ECHO Pg. 7: The March on STL, in photos
January 2017 Volume 102 Photo by Andy Kimball
Issue 5
100 Selma Ave st. Louis MO 63119 wgecho.org
2 Pg. 3 Pg. 3 Pg. 4 Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Pg. 6 Pg. 7 Pg. 8-9 Pg. 10 Pg. 10 Pg. 11 Pg. 12 Pg. 12 Pg. 13 Pg. 14 Pg. 15 Pg. 16
Table of Contents
ECHO
Columnist has revelation about resolutions Willie’s Comic School should provide feminine products for students Multiple solutions needed to end mass shootings Community members march in honor of MLK Late start schedule may create problems Photos: Women’s march comes to Saint Louis Students pay tribute to fallen wireless network Most people set up for failed resolutions Students say Valentine’s Day is overrated Freshman shares March on Washington experience Carte’Are Gordon returns to Statesmen basketball Swimmers make State cuts Bennett from the Bleachers: Stateswomen remind us sports are about more than sports Jazz bands perform at local venues Gavin showcases everyone’s mood Futuristic movie disappoints, presents questionable morals
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.
January 2017
The ECHO FAMILY The ECHO Family helps make the ECHO possible. To become a member of the ECHO Family, please contact Greg Frazier at gf102600@wgcloud.org. 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
wgecho.org
ECHO
Opinion
3
Columnist has revelation about resolutions Natalie Johnson Graphics Editor Do you hear that horrible sound? Smell that horrible smell? See that horrible sight? Ah yes, the lovely decay of New Year’s resolutions. Every year, everyone is bound to want to change something in their life, whether it be drinking more water, taking the stairs more, finding the inner strength to make it through the final semester of the school year… everyone has something to work on, but isn’t this process of analyzing and attempting to correct bad habits counterproductive? Once you stray from the path of selfbetterment you fall hard. Not only will you stop going to the gym after the first two weeks of February, you’ll tell yourself it can just become your resolution for next year. Not only do you cheat on your diet, you eat an entire chocolate Santa. No matter how determined you may think you are to eat healthy, one taste of that kale smoothie and you’ll think other-
wgecho.org
wise. No matter how determined you are to get in better shape, one day of that exciting new CrossFit training schedule will have you wishing you hit the snooze button a few more times that morning. Rather than making resolutions positive changes, they should be negative. Photo from Glenn Koenig/Los Angeles Times/MTC For example, goThere are plenty of diet books to jump start this year’s resoing vegan, it’s an lutions. (c) 2015Metadata awful idea you’ll probably get tired of very fast. After a week of avoiding aniThe fact is, if you really want to make mal products, you’ll quickly realize the changes, you shouldn’t wait until Jan. 1, luxury of eating whatever you want. to do so, especially in a year like 2017, Also you might try not doing any home- that has gotten off to such a rocky start. work. After a few days, you’ll have to ei- There’s a reason everyone waits to drink ther catch yourself up, or repeat another raw vegetables until they have an excuse year of school. The choice is yours. to quit!
January 2017
4
Opinion
ECHO
Op-Ed
School should provide feminine products for students Ashli Wagner Video Editor
Page Kimzey Audio Editor
In Webster Groves High School, there has been little to no access to feminine hygiene products. If a student forgets to bring a pad or tampon with her, she can either leave the classroom and go to the nurse’s office, or ask classmates. It’s embarrassing for a girl to ask someone she doesn’t know for a tampon. If a student asks a teacher to go to the nurse, the teacher sometimes asks what’s wrong, and no girl wants to tell a teacher, especially a male teacher, that she needs to see the nurse because she is on her period. The high school should provide feminine products in the bathroom either for free or a low charge. When approached for research on this article, principal Dr. Jon Clark was very receptive and said he would research on how to better provide these resources. He also asked the reporters for input about how to distribute them and whether or not to charge a small amount per pad or tampon. We hope Dr. Clark’s efforts on behalf of the school’s female population bring the needed change. Dr. Clark has already decided to make tampons more available to the student body. There are now feminine products in each assistant principal’s office that female students can ask for. Also, Dr. Clark is researching dispensers that can be put in women’s bathrooms in the school that would allow students in need of tampons and pads to have free access to them. Alumni director Pat Voss said, “I don’t consider these luxury items. They are necessities, and just like paper towels are necessities and we provide them, hand soap is a necessity we provide that, for the female population those are a necessity and therefore we should provide them.” Menstruation has always been considered a taboo subject, and women are taught to be ashamed of the process and to hide it. Senior Patrick Schranck said, “Menstruation is a natural process, and we really shouldn’t be treating women differently because they go through that.” “It really bothers me that even today women are thought of as being irrational, and just because we menstruate and have these
Photo by Ashli Wagner
Women on average have 465 total periods over 38 years, or roughly 2,280 days with her period which amounts to 6.25 years of her life, according to the Huffington Post.
hormones, we should be ashamed of it and hide it, but it’s not. You can’t be ashamed of it. It’s natural and the fact that we are not providing them (pads and tampons) doesn’t make sense,” senior Kate Scheffing said. If the school provides products even for just a quarter a piece in one bathroom, students and staff can have access to the necessities they need each month. The school would also be taking in money with each purchase, helping to cover some of the costs. A box of 40 regular absorbency plastic Equate (Walmart house brand) tampons is $4.97. Tampons are meant to be changed about every six hours. On average, that means a women would use four tampons a day, 20 for an entire cycle. Depending on the women, size and cost of tampons vary. A box of tampons can last up to two months. Though the expenses of providing tampons and pads for students and staff could be an obstacle for the administration, costs should not stand in the way of providing must-have health products. Funds should be allocated in order to provide the products female students and staff need in order to make the best of their time at school.
