senior Cahlil Toliver was named a top player to watch in St. Louis by the St. Louis Post Dispatch for his skills as a libero.
Newcomer Antonio Lewis
Seyvon Kenny has shown his all-around athleticism on the tack, being one of the best in most events.
Newcomer Rashad Hughes
Timmy O’Leary has been on varsity all four years of his high school career, throughout these four years he has grown in personality and skill to be the leader he is now along with his skill all throughout the field.
Boys Tennis
MVP Christian Hurst Christian Hurst was named team captain of the 20142015 season and earned his spot at first singles with his consistency and ball control.
Newcomer Willard Fernandez
Spring sports capsules Girls Track •Head Coach – Reggie McNeil •Standout athletes: Leslie Brooks, Kelsey Hunn •Key newcomers: Lachai Allen, Diamond Riley, Alexis Crayton, Maisah McMillan, and Montrice Bolden •Coach’s thoughts: “The team this year has more highs than lows. We have to set our goals for state and if we fall short of that than we made a valiant effort to get there. I trust my coaches to instill the values, competitiveness and moxie that we will need as a team to move forward to our goals.”
Boys Track
Sophomore Ma’isah Mcmillan competes in a track meet. Photo by: Jacquie Parker
Head Coach: Hoyt Gregory Stand out athletes: Seyvon Kenny, Carlton Blanton, Ricky Mccoy Coach’s thoughts: “We’ve got to get better.”
Boys Tennis Sophomore Ransom Drexler competes in the Marion Freeman Invitational. Photo courtesy Varsity Views
•Head Coach – Jake Kim •Current Record – 3-9 •Stand out athletes – Sean Baker, Christian Hurst •Coach’s thoughts– “For my first year, my hope is to compete in a matter not to win, but to get better. Winning will come from getting better.” Senior Joshua Davis returns the ball back to the oposition’s side. Photo by: Madison Clark
Boys Volleyball
•Head Coach – Ellen Kim •Current Record - 12-16 •Standout athletes- Corey Poindexter •Key Newcomers –Garett Challens, Jack O’Leary •Coach’s thoughts- “We will be a great team once we figure out how to play for each other and work hard all the time with a positive attitude.” Senior Antonio Lewis serves the ball. Photo by: Kinzie Lewis
Spring sports capsules Girls Soccer •Head Coach – Jim Coletta •Current Record - 8-11 •Standout athletes- My team has a great mix of older girls and underclassmen. We have great senior players in Ellie Preis, Bergen Garland, and Alexis Ferren, and we also have skill in sophomores Maddie Steibel and Taylor Robertson, as well as freshmen Alexis Ramey.” •Coach’s thoughts- “My hope is that we are dramatically improved with playing our system for a second year in a row. We have been working a lot on playing together as a team and sharing the ball. I feel like we will definitely play better this year than last.” Senior Bergen Garland attempts to kick the ball downfield. Photo courtesy of Varsity Views
Boys Golf
•Head Coach – Jack Heeter •Current Record – 1-2 •Standout athletes: Joey Crisostomo, Nathan Fogle •Key newcomers: Drew Enlow, Donell Gardner, Jonah Glecker •Coach’s thoughts: “We are hoping to improve and win a few matches this year. Joey should make sectional and possibly state this year.”
Senior Ryan Parker is preparing to hit the ball at a golf match. Photo courtesy RHS Athletics
Baseball •Head Coach – Zack Buxman •Current Record – 3-15 •Standout athletes: Tim O’Leary, Dane Markley •Key newcomers: Kendall Powell, Josh Hanners, Ryan Tiefenbruch •Coach’s thoughts: “I look forward to seeing these guys grow through the season & become better players.”
