ECHO Pg. 13: “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves: top-ranked Statesmen have work to do,” writes sports columnist Bennett Durando.
December 2016 Volume 102 Issue 4 Photo by Andy Kimball
100 Selma Ave st. Louis MO 63119 wgecho.org
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Table of Contents
ECHO
Pg. 3 Christmas can use some changes Pg. 3 Willie’s Comic Pg. 4 Student rights, clubs need protection Pg. 5 Columnist reflects on 2106, looks to 2017 Pg. 6 District extends programs for VICC and Riverview students Pg. 6 Student wins award at Lindenwood U. art show Pg. 7 Students receive state-wide awards Pg. 8-9 Exclusive: ECHO reveals holiday wishlists of WGHS teachers Pg. 10 Freshman performs on Broadway Pg. 11 Upcoming events Pg. 12 Coach LeMay leads men’s wrestling into season Pg. 13 Bennett from the Bleachers: Reflections on seasonopening Webster Classic Pg. 14 Winter One Acts Festival relocated to auditorium Pg. 15 Columnist reflects on iconic Christmas songs Pg. 16 Winter Wonderland shows holiday lights 2016-17 ECHO STAFF
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Andy Kimball JUNIOR EDITOR: Jake Collins BUSINESS/ADS MANAGER: Cole Schnell OPINION EDITOR: Abyana Botan SPORTS EDITOR: Bennett Durando FEATURE/NEWS EDITOR: Caleb Bolin ONLINE EDITOR: Caroline Fellows VIDEO EDITOR: Ashli Wagner CIRCULATION EDITOR: Greg Frazier AUDIO EDITOR: Page Kimzey GRAPHICS EDITOR: Natalie Johnson ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Riley Mullgardt 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.
December 2016
The ECHO FAMILY The ECHO Family helps make the ECHO possible. To become a member of the ECHO Family, please contact Greg Frazier at frostymoondust@yahoo.com. Thanks to all of our members!
Curtin Family Dugan Family Kathy Whaley Jodi Richards Kurt Krautmann Thomas J. Zychinski Peggy Drew Smegner Webster Kirkwood Times Don and Mary Ann Schafer Webster Groves Baptist Church
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Opinion
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Christmas could use some changes Natalie Johnson Graphics Editor
Ah, the Holidays. I don’t care what you celebrate or what you believe in -it doesn’t matter. What truly matters is that we all agree on some minor adjustments to Christmas. Here are my propositions: Section A: Outdoor Christmas decor All flashing lights, if you find it in your heart necessary to irritate your neighbors and have spastic decor, must be turned off two hours post nightfall. All homes sporting flashing lights must have signs in the yard warning passersby and neighbors of the danger of seizures. All multicolored lights must be the same--no slightly differing shades, no change in tint. Inflatables must be re-inflated prior to sunrise in order to prevent a yard looking like the site of mass-homicide; that’s just tacky. If your decor includes Santa’s sleigh on the roof or in the yard, make sure nobody else in the neighborhood has Santa at their house. It’s simply confusing to see two
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Santas down the street from one another. Section B: Christmas music All radio stations must acknowledge that the same song, despite being sung by different people, is still the same song. Playing all Mariah Carey or Michael Buble will make for a long, whiny holiday season. Spare us. Section C: Time of year As such as I hate the cold, nobody likes a lukewarm Christmas. It’s December; it’s meant to be frigid. Maybe Santa can give us some cooler temperatures, maybe even some snow… Christmas is really just one day. Maybe two, because for some reason the day before is just as big a deal, but the Christmas season goes on for months! It starts a week before Thanksgiving and goes until New Years, unless you’re one of those people who leaves their lights up until March, especially differing multicolored (the worst). If we all abide by these minor changes to the season, we can all get through the holiday season and make it enjoyable for the masses!
Photo by Natalie Johnson
An inflatable snowman shivers in the cold. Inflatables are a very popular outdoor holiday decoration, coming in all shapes and sizes.
