WG Echo November 2023

Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Hadley Hoskins PRINT/PODCAST EDITOR: Sam Klein JUNIOR EDITOR: Ali Schulz SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER/ GRAPHICS EDITOR: Soledad Lee VIDEO EDITOR: Margaret Oliphant NEWS/OPINION EDITOR: Arianna Peper ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Margaret Korte FEATURE EDITOR: Jasper Winterton ADVISOR: Donald Johnson SPECIAL THANKS TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE ECHO: Melanie Bennett Kim and Dan Emerson Ariel Johnson Keillyn Johnson Anne and John Klein Jenny Korte Tracy Willis

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Nakatani sisters go to State for Tennis and Golf 3 Student complaints against vending machines rise 3 Students decide: Is astrology real? 4 NHS hosts Mercy Hospital blood drive 5 Staff, students celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month 5 Drama department prepares for ‘Rumors’ 6 AI finds place in school environment 7 Men’s swim, dive team places 6th at State 8-9 Senior sparks conversations through interviews 10 Students volunteer at Camp Wyman 11 Students, staff reflect on ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ 12 DECA brings back Car Smash fundraiser 13 Op-ed: There should be more Thanksgiving movies 14 Op-ed: Parking-spot painting would prevent parking problems 15 Editorial: Religious discrimination is out of control 16

SOME MATERIAL FROM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE The Echo is a monthly publication of the newspaper staff of Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Ave., Webster Groves, MO. To contact staff members, call 314-963-6400 ex.

11157 or write to wgecho@wgmail.org.

Unsigned editorials are the opinion of a majority of staff members; signed articles are the opinion of the writer.

Letters to the editor of 300 words or less are welcome; submit letters by the 10th of the month to wgecho@wgmail.org, or room 155. All letters must be signed, although the name may be withheld from publication if requested. The Echo has the right to edit letters for publication as long as intent remains unchanged.

Cover Cutline: Senior Faida Achinda performs during the Broadway Revue on Friday, Oct. 27. Photo by Sam Klein

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Table of Contents | November 2023

Nakatani sisters go to state for Tennis and Golf Margaret Oliphant Video Editor

Sisters junior Cate Nakatani and freshman Meg Nakatani went to State for women’s golf and women’s tennis.

Cate placed 35th overall, and women’s tennis team took home third place.

Both sisters have played sports since they were children.

Their family has a love of sports, and the sisters have played multiple sports such as golf, tennis and soccer; however, they mostly focus on the sports they play with their team.

While Cate did not always love golf, creating goals and becoming more competitive caused her love for the sport to grow.

“For me, going to State this year was re-

ally exciting because I barely missed the State cut last year. Being able to improve and qualify this year was a good accomplishment. As far as my sister, it has been really exciting to see her and her team do so well,” Cate said.

Cate stayed focused on shots and playing golf, rather than worrying about anyone else. During the off season, Cate made golf a priority by taking lessons and playing through tournaments over the summer. Cate set goals for herself with the biggest goal being going to State.

“I feel like sports, especially golf, teaches you a lot of life lessons, like patience and perseverance, and it has definitely made me mentally tougher,” Cate said.

Meg, on the other hand, has always had a love of tennis, both the feeling of playing and just being on the court.

“I just keep falling more in love with it,” Meg said.

Meg said it was unexpected to go to State as a freshman and that she couldn’t have done it without her doubles part-

ner, junior Addison Simpson.

“It was really exciting because we were there with the whole team. It was nerve wracking, but overall a good experience,” Meg said.

While cheering each other on, the sisters have gained a deeper appreciation for their sisters’ hard work.

“It made me appreciate all of the hard work and seeing all of the hard work pay off,” Meg said.

Meg prepared with lots of practice, team dinners and keeping her spirits high.

According to Cate, the sisters have “some friendly competition.” Cate and Meg pushed each other to play the best they could as well as cheering for each other, celebrating wins and working through losses.

Meg said that because they are both athletes, they have a better understanding of the excitement of going to State.

Art from Canva

Student complaints against vending machines rise Jasper Winterton Feature Editor “When life gives you broken vending machines, you stage a revolution,” Chase Curtis, sophomore, said.

The vending machines have recently caused some discourse with complaints of them not working well anymore. In the only snack vending machine at the school, run by DECA, two rows are disabled. Most vending machines only take cash now, while it previously accepted cards as well.

“People bring unhealthy items from home, so why disable (the machines). It’s a scam from the school to make you purchase more from the lunch line,” Curtis said.

Izzy Brunk, sophomore, also mentioned the disabled rows of items in the snack vending machine.

“They should enable the disabled rows in the machine for both lunches,” Brunk said.

Brunk agreed with Curtis’ statements, and said that with the school lunch line offering food similar to what is in disabled rows, it doesn’t make sense for them to not enable them.

According to the District Wellness Program, the food that is sold to students is regulated by the USDA and must meet school

November 2023 | Feature

meal and Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

Brunk said, “Why have them there if it’s just going to be disabled? it’s like taunting us.”

Though students have been upfront with their opinions on the matter, most of the issues aren’t in the school’s hands, but in the government’s.

According to Kara Siebe, head of the marketing department, the products sold during school hours must fit the USDA guidelines, or else the vending machine will be taken away. The solution DECA had come up with was enabling the candy rows when school ends, as the government views the school day to start at midnight and end 30 minutes after dis missal.