Senior William Dalton swings and hits the ball. Photo by: Brendon Klohr
Academic dishonesty in high school Cheating has evolved over time and Ritenour is dealing with new methods and science classes, “plagiarism” happens in mostly English and history classes. Cheating entails copying another’s work, looking answers up online, or using pictures of notes during a test or quiz. Plagiarism is mainly essay or research-paper based, copying and pasting another person’s information to Senior Alexis Murphy simulates a student copying your own document and homework. This is one form of academic turning it in. dishonesty that teachers fight against. Photo by “I consider using Kaylee Houston prohibited materials like a calculator when there are Written by: Kelsey Degardin specific instructions not to, or Staff Writer having your notes out when you are not supposed to as cheating. While listed under Even helping someone else, like the section titled “Offenses/ giving someone else your stuff Unacceptable Behavior” in the to help them cheat. Anything Ritenour High School Student that involves breaking the rules and Parent Handbook, there to improve your grade,” math is no uniform consequence for teacher Kevin Daniels said. students who engage in academic Because there is dishonesty. no standard procedure for The Handbook defines disciplinary action when a student academic dishonesty as is caught engaging in academic “cheating; plagiarism; using, dishonesty, even the definition of submitting or attempting cheating varies from teacher to to obtain data or answers teacher. dishonestly, by deceit or by “To me, cheating is when means other than those allowed students represent somebody by parties in authority.” To many else’s work as their own, students, those words mean whether it be something they nothing, and are a challenge did for another class, or another to see how bold they can get student’s work altogether,” with their methods of academic English teacher Louise Haardishonesty before they are Chapman said. “I would say at caught. this point, I see more plagiarism. Although “academic It has changed. My students dishonesty” is a blanket term, it can be divided into the categories used to copy a lot, but now that so many things are done of “cheating” and “plagiarism.” on the computer, there is more While “cheating” occurs most plagiarizing from another source often in foreign language, math because everything is easily
Googled.” A study conducted by Fordham University showed that students who cheated on assignments and assessments had a higher GPA than that of the students who remain academically honest. Their numbers indicate that the average GPA of a cheater was 3.41 while the GPA of a noncheater was 2.85. “I think our advanced students find themselves under more pressure, both that they put on themselves and that we put on them, especially in this age of “how many points toward accreditation can we get.” It is like Princess Leia saying “You are our only hope,” and I feel like we do that to our advanced kids,” Haar-Chapman said. Daniels acknowledges the positive outcomes that students believe they can achieve by cheating, but warns against the dangers of convenience. “I just hope my students realize that at some point, the cheating will catch up to them. They are going to suffer every day in my class if they cheated their way through Algebra I and Geometry, because they are going to have no idea what to do. If someone cheats on a homework assignment, or even a test, it does not make them a bad person, and it does not mean they are stupid. However, they did make a bad decision that they will suffer for,” Daniels said.
Spotlight
Diploma versus G.E.D. Students point to G.E.D.s as viable alternatives to a diploma, but teachers warn about having a plan Written by: Morgan Diamond Staff Writer The term “high school dropout” is one with negative connotations in American society, yet there are many layers to this category and not all students had negative reasons for making this choice. Students at Ritenour often talk about passing the General Education Development (G.E.D.) test instead of getting their high school diploma so that they can get out of school for a variety of reasons. However, students who take this route do much better when they actually have a plan for success. Ritenour English teacher Riina Hirsch got a G.E.D. instead of her high school diploma, but it was not for a traditional reason. Hirsch dropped out in her sophomore year of high school because she said that her school was not challenging enough for her, and her classes were too easy. However, both of her par-
ents were college professors, and they helped her devise a plan to obtain her G.E.D., then continue her education in college. “A G.E.D is a great alternative, only when the regular system is failing you and you have the support and plan that you need to back you up,” Hirsch said. When students talk about dropping out of high school and getting a G.E.D., there is often an assumption that it will be easier than just going through high school. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the reason that more students gave for pursuing a G.E.D. instead of a high school diploma is that they thought it would be easier. 48% of students who pursued their G.E.D. gave this explanation, compared to only 29% of students who said that they had to start work early or 26% who had family issues. Sophomore principal Jennifer Nilges agrees with Hirsch about a G.E.D being an alternative, but says that it has to be the
right situation for each student. “I have mixed feelings about this, not everyone will be successful getting a G.E.D, you need to have a plan. I have students who dropped out and got their G.E.D and that was more successful for them, but that is not the best option for everyone,” Nilges said. According to the 2012 Bureau of Labor statistics, high school graduates make on average $1,600 more per month than people with a G.E.D. The military also limits the number of people that they enlist with G.E.D.s, and require higher scores on the aptitude test. “I was very fortunate that my dad had worked at a small local college because I got in with just my G.E.D. While I was there, I was applying to other colleges like I would if I was a senior and by that time they were not looking at my high school anymore, they looked at the college credits I already had,” Hirsch said.
