Print Version: WG ECHO October 2018 Issue

V olum e 1 0 4 I s s ue 2 o ctober 2 0 1 8 1 0 0 S e l m a Av e . w g e c h o . o r g

Drama presents ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

pg. 6

2018-19 ECHO STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Cole Schnell PRINT EDITOR: Ellie Marshall JUNIOR EDITOR: Elise Keller BUSINESS MANAGER: Trinity Madison VIDEO EDITOR: Evelyn Trampe SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: Rosa Parks OPINION EDITOR: Emily Stisser NEWS EDITOR: Ethan Weihl SPORTS EDITOR: Greg Frazier FEATURE EDITOR: Lindsey Bennett PODCAST EDITOR: Maeve Taylor ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Josie Krueger GRAPHICS EDITOR: Colin Shue ADVISOR: Donald Johnson SOME MATERIAL FROM TRIBUNE NEWS 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 to wgecho@wgmail.org.

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

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

The Echo is a member of SSP, Quill and Scroll, MJEA, JEA, MIPA, NSPA and CSPA.

the

echo

Young people need to vote Prank phone call causes panic ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ flag shows understanding needed in cases of harassment allegations School District hires enrollment solution DECA produces various school events School board elects this years student advisors Drama to present Lloyd Webber classic Teachers travel between schools October brings tales of strange occurrences and unexplained instances National coming out day offers education Voter guide Women’s tennis celebrates winning season Underclassmen move to women’s golf sectionals Juniors perform for famed composer Wlllie’s Comic Is Webster Groves a ‘fine arts’ school?

Student bands will play on Telltale to tell no more tales

3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 8-9 10 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 16

The Echo Family The Echo Family helps make the Echo possible. To become a member of the Echo Family, please contact wgecho@wgmail.org. Thanks to all of our members!

15

Aerin Johnson Keillyn Johnson Brad and Amy Krueger Curtin Family Melanie Bennett Hepfinger Family Cover Cutline: Junior Caleb Miofsky sings “Close Every Door” during rehearsal.

Photo by Cole Schnell

2

wgecho.org

8

6

8 Table of Contents | October 2018

Ellie’s Expression

Young people need to vote Ellie Marshall Opinion Columnist More than ever, it is necessary that young people vote in the upcoming election.

Too often, the turnout of generations Y and Z is underwhelming at the polls. In a NPR article, political reporter Asma Khalid, said, “Millennials continue to have the lowest voter turnout of any age group. Only about 46 percent voted in the last presidential election.”

While we aren’t millennials, we seem to have adopted their way of thinking about voting. Studies show that the turnout of young people voting in the upcoming midterm election will be even less than the presidential election.

A poll released in June from the Public Religion Research Institute and the Atlantic showed only 28 percent of young adults ages 18 to 29 say they are “absolutely certain” they’ll vote in midterms, compared to 74 percent of seniors.

This is absolutely ridiculous. We are privileged enough to live in a country where we have the right to express our political opinions. It seems far too few young people recognize this.

In order for a democratic system to be representative of a population, the population needs to vote for things and people they believe in.

Right now, our country is being controlled by laws put in place by older people, for older people. Laws and government officials affect our lives and the lives of our children more

Photo by John Gibbins/San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS

“I voted” stickers at the Tubman Chavez Center in San Diego in June 2018.

than anyone else, so it just makes sense that we would be voting, but we’re not, and when things don’t go the way we want, we complain.

Instead of complaining, do something. Vote. Canvass. Phone bank. Let your voice be heard.

No matter your political standings, please vote. Make a change in your country; it is your civic duty.

Op-ed

Prank phone call causes panic Colin Shue Graphics Editor Since the infamous Columbine shooting, over 215,000 children have experienced gun violence at school. This is the current state of our nation, not a joke, so why are we treating it as the latter?

One week into the school year, Bristol Elementary parents were notified someone had threatened their children over the phone.

On Sept. 21, Givens, Steger, Hixson and the high school went on a full lockdown after someone placed a false phone call claiming a student had been shot in a Hixson bathroom.

Both of these amounted to nothing but raised fear among students, parents and teachers.

