WG ECHO December 2015 Issue

ECHO

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wgecho.org December 2015 Volume 101 Issue 4 Photo by Jake Collins

100 Selma Ave

st. Louis MO 63119 webster groves h.s.

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Table of Contents

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Pg. 3.....................................................................................School garden Pg. 4.....................................................................................Donald Trump Pg. 5.......................................................................................Make a Wish Pg. 6-7...........................................................Students start political clubs Pg. 8............................................................................Holiday celebrations Pg. 9.........................................................................Superintendent search Pg. 10...............................................................................Courtney Ramey Pg. 11..........................................................................Women’s swim team Pg. 11....................................................................Women’s basketball team Pg. 12............................................................................... Best hot chocolate Pg. 12 .......................................................................Statesmen coffee shop 2015-16 ECHO STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jack Killeen JUNIOR EDITOR: Andy Kimball BUSINESS/ADS MANAGER: Ashli Wagner OPINION EDITOR: Abby Botan GRAPHICS EDITOR/NEWS EDITOR: Jake Collins SPORTS EDITOR: Bennett Durando FEATURE/ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Irene Ryan VIDEO EDITOR/ WEB EDITOR: Caroline Fellows CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Tyler Coleman CIRCULATION EDITOR: Kadifa Tabakovic ADVISOR: Donald Johnson SOME MATERIAL COURTESY OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEWSPAPER EDITORS/MCT CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER SERVICE The ECHO is a monthly publication of the newspaper staff of Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Avenue, Webster Groves, MO. To contact staff members, call 314-963-6400 ex. 11157 or write 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.

The ECHO is a member of SSP, Quill and Scroll, MJEA, JEA, MIPA, NSPA and CSPA. Follow the ECHO on Twitter and Instagram @wgecho; like ECHO on Facebook. Visit ECHO’s website at wgecho.org.

December 2015

The ECHO FAMILY The ECHO Family helps make the ECHO possible. To become a member of the ECHO Family, please contact Ashli Wagner at abwags99@gmail.com.

Thanks to all of our members!

Julianna Fellows Bret Waelterman Peggy Smegner Curtin Family Melodie Carroll Kathy Whaley Laurie Murphy Don and Mary Ann Schafer Webster Groves Baptist Church Zychinski Family Gavin Turner Billy Johnson Devon Cutak Elizabethe Durando

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Editorial

District under utilizes garden Jack Killeen Editor in Chief There’s the Botanical Garden, the Garden of Versaille, and then there’s the third floor of Webster Groves high.

You’ve probably never noticed it because as gardens go, it’s a real dandelion.

It looks as if this woebegone green space was drafted by an architect whose yard has brown grass and dead roses.

Just like the Dust Bowl of the Great Depression, this garden lacks adequate topsoil. It seems to be an after thought of some draftsman more concerned with adding a few windows and diverting water runoff to irrigate the baseball and softball fields.

How bad this garden is can’t be understated. *If this garden were a security guard, he’d be asleep in the front hallway watching football highlights when a dozen students sneaked out to go to McDonalds. *If this garden were the school nurse, she’d have a Marlboro in her mouth and a jelly doughnut in one hand while she takes your temperature. *If this garden were the Kirkwood Pioneers, Webster would have won the Turkey Day Game.

It’s a swimming pool-sized space on the third floor in the science hallway surrounded by four classrooms. Its soil is only three-to-six inches deep and mixed with pea gravel, making it too shallow for anything with roots.

“We realized right away that the garden is something no good for planting,” Chemistry teacher Margaret Skouby said.

Sedums and vinca, not to be mistaken for weeds, reach two inches out of the soil and add to the gloom and ethic of underachievement that the garden suggests.

The four teachers whose classrooms face the third floor garden- Kyle Lockos, Regina Lynch, Marty Walters and Jeanette Hencken- have an agreement about the garden. If one of them wants to take a class outside, one must tell the other three beforehand, and if one of the three feels it would be distracting to the class, it only

Photo by Jack Killeen

The sun beats down on the third floor garden greenhouse during school. Science teachers Regina Lynch, Kyle Lockos, Jeanette Hencken and Marty Walter all have classrooms that face the garden. takes one teacher to veto the other three, and no one goes outside.

