September Issue of "The Rock"

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The Student Voice of Rock Bridge Since 1973 . Vol. 47 Issue 1 . Sept. 26, 2019

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SOPHIA EATON/ THE ROCK

IN-DEPTH. . . .B4

SPORTS. . . .C6

Vaping risks long-term health consequences for teenagers and serves as a gateway for cigarette use.

The girls' tennis team strives for a sixth consecutive Class 2 Missouri state championship title.

SOPHIA EATON/ THE ROCK

Latest bill will change school calendar start ELLIOT BACHRACH

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supposed to park in the north parking lot while teachers park in South. Parking change this year resulted in increased time to enter and exit the lots.

Parking changes shape RBHS traffic parking changes is that [CPS’s] in- because it is very easy to get in and surance company gives the school very easy to get out,” Dr. Baker said. board and the superintendent objec- “From a safety perspective, that’s tives that they have to follow for the bad, so a conclusion was made by the school year, such as hardening cer- higher ups to go to a single point of tain aspects of security in our build- entry for students.”

Dr. Baker said the uniqueness of ings,” Heaton said. “So, it’s not only at Rock Bridge that these changes are the building compelled school administration happento have two ing. It’s points of enall across “There’s so much traffic that goes betry: the north the disentrance and trict.” tween us and the Career Center that the main east A s [it] made all the sense in the world for entrance. sistant North to be the single point of student The new Principal entry throughout the day.” parking orgaDr. Tim ­— Dr.Tim Baker, nization was Baker, who was finalized beassistant principal cause of two in charge main reasons. of imple“Number one was that [the north menting the new parking method, added that the insurance pressure was lot] holds the most spots, and number not new. There were years of prod- two was [the Columbia Area Career ding to increase security in RBHS’s Center (CACC)],” Dr. Baker said.

“There’s so much traffic that goes beopen campus.

“District safety people and in- tween us and the Career Center that surance people have always wor- [it] made all the sense in the world for ried about this building in particular North to be the single point of student

BRANDON KIM, RYAN CHOE

A

t the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, administration implemented a new parking system for students and faculty under directions from Columbia Public Schools (CPS). Prior to the new policy, students and faculty were permitted to park in either the north or south parking lots.

Now, however, students are mostly required to park in the north lot while the faculty park in the south lot. 50 to 55 spots in the south lot are reserved for students on a first-come first-serve system for those who still wish to park in South for reasons such as school activities.

Darryl Heaton, the parking supervisor at RBHS, said the board and the superintendent decided to make these changes, not RBHS itself.

He also said the main reason for these changes was to appease CPS's insurance company, Naught Naught.

Ultimately, the transition to a single point of entry occurred to address safety concerns.

“The main reason for all of these

entry throughout the day.”

Dr. Baker said another reason why North became the students’ designated area was because the south entrance of the building has stairs, which would inconvenience disabled students and violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The CACC took an additional 50 North parking spots away from RBHS over the summer to expand its own parking lot.

As a result of the one-entrance policy CPS established this year, parent drop-off and buses share the circle drive.

Parent pick-up remains at the south parking lot entrance.

From the beginning of the year, buses and parents have been following the new system as the original plan dictates.

The buses, however, also enter through the right side, congesting the entrance to the circle drive.

Parents then slide into open spots between the buses and exit out the other side.

PARKING CONT. A3

SCHOOL START CONT. A2

DID YOU KNOW?

AUDREY SNYDER/ THE ROCK

MOVE IT: Sophomores Seth Boswell and Gavin Samuels throw their hands up in exasperation in the line out of the north parking lot. Students are

overnor Mike Parsons signed a bill July 11 that will give Missouri students an additional week of summer vacation.

Missouri schools are mandated to start no sooner than 14 days before Labor Day. Consequently, the earliest the 2020-21 school year can begin is Aug. 24.

Previously, the first day was set to be Aug. 20, 2020, with Jump Start day for arriving students being Aug. 19.

The current school session was not affected as the law is set to commence for the 2020-21 school year.

During the bill's signing, a major reason provided for the change was to ensure families would have enough time to travel and go on vacation, as “June and July are so busy for families,” U.S. Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia said.

The previous law permitted schools to start 10 days before Labor Day; however, school districts such as Columbia Public Schools (CPS) had the choice of holding a public hearing to set an earlier start date that would accommodate the needs of each district.

“Locally elected boards should have been given the authority to determine the calendar that best met the needs of their communities,” CPS Superintendent Dr. Peter Stiepleman said. “That didn’t happen, and now we will have to create a calendar that doesn’t prioritize children. Please write your legislator when we end up having finals after winter break during the 2020-21 school year.”

The 202021 school year can't begin until Aug. 24.

DEVIN HALL/ THE ROCK

Student population growth strains school resources That was then; this is now 1980

RBHS is founded in 1973. The building held 625 students.

Main Entrance RBHS FLASHBACK 1980

Construction on the auditorium is completed in 1993.

1995

Open lunch in hallways

1992

Auditorium Construction RBHS FLASHBACK 1992

RBHS is renovated to add 32 more classrooms in 2000.

BEN BRYAN/ FLASHBACK

CPS redistricts after the opening of Battle High School in 2013.

2019-21

Redistricting lines SARAH KULMAN/ THE ROCK

Redistricting will be fully implemented in 2021.

2013

Football against BHS D. ROGERS/ FLASHBACK

CPS undergoes another round of redistricting to offset an overgrowing RBHS in 2019.

AMIRA MCKEE/ THE ROCK

AMIRA MCKEE

T

he student population grew to 2,067 in the 2019-20 school year, a 2.2 percent increase, straining this year’s school resources. This occurred despite Columbia Public School’s (CPS) redistricting plan, which was finalized in February and reallocated 279 students from here to Hickman and Battle High School. RBHS counselor Dr. Jordan Alexander said in his eight years at RBHS, the population has inflated annually.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth, particularly in the past few years,” Dr. Alexander said. “Last year we added an additional counselor, which has been very helpful. This year we felt like it was super busy in terms of processing new students in getting schedules ready, so we’re happy that we have had that additional counselor added last year.”

The counseling department now employs one outreach counselor, one student support counselor, one counseling director and six general counselors. Despite the additional counselor, Dr. Alexander estimates that this school year each counselor is responsible for about 425 students. The national average for student-to-school-counselor ratio in America is about 482:1 according to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), but that is nearly double the 250:1 ratio recommended by the ASCA.

Dr. Alexander said the formidable student-to-counselor ratio becomes most troublesome during the third, fourth and fifth days of school, when students are permitted to meet with their assigned counselors to discuss and request certain schedule changes.

Appointments were limited to 10 minutes, according to a letter

by Director of Counseling Rachel Reed. Junior Nathan Hunter said this time restraint was insufficient.

“I only say this because, due to RBHS’s overcrowded population, the classes that you try and attempt to get into are almost always full,” Hunter said. “So then you end up feeling rushed in deciding what you want instead, which inevitably causes you to choose the wrong class or one you aren’t happy with.”

As the RBHS population increases, counselors’ time isn’t the only resource under constraint.

The RBHS block schedule and classroom capacity remains largely stagnant, limiting the number of students able to take each course.

“It really is a matter of desk space or, in some cases it’s materials,” Dr. Alexander said. “In science classes, we can really only cap those at 24 because there’s just room for 24 people to sit at desks without doubling up, and so those caps are set there.”

Although class size necessitates certain limits, counselors must

overfill some classes in order to accommodate need. “[Overfilling is] really a determination made by the building principal, the director of counseling and the department chair. We try not to penalize students if they requested a course and we have permission to overfill, which we did for AP [Advanced Placement] U.S. [History]. Then, we try and get as many students who wanted the AP experience to have that,” Dr. Alexander said. “However, new students who came in and enrolled in the fall were not given

the option of going into AP U.S. because there just were not any seats available. So we were able to overfill, but not to overfill to any extreme level.”

Despite resource restrictions, Dr. Alexander believes students receive the most service possible under these conditions.

“It's always a challenge with numbers,” Dr. Alexander said.

“But we feel like we do the absolute best job we can to support all students and give them the individual attention they need to be successful here at RBHS and beyond.”

TURNER DEARMOND/ THE ROCK

A SEA OF STUDENTS: Students flood the hallways, heading to their fourth hour classes. Tightly packed hallways are a fixture of student life at RBHS because of a population growth of 2.2 percent for the 2019-20 school year.

INDEX . . . . . . NEWS A1 . . . . FEATURES A4. . . . A&E B1. . . . IN-DEPTH B3. . . . EDITORIALS C1. . . . COMMENTARIES C3 . . . . SPORTS C6

A2 |NEWS

THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

BUZZING IN: Senior Caleb Dunafon presses the buzzer to signal the office secretaries to unlock the doors at the north entrance on Sept. 20. While the office secretaries attend to other errands, students wait outside the north entrance.

The north entrance doors are only open during passing periods, lunch, before school and after school.

SARAH MOSTELLER/ THE ROCK

Hardening creates inconveniences for students “What is called the hardening of an entrance s school shootings have become of a building is not new for Columbia Public more prevalent in America, Colum- Schools,” Baumstark said. “The challenge now bia Public Schools (CPS), as well is going back to retrofit our older buildings. For as other school districts around the example, Rock Bridge was built in the 1970s.

Having to harden entrances in the 1970s was country, is hardening its buildings. not someThe 2019thing they 20 district budwere thinking get allocated Hopefully they are going to know you guys in about at the $200,000 to pretty short order, and if someone comes in time.” updating safety through that doesn’t feel right, doesn’t look These enand security at right, [or] is carrying something suspicious, trance changRBHS. [the officer is] going to stop them and ask them es aim to The bulk of monitor the this funding has questions.” movement been devoted to — Dr. Tim Baker, of students remodeling the Assistant Principal entering the North entrance, North enwhich is the trance more effectively than the current and only entrance accessible to students.

Protective measures combating school previous setups, Dr. Baker said.

Last year, both students and staff used two shootings are a $2.7 billion industry, and that figure does not include money spent on armed entrances: North and South. To enter the buildpersonnel monitoring campus, according to the ing, a student buzzed an intercom connected to a camera.

Washington Post.

Secretaries in the attendance office would “Anytime there is an unfortunate tragedy somewhere in the country, we look at questions gauge the individual and ask how they could like, ‘What could have [gone] better? What are help him or her. If the person responded, “I’m a some of the best practices,” Community Rela- student,” the door would typically open for the tions Director Michelle Baumstark said. “It’s individual.

In practice, however, there are many flaws to about the only positive thing that comes out of a tragedy, is that you learn more about how to this system, junior Abigail Keaton said.

For example, students can easily avoid uskeep buildings safe.”

Construction at North, however, will not ing the intercom if someone opens the door for be completed until “late fall” as critical com- them, or after another student already buzzed ponents, such as the bullet resistant doors, are in, and they are only a few steps behind. Adcurrently on back order, assistant principal Dr. ditionally, the intercom system is not utilized before school or during lunch times.

Tim Baker said.

“I feel like my mother could say she’s a stuAdditionally, RBHS has not built a vestident,” Keaton said, “and they’d let that go.” bule for a security officer yet.

Dr. Baker said the new process will solve The new measures implemented at RBHS are not new to the district, Baumstark said. Bat- the security holes of the former method because tle High School and other new schools of the someone will be stationed at the North entrance district were constructed with the updated safe- behind glass to let people in.

“Hopefully they are going to know you guys ty features such as a one entrance system.

A

ANNA XU, BRANDON KIM

in pretty short order,“ Dr. Baker said, “and if jory Stoneman Douglas High School Public someone comes in through that doesn’t feel Safety Commission, said protective measures right, doesn’t look right, [or] is carrying some- could be used against schools by a school thing suspicious, [the officer is] going to stop shooter. them and ask them questions.”

“I don’t know how many situations exist in Some students, however, view the added the security world where the potential ‘threat’ measure as overly optimistic. Sophomore Dan- is in the cohort of people you’re actually proiel Chapdelaine doubts its practicality and be- tecting,” Blackburn said. “During all this edulieves there are unavoidable flaws. cation and training of what to do in the event “I don’t think it’s effective because one of a shooting, the chances are the next school person won’t be able to stop a school shooter, shooter is a current child who is listening to Chapdelaine said, “and there could be a long and hearing this education and this training. line to get in.”

It makes [finding a solution] very difficult and Chapdelaine also said the changes would complicated.” impede on RBHS’s goal of “freedom with reThe term “security theater” or a false sense sponsibility” by constricting student traffic. of security is not a new concept for the hardenDr. Baker agrees the “freedom with respon- ing of a school, and these terms also can be seen sibility” culture at RBHS is important; howev- in government agencies, according to security er, he doesn’t believe the new system would journal PrivacySOS. damage it.

The Transportation Security Administration Junior Andrew Kim is concerned about the was labeled security theater when they failed possibility of prejudice in letting people in on 70 percent of the tests from the Department of looks..

Homeland Security in 2017.

“I think it’s [ineffective] to Keaton believes the false judge someone’s [threat levsense of security may not be WANT TO LEARN el] based on appearance,” Kim a bad thing, however. All said. “That could [potentially] MORE ABOUT RBHS? steps to improve security, lead to bias issues [in the fushe said, have a chance to Visit Bearing News to read more ture].” minimize threats. about new security and traffic Dr. Baker, though, said he “It’s the start of somepolicies. doesn't think the security guard thing. I mean, clearly, [inwould change the atmosphere truders] could still [find a of the entrance. way to] get in, but I feel like “For the most part, you guys it will help,” Keaton said. “I won't even notice that person mean, if [a school shooting] sitting there,” Dr. Baker said. does happen, we will have “They’ll just let you come more people to protect us.” through and everything will be Baumstark said even if as is.” the changes seem drastic, they are necessary for Still, there are critics of the hardening ap- the safety of the entire district. proach. Some experts say schools overspend “Our high schools are like small cities with on protection measures when their focus real- 2,000 people in them,” Baumstark said. “It’s ly should be on preventive measures, such as very big, so we understand that even minor more funding for counselors. changes are significant, even if it’s inconveDesmond Blackburn, a member of the Mar- nient, it’s the right thing to do.”

New attendance requirements cause controversy and confusion SCHOOL START CONT. A1

While finals following holiday break would be relatively foreign to current students, it wouldn’t be unheard of for CPS. Until the 2007-08 school year, CPS students had to study during winter break for finals in January, as the second semester didn’t end until the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), however, puts no semester limits on its required 1,044 hours schools must be in session.

“According to our School Calendar Requirements, the minimum hours of instruction that a school district is required to provide per year does not have to be divided evenly per semester,” DESE Assistant Director of Communications Tyler Madsen said. “Our School Finance Office states that most school districts, due to inclement weather, will have more hours of instruction during the first semester than the second, but each district will be different.”

Although the first day of school won’t necessarily adjust a semester

end time, the perspective of an advanced placement (AP) teacher poses a different dilemma. “[The law is] a terrible idea,” AP United States history teacher Chris Fischer said. “The AP curriculum is tough to fit in the number of days we [currently] have before the May 10 exam. Cutting days make[s] it nearly impossible. Districts should have the freedom to decide what is best for their clientele.”

CPS Community Relations Director Michelle Baumstark emphasized Dr. Stiepleman’s point that each community has specialized needs.

While the law may work for other schools across the state, CPS likes to coordinate itself with the University of Missouri (MU) calendar system.

“We’ve been very open that this undermines local control,” Baumstark said. “In Columbia, we have to consider the calendar set by MU. For example, our spring breaks align.

MU and CPS are two of the largest employers in Columbia. If we don’t align, it creates hardships for our organizations and its employees.”

Backers of the law argue it boosts Missouri’s tourism industry by giv-

ing Missouri families an additional week to vacation.

RBHS Principal Jacob Sirna understands their logic.

He said that the extensions could make it easier to not conflict with Missouri tourist attractions.

“Missouri has many great outdoor attractions and forcibly extending the summer for some school districts will inevitably generate an extra few days of vacations for many Missouri families,” Sirna said. “I worked in Marshall, Missouri last year, and we had to compete with the Missouri State Fair for attendance during the first week of school.”

As a student, junior Megan Rodgers saw both the advantages and disadvantages of how this policy change impacts students at RBHS and their academics.

“I would not like having finals after winter break. Students would be stressed about them all break and I’m not sure how that would work with [one] semester classes,” Rodgers said. “I think [the law] would be good, though, to start later in August because it would allow more time for students to relax and try out different

JADYN LISENBY/ THE ROCK

FIRST FRIDAY: Sophomore Evan Holiday receives high-fives from teachers and staff as he enters RBHS on the first Friday of the 2019-20 school year. School for the 2020-21 school year will commence on Aug. 24th.

hobbies before the year started.”

While Dr. Stiepleman and Baumstark disapprove of the new law, they said CPS will do its best to work through the situation. Dr. Steipleman said that student input is essential to ensure calendar changes serve students and their families.

“It is challenging as there are quite a few prescriptive requirements that must be met,” Baumstark said. “Our next step will be to look at the calendar that was previously developed for 2020-21 and make adjustments to meet the new law, while also trying to honor our own community’s needs.”

NEWS | A3

THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Early release from classes discouraged

R

used for emergency situations, such as an active Even with the administration’s goal to run porary Issues teacher David Graham said if his BHS’s administrators are being firmer shooter. class bell to bell, some students believe leaving lesson is complete with minutes to spare, then about not allowing teachers to release Sirna also believes teachers can build better class early can be beneficial. With more than the students should not be kept waiting for the students before the bell. relationships with their students and facilitate 2,000 students traveling between classes, nav- bell.

