The Rock - December 2017 by SouthSide Media

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The Student Voice of Rock Bridge High School Since 1973 • Vol. 45 Issue 3 • December 14, 2017 WHY DENY IT: Junior Wolf Schaefer and senior Anna Inslee laugh as they perform "There is a Santa Claus" Dec. 9. HANDS UP: Junior Piper Page plays the classic game Simon Says with excited and eager Camp Show Choir participants Dec. 9. MAYA BELL/ THE ROCK

A day of show choir performances Katie Whaley

MAYA BELL/ THE ROCK

how choir had a packed schedule Saturday, Dec. 9, as it hosted Camp Show Choir at RBHS and held a holiday performance at the Columbia Mall. The camp was held for kids interested in singing in choir later in their school careers. The day was full of games, choreography and choir. “[The best part] was the last part

that we just did with the fifth and sixth graders. We talked about getting an interest in show choir. They responded really well about joining choir, so that was a really good part,” junior Piper Page said. “Also, seeing [the kids] get so excited about what they're going to perform.” At the mall show, the choir performed holiday songs for passerbyers.

FCC to vote on net neutrality Elad Gov-Ari

ith the rise of the internet's many functions, the legality of pricing and service has been quite blurry for customers. With free usage of any websites, the internet surfers enjoy freedom of browsing any website – for now. Currently under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, dubbed the "net neutrality clause," internet service providers (ISPs) have had little to no control over what websites are accessible or the speed at which a customer can access them, with obvious compliance to the Federal Communications Committee (FCC), a governing body over communicative freedoms, rules and regulations. With a new charter, aim-

ing to remove net neutrality, ISPs could control the flow of internet traffic, with faster and slower “lane” websites. The FCC will vote today, Dec. 14, whether to keep the clause. The internet has flourished under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, allowing users and ISPs to profit off both free reign of content and monetarily valuable service, with investments of over $1.3 trillion, the FCC reported. With the 2015 revision proposition of the “net neutrality clause,” which allows ISPs to control aspects of website speeds and accessibility, people such as Columbia Area Career Center computer science teacher Patrick Sasser fear that free internet may be in grave danger and urges people to go against the changes.

Answers:A,C,B MOY ZHONG / THE ROCK

[SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY]

“I don't think there has been enough backlash as a matter of fact. Muddled in the language of Net Neutrality are significant changes that will impact the individuals, and not enough people are aware or just don't care because they think it won't impact them,” Sasser said. “People are so apathetic and just accept what is given to them; [for instance,] 62 percent of Americans get all their news from social media, [according to Pew Research statistics]. Net Neutrality can be a top-down approach where the user could be funneled/forced to use certain sites. Oftentimes when dealing with the Internet, speed is the name of the game. Users want information now and will drop a website from sites they use if it isn't fast enough, no matter how good the product is. An ISP could slow sites down to such a trudge that you would be forced to use other sites. These ISPs can be financially compensated to put virtually any site into the ‘fast’ lane.” With this freedom to control sites and increase prices according to service packaging, junior Bailey Long fears for her ability to afford decent internet in her home and is trepidatious of what content may or may not be blocked. “I see [the net neutrality changes] being harder for my family to buy everything we need with the new changes to the internet ‘packs,” Long said. “We will be fine, just have to cut back on other things to have the essential.” The proposition of this revision has left citizens, internet communities and companies furious. People have gone so far as to threaten the lives of FCC chairman Ajit Pai and his family over net neutrality, leading to the arrest of a Sacramento man who left a violently threatening voicemail. With a large amount of backlash, the FCC claims with more than a million supporters of the new revision, the current regula-

[SOURCE: MERRIAM-WEBSTER]

KATIE WHALEY

tions of the internet “appears to have put at risk online investment and innovation, threatening the very open Internet it purported to preserve.” With that rational, their goal, they write, is to “reinstate the 'information service,' restore the determination that mobile broadband is not a 'commercial mobile service' subject to heavy-handed regulation, and to restore the authority of the nation's most experienced cop on the privacy beat – the Federal Trade Commission – to police the privacy practices of ISPs.” With the legal jargon involved, junior Sarah Kacem claims that as long as her usual routine is undisturbed, the rest is unimportant to her. “I don’t really think [changing net neutrality] matters because as long as I can access the internet or whatever I want, the speed doesn’t really matter,” Kacem said. Despite indifference by many and the FCC’s optimistic goals, Sasser believes these additional regulations are redundant, harmful and a cause to petition against. “The internet is currently not broken. There is a level playing field, one of the few avenues where a level playing field can be achieved,” Sasser said. “It is one of the few places where the little guy can compete with the larger established companies. We don't need to make any changes to it.”

Mathleague places first, sets Season of giving inspires donating to charities tions for students who want to donate. sights on future competitions Jordanhe Rogers “Students can give back to the community in nuholiday season has begun, which means Katie Whaley

ff the bleachers and away from the gymnasiums and football field, students are competing — and winning — in various competitions. One team specifically is the Mathleague, which most recently placed first at the California High School Math Relays. Team sponsor Kevin Taylor sees the win as exciting, but gains the most satisfaction when students who have never competed in mathematics win an award. “Mathleague contests are very challenging. RBHS is fortunate to have several students on the team that can do well on those tests,” Taylor said. “There are four different styles of testing covering a variety of topics from number theory to geometry. The topics of these tests often include topics not taught in a math class.” The events are like Math Counts competitions from middle school, Taylor said. He recommends students who enjoy math should join. “I was asked [to join] by Mr. Taylor and because I have a passion for math because I hope to become an actuary, which is similar to an accountant,” Honors Precalculus student junior Shawn Lu-

[SOURCE: DR. JENNIFER RUKSTAD]

INDEX

cas said. “Math has been easy for me to understand since I was a kid, so it made sense for me to try and learn higher level math through this club.” Senior Kevin Kiehne joined because of his passion for math. Even though he is not as active this year as he wanted, Kiehne still roots for the team’s success. “Math has always been something I'm good at and math competitions are so different than just regular math class,” Kiehne said. “It's interesting to see how I compare to other students as well as give myself a real challenge that I don't always get from regular math classes.” Team members hope to make it to state competitions, and through practice Friday mornings, Taylor thinks they can make it. “If you are getting an A in your math class, you know how you compare in your class, but it’s a whole new exciting level when you find out how you compare against students from other schools, especially when you earn medals and trophies,” Taylor said. “One thing the school can do to support us in the future is give more recognition to the math team during assemblies.”

people start to prepare for the season of giving. Families rush the stores to find the latest technology and gifts for their loved ones. For some people, however, economic hardships limit their ability to buy gifts, decorations and food for a Christmas dinner. According to datausa.io, a research website that provides public U.S. Government data, Columbia has a poverty rate of 24.4 percent, which is above the national poverty rate of 14.3 percent. The Key Club, along with the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) and executive director of the VAC Nick Foster, will participate in the 2017 “Adopt a Family” holiday program. The program will pair families in need with groups or individuals who want to provide for those families for the holidays. Vice president of the Key Club Henry Wilson recognizes the need for giving back to the community and families in crisis but thinks the effects spread further than just the families on the receiving end, which is why the Key Club decided to volunteer. “Giving back to the community is so important to our school because the act of giving back builds positive characteristics in the students who do,” Wilson said. “These students use those positive characteristics throughout their lives to improve their lives and the lives around them.” Wilson reiterates the idea of donating to charities during the holiday season, but also sees closer op-

Students with uncommon Students and faculty mempets describe how to take bers weigh morality of care of their animals, ISABEL GOMPPER decisions past and present, / THE ROCK

FEATURES. . . B1

IN-DEPTHS. . . B3

merous ways outside of school,” Wilson said. “But there are also several clubs [at RBHS] to join that meet every month.” Students can provide for the community outside of school by volunteering or donating to charities like the Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the Ronald McDonald house, etc. Led by Foster, the VAC is a non-profit organization that focuses on “helping low-income individuals and families bridge the gaps between crisis and stability and improve quality of life in Boone County,” according to the charity's mission statement. Continued on bearingnews.org

MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

JINGLE BELLS: Bob Smith and Dan Scha-

pira participate in raising money for the Salvation Army outside of Schnucks grocery store.

Learn about different perspectives of sugar in the everyday lives of RBHS students, H&W. . . C6

Be sure to check out bearingnews.org for video coverage of upcoming basketball games.

NEWS. . . . . . . A1 OPINIONS. . . . . . A4 A&E. . . . . . . A7 FEATURES. . . . . . B1 IN-DEPTHS. . . . . . B3 SPORTS. . . . . . C1 PROFILES . . . . . . C4 H&W. . . . . .C6

A2 NEWS

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org December 14, 2017

CAMRYN DEVORE / THE ROCK

AN OPEN BOOK: World Studies students work on individual book projects as teachers Alex Worman and Emily Cissi roam the room helping with questions and concerns Dec. 6. Social studies and language arts teachers are evaluating the criteria they use when students who are in on-level classes contract to earn honors credit. In 2013 RBHS changed its course offerings and eliminated honors studies classes.

Teachers, administrators review honors contracting curriculum Emily Oba

s part of the departments’ normal process, RBHS social studies and language arts teachers are evaluating the curriculum for contracted honors classes. In 2011 the studies department looked into combining honors and on-level studies classes and implemented the change in 2013 when freshmen first came to RBHS. The RBHS course catalogue offered sophomores and juniors two options for history and English required credits: sections tied to advanced placement classes or on-level courses with the choice to contract for honors. All freshmen were required to take civics, a combination of English and social studies courses, along with the option to contract for honors. Now, six years later, Columbia Public School (CPS) administrators

are re-evaluating the honors’ contracting program here. RBHS social studies department chair Austin Reed said teachers in his department always appraise how to make their classes better. They often ask themselves if classes need more or fewer essays, speeches and projects. He referenced a recent department meeting as an example of self-assessment where, he said, teachers discussed rubrics used to grade essays. “We always want to improve and evaluate ourselves, and we’re evaluating honors,” Reed said. “We’re trying to figure out how to do it better. I think one of the greatest attributes any teacher can have is [to be] reflective, [and to] say, ‘Was that good enough? How could I have done better?’ We encourage that mentality in our department.” Kim Dampier, who is a parent of a RBHS student, said she wants an evaluation. She said CPS Superinten-

dent Dr. Peter Stiepleman told parents at Gentry Middle School (GMS) and RBHS PTSA meetings that equality among class choices would be restored across the three high schools in the 2017-18 school year. She wrote to CPS Board of Education members Helen Wade and Paul Cushing April 1, 2017, asking why there had been no change to the RBHS system. “Dr. Stiepleman has conversations with parents in many settings,” CPS communications relations director Michelle Baumstark said. “He recalls saying something along the lines of… ‘If it works at Rock Bridge, it could work at other schools.’ That doesn’t mean he would just make a mandate for program implementation. As mentioned before, successful program implementation doesn’t come from a mandate. The school, as well as the program, have to be ready and willing to move forward with implementation. We’re continuing to gather infor-

mation on the program.” Dampier said she and other RBHS parents discussed their disappointment that Hickman High School (HHS) and Battle High School (BHS) offered separate English, social studies and honors classes, as well as combined studies classes while RBHS did not have those options. “As the program stands now [here], honors is only done on a ‘contract’ basis, as far as I know, which in my opinion is just busy work,” Dampier said. “This ‘contract’ work is done outside the classroom and only takes up extra time for students, and for what? I think that honors classes need to be taught separately, as they are in the math and science departments, and also at HHS and BHS in the studies departments. This way students who are looking for more rigor can achieve it.” Lindsey Troutman, CPS Language Arts and Social Studies Coordinator,

: :

CHART 1 [SOURCE: LISA JENKINS]

KELSEY MORGRET / THE ROCK

said curriculum review and revision is a continuous, ongoing process. Along with regular evaluations of classes, teachers look at how to improve their honors instruction. “I think integrated courses are a wonderful option for students,” said Troutman, who taught AP World Life and Literature and World Studies block as well as single section courses at Hickman High School. “I feel there are elements of ‘single’ section courses that appeal to students, [for instance] schedule flexibility [and] smaller class sizes [are] strengths in either SS or ELA and similarly that there are elements of ‘blocked’ classes that appeal to students such as meeting daily, integration and contextualization and the ability to utilize their strengths in either content to support the other.” Reed said his department’s appraisal of studies classes was not connected to any parental remonstrances. In fact, he said he was unaware of any grievances from parents. “We don’t have many complaints, and actually I, as the social studies department chair, have never received an email from a parent wanting to talk about honors,” Reed said. “That’s what strikes me a little odd, but some of the complaints seem to be, actually, I don’t know, I don’t know names of parents.” Baumstark, however, confirmed that people at the district level and RBHS have talked with parents about honors contracting. “The district and the school have had several meetings and conversations with parents regarding contracted honors,” Baumstark said. “As with any program, course, curriculum or decision, it is important to always be seeking ways to improve. Contracted honors is no exception. It’s important to evaluate what is working well and what isn’t so we can improve.” RBHS Principal Dr. Jennifer Rukstad is also aware of some parents’ concern about honors contracting. In the spring of her first year as head of RBHS, she, along with other CPS faculty members, conducted sessions for parents to express their questions on the elimination of a separate honors class for English and history courses. “It’s honestly pretty easy to get meetings with staff,” Dr. Rukstad said. “It just kinda depends what the change is. If we’re talking about programmatic things, like course changes, that’s a pretty big deal. I guess we really don’t respond to requests for those kind of things because it’s bigger than one person or one school. We will certainly listen to input, and that input will go into decision-making at the school and district level.” Dampier, as well as other parents, has wanted a reformation in the studies department for several years.

HONORS, A3

NEWS A3

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org December 14, 2017

Honors studies options examined because he had not had the chance to “I have expressed my concerns look at the honors program in-depth, at PTA meetings that have been at- nor had he finished pulling all of the tended by RBHS administrators and data he needed for an analysis. Still working on gathering inforschool board members, and nothing is ever done about this issue,” RBHS mation, Wilson said he conducted parent Cary Colbert, another parent focus groups with parents and staff of a RBHS student, said. “I know to gain an understanding of the prothat Hickman offers separate classes gram. He has collected the names for English and history, and I have of all students in combined English reviewed what they [Hickman stu- and social studies classes and will dents] are taught in their [tenth] grade use that information to look at their English class, and it is far superior to class performance and see how many have continued taking honors in their anything offered at RBHS.” In an email to Dampier on April school years. Wilson also said he hopes to survey 3, 2017, Wade wrote that four years the students to better understand their ago CPS teachers realized the English perceptions of honors contracting. honors classes and on-level English Furthermore, after looking at stucourses had the same curriculum, and the only difference was the en- dents at HHS who took a separate rollment. Wade noted that white and honors English class and RBHS stuAsian students took the honors class- dents who contracted for honors in es while African Americans did not. studies classes, Wilson found data Through these observations, Wade that indicated there is no significant said the decision to eliminate the sep- difference between students at RBHS and HHS in the writing portion of the arate honors course was made. “A number of parent meetings were American College Test (ACT) scores. held, attended by teachers, [Dr.] Jen- Wilson suggests that both approachnifer Rukstad, [then RBHS principal] es to honors produce similar results; Kathy Ritter and [then assistant su- however, Wilson declined to share the perintendent for secondary education] data with The Rock, stating “providJolene Yoakum, and they decided to ing the data [would be] almost comallow students to contract for honors pletely meaningless.” In the 2013-14 school year, her instead of creating two tracks,” Wade wrote to Dampier. “Data was also col- first as principal, Dr. Rukstad oversaw lected. For example, the end-of-year the introduction of ninth graders into scores showed that RBHS students her school. Along with these changes, who contracted for honors did as well honors contracting was new to RBHS. “[Honors contracting] wasn’t a or better than their HHS or BHS stugreat system at the high school level dents in just honors classes.” A day later, Dampier, who had either at that time, but at least at RBHS never asked about how race affected our teachers had spent years studying the decision, emailed back, asking if this concept,” she said. “We didn’t rethere were equal numbers of white, ally come up with the idea. There are Asian and black students enrolled in other educational institutions, several the honors classes at HHS and BHS. at the college level, that do this, but She saw no reason to have race in the the concept of contracting for honors equation and compared it to the likes within the on-level classroom came of CPS getting rid of home econom- from years of classroom research.” Reed, who taught honors and ics classes because not enough male students were enrolled. She also asked on-level classes that were separate at the time, for the remembers number of he thought students The concept of contracting they were contracting for honors within the on-level not effor honors classroom came from years of fective as and wond e t a c h e d classroom research.” dered why c o u r s e s . the orig— Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, principal He said apinal Enproximateglish and English honors curriculum were the ly seven years ago his partner teacher same. In her email, she stated that asserted that honors classes weren’t some parents believed the honors con- rigorous enough for the title. Also, he tract was not an effective program. said students in the on-level courses Dampier contended that no matter the they taught together sometimes acted race or career path, RBHS students and thought the way one would expect should have the same course offerings honors students should. Reed said he reassessed what and opportunities as the two other high schools. There was no response makes an honors kid and decided such students shouldn’t just read bigger to Dampier’s last email to Wade. In response to parent complaints, books; rather, they should delve deeplast spring Dr. Stiepleman asked CPS er into their study and strive for intrinDirector of Data Dave Wilson to eval- sic motivation. He also said instead of uate the honors program here. Wilson having kids track themselves as honsaid he was not finished with his work ors students or as on-level students,