December 2016
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Opinion
ECHO
Editorial
Student rights, clubs need protection First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Webster Groves receives federal funding and has a limited open forum policy (schools granting an offering to or opportunity for one or more non-curriculum related student groups to meet on school premises during non-instructional time). Therefore the school should not discriminate against clubs that wish to advertise on school property. Under the Equal Access Act: “It shall be unlawful for any public secondary school which receives federal financial assistance and which has a limited open forum to deny equal access or a fair opportunity, or discriminate against, any students who wish to conduct a meeting within that limited open forum on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical or other content of the speech at such meetings.” The school policy allows students to meet, but censors the messages of groups, based on fear that this speech would cause disruption in the classroom. “Access” refers not only to physical meeting spaces on school premises but also to recognition and privileges afforded to other groups at the school, including, for example, the right to announce club meetings on bulletin boards or over the publicaddress system, according to Straights & Gays for Equality vs. Osseo Area Schools - District No. 279 (2008) Webster Groves has a policy about what clubs can be school sponsored and what clubs must be a “student initiated groups.” Clubs that have political or religious message are classified as “student initiated groups,” but this begs the question: where do our First Amendment rights end in school? On Feb. 24, 1969, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 students do not “shed their Constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate” in the landmark court case of Tinker vs. Des Moines. The Tinker vs. Des Moines ruling also established that school officials can not censor student speech so long as that speech does not disrupt the educational process. Also under Tinker vs. Des Moines, schools may not ban or suppress the speech of student groups based on a “desire to avoid the discomfort and unpleasantness that always accompany an unpopular viewpoint.” Fear of disruption must be based on facts. “If the reason is a fear that other students will react badly, the school is not permitted to censor speech,” according to Gillman vs. School Board (2008). Say that the school knew, with utmost certainty and sufficient fact to back the claim, that this article would incite disruption in the learning process, then the school may legally censor the paper by removing the article. We, as the ECHO, understand where the administration and the school’s lawyer comes from on advising the school on having
December 2016
Photo by Jake Collins
ECHO advisor’s black armband is a reminder of the students who wore black armband in protest of the Vietnam War in the Tinker vs. Des Moines court case.
the two different types of clubs. It could be that the school is trying to prevent itself from being sued. If the speech of one of these “student initiated groups” offends someone to the point where he/she would like to sue, the school can detach its name from the case, saying that the school does not endorse the club or its messages The ECHO also believes, and understands, that court fees are expensive. The learning of our students should not have to suffer due to someone feeling their rights were infringed upon and dragging the community into a legal battle. However, we also believe the administration is wrong in doing this. The student handbook says, “These groups are normally not school sponsored because they promote a religious or political view. As a result, these groups are not listed in this handbook or in the yearbook,” but political and religious speech are traditionally understood by the Supreme Court as the most protected form of speech. We believe the policy should be changed so that all student groups in the school are considered “school sponsored” and benefit from the school’s endorsement. We believe, according to Gillman vs. School Board (2008), Tinker vs. Des Moines (1969) and the Equal Access Act (1984) that the school should not be allowed to pick and choose what clubs the endorses. We also believe the legal definition of access allows clubs that are not school sponsored to receive the same benefits that clubs that are school sponsored get. The administration should not be able to decide that clubs that carry these types of messages can’t be included in the yearbook or have to have a disclaimer in the corner of advertisements that the club is “not a school sponsored activity.” We want the students, staff and administration to foster a safe environment for civil discourse and difference of opinion. The current policy that the school has does not do such by virtue of censoring the speech of students from the top down and deciding which clubs have the support of the school.
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ECHO
Opinion
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Caleb’s Conception
Columnist reflects on 2016, looks to 2017 Caleb Bolin Political Columnist
hypocritical to fight hatred with more hatred?); and escalated tensions with international foes, such as North Korea, Iran, China and Russia, among other things. In June, our friend across the pond, the United Kingdom, voted Some fifteen days remain in the year. If these to withdraw from the European Union. The withdrawal of the U.K. from the EU was fueled by the days are any thing like the rest of the year, I can same intense dissatisfaction that drove all kinds of change (for only imagine what they better or for worse) here in the United States. While citizens of the U.K. campaigned for or against leaving, U.S. citizens camwill bring. The year began in the paigned for the changes that they wanted to see in their own same way that it will country. All year long, the election cycle exposed serious rifts likely end--with startling between various American demographics. As things heated up in the political arena, Americans cooled news--when the World Health Organization warned that the Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitoes and causes pre-natal birth down and united for the Rio