In past years, some staff members, the highest quality learning by using all their igating to rooms all over the building can be a “If I’m done and I don’t have anything else as well as high schoolers with permission from time. timely process. for the kids, I’m not going to play a game with their teacher, could slide out of the classroom “I’ve heard pretty regularly from teachers in To junior Isaiah Dameron, the new restric- them and try and keep them in class,” Graham minutes before the final bell without repercus- my time in education that [teachers] don’t feel tions are unnecessary for this reason especially. said. “If it’s over five minutes, I might not let sions. Now, however, this is not quite as tol- like the time that we have is enough to do the He believes the time it takes to progress them go, but if it’s under five, then there’s no erated. The rule was put in place per adminis- task that we’ve been charged with doing,” Sir- through a congested hallway causes students point in them staying.” tration’s approval after noticing teachers were na said. “Our job as educators is to do the best to be significantly later to class than before the Even though some students see the change letting students out too early. that we can with the time that we have with our rule was enforced. as an inconvenience, teachers like Reed and Dr. Language teacher Kristen Reed has ob- students. Coming from a mindset that we can “[The new bell policy] naturalizes the traffic Kinslow believe it is imperative to running an served more vice principals in the hall. To her, always be better, and we can all learn more, we flow in the hallways,” Dameron said. “If every efficient classroom. this extra application is a necessary measure. can all have a deeper understanding of what- teacher were to let out students at the same time “I think it’s just the responsibility of the While not having experienced the attentive eye ever it is we are learning. That time is really as now, it would take one to two more minutes teacher to not waste your time,” Kinslow said, of an assistant principal herself, Reed believes valuable in class, and we need to use that time more to get [to] their classes.” “and that whatever we’re having students work they are watching for reasons related to stu- to that end.”

Psychology, AP World History and Contem- on is quality, and it’s engaging.” dents rather than teachers. Although Reed said students should be held to the bell because education is never complete, Dr. Andrew Kinslow, Honors Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science and Contemporary Issues teacher, supports the policy for a different reason. Dr. Kinslow said to ensure students’ safety, teachers must adhere to the bell schedule.

“This is a very personal story for me. I’ve taught for 20 or some odd years now, and at my prior school we had a situation in which a student left early and was killed in a car accident,” Kinslow said. “I was the student’s first block teacher. That is haunting for a teacher to struggle with, and how that accident happened.”

Although Dr. Kinslow stands firm in his belief that students should not be let out early, he still feels sympathetic to students who must navigate the parking lot after school or rush to an outside job. His top priority, however, remains safety.

“I feel like we need to use our class time efficiently, and my goal as a teacher is to do the best I can to help students be successful, and that includes keeping them safe,” Kinslow said.

Principal Jacob Sirna, along with the vice principals and the school resource officer, have access to the security cameras on his computer.

SARAH MOSTELLER/ THE ROCK As far as Sirna knows, however, there is no CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Officer Keisha Edwards stands in her office watching the school through two different security cameras.

These safety single person who is in charge of watching the measures record the main entrance and the main hall.

The cameras monitor the students, staff, faculty and other visitors in the building. security cameras all day, and they are mainly

ISAAC YONTZ, ANJALI NOEL RAMESH

MADDIE ORR, EMILY DEARING

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ith the transition to a brand new principal and additional pressure from administration, RBHS experienced a series of rule changes and enforcements.

Along with an enforced phone policy and a new set of double doors in the North Commons, some hallways during A and B lunches have become more restricted to students.

In the previous school year, all hallways were free for students to sit, relax and unwind during their lunch hours.

Now, however, only the two main hallways, the band hallway, the atrium during A lunch and both the Main and North Commons are open for lunches with all instructional hallways shut down.

The reasoning behind this: taking steps to address noise complaints during class periods.

“This year we’re [enforcing] it because our numbers are larger,” Assistant Principal Dr. Tim Baker said. “The more people, the more noise, the more disruption.”

Stephanie Harman, an Honors Physics and Chemistry teacher, said noisy students disrupted class during lunch periods, but now, after the policy change, disturbances

RILEY KERNS/THE ROCK

are minimized, and class moves cially since the cafeteria is scarcesmoothly. ly used during lunches. Assistant “I have noticed a significant Principal Dr. Lisa Nieuwenhuidecrease in not only the noise lev- zen said the school was originally el but the amount of trash in the equipped to manage only 1,800 stuhalls,” Harman said. “In fact, I can dents comfortably but was expandnow keep my door open during A ed to fit 1,900 with the addition of lunch, and it really doesn’t change classrooms. the atmoThe cafetesphere in the ria is supposed room.” to hold 250, This year we’re [enforcing] it Although not including because our numbers are largsome stuthe commons er. The more people, the more dents may and outside noise, the more disruption.” have been seating. disrupThe areas — Dr. Tim Baker, tive during allowed to assistant principal lunch, otheat in during ers were just lunch are the looking for a place to eat. Junior Main commons, North commons, Jocelyn Ash used to eat in an in- main hallway and cafeteria. structional hallway and struggled Junior Nora Pierce used to eat in to find a new place to eat after it one of the now closed-off hallways closed off this year. and said RBHS administrators need “In my opinion, the pros of not to find more space, whether that be being able to sit near classrooms expanding capacity or maybe openhas allowed the students in the ing up some hallways without as classroom to be able to focus more many classrooms. attentively than before,” Ash said.

“There’s a lot of kids at Rock “The con about this is that when I Bridge and not a lot of room to have lunch so does half the school, eat. So, there’s not a lot of spaces so the amount of spots to sit be- if they take away the hallways,” comes extremely limited.”

Pierce said. “Even if they did [eat With 2,067 students, RBHS is in the cafeteria], there’s not a lot of reaching its capacity when it comes room in the cafeteria to eat.” to space for students to eat, espeAdministration aimed to relieve classes of unnecessary noise and distractions during lunches but left some students discontent.

Ash ultimately believes from her experience that although space may still be tight in the allowed areas, noise complaints are at a minimum and classes are more focused throughout the day.

“I don’t think administration should change the policy because the only good argument I can make about why we should be able to sit in instructional hallways is not for the benefit of everyone but more self-centered and focused on what I want,” Ash said. “Lunch is only 30 minutes long, and the majority of people who have lunch together go out to eat.”

[SOURCE: DR. TIM BAKER]

Parking lot changes create inconvienences for students routine rather questionable.

Principal Jacob Sirna said the reaMilyo, however, agreed with Bakson for parents being in South for par- er about the topic of a perfect parking ent-pick up was because of parents policy. waiting before recommended times.

“As for [an] ideal parking system, “When it becomes around four, the I don’t think there is one,” Milyo entire circle drive is packed with bus- said. “RBHS has no room to expand es. There is no possible way that par- and there’s not much that can be done ents could fit in the circle drive at that about that other than sending people time,” Sirna said. “Even though we to other schools or doing some major tell parents to come here around 4:15, construction.” parents are still waiting before, even as Before Milyo discovered that stuearly as 3:30. If parents were in the cir- dents could still park in South, he was cle drive that early, then there would be upset that he would have to park in no space for buses coming in.”

North.

RBHS parent Xiaoqin Zou disapMilyo said it would be inconveproves of the changes to the parking nient for him to park in North only to system because she does not see the have to haul his trombone back down point of restricting the South to South where the marchentrance when it is open ing band practices before for band and the circle school. When Milyo drive lines are too found out he could long for her. still park in South, “[The inconvenience] was “I don’t like however, he was a price I was willing to pay the new parent relieved. if it meant even a margindrop off system.

“For marching ally safer school.”

Before, there band, we all get were three drop there way early — Vignesh Kumar, off sites,” Zou and are able to Junior said. “Now there park there and get are only two: the into the south ennorth entrance and the trance and operate effimain entrance. The [south] ciently,” Milyo said. “When is closer to the band hall and is marching band ends, I’ll have to also more convenient to the stumake sure to still come early so dents who live in the south and I can grab a spot, but [overall] it walk to school, so why not leave works pretty well.” the entrance open? Security could Similar to Milyo, Junior Vignesh not be the reason because the other Kumar was also initially confused two entrances are open anyway.” when he heard about the implemenHeaton said in the past the tation of the new parking system. school has always allowed parents Kumar said he failed to see many to drop off in the circle drive. tangible benefits of the plan at first, The only difference is, now, all but he understood the new system parents are required to drop off at is a move of preemptive defense the circle drive. against potential threats. He hopes “It’s always been shared bethe school and district are encourcause we’ve always had parents aged to take on more practical and dropping off at the south parking effective safety measures that conlot as well as the circle drive,” tribute to an environment where stuHeaton said. “It’s just that more dents and staff feel comfortable and people are now coming into the safe when entering and leaving the circle drive.” building.

Senior Luke Milyo, a mem“While I recognize that it poses a ber of the Emerald Regiment slight inconvenience to me,” Kumar and Wind Ensemble, said he first said, “it was a price I was willing thought the new system would be to pay if it meant even a marginally a huge hassle and still finds the safer school.”

PARKING CONT. A1

DEVIN HALL/ THE ROCK

Administration, staff enforce stricter lunchtime hall policy

THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

A4 | FEATURES

From the streets to the screen The evolution of activism, protest culture in American society participate and getting the media to pay attention. It isn’t the basic ways of protesting that change but, rather, the technoloAMIRA MCKEE hile scrolling through Instagram feeds, tapping gy.”

Sixty-seven percent of Americans believe today’s social methrough Snapchat stories or fumbling through dia are important in creating successful movements for social Facebook profiles, one can’t help but stumble change, according to a 2016 report by The Center for Media upon dozens of posts heralding whatever is the and Social Impact, a research center based at American Unimost recent crisis. versity’s School of Communication. The report continues that Although activism has existed in America for as long as polin the past year, 53 percent of Americans took part in a social itics itself, this computerized form of activism media campaign, or effort to make change or raise awareness or awareness spreading via social media, administered through social media, such as joining an inknown as “cyberactivism,” is unique terest group, changing one’s profile picture or sharing a to the past decade. As American sopolitical post. ciety has transitioned toward online This, along with the rise of advocating hashtags like Cus media, activism has followed suit, t g #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, facilitated a discuso e m changing how Ameriofil sion about the power and efficiency of social media as ters sna cans engage in and o p a means of social engagement. educate themselves less chat c n Senior Afnan Hussain subscribes to cyberactivism on issues. ost mo and uses social media to spread awareness for current n trad American history ey t issues such as human rights, sexual harassment i h t to p shaped itself through iona an and environmental protection. r l o a tumultuous saga of adflye duc “I personally do [cyberactivism] because u r e s sers vocacy. From the the assertion that “social media makes people believe they’re and I feel like a lot of people use social media, t a Revoluo effi making a difference when they really aren’t.” com llow and I know people will see it and even if they mu cien tionary Senior Greta McNamee, however, disagrees. She believes a nica don’t share it, they can still be like ‘Oh’,” Husto a tly War to post is more than nothing. t larg e sain said. “For example, I posted something on my Inthe Civ“I don’t think inactive activism pulls attention away from er a ideas stagram story about the Amazon [rainforest fire] and udie il Rights actual change because it can be used as a platform to broadtrying to get people to raise awareness. . . And at n movement, ce. cast the change happening,” McNamee said. “For some people, least if you can bring awareness to one person, wherever there leading or taking part in profound change is just not feasible for then that’s all that matters.” was dissatisfaccertain issues, but with this inactive activism they can continue Black and Hispanic social media users view tion there was a to raise awareness and allow people who are better equipped to cyberactivism as especially important, accordcampaign to right it. Dr. respond.” ing to a 2018 Pew Research Center telephone William Horner, a professor of Some of the most successful survey. The study found roughly 50 political science at the University modern activist movements like percent of black or Hispanic social media of Missouri — Columbia, described acBlack Lives Matter and March for users agreed that internet platforms were at least If you don’t have something on tivism as an essential aspect of the American identity.

Our Lives haven’t solely used so“Some really important social changes have taken place as somewhat personally important to them as a ven- social media in this world, then it cial media or in-person protests. the result of activism, such as women’s suffrage, voting rights ue for expressing their political views, sharing Rather, their effectiveness stems for African Americans and other civil rights, ” Dr. Horner said. their voice or for getting involved with issues won’t be seen as legitimate.” from a mixture of both. While plan“It has also been responsible for some things that the country that are important to them, while only around 30 ning the 2019 Menstrual Health — Shruti Gautam, Day March, junior Shruti Gautam decided it didn’t like so much, such as Prohibition, which was percent of white users agreed with the same statement. Analysts of the study credit some of this followed by an amendment to repeal Prohibition.” junior found using social media was esThese movements tend to reflect the ideologies of their time. racial disparity to the exclusion of racial minority sential in making the event more The nonconformity of the American identity lent itself to the interests and perspectives in lobbying and other organized and accessible. harshness of the Revolutionary War, as seen in the popularity of more expensive means of vocalization and change-making.

“I got the word out, was able to remind people and had an Despite the significant support, the public as a whole shares tar and feathering and guerrilla warfare among patriots accordapproachable interface where people were able to easily access ing to history.com, an educational website that describes and an- mixed views on how social media affects the quality of political information,” Gautam said. “If you don’t have something on sodialogue and activism. Critics of cyberactivism claim it draws alyzes historic events. cial media in this world, then it won’t be seen as legitimate.”

Many other major movements, such as Shay’s Rebellion and away from important issues, with 77 percent of Americans One in five Americans uses social media as a primary source the New York City Draft Riots, involved heavy bloodshed as a agreeing with the statement “social media distracts from issues of news and information, according to a 2018 Pew Research Cenresult of militia violence. Dr. Horner, however, delineated that that are really important,” according to The Center for Media ter study. Despite the varying degrees of approval, social media a movement’s violence reflects the degree of grievance felt by and Social Impact’s 2016 report. Another 71 percent agree with has become a fixture of American society and discourse. activists.

“Social media is certainly a powerful force, and activism “So, protests that occurred before the Revolution turned vihas adapted to it, just as it once adapted to the printing press, olent because there were certain colonists who felt they were loudspeakers, copy machines, etc. There is some debate about being oppressed by a violent colonial power in the British,” Dr. whether social media activism is real activism, but I think it is In March 2018, Horner said. because people pay attention to social media,” Dr. Horner said.

In the 20th century, oppression of racial minorities and wom“The mainstream media pay attention to it, and it can be a catamore than 15,000 people en prompted activism in the form of the Civil Rights Movement lyst for other, more traditional kinds of activism. I am not sure, agreed to receive messages and Women’s Suffrage, both of which have created lasting influin the current day and age, that [one] could separate the social ence on American culture. media from a successful protest. I don’t think it is enough by from March for Our Lives powDespite great strides American society and government have itself, but it is a crucial ingredient of modern social activism.” ered by the communications taken to become more inclusive and just, like comprehensive suffrage and marriage equality, there are still sources of injustice company Everbridge. and thus movements to correct them.

“I would say that while there are certainly differences you can point to, a lot of activism is generally the same,” Dr. Horner said. “It is all about getting people’s attention, getting them to

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THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

FEATURES | A5

Unbearable burden Backpack weight proves detrimental for student health

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BAILEY STOVER

n a daily basis, senior Daniel White estimates his backpack weighs between 20 and 30 pounds and includes two composition notebooks, a folder, a binder, a textbook and a book for silent reading. Because White said his backpack is “hard to keep up,” he forces himself to have good posture when carrying it, even though his back hurts more when he gets home.

“I overcorrect a lot when I’m sitting down,” White said, “so if I feel I need to change it, I change it more when I have a backpack on.”

Common estimates place the amount one should carry on his or her back between five and 15 percent of one’s body weight, though some sources put the number as high as 20 percent. Carrie Boone, a certified personal trainer who specializes in youth fitness, said the main problem backpack weight can cause is throwing one’s body out of alignment. She said when the weight exceeds five to 10 percent of one’s body weight, it can cause “neck, shoulder and lower back issues” in both teenagers and adults.

“Once you get higher than that percentage of weight, your actual spinal cord is not set for that,” Boone said. “It causes you to tip forward to accommodate for it, to try to compensate for the weight, and as soon as you tip forward your postural alignment is off.”

In past years, White has carried his textbooks with him because he prefers using a hard copy over the electronic version. He said that he usually takes his textbook with him to school in case he needs to study or use it for homework.

“I feel like I can’t focus on a computer. I guess it’s really easy to get distracted. You can just open up a new tab or go on YouTube or something like that,” White said. “It’s just easi-

er to have a book. I can stay focused.”

Unlike White, who prefers paper to online study materials, junior Kaitlyn Doninelli enjoys the switch to electronic copies because it makes her school supplies easier to transport.

Although Doninelli said in middle school she had a backpack, she has never used one in high school. Instead, she uses her purse to transport her everyday necessities — makeup, laptop for school and pencils — to and from school.

“If you’re a really simple person like me, then I definitely recommend it,” Doninelli said.

“But if you’re that person that likes to keep a bunch of stuff in it, then I wouldn’t recommend it because . . . having it on one shoulder and having a lot of stuff in it could be really heavy.”

One way for schools to eliminate how much students need to carry, Boone said, is making online book options available so students can manage how much their school bags weigh. For two people of different weights taking identical course loads, the physical toll would be different for each person since the maximum recommended weight varies among individuals.

“The best thing that you can do to try and take some control over it, if you can’t control the actual weight of the backpack, is to make sure it actually fits appropriately and to make sure you have it across your back, meaning both arms around, which I know is lame and nobody wants to do it from adults down to kids,” Boone said, “but having it on correctly helps distribute that weight throughout your body.”

Earlier in high school, White would wear his backpack on one shoulder, but after people smacked into it on a regular basis, he switched to wearing it over both shoulders so it was closer to his body. Since elementary school, White noticed he carries fewer “creative things,” such as crayons and markers, and “ a lot more weight

and busy work” on his back. Prior to shifting toward laptops and electronic copies in high school, White would walk 13 to 15 minutes between his house and his middle school twice a day, carrying his backpack full of school supplies.

“In middle school I usually couldn’t fit the stuff I needed in my backpack, so I had to carry stuff,” White said, “and that’s why we had lockers in middle school.”