A prank phone call might include asking if someone’s refrigerator is running or if someone named Seymour Butts is around on the other side of line. A prank phone call doesn’t include a terroristic threat.

With any horrible phenomenon, a group of people will choose to use it as some form of entertainment for themselves.

October 2018 | Opinion

These people are disgusting and sadistic. Regardless of their specific intent, they are inciting terror within an innocent group of people, and that makes them terrorists.

Principal Dr. Matthew Irvin said, “Schools are certainly intended to provide educational opportunities for students, and when there are substantial disruptions to that work, it’s very concerning to myself and our administrative team about how to go about that work in light of potential criminal acts.”

These phone calls lead to absolute panic: teachers and students calling loved ones, butting heads and gearing to jump out of windows. It’s unfair for students with anxiety disorders, as well as everyone in the community, to be thrown into fear in an environment intended to feel safe. It’s impossible to focus on learning when there’s a throbbing paranoia in the back of one’s head that there is danger.

About the effect of lockdowns, Hank Geers, senior, said, “Lockdowns put me on edge, though a lot of it is overblown. I feel desensitized to it at this point.”

There needs to be a harsh crackdown on those who make prank calls and turn these gruesome events into a big joke.

It’s time for the students to be heard.

wgecho.org

3

Op-ed

‘Don’t Tread on Me’ flag shows understanding needed in cases of harassment allegations Cole Schnell Editor-In-Chief Multiple flags hang in room 297 with the top of the flags visible to passersbys.

They can be seen in the hallway through small windows about four feet up from the ground. Among these flags is the Gadsden flag.

The Gadsden flag is a yellow flag with a coiled snake and the phrase “Don’t Tread on Me” (though there are many variations).

Though many perceive the flag as a historical symbol that only passionate historians care about, the flag has gained new symbolism and uses from contemporary events that have very little relation to its history.

African-American post office worker Shelton D. filed a complaint against a coworker who repeatedly wore a hat with Gadsden insignia in January 2014. The post office dismissed this allegation of discrimination on the basis that the complaint did not have a claim.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C.) in Shelton D. v.

U.S. Postal Service reversed the decision of the post office to dismiss and ordered the post office to investigate the claim of the employee.

E.E.O.C. made it very clear its decision in no way banned the Gadsden insignia nor claimed legal discrimination took place.

The E.E.O.C.’s decision cited Complainant v. U.S. Postal Service, a very similar case in which the post office failed to investigate a complaint of employees wearing T-shirts that displayed the Confederate flag.

The claim made by the post office worker was that the Gadsden flag is discriminatory because it was created by a slave owner and trader.

According to the E.E.O.C. decision, “There is scholarly work that indicated Gadsden did not trade slaves, although there is evidence that he owned them (slaves). ” The original purpose of Christopher Gadsden for the flag is not in re-

4

wgecho.org

lation to the slaves he owned but to the anti-British sentiment of the revolutionary period in the United States.

Britain sent convicts to America. Ben Franklin said America should send rattlesnakes to different places around London to retort.

“Don’t Tread on Me,” in context, threatened Britain to not commit the war equivalent of walking slightly behind America.

In no way is the flag’s origin related to “white resentment,” as the complainant called it, other than the flag being created during a time of slavery, which does not minimize that it can have an effect on the meaning of the flag or relating objects.

It is hard for unempowered people to make complaints that are validated by those in power. In example, the dismissed cases of sexual harassment that sparked the #metoo movement.

It is understandable if D. felt like he had to grab on to something tangible to be taken seriously or to even be believed. There could have been other signs of “white resentment.”

Paul Igasaki, chair and chief judge of the administrative review board at the U.S. Department of Labor and former deputy chief executive officer of equal justice works, wrote an article explaining why harassed people don’t come forward, and outlining why someone might want to make his or her complaint more valid, which a tangible object would do.

The E.E.O.C. “asserts that Complainant’s perception that the Gadsden Flag is a symbol of racism, is based on ignorance of history.” The E.E.O.C. was right about there being ignorance involved.

The offender was just as ignorant, if not more than the complainant, of the contemporary history of the flag, even if D. didn’t exactly know where the racial connotation came from (mistaking its origin).

Both ignorances are understandable.