Olympics. Watching the poised Midefects, would likely spread to most of the Americas and that it chael Phelps swim in his fifth and final Olympics was a beautiful could potentially come to the United States. People across the thing; watching the inebriated Ryan Lochte trash a gas station country held their breath and waited to see what damage would bathroom was slightly less beautiful. Still, the US dominated the games, winning 121 medals (the next highest medal count was be done. China with 70). Still, the year went on. However dominant our performance in the Olympics was, the The rest of the year was filled with every sort of chaos American citizens could imagine: incidents of terror-- like the Pulse games ended and so did the summer, which had otherwise been nightclub shooting which left 49 dead and 53 injured; rioting filled with anger, fear and division. The next couple of months passed relatively without incident-around the country in the wake of police shootings and a backlash against anti-police protesters after five police officers were except for a fiasco with clowns. Then, November came, and with killed by a man who was angry about police shootings (isn’t it it the presidential election. On Nov. 8, Donald J. Trump was elected president (despite losing the popular vote by several million votes). Many Americans were and/or are understandably concerned about giving so much power to a man who attacked, slandered and demeaned nearly every single demographic that he doesn’t fit into over the course of his campaign (though it is admittedly pretty difficult to attack orange businessmen with strange hair and penchants for bragging about unwanted sexual advances). Still, in the days after the presidential election, the sun still rose and life went on. As the year comes to a close, it feels like I have been part of a strange dream and am just waking up from it. However, the issues that plagued 2016 (racism, terrorism, divisiveness and general anger) have yet to be solved. As the holiday season comes around, I find I don’t need any more money or any more socks I won’t wear (sorry, Mom), but I do have one wish: a better year to come. Photo by Mark Reis/Colorado Springs Gazette/TNS 2016 has been by far the worst year since U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps powers his way to a first-place finish in semifinal 2015. competition for the 200m Individual Medley Relay at the Olympic Aquatics Here’s to the new year; may it be filled Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (c) 2016 with positive change and peace.
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News ECHO District extends programs for VICC, Riverview students Andy Kimball Editor-In-Chief Webster’s school board voted Nov. 14, to allow students from the Riverview Gardens School District to remain at Webster for the next two to three years. The district will keep transfer students regardless of Riverview’s accreditation status. Riverview Gardens regained its state accreditation status on Dec. 2, after being stripped of its accreditation in 2007. Riverview will be provisionally accredited at the start of second semester of this school year. There is no law in place to describe how a school district handles transfer students once their area schools regain accreditation mid-year. With the extension, the district will now have discretion over which students stay in the district. The school board currently has agreed to let transfer students stay in the district until a “natural break” like a break between elementary and middle school or middle school and high school. School board president Steve Loher said, “(Accreditation for Riverview Gardens) is a testament to their hard work. Very hard to do in a challenged area. It’s a feather in their cap.” Loher said part of the reason the school allowed students was the low cost of keeping the students. “We only have seven or eight students spread across many grade levels, so the cost of educating students does not go up by adding only seven or eight students,” Loher said. Loher added, “Since we have such a small number of students in the program we don’t need to hire any new staff to accommodate them.” When Riverview was unaccredited, it had to pay a school district’s cost of attendance if a student transferred to a county district. For Webster, Riverview had to pay the district about $12,333 per student when it was unaccredited. According to superintendent John Simpson, a deal was worked
out where for the rest of this year when Riverview is accredited, Webster will receive payments based off of a $7,000 annual rate per student. Simpson also said Webster has not decided how much it will charge Riverview next year or in the coming years, but said, “(The school board and I) will finalize that in the coming months.” As well as allowing students remain from Riverview Gardens, Webster is also a member of the five-year extension of the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) program. The program lets students from the Saint Louis City schools transfer to Saint Louis County schools like Webster Groves or Kirkwood. Also, students from county schools would be able to transfer to city magnet schools. Magnet schools, like Metro High School or the Central and Visual Performing Arts Academy are public schools in Saint Louis designed to offer special programs that county schools like Webster or Kirkwood do not offer. This is the program’s final extension of the program and will end at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. This means no new students will be allowed to join the program after the 2023-2024 school year, but students already in the program by 2023-2024 will be able to stay and complete the program until they graduate. About future plans, Simpson said, “The VICC board is looking into studies about any other types of programs that can be created that are legal to do and that could continue this type of relationship. They will be studying if there is a way to maintain a mutual relationship between the city of Saint Louis to support all kids.” Simpson said, “There is interest from the board and people to explore what other possibilities would be.” Loher added, “We want to be good citizens not only to Webster but to our whole region. We believe that by (being a part of these programs) we are being good citizens to our whole region.”