HONORS, A2

Icing Cake

CHART 2 [SOURCE: 2016-17 CPS COURSE BOOK]

the department would put all RBHS students together and encourage every individual to earn honors credit. Though some parents would like independent classes, Reed said the current offerings are best for RBHS. He finds it hard for kids to decide which class to take and believes that if the school would offer both on-level and honors studies classes, students would run into the same problem as they did before. “Most of my honors classes were all white kids. Most of my non-honors classes were majority black kids,” Reed said. “That felt weird to me because surely there are some black kids [that] are capable of honors, and not all white kids are up for honors, so that rubbed me a little bit wrong. The district has said now for a few years, ‘We don’t like prerequisites’ [to take honors classes]. ‘Cause, you know, we just don’t like them. They like open opportunities for all kids. So I don’t know how you would do it. When I had separate classes before—honors and regular, I don’t want to pretend like my honors classes are perfect; it wasn’t—I had the same [behavioral and comprehensive] issues I had in my honors classes a lot of times I had in my regular classes.” Junior Isabel Thoroughman has taken on-level civic studies, honors world studies and is enrolled in blocked U.S. history and English as well as earning honors’ credit. While not in favor of the on-level combined

Lil Sweets Gooey Butter Cake ‘Smores Edible Cookie Dough

Sugar Daddy’s Goey Butter Cake Brownies Chocolate Covered Pretzels

on the

Course creates entreprenuers

English and social studies classes, she considered taking advanced placement but could not because of her focus on her math and science classes. Thoroughman said the English and social studies parts of her classes are unbalanced and wishes for more of an emphasis on the English side of her class. She said she would rather focus on improving essay writing rather than just reading one book a semester and writing formative and summative essays on social studies subjects. “Although we write essays and work on improving them, it’s tailored specifically to our rubric for [RBHS],” Thoroughman said. “Even though it’s a regular level class, we’re past middle school and as juniors— almost adults—so it’s reasonable to say the courses could go farther into strategies and specifics of English and language in general.” Furthermore, Thoroughman finds it difficult to split her focus between a semester-long honors project and her on-level class work. She said to obtain the honors credit, students receive a prompt and choose a subject to answer it with and present their findings to the class. They are also required to read a book to supplement their research. “While it seems like a good concept to allow some students to independently explore something they’re interested in,” Thoroughman said, “I think it’s hard for teachers to keep up with honors because they’re focused on the rest of the class.”

Wakey Bakey Pumpkin Spice Muffins Trix Krispies Lucky Charms Cookies

Winterful Sweets Chocolate Covered Oreos Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispies M&M Brownies

KELSEY MORGRET / THE ROCK

Concerned with RBHS’ studies program, parents such as Dampier call it an equity issue. They would like to see RBHS students have the same amount of studies class options as HHS and BHS. (See CHART 2 for details) Dr. Rukstad, however, says describing anything as an equity issue depends on who’s talking and from what perspective that person comes. She said the school is concerned with the equity of students but not the equity of how high schools offer classes. “It’s difficult for me to see this as an equity issue because honors is offered at every high school—maybe offered in a different way, but it’s offered at every high school,” she said. Dr. Rukstad said no change is in effect to the studies course offerings. She noted that some people could say RBHS should give the same choices as HHS and BHS, while others might suggest forcing HHS and BHS to provide the same options as RBHS; yet another observer could say individual schools should choose how they want to deliver the same curriculum. “I don’t see much of a solution. I don’t think it’s that simple of a problem. It’s a very complex problem,” Dr. Rukstad said. “I believe that Dr. Stiepleman also sees this as a complex problem in that the opinion of any one person or one entity about the way to fix that issue is not necessarily the opinion of all of the stakeholders involved.”

Sweet Cheeks Chocolate Drizzled Rice Krispies Chocolate-coated Peanut Butter Crackers Chocolate Covered Pretzels

MOY ZHONG/ THE ROCK

Business Principles’ classes present semester-long project Anna Xu

tudents of Business Principles’ classes prepared all semester for the concession stands that run today and yesterday. The stands are unlike ordinary bake sales as students must model businesses in the real world and seek to beat their fellow companies in sales and profit. Stacy Elsbury, the Business Principles teacher, advises her students on the process of starting a business. “They spend their first month of school writing a resume and a cover letter, and then they interview with an adult,” Elsbury said. “This could be an administrator or a business professional I bring in.” These adults recommend five students who should assume the role of the chief executive officer of their business. Once confirmed by

Elsbury, the CEOs interview every student in the class and make job offers for each position: CFO (Chief financial officer), Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Human Resources, Vice President of development and Vice President of global expansion. Each group makes a business plan to present to Landmark Bank and convince the them to invest in the company; from there, companies move to hire workers from FACS kitchens and digital media to create a menu, logos, banners and advertisements. “We pay them with pizza, since we are not legally allowed to pay them with cash,” Elsbury said. “My students, the management team, are also paid a salary of food but are the last ones to eat because they have to pay back their loan from the bank and their employees [first].” The profit made will go back into the class

to improve the bakery simulation for years to come. Seven years ago, when Elsbury began teaching the class, the project was much smaller as students didn’t have the tents, stands and other items they now do. These resources were bought using the money made by each company; therefore, like any business, making a profit is the ultimate goal. Marco De La Rosa, CFO of Sugar Daddies, has calculated their expected earnings to the nearest dollar.“We spent $106 overall, and we expect to make 232,” De La Rosa said. Aside from profit, the project is graded as the students’ final. Elsbury has set five mystery shoppers to evaluate businesses by customer service, overall look and quality of product. Winterful Sweets, another company, will sell chocolate-covered Oreos, M&M brownies and chocolate-covered rice crispy treats.

“The most challenging part was choosing which desserts we should sell at our bakery,” Sophie Bones said. “There were some regulations, such as nothing frozen, we had to follow.” Regardless of rules, the student body is excited for the fun and treats the bakeries will offer. “Last year there was this guy who advertised in a Santa suit,” sophomore Leela Cullity said. “I bought like 15 cups of his hot chocolate. It was really fun, and I loved contributing to this [project].” Elsbury hopes to build off the success of last year and improve sales even more this year. “Every year I have a different focus point,” Elsbury said. “So something I didn’t think went as well the year before, I try to make better the next year. Cooking is always kind of a nightmare, but I think we had good products definitely better cleanup.”

A4 EDITORIALS

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org December 14, 2017

Ending net neutrality is a mistake FCC’s vote could spell devastation for internet freedom

oney is, has been and always will legal action to reform Title II of the Telecombe the filament for pursuit of new munications Act of 1996, which will effectively grounds. Profit has always driven allow internet service providers (ISPs), such as comAT&T, to control the speeds at panies to adjust which certain websites reach policies. their users. In the growing online world, should net neutrality remain enforced In the instance Because of smaller busion the internet? of net neutrality, ness’ lack of monetary surhowever, greed is plus, as compared to larger THE ROCK STAFF one step from the corporations such as Amazon VOTED ledge of insanor Twitter, bandwidth alloity and must be cation and server dedication YES - 28 stopped. would be cut down. NO - 0 The premise of With the Federal Communet neutrality lies nications Commission (FCC) in a complex mudtaking action to rid the interdle of legal jargon. net of its level playing field, In layman’s terms, the FCC, backed by enor- net neutrality is in jeopardy. Its commissioner, mous corporations such as AT&T, has taken Ajit Pai, has taken corporate influence to the

next level. With Fortune 500 companies, such as Verizon Wireless and Comcast, lobbying for net neutrality’s provisions, the word of the common man is muddled out, ignored and essentially shut down. Despite movements such as savetheinternet.org, the lobbying of such wealthy companies has started to shut down voter representation in the place of money and incentives. These companies have billions of dollars at their disposal and look to impose this new legislation that will effectively double their profit margins. By controlling the speeds of certain websites, ISPs will essentially be able to throttle websites based off of payments, resembling extortion and charging customers more money for internet they already receive. All in all, the

revision of Title II is a ludicrous cash grab that shows the major flaw in the United States’ political organization. The concept of lobbying, which lies at the very heart of net neutrality’s catalyst, has such an influence over lawmakers that a non-issue such as the climate of neutrality today could be changed with the prospect of money. With corporate or wealthier organizations controlling internet traffic, users will be doomed to ads, selling off their browser history and steeper internet prices. This devilish future, however, isn’t guaranteed. With state representative voting being held mid-December, it’s imperative for citizens to reach out, contact their local representatives and force them to hear their voices. It is not too late to keep the internet free of political corruption.

MOY ZHONG / THE ROCK

Letter to the Editors: Student Council

s a teacher and club sponsor at Rock Bridge, I’m a believer in the schoolwide philosophy of independent, student-driven learning and leadership. Because of this, I have always strived to avoid speaking for Student Council, or putting myself at the forefront of their decisions. Student Council, after all, was designed to be a student-operated organization that would work to represent and provide for the school as a whole. However, on occasion there are situations which I feel require my voice or my response, and recently, one of those times has presented itself. On Thursday, October 26th I was saddened and dismayed to arrive at school, greeted with the headline, “StuCo overspends, has to fundraise” on the front page of The Rock. I had a discussion the next day with the three main editors, and then a discussion with Student Council later about the headline. After the article was reposted on Bearing News on November 1st, with an even bolder tagline, “Student Council lacks funds this year as the club overspent on student apparel and now is planning fundraisers to raise money,” I finally felt compelled to pen a response. As a teacher of Civics, I wholeheartedly believe in the rights of the press. To add to that, I have always been an avid reader of The Rock, and I support the staff and students who are involved in the creation of it. I realize that the press has the right to report on any issues, and further, the right to report any angle of any issue. However, that being said, I do fear that there is a growing trend, not only here at Rock Bridge, but in our national media as a whole. Holistic reporting of news has been traded for sensationalist headlines and eye-catching click-bait, which are choices that have the potential to realistically harm journalistic integrity. My concerns with the headline stem from the fact that it was wholly untrue and greatly misleading, on all accounts. If you read past the headline into the article, which statistics show only roughly 1/3 of Americans do, it is a story about neither a depleted budget, nor charity fundraising efforts. The story was a simple report outlining the fact that Student Council frontloaded the costs for class shirts that are for sale in the Activities office, and at the time

The Rock Rock Bridge High School 4303 S. Providence Rd., Columbia, Mo. 65203 Vol. 45, Issue 3 December 14, 2017 Population: 1962 Students, 148 Faculty Circulation: 1500 Contact Information: Phone: 573-214-3141 Website:

of publication, had not yet made a clear profit from the shirts. While this is true, it doesn’t lend itself to the first part of the headline, “StuCo overspends.” While yes, Student Council has not seen a clear profit from the class shirts yet, we also expect to continue selling them throughout the year. Investing in the shirts did not cause us to “overspend,” in any context of the word, which I made clear in my interview for the original article. During the preparation for Homecoming, StuCo expects to invest a large portion of their annual budget. There are means of making part of this money back (i.e. dance tickets); however, some money is also spent knowing that it won’t be re-accrued. This is simply because we enjoy investing money in the school. This year, Student Council never experienced a situation of overspending; we simply had to make smart choices on the expensive items we purchased. While the allusion that Student Council had overspent was bothersome, it wasn’t nearly as alarming as the second implication: because we overspent, we had to use the money accrued from Hurricane Relief fundraising as a means to replenish the depleted budget. After all of the hard work to raise money throughout the week for charity, I would have loved to see the headline story focus on that positive element. However, as the sponsor, I understand that it is my job to convey that information. Therefore, I would like to take this moment to let the school know the facts of the fundraising efforts: the combination of the Bonfire / Carsmash and the Change for Relief coin war raised just shy of $400 dollars for Hurricane Relief. Student Council was thankful for your donations, and chose to add their own contribution. As a result, in total, a check for $500 was given to Direct Relief. We assure you that every cent of fundraising money, plus an additional donation on our own behalf, went to Hurricane Relief, and fundraising did not, in fact, go to replenish an “overspent budget.” Student Council is an organization created in the essence of being a representative assembly for the student body and the school itself. Yes, StuCo hosts the events, plans the assemblies, and attempts to create a fun, spirited, social atmosphere. However, beyond that, in principle and in purpose, StuCo is an organi-

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 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. The Rock accepts letters to the editors from its readers regarding any possible issues of concern in the publication. If you have a letter to send, email it to contact@bearingnews.org or fill out the online form. The Rock reserves the right to accept

zation that strives to consistently give back to its school and community, and represent Rock Bridge respectfully. The number one reason for the organization’s existence is simple: to serve. Nothing brings StuCo greater joy than being able to invest in our home and our school, which causes the budget to ebb and flow throughout the school year. We are immensely proud to invest in you all, to donate to charity, participate in philanthropy, and to give back to

our community, all in the name of Rock Bridge High School. We will consistently find a way to make those things our number one priority. I would like to end this with a thank you to all of you for always supporting what this organization strives to accomplish.Thank you for being a school worth investing in. — Kelley Wittenborn, RBHS Student Council Sponsor

Editors’ Note

The Rock responds to the concerns of Kelley Wittenborn, Student Council’s sponsor

e learned of Student Council’s unease with the story’s headline and featured image in the Oct. 26 issue of The Rock from a student not in student government. A different student, who also was not in student government but was in one of Mrs. Kelley Wittenborn’s classes, said the Student Council sponsor had voiced her unhappiness with the story, so we requested a meeting with her to listen to her concerns. After the meeting, we posted the story on our companion publication, Bearing News, as we do with all articles. Our policy when moving print to online is that we do not change headlines or captions, but after talking with readers and Mrs. Wittenborn, we added an excerpt focused on Mrs. Wittenborn’s original email interview with Ben Kimchi, the author of the article in question. She wrote to him: “Groups all the time go through highs and lows with budget funds. We are currently a bit low on funds, but through dance ticket sales and other fundraising through the year, we will succeed, I am sure, in replenishing our budget.” As to the claim that The Rock said Student Council overspent this year, nowhere in our story was it specified that current members or their sponsor were at fault for overspending. The material Kimchi put into the article came from an email interview between him and Mrs. Wittenborn. She wrote on Oct. 4: “While yes the budget is low this year, and yes there has been spending in the last three to four years that probably led to the budget

being low, at the end of the day, a major purpose of StuCo, and something that we enjoy most, is getting to provide opportunities for fun, community building, and overall just enjoyment of the school atmosphere, and if we need to spend some of our own money to do that, that is something that we are willing to and enjoy doing.” Though the headline “StuCo overspends, needs to fundraise” paired with the hurricane relief fundraiser photo caused some people confusion, the caption, located in large print, says, “Senior Addison Logsdon takes a swing at a used Jeep Patriot, donated by Stephanie Harman, on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at a fundraiser put on by StuCo. The event, which promoted homecoming, raised about $400 for a hurricane relief foundation.” Neither these words nor the story itself asserts that Student Council used the hurricane relief effort to bolster its budget. One reason we placed the car smash photo with the story was to show that Student Council turns its energies to unifying students and providing a way for RBHS to come together. While we understand statistics point to people’s inability to look past a headline, it is outside of our power to control the actions of our audience; rather, we strive to ensure that correct information is presented for those willing to read. Our writer, Ben Kimchi, reported professionally and truthfully With great respect, Elad Gov-Ari, Nikol Slatinska and Rochita Ghosh — Editors-in-Chief of The Rock

or reject material based on journalistic standards set by the staff. STAFF: Adviser: Robin Stover 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 Commentaries Editor: Nikol Slatinska In-Depths Editor: Ann Fitzmaurice A&E Editor: Elad Gov-Ari H&W Editor: Grace Dorsey Sports Editor: Emily Oba