There shouldn’t be expectations that all people must keep up with every piece of news and that eveyone should have an understanding of the Gadsden flag’s history. of which neither of AP U.S. History teachers interviewed were completely aware.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

The Gadsden flag is named after Christopher Gadsden, a Colonel of the Continental Army. The flag flew on the mainmast of U.S. Navy commanderin-chief’s ship in 1775 and became a symbol of the navy.

The flag hanging in resource teacher Len Daiber’s room (297) is in historical context and its purpose is to bring about questions of history such as the meaning of the Gadsden flag.

Whereas the hat worn by the offender of D.’s complaint was in no way in historical context making it hard to distinguish the ambiguity of the symbol and its intent.

Simply, the wrongdoing of E.E.O.C. was to allow the postal office who dismissed the case and clearly already has made certain judgments to investigate this case.

According to the Postal Times, the postal service reconsidered and argued that the flag does not have “racial connotations.”

However, the flag does have racial connotations. In June 2014, two people, labeled as white supremacists by authorities, killed two police officers.

They then lay both a Gadsden flag and a Nazi flag on the two murdered officers.

Events like this gives the flag “racial connotation.” D. would not have recognized it as a hate symbol if it didn’t have “racial connotation.”

In any situation, people need to be understanding and validate any concerns of harassment by taking action that will make people more comfortable. In D.’s case, the offender should have apologized and never worn the hat at work again.

Daiber said he would immediately take down any symbol that offends anyone.

Daiber has taken a Confederate flag down after student told him he or she was offended.

Opinion | October 2018

DECA produces various school events Gregory Frazier Sports Editor

Photo by Evelyn Trampe

Alumnus Ben Gossow wins the Mr. Webster pageant on Nov. 29, 2017.

DECA is putting on various school sponsored events to raise money for its New York trip, including Mr. Webster, Movie Night on Selma, Breakfast and Braids, Breakfast with Santa, Blacklight Dodgeball, etc.

Distributive Education Clubs of America, DECA is comprised of Marketing and Marketing students.

Movie night on Selma field will offer Halloween-themed games and a showing of “E.T.” on Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under and $20 for a family of two parents and at least four children.

Blacklight dodgeball will be on Nov. 5, at the Rockin’ Jump Shrewsbury complex on 7375 Watson Rd. The price is $15 per player at the door, cash or check payable to WGHS 789.

The middle school tournament will be from 6-8 p.m., and the high school tournament will be 8-10 p.m.

The event will be on trampolines, and teams entered will need five competitors.

Participants will receive a shirt ranging from XS - XXL. The registration is in the bio of the WG Blacklight dodgeball instagram page.

The Google form specifies to “put the exact same name down in their registrations.”

School district hires strategies company Emily Stisser Opinion Editor Webster Groves School District has hired Cooperative Strategies, an Ohio based company specializing in financial and demographic planning for schools.

According to Cooperative Strategies website, the company has done extensive work in school systems around the country and internationally “serving more than 2,000 education clients.”

The total cost of the project is $45,000.

Regarding the district’s motive with the company, superintendent Dr. John Simpson said, “The company is just here to support our work to address the crowding due to enrollment.”

Edgar Road Elementary, in particular, has had spatial concerns. This school year, the school has added a second modular to its campus. A modular is a trailer-like learning environment, outside. Each modular holds two classrooms. The district is preparing to add a third one this fall.

Edgar Road is also full internally. The former staff lounge, already fairly small, has been converted into the music room.

Simpson said, “Schools have modified and adapted, and we’ve carved up spaces, but our projections show that we are going to continue to grow.”

Earlier this year at a WGSD Community Forum, Simpson presented samples of eight various space options.

Discussion included class size standards, grade level configurations, elementary attendance zones, and more.

Simpson said, “We made the decision that while we could process this ourselves, we wanted to go out and see if there is a company out there with experience, more capabilities looking at the situation.”

This past summer, Dr. Simpson wrote a “Request for Proposal.” By definition, this document solicits a proposal, describing a project or issue, (in this case, spatial solutions). Potential con-

October 2018 | News

tenders submit business proposals, providing information about systems, cost and approaches to the situation.

Cooperative Strategies was one of three companies considered.