Student wins award at Lindenwood Art show Cole Schnell Business Manager
Senior Stephen Welling won second best ceramic for a ceramic polar bear at the Lindenwood University Young Artists and their Teachers High School Art Show. This year is the 20th year that WGHS has participated. Lindenwood University displayed the artist’s pieces Nov. 20, through Dec. 5, at the J. Scheidegger Center for Arts. Pieces were judged by Lindenwood art teachers, and Lindenwood art department chairman John Troy announced the awards. Lindenwood uses this competition and scholarships as a recruiting tool to attract the local high school talent. Three WGHS students, Al Kellenberger, Nicolette Schnettgoecke and Stephen Welling, displayed pieces at Lindenwood. Welling is waiting on a call from Lindenwood about a scholar-
December 2016
ship. Welling said he chose a polar bear because ”It seemed stable enough, the structure of it, I guess.” The polar bear was an assignment he was given in Ceramics I, which he is currently taking. Welling also took Drawing and Painting I and II. Welling hopes to get a scholarship and be able to attend college to become a professional artist. He wants to create representational art. All art pieces will be on display at the high school after being displayed at Lindenwood. Art teacher Andrew Throm said, “Students should be involved in art shows because it is important to understand the different types of competition.” A student having his/her work judged doesn’t have to be a negative if one doesn’t win, “but then it is also exciting if you do win.”
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7 Band students receive state-wide awards ECHO
News
Photo by Andy Kimball
Seniors Ben Keller, Madi Powers, Joe Grasso, Rachel Tripp and Thomas Hotaling perform during the Christmas Band concert Dec. 8, in the auditorium.
Page Kimzey Audio Editor Twelve band students attended the All State conference under the instruction of band teacher Jamie Burchett to audition for the two All-State bands on Dec 3; six won awards. “The Missouri Bandmasters Association holds annual auditions for the All-State Concert and Jazz Bands. Students who audition and are selected for the All-State Band perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference and work with nationally recognized conductors and musicians. The AllState Bands are made up of 100+ students representing the elite student musicians in the state,” Burchett said. Of the 12 WGHS representatives, half won awards and two were given the opportunity to join the All-State Jazz bands. The award winning students were junior Myah Frank, sophomore Nita Isom, sophomore Hank Miller, junior Jack Snelling, senior Ben Keller and senior Bennett Durando. Keller and Miller were selected to perform in the All-State
Jazz Band. “This is my second time getting an award on piano. Last year, I got honorable mention; this year I got alternate. This is my first time getting an award for tenor saxophone (honorable mention),” Snelling said. These students practice and perform outside of school with private lessons as well as jazz and marching bands. The All-State competition is open to any musician from any Missouri school to compete for spots in the All-State bands. This is a good form of musical competition for students, so they will be able to meet and get involved with other musicians who share the same interests and goals as them outside of their usual circle of people. Some students hope to do something with music in the future. “I play clarinet and have played it for six and a half years. I do want to continue on with music after high school and am considering minoring or double majoring in music,” Isom said. “My dream job is to be a composer for film scores or professional jazz bands,” Snelling said.
Happy Holidays from the ECHO! wgecho.org
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In-Depth
ECHO
Exclusive: ECHO reveals holid Bennett Durando Sports Editor Caleb Bolin Feature Editor
The holiday season is here, and most people have a wishlist of things that would tickle their fancy to unwrap and call theirs. Still others have more conceptual or intangible desires. Believe it or not, even the teachers of WGHS have that special something that they would love to have. How do we know this? Well, the ECHO recently obtained classified documents in which the holiday wishlists of several teachers are disclosed. Whatever holiday you may celebrate during this season, the ECHO hopes you will both enjoy and use this information wisely when selecting gifts for your teachers.