Each class has blinds, and Lockos’, Walters’ and Hencken’s desks face away from the windows. Not only this, but according to an A-student of one of the four teachers, his class watches CSI three-tofour days of the five days in the week.

To recap, each classroom has blinds, desks for three of the classes face away from the window, and one of the classes watches a TV show most of the time. As long as the students are quiet enough, how would classes in the garden be distracting?

For all its botanical flaws, the garden is structurally sound. Construction manager of the new addition Rob Stuber said the garden was built as an outdoor classroom design and is capable of holding up that weight.

The problem is the garden is neither beautiful nor functional. It sits there sending a message of mediocrity to students who are told that they share the hall-

ways with some of the greatest minds in the world. The underlying message is “Oops... the adult world goofed, but keep studying.”

To make this garden better, Webster could replace the pea gravel with better soil, get pots, make the planting trays deeper and at least try to let classes use the garden.

If students find watching people in the garden more interesting than class, it’s not their fault. It’s the fault of teachers who aren’t making their class more exciting.

In summary, if this garden were a second grader, it’d be picked last for kickball.

Dr. Jon Clark, principal, is eager to use the garden. He said, “I will continue to talk to teachers about how to use [the garden] because it is a beautiful space.”

To the students who walk past it, this garden says that you can make a mistake and act like it doesn’t exist. It’s time the district addresses this garden and uses it for something other than light and water.

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Opinion

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2016 Republican Primary

Information from Huffington Post

Trump is unfit candidate for presidency Irene Ryan Feature/Entertainment Editor Voters have a lot to worry about in the upcoming 2016 election: a struggling economy, a growing gun control debate, a refugee crisis and Donald Trump.

“Until we are able to determine and understand this problem [Islam] and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad and have no sense of reason or respect for human life,” Donald Trump said on Monday, Dec. 7.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best...They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists,” Trump said on June 16.

Who is it again who has no respect for human lives? Trump is not only a bigot and a complete imbecile. He is dangerous. He has no business running for president, and we all know this, yet he currently has, according to a Huffington Post poll, a projected 34 percent in the Republican primary.

One giant thing Trump has on his side is media coverage. It’s almost as if he is the only Republican candidate, and the reason is simple: entertainment.

December 2015

According to NBC, Saturday Night Live had a 6.6 household rating on Trump’s episode, beating the season’s previous high, hosted by Miley Cyrus and with a guest appearance Hillary Clinton. In fact, Trump’s overnight rating was 47 percent higher than the Cyrus/Clinton episode.

Because of Trump’s entertainment value, it is very easy to forget that the man we are laughing about and parodying and putting on our late night entertainment is an actual political candidate who is the front runner of the Republican party thus far.

Let’s start calling what Trump is doing by its proper name: hate speech.

On Dec. 9, director and left-wing activist Michael Moore started a campaign to report Trump’s Facebook page as hate speech, according to the website guidelines. We should do the same thing when we vote.

Voters have a lot of responsibility in the 2016 election. The results could potentially flip America and its political system on its head.

Don’t take this responsibility lightly. Don’t let a man like Donald Trump take office.

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DECA sends child to Disney Ashli Wagner Business Manager DECA asked and received a list from Make a Wish of children in Webster Groves eligible to be sponsored.

“We really wanted the community to rally behind someone and show support to them and their family,” senior John Binder said about why DECA chose to have a fundraiser for Make A Wish.

DECA sponsor Kara Siebe told about where DECA got the idea for Make A Wish.

“We went to a fall conference and met with Rockwood Summit, and Rockwood had adopted a child for an entire school.

When we heard of this concept, we thought it was really cool because we’ve been looking for ways to collect all of the clubs together, and also the lip dub helped with that too, and we thought this might be nice to have a charitable organization that we all do together, so John Binder really spearheaded the campaign and approached different group, so yes DECA is taking a lead on it, but we want every group to do something special,” Siebe said.