An article from healthychildren. org, American Academy of Pediatrics’ parenting website, recommends using lockers to try minimizing how much weight one must carry throughout the school day. Still, White prefers having supplies with him to memorizing a locker combination.

Any time people move or rearrange their bodies to offset a heavy weight they are shifting their postural alignment, Boone said.

Such “dis-alignment” can cause some muscles to lengthen while others tighten, leading to a general imbalance that puts one at risk of spraining an ankle or suffering from another avoidable injury. She said the human body is “truly meant to be a certain way,” so maintaining poor postural alignment for the “majority of our waking hours” is like “asking for injuries.”

“It’s not as if kids are just wearing that backpack from home to the bus stop. They’re wearing it from home to the bus stop, then they’re wearing it all day off and on throughout the day and on the way home, so it’s the majority of their waking hours throughout the school year,” Boone said. “If that backpack is more than five to 10 percent of their body weight, that’s pretty extreme.”

SOPHIE FROESE/ THE ROCK

Financial obligations raise the stakes for MSHSAA students

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“Sports are really pretty good, at least in the beginning, say- if you have so many things that you’re doing that they end up ing this will be a financial obligation, so you’re aware of it, but overlapping, and maybe I only go to three meetings for one of then I don’t think you realize as you get halfway through the the clubs ⁠— you should really take [into consideration], ‘Is this season you’re like ‘Oh shoot, my stick broke’ or whatever. It’s actually worth what I’m paying for if I’m not even going to be kind of the unexpected things that add up,” Sexten said. “Like able to go?’” buying new reeds. I don’t usually think about that being a cost, Regardless of the activity, some school affiliated organizabut I spend probably $200 on reeds a year.” tions host a variety of fundraisers and sales throughout the year.

Sexten decided to join the Emerald Regiment because of her Sexten said lacrosse sells wrapping paper and cookie dough to experience in concert band and knowledge of the clarinet. She pay for their expenses. Athletics secretary Edith Stevens, whose purchased her instrument for $1,600. son runs cross country, said the team While she said she is not good at playhelps pay for competitions through ing clarinet, she found she is “actually an annual chrysanthemum sale.

I’m in a bad position with wrapping pretty decent at marching.” The idea “With cross country their sneak] paper sales and food sales because of marching initially intrigued her, and ers can get really expensive. They The Hu she has continued to participate beneed to have a pair of running shoes, my parents hate that stuff with a nti hig ngt hs o c cause she enjoys the community and they need to have a pair of nB hoo burning passion. per ack lers y pac spe “I f ear o aspect. Her interest in muspikes, or at least it’s recommended k In ocu na nd dex th rou sm sta sic also helped her that they have a pair of spikes, so ghl ost letic sch t y$ es f on ool 375 — Macie Sexten, spo ees. . So join Tri-M, which running shoes can run up to $160 a rts ftb one and all , bu is m sophomore tId she said would look pair and spikes can be another $60 yb —T also o ig soc ayl .” cer or N good on future applito $70,” Stevens said. “And then, ive ns, fre cations. with a team the size of cross country, shm an , “Especially for marching band, my marching whenever they go to a meet that’s out of state there’s also the 0 PH OT 40 st OS te t $ n co band clarinet isn’t that expensive, but if you were expenses that are incurred with that, whether it’s hotel and bus SO a u b PH e bo IA E ca ] ed ATO s a net to drop it or it gets water on it ’cause we’re out[or] travel and food.”

M t g s O i N/T r id o P.C HE Br its tc cla o side, you have to pay to get pads replaced, and As nice as getting a cut of product sales may sound, Sexten RO HO su ck et CK ine iate o r n KS a R av o R l d h c e O e y although it’s not terrible, I think it’s $50 or said she usually only takes a 15 to 40 percent cut of the prot h e o W t m s n n l IC e o er in Ia US ud int er t. somewhere around that each time, so if I ceeds, which for her is “not a great takeaway.” She said the ym M . st c b n S i 0 N A tr dm e a $70 em RE ys m have to take it in once or twice a season time she spends peddling her “ugly green wrapping paper” is hil en .” r LD t t I p y e w os en sit ys .CH sv W ar it adds up,” Sexten said.

“And then I not worth the money she makes. While she thinks fundraising all ei am alm v r u W i n a tt e us ur :W or to ea I’m CE pay for reeds, and those are $30-$40 is beneficial, Sexten believes her time would be better spent dI t “ ] R m n a a [a OU ho eb b, to [S for 10, so that’s an expense.” working a job, which she said would have made her more monop ed o s clu s , g u y to ca ela Outside of the fine arts realm, Sexten ey in the end. Although Sexten said she wishes she could do B ee be f iah ya is a member of the Speech and Debate team, more to fundraise, it tends to go south when she does. m pa he e N Model United Nations and political organizations.

“I’m in a bad position with wrapping paper sales and food — Donna Piecko, RBHS’ bookkeeper, said clubs can sales because my parents hate that stuff with a burning pashave an entry due of up to $30, though not all sion,” Sexten said. organizations cost to join. For students who may When she does fundraise, her parents help with the process [SOURCE: WWW.USATODAY.COM] not be able to afford the price of participation in of selling goods. Regardless of her efforts, Sexten said she ends On average, a high schooler’s parent will clubs or athletics, various organizations and fund- up asking her parents for help through their jobs. spend around $1,489 for school supplies raisers offer them opportunities to offset the costs “Socially, it’s really awkward to go up and ask your peers or and activities fees. so they are still able to stay involved. people you work with to buy things, especially when you know “Whenever school dances happen, I have to go out “There is a foundation called Daydream Foun- that their kids are probably doing the same fundraisers. And and buy a outfit from top to bottom because I don’t dation, and they help with [covering expenses],” that’s an issue I think we run into a lot is that fundraising is rereally own formal wear because I don’t go to a lot of Piecko said. “You have to be referred to them, or ally great and I may be like, ‘Hey, grandpa, do you maybe want formal things. I [also] run track, so I spend money you have to apply to get a grant from them, but some ham?’” Sexten said. “And that works out really well, but any after-school sports or any kind of clubs they a lot of people in the community are also supporting other peo[SO on good running shoes and spikes.”

UR CE: will pay for [the cost] directly to the school and ple, so then especially since not a lot of the money goes back to WW — Grace Robison, junior W.C EN you can get it covered that way.” you. . . it ends up being way more of a financial burden to try to SU S.G OV ] Because both of Sexten’s parents hold college sell things as opposed to trying to pay it as best you can.” degrees and maintain steady jobs, she said they As involved as she is now, Sexten said she did not do much Nea rly six are able to cover the cost of the numerous activfreshman year because of commitments to marching band. Even in e o ut o xtra f 10 cur ities she does.

While they are willing to help pay if one is unsure if they can afford the dues for a club, Sexten ban s r i t c ude da ula nd r ac nts for her involvement with the lacrosse team, they suggests showing up to informational meetings and talking to fine tivi par “I d ties art tici on’ s. pat t sp suc expect her to cover minor dues such as Tri- leaders and sponsors to find ways to cover financial need. She e end ha but s sp m wh ym ort en M’s $20 fee. Sexten said her money comes said teachers and student leaders do not want a member to miss s o I , ney and do it’s ver usu from savings from a job she held last year and out on opportunities because of one’s financial situation, and mo y ally o stly ften fun unh .” on , through early birthday and Christmas presents she proposed a monthly payment plan as one way to cover fees. eal foo thy d —K . , wh Eat eeg from her grandparents. Even though activities “I think fundraising opportunities are great, and if you can i i n c h g an ma out Adk kes is f and club fees on their own seem bearable, Sexten take advantage of that do your best with that,” Sexten said.“I ins u i t n eve , se nio nm PH recommended calculating the sum to see the costs know sometimes it’s really hard to get fundraising to cover the r OT o r O SO e PH ILLU IE F S as a whole. whole cost, but do anything you can because no one wants to RO TRAT ESE IO /T N “I don’t think I was necessarily caught off guard see you unable to do an activity because of financial need.”

HE RO CK Additional reporting by Olivia Peters by how much it would cost,” Sexten said. “Especially BAILEY STOVER

even. That’s how many clubs sophomore Macie Sexten is involved in. Along with marching in the Emerald Regiment and playing lacrosse, she is also an active member of the music honors society Modern Music Masters (Tri-M). While the isolated cost of each club may be relatively affordable, such as Tri-M’s $20 membership dues, Sexten said the combined fees can add up quickly. For the most part, the activities were up front about non-negotiable costs, so Sexten [SO UR CE: had a clear idea for how WW W.U much she would SA TO DA Y.C need to pay.

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High school musicians reflect on their journey and plans for the future SARAH DING, AUDREY NOVINGER

ithout mobs of students and backpacks clogging the halls, RBHS appears simple and void of life.

The bare walls and cool brick create a lethargic cloud around the few early-arrivers who congregate on benches before first hour.

If students travel past the cafeteria, down the ramp toward the south entrance, past the humming vending machines and turn sharply to the left, however, they find themselves gazing upon a hidden sector of the school.

From left to right, shells of instrument cases litter the tile, congesting the already narrow fine arts hallway. At the far end of a rehearsal room, an assortment of cellos, violins and strings hide behind a paint-chipped piano, while energetic voices ring out in waves of harmony from the choir room.

For many band, orchestra and choir students, this hallway is home; it’s where they spend lunch and free periods, only leaving when absolutely necessary. The musical experience, however, extends far beyond the time and spaced contained within this narrow hall.

Students have invested in weekly private music lessons, instruments worth thousands of dollars and intense, lengthy periods of practice time.

Each year, groups and individuals labor over audition, festival and other performance-related material.

Among them is senior Hope Keithahn, who spends roughly 25-30 hours rehearsing or performing cello and vocal music each week.

Keithahn said her history with music dates back to the age of four.

“I started playing the cello. . . as my two siblings played the violin before me,” Keithahn said. “It was kind of tradi-

tion. I started singing in choir at school, then began vocal lessons in sixth grade after starring in a local musical production and loved performing as a singer. I began studying more baroque and classical pieces in eighth grade and have really developed my voice since then.”

Also swept away by the lure of singing was Kellen Sapp, a junior involved in show choir through City Lights, RBHS’s competitive show choir performance group. Sapp began to play the piano in fourth grade and later joined honors choir, where he fell in love with the community of singers. Sapp said he practices eight hours a week, but much of the time he designates for choir goes toward tryouts.

“There are multiple choirs, so at the end of the year there are auditions, but also throughout the year there are auditions for solos,” Sapp said.

“Also, since everyone else is so good, it pushes you to try to be good because you don’t want to be the one person sticking out as bad.”

Sapp continues to improve his singing with performances through City Lights, chamber choir and district choir. He also plays in his church’s handbell choir, performed in the school musical last year and recently auditioned at Theater Reaching Young People and Students where he will play Hans in “Frozen Junior” Nov. 16-17.

Sapp remains involved with music because he is passionate about fine arts and enjoys working with his fellow musicians.

“Freshman year I did not have hardly any friends in choir with me,” Sapp said. “I knew some of the people in choir but not really well, and they weren’t in my choir. But I became friends with the people in that choir, and some of those people are the people I look forward to seeing in choir every day.”

Orchestra director Alison Lankheit also noted friendships as an important aspect of musical involvement. For her, participation in a performance ensemble creates a “sense of commu-

nity, a sense of belonging.”

In addition, Lankheit said benefits of orchestra include the development of skills such as communication, problem solving and team building.

Besides friends, Sapp said his motivation also stems from the prospect of receiving more challenging pieces.

“Harder music is often the better music,” Sapp said. “It sounds really good because of these complicated things that are going on, [and] that’s the music that the more advanced choirs get to sing, so that’s part of the motivation to be in them. It is better music.”

Keithahn’s drive for staying musically involved is to continue to improve at singing and cello. Although she has a rigorous music schedule, she doesn’t plan to play professionally.

“When I was little, I really wanted to be a professional musician, either a singer or cello player,” Keithahn said. “At that time, music was what I was good at, and it interested me. Now I am interested in a whole lot of things. From biology, medicine, environmental studies and sustainability, non-profit or even religious studies, I have been exposed to so many other topics, and I would love to major or find a career in one of them.”

Even though she does not intend to pursue a music-focused career, Keithahn wants to keep music in her life. She is considering a music minor and wants to play in her college symphony orchestra.

“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t practice cello or have music in my day somehow,” Keithahn said, “so giving it up completely would hurt me in a way.”

Like Keithahn, many of Lankheit’s students practice daily and place high importance on music. Some of them aspire to study music performance or education. Before encouraging them to go down this path, however, she tries to inform them of what college and career level music look like and the different options they have.

Nearly 40 percent of high school students enroll in a music program; however, few will play professionally.

Aspiring musicians should dedicate 30+ hours a week or 5+ hours a day to their instrument.

RACHEL STEVENS, ANNA XU/ THE ROCK

[SOURCE: UNIVERSITY

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“When a student expresses an interest in majoring in music, I might have a discussion about what that might look like to them,” Lankheit said. “Do they want to perform? Do they want to teach? Do they want to go into business? It depends on where the passion and interests lie.”

Part of the reason Lankheit discusses different options is the inherent rigor of music school.

Some of her students say they love music so much they feel that playing for a living might ruin this passion for them.

“Music as a major or career can also be a major dose of reality for many,” Lankheit said.

“Some students pursue music but realize it is much more difficult or more time consuming than they had planned.”

When she was in high school, Lankheit knew she wanted to teach. After deciding to major in music, she focused her attention on education because it aligned with her goals more than a performance degree did.

Sapp also said he does not intend to get a degree in music. Much like Keithahn, he enjoys music but does not wish to pursue it as a career.

He said he hopes to pursue a college education in theater technology and design while singing on the side.

“Right now, I have ways that I can continue to do music while focusing on other things,” Sapp said. “And I know that I will, in the future, through community theater and church choir. I know that I can keep doing music.

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ANNA XU

he annual Roots N Blues BBQ Festival kicks off tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. at Stephens Lake Park and continues until 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets to the anticipated featured performances are available for purchase online, in the box offices or at the ticket gate. Students can use the code MARENDOTEDU to receive up to a 40 percent discounted ticket to the fashionable, free-spirited festival that has established itself as a crown jewel of Columbia.

This year the event is under the new ownership of Jamie Vasari, Tracy Lane and Shay Jasper. They bought Thumper Productions from Richard King, who started the festival in 2007.

Vasari said they are adequately prepared for the duties the new title demands as they have worked on the show behind the scenes for years. Additionally, he said their experience will benefit the organizational process with changes such as the moving of the website.

“The normal festival [attendee] is going to

walk away from the experience thinking ‘Hey, that was cooler than it’s ever been,’ but they’re not going to know why,” Vasari said. “There are just some subtle changes. We are going to make the process and experience smoother and better.”

Back in 2007, the fair began as a free promotional event honoring the 150th anniversary of Boone County National Bank, now called the Central Bank of Boone County. In its first year, the event attracted around 70,000 attendees; since then, however, turnout has declined because of admission fees.

Still, during last year’s festival, Roots N Blues drew more than 10,000 audience members each day, a number the owners hope to see grow this year.

Junior Maddy Kovaleski, who has attended four or five festivals, believes all can enjoy Roots N Blues and especially encourages those who have never experienced the event to attend.

For newcomers, Kovaleski recommends bringing “comfy shoes, a lawn chair for one

of the bigger stages and a jacket” if they plan on staying late into the night. Senior Grace Dablemont also said audience members should bring more money than they plan to, especially since she said Roots N Blues offers more than just music, but a variety of delicious, yet pricey food options as well. “[Attending] also supports the local economy like local businesses,” Kovelaski said.

“Plus, knowing bands personally is just a different experience than music you can only experience through a screen.”

Roots N Blues connects with Columbia Public Schools (CPS) through Darkroom Records, a recording studio catered to students, which has a new recording program and studio at RBHS. Dablemont said Darkroom Records hosts a busking competition to showcase young artists at the gates of the event.

Although the student performers do not actually earn money through busking, which is playing for donations, they receive a free Roots N Blues pass that Dablemont said is “a lot of

money.” “[Last year,] I got a little stage toward the entrance, so as people walked in they got to hear me play guitar and vocals,” Dablemont said. “I played for 30 minutes one day, 30 minutes the next.”

With student acts adding to the event, major headliners include seven Grammy Award Winners: Maren Morris, Ben Harper, John Prine, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Amanda Shires, Patty Griffin and Del McCoury.

Kovalaski said, however, she is most excited for the local band Violet and the Undercurrents, which she said, “put a lot of work into making quality music and are some of the coolest people.”

Regardless of which artist one prefers, Kovaleski said the show has something for everyone, from pop to rock to country.

“Local musicians are a huge part of Columbia’s culture,” Kovaleski said. “There’s a local band for everyone’s taste, and that’s an identity that’s absolutely worth protecting.”

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The weight of 21st century high school pressures force students into unwanted and uncomfortable situations.

SICK

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Standards How much more can students take?

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ADOLESCENTS STRUGGLE BETWEEN CHOOSING SCHOOLWORK OR RECOVERY DAYS

Illness or absence?

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ANJALI NOEL RAMESH

n the evening of Oct. 31, 2017, current junior Lola Gingerich broke her arm in a car accident. After being taken to the emergency room for treatment overnight, Gingerich immediately returned to school the next morning, essentially transitioning from a late night hospital visit to starting school the next day.

In the life of a high school student, feeling ill is nearly inevitable, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nearly 71 percent of those studied missed at least one day of school because of illness or injury, especially between December and February when flu season peaks. Whether it is caused by stressful situations or pure clumsiness, being unable to attend school for health reasons is not uncommon.

Severe symptoms of sickness, such as a fever or flu-like illness, require time to recover with medicine or rest, according to the CDC. Still, students like Gingerich feel even their physical health should be pushed aside for the sake of remaining on top of school work.