Siebe added the vending machine is automatically set to accept all payment methods; however, when there is an issue with the service, it switches to cash only. The DECA vending machine was moved into the cafeteria, so it would have better signal and wouldn’t face the issue.

Siebe said DECA chooses the snacks the machine holds through student surveys; however, it can be difficult to work around the strict health guidelines. The A La Carte lunch line also follows the guidelines, by putting healthier versions of snacks, like hot fries, so the school can still sell the snacks to students without violating the guidelines.

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Students Decide: Is astrology real?

Soledad Lee Social Media/Graphics Editor For Gen Z and Millennials, zodiac signs and astrology serve as an escapism from life’s problems.

Astrology rose in popularity during the pandemic in 2020, when many escaped to TikTok and needed an outlet to navigate stressful times.

Usually, it’s all just for fun, but some are totally against astrology, arguing it is not true science and is a wrongful judgment of people’s personality.

“Somebody could have the same birthday as someone else, and be like the same sign and have completely different personalities. That doesn’t determine who they are, so I don’t want people judging people off of something like that,” senior Blake Ahrens said.

Latin teacher Jeff Smith said, “I never really believed it, but they would actually print it (horoscopes) in this thing called a newspaper. I would read it every morning, and I think it’s bunk.

I don’t believe any of it, cause science.”

Science teacher Greg Heard who teaches astronomy, explained how astrology isn’t a scientific form of thinking.

“Astrology, on the other hand, does not base its foundation on experimentation and data analysis. Instead, it attempts to recognize connections in nature without little or no evidence guiding such correlations,” Heard said via email.

Heard also highlighted that people should be aware of astronomy and astrology sharing similar origins.

“They both began by people asking questions about the observable universe and our place in it. As evidence gathering techniques improved throughout history, so did our views on astronomy and astrology,” Heard said via email.

According to britannica.com, astrology dates back to the third millennium BC in Mesopotamia, where it spread to India, and gained its Western form in Greek civilization during the Hellenistic period. Astrology then, through Greek tradition, found its way to Islamic culture and redirected to European culture through Arabic teaching during the middle ages.

“I think it is so real, because there is a very long history behind it. I actually just watched a really old documentary, and it’s like, why would you doubt something that’s dated back thousands of years and is ingrained in so many Eastern religions,” senior Saroya Williams said.

There are 12 zodiac signs (Aries, Taurus, Libra, Virgo, Gemini, Capricorn, Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Pisces and Scorpio). They are assigned to the month and day a person was born.

Some might assume a person is assigned only a sun sign, but there are different placements including the moon sign and rising sign. The sun sign is someone’s personality, their moon sign is their internal feelings, and their rising sign is how a person is socially and the way someone physically look.

Junior Allie McGuire believes zodiac sign compatibility is real, from her own experiences when meeting people she essentially finds herself getting along with.

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“People who I meet, who I feel like we’re on the same wavelength, after I meet them and whenever I learn about their horoscope or whatever, I’m like wow that’s really weird; cause they’re like a fire sign. There seems to be a correlation,” McGuire said.

A common thing people associate with astrology believers is their dislike towards people they believe they aren’t compatible with, they commonly say phrases like, “We could never be together; you’re (zodiac sign),” or “You’re a (zodiac sign); we aren’t compatible.”

“I think those people don’t actually understand astrology because that’s just not how it works. It’s not like there’s generally people who are not compatible or anything,” Williams said.

Ahrens has experienced this himself.

“They’ve been like, ‘Oh, of course, you do that cause you’re a Libra,’ and I’m like ‘What? That doesn’t even make any sense,” Ahrens said.

Seniors Katherine Ragain and Ruby Coalier see the fun in astrology but don’t quite believe in it.

“If it’s a silly time for you, go for it, but if you’re basing all your decisions off that, then you should reconsider some things,” Ragain said.

“I do think there’s some silliness to it; like you get a necklace with your sign on it. That could be fun,” Coalier said.

Art by Saroya Williams Feature | November 2023

NHS hosts Mercy Hospital blood drive Margaret Korte Entertainment Editor

According to Givingblood.org, one in seven people entering a hospital need blood.

This blood, which comes from donations, can save up to three lives with only one pint—but fewer than 10% of U.S. citizens donate blood every year.

Mercy Hospital sponsored a blood drive for the National Honor Society on Monday, Nov. 13, from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It took place in the secondary gym.

The hospital has been working with Webster and other high schools for about eight years, according to National Honor Society sponsor Amy Rowland.

The hospital sponsors different clubs throughout the year, such as another blood drive for Student Council in the spring.

Rowland said the blood donated goes to the hospital, Senior Karina Smith drinks juice before donating blood at the NHS and is used primarily for blood transfusions, as well as blood drive on Monday, Nov. 13. Photo by Jasper Winterton “whatever they need it for.” nouncements, as well as helping with planning and execution.

Seniors Gabrielle Merli, Charlotte Collier and Jo“Our goal is to sign up 75 donors,” Rowland said via email. elle Jeanmougin were all in charge of the leadership of the blood “We hope to consistently sign up as many donors as possible, drive.

Merli had been involved in one of the Student Council blood and to have at least half of the registered donors donate blood.”

It was free to donate to the drive, and those who did were drives last year.

Jeanmougin said their leadership entailed mostly “running the given a free T-shirt.

In general, Rowland said, “All of the blood stays in the STL blood drive, filling in gaps [and] making sure it runs smoothly.”

They were in charge of making posters and the slide for the an- area, so we hope to help as many people as possible.”