DECA wanted to choose someone younger, so he or she could look up to the high school students. All children would have been perfect, but DECA chose to sponsor Carter because he just seemed to fit the school.

Make a Wish foundation is a worldwide non-profit organization which raises funds for children ages three-17 with life

Photo by Ashli Wagner

John Binder talks to the audience about Make A Wish fundraiser during Mr. Webster with some of the volunteers who know and work with Carter Dec. 3.

threatening medical conditions to have a wish come true.

Like most boys, Carter likes watching “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Wiggles” on TV, listening to music and dancing with his family. However, he was born with cerebral palsy and other medical difficulties. Recently, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening immune deficiency which causes him to get sick easier.

Carter’s mom said he is happiest when he is watching Disney and listening to Disney noises. DECA intends to raise $5,000 to send Carter and his family to Disney for a once in a lifetime vacation, a day to relax and not worry, and just have fun.

DECA had a miracle minute during Mr. Webster Dec. 3, and made over $1,300.

“I was extremely happy the crowd could help Carter’s dream come true rather than my dream to be Mr. Webster,” Mr. Webster winner, senior Jamison Howard said.

DECA is selling blue stars dedicated to Carter for $2 to hang up in Roberts Gym for the Dec. 10, basketball tournament game.

About why they were hung up, Binder said, “When he shows up we want him to know that everyone who bought a star did it for him.”

DECA is also having a competition in first hour. The first hour class that can sell the most blue stars wins a doughnut party.

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Upcoming election inspires stude Bennett Durando Sports Editor Caleb Bolin Contributing Writer With election season just around the corner, a national spotlight has been focused on politics; this is true at Webster Groves High School, too.

Students this year have made efforts to form clubs in favor of the two primary political parties in the election, the Democrats and Republicans.

The “Young Republicans” club was founded by seniors Ryan Ribant, Carter Doll, Jackson Berger and Andy Bennett.

The “Young Democrats,” founded by seniors Alex Harper and Cameron Thomas, is now formulating a plan to merge with the liberal-minded “Students for Progress” club.

Each group has goals of promoting its party and spreading its political ideals.

Democrats

*Decreased military spending *Raising minimum wage *Typically Pro-choice *Support stricter gun control *Environment over business *Higher income tax for higher earners *Government regulations needed to protect consumers *Support universal health care *Typically support gay marriage

December 2015

Young Republicans According to Ribant, motivation for the founding of the Young Republicans came partially from negative attitudes in the WGHS community toward the party.

“We feel like there are a lot of negative viewpoints going around, being conservative,” Ribant said. “We want to get rid of those views and spread our views.”

Another large reason for the formation of these political clubs is to share the ideas of a party with moderate or undecided potential voters.

“We’re open to people who don’t know what their views are,” Ribant said. “While we want everyone to make their own opinions, we also want to show them our viewpoints.”

“We invite the whole WGHS community to come put their feet in the water and hear what we’re about,” junior club member Matt Haug said.

The club, which first met on Dec. 9, plans to continue to meet before school on Wednesdays. It is sponsored by Marketing teacher Kara Siebe.

The club has used a group message to spread the word of its activities and to attract new members. As of Dec. 4, the chat included 42 students.

“We hope it keeps growing,” Ribant said.

ECHO surveyed 100 upperclassme

Here’s what

47% identify as Democ 16% identify as Repub 23% identify as other o 11% say they are unde 4% prefer not to say

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In-depth

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ents to start political party clubs Students for Progress and Young Democrats Thomas and Harper wanted to respond to the Young Republicans.

Harper remarked the two were motivated to form a club in support of liberal ideals by the creation of the club supporting conflicting conservatism. About the Young Republicans’ influence on them, Harper said, “It had everything to do with it.”

Still, Harper, like Ribant, didn’t want to force the ideas of her party onto anyone.