“Although I don’t miss much school anymore, I feel pressure in the sense that I shouldn’t be missing school in the first place.” Gingerich said.

While attaining a strong education is a major priority for students like Gingerich, the RBHS nursing staff set guidelines to inform people about what should and should not qualify as worthy of an absence from school.

Nurse Tammy Adkins, an RBHS school nurse, described standards for how students can determine if they are well enough to come to school.

“There are some [students] who maybe shouldn’t have come to school when they weren’t feeling well because of tests they didn’t want to miss,” Adkins said.

“However, we do have some guidelines, like you have to be fever free for at least 24 hours and you can’t have active vomiting or diarrhea that isn’t from a previous medical condition.”

Adkins also said the rules should apply to teachers and staff. During the winter, when the flu and colds are more prevalent, the school sends out information reminding faculty to avoid coming to work if they have a fever running higher than 100 degrees.

With the sheer amount of people in one building at the same time, germs can quickly pass from one person to another, Adkins said.

“It can start from a cough out in the air, and then the particles travel to someone else’s mucous membrane, like into their nose or mouth,” Adkins said. “The diseases can also result from touching doorknobs to classrooms and then rubbing your eyes.”

The respiratory system is especially prone to illnesses from airborne particles through other factors as well, including sneezes and germs when people blow their nose.

A child’s age is a vital factor in determining whether or not they will risk going to school and spreading the disease they have contracted, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Tiger Pediatrics Shawn Neyens said.

“Most of my patients, when they come into my office, have not been to school,” Neyens said. “In upper grades, like high school, most kids will go to school

sick, so then more people are exposed to that; but, when they are younger, they are more likely to abide to the rules, and they will stay home.”

Neyens also said the age range of students is a consideration if they should come to school when they are sick or not because high schoolers have a more substantial workload than elementary school children.

The stress of completing missed work on time is harmful for teenagers and a valid point when contemplating taking a day off of school, Neyens said.

“I think the main reason a lot more kids go to high school when they are sick is because they don’t want to miss, so that they don’t get behind in their school work,” Neyens said, “Also, they don’t want to miss athletic or extracurricular activities as well because you can’t do those at home. There is more pressure on adolescents to go to school when they are feeling sick, and struggling with the workload can have an impact on the mental health of the student, causing anxiety.”

Ultimately, Adkins said the solution to preventing absences from school is to avoid becoming unwell in the first place.

Keeping a steady sleep schedule is important because it revitalizes one’s body and supports healthy brain function, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Sanitation in a large public place, such as a high school, is key to remaining healthy, whether it be through cleaning up after oneself, or simply washing one’s hands.

“Hand-washing is the best preventative [measure],” Adkins said. “Practicing cough etiquette is good as well.”

For Gingerich, this strategy seems to be working, and learning from her previous experiences is helping, too.

The stress no longer affects her as much since she has learned to manage her school and health life in a balanced way.

“It’s not too difficult to catch up on a missed block or a missed day,” Gingerich said. “I haven’t missed as much school anymore, so I haven’t dealt with that problem again either.”

B4 | IN-DEPTH

THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Vape use causes health

Vape, Juul use increasing in adolescents, no amount of nicoti

V WILL COVER

aping related illnesses have been popping up nationwide with 530 reported cases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Missouri just experienced its first death because of vaping, the eighth nationwide. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) concluded it was a vaping-related lung injury from the patient’s lung samples. The patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, according to a DHSS press release, a severe lung condition that limits the amount of oxygen that can enter the bloodstream because of fluid buildup in the lungs. This led to heart failure and near cardiac arrest, ultimately causing the patient’s death. Although specific causes are unknown, harmful chemicals present in vape juice, bootleg substances and street vaping products are suspected. As a result, the CDC recommends refraining from using e-cigarettes and vaping products.

Vape use has skyrocketed in the past few years, driven by booms for businesses such as Juul. A 2018 survey on vape use, conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, found a dramatic increase in teen use of vaping devices in just a single year. Thirty-seven percent of high school seniors reported “any vaping” within the past 12 months, compared with just 27.8 percent in 2017.

Reported use of vaping nicotine also increased. The amount of high school seniors who vaped nicotine 30 days prior to the survey nearly doubled from 11 percent in 2017 to 20.9 percent in 2018.

RBHS senior James Glaser conducted a similar survey for the Youth Advisory Council last school year looking into substance abuse among Columbia Public Schools (CPS) high schoolers, with a focus on vaping. Glaser said the council investigated “vaping specifically because of how new it is.

Many teachers still can’t recognize a vape, and we felt that we could help most by investigating what adults aren’t as familiar with.”

The survey, which had 570 student responses, 304 of which came from RBHS students, found that 22.5 percent of students had tried nicotine at least once, and of those students who had tried it, 74.8 percent had used nicotine in the past month. This number was significantly higher than groups who had tried alcohol and marijuana, a fact that surprised Glaser.

“People always say that it’s easy to get hooked,” Glaser said, “but that’s really evident when basically three quarters of everyone who uses nicotine once has also used it within the past 30 days.”

RBHS Studies and Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology teacher Brian Larsen attributes some of this increase to vapes coming with flavorings that appeal to younger audiences.

“You’re not allowed to sell cigarettes that are flavored outside of Menthol, so you can’t buy, like, mango cigarettes,” Larsen said. “There’s a reason for that: to discourage kids from smoking. Because it’s available in flavors that are appealing to kids, that gets kids started, and once they start they don’t realize how easily they get addicted and how hard it is

to stop.”

Larsen is particularly worried about the lack of information available about vapes as they are still an emerging product, and uses this as a way to facilitate conversations with his students in hopes of preventing them from vaping.

“I ask my AP [psychology] kids, ‘What is vape juice? Like what is it even?’” Larsen said. “You don’t even know what’s in it, let alone what the health implications are for you. I personally take it upon myself to talk about it in Psychology because it’s appropriate to our course. I think when you deal with high schoolers, especially with 17, 18-year-olds that are on their way out of the door, it’s appropriate for us to have adult conversations about it, real conversations not trying to scare kids, [not trying] to talk down to kids who are already doing it because, chances are, if you are a kid that vapes at school, you are probably already addicted to nicotine, and me admonishing you doesn’t serve any purpose other than alienating them.”

RBHS sophomore Zachary Willmore tested vaping in eighth grade on a school trip, but because he was worried about the consequences of nicotine he used Kool-Aid in place of vape juice. Willmore was caught and punished, but said regardless of that he would not have vaped again.

“I tried it because it was like all the really cool kids,” Willmore said. “And I was like, ‘You know what? Yes. Like, I’m gonna try this.’ [But] I think it was too much risk and not enough, like, benefit. I didn’t feel anything. I think that to each his own. Some people like it, and I respect that. And I just think that for me, it’s not really worth the health risks in there.”

Although the Surgeon General’s website explains vapes are less harmful than cigarettes when used in replacement, it cautions that any amount of vape use by teens is dangerous, no matter how limited.

The website continues, “The aerosol from e-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful chemicals; ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin and lead.”

In order to study the potential for harmful chemicals in vapes, Dr. Mark Rubenstein of the University of California ⁠— San Francisco, analyzed the levels of toxic chemicals in teenagers who had and had not vaped. Dr. Rubenstein’s research revealed that the teenagers who vaped had a three times higher concentration of toxic compounds in their bodies than the non-vaping subjects.

Regardless of whether or not a vape is well regulated and avoids these dangerous chemicals, the nicotine in vapes will always have adverse effects on the teenage brain’s development. Dr. Natalia A. Goriounova of Vrije University in Amsterdam, one of the top 100 global universities, details the risks to the brain associated with nicotine as one grows older.

Goriounova writes the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for executive functions, is still developing during adolescence. Thus, nicotine use during high school increases the risk of cognitive impairment in later life, as well as atten-

tion deficits. These dangers are also higher for high schoolers how nicotine aff as the brain is still in the adolescent stage and has not yet fully tive it is, kids try it, and then developed.

These effects have been exacerbated in recent years, as the then they can’t A study of particular type of vape that is becoming popular among high school students, pod mods, has a higher nicotine concentra- e-cigarette use tion than other e-cigarettes. Pod mods have a battery powered 11,046 youths atomizer, which creates the vapor from the liquid in a dispos- of the Boston able or refillable pod. The most common examples of these Public Health f is Juul, which controls 72 percent of the entire e-cigarette stantially incr that market. a s This delivery syspart tem, however, is far I think vaping is particularly danwho more dangerous than gerous compared to other nicotine unli the alternative as they products simply because it’s been rette typically have a highB er nicotine content. marketed as a safe alternative, I thos Dr. Jessica L. Barthink, because of that marketing than rington-Trimis and Dr. and because of a lack of awarethan Adam M. Leventhal, tive both of the University ness by students as to how nictwo of Southern California, otine affects the brain and how war explain in the New Enaddictive it is, kids fall into this prod gland Journal of Med“ icine that pod mods trap where they try it, and then repr deliver higher levels they get addicted to it.” you of nicotine than other cial e-cigarettes because - Brian Larsen, con of how they derive Studies and AP Psychology teacher smo nicotine. Pod mod adprog vertisements typically claim a nicotine concentration two to 10 times higher than youths.”

Larsen kno in most other e-cigarette products. Juul’s website indicates a cause, as a you level of nicotine equivalent to 20 cigarettes a pod.

The authors concluded that given the high nicotine con- impacted his lif centrations in pod mods, nicotine-related health consequenc- such an experi es would be worse, particularly because many users of pod his students. A mods are unaware of the amount of nicotine actually present. en started smo A 2018 survey conducted by Truth Initiative, a tobacco con- butes largely to trol non-profit, discovered that 63 percent of Juul users did flecting on his Larsen realize not know that Juul pods always contain nicotine.

Although Willmore was concerned about the potential dangerous it w health side effects vaping carries, he was skeptical of any not been able t “After I qu measures to curtail vape use.

“I think that once you start going over, like, one [pod] a tobacco compa day, that’s kind of like when you realize that you’re, like, ad- got me for hu dicted,” Willmore said. “And I think that even if there are They got me un new laws, new regulations, people are going to get around it. They got me w I think that’s up to each person to kind of just decide, I guess, a cigarette to c own sort of too like when they’re addicted.”

Larsen finds the lack of information on vaping particularly stuff. Vaping li concerning, as it can lead to a higher nicotine use than would cigarettes, and are for us, but otherwise occur.

“I think vaping is particularly dangerous compared to oth- thing. I think er nicotine products simply because it’s been marketed as a in passing, in c safe alternative,” Larsen said. “I think, because of that mar- just one kid, I t keting and because of a lack of awareness by students as to educate.”

iGen experiences blue light addicti

F

MADDIE ORR

rom the rise and fall of internet sensations on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to “Netflix and Chill,” the world has been remarkably altered in the 21st century by the internet, Google and technology like Alexa.

Adding to a growing list is the sweeping phenomenon of the century: phones. Children as young as six, according to CNN, now have unlimited access to nearly anything at the click of a button, which was unheard of 35 years ago.

Addiction, distracted driving and anxiety include some of the costs of smartphones, according to “Psychology Today,” and more than 88 percent of people ages 13 to 17 have access to a mobile device.

A 2015 survey published by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization that aims to promote safe technology and media for children, found American teenagers ages 13 to 18 spend 6 1/2 hours of screen time per day on social media and other online activities. Nearly 54 percent ages 13 to 17 realize the extent to which they are using their cell phones, according to “Engadget,” a technology blog network with coverage of consumer electronics. Senior RJ Baguio said he checks his phone more than 50 times a day.

“Whenever I see a notification, I usually just open it or, I don’t know, I usually just get on it,” Baguio said. “It’s like a habit.”

Looking for notifications that aren’t there, constantly itching to check social media feeds and responding to text messages within seconds is an addiction. To classify a condition as an “addiction,” professionals have to analyze the causes and effects of the issue, according to “Psychology Today.” When someone receives a notification or a text message, the brain releases dopamine throughout the body. Every vibration alerting someone of an incoming notification has the potential to be a “positive social stimulus and dopamine influx,” according to the “Harvard Business Review.”

Not only are teens staying up late to finish homework or continuing to procrastinate studying, but they are also unable to go to sleep without their cell phones nearby, which can cause sleep deprivation. Junior Peyton Brooks is aware of her tendency to stay up late as she said she will remain awake at night wanting to “finish an episode on Netflix.”Experts in sleep research agree that teens, ages 14 to 17, need at least nine hours of sleep a night in order to fuel a developing mind and body. By 2015, however, 43 percent of teens reported sleeping fewer than seven hours a night on most nights. A lack of sleep results in a decreased ability to focus on daily activities, such as homework and extracurriculars. Additionally, teenagers today are more likely than previous generations to struggle in school or to be inattentive throughout the day because of sleep deprivation.

“I used to stay up late at night because I wanted to talk to my friends and see what was [going on] on Instagram and Snapchat,” Brooks said. “Now, my parents want me to put up my phone at 11 [p.m.], and I get more sleep, and I even try to go to bed earlier because I have early practices in the mornings for Bruin Girls, and I have late practices for cheer, so I’m always tired.”

Based on findings in a study of “school-aged children,” sleep and school dents,” a texting and driving blog. Still, m performance by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “insuffi- more frequently each day as the world’s cient sleep and daytime sleepiness commonly existed and positively associated greater access to mobile devices at young with the impairment of school performance, especially academic achievement.” teens can avoid accessing their phones whi Dr. Lisa Monsees, a pediatrician at Tiger Pediatrics, 303 No. Keene St. #404, their car and phone provides to keep a teena “I have a radio in my car that can play my frequently sees teenagers struggling under the weight of little sleep and acute calling me,” Brooks said, “and it can use Si anxiety because of excessive cell phone use.

“I definitely think that phones cause sleep problems for a couple of reasons I’m driving.”

Nearly 95 percent of teen drivers ackno because, for one thing, it causes anxiety. It’s harder to settle down and sleep after being on it. There’s blue light from phones that makes it harder for people and driving, yet 35 percent of those survey to sleep,” Dr. Monsees said. “I do think that if people were not on their screens cording to an American Automobile Assoc need a medical license to understand that an hour before bed, they would definitely sleep better.”

Both Brooks and sophomore Josie Arms have established rules at night to driving are harmful, Dr. Monsees continues stay away from their phones before bed, such as enabling the Do Not Disturb phones while driving.”

Distracted driving is only one of the m function on iPhones, which mutes notifications until the user disables it.

If phones are not put away or turned off before bed, Dr. Monsees said, sleep Anxiety and depression are becoming more such as social media a and the winding-down process could be regularly tivity all play into inc interrupted by Snapchat, Instagram and text notifiiety. cations throughout the night. A habit of turning off I think it’s just having the cell phone “I definitely feel st the cell phone before bed allows teens to “begin to out of your room at a certain time has definitely increase maintain a regular sleep schedule,” she said, which until morning, that’s a big thing cell phone use,” Dr. M is an important health benefit. right there. Small steps, big steps.” depression and anxiet “I’d say the recommendation is getting off all risome.” screens an hour before bed, or at least 30 minutes. I - Dr. Lisa Monsees, Tiger National surveys, i try to be reasonable,” Dr. Monsees said. “These are Pediatrics tional Survey of Chil the recommendations for a reason because they’re ages six to 17 are mo trying to help people be healthy, and I definitely rates of depression and suicide. The NSCH think teenagers will sleep better by cutting off the screen time earlier.”

A lack of sleep in adolescents leads to “symptoms of a depressive mood,” noses of anxiety between 2007 and 2012 fo such as feeling unhappy or sad, hopeless about the future and worrying too suspects negative aspects of social media in “The person you present to somebody [ much, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Teens can rapidly improve their performances in school, athletics and in building relationships if they sim- really is going on. People can present thi somebody else can look at that and be like ‘ ply had a decent amount of sleep, as stated by the National Sleep Foundation.

Only four ounces of metal, an object no bigger than a hand, can lead to detri- mine’s not,’ when really theirs is the same mental consequences for adolescebts. Teenagers are four times more likely than said. “But, that just causes the anxiety of ‘O adults to get into car accidents while using a cell phone, and 11 teens die every ed in that.’ I think all of that was there whe day as a result of texting and driving, according to Arrive Alive. Responding your face as much to see and compare.”

The technology designed to make life eas to a text or switching to a new playlist can cost much more than the price of a fender bender; the price may be the life of a distracted teenager behind the nected now contributes to mental health iss 2019, the number of high schoolers who wheel or others on the road.

Car crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the United States as percent and the amount of teens diagnosed distracted driving, including the use of a phone, is responsible for more than 58 percent, according to “Vox,” an American n Along with the negative consequences o percent of these, according to TeenSafe, an organization aimed at tackling the issue of teens and distracted driving. Car crashes caused by distracted drivers reap the benefits of having technology at the is a completely “preventable” problem, according to “Distracted Driver Acci- ucts like FaceTime and Skype connect people

THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

lth risks

ine is safe

ffects the brain and how addicfall into this trap where they n they get addicted to it, and t stop.” f the correlation between e and cigarette use of s by Dr. Kaitlyn Berry n University School of found that vaping subreased the likelihood t one would become smoker later in life, ticularly among those o would otherwise be ikely to smoke cigaes.

Berry discovered that se who vaped were more n three times more likely n their non-vaping peers to acely use cigarettes during the next o years. Berry concludes the report by rning of the drastic effects popular vaping ducts can have in the fight against smoking.