Staff Writers: Allie Pigg, Atiyah Lane, Ben Kimchi, Jacob Sykuta, Jordan 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 Velasquez Videographer: Cameron Fuller

COMMENTARIES A5

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Cautious optimism

Cynical friend brings personal balance Katie Whaley omewhere along the years of jamming out to music, making perhaps the most ridiculous inside jokes of all time and fueling an otherwise lifeless group chat with memes, my best friend has given me a part of her I never knew I needed: pessimism, and that little gift is the greatest thing I’ve ever received. Before all the antics and questionable singing, before my best friend, I was a walking pandemonium of optimism. Every step I took was toward a bright and prosperous future no matter the obstacles ahead. For example, if I had a huge exam coming up, I wouldn’t worry about it because I’d always done well on previous tests; I used my past successes as fuel to think positively. I could visualize being on top of all my work and getting perfect grades because those were tasks I’d accomplished with ease. Though this thought process may sound heavenly to a Negative Nelly, it became burdensome as I grew older. I was a freshman when I first felt this stress. I did all the work I was supposed to in my classes, yet my grades weren’t what I wanted them to be. No matter how much I studied, I could not get above a B on any test. These setbacks were detrimental to my mental health. As a person who only thought of the positives in every situation, I was confounded that my grades were sinking, and I was stressed because I did not know how to salvage them. I found myself unable to cope with failure. Luckily, this problem occured when I was becoming closer to my future best friend. We didn’t share any classes, but we had mutual friends and ended up eating lunch together every day. Through talking about similar interests, our music tastes and bizarre things that ended up becoming legendary inside jokes, we grew very close. Yet her perception on her academics was a striking difference to mine. While I looked to the future in happy haste, she cooly resented it, as she was not expecting great results. When I first learned of her pessimistic attitude, MOY ZHO N I was lost as to G /T HE what purpose RO CK it served her. I

couldn’t understand why she, a fully capable and intelligent person, would discourage herself about things she could easily achieve. But, as time went on, some of her pessimistic mentality rubbed off on me, creating a combination of the two that would help me resolve my battle with failure. Instead of inhibiting my thinking to only the positive prospects of a task, such as getting straight A’s, I began incorporating the negative consequences of a task when preparing for it so I had both ends of the spectrum. Usually, this meant I would think of short-term negatives and long-term positives to a responsibility. For example, if I had a big exam coming up, I would think of what impact it would have on my grade if I performed poorly. Then, I would think that even if I failed the test, I still had opportunities later on in the class to improve. This thought process was beneficial for me because I had a plan just in case I bombed a test, whereas before I never thought about it and therefore did not know how to deal with it. I also applied this mindset to how I organize my priorities. I make a list of everything I need to do in a day and determine which thing on the list would have the most negative effect on my life, whether it be school-related, family-related or otherwise. With this method, I can see what I need to do in order to have the most successful future, which allows me to maintain a positive outlook on what I’m doing so that I stay motivated. Overall, I think this is the best way to look toward the future, in short-term negatives and long-term positives. Since I’ve started thinking this way, I’ve been more motivated to do assignments. For others having trouble with staying positive, they should consider using this balance of pessimism and optimism mentality. Better yet, this mindset also allows an individual to understand both optimistic and pessimistic people, so incorporating it into my everyday life has helped me understand and offer advice to my best friend. And if it weren’t for her, I don’t know if I would have ever learned how to cope with failure.

CARMEN RAMIREZ / THE ROCK

No time like the present

Capitalism threatens holiday spirit Allie Pigg

remember Christmas Day of 2008 when my little brother got his red and yellow Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. He’d been waiting for the kid-sized plastic car all year. He was so happy, riding his coupe around like a sports car. His joy collapsed, however, when I opened a box containing a Nintendo DSi, a gift he decided he wanted, as well. For the rest of that morning, my young brother argued that it wasn’t fair for me to get the DSi if he didn’t. While part of his frustration was caused by natural sibling jealousy, I’ve started to believe it’s partly because of what our society has done with Christmas. Churches stress the magic of Christmas time to children, teaching that they must be the best Christians they can be during the season. Yet the idea of presents lingers in every child’s mind. The abundant capitalist society that America has become may be to blame for this unwanted transformation. A report from Gallop News showed that

Americans spend, on average, $99 every day in the month of December, higher than any other month. Instead of focusing on Christmas presents, we need to turn back and focus on Christmas presence. Christmas is not just a day to glorify an event in the Bible; rather, it’s a season of reunion. Focusing on presents can take away from this important aspect of Christmas. A family member could be so worried about who to buy gifts for that it distracts them from the excitement of loved ones coming home. There are not enough Christmases in our lifetime to be so frantic about giving things that we miss out on the giving of ourselves. On Dec. 26, we quickly get bored with our new iPhone or Cozy Coupe, but the impact of engaging with friends and family stays with us for the rest of the year. Every year, I have a holiday party with friends. It is never the gifts that bring my group of friends together to these parties; rather, it’s the feeling of togetherness that makes them so memorable. Gifts are a

fun bonus to Christmas festivities, but they aren’t the main reason why those dear to us want to come home. To illustrate the madness of what Christmas has become, in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” Dr. Seuss portrays the Grinch as a wicked monster who “steals” Christmas. As a child, I characterized the Grinch in my mind as a mean, bitter man because who in their right mind would want to steal Christmas? After experiencing a few more Christmases, however, I realized maybe the Grinch wasn’t so terrible after all. This season, we should be more like the Grinch, but not by breaking into our neighbors’ houses and stealing gift-wrapped boxes. I plan on making smaller, personalized gifts that my family will hopefully enjoy more than expensive investments, and I also plan on putting my phone away for Christmas Day. With time, the importance of the season’s ability to unite people will be obvious and appreciated. After all, being together may be the best gift of all.

War of words can soothe conflict Cam Fuller s 2017 comes to an end and President Donald Trump rounds out his first year in office, our country looks onto the new year more politically divided than ever before in my lifetime. In many ways, the current political landscape mirrors the aftermath of a war, as the victors begin to lay down new laws while the resistance prepares for battle in a fight for the fate of humanity. This is what the parties and the media would like you to think. Times like these are incredible for politics and the media, as the public pays more attention to its government than ever before. This is somewhat in an attempt to be informed, but mostly it’s in fear of what’s to come. Fear is money for the media, and no one has taken more advantage of this than Tomi Lahren and Alex Jones. These incredibly popular speakers have taken conservative popularity to new heights by releasing over-the-top rants about everything from snowflakes to interdimensional aliens taking over our government. Through social media, they reach massive audiences with editorialized speeches that mainly cater only to their own party. The one constant in almost all of their videos is the claim that the left is hurt by everything the right does and has ruined itself by overusing labels. Of course, using terms such as ‘crybaby’ and ‘libtard’ are completely different, right? I mean, angry 4Chan and Reddit users couldn’t be more different than Twitter leftists. Each has a completely original set of terms used to show rage and its own strict rules about what can’t be considered fodder for a joke, like the

FEATURE PHOTO BY CAMRYN DEVORE

American flag or feminism. For a conform but then use every opportunity servative, to compare the two groups you have to make a scene attacking would be completely ludicrous, right? them. It undermines the very nature of For too long, these conservative your thought process while simultamedia members have lost sight of neously showing your true agenda of what they say their goals are. They fear-mongering. call for people to stop calling them To say this problem is just a con‘Nazi’ because it’s not historically servative issue would be shortsightaccurate but seconds later claim that ed, however. The prevalence of disBernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren simulation in both parties is evident are “Communist blowhards.” This through the left’s protection of Al isn’t just something that takes place Franken. Many of my cousins on the on your grandfather’s Facebook page, liberal side of the family were quick to though. call out the despicable actions of AlIt has now become a constant in the abama Senate candidate Roy Moore, lives of people in a politically divided but to act as though the actions of Sentown like Columbia. I pride myself on ator Al Franken are excusable because having famhe is a Demily members ocrat shows on all sides just how abOne can’t claim to hate liberals of the posorbed our for making a big scene over tax country is in litical specreform but then use every opporit’s own hytrum, but, for tunity you have to make a scene me, it is now pocrisy. attacking them.” more clear In today’s than ever political clithat consermate, both sides do little vatives have turned into exactly what they claim to more than indulge their basic impulshate. es, which is why our politics must be At Thanksgiving, I wanted nothing all or nothing. It’s time every division more than to sit and eat pumpkin pie in of the political spectrum comes to peace. My conservative family mem- terms with its need for anger before the bers, however, made it clear that the United States rushes headlong into a purpose of our meal was to talk about war of stupidity we cannot come back how Missouri liberals like Claire Mc- from. To fix this we need to be willing Caskill get angry too easily. I wanted to have awkward conversations and to argue without ruining our wonder- intense arguments if we’re ever going ful meal, but the pressure of being to be able to lessen the divide. I know now that no amount of outnumbered got to me. I should have told them that their entire argument food or family members should stop was totally ironic and proved that con- me from standing up to this problem, and next time I’m faced with an angry servatives are fighting themselves. One can’t claim to hate liberals family member, I plan to face hypocfor making a big scene over tax re- risy head-on.

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT A7

MAYA BELL / THE ROCK YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI/ THE ROCK

ROCK ON: Junior Ben Yelton performs at Rose Music Hall, 1013 Park Ave Dec. 6. He concentrates on playing his electronic music, grabbing the attention of the audi-

ence. Performing in front of a live crowd was a big step for Yelton, who previously uploaded to SoundCloud, a website that lets users share original sounds with the world.

Underground music offers opportunities A Cameron Fuller

rt has always been important to humans in that it forces its audience to feel emotion, but music does something even more special: it brings people together to share experiences as one and feel something as a community. The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) music community has seen massive growth in recent years, according to a 2013 report by Tech Dirt. The idea is in the name itself: A

show put on by underground musicians who work independently without large sponsors or venues. This allows locations to range anywhere from a small basement to an old car repair shop like Columbia’s PDM showroom. For senior Will Tuckley, being introduced to the DIY scene opened up a new world of music where the common rules of the live setting can be done away with. “[I was introduced to DIY] through friends mainly,” Tuckley said. “I had

ISABEL GOMPPER / THE ROCK

three friends who always talked about DIY shows, and I wanted to see for myself what it was about. I would explain DIY as a way to do things without help from others who could potentially hold you back in the long run.” Being at shows also led Tuckley to try making music himself. After being part of multiple bands, members and shows, Tuckley currently sits as the bass player for hardcore punk band Slusk, that performs at venues like PDM almost every month. “I would explain our music by saying it’s basically rock and roll,” Tuckley said. “It’s played twice as fast and a lot louder, but not to the point of being metal but for sure drawing influences from both.” A college town, Columbia is large enough to handle larger alternative and country music acts at venues such as The Blue Note on 17 N 9th St. but is too small to host a large enough commercial audience for most underground music. Senior Roman Wolfe sees this mid-Missouri spot as the perfect breeding ground for the underground scene.

The fan claims smaller venues allow for shows that avoid being set only on profit. “It gives you a lot of freedom, especially with these bands who wouldn’t get much attention elsewhere,” Wolfe said. “You have a lot more room to act a fool or behave in ways that would probably get you kicked out of a formal institution. Besides, Columbia doesn’t have a good hardcore or punk venue that’s an actual business with a business license.” Having a small but intense crowd is important to teacher David White, who played in multiple metal bands in college. He says playing in front of a fervent following is critical to a good performance. “Having a passionate crowd is almost more important than having a large one,” White said. “As a musician, you feed off a crowd’s energy, so you really want them to be exciting more than anything.” Hardcore music isn’t the only thing being played in the local underground scene or online. A prime example of this is junior Ben Yelton. He began up-

loading his electronic music to SoundCloud, going under the name Voki, to share his pieces with people around the world. Through dedication and consistent uploading, Yelton caught the attention of Rose Music Hall, which had him perform at the venue Dec. 6. Yelton says the experience has been incredible and has helped him realize the amazing opportunity that he has received. “I was sharing my music with Rose Music booker and just sending it pretty much everyday until they sent back that I had show,” Yelton said. “I just want to make the best of the opportunity now and play more great shows.” Though the Columbia underground has grown thanks to the internet, Tuckley hopes to continue growing both his own music and the venues through human interaction. “I hope to continue playing more out of town shows and release a new EP within the next year with my band,” Tuckley said. “In the case of DIY in Columbia, I hope to bring out larger crowds by promoting shows to younger individuals looking for a thrill.”

Students expand musical passions City wide music groups allow students to grow Ryan Choe

unior Seth Hodder strums the final notes of his band’s last piece on his guitar during the end of their band’s weekend rehearsal. As the sounds of drums and electronic guitar notes echo through the garage of his house, Hodder and his band Black Water wrap up another fun rehearsal. Even with beads of sweat dripping down their shirts and calloused fingers, Hodder and his band couldn’t be happier for the next rehearsal. For Hodder, it’s nothing but a perfect way to spend a normal weekend evening. Ever since Hodder was young, growing up with guitars already in the house and listening to all genres of rock music motivated him to pick up the instrument and have some fun with it. Years later, now Hodder finds himself immersed in the RBHS jazz ensemble and his personal band, Black Water. “It’s a positive experience [to be in the ensemble] for sure,” Hodder said. “Although it can be some work, playing music with anybody boils down to just having fun and when we get to perform is when that really shines through. I also get to learn more about playing a totally different style of music that I couldn’t play anywhere else.” After starting out his sophomore year in RBHS jazz ensemble, Hodder sought to play in his own band to experience a new opportunity in band playing. Hodder,

along with junior Bradley Snyder, HHS senior Parker Costello and HHS junior Luca Morpurgo formed the garagband Black Water in 2016. “The best way to describe our music is just rock music,” Hodder said. “We play it purely for our own enjoyment and because you never really get a chance to play that type of music anyway else. While [jazz ensemble] has provided me with opportunities, I would say that my own personal band has given me more opportunities overall. It’s allowed me to play more of a variety of music that I always enjoy as well as giving me the chance of not being a ‘background’ or rhythm instrument and take more of a lead role.” Hodder went on to explain how his personal band allowed him to play in very different types of shows where the judgement isn’t based around the ability demonstrated in a person’s performance, but rather the entertainment and experience the group is presenting. “I don’t want to make it sound like Rock Bridge’s music program is bad,” Hodder said. “But it just can’t offer some of those [extra] things; you have to pursue that on your own.” Like Hodder, chamber orchestra member sophomore Eric Kwon also sought to expand his passion for music beyond the limited school music environment. Ever since Kwon started playing violin in the first grade, he had always wanted to play solo music repertoire and also be a part of a full orchestra. Continue reading at www.bearingnews.org

[SOURCE: WWW.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV]

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MAYA BELL/ THE ROCK

Performers seek alternative jobs Maya Bell

or most 16 year olds, the job search begins with an online application and a number of bagging and bussing positions, nothing more than a way to earn some extra cash. But junior Hallam George, a guitarist of eight years and a performer, has more than just the average high school job. A few years ago, his search led him to Katfish Katy’s, a remote restaurant off of the Katy Trail, where he secured a two-hour gig in exchange for fair payment, a free meal and a handful of tips. “I would go to Katfish Katy’s once or twice a month, and they’d pay me for two hours of music,” George said, “They’d give me a free meal, and then I’d also get the tips, which was also usually about as much as the pay.” George’s musical talents have exposed him to a world of professional performing, one that he hopes to explore and be a part of after high school. “I’d like to be able to perform and record,” George said, “but it’s a bit of a lofty goal if I want to put food on the table.” While most of his paid gigs are solo hires for background acoustic music, he occasionally books a performance with several bands. “We performed once for money. We got paid to play at Cooper’s Landing,” said George, who plays for Archibald Yell. “We made like 20 bucks each.” George acknowledges that not all of his performances will be for payment and that sometimes exposure is the goal. He is currently working with an alternative band, Crooked Fix, that plays locally. “We [Crooked Fix] would pay people to let us play at this point,” George said. “We need a space to play and to show the audience our original material we’ve been working on so that we can send it to other people and get more gigs maybe that will pay.”