“It’s more of an option than a requirement to be in the debate,” Harper said. “People can just come and listen. It’s more of just a learning thing about politics.”

“The goal will be to educate people and let them make their own decisions,” Thomas said. “I think the persuading is left up to the candidates themselves, and once you understand what their views are and what they stand on, it’s for you to decide what you want to be a part of, and what party you want to be.”

According to Thomas, the group, which was still in the process of passing through the stages to become an official club, now plans to merge with the Students for Progress club, which was founded by junior Patrick Schranck and sponsored by English teacher Deborah Bohlmann.

“I love it when students are wanting to be involved in the larger world,” Bohlmann said. “I think it’s really important that every

en about political party affiliation

t they said:

crats blicans or moderate ecided or don’t know

student find their voice.”

Schranck originally started the club on the basis of promoting presidential nominee Bernie Sanders’ campaign but has since broadened its purpose to spreading progressive ideals.

“The Democratic Party has a pretty diverse amount of views ranging from moderate, center left, and liberals or progressives, so we’re open to hearing different views about issues,” Schranck said. “I’d say there will probably be a merger.”

Thomas hopes to bring his idea of arranging debates with the Young Republicans into the Students for Progress club, which meets on Monday afternoons. Whether or not those debates will become a reality remains to be seen.

“At this moment, we plan on discussing current events and encouraging our peers to become more involved in the political process,” Schranck said. “We also are very interested in having an open and respectful dialogue with the Young Republicans.

The members of my club and I are very interested in having a debate with them sometime down the line.”

Republicans

*Support increased military spending *Not for raising minimum wage *Typically Pro-life *Support gun rights *Business over environment *Are anti-government regulations *Support private health care *Typically support the institution of traditional marriage *Typically against government welfare programs

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Teachers give advice for finals Caroline Fellows Web/Video Editor With finals just around the corner, it’s crunch time for both students and teachers.

“The responsibility falls on two people,” ACT Prep teacher Kyle Lockos said. “It’s the student’s responsibility to study; it’s the teacher’s responsibility to let them know what they’re supposed to study.”

A straight-A high school student agreed. “Most teachers give you study guides,” she said and agreed getting a study guide made studying helpful.

Final exams are worth between 10 and 20 percent of a student’s grade, and Lockos and AP Psychology teacher Jon Petter gave advice to students worried about finals.

“Studying actually begins long before the night before the test,” Lockos said. “Students need to set the time aside, know what they’re learning style is and need to ask their teacher.”

Students must be responsible for setting time aside to study, but Lockos said the teachers also needed clear objectives.

“They need to have meaningful lessons, and most importantly a fair assessment,” Lockos said.

Petter said studying for finals definitely relates to his area of teaching.

“Everything about psychology relates to studying obvious-

December 2015

ly... the ways in which you learn and review information and study [the information] will affect your chances of obviously being able to get them out. If... you’re distracted or just trying to straight memorize or overly nervous it can really affect how you put [the information] in,” Petter said. “[Students should] try to do everything they can to grasp the material because the anxiety is going to block the ways you can retrieve the material. The more ways you can practice… having that ability to vary the ways in which you study just gives you that many more opportunities to then retrieve it,” Petter said.

Lockos and Petter agreed standardized tests don’t necessarily give an accurate summary of a student’s knowledge.

“I would say standardized tests are not reflective of ability level or knowledge. I think they can be trivial, so I think performances and essays are a much better way to show [what] you know,” Petter said.

“I think a bit of a mixture [is good],” the A student said, “some multiple choice and an essay at the end. It depends on the course.”

Three popular tips are to study early, create a study guide and create a study calendar.

“Where are the most points available… there’s lots of different tests so find out what kind of test you’re going to be taking,” Lockos said.

Finals given at the high school can range from strictly Scantron, to short answer, to essays.

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Graphic by Cole Schnell

Riss to retire in July

District search begins for new superintendent Cole Schnell Contributing Writer Superintendent Sarah Riss announced her retirement on April 13. The search for a new superintendent started in early November.