“This study supports the view that e-cigarettes resent a catalyst for cigarette initiation among uths,” Berry said. “The association was espelly pronounced in low-risk youths, raising ncerns that e-cigarettes may renormalize oking behaviors and erode decades of gress in reducing smoking among

ows of the dangers of vaping beung adult, smoking negatively fe, and he wants to prevent ience from happening to As a high schooler, Larsoking, which he attrio social pressures. Recigarette use, however, ed just how potentially would have become had he to quit. uit I realized exactly that these anies got me,” Larsen said. “They undreds and hundreds of dollars. nable to run, unable to feel good. when I was nervous, looking to calm me down rather than my ol chest to deal with that sort of ikely will lead many kids into d we know how bad cigarettes that addiction overrides everythe more that I can talk about it class using, if I can get through to think I’ve done my job in trying to

IN-DEPTH | B5

IN RECENT NEWS

Altria CEO says vaping industry is at ‘pivotal moment’ as it fends off an onslaught of public backlash CNBC Walmart to stop selling e-cigarettes amid national outbreak of vaping illnesses NCBNews.com

Dr Miriam Stoppard: Limiting screen time may do wonders for teenagers’ sleep

ion

material and physical damages occur growing adolescent population has ger ages than ever before. One way ile driving is to utilize the programs ager connected the entire time. y messages for me and tell me who’s iri so that I use my phone less while

owledge the vast dangers of texting yed admit to committing the act, acciation poll. While teenagers do not the potential dangers of distracted s to remind students to “not use their

multitudes of issues teenagers face. e common in the digital age. Factors and the constant pressure of conneccreasing accounts of adolescent anx-

trongly that anxiety and depression ed and [has been] brought on a lot by Monsees said. “I see so much more ty than I used to, and it’s really wor-

including one conducted by The Naldren’s Health (NSCH), show kids ore anxious than ever, with spiking found a 20 percent increase in diagor the same age group. Dr. Monsees nfluence these statistics. [online] is very different than what is perfect life, a perfect world, and ‘Everybody else’s life is perfect, but e as everybody else’s,” Dr. Monsees Oh, this is going on. I wasn’t includen I was growing up, but it wasn’t in

sier, more convenient and more consues in students. Between 2005 and contemplated suicide increased 25 d with clinical depresssion grew 37 news and opinion website. of cell phone use, however, teens can eir fingertips. It has allowed for prode quickly, according to “Huffpost,” an

Mirror.co.uk Not all screen time causes kids to underperform in school, study says CNN Juul pod ban: CEO steps down and company suspends lobbying Vox Vaping Illnesses Increase to 530 Probable Cases, C.D.C. Says

A m e ri c a n n e w s a n d opinion website and blog.

Additionally, applications such as Spotify, Pandora and Apple Music can help students relax. Music, according to the University of Nevada ⁠— Reno, “can have a profound effect on both the emotions and the body.” A slower tempo can quite one’s mind and relax muscles, making an individual feel soothed while releasing the stress of the day. “Music is effective for relaxation and stress management,” according to the University’s Counseling Services. “[To relax] I listen to mellow rap,” Arms said, “or I talk on the phone with a friend when I’m stressed via text or on call.”

Four years ago, the World Health Organization released its Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020. One of its recommendations to tackle smartphone use and negative consequences in teens was “The promotion of self-care, for instance, through the use of electronic and mobile health technologies.”

A study conducted to find the benefits of technology surveyed 22 apps one can utilize to relax and destress, such as the “popular mediation and mindfulness app,” HeadSpace, according to the “U.S. News and World Report.”

There are numerous ways in which students and parents can address the problem. Dr. Monsees said teens can delete certain social media outlets, set up app restrictions and make sure their phones aren’t accessible while getting ready for bed. Also, parents can enforce technology rules and promote healthier habits like exercise or reading to ease adolescent anxieties. Baguio said one way his dad helps control his technology habits is by monitoring his phone use.

“He put this app [on my phone],” Baguio said, “and whenever he clicks on his phone, my phone shuts down.”

One recommendation Dr. Monsees provides in this difficult transition is the idea that one is “just trying to do better about it.”

“I think it’s just having the cell phone out of your room at a certain time until morning. That’s a big thing right there,” Dr. Monsees said, “small steps, big steps.”

The New York Times

FDA says Juul misled public in claims that vaping is safer than smoking CBS News

Blue light isn’t the problem, it’s how long we stare at our phones Earth.com Putting Down Your Phone May Help You Live Longer The New York Times

SOPHIA EATON/ THE ROCK

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THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Pretty is as pretty does Skincare benefits adolescent health BAILEY STOVER

U

I PH SO

nlike other substances in the United States, such as bottled water and livestock feeds, state and federal laws do not require premarket approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic products and ingredients.

Nail polish and perfume, skin moisturizers and cleansers and color additives in makeup and personal care products are the FDA’s main items of regulation it lists under the category of cosmetics.

Although ingredients and cosmetic products, such as shampoos and hair dyes, require FDA approval before going on the market, the only color additives requiring FDA approval are coal-tar hair dyes.

The only way to change the FDA’s authority over cosmetics is with Congress’ approval. Even though the FDA has the authority to request a product’s recall, it does not have the power to order a recall of a hazardous cosmetic product.

Italian foreign exchange student senior Beatrice Rotondi said girls in Italy commonly wear makeup from brands such as KIKO Milano, Pupa, Collistar and Deborah Milan. Similarly to students in America, Rotondi said Italian girls wear mascara, blush, foundation and eyeliner to school and keep their skin clean with masks and creams, though there is a regulation for foreign products.

“The cosmetics regulation is a complex regulation whose requirements must be met in order to sell a cosmetic product in the European Union,” she said. “The regulation specifically provides for restrictions on the content of cosmetic products sold in the European Union: the obligation to identify a responsible person based in the European Union for each cosmetic product, labeling requirements and the obligation to retain any information documentation demonstrate the conformity of each cosmetic.”

For regulation in the European Union (EU), Cosmetics Europe stated, “All stages of the development of the cosmetics product is regulated by the Cosmetics Regulation, from the choice of ingredients” to the product’s placing on the market.

Although neither agency views pre-market approval as the most effective regulation method, the EU and FDA have different standards for their approved products and what they consider to be drugs versus cosmetic or beauty products, according to the sustainable development company EcoMundo.

Dr. Jon Dyer, Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Missouri—Columbia, is a dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist. He said the interests of the cosmetic industry can have “a huge influence” on what chemicals and products are available for public use. “[Corporations] dictate what everyone is exposed to,” he said. “They determine what products contain and, more importantly, what products people want.”

For the past four years, senior field commander Olivia Anderson has been a member of Color Guard. Along with spinning flags, rifles and sabers, the Guard moves and dances across the field wearing themed costumes and carefully styled hair and makeup. Each year, Anderson dons a different outfit and unique makeup designs, some more elaborate than others.

“This year we have a lot of face stuff,” Anderson said, “so it took me an hour to do hair and makeup because we have a design all over our face.”

The guard’s choreography, costumes, hair and makeup brings the music to life.

Anderson said the visual component is “an enhancement” of the music. During K her freshman and sophomore years, Anderson’s outfits were relatively simple. Last year’s attire, however, was “a bit more complicated” because of the skeletal makeup the show required to fit the theme of “When The Clock Strikes Twelve.”

As a dancer and instructor with The Dance Academy and a competitive dancer with LA Dance Magic, senior Mary Deaver has worn makeup her whole life. She began using “heavy makeup” for the stage when she was 5-years old but only started wearing “light makeup” outside of a performance setting when she entered sixth grade. The older Deaver got, the “deeper into makeup” she became.

“It’s just fun to do. It’s not even for looks, it’s kind of like something you learn, so you can practice it and get the hang of it,” Deaver said. “Then it’s fun being able to Deaver’s process, however, has a few more steps, including exfoliating twice a week. try new stuff and experiment with it.”

In the morning, she does a cold water face wash and applies moisturizer and an oil-based When Deaver’s interest in makeup began, she said her mom “wasn’t even that skin product to help keep her pores closed. To take her makeup off and clean her skin involved,” so the process was an exploration of what she liked to wear and how she at night, Deaver washes her face with a facial cleansing brush, uses Cetaphil, rinses her wanted to express herself. While she acknowledges a level of pressure from society face with water and puts on moisturizer before bed. and social media to use makeup a certain way, Deaver said she thinks “it takes a cerEach person’s skin care routine varies; everyone has his or her own unique combinatain amount of self-love and self-pride to know you don’t actually need it.” In the past tion of products and a specific order of application or removal. Dr. Dyer said some peoshe said people made fun of her for wearing makeup, especially because of her “more ple have developed intensive skin care routines and use a variety of products, cleansers, edgy” sense of style, but she has learned not to get offended by their comments. moisturizers and more, while others have adopted an “all natural” approach.

“In middle school, one time a kid put on a huge face of makeup and then put [it] As durable as one’s skin is, he said it is not designed to handle daily washing, expoon his Snapchat story and tagged me, and that mentally and physically, like, actually sure to multiple harsh chemicals, frequent use of hand sanitizers, constant cleansing and destroyed me,” Deaver said. “As I’ve grown, I’ve realized it’s not all about that, so even some essential oils.

I don’t really get stressed about that anymore because, I mean, it’s their opinion so The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing one’s face with a they’re allowed to have it, but it’s honestly something I don’t really care about ‘cause non-alcoholic, non-abrasive cleanser, using lukewarm water, avoiding scrubbing of the it’s something I get happy when I do.” skin, using moisturizer when necessary and avoiding washing more than twice a day.

Deaver teaches herself about new products and brands through YouTube and Proper face washing in the morning and at night, as well as after perspiring, has never had an allergic reaction to any product she has worn. Most of will help “keep your face looking healthy” regardless of whether or not one her makeup is “drugstore makeup,” though she will splurge on highmaintains a simple or an elaborate skin care regimen. end makeup brands like Morphe for her eyes. Once Deaver finds a Since the Guard is the band’s primary visual component, Anderson brand that does not affect her skin or cause her to break out, she said it is “very unusual” for the band to wear makeup. In last year’s 58 percent of girls said she tends to stick with the same product. show, though, instructors wanted members to cover their faces in between the ages of “I don’t share eye products with anyone because anything black and white makeup so they looked like skeletons. Although that’s going near my actual eye, like eyeliner or mascara, I eight and 18 wear makeup, most physical reactions were not problematic, a few members redon’t share. And really, like, if we’re talking about everything and 65 percent of these sponded negatively to the product. in makeup, brushes I don’t share ’cause of skin reasons,” girls started wearing “They had to get cheap makeup that they could buy in mass so Deaver said. “But eyeshadow I do share ‘cause it’s just going makeup between the that the whole band could get it,” Anderson said. “Because it was on the lid, and I’ve shared lipstick before, but I don’t enjoy cheap, people with sensitive skin didn’t react well. But the Guard, ages of eight and 13. doing it. But I had to do it for dance, so. . . it wasn’t a choice.” we have to buy our own makeup, so we get more quality makeup, [SOURCE: REFERENCE.COM] Sharing eye makeup can lead to infections such as pink eye and it’s not usually a problem for us.” and staphylococcus aureus, according to “Parents of Kids with Finding the best product means more than what looks the best or K Infectious Diseases,” while sharing products such as lipstick or lip OC will cause the fewest technical problems during a show. It often comes R HE gloss can cause cold sores. Using old makeup can cause health probS/T down to what is safe to wear. Deaver attributes some of the negative reacRILEY KERN lems if fungal or bacterial growths develop, and it could allow for eye and tions people have to a lack of research and not paying attention to expiration skin infections, according to “Best Health” magazine. dates. She said if people ever want to learn more about what is in a product, they can “I usually use things like concealer or mascara until the expiration date, or until simply “go on the internet and research how it’s made.” This way, Deaver said, everyone it runs out,” Deaver said. “But, like, eyeshadow pallets don’t run out as quickly, so I can understand how to use a product the correct way on his or her face and body, just as use them as long as I feel like the product is still in good shape.” she did with Jeffree Star’s brand to know his lipstick is safe to put on her eyes.

Along with avoiding expired makeup and not sharing cosmetics, a proper skin A person’s skin is designed to be a protective barrier against the outside world, Dr. care routine is important for “skin resilience,” according to dermatologist Dr. Steve Dyer said. Taking care of one’s skin includes being aware of what products one uses and M. Nwe, DO of the Northwestern Medical Group. The organization recommends practicing “good sun protection.” He said one’s skin can be exposed to any number of using a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, sunscreen, exfoliant and serum. Such a regiment harsh chemicals in cleaners and cleansers, and even essential oils can be “quite harsh” can help combat the effects of both age and weather. Both Anderson and Deaver depending on their type and strength. Dermatologists often recommend the “gentlest understand and appreciate the importance of clean skin, though Anderson prefers a and plainest” products possible, Dr. Dyer said, and avoid harsh dyes, preservatives or more simplistic approach to removing makeup after a Friday night football game. fragrances.

“I wash my face every night, and I really try to get the gunk out of there ‘cause it “While I’m a fan of bland, simple, ‘natural’ products, not everything carrying that does give kind of like an icky feeling when you have all that sweat and makeup stuck label truly meets that definition,” Dr. Dyer said. “In this modern world, in general, I think in your pores,” Anderson said, “but washing it out afterwards is fine.” we often ask more of our skin than it is really designed, or has evolved, to do.”

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Undying Love

Students, staff share how pets affect their everyday lives

ART BY SNOWY LI, INTERVIEWS BY OLIVIA PETERS

Hey, Briar!

Leslie Kersha, counselor, on pets and mental health

“For many people, dogs have the ability to pull us into the present moment. This is important because feelings such as anxiety or sadness are of ten associated with thinking about the future or ruminating on the past. Being present, embodied and mindful is so helpful in lowering the stress response state that so many people seem to be spending a great deal of time in these days, including high school students.”

Lesley Thalhuber, counselor, on pets and mental health

“I love when I have walked [Max] through the hallways seeing teenagers with their ‘cool faces’ on, and then all of the sudden they see a puppy and their smiles are there, and they just become so alive, and it’s just like being cool doesn’t matter for a second. [There’s] tons of research on pets affecting mental health in positive ways. A lot of schools [are] trying pilot programs for pet therapy in their buildings. There are some therapy dogs all over the district and service animals, as well, for students.”

Zach Smith, senior, on service work with animals

“I really love dogs and [don’t see] going [to the Humane Society] as volunteering or giving up time, but as something really amazing that I got to do. All the dogs I got to spend time with at the Humane Society were great, and I loved being able to give them the attention they deserve. [Working with Hooves, Hands and Paws is] good stress relief af ter school: being outside, working with animals and helping horses give therapy to kids. It feels good to be able to do something.”

Chloe James, senior, on animals in agriculture

“Animals are a means of food and provide essential nutrients, and they also provide us access to certain aspects of agriculture, such as working [with] cows or horses. Agriculture is also about life experiences, and animals are a large part of that, because working with them has a lot of skills applicable to many other things, such as patience, optimism and even kindness. . . Depending on the animal, you can develop a pretty strong connection with them, so when you let them go, it’s like losing a member of the family.”

Gracie Betz, junior, on exotic pets

“People are almost always scared of my pets. Usually they start out afraid of the tarantulas, but once they realize how harmless they are, they are only afraid of the bird. . . . Having the tarantulas just gives me something to do every once in a while, and I think they make great pets for people who don’t have lots of time, and they can actually be great just to watch and handle. The bird has helped more with my mental health because he requires so much care and attention that in order to give him what he needs I have to maintain a decent schedule and have time alone with him, which is also time for myself.”

EDITORIALS | C1

THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

BRUIN BEAR On picture day

Finally, a good school photo, he thinks.

Picture retakes are Oct.10.

“Wow, my photo looks great this year,” the other students say.

SNOWY LI/ THE ROCK

Hardening measures won’t increase safety I n the last five years, there have been 25 shootings at a U.S. high school that resulted in at least one fatality. RBHS’s hardening policy, which mainly includes converting to a single entrance with a staff member monitoring those who come in, would have stopped none of those.

While the intention to increase student safety is noble, Columbia Public Schools (CPS) is wasting $200,000 of taxpayer money on an ineffective policy that would prove far more valuable to spend on increasing the number of

outreach counselors.

Dr. James Price, a professor at the University of Toledo and consultant for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted a review in June of the available literature on the effects of hardening from 2000 to 2018. The study failed to find any hardening programs or practices that reduced firearm violence.

“School officials should not give in to political pressures to ‘do something’ when that ‘something’ is likely to be ineffective and wasteful of limited school resources,” Price

LORELEI DOHM/ THE ROCK

“Schools play a critical and irreplaceable said.

Even analytically, the hardening occurring role in keeping students safe and supporting would be futile. Putting a school official at the mental health,” the statement said. “Providing door to determine who is and is not suspicious ongoing access to mental health care promotes school safety.” is utterly useless as evFor the entirety ery school shooter at a Should RBHS have kept the old of the RBHS stuhigh school in the last parking and entrance system? dent body, there is five years has either been one full-time outa current student or a reach counselor: former student pretendTHE ROCK STAFF VOTED Lesley Thalhuber. ing to be a current one.

Just one person for Additionally, all the en20 more than 2,000 trances to the school are YES students dedicatunlocked before school NO 7 ed specifically to and after school. During providing mental lunch and passing perihealth help. Rathods, the North and Main entrances are unlocked, totaling 83 minutes er than squandering money on an entrance system, the school should invest in services that during the course of the school day.

Add to that the times before and after school would prevent a shooting from happening in the and practically the only shooter that would be first place.

School shootings almost always have indistopped from entering the school is an adult trying to openly carry a gun into the school during cations. More school counselors would help identify these warning signs and address them third period.

Presenting such an ineffective policy as a adequately.

RBHS should take steps to prevent school boon to safety can create a false sense of security that discourages RBHS and CPS from adopt- shootings, but hardening is a misguided ating better protective measures. Furthermore, tempt; it merely lulls parents, students and the the entrance alteration will take up a massive administration into a false sense of security amount of money the district should be spend- likely preventing CPS from taking substantial further action. Instead of spending hundreds ing on more outreach counselors.