Have an opinion?
Write a letter to the editor.
Please limit letters to fewer than 300 words. Letters can be dropped off in room 155 or emailed to wgecho@wgmail.org
January 2017
wgecho.org
ECHO
Opinion
5
Caleb’s Conception
Multiple solutions needed to end mass shootings Caleb Bolin Political Columnist Amendment 2 to the Constitution, as written by the Founding Fathers, states that, “as a well regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed upon.” Nearly 230 years have gone by since the Second Amendment was ratified, and the original purpose of the amendment has become heavily debated. Many Americans believe the amendment was intended to protect states from laws that would restrict their rights to adequate self-defense. Other Americans believe the language of the amendment creates an individual right to own firearms. Regardless of what the amendment’s intended purpose was, the right to possess firearms has become one of the most controversial issues facing the nation. According to the Chicago Police Department, 762 people were killed in Chicago with firearms. There were thousands of incidents, and the murder rate per 100,000 residents reached its highest level since the 1990s. Saint Louis, Detroit and New Orleans all had proportionally higher murder rates than Chicago did. Mass shootings also made headlines in 2016. The deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history took place at Pulse nightclub in Orlando when 49 people were killed and another 53 were wounded by Omar Mateen, a homegrown terrorist, with an assault rifle and pistol. Mass shootings and homicides involving firearms are becoming increasingly more common. Practically any place where people gather could potentially be targeted. In the face of this danger, some politicians tout gun restrictions and background checks as the solution to our fatal problem. Background checks and restrictions on the size of magazines, the sale of semi-automatic weapons and other aspects of gun sales are a good first line of defense against the mass violences that frequent the headlines; however, further steps must be taken to minimize the potential for damage to law-abiding Americans. While background checks are, in theory, a great way to make sure that only those who should be trusted to responsibly keep firearms get their hands on them, the checks are not required at gun shows in most states. Even firearms that are purchased legally with background checks can easily come into the possession of those who should not be allowed to have them (like Adam Lanza, who shot and killed his mother with her legally purchased firearms before driving to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where he killed 20
wgecho.org
Illustration by Rick Nease/The Detroit Free Press/MCT
A man looks at another man who has a gun tucked in his waistband. New legislation has made it legal for Missouri citizens with a concealed carry permit to openly carry firearms. (c) 2013
children and six adults). Cases like the one involving Lanza, who may have had Asperger’s syndrome, show that there is a need for better treatment of mental illness in the United States. However, mentally ill people are not predominantly the perpetrators of homicide via firearm; radicalized American terrorists, gang members and others are often the assailants in mass shootings. As gun violence can only be limited to a certain extent by restrictions on gun sales, background checks and treatment for mental illness, many Americans have begun supporting the right to carry firearms openly. Missouri recently introduced a law allowing the open carry of firearms for concealed carry permit holders in hopes that allowing law-abiding citizens to carry arms would better allow the majority of people to defend themselves from the minority that intends to harm others. Some people, like Florida Senator Greg Steube, feel open carry is not enough, pushing for the right to carry in traditionally gun free zones-- even in school zones or the unrestricted sides of airports (like the area where five people were shot and killed earlier this month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), where mass shootings commonly occur. Americans on both sides of the argument over the right to possess firearms seem to believe that there is one metaphorical silver bullet to end mass shootings. The truth is there is no sure-fire way to end gun violence. A combination of background checks to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands; treatment for mental illness to decrease the likelihood of out-of-the-blue incidents like the Sandy Hook shooting; and open carry to allow law-abiding citizens to defend themselves when safeguards fail should be implemented in order to prevent more mass shootings.
January 2017
6
News
ECHO Community members march in honor of MLK
Wojak and Tamara Rodney. There was a dinner at the Steger Sixth Grade Center followed by a “Community Celebration,” which featured keynote speaker Rev. Terrell Carter, pastor of the Webster Groves Baptist Church and an assistant professor for the Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Carter said, “(The purpose of the event) is to be faithful to the vision of Martin Luther King as well as the vision of Webster Groves and talking about building a quality community.” Carter added, “This event is a way to make it easy for people who are different to see each other in the same room and realize they are not that different from each other.” The march happened a little under week before the Jan. Photo by Caroline Fellows 20, inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump. Webster and Rock Hill citizens march as a part of the Martin LuCarter said, “I don’t think politics on that kind of a level ther King Jr. Community Celebration on Jan. 14. will affect what we do on a local level. I think that all the Andy Kimball negativity with him, it has made these events on a local level that much more important.” Editor-in-Chief The march and service is organized by the Martin Luther King Around 200 Webster and Rock Hill citizens marched through Jr. Community Celebration Planning Committee. The committee Webster and Rock Hill to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King is led by Rev. Dave Denoon and includes Simpson along with other local pastors and community members. Jr. on Jan. 15. The winners of the “More Than Just an Essay” contest were Marchers were joined by former superintendent Sarah Riss, superintendent John Simpson and high school teachers Philip recognized at the event and given $100 savings bonds.
