The Rock - September 2017 by SouthSide Media

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The Student Voice of Rock Bridge High School Since 1973 • Vol.45 Issue 1 • September 21, 2017

BruCrew costumes lead to controversy Rochita Ghosh

ome football games bring excitement to the attending student body, especially if against a well-known competitor such as Battle High School (BHS). At the Sept. 1 game, the first football game played at the RBHS field, it’s natural to expect students to go all out celebrating. BruCrew, a student-run club whose members attend sporting events to support student athletes, often dress up at such games according to themes listed on their Twitter page. At the BHS game, the BruCrew theme was the “Wild West,” where various students dressed in cowboy attire. Some participants also chose to dress up in costumes related to Native Americans, which offended some attendees of the game, principal Dr. Jennifer Rukstad said. “Before [BruCrew] even started coming to the game, we were getting complaints from people who saw them tailgating in the parking lot [who said] they were offended,” Dr. Rukstad said. Cultural appropriation, as defined by Cambridge Dictionary, is the act of using something from a culture without respecting it. In engaging in this act, freshman Quinn Tyler, among others, felt BruCrew dressing up in Native American wear was ignorant, insensitive and generally thoughtless. “The act of treating Native American outfits as costumes and wearing them as such is demeaning,” Tyler said, who heard about it through social media. “By using native outfits for costume purposes, they are appropriating native culture.” BruCrew, A4

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

BRING YOUR SPIRIT: Senior Sam Rentschler cheers on the Bruin football team with the rest of BruCrew Sept. 1. The theme for the

gamewastheWildWest,andcostumessimilartoRentschler’sstirredconversationoverappropriate andunoffensiveattireforsportingevents.

Substitutes face laptop conflict Ryan Choe

SOURCE: PREPSCHOLAR /KELSEY MORGRET

CPS to fund ACT for juniors Emily Oba

or the 486 junior students at RBHS, their already thin wallets become smaller each time they take the American College Test (ACT), as the registration fee costs $46 or $62.50 with the optional writing portion. Because of the price, some students do not get the opportunity to take the exam. Columbia Public Schools (CPS) is attempting to change this issue by proposing a $55,000 amendment to the assessment budget in order to pay for the ACT for juniors, Community Relations Director, Michelle Baumstark, said.

DID YOU KNOW ? “Cheating on the ACT results in an arrest. This rule was enacted in 2011 when a group of students were caught taking the ACT for each other, which is the reason why ACT admissions tickets now require a photo identification.” Source: PrepScholar

“The Board of Education still has to approve the amendment,” Baumstark said. “The agenda for the next meeting of the Board of Education has not been completed yet.” At the start of 2017, Gov. Eric Greitens cut $146 million from the Missouri state budget, and $4 million from assessment funding. Lack of funding left the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) unable to pay for the juniors’ ACT, which they had been doing since 2015. The year before that, Kurt Schaefer, former Missouri senator from 2009 to 2017, had advocated for funding the ACT for all juniors, including private and public. The money to pay for the free ACT came from state general revenue, which is state money collected through income taxes. “The fees for the ACT can be an obstacle for many students, so paying for each student to take the exam removes that obstacle,” Schaefer said. “The ACT is a good assessment tool for the Missouri Department of Education to evaluate how well Missouri students are doing.” Although the cost is high, Gifted Education Specialist Gwen Struchtemeyer believes it is well worth the money. She said the ACT during the school day is essential for students who are unable to pay for the test, and it also allows testing to be more equal. Struchtemeyer said student involvement in various activities, clubs and sports can make Saturday mornings tiring. She believes students have a better chance at getting a high score on the ACT on a Tuesday morning, rather than on a Saturday. ACT, A4

SPORTS . . . B1

Boys' soccer prepares for match against Pleasant Hill Roosters

INDEX

FEATURES. . . C4-C5

A collage of stories illustrates diverse beliefs about the afterlife

ith new laptops provided this school year, students are using them for learning new materials. For instance, senior Joshua Vincent said his financial accounting class requires frequent use of the new laptops. Whenever there is a substitute for one of his classes, however, the use of laptops comes to a halt. “In my experience, the substitutes just give us busy work to keep us occupied,” Vincent said. “This might happen because the substitutes don’t want to teach us the material the wrong way.” French teacher Kristin

Reed has taught at RBHS for 15 years. During that time, she has missed roughly 12 days of teaching per year. Teachers, take a leave of absence for multiple reasons, such as maternity leave, family emergencies and family-related problems. When Reed takes a leave of absence for one of these reasons, she has substitutes come to keep the students focused on the class materials. “Usually, I leave a flash drive, paper copies, textbooks or videos, etc.” Reed said. “What materials I leave for the sub depends on which class is substituted and how familiar I am with the sub.” When the sub needs to

check out a computer for his or her class, he or she must go to the media center. There the media specialists check out a computer for substitutes. “The computers are checked out for the day and returned by the end of the day, or when substitutes finish the last class they substitute,” Media specialist Tammy Ferguson said. “On average, two or three substitutes come a day to check out a laptop.” Ferguson explained how in the back of the media center, there is a vault of reserved laptops for teachers and substitutes to check out whenever they want. SUBSTITUTES, A2

SOURCE: DIRECTOR OF COUNSELOR BETSY JONES / CARMEN RAMIREZ

Counselors work to fix schedules tudents file into school, patiently waiting for Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) parents to collect their paperwork, station by station until they eventually reach the table where they receive their schedules. They are curious about their classes and teachers for the upcoming year. A line quickly forms outside the counseling office of students waiting to book an appointment with their counselor in order to drop classes or add to their new schedule. Guidance counselor Rachel Reed

deals first-hand with the conflicts and mix-ups present in student schedules and stresses the importance of not exceeding a class’s student limit. “We have to tell students this class is full based on the set cap, not just because of physical space but because of grading and the amount of work that goes into teaching 24 kids versus 32 kids,” Reed said. “So, you might be able to squeeze 32 chairs into the room, but that doesn’t mean that’s the best learning environment for the teacher or the other students in the classroom.” SCHEDULING, A4

IN-DEPTHS. . . B3 Take a peek into racism in the U.S. and the reactions of RBHS students

Be sure to check out bearingnews.org later this week for a video about agricultural day

Kayla West

NEWS. . . .. . . A1 OPINION. . . . . . A6 SPORTS. . . . . . B1 IN-DEPTHS. . . .. . . B3 A&E. . . . . . B7 HEALTH&WELLNESS. . . .. . . C1 FEATURES. . . . .. . C4

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THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

New teacher evaluations to focus on goals Jordan Rogers

What are your opinions of the restrictions on laptops?

ith a fresh school year underway, students and teachers are adjusting to new classes, rules and regulations. For teachers throughout the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) district, the new year brings a new evaluation system called the Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE). The NEE, developed by the University of Missouri, was created to “satisfy state and federal requirements at the time, due to old legislation,” said Keith Bausman, the superintendent of Human Resources for CPS. “The second [reason it was created] was due to the need for a new rubric driven system that is based on research and best practices.” A new rubric-driven system was needed so CPS could have the same evaluation methods as surrounding districts in Missouri. The decision to switch methods was based on a variety of evaluating systems across Missouri and the certain demands of CPS. “Last year the Professional Development Committee (PDC), made up of teachers, was tasked with analyzing various teacher evaluation systems,” Bausman said. “Due to the fact that NEE had been adopted by a large majority of school districts in Missouri and that it fit our local needs best, it was chosen.” Although the transition to a new system may sound challenging, Evan Thornberry, a second-year math teacher, thinks the transitioning process will be different for some teachers. “Being a newer teacher, I would think that the transition is easier for me into the new system with the NEE than a long-standing teacher, only because I haven’t really known any other way,” Thornberry said.

Thornberry also said the NEE system can of changing systems can be at times challeng- own improvement, the results they had received to know how they would line up to our current lead teachers in a specific direction when making, and can lead down an unknown path. “It will be a great deal for me, in that my evaluation system,” Bausman said. “It is diffiing lesson plans for their classes and focus on specific goals each year, which will help them feedback to teachers includes an in-person com- cult to learn a new evaluation system when you ponent. I always leave feedback for teachers in are a teacher and would be great if the new evalimprove. “[The] system will be great at helping teach- my walkthroughs, but this adds a layer,” Ruks- uation was used in more than just Missouri.” Despite the program’s lack of ability to comers focus on improving a few parts about their tad said. “This is a good thing, but it remains to pare results to other states, Bausman thinks the teaching each year,” Thornberry said. “We, as be seen how it will impact my practice.” Along with the difficulty to adjust to a new NEE can provide growth for not only teachers, teachers, were told what criteria we will be evaluated on, so now as we create lessons, we system, Bausman sees a potential problem in but also students. “Teachers have been evaluated before but have to prepare for ‘If an evaluator comes in comparing results of the evaluation to other states, because the NEE is a state based pro- feedback has been limited,” Bausman said. during this class, do I have the parts I need?’” “This will give them feedback that can be utiTeachers have goals for evaluations, stu- gram, instead of nationally based. “[Having a national system] would be nice lized for their professional growth in such a dents have similar goals that relate to their academic performance. Junior Connor Crist for a teacher that would be moving from one way it should impact student achievement and thinks creating these goals has the same effect state to the next to be able to compare, for their growth.” on teachers, as they do on students. “It takes away the stress of having to focus on one large goal, and you’re able to focus more on the smaller things and have your priorities such as instead of focusing on getting an A in a class, focus just on doing well in the current unit,” Crist said. “For teachers, I think it has the same effect, and they’ll be able to focus more on helping students and teaching content.” Thornberry also believes teachers who have the mentality that the NEE system is just another obstacle can abuse the system, however, which would cause teachers to do what they are supposed to only while the evaluator is present. Throughout each semester, an evaluator, such as Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, will step inside the classroom for a short 10-minute period to observe. These observations, the instructional unit, the teacher’s Professional Development Plan and student surveys will make up the CAMRYN DEVORE / THE ROCK teacher’s feedback, according to the NEE webTHE NEW SYSTEM: On Jump Start Day, Stephanie Brown teaches her freshmen site. For Dr. Rukstad, as an evaluator, the process class about RBHS. All freshmen classes were required to review the school’s policies.

“One thing I don’t like that you can’t play a whole bunch of games. There are some games that people want to play that help them learn.” — Gabby Kingsley, freshman MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

“It makes it really inconvenient to download software that you need for classes or to use programs/websites that you need for your extracurriculars and your classes, like GroupMe.” — Sonya Hu, senior MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

“No, there is not any benefits of the restrictions. You can’t look up YouTube videos, [only] like half of them [are available]. “ — Kewaun Nash, senior

“The background. We need to change the background. I’m tired of looking at CPS for hours on end when I could be looking at a beach.” — Zach Bartman, junior MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

Laptop restrictions affect students list of blocked sites and applications daily, the content filters are not foolproof. his school year was the first time in “The district cannot guarantee that all RBHS history that all teachers and users will never access offensive materials students received their own personal using district technology,” Diggs said. laptops. In the past, the media center had While the CPS filter is meant for good laptops that were able to be checked out for intent, it can hold students back from acone class period. cessing their learning materials. Rashid, for New Dell Latitude 3189 laptops were instance, experienced drawbacks with the distributed to all students. Within the first CPS filter. few days of recieving them, students dis“There were occasions where I couldn’t covered restirictions. access my settings or my Google Chrome “I didn’t like the fact that [the school] tabs would black out temporarily,” Rashid restricted a lot of websites that are not even said. “Over time, that has gone away, and harmful,” junior Sejoon Jun said. “Some now One Note can be annoying when I try people I know couldn’t even access settings use the drawing feature.” or download apps for a class.” OneNote is one app available thanks to Jun believes the restrictions on laptops Dennis Murphy and the other RBHS media is against the RBHS mantra ‘freedom with specialists. Murphy and his colleagues try responsibility.’ Jun is one of many students to solve and improve technology problems who have issues with the restrictions. Sophon the new laptops. omore Ismael Rashid generally approves of “Settings was open at first, then was the laptops, but believes there could be imclosed, and now recently reopend by the provements made. tech specialists at the Aslin Administration “Of course I was excited to learn that Building,” Murphy said. “There’s certain laptops were going to be provided for evlimited access so students can be monitored eryone at school,” Rashid said. “I liked by tech people at Aslin, but all students that the teachers could organize all of their should now be able to access settings.” teaching materials into OneNote. It is conStudents are unhappy they don’t have full access to settings or can’t download additional applications, Jun said. There are preset settings so the tech specialists at Aslin can monitor student laptop use, Murphy said, and if people download certain material, it could potentially spread a virus through the whole CPS network. As a way to meet in the middle, the RBHS media center specialists and CPS tech services have power to unblock certain sites and application features, if they are legal under the CIPA and CPS policy. The unblockable site or app must have a helpful educational purpose. “Teachers can still request that sites needed for educational purposes be unblocked.” Diggs said. “We implemented YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK a new content filter tool, so we try to help CHECK THIS OUT: Freshman Ryeim Ansaf waits to receive one of the students avoid distracting content, but also new CPS laptops on Jump Start Day. All students received a personal device. access [appropriate] content for school.”

Ryan Choe

venient that us students can access it from the laptops.” OneNote, a special note-taking application, was one of many features enabled into the student laptops that was overseen by the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Technology Services. Technology Services Director Chris Diggs ensures that educational computer apps are allowed as long as they are legal under required law and CPS policy. “If certain apps or sites don’t meet the required law and CPS policy, our Tech Services help block them,” Diggs said. “We filter the Internet because we are required to do so by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).” On top of the CIPA rules, additional CPS policy is instituted to determine what is being filtered from the internet. Students must follow a CPS policy stating that the district “will monitor the on-line activities of minors and operate a technology protection measure called a content filter on the network and all district technology with Internet access, as required by law.” The content filter’s purpose is to protect CPS students against access to harmful, obscene or distracting web content. Diggs explains while the Tech Services update the

Substitute teachers struggle with laptops SUBSTITUTES, P.1 Andrew Bunk substitutes often at RBHS and has gone through the laptop check out process multiple times. His experience helps make the process pretty straightforward. “I only have to go to the library and tell the media specialists I would like to check out a laptop,” Bunk said. “They go to the back room and grab one, and when they come back they ask me the name of the teacher I am substituting for. From there they check the laptop out in an identical process of checking out a laptop last year.” Bunk substituted for many different classes, some of which he needed to use technology and others where he did not use technology. He said the use of technology depends a lot on which class and teacher he is subbing for. “For example, I am currently subbing as a paraprofessional working one-on-one with a student,” Bunk said. “I need a laptop to track notes and data, while also typing up daily reports on what happens; however, I have also substituted in positions where there was no need to use technology.” This year Bunk hasn’t had to use too much of the technology but said the substitutes do not receive any additional training on the technology used. If he weren’t familiar with some of the software, it would be difficult for him to help students with the technology. “If there is a main issue I see with the technology, it is that as a substitute I do not have the same access as a full time teacher,” Bunk said. “Of course, the substitute doesn’t need to have the same access as a full time teacher, but it means that I might not be able to help with potential academic issues which might arise during the school day.” Senior Quinn Cunningham has had very few substitutes so far this senior year. He said a substitute doesn’t really teach new materials to the students. Rather, the substitute assigns busy work to keep the students occupied with work they already know how to solve. “The substitutes didn’t really do much in my music theory and orchestra classes,” Cunningham said. “We just planned to do our own thing in class. In music theory we read a book from the library, and orchestra we practiced on our own so it was fine.” Cunningham said he didn’t really learn any new material from the substitute but felt like the substitute was there to keep us on track, rather than teach the students like their regular teacher. Based off Bunk’s experience in subbing, how much work the substitute does with the class depends on what the teacher wants accomplished, and if the teacher knows who is going to be substituting for them. “I have had days where teachers have left tests for entire day, so all I have to do is procter,” Bunk said. “Many teachers like to give students work days when they are gone so that my responsibilities amount to making sure the classroom isn’t burnt to the ground. I have also substituted on days where the class is watching a movie.” Substitute teachers undergo an approval process by Kelly Services, an American office staffing and workforce solutions company. According to Kelly Services District Manager Allen Jennings, there is a thorough process to become a certified substitute teacher. “People who are interested in becoming a substitute will contact our office when they are interested,” Jennings said. “From there, the extensive process begins with an extensive interview services. Eventually, the person interested in becoming a substitute needs to get a substitute teaching certificate from the Missouri DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education).” Jennings explained that there are a few final background checks near the end of the confirmation. Once the substitutes have been certified by the Missouri DESE, they go to informative meetings. “In these meetings, the substitutes decide where they want to teach,” Jennings said. “Essentially, they can pick which schools they want to work at, such as elementary, middle or high school for example.”

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Counselors strive for fair schedules SCHEDULES, P.1 Being consistent is a main goal for counselors, especially during schedule changes as they need to find ways around class size barriers and openings. Reed said keeping students and teachers happy while being fair is a challenge. “We want to try really hard to be fair and on the same page, so a student’s not saying ‘You’re not letting me do this, but Dr. Alexander let me do this’,” Reed said. “We don’t want it to seem like one counselor is easier than the other or is more strict. We also don’t want to put somebody at a disadvantage because they’re not a squeaky wheel, so to speak, or because they don’t know some sort of hidden way to get into a class.”