The National Association of School Psy- of thousands of dollars on a policy that makes chologists explained in a Feb. 2018 press re- students no safer, the district should allocate lease that improving mental health services money to improving mental health services for within schools is a critical factor in preventing students and increasing the number of outreach counselors. violent acts directed at schools.

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he Southside Media editorial board, made up of the editors of “The Rock” and “Bearing News,” will review all opinion pieces prior to publication. Opinions expressed in signed works are those of the author and are not necessarily reflective of the opinions of other individual staff members or the publication.

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Devin Hall, Lorelei Dohm, Rachel Stevens, Riley Kerns, Snowy Li, Sophie Froese Photographers: Ana Manzano, Audrey Snyder, Sarah Mosteller, Sophie Eaton, Turner DeArmond Multimedia: Maddie Marrero, Jared Geyer, Parker Boone For daily school, local and national news, check out bearingnews .org

C2 | EDITORIALS

THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Admin is right to promote accountability

F

BAILEY STOVER

or the past three years, anyone and everyone connected to RBHS has force fed students the school’s motto of “Freedom with Responsibility,” or more appropriately “Freedom with Irresponsibility.”

Gagging on its hypocrisy, students went from class to class confused about the seemingly contradictory maxim of secondary education. Too many times in the past teachers used the saying to turn a blind eye to students’ blatant disrespect for the rules.

For years it seemed the first part of the motto, freedom, was easy to adhere to. It roughly translated as “Do whatever you want; just don’t get caught.” Now, however, faculty and staff have taken significant steps to redefine what freedom really means for the student body. Clear expectations have replaced the administration’s once permissive attitude, in turn fostering a positive culture of accountability and respect.

By the time students are freshmen, many are skilled masters at manipulating the rules and pushing boundaries as far as they can without serious repercussions. The further adolescents progress in their high school careers, the more prolific they become at walking the line between freedom and irresponsibility.

Without enforced consequences they have no reason to rethink their actions, which can create habits of disrespectful behavior carrying

through to future career performance.

In light of the administration’s recent measures to create a safer and more education-centric school environment, such as restricting where students can eat lunch and monitoring students leaving early from class, the motto’s original translation no longer holds true. Since the purpose of “Freedom with Responsibility” is

to ensure we have the skills to be successful later in life, allowing us to run wild with minimal culpability does a severe disservice.

As an educational institution, it is the duty of RBHS faculty and administrators to enforce appropriate consequences when students abuse the allowance of freedom that accompanies the mandate of responsibility,

stricter about warnings, referrals and detentions than in the past, students and teachers are equally accountable for maintaining a high standard of academic excellence in the classroom by not permitting digital distractions in a learning environment. These higher expectations no longer enable teachers to allow students to be disengaged and on their devices in class.

Steps such as this let the administration begin redefining the school’s culture for the better: valuing academic integrity, respecting the education of all students, rewarding hard work and perseverance and enforcing administrative policies for the sake of student learning.

With the administration’s increased monitoring of hallway cameras, teachers can no longer get away with allowing students to leave class early.

As disappointing as this change may be for some students wishing to have an early end to their day or more time for passing periods, the heightened surveillance adheres to the responsibility students and faculty alike must uphold to promote positive citizenship within the RBHS community.

Although students and staff have yet to fully correct issues from year’s past, the changes enacted under new principal Jacob Sirna’s administration allow for a more accurate definition of what “Freedom with Responsibility” truly means for RBHS. Now, more so than ever before, the concept of responsibility is equal to, if not greater than, students’ idea of what freeLORELEI DOHM/ THE ROCK dom once entailed.

a charge the school’s leaders have readily accepted and are willing to protect. Too often in the past “Don’t get arrested while on campus and don’t fail any classes,” and “Turn in your work and keep your texting hidden from me in class,” were the thinly veiled messages students received.

Under the updated, or at least explained cell phone policy, which is far

What “Freedom with Responsibility” used to look like...

No education without representation dents can’t be trusted with that responsibility. n Civics Studies classes students learn of the For those who contend students would not foundation of a fair democratic government: take the opportunity seriously, a phenomenon representation. One of the driving factors be- named the Pygmalion Effect counters their hind the Revolutionary War was the colonists’ point. resentment that they were excluded stakehold“The work of Rosenthal and Jacobsen, ers from the British Parliament, forced to con- shows that expectations influence student perform to the Crown’s policies with no substan- formance,” according to Duquesne University. tive way to affect them. Ever since, American Positive expectations influence performance government at positively, and negative all levels has expectations influence peraimed to acformance negatively.”

CPS lays out the district’s core values curately repreBy only giving students on its website. The exclusion of stusent the people limited ways to influence dents from the Board, however, runs it serves. policy decisions, thus contrary to the principles espoused.

But when it treating them as undeservcomes to one ing of greater representaof the most tion, the board causes stuconsequential government bodies for a high dents to sink to the low expectations set. Setting schooler, the school board, students remain higher expectations through the opportunity for unrepresented. This tradition is not only unfair more meaningful involvement would result in to students and contradictory to CPS’ organi- students rising to the occasion as they have in zational goals but also misses out on valuable countless other districts. potential insight. To rectify this oversight, the Federal Hocking High School (FHHS) is Columbia Board of Education should include one of the lowest income school districts in student representatives. all of Ohio, yet it sees high proficiency in state CPS lays out the district’s core values on testing, which the district attributes to increasits website. The exclusion of students from the ing students’ voice in government. The Prichard board, however, runs contrary to the principles Committee for Academic Excellence, an acaespoused. For instance, collaboration is listed demic non-profit based in Kentucky, released a as a value, which is impossible to fully achieve report that found 85 percent of FHHS’ students without giving students real representation. are economically disadvantaged, but 91 percent The second value contradicted by not allow- are proficient in reading and 90 percent in math. ing students a seat on the board is trust. AddiThe authors of the report write, “Superintionally, one of the more popular justifications tendent George Wood credits student voice, asfor not adopting the policy nation-wide is stu- serting ‘change has to begin with the perceived WILL COVER

I

ANA MANZANO/ THE ROCK

SPECIAL NEEDS SPEAKS: With eyes focused on the speaker, the assembly of community members listen to a parent voice his qualms with special education in Columbia Public Schools on Sept. 9. The presenter spoke about his children’s struggles with disabilities.

School board should include students as representatives

needs of those to whom the change is going to that what’s comfortable or not comfortable for happen.’ Students run all student activities and adults is not necessarily the same for students.” serve as full members on all school governance Although students are able to come to the bodies, even participating in personnel deci- school board with any proposals they have, in sions.” reality this is far easier said than done. Often Within FHHS, increasing student buy-in times it is difficult for students to approach the even shows a statistical link with increased per- board members, regardless of how important formance. Former San Francisco State Profes- they think their policy is. sor Mark Phillips writes for Edutopia, a website RBHS junior Shruti Gautam came up with devoted to advocating for innovation in K-12 the idea of having free feminine hygiene prodeducation, that FHHS saw the number of col- ucts in girls’ bathrooms at CPS high schools for SARAH KUHLMANN/ THE ROCK lege-bound students a project in her Civics grow from 20 percent Studies class. One of to 70 percent as student her teachers pointinvolvement increased. ed out the lack of an Additionally, greateasy way for students’ er student involveideas to get serious ment would aid speconsideration among cific classroom goals. administration, warnBy giving students an ing her implementainvolved role in the tion would be unlikedemocratic process, ly.

CPS would enable stuGautam was willdents to more fully aping to bring her plan ply their lessons from forward and fiercely Civics Studies classes advocate for it only to their outside life because she already and the district would felt comfortable produce more civicalspeaking with adminly aware and active istration. Gautam said adults. For instance, [SOURCE:WWW.MONTGOMERYCOUNTYMD.GOV] if she had not had exMontgomery County, Maryland, a district with perience with the administration before, it may more than 160,000 students, consistently sees have taken her much longer to try to get the over 80 percent of the students eligible to vote word out, and she likely would have been far for their student representative to the school more easily dissuaded. board vote.

There may be countless other students who The benefits to such a change, however, do have had policy ideas that slipped through the not just belong to students. Students experience cracks because currently there is no easy conschool differently from teachers, administrators nection for them and the board. and parents, and as a result they notice probAdding student representatives to the board lems and come up with solutions that might not would increase the ability of students to effeccross adults’ minds. tively communicate their suggestions and soluThe aforementioned Prichard Committee for tions to problems. Additionally, student repreAcademic Excellence conducted an audit at a sentatives would serve as apt liaisons between Kentucky junior high school in an area consid- the board and other students with valuable recering including students in their school board. ommendations.

The survey found that “although not a single For as long as students remain unrepresentadult commented on bullying in his or her sur- ed, CPS will be unable to fulfill its values. Furvey responses or interviews, two-thirds of the thermore, this exclusion of students worsens all students complained of an ineffective discipline policies made for our district and runs contrary policy, resulting in a major bullying problem.” to the democratic nature embedded within the In Montgomery County, Eric Guerci, a stu- board as a government body. dent member of the school board, brought atCPS should immediately remedy this, extention to matters that would not have otherwise panding to include student representatives, givbeen considered. As Guerci put it to Bethesda ing students the substantive say in the process Magazine, “I’m there to remind board members they deserve.

COMMENTARIES | C3

THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Moving on I

Anjali Noel Ramesh

doubt I’ll be the first to admit that Columbia’s weather is quite frightening at times.

I have yet to find another city where the sun will filter through from the north side of the sky while blackened rain clouds rumble in from the south, and if I step just to my left, I feel snowflakes patter down on my face.

The weather, I soon realized, would be the least of my problems.

Two years ago, when I learned my family was moving from the bustling world of Columbus, Ohio to a flyover city in central Missouri, my first thought was not of the people I would meet in the future.

Rather, it was about the community I would leave behind. The bonds with friends I made would break, simply because I now lived 500 miles away.

I remember when I entered my old school’s

cafeteria with a heavy heart, ready to break the news to my best friends. The tables were full of rowdy teenagers, excited to see each other, but I couldn’t be one of them with the coming announcement hanging over my head.

I remember their faces, pale in shock, and my hugs trying to wash their tears away.

The last moments with my companions, a farewell party meant to be a celebration, only finalized the reality of my future. My old friends would move on. After all, they had each other to forget me SARAH KUHLMANN/ THE ROCK with. I, however, would cling to the possibility that I could somehow become parts of their lives again, living blindly in the hope of reaching back into my past life. Whatever challenges my new city threw at me, I had to face head on, without the

4th time’s the charm?

Challenges of relocation every passing minute.

Built to contain roughly 1,900 students, RBHS is by no means a small building, so navigation became an immediate issue. The physics classroom I found easily on jump start day took me two rotations around the science hallway to locate the next day. Rushing from the band hall to the math wing at 8:52 in the morning proved nearly impossible.

Eventually, I acclimated to the structure, but it took time. When I started freshman year, I was one of the few students with little to no experience inside a secondary school environment. That club everyone was talking about joining? I had no clue it even existed.

I realized I would have to be the one who stepped up, and rather than letting the opportunities blow past, I would have to seek them out myself.

Finding my place in a new city was hard, but not impossible, as I could join clubs and teams, including RBHS tennis and the church choir to become an active community member.

Yes, it takes some hard work, and sometimes I didn’t have the support of friends that I would’ve liked, but the daunting move no longer seemed so intimidating. The storm of unfamiliarity was now just a meek cloud in the distance, and I could finally find a sense of belonging.

backbone of my friendships.

While the transition from eighth to ninth grade was rough, the move to a different middle school was just as demanding. I no longer knew which teachers would simply hand out busy work or grade based on accuracy.

As in all classic middle school stereotypes, lunch was the most difficult obstacle to hurdle.

With a seating arrangement of no more than eight per table, the rush to the cafeteria suddenly became a chase for the chairs, and the stress became too much for my poor, overwhelmed 13-year-old self.

Thus, my first humiliating memory of school life in Columbia became having a complete mental breakdown in the counselor’s office. It was the third day, and I cracked with the pressure of not finding a familiar face to sit with during lunch.

Although not exactly ideal, my parents told me the easiest way to settle in is through patience and time.

As the semester went by, I finally started to get the hang of things. But then, life threw the most confidence shattering curve-ball it could at me: high school. The unparalleled epitome of disaster, high school was a looming pillar of possibilities, both good and bad, waiting to happen. For a newbie like myself, the difficulties of joining the new class of 2022 grew more with

Thanks for the memories L Bailey Stover

ike nearly every other child, I had a comfort object. His name was Dear Deer. I got him when I was 3 years old, and he became my best friend. I slept with him every night, took him on every family vacation and used him as a pillow to cushion my neck from uncomfortable seat belts on every long car trip.

I loved him so much that his once white belly turned the color of Sunday morning storm clouds, heavy with the promise of rain, and the plumpness of his arms shriveled from all the time I spent holding onto them, like beanstalks in a drought. Dear Deer was my playmate and a constant source of love as I slept. I thought we would be friends forever.

Then I grew up.

Our relationship changed. Dear Deer no longer slept in my bed every night, and sometimes I wasn’t even sure where he was in my room. He didn’t come with me on car trips anymore, and sometimes I would go months without thinking of him.

The last straw was when I got a bunk bed.

I had no use for the top bunk, so I put all my blankets and pillows up there, as well as a few select stuffed animals I no longer needed but still wanted around. Up he went, and he hasn’t come down since.

With age comes disposability, and that’s what Dear Deer was to me: a mark of age. I had outgrown the need for a comfort object, and so, I tossed him away with child-like flippancy.

Somehow, although I am so easily able to reject something that once meant the world to me, I still become enraged and offended when the most important places from my youth are boarded up with “For Sale” signs and dark windows, left to gather dust without a second thought.

Long before Andy’s, Randy’s and Freddy’s Frozen Custard, Shake’s was the place to go for a soft-serve treat on a sweltering summer night. Now permanently closed, the custard shop offered every treat a pre-adolescent customer could hope for.

One of my favorite adventures was loading into my father’s car with my brother and mother to savor some frosty custard before it melted all over our clothes. Before the parlor closed, we visited it one last time to pay our respects and say goodbye. A Bandana’s BBQ has now replaced it, but every time I drive by I still think of the evenings we spent on the small patio watching cars pass as my hands and face became a sticky, sugary mess.

Even though the new trio of custard shops taste practically the same as Shake’s, they fail to replicate the deep emotional connection my 6-year-old self made with the cold metallic chairs and tucked-away secrecy of a place all my own where I could enjoy a soft-serve scoop without being surrounded by crowds of strangers, even in the dead of winter.

Dear Deer was the first domino to fall; Shake’s tumbled to the ground in speedy succession.

The next place to go hit me the hardest.

It knocked the air out of my lungs and left my head spinning like an unexpected fall from the monkey bars.

Every summer my family and I travel up north to a small cottage in a lakeside town in Canada where we spend several weeks biking, swimming and lying around at the beach. For most of my childhood and part of my father’s, the Back Beach Store was a summer staple. Though it has existed under different names and owners — the thin man who always smelled faintly of cigarettes, the nice woman with curly brown hair — the essence of the store never changed. Each time I visited, I would save my money to buy a new “Archie” comic. Obsessed with the stories of the Riverdale gang long before they were a CW sensation, I returned to the store with a magnetic attraction during the couple weeks per year we were up at the cottage.

Second only to Riverdale tales were pecan butter tarts and the ever exciting Mystery Bags. For $1.25 I could purchase a white paper bag full of year-old easter candy, Bob the Builder chocolate eggs, rock hard bubble gum and wind up toys that broke two days later. As a kid, I thought those bags were as exciting as seeing all the shining colors of unknown Christmas presents beneath our tree on a snowy Dec. 25 morning. I would buy one almost every other day, building up a collection of plastic figurines and bubble gum wrappers to take home as souvenirs, though they never seemed to make it back to the states with me.

When the Back Beach Store closed for good, everyone was shocked. For years it seemed to teeter on the edge of shutting down, but every summer the lights were still on with fresh pecan tarts on the counter for our hungry mouths. Until they weren’t. After 14 years of visiting the same shop every summer, it was gone with a creaking, whimpering sigh. There was no warning, at least none I could see.

The summer we left it was open. When we returned, there were no lights and the windows were boarded up. I didn’t know how to react. There were no tears to be shed, just an empty grave marking the death of my childhood in chipping paint and soulless windows.

I returned to Columbia that summer feeling much older than when I left.

It was no surprise when Empire Roller Rink shut its doors for good. Just like the Back Beach Store, the warning signs were clear, but now I knew what to look for. The crowds shrunk from a stream to a trickle, and as I aged I visited its discotech hardwood floors and neon lights less and less until its very existence seemed only a faded memory in the back of my mind.

As a child, however, I celebrated countless friends’ birthday parties in the jungle room, eating store-bought cake and showing off who picked out the best gift for the host. In a mob of munchkin-sized party goers, we would storm the hardwood, skating ourselves to exhaustion until everyone needed sugary sustenance to support our

small bodies.

D u r i n g limbo competitions I was the queen, winning prizes on more than one occasion as a result of my small stature and youthful flexibility. I became proficient in quad skating, at least as long as my clothing padded all major bruise-points.

Still, a day of roller skating was the epitome of joy at 9 years old, and when Empire Roller Rink closed in January, a sliver of my childhood innocence departed with it.

As Joni Mitchell so eloquently put it in her 1970 song “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

The march of progress is inevitable and relentless, disregarding tradition for the sake of profit. As easily as I can set aside my most constant childhood companion, the world pushes out what is no longer contemporary, eradicating the simplicity of a soft-serve ice cream cone and a pair of well-worn skates in favor of hollow buildings earmarked to one day be torn down and paved over. Destruction is like telling a child what’s in each of his or her birthday gifts, decorated with balloons and bows, before he or she has the chance to look, and it carries much the same result: sorrow, confusion and pain.

Time, an inconsiderate thief, rips all semblance of closure from my hands as it

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passes me by without my consent.