Gregory Irwin, a former alto saxist for Ska band, 3WS, Hazard to Ya Booty, turned RBHS English teacher, shares similar experiences with George. His talents set him up with a flow of cash during high school and college. “I loved performing. We usually put our money from shows into recording and producing our own albums,” Irwin said. “Every so often the guys in charge of the money would give us $50 to $70 for a show and that was a great feeling of success.” Landing the perfect gig requires more than charisma and charm. It demands knowledge of business skills, such as understanding how to market and cater to an audience’s needs. Elisabeth Small, an assistant professor of music and coordinator of strings at the Belmont University School of Music in Nashville, Tennessee, advocates for young musicians who want to earn money from musical performance. “Students who have specialized skills at an early age deserve to be acknowledged. In that sense,” said Small, who began to play violin professionally in seventh grade, “studying music is [a] win/win [situation]. Regardless, if they pursue music or not, the organizational skills that young musicians acquire translate to all professions.” George admits he lacks knowledge of the business but hopes to learn more about advertising and marketing himself as a performer while he continues to pursue a career in music. “I’m still learning the ropes. A lot of the time, I’ll be talking to my dad about people that are offering me a gig, and they’re offering me pay. They give me a number and I go, ‘Okay that sounds good,’ because it’s money, right? And I’ll tell him about it,” George said. “He goes, ‘You can ask for more.’ Personally, I’m always worried I’m going to offend someone. I’m just this kid. I don’t have the right to be asking for more money, but you do have to put time and effort into preparing for this stuff.”

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FEATURES B1

Students part with parents College brings mixed response on leaving home Nikol Slatinska

hen thinking about adults who still live with their parents, a specific stereotype often comes to mind: the lazy slob who spends his days sleeping around in the basement and binging on pizza and Chinese takeout. He has no set deadlines, priorities or direction in life. Perhaps this is because members of American society have felt the urgency to go out and chase the clichéd American dream for generations: that is, until this one. For the first time since the Great Depression, staying with a parent is the most common living arrangement for young adults in America, with 32 percent of 18 to 34-year-olds remaining at home, according to a 2016 study conducted by Pew Research. This is no surprise when looking at the struggles many millennials experience while trying to obtain the necessities, such as housing and automobiles, of a middle-class lifestyle. More than one-third of 25 to 29-yearolds had to move back in with their parents because of financial limitations, according to an article from The Atlantic. Although the concept of not moving out after high school or even college is just now becoming common in the United States, it has been the norm in other countries for multiple generations. Senior Priyanka Patel said she doesn’t want to follow in her parents’ footsteps, which would include entering an arranged marriage and becoming a housewife. KAI FORD / THE ROCK Avoiding that lifestyle is difficult, however, WAVE GOODBYE: The number of out-of-state freshmen attending public colleges and universities has nearly doubled since considering her parents’ strict attitude. 1986, according to a New York Times article. The state of Missouri, in particular, sends most of its college students to Kansas. “I’m going to Mizzou, and my parents don’t really want me to leave the house. They is beneficial, especially for international students and embracing different cultures,” Sappington difficult for people to integrate themselves into want me to stay at home because they don’t want who may be timid when embracing a new culture. said. “Both international and domestic students American society if they don’t experience it on me to be influenced by the culture here,” Patel While Patel is a domestic student, she is worried live on one floor in one of our residence halls their own early on. said. “There’s a huge generation gap [between about missing out on certain opportunities. and have a faculty member who meets with them “Obviously if I go away I’ll be living in a dorm my parents and I], and we just think differently. I “There are times when I have to pair [inter- once a week to cover related topics. The students at whatever campus I’m on, but if I go to Mizzou, don’t like the mindset of being under my parents’ national] students from the same country togeth- in this community love it.” my parents said I’m definitely not allowed to live [authority]. I want to be more independent and er as roommates, and I almost always get asked At some colleges, such as Truman State at home. I don’t want to, but they wouldn’t let me take care of myself.” if they can change rooms to have an American University in Kirksville, Mo., living on campus anyway,” Kovarik said. “They just want me to be Bryan Sappington, the director of residential roommate. Also, we have a community called the during freshman year is a requirement and tem- independent, and they think that the way to meet life at Columbia College, said living on campus Global Village, which is dedicated to exploring porarily prevents conflicts over housing, director new people in college is to live in the dorms and have the full experience. I need to learn how to of residence life John Gardner said. “There [is] sometimes that conflict [between live on my own so they don’t have to take care of parents and students],” Gardner said. “We en- me for the rest of my life.” Patel wishes her parents would adopt a similar courage all students to stay on campus, as it benefits their academic success and progress; mindset, as she believes college is the ideal time however, it is not up to us to resolve that issue. to learn responsibility. She worries about missing A student and family must make that decision out on opportunities to learn how to manage fufor themselves.” ture obligations. Even though she listens to and For countries east of the United States, liv- respects her parents, she resents the fact that she ing with one’s parents past adolescence is not won’t be living in a dorm next year. stressful; according to an article by the Japan “It kind of pisses me off that my parents are Times, nearly 50 percent of all single Japa- making me stay at home, but they are paying for nese adults aged 20 to 34 live with their par- my college tuition, so I can’t really do anything ents, comparable to nearly half of all European about it,” Patel said. “I’m planning on going to young adults who still reside in their childhood medical school, so they originally wanted me to homes, as reported by Pew Research. Even stay home for all eight years of college. I told though the west is approaching those statistics, them I’d deal with it for the next four years, but KELSEY MORGRET / THE ROCK [SOURCE: GREATIST.COM] senior Kaelyn Kovarik believes it’ll be more for med school I’m definitely leaving.”

Exotic pets offer additional love Grace Dorsey

or most pet owners, feeding time is a fairly simple process. All one needs to do is fill a bowl or two of kibble, perhaps shake out some fish food; nothing that’s too strenuous. For freshman Mackenzie Harvey, however, this responsibility is a whole other story. As an owner of two goats, three chickens, six rabbits, four dogs and a cat, Harvey takes 10 minutes to make all the rounds – and that’s after years of practice. In the past, her family has also owned fish, cows and pigs. “[We have so many animals] because [my parents] had a lot of animals growing up because they both grew up on farms, so they like them,” Harvey said. “[In the future,] I probably won’t have as many [pets] as I do [now], but I’ll have more than just a dog or a cat.” Unlike Harvey, junior Beni Adelstein came across her unusual pet, a miniature horse named Spirit, by circumstance. After Spirit’s owners gave him up to Adelstein’s grandmother, he came to live in the pen nextdoor to Adelstein. Though he was initially antisocial, earning his nickname “Boo boo” for his tendency to bite, eventually he warmed up and became best friends with the donkey already living there. Adelstein appreciates the opportunity to have another

animal to love. “You get different aspects than from a cat or a dog; my friends are always really excited to see the pets, but for me they’re just like any other pet I have,” Adelstein said. “It’s nice seeing them in their pen, and you can ride the donkey, well, mostly he just doesn’t move, but you can sit on him.” Though both Adelstein and Harvey take good care of their pets, with more unusual animals comes an increased risk that the owners either can’t or don’t know how to properly treat them. Rachel Grant, a member of the Animal Welfare and Behavior Group based in the United Kingdom, is especially focused on nonnative and undomesticated pets. Grant and some of her animal research friends got together and wrote a paper titled “ExNOTic: Should We Be Keeping Exotic Pets?” which analyzed the merits of adopting birds, reptiles and rodents. “Outside of the usual cats and dogs, there seemed to be a lack of knowledge of the level of care these exotic animals need,” Grant said. “[The other article writers and I] discussed how even common pets like rabbits may not be suitable pets in every circumstance as often they do not like being picked up and cuddled and they have extensive social needs.” Grant, herself, owns five parrots and most of them were rescued from the types of en-

vironment she warns about in her paper. Her main concerns are social isolation, flight restriction and unsatisfactory diets. Like all animals, birds require enough space to mimic their natural habitat yet only 50 percent have adequate room, according to “The welfare and suitability of parrots as companion animals: A review,” Grant concluded that smaller species of birds are both ethical and rewarding to keep, as long as their ecological needs are met. Similarly to Grant, Harvey places importance on the ability of the owner to properly facilitate animals. “If you’re responsible enough to take care of [unusual pets] every day, and you have space for them, then [try it out,]” Harvey said. “But if you’re not going to take care of them and make them live in a little tiny space that’s not good enough, then don’t.” Grant sees a distinct line between suitable and unsuitable animals to keep as pets. In her eyes, there are species that are challenging to take care of, and ones that are impossible to legitimately take care of. “Clearly, wild animals such as nonhuman primates, big cats, etc. should not be kept as pets,” Grant said. “Unless the person has a zoo it would be almost impossible to meet their needs and, arguably, even some zoos are not able to adequately care for these animals.”

Most birds eat pellets, fruit, vegetables and grains. Also, clipping a bird’s wings is unnecessary and can be avoided by harness training. [Source: The Humane Society of the United States] YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

Snakes may prefer smaller homes as bigger spaces make snakes feel anxious. Owners should also find food that is about the size of the middle of their body. [Source: Wide Open Pets] YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

Guinea pigs should not use exercise wheels. They can damage their backs and feet. Their nails need to be trimmed regularly. Their fur coats should also be brushed. [Source: vetbabble.com] YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

Heat rocks can be too hot and should be avoided due to the risk of burns. A hide box filled with moist moss is needed, so leopard geckos can shed their skin properly. [Source: reptilesmagazine.com] YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

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Conformity causes lack of individuality wasting her vote and helping the Trump side. “I definitely do at least the good kind, hile it is natural to want to probably some bad peer pressure, too, but conform to a group, there I can’t really recognize that,” Mishra said. are people who are more “I’m not afraid to have an opinion that is likely to resist this peer different from other people, so I’m not pressure and those more likely to give in. scared of standing out, which is why peer Junior Anusha Mishra considers herpressure happens, I think.” self to be the former. Self-assured and Peer pressure can come from one perconfident but still humble, Mishra makes son or a whole group, but that influence sure to always voice her opinions and uses is conformity rather than individualistic her leadership skills to help run French thinking. Groupthink, or a group of peoHonors Society as vice president. ple who desire harmony and conformity “A lot of the time people don’t like to resulting in dysfunctional decision-maktake control,” Mishra said. “I like organizing, can have downsides. A study by ing, so I usually end up filling a leadership ScienceDirect compared people’s brains role,” when they were alone versus when they While Mishra has the ability to take were with a group, and the research found command of a group of people, she doesn’t pressure people to do things they don’t that groups of people were more disconwant to do, while other leaders can do just nected from their moral beliefs because that. Oftentimes, peer pressure can be pos- they felt more anonymous and less likeitive and supportive for kids and, in turn, ly to be caught abandoning their can play a large role in child and adoles- ideologies. For the study, the participants cent development, as stated by the Ameranswered a question that gave the ican Academy of Child and Adolescent researchers an insight into their Psychiatry (AACAP). personal morality with statements On the other hand, peer pressure can such as “I have stolen food from also be negative. The AACAP says stushared refrigerators,” and “I aldents are more likely to cheat, steal or skip ways apologize after bumping class because a friend tells them to, and into someone.” Then the particithe majority of pants teenagers with played substance abuse a game problems began [Morals] help guide us in life while in using drugs as and help us make choices, and a brain a result of peer scanthey allow people to stand apart pressure. ner: To some peofrom each other.” one as ple, it might seem — Nichole Iagorashvili, junior part of strange that teena team agers would enand the gage in risky beother havior just because their friends tell them individually. When people were to. Michaela Petsch, the Graduate Assistant alone and saw similar moral stateof Park University’s Counseling Center, says it is because of many different reasons ments to their own, their brains showed more activity in the prethat individuals give into peer pressure. “I think the main reason for falling into frontal cortex, suggesting strong peer pressure is insecurity,” Petsch said. “I morals. When the participants think when people are insecure in them- played in a group, individuals’ selves, they are more apt to do something brains reacted with less intenoutside of their character to gain affirma- sity indicating a weaker identification with people’s own tion.” Upholding morals despite the pressure is moral ideals. “Groupthink, in my something junior Nichole Iagorashvili beopinion, is always a problieves is one of the most important things to lem,” Petsch said. “Cohedo. sion, however, is a good “[Morals] help guide us in life and help thing. A cohesive group us make choices, and they allow people to is always on the same stand apart from each other,” Iagorashvili level. There is no sisaid. lencing and neglect to Also believing in standing firm with belistening in a cohesive liefs, Mishra has not been a victim of negative peer pressure because she is able to group.” Along with safety in numrecognize when it is occurring. She believes bers, there is also power. Iagorashvili that good peer pressure can motivate people learned this when she was younger to be better, but bad peer pressure can force and felt obligated to pretend to like people to do things they don’t want to do. anything the people around her enEven in a large group of people, Mishjoyed. ra always tries to stand by her beliefs. Last “[Peer pressure] doesn’t hapyear in her Advanced Placement (AP) World pen anymore because when I Studies class, the students took part in a mock was younger, I’d give into peer presidential election, and the candidates were pressure to seem ‘cooler’ and narrowed down to Hillary Clinton, Donald more liked,” Iagorashvili said. Trump and Bernie Sanders. While most of “Now, I don’t really care about her classmates were either voting for Clinton or Trump, Mishra decided to vote for Bernie stuff like that; I’d rather make despite her classmates pressuring her to vote my own rules and prefer to be for the other two candidates, arguing she was in control of situations.”

Emily Oba

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Moral compass impacts decision-making

stuck with me and made me think about my morals and the decisions that I make and will ever make.” in and yang, right and wrong, good and evil. From the time of While Brinkerhoff’s grandfather was supportive of him, a family member’s disapchildhood to old age, such different extremes can guide a person’s moral compass and decisions. Some even take comfort in the tight proval or negative actions last with a child for years, influencing the way he or she boundaries, cleanly dividing their world into black and white mo- acts. According to a famous experiment done by Harry Harlow, a renowned psycholrality. When it comes to individual standards, however, everyone ogist, people naturally seek comfort from their parents and, if deprived of that, will has a different perspective, and so the world is in different shades of seek it elsewhere. Where this elsewhere is, however, has the potential to be damaging for the child. Hemwall finds her comfort in her friends and in-school activities inblack and white per each person’s moral code. As is human nature, people often fight over what they believe should be black or stead of turning to drugs. “I focus a lot on school and extracurriculars that I think will benefit me later in white. Junior Ava Hemwall said watching people in her extended family deal with the effects of drugs and alcohol use shaped her decision to abstain from illegal substances. life and set me up for a good future,” Hemwall said. “I don’t have a lot of focus on “I think that’s what really alters my decision-making,” Hemwall said. “I never family since they’re pretty [messed] up all across the board. It’s hard to have family want to end up like them or go through the things they did. I guess that’s actually for me as a value when they play a big role in your unhappiness.” There are times when people have to surrender their monochrome lenses for aninfluenced me in a positive way.” other pair, however, especially in the case of the miliHemwall refers to the numerous experiences she’s had with tary. Physics teacher Malcolm Smith, who was in the relatives being intoxicated, saying that it is what guides her U.S. Air Force, worked with thermonuclear bombs morals on using drugs and alcohol. Other teens, however, are Morals are centered around while serving. He said that while he was completemore likely to develop a problem with such substances later in what you value, and the way you ly aware of the unilateral damage such bombs could life if they have easy access to it, according to the Minnesota cause, he simply had to follow orders. Prevention Resource Center. value can change throughout “Technically, in the military, the idea is that you She said groups such as prevention centers and Drug Abuse your lifetime.” do what you’re ordered to do,” Smith said. “That Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), while they have good inten— Ava Hemwall, junior was just the job … I couldn’t do one-on-one combat tions in mind and provide education on substance abuse, can scenarios, but all the marines that came back from never properly tell kids how to say no until they experience [the Vietnam War] were still affected by it; they still these moments for themselves. have those visions and see [their victims] in their “People are so sure on things like doing drugs and drinking, but the truth is they don’t really know until there’s an opportunity for it,” Hemwall dreams.” Smith is referring to the 10 to 30 percent of veterans nationwide that suffer said. “As my sister’s gotten older, she’s not around a lot [of drugs and alcohol], which from a specialized type of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) called moral takes that ‘opportunity’ away. There’s no longer a decision [she has] to make.” Family can have a large impact on children’s moral compasses, according to a injury, when the soldier who killed has to live with the action after coming home. study published by the University of California-Berkeley. The study researched the Military men who struggled with morality of a given combat scenario had a reaction of toddlers to “good” and “bad” characters shown on screen, as well as the higher risk of depression and suicide according to the American Psychological values that their parents had on ideals like justice and empathy. “Good” characters Association. This is not true of all soldiers, however, or of people. The shades of gray exhibited helping others and sharing, while “bad” characters were physically hurtful. The findings of the research showed a correlation between the toddlers’ choosing of seen in such a situation vary from person to person, and what one considers to be black and white can change shades throughout his or her lifetime. Hemwall the “good” character and the parental sensitivity to justice. To Hemwall, these conclusions are no surprise, and she acknowledges how hard it stresses that no one can know what to do in any event until it presents itself, and can be for a person to change different extremes. According to an article on drugfree. even then, the actions can change depending on whatever circumstances life org, the most important — and hardest — mindset to develop when trying to break an provides. “Murder equals bad; stealing equals bad, but if someone is stealing food for intergenerational cycle of substance abuse is viewing oneself as simply that: a person, their starving family, then I’d be flexible in my views,” Hemwall said. “Morals not as a victim or as a survivor. When a person escapes from these labels and realizes individuality, the personal- are centered around what you value, and what you value can change throughout ity starts to form, and with it comes “the basis for knowledge, decision and action,” your lifetime.” according to a paper by Ashok Natarajan, a research fellow at a social science institute in India. Sophomore Jace Brinkerhoff, whose parents prohibited dating because of their Jewish beliefs, strayed from what his mom and dad expected of him and chose to secretly date regardless, as he felt ready to break out of their expectations. This did not come without risks and potential consequences, however. “In Indiana, I tried to sneak this one girl over through the backdoor,” Brinkerhoff said. “We were on the couch together, and [we were] watching TV. All of a sudden, my dad starts to come down the stairs, then we split up and went to opposite ends of the couch in just enough time to get away with it.” Brinkerhoff tries to follow his grandfather’s footsteps in terms of living and decision-making, fondly remembering an old saying he said frequently: “You can’t shoot without checking your socks,” which Brinkerhoff describes as analyzing actions before actually doing them. “I really live by this quote. One day I hope to get this tattooed somewhere on my body,” Brinkerhoff said. “My grandpa was a confusing man, but when he said this to me, it really VALERIA VELASQUEZ / THE ROCK