Changing schedules can be a chaotic process and it is easy to lose sight of one’s ultimate goal. Junior Olivia Sowers understands this process is stressful but tries hard to remember the long term outcome of these changes and counselor-student connections. “[I’m] setting myself up for success, considering it is my education not the school’s,” Sowers said. “I also wanted to accomplish keeping a good relationship with my counselor through the process because I know she is a very important resource.” Junior Emilia Zacherl also understands the scheduling process is a challenge and was happy she was able to easily switch into Wildlife and Con-

servation while keeping the rest of her classes the same. “I arrived at the guidance office about five minutes early, and my specific counselor was running behind, but it went quickly, and other counselors took some of the waiting kids in,” Zacherl said. “My counselor has always been helpful, and I do my best to try and make sure I know exactly what I want. I also try my best to find out if the classes I want to switch to are full or not. Within the given amount of time for every appointment, we were able to drop a class and replace it with the other class I wanted.” Reed leaves room for error when she’s creating schedules because there will be changes following the first week

of school. She believes in the future, people will understand how the process works and how it is becoming smoother for counselors, administrators and students. “It is a big puzzle, and not a lot of people understand all the moving pieces that go into it and it seems like it should just be really simple to do x, y, and z switches, and it’s not always the case,” Reed said. “More teachers are starting to understand [schedules] a little bit better, and I think parents for the most part are starting to see that it’s not necessarily, ‘I want to drop this class so I can really easily get into this other class.’ It’s not always completely smooth, and it’s getting a little smoother, hopefully, as the years go by.”

POP A SQUAT: Junior Kyler Froman takes notes on the floor in the back of his Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History classroom, Aug. 30. At the beginning of the school year there were about 137 students in the AP U.S. classes. The amount dropped to 116 students as of Sep. 19.

MAYA BELL/ THE ROCK

Would you take the ACT if CPS was not paying for it? I didn’t know that CPS was going pay for it. Yes [, I would take the ACT regardless of whether or not CPS pays.]” — Jackson Dampier, junior

MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

I would have taken it [even if it wasn’t paid for]. My parents expect me to take it anyway to get into college.” — Gemma Ross, junior

MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

I would still take it anyways, but I’m more happy about it so it doesn’t really change my plan honestly.” — Kathleen Meininger, junior

BEAR IN MIND:

RBHS tennis coach Ben Loeb speaks about sport psychology and perfectionist habits. KAI FORD/ THE ROCK

Sport psychology guest speaker series launches Ben Kimchi

rinted out powerpoints and personality check sheets covered the tables of the Extended Educational Experiences (EEE) room Sept. 15 during A lunch, as tennis coach Ben Loeb spoke to students about sport psychology and perfectionism. Loeb’s presentation was the first of a sport science guest speaker series created by sophomore Ryan Choe. “I wanted to bring the guest speaker series to RBHS because it was something I was interested in,” Choe said. “I [invited] Mr. Loeb because he teaches and knows a lot about sport psychology, not to mention he is the [most accomplished] coach in Missouri.” Choe hopes students curious about sport-related fields can attend these presentations and learn from experts. In his own talk, Loeb brought his personal experience to his speech. “Over time I’ve noticed my own failings, and I wanted to help other people to not get in their own way,” said Loeb, who is writing a book on sport

psychology and wants to publish by the end of the year. “By reframing the way you talk to yourself to be more positive, you can accomplish a lot. The perfectionism worksheet will be a part of my book. I hope to incorporate several [more] exercises to help athletes achieve the most that they can.” EEE teacher Gwen Struchtemeyer plans to implement Loeb’s self-evaluation into her advisory classes. She describes perfectionism as a negative mindset that holds people back. “I enjoyed [Loeb’s] focus on helping us achieve best performance,” Struchtemeyer said. “I hope to use his self evaluation sheet in my advisory because my students suffer from perfectionism, and I want to guide them to a more positive mindset.” Like Struchtemeyer, Choe said by continuing the speaker series he can inspire students. “I want to help students set and achieve their goals in sport-related fields,” Choe said. “That is the main purpose of my speaker series, and if I can help even one student, that would be amazing.”

Vague policy generates confusion Administrators note BruCrew struggles with ‘offensive’ themes ward and “go all out” for future games and their correspondBRUCREW, P.1 Appropriating Native American culture, however, was not ing themes, Buckley said. Dr. Rukstad cautions, however, that the intention of the students who dressed up in the costumes going “all out” has potential consequences and is not the main of question, BruCrew member and senior Deven Buckley said. priority of BruCrew. “We continue to work with BruCrew and other student Buckley was confused as to why people thought BruCrew was appropriating Native American culture, as he thought dressing groups to help them understand that good ideas are not necin Native American costumes was, instead, appreciating and essarily good for everyone. The BruCrew, historically, has a difficult time finding theme ideas that are not offensive to somecelebrating it. body. It’s difficult for them, “As I was one of the people who chose because I think, in some cases, to dress up to the Native American side of they might not understand why the theme … I was personally stunned that “The only time I practice is if I it’s offensive,” Dr. Rukstad somebody could find a piece of our Amerieither want to kill it in an audisaid. “It is also very difficult to can history offensive, [and it] still shocks me have a theme that is not offento this day,” Buckley said. tion or if I feel threatened by ansive. We as an administration Dr. Rukstad said when the issue of the other band member.” try very hard to impress upon controversial outfits was brought to the ad— Connor Squellati, junior on them that what’s importministration’s attention, the administrators ant about a student group like immediately reacted by approaching memthat is not necessarily what the bers of BruCrew and asking them to change theme is, and being there to their clothing in order to calm tensions and support your fellow students and represent your school. It’s not to be able to enter the stadium. Athletic Director David Egan said, had the administration just [about] picking a good theme.” While there is no set policy in place for circumstances such foreseen that some members would dress up as Native Americans, an administrator would have talked to BruCrew prior to as this at RBHS, Egan said while caricaturing Native Americans a potential incident to ensure their attire would be culturally re- was not acceptable, he found the situation a learning opportunity for BruCrew participants to learn and discover more about spectful. “They created themes for the entire fall, and when you look the world around them and those that live in it. “To a certain extent, many of them may not have realized at the themes, on the surface they all seem fine,” Egan said. “We see Western theme. We think of cowboy hats, cowboy boots, that it was offensive until it was brought to their attention and, flannel, that type of stuff. We didn’t anticipate that someone you know, not that it excuses it, but at the same time, you don’t know what you don’t know,” Egan said. “That’s part of our job would take it to the idea of caricaturing Native Americans.” Despite the occurrence, BruCrew will continue to move for- as educators, teachers and administrators to help kids to know.”

MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

ACT back on the books ACT, P.1 “I think [the free ACT] is good for our students and relays direct data regarding college readiness to CPS,” Struchtemeyer said. “Columbia is a college town, and CPS should be a district who believes the majority of its graduates are college ready.” While students can take the ACT as many times as they want, CPS is offering just one free ACT. Junior Caroline Curtright has taken the ACT once but plans on taking it several more times. Curtright thinks CPS’s decision is a good one because ACT scores contribute to college decision making. “The ACT is important because your score makes or breaks if you are able to get certain scholarships or go to that one school you’ve been dreaming of,” Curtright said. “I took an ACT prep class over the summer to prepare for the next time I take it. [I’m] building my confidence.” Although not all public schools in Missouri are getting the same chance as Columbia with the free ACT, CPS felt the obligation to give their students the necessary tools for their futures. “The exam creates opportunities for our students,” Baumstark said. “Students who might not otherwise have taken the exam or considered themselves college-bound now have an additional avenue to determine their path after high school.”

BRUCREW / THE ROCK SURVEYED 200 PEOPLE, 10% OF THE STUDENT BODY / KELSEY MORGRET

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Online restrictions in need of change

his school year, every student at RBHS access to such material.” Though the prevention of app downloading received personal laptops from the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) district. adheres to the state law, it is too restrictive in Though the laptops are a great resource what it inhibits. Students who want to download Quizlet, a studying for students, they are app focused on memonot equipped with all rization, to study when the applications and Should schools receive more funding they don’t have Wi-Fi features students need if they have have greater proportions connection, cannot. to be successful in their of special groups. Furthermore, students classes and extracurin clubs and on athletriculars. THE ROCK STAFF ic teams cannot access In fact, CPS obVOTED GroupMe, a commustructed every student’s nication app, where laptop from downloadYES - 25 most of these groups ing any applications, NO - 3 communicate and reincluding harmless and lay information on. academic apps. Students are unable to They have justification for this blockage; CPS must follow certain utilize the technology to better their education guidelines and restrictions to meet state laws. In because of these constraints; therefore, it is imMissouri, Title XI Education and Libraries, “re- perative to reconsider these limitations. CPS should keep students from downloadquires public school and public libraries with public access computers to either (a) equip the ing distracting and unacademic apps, such as computer with software or a service to restrict games and social media, but unblock practical minors’ access to material that is pornographic applications students need to be successful in for minors, or (b) develop a policy that estab- school. But the people deciding which applilishes measures to restrict minors from gaining cations should be open to all students are, of

course, the students. No one knows what apps are necessary or crucial better than the students; thus, they should be in charge of this process. The idea isn’t as naive as it sounds. In 2008, six RBHS students changed the entire grading system at both RBHS and Hickman High School (HHS). The two schools used to use a seven-point grading system, which meant an A was between 92 and 100 percent, a B was 83 to 91 percent and so on. Other schools in Missouri of the same capacity, however, used a 10-point grading system, making an A between 90 and 100 percent and a B 80 to 100 percent. A sophomore, Ryan Lidholm, saw this difference as unjust and went to Student Coalition with a petition to change the system. Together, during a three-month period, they created a well-researched and eloquent proposal for the change and presented it to the Central Office Administration, who approved of the switch the next semester. The grading system those students fought for is still in use today because they knew exactly what needed to change to help other students. Students should follow Lidholm and Student Coalition’s example and create a council to determine which apps are relevant to students’

needs. This council would receive recommendations from other students for what apps they would like, then they would meet with a media specialist and discuss the justifications of unblocking those apps. There would be criteria every app would need to follow, such as it should follow Missouri law, have an educational purpose and significance to school, and certain material it must not have, such as video games, social medias, pornographic material and apps without scholarly value. Once the group of students decides an app fits the criteria, a media specialist should approve of it as well. Then the students will draft a proposal to the CPS tech department for them to unblock the app. With the tech department’s approval, the app should be available for all RBHS students to use. With this council in place and these helpful applications unblocked, the laptops won’t be just a simple resource but an educational engine that will drive students further. RBHS expects students to practice freedom with responsibility, so let students be responsible for the applications they want and let them have the freedom to unblock them.

Editorial policy of ‘The Rock’

he paper’s editorial board, made up of the Editors-In-Chief of The Rock and Bearing News and the Adviser of the Journalism Department will review all opinion pieces for use in the opinion pages only. Opinions expressed in signed works are those of the author and not necessarily of the entire staff. Letters to the Editor: The paper encourages letters but reserves the right to edit or reject material based on the standards set by members of the journalism staff. Letters with grammatical errors will be printed as received. Anyone wishing to submit a letter must sign with a valid signature. The author of the letter will be named. If a group writes a letter, all members must present a signature. Content: The Rock staff will write all stories for publication except for letters to the editor, pieces submitted by students of the Journalistic Writing class or guest writers. Every story is reviewed by the editorial board and the editor of the section of the story. Bylines and Credits: The Rock assigns bylines to each published story. Staff editorials are the only articles in The Rock without a byline. Staff editorials reflect the opinions of the staff on particular issues. For each staff editorial, The Rock staff votes on the issue and the result of the vote is published. The Rock will assign photo and art credits to every photo or piece of artwork that is published. Credits are the responsibility of the editor of the section in which the photo or artwork appears. Photographers are responsible for the photo and its caption. Artists are responsible for the artwork. Death of a student or faculty member: The Rock will handle a student or faculty member’s death as follows: a single news story reading “In Memoriam;” a standard scan of the student or faculty’s current ID or a picture chosen by The Rock staff and a 400-500 word obituary, including the student or faculty member’s date of birth and date of death. All memorials will be published on The Rock or on Bearing News, depending on timing. The Rock welcomes additional submissions in memory of the deceased person to our email : contact@bearingnews.org. Error: Any noteworthy factual misinformation made in The Rock will be corrected in the succeeding issue and on Bearing News, upon resquest or detection by staff. Advertising: The Rock has the right to reject any part of an advertisement on the basis of poor taste, libel or the promotion of illegal substances. The Rock staff recognizes and appreciated the contributions of private citizens and businesses who help support the publications through their advertising, trade of services and/or sponsorship.

The Rock Rock Bridge High School 4303 S. Providence Rd., Columbia, Mo. 65203 Vol. 45, Issue 1 September 21, 2017 Population: 1962 Students, 148 Faculty Circulation: 1500

CARMEN RAMIREZ

Take paper out with the trash Katie Whaley

et’s face it: paper is going extinct. Grocery lists have moved on from notepads to the Notes app on the iPhone where people can write down memos, and calendars have also moved from fridges to homepage reminders on their phones. Instead of passing the classic “Do You Like Me?” note, teens post indirect messages on their Instagram accounts in hopes their crush might just double-tap. And, of course, no one reads the newspaper anymore. Paper is going extinct. RBHS’ response: good riddance. This school year, all students and staff received their own personal laptops as a new educational resource to oust paper altogether. The movement is revolutionary; there is no superior approach to teaching a digital generation than with technology. Every traditional learning method is more efficient when done on a laptop. For instance, if a teacher mentions something in a lesson that is confusing, instead of disrupting the class, a student can pop up a tab and google it. Wikipedia

Contact Information: Phone: 573-214-3141 Website: bearingnews.org Advertising: $50 – 1/4 Page $100 – 1/2 Page $150 – Full Page $200 – Backpage The Journalism Newspaper and Honors Seminar classes produce The Rock, Bearing News and

and Yahoo! Answers always have accurate and well-researched answers. Taking notes on laptops is super effective, as well, as the touchscreens are able adapt to one’s handwriting to create perfectly legible sentences, diagrams and models. Students can also work on their group projects without leaving their desks by using Google Drive; that way, nothing ruins the feng shui of the room, and it can stay silent as everyone will be able to communicate with group members via a group chat on the laptops. In fact, the laptops are so powerful and adept, school as a whole should all be online. It’s unnecessary to congregate in a building just to do trivial work that is accessible at home, especially when the government spends thousands of tax dollars on maintaining every school and transportation methods to and from them. It’s not like OneNote quits working the second a student steps off of school grounds, nor is it illegal to complete assignments at home. (It’s actually encouraged.) Just about every assignment is already an online ordeal: research papers require finding reliable

Southpaw. The paper’s purpose is to accurately inform, educate and enlighten readers in an open forum. The Rock is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Quill & Scroll. STAFF: Adviser: Robin Stover

websites, all math homework is on the site MyMathLab, to learn about the present-day cultures from foreign countries calls for online research and everyone uses SparkNotes. Again, everything is online. There’s not any real need for students to constantly inconvenience themselves by waking up early every morning just to go to school when the whole world is already charging right next to their bedside table in their bedroom. But the powers of laptops do not stop there. With their unparalleled proficiency in speed, divine intelligence in any topic and the infinite array of programs they offer, a student’s laptop can, quite literally, replace teachers. Unlike laptops, teachers do not know the answer to every question the way Google does. They cannot teach as efficiently or effectively as a laptop can and cannot compensate for their lack of tech savviness in this digital world like they used to. With all the amazing capabilities of technology, teachers are obsolete and should, for the betterment of all students’ educations and futures, step back and let laptops educate this generation. The same mindset applies to

Editors-In-Chief: Elad Gov-Ari, Nikol Slatinska, Rochita Ghosh Production Manager: Nikol Slatinska Art/Design Editor: Moy Zhong Business Manager: Rochita Ghosh Photo Editor: Yousuf El-Jayyousi News Editor: Katie Whaley

Features Editor: Ji-Sung Lee Editorials Editor: Faaris Khan Commentary Editor: Nikol Slatinska In-Depths Editor: Ann Fitzmaurice A&E Editor: Elad Gov-Ari Sports Editor: Emily Oba Staff Writers: Allie Pigg, Atiyah Lane, Ben Kimchi, Jacob Sykuta, Jordan

all other aspects of life. If one feels ill, instead of spending a fortune going to a professional doctor, they will research their symptoms on WebMD and treat themselves based on what they find. Similarly, if one breaks one of their bones, instead of waiting a ridiculous amount of time in the emergency room, one can look up how to construct a cast. If one is being robbed, instead of calling the police and stalling the robbery for 30 minutes until the police can arrive, one can whack the robber with their indestructible laptop. Laptops, hands down, can do every single job better than any fallible human can. They work well under pressure, are reliable 100 percent of the time and never have delays or keep people waiting. Laptops aren’t simply the vision of the future anymore, they are a gift of the present and people should use them to their full capacity. They are vital to master and understand in order to survive in this fast-paced, digital world. It is time to let paper go extinct; let teachers become obsolete and doctors a memory. Laptops are all anyone will ever need.