I hope one day to look out on the landscape of Columbia and point out to a younger generation the existence of survivors from my childhood: buildings and institutions clinging to relevance long past their prime. I do not want to allow the places I love, the places that make this expansive world home to so many billions of people, seem foreign as others my age watch the mementos of their youth crumble before their eyes.

Preservation is a lost art, but without it we risk losing empathy and memories.

Someday, I wish to return and find the spaces of my youth still intact, my childhood preserved in amber, a young girl with strawberry blond hair tugging on her father’s hand as they wait in line on the last day of summer for a deliciously cold vanilla cone, a smile plastered from ear to ear on her face.

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THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Pan c at the VSCO

Yet another way to put down girls

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SARAH DING

f you listen closely in the jungle that is high school, you might hear the howls of screeching chairs pulled out from under desks, the teachers sighing as they grade their 50th assignment of the day or the double-doors slamming as herds of students return from lunch, clutching their bags of fast-food and their swinging keys.

You might also hear the crinkle of p o t a t o chip bags from the cafeteria, the clicking of keyboards as English essays are typed or the furious scribbling of last-minute homework.

Or, maybe, you hear the sound of a Hydroflask being dropped.

That familiar sound of clanging metal on the linoleum floor, etched into teenagers’ brains, is the source of stares and stifled giggles. This has become the trademark anthem of what high schoolers call VSCO girls.

A VSCO girl owns a number of colorful water bottles, multiple pairs of sunglasses and an abundance of sticker-clad phone cases. She posts poolside pictures with bright pink

flamingo floats, has aesthetically pleasing picnics in the park and most likely owns a Jeep Rubicon.

Stemming from memes on the photo-editing app itself, the term “VSCO girl” has become the newest addition to the Gen-Z dictionary.

The definition grew in popularity through Yo u T u b e videos titled “Becoming a VSCO Girl For a Day” and a Snapchat story called “Do You Even VSCO?” A VSCO girl is m o r e than a new type of person: it is a lifestyle that teenagers recognize.

To them, it seems VSCO girls only live on the beach and can’t be seen without a scrunchie on their wrist.

In their minds, VSCO girls are the newest form of “basic girl,” someone perceived to like mainstream products and trends, who needs to be ridiculed.

The basic girl phenomenon changes ever so slightly among generations, encapsulating the valley girls from the ‘80s, the pink-wearing mean girls from the ‘90s and the pumpkin spice latte-lovers of the 2000s.

The factor that never changes, however, is the audience, eagerly waiting for a new way to put them down.

What exactly makes the basic girl so easy to hate? Maybe teenagers think it’s OK to make fun of these young women because the ridicule is “not that serious.”

Their seemingly surface-level jokes comment on the obvious fact the girl already knows about herself but doesn’t want to admit: she is basic.

The insult of calling someone basic effectively labels the intended target but is just restrained enough as to not be deemed truly cruel.

This casual label, however, normalizes the effect categorizing teenage girls has on their self-esteem.

Calling a girl basic is telling her she is somehow lesser-than by dressing or owning the same things as her friends.

Unlike VSCO girls, their male counterparts, the “bros,” embrace their basic selves.

Bros own the same Patagonia t-shirts, don the same backwards caps and wear the same light blue button-down and khaki shorts combination.

Somehow, bros who are equally as much of an identical army are more accepted.

Even the broiest of bros are

never taunted to the same extent as the basic girls that occupy the same space as them.

Because, in our minds, they really aren’t equal. Bros might be annoying, loud and excessively fratty, but they still aren’t at the same caliber of the privileged, shallow and unoriginal basic girl. They’re harmless. They’re the lesser evil.

Why does society say it’s OK for boys to be this way, but not girls?

Because society loves to put down teenage girls, especially on social media, resulting in girls being three times as likely as boys to experience depression.

A growing number of teenage girls are likely to have experienced a depressive stage sometime in their lives,

mainly attributed to the stresses of academics and social pressures, according to the Pew Research Center.

While we may not be able to do much regarding the everyday demands of academics, we can lessen the social punches by letting young, impressionable teens live how they choose.

We don’t realize how similar the back-handed comments we make on a regular basis are to outright bullying, how a quick jab aimed at producing laughs might miss and hit someone’s pride instead, making them feel boxed in and smaller than they’ve ever felt.

Although being basic might seem like a social sin to some, the presence of the VSCO girl shouldn’t threaten us.

To let them live in their constant state of summer, wear their oversized souvenir t-shirts or show off their neon pink acrylics is to be knowledgeable of the fact that it’s hard to be a teenager.

RACHEL STEVENS/ THE ROCK

A work in progress EMILY DEARING

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RILEY KERNS/ THE ROCK

AUDREY NOVINGER

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s a minor who has yet to gain her right to vote in elections and on issues of interest, I often feel powerless to generate change in the face of situations with which I disagree. Fortunately, the ballot box is not the only place where I can voice my opinions.

According to a 2018 article from the non-profit organization Foundation for Economic Education, consumers can advocate for change. Because companies depend on sales, consumer choices have a cause-effect relationship on every company’s actions. If product demand is high, companies make more of that product. Likewise, if demand is low, companies adjust their business models to prevent loss.

When I find fault with a company’s practices, I avoid its products and services. I make it a goal to buy from companies whose values I agree with.

Recently, a video documenting graphic animal abuse at Fair Oaks Farms, a supplier of the dairy brand Fairlife, circulated the internet. Disgusted with Fair Oaks Farms’ practices, my family opted to buy milk from more responsible brands.

In this example, consumer decisions and complaints damaged Fairlife’s business and prompted several responses from the company, which stated it would update its policies to better protect animals. Despite achievement, meaningful solutions are not always simple.

While I wish it were possible to exclusively support companies whose values I agree with, there is not enough time in the day to research every company’s history and business practices. In addition, the intricacy of our economy often makes this information elusive.

Finally, it isn’t feasible for one to spend excessive sums on every Fair Trade Certified chocolate bar.

While I am passionate about endless issues, I have to draw the line somewhere. When making a purchase, I consider my values, which include environmental protection and humane conditions for workers and animals.

I take into account whether avoiding certain brands will support my values or cost me unreasonable amounts of time and money. Ultimately, voting with your wallet is an effective way to advocate for change.

hen I turned 16, I didn’t want to get a retail job. I didn’t really get that choice, however, because I needed a job fast.

So, day in and day out, I ask the same question to every customer: “Paper or plastic?”

In addition to taking Advanced Placement and Honors classes, I work at the Hy-Vee on West Broadway as a “courtesy clerk,” which is a fancy term for bagger, about three nights every week. I needed a job and finally found one in the beige walls that build up the Hy-Vee brand. For this to happen, however, I had to acquire something important: a license.

Finally, on July 19 my world became one of freedom.

In my fun-filled fantasy of cruising and attempting not to crash, my parents reminded me that gas costs money. So does your car. So does eating out every night.

I realized it was time to enter the working world, and I was ecstatic.

I started my job at Hy-Vee Aug. 10. It was light and bright outside, and I was ready to begin the day. Bagging groceries for $9 an hour seemed like a pretty good trade-off for me to drive whenever and wherever I wanted. My world was a fantasy where I could leave my house without a parent driving me around or policing my every action from the passenger seat. I was an uncaged bird, and I didn’t want to land.

My idea of complete freedom outside of work was nice for the first two or three shifts, but the reality of how school and work would fit together clipped my wings.

Looming shifts for work and beginning of the year assignments packed my calendar.

Textbooks filled my backpack, and beginning to nod off behind the wheel became a routine. Then money to get gas for

my car started to dissipate.

Adjusting to the tasks I took on, I became a part-time student to accommodate my homework, family and to pick up as many shifts as possible. I would get home at 2:45 p.m., do homework for half an hour, then rush to work. I gave countless rain checks for hanging out with my friends and was rarely with my family for longer than 10 minutes in the day.

Between working and doing homework, I was consistently exhausted. As soon as I would get home, my head would be against my pillow before I knew it. I started falling asleep in bathrooms. I drank too much coffee. I snapped at family when I would come home at 9 p.m., feet sore, arms heavy, trying to figure out which missing assignments I should tackle next. There were no warning signs at the time, but looking back the red flags of negative changes were clear.

I arrived home after work

How I learned to balance my first job with school

one night and proceeded to lash out at my parents, probably a little too harshly. In the span of five minutes I started an argument, got sent to my room and was called back out to talk with my dad outside our house. He confronted me with a question I was unprepared to answer: “Where’s our Emily?”

The rage in me dissipated.

I didn’t know. I’d misplaced myself beneath scheduling my day by the minute, beneath my attempts to keep up with my school assignments.

I was drowning under the frustration of explaining to my friends that my paycheck could not be anything less than $100 or I was a disappointment to my parents, since I wouldn’t have enough to pay for my insurance, and that the $150 I gave to my folks every month was the only way I could show them I could succeed as a student, worker and daughter. I had lost myself in this weird world I stumbled into during

RILEY KERNS/ THE ROCK

the summer.

I thought about how I had changed. I didn’t enjoy lashing out at my friends and family; I loved playing with my siblings and blaring music with my friends. I didn’t enjoy dreading homework; I loved taking notes for my classes. I didn’t enjoy being mad at myself; I missed valuing my diligence and knowing I am worth more than a dollar sign. I missed the old me.

It was time for a change of pace. Weekends for work?

Sounds good. I could work late shifts and crash at friend’s houses. Communicating with teachers? They know what balancing school and work is like.

They know what junior year does to kids, and they wanted to help. Talking to friends?

They bought me lunch for a few days to ensure I would be able to eat.

There are definite ups and downs to working during the school year. There are still moments when I need to remind myself I’m doing what I can, even if those around me may think otherwise. There are still times at work when I wonder how I’m going to get all of my homework done when I get home. But, I am learning as I go, and that’s OK. I’m still getting to do my late night drives. I’m laughing with my managers and coworkers at 8:45 most nights, now that I feel more comfortable with how much I can work, and reminding myself how much fun it is to make people happy. I’m getting caught back up with my classes and taking school one day at a time.

The last few months have been a rough transition, and I’m not even close to figuring the balance all out. Being a working student is a new and strange experience, but one I recommend if you’re up to the task. If you are? Anticipate paper, please.

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Girls’ tennis chasing history

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ANJALI NOEL RAMESH

n a flurry of heated practices and sweaty workouts, the girls’ tennis team gears up for a competitive season.

With matches lining up one after the other, the girls have a busy road ahead.

During the previous five years, the Bruins have won five consecutive Class 2 state championship titles, a feat only achieved by two other high school girls’ tennis teams in Missouri: Ladue Horton Watkins High School in Ladue and St. Joseph’s Academy, a private high school in St. Louis.

By winning a sixth title, the team would set the new record for most consecutive Class 2 state championship titles.

The road to state, however, is not going to be easy, coach Ben Loeb said, as he believes the opposition will be bringing its best game.

“If we win our districts, we are going to have a very tough sectional in the next round, and then hopefully we’ll make a run at state,” Loeb said.

“We lost some key players to graduation last year, and we’re going to face some good teams coming up.”

The starting line up last year included two seniors, Eleanor Fay and Abigail Still, who played second singles and fifth singles. Without the players who graduated from the team along with the tough competition ahead, Loeb believes grit and perseverance are crucial to any form of match play.

He wants the girls to implement a strong mindset along with the physical consistency of the game.

During practices, the Bruins challenge themselves through tiebreakers, usually only used in extremely close matches, to apply the pressure of putting the ball in play with no second chances. In order to exercise consistency throughout the length of a match, the girls also utilize safety to avoid unforced errors like hitting the ball into the net.

“I think we’re making progress on being mentally tougher in match play,” Loeb said. “We’re not there yet because we’ve just been playing with each other, but now we’re going to get the opportunity to play good other teams, and then we’re going to really find out where our resiliency is.”

Sophomore Abbie Sivaraman will start on the varsity team in just her second year and believes mental strength is key to success.

“This season will be harder than [past] seasons,” Sivaraman said. “Our sectional is more difficult, and the Final Four will be more difficult if we make it there. We have to work on resilience and being able to believe in ourselves.”

Getting enough competitive play and creating game day stress is a major focus. The goal is to stimulate actively intensive match play in informal practices.

“Sometimes playing sets and tiebreakers doesn’t really show the real pressure of how match day could feel,” Sivaraman said. “I think we have to find a way to stimulate pressure and learn how to thrive off of it in order to have and sustain a competitive mindset.”

While this is Sivaraman’s second year with the team, senior Mary Francis Hose has played for four years.

Hose agrees with Sirvaraman about the aspect of involving competitive play to prepare for the psychologically difficult side of any tennis match.

“I think the biggest thing for us to do is get a lot of competition,” Hose said. “Compared to a lot of other duels we play during the season, the teams we play at state are very skilled. We need to [handle] stressful situations [better].”

A veteran of the team, Hose witnessed the Bruins advance in various ways and through each title, but this year in particular Hose feels the girls team progressed in how they approach the game.

“Already I think we have seen a lot of strategic development in terms of doubles positioning and the proper shot selection for singles,” Hose said.

Though the road ahead is littered with obstacles, the team is preparing its hardest. Adopting the slogan ‘embrace the journey. . . together,’ the girls have a strong sense of team spirit and bonding.

“We have a really good sense of community,” Sivaraman said. “A lot of us still hit together outside of tennis season, so we’re pretty close, which SOPHIA EATON/THE ROCK helps us with. . . keeping each other ACING THE COMPETITION: Senior Mary Frances Hose hits a smash in a rally against fellow senior Corinne Farid in a team practice Sept. 25. The Bruins are now 11-2 and will host Springfield Central tomorrow. motivated on and off the court.”

Why did you decide to join the lacrosse team?

I saw a sign in the hall for it and went home and looked up what lacrosse was. I immediately fell in love with the fast pace and was excited and decided to join the team. It’s such a cool sport that incorporates so much of both skill and athleticism, and I’m so glad I play.”

— Evelyn Wilbur, 10

SARAH MOSTELLER/THE ROCK

I found out about lacrosse through friends, and after the first practice I fell in love. I [previously] played softball for five years, and my skills [transitioned] well. I really enjoy the active aspects of [lacrosse because] the field is always moving, and there are no gaps in [action].”

— Meghan Thomas, 10

SARAH MOSTELLER/THE ROCK

I found out about lacrosse through the club fair when a couple of seniors who knew me told me about how great of a team and sport it would be to join.

After I went to a couple of practices I completely fell for [the] sport, and it’s had such a positive impact on my life overall.”

— Sloan O’Sullivan, 10

SARAH MOSTELLER/ THE ROCK

Girls’ lacrosse prudent during inaugural fall preseason lacrosse is still a growing sport in our area, the brings more excitement and energy. The larger he girls’ lacrosse team has started its sea- opportunity to help develop the girls’ skills and numbers show the girls’ advertisement paid off. son in a new fashion, as a set of fall pre- the program as a whole is a really exciting factor For Thomas, the team provides more than season clinics began Sept. 17. The clinics of my position.” just an outlet to have competitive lacrosse are Tuesdays and Thursdays every week from Nelson, however, won’t be treading the wa- matches; it offers a welcoming and family-like 5-6:30 p.m. at West Middle School and will run ters alone. The team will bring back sophomore environment. through Oct. 17. midfielders Meghan Thomas and Evelyn Wil“My favorite thing about lacrosse is definitePreviously, the team only had a competitive bur. Both girls enjoyed the sport last year and ly my team,” Thomas said. “I played softball spring season from February to May. Columbia have higher hopes for the upcoming regular previously for about six years and have never Girls Lacrosse Club President Tim Thomas said season. felt a team experience like this. We all keep up planning the clinics was an extensive process.

“Meghan and I have worked really hard all [morale] and support each other unconditional“Last year we offered some conditioning and summer to improve our lacrosse skills, [and] ly, and it’s overall a really good environment for player-[run] practices, but we wanted to boost we [practiced] two to four hours a day,” Wilbur starting to learn and love the sport.” attendance and give opportunities for girls to try said. “We also did a lot with recruiting people to The girls hope the fall scrimmages springout the sport before joining in January,” Thom- play and [helped] to plan how we want our team board excitement and momentum for the reguas said. “We really built some momentum from to be for this school year.” lar spring season. Anyone interested in joining the June clinics, and our board decided to see Wilbur said she is particularly excited for the lacrosse can contact Thomas at comogirlslax@ if we [could] replicate that for September to fall session because it will provide an oppor- gmail.com. The first regular season games for October. We discussed [plans] in late July and tunity for the influx of new players along with the team will start around March 1 and continue began making preparations, but we had to hire the other veterans to mesh and establish strong into early May. new coaches first and see if they could support chemistry.

The regular season schedule features a home [the team].”

“I think this year is the first time in a while tournament where teams from St. Louis, Kansas Two of the coaches slated to step in are head that the team has put our focus on bringing more City and Springfield plan to compete. Furthercoach Codi Schuver and assistant coach Jane players in and growing the program,” Wilbur more, the team will also participate in tournaNelson. Schuver is unavailable to coach the said. “So I’m excited for a bigger team with ments in St Louis, Kansas City, Des Moines, team this fall, which leaves Nelson in charge of some new faces.”

Iowa., Lincoln, Neb., Bentonville, Ark. and running the fall preseason scrimmages.

