WG ECHO January 2016 Issue

ECHO Pg. 8-9 District members work to reform education

January 2016 Volume 101 Issue 5 Photo by Jack Killeen

100 Selma Ave st. Louis MO 63119

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the Table of Contents ECHO Pg. 3 Students would benefit from college guidance class Pg. 3 Dress code should allow billed caps Pg. 4 Celebrities speak out about Cosby scandal Pg. 4 Willie’s Comic Pg. 5 MLK Assembly Pg. 6 “Hamlet” preforms at state Thespian conference Pg. 7 Band stars shine at All-State competition Pg. 8-9 District members work to reform education Pg. 10 Senior feeds 7,500 families with food program Pg. 12 New stars blossom for men’s basketball Pg. 13 Stovall steps into duties as new baseball coach Pg. 14 February events Pg. 15 Singles celebrate Valentines’s Day Pg. 16 “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Review

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 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.

January 2016

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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Opinion

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Editorial

Students would benefit from college guidance class Between looking at colleges, picking which colleges to apply to, applying to colleges, writing essays, applying for scholarships and deciding what college to attend, a lot of work goes into the college process.

Webster Groves High School is an excellent high school, and the counseling department is wonderfully accessible while applying to college (counselors Karen Verstraete and Marsha Dempsey’s doors are always open), but the help they give could be more personalized.

Rather than giving a Powerpoint to a class of students about choosing colleges and an occasional one-on-one meeting, there should be a teacher or counselor frequently talking with students, saying, “Hey, where are you thinking about applying? The next step right now is to schedule college tours. Okay, now let’s

work on application essays. Finished that already? Then let’s look at scholarships. No idea where to start? Go on this website, there’s an endless lists of scholarships. Don’t know which scholarships are worth your time? Here, I know from past students’ experience and your own interests that these scholarships are worth applying to.”

Webster should offer a class for seniors where a teacher or counselor would have these conversations with students.

Imagine if instead of one-on-one training, Yoda and Obi-Wan gave Luke Skywalker a few Powerpoints on the force and expected him to overthrow the Empire. That’d be absurd. Like Yoda riding on Luke’s back during his training, Webster should be riding on the backs of its students as it teaches them the ways of the college.

This class would keep students constantly involved and assisted in the college process. Not only this, but it would also give them the time that can be hard to find to work on applications and essays.

Seniors are coming into this college application process without any experience at all. They need someone with wisdom like Yoda’s instructing them along every step of the way.

We haven’t thought through the logistics of this class; maybe it’d fail, but we think Webster should strive more to personally guide its students to that first day of college.

Seniors applying to colleges, feel lost and overwhelmed at times. It’s important that Webster looks to help individual seniors more, and a classroom focused on this is just one potential solution.

Kimball’s Konception

Dress code should allow billed caps

Andy Kimball Junior Editor Dress code changes now allow students to wear stocking caps and beanies. However, students still aren’t allowed to wear any sort of billed hats.

Billed caps should be allowed in the dress code because students should have freedom to wear any sort of clothing that is not a distraction in class.

According to principal Jon Clark, this is because the high school wants to be able

to see students’ eyes to identify them.

Clark said, “(Billed-hats) were probably allowed 18 years ago, and we outlawed them for a couple of reasons. One is that they were gang related in the past. They aren’t now. We have always believed kids wearing hats didn’t shower or clean themselves before class… A third reason, and probably the biggest reason now, is that we can’t see kid’s eyes, and we want to build a situation where students can see eyes.”

Clark added, “Sometimes (when student’s eyes can’t be seen) students could be cheating on a test. Sometimes we want to recognize them to make sure they are in the building and to see who they are, so that probably is the main reason now.”

First, someone could wear any type of hat and use that as an excuse not to clean themselves before class.

Second, outlawing billed caps to stop cheating has not worked to stop cheating. This year the ECHO conducted a survey that found that over 30 percent of students have cheated over the past year.

This shows that there is still cheating in

the high school and getting rid of billed caps has not stopped this.

Third, being able to identify students while they are wearing billed hats is very simple. It involves a task that many students and staff who attend the high school can accomplish.

Faculty can simply ask the student his/ her name or ask them to briefly remove the cap. Also, if wearing the cap over their face becomes a problem, then one can ask a student to adjust the cap on his/her head to make them easier to identify.

Also this is only in the case that a student wears a cap over his eyes. Many students wear caps that are above their eyes and show their eyes and face clearly. And if hats are worn backwards, then a student’s face is clearly shown and identifying the student is not an issue.

The next change that needs to be made to the dress code is getting rid of the ban on billed caps.