Rogers, Jordyn Thompson, Kayla West, Maddie Murphy, Ryan Choe, Siena Juhlin Photographers: Camryn DeVore, Kai Ford, Maya Bell Artists: Carmen Ramirez, Isabel Gompper, Kelsey Morgret, Valeria Velazquez Videographer: Cameron Fuller

EDITORIALS A7

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

A presidential demon Faaris Khan

he fake news will do anything to make Barack Obama seem like an angelic creature. I mean, can you blame them? Deep down, those loony liberal lunatics know that their former president — their divine, so-called “impeccable” leader — was nothing but a presidential loser, but they will never admit it. Truth be told, Obama’s terrorizing, gut-wrenching impact is being felt even after his pres-

idency, so in the following paragraphs, we believe it is necessary to highlight exactly how Obama tore down America into a joke of a nation. But beware: some examples of Barry’s diablerie may be too shocking for us Americans to even comprehend. Let’s face it: Obama was soft when it came to political issues, such as immigration. With his forgiving entry policies

and sickening leniency on illegal aliens, it seemed he just wanted such menacing, lethal monsters to disperse throughout the country. I mean, how could anyone imagine something as satanically insane as allowing these dangerous, third-world hooligans like Mexicans, Muslims, Syrian refugees and immigrants to enter our pristine nation of bourgeois intellectuals? All they do is steal our precious jobs, hurt the economy and incite violence

against innocent Americans, all while claiming they are “tired and poor” and other nonsense; yeah, right. Americans should credit Obama for this mess, for there is no other individual capable of allowing something so wicked to happen. Thanks, Obama. But why stop at just politics? The former president’s antics surely don’t end there. Remember that one time Obama got so happy-golucky, he went vacationing at a Hawaii beach? Yes; back in 2009, the very man tasked with leading the greatest nation in the world had the audacity to go on a family vacation, strolling in the waves while shamelessly showing off his shirtless and “presidentially sexy” figure. It’s shocking how little criticism he received f o r

Thought he was good for the nation? Think again.

“chilling” in the sand and spending vacation with his wife and kids. I mean, we depended on this man, and instead of working 24/7 in the Oval Office to prepare for his presidency, he finds it acceptable to take a day off on the seaside? Unbelievable. This nonchalant attitude is the reason we are still a joke and why Kim Jong Un treats us like a salty ex. Thanks, Obama. We Americans also have many personal matters which permeate our daily lives, whether it be social issues or family problems. Now, surely Obama couldn’t have any connection with such petty troubles, right? Wrong. For example, let’s not forget that one t i m e you asked your crush out on a steamy date. You thought it was going well; it seemed you had dazzled her with your Prince Charming-esque character, and she was clearly into you, too. Alas, she rejected you. How? Obviously, ominous Obama is to blame, and it’s hardly a surprise. Jealous of your success with the ladies, he secretly injected an illusory venom into your brain, crushing your aura and making your mere presence grotesque; all while having a massive grin on his face. So she changed her mind and said, “You’re not my type.” Ouch, son. Somehow, No. 44 always finds a way to ruin the basic balance of life. Thanks, Obama. At this point, it should be obvious. Obama, with his fiendish vibes and deceptively cunning charisma, is to blame for America’s demise, along with everything else possibly present in the world. In fact, never mind trivial and unnecessary solutions such as diplomacy or mature dialogue — we Americans must continue blaming Obama for anything and everything that life can possibly throw at us. After all, that what’s making America great again, right? According to our beloved President Trump, this nation is at a pinnacle of success like no other, and that’s all thanks to his kind-hearted and honest nature — shower the man with all the praise you can. But remember, if life gives you lemons, never forget the golden rule to remain safe from No. 44: when in shock, blame Barack.

CARMEN RAMIREZ

Plans to cut DACA are unacceptable Rochita Ghosh

round 70 million children currently reside in the United States, according to the U.S. Census, and they grew up being taught of the great opportunities the land of the free offered for its noble citizens. “The American Dream” — so it was called. According to the Library of Congress, this idea of the dream was defined by James Truslow Adams that “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement ... it is a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to ... be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” When did this dream die? President Donald Trump announced Tuesday, Sept. 5 that he was making plans to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an Obama-era policy. DACA, passed in 2012, allows those who came to the United States illegally as young children to remain in the nation without fear of being deported from the only place they’ve ever known. These fears subsided five years ago when former president Barack Obama launched DACA. Unfortunately, they have returned with President Trump’s announcement. The President is claiming that he is taking back jobs for legal, hardworking Americans. While he is, indeed, keeping one of his biggest campaign promises, he’s taking away jobs from immigrants who have done nothing wrong but be born to parents that simply wanted a life in the United States. He’s threatening to deport thousands of people from the only country they ever knew; the country they received an education in, a job in, and a life in. They would end up in a country completely foreign to them, the country’s name not

nearly as synonymous with the word “home” as the United States. Killing DACA is an embarrassingly shameful move — a person should not be able to punish others for the faults of someone else. This program is specifically geared to people who were brought here as children as undocumented immigrants, and thus they had absolutely no say in the decision. At such a young age, children just cannot decide for themselves to illegally enter a foreign country, it’s not exactly possible. “Regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth.” “Opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” These words by James Truslow Adams have been the guiding words for immigrants looking for a better place to live and raise their children. These ideas have been a core philosophy throughout American history; that any person can come to the United States and prosper if one puts in the work. These philosophies never said that despite how hard a person works, the government still can decide to kick that person out anyway to a country completely unknown to them. The United States used to be a beacon of light that signalled hope for a better life. A lot has changed in the past year. There were increasingly high hate crime rates and rising fear, according to The New York Times. However, this country can rise up to that standard of opportunity again. Already, thousands of people have protested against DACA’s removal, and even more have called their representatives and expressed public discontent over the issue. More people must rise up and make the White House listen to the people it is supposed to serve. Change is an ideal that can come slowly, but it can still come if people are willing to put in the work needed to make it happen such as protests like this one.

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

STAND UP, GET UP: Junior Angel Montie holds up a sign while standing in front of

the Boone County Courthouse Sept. 10. Montie was at a rally protesting Trump’s plans to cut DACA. “We will be there with them, and that is what we all have to do,” Montie said.

A8 COMMENTARIES

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THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

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of that the judge

Let me be Allie Pigg

don’t like to admit it, but I often judge people based on their first appearance. It’s difficult trying to force myself out of the habit, but the premature perception always seems to come back in a society dictated by appearances. In a Huffington Post study, participants assumed that people whom they deemed more attractive were in a higher social class than those they considered less attractive. So, I’m not alone in my habit, but the compulsion is dangerous because I know my initial thoughts aren’t always right. In elementary school, a girl my age moved in across the street. I was looking forward to seeing a girl get out of the car with pretty, straight hair and a bright pink outfit on. Instead, she lazily stumbled out of the car, for she had been traveling all day. She wore old pajamas and had a bird’s nest of tangles on top of her head. Despite feeling more reserved than I had originally intended to be, I went across the street to introduce myself. Her name was Maddie. She was kind and knew more about the world than you’d ever expect for a third-grader. Maddie and I became great friends, and when she moved to California five years later, it felt like part of me was missing. I had learned that my first impression of her being unkempt was completely wrong. But even

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after experiencing an incorrect first impression, I find myself worrying about how I will seem to other people. Before bed every night, nothing stresses me out more than what I’m going to wear. Maybe I don’t have my priorities straight, but it’s more likely that I want to make a good impression on my classmates and teachers. I want it to seem like I have my life together, and that I’m happy to be there. As much as I’ve tried to teach myself not to judge people based on my first impression of them, I cannot control that I live in a society that values appearances. The “dress for success” mantra says it all. It teaches us that if we want to be respected, we have to dress lavishly, and often uncomfortably, to achieve success. Is

FEATURE PHOTO BY CAMRYN DEVORE

that how we should be represented? I don’t think so. As a society, we stress the idea that we only have one shot to make a good impression. I have spent too much time trying to decide what I should say or wear to an interview in order to seem like the perfect candidate. Our individual personalities are so complex and unique that we should give each other days, weeks or months before we judge because time and experience is the only way to learn who a person truly is. Even if someone’s appearance did reflect their personality, it wouldn’t scratch the surface of what they have experienced. During the summer, I learned the meaning of discovering someone’s story. In July, I attended a mission trip in Denver, Colo., where I served an urban homeless com-

munity. The locals were unhealthily skinny, and they hadn’t showered since the last rainfall. But as we sat down with them and talked for several hours, we discovered how bright their personalities are despite how dark their living situations. My biggest takeaway from serving in Denver is the same message I wish our society would encourage: we need to focus on the importance of learning about and embracing other people, cultures and beliefs. Everyone experiences life differently, everyone carries his or her own burdens, and everyone is important on this earth. The world would be a better place if we knew how to meet someone new. Judgment should not just be about someone’s name or their outfit; rather, it should be about their personality and the beautiful details that create their story.

PHOTO BY EMILY BARRETT

Passionate soul causes catharsis Kristine Cho, guest columnist

lainly put, it was calm. We sat, inhaling the sunlight that filtered in through the windows. The air was unmoving except for a scrolling mouse as summer heat seeped through the air conditioner and into our bones. Until Bex slammed the door open. They were a tidal wave, sweeping their shocked co-worker, Anique, and me into their sudden fury. Kaya, their foxish puppy, scattered away in a flurry of fur tufts and claws on wood. “I’ve had enough.” Before I even registered Bex’s command to pull up our working draft, they had uncapped a sky-colored Expo marker and began writing on the walls (albeit, the walls were painted with whiteboard paint and allowed them to do so). They were an artist, a firework of creative energy lit against a dark sky, bursting onto blank surrounding surfaces in the form of half-scribble-half-words about health policy and reproductive justice. My heartbeat did not slow, even after recovering from Bex’s sudden entrance. It burned with inspiration. The key points that Bex had me call out to them came from the Reproductive Justice Leadership Institute’s (RJLI) “New York City Asian American Organizing Blueprint for Reproductive Justice,” a name far too fancy for me to associate with Bex. They really were an artist, a lover of the world, it’s people, the millions of stories waiting to be told, also having gotten their undergraduate degree in the performing arts. Facebook stalking later on would reveal that the senior organizer spent some time doing spoken word, and that they were good at it. Understanding this defined the near-poetic love and passion that came from Bex. Calling everyone “my love” or “babe” with a genuineness only they could inhabit, keeping every part of their dedication to justice as a part of their being, sharing the meditation of New York City public transit; almost everything was done with a creative and invested soul, their callused hands masterfully handling even the blue dry erase marker. Their care and meditation and explosion into the restructuring of a 30-something page document explained more about organizing than I had ever hoped to understand. I spent the first couple days with the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) learning about the “unsexy” bits of organizing — the research, the types of relationships, the processes of planning all jotted down in sharpie on half sheets of paper. There were nights where I accompanied Bex to coffee shops to spend RJLI writing parties to laughing, questioning and connecting. I’m brought to one of my late father’s mottos: “The meaning of life is love. The way of life is peace; the act of life is service.” They are wise words to take to heart, and admittedly, I’m still trying to actualize them. But those words describe well how I was swept into a moment of such meaningful cathartic activism. Surprised catharsis, but catharsis nevertheless.The restlessness that Bex brought in with them drew Anique and I to swivel our chairs and turn towards them, our ideas plastered onto the walls, urging our collective escalation into creative fury. This space of collaboration brought out the determination for progress. Hunger embodied and empowered. This understanding solidified what nebulous convictions had pushed me through late nights spent studying, frustrating debate rounds and early mornings that begged me to stay under covers. Unexpectedly, but thankfully, self-actualization of this passion came through the tangible embrace of community. Bex, whose smile radiated welcoming swagger, whose advice was made of calming perfections, whose professionalism was sacrificed for loving embraces, didn’t employ me; they adopted me into their family of solidarity. Into a storm that transformed destructive fury into a healing justice, crafting moments in an office room into a work of progressive art.

The Rock welcomes guest writers. To submit proposals, you can contact our staff at contact@bearingnews.org or tweet us @rbhsbearingnews.

SPORTS B1

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

POSTGAME CELEBRATION: On Sept. 1, the Bruins gather around Head Football Coach Van Vanatta to form a W with their hands to signify their victory against BHS, 9-0.

Vanatta leads Bruins to success Emily Oba

n Aug. 19, with three minutes left of the football game, fans stood as the Bruins neared their first season victory at Battle High School (BHS). With RBHS leading 17-14, Rockhurst intercepted the ball at their two-yard line with two minutes left. Crowds erupted in cheers as the clock ticked down the seconds to the first Bruin victory of the year. “I’m personally very excited and optimistic about the season,” senior wide-receiver and cornerback Reece Jarvis said. “The team seems to have a great attitude and personality entering into the season.” With a new season also came a new head coach. Van Vanatta, entering his 20th year of coaching, decided to come to Columbia after four years as the assistant football coach and three years as the head baseball coach at Central Methodist University. For the last 10 years, Vanatta was head coach for baseball and football at Hazelwood Central High School. Although he has lived in St.

Louis for a long time, he said mov- our mistakes.” ing to Columbia was not a tough With the season already on its choice for his family, including his way, Vanatta expects his players to son, freshman Max Vanatta. do their job and to take care of the “I know the tradition here at present and get better. RBHS and love the Columbia area,” “My expectations are to have Vanatta said. “I know it is [a] great each athlete believe in themselves, place to raise a family.” believe in each other and believe in Although Joe Collier, who was the process,” Vanatta said. “Same the interim head coach last year, is [goes] for the coaches.” still coaching defense for the team, With the Bruins going (2-8) last players can see the differences be- year, Norris believes in a fresh tween how start and the team feels good is running a b o u t “My expectations are to have now comthe new each athlete believe in thempared to season. past years. His conselves, believe in each other Sophomore fidence and believe in the process.” inside linefor the — Van Vanatta, head football coach backer and upcoming kicker Will g a m e s c o m e s Norris says from the the Bruins run a different defense with Vanatta. hard work the team has put in. “Every week is tough with the “[The new defense] seems to be working so far,” Norris said. “Hav- schedule we have, but Battle and ing the old coach still with the team Jeff City will be tough games,” Noras a defensive coordinator is great. ris said. “We just need to do our job He pushes us to be better and limit and believe and we can beat anyone.

We need to communicate more on the field. It’s important to talk to limit the amount of confusion.” Already kicking off the season with a (4-1) start, Jarvis says the ultimate goal is to win a championship either at districts, regionals or state. The Bruins won their first three consecutive games of the season, and lost their streak Sept. 8, against Lee Summit High School 21-27. The next week, however, the Bruins triumphed in the Providence Bowl against the Hickman Kewpies by a score of 41-9. Tomorrow the team will go against Jefferson City High School (2-2), on home territory, with expectations of a victory. “[Vanatta] has done a fantastic job preparing our team,” Jarvis said. “The team is focused on playing every opponent as a true team.” In order to achieve the goal of a championship, Vanatta wants to focus on each individual game. “I don’t think there is an opponent that we can take lightly,” Vanatta said. “Every week is a challenge and we will focus on one week at a time.”

CAM FULLER

Boys’ soccer prepares to face off against Roosters Siena Juhlin

arly on in the school year, the boys’ soccer team has triumphed in games against Hickman, Battle and Nixa. Overall their record stands at 4-5, after a victory against the Hickman High School (HHS) Kewpies. On Sept. 23 the varsity and junior varsity soccer teams will look to continue their success at Pleasant Hill High School (PHHS). The team hopes to continue to come out on top and make improvements throughout the year, taking the soccer field by storm. “Our goals for [this season] are to come out and focus on playing more of our style of soccer, passing the ball and maintaining possession,” Head coach Scott Wittenborn said. “Both teams that we will play in the tournament spent time in the top 50 in the nation last season and are very good teams. We hope to show that we are still a very good team, as well.” Although the team is confident in its abilities, players believe there are some improvements to make before they take on PHHS. Senior varsity player Praise Tyler wants to personally improve while continuing to have faith in the team’s bond. “Our team is mostly focused on taking this season one game at a time in hope to eventually make it to state this year,” Tyler said. “I’m trying to improve on my skill as a player and teammate. I believe we can win

our upcoming games because of our team chemistry.” Despite the relations the Bruins have, Wittenborn also believes the team is already strong but needs improvements. “Right now we need to work on playing smarter, not fouling as much,

possessing the ball, and playing more patient on offense,” Wittenborn said. “We are excited to just get back out on the field and continue to try to improve each day.” Like Tyler and Wittenborn, senior defender Britton Stamps thinks the soccer team is ready for the competi-

tion but also needs to prepare themselves to be mentally and physically strong. “Our team is skilled, but we lack in size, and this makes it vital for us to be aggressive to beat players much larger than us to the ball,” Stamps said. “We are working on

ways to stay calm and play smart.” The team is excited to take on an in-state rival and make smart moves to better the team as a whole. “We know that we have a very good squad this year,” Wittenborn said. “Our post season goals are still very much in reach.”