Rochita Ghosh

Wage Gap

—Changes in Morality—

Prison Rates

LGBTQ Acceptance 1925 100,000 people

2001 — 35% *Women’s wages as a percentage of men’s wages

1960 60.7%

2017— 62%

201780%

[SOURCES: PAYEQUALITY.ORG, CNBC]

2015 1,450,000 people

[SOURCE: PEW RESEARCH]

[SOURCE: THE SENTENCING PROJECT]

Country morals shift with personal values Katie Whaley

ticed. As for individuals in the United States, the idea that members within one community share morals may seem absurd because every American is so culturally, politically and economically divergent. One connecting concept that all Americans typically share, advanced placement (AP) U.S. history teacher Chris Fischer pointed out, is the feeling that liberty is a standard and noble practice. “I think [Americans] are very diverse. If you look at our uniqueness... freedom has always been part of this scaffolding at who we are. It’s always been in our DNA, regardless of your uniqueness and your own morality,” Fischer said. “You can look at groups that have done immoral things and done it under the banner of freedom, and you can look at victims who have fought for freedom. [Freedom] always been a characteristic of who we are. You can find some similarities, but I do think [morals] are probably different [for everyone].” The simplest way for one to see

hen children reach the age of two, they begin to experience moral emotions, or feelings prompted by right and wrong, according to the American Psychological Association. As kids continue through childhood and adolescence, their senses of righteousness fluctuate to reflect their changing environment, according to research by psychologist Erik Erikson, who is known for studying child development. Despite this, sometimes these moral transitions may be reluctant and strenuous, as humans are innately egocentric and selfish. In addition to this idea of individual morality development, American people have redefined their principles of conscientiousness as a nation, as well. When the United States was first established, it created the Articles of Confederation to set a basis of the country’s societal norms We do not all have the same and political constructs morals because ‘American’ has citizens should abide by. never described a homogenous These ideas were later group of people.” overturned in the Constitution after the nation erupted — John Utley, senior in conflict and dispute over what they considered morally respectable. For instance, it was socially ac- that difference, Fischer reasoned, is ceptable for a white person to own comparing people’s morals today slaves, and women were not permit- with those of generations past. He exted to independently own property. plained why what was morally right As time passed and American val- back then, such as slavery, is so obues gradually shifted, like those of viously not now. He took an example a child, to accommodate new con- of a poor, white farmer during the Ancepts and perceptions, owning slaves tebellum period. The farmer would became a violation of human rights, die for slavery because that was an and women owning property became institution that his community in the South believed in, and if he defended commonplace. Despite the similarities of evolv- it, his act would be righteous. Today, senior Alex Haffley does ing morality between a child and the United States, there are, of course, not believe protecting slavery is a striking differences between the two. righteous act. When putting that part A kid is only one person with one set of America’s past into perspective toof experiences to draw upon, while day, Haffley could not imagine ever the United States contains millions protecting slavery, as he believes it’s of people with contrasting experi- unethical and inhumane. If he were ences that shape their consciences alive when slavery was morally acceptable nationwide, however, he disparately. When it comes to talking about could see how he, regrettably, would morals in American history, senior have contributed. “As you likely know, it realJohn Utley feels blanketing an enly was less than 10 percent of men tire nation of people with one stanthat owned slaves in the South, with dard of morals is wrong, as there’s only one percent having a substanno true way to include everyone’s tial amount. Assuming I had the cathoughts and opinions. “We do not all have the same pability and was raised in the South, morals because ‘American’ has where [slavery] was practiced, it is never described a homogeneous very possible that I, like anyone else, group of people. The citizens of would have done it,” Haffley said. America, from the very start, have “This is a terribly hard question, as consciously been of different eth- using today’s morals I would never nicities, political orientations, participate in anything of the sort, but backgrounds and ways of life,” assuming I was raised in an environUtley said. “What changes mor- ment in which it was commonplace als is an attitude towards lifelong and accepted, most people would.” These thoughts on the moral hislearning. What you take from your experiences, what you learn from tory of slavery tie into two queshistory and the world around you, tions Fischer asks: how could an and how you are raised are all de- entire population believe oppressing ciding factors, but morality has a a group of people was ethical, and much better chance of changing, how could their morals be so messed or even being reinforced, if you up? Though it isn’t American history, are constantly looking to what Fischer answers these questions by wisdom is offered by your sur- looking at what happened in World War II with the Nazi Party in Germaroundings.” The idea that external influ- ny. “In my World War II class, I had ences shape one’s moral compokids read Christopher Brown’s ‘Ordisition mirrors Utley’s descripnary Men,’ and it talks about how just tion. Morality is an evolutionary concept based upon social in- average German teachers and shopteraction and group mentality. keepers, just normal people, could do According to a report by The what they did,” Fischer said. “Toward Scientific American, one best the tail-end of the war, they would recognizes cues on how to be- take old, frumpy men like me and have based on what his or her teachers that were not soldiers, and moral community has prac- they would make them kill people. So

how could [one’s] moral compass be that messed up? His argument was, it’s not just the propaganda that your country feeds you, it’s your group mentality. When we do things, we recalibrate our moral compass, at least upon our really close environment. You feel compelled to be a member of the community and reaffirm your own identity and maybe do things you wouldn’t have done before.” One part of American history Fischer highlights as a significant time period of moral change is the ‘60s and ‘70s. The time period was a concoction of social revolutions, including civil rights struggles, an activist court and women’s rights, as well as the addition of an economic recession and the draft and controversy that came with the Vietnam War. With so many diverse and complex movements happening at once, Fischer said the decades were times of transforming the national moral compass, as people had to confront who they were in an age of upheaval and volatility. For the civil rights movement specifically, Utley said the change in morals toward racial equality did not occur overnight. It wasn’t until after much turmoil, debate and the influence of the nation’s youth did any moral change occur. “Prior to [the civil rights movement], it seemed that the overwhelming majority of the population was set on their morals and would not change. [The movement] did not cause an immediate moral change, but it forced people to at least tolerate what they did not believe in against the seeming impossibility,” Utley said. “That made it possible for things to change over time, and views have shifted to what civil rights advocates were supporting 60 years ago. Their words have become the norm, and being a racist will, in most places, cause y o u to be ostra-

cized. [An entire population changing its moral construct] can seem insurmountable, but [the fight for] civil rights tells us it is not. The changing morals of a larger population come with a change in the attitude of the young people.” Though both Utley and Fischer don’t see all Americans developing the same morals, they believe all Americans have individual conceptions of right and wrong reflecting their experiences and how they were raised. Those morals, however, are contin-

uously changing to fit the contemporary environment that citizens inhabit. “I would say that the historical context dictates or illustrates the uniqueness of our moral compass, and our moral compass and the history of our nation has been very different in times... So, what is the American identity and the American caricature, and how do you look at the morality of it?” Fischer said. “I stand by the fact that we’ve always been moral, but I would also recognize that we’re a very heterogeneous society, a pluralistic society, that grows, struggles through conflict and, with that, your morals have to evolve.”

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Cheating hurts integrity

them,” Odemuyiwa said. “Their philosophy is he feeling is all too familiar. As this: ‘Why fail a test and disappoint when you the teacher hands out the exam, can cheat and succeed?’” Odemuyiwa said because there are unrealisstudents fidget in their seats, crack tic expectations in school settings, students oftheir knuckles and glance around. ten push themselves to excel in every aspect of They hope their peers look just as nervous as they do. It’s this feeling of utter pan- life, from being socially active to having great ic when the test is being passed out that students grades. People are willing to do whatever it takes to get by, even if it means being academtry to avoid. A majority of students report being more ically dishonest. “One can be expected, for example, to have stressed by tests and schoolwork than anything a 4.0 [grade point average] (GPA) while being else, the American Test Anxieties Association a successful athlete. When students are (AMTAA) said. The association found that 16 pushed to be perfect, to 20 percent of students have high test anxiety, which accounts for the most prominent educa- they will often try to tional issue in schools today. This test anxiety make up for it whermakes students blank or freeze, the association ever they see themsaid. High test anxiety decreases memory and selves failing,” Odeincreases mistakes. Additionally, students with muyiwa said. “If a high anxiety perform around twelve percentile s t u d e n t points lower than their peers, AMTAA said. i s n ’t Senior Ayooluwa Odemuyiwa believes students d o can become overwhelmed when they enter a ing well testing environment feeling inadequately pre- in sports, he or she may be tempted to turn to steroids pared. “The feeling that students will eventually or other illegal substances to make up fail is horrifying, and often, when students are for it. In the same way, if a student rouaware that other classmates are cheating, they tinely makes D’s on tests he or she might feel tempted to try and get help on questions,” cheat to make up for the ‘failure.’” Contributing to temptations to cheat, with Odemuyiwa said. “The idea of answers being ‘right there,’ either on a phone or another stu- a 1:1 student to laptop ratio at RBHS, technoldent’s paper, is usually enough to convince one ogy is now more accessible to students. Stato take advantage of an opportunity and cheat.” tistic Brain, a research institute, said only 3.9 In Odemuyiwa’s opinion, cheating is not percent of schools have one computer for every worth the zero or detention a student can re- student. RBHS is a part of this small percentceive as a consequence. If students continue to age, and while this technology offers easier cheat on tests, they will never learn content that access to notes, powerpoints and lesson plans, will allow them to succeed in the future, Ode- The Boston Globe mentioned that better technology does not mean better education. Odemuyiwa said. Similar to Odemuyiwa, senior Ruth Wu be- muyiwa said with testing on platforms such lieves cheating is just not very genuine. Stu- as Schoology and Blackboard, more efforts dents should not be blamed for wanting a high- must be made to enforce the honor code. er grade, but they should strive to reach greater She believes teachers should supervise heights based on their own effort and ability, online tests as they would pencil and paper tests. Wu said. “Because of technological “Cheating is not fair on other students either. When I study for a test and find out that peo- changes and how common ple cheated, I feel like all my efforts have been phones are, teachers don’t exwasted,” Odemuyiwa said. “Cheating has nega- pect students to use them to tive consequences, even if you don’t get caught. their advantage, but they You lose the trust of others; you set yourself up do,” Odemuyiwa said. “Laptops and the adfor failure in the future.” Precalculus teacher Angel Jacquin men- vancements in technoltioned that when students are academically dis- ogy definitely make honest, the only person it hurts is the cheater. it easier for people Students who cheat are not able to thoroughly to cheat. Online understand the content, and instead, rely on platforms are no others’ work. She understands that oftentimes, substitute for students find it difficult letting a teacher know supervision.” It’s more they are confused, and as a result, copy off their than the partner. For Jacquin, her definition of cheating advanceconsists of students not producing their own answers or copying answers from somebody or ment of techsomething else. “I think that [peer help] is a big reason stu- nology dents do cheat because they have to face the that has fact that they don’t know how to do it, so they m a d e would rather hide that fact,” Jacquin said. “It g e t can be embarrassing sometimes, even though t i n g as a teacher that’s why we’re here, to help you a n learn how to do something. But if you don’t let s w e r s online us know that, it’s hard to help you.” A problem arises when students are high- more accessily motivated by grades but less motivated by ble. There are other learning, an Eberly Center group of teaching flaws that Wu sees in the consultants at Carnegie Mellon University con- system. She believes the root problem cluded. In this case, students were said to be is that schools focus too much on results and less likely to put effort into understanding the not enough on progress. “Cheating is great for getting good grades; material and more likely to take shortcuts to a desired grade. In addition, students feel pres- however, it cripples students from improving sure from peers, adults, standardized testing based on their own academic efforts,” Wu said. and from the demands of responsibilities, the “Instead of prioritizing test scores or grades, Harvard Graduate School of Education said. education should be focused on teaching stuBecause of these pressures, it’s common to see dents to love learning.” Much like plagiarism, cheating is taking wandering eyes as students hope for a little help credit for someone else’s work. For Wu, this inon tough test questions. After all, a 2017 survey conducted by the Josephson Institute Center cludes any school assignment, project or exam. for Youth Ethics found that 59 percent of high On the other hand, Wu said checking answers school students admitted to cheating on a test with a friend after finishing a homework assignment can be mutually beneficial to both parties, during the last year. Additionally, another study found it is the provided the teacher did not explicitly say to work on the assignment above-average individually. college bound “Group work is colstudents who are laboration. Cheating is cheating, whereas Cheating has negative consestealing someone else’s in the past, it was quences, even if you don’t get credit. Group work is, the struggling caught. You lose the trust of othin theory at least, evenstudents who ers; you set yourself up for failly divided among the were more likely ure in the future.” team,” Wu said. “Cheatto cheat, accord— Ayooluwa Odemuyiwa, senior ing is being dead weight ing to the Eduon a classmate. I think cational Testing that borrowing a friend’s Service (ETS), an advertising campaign. The ETS said cheating among high school students notes is fine as long as it’s used as a resource, has risen dramatically during the past 50 years. not a replacement for reading the textbook As for RBHS’ academic integrity policies, “the themselves. There is a fine line between inspievaluation of each student’s achievements are ration and conspiration.” Jacquin believes one of the best things of primary concern to educational institutions.” teachers can do to prevent cheating is to teach Students who “cheat or plagiarize may be substudents how to be organized and manage time. ject to the following: referral to the principal; parent/guardian contacted; a ‘zero’ recorded If students can accomplish these things, teachfor the exercise; possible detention and/or sus- ers are able to assist them. Then they are less pension; and/or removal from the course with likely to cheat because they feel prepared for an a grade of “F” recorded on transcript,” the Stu- exam, or they know the answers and they don’t dent Handbook for the Columbia Public Sec- have to cheat, Jacquin said. “I think the more I can motivate my students, ondary Schools said. especially my struggling learners to come in and “People cheat even though they know it’s get the help they need, the less stressed out they immoral because of the pressure that is put on

Ji-Sung Lee

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a r e about exams and the less likely they are to resort to cheating,” Jacquin said. “It’s all about that time management and the preparation and giving them a calm and relaxing environment; that can help, too. If you’re not in a stressed environment while taking a test, or you if can alleviate some of that testing anxiety, then there’s less likely last minute resorts of looking up answers.” As Jacquin looks for ways to decrease academic dishonesty, Wu thinks cheating is an easier way out of pressure, as it’s ultimately a trade off. Especially in high school, students are willing to trade their morals for higher grades in order to improve their GPAs. “Cheaters appear to put in minimal effort and get maximum gain as long as they don’t get caught and choose the right victims. Schools puts a lot of focus on appearances, such as grades, so in a bind, students may be tempted to cheat to maintain their image as an effortless genius,” Wu said. “Morals are the basis for integrity and character, crucial for a successful student because ultimately, schools want to create good people, not good cheaters. Our IQ, GPA, test scores - those are just numbers. Perhaps they are numbers with an unfair amount of weight in our life. Morals, however, are priceless qualities at the center of living.”