Staff, students celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month Margaret Oliphant Video Editor According to archives.gov, Native American History Month was founded in November of 1990.

Samsha.gov writes that it is during November because it concluded the traditional harvest season as well as Thanksgiving celebrations.

It started as an “effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.,” according to NationalNativeAmericanHistoryMonth.gov “National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian

November 2023 |News/Feature

and Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.

It is also a time to evaluate our pledge to maintain the meaningful partnerships we have with Tribal Nations and renew our commitment to our nation-to-nation relationships as we seek to ensure every community has a future they deserve,” the National Park Service wrote last year for its monthly themes.

“Native American history is often overlooked. In our own backyard we have Cahokia Mounds, which doesn’t get much attention,” history teacher Joshua Luparell said.

Luparell has taught for 18 years and incorporates native culture in his curriculum as often as he can. In traditional curriculums, history classes focus on the people in power in history. Indigenous people have not held positions such as president

or other powerful positions often in history.

“There’s a narrative in this country that Native Americans were here for Thanksgiving and then disappeared,” Luparell said.

This phenomenon is called “the vanishing Indian,” depicting indigenous people as a dying race and culture. This is also depicted in pop culture such as the American novel, later adapted into a movie, “The Last of The Mohicans.” This phenomenon is also seen in the overlooking of events such as the Sand Creek Massacre during the Civil War. Junior Adriana Frisella said the school does a good job at being inclusive, but because not everyone experiences what she does and are typically around people who don’t look like her, she is still affected by things like comments which are often overlooked.

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Drama department prepares for ‘Rumors’ Arianna Peper News/Opinion Editor

earlier than usual to ensure that they can focus on the dynamic of the play and having When met with lights filling everything go well together. a stage, actors performing and Dickens said, “I enjoy getlaughter echoing in the audience, ting the opportunity to be the efforts behind the production of a director of this play because play can easily go unnoticed.

I think it is a fun way to be a This year, the drama departpart of the theatrical process: ment will perform “Rumors” by not only through the acting Neil Simon: a murder-mystery but also the technical aspects comedy set in New York durof the play. ing the ‘80s where eight milDickens said the produclionaires—four couples— go to tion has a very talented cast their friends’ anniversary party, this year and that the play, and the hosts are nowhere to be Senior Willow Sinclair rehearses for ‘Rumors’ in the Jerry which has a different type R. Night Auditorium on Tuesday, Nov. 14. found. of plot from others the dePhoto by Arianna Peper partment has done recently, The play will take place in the Jerry R. Knight Auditorium at 7 will contribute to the actors’ p.m. on Nov. 16, 17, and 18. Tickets will cost $10 each. strengths.

However, before the play can be performed for an audience, Senior Kaya Wolf, who will play Chris Gorman said, “I’ve the department has put in a considerable amount of effort into prepared by going to rehearsals regularly, creating an inspiration perfecting the performance. board and finding images that I think represent clothes she would Director Alexandria Dickens said over the past month while wear, makeup, hairstyles, etc. I also practice my accent a lot.” working with the actors, she has made them memorize their lines Wolf said, “It means so much to be a part of this show. I’ve been in two other shows before this and have done tech for almost every production since my freshman year. I love performOld Webster Groves ing, so being a part of a show with a smaller cast, similar to 111 W Lockwood Ave 314-395-6094 my first show ‘Harvey,’ which I starred in during my sophomore LeMacaron1StLouis@gmail.com year, means a lot to me.”

M-Sat 9am-10pm Sun 9am-9pm Acting isn’t the only aspect that contributes to a play: the tech of Saint Loius lemacaronstlouis department also has been preparing for the event.

Producer and tech director Todd Schaefer said, “Once we get rolling, it’s the same process, just a different story we tell every Tarts & time so the variables change depending on what play or musical Cakes for you are doing, but the process stays the same. That’s what I love the Holidays! about theater, is that you’ll never tell the same story twice.”

Schaefer is in charge of the tech crew and making sure the money is there to fund the play. He said, “Preparation for this one is getting it ready to go on the auditorium stage, the last time we did it was in the Little Theater, which is now torn down. We are trying to prepare for a bigger set, more room, and hopefully larger audiences.”

While the actors have been rehearsing for over a month already, tech work will begin shortly, which consists of the tech Cozy Homework Ambiance class and some after school students. Once tech is introduced, Study Break Hangout Schaefer said, “Everything will be about communication beAfter-School Coffees a z z a v a tween us, the actors, the stage managers, and Mrs. Dickens.”

L nts, Snacks on, Croissa more! le o p a N , About what it means to be a part of producing the play, Schaes lair & & Cakes, Éc lato, Fine Chocolates, ts r a T , s n fer said, “I’m going to turn 50 this year, and I have been doing , Ge Macaro Iced Drinks , s e e ff o C theatre since I was in fourth grade, so I just live it and breath it. I Euro love, love, love producing stories for an audience and comedies are the most fun because making an audience laugh is totally healing.”

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Feature | November 2022

AI finds place in school environment Sam Klein Print/Podcast Editor

ment about AI and how it’s being used…a lot of the professional development that SLU was looking at how do you keep students honest,” Landsness said about the partnership with SLU. A large concern with AI comes in when it comes to writing Chat GPT became available to the general public on Nov. 30, 2022, bringing about concern over students using AI to complete papers in classes.

“My second semester is when we do a large paper where I assignments in school, especially essays.