Special Senior Insert- Last 9 pages Seniors and their 3 Es Michael Akalu- Undecided Ji’Sheila Douglas- St. Louis Community College Mahmoud Alananzeh- Undecided Zaria Dukes- Avila University Darrell Alexander- St. Louis Community College DaQuwain Dunn- Undecided Lachai Allen- Undecided Katelyn Dwiggins- Undecided Rodney Amerson- Coffeyville Community College Ciara Enlow- Meramac Community College Chistopher Anderson- Missouri S&T Joanna Espinoza- St. Louis Community College Hannah Baker- Seton Hall Darrius Espinoza- St. Louis Community Collegev Heidi Barahona-Castillo(Accepted) Joy Battle- University of Iowa Willard Fernandez- St. Louis Community College Diawn Beach- Southeast Missouri State University Alexis Ferren- Missouri Baptist University Alexander Bell- Undecided Jordan Foster- Missouri Baptist University Katelyn Gregory- St. Louis Community College Serenity Bell- St. Louis Community College Kayla Benton- Undecided (Accepted) Jada Bevineau- Undecided Daniel Gallardo- Military- Engineering Kieresten Billington- Lindenwood University Jailene Gaona- St. Louis Community College Guadalupe Gaona- St. Louis Community College Melisa Bland- Southeast Missouri State University (Accepted) Carlton Blanton- Undecided Travis Blevins- University of Missouri-Columbia Angel Garcia- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Kimalea Boland- St. Louis Community College Bergen Garland- St. Charles Community College Jacob Boner- St. Louis Community College Wangui Gathungu- Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale Jared Borja- University of Missouri- Columbia Jimmy Bowen- Harris Stowe University Rachael Gitau- University of Central Missouri Miesha Bozeman- Oklahoma City Community College Angel Glover- St. Louis Community College Lydia Bradley- Undecided Ali Gomez- St. Louis Community College Aaron Brenner- Undecided Abigail Gordon- University of Missouri- St. Louis (Accepted) Keithshun Brewer- St. Louis Community College Chris Green- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Joshua Broadway- Undecided Arial Greer- St. Louis Community College Gwen Brooks- Missouri State University Alexis Griffin- St. Louis Community College Keonna Brown- Undecided Derell Griffin- St. Louis Community College Missy Griffith- Central Piedmont Community College Thomas Bufe- St. Louis Community College Junie Haux- St. Louis Community College Jessica Burkett- St. Charles Community College Brendan Bushdiecker- St. Louis Community College Ronay Haynie- Tennessee State University Daija Byrd- Missouri Western State University Tyler Hearns- Lincoln University Alessandro Canchola- Missouri Technical College Juanita Hendrickson- St. Louis Community College Sabrina Cardwell- St. Louis Community College Raniesha Hendrix- St. Louis Community College R’achelle Casseus- University of Missouri- Columbia Karina Hernandez- Saint Louis University Diamond Herron- University of Missouri- St. Louis Jarrett Challans- Undecided Emmalyn Chandley- Undecided Jeremy Ho- Missouri S&T Denishia Chism- St. Louis Community College- Forest Park Tauhid Hopson- Southeast Missouri State University Destini Clark- University of Missouri- Columbia Kaylee Houston- University of Missouri- Columbia Maddie Clark- St. Charles Community College Haley Humphres- Louisiana State University Onye Coleman- Undecided Christian Hurst- Missouri S&T Kala Cooper- St. Louis Community College Kelsey Inman- St. Louis Community College Emily Crawford- St. Louis Community College Donella Johnson- University of Missouri- St. Louis Jacob Johnson- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Kevin Dane- Meremac Community College Charles Daniels- St. Louis Community College Heaven Johnson- Navy Josh Davis- Missouri S&T Selwyn Johnson- St. Louis Community College Nijah Davis- Florissant Valley Community College (Accepted) Sara DeClue- St. Louis Community College Randell Johnson- St. Louis Community College Kelsey Degardin- Eureka College