Thomas agrees with Wilbur that the in- Dunlap, Ill. Nelson believes she brings a lot of experience creased size of and interest in the lacrosse team Before the girls can compete, however, the to the team. She participated in team must focus on learning to Division 1 lacrosse at Central work together as much as posMichigan from 2015 to 2016, sible during the fall preseason. but stopped because of multiNelson hopes this time ple concussions. Despite this helps excite the team for the being the first time Nelson spring regular season. Her will coach high schoolers, she main goal is for the girls to has experience with youth and build up confidence and learn middle school teams. to excel at the fundamentals of “I am beyond excited to be lacrosse. the assistant coach of this la“Lacrosse is a difficult crosse team. Lacrosse is a very sport, but I believe that when developed sport on the East the players master the basics, and West coasts but is still they can be an unstoppable expanding into the Midwest,” force on the field,” Nelson Nelson said. “[This] has cresaid. “I am looking forward ated unequal opportunities for to working with the girls and players in the Midwest who helping them become the best SARAH MOSTELLER/THE ROCK are curious about learning the CHECK IT OUT: Sophomore Riya Amin (RBHS) and junior Holly Dickinson (Coplayers they possibly can be game of lacrosse but have no lumbia Independent School) practice on Thursday, Sept. 19. Girls from all Cothrough helping them find a access to play it, and because lumbia schools practice as a part of the Columbia Girls Lacrosse Organization. sense of purpose.”

RYAN CHOE

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THE ROCK | WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Cross country sets new pace Team to host inaugural Gans Creek Classic

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JARED GEYER

fter much anticipation, the Gans Creek recreation area cross country course will officially open to the RBHS cross

country (RBXC) team and nearly 100 other schools in the first ever Gans Creek Classic Saturday.

The newly created path near Father Tolton Catholic High School will also be the location of the 2019

Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) state cross country championships starting Nov. 9.

Measuring 5,000 meters in length, the route includes extra spectator

JADYN LISENBY/FLASHBACK

SETTING THE PACE: Sophomore Caden Renner and senior Max Daubert run in the Forest Park Cross Country Festival Sept. 14 in St. Louis. The varsity boys finished fourth in their division while the girls’ team placed first.

berms, elevated land that overlooks the route, which will allow athletes and parents to have a better look at more of the Gans Creek recreation area.

Coach Neal Blackburn is a director of the inaugural meet, along with Columbia Parks and Recreation Services Manager Erika Coffman.

Blackburn does not see the close proximity to RBHS as a leg up on the competition, merely as a bonus to the training program.

“Having a course of this magnitude in our community hasn’t impacted us yet,” Blackburn said. “But the future will allow us to occasionally run out there, which may not necessarily be an advantage competitively as much as it’s just a nice soft surface to run.”

The boys’ and girls’ varsity teams have psychologically and physically prepared for the Gans Creek Classic throughout the days leading up to the meet.

Senior varsity runner Jack Stevens said he believes the goal for the boys is always to win, no matter what.

As the Gans Creek Classic nears, Stevens emphasized how he mentally readies himself for the upcoming meet.

“It’s different for each person and each team, but I know for the guys’ side we’re hungry. We’ve had some ups and downs the past season, and this time everything is on the line: no slacking, no settling,” said Stevens, referring the determination they have to improve on last year’s 15th place finish at state. “We’ve always been a top program in the state, and we will

settle for nothing less.”

Sophomore varsity runner Maci Steuber said she wants to approach the meet with an open mind.

She said the route contains a lot of unknowns, but she hopes to block out the distractions. Team building events, such as pasta parties, are a driving force behind the girls’ varsity team as they race together at each meet.

The Gans Creek Classic will be the third event RBXC attends this season, after the Ames Invitational, which was in Ames, Iowa, where both varsity teams took first place, and the Forest Park Invitational where girls’ varsity got first place and boys’ varsity placed fourth.

“Most importantly, [the team’s goal should] be to not over exaggerate the meet. The meet will allow teams to analyze the season state course, along with define rankings throughout the Columbia teams,” Steuber said. “This can automatically draw lots of attention to the meet, resulting in an anxious mindset. The girls’ varsity [team will be] walking into Gans Creek with the mentality of any other race. We are here to compete.”

Blackburn said he hopes the camaraderie shown through conversation during runs and group focus during workouts will translate well into Gans Creek.

“I expect our teams to take racing risks and run for one another.

Accomplishments will take care of themselves,” Blackburn said.

“Preparation is our daily journey in the form of what we discuss at practice and the training that follows.”

Students establish new co-ed rowing club ISAAC YONTZ

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rew, a sport often chronicled as an East coast exclusive, may debut in Columbia. Junior Quinn Tyler and senior Leela Cullity plan to start RBHS’s first rowing team.

Cullity said she initiated the idea after college visits during the summer.

The team had its first meeting Sept. 8 and will have practices before school Tuesdays and Thursdays on the track field.

“Me and Leela just had the idea; she had been visiting a bunch of East Coast schools and watching rowing teams do their thing,” Tyler said. “We also go to the gym together a lot, and when we don’t feel like running we do the rowing machine for cardio, and one day we were doing the rowing machine and just decided that doing this as a type of club thing would be really cool.”

Sponsor Matt Johnson believes starting a rowing team is a healthy way to further bonding and is a great addition to athletics.

“Why not?” Johnson thought when asked to sponsor the club by Tyler and Cullity. Johnson said he agreed because he thought it would be funny, even though he was reluctant at first.

To begin rowing, the club will need to raise enough money for a boat. Cullity and Tyler originally planned to order a boat from Massachusetts; however, after several different complications, the team postponed ordering the boat for the coming months.

“If we eventually get on the water, we would need to fundraise $2,000 for a boat, but we [can’t] fundraise [for outdoor activities] through Rock Bridge,” Tyler said. “Getting out on the water cannot be associated with the school until we get through the Missouri State

High School [Activities] Association [MSHSAA].” The team intended to fundraise at the first home football game Aug. 30; however, because of MSHSAA rules, the team is unable to receive any funding from school-related activities for outdoor rowing events.

Cullity went into further detail about why the club can’t row on water. In order to be associated with RBHS and row outside, the team would need to purchase liability insurance, something that the RBHS boys’ lacrosse does to continue being a club sport.

“For indoor rowing purposes, we can fundraise with Rock Bridge. We hope to collect money at the upcoming football games and events,” Cullity said. “We also plan to do Chipotle fundraising, and we hope to collect donations from family and friends. The rowing team is strictly indoors and plans to attend rowing

Softball prepares for Hickman Rivals to have first season meeting WILL COVER

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he softball team (13-4) plays Hickman at 5:30 p.m. today here.

Last year, the Kewpies beat the Bruins, 14-1, in the regular season, but in the districts semifinal game the Bruins won, 4-1.

Bruins softball coach Lisa Simmons said the team is not planning to change its mentality, despite the rivalry between the two schools.

“The goal for us is to not let the game get bigger than it’s supposed to be,” Simmons said.

“At the end of the day, it’s another game.”

RBHS has succeeded at hitting so far, said freshman Anna Christ, who pitches and plays right field. Despite the winning record the team has gained, Christ said she has an idea of which areas the team should practice for improvement.

“We’ve been working on bunt defense, that kind of stuff, because [Hickman does] that sometimes,” Christ said, “[and] that’s one of our weaker points right now.

Pitcher and first baseman junior Ella Schouten said the team has excelled because of the display of camaraderie and

resiliency the Bruins showed in previous games.

“Overall, as a team, we have learned to trust each other and to be able to pick each other up when things don’t go our way,” Schouten said. “I think that is our biggest strength at the moment because when we keep our emotions in check we are unstoppable, and our physical play shows it as well as our record.”

Because this is Simmons’ first year coaching, she said there is an adjustment the girls must make to her style, but the team has been progressing well.

Simmons said she is pleased with the effort of the team so far and added she has high hopes for the rest of the season, particularly for postseason play.

“We’ve got a couple of wins under our belt, a couple of good wins. We are doing well about getting a lot of kids in the game.

I’m very fortunate that I’ve got some depth in my lineup, and so we’re constantly changing things,” Simmons said. “I think that’ll pay dividends down the road because we’ll have people that have had that experience in ANA MANZANO/THE ROCK a varsity game. . . Our depth is BATTER UP: Junior Maddie Snider waits for a pitch during the team’s game what’s going to help us down against St. Francis Borgia Sept. 12. The Bruins won, 5-2, and currently have the road.” a (13-4) record entering their match against Hickman today at 5:30 p.m.

classes at Rho studio.”

MSHSAA has various rules and regulations that a potential sport must follow and complete before it can be officially approved. In the case of the rowing, it would have to be a club sport during its first year, and all of its members could not be affiliated with the school.

Since equity is an issue, Tyler said rowing could not be a school regulated sport unless every school in the district has a team. The likelihood of all three high schools coordinating their own rowing team is slim; however, there are crew competitions around Missouri. These Bruins hope to compete in matches in Kansas City and St. Louis.

“If we become a club sport,” Tyler said, “the most likely scenario would be competing against other rowing clubs in the state of Missouri.”

What’s on deck for RBHS athletics?

Boys’ Soccer 9/30 @ Gateway Legacy Christian Academy (IL) 6:45 p.m.

Girls’ Golf 9/30 @ Hickman & Battle Lake of the Woods 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball 9/26 @ RBHS vs St. Paul Lutheran 7:30 p.m.

RACHEL STEVENS/THE ROCK

C8 SPORTS

THE ROCK WWW.BEARINGNEWS.ORG SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

QB focuses on faith, family and football RYAN CHOE

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rowing up, senior Grant Hajicek attended various Mizzou sporting events. The joy of these games inspired him to participate in athletics, so he quickly signed up to play football, basketball and baseball. Hajicek started football in fourth grade and soon found his niche as a quarterback, an essential position.

Having gained inspiration from watching players like Chase Daniel, the Mizzou quarterback from 2005-08, Hajicek decided to play the position. Behind only the head coach and offensive coordinator, the quarterback is the field general and offensive maestro.

Hajicek’s journey to starting varsity quarterback tested his patience. For two years Hajicek waited his turn behind Trevor Twehous, who held the position from 2016-17, leading the junior varsity football team his sophomore year. Then, in his junior year, Hajicek’s era as starter began.

Head Coach Van Vanatta said he is proud of the way Hajicek has grown these past three years during their time together.

“I think Grant has a really strong head on his shoulders,” Vanatta said. “[Everyone] has mental mistakes that they make, but Grant takes care of business. He does well in the classroom [and] he’s a good role model in the school. As a quarterback, that’s something you need. He handles himself so well in all aspects of his life.”

Hajicek said he appreciates the growing responsibility Vanatta has given him over the years. From Hajicek’s sophomore to senior year, Vanatta said he trusted him because of how he matured into a better and more accountable leader. More than anything, Hajicek believes Vanatta helped him develop not only as an athlete, but also as a person. “[Coach Vanatta] helped me with the mental aspect of the game a lot,” Hajicek said. “He’s very encouraging but also continues to push me. . . I try to soak up as much knowledge from him as I can.”

Hajicek tries to carry over all the lessons he has learned from athletics into his personal life. Because of the enormous responsibility surrounding football on his shoulders, Hajicek’s schedule demands discipline.

During football season, he practices Monday through Thursday from 4:20-7:30 p.m. with games on Fridays.

“I [try] to use my AUTs pretty efficiently,” Hajicek said. “I have an extra one because I take a zero hour strength training class. I’ll [study] at the library or at my desk at home most often.”

One way Hajicek is able to balance athletics and academics is through his self-discipline, something he attributes to his deep religious faith. Growing up in a Christian household, Hajicek said being a devout Christian athlete became paramount in his life.

“I really liked watching Tim Tebow,” Hajicek said.

“He was a great player and lived out his faith through football, which was something I [wanted] to do.”

Tebow was the quarterback for the University of Florida from 2006-09. Like Hajicek, Tebow was a committed Christian athlete. Hajicek said he is lucky to have physics teacher Travis Gabel help him strengthen the religious part of his life at school. Gabel is one of the sponsors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at RBHS. Over the years, Gabel has established a meaningful relationship with Hajicek.

“I first met Grant when he attended his older brother’s basketball games as a middle schooler,” Gabel said. “He has always been a very kind and respectful young man who has a level head. Our relationship has grown very strong over the years of me coaching him and [through] our interactions on the FCA leadership team.”

Gabel said he is always impressed with Hajicek’s broad view of life. Although Hajicek is a prominent leader among his peers, Gabel respects how Hajicek maintains a humble mindset.

“Last year, Grant was the quarterback on the football team and during the basketball season he didn’t get many varsity minutes; however, he consistently could be seen giving out cups of water to his teammates,” Gabel said. “It just shows the kind of guy he is, doing whatever it takes for his teammates.”

Throughout Hajicek’s constantly busy life, he feels Gabel is a steady helping hand. Gabel, however, credits Hajicek for the influence Hajicek has had on him.

“Grant has made an impact on me by the way he carries himself,” Gabel said. “It is very cool to see a guy who loves two sports and has not given up on one of them. He is a leader in both sports, and it has been very cool to see how he has been a leader in different ways on each team. It is also very cool to see how he tries to play his sports with his faith as [his] number one priority.”

With scholarship offers from Quincy University and Butler University, Hajicek is looking forward to the future. But for now, he is focused on finishing his high school football career on a high note.

“The process [has been] fun, and I’ve enjoyed visiting different places this past spring and summer and seeing what practice and life will be like at the next level, but I try not to worry about recruiting during the season,” Hajicek said. “I hope people remember me for the person I am off the field. Obviously, [my] goal is to win a state championship, but I want people to think I was a good [and devout] Christian football player that always played hard and played for his teammates.”

CAMRYN DEVORE/ THE ROCK

LEADING THE WAY: Hajicek, a leader on the team, has been starting varsity QB since his junior year.

CAMRYN DEVORE/ THE ROCK

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: Senior halfback and outside linebacker Miles Cheatum (6) and senior wide receiver and free safety Tre Manuel (3) burst through a banner before the BHS game on Sept. 13. The Bruins seek their first win of the season against HHS.

Bruin football team prepares for Providence rivalry game T

Not every mishap has been in the Bruins’ control. Various injuomorrow at 7 p.m., the Bruins take on the Hickman Kewpies ries have diminished the team. This includes Forte who hurt his elin the annual Providence Bowl for their second straight road bow late in the fourth quarter in last week’s game against LSWHS, along with senior wide receiver and cornerback Spencer Nivens game.

With crosstown bragging rights on the line, RBHS hopes to who injured his wrist well into the fourth quarter of the same game. have a change of pace from its rocky start. Narrow defeats against During the week two matchup against De Smet, senior running Rockhurst High School and Battle High School at home and two back and free safety Peyton Carr slightly pulled his hamstring, and demoralizing beatings on the road against De Smet Jesuit High senior inside linebacker and offensive lineman Jaden Lewis injured School and Lee’s Summit West High School (LSWHS) have re- his ankle.

“We’re banged up; we are injured,” Van Vanatta said. “And lissulted in an 0-4 record on the season.

“We’ve played four really good football teams, and there’s times ten, [there are] three or four really key players that I think could we kind of make mistakes and beat ourselves, and every time we make a difference, but it’s not going to matter until each and every make mistakes the other teams are capitalizing on it,” Head Coach one of us accepts ownership and our accountability, and it starts Van Vanatta said. “And instead of capitalizing on their mistakes, with me.”

Forte, Nivens and Carr are expected to be cleared to play by we’re making more mistakes, and that’s just where we’re at. It is Friday’s vital game, while Lewis, who possesses a more persistent just frustrating.”

Blunders such as allowing a touchdown on the opening kickoff injury with an ankle fracture, is foreseen to be out of play for at return against LSWHS keep the Bruins from reaching their full po- least six more weeks.

Despite the legion of injuries, tential. Junior offensive lineman Daniel RBHS must plod on to tomorrow’s Forte said these mishaps don’t demonmatchup against the Kewpies. strate what the team’s ability and capacWe’re not working together Hickman has a 2-2 record with a ity truly is. win against Pattonville High School “I believe that the scores of the past and doing the things that we’re and a throttling of Smith-Cotton four games do not reflect who we are supposed to do all the way High School. as a team and what we are capable of,” The Bruins need to be equipped Forte said. “Our effort, intensity and down the chains from myself, accordingly in order to break their physicality has been apparent in each to assistant coaches to players. losing streak. game. Mental mistakes are what is hold“First we will start with watching us back.”

We’re just not getting it done. ing film and studying Hickman.

Furthermore, Forte said if every BruWe’ve gotta get that fixed, but Practices have to be with high inin rallies as one and executes on each tensity and focus, and we will need play, the team would improve astronomwe’re running out of time.” to improve our weaknesses,” junior ically. free safety and wide receiver Max “We need to come together as a team — Van Vanatta, Vanatta said. “We all need to learn by believing in each other and persehead coach our jobs and assignments so we can vering through adversity,” Forte said. be ready for Friday night.”

“Though one may be overpowered, two Although RBHS has blown out Hickman in the past few concan defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken,” said Forte, who was quoting Ecclesiastes 4:12 New Interna- tests with a 31-0 trouncing last season and a 41-9 flattening in tional Bible. “We cannot change the past for the future is what lies 2017, the last thing the Bruins will do is underestimate them. There is no shortage of motivation, especially with the hunger for their ahead.”

Because the team hasn’t unified yet, its play has suffered. Van first win of the season.

“Every game we play, no matter the team, is the hardest game Vanatta elaborated on who exactly is responsible for the Bruins’ unsatisfactory performance; he said it’s not one individual player, we play all year,” Max Vanatta said. “Hickman is a good football team, and in order to beat them, we need to have a good week of coach or unit but everybody.

“I just feel like we don’t look like we know what we’re do- practice and come out on Friday fired up and ready to win.”

Van Vanatta believes that for the players to secure a victory on ing right now. I think if we could fix that. . . but we’re getting to mid-season and it’s not getting better,” Van Vanatta said. “We’re Friday, something in how they lay the groundwork this week needs not working together and doing the things that we’re supposed to to differ from the past.

“Hopefully we don’t prepare like we have been preparing,” Van do all the way down the chains from myself, to assistant coaches to players. We’re just not getting it done. We’ve gotta get that fixed, Vanatta said. “We don’t have 11 guys doing their job at the same time, and, until we do that, I can’t tell you what our future holds.” but we’re running out of time.”

ELLIOT BACHRACH