Webster has been looking into ways to incorporate AI tech- think it’s my largest concern is ‘Is this my students work or is nology into the learning space in an educational and productive this AI’s work?’ I just want to give credit where credit is due,” Landsness said. way.

Landsness talked about how she likes to get to know her stu“We had conversations within the English department just dents as writers. “I always want about us as educators learnmy students to just write for me ing more about it because it in my space, so I can hear their is such a new tool that we voice in their work because AI is just want to make sure that not very good at capturing… the we’re well versed in how individual voices of my students. it works, how it can be acSo once I can hear their voice in cessed, ways in which we their work, then I can know if it’s can spot if it’s being used their work I’m getting, or somebut also trying to, in the body else’s,” Landsness said. learning process, figure out Concerns with AI and plagiahow it can provide some rism with AI have been addressed teaching tools for students to some degree, with Turnitin. as well,” assistant principal com, a software that is able Dr. Klenke-Galbreath said. to scan papers for plagiarism, With the reality that AI adapting quickly with a feature is here to stay the school - Business department chair Mark Young that shows the possible percent environment must learn to of AI used in students’ work. adapt.

The software will scan the “AI’s not going away, but how can we use it to kind of learn how to better formulate argu- piece of students’ work and come up with a percentage of AI that ments or express ideas and so really trying to find that balance could be used to write the paper. The number is between 1-100, in it never replacing critical thinking and human expression, and but the software website notes that if the percent is between one also what are some of the ways in which we can learn from AI and 20. It’s more likely that there was a misinterpretation which so that it becomes a tool at our disposal as opposed to something they signify with an asterisk by the percent.

Landsness talks about her main concern being that AI can efthat we don’t know enough about,” Klenke-Galbreath said about fect her relationship with her students. “For the most part it’s how AI should be used as a tool.

Teachers have been working with their concerns and the dis- just about building connections with students and knowing who trict’s concerns over the use of AI in the classroom. Business de- they are as writers in my room and as thinkers in my space,” partment chair Mark Young has been in charge of spearheading Landsness said. the education of teachers on the topic of AI and how AI can be used and regulated in the classroom.

“The concern is what if you don’t know how to do that skill, and you’re having AI do it for you? Then you never learn it, and then down the road if you have to troubleshoot, how do you troubleshoot something you never learned?” Young said.

“AI can do some really cool things, but it can also allow students maybe to kind of skirt the thinking process and creativity process,” Young said.

Forensics teacher Mebbie Landsness works with St. Louis University for her dual credit second-semester forensics class.

Because of this partnership, she must also abide by SLU’s professional development guidelines.

Real News.

“I’m an adjunct professor with SLU at the beginning of this Real People. year kind of in the summer put out some professional develop45 years & counting.

“What if you don’t know how to do that skill, and you’re having AI do it for you? Then you never learn it and then down the road if you have to troubleshoot, how do you troubleshoot something you never learned?”

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Men’s swim, dive team Arianna Peper News/Opinion Editor

200 IM, 50 freestyle, and the 100 breaststroke, which he placed eighth in finals. He was also a part of the 400 freestyle relay school record at State with junior Emmett Shank, freshman Clark Montgomery and junior Alexander Magee, where the relay team placed sixth in finals.

The 200 freestyle relay record was also broken in State by Calum, Emmett, Montgomery and senior Dylan Hulsizer, where they placed third in finals with a time of 1:29.57.

“The team’s work ethic, determination and overall grit has really grown over the season, and I think it will continue to grow throughout the State process,” senior and team captain Calum Shank said.

On Nov. 9 and 10, the men’s swim and dive team had two of the divers, junior Jack Lewis and sophSenior Dyla omore Joel Herrman, and several n Hulszier swims in th meet again e swimmers compete at State, where st Clayton H igh School th e C e n te k, an r at Sh the team placed sixth overall out of o lum f Clayton on omery, senior Ca Sept. 28. W Thursday, Freshman Clark Montg er 58 teams in Class l. lsiz e b Hu ster lost 88 lan -97. tt Shank and senior Dy Photo by About the team going to State, junior Emme the 200 free in rd thi g cin pla er Arianna P aft m diu po the on eper head coach Evyn Spencer said, “It stand on Friday, te Championship Finals ord rec l means a lot. State is kinda the big relay at the Sta oo sch relay team also broke the deal for swimmers in Missouri, and Nov. 10. The with a time of 1:29.57. per I’m just so proud of them and the for the event Photo by Arianna Pe work the team has put into this seaMontgomery son.” also swam and broke the The process allows the top 32 times per event in Missouri to school record for the 100 swim in the State tournament. Then after the prelims on Nov. 9, backstroke in which he swimmers were put into one of two groups: top eight and the top placed ninth. nine to 16.

Emmett, along with the If ranked from nine to 16 after prelims, swimmers would not 200 and 400 freestyle rehave the ability to score above that ranking to top eight even if lays, also broke the 500 they swam faster in the finals on Nov. 10. freestyle in which he At State, Webster’s team broke seven different school records placed seventh during fias well as having several swimmers rank high in finals. nals. He also swam the Calum broke the 200 freestyle where he Seniors Calu m Shank, Bar placed eighth. rett Rohlfing together at th and Ry e senior nigh Emmett said, “It’s t ceremony at ville on Tues the me day, Oct. 17, not just about me at Webster U niversity qualifying and much Photo more about the team because a lot of the swimmers who are going to swim State this year haven’t been able to swim in the past.”