Riss will leave the district at the end on 15-16 school year after her fifth year as Superintendent. The new superintendent will take the position on July 1.

The district is taking applications through Jan. 4.

The board has a set of qualifications for the applicants. They are “seeking a highly qualified superintendent of schools,” according to “An Invitation to Apply for the Position of Superintendent.”

Cathy Vespereny said, “[The board members] are not narrowing [qualifications] to broaden the pool of candidates. It is left open for interpretation.”

Some qualifications include an understanding of the values and cultures of WGSD, an openness to all input and feedback and “celebrates diversity and treats other with respect,” according to “An Invitation to Apply for the Position of Superintendent.”

The board is looking for a candidate who will commit for a long term like Dr. Riss, board member Steven Loher said.

The WGSD board of education and a hired consulting team, McPherson and Jacobson LLC will work through this process.

The consultants are Dr. Chris Christman and Dr. Judy SclairStein, who were hired for a $20,000 contract.

Dr. Riss will help the search by showing around candidates and answering any question from candidates. Dr. Riss offered this advice to the future superintendent: “Take the time to get to know the people and organization.”

The consultants advertise the position, accept and read and the applications, then forward the applications. They also will give recommendations and input.

The board will select the finalists on Jan. 19. Then interview them on Jan. 25-28. Then it will select the new superintendent in February.

Also the invitation said, “The Webster Groves School District will offer a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.”

Loher said, “When we say competitive [salary], that if a person was offered other jobs, we would offer a salary competitive to their other offers.”

Visit wgecho.org December 2015

10 Sports

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Ramey overcomes loss, leads Statesmen Andy Kimball Junior Editor Sophomore point guard Courtney Ramey plays with the inspiration of one goal: to get a college education.

In 2010, Ramey was 10 years old and in fourth grade when his mother, Angie Marie Turner, died.

“My mom died, and I wanted to do something that she would be proud of, something that would get me to college,” Ramey said. “My mom’s dream was for me to go to college.”

Ramey added the memory of his mother’s death keeps him grounded and gives him motivation to keep pushing forward in basketball and life.

The Statesmen’s budding star has already received scholarship offers from the University of Rhode Island, University of Arkansas, University of Missouri, Jacksonville State University, University of Mississippi, Kansas State University, Saint Louis University, University of Iowa, Creighton University and University of Illinois.

Ramey received his first offer from Jacksonville State when he was in eighth grade.

Ramey said he would like to attend North Carolina State if given an offer.

“I like their style of play, their coach (Mark Gottfried), and I could see myself playing for them in the future,” Ramey said.

Ramey started playing basketball at age eight for his dad Tim Ramey’s team. Ramey moved to Webster during sixth grade after attending the Saint Louis Christian Academy in Saint Louis City.

Ramey currently plays for the AAU team Jets Ramey United and won the AAU national championship with Team Ramey in fourth grade.

In the past, SLU recruit Zeke Moore and current Portland Trail Blazers player Myers Leonard have both played for Team Ramey, which is now called Jets Ramey United.

Ramey is currently ranked third in Missouri for the 2018 class, according to 247sports, and is ranked 50th in the nation overall and is the ninth ranked point guard in the class of 2018.

After being a key contributor as a freshman on last year’s 24-6 team, Ramey said he will become a more vocal leader for this year’s team. Ramey added, “I will pick up my team when they are down.”

Ramey will also replace the offensive void left from the departures of last year’s two leading scorers Stephen Harris and Alex Floresca.

Men’s basketball coach Jay Blossom said, “This year everybody’s role will increase. Courtney will be asked to score more; hopefully every facet of his game will improve. Moving into the starting lineup, I think Courtney will have an outstanding year.”

Ramey said, “(I have gotten where I am) from hard work, patience and being able to take feedback from criticism,” and “my competitiveness, leadership and being pass-first” have been things that make him a special player.