Kristin Moore: Jason Grote: • A Winter Classic vic- • Research papers that are enjoyable to read tory for the Blues Tim Cashel: Justin Mathes: • A [basketball] State • For Liverpool to be at the top of the table title Margaret Skouby: • Two hours alone
Chris Allen: • Beautiful blonde surfer hair, with a little bit of curl-like Nicholas Kirschman: Keanu Reeves • A self-aware quantum Deborah Bohlmann: processing laptop • A market-share in Coca Cola products Zach Smith: • Alexa, so I can call (to appease my Diet Coke addiction) for an Uber
Jeff Smith: • For Steve Leftridge and his Bruce Springsteen cover band to play more concerts • Sleep • Better hair Jamie Schwartz: For the country to start paying teachers more than professional athletes
Sean Wright: Terry Verstraete: Suzanne Fillion: A Chiefs Super Bowl • For it to be socially • Call of Duty win, or at the very least Battlefield One unacceptable to say for the Raiders to lose Edition for XBox One every game and miss the words, “I (I sure hope my daugh- the playoffs to bring hate math.” ter Claudia sees this) John E. some sadness • For the removal of the “zoom fit” setting on calculators
December 2016
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In-Depth
day wishlists of WGHS faculty John E. Thomas: • A Raiders Super Bowl win, or at the very least for the Chiefs to lose every game and miss the playoffs to bring Coach Wright some sadness
Jill Young: • A trip to the Bahamas • 12 hours of continuous sleep • A band with magical instruments that always play in tune
Steve Leftridge: • Stretch Armstrong Julie Burchett: • A charter bus to take • A throwing star all my U.S. history • A disco ball students around the country to learn about Donald Johnson: • For us to finish the American history paper on time Eric Dunn: Equality for all sev- Jon Clark: en billion people in • For all the students the world … and the and staff of WGHS to WGHS Fantasy Foot- have a wonderful break ball League champion- • For everyone to jump on the Miami Dolphins ship bandwagon Todd Schaefer: • A heated indoor swim- Patrick Bommarito: ming pool installed in • Edwin Encarnacion my house. I miss sum- (for the Cardinals) • More time to read mer. wgecho.org
Greg Heard: • All I want for Christmas is a wormhole (so I can travel to other parts of the universe) Brent Mackey: • One of those cool four-bladed drones. Tom O’Toole: • I can’t get what I wanted anymore darnit. She lost Kristin Cole: • Peace on Earth. Rita Chapman: • World peace • A pony From world peace to sleep to a wormhole that holds the entire universe within it, we hope that the wishes of the WGHS faculty come true. They work very hard to create a nourishing, positive environment for us, and they deserve happiness--and all the sports championships that they asked for. No matter what you celebrate during the holiday season, we at the ECHO hope that you have a blissful winter break.
December 2016
Feature 10 ECHO Freshman performs at Muny, on Broadway Ashli Wagner Video Editor Elizabeth Teeter has performed in Broadway shows and at the Muny here in St. Louis. She has performed with movie stars, actors and even her dad. Teeter has performed in the Broadway shows “The Audience,” “The Crucible” and “Mary Poppins.” Her first Broadway show was “Mary Poppins” in 2006. Her latest show was “The Crucible,” where she played as Betty Parris on opening night in New York. About which of the three she loved the most, Teeter said “I can’t really pick a favorite because they’re do different it’s really hard to choose.” Teeter first started seriously dancing when she was six and has loved it ever since. She dances for the Center for Creative Art (COCA) in St. Louis. She dances three or four times a week and wishes she could dance more if not for school work. Teeter dances with one of her “best friends” freshman Lizzie Egley. “She’s been really supportive of me because I was gone for six months, and we stayed really close,” Teeter said about her friend. Teeter has been friends with Egley since sixth grade “It’s going to be difficult when one of your best friends is gone for that long, but we’re so close that it affects anything,” Egley said about how she and Teeter stay friends when Teeter leaves for a show. Teeter worked with Helen Mirren in “The Audience.” Mirren has been in “Red” and the new “Collateral Beauty.” Another person Teeter worked with is Saoirse Ronan in “The Crucible.” Ronan who was in ‘Lovely Bones” and “Brooklyn.” When Teeter was in “The Audience,” she shared the role of young queen Elizabeth with Sadie Sink. “We became really best friends, and I still keep in touch with her,” Teeter said. Sink is about to be in the next season of “Stranger Things.” Teeter has done several plays with her father. About five years ago Teeter and her father played in the Muny’s “Little Mermaid.” Elizabeth played Flounder and her dad played Scuttle. Recently Teeter performed in the “Nutcracker” at the Muny, where she played the main role of Clara and her father played the role of Clara’s Uncle Drosselmeyer. Teeter first got into the arts because “I grew up around my dad who was a performer, and so I always watched that and wanted to audition for things, and I auditioned and got into the Muny theater and ended up going to New York and getting an agent and they set me up with auditions and it just went from there.” Teeter said. “I look at it as I don’t do it for the money. I just do it for the love of the craft,” Teeter said about dancing and acting. Teeter said her parents are “very supportive” and just want her to do what makes her happy. “If I woke up tomorrow and said I didn’t want to do it anymore, they’d be like, okay” Teeter said.
December 2016
Photo from Elizabeth Teeter
Elizabeth Teeter performed the Broadway show “The Crucible” with actors Saoirse Ronan and Ben Wishaw.