Late start schedule may create problems Page Kimzey Audio Editor
Webster Groves School District will consider the start of using a late start program for inclement weather, rather than calling a snow day. This new schedule has all schools starting an hour and 15 minutes later. Students will arrive at this time, and staff will arrive 30 minutes earlier than that. The WGSD website indicates that WGHS will start at 9:10 a.m. Hixson at 9:50 a.m.; Steger and Computer School at 9:05 a.m.; Avery, Bristol, and Hudson at 9:35 a.m.; Clark and Edgar Road at 9:45 a.m.; and Ambrose Family Preschool at 8:30 a.m. By doing this, WGSD will not have to add extra days at the end of the school year to make up for the snow days that aren’t covered by the four built-in snow days. Also at a later time will allow Webster’s Street Department to clear a majority of the streets enough for the students to arrive at school safely. Although this is a safe option for WGSD students, this can also be problematic. Some students who either live outside of the district or simply do not live close to their schools depend on parents, siblings, etc to get to school everyday. When school starts at a later time, those who provide those rides may not be able to wait an hour later to drive students to school. Since the schools will not allow
January 2017
students to arrive more than 30 minutes before the starting time, this can cause problems for those students. This late start program will also affect the future Statesmen who currently attend the Statesmen Preschool. Since the preschool follows the high school schedule, it gets snow days when the high school gets snow days, but this will not be the case for late start schedules because it will be an inconvenience for the parents of the preschoolers. On the days of the late start, preschool director Diane Stromberg will not have students to help her watch the preschoolers who arrive at 9 a.m., before school starts. “If we start with first hour, I won’t have any students,” Stromberg said. Stromberg only has classes from second to fifth hour meaning that students who usually arrive at 9 a.m. to watch the preschoolers, will be in other classes and unable to help out. “I would try to pull kids out of academic lab first hour,” Stromberg said. Also Stromberg will rely on some teachers to allow their first hour students to go to the preschool to help out. “I think a lot of my students too, if they aren’t doing anything in their first hour classes, especially the advanced kids, would recognize what is happening and try to get out of their class to come help,” Stromberg said. For more information about the late start program check any WGSD school’s website.
wgecho.org
7 In Photos: Women’s march comes to STL News
ECHO
Bennett Durando Sports Editor
Andy Kimball Editor in Chief
After President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, was streamed at WGHS for students to watch at school, Jan. 21, saw Webster community members rally downtown in opposition to the new leader’s policies. The St. Louis event was one of about 600 women’s marches across the country and the world. Here are some photos from the day’s action. Photos by Bennett Durando and Andy Kimball.
WGHS freshman Ethan Wiehl at the STL women’s march.
(Left) Protesters and (Above) substitute teacher Ron Zager march down Market street during the women’s march in Saint Louis.
Seniors Maddy Toskin, Kate Scheffing and Siboney Voss at the STL women’s march. All the Ingredients for a
Fresh Start to Your Day. English teachers Lindsey Ross, Sarah Gray, Amie Keane and Gwyndolyn Savens march in the STL women’s march.
wgecho.org
314-968-2253 Order Online at KolacheFactor yToGo.com
January 2017
8
In-Depth
ECHO
R.I.P. George: The life and death
George and WGHS students: a romance “George was a huge loss for the student body and he will be greatly missed. The past few days I’ve heard murmurs throughout the student body. Whispers desperately asking “have you seen George?” and “Who do we turn to now?” and most frighteningly of all “have you found a new VPN that works yet?” Pleas. Begging for help. Hoping that they’ll be able to survive without our beloved George. Rest In Peace.”
Bennett Durando, Caleb Bolin and Jake Collins Sports Editor, Feature Editor and Junior Editor Shining stars like Prince, David Bowie, Carrie Fisher, Muhammad Ali and others passed away in 2016. Now in 2017, we’ve already lost another icon: George. The simple yet beautiful name invokes a thousand emotions in us, especially now that it represents only a memory, a gentle ghost of our past. We must come to accept the reality of this tragedy: George is no longer with us. His death was sudden and heartbreaking, as WGSD director of technology and maker of the beloved WiFi network Bill Koulouriotis swiftly executed his own creation on Dec. 22, after a six-month plan to replace it with the new guy, Webster. When students and staff alike came back from winter break to begin learning and teaching once again, it soon became clear that something was not right in the school. Things were quiet and peaceful. Too quiet. Students were unable to access the internet and VPN apps during first hour. The WiFi symbol was not present on most students’ phone screens. Something was very wrong. By 9 a.m. it had become increasingly evident that George had passed on. According to WGHS technology coordinator Dan Broshears “George was a dear friend to us all, and his passing is truly the most tragic event of this school year. He has vigilantly tried to protect us from the dangerous sites out in the world wide web, while simultaneously giving us a wink and pointedly turning his head away as we used our VPNs to access the forbidden vaults of Snapchat and Instagram. RIP George, you will be forever in our hearts.”