Emmett said, “This year we have a lot of new swimmers, and so for me to be seated so high in swimmers just shows the work that I and all the swimmers have put into the season.”

Other swimmers on Webster’s team who qualified for State inin the m hold up their plaque clude seniors Barrett Rohlfing, Ryan Kleitsch, juniors Gavin Closet me Men’s swim and dive tea ce ren in the Surburban Confe son, Casey Drillingas, Samuel Osdieck, and sophomores Ryan er water after placing first bst We od Summit High School.

DeMargel and James Johnson. on Oct. 24-25, at Rockwo d. lea ms with over a 50 point r ce en About State, Rohlfing, who is one of the team captains, said, “It Sp won first out of eight tea yn Photo provided by Ev means a whole lot; it’s what we’re working for the whole season,

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November 2023 | Sports

m places 6th in State really. That’s what everyone’s working for, cutting off more and more time to make it to the State cut, and when you finally make it there and get to go there— that’s the big goal.”

As for the season, the team currently holds a 6-4 record which includes placing first in the Rockwood Summit Quad and the Rockwood Summit Invitational.

r

Ryan Kleistc h stand eet against P attony.

Freshman Clark Montgomery swims in the meet against Pattonville on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Webster University.

o by Ariann

a Peper

Photo by Arianna Peper

Following those events, the team placed first with over a 50-point lead in the Suburban Conference meet out of eight teams, including Clayton which it previously lost to this season. Conference took place on Oct. 24-25, at Rockwood Summit High School.

Two years ago, the team won Conference; however, before that, it hadn’t won Conference in over 25 years.

Emmett said, “Conference is the biggest meet of the year, and to have all your training come down to one meet and then to succeed in that meet is just one of the best feelings you can have as an athlete.”

This season, along with the records broken in State, the team

November 2023 | Sports

broke several others. Calum broke the 100 butterfly, Emmett broke the 200 freestyle, and the two of them were a part of the 200 medley relay record with Montgomery and Magee.

Calum said his favorite part of the season was “Winning Conference ims the 200 Senior Calum Shank sw and breaking the 200 nship finals IM in the State champio free [relay] record. I k went on to on Friday, Nov. 10. Shan the 200 IM think it meant a lot to for break the school record my teammates who with a time of 1:55.85. per were on the relay Photo by Arianna Pe because they worked really hard the whole season, and it was really good for them to get that experience.”

Webster’s team currently is ranked third in Missouri in the 400 free relay with a time of 3:18.74 made during the season. It is also ranked sixth in the 200 free relay, and eighth in the 200 medley relay.

About the reason for the team’s success, Emmett said, “I’d say team morale; everyone being friends with everyone on the team really helps build a bond, and you learn to push each other in practice.”

As for how the team improved, Montgomery said, “The captains helped out, and it just started running more smoothly towards the end of the season.”

Spencer said, “The team leadership from Calum, Barrett and Ryan has definitely been one part of our success this year. We have such diverse talent in our team and Junior Emmett Shank walks up to the the swimmers podium after receiving his medal and placm o t i v a t i n g ing eighth for the 200 freestyle in the State each other re- Championship finals on Nov. 10, at St. Peters ally helps.”

Rec-Plex.

Photo by Arianna Peper

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Senior sparks conversation through interviews Soledad Lee Social Media Manager/Graphics Editor “Webster_interviews” is a TikTok account that has videos of students being asked controversial questions to spark conversation.

Questions range from, “How tall are you?” to “Kiss, Marry, Kill” to “Who is the hottest person at Webster Groves High School?”

Senior Kyzer Strawbridge began the account, after seeing the popularity of school interview accounts on his TikTok, “for you page,” where he saw the opportunity to make one.

The account has gotten a widespread reaction from the students and has added another interesting aspect to being a Webster student.

Strawbridge reflected on how those reactions have changed overtime.

“When I made the first video, people were surprised that I was doing it cause they saw it on their ‘for you page’ too, so they were giggling about it,” Strawbridge said.

Now when Strawbridge approaches, “People know when I’m about to interview them cause they see me walking up with the headphones, and they get a little nervous cause they know what’s about to happen,” Strawbridge said.

The account has grown in popularity.

His first video posted on Feb. 2, earned 278 likes, 9 comments, 52 shares and 5k views. More recently, a video posted on Aug. 31, received 1,745 likes, 29 comments, 87 shares and 24.4k views.

“My favorite part is looking at the comments; the comments are really funny. Especially when they hype up some of the

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responses,” Strawbridge said.

Strawbridge’s videos regularly get over 2k views each time he posts.

Strawbridge runs the account by himself and enjoys it that way, especially with managing his time and posting at his own pace.

“I can go on my own time. Recently I’ve been posting these TikTok’s far away from each other, and I feel like if I had to do it with another person, I would get heckled at to do it more frequently,” Senior Kyzer Strawbridge interviews Strawbridge said. senior Luke Bollen on the TikTok acThe questions count, @Webster_interviews. Screenare created by shot taken by Soledad Lee Strawbridge himself and friends, leaving the interviews as a collaborative experience with someone else filming as well.

“I come up with them or I see them on my TikTok, but, recently Mia Willis (senior) has been helping me come up with my questions. She came up with the best friends list, and she came up with another one that I’m gonna do next,” Strawbridge said.

Strawbridge clarified that this account is completely for fun and his and others’ enjoyment.