The district created a criteria to score various factors and conducted interviews with various finalists. In the end, Cooperative Strategies emerged as the best, and least expensive option.

“We have met with them a number of times; we speak with them weekly,” said Simpson.

Cooperative Strategies will be leading upcoming sessions within the Webster Groves community. There are various sessions geared towards all age groups. For example student involvement, parent involvement, community involvement, etc.

On Oct. 11, the company held a WGHS student focus group in the Central Office. The group met for almost two hours, discussing various options, outcomes and direct effects on their demographic.

Simpson said, “Ultimately, they are (the company) facilitating a process, which will include things like focus groups and forums. From their analysis of data from community feedback and such, they will develop proposals and options that will describe an option.”

In 2015, the bond did not pass. Since that point, the enrollment trend has continued to increase.

Last year, the district presented on the projected enrollment, this being a significant upward trend. Simpson said, “The primary reason was to address our (the district’s) enrollment growth.”

In 2015, he district addressed the spatial issue internally, not working with an outside company. “We thought another value to hiring an outside company would be having someone come in that wasn’t within the community,” said Simpson. The district wanted an alternative source, not close to the situation. Thanks to Cooperative Strategies, it has found a company able to process with people and help with solutions development.

wgecho.org

5

School board selects 2018-19 student advisors the board came from a conference workshop attended by board members a few years ago.

There was a want for more student Photos by Maeve Taylor involvement, Juniors Patrick Lee and Jessica Peterson will serve in their roles and superintendent John Simpas student advisors until the end of this school year. son saw this as the perfect way to encourage this.

Maeve Taylor The current members were selected Podcast Editor from a pool of about 15 then-sophomores that submitted a one-two page essay deThis is the second year the school board scribing their interest in the role, the skills has selected student advisors. that qualify them for this role and the valLast year, juniors (now seniors) Joe ue that they would add to the board and Castleman and Trinity Madison served. district.

This year, the position was passed down Finalists were interviewed by former to juniors Jessica Peterson and Patrick principal Jon Clark, retired assistant prinLee. cipal John Raimondo, superintendent The idea to have student advisors on Simpson, as well as Madison and Castle-

man.

Simpson said, “Both Patrick and Jessica bring a certain wisdom that was evident through the interview process.”

The primary roles of the advisors are to attend board meetings consistently (only one serves at each meeting, in a pre-scheduled rotation), have knowledge of the topics being discussed and to meet regularly with Simpson and principal Matt Irvin.

As advisors, they act not just as voices for themselves but for the student body as a whole. This means they have to find some way of contacting students, either by creating Google Forms or by talking to the people around them to get a consensus.

Peterson said, “I have the prerogative to choose topics based upon the needs of the student body.”

The role so far has been positive and uplifting.

“My experience so far has been great,” Peterson said. “I really feel like now I have a voice to express not only my own opinions, but also the opinions of others that might not always be heard.”

Drama presents Lloyd Webber classic musical Elise Wilke-Grimm Contributing Writer Drama department will perform the musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Oct. 25, 26 and 27 from 7-9:30 p.m.

The musical was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in 1967. It tells the story of the Biblical Joseph and his interactions of dealing with the his brothers’ jealousy and captivity in Egypt.

Sarah Romanowski, director, said, “I was listening to the radio, to the Broadway station, and they announced a contest of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ for its 50th birthday, so they were handing out grants to several high schools to do a show for free. I came and brought it to Sam Toskin (student director), and he said that he wanted to write the letter. He wrote the letter and they chose us, we were one of four high schools chosen for the grant.”

Sophomore Annalise McCann plays the role of one of the narrators in “Joseph” and said she loves working with the cast and crew, and she has fun at every rehearsal even when she gets exhausted.

Owen Mitchell, sophomore, plays the role of Joseph’s brother, Zebulan.

“I’ve always loved the songs ‘Jacob and Sons’/‘Joseph’s Coat.’ I like this scene because the music is so fun and catchy, and almost everyone is on stage and it’s so much fun to listen to

6

wgecho.org

Photo by Zeke LaMantia

Sophomore Sam Becker and junior Caleb Miofsky rehearse for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

and perform,” Mitchell said.