About Ramey, Blossom also said, “Courtney has a good un-

December 2015

Photo by Andy Kimball

Sophomore Courtney Ramey (13) shoots during the Statesmen’s 66-25 win over Maplewood Richmond Heights.

derstanding of the game, he sees the court, is a great distributor, an outstanding rebounder. He uses his length to his advantage (Ramey is 6’-0”--which is tall for a point guard). He is just a really smart kid in general, and he has all the tools to be a really special player.”

Ramey was third in scoring on last year’s team, averaging 7.7 points per game. Ramey also averaged 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He shot 55 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range.

Ramey has averaged 10.7 points, six assists, 6.7 rebounds, four steals per game, and has an assist to turnover ratio of 9:1 for the Satesman in their 3-0 and a championship in the Webster Classic.

The Statesman won all three games by over 30 points.

11 Sibling swimmers enjoy friendly rivalry the

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Sports

Abby Botan Entertainment Columnist Dan Broshears has coached the women’s swimming team for 19 years, and he “enjoys the important title he carries as a coach,” he said, just as much as the swimmers love his coaching.

Mikayla Kempf, senior, said, “[Coach Broshears] is the reason I’ve gone this far in swimming. He always keeps me motivated.”

Broshears said he really enjoys his position as a coach of 31 members this year.

“They’ll do alright,” Broshears said about the swimmer’s meet on Dec. 7. “It’s determined by how hard they work.”

Kempf has been swimming for multiple years and has gone to State.

“I’m excited to get back into a team environment,” Kempf said. “I tend to do better in a team because we motivate each other.”

Kempf just wants all of the swimmers to be happy with the sport and be a part of a team as a whole.

Not only is Mikayla Kempf on the team, but her little sister Katherine Kempf, sophomore, also holds a spot.

“We’re a bit competitive,” Katherine said in a friendly manner.

Mikayla agreed they are both competitive, in the most friendly of manners, even if it means completing a lap before the other.

Katherine said she loves doing a sport with her older sister, and that they motivate and support each other more than ever to just try harder.

“I tend to push her harder,” Mikayla said about the other Kempf. Mikayla, as an older sister and a team member, wants her sister to do her best and know that she can succeed in all things.

Although, Mikayla is older, the only reason she officially got into swimming was because of Katherine. Katherine participated in an event that involved swimming some time ago, and there sparked her interest in the sport.

Both of the Kempfs were ready for their first meet, and both agreed it’s all about support and sportsmanship. “Excited,” is a common word used by the both of them.

Bennett from the Bleachers

Young Stars lead women’s basketball Bennett Durando Sports Columnist Women’s basketball knows it has quite a challenge ahead.

It was inevitable; Rachel Sondag and the dynamic Class of 2015 couldn’t hang around forever.

The Stateswomen, now without last year’s senior leaders like Sondag (one of 10 players in school history to score 1,000 points), Mallory Moran and Cami Unger, are under pressure to keep the program’s success running.

They’re certainly off to a good start, at 4-0 after winning the Randi Perkins Tournament at Marquette to open the year. The 52-43 win over Francis Howell in the title game, led by sophomore Jadiah Stewart’s 18 points, catapulted Webster to the cham-

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pionship and to the number six ranking in the stltoday area large school standings.

In the latest rankings, the Stateswomen have moved to the number three spot.

Webster is missing former stars, but there are young stars early in their own runs with the program emerging this year as well.

Stewart and sophomore KK Rodriguez are dangerous underclassmen already taking leadership roles with the team, while senior Erica Waelterman and junior Maggy Moran provide the experienced leadership the team needs to carry on for Sondag, who now plays at Washington University.

In fact, Stewart’s performance in the Randi Perkins Tournament earned her “Player of the Week” honors from stltoday.com.

She averaged 20.3 points per game in the tournament, including a 27-point effort in Webster’s 59-43 first round win over Nerinx Hall. Stewart added 11 steals for a double-double in the rout.

It might be too early to say, but given the depth of this team, there could be something in the near future for the Stateswomen that they’ve come close to the last couple years but have not quite achieved: a District title.