“The account is completely for fun. Just for fun, no bullying,” Strawbridge said.

As a senior, Strawbridge hopes the account keeps going after he leaves and is open to suggestions of who should take over next.

“If you have any suggestions, of who should take it over when I graduate, let me know,” Strawbridge said.

Feature | November 2023

Students volunteer at Camp Wyman Hadley Hoskins Editor-in-Chief

have to sing songs,” she explained.

After breakfast, students spent time in “activity groups,” doing team-building activities.

Around 90 students volunteer to be counselors at the Camp “There were six activities: living history, aquatic ecology, team Wyman sixth grade retreat every year. scores, fishing, geocaching [and] target sports,” Kaplan said.

Students volunteer Living history was most for one of three weeks, students’ favorite part of each week a different the week. “We got to learn Hixson team: Bravery, about how people lived in Integrity or Unity. The the past… doing stuff with high school students arwood and making soap,” rive on Monday to train Kaplan explained. and prepare, and sixth “My favorite part was grade campers arrive on probably making apple Tuesday. cobbler. I was in an activThroughout the week, ity group with my friends, students and campso that was pretty fun,” ers participate in team Schroeder said. bonding activities, sleep Students are eligible to in cabins and at the end earn service hours for their of the week, have a time through the Chelsea campfire.

Center. The hours can Each cabin has around count towards A+ service nine sixth graders, with hours. at least one-- usually Overall, students said two-- high school counthey learned a lot from the selors assigned to each experience about how to cabin. be a good role model and Senior Violet Tarr was leader. a counselor for Team “It was difficult at first, Integrity. During her just kind of meeting the week, Tarr said there kids, but once you sort of were two cabins with meet them, you treat them only one counselor, hers like you would a friend Junior Adam DeGarmo, senior Violet Tarr and junior Ethan Weir prebeing one. or something, and it got “It was definitely pare to participate in the costume parade at the end of Camp Wyman easier. It was easier to stressful at times,” Tarr week two. sort of take responsibilPhoto provided by Violet Tarr ity for them,” Schroeder said, explaining, “It’s a different, new social sitsaid. uation for them to be in a cabin with nine girls from their schools.

“I definitely learned a lot of patience. They’re sixth graders, [They are] living together instead of just going to school togeth- and they said and did a lot of things that I didn’t expect them to er, so it was hard to help them adjust.” say or that weren’t appropriate…Sometimes I was their friend “I was okay having nine girls to myself because I felt confident and sometimes I had to step up and be a counselor,” Tarr said. that I was responsible enough,” Tarr explained.

Seniors, juniors and sophomores are eligible to volunteer, but Senior Lucas Kaplan was a counselor for Team Bravery during seniors are given priority. week two. Kaplan explained some struggles he had in his cabin.

“With this being their last opportunity, we want them to be “They were pretty energetic… They would run around and able to experience being a counselor before they graduate,” asclimb on stuff. [One of the teachers] said she gave us one of the sistant activities director Chris Johnson said via email. more energetic ones because I did it the year before,” Kaplan Students may not be eligible to volunteer if they have excessaid. sive absences, Johnson said, but other factors like GPA are not Senior Vanessa Schroeder, who was also a counselor for Team considered.

Bravery, said her days started at 6:30 a.m. “We’d get up and “We want everyone to feel comfortable signing up,” Johnson clean the cabin, and then we would go down to breakfast and said.

November 2023 | Feature

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Students, staff reflect on ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ Sam Klein Print/Podcast Editor Over the past two years, music artist Taylor Swift has been re-recording her albums to reclaim ownership from Scooter Braun, who recently purchased the masters to her albums.

Swift started with a re-recording of “Fearless,” then “Red” and “Speak Now,” and then on Friday, Oct. 27, she re-released her pop album 1989 exactly nine years after its original release in 2014.

The album contained her biggest hit single, “Shake it Off” and was considered Swift’s first real pop album, pushing her further into mainstream media.

The re-record contains the original 13 tracks as well as three additional tracks that were originally only found on the deluxe album.

The re-recording of “Bad Blood (Taylor’s Ve r s i o n ) ( f e a t u r i n g Kendrick Lamar)” is on the deluxe version of the new re-record.

“I’m not too excited about the Kendrick Lamar version of ‘Bad Blood.’ I think “Bad Blood” itself is just a masterpiece, and it didn’t need the addition of any rap verses,” German teacher Brent Mackey said about his opinion of the extra track.

With the purchase of a vinyl from Target fans can listen to Swift’s other additional track, called “Sweeter than Fiction.”

Senior Macey Fischer listened to the album when it came out on a late night drive with one of her friends.

“It was just amazing. It was very upbeat and made me happy,” Fischer said about her first impression of the album.

English teacher Sarah Gray talked

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about her impressions of the album. “I think that the fidelity of most of the rerecordings was spot on. Some of them I think were improvements on the original, and a couple of them the mix is a little off,” Gray said.

The song “Style” was mentioned in

ing “Bad Blood” with Lamar. The Vault Tracks are titled “Sl#t! (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” “Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version)(From The Vault),” “Now That We Don’t Talk (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” “Suburban Legends (Taylor’s Version)(From The Vault)” and “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version)(From The Vault).”

The vault tracks were largely liked by fans, but the song called “Sl*t (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” raised concerns from a teacher who’s a parent.

“I listen to Taylor Swift with my kids in the car a lot, and they like her a lot, and so when she’s re-releasing these albums and coming out with songs that I don’t want to listen to with my kids it’s kind of a bummer,” Mackey said.