The only restriction that should be made is that the hat should be taken off if it has any vulgar themes that distract students in school.

January 2016

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Opinion

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Op-ed

Celebs take stance on recent Cosby incidents Tyler Coleman Contributing Writer Comedian/actor Bill Cosby, 78 years old and known for TV show the “Bill Cosby Show.” Cosby has been accused by 41 women of drugging and sexual assaulting them.

So far, since the case has not been tried, it seems strange that every celebrity knows for certain whether Cosby’s guilty or not.

Everyone has commented on Cosby, without seeing any concrete evidence to show if he’s guilty or not of these alleged crimes dating back to 30 years.

The first incident was alleged to happen in 1965 at Cosby’s home when he invited accuser Kristina Ruehli for a party.

Currently, Cosby is facing criminal charges for a 2004 sexual assault at his home of Temple University employee Andrea Constand.

Some celebrities feel Cosby is 100 percent in the wrong and committed the crimes, and others feel he has been wrongly accused and the accusations are

outlandish.

Roseanne Barr, actress, said she wasn’t shocked by the scandal.

Barr said, “We’ve all heard it for a long time, and it surprises nobody.”

Judd Apatow, producer and writer, said, “I absolutely would like to see him in jail.”

Raven-Symone, the actress who played Olivia on the “Cosby Show” when she was young, said about the rumors, “I was not taken advantage of by Mr. Cosby.”

Jay Leno, former comedian, said, “I don’t know why it’s so hard to believe women.”

Vivica A. Fox actress said, “Cosby is nothing like the man they are describing.”

Phylicia Rashad, former co-star on the “Cosby Show” who played his wife, said “Forget these women.”

Cosby is a legend in many people’s eyes, and some celebrities feel the need to comment on his recent events regardless on any personal awareness regarding factual evidence about what has occurred since he hasn’t been on trial.

Let the law play itself out.

Willie’s Comic

January 2016

Photo Credit: 2015, Tom Gralish.

Philadelphia Inquirer.Distributed by McClatchy

Bill Cosby leaves his arraignment at Montgomery County District Court in Cheltenham, Pa., on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, after county prosecutors filed sex assault charges against him. (c) 2015. Philadelphia Inquirer. Distributed by McClatchy/Tribune Information Services

Comic by Jack Killeen

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News 5

New theme changes assembly feelings to an audience because they had All-Write Week in the Little Theater.

This production included slam poetry and skits which allowed students to convey their feelings on the recent racial issues at that time.

This was a smaller production that most English classes attended during February of last year. The performance was orPhoto by Bret Waelterman ganized by Schaefer, and it will happen again this year.

After the Black History Showcase, performers However, this year’s grand come on stage. They met with students in library production, commonly known for dialogue about their performances. The showcase was presented to periods two and three as the “MLK assembly,” seems to be different this time. Stuon Feb. 24, and again at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27. dents of the first hour AfricanWill Conerly American Literature class, taught by Lindsey Ross, will now be inContributing Writer volved in the production, so the students Webster Groves High School will hon- have the opportunity to lead and organize or Dr. Martin Luther King on Feb. 16-17 the assembly.

Senior Cameron Thomas, who is a studuring first hour, with an annual assembly dent of the class and coordinator for the that has been a 30-year tradition.

However, this school-based production assembly, said, “We (students of the class) will all collaborate on ideas, and then Mr. took a one-year hiatus last year.

This is because “The administration felt Schaefer will produce it.”

Ross said this program’s focus will it was sending the wrong message,” senior assembly committee member Becca Riley change. This assembly is going to focus on “all racial issues pertaining to all said.

“People felt that it was becoming a tal- people,” and she stated, “We will still talk ent show,” theater director and 10-year about MLK,” even though the theme has producer of the assembly Todd Schafer changed this year.

John E. Thomas said this assembly will said.

“People felt the assembly wasn’t relat- “show reverence to MLK” and “bring the ing to everyone,” senior African-Ameri- elements of entertainment and education together.” can Literature student Nathan Cole said.

Cameron Thomas said, “It won’t be the “Racial tension in the community led to an administration that was scared about same old stuff,” and “students should be flirting with these issues at this assembly,” exited; there is a new spark this year.”

Schaefer said this year’s assembly will an anonymous source said.

The assembly is back in action this year. be a focus more on “education and being a Assistant principal John E. Thomas said, multicultural production.”

Cameron Thomas said, “We hope to “This year’s assembly will bring focus educate WGHS, talk about MLK, and recback to education.”

The complete list of teachers helping ognize history month.”