A list of seniors who have reported to the College and Career counselors what they will be doing after high school, whether they are going to school, the military, or starting their career Anthony Rivers- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Adam Jones- Missouri State University Austin Rivers- St. Louis Community College Asia Jones- St. Louis Community College Skylar Rives- St. Louis Community College Seyvon Kenney- Iowa Western Community College Tanjnae Kibble- St. Louis Community Collge (Accepted) Gelisa Roberts- Lincoln University Alberto Rojo- Missouri S&T Brandon King- St. Louis Community College Frankie Rosales- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Cisco Krollman- Ranken Technical College Brandon Sanders- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Synia Lanier- University of Missouri- St. Louis Noel Sanders- St. Louis Community College Jasmine Lashley- St. Louis Community College Michael Schindler- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Jeremiah Schutte- St. Louis Community College Jessica Laughlin- Missouri Western State University (Accepted) (Accepted) Tony Scott- St. Louis Community College Rhea Lee- Harris Stowe University (Accepted) David Scott- Missouri S&T Kailynn Leflore- St. Louis Community College Jessika Shell- St. Louis Community College Kinzie Lewis- Missouri Baptist University Dakota Skaggs- Undecided Ronald Loyd- St. Louis Community College Joshua Skalisus- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Dane Markley- University of Northern Ohio Rebecca Martinez-Vences- St. Louis Community College Ariella Smith- Missouri State University Noodeeia Snider- St. Louis Community College Jasmine McDonald- St. Louis Community College Darion Stafford- St. Louis Community College Kendra McDowell- St. Louis Community College Jarris Staten- Undecided Shelby McMillen- Southern Illinois UniversityJessica Steele- St. Louis Community College Carbondale Morgan Sweeney- University of Memphis Ashley Meyer- St. Louis Community College Raymond Tang- Missouri S&T Michael Mian- Harris Stowe University (Accepted) Roland Tang- Missouri S&T Tamara Millard- Missouri Baptist University Eric Thames- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Kyah Minner- Missouri Western University De’Drion Thomas- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Brittany Mixon- Undecided Abel Tilahun- University Of Denver Dornae Moore- Harris Stowe University (Accepted) Cahlil Toliver- St. Xavier University, & University of Travelle Morrehead- Missouri Baptist University Missouri- St. Louis (Accepted) Amber Morris- Undecided Nicholas Vahey- Southern Ilinois University- Carbondale Dylan Neely- St. Louis Community College Victor Vazquez- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Sonca Nguyen- Webster University Hector Verde- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Kristen Nipper- St. Louis Community College Dalton Voelcker- Truman University Alyssa Noble- St. Charles Community College Nicholas Volkerding- St. Louis Community College Lashae Nolen-Bick- St. Louis Community College Millie Volpitto- University of Memphis (Accepted) Daedra Wallace- Southeast Missouri State University Timmy O’Leary- Logan College Gracen Wallen- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Ryan Parker- St. Louis Community College DaVincent Walton- St. Charles Community College Jacquelyn Parker- Missouri S&T Cheyenne Weber- Southeat Missouri State University Ty’rell Peoples- Harris Stowe University Brianna Wideman- Military Phyne Pettis- Missouri Western University Carley Williams- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Sydney Pfeiffer- Missouri State University Christian Wilson- St. Louis Community College Tyler Phillips- St. Louis Community College Sydni Winthrop-McGhee- Reserves Jessica Poelker- University Missouri- St. Louis Ge Juan Womack- Military Emily Pogue- Maplewood Community College Jasmin Woods- Missouri State University (Accepted) Cameron Ponder- St. Louis Community College James Woolfolk- St. Louis Community College Morgan Porter- University of Missouri- Columbia Monet Young- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Alvin Potter- Undecided Ellie Preis- Missouri Baptist University Devaugn Price- St. Louis Community College (Accepted) Phrametta Proyaseng- St. Louis Community College Imani Ray- Undecided
Attention Graduates Graduation Ceremony
May 30, 2015 • Chaifetz Arena • 6 p.m.