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

ABOVE THE COMPETITION: Junior Jack Flink jumps up to take a header against HHS Aug. 22 as the Bruins fought for a 1-0 win in penalty kicks. The team’s next matchup is on Sept. 23 against Pleasant Hill.

B2 SPORTS

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

Girls’ golf gears up for districts in Troy Allie Pigg

onday Sept. 25, girls’ golf will tee off its postseason run in Troy, Mo. The Bruins are hoping to power through districts to the state tournament in Sedalia, where they won their last state title in 2012. The team of 12 has been tight in terms of relationships and scores, as multiple Bruins have been individual medalists in all but one tournament thus far. MSHSAA, however, only allows five golfers to compete at the district tournament. Head Coach Melissa Coil said it was the team’s preseason drive that is bringing them successful scores this season, ranging from 325 to 357. “In all the years I’ve done this, I’ve preached how playing throughout the summer is a great segway into our season,” Coil said. “This year is the first time more than one or two girls have taken advantage of that, and you can see [their extra work paying off] based on the scores that we are putting up.” Coil said she has used the “power of yet” to encourage positive mindsets for her golfers this year. Instead of an “I can’t do that” attitude, she motivates the girls to say “I can’t do that yet.” That optimism led the girls to start their season out strong, winning the Warrensburg Invitational Aug. 18 with a score of

357. Five days later, they won again in Camdenton at the Laker Invitational, bringing their score down to 344. Freshman Madison Moller, who medaled at both tournaments, said she was excited to see herself and her team improve throughout the season. “My goal is to grow and get better as an individual but also as a teammate,” Moller said. “I hope to be a person the team and coach can depend on.” Junior Olivia Sowers will be someone to watch again this postseason. Sowers took second at districts her freshman year and eighth her sophomore year. She has also gone on to compete at state both years. Sowers’ personal goal this season is to place in the top 10 at the state competition. Coil recognizes the loyalty and commitment Sowers has given to the team. “To have the opportunity to lead the group [to state] is a big deal for her,” Coil said. Sowers is excited for her team’s skilled roster, and has pushed the Bruins this season to reach their highest potential by encouraging constructive teamwork and behavior. “To reach my personal goals, I plan to practice a lot outside of just team practice and keep my head in line out on the course,” Sowers said. “For my team to achieve our goals we just need to make sure we stay positive, play like a team.”

GRACE KIRK / THE ROCK

TAKE A SHOT: Sophomore Greta Scheidt takes a swing during the JV match against BHS, JCHS and HHS Sept. 12.

CAMRYN DEVORE / THE ROCK

BATTING FOR FUNDS: Freshman Maddie Snider puts her equipment away in the new shed after softball practice. Constructed during early August, the shed was funded by the RBHS Booster Club.

Booster Club helps to raise funds for needed facilities

Grace Dorsey

s the saying goes, “If you want something done, do it yourself.” For the softball team, this took the form of building a completely new equipment shed from scratch. Team parents, including junior Hannah Pate’s dad, took it upon themselves to create the storage space when Columbia Public Schools (CPS) and Booster Club money wouldn’t cover the cost. “Usually, the coach will say [we need new materials], and the dads will come together and organize like ‘Hey, I’ll get the paint for this’ or ‘I’ll get the concrete to pour’,” Pate said. “My dad, he’s a construction worker, so he has the equipment for it. So they’ll just all meet up together at the same time and work on it for four hours. They [worked on] the shed for two weeks. They all pitched in money.” While the softball team had to build its own shed, it has received amenities both from CPS including new bleachers, backstop and a concrete walkway near the field, and the Booster Club, who bought them a speaker system and indoor batting cages. However, adding onto RBHS facilities comes with more consequences than simply better aesthetics. Athletic Director David Egan says CPS has to ensure that all three high schools share equitable access to equipment. “Title IX, [a piece of federal legislation that prohibits discrimination], is a big piece of it. Title IX legislation requires that there be equity amongst and between the schools,” Egan said. “One of two things has to happen [if RBHS has better resources]. Either Hickman [High School] (HHS) and Battle [High School] (BHS) have to be granted ac-

cess to our facility, and we have to move down south here. You can see a equally share it, or we needed to build difference in socio-economic status as you go from north of town to south of those facilities for those schools.” Historically, RBHS’ active Booster town,” Stockman said. “It’s neither good Club meant that oftentimes volunteers or bad. It’s just what it is. It just seems would raise money for new resources, like with the amount of students and paronly for CPS to turn around and fund ents [at HHS] that we should have more something similar for HHS. Nowadays, involvement.” The RBHS the tables Booster Club, are turned. on the conThe emerWe’re just thankful as a group trary, has had gence of success both BHS and it’s of parents dedicated to athletes with and instate of the and coaches that we can fund dependent of, art design these things for our school...” CPS’ support. means that — Kay Hake, Booster Club member Booster Club CPS needs members into build up cluding Kay RBHS and Hake, have HHS to it’s partnered with CPS on a number of relevel. “That’s why you’re seeing the foot- cent projects, and they’ve even contribball [and] soccer stadium project going uted $100,000 to the new football field. “We’re just thankful as a group of on; it’s why you saw the improvements that were going on at baseball [and] parents dedicated to athletes and coachsoftball,” Egan said. “I do believe the es that we can fund these things for district does genuinely try to provide our school and maybe get them a little equitable opportunities and facilities to quicker,” Hake said. “My suggestion [to the other high schools] would be to all kids.” Nevertheless, it’s not just the ar- fundraise for things that you want, that chitecture that distinguishes the three the district cannot afford, because that’s schools. A combination of location and worked very well for us.” For Pate and her team, as long as they districting means that the mixture of demographics, including household in- have quality practice and game space, come, varies as well. Dan Stockman, they’re happy. Although the money CPS president of the HHS Booster Club, be- and the Booster Club donates isn’t allieves CPS needs to be held accountable ways enough, Pate still is grateful for the for ensuring equity. On the other hand, contributions. “We want, when people come to play in Stockman’s opinion, booster clubs should remain independent from such us, to be like ‘Hey, our field is our territory’,” Pate said. “We love having a nice manipulation. “You just have a different capture, field, it brings up our pride along with different folks, different involvement, our uniforms and everything like that. etc. I think this part of town here, I’m We take a lot of pride in our facilities speaking about Rock Bridge, is enor- and how great they are. We really appremous, a majority of people want to ciate it, the funding that we got for that.”

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

IN-DEPTHS B3

Americans debate keeping confederate monuments Faaris Khan

hen it comes to topics including the Confederacy and slavery, America is a volatile volcano, ready to erupt with explosions of shock and controversy. At the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) campus stands a statue of former president Thomas Jefferson. As one of the nation’s Founding Fathers, many continue to view Jefferson as an American hero; one of the brave men responsible for the construction of a prosperous America. Despite Jefferson’s place in history, many UMC students have called for the removal his statue off of the state campus. In particular, students were seen in Oct. 2015 placing sticky notes on the memorial, laced with words including “misogynist,” “rapist,” and “slave owner.” Columbia even has a school, Robert E. Lee Elementary, whose mere name commemorates Confederate generals, let alone national monuments and statues. Confederate monuments have sparked much controversy throughout the United States. Proponents argue that the secessionist state’s history cannot simply be erased from the nation’s past. Senior Blaine Forshee, an ardent supporter of commemorating Confederate history, believes such memorials should be left alone. He said there was much more to the Confederacy than slaves, and that its place in the nation’s history should always be remembered in some fashion, whether it be through monuments or the Confederate flag itself. “I think that Confederate history is a big part of American history. One of the main goals of the Constitution is for the individual states to hold the majority of the power in their own governments, and the Southern states felt like this was being taken away from them. The civil war that followed was the bloodiest fight America has ever seen,” Forshee said. “I don’t think flags and monuments should be taken down because I believe those are a representation of the thousands of Americans who died in the war on both sides.” For Forshee, the Confederacy is more than racism. Although he acknowledges that racism and oppression definitely held a place in Confederate life, he said completely ignoring its events would be a historical disservice to America today. “I honestly see more than just racism when I look at the Confederacy,” Forshee said. “I think that’s something that’s hard for a lot of people when we see hate groups using the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism, or because we’re taught in school that the South was willing to lose hundreds of thousands of men to keep their slaves. Most people aren’t willing to look at it a different way.” A recent Reuters poll found a majority of polled Americans — 54 percent, to be exact — agreed that Confederate monuments should be preserved throughout the nation. While many Americans do believe the Confederacy was an important piece of the nation’s history, some object mainly on how commemorating it manifests in

Racial tensions persist

America. AP United States history teacher Kim Metcalf explained that many characteristics of today’s Confederate monuments are unnecessarily offensive, such as their location and the intent behind creating them. “There is no context for a statue in the middle of somewhere without any plaque, without any explanation. The general public doesn’t realize that those statues were put up long after the Civil War, for different reasons than to just say, ‘Hey, here’s a great guy!’ That’s the problem,” Thielen-Metcalf said. “I think there’s a place for Confederate history, but I think it needs context. You can’t just stick a statue in the middle of a park that you know is frequented by African-Americans. A lot of these statues were put in such places to intimidate, around the 1900s in an answer to Jim Crow. The statues were funded by people in city government, and there were no blacks in city government in the cities where these statues were put up, because of segregation.” On another side of the debate stands junior Matthew Burns. While Burns supports remembering the time of the Civil War through monuments, he also believes the horrors and crimes that were the norm in Confederate society are just too terrible to forgive. Because of this belief, he views the removal of Confederate monuments as a way through which Americans are actively attempting to cleanse the dark parts of the nation’s history. While he recognizes why others might want to maintain Confederate symbols in order to continue learning from past mistakes, he doesn’t think it’s appropriate to do so, especially now. “I think Confederate monuments could be important symbols of our history because we don’t want to necessarily forget our history, but I feel like it sort of neglects the negative parts of the history,” Burns said. “For example, with the statues, it shows many of the old Civil War generals as heroes, when that’s kinda against our American narrative that they should be moreso heroes than villains. And with the statues, the majority of the statues were built after the Civil War in the 1960s through now, so they aren’t even old relics, they’re built now to commemorate old Civil War generals.” For Burns, the flag isn’t a symbol people should take pride in. He remembers seeing Confederate flags in rural areas of Wisconsin and Michigan flown to represent country lifestyles, but hopes the people that fly them don’t wish to revive slavery and the worst racism in American history, he said. “The matter of the fact is that it doesn’t matter what the new meaning [the flag] is trying to take own is,” Burns said. “The Confederate Flag represents the discrimination and subjugation of an entire class of people based on the pigment of their skin.” With so many different sides to the Confederacy debate, disagreement still exists on what should be done about the Confederate movements. Metcalf agrees that if this issue isn’t resolved through dialogue and discussion, it could lead America down a path darker than most could imagine. “We forget that our actions have effects on other people. And that is something we could improve. No, we should not forget Robert E. Lee, we should not forget what the people of Vicksburg had to endure when they were under siege by Ulysses S. Grant, but we should remember them in historical context,” Metcalf said. “We’re not erasing history by doing this. That is my opinion as a historian. The intent is not to erase history and act like none of this happened and that we’re just gonna move on happily; you need the entire story. The glorification of these people needs to be put in context. I think this is a discussion that we need to have. If we don’t have discussions or stop having them at all, we’ll be in trouble.”

MOY ZHONG

B4 IN-DEPTHS

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

Inequalities prompt justice

has been helpful. We tend to label conservatives as alt-right instead of taking conservative arguments seriously. Labels are no substitute for argument.” n April 1923, angry mobs dragged a black janitor out of the halls of the UniOn the other hand, Norfleet believes white supremacy will die versity of Missouri-Columbia (UMC). They took him to the corner of South down in the next four to eight years, despite not being able to Providence Road and East Stewart Road and lynched him before a crowd of kill the idea itself as he said it’s difficult to completely eradicheering students. cate thoughts. The relevance of white power over other races, The janitor was James T. Scott and the people of Columbia killed him like people who identify as Asian or African-American, will before he could stand trial for the raping of a 14-year-old white girl; 87 years eventually diminish, Norfleet said, allowing progress in solater, in November 2010, Columbia civic leaders ruled the murder of Scott as a case cial ideals to continue. of mistaken identity, though at the time of Scott’s lynching, no justice occurred. “I’m not saying we should listen to white supremacists, but Of course, racial tensions have always boiled under the surface. Most recently, in if it’s truly a bad idea, it will lose. We thought slavery was a good St. Louis, outcry broke out on the streets following the acquittal of a idea until it wasn’t. We thought women not being able to vote was police officer who fatally shot a black suspect, according to the a good idea until it wasn’t,” Norfleet said. “The white St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The protests escalated when looters supremacy movement is pretty scary. broke glass windows of shops and when police deployed But people are calling it tear gas canisters to clear out the crowd. the rise of white supremJust three years ago, in August 2014, Ferguson citizens “We didn’t have a voice for acy; I see it more as a last rioted for 16 days when 18-year-old Michael Brown, an hoorah.” nearly a 100-year period. But African-American, was killed by a white police officer. Although many people who the movement grew and grew Of course, these protests weren’t the first. An uprising disapprove of the president even without that voice.” began in Florida when 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was viewed his reaction as just — DJ Norfleet, senior fatally shot by neighborhood watchman George Zimanother example merman on Feb. 26, 2012. The fight for black justice and of his equality gained a name for itself, becoming known as the bigoted Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. ways, his Those who support BLM see it as a necessary organization dedireluctance to cated to promoting equal rights and preventing police brutality against Afblame a sinrican-Americans. Those against the movement see it as a violent crusade with gle side for the an agenda against police officers. Although BLM first emerged in response to the violence that ocmurder of Martin, according to the Black Lives Matter website, the urgency of its curred may stem mission has increased following events such as the Nov. 2016 election of Donald from wanting to Trump and the Aug. 11 Neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, VA. avoid any further conSenior DJ Norfleet agrees that the rise of white supremacy and Neo-Nazis has flict. Furthermore, with increased since Trump’s election. each group’s differing “People of our generation tend to be more liberal, and they’re pretty much pro-hu- viewpoints on which lives man rights in every category,” Norfleet said. “I think Trump being president is the last seem to matter most, the hoorah for white supremacists instead of a rising. White supremacy has always been movements gain speed present in American culture. It has never gone away; we just ignored it.” with the corresponding conflict. For Events like Charlottesville heightened the prevalence of white supremacy, which example, when Martin passed, the is defined by Merriam Webster as the idea that white people are inherently better BLM movement rose. than all other races and should dominate over them all. According to ABC News, the Afterward, White Lives Matter number of hate groups in the United States jumped 17 percent in 2016 from 2014. gained a following along with BLM in Because of this increase, groups such as BLM have arisen in response, something that a push to press racial equality and disprofessor Paul Von Blum from the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) play that the lives of black people were is grateful for. not valued above those of any other “I think that Black Lives Matter is an extremely valuable development and rep- race. When it comes to radical ideas and the resents a contemporary extension of the modern civil rights movement,” Dr. Von movements that rise as a result of them, NorBlum said. “It has generated national and international attention to the unjustified fleet said it’s important to hear everyone out in killings of African-Americans by police and others throughout the United States.” order to prevent extreme measures. To provoke this attention, BLM chapters in various cities have participated in “Trying to suppress [the white supremacy movement] protests for the betterment of black lives. In addition, other protesters such as those will only help it grow. When we suppress ideas, they tend counter protesting the Neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, VA. were advocating against to grow stronger, which is why suppressing white supremacy has white supremacy and peace among all races. Many of these protests, however, turned caused it to become so popular and grow into a real alt-right movement,” violent. Norfleet said. “Not giving them a platform or a voice will only make them Sophomore Benjamin Lidsky completely supports the right to assembly but not stronger. Look at the Civil Rights Movement; we didn’t have a voice for pretty when it turns destructive. much a hundred-year period, but the movement grew and grew even without that “[The right to] protest is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitu- voice.” tion,” Lidsky said. “The First Amendment assumes that the truth is best gathered from While Norfleet believes white supremacy will die down little by little over a multitude of tongues. We should listen to both sides instead of trying to attach labels time, Dr. Von Blum disagrees, predicting there are more violent protests to each other to avoid listening. However, violent protest is deplorable, whether by a to come unless a massive change occurs within the federal governsegment of BLM in Baltimore or by the alt-right in Charlottesville.” ment. Despite their differing opinions about the future of the President Donald Trump’s reaction to the Charlottesville rally was extraordinarily nation, Norfleet and Dr. Von Blum both cite BLM as an controversial. According to a CBS poll, 55 percent of all Americans, 22 percent of influential organization that has had a huge part in inRepublicans and 82 percent of Democrats disapproved of Trump’s response. Trump citing positive change. initially stated that “we condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious dis“BLM is not a terrorist organization. I would play of hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides.” like that to be known. BLM doesn’t mean that After receiving a backlash of criticism from both the Democratic and Republican other lives don’t matter. In the grand scheme of parties, he called those who participate in racist acts criminals, only to later add that society, black people aren’t being treated as equals,” there were some “very fine people” who participated in the rally. Lidsky also believes Norfleet said. “By saying that black lives matter, we’re that both sides are engaging in magnification for their respective viewpoints. not trying to say that other people of color’s lives don’t “I do believe there has been a tendency to use hyperbole to label one’s political matter or that white people’s lives don’t matter. We’re just opponents as alt-right when those opponents were merely making conservative argu- treated like our lives don’t matter, so we’re just trying to say ments,” Lidsky said. “I don’t think the use of extreme rhetoric in political argument that our lives do matter.”