Teeter has a twin brother Charlie Teeter who has performed in the past but not anymore. “It’s really amazing and a little weird seeing this big professional show with my sister being a big part of it,” Charlie Teeter said about watching his sister perform on Broadway. “My brother is more of an athlete,” Teeter said, but he along with Teeter’s two younger sisters and parents help her prepare for auditions or shows. Teeter doesn’t have anything coming up and said “It’s kind of a waiting thing you just kind of don’t know” about getting auditions and trying out for parts. She recently was in a film production and was in New York for 10 days. “That was really fun. I had never done that before,” Teeter said about the new experience. Teeter said dedication and sacrifice are the hardest thing about thing about being in theater. “Whenever I had two shows, I’d have to go home get food and rest and take care of myself instead of going out being with friends sometimes, so you kind of have to keep in check your body and your mind, and you really have to focus on that,” Teeter said. When Teeter knows she is going to be absent for a show or for an audition, she tries to get the work done beforehand so she can stay on track. “When I was in New York I had to homeschool, so I kind of had to like manage my school work on my own,” Teeter said. “They’re really different it’s hard to compare I really like the Muny because of that’s where I started. It’s a special home in my heart, and it’s really fun. I definitely learned a lot from my Broadway experiences and the people I got to work with,” Teeter said about whether she enjoyed the Muny or Broadway more. When Teeter does do a show, whether it’s at the Muny or Broadway, she still gets the “nervous excited” feeling when performing the preview show.
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Upcoming Events • • • • • • • • •
Finals: Dec. 15--Special Schedule --First Hour Exam Dec. 16--Half Day--Second and Third Hour Exams Dec. 19--Half Day--Fourth and Fifth Hour Exams Dec. 20--Half Day--Sixth and Seventh Hour Exams Winter Recess Dec. 21 - Jan. 3 “Finding Neverland” --Fox Theatre-- Dec. 6-18 Skate with Santa--Webster Groves Recreation Center--Dec. 17 “Christmas Carol”--Loretto Hilton--Nov. 30 – Dec. 24 School resumes Jan. 4 Winter Sports Assembly--Jan. 20, 7th Hour Winter Homecoming Dance--Roberts Gym--Jan. 21 Choir Concert at Cathedral--Jan. 31
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December 2016
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Sports
ECHO Coach LeMay leads men’s wrestling into season
Photo by Greg Frazier
Webster took a victory over McCluer from the help of JV wrestler sophomore Sam Vandergriff pinning a McCluer wrestler at Roberts Gym on Monday Dec 5.
Greg Frazier Circulation Editor Head coach James LeMay separated younger from older wrestlers for instructions during practices. “The younger wrestlers are able to compete better because of the change,” LeMay said. Men’s wrestling has competed in five events since the start of the season in November. Varsity wrestled in the Black and Orange Scrimmage against Westminster Christian Academy and participated in the Zumwalt East Tournament. Varsity and JV will both wrestle against Hillsboro High School in Roberts Gym on Dec. 20. Junior Varsity has wrestled against McCluer High School and competed in an Oakville JV Tournament. After JV’s performance against McCluer High School on Dec. 5, LeMay is relieved and confident for the rest of JV’s season. “We have a lot of strong wrestlers; I can’t single out one that stands out,” LeMay said. LeMay said, “It’s still the beginning of the season for men’s wrestling. Varsity hasn’t been able to test their strength yet.” Men’s wrestling hasn’t faced any prominent teams yet. “Rockwood Summit and Kirkwood have given us trouble in the past, but we look forward to competing against them,” LeMay said. LeMay is supported by his assistant coaching staff: Varsity assistant coach Dave Ruckman, assistant coach Patrick Wilson and assistant coach Gabe Farmer.