Though the cast and crew have rehearsed since the second week of school from 3-5 p.m. (with breaks) every Monday through Thursday, the hard work pays off, and it’s good practice for students wanting to go into a career in the arts, McCann said.

“I am 100 percent interested in going into a career in the arts.

I think that the school musical does help because it’s another opportunity to perform, learn, and study a show and a specific part,” McCann said.

“I really enjoy musicals, especially ‘Joseph.’ It’s definitely one of my favorites,” Mitchell said.

News | October 2018

Teachers travel between Steger, high school

Photo by Trinity Madison

Steger sixth grade actors, a part of the Drama Exploratory course, take a break from rehearsal to socialize.

The first period course is taught by Sarah Romanowski and senior Trinity Madison.

Elise Keller Junior Editor Teaching opportunities grow in the Webster Groves School District with the option of being able to teach at more than one school in the district.

One teacher who has taken advantage of this is art teacher Andrew Throm.

Throm has taught at the high school for 21 years, and this year he began his first year teaching at Steger.

“The subjects I am teaching this year are Drawing and Painting, Sixth Grade Art, Concepts of Art, Digital Art and Ceramics. Basically my daily schedule this year is to start at the high school and then

October 2018 | Feature

go to Steger. Then I come back to the high school for the rest of the day,” Throm said.

So far, Throm considers teaching at both schools beneficial because it allows him to connect with more students in the community.

“Working with older students is fun because they have developed their talent and are working on sophisticated assignments. Working with the sixth grade has been refreshing as they are just beginning to grasp certain ideas about art and they have a different vision of what art is,” Throm said.

Another teacher with a similar experience is Sarah Romanowski, drama teacher.

“I go to Steger first thing in the morning and then come back to the high school for the rest of the day,” Romanowski said.

While she considers it a good experience, she has faced struggles.

“The biggest challenge so far is time. I have been asking other teachers who have done this for years their tips and tricks, and there really isn’t a good way to manipulate the time element. It is definitely a challenge and causes a lot of anxiety and stress from my end,” Romanowski said.

“Luckily, I have a little time between Steger and the High School, so I can travel, but most days I lose time to prep for classes, so I am usually pretty pressed for time,” Romanowski said.

Romanowski has been able to look past the challenges and find enjoyment in her day.

“I like the very end of every class because I see how my students come to class tired and leave energized and mostly excited,” Romanowski said.

“My favorite part of the day is when I see a student struggling a little bit with an assignment, and then the light bulb goes on, and they discover that they are capable of doing something new or that they haven’t tried before. That is the best part of teaching for me,” Throm said.

Senior teaches 6th grade Drama Exploratory class Trinity Madison Business/Ads Manager Each morning during first hour, I help alongside Sarah Romanowski in teaching a rowdy group of tweens in a drama introductory class at Steger Sixth Grade Center. The class is titled “Teaching Strategies: Drama Internship.”

From Monday to Thursday, Romanowski covers topics from improvisation to pantomime to stage directions.

On Fridays, I teach. I’ve formatted my class to spend half the time improving acting skills and half of class rehearsing.

Each trimester, the class will produce a short one act festival starring the students.

Though I’ve found myself challenged in dealings of middle school gossip, distracted learners and fear induced shyness, I’ve been reaffirmed of my goal to become a drama teacher.

Teachers have the platform to better our society’s next generation. Teaching in the arts has been shown to impact students in a number of ways.

Teaching expert and author, Eric Jensen, wrote, “The arts enhance the process of learning. The systems they nourish, which include our integrated sensory, attentional, cognitive, emotional, and motor capacities, are, in fact, the driving forces behind all other learning.”

The arts are further promoted by Judith Burton, a researcher at Columbia University, who argued that subjects such as mathematics, science, and language require complex cognitive and creative capacities “typical of arts learning.”

The Burton study argues a art curriculum can strengthen cooperation, motivate risk taking, harness teamwork and goal oriented thinking, build self confidence and encourage creative problem solving.

Champions of Change reported arts education helps students better connect with peers, become self-directed learners, encourages discovery and lowers school dropout rates.