Rochita Ghosh & Nikol Slatinska

Fighting words stimulate action

Hate Speech

Speech that derives from malicious intent, and is but not limited to threats or insults directed at races, religion or sexual orientation Wisconsin v. Mitchell, 508 U.S. 476 (1993): After viewing the film, Mississippi Burning in which several black men are assaulted, Mitchell, a young black man, and his friends encounter a group of white men and proceed to beat them. Source: Division for Public Education

differing ideologies

Grace Dorsey

en and women whose torches illuminated their pale skin and khaki attire were the first participants in the long, downward spiral known as “Unite the Right.” What began Aug. 11 as a protest against the removal of Robert E. Lee’s statue in Charlottesville, VA., and a declaration of white power ended in militia-action with at least 35 injured and three deaths. One of the event’s organizers, a white supremacist group known as the National Socialist Party (NSM), identified freedom of speech as the main motivator for its members’ actions. In fact, NSM’s Chief of Staff, Butch Urban, considers the affair a success and adamantly defends his people. “You don’t see anyone in the movement asking to remove statues and monuments of Dr. King, Malcolm X or others. The underlying issue here and most important is the First Amendment and freedom of speech,” Urban said. “All the right did was defend itself.” On the issue of Confederate statues, the majority of Americans do agree with Urban. A poll published on Aug. 16, 2017 by National Public Radio (NPR) found that 67 percent of citizens object to their removal. Still, even in the case of the Charlottesville Robert E. Lee monument, opposition hasn’t been enough to keep the statues up. At least 21 have been taken down since “Unite the Right.” As someone who supports

their removal, sophomore Rachael Erickson believes ums are the best places for the figures. Although raci part of the nation’s history, Erickson is adamant soci and should move far away from that. “I think [the desire for white domination] was de the mindset our founders had, or maybe they just didn about anyone else ever becoming a part of America. H er, in no way does that mean that we have to remain mindset, or that it was ever right,” Erickson said. “In t since our country was created, the idea of who count American has changed wildly, and we have to adapt t tem that was created by our white founders to fit our ideals and to benefit all equitably.” Clearly, what happened during “Unite the Right” an isolated incident. Currently, there is increasing v and inclusivity of Neo-Nazis and similar groups in culture. Dr. Larry Brown of the University of Missou recent political activity as a possible cause for this d ment. “[Heightened white supremacist involvement], opinion, has been prompted by this slow, persisten streaming of their stated issues. They’ve been able to mainstream politics. Some of their agenda is showin some of their language starts showing up in traditiona san political events and then elections, campaigns, pe ties,” Dr. Brown, who specializes in geography, said. “ in high places are going to be anti-immigrant, mak

IN-DEPTHS B5

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

Free Speech promotes liberty Free Speech

The constitutional First Amendment right to express opinions without censorship.

R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul, 505 U.S. 377 (1992)

A 14-year-old white boy burns cross in front of the house of a black family. Minnesota’s law that made it illegal to place symbols of hate on public property was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court for violating the First Amendment. Source: Division for Public Education

MOY ZHONG

s fight to define nation’s identity

s museism is a iety can

efinitely n’t think Howevn in that the time ts as an the syscurrent

” is not visibility popular uri cites develop-

in my nt mainget into ng up or al, partiersonali“If folks ke racial

comments and dismiss the importance of minorities, if that’s designed to be operated, it won’t work and will fall apart. acceptable language and behavior in mainstream culture, [the This is what has happened to America.” white supremacists have] been invited in.” Unlike NSM, The Creativity Movement (TCM) is a white Similarly, Urban points to politics as evidence of a larger supremacist religion that condemns Trump. shift to white rights’ issues. Urban hopes conservative influ“Donald Trump made it crystal clear that he opposes proences continue to dominate the federal government. white people and views white people who advocate for “As for the election of President Trump, that the best interests of white people as extremely speaks for itself. It tells you how pissed evil people. Needless to say, we disagree with off the American people are. Prior to this, but are not surprised that he the Election, the [NSM saw] imwould hold such views,” a spokesmense growth from all sides,” Urperson for the TCM said. “Yet the “In the time since our counban said. “If Clinton was elected, media portrays him as being sympait would have been the end of the thetic to white people who care about try was created, the idea of United States as we know it. Trump themselves: an outrageous lie.” who counts as an American has bought time. Four years, hopefully The NSM and TCM also differ in changed wildly.” eight years, to undo all the nonhow they spread their message. TCM — Rachael Erickson, sophomore sense that’s been shoved down preaches that it is non-violent and dethe throats of the American people nounced “Unite the Right” because it over the last eight years.” was “a confusing array of ideas that conWhile evading the election of tract and are hostile to one another, leading Hillary Clinton might have been a short-term to chaos,” and “Many of these are not even progoal of the NSM, the organization’s long-term viWhite.” This contrasts greatly with the NSM’s goal sion includes an entirely Caucasian nation. This belief is to “fight” the “attack” against freedom. Dr. Brown outlined on their website as follows: “Contrary to popular sees this vision as one reason why some organizalies, America was not established as a multi-racial democtions, including the NSM, are eager to cause unrest. racy. It was instead created and intended to be a White Re“One of those factors that comes up [when white public. When you operate something in a way that it wasn’t supremacist activity increases] is [that] the general popula-

tion responds in violent ways to these groups. In one sense, that’s exactly what they want. They want the demonstration of failure of our multicultural, pluralistic society,” Dr. Brown said. “They can turn that around and say ‘see, that’s what happens when things are out of control, people get violent.’” Dr. Brown’s analysis corresponds with Urban’s perspective on Charlottesville. Urban blamed the liberal side for the violence, denying any and all accusations of domestic terrorism on the conservative protesters’ part. He said the anti-fascists had “baseball bats, balloons filled with urine, bleach and acid [and] paint cans being used as flamethrowers.” If anything is clear, it’s that Charlottesville wasn’t the first violent racially or politically motivated incident, and it certainly won’t be the last. “The fight has just begun. Where this will end is anyone’s guess,’’ Urban said. “ It’s not going to be pretty.” For Dr. Brown, the key to progress isn’t fighting fire with fire, but rather taking a minute to understand the history and current mindsets of white rights activists. He thinks that differentiating between the distinct factions and developing a comprehensive strategy is important. “They’re not all out there, ready to pick up a gun and march in the street, not ready to lynch someone. The risk is we don’t want to demonize white nationalists to the point that we’re doing the same thing that they do to non-whites,” Dr. Brown said. “Don’t play their game of victimization and aggressiveness.”

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B7 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Roots ‘n’ Blues to draw crowd, musical artists Jacob Sykuta

B Show choir loses program CARMEN RAMIREZ

Ben Kimchi

horal director Mike Pierson, had to eliminate Satin & Lace (S&L), he said, because of a lack of auditions. Pierson plans to use the upcoming school year to strengthen the Show Choir Department. “We normally have 60-70 students audition. This year that number was down to 40,” Pierson said. “[Our] goals for this year start with building the skills of the 39 students we have in the program and making it successful for them.” Former member of S&L, junior Piper Page, said the program represented much more

than just singing and dancing. “You have a group entirely made up of women with intermediate choreography and the same level of vocals as any other group,” said Page. “What makes [S&L] different is the impact that they have on the people watching it. I still think that the empowerment will be there with City Lights, but it will not be at the same level and have the same effect that it did with an all-female group.” Former members of the program share remorse over its not-so-sudden removal. Sophomore Hope Keithahn, a 2016-17 member of S&L, wishes the cut could have been avoided.

“It makes me sad that our department was unable to keep Satin & Lace,” Keithahn said. “We were really good, and I hope we can start the program up again next year.” The lack of auditions may be attributable to how much time S&L requires a member to commit. Sophomore Audrey Snyder, a 2016-17 member, recalls her busy schedule during S&L. “The lack of auditions was kind of inevitable,” Snyder said. “To be a part of show choir takes so much time out of our already hectic schedules, and with all of the senior Satin & Lace members leaving, I saw something like this coming.”

Pierson has high hopes for the future of not only Satin & Lace, but also the entire show choir department. With the addition of a new variety show, a combination of show choir’s competitive performances, that will be showcased in December, RBHS can expect to see new development in the department. “We will continue our history of excellence in show choir and developing fantastic student performers,” Pierson said. “Future goals are to increase recruitment and participation so that we can return to having both show choirs functioning at full strength, [and] our goal is for that to happen for next year.”

Why so Band theme tells a story of depression Elad Gov-Ari

very morning the marching band meets on the field at 7:45 a.m. and not a second later. Practicing a combination of music, marches and timing, the Emerald Regiment weaves sound and visuals to tell the story of a case of depression, prompting the name of the theme Why So Blue? With a recent first place victory in Edwardsville, IL on Sept. 16, the band looks to perfect the already great performance. Junior trumpet player Jackson Dampier is thankful and excit-

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PLAYIN’ AWAY: Junior flutist Jessica Fisher rehearses with the Emerald Regiment, Friday Sept. 15 in preparation for their upcoming competition.

ed to explore the theme to its fullest, and hopes to convey respect toward the sensitive subject. “The goal of the show is not to glamorize or highlight the very important issues of suicide and depression; a marching show is not the time or place to bring those up, but rather to help convey the sadness that every person has felt in their life,” Dampier said. “As a performer I have no issues conveying those feelings and would never want to offend those who struggle with depression.” Likewise, senior drum major Hanna Evans is honored to convey such a powerful story, as she feels it can reach out and relate to many people. “Performing a show about depression doesn’t draw a lot of pressure [to me],” Evans said. “Depression is different for everyone, and our show can be interpreted many different ways. It’s easy for someone to be able to relate the show back to themselves in a certain point in their life.” Evans stresses the fact that while they want to tell a tale of depression, the story itself strays from directing a specific message, rather, telling a story by means of its movement of different stages of emotional downfall. “There are a lot of marching bands that do blue shows. They just play music with blue in the title,” Emerald Regiment director Patrick Sullivan said. “We wanted to take that a step further by talking about the emotions of feeling blue and not just feeling blue. That’s only the first half of that. We also try and express the feelings of overcoming that blueness.” Their first movement, titled “Pessimism,” is the preliminary stages of living with the mental illness. With dark music staging the mood, the act shows the constant sadness surrounding depression. The second movement, dubbed the Lonely Descent, orchestrates the slow decline unto rock bottom through recorded quotes, used to bring an internal dialogue to the music, during the musical pieces. The audience hears phrases such as “I feel blue,” and, “I feel empty” in order to demonstrate internal dialogue of those affected. With the final movement, “Optimism,” the subject is on the upward trajectory towards defeating their ailments with fight songs and upbeat tunes With the sensitivity of depression and sadness, Sullivan handles the situation delicately, hoping to maintain the respect the mental illness deserves. According to the director, Why So Blue? strays from topics that might have “triggering” qualities, such as suicide and self harm. Why So Blue? aims to be experienced and enjoyed by all, without fears of offensive content. With a boost in confidence from their previous competition and dedication to doing the theme justice, Sullivan hopes for the best going towards their next competition, Sept. 23 in LaFayette, MO. “We still have lots of things to work on and a lot of things to accomplish,” Sullivan said. “Our full show isn’t on the field yet, but I think that receiving recognition is always exciting. I think that the band is showing a lot of good qualities such as hard work and dedication. Looking forward to LaFayette, who knows? We can only do our best, and we hope to only improve from where we are.”

etween Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, downtown Columbia will be hectic and filled with people from around the country, all there to experience what will be the 11th annual Roots N’ Blues N’ BBQ Festival. Since 2007, the festival has featured artists representing the genres of blues, gospel, country, folk, bluegrass, rock and soul. This year’s lineup boasts highly decorated artists who are sure to deliver an incredible performance. Some of these acts include Ryan Adams, a multi-Grammy award nominee, along with John Prine, a two-time Grammy award winner and member of the Nashville songwriter Hall of Fame. In addition to these two more famous artists, other nationally and locally renowned artists, such as Leon Bridges, Gary Clark Jr., and the Norm Ruebling Band, are featured for this weekend of music. Although there are only these select featured artists for the 2017 festival, there will still be live performances from more than 20 other Midwest artists that give a taste of the new age genre of gospel and rock music. Band director Steve Mathews appreciates the festivals’ love of music and is planning to attend this year once again. “The music that Roots N’ Blues brings to the table every year is unbelievable,” Mathews said. “Although I grew up a long time ago, it’s hard not to be fascinated by the way blues and country music has evolved over the years and even since the festival was first started.” Along with Mathews, freshman Allie Bell believes the artists that perform at the festival are something special. Growing up around this ‘modern country’ music, Bell is a true fan of the culture that blues, country and soul music have in today’s society. “I’ve gone to Roots N’ Blues the past few years, and it’s been absolutely amazing,” Bell said. “I love getting to go downtown and listen to the local artists perform music that I’ve grown up around. It’s so much better than listening to the radio or to my phone, and the festival has helped me to make memories that I’ll never forget.” In addition to the life-changing music, the festival is staying true to their name, offering tons of local food trucks and other vendors. Barbecue is a part of Missouri culture, and during the Roots N’ Blues festival that culture comes here for Columbia to experience. Vendors such as Missouri Legacy Beef, Smokin’ Chicks BBQ and Sugarfire Smokehouse are sure to bring happiness to all of the 70,000 food lovers traveling to Columbia for the festival. If the local barbecue isn’t filling enough, Jamaican Jerk Hut, Lily’s Cantina, Manzo’s Pizza, and many other Columbia food trucks will return this year to sell even more delicious food. For junior HanBin Kim, the fantastic barbecue is one of the most important things about the festival. “Like most people, I love food,” Kim said. “Getting to taste true, delicious Missouri barbecue is always great, and even though I choose the barbecue over food trucks, I know that the food that the trucks are selling is just as good.” With the plethora of wildly talented artists and worldclass food, the third and final aspect to the festival is often forgotten but is very important to Missouri culture and the Midwest. This part of the festival may seem rather tame in comparison to the loud music and delicious food; however, it is an opportunity for small businesses to sell beautiful products, in most cases handmade, that can be used in numerous ways throughout the day. This year’s craft vendors include Gypsy Wagon Wares, Indigo Child Gift Shop, Lite-em-up, Midnight Museum, Mountain Metal Arts, all in addition to many other small businesses trying to put themselves out for purchase. “Roots N’ Blues brings so much entertainment and fun that everyone in the community can enjoy,” Kim said. “Everybody likes different parts about the festival, but in the end, it’s a way for Columbia to experience part of our culture that is usually forgotten about and in my opinion, it brings us together and no matter what age you are, attending Roots N’ Blues should be your number one priority during the last weekend of September.”