RIA

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I believe in the connection between the head and the heart, so I think it has to feel right in the heart and the head at the same time.” — Daryl Moss, RBHS Teacher MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

MAYA BELL / THE ROCK

What causes a person to be moral is basically staying true to yourself and doing things that help others and not just worrying about yourself. — Ronald Franklin, sophomore If it’s good for everyone in the situation, then I think it’s moral.” — Georgia Godier, sophomore

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What does it mean to be moral?

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Feminism demands social change

Ann Fitzmaurice

YOUSUF EL-JAYYO

USI / THE ROCK

n an effort to take the first official step toward the fight for women’s equality, an estimated 300 men and women attended the Seneca Falls Convention July 19 and 20 of 1848. The Women’s March in 2017 generated more than four million people, as reported by The Washington Post. Although 169 years separate the two monumental gatherings, the topic of the events remain the same: feminism. Throughout history, women undoubtedly suffered at the hand of inequality. Domesticated to the household, American women could not participate in commercial life until 1965, when the Civil Rights Act went through Congress, making discrimination on the basis of gender and race illegal. Even then, women made significantly less money doing the same job as men, and though to a lesser extent, the fact is still true today. For senior Kris Cho, the wage gap is an important issue, with women making 80 cents for every dollar a man makes, according to research from the Institute for Women’s Policy. Most feminists still know, however, that women deserve equal pay to their male counterparts, so the wage gap is less of a prominent issue because knowledge of it is so widespread.

“There’s obviously [still] a narrative that says female work is not as valuable as male work because of the way we perceive the professionalism and capabilities of the genders,” Cho said. “It’s dangerous in a world where single mothers that are below or near the poverty line are already incredibly disadvantaged, and it’s unjust in a world where our capabilities and the fruits of our labor are distributed through a salary.” In addition to the wage gap of which women have been fighting for more than 52 years, they also struggle against a number of other inequalities they have faced in the past and continue to face. For example, women could not use a personal credit card before 1960, serve on a jury or get an Ivy League education, according to an article by CNN.com. A man’s place in the feminism movement, however, has just as much of a place as a woman’s. After all, feminism isn’t a notion to provide women with superiority, but equality. Junior Jack Speake believes men have a place in the movement, and it shouldn’t matter if someone is male or female when it comes to the role they play in fighting for women’s equality. “I am a feminist because it’s what I feel is right. Even if I was raised by a far right family, I think I would still be a feminist,” Speake said. “I just can’t understand how people could in any way shrug off the gender inequalities present in society. Fifty-one percent of the population is affected directly.” Although approximately 50 percent of 488 surveyed men are feminists, as reported by The Washington Post, that percentage still leaves 244 men left over from the survey who do not identify as feminist and even a five percent margin that is anti-feminist. The collective term for this group of men against feminism is meninism. This semi-satirical label for men who feel victimized by an exposure to feminism and the push for women’s equal rights branched off of the Men’s Rights Movement in 1970. It progressed mainly into a mockery of feminism. “In my opinion meninism is to feminism as All Lives Matter is to Black Lives Matter,” Speake said. “It’s just an empty argument with no real meaning. Obviously all lives do matter, but the whole movement just misses the point. Meninism, however, is more on the joke or meme side of things, the primary point of the movement being ‘triggering people’ which in other words is just flaunting their own ignorance knowingly with the purpose of angering people.” In fact, some of the prejudice against women that meninists preach is embodied in internet memes, such as “Get back in the kitchen.” This saying is often in response to a woman doing something either considered masculine or independent, something that women “should not be doing” according to an article by knowyourmeme. com. Although the meme is meant to poke fun at people ignorant enough to believe in the sayings, many still take it seriously and genuinely use the comments to take a stab at feminism. Included in this bias against women’s role in life comes the sexism implemented when a woman steps outside her “boundaries.” Martha Stevens, a Missouri state representative for the 46th district, experienced a “great deal” of this sexism when she ran for state representative, as she ran for a job that once was not seen suited for a woman. “On the campaign trail, strangers would often ask me personal questions about my plans to have children,” Stevens said. “This was not a question males were being asked when they ran for office. This question also has nothing to do with the role of state representative.” In addition to the sexism Stevens faced during the campaign itself, she also had attack mail go out from an opponent that highlighted how she did not have children, Stevens said. Because Stevens is not a mother, she did not fulfill her role as a woman and thus was unfit to run for state representative.

[SOURCES: NBC.ORG, THEODYSSEYONLINE.COM & PULPTASTIC.COM]

“Asking about my legislative priorities, what committees I sit on, why I ran for office, etc. are the questions in those professional settings I would prefer to be asked,” Stevens said. “It is a very personal question to ask someone if they plan on having children; those are personal decisions, and asking them in a professional setting is not appropriate or relevant to my job.” Those who prodded Stevens for justification on why she did not have children still have the domestic ideal many people did 50 or more years ago. This includes the meninist viewpoint of women only belonging in the kitchen. The kitchen, however, was once a true cage for women before the Civil Rights Act in 1964. From the 1820’s to the 1860’s, women belonged in the kitchen and the house during the “culture of domesticity” period. During this time, women wore corsets that damaged their organs in order to fit the ideal body image. Additionally, they were to remain in the household where they “truly belonged.” A woman’s job during this time period was to cook, clean, sometimes teach and do everything her husband wanted her to. “The idea that women ought to be restricted to domestic tasks is pretty clearly a patriarchal and oppressive narrative,” Cho said. “The thing that’s wrong about that is that it’s restrictive. It dehumanizes women to nothing more than workers for their male providers, but that’s when women are told they cannot do anything else.” The fight for women’s equal rights is no longer about women wanting to vote or exit the household; rather it’s more about the sexism many women feel daily. Today, women are not guaranteed a paid maternity leave, and former President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, which spread health care coverage to women and prevented discrimination for health based on gender. The act, however, is facing repeal by President Trump and many Republicans in the Senate. Additionally, women are not assured protection in court, especially when it comes to sexual violence. Two out of three women never report rape to the police for fear of not being believed, justified by the 994 perpetrators who walk free out of 1,000 rape cases, a study by liveyourdream.org concluded. Although the sixth-amendment secures the right to a fair and speedy trial, Cyntoia Brown, a woman whose 2004 court case is gaining support after it recently went viral, did not get the justice the act was supposed to secure her. Brown, who suffered a childhood plagued by drugs and abuse, was raped and forced into prostitution by a pimp when she was 16 years old. Brown killed one of her “clients” in self defense, yet was tried in court as an adult and sentenced to life in prison. “I think when we compare [Brown’s] case to the outcomes of male sexual predators with money and social capital, we see a blatant injustice within our court system. I think an example of this would be the outcome surrounding the Brock Turner case,” Stevens said. “This comparison also illuminates the issue of class, race and status in our society in addition to sexism. I am glad this case is getting national attention and am hopeful Cyntoia Brown will see justice.” While Brown faced consequences for self-defense, 19-year-old Brock Turner, who raped a woman behind a dumpster, was sentenced to six months in prison and only served three. Likewise, 18-year-old David Becker, who penetrated two unconcious girls at a party, received just a two year probation. In Iowa, recent high school graduate Nicholas Fifield forced a mentally disabled woman who suffered from autism and dissociative identity disorder to perform oral sex on him. Fifield got no representation, as the judge decided, “prison would not do this kid any good.” All of these men were older than Brown yet received little to no consequences though they were purely out of sexual desire. “The narrative that needs to change isn’t about what gendered role women take on, but that they cannot make their own choices. It’s not simply about houses or the color pink; it’s about recognizing our own will,” Cho said. “Part of empowerment is giving people freedom. To empower women means to liberate us all from the binds of what we ought to do based on what gender we’re assigned.”

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GOING AROUND: Senior Addie Logsdon dribbles the ball to run around senior Payton McCallister, while senior Kanisha Green-McClain trails behind. On Dec. 6, the girls’ basketball

team practiced for their next game Dec. 9 against St. Joseph Lafayette High school (47-37). The Bruins will play rival Battle High School (BHS) Dec. 20 at home.

Lady Bruins to take on Spartans Elad Gov-Ari

olding a 5-1 record, the Lady Bruins basketball team will face its newest crosstown rivals, the Battle High School (BHS) Spartans [0-2], Dec. 20 for the first home game of the season. With a large group of seniors having graduated from last year’s team, head coach Jill Nagel has had to reassess the team from the bottom up. Determining her players’ strengths and weaknesses, Nagel had to devise a new strategy for her traditionally strong team. “You never look to replace any [team members],” Nagel said. “Everybody brings special characteristics and traits to the team. We are

a different style team than what we were previously in large part due to graduating a lot of height. With this being the 13th year I’ve coached, this may be the shortest team we’ve had, but it’s also probably the fastest team we’ve had.” Basing her strategy and game plans on how to best capitalize on her team’s speed, Nagel said the girls are perfecting their aggressive defense during practices, to compensate for their lack of height. With daily practices running smoothly, senior guard Katey Klucking said the Bruins’ season has had a decent start. “This season is super fun so far,” Klucking said. “Game-wise, we have been playing well,

and we have been able to see what we need to fix. The good thing is the things we need to fix, box-outs and turnovers primarily, we are completely capable of fixing.” With BHS on the team’s radar, both Nagel and senior guard Addie Logsdon are focused on shutting down the opposition by hashing out problems they found in their lineup. “We’re really working on our speed because we know we’re fast, but we’re trying to tone that down so we don’t rush ourselves,” Logsdon said. “We are working on all-outs on defense and on offense and working on [perfecting] the basics: hitting down shots, making moves, stuff like that. [I’m really confident about] our shooting and our speed.”

Furthermore, Logsdon recognizes the Spartans’ specialty of their strong offensive pressure and hopes to negate those strengths by perfecting her team’s defense in practice. “[The Spartans] usually have quick guards, so we’ll be helping and working on side defense and the fundamentals with that,” Logsdon said. With the Lady Bruins’ training regiment and practice plans cut out for them, Nagel hopes to continue to see positive senior leadership and comradery from her team. “It’s a big game, and it’s our first home game, which is really exciting,” Nagel said. “I mean I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true; we are getting better every day, and it’s a process and a journey that takes time and baby steps to get there.”

Girls’ swimming starts in Independence meet Faaris Khan

fter placing second at the 2017 MSHSAA state meet last year, the Lady Bruins’ swim team has begun this season with a desire for the title, hoping to follow in the footsteps of the state-winning boys’ team this year. The team hopes to begin establishing itself as competitors at the Independence Invitational from Dec. 15-16, one of the main competitions of the season. The Lady Bruins have seen the loss of key graduating talent, including alumna Ellie Flanagan, who committed to the University of Kansas in Sept. 2016. Seniors Ellie Zweifel, Nicole Williams and Bettie Logan, along with others, will guide the team with the help of newly appointed Head Coach Taylor Birsa throughout the season. “We lost [Flanagan] who was one of our biggest contributors to this team. She helped us to a second-place finish at state last year, so that might hurt us a bit,” Logan said. “However, our freshmen this year are very talented and will definitely contribute to this team and fill in what we lost.” That freshmen talent seems to have done so, as the team has begun the season with a hot start at the Marquette Relays Dec. 2. The diving team saw the greatest success with senior Caroline Stevens, junior Katie Bagley and freshman Gracie-Anne Fraunfelder collectively placing

6th with a total of 464.85 points. “Personally, I hope I can show the other teams that Rock Bridge is going to have a strong team again this year,” Williams, who verbally committed to Georgia Tech in July, said. “I want to put up some decent times and just set the tone for this season. I just want to do my part for the team to get us into a good position for state.” As the season progresses and the team prepares to compete in Independence, Williams has only positive things to say about her hardworking, talented teammates. While the team starts taking small steps and strokes toward their goal of the winning title, she remains confident in the team’s abilities to succeed. “We put in 24 hours of training per week. Literally, a seventh of our entire week is spent in a gym or a pool. Swimming is a sport that allows athletes to train with their club team during high school season. So we train with the Rock Bridge team in the morning, and with Columbia Swim Club at night, usually about four to five hours a day,” Williams said. “A lot of people don’t see how much work we put in. I’m proud of the girls for being willing to do the work that’s necessary to be good. No matter what happens at this meet or the rest, I have 100 percent confidence we’ll be ready to kick butt at state because that’s what we dedicate ourselves to all season.”

DIVE RIGHT Senior IN:

Caroline Stevens does a front double at the Mizzou Rec Center Dec. 7. KAI FORD / THE ROCK

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI/THE ROCK

CAMRYN DEVORE / THE ROCK

GAME TIME: On Dec. 7 junior Dajuan Harris looks for a path to the basket during the Bruins 75-56 win against

Miller Career Academy High School. Tomorrow, Dec. 15, the Bruins play De Smet Jesuit High School.

Boys’ basketball to face De Smet — outstanding motivation and commitment,” Scanlon said. “I have no reason he 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 sea- to feel anything but confident because sons were all noteworthy, with the I know that our team has what it takes Bruins’ boasting more than 20 wins to win, they just have to show how all each year. The boys’ basketball team has of their hard work in practice has come shown both talent and skill, with last together.” Junior guard Isiaih Mosley, playseason being no exception, holding a 22-5 record. Along with the talent comes ing his third year of varsity, knows the chemistry this team possesses is somethe drive and thing special. hard work, Like Scanmaking the lon, Mosley impressive I have no reason to feel anysees the talseason rething but confident because I ent that the cords possiknow that our team has what it team has. ble. “To me, H e a d takes to win.” the individuCoach Jim —Jim Scanlon, head coach al talent withScanlon, who in our team has coached is obvious,” RBHS boys’ basketball since 2006, has high hopes for Mosley said. “But what turns a good the Bruins this year, and holds no excep- team into a great one isn’t just individual tion as they prepare to match up against talent. It’s playing for your team rather De Smet Jesuit High School (De Smet) than for yourself, which is something we try to focus on every day. I have faith tomorrow. “Our team possesses something that in what our team will be able to do this separates Rock Bridge from the rest season, I think we are going to be better

Jacob Sykuta

than last year.” After coming off of a win Dec. 3, defeating Vianney 71-50 in the Norm Stewart Classic, senior Drew Boswell holds the same level of confidence as Scanlon and Mosley and thinks that with the potential the team carries, the Bruins will easily be able to get a victory against De Smet. “Last year we were able to beat De Smet 62-43,” Boswell said. “This year, we should be able to beat them easier. I think that this game is going to help us further our abilities as a team in an actual game, rather than just practice.” The junior varsity game begins at 5:30 p.m. with varsity following. Despite the Bruin’s strengths, every team is prone to making mistakes early on in the season. Scanlon hopes the boys will learn from those errors to improve the team’s weaknesses as a whole. “Our team will come out ready to compete and to play the game,” Scanlon said. “Whether we win or lose, we will become a stronger team because of it, which in the postseason is what gives Rock Bridge an advantage over the rest.”