January 2017
and district Director of Technol-
Art by Jenn Edwards
ogy Bill Koulouriotis, George was disposed of in order to increase bandwidth as well as security for students trying to use the internet for school-related activities. Students using George to browse social media, especially at lunch, caused the internet to slow in classes where computers were necessary for coursework. George was replaced by Webster, a more secure network. “We’ve been running the new one since last May,” Koulouriotis said. “Basically we had upgraded our WiFi to help with power and with more security.” Students have complained Webster does not allow access to VPN networks and certain sites previously accessible to students. Objections to Webster also include that it hasn’t reached every part of the building. In the wake of such turbulent times, many of these students
wgecho.org
ECHO
In-Depth
h of WGSD ‘teacher’ network have opted to speak out about their experiences and memories of George, paying homage to the iconic network after his tragic death (see corners of spread). Assistant principal John E. Thomas remarked that Koul o u r i o t i s ’s decision to discontinue the network must have been “like seeing your kid grow up and go to college.” Koulouriotis added, “He has to go out in the world and become a man.” The analogy isn’t inaccurate. George’s estimated age in the district was around 20, and not only was he created and watched over by Koulouriotis for all those years; he was even named after Koulouriotis’s son, who is now in college. At Webster Groves High School, we should remember George not for how he went out, but for how he lived his life: with class, with grace, and with yes, a little bit of mystery. George was a revolutionary concept back in his early years, the 1990s. Brother to Jack and Moon, he was one of the first wireless networks ever installed for the school district. “When we originally put WiFi in the district, it was really just for school computers,” Koulouriotis said. “Back then, people weren’t walking around with their own personal computers in their pocket.” George entered the 21st century, surviving Y2K and outliving both his siblings. As the dominant network in the district, the only people who needed him for the next several years were still staff members. Then came along the age of the smartphone. When students started acquiring devices with internet, the de-
wgecho.org
9
“George offered students an escape from the brutal and harsh conditions that we are forced to endure at Webster Groves High School. Now, without that option we are forced to learn and pay attention in our classes, without George by our sides. I don’t know how any of us are going to survive. He will forever be remembered; we loved you.” mand for a reliable network grew. George was there as always to answer the call. Somehow at some point, George’s legendary password, “wh0kn0w5,” was leaked to students, and soon enough the teachernetwork had spread to hundreds of adolescents across Webster. No one appreciated George more than the students. He devoted his service to them, and they devoted their love to him in return. George was never one to think about himself. He was glad to allow students to exploit his benefits of speed and efficiency. “I was not aware of this connection,” Koulouriotis said of the special relationship between George and his users. George leaves large shoes for Webster to fill. Students could always count on George to speedily search for whatever their hearts desired on the treasure trove that is the internet. He watched us grow as students and as people. He saw us at our best and worst. He saw awful presentations and spotty research; he saw the first time students properly used MLA format and cited sources other than Wikipedia; he saw games of Kahoot get way too intense; he undoubtedly saw his fair share of searches for dumb memes. No man, woman or network possessed the all-seeing wisdom of George. Let his life be remembered as that of a visionary, one who inspired every life it touched. As for where we go from here, well … wh0kn0w5?
“George impacted my life in a way I don’t expect anyone to understand.. He was the only reliable WiFi that I was able to connect to in the orchestra room. RIP.” “I’m really going to miss turning on my VPN every morning at 7:56. George and Hexatech: you will be missed.”
January 2017
Feature 10 ECHO Most people set up for failed resolutions
Cole Schnell Ad Manager
Many people have made a New Year’s resolutions by now, and about 36 percent of those people have failed. In five months over 50 percent will fail if the trend does not change from previous years. Only about 12 percent of people make successful New Year’s resolution. Dr. Eric Goedereis, Webster University psychology teacher said, “I think that many people ‘fail’ because they are not using what we know about behavior change to their advantage... Instead, real behavior change is about structuring our environments and our activities so that we are more likely to do the things we want to do and less likely to fall into the traps that keep us from engaging in those desired behaviors.” Goedereis said when people make New Year’s resolutions “what most people are really talking about are their ‘goals’ for the coming year.” He recommended adopting the SMART goal criteria when setting goals. SMART goals is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timeline. Jon Petter, psychology teacher, said one shouldn’t say “I’ll run every day” because there may be bad weather, so instead say, “I will run three times a week.” People have been making New Year’s resolutions since the Babylonians 37 centuries ago. Romans made resolutions to their god, Janus, 25 centuries ago, and knights took “peacock vows,” to recommit to chivalry 10 centuries ago. Jeff Smith, Latin teacher, said his New Year’s Resolution is “to bike Katy’s trail this summer.” Using SMART goals, a better and more attainable goal for Smith is to bike a certain number of miles or for a certain length of time on Katy’s Trail this summer. Goedereis also recommends making oneself accountable by
Public domain photo from Wikimedia Commons.