Roots ‘n’ Blues Schedule Friday, Sept. 29

MO Lottery Stage Great Southern Bank Stage 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Old ‘97s Lee Fields and the Expressions 9:15 p.m. 8:15 p.m. Gary Clark Jr. Booker T’s Stax Revue

Saturday, Sept. 30

MO Lottery Stage Great Southern Bank Stage 7:30 p.m. 6:45 p.m. The Mavericks Pokey Lafarge 9:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Leon Bridges Band of Horses

Sunday, Oct. 1

MO Lottery Stage Great Southern Bank Stage 5:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Margo Price Emmylou Harris 7:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Ryan Adams John Prine CARMEN RAMIREZ

B8 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

Beloved teacher battles cancer Cancer does little to hinder determined teacher as she continues her work She lacked a constant two-parent home, didn’t live in a quiet neighborhood and wasn’t always encouraged to do great in school. Her mother was married three times. During the third marriage, Arthur’s family fell in love with the beauty of Mexico, MO. So in Jan. of 1977, when she was eight years old, her parents sold their horses, said farewell to their extended family and left the California dream for mid-Missouri. Arthur was in second grade when she entered her new school with short hair, a tan in Jan. and the name “Kris.” Her new classmates thought she was a boy. “None of that bothered me,” Arthur said, remembering her childhood. “When you’re that age, you just don’t care.” That independence and confidence remained a common theme of her personality as she grew up. Being the first person in her family to receive a

dent life. Having to work a full-time job while attending college, the four year degree turned to eight, but this or Spanish teacher Kriswas when she discovered her love for leen Arthur, life has been a seeing the world. During her eight whirlwind of surprises, adyears of college, she studied abroad justments and adventures, twice, spending a summer in Mexico but she likes it that way. and a semester in Spain. At this point, Many RBHS students know Arthur Arthur thought she wanted to work as a rebellious, matter-of-fact teacher. for an international company, but Her students leave class every never desired teaching because she day with stories about the hilarious disliked kids. However, the teaching things she said, such as an anecdote practice kept coming after her, and about her dogs getting in trouble for she realized she actually liked teenscratching up the couch, or the silly agers more than most adults. mistakes she made while presenting “[Students] were trying to grow the lesson. Based on the 90 minutes and do something,” Arthur said. that students get to spend with her ev“That inspired me. A lot of smart kids ery other day, it’s obvious that Arthur would ask me really smart questions, loves to live. and I realized I had to step up and However, life hasn’t always been learn more.” easy for her. Despite the extent of the world Arthur was raised in the city of she had seen, she found her way back Norco in Southern California and home in mid-Missouri. Helias Cathnever lived the perfect childhood. olic High School (HCHS) is where Arthur began teaching Spanish and truly became an educator. After spending 12 years at HCHS, the young teacher’s life had completely changed. The California native had received two master’s degrees and met her husband, Arvids Petersons. At 35 she decided she wanted to give back to the public school system that gave so much to her. Five years ago, room 247 at RBHS gave her that chance. Students who walk into that classroom commonly describe Arthur as funny, virtuous and kind-hearted. She values compassion about learning, and works every day to ensure her students feel stimulated, but also appreciated. Sophomore Sami Alexander was grateful to have had Arthur for Spanish 3 and now Spanish 4. Alexander admires her patience in the learning process and how she will explain a concept in four or five different ways to make sure it makes sense for everyone. “She works with her students and puts them first,” Alexander said. “She does her best every day to give us the resources and advice we need to succeed. Often times she’ll talk about how the world just needs a little more love and plays ‘One Tribe’ by the Black Eyed Peas.” Additionally, Arthur’s co-workers also identify her skills in teaching and connecting with students. Gifted Education Specialist Gwen Struchtemeyer admires how Arthur will always work with students individually until they understand the concept. “Mrs. Arthur is a teacher who genuinely cares about her students,” Struchtemeyer said. “She enjoys the Spanish language, and she’s the kind of teacher you can go to if you need extra help.” Arthur’s love, however, doesn’t just remain inside of her classroom. Junior Keaton Lockett has not had Arthur as a teacher since freshman year. However, Lockett said he still can not pass by her in the hallway without her giving him a hug and asking how he is doing. Her love for all of her students made it difficult to tell her classes that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in Aug. 2016. Arthur said it started with pains in her side that she thought was appendicitis. At the time, she didn’t have a regular doctor, as her health was so sound that she didn’t even have high blood pressure. After scary weeks of scans and blood tests, Arthur learned KAI FORD / THE ROCK she has advanced non-Hodgkin’s NO PROBLEMA: Spanish teacher, Krisleen Arthur, teaching her 3A Spanish 2 class. Arthur disFollicular lymphoma. cusses grades with her young students regarding their first test of the semester, with IPRs approaching. “Although that really sounds

Allie Pigg

diploma, Arthur left home immediately upon graduation at only 17 years of age. Her drive was to leave peaceful Mexico, MO and her desire to escape that load’s source. Her mom had divorced again, and Arthur was left to find her way on her own paycheck. She found herself first in Lincoln, NE, where she had made friends, and then in Connecticut, where she worked as a nanny. It was the East Coast where she realized she didn’t want to be someone’s household worker forever and that she needed to get an education. Arthur returned to Lincoln where she said she felt safe and began working on her undergraduate at the University of Nebraska, two years after graduating high school. She hadn’t even taken the American College Test (ACT). Arthur’s work ethic was astounding; however, she had to focus all of her energy on financially providing for her indepen-

scary and I went through the panic of everything, if you’re going to get cancer, it’s a good one to get.” Arthur said, expressing her optimistic outlook. Arthur’s family decided she should start treatment right away, and immunotherapy has been the most successful on her type of lymphoma. Be that as it may, Arthur wouldn’t let her cancer stop her from doing the job she loves, so she scheduled her treatments for Fridays, allowing her to rest over the weekend and be back at it on Monday morning. Arthur’s first-round of treatment was able to shrink her cancer, but the type of lymphoma she has is incurable. In spite of this she sees the positive in her situation, as the cancer will not likely take her life. Instead, she describes her cancer as, “just another pain in the butt.” Arthur said she’s not scared of her cancer anymore, and she is thankful that her community of students have been in the fight with her. During her treatment, she felt something beautiful come from her classes, and it filled her soul. Her students exerted patience, kindness and returned the love back to Arthur. “[Cancer] is something I’ll have to live with,” Arthur said. “But I’m grateful that I can live with it.” After school, Arthur comes home to her husband and eight-year-old son, Aivars. She loves to ride horses on her property, which she says is her happy place and getaway from everything else. She enjoys reading every night before bed because it allows her to stop her brain from making lists of everything she has to get done. She values adventure and experiences; she has been kayaking near a waterfall, repelled down a waterfall in Ecuador, seen whales with their babies off a coast, been white water rafting in Costa Rica and plans to see and do so much more. Above all, Arthur loves culture. In addition to her two study abroad experiences in college, Arthur has studied for two weeks in Bolivia and translated for a medical team in Peru. She also works with the Rotary Youth Exchange program, which is a study abroad organization that gives students international experiences without a lifetime of debt. Arthur loves the program because it changes lives. She said students have come back from studying abroad and told her that it formed their opinion of the world, and that is what she wants for every student she teaches. Despite her busy schedule of all the things she does to change lives, Arthur plans to start her doctorate this spring. Her favorite part of her job is seeing the differences she can make in her students’ lives. Her platform happens to be Spanish, but her love is giving someone a glimpse at something that might bring magic into their lives. Arthur teaches in all kinds of different ways. She teaches optimism, diversity and humanity. There is a takeaway message that Arthur wants for all of the people in this world that she encounters, and it is what she has learned from her personal life experiences and what she has learned internationally. “People all over the world are the same,” Arthur said. “They want their family to be healthy and loved. They want to fall in love. They want to be successful. We just might live someplace else or speak a different language, or worship a God called something different. But we are all simply similar.”

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SPORTS C1

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org October 26, 2017

Cheer squad confident for state Maddie Murphy

s the varsity high school cheer season comes to a close, the Bruins are ready to compete at the state level, and varsity Head Coach Kristine Hayes is as confident as ever. The state cheer competition will be at the Hearnes Center Oct. 28. Varsity will perform a three-minute routine at 11:45 a.m., and awards will begin at 2:30 p.m. “This year’s team is extremely strong and incredibly talented,” Hayes said. “I have a large group of seniors who have cheered multiple years, so there is a lot of leadership there. It has also been helpful for them to have consistency of coaches and expectations.” While multiple factors have remained the same throughout the y, one thing is changing: the division in which the cheer team competes. For the first time in RBHS history, there is a male cheerleader on the varsity competition team, junior Ethan Hayes, son of coach Kristine Hayes, which obligates the team to compete in the coed division. “This is our first year ever to compete in a coed division,” Kristine Hayes said. “There are 22 teams in our category, which is more than normal and a little overwhelming to think about, but I know that the team has worked extremely hard all summer and fall to prepare, and if they do their best they will score well.” The increase in competition is not the only obstacle that RBHS will face at state this year. With the loss of several teammates, the team will have to turn adversity into good. “We are in a bit of a scramble as we had some [team members] back out at the last minute, and the rules state that [the team] cannot replace them,” Kristine Hayes said. “Our alternates are already being used for the JV routine, so we are having to rework and rewrite parts of the routine to accommodate that. We have time to get there, and I am confident they can do it.” Junior flyer Caroline Curtright agrees with her coach Kristine Hayes that the departure of the team members has been hard. The loss is discouraging to her and her teammates, but she is looking up. “After hearing that [she] would not be competing with us in state, it was frustrating in some ways because it has a much bigger effect on the routine than [she] probably realized. The

KAI FORD / THE ROCK

FLYING TOGETHER: The team performs at the homecoming assembly Oct. 6. Seniors Gabby Soderman, Sydney Kent and

Maddie Diehls fly in a conncected stunt. The team added this last 30 seconds in order to include Kent in part of the state routine. stunts and pyramids were designed specifically for a certain number of people,” Curtright said. “With that being said, it has [encouraged] the remaining girls work even harder and grow closer through this obstacle.” The Bruins will also perform an additional section at the state competition for senior Sydney Kent. Her coaches and teammates will do this for her to show off how lucky they are to have been a part of a team with her. Kent’s last year at high school will be her first time on the varsity team and her teammates

are equally as supportive of her as her coach. Junior main base Anel Castro wants to prove that Kent’s down syndrome does not hold her back from achieving her dreams. “My teammates and I have been working super hard on a special pyramid part for our teammate, Sydney,” Castro said. “We are so excited to show everyone that she really is no different than the rest of us.” As a tribute to Kent, the cheer team plans to do a special recognition for her during the latter part of their routine. Kent will become the star

that her teammates already see her as. “After our competition routine is completed, Sydney will enter the floor, and the team will perform the pyramid and dance from the homecoming assembly to spotlight her hard work and commitment to the team,” Kristine Hayes said. “We have been very fortunate to be able to cheer with Sydney for the past several years, and we have learned so many things from her. I am super proud of the team for putting in some extra time to allow her to participate in state with them this year.”

E-Sports on the rise; RBHS forms new team Ryan Choe

hile playing the online multiplayer video game League of Legends, junior Tim Rhodenbaugh casts multiple spells and enchantments, beats enemy minions and attempts multiple knockout combo attacks. He says playing in the heat of battle after a day booked with schoolwork and cross country is a way to channel his frustrations toward the gameplay on the battlefield. “I started playing League [of Legends] about six years ago,” Rhodenbaugh said. “That’s the only [game] that I play for e-sports, [which are] competitive multiplayer video games.” Rodenbaugh says League of Legends is easy to follow, and because of the popularity of the game, he has found himself often playing with his friends. The game is especially fun and freeing for Rhodenbaugh after his cross country practices and meets. “There is no [designated] time; you just get on and see who else is on,” Rhodenbaugh said. “People you can play with are almost always on, and it’s on the computer, so you just do it from your home.” Since League of Legends by Riot Games, an American video game developer, came out in 2009, its popularity has exploded internationally. In 2014, Forbes Magazine revealed that up to 27 million people play League of Legends daily, and up to 67 million people play monthly. A part of why the game has become so popular is because Riot Games pushed for an e-sports professional league for the League of Legends game. The company was successful and made the professional competitions into a legitimate sport. The rise of major e-sports stars such as Bjergsen, Doublelift and Faker helped further increase the exposure of the game by streaming on Twitch, a live streaming video platform, and spreading the word about League of Legends. Incentives and rewards come in the form of millions of dollars, which also draws out competitors. Rhodenbaugh’s interest and skill in League of Legends led him to join RBHS’ first e-sports team, which began meeting in September. Led by e-sports head coach Kyle Reznicek, Rhodenbaugh decided to sign up and see how he compared to other players at RBHS. The prospect of taking a hobby to competition was more than enough to convince Rhodenbaugh to sign up for the e-sports team. Reznicek himself has been playing Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) video games

KAI FORD / THE ROCK

since he was two years old, and so they still have had a ton of sentimental value for him. During Reznicek’s college years, his brother-in-law showed him how to play League of Legends for the first time. On top of his familiarity with League of Legends, Reznicek believed the notion of gathering a bunch of kids together to share a valuable experience seemed like a good use of his time. “Video games are so much more than people give them credit for,” Reznicek said. “Gamers are one of the best communities out there. This past August, [RBHS athletics director] David Egan walked down to my classroom during biology one day. He asked me if I would be interested in potentially sponsoring the e-sports team, in which I replied yes and asked him to give my email [to the coordinators].” Within the week, Reznicek was contacted via email by Ben Brooks and Joe Chee of Ukatsu. A local company in Columbia, Ukatsu KAI FORD / THE ROCK is centered around providing live, social and PLUGGED IN: Sophomore Eli Fritz focuses on his screen while practicing League of competitive video game experiences for kids Legends on Oct. 5. His teammates gather around him, watching and aiding him. in Columbia. Ukatsu is officially a partner with Columbia Public Schools (CPS) and helped on our server and participate [in battles]. Yes, ing the most effective tactics and accepting the form the RBHS e-sports program. I make announcements and schedule meetings, role on the team helps everyone become better After exchanging brief emails about the goal but I also try to discuss League of Legends, the teammates. of the program, Reznicek met with Hickman most effective tactic available, ask questions When playing League of Legends, Mullen High School (HHS) e-sports sponsor, Alex Sop- in our channel, and most importantly, play the mans the Jungle role, which roams the battleer, along with Brooks and Chee from Ukatsu. field map and aids whoever needs to sit during game.” It was at that meeting where Reznicek found Reznicek also attempts to organize scrim- enemy encounters. Mullen explains how his out CPS organized mages with team role and the team chemistry affects the team’s an exhibition match members. For success. Mullen says when all of the team between the Rock him, this is where members execute their roles on the team they Video games are so much more Bridge and Hickman team captains rise are more likely to experience success against than people give them credit e-sports teams Sept. up and help him. their opponents. 8. Reznicek realized for. Gamers are one of the best “Basically, it’s a team of five that works toTeam captain and he would have just 12 senior Jeffrey Mul- gether in harmony to outwit the other team and communities out there.” days to prepare for the len helps keep the beat them by destroying their nexus [base],” — Kyle Reznicek, head coach match. members unified Mullen said. “To win, you have to outwit and Despite a hard kill the other team members.” under Reznicek. fought battle, RBHS Reznicek’s number-one priority right now is For Mullen, a losing 0-2, the team senior, being a cap- on-site practices. Practices are held Thursdays members were excited to improve their skill tain has made him feel more responsible and as- at 4:15 p.m. in room 245, and he said the team and coordination so they could perform better sume a role of leadership. He and fellow senior welcomes all students who are interested. He in future competitions. Reznicek said he tries Justin Zhang help keep the team and sport fun said that support from the district and RBHS to continue to motivate the team by playing and inclusive of all members. tech specialist Jeremy Young has been incrediLeague of Legends with the team members “Being a leader means making sure every- bly helpful in speeding up the formation of the once a week. He says he was proud how well the one is doing their job and does all the little RBHS e-sports team, and for that he is truly team was able to come together on a crunched things here and there to support everyone,” thankful. time schedule. He continues to use “raw, un- Mullen said. “I also help [Coach Reznicek] or“It’s obvious to anyone who talks to me bridled enthusiasm” as a way to keep the team ganize scrimmages with Ukatsu and other high about games that I’m passionate and know motivated and amped up, as well as having fun schools [during] our free time.” my stuff. I’m really looking forward to a great and learning new tips from each other. Mullen says when everyone collaborates year,” Reznicek said. “I don’t even belong on “I’m a 29-year [e-sport] veteran and try to and shares good tips, then the whole team can the same map as most of [the team members], inspire the team by playing [games] with them get on the same page. The little things like of- but they’ve been nice to me and even taught me online,” Reznicek said. “I try my best to get fering encouragement during practice, discuss- as they [have] pummeled me mercilessly.”