Thomas added this assembly will inwith this production include James LeMay, Dwight Kirksey, Shiree Yeggins, form people about social justice.

This is how the assembly committee Schaefer and Lindsey Ross.

However, last year students did not miss came to this year’s new theme “Take me out on their opportunity to express their to school: then and now.”

This will allow all the people involved in the committee and the audience to have a better understanding of education in the 1960s. This assembly will compare and contrast the issues of today and the 1960s, according to Riley.

John E. Thomas said the presentation will look at local history as it pertains to North Webster and Rock Hill as well.

This assembly’s purpose is to recognize and inform people about the figures of this time about whom lots of people don’t know, Schaefer said.

Schaefer said there will still be some music and poetry at this year’s assembly, and the step team will perform as well.

“They will be doing a routine, dancing to pictures,” Schaefer said.

Schafer said, “We can’t ignore how important these were” pertaining to the 1960s and the elements of theater and Jazz music.

John E. Thomas said, “We are leaning on Schaefer to make this meaningful to the students.”

Schaefer also recognized some people think this assembly was turning into a talent show and said, “There will be less people up on stage this year.”

Riley said their goal is to “educate people on these issues” and hopes to “relate to more people.” This has been a common goal among all the committee members who were interviewed.

Last year, although there was no assembly, the history club, sponsored by Julie Burchett, presented educational videos about the civil rights movement.

John E. Thomas said the videos last year “were not as well received as intended” and “will not be happening this year.”

John E. Thomas said this year, “Students will be more connected; this theme binds everything together.”

“This school has had many active students in the civil rights movement. We are trying to get rid of the stereotypes and show people what this is really about,” Riley stated.

Last year, Webster Groves students participated in a walkout, in response to events in Ferguson.

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‘Hamlet’ performs at state Thespian conference Caroline Fellows Web / Video Editor

Drama department performed its fall play “Hamlet” at the Missouri State Thespian Conference in Kansas City, MO Jan. 7-9, and awaits acceptance to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska in June.

“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare was selected to perform at the conference along with one other show from another Missouri school, Raymore-Peculiar High School, which happened to be another Shakespeare play, “Much Ado About Nothing.”

To be selected to perform at the conference, drama teacher Todd Schaefer had to submit the show for judging. Two state judges were sent to see “Hamlet” live with an audience at the high school.

“They put your show against a rubric and they score it and they give you comments,” Schaefer said. “The best score wins a slot.”

Photo from Drama Department Senior Kate Arendes, who played Gertrude, said Drama teacher Todd Schaefer addresses the “Hamlet” cast before its the biggest difference between performing at the performance at the Missouri State Thespian Conference in Kansas City in high school and performing at the conference was January. amount of space. “The biggest factor was the size of the audience, and just the fact that the audience Schaefer said his students participated in “almost everything.” was composed of people who really cared about theater,” she When he first started taking his students to the conference, said.

Schaefer said they didn’t compete for a few years, but he thinks “Hamlet” was student designed through the technical theater it’s better to enter the competitions now. classes, and many different students’ ideas were presented and ”I think it’s way more valuable when you’re bringing someincorporated in the final production. thing and have to have something prepared and put your work “Much Ado About Nothing” was student actors, and some stu- out in front of the other Missouri Thespians,” Schaefer said. dents were on the crew, but all leadership roles were adults, ac“There is definitely a spectrum that you will see at conference. cording to Schaefer.

You will see a variety of shows there, one-acts and main stages, “The kids have to be reminded that we can’t compare,” Schae- and you will see the variety of caliber,” Schaefer said. fer said. “You have to compare against yourself, how did you At the conference, students auditioned for the All State show do? Every program is coming at it financially at a different stand- “Iphigenia,” which will be performed at the 2017 state conferpoint and philosophy.” ence. Each school could submit up to four students to audition, At the conference, in addition to attending workshops, stu- and juniors Hannah Leatherbarrow and Jacob Noce were selectdents could audition for college and scholarships since college ed from the high school to audition. representatives attended the event to recruit for college theSenior Jonah Schnell won a scholarship for his lighting design ater programs. The conference also gave awards and grants to for “Hamlet,” senior Essence Tyler won a scholarship in the perteachers and had competitions including tech challenge, improv formance event and senior Kate Arendes got the highest score in olympix and different individual events. the individual event for her marketing design for “Hamlet.”

Upcoming drama events • • •

February 24 - “Drama Queens” women’s monologues during 2nd hour.

February 24-25 - “Drama Queens” at 7 p.m. with a showing afterwards of “Atropos”

by Kate Arendes.