Gray shared a differing view over the song.

“I do like ‘Sl*t’ a lot.

It totally changes the vibe of the album from New York to California which I think is a little 1989 (Taylor’s Version) cover from taylorswift.com. strange, but I think [The Vault Tracks] are great,” Gray said.

Gray’s critiques. “The intro guitars are With the re-recordings, many people’s muted on the re-recording. There’s some- thoughts on the album have changed as thing that comes out, there’s some sharp- to where they may be ranked in their perness that or intensity of the original gui- sonal preference. tars, and then the outro of the original “‘1989’ is the album that made me realhas this groove that the record [doesn’t ize that Taylor Swift was an insanely good have]... It’s a groove or a vibe that the re- artist…It’s always been in my top four afrecord doesn’t get,” Gray said. ter ‘Reputation’ and ‘Evermore’ and even “I really liked listening to ‘Clean (Tay- ‘Midnights,’ but the re-record I think eslor’s Version)’ because it was very nos- pecially with the vault tracks pushed it up talgic for me,” Fischer talked about her there a little higher,” Gray said. favorite re-recorded track. She also men“It was definitely, like I love it [‘1989’ tioned her favorite vault track which is album], but it wasn’t one of my favorites, “Sl*t!” but now it is I think in my top four [TaySwift released five different vault tracks, lor Swift albums],” Fischer said about her making the album 22 tracks long includ- ranking.

Entertainment | November 2023

DECA brings back Car Smash Fundraiser Karson Bluette Contributing Writer DECA will hold a car smash fundraiser Nov. 22, 5-6:30 p.m.

The event is organized by students for the DECA trip to New York in January of 2024.

The event hasn’t been here in five years and is now making a comeback. The car smash entails people paying to demolish a car in the courtyard. It will be included in Turkey Day celebrations like the Chili Fest and the Turkey Day pep rally.

The students got the car from Webster Groves Auto. There will be different options of tools based on different prices.

Senior Finn Shannon, who is helping organize this event, said about the different prices of tools, “Depending on what you choose it’s going to be different. The sledge hammer is $7, baseball bat $5, and a crowbar is going to be $3.”

Senior Isaiah Simms, who is also helping organize the event, said the group is hoping to raise “upwards of $500 at least.”

Setting up the event presented some challenges. Senior Broderick Zarky said one of these challenges was, “getting sponsors and companies to donate money to us.”

Senior Devon Robinson said, “Getting a car was pretty hard and challenging, especially how we were gonna get it here and get it back.”

Senior Peter Hartmann said, “I think another challenge for us was getting everything in place, like letting administration get

through and letting the Chili Fest people approve that as well, so I think all around was a pretty difficult time for us.”

The group hopes this will be a successful event. Members also think it will be great for the community.

Hartmann highlighted the importance of the event, saying, “The car smash hasn’t been here for five years, so none of us, freshman to senior, have ever seen [it], so I think it’s a cool event to put on for us as seniors and for people around the community as well.”

The group hopes this event will have a good turnout and put on a good show. Planning for the event began on Aug. 29, and members are very excited to put it on.

The group’s marketing teacher Kathryn Laurentius has supported the group to make sure its event is successful.

“I’m excited for car smash because I think it’s a fun community event. I am looking forward to see how it all comes together, because the logistics and safety [are] very, very challenging, but I’m excited to see all their hard work come together,” Laurentius said.

Join us in Celebration of the Lord!

November 2023 | News

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Op-ed

There should be more Thanksgiving movies Margaret Korte Entertainment Editor Upon a Google search for “Thanksgiving movies,” one looking to get into the holiday spirit will be bombarded with an array of movies—few of which are actually about the holiday.

Meaning that if “Garfield’s Thanksgiving” doesn’t hit the spot, actual films about Thanksgiving can be hard to come by.

Whether they’re movies with only one related scene, movies where the word is barely uttered, or movies that just feel Thanksgiving-y, articles boasting the “Top Thanksgiving Movies” are often a stretch.

Most results are movies that simply involve family and thankfulness, or perhaps feature a turkey—or are just set in fall and aren’t spooky, so can’t be considered Halloween movies.

Because there are so few options, the criteria for a movie being Thanksgivingthemed becomes looser than other holidays. Just because a movie is about family, doesn’t mean it should be considered a Thanksgiving movie.

It can be hard to find things to watch that aren’t football or the “National Dog Show” for those who choose to celebrate Thanksgiving. After all, the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” only lasts about three hours.

How are the remaining hours supposed to be spent, if not with a movie?

However, few films make the cut to be movies that actually celebrate the holiday.

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More Thanksgiving films would be in the best interest of both families looking for holiday entertainment, and for Hollywood. It’s a popular tradition to watch movies on Thanksgiving, and therefore makes sense that families would look for something with a holid a y theme.

Many simply skip to the next holiday, looking past Thanksgiving as a whole—and who can blame them? They have no other choice.

However, because of this tradition,

Thanksgiving movies, just like films for Christmas and other winter holidays, could become a profitable business.

So what does make a Thanksgiving movie?

For starters, it has to actually take place on or around Thanksgiving. It also has to be obvious that it’s on the holiday, or

in the season—it can’t just be something happening in the background. If one fivesecond scene takes place in November, it doesn’t necessarily apply. If a turkey is eaten, it doesn’t mean it has any relation to the holiday whatsoever.