December 2016
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Sports
Bennett from the Bleachers
Reflections on season-opening Webster Classic Bennett Durando Sports Columnist If the annual season-opening Webster Invitational told us anything about the state of the 2016-17 Statesmen men’s basketball team, it’s that it’s on the right track … but we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves either. In just about every pre-season poll there was, Webster was ranked first or second in the state interchangeably with Vashon: not bad, especially considering Vashon is a class below the Statesmen and won’t pose a playoff threat. It’s too early to be thinking about the playoffs right now though. Webster has plenty to perfect this regular season, most eminently a gaping, 6 foot, 9 inch hole that won’t be filled by Carte’Are Gordon until Jan. 22. With the Class of 2018 top-10 national prospect and current junior center Gordon serving his transfer ineligibility until halfway through the season, Webster has to find a way to survive for a month and a half without sufficient size on its roster. Sophomore forward Malachy Simpson has showed vast signs of improvement but may not quite be starter-ready by that Jan. 22, deadline. As it stands, the Statesmen have their senior guard Cam Potts taking tip-offs right now. Potts has been a rock on both ends of the floor, as has fellow senior Kevin Butler and junior point guard Courtney Ramey, but it still says a lot about Webster’s size without Gordon that Potts has to be in this position. For now, the Statesmen’s priority needs to be preventing opponents from exploiting Webster’s size handicap. Luckily, for that to happen, nothing has to change; the best way to go about this is by playing vintage Statesmen basketball. That’s the kind that has two guards in your face as soon as the ball is inbounded to you, the kind whose high-tempo, full-court press defense scored six points against Kirkwood last year in the time it takes us to register the first two points. The kind that has made Webster stand out through the years as the best team in transition for miles around. What better way to test that kind of basketball than by doing so against some of the top teams in the area? Webster’s schedule is a bit tougher than in recent years, as shown by the competition in this year’s Webster Classic: Champaign Central, a top-tier Illinois team, won the tournament over another one of the best teams in Missouri, Chaminade, after Central beat Webster the day before in a wild 68-66 semifinal in which the Statesmen led for much of the fourth quarter. It was a critical test for Webster, especially considering Central’s superior size. Though the Statesmen may not have passed in the win-loss category, they definitely passed in terms of their potential to handle bigger teams. They used excellent three-point shooting and all around play from their cornucopia of guards to stick around the whole game, even after falling behind by nine in the second quarter.
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Photo by Andy Kimball
Senior Cam Potts attempts a layup in the Statesmen’s - win over Marquette in the Webster Classic on Dec. 7.
One weakness might’ve made all the difference though: rebounding. Champaign Central had a critical possession late in the game with three offensive rebounds. Then, with under five seconds to play and Central trying to put the game away at the free throw line, Webster missed a chance to get one last shot when Central missed the second foul shot but chased down the rebound in the corner and ran out the clock. Let’s face it, it’s not easy for the Statesmen to box out against opponents several inches taller than them. You won’t hear them making that excuse though; for Webster, the saying has always gone “Toughest Team Wins,” not “Tallest Team Wins.” There will be improvements made in regard to crashing the boards, and important improvements at that, considering Webster’s schedule. The Statesmen also play in the Meramec Tournament this December against some of the top teams in the area and will play on the road against Kirkwood, SLUH and of course, Vashon.
December 2016
14
Entertainment
ECHO Winter one acts festival relocates to auditorium
is only temporary. The drama department hopes to stage its spring one acts this year in its new black box space- the old band room. Air conditioning will be put in the room over winter break. “So now we’re buying time,” Schaefer said. When students submit their one acts to Schaefer, he looks for certain criteria. “The first draft has to have a story- has to have a beginning, middle and end and has to write for few characters, few locations, few props, few specialty costumes, very little lights and sound,” Schaefer said. “Keep it about the actors and the story.” Junior Suzanna Kessler, writer and codirector of the one act “Bunnylover07,” said she wrote her one act as part of her drama class last year. The one act is based off the song “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” and about it Kessler said, “Really [the idea for my one act] was just something that came up and I was just trying to be funny.” When Schaefer first started teaching, there was only one one-act festival at the end of the year. Since then two more festivals have been added to provide more opportunities to people who play sports or have other extracurriculars. “It keeps kids involved at three different Photo by Donald Johnson parts of the year,” Schaefer said, “There’s Juniors Sydney Ciamarolli and Sophie Weik perform in the fall One-Act Festisomething for everyone to be involved in.” val on Sept. 28. In the history of the festival, Schaefer said he has seen it all. Caroline Fellows “We’ve had a little bit of everything and all different styles. Online Editor Every different style you can imagine. From SNL sketch comedy to very serious witty comedy, to slapstick comedy all the way Winter One Acts is a time for student writers, actors, direc- through,” Schaefer said. “Thrillers, kitchen dramas, family drators and stage managers to come together to produce one of the mas, musicals, history plays [and more].” drama