February 26 - Showing of “Atropos” during 1st hour.

January 2016

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March 31-April 2 - Showing of spring play “You Can’t Take it with You” at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

• April 21-23 - “Red” at 7 p.m. in the auditorium as a black box performance.

• May 11 - Senior One Acts at 7 p.m.

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Photo by Andy Kimball

Senior Cullen Drissell plays trumpet in the band room during fifth hour. Drissell was named fifth chair in the Missouri AllState Jazz Band.

Band stars shine at All-State competition Andy Kimball Junior Editor

Five band members made either an All-State or an All-State Honorable mention band. Two members were also named Alternates for the All-State Jazz band.

Seniors Sam Syberg and Eli Pandolfi were both named first chair in the All-State Orchestra at oboe and french horn. Pandolfi was also first chair last year.

Junior piano player Rachel Tripp said, “I wasn’t that nervous (at the auditions). Then I went to All-State. I realized that this is kind of a big deal because there was a whole bunch of people and not a lot of people make it in jazz piano.”

Band Director Kevin Cole said, “Our band is consistent (in having All-State band members). This year was about average for us… Our best year was 11 people.”

Cole added, “In Jazz band only 18 kids get selected to go to State.”

The auditions were Dec. 5, at Hickman High School in Columbia.

Senior trumpet player Cullen Drissell said, “The auditions were in Columbia and kids all around Missouri (from All-Suburban) came and waited in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is also the only room you can warm up in, so it was pretty crazy…For the audition you would go to the room you were auditioning and sign up on piece of paper for a specific time and then that’s where you would go and audition. I warmed up in the cafeteria before and

went to the room 15 minutes before and waited until they called me in.”

Tripp added, “Six people made it to call backs, and I didn’t know when I was going to be called back, so I sat with (sophomore) Jack Snelling and waited for two hours between the auditions.”

Syberg did not expect to be named to the All-State Orchestra after being an alternate on the All-State band last year.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all...I was so shocked when they called my name (at auditions). It didn’t feel real,” said Syberg.

For Pandolfi, already having been in the All-State Orchestra made the experience different.

Pandolfi said, “The process was the same. There was more pressure on me this year by making All-State last year. I didn’t want to regress from last year at all. It was a pretty stressful day.”

Senior Trumpet players Jack Killeen and Cullen Drissell were both named to the All-State Jazz Band, Killeen as second Alternate and Drissell as fifth chair.

On piano, Tripp was named alternate in the All-State Jazz Band and Snelling was named first chair in the All-State Honorable Mention Jazz Band.

Sophomore Myah Frank was named seventh chair in the AllState Honorable Mention Band.

All-State Bands and the All-State Orchestra members will participate in the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference in the Lake of the Ozarks at Tan-Tara resort to perform on Jan. 27-30.

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In-depth

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District members work

Photo by

The inside lid of a kit from the XQ Super School explains what its recipient will find inside. With posters, instructions and workshee package gives its users a how-to guide on applying for the XQ Super School project.

Irene Ryan Feature/Entertainment Editor Jack Killeen Editor in Chief Teachers, students, administrators and community members are writing a proposal to be considered for the XQ Super School challenge, a $50 million grant that will be used to create five new super schools.

“The Super School Project is an open contest inviting teams to reimagine the American high school to prepare our students for the challenges they face today and tomorrow: in college, in the workplace and in life,” according to XQ The Super School Project.

The XQ Institute works with students, parents, educators, ad-

January 2016

ministrators and others to reimagine the American education system and revolutionize learning.

The group meets to decide on roles, does research and then meets to share its findings and add to its proposal. For example, English teacher Adam Conway, music teacher Jill Young and sophomore Trinity Madison created a survey to hand out to AC lab students.

The team members are in part basing their proposal on a study assistant superintendent John Simpson and other educators conducted in 2014. They explored “what are contexts and cultures that support learning” inside and outside of schools.

Simpson and his team invited community members to explore all parts of the school. Then they went to places outside the school, the art museum, the YMCA, to observe learning.

“What would schools be like if they were like this? What if students never knew a desk? A bell? Credits or three years of

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In-depth

k to reform education

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Graphic by Irene Ryan

ECHO surveyed 138 students asking them to rate the Webster Groves School District educational system. The students were asked to consider things like how students were encouraged/discouraged, how school is structured, and student opportunities. The students’ ratings were based on a scale of one to five, with a one being the worst and a five the best.

required math?” Simpson said.