Hopefully, these sixth graders will become the next best generation of thespians when they arrive to WGHS.

wgecho.org

7

October brings tales o Elise Keller Junior Editor

Rosa Parks Social Media Manager

A building that has been around since 1906 is bound to have strange stories and unexplained occurrences. Webster Groves high school is no exception to this.

Pat Voss, who has served in the building for over 50 years, has seen some of these oddities in her time.

“That’s 15,000 kids, several thousand colleagues... I’ve watched them through this building… Anytime you have that much diversity in a group, odd things, you know, will happen,” Voss said.

Voss said although she has never been genuinely frightened, she has been unsettled.

“I’ve had days where you feel very unusual occurrences. I have been here in the building at the point where three faculty members had died within the building, all from medically related items; that causes you to stop and think,” Voss said.

Dr. Jon Clark, former principal, unlike Voss, had felt scared in the school before, but not because of any ghosts.

Clark said, “The time I was truly scared was about seven years ago. I was told the window was left open upstairs in the old drama room above the Little Theater, on the third floor. I went in there at night, in the dark, and yes--there was a window that I had to close. I had a bad flashlight, and I looked to the right, and there were 10 skulls (used for the drama department). I jumped, screamed, and ran out with my heart beating. I set the school alarm and ran to my car. It took me about five minutes to realize there’s nothing to be afraid of, but it was scary at the time.”

A few students have also experienced unexplainable events in the building.

Rosie Ryan, senior, spoke of the time when she heard whistling behind her on her way walking to the restroom, but nobody was there.

Ryan said, “I went into the bathroom and shut the door behind me still hearing the whistling, only now it was echoing around the shop hall since it’s new building, and right after I heard the door shut, I heard it open again and footsteps across the bathroom, so when I finished peeing, I looked under the stalls, and no one was in any of them...still, (there was) that whistling, only it was in the bathroom now with me, but all the stalls were empty.

It was...10 degrees cooler in the bathroom.”

Eva Berger, junior, spoke of the time she was in the drama basement and got spooked.

Berger said, “So I was going down to the old abandoned locker room just to check it out. It was my first time down there, and it was kind of late at night. It was after a show, and so I go down, and all of the lights are off...(but) the shower was dripping. It was like ‘drip, drip, drip,’ and there was one light that turned on, and it was flickering on and off, and it was really creepy. So we walk in...I’m like ‘what the heck,’ And then something fell and it...crashed... It was absolutely terrifying, and I ran away and I almost cried. And that’s my story.”

The Pool- DEBUNKED When asked about any conspiracy theories or rumors about the high school the students heard. The number one response was, “There is (or was) a swimming pool in the basement.” However,

8

wgecho.org

every source asked denied the rumors.

Dr. Clark said, “There’s never been a pool at Webster Groves High School. I believe that a teacher once shared this rumor during Future Leaders some years ago. They also said I had a private pool only for my use. Again, not accurate.”

Haunted St. Louis St. Louis may be known for baseball and the Arch, but it also contains a few ‘ghost’ stories of its own.

Alexian Brothers Hospital According to STLToday, In 1949, St. Louis was home to an event that would inspire William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist.”

A 14-year-old boy, supposedly named Ronald Edwin Hunkeler, was supposedly “possessed.”

Before coming to St. Louis, he lived in Maryland, where items would move around by themselves, such as a Bible rising, scratching noises and other strange occurrences. After a few days, words appeared on Hunkeler’s body, and the word “‘Louis” showed up. After asking if it meant “St. Louis,” words appeared that said “yes.”

Hunkeler was then moved to St. Louis, where he was transferred to Alexian Brothers Hospital’s psychiatric ward. At the hospital, Hunkeler was exorcised several times. His room was completely isolated from the other patients, it was locked, and the windows were covered up. It wasn’t until Easter that he was “freed” of the “possession.” The boy has gone on to live a normal life and the hospital has since been demolished.

Zombie Road According to Dangerousroads.com, just west of St. Louis rests a road named Lawler Ford Road, also known as Rock Hollow Trail, which got its nickname, “Zombie Road,” in the 1950s, but teenagers were more likely to be caught partying than seeing ghosts.