Updated!! Important Graduation Information Important Senior Dates May 18-20
Senior Finals Monday, May 18, 2015 Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Wednesday, May 20, 2015
May 20
Seniors Last Day of School
May 22
Senior Picnic—10 a.m.–2:50 p.m.
May 22
Graduation Rehearsal* Main Gym (Costillo Fieldhouse), 8:30–10 a.m.
May 28
Senior Awards Night* Ritenour Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Chaifetz Arena Parking and Directions Chaifetz Arena #1 S. Compton Ave. St. Louis, Mo 63103 Chaifetz Arena is located on the northwest corner of Compton Avenue and Forest Park Parkway/Market Street. Covered and uncovered parking is available in the areas around the arena. Please consult the map below to determine the best parking lot to park upon your arrival. Handicap parking is available in the Olive/Compton garage.
May 30
Graduation Chaifetz Arena, 6 p.m.
Designated drop-off/pick-up area is located on Compton Avenue, which is located on the east side of Chaifetz Arena.
May 30
Operation Graduation Ritenour High School, 11 p.m.
1. Chaifetz Arena— #1 S. Compton Ave.
Students are expected to arrive at 11 p.m. and remain until 5 a.m. Permission forms were due May 8. If still interested in attending, see Ms. Collins in 12th grade office.
2. Saint Louis University— 3338 Olive St.
* Indicates time and/or location change.
3. Saint Louis University— 3642 Laclede Ave. 4. 3407 Washington Blvd. 5. Saint Louis University— 3400 Washington Blvd. 6. 3054 Spruce Street
The struggle of high school The senior class overcame a variety of struggles to get to graduation day Noble can attest. “In sophomore year, trying to balance my medical needs and my academic needs was difficult for me. I had to attempt to readjust balancing my health and my education without teetering on either end,” Noble said. Motivation, or lack thereof, can strongly influence the intensity of the struggle for achieving exemplary academic standing. “It is hard to make myself do concept maps for AP Psychology Students have had to balance a variety of things in order to survive their high school careers. instead of taking a nap or Photo manipulation by Kristen Teoli. watching something on Netflix,” Imani Ray said. Written By: Kelsey Degardin with the plays and musicals,” “I still struggle with the discipline Staff Writer senior Rachel Vaccaro said. it takes to have nearly straight “Being in shows takes up so much A’s.” Adolescence is a difficult time and effort that sometimes Trying to maintain a social time in life, characterized by my schoolwork gets put on the life, keep a job, and a good GPA is being sandwiched between back burner.” extremely stressful for teenagers. wanting to be treated like an Vaccaro and fellow While the common narrative is adult but still acting like a child. senior Alec Dishaw both agree that adolescence will be a fun High school students that devoting equal attention time of socializing and partying, are expected to focus on their to multiple responsibilities is but due to all of the expectations current classes as well as being difficult. forced on teenagers, some feel as involved with their community, “Balancing academics if they have lost the opportunity participate in some type of with athletics was kind of tough, to enjoy their childhood. athletic activity, and get jobs to because when I came home from “Stress started to help pay for college. Balancing swim practice, all I wanted to consume me to the point where these responsibilities can be a do was sleep, but my friends and my hair was falling out. Finding struggle. family kept encouraging me to enough time in which to do all “Over the past four years, put in more effort,” Dishaw said. my schoolwork while trying to it has been really stressful trying Sometimes being a “good accomplish the things I needed to to keep my grades up, holding student” comes at the cost of for college was a huge struggle as down a job, and being involved one’s health, as senior Alyssa well,” Amaris Clay said.