The grant will be a multi-step process, which will get more specific as they go on and spread out to be districtwide. If the proposal is accepted, the district, with help from XQ, will get to rethink education. y Jack Killeen “The number one problem [with the American educaets, this care tion system] is that it’s not designed to provide students with opportunities of relevance and meaning… you’re the only one who can sit in a course and say, ‘Is this relevant?’” Simpson said.

When teacher and Chelsea Center director Julie Burchett first heard of The Super School Project, she called principal Dr. Jon Clark and, kidding, suggested they apply for it.

To her surprise, Dr. Clark said, “Yes,” and for the past four months, the Webster Groves XQ Super School committee has been conceptualizing and re-designing Webster Groves High School, or as they would call it, North Star High School.

“I love the fact that we have a team of staff looking for ways to change the way students learn,” Dr. Clark said.

One of the main themes of North Star High School is democracy. The name itself is derived from Frederick Douglass, who, after escaping slavery, started an anti-slavery newspaper called North Star.

The educational system at North Star is student-centered, not teacher-driven. Students have more room to explore their pas-

sions and explore career ideas, and their learning is completely personalized.

While students around St. Louis are waking up to the alarms around 6 a.m., North Star students would be sleeping in. The North Star school day would start later to accommodate for the recommended amount of sleep for teenagers.

According to Burchett, the school system of today was designed during the industrial revolution. With the influx of uneducated immigrants coming into the United States, a school system was needed that could educate students quickly and efficiently, just like an assembly line. Students went down the conveyor belt, learning their required math, English, social studies and science just like a car getting its parts.

With a bell marking each class, students confined to their individual desks and single-file lines in the hallways, the school system of today reflects factories, Burchett said.

“It worked back then because they had a lot of kids that they needed to educate from the immigrants that were coming in, but our world has changed a lot since 1900,” Burchett said.

Their first deadline is Feb. 1, and if approved, the Webster Groves XQ Super School committee will continue designing North Star High School in the hopes to pass more deadlines “Even if we don’t win, I think it’s a really useful exercise to go through as a school,” Burchett said.

January 2016

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Senior feeds 7,500 families with food program Jake Collins News/Photo Editor In five years senior Irene Ryan has helped feed 7,500 families three meals with a program she started in seventh grade for Gifted Education for Middle Schoolers (GEMS) in order to gain service hours required for the class.

“I decided with help of my family, and the most encouragement from my mom, to make something that would be beyond those eight hours,” Ryan said. “So that was the start of Webster feeds.”

Ryan also partners with Operation Food Search, a local agency that seeks to “nourish and educate our neighbors in need to heal the hurt of hunger,” according to its mission statement.

Ryan partners with Operation Food Search in order to have a way to distribute the food to those in need.

“During our events they give us bins to fill and the next morning they send trucks to pick them up,” Ryan said.

Operation Food Search also has an online donation option.

“The online donation is great because they get their food in wholesale, so what you and I could buy for a dollar, they can buy for 50 cents,” Ryan said.

Webster Feeds has collected 4,300 pounds and $6,400 in cash donations in the five years of its food drives.

Webster Feeds has two events coming up. The first event is a “happy hour” at Milagro in Old Webster on Feb. 3.

“Basically if you bring in three cans you get three free tacos.

You can bring more but three is the limit on tacos,” Ryan said.

“Usually this is the most successful because it is a win-win for us and the restaurant, so they have always helped out,” Ryan said.

“Some of my past teachers come out to this event, like Stephanie Gavin, the GEMS teacher at Hixson, and Edward (Ted) Ibur, a sixth grade English teacher,” Ryan said. “It is cool to see them come out and support us.”

The other event that Webster Feeds does is a “Super Bowl Sunday” food drive at Schnucks on Elm avenue.

“Before the addition we used to sit out in the cold which was terrible, but we also got more people to donate,” Ryan said.

“They were like, ‘Oh, look at these miserable kids; better give them some cans.’”

Photo provided by Webster Feeds Facebook page

Senior Irene Ryan and freshman sister Rosie Ryan run a food donation program called “Webster Feeds,” which has provided food to 7,500 families.

“I was super impressed by her dedication and problem-solving, especially not receiving full support for collecting cans at school.” Gavin said. “Irene was (and is) an excellent student, always showing great empathy for others less fortunate. Webster Feeds, which I imagine will carry on after she is away to college, will always be a great legacy of her compassion.”

“They had no personal gain in maintaining this program other than helping those less fortunate,” Ibur said. “With the negativity that sometimes feels so rampant on social media it’s easy to be cynical and critical of things going on all around us. When I see young people launch a program like Webster Feeds, it heartens me that good will and kindness ultimately wins the day.”