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org September 21, 2017

HEALTH & WELLNESS C1

Shy kids need support Early guidance is imperative Nikol Slatinska

hen looking at which characteristics make an individual successful, it makes sense for academic intelligence to be at the top of the list. But no matter how good one is at a certain subject, such as math or literacy skills, advancement in any facet of life is nearly impossible without effective communication. A study conducted by the National Center for Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) found that children with strong social skills are generally more accepted by their peers and form and maintain stronger relationships with parents and friends. This information may seem obvious and undeniable, but if so, how come being quiet can earn children marks of good conduct on their grade reports, while socializing too much during class often results in a scolding? Ridgeway Elementary School teacher Windy Shull says there’s a difference among kids who raise their hands to speak rather than blurting out their thoughts and those who never speak. “Quiet students who never choose to speak to the class need gentle opportunities to build their speaking confidence and kind ways to find their voice,” Shull said. “I do not praise kids for not sharing their voice in class. I encourage kids to learn appropriate times and ways to share.” That early guidance is imperative, not only because it sets children up to function in a world where building social connections with others is inevitable, but also because by primary school, kids use their relationships to determine how they fit in that world. According to kidsmatter.edu.au, preschool-age kids typically have high self-esteem and describe themselves based on their physical appearances and hobbies. By age five or six, they begin to compare themselves to their peers in order to determine their own social standing. The ability to do so allows them to form a strong sense of self-identity and awareness, as well as empathy for others. Although she has many friends and a clear impression of who she is, junior Laura Scoville describes herself as an introvert and someone who isn’t outspoken in class settings. She wishes her elementary and middle school teachers had been more insistent when it came to expressing herself vocally, although it might’ve discomforted her. “I’ve definitely been praised for being quiet, since I usually sit and do my work quietly. Teachers have always said things like, ‘Oh, you’re such a good student,’ or, ‘You’re such a good example,’” Scoville said. “In high school, I learned that there are a lot of participation grades that I didn’t get my freshman year because I didn’t speak up enough. Last year I had to adjust and speak up more because it was pointbased, and I think that was a little harsh for me. In socratics for Advanced Placement (AP) World, if you didn’t talk you wouldn’t get points.” The change from lots of independent work time to full-on class seminars was sudden for

Scoville, and she would have liked more time to ease into the new setting, perhaps with smaller group activities before whole class discussions. In order to prevent kids from being blindsided by participation-based grading, Ann Carlson, an early childhood coordinator at the University of Minnesota, believes teachers should incite socialization among children early on through active learning. Carlson characterizes this as activities that call for interaction between peers, such as group projects. She describes quiet classrooms that solely involve individual work as “highly overrated” and believes people learn more when they’re together. “...We know that social and emotional development is not only key to a student’s success in school, but in long-term life outcomes, as well. Teachers need to plan activities that encourage interaction with peers,” Carlson said. “Classrooms can be structured to provide a balance of both teacher and student-directed activities. Younger children begin to lose focus after just a few minutes of listening to adults.” Shull allocates time to let her kindergartners and first graders have opportunities to speak, such as during work time and share circles. In addition to that, she says it is important for teachers to be able to distinguish when students are cognitively engaged, or truly paying attention, and behaviorally engaged, otherwise known as compliance. It is her job to seek out kids who do not engage in conversations, respond to questions or ask for help and make sure they build those necessary skills. In order to encourage class participation, University of Miami psychology professor Dr. Annette La Greca believes all children, introverted and extroverted alike, should be encouraged to share their thoughts. “All youth should be encouraged to speak up in class and participate appropriately. Comments like, ‘That’s a really good question,’ or ‘Thank you for sharing your perspective,’ can help shy youth,” Dr. La Greca said. “Anyone who does not participate fully or feel free to ask questions runs the risk of falling behind academically.” Knowing that some of her students are too shy to speak up, Shull has made accommodations to ensure that they’re still able to express themselves. One example includes what she calls “temporary assists,” where one student whispers in a friend’s ear, who speaks for them in front of a large group. Shull hopes these accommodations make her classroom feel like a safer environment for all of her students. “I hope that I teach all students respectfully. I hope that I am patient, loving and safe in teaching each student,” Shull said. “I encourage quiet kids with an I-believe-in-you attitude and by giving many low pressure opportunities to try out their voice. I teach all students to be respectful listeners to each other, and sometimes that means allowing extra time and attention to hearing quiet kids.”

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SOURCE: BENEDEN UK / CARMEN RAMIREZ

Social media affect health trends

cording to healthandfitnesscheatsheet.com. “Social media is one of the biggest things you can use very year there’s a new look or new trend. Women right now if you want to motivate people and inspire people. in the gym have said goodbye to dance classes and I think overall people want to get in shape, so people look at hello to strength-training, based on the increase seen things like that for motivation,” Jackson said. “I have dozens of clients that have a fitness model as their background or folon social media and in the gyms. According to mothernaturenetwork.com, women’s fitness low a certain fitness page where they always get a good quote has historically been around being thin. In the early 2000s, from. I think social media is beneficial; I use it a lot.” While senior Taylor Kemp, who does Olympic-style women were seen running endlessly or on any cardio machine in the gym. And they still are doing cardio, but the new weight training, agrees that fitness models and celebrities on trend with women has moved on to weight lifting. Here at social media can be motivating, she said there is a downfall to that exposure. RBHS, that trend is equally evident. “Being fit doesn’t mean skinny. Being fit is being healthy, “There has been an increasing number of females particconfident and comfortable in your ipating in women’s strength trainown body,” Kemp said. “I know ing here,” Coach Candice Swee from experience that sometimes said. when I look at social media I In fact, in both the fall of 2015 “I have dozens of clients that sometimes feel discouraged beand the spring of 2016, RBHS have a fitness model as their cause I’m not as skinny or as offered two sections of women’s background or follow a certain beautiful and, then again, that’s strength training classes with 24 fitness page.” not the definition of being fit in girls in each semester during both — Jerrell Jackson, gym trainer my mind.” semesters. By the fall, the number A survey of women who do had risen to 34 girls in two secand don’t participate in weight tions, and last spring 50 girls were training came from St. John Fishin three sections. This fall, the er College’s sports management department. The studies numbers have risen to 63 students in the three sections. Jerrell Jackson, a trainer at API Gym, 3605 S Providence showed that the women who did weight training said they Rd No. 7, Columbia, Mo. has seen a similar surge in wom- were more comfortable and confident in themselves than en’s strength training in the Columbia community at large. those who didn’t. “Personally, I believe getting in shape does a lot for the He said there has been a shift in the type of figure most wommind. So people that are not in shape look at themselves in en strive for. “Everyone wants that small waist and nice bottom be- the mirror and tell themselves they don’t look good. They because the social media and television world makes them believe they are ugly and they lose confidence,” Jackson said. lieve that’s the type of body you should have to look sexy, “ “But once you get in shape, what that does to your mind is amazing. You build that confidence, and you start to feel like Jackson said. With social media being an easy way to keep up or stay you’re strong, you’re beautiful, you’re powerful. And whenin contact with other people, many have turned to Snapchat, ever you’re pushing yourself doing workouts, I feel like it’s Instagram, Twitter and other forums for fitness goals, ac- translating to how you approach life.”

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Fitbits help fuel lifestyle changes Grace Dorsey

t’s well past her normal bedtime, but sophomore Kanchan Hans is wide awake. The reason isn’t because she’s busy watching Netflix or studying hard for a test or hyped up on coffee; it’s because she’s walking around her house, racing to get as many steps as possible before midnight. Hans is engaged in the fight for the ultimate glory in a Fitbit challenge, and second place will simply not suffice. “When I’m not wearing it, I don’t think about how many steps I’ve taken,” Hans said. “But when I am wearing it, if there’s an option between sitting down and working or walking around and working, I usually pick the walking around one so I can get more steps in.” While Hans is trying to increase her activity, for some tracking health goes deeper then a step count. In fact, having health issues is a predictor of whether or not one is likely to track their body movements. The Pew Research Center found that only 19 percent of healthy individuals took note of activity, compared to the 62 percent for those with two or more chronic illnesses. For health and physical education teacher Trisha Scanlon, however, the ultimate goal is to reverse the effect: to have people using fitness trackers to improve their health as a preventative measure. Scanlon has used a Fitbit in the past and attests to their usefulness. “Some of them keep track of calories burned and stairs climbed, and it’s really effective. I used to have one, and I wanted one really bad. I got it, and I was hooked; I was almost addicted to it,” Scanlon said. “I loved seeing that number just keep going up, and that helped keep me accountable to walk more and to move more. But I feel like if you’re not 100 percent into it, then eventually you’ll just fall off.” Health coach and certified personal

SOURCES: PEW RESEARCH CENTER, PRNEWSWIRE.COM, STANFORD / VALERIA VELASQUEZ

trainer Pamela Hernandez has a similar view of the fitness devices. “We like gadgets. Some people like the ‘gamification’ aspect. For others, it’s like trying a new diet,” Hernandez said. “They think it is the solution to their problem when it really runs much deeper. When they don’t see it fixing their fitness issues it ends up in a drawer unused and they move on the next thing.” It may seem like fitness trackers have exploded in the U.S. market, with an estimated industry worth of 12.44 billion by 2022, according to an article by prnewswire.com. Their appeal, however, isn’t universal. In fact, Pew Research Center discovered 43 percent of people don’t record their exercise at all, and of those who do, only 21 percent use technology. As a part of that 43 percent, freshman Candace Osborne doesn’t see the value of the fitness monitors. “[In] my opinion, I see [fitness trackers] as a tool that can be helpful if you’re trying to keep track of exercise, but [they are not] needed to be successful in athletics,” Osborne said. “I’d get one if there were ever a time that I thought I’d use it and get the entire worth for what I was spending. But I don’t see me need-

ing one in the next few years.” Even for those like Scanlon who consider fitness trackers helpful, there are some hesitations. For one, there’s accuracy. While a Stanford medical study concluded that heart rate monitors are correct 95 percent of the time, calorie trackers are wrong 20 to 93 percent of the time. Hernandez believes that because of this imprecision, basing one’s diet on the calorie meter could be risky. “These trackers are not perfectly calibrated scientific instruments. The calories burned is just an estimate,”Hernandez said. “If you allow yourself to eat more because you earned it not only does it set up the wrong mindset, you’ll probably overeat and potentially gain weight.” That possibility for error is one of the reasons why Scanlon thinks it may not be wise to base one’s entire life around the exact numbers. Instead, she approves of a more holistic approach. “I want each individual to focus on their own goals and be happy with who they are,” Scanlon said. “ [I want to] guide them and show them what a healthier life would look like.”

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Comfort from phones brings depression alongside Katie Whaley

unior Harper Dailey stands in line at the cash register, waiting for the customer in front of her to finish checking out. Dailey pulls her phone out from her back pocket, happy to find a text from her friend, which she replies to immediately. She then goes onto Instagram and scrolls through her feed, a task she is naturally inclined to do while waiting in public places alone. “I like to use my phone when I don’t know anyone in a social situation, like when I go into a store alone,” Dailey said. “Having my phone definitely gives me comfort in those situations: I can just scroll through Instagram when I’m feeling awkward and if I don’t know anyone.” Dailey is part of the 92 percent of teens in which the U.S. Pew Research Center reports are on their phones constantly. However, new findings say people who use their cell phones excessively could experience more psychological health issues than those who use their cellphones less. According to a 2015 study released by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, people experience more symptoms associated with depression and anxiety, along with elevated levels of stress, when they used their cell phones more often. Participants in this study were asked to write down an insecurity that made them uncomfortable, which was then collected under the false premise that psychologists would review them

for a training exercise. The partici- distress or if there is a cyclical relapants were then split into three groups: tionship,” Panova said. “What most one group with access to cellphones, studies on this subject have shown so one group with no cell phones and the far is simply a relationship between last group had access only to computer high technology use and certain types of psychopathology like anxiety and games. The results deduced that those with depression but there has not been a no technology were 64 percent more clear causality proven. In my view, likely to experience anxiety. In spite of it is likely a cyclical process because the data, those in the cell phone group having some kind of psychological that were not anxious used their phone vulnerability or need/desire that the the entire waiting period. The exper- smartphone can satisfy, logically leads imenters concluded phones act as a to the using of the smartphone more “security blanket” or a device with in order to satisfy those needs/desires. “unique comfort” that could tempo- For example, having social insecurirarily distract users from anxiety and ty can lead to the desire to frequently monitor what peers are doing, being depression-like symptoms. self-conT h e scious conclusion can lead made perto closely fect sense “When I’m feeling anxious, I managing to Tayana one’s pubPanova, an take out my phone to distract lic idenalumna of me. It’s completely fine as long tity/prothe Unias it isn’t detrimental and cause file, being versity of [someone] to withdraw further lonely Illinois Urfrom conversations.” socially bana-Cham— Harper Dailey, junior anxious paign and can lead researchto the deer at Rasire to mon Llull. make and Though, she wonders one thing that wasn’t tested: keep in touch with friends online and are phones the cause of the anxiety and experiencing other types of stress can lead to the desire to stay in contact depression-like symptoms? “There is not a consensus about with support systems via the smartwhether technology use leads to anxi- phones.” World Studies teacher Shawnna ety or depression… We don’t know if a user’s existing mental distress leads to Matteson, who’d heard about some of higher tech use, if higher tech use con- these findings, sees cell phones as a tributes to the development of mental tool people should use in moderation

because, at the end of the day, she believes personal connections with others is more important. “[From what I know], it seems like, technology use really shouldn’t be more than an hour a day. [Going] beyond that, the theory goes or the beliefs goes, that you are removing yourself too much from personal relationships, and although you might feel fulfilled because you spent your time gaming or doing whatever, that you’re not getting your social interactions that as humans we’re conditioned to need,” Matteson said. “With personal experience, that when I start really struggling with depression and anxiety, I withdraw, and the more I withdraw into my phone or the computer, I withdraw from everyone around me. I think, in that sense, especially for me, that is definitely connected... I think it feeds going lower and lower because I’m not getting the interaction that would help me overcome it.” Both Matteson and Panova agreed that people who use their phone frequently do not experience enough intimate relationships with the people around them, which, Panova says, leads to bad habits and experiencing symptoms linked to depression and anxiety. This conclusion makes Panova wonder why people see their cellphones as a better alternative to making conversation with others. “It depends on how you define ‘better’. If we are defining better as ‘healthier,’ I would argue forming interpersonal connections and having experiences with other people and/or engaging in private self-reflection are

much healthier activities than playing Candy Crush or scrolling through Instagram, as the former two contribute to the development of one’s identity and the dynamic of society,” Panova said. “However, if by better we mean why the phone is preferred to the other aforementioned alternatives, there are many reasons for this, but I would argue that the main one is that the phone requires the least amount of emotional and cognitive investment from the user.” A phone does not require a response, a facial expression or an actively running thought process. It provides stimulation instantly without the need for the user’s feedback or effort and it makes the user a passive consumer of that stimulation. This kind of provider/consumer relationship is easy and entertaining and therefore rewarding.” As a consumer, Dailey enjoys the benefits of having a passive relationship with her phone, like Panova mentioned. Dailey, however, knows her limits for how long her phone should be at the center of her attention. “Using my phone to text my friends is pretty important to me. If I have homework and I don’t know when it’s due or I have a friend in a different class that I want to talk to, I can just easily send them a text,” Dailey said. “People with anxiety use their phones more probably to keep themselves occupied. When I’m feeling anxious, I take out my phone to distract me. It’s completely fine as long as it isn’t detrimental and cause [someone] to withdraw further from conversations.”

Clubs aim to spread healthy habits Siena Juhlin

SOURCES: HEALTHGUIDANCE.ORG, UHS.UMICH.EDU, HEALTHSTATUS.COM, ARTICLES.MERCOLA.COM / CARMEN RAMIREZ

very morning, outreach counselor Lesley Thalhuber sits in her office and makes a post on the RBHS homepage. This post contains an idea to encourage students to do a random act of kindness for the day. Thalhuber believes the gesture can bring a positive aspect to students’ days, which is better than exploiting negative news. “I am madly obsessed with the idea of a simple act of kindness being able to change people’s lives. I think it’s pretty powerful, and people don’t think of it as a powerful thing, but it really does protect everybody's emotional and mental health,” Thalhuber said. “If we were just all nicer to each other, there would be no bullying and violence in our school. It’s just a proactive way to tackle that. I get tired of hearing about the negative stuff going on at school, so this is my way to talk about it in a more positive way.” Posting content encouraging positive vibes isn’t the only action Thalhuber takes to improve RBHS’s social environment. She also leads Hope club, a group that aims to bring attention to mental hygiene. “The hope club is meeting the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. We promote positive coping strategies, mental health awareness, suicide prevention [and] sub-

stance abuse prevention,” Thalhuber said. “I hope this club, first off, provides education for people who maybe make inaccurate assumptions about mental health, and I hope it promotes a kinder culture in general because our club believes kindness can help people’s emotional and mental health which is nice.” Like the Hope Club, there are many other RBHS clubs that promote general wellness. Key Club offers high schoolers an opportunity to become leaders through various types of services. This club influences not only the club members’ well-being, but also the people they serve by volunteer work and helping the community to be better as a whole. Key Club secretary Caroline Curtright, a junior, believes Key Club offers great experiences for students looking for a boost in their state of mind. “By serving others as a large group, many friendships are made with other members, ultimately improving the mental health of the people involved,” said Curtright, who noted Key Club will serve at the food bank, Voluntary Action, Ronald McDonald House and others. Key Club helps make our city and our world a much better place.” In contrast to the Hope Club and Key Club, which both help nurture members’ mental wellbeing, Tanya Ramadoss, junior and co-creator of the Future Medical Professionals Society (FMPS), takes the

idea of a healthy lifestyle more literally. “Along with encouraging students into the medical field, we raise money for various fundraisers each month and volunteer at community events for a different topic each month,” Ramadoss said. “For example, we’re doing things for Breast Cancer in October. We are planning on having one or more months dedicated to wellness and health this year.” Ramadoss’ club works to spread information about important issues surrounding disease. FMPS encourages students to learn about themselves and what they can do to stay fit. “This club has helped me learn plenty about various diseases and the steps I can take to prevent them,” Ramadoss said. “When I learn about the serious consequences of getting a certain illness, it personally motivates me to move towards a healthier lifestyle so I'll decrease my chance of me getting sick.” With clubs focused on both physical and mental wellness, Thalhuber is optimistic about the continuation of health awareness at RBHS. She hopes there is a brighter future ahead and, by spreading kindness and awareness, more people can have a happier life. “[The Hope Club], to me, seems like a very proactive way to approach mental health and a way to normalize people’s experiences,” Thalhuber said. “We want people to know they’re not alone.”