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Mental blocks hold athletes back Self-confidence leads to better performance

Ji-Sung Lee

hen senior Maia Mozingo thinks about competitors, she doesn’t imagine a midfielder that will be blocking her or a pitcher on the opposing team who can throw a wicked curveball. To Mozingo, her biggest competition is ultimately the person she sees when she looks in the mirror. All athletics require mental toughness, but Mozingo views running as a sport with many mental barriers because once an individual begins a race, the only person who controls the outcome is herself. “I know I’m my biggest competitor because in the end, no one else can make me run faster or pass someone,” Mozingo said. “Yeah, they can cheer me on and give me a strategy, but it’s up to me to make it happen.” Multiple factors cause mental barriers, said Dr. Troy Moles, a certified mental performance consultant at the University of Minnesota Athletics Department. One of these causes is negative self-talk, in which an athlete believes they are not capable of achieving a goal. These negative thoughts can automatically pop into someone’s mind and derail him or her from multiple psychological standpoints, including emotional, physiological, behavioral and attentional focus. Specifically in sports, when athletes find themselves physically exhausted, having a positive mindset is immensely helpful, especially if they don’t have others to rely on, Dr. Moles explained. “Athletes can learn to use and apply what we call mental skills to overcome these mental barriers,” Dr. Moles said. “These strategies, such as imagery, goal-setting, attentional focus [and] being mindful serve to enhance an athlete’s ability to stay present moment-focused and successfully navigate mental barriers or other distractions.” Since mental blocks can occur in any activity, freshman swimmer Turner DeArmond has learned to adapt to his sport by acquiring mul-

tiple methods to calm himself, just in case one fails. “I let the fear, stress and pressure flood my system but only for five seconds. Then I push it out and shut it down and go,” DeArmond said. “That’s usually for right before a race. Another is for when my mind keeps going back to places like, ‘What if I don’t get the time?’ Then I try and distract myself. I listen to music to get me in the zone; I talk to friends; I scroll through Instagram, basically anything to keep my mood light and my mind off the times and what could go wrong. One more I have is to not even think, which is for during the race. This one is the hardest to achieve, but it gets you the best results. You just let your mind go and trust the training and be carried to the results. That being said, the training has to be there for this to work.” DeArmond uses his techniques during moments when he knows he needs to perform well. Despite his thought-out methods, letting fear flood his system and staying calm is no easy task. For Mozingo, overcoming mental barriers in races has become harder for her because of the pressure she puts on herself. “Hearing people tell me to relax and how to work the course gives me something else to focus on and distracts me from the race but also spotting a teammate and working to get to them helps those mental barriers become smaller,” Mozingo said. “Having bodies around me reminds me that I’m not the only one going through this, and they are playing the same mind game, so how can I play it better? Planning my next move and being in check with my body and breathing takes just enough thinking where I don’t mentally deteriorate but just enough to keep me focused.” When athletes begin to reach levels of complete fatigue in latter halves of games, matches, races and meets, negative thoughts come much quicker. It also becomes easier to resort to breaking down rather than pushing through. “It is a constant battle with yourself,” DeArmond said. “You have to

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI/ THE ROCK

BREAK TIME: 43 percent of runners have hit a wall during a race, according to an estimate by the

Stanford University School of Medicine.

painful workouts produce the mentally strongest athletes that are ultimately battling themselves. “Sometimes you pour your heart and soul into it, and the results aren’t what you wanted, even though you truly are pushing and trying as hard as you can,” DeArmond said. “It’s an awful feeling. When you rest your hopes on the results, and

the stakes are so high, and you fail to deliver, and there’s no one else to blame, it’s brutal. When your entire body is tired, and you are told to keep going, it’s difficult to stay determined. It’s not all for nothing, though. When you do get the result you wanted and accomplish your goals, it’s one of the best feelings in the world.”

sions] made it very hard to concentrate in any classes.” Looking back on his concussions, Estrada wishes he could have learned quicker and heeded his coach’s warnings. To prevent similar incidents to Estrada, RBHS’ athletic trainer, Dawn Threatt, is helping students and their families understand concussions. “RBHS, along with the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) district, implements a ‘pathway to return to play’ policy,” Threatt said. “Following a state law passed three years ago, Columbia high schools have been mandated in terms of how they deal with concussions. These make it so after any suspected concussion, a student cannot go back into play for at least 24 hours.” RBHS concussion policies are more stringent than state policy, Threatt said. Using cognitive and symptom tests, athletes are evaluated on concussion symptoms over a five-day period in order to ensure they are healthy before returning to play. The decision to go back to playing after a suspected concussion can be a scary one for students and parents to make. Estrada said he was given the choice to complete the CAMRYN DEVORE/ THE ROCK five day waiting period, but chose to STRETCH IT OUT: Trainer Phil Threatt stretches junior Wyatt Towe in the training room, while senior only do the state required 24 hours. Marq Harris waits for Threatt’s help. Athletes routinely see Threatt to get help with injuries and pains. In future years, however, the

RBHS athletic administration hopes to act as a “neutral party” in educating students and parents about concussions through communication, Threatt said. Threatt believes an understanding of concussions can help students make informed decisions for their health and recovery. For concussions, however, recovery is not always possible for students who have suffered this brain trauma. The effects of West’s concussions continue to hurt him today. “Concussions got more and more scary, as they were very life-threatening,” West said. “I’ve spent several nights in hospitals because of tests being done to see if I’ve suffered brain damage, and I now live with constant headaches that never go away and likely never will.” West’s condition from past concussions is a nightmare scenario for athletes and administration alike. Threatt, alongside the athletic department, wants to minimize injury for student athletes through personal evaluations. “It’s all about patience,” Threatt said. “Everyone is different, and recovery for everyone is different. CPS all follows the same policy, and it works well because it puts the student’s health first. When this happens, a student can go through a proper recovery process.”

try not to psych yourself out or keep pushing even when you feel like you have nothing left to push with, which can sometimes be very difficult. You are mostly trying to beat your own times and push yourself.” Any athlete tries to stay clear from the thought of lactic acid building or muscles clenching so hard they turn stiff. But often the most

Concussion policy keeps athletes safe Ben Kimchi

n 2017, alumnus Caed West spent much of his time here playing lacrosse, basketball and roughhousing. The three activities had one commonality for West: each left him with concussion after concussion. West suffered 10 concussions during high school, and the source of the concussions varied from being tackled to diving onto a court. While the causes were varied, all of the effects are the same, and they are permanent. “I’ve had three concussions from lacrosse, five from basketball and

two from just messing around with my brother,” West said. “I now have to be extremely cautious with any physical activity.” With between 1.6 and 3.8 million athletic concussions a year, the Centers for Disease Control categorizes them at an epidemic level, with an estimated 300,000 of those concussions sustained by high school athletes. Junior Eric Estrada has sustained three concussions while playing football, mainly as a center. Estrada found himself unable to participate in orchestra because of his several concussions.

[SOURCE: HEADCASECOMPANY]

“In ninth grade, loud noises triggered headaches [because of past concussions],” Estrada said. “I could barely do anything, and the only thing I would be able to do in orchestra was [leave] to the Performing Arts Center (PAC). My grades severely suffered, and [the concus-

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PONDERING: Junior Yahor Vazmitsel stands outside of RBHS’ south entrance. Vazmitsel, originally from the former soviet nation Belarus, moved to the United States in the summer of 2016.

In his element: Nikol Slatinska

hose in junior Yahor Vazmitsel’s Advanced Placement (AP) chemistry class can attest that the Belarus native has a vested interest in the subject and outspoken pride for his heritage. What they may not know, however, is that the events leading up to his family’s immigration to the United States may as well have been taken straight from a Russian mafia blockbuster. Having grown up in the post-Soviet nation’s capital of Minsk, Vazmitsel and his parents first-handedly experienced the oppressive consequences of President Alexander Lukashenko’s dictatorial regime. Lukashenko, Belarus’ first and only president, has been referred to by international politicians and reporters as “Europe’s Last Dictator” and has admitted to forging past election results in order to keep his position for more than 20 years. Vazmitsel admonishes Lukashenko for trying to “sit on both chairs” in an attempt to please Russia and simultaneously feign a Western-style democratic government, as well as imposing heavy taxes on his citizens.Vazmitsel recalls memories of his mother, an oncologist specializing in breast cancer research, coming home from work feeling angry over her insufficient salary. He estimated his parents’ monthly income at $500. “As a post-Soviet country, everyone is equal in terms of payment. It doesn’t matter if you’re a doctor or something simpler; you will get equal payment,” Vazmitsel said. “My father was a businessman, and Lukashenko doesn’t like businessmen because he is from a poor family and thinks the bourgeoisie is bad. He is basically against capitalists who don’t support him. He likes money a lot, though, like everybody.” Vazmitsel described his father’s job in Belarus as a businessman working for an operation similar to the black market. Because none of his profits went to the Lukashenko administration, a member of the government’s secret police service began following Mr. Vazmitsel in the ‘90s, his son said. The former Soviet Union’s Committee for State Security never disbanded in Belarus, and although it’s referred to as the KDB there, it’s more commonly known worldwide as the KGB. His dad became worried for his family’s safety after the marketplace he worked for received a threat. “One day my father went to work, and his boss said, ‘Igor, you need to pack your things and get out of this country because these guys will kill us all.’ So my dad quit his job and started his own business,” Vazmitsel said. “He lat-

er got a call from his previous job and learned that his former boss had killed himself. After that, a new director appeared, and he’d been appointed by the KGB.” Although he said the KGB stopped following Mr. Vazmitsel between 2002 and 2003, Vazmitsel said his family ultimately decided to leave Belarus and arrived in America this past June. Not only would they have had to continue facing the injustices imposed by their government had they stayed, but Vazmitsel would also have been required by conscription laws to join the national army at the age of 18. In the army, he said, those who have served longer have the upper hand and often bully newcomers. The only way to not get physically abused is to bribe attackers or be physically stronger than them. Tormentors have been known to steal younger soldiers’ money and subsequently kill their victims, staging their deaths as suicides. Vazmitsel was able to come to the United States after his older brother, who resides in California, petitioned for family reunification visas. Although Vazmitsel was initially denied a visa because of financial problems, a family friend lent his parents the required funds so that all three of them could immigrate. As an American resident, he feels grateful for the freedom citizens have to express their opinions on any matter, which he did not have in his home country. He said his school in Belarus was a somewhat liberal place when it came to students speaking out against Lukashenko, but if they were caught doing so by a visiting government representative, they would likely be expelled, their parents could lose their jobs, and their school could lose funding. Aside from the freedom to voice his beliefs, Vazmitsel appreciates the opportunities available in America to pursue his love for chemistry. AP chemistry teacher Barry Still has had to find ways to challenge the advanced pupil when it comes to course content. “I would describe Yahor as easygoing,

Belarusian migrant

flees dire conditions

funny and very interested in chemistry, gateway to improving not only his own maybe even a chemistry nerd,” Still said. life, but also the outcome of the world. “He also knows a lot more about chem“When I started reading [the chemistry than basically any of my chemistry istry book], I got so into it, I was like, students. To me, his knowledge speaks ‘Oh, my God, I want to do this. I want volumes about the differences in educa- to help people, or I want to invent weaption systems between countries.” ons that will protect my country, or I Interestingly enough, Vazmitsel, who want to treat cancer, or I want to mix reads chemistry textbooks for fun, hated chemicals in a lab,’” Vazmitsel said. the subject before eighth grade. Instead “After studying it in ninth and tenth of focusing on his studies, he was busy grade, I was like, ‘Chemistry is so combeing a self-proclaimed “justice war- plicated, but it’s so fun.’” rior” with his friends, as he hates bullies Still realized the devoted student who pick on those weaker than they. was already ahead of the rest of his At RBHS, he said, there aren’t many class content-wise, so he helped set fights because students are used to be- Vazmitsel up with a chemistry interning able to voice their opinions. That’s ship at the University of Missouri-Conot how it was back home, which led to lumbia, which will begin in January. more violent scenarios in and out of the Newton Crosby, Vazmitsel’s theater classroom. tech teacher, was able to see his love of “I was bullying people who were knowledge during preparations for the bullying people. Like if I saw someone school’s production of The Little Merbullying a girl or someone weaker than maid. them, I just beat them up or said mean “Yahor’s work ethic is exemplary. things to His enthusimake them asm to learn cry,” Vazmitand engage [Yahor] also knows a lot more sel said. with the peoabout chemistry than basically any “These were ple around of my chemistry students. To me, fist fights. In him sets his knowledge speaks volumes my country, him apart about the differences in education we would from other systems between countries.” also just have students,” fights beCrosby said. — Barry Still, AP chemistry teacher tween groups “He wants of kids beto stay busy cause we and learn as didn’t have a lot to do. Most of the bul- he goes. For the musical, I learned that I lies...were always trying to get in trou- was short one person to work the show. ble. It’s like they were the villains, and Yahor was quick to volunteer. He did a my friends and I were the heroes who fantastic job of working on Run Crew had to save the victims.” for the show.” The summer before ninth grade, Vazmitsel plans on further pursuing however, Vazmitsel had the revelation his love of knowledge by attempting that his aggressive benevolence would to make it to the national level of the not get him anywhere in life. He said Science Olympiad competition. His he felt like he was unintelligent, so he dream is to attend the 50th Internationbegan reading books to find out what al Chemistry Olympiad in Prague next he was passionate about. He picked up July, where he would be able to cona chemistry dictionary, started verge with the best young minds in scireading and realized ence from around the world. After high that science school, he either wants to go into the could be pharmaceutical drug development field t h e or study engineering and do research on chip implants that will allow paralyzed people to walk again. “[The implant] will be more advanced than prosthetics because you will just insert the chip into the brain, and it will command the brain to restore the spinal nerves. It’s very complicated because the neurons are very slow to recover, and to do this kind of process you have to understand all of the chemical processes happening in the body,” Vazmitsel said. “You need to know all of these aspects and be ready for consequences you may face. I think that people who give their lives to science are giving their lives to saving humanity or to advancing it to a much higher level.”

KELSEY MORGRET / THE ROCK

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org December 14, 2017

PERSONALITY PROFILES C5

O R G A N I Z AT I O N :

Media Center specialist Beth Shapiro types during B lunch, only stopping to help anybody that stops by her door. Shapiro spends her days solving both the literary and technological problems students and faculty face at RBHS. Shapiro can often be found working within her office or connecting students to the fantastical worlds lining the shelves.

Shapiro sparks literary passion

KAI FORD / THE ROCK

Emily Oba

taring down at her iPad mini with frustration, junior Zainab Ibitoye tries to get a message that popped up on her screen to go away. The notice asked her to put in a username and password, and it won’t go away, although Ibitoye has the right information typed in. She needed her iPad mini for research in Advanced Placement (AP) World History and was worried she wouldn’t finish her work. After asking her peers and teachers, Ibitoye walked to the media center looking for media center specialist Beth Shapiro. Together, they tried to figure out how to solve the issue, and then Shapiro told Ibitoye she would solve it and sent her back to class. Three days later, Shapiro had Ibitoye’s iPad mini back to normal. Along with helping students with technology, Shapiro helps students with research and finding different books to read. While students quickly pass through the media center to get from the east and west side of the building, they may not know the interesting life Shapiro led before she took a job as a Bruin. Students would never expect Shapiro to have been a singer in a baroque ensemble in her twenties and have a law degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Il. Growing up in a suburb of Illinois, Shapiro lived with her younger brother, her father — a professor of music at Northwestern University — and her stay-at-home mom. Her fondest memories of her childhood, which made growing up pleasant, came from when she would hang out with the kids on her block. “We would spend a lot of time outside just playing big time and some of those kids I’m still friends with,” Shapiro said. “Two in particular

are my oldest friends, and we still talk on the phone periodically and [also] text, [plus] we’ve gotten together [from time to time].” Now doing what she enjoys in a place she loves, Shapiro recalls a time when she was younger and aspired to be a veterinarian or a writer; however, when a career decision needed to be made, she decided not to pursue them because of her dislike of science and operating on animals. “I never ended up being a big fiction writer or anything, but I always have written in my jobs or done freelance writing, so those are my earliest things that I wanted to be when I was a kid,” Shapiro said. “I never had a calling to do one specific job or follow one location so I’ve done a lot of different things in my life.” Instead of pursuing a veterinary career, Shapiro is very content with being the owner of a wide variety of interesting pets. She currently has two dogs, a cat, a snake, a zebra finch and two chickens. Despite her love of animals, Shapiro has chosen different career paths. She has been an art administrator at the Art Institute of Chicago, a tax consultant and her current position of RBHS media center specialist. Shapiro gained her other love, music, from her dad, Frederick L. Hemke. Hemke was not only a professor, but a world-renowned saxophonist, as well. Surrounded by musicians in her youth, Shapiro played the violin in her high school orchestra where she met her husband, Nick Shapiro. She then went on to join a professional baroque ensemble as a singer in her twenties. Although she loved it, the ensemble eventually dissolved, and her love of music was passed onto her two children, who are both alums: Daniel Shapiro, a senior at Brown University, and her youngest son, Martin Shapiro, a

Students reflect on absence felt after Woods’ departure

What do you miss most about Mike Woods?