“To see the community come together and support this cause has been amazing,” Ryan said. “Hopefully since this is my last year, I can get the school involved also.”

Have an opinion?

E-mail the editor at wgecho@wgmail.org we’ll print it maybe

January 2016

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Principal Jon Clark returns from surgery Ashli Wagner Business Manager When principal Jon Clark lost peripheral vision on his right side nine and a half years ago, he learned that he had a brain tumor about the size of an egg.

“At first there was a lot of worry for my family and thinking, ‘What’s going to happen?’ and I really was worried when they said it was about the size of an egg, but also very positive. I’m not a very positive person, but I realized I can battle through this, and I’ll be fine,” Dr. Clark said.

For Dr. Clark’s surgery the doctors went in and cleared the tumor out. He then went on with chemo and radiation therapy. He knew there was a chance of cancer coming back, so he had MRIs from every three-to-six months.

Ten months ago in March, Dr. Clark realized he was having seizures; he couldn’t pronounce certain words or even use the right word. His MRI showed he had a small growth in the back of his brain. Six months ago, the growth was about the size of the end of a fingernail.

He chose a different type of surgery than the one he had 10 years ago. This time doctors stuck a needle through Dr. Clark’s brain to get the tumor out. The doctors then went back in and burned the area out allowing the chance for a more positive chemotherapy treatment. The doctors suggested Dr. Clark take it easy for the first five months after surgery. He has returned to the high school part-time until mid-February.

“Well, I feel like it went good, but we were really positive about it the whole time. We kind of expected it would be good, and it really went good so we are really happy,” said freshman Jacob Clark about his father’s surgery.

The Webster Groves High School self-directed learning class hosted a project, Lights for Life, to raise money for Cancer Honor Society on Dec. 18.

Seniors Margaret O’Neal, Claire Gilb, Katherine Kazlauskas, Jasha Keller and Annie Bryan sold luminaries for $5, and buyers wrote names in honor or in memory of people they know who has/had cancer.

“We had the whole South side of Lockwood from Rock Hill

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Luminarias line Lockwood Avenue Dec. 18, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. as part of the American Cancer Society Lights for Life event. The candles were lit on Friday, Dec. 18, 5 to 10 p.m. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for and awareness of cancer research.

all the way down here to Holy Redeemer for Dr. Clark,” said Julie Burchett.

“That was a big surprise. I knew something was going on because I wandered into the Chelsea Center, and I told some kids they can’t be in there, I was at a game in Kirkwood, and I started getting all these texts from people saying. You need to come by and see what’s going on. My friends said, ‘You’re not going to believe this,’ and when my family went through, it was very emotional and very inspiring.

“I wanted to get through this in a very positive way, and it was very inspirational, very emotional. I don’t cry very often, but I did shed some tears on that day. I’m thankful for the entire community, students and the teachers, especially because it was kind of the teachers, and they didn’t know that I had cancer. It was kept secret until that day, so it was very emotional,” Dr. Clark said about the luminaries with his name written on them.

“I think that was really cool how everyone helped raise money for it and how big it went. We were shocked and kind of emotional because of how many people. We thought there would be a couple with his name, but there were a ton,” said Jacob Clark after seeing the luminaries.

January 2016

12 Sports

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Stovall steps into duties as new baseball coach

Photo by Will Conerly

Former MLB player DaRond Stovall will start his first season as baseball’s head coach this Spring. “My goal this season is to go in and change the culture,” he said.

Tyler Coleman Contributing Writer Statesmen baseball will look different after hiring former Major League Baseball player DaRond Stovall.

Stovall attended Althoff High School in Illinois, where he was drafted right out of high school by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1991. Stovall played professional baseball between 1991-2004.

In 1998 Stovall played in the MLB for the Montreal Expos.

With Montreal Stovall played in 62 games. He hit two home runs, six RBIs (runs batted in), his batting average was .205, and OBP (on base percentage) was .262.

Stovall said, “My goal this season is to go in and change the culture.”

Stovall plans to change the program and get the team on a winning track because it has never won a State championship.

Stovall said to change the culture, he must change the mentality of the players.

The Statesmen are coming off last year’s 9-18 record, with five possible returning seniors. Stovall will try to rebuild a team that hasn’t had a winning season this since year’s seniors were freshman.

Jerry Collins, athletic director, said, “Joe Boeckman decided not to return for the 2015-2016 baseball season.” When the base-

January 2016

ball spot opened, Collins said the school had four-to-five applicants.

Collins said, “Stovall’s personality stood out,” and he liked that Stovall had high level playing experience. Collins said Stovall will do a great job putting his own spin on the program.