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Hinduism built through karma Nikol Slatinska

he idea that one’s soul is reborn after death can seem like a comforting thought. Hinduism, the world’s third most popular religion, teaches that a person’s karma, or actions, will affect his or her next life. Senior Yash Khanna, however, makes sure that he is good to those around him without fixating so much on how his karma will affect him after death. “I do not think much of my afterlife at this stage of my life. I will live my life to the fullest and act as morally as I can and do good for the world,” Khanna said. “In terms of worrying about the afterlife, I have no worries. I just need to fulfill my Dharma and have good karma ... and the rest will handle itself.” Bad karma is not collective; rather, each action has its own deserved reaction. Vijaya Buddhirau, chair of the Education Committee at the Hindu Temple of St. Louis, described the idea as Newton’s third law of motion because a good action cannot reverse the effects of a bad one. One way to elicit bad karmas is to disobey the 24 Dharmas, or principles, of Buddhism, which include non violence, hon-

esty and selflessness. Not following those principles can prolong one’s life and death cycles. “Hindus believe that just as death is certain for everything that is born, rebirth is certain for everything that is dead,” Buddhirau said. “[Your] shape, knowledge, personality, riches or poverty and health or illness [in the next life] depend on your current karmas.” For Khanna, acting morally does not include following a list of rules. It means treating those around him with fairness and respect. “Bad” actions refer to any immoral activity, from lying to murder. Although he doesn’t really think about his past lives, Khanna believes he must not have committed many sins to be reincarnated as a human. As for his next life, the ambiguity does not leave him in a state of ease. “...I still have this life. It is not that after I die, I will be reunited with my parents or sister in the next life; this is untrue. If I die now, I lose what I have now,” Khanna said. “Dying is still as scary as it would be for someone who does not believe in reincarnation. Facing death is always scary and is not alleviated by knowing that you will be reincarnated.”

SOURCE: PEW RESEARCH CENTER / VALERIA VELASQUEZ

Judaism lacks central beliefs Maddie Murphy

nlike many world religions that each have one central idea of an afterlife or lack thereof, like Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, Judaism has two opposing opinions on what happens to the soul after the physical body dies. A professor of Jewish studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel said there are conflicting ideas about the afterlife depending on the denomination. “Many traditional Jewish thinkers do not concern themselves much with life after death or claim it does not really exist,” Ariel said. “For other progressive Jewish thinkers, [the afterlife] is very real.” One in three American Jews identifies as Reform, according to The Times of Israel, and while this denomination has taken no official position on the afterlife, there is a distance between the thinking of Reform as opposed to the teaching in traditional. While this is not the only thing separating

traditional Jews from Reform Jews, Ariel considers the topic to be the most debated difference. Traditional Jews attempt to follow the Torah to a T, but the more progressive Reform Jews pride themselves in their interpretation of the Torah. Those who practice traditional Judaism, such as sophomore Gillian Lancaster, believe there is no life to experience after death. “Our obligation is to be here on Earth,” Lancaster said. “We’re taught to perform acts of kindness to repair and perfect the world while we’re here. There is no afterlife.” Junior Matt Lazinger, who practices Reform Judaism, said the afterlife is a part of their core values. He said he finds comfort in knowing that life is not over after death. “We do not really know if there is a life after this one, but if there is, surely it will be dependent upon the life we have lived,” Lazinger said. “I’m not taking any chances.”

Christianity shows broken tie Ji-Sung Lee

hinking about the afterlife can be daunting. For senior Yoo Jin Jeong, the thought is exciting, but not knowing where she’ll end up is also frightening. The afterlife, according to Christianity, is more than just two destinations that determine how one lives the rest of their life. Christians get their view of the afterlife from the Bible, a book that is composed of both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Scriptures of the Church, Wood crest theology teacher Phil McCarty said. To him, the afterlife is about the body being different than it is now. “The body we have now suffers decay and will eventually die, but the new body we receive will last forever,” McCarty said. “Many Christians think of a place called heaven when they think of the afterlife. It is a beautiful place where there is no more suffering or pain.” According to the Pew Research Center, 70 percent of Christians believe in Hell, and 85 percent believe in Heaven. Stephen Davis, Yale University Professor of Religious

Studies said in practice, there are many different beliefs on the afterlife among Christians. In part, he believes the beliefs are influenced by different interpretations of the Bible that touch on the subject of death. While most Christians believe in an afterlife, the path there is differently disputed by many. “If you truly believe in Jesus, and if you show love towards others, I think you could go to heaven,”senior Yoojin Jeong said. “But at the same time, just showing love towards someone else doesn’t guarantee anything. It’s not a simple thing; there’s more meaning to [the afterlife] than just heaven and hell.” Once an individual has made it to heaven, Davis said one should eternally act to glorify God. But in its simplest form, Christians view it as a broken relationship. “It is God who has made the sacrifice for us in order for us to be reconciled,” McCarty said. “In the afterlife, those who have reconciled with God will be able to live with God for eternity as separate beings who can fully love and be loved by God. This is what God has been after all along.”

Distance from religion al Katie Whaley

W SOURCE: THE IMMORTALITY PROJECT, MOMENT MAGAZINE & BBC / VALERIA VELASQUEZ

hen junior Isabel Thoroughman thinks about life after death, she does not imagine a white-marble staircase leading to the heavens, nor the dark shadow of the grim reaper looming over her, nor a crossroad between a paradise and a hell. Because Thoroughman is non-religious, her beliefs about the afterlife aren’t pre-determined or widely believed, mostly because she came up with them on her own. “I like the idea that after we die, our souls leave our bodies. I think that some souls have lived for a long time, [others] have lived through multiple lifetimes, and some are newer to our world,” Thoroughman said. “So when we die, our souls leave our bodies and go wherever souls congregate, and when they're needed again, they're pulled back down to earth into a new life. I don't necessarily know or believe this

is what happens 100 percent, but it's the i most.” Tricia Tiller of Banner Ministries UK said Thoroughman, who are not affiliated with a believe in an afterlife because those concepts human nature for centuries. “It is not necessary to learn, be taught or to how to know about a spiritual aspect to lif For millennia, people all over the world hav religious ceremonies relating to death, the life after death, Egypt being one good exam “Even further back, the most ancient cultures to send the dead upon their way, despite n standing what that meant. Also, all cultures h things like ghosts. I can’t speak for other pe guess that nobody likes to think of their life forgotten and ending without anything furthe

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Religious affilations help shape lifestyles “My religion shapes my daily life because although I have a lot of responsibilities throughout the day, I always think about afterlife,” Shawn said. “I always try to pray all five prayers, fast, be kind undreds of years ago, challenging the thought of the afterlife was a cry for execution. From to people and try to help people whenever it’s needed. If I hurt someone, then I try to make things 1636 to 1638, Puritan Anne Hutchinson dared to challenge the ways of the Boston church, better by apologizing and not repeating the same mistakes. So [my religion] basically shapes my and her ideas got her banished from the New England colonies. From the time of Muham- daily life because I am trying to do what’s right in order to help people, be a good influence on them mad to hundreds of years after, Muslims sought to force conversions to Islam, and Chris- and to please God.” tians fought back with the Crusades. As a devout Muslim with a strong spiritual side, Shawn settles to her religious beliefs when anyFor thousands of years, people have fought over which religion should hold power and why. Now, thing in life bothers her. in the United States at least, the First Amendment protects citizen’s religions “I think about how [my problems] won’t matter in the end because all and gives them freedom to decide their own beliefs. that matters is our deeds and what we have done in this life that will get One of these beliefs is whether or not one believes in the afterlife. Arus into Heaven.” “Jesus paid the price for me, the guing against the reality of death is unreasonable, but what happens after A Christian, and chapter director at a local Christian youth program price that I rightfully should’ve someone or something stops breathing is up to interpretation. known as K-Life, Nick Newton is clear about God’s intentions after Junior Erica Mingus, a Mormon, believes after death comes a temporary death. One of two things will occur: one will either be in the presence of paid.” life. As a spirit, one awaits resurrection, and after that period the spirit will God for eternity, Heaven, or will not be in the presence of God for eter— Nick Newton, Columbia K-Life be reunited in its own perfected, immortal body. Then the resurrected will be nity, Hell. Because of the undeserved favor Jesus had granted Newton, he Chapter Director judged by God and live forever. said, he walks with and serves Jesus daily. “If you’re going to be Mormon, you kind of have to be all in,” Mingus “Jesus paid the price for me, the price that I rightfully should’ve paid,” said. “Basically, my whole life is wrapped around my religion.” Newton said. “I find that the only appropriate response for me is to worMingus attends church every Sunday for three hours, has a group activity ship and thank the God of the universe for His mercy and love that He has on Wednesday nights and meets with her church every morning to have a Bible study. Although the so clearly shown towards me.” afterlife isn’t a constant thought in the back of her head Mingus said she thinks about it whenever Newton said he does not follow his religion out of fear of judgment when he dies, but out of the someone she knows passes or someone mentions death. When Mingus’s family friend died in another love he has for his God. Mingus, Shawn and Newton all give back to their religion with devotion in state and she wasn’t able to attend the funeral, she still felt close to him when she saw pictures or one way or another. Although none of them single out the afterlife and act with their focus on what videos of him. happens after death, each comes across life after death at one point or another. For Mingus, she finds “[Feeling closer] helps me understand more about the afterlife and that life after death is not just the afterlife more comforting than influential. something people have to wish for,” Mingus said. “It’s a real thing that we are all able to experience.” “Knowing what I know about the afterlife makes death a lot easier,” Mingus said. “I know that I Likewise, senior Donia Shawn, who practices Islam, believes in the day of judgment, is a day will to be able to see [someone that passed] again, while most people believe that once someone dies where all humans will either go to Hell or Heaven, she said. they’re gone forever and they will never see them again.”

Ann Fitzmaurice

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

llows for deeper spiritual beliefs of the afterlife

idea I prefer the

d people such as any religion, still s have existed in

o be raised somefe; it is inbuilt... ve participated in underworld and mple,” Tiller said. s had ceremonies not really underhave experienced eople. I can only e as meaningless, er.”

To expand on that idea, Mathew Harris, an assistant professor in religious studies at Indiana University, discussed his own presumptions. He said because humans are acutely aware of their own death, they find it comforting to envision going to some form of a ‘happy place’ after death. “There’s a saying that human beings are the only animal that knows it’s going to die. That’s a powerful thing, and often an unsettling thing. We cannot imagine not-being,” Harris said. “Belief in an afterlife gives structure and meaning to annihilation. It can help to imagine one’s loved ones, friends and even pets in a ‘better place’ and to imagine an end to the suffering and sorrows of this world.” When it comes to dreaming about a life after death, Thoroughman said her belief in spirits was quite easy to imagine. The concept sprouted in her childhood, which she found with the help of two influential sources. “My mom's always been very spiritual. We've had discus-

sions about this, too. She let me believe whatever I felt was true after opening me up to multiple ideas. And when I was in about fifth grade I read the book ‘A Dog's Purpose,’ which is kind of a base for my belief, actually. I've just never believed in a heaven or hell,” Thoroughman said. “[Believing in the afterlife gives me security] that I’m existing now, but more than that, that I have a past and future farther than I know, that I have past experiences even if I don't know about them. I don't usually think about this, but that even after I die I can still go on to affect people.” While Thoroughman gains security through believing in the afterlife, Harris argues people mostly believe in the afterlife to find their purpose in their actual lives. Through believing in rewards or consequences in the afterlife for what one does now, Harris said, shapes how a person acts throughout their life. “Benefits [of believing in the afterlife] I would say, can be

a sense of purpose, some way of understanding oneself in the world, a feeling of being part of a longer legacy, of having a sense of eternity and feeling secure in one’s fate. Drawbacks include power and manipulation,” Harris said. “If you can convince people that certain attitudes or behaviors will compromise paradise or even damn them, you carry a good bit of power over them. Also, these ‘good’ attitudes and behaviors can be divisive, leading people to dismiss or exclude others because they are not ‘worthy’ of the company.” No matter why she believes what she does, Thoroughman is just glad she had the freedom to explore everything for herself and advises others do the same. “I think it's important to figure out what your values are, and that usually leads to figuring out your religious or spiritual beliefs, but it's not a necessity to a good life,” Thoroughman said. “I think you should just be open to ideas on the afterlife and whatever suits you.”

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SOURCE: KACEY DOYLE, KACEY D. PHOTOGRAPHY / VALERIA VELASQUEZ

Capturing a picture-perfect senior year Ji-Sung Lee

t’s early July, a whole month before the beginning of the school year and 10 months before the graduating class would receive diplomas, but Elinor Stanley had already taken her senior portraits. To Stanley, getting professional pictures helps highlight the last stage before adulthood. “[These photos] are supposed to show a person as they were before in time, before they start their future,” Stanley said. “It’s not like taking a normal picture. It’s a picture that is supposed to capture a favorite hobby, passion or just the skin you’re in,” Stanley said. Stanley believes senior pictures can boost confidence by allowing individuals to see themselves at their best. Like Stanley, professional photographer Kacey Doyle thinks these images capture a crucial phase in a teen’s life because seniors are at a transitional moment. “These portraits are the last ones a lot of people have until they get married,” Doyle said. “This means these are the portraits that you will look back on and remember high school.” But it is more than what clothes one wears or the tangible evidence that comes from the picture itself.

Doyle is certain that the experience at a photoshoot is an integral part of the process in and of itself. “You’ll remember how you felt at your shoot, how it felt to share them with your friends and family and all the things that were going on in your life senior year,” Doyle said. “Right now you’ll look at them and love how good you look and how they make you feel, but 10, 20, 30 years from now, they’ll be a flashback that you share with your future family.” Although Doyle has made a career out of photography, teens such as senior Billie Huang have found themselves taking other’s senior portraits on the side. “I’ve always enjoyed photography and had a pretty good camera and lenses,” Billie Huang said. “But I didn’t realize that I could actually make money off photography or have a client base until this summer. I started with casual photos, which were posted on social media, from then on it was just word of mouth and reaching out to people. I had a client ask if I did senior photos, and I was kinda taken aback since I’ve never done anything ‘professional’ before, but they actually turned out really well.” Huang believes advantages

consultations are planned so that the doesn’t cut it anymore.” lie in having a friend take the piclocations and clothing compliment While these portraits require tures; she said knowing the client’s each other. As a professional phosignificant pre-planning and style and personality makes the tographer whose job it is to captures pre-booking, junior Zainab Ibitoye process not seem like work. people’s stories, Doyle believes it is looks forward to the excitement of “I feel it’s a good time not just a start-to-finish service. Not only do celebrating the end of high school. for me but the client as well since professional photographers possess She believes it captures students we’re more comfortable with each talent, but their expertise is often unin an environment they value, and other and can joke around during matched, especially when compared shows off their personality. the session,” Huang said.” They’re to amateurs. “I don’t think senior pictures are more comfortable to be themselves “You probably have a number of overrated for what they are,” Ibitoye and pose the way they want when friends who can take a cute picture said. “If people want the ‘typical someone they know is behind the of you on their camera or camera.” phone,” Doyle said. “So Along with photograwhy work with a professionphers, Doyle said taking al? My clients want to know senior portraits have grown “My clients want to know that their their images will be unique in popularity too. They images will be unique and something and something they could encourage students to take they could never create on their own.” never create on their own.” photos that express them— Kacey Doyle, Kacey D. Photography Doyle delivers this level selves. Seniors are now of professionalism by offermore involved in planning ing head to toe posing, airtheir sessions, and they brushing, dramatic lighting have an eye for a specific and vivid colors. style of photos. high school experience,’ then 100 “There’s no wondering where to “It used to be that you would percent go for it.” put your hands, if your hair is out of book your session, take two outfits For students willing to go place or if that blemish that popped and show up at a brick and mortar through the process of getting studio for portraits where you sat professional photos, sessions can in- up the day of that shoot will ruin your photos,” Doyle said. “Senior clude hobbies such as sports, music in front of a backdrop and had an portraits are definitely an investment awkward pose and a forced smile,” and dance, and can be shot at muland are completely worth it. Do tiple locations. Doyle said hair and Doyle said. “That your research, and find the perfect makeup is also a big part just photographer that can create the of the experience, and outfit kind of images you will want to share now and look back on later.”

“This was taken at Capen Park, near a trailhead,” Roz Eggener said. “I was told to have a seat and just do what comes naturally to me.”

Photo by Kacey Doyle, Kacey D. Photography

Photo by Lana Eklund, Art and Soul Photography “Kacey took the photo downtown in some alleyway, She told me how to position my body and if I should smile and how much,” Joe Kuhlmann said.

Photo by Madeline Stanley, Madexposure Photography

“[The photographer] told me to get up on the edge, which I wasn’t 100 percent ready for as it’s pretty high up in the air...it was really windy. She said to just work with the “I took [the wind and it turned picture] in Kansas City on a ledge out really cool.” that looks over the skyline,” Stanley said.

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