Spotlight
In the year 2030 Seniors discuss their plans for the future, and look forward to what their life will be like in the next 15 years Written by: Melissa Griffith Production Manager As seniors are preparing to walk across the stage and accept their diplomas, most of them have a plan for what will happen in the immediate future, but many Ritenour students are starting to think about their long-term goals as well. As the class of 2015 is about ready to become alumni instead of walking the halls, some of them are hoping to make their long range goals a reality. When faced with the question of what they will be doing in the year 2030, Ritenour seniors had to think about what their life might be like when they are in their early 30s. For senior Olivia Haux, the future is much more about family, then about her career. “I hope to be married and getting ready to start a family,” Haux said. While she was thinking about her family first, she also has a vision of her career field. “I want to live in the suburbs, maybe in St. Louis or not too far from it, to that I will be near my family, and I will be working as a teacher,” Haux said. Senior Imani Ray has a
Spotlight
Senior Joshua Davis works on a project during E-week. He is planning to put to use the skills he learned in Project Lead the Way in his future to work on automobile innovation. Photo by: Kristen Teoli
clear goal in mind for her future career in the field of psychology, and knows the path that she will have to take to get there. “In 15 years I see myself having finished grad school and establishing myself in the field of psychology,” Ray said. After having been in Project Lead the Way for four years, Senior Joshua Davis will be prepared for what he believes he will be doing. “I guess working with certain firms in building and
innovation for cars,” Davis said. No matter what students choose to do with their lives, as long as they are doing something that makes them feel like they are a productive part of the society, and makes them happy, they say it does not matter what career field they ultimately choose. “Hopefully I will be working as a nurse with a family, but my biggest goal is to just be happy by then,” senior Jessica Burkett said.
Pepper Box staff and seniors give advice for underclassman about high school “Do not procrastinate because you will get behind and it is hard to catch up.” -Kaylee Houston “A wise man knows that he knows nothing at all.” -Aeriel Morrow (Ancient proverb) “If you fail a class it is not the end of the world and you are not a bad person. As long as you work to graduate on time it is okay.” -Kelsey Degardin “Do not spend your whole life on YouTube because you will not do any work and you will fail.” -Ariella Smith “Get yourself involved in as many things as you can, because you never know what you may find out you like.” -Ashley Meyer “Buy some sweatpants and flip flops and you will be successful.” - Kristen Teoli “Take class seriously and stay focused. Do not be immature.” -Sarah Mason “Stay on your grind. The things you do now determine your future.” -Carlton Blanton “Take school seriously but do not overwhelm yourself.” - Melissa Griffith “You miss 100% of the shots you do not take.” -Daedra Wallace (Michael Jordan)
Spotlight
What it means to be undecided Undecided studens are just mulling their options, not necessarily indecisive
Photo manipulation by: Ashley Meyer
Written by: Ashley Meyer Spotlight Editor The question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” has been asked of students since their beginning days of kindergarten, and for seniors, it seems that time has already run out for that decision to be made. Those students who are accepted into the school of their dreams, or have had the same idea for a career since that question was first asked of them may have found it easy to make that decision. Others, however, might not have found that decision to
Spotlight
be made as easy, or are still considered undecided. People can be undecided about things for a variety of different reasons, for most, it is because they need to be able to experience certain things for themselves to know if it is something they truly want to do. Senior Katelyn Dwiggins is currently undecided. She has some ideas about what she wants for her future, but is just not sure what the best path for her would be. “I know I want to be a teacher, but I do not want to leave school just to go back to school,” Dwiggins said. “I plan on going, I just do not know when or where.” Being undecided does not mean that someone’s future is less bright or clear than somebody who knows exactly what they want to do. Being undecided is also not just limited to seniors in high school. Older adults who may already be involved in a specific career come back to college all the time to do something they feel would help
them succeed in their current field, or get them certified for another. Many people question what happens if a person does not get accepted into their dream school, or the one they wish to attend far outside their allowed budget. The answer is, it is time for plan B. There can be a positive side to having an undecided major or not committing to enrolling, enlisting, or employment quite yet. One example would be that a person can discover something new that they may fall in love with. “You are probably going to be more open about new experiences if you are undecided,” University of Missouri college advisor Taylor Smith said. Some advice to a person who is undecided would be to show confidence that they are okay with attending college without truly knowing where it is going to take them or what degree they will eventually end up with. “Do not panic and do not be afraid to try new things out. Even if something does not work out, you can mark it off and say you at least tried and know now it is not an option,” Smith said.