“Stovall does a great job getting to know the players and their parents,” Collin’s said.

Stovall was on the Webster Groves staff two previous years, and last year he was the JV head coach.

Collin’s said, “Stovall had a solid record coaching the JV team.”

Cameron Thomas, senior baseball player, said, “Coach Stovall will be a great new addition.”

Thomas said Stovall will implement things to help the team capture a state title.

“Coach Boeckman was a good coach, but Stovall will add a new spark to the program,” Thomas said, adding Stovall is very personable and pushes each player to be better.

Anthony Gulve, senior baseball player, said, “I like Coach Stovall. He has great knowledge of the game.”

Gulve wants to win Districts since the team hasn’t won since he has been in high school.

Senior Nathan Cole, baseball manager, said, “Coach Stovall is more social than Coach Boeckman, but I like them both.”

Cole has been managing for four years, and he said, “It would be nice for team to win a State championship.”

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Sports

Bennett from the Bleachers

13

New stars blossom for men’s basketball

Bennett Durando Sports Columnist After the loss of a dynamic seven-senior class, it could’ve been easy to put off the 2015-2016 season as one of rebuilding for the Webster men’s basketball squad.

However, under the pressure of following up on last year’s fantastic campaign, the Statesmen, quite plainly, have blossomed.

Webster is off to a 15-1 start, landing it at sixth in the area large school rankings.

The team is off to the resounding start despite having gaping holes at the beginning of the year.

Senior Chris Gordon stepped into a starting center role for the first time, and the addition of senior Daniel Deadmon has added much-needed depth to the team’s size.

Sophomore Courtney Ramey has become a star, pairing with senior Andy Bennett to lead Webster’s signature highpressure defense.

Freshman Ray Adams has proved to be a lights out shooter from beyond the arc, and senior Leland Bradford, the most experienced player on the team, has been a sound and stable leader at point guard, as he has been his entire high school career.

How can this outburst of success be explained?

There’s a reason head coach Jay Blossom is regarded as one of the best in the

Photo by Andy Kimball

Junior Cameron Potts goes up for a contested layup against Maplewood-Richmond Heights in Webster’s win on Dec. 10. game; he deserves tremendous credit for maintaining Webster’s reputation this year as a top tier program in Missouri. The 15-1 is unprecedented, but it can’t be for Blossom.

Still, Webster hasn’t played entirely too tough a schedule yet. Against other top 10 area teams, the Statesmen are 1-1, and the only team they’ve played ranked above them, Hazelwood Central, beat them 8157 at Meramec.

Webster will have a chance to both prove itself and get some revenge tonight, when the team takes on SLUH in Roberts Gym. It’s the first meeting between the two since last year’s heartbreaking District Championship game, also played at Roberts, which Blossom called his toughest loss of his career.

After the Junior Bills ended Webster’s

17-0 in-state start last year, SLUH beat the Statesmen a second time, that one on a Brandon McKissic buzzer beater that ended the Statesmen’s season.

SLUH (12-6) is currently ranked fifth in the area rankings, one spot ahead of Webster. The rematch will be a massive test for Blossom’s Statesmen.

Meanwhile, next year’s Webster team already is looking stacked after the major transfer news that broke from Vianney last week.

Sophomore Carte’Are Gordon, Chris Gordon’s brother, is coming to Webster after leaving Vianney High for financial reasons.

With Gordon and Ramey, Webster would have two of the top three Class of 2018 prospects in Missouri, and two of the top 50 national prospects, according to 24/7 Sports.

Come to Robert’s.... Tonight!!

Women’s Varsity Basketball: 6 p.m. vs. Jefferson City Men’s Varsity Basketball*: 7:30 p.m. vs. Saint Louis University High *with 1996 State Champion team 20 year anniversary celebration

January 2016

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Entertainment

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Upcoming Events Feb. 6 - March 27: Orchid Show: “Where the Wild Things Grow”

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Missouri Botanical Gardens

Admission included with garden admission Feb. 13-14: Saint Louis Ballet presenting “In It For Love”

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center

Tickets range from $22-$51 for general admission

Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. and Feb. 14, at 2:30 p.m.

Feb. 20: AC/DC concert at the Scottrade Center

Starts at 8 p.m.

Tickets range from $72 - $136.50 Feb. 20: Monster Jam 2016 at Edward Jones Dome

Starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $20 - $125

Come to the Basketball game on Feb. 11 vs Rockwood Summit to support your Webster Groves Rock Hill Ministries!