— Kanisha Green-McClain, senior

CAMRYN DEVORE / THE ROCK

“He was inspiring. He helped me with my work and was really a father figure to me.” — Alexus Roby, junior

CAMRYN DEVORE / THE ROCK

“He always made my day and gave me a place to go. Our conversations were always positive.” — Rashavon Whitaker, junior

Atiyah Lane

CAMRYN DEVORE / THE ROCK

“He was always someone anyone could go talk to. He was very real and open. He was like a father figure.”

freshman at the New School University. in everything she does. “Music has always been a part of my life “She wants to be aware of as much as she and something my husband and I have shared. can involving technology and the instructional I enjoy a whole range of music so I don’t really side of her position,” Young said. “She is alhave a favorite [genre]. I listen to a lot of jazz ways willing to learn, understand and implebecause my younger son is a jazz pianist and ment anything she encounters to assist teachers because of that I have become more educated and students.” in jazz, but I’ll listen to anything, [including] One of those students is Ibitoye who appreclassical,” Beth Shapiro said. “I also like a lot ciates seeing Shapiro’s friendly face in the meof current stuff; I’ll listen to just new trendy pop dia center every time she goes in there. Shapiro stuff as well. I just love all different types.” was able to get Ibitoye out of another sticky sitDespite her love for music, Shapiro decided uation after she jammed the printer. Ibitoye was to pursue a different passion for her academic scanning her mini journal for AP World History degree. At Northbut was unaware she western Universiwasn’t supposed to put ty, Shapiro got her notebook paper. Shaplicense to practice iro came over to solve I’m pretty flexible seeing how law in Illinois and the problem and helped the future unfolds for now; I’m would regularly Ibitoye follow the inreally happy right here and we’ll visit her brother, structions the printer just see.” a professor of mugave to unjam the print— Beth Shapiro, Media Specialist sic at MU. It was er. these common “I am appreciative visits that would of her presence in the prompt Shapiro to media center. She is almove with her family to Columbia. ways available or tries her best to help students Not only was their love for Columbia a fac- with their technological issues,” Ibitoye said. tor in their decision to move, but the Shapiros’ “She is patient and doesn’t get mad when things disdain for long Chicago commutes made the get messed up.” lifestyle change easier to decide on as well as Spending her time working in the media cenwanting to spend more time with her family. ter, Shapiro keeps up with books teens might As a self-described “big band mom,” Shap- read so she can recommend them, recalling iro was already a fan of RBHS because of her her favorite childhood novel as “Gone with two sons’ involvement in band, so after she the Wind.” Shapiro believes that libraries give obtained her master’s degree in library science knowledge and enjoyment and an infinite supin 2015 from MU and the media specialist job ply of information. opened up, Shapiro took her chance to become “I love learning, and libraries to me are the a Bruin. gateway [to that],” Shapiro said. “I really don’t Also a Bruin, technician Jeremy Young know [what I expect for the future], I’m pretty works side by side with Shapiro in the media flexible seeing how the future unfolds for now; center and describes Shapiro as fully involved I’m really happy right here and we’ll just see.”

eachers and students have faced the loss of the copy center, but for many, what has been hardest is the loss of Mike Woods, who ran the center and, in doing so, connected with students in meaningful ways. Woods transferred to the Center of Responsive Education (CORE), a CPS program that helps students who don’t work well in regular classroooms. His transition has been challenging, but still a great learning experience. “The difference from school to school are as following: [RBHS] kids want to be there,” he said. “CORE kids had a choice [too], however, their behavior got them sent here.” His sensitivity and understanding is what some RBHS students say they miss by not seeing him in the halls. “He actually put in an effort to make a connection with them and not just make it like you’re here to learn,” junior Myanna Grant said. Though Bruins miss his ability to bond with his students, the CORE students are benefitting from his skillset. “Building a relationship is very important with an adult or a student. A relationship allows you to do certain things that you couldn’t do if you didn’t have a relationship. We work on building trust and honesty,” Woods said.

ALYSSA SYKUTA / THE ROCK

REACHIN’ OUT: Mike Woods works in the copy center Jan. 22, 2013. After 11 years he transfered to CORE when the center closed in May 2017. “Seeing those smiling faces [is what I miss most about RBHS]. Every student has something they want to share,” Mike Woods said. “[Be it] boy problems or school problems I loved being there for them.” “Honesty comes to the table more often than not. And I really, really miss that about all my kids. I’ve always told them, I’ll be honest with you and if you don’t wanna hear the truth don’t ask me. But most of them stayed around anyways so you know it was very enjoyable, and it’s a great honor and pleasure and knowing that you trust me enough to tell you the truth because nobody likes to be lied to.” Telling the truth was what

actually attracted the students to come and talk to Woods because they felt more comfortable. “Other teachers don’t make an effort to connect with the students,” senior Raylen Blackson said. “That brings conflict between a student and a teacher because you pretend to know me but you don’t really know me. Then I go to Mr. Woods, and he really knows me ‘cause we’ve took that time to really get to know each other.”

Students can still see Woods on home ground working at RBHS’s athletic games. After 11 years of working here, it was hard to say goodbye, he said. “Having the opportunity to go back to this book that I keep of thank you cards and just special notes from teachers and or a lot of students that are saying thank you,” Woods said. “I’ve helped so many people, and it just feels like it’s difficult to do the same thing where I’m at now.”

C6 HEALTH & WELLNESS

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org December 14th, 2017

Satisfied by snickerdoodles Bakers weigh health effects of hobby Siena Juhlin

s festivities such as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa draw nearer on the calendar, expectations of sugary treats begin to emerge. Homes fill with the aromas of peppermint, molasses and warm buttery pastries, enriching the holiday atmosphere. Bakers, professionals and novices alike, use creativity and precision to construct gingerbread people, fruit pies, cakes and more. Junior Laura Scoville celebrates and connects with her rather distant family by spending hours in the kitchen baking treats for relatives and friends. Scoville said baking brings her closer to her dad and is a healthy outlet for stress. “Sometimes during stressful times, it’s just fun to come home and bake with my dad,” Scoville said. “I really enjoy having talks with him that we wouldn’t otherwise have while cooking, and the outcome of it all is great, and I’m proud of what I can do in the kitchen.” Scoville, over time, has come to appreciate what baking can do for her. “I used to dread and hate being in the kitchen with my bossy dad on my weekends,” Scoville said. “But, now I truly enjoy it.” Like Scoville, senior Sam

Ventrillo uses cooking as an outlet for stress. Ventrillo began baking to explore “the other side of culinary,” he said. When he was already invested in cooking and worked at a restaurant, he decided to go further and learn how to bake, especially holiday sweets. “I wanted the knowledge of baking, as it is very different [from cooking], and knowing all the methods helps me to understand all food-making processes,” Ventrillo said. “It allows me to do a lot more creative things.” Career Center culinary chef Katie Frink thinks baking is great for students despite the unhealthy consequences of consuming so much sugar and fat. She said that because baking provides long term benefits, the positive outcomes outweigh the negative side effects. Frink loves holiday baking and wants to share the stress reliever with students. “I do like to bake for the holidays,” Frink said. “I think giving homemade treats is also a great way to show someone you care.” Aside from the sweet tradition of holiday baking, Frink also thinks worrying about the weight gain is unnecessary. “The holiday fat is only there for a short period of time. It’s only a month out of twelve months of the year,” Frink

said. “It’s centered around a lot of traditions, and baking can be very therapeutic.” Frink concludes that certain activities such as kneading dough and measuring ingredients distracts from other overwhelming responsibilities. “Bakers use a lot of science behind baking, and I think it’s good for students to explore different outlets for stress,” Frink said. Although for some people baking is a healthy retreat from daily burdens, research shows that holiday baking may not be the best for physical health. A new study, led by Cornell’s Food and Brand Lab as well as scientists in Finland and France, looked at yearround weight patterns of nearly 3,000 people in the United States, Germany and Japan. The results found that participants’ weight gain peaked 10 days after Christmas and, on average, people gained 1.3 pounds. Despite this information, some think that the little weight matters. Both Scoville and Ventillo believe their hard work pays off when they get to do something they love. “Holiday baking is always a positive thing for my health, I feel,” Ventrillo said. “Being busy cooking many things, I usually work pretty hard,

[which] makes up for indulging on it later.” Scoville has a different opinion on why it’s not unhealthy to bake. She believes the homemade treats are more generous to the body than store-bought foods. “I do feel myself gaining a little weight after the holidays, but when you buy something from the store it usually contains many chemicals and preservatives that are bad for your body,” Scoville said. “Not only do you not work for the food, but you also don’t get the homemade health benefits from baking from scratch, which is why baking it yourself is much more beneficial.” Although the topic of holiday weight gain comes up every year, research has found that the phenomenon is more a myth than a reality. Some scientists believe the topic is greatly exaggerated in the media and pop culture, according to an article by RealSimple, a health and lifestyle website. In a 2013 study from Texas Tech, for example, participants gained only about a pound and a half between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. “No matter what, making a bunch of heavy desserts isn’t amazing for your health,” Ventrillo said. “But earning it through work at least makes it rewarding.”

Are you concerned about your sugar intake? No, because God made my body the way it is and he put that sugar in front of me. He obviously wants me to eat it, so I’ll take it. — Grace Hervey, sophomore

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

No, because I’m a runner and all I do is run all day so I can eat like 5000 calories and get away with it.” — Hamzah Firozi, senior

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

No, because I’m still young, and if it’s going to be a problem, it’ll be a problem later on in life.”

— Haylee Ness, junior

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI / THE ROCK

ISABEL GOMPPER / THE ROCK

[SOURCE: POPCURIOUS.COM]

Sugar fuels pleasure, problems

Grace Dorsey

YOUSUF EL-JAYYOUSI/THE ROCK

ugar cane starts out as a grass: tall, green and leafy. Ultimately, however, it ends up as a fine, white powder, a purified form of carbohydrate. This process, refined over centuries, consists of around 20 steps going from clarification to concentration to crystallization. In essence, humans have learned how to make dietary energy that is easily metabolized, highly palatable and has the ability to be incorporated with pretty much any food (the number is at 60 percent according to “Sweetening of the global diet, particularly beverages: patterns, trends, and policy responses” by Dr. Barry Popkin). As a result of its appeal, sugar now fuels a highly profitable industry, which the United States Department of Agriculture reported as producing 185 million metric tons or 407,855,185,042 pounds of sugar per year. While it’s true that the business side of the processed carbohydrate is on an upward trend, there has also been a counter-movement. Sophomore Daphne Brown first started alternating her diet when her sis-

ter began to show symptoms of hypothyroidism, a condition in which an underactive thyroid significantly slows down a patient’s metabolism. Alongside her family, Brown cut out gluten as well as processed and/or non-organic food. As a result, the amount of added sugar she was taking in also dropped considerably. “I can see the appeal, but now that I’ve changed my diet, I’m not for [added sugars] as much just because I see the difference that it’s had in my life and my sister’s life,” Brown said. “[Cutting] out the bad stuff just allows our bodies to produce the best [they] can, and I’ve seen that, but of course added sugars give [food] the sweetness, the appeal. That was one of the hardest things to let go of, that love of the sugar.” In fact Brown can distinctly remember summers where her life mostly consisted of gorging on candy and ice cream by the poolside. Each day, after she returned home, the sugar cravings would hit her hard. Just like Brown, junior Zach Tips experiences the draw sugar can have. For him it’s a very specific source: soda. He drinks at least

one can a day but much more when it comes to parties. In fact, Tips’s record is 20 sodas in one night, the equivalent of around 195 teaspoons of sugar. His intake doesn’t phase him, and he plans to continue on unless any medical issues start to emerge. “If I go a couple days without soda, I crave it, and that’s a part of an addiction. It’s one of those things where drinking soda is a part of me, it’s a part of who I am and my personality,” Tips said. “Without [soda] it’s just not complete.” Tips sees the similarities between his habit and traditional addiction symptomatology but doesn’t equate the two. Likewise, Maggie Westwater, who co-wrote Sugar Addiction: The State of the Science, concluded that the term “sugar addiction” didn’t have enough evidence to support itself as a valid term. In her final analysis, she advises against its use. Instead, she proposes more focus in the neurological aspect of sugar consumption as well as why and how some people develop obesity. “I think we need research that examines how the brain encodes sweet taste as opposed to the ca-

loric, or nutritive, value of sweet foods,” Westwater said. “We all develop preferences for specific flavors, textures or smells, and I think it will be important to explore how this information, combined with the nutritional profile of the food, can change our eating behavior.” Past research on sugar has established a few effects it has on health. As an article on harvard. edu stated, the major concerns about excessive sugar consumption are tooth decay, weight gain and an increased rate of cardiovascular disease. Brown personally experiences a drastic difference in health when she consumes added sugars. For this reason, she’s motivated to stick to a “cleaner” diet. “Occasionally I’ll indulge in my own sweets. I’ll go back to having a cupcake or having a brownie. Then I’ll just feel so drowsy; I feel really fatigued; I don’t have energy; I don’t have the willpower to get up. Even at school, I’ll daze off in class,” Brown said. “These things start adding up. As soon as I introduce back my healthy food and my healthy diet, that’s when I start feeling energized and better.”

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org December 14, 2017

Acne attracts attention

HEALTH & WELLNESS C7

Popping videos arise as YouTube trend

Jacob Sykuta ouTube has more than 1.5 billion users, making it one of the most successful social media platforms, as reported by TechCrunch. There are close to 100 million combined views, not of music videos, cats playing the piano or even celebrities reading mean tweets. Instead, these 100 million views are of clips of exploding cysts, unplugged blackheads and even botfly extractions. Welcome to the world of pimple popping. This relatively new interest is sweeping across the internet, gathering millions of likes and clicks for a category considered by many disgusting and unsanitary. One reason for the obsession with pimple-popping clips has more to do with the thrill of the footage rather than the disgust factor. Many find these videos gross. But there are fans who find that the videos give them a sort of rush without the fear of danger, sort of like riding a roller coaster. Nina Strohminger, author of The Hedonics of Disgust, explained the psychology of this feeling to Cosmopolitan. “Negative sensations are interesting, particularly when you’re in a context where they can’t hurt you,” Strohminger said. “You’re probably not going to fall in garbage just for the experience, but maybe you’d click on a link to watch someone else doing it.” This thrill from watching a diluted depiction of pore cleansing may be why movies such as “Saw” and “The Human Centipede” have such a huge following, successfully taking gore to the extreme. Someone who qualifies Strohminger’s research is freshman Quinn Spear. He sees pimple popping videos not only as a source of excitement, but also as a therapeutic hobby in a sense that some might not understand.

“Since I started watching popping people. Spear can see how skin pickvideos of all sorts, I began feeling a sense of relief and calm after viewing ing has the ability to change from a it,” Spear said. “It’s developed a way simple routine into this disorder that of making me feel better about my- could leave lasting effects on the self, making me seem less disgusting, body. Although he doesn’t have this disorder, he didn’t previously realI guess.” Despite the somewhat remedi- ize the dangers he could potentially al tendencies that Spear, along with face if his source of amusement leads others, feel after watching these vid- him to participate in the action of his eos, there’s still some who view the pimple popping. “Just watching the popping vidcategory with nothing more than revulsion. Junior Joseph Koo associ- eos, you don’t really associate it with ates strongly with the belief that the a disorder,” Spear said. “It seems popping sensation isn’t a rush, but more like a person that wants to make a trend that society shouldn’t have themselves look better, but when you know these disorders exist, it makes started. “I’ve never enjoyed watching it much more likely that the picking you see pimple in the popping videos videos It’s developed a way of makcould be and neving me feel better about myself, a symper will,” making me seem less disgusting, tom of Koo said. the disor“ Yo u I guess.” der.” Tube can — Quinn Spear, freshman Even be great though for a lot m a n y of things, people such as reviews, do-it-yourself videos and share the same opinion as Koo, the more, but human nature’s craving for new trend has gained popularity, something out of the ordinary almost which has led to Buzzfeed, Daily Mail and other media outlets covruins the social media for me.” Many people pick at their skin ering the topic, and the number of from time to time, but it’s a habit views and likes on these videos show that most don’t recognize that they global approval. Despite the disaphave. Whether people are plucking at proval of many, the appeal to grossscabs, squeezing pimples or fussing themed videos or not, the increase in over other blemishes, the unavoid- popularity of popping pimple is unable compulsion of doing so can doubtable. “Even though I don’t like or agree develop into something much worse than they realize, according to an ar- with the trend of watching videos of ticle published by Elements Behav- people popping pimples, it’s obvious that it’s going to continue to grow,” ioral Health. Simple pimple popping videos Koo said. “I’m becoming more open might appear to the outside as mere to the trend, but I think that it’s necesreflections of their titles, but under sary to inform society about the danthe surface, this preoccupation may gers associated with it so we can try secretly be Compulsive Skin Picking to prevent as many new emergences Disorder, which, according to infor- of Compulsive Skin Picking Disormation from the International OCD der. It’s something we as a society a Foundation, affects around one in 20 have to accept.” [SOURCE: GOOHOUSEKEEPING.COM]

ISABEL GOMPPER / THE ROCK

C8 ADS

THE ROCK www.bearingnews.org December 14, 2017