Skepticism about New Year’s Resolutions is timeless as shown in this political cartoon by Bob Satterfield published in a 1904 issue of Tacoma Times.
declaring one’s goal publicly or making a commitment contract, where people put money on the line. Once people complete the outlined goal they get their money back through websites like Stickk.com. Stickk.com also allows people to share their goals. Chris Allen, biology teacher, said he wanted to eat less sugar as his New Year’s Resolution. Goedereis said, “As a general rule, resolutions, where people aim to do ‘more’ or ‘less’ of something are too vague to be effective.” Adhering to SMART goals and this logic, a better goal for Allen would be to stop eating a certain sugary food or foods or limit himself to a specific number of these food(s). Both Smith and Allen’s goals are quantifiable. One can make a qualifiable and less quantifiable goal but would be more challenging to attain it because it would be harder to measure.
Students say Valentine’s Day is overrated Riley Mullgardt Entertainment Editor
To Love or Not to Love. As the new year starts, so do the reminders about the upcoming dreaded-for-most holiday on Feb. 14. Twitter handle TweetLikeAGirl tweeted a few days before New Year’s, “If ur worried ur not gonna get a New Year’s Eve kiss just remember Valentine’s Day is in 45 days’ n you’ll probably be alone for that too.” When Valentine’s Day is mentioned, two reactions are anticipated and accepted: complete and utter hatred, or blushing and giggles. Some say Valentine’s Day is a holiday that has too much build up. Junior Kaelin Dooley said, “I think [Valentine’s Day] is overrated because it’s just a day, and people expect too much, and for single people, it’s just a depressing day making it even more
January 2017
clear they don’t have a significant other.” With all the TV commercials telling what to get that special someone on this day, the radio ads telling people about the small little box that women want to open and all the candy starting to fill up shelves everywhere as soon as Christmas ends, the average total that a person spends on their significant other is $147, according to U.S. News. Over half of the 30 people interviewed said Valentine’s Day was overrated and that the goods given or received are not what Valentine’s Day is about. It’s about love, they said. Senior Josh Johnson said, “Valentine’s Day is just an excuse for people to get their significant others presents, but it’s just another day to me. I think it’s overrated because you should feel that way about them every day.” “It should be about the company [of the other person] not flowers, chocolate and movies,” junior Anthony Brown said. Junior Caroline Mund said, “I think spending time together and showing love to people is the most important part.”
wgecho.org
ECHO
Feature
11
Freshman shares March on Washington experience Elise Keller Contributing Writer
About 600,000 people came from all over the country to Washington D.C. to march in support of women’s rights and other causes on Jan. 21, and I was one of them. “I have friends who are immigrants, friends who are LGBT and friends who are survivors of rape and sexual assault, and I am going to do everything I can to make sure the future is as safe for them as I can make it... For me personally, I feel like [the Women’s March] has given me something to look forward to since the election and something that I don’t feel so alone in. I think there was a lot of feeling like people telling you to move on, or people telling you [the election] is not that big of a deal, but being here today, it’s clear that it is a big deal,” Cara Egan said. Photo By Elise Keller Egan traveled to Washington D.C. with me Amy Giachetti from Rochester, New York holds a sign thanking her mom at on a bus full of 54 other women and men. They the Women’s March on Washington on Jan. 21. were teachers who marched to defend the public school system. They were transgender women and homosexual ricaded the first six blocks of entrances because no more people women fighting for civil rights. They were special education could fit onto Independence Avenue where the rally began. We teachers and moms of children with special needs who believe walked south of Independence, in a huge crowd that I thought their children deserve equal treatment and should not be mocked. was the March. It wasn’t. After 10 blocks, we shimmied our way They were African-American and Latina women marching to be to the rally. A moment during the rally that brought me to tears was hearseen as equal. They were women fighting for all women, and our right to exist without prejudice, and they were strong, nasty ing Janelle Monae’s performance of “Hell You Talmbout” as she chanted the names of black lives lost to corrupt police violence. women (and a few bad hombres). My mom and I made the promise to ourselves on the morn- The mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and others joined ing after the election that if there came an opportunity to stick Monae to chant their sons’ names along with the crowd. We then again made our way through the slow-moving crowd ourselves on a crowded bus for 30 hours and fight for our rights, toward the National Mall to start the march. Signs were raised; we’d be there. I marched alongside my mom to empower myself and ignite signs with humor, love, beauty, wit, anger, power, and lots of curse words and vaginas. hope in other women. Walking past the Treasury Building, I saw banners with Abe We felt the strength of nearly 5 million people around the world in over 600 sister marches across the U.S. and on all seven Lincoln, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Harriet continents. I wanted the Women’s March to represent the power Tubman. I reflected on the history of America in that moment. I realized how far we have come since the days of Lincoln and of women and our sisterhood, as we begin to inspire each other. For example, this march started when one woman, Rebecca slavery, but also how Donald Trump’s presidency aims to set Shook, inspired millions of women worldwide to stand up and back these advances our country has made recently regarding equal rights. be heard. I hope these marches will continue and bring about the desired Numbers were underestimated, and more people than expected showed up, so our bus didn’t have a space to park among 100s change women and all marginalized people deserve. We left the March and saw, in my opinion, the most empowof other buses. We were told to jump out at the curb. We then walked over two miles to the rally, starting as a group of three ering quote on a 15-foot tall sign: “They tried to bury us. They people. Block by block, we were joined by more and more peo- didn’t know we were seeds.” Cory Booker, Democratic Senator from New Jersey, sat on his ple, until we were among thousands of people walking toward Independence Avenue. The crowds around us grew until thou- desk and recorded a message a few days ago: “We’ve got to keep sands of people became tens of thousands of people, and tens going. We’ve got to keep moving... The Women’s March, let of thousands of people became hundreds of thousands. A sea of that not be a moment. Let it be a movement. Stay in this movepink hats engulfed us, and poured in around us in every direction. ment. Keep fighting, keep pushing. I believe WE will make a The crowd started at First Street, but the organizers had bar- difference.”