Beyond that, however, any preference can come down to the individual viewer.

The criteria for a real, true Thanksgiving movie isn’t hard to meet: it just has to actually be about Thanksgiving.

There are a few quality Thanksgiving movies, for those looking for them.

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is a well-known option, and one of the few actual Thanksgiving movies. It can be enjoyed with family, and only has a 30-minute run time, so can be watched between the parade, football, and the dog show if needed.

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” is a comedy set on Thanksgiving, where two men try to make it home to celebrate the holiday with their families.

“You’ve Got Mail,” a romantic comedy that, while being more loosely related to the holiday (only one scene is set on Thanksgiving), is another good option.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” though typically seen as a Christmas movie, begins at Thanksgiving and is a heartfelt film for any holiday.

Art by Margaret Korte Op-ed | November 2023

Op-ed

Parking-spot painting would prevent parking problems Hadley Hoskins Editor-in-Chief Ongoing construction on Kopplin Field and the Frick Theatre is taking away already-limited parking spaces, causing an array of issues for students.

While students are able to park in front of the school on Selma, Bradford and Lockwood Avenues, these spots are hard to come by and are often taken early, sometimes by 7:30 a.m., almost an hour before school starts. Seniors, and in some cases juniors, are able to buy parking spaces in one of the three parking lots, but these spots are often taken by other students.

“It causes issues for other students because they can’t park in their spots. It just causes a domino effect; it’s chaotic, and nobody has a parking spot,” said Julia Huelsman, Dr. Jenna Klenke-Galbreath’s administrative assistant, who monitors student parking.

An email sent out on Oct. 18 to juniors and seniors said the issue had “gotten out of control.” Huelsman said that over the month of October, there were 60 parking violations.

Although Webster does have consequences in place for those who park in the wrong spaces, ranging from a $10 fine to parking being revoked, this often isn’t enough to

deter students.

In fact, the issue stems from the fact that students are not always aware the spot they’re parking in is assigned to someone else.

“I’m in the baseball lot, and since it’s half staff and half student parking, people don’t realize that those spots are taken,” senior Ben Jordan said.

One method that could be used to solve this problem is park-

Op-ed | November 2023

ing-spot painting.

Widely participated in across the country, parking spot painting entails students (usually seniors) personalizing their parking spots. This could include their name, references to their favorite TV shows and movies and other symbols that would make it clear a spot is assigned to someone.

“If we have our names on our parking spots, it’ll be easier to tell if someone didn’t pay for a parking spot, so logically, it makes more sense,” senior Audrey Culver added.

In addition to the practical side of this tradition, parking spot painting would be a fun addition to senior year traditions.

Senior Isabella Dyson said, “A lot of the senior traditions are more towards the end of the year, like prom and graduation, so it would be fun to have something more towards the beginning of the year.”

“I think it would be fun to do as a group before school started, have everyone come up,” senior Sam Miller said.

There is overwhelming support from students for parking spot painting to become a tradition at Webster.

In a survey sent

out t o students, 78% (31 of 40 respondents) said they wished they were allowed to decorate their parking spots.

Currently, it is not expressly stated that students cannot paint their parking spots; however, a painting event would not currently be school sanctioned.

Art by Margaret Korte wgecho.org

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Religious discrimination is out of control

Editorial

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Gaza political group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel Oct. 7, which led to Israel’s retaliation. This situation reflects a deeper issue taking place all over, including right here in Missouri.

Hamas attacked Israel during the end of the Jewish High Holy Days. According to the University of Colorado Boulder, “These holidays commemorate concepts such as renewal, forgiveness, freedom and joy.”

The day of the Hamas attack also marked the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. According to History Channel, “On Oct. 6, 1973, hoping to win back territory lost to Israel during the third Arab-Israeli war, in 1967, Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a coordinated attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.”

This conflict reflects a deeper issue going on throughout the world today: religious discrimination.

Religious discrimination is a growing problem in the United States and is leading to an increase in religious-based hate crimes.

The California State University, San Bernardino website put out a 2023 report to the nation about the issue. It reported that a 2022 survey showed hate crimes were up 27% in 17 major U.S. cities studied. Jewish hate crimes saw a 28% increase, Muslim hate crimes saw a 16% increase, and “Other” religions saw a 117% increase. Members of the Jewish faith were the most targeted, with 470 reported hate crimes against them.

While one may not see these issues at Webster, they are still prevalent here at the high school.

“Last year, a kid also drew a swastika on his arm and chased me around with it, which because we were like mutuals, I wasn’t completely offended, but it was definitely weird. I feel like I’m kind of desensitized to it,” an anonymous Jewish student said.

“I personally have just been more quiet about being Jewish. I’ve mostly just kept to myself more, and before I tried to keep to myself a little bit, but now I just don’t talk about it at all,” another anonymous Jewish student said.

“I did have one student who is Jewish who was in a social studies class, and they were talking about the current issues going on which was leaving her a little uncomfortable, so I just provided her a safe space to decompress,” counselor Bianca Haghighi said.

One can make sure to educate themselves about religious conflicts going on in the United States and throughout the world. There are news sites such as BBC News or NBC News one can use to follow religious discrimination stories.

If one witnesses religious discrimination,

they can stand with the person being discriminated against.

In addition, one can donate or volunteer with organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League or the American Civil Liberties Union, both which work to fight against religious discrimination.

Art by Gracie Giles wgecho.org

Editorial | November 2023