7:30 @ Robert’s Gym January 2016

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Botan Beliefs

Entertainment 15

Singles celebrate Valentine’s Day Abby Botan Entertainment Columnist Valentine’s Day is a day that’s supposed to be filled with love, romance and chocolate.

Typically people spend it with their significant others, but some do Valentine’s Day differently.

“Just because everyone makes it seem like it is, Valentine’s Day isn’t all about being in a relationship with someone,” said someone who’d prefer to be anonymous. “It’s about people you love. They can be your parents, your siblings or even your dog.”

That Valentine’s Day isn’t necessarily about love in a romantic aspect, but love in general.

If you’re single and feel like treating yourself, The Melting Pot in University City would be a lovely place to eat. A Valentine’s Day special will be available which includes cheese fondue,

salad, an entree and lastly - chocolate fondue. The price is $65 per person not including include tax. Although the price is hefty, you do get a lot for your money.

Brooklyn Childs, junior, has an entirely different outlook on Valentine’s Day. “I don’t think there’s a point to celebrate Valentine’s Day if you’re single.” Childs said. “It is a holiday for people in love/ relationships.”

The ‘holiday’ doesn’t make Childs want to be in a relationship at all. She said although she thinks no one should celebrate unless they’re in a relationship, she still likes to celebrate with her family.

I think that someone’s relationship status are irrelevant when celebrating Valentine’s Day. Everyone should just love themselves and by that I mean to just be secure in yourself.

January 2016

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Review

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Episode 7 awakens memories from original Star Wars Bennett Durando Sports Editor

Not too long ago, in a city a three-hourflight away, the long-awaited continuation of the Star Wars saga finally hit theaters.

Man, was it something.

I’ll just say this: if you haven’t gone to check out “The Force Awakens” in theaters yet… go. Aside from the fact that without having seen Episode 7, you won’t be able to continue reading my enthralling writing (yes, this review will contain SPOILERS), this film is just too thrilling to miss while it’s on the big screen.

“The Force Awakens” returns to a galaxy far, far away in nostalgia-filled fashion; even if you didn’t grow up with the original trilogy, it’s impossible to not have felt a shiver down your spine upon hearing Han Solo utter, “Chewy… We’re home,” when he steps into the Millennium Falcon. Still, director J.J. Abrams introduces a fresh, new generation of lovable heroes like Rey, Finn and Poe (and even a compelling new villain in Kylo Ren).

If you take a bit of a closer look at the plot of Episode 7, you’ll notice a number of certain parallels to the original “Star Wars” (Episode 4). From the get go, there are similarities, some subtler than others.

First, let’s get this straight: I think these are refreshing resemblances. They add an extra sentimental touch, and without straying as far as being an exact copy of the original classic.

We open with a hunt for a droid, who happens to be carrying extremely vital data that will motivate the plot throughout film. This droid escapes a raid by the bad guys and is eventually tracked to a desert planet. (By the way, those wrecked Star Destroyers on Jakku are an awesome touch.)

On said desert world, our runaway droid encounters a peasant. This peasant becomes our unlikely hero… and happens to be very strong with a certain Force.

Keep in mind, Star Wars is a saga, and thus tracks a family over time. One of the new characters has to be related to a Skywalker, whether it be Luke or Leia. Perhaps these Rey-Luke parallels are a hint at

January 2016

Photo from StarWars.com

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was premiered in Los Angeles on Dec. 14, and as of Jan. 24, it grossed over $1.9 billion world wide. a family connection yet to come.

As Rey and her little droid, which she has no clue of the importance of, embark on their journey, they eventually encounter another staple in the archetypal level of Star Wars: the wise old man.

If you haven’t caught what I’m getting at yet, it’s this: Han Solo is the Obi Wan Kenobi of the new trilogy. You may now proceed to gag or do a spit-take or react however you see fit.

Han Solo, the Force-skeptic, the rogue, the smuggler, the scoundrel of past movies, the new Obi Wan? Yes, and in fact, I think it’s the most important parallel between the two films.

Not only do both act as mentors to the young heroes, but they also are both father figures of the villains in our movies (even

if one case is literal and the other is figurative). While the past relationship between Han and his son Kylo Ren is not elaborated on much, we do know that as was the case with Obi Wan and Vader, Han let Ren stray too far into the influence of the Dark Side.

Like Obi Wan and Vader in Episode 4, Han and Ren have a climactic one-andone encounter. Aside from ending similarly, this encounter in The Force Awakens had shades of original trilogy also in that we learn Kylo Ren’s birth name: Ben. The subtle tribute to Obi-Wan from Han Solo further establishes him as the new trilogy’s parallel.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is rated PG-13. Running time: 136 minutes.