wgecho.org
January 2017
Sports ECHO Carte’Are Gordon returns to Statesmen basketball
12
Greg Frazier Circulation Editor
Photo by Andy Kimball
Junior Carte’Are Gordon had a triumphant debut against Ritenour for the Statesmen, with 24 points and 11 rebounds in a 67-65 win.
Swimmers make State cuts
Bennett Durando Sports Columnist
Sweet smells of roses filled the air of Webster’s area along the perimeter of the pool at the Jan. 21, Cape Central women’s swim Photo by Greg Frazier meet. The Stateswomen had Freshman Parker Hagemann roses going around for al- swims against Oakville at most everyone at the “City Webster U. on Dec 13. of Roses,” as the swim team placed sixth of 22 teams at the meet, earning trips to State in four different events while doing so. Freshman standout Parker Hagemann shined especially brightly, taking first place in the 200-freestyle event and cruising to State qualification. She was also a part of Webster’s imposing relay team that swam to State-qualifying times in two events: the 200 free relay, where it was event champion in first place again, and the 200 medley relay, where it placed eighth. The relay team consists of Hagemann, juniors Katherine Kempf and Isi Albers, and sophomore Kendra Howard. Howard additionally qualified for State on her own with her seventh place finish in the 200 individual medley. Webster added a win over Rockwood Summit on Jan. 24, continuing its hot streak as it heads toward the postseason.
January 2017
Standing at 6 foot 9 inches, junior Center Carte’Are Gordon is the tallest player on the 2016-17 basketball team. Ironically, Gordon has hadn’t scored a point all year until Jan. 25, against Ritenour. Gordon is back after 365 days of transfer ineligibility, adding much-needed size to Webster’s roster. Junior forward Ryan Rusan said, “I’m excited to play with him; it’ll a be a new way of play. It’s something everyone has been waiting for. This is a time for Carte’Are to show his strengths and test himself. It’s make it or break it for him right now.” Gordon is excited and confident in returning to the court and offering new opportunities for the Statesmen. “I’ve been itching to play, and I’m ready to get a ring. I think I’m going to change a lot of team play, but we’ll still do great,” Gordon said. “I was a missing piece to the team and will try to perform for (head coach Jay) Blossom.” Junior guard R.J. Wright said, “Now that Carte’Are is back in play, I’m going to be looking to pass to him in the inside more.” Wright said, “He’s (Carte’Are) going to help us in a big way. We’re going to have better rebounding, and he’s going to have more game deciding dunks.” After tough games at Ritenour and SLUH last week, Webster’s next game is Feb. 4, 7:15 p.m. vs. Morgan Park at O’Fallon.
app
IMES SPORTS Follow the Statesmen! Schedules, photos and game day scores. Join the Fan Wall!
Download for FREE!