department’s longest traditions. According to Schaefer, most one acts this year were comedies “For acting, it is one of our biggest recruiters,” drama teacher whereas in the past dramas have been more prevalent. Todd Schaefer said. “We’ve added festivals in because it actually This festival featured nine one acts and one short film, and grows our number of actors. Even if they are actors that don’t for most, the writers and directors were the same. This festival’s come out for a lot of mainstage stuff, we have plenty of people one acts were “The Interview,” “Bunnylover07,” “A Good Day,” interested in getting on stage.” “Three Months,” “T.D.O.T. M.O.T.T.O.E.S.,” “The AA MeetOne acts have traditionally taken place in the Little Theater, ing,” “Maple,” “Somnus,” “Snakes” and “Casual Affair” (film). but they were relocated to the auditorium last spring due to mold and moisture and a lack of air conditioning or heat in the Little Theater. Because the auditorium is much bigger than the Little All the Ingredients for a Theater, May’s one acts were done in the round, and the first one Fresh Start to Your Day. act festival this year in September was done in the black box. The December festival, however, was performed like a traditional mainstage production in the auditorium, but seats were mapped off to keep in the audience in a small, intimate setting. 314-968-2253 The relocation, while it does allow for a greater size audience, Order Online at KolacheFactor yToGo.com
December 2016
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Entertainment
ECHO
Botan Beliefs
15
Columnist lists iconic Christmas songs Abby Botan Entertainment Columnist Christmas is definitely my favorite of the year. The family atmosphere on every Christmas morning is what makes the season so lovable. Also, Christmas music is one of my favorite genres. Christmas music is something that puts me in the Christmas spirit, so here is a list of my top five favorite Christmas songs. 5) “All I Want For Christmas Is You” performed by Mariah Carey This song is a classic. I love listening to this song as soon as December swings around even though I have no one to sing it to. I tend to enjoy Christmas love songs more than the typical reindeers and snowmen.
Christmas Eve my grandma plays this song along with tons of other Christmas songs she has on a CD. I would definitely recommend that everyone listen to this song because it’s so childlike, and that’s what makes it so lovable. Michael is singing about seeing his “mommy” kissing Santa Claus, and he genuinely believes that his mom is cheating on his father, but in fact his father is dressed up as Santa Claus. 3) “This Christmas” performed by Chris Brown “This Christmas” has more of a R&B/Gospel feel to it. The song begins with Chris Brown singing a couple of verses a capella and then all of a Public domain photo from Asthenic.net sudden a piano, and other instruments come into the According to top40.about.com, the most popular Christmas song of mix to create this happy, all time is “The Christmas Song” performed by Nat King Cole, 1961. Christmas vibe. The song Sometimes the song is referred to as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open can be heard on “This Fire.” Christmas.”
4) “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” performed by The Jackson 5 I have a million memories associated with this song. Every
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2) “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” performed by Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé I don’t think this would be a proper Christmas song countdown without the Christmas King himself Michael Bublé. This song has been covered by many, and I happen to enjoy Idina Menzel and Bublé’s cover the most because it’s so magical sounding. It’s so romantic and I can’t not smile when I listen to it. 1) “Mistletoe” performed by Justin Bieber Justin Bieber’s entire Christmas album is genuinely one of the best, but this song tops all of the tracks on the album. “Mistletoe” definitely puts me in the mood for everything Christmas because mistletoe’s are so quintessentially Christmas, and I love the idea of them.
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December 2016
Entertainment 16 ECHO Winter wonderland shows holiday lights
Photo by Riley Mullgardt
The “Winter Wonderland” exhibit in Tilles Park has been around since 1985.
Riley Mullgardt Entertainment Editor Every year during the holidays, people from all over take a trip to Tilles Park’s “Winter Wonderland.” Winter Wonderland is a colorful light display spread throughout the park linked up to Christmas Music. Some of the lights even move!
December 2016
The Winter Wonderland tradition has been around since 1985 and still goes strong. People can drive a car, ride in a carriage or walk. Food, blankets and drinks can be brought but no pets. Webster-Rock Hill resident Elizabeth Romines said, “Winter Wonderland is one of my favorite pre-Christmas activities... Driving a car through is fun because you can tune in the Christmas music; the walk is great because you can go slowly and really enjoy the cute lights; the carriage ride is wonderful because… it’s a carriage ride.” The display is open for cars and carriages Sunday through Friday 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and carriages on Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and the walk has specific dates, which, unfortunately, are all sold out. This attraction is not open on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve. The pricing is based on the size of the vehicle or the number of people in a carriage. A “family vehicle” cost $10, a limousine cost $20, a commercial transport van cost $40, and a tour bus cost $90. A “Sweetheart carriage,” two people, costs $55, a “Snowflake carriage,” six people, costs $80, a “Candy Cane carriage,” nine people, costs $120, and “Santa’s Sleigh,” up to 24 people, costs $12 a person. To reserve a carriage, patrons may go to www.metrotix.com, call MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or go to the Fox Theatre box office.
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