They’re on a roll early on, and if they stay on that roll, not much will be able to stand in their way, so it may be a tad premature, but I’ll go ahead and say it anyway: Webster will be District champions in 2015-16.

now with major league sports coverage from columnist Rob Rains

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December 2015

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Entertainment

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Students tell best places for hot chocolate Abby Botan Opinion Editor Winter brings changes like weather, one’s clothing and most importantly, one’s cravings…for hot chocolate.

Even when the weather is close to freezing me to death, I know there’s something good to come out of it: that oh-so-good warm beverage.

The question is, “Who has the best hot chocolate?” If you ask me, I would definitely say homemade hot chocolate is best.

There’s nothing like being inside the comfort of your own home and making a good cup of hot chocolate, thanks to the Swiss Miss package, which costs no more than 12 cents a cup.

Mallory Pokorny, junior, said Starbucks has the best because it’s “rich” and has the “right amount of sweetness” to complement a snack you can easily buy for a reasonable price.

Starbucks hot chocolate costs $3.65 for a tall, $4.25 for a grande and $4.65 for a venti.

Starbucks also has lots of options for the Christmas season. Seasonal offerings include Peppermint Hot Chocolate and the Skinny Peppermint Hot Chocolate which both cost $3.75 for a tall, $4.55 for a grande and $4.75 for a venti.

Kacy Cryer, sophomore, said Saint Louis Bread Company has the best when it comes to hot chocolate.

“They put in chocolate chip marshmallows that melt and make it even more

chocolatey,” Cryer said.

Saint Louis Bread Company’s hot chocolate with chocolate chip marshmallows only comes in medium and large cups.

The medium costs $3.19, and the large costs $3.49.

Amalia Julien, junior, is also very fond of Saint Louis Bread Company’s hot chocolate.

“I haven’t been to a lot of places that serve hot chocolate, but I think the hot chocolate from Bread Co. is pretty good,” Julien said. “Hot chocolate can’t taste watery. It has to be kind of thick and rich in flavor because that’s when it’s just right.”

This winter season, we’ll all be enjoying nice, warm cups of hot chocolate just as we should.

Webster coffee shop involves students in community Jake Collins News/Graphic Editor

their parents or guardians. The students also use the passes to learn how to use public Webster’s own coffee shop, transportation. which is run by Special School Since opening, the District (SSD), is approaching its coffee shop sells on one year anniversary in late Januaverage to “50 students ary. and staff each day...

“The coffee shop teaches kids $100 is made each real world skills and is a way to day... That is before we get them involved in the commutake into account the nity here at the high school,” SSD coffee and creamer,” teacher Emily McEntire said.

McEntire said.

Some students who work at the The shop made coffee shop have “most of their some changes over the classes with me,” McEntire said. summer.

The Statesmen coffee shop is Photo by Jake Collins “We added jazz, a “beyond our wildest dreams for Sophomore Martez Marti waits for customers at the Statesmen new menu, changed the students,” McEntire said. Coffee Shop. The shop uses its profits to buy public transportation the creamers we ofThe shop was originally opened passes for the students. fer and worked with through a grant, and the profits Chartwells (the comsaid. were put towards public trans“I learn how much stuff costs and mon- pany who runs school lunchs at Webportation passes for the students.

The students are the staffers there, with ey skills,” sophomore Martez Marti said. ster) to make sure that we were meeting McEntire, along with other SSD teachers, Marti has worked at the shop for about nutritional standards with our cookies,” McEntire said. The shop offers coffee one year now. to oversee the shop.

“Many of our students will never be both iced and hot.

“I like meeting new people that I The shop is open from 7 to 10 a.m. wouldn’t normally associate with from able to drive... That is why public transschool,” said junior and staffer at the shop portation is so important to them,” McEn- each day and is located next to the weight since opening Marya Hoelzer. “It is help- tire said. Without public transportation room hallway by the lunch room. ful to learn how to count money,” Hoelzer passes many of the students will rely on

December 2015