Proud to support our fellow independent journalists at the Echo. www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com
wgecho.org
ECHO
Sports
Bennett from the Bleachers
13
Stateswomen remind us sports are about more than sports Bennett Durando Sports Columnist “Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wa-ave … o’er the land of the free, and the home of the - STATESMEN!” So ends the national anthem at Roberts Gym before basketball games, with the traditional spirited cry from the Roberts Rowdies student section topping it off. This year, though, not everyone on the court during the pregame has been eager to show off pride at this notion. Players on the Webster women’s basketball team have kneeled during playings of the national anthem this season, taking a cue from the silent protest some professional athletes have participated in over the last several months. Prior to the start of the season, the Stateswomen discussed the possibility of kneeling as a team as a demonstration against the national establishment, particularly in regard to racial equality. At the season-opener, game attendants were surprised to see nine of 12 players take a knee as the Star-Spangled Banner’s first note rang out. Junior Danielle Daniels, one of the leaders in this statement, said that after the first game, “We got a few rude tweets about it and it went bigger than expected. Our coaches got involved on why we kneeled to make sure it wouldn’t separate us as a team and that we could respect others’ opinions.” “There was some concern on the reason behind the protest due to negative backlash, so we talked about different reasons,” head coach Patti Perkins said. “As a white and black coaching staff with men and women, we wanted to make sure they understood why they were protesting. It was really an open conversation.” After the team meeting, only five players would continue kneeling beyond the first game: Daniels, seniors Olivia Oude Alink and Moe Wade Fluker, and juniors Jasmine Ellis and Ellen Wermuth. There was never any tension between those who kneeled and those who stood, only understanding. “(Whether players kneeled or stood is) not about color, being white or black, because not all of the people who kneeled were black,” Daniels said. “We have experienced different things as individuals and have different perspectives. The few others who didn’t originally kneel didn’t because of family members who served. They look at the national anthem as showing respect to veterans.” Regardless of a player’s approach to the situation, Daniels said, “My team has been supportive of one another no matter who stands for what.” Support has been the binding word through this season for the Stateswomen. While the 9-5 team has won the attention of local basketball followers with its playing and has a chance to repeat as District champions after a team-best run to the State quarterfinals last year, the Stateswomen have also won attention off the court for their message, serving as a much-needed reminder to us that the importance of sports in our culture can be in its use as a platform for invoking change, for making a statement that
wgecho.org
Photo by Bennett Durando
While some women’s basketball players stand, others kneel in protest against racial inequality in the U.S.
reaches further than sports to a bigger picture. “I personally feel the system isn’t made for anyone of color … the ‘land of the free,’ well if everyone had equal rights and freedom, you wouldn’t have these unjustified killings, racial profiling and tragic situations,” Daniels said. While she acknowledges the flag means different things to everyone, she says she will not “stand for something that doesn’t stand for me.” “I’m kneeling because the way the world is set up. It’s not just that black lives matter; every life matters, people need to understand that,” Oude Alink said. “Taking a knee is a way of showing people that we care about what happens in the world.” Now, for the record, I completely agree with the statement these players are making. The problems they are protesting need to be talked about in order to be fixed, and I will always be an advocate of the First Amendment rights of speech and petition. Protesting is what our founding fathers would’ve wanted the Stateswomen to do. Whether or not you agree with this, whether or not you stand by the continued actions and motivations of these five players, this Webster team needs to be appreciated for what it’s doing: utilizing its sport to get across a message that will force our community to have conversations about what changes need to be made to our society. The Stateswomen have done this with dignity, respect, purpose and courage in the face of harsh and uncalled for backlash. Whatever your personal opinion may be on this matter, treat this Webster team with equal dignity and respect. They just hope that someday they can be proud again to stand and yell, “Home of the Statesmen.”
January 2017
Entertainment
14
ECHO
Jazz bands perform at local venues Andy Kimball Editor-in-Chief
Members of the high school and middle school jazz bands performed at Delmar Hall on Jan. 15, and Jazz I members performed at the Pageant on Jan. 21. The concert at The Pageant was moved from Jan. 14, due to inclement weather. Jazz I performed as part of the “Party at the Pageant,” which is a fundraiser for the Webster Groves School District Foundation. Freshman Sam Swaine said, “Everything really feels bigger. Having a mic to yourself is a big difference, and the people in charge of sound help your playing stand out more than in gymnasiums and auditoriums.” Delmar Hall and The Pageant are both Saint Louis concert venues near The Loop. Delmar Hall is a smaller concert venue located adjacent to The Pageant. Swaine said,“They are both great venues. It was great playing in a new space like Delmar Hall, really intimate, but The Pageant has that reputation.” Both venues host professional bands. The Pageant was recently rated as the number seven concert venue in the world by Pollstar magazine. Recent performances at The Pageant were by Lukas Graham and Grouplove. Band director Kevin Cole said the owner of the Pageant, Pat Hagin, approached Cole about the band having a fundraiser at the Pageant. Cole said, “It is an incredible experience for the kids playing in one of the neatest venues around. It is the ultimate experience for a high school group to get this kind of an experience and to be able to use it as a fundraiser.” Jazz I performed with a Ray Charles tribute band featuring local performers Wayne Coniglio, Roger Hines, Reggie Thomas, Ralph Butler, Jessica Butler, LaTonia Holland and Suzanne Palmer. Swaine said, “It was an honor to play with them. All of the musicians were very talented, and I really felt that they captured the spirit of Ray Charles and his music. The performance was great. I’m lucky to be surrounded by such talented musicians.”
IGHT
RD
MARKET AT MCKNIGHT
N RO
CK HIL
L RD
D
ESTER R
MANCH
MCKN
Between Katie’s Pizza & Bandana’s BBQ
9536 Manchester Rd Rock Hill, MO 63119 314-968-5343 supercuts.com
Photo by Andy Kimball
Band instructor Kevin Cole motions to Junior Ben Gossow while Jazz I performs at Delmar Hall on Jan. 15.
2 OFF HAIRCUT
$
Coupon valid only at 9536 Manchester Rd location. Not valid with any other offer. No cash value. One coupon valid per customer. Please present coupon prior to payment of service. Printed in the USA © 2016 Supercuts Inc. Expires: 03/31/17 ECHO2
January 2017
wgecho.org
ECHO
15
Entertainment
Botan Beliefs
Gavin showcases everyone’s mood count over the next two years, and then, all of a sudden, Gavin started to go viral. “It wasn’t up until, like, this (last) June that he really blew up, and I think it was because more and more big meme accounts were posting pictures of him,” Mastodon said in NYMAG.com. Every Vine/Instagram photo of Gavin holds a reaction for every emotion anyone Photos courtesy of Nick Mastodon could possibly feel. Simone Biles, Team Here are some of columnist Abyana Botan’s favorite Gavin memes. She says all of these photos are USA/Olympic Gold her moods at least once a day. Medalist, tweeted, Abyana Botan “There is a Gavin meme for everything” to which fellow Team Entertainment Columnist USA member replied, “When you win a gold medal at the Olympics: (insert cute photo of Gavin).” According to Merriam-Webster, a meme is an idea, behavior, Gavin has been turned into memes by many A listers, includstyle, or usage that spreads from person to person within a cul- ing Chance the Rapper. ture. Gavin Thomas became a meme over such a short time peThomas even has his own update account on Twitter, @Kingriod. GavinUpdate. The update account bio reads, “Updating you on Gavin has quickly become a well-known Vine and Twitter sen- everything Gavin related!” sation. He is the six-year-old nephew of the Vine “famous” Nick “If a person comes up to him, he’ll decide if he wants to take Mastodon. a selfie depending on what his mood is, because you just never “I started putting my nephew Gavin, who was two at the time know with a six year old. We absolutely leave it up to him,” his - he would appear in my videos. People thought he was cute, but mother Kate Thomas said in an interview with The Daily Dot. they didn’t really take notice of him a whole lot,” Mastodon said If you ever want a good laugh, look up: @NickMastodon on in a NYMAG.com interview. Instagram if you want to see, “#cute” photo’s of Gavin, and @ Gavin began to frequently appear on Mastodon’s Vine ac- GavinMemes on Twitter.
Upcoming Events • • • • •
February 10 - End of Progress February 15 - Webster Groves Orchestra Pops Concert, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. February 16 - Jazz Band Concert, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. February 17 - Professional Day! No School Attendance! February 20 - Presidents Day! 4 Day Weekend!
wgecho.org
January 2017
16
Entertainment
ECHO
Futuristic movie disappoints, presents questionable morals Caroline Fellows Online Editor Columbia Pictures presents its new film “Passengers,” which will leave viewers wondering how a movie with such high expectations could produce such disappointing results. Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) is a passenger on a 120- year trip on the spaceship Avalon from Earth to another planet called Homestead II. When his hibernation pod wakes him up 90 years too early, he lives alone on the ship (well not completely alone, he is accompanied by a robot bartender Arthur with a creepy smile) for over a year, his beard growing longer and longer, his withdrawal from mocha cappuccino extremes becoming drastic, and his sanity slipping away (he spends a lot of time banging a door and hugging space suits). On one of his walks through the sleeping passengers, he comes across writer Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence) in her hibernation pod. He becomes obsessed with her as time goes on, eating all meals next to her pod and reading all of her writing (essentially stalking her), and eventually decides to hack her pod and wake her up. As it seems inevitable that the ship will blow up if it’s not fixed soon, Jim and Aurora must work together to solve its malfunction and save the over 5,000 passengers still sleeping. As the movie progresses, Jim’s and Aurora’s relationship takes many twists and turns; one minute they’re deeply in
January 2017
love, the next minute she’s trying to kill him with an ax. These mood swings, while relatable in some sense, will leave viewers generally concerned about the plot and characters’ mental states. The most disappointing thing about this movie is not the toxic relationship between the main characters- it’s the obvious attempt of the producers to make a box office hit and the fact that there was a lot of potential for this movie. A-list actors like Pratt and Lawrence have the capability to make any movie they’re in successful, but the poor script, the set (the deserted ship modeled to look like a hotel was creepy, not comforting), and the psychotic characters could also set the scene for some demented horror film. In addition, the background information, while essential to understanding some plot points, overshadows the buildup to the climax, which is mediocre at best, not to mention predictable. The moral lesson is also questionable- is there even supposed to be one? A man falls in love with a sleeping woman stalks her and wakes her up against her will, but it’s okay because he did it for love? His selfish actions were essentially her death sentence, forcing her to live out the rest of her life on a ship with the man who stalked her, but only Aurora really seems to care about this. “Passengers,” which is directed by Morten Tyldum, runs for 1 hour and 56 minutes and is rated PG-13, is just a futuristic “Titanic,”- but nowhere near the caliber of the original classic.
wgecho.org