Through the years, rumors and ghost stories have built up, with several main ones being told the most. Some say the road is haunted by a man who lived in a shack and would try to scare off teenage couples. Others say it is haunted by Della Hamilton McCullough, a woman killed by a train that runs through the area.

Others believe it to be Civil War soldiers who died in that area.

Lemp Mansion According to Lempmansion.com, The Lemp Mansion has been called one of the ‘10 spookiest buildings’ by CNNTRAVEL. Its walls were once home to an affluent St. Louis family, the Lemps. Immigrant Johann Adam Lemp brewed beer and created the Falstaff beer brand. The company’s popularity grew, and so did Lemp’s fortune. He passed his legacy on to his son William,

Feature | October 2018

of strange occurrences who soon moved into the mansion with his family.

William Lemps’s son died in 1901, his child’s death affected him so much that he took his own life three years later.

The company was passed on to William, Jr., (aka Billy), but he ran the business and his family into the ground and later killed himself. The cycle continued with Charles, a son of William, Sr., who took his own life. The mansion has been turned into a restaurant and hotel, but the oddness doesn’t end there. Some visitors to the mansion claim to have heard footsteps, visions appearing and disappearing, doors locking and other strange happenings.

House on Plant Avenue According to Prairieghosts.com, located in Webster Groves, on a street not far from the high school, sits the Henry Ghem House, also known as the House on Plant Avenue. The house was built during the 1890s by Henry Ghem, who lived in the house until he died inside it in the 1950s.

The tales of fear began with the residents who moved in after Ghem- the Furry family. Mrs. Fannie Furry had begun to wake up at night time, feeling shaken awake by an unknown entity.

Along with the shaking, she had heard noises, like something banging the windows during night time and phantom footsteps.

The Furrys also had a young daughter, and one day, the daughter said, “Who is the lady in black who comes into my room at night?” This question abolished all want for the Furrys to stay in the house, and they moved out soon after.

Urban Legends Ouija boards According to smithsonianmag.com, Ouija boards have the alphabet, numbers, and the words “yes” and “no.” They have been used since 1890, primarily used to communicate with spirits.

What started out as a novelty family game soon turned into a possessing tool when word spread that “The Exorcist” was based off a child possessed after using the Ouija board. The hysteria spread from house to house, one Ouija board owning family to the next, and Ouija boards have been known as demonic gateways since.

However, there is a seemingly scientific reasoning behind the movement of the planchette called the Ideomotor effect, which basically means the unconscious of one’s brain. These are involuntary movements that happen without a person even recognizing they are doing it.

‘Charlie Charlie’ has been known to end in flickering lights.

October 2018 | Feature

When using a Ouija board, all participators are engaged in the game, but at the same time having unconscious thoughts that lead them to spell something out they are unconsciously thinking of.

Charlie, Charlie, similarly to the Ouija board, has a makeshift board used to summon a spirit.

The “challenge” became more known during 2015, mostly due to the social media site, Vine. It consists of an “X” drawn on a piece of paper, with a “yes” in two quadrants and a “no” in the other two. Then, two pencils sitting atop each other are put on both axes, and someone says “Charlie Charlie, are you there?” and then asks a question. The game has been known to attract strange results, such as lights flickering, glass breaking and others, according to theWashington Post.

Bloody Mary According to hauntedrooms.co.uk, legend says if a someone chants “Bloody Mary” into the mirror three-13 times with all the lights turned off, then a spirit will show up. The spirit, who is said to be the spirit of Mary, a supposed witch in ancient times, was said to have kidnapped young girls of a village and used their blood to appear youthful. She was then tied to the stake and burned by the villagers.

After beckoning “Mary,” she will show up and take the summoner’s soul, in exchange for her own, in order to obtain a younger appearance.

Slenderman According to nytimes.com, Slenderman is tall, dark, faceless, and… slender. The urban legend of a demon that lives in the woods and preys on children started from a 2009 forum that consisted of photoshopped images of Slenderman standing around playgrounds and woods. The photoshopped posts soon turned into a story that created an uproar of video games, YouTube videos and conspiracy theories.

However, the once seemingly innocent story turned sour when two Wisconsin teens lured their friend to the woods to kill her in order to prove their loyalty to the Slenderman. The teens were charged as adults.

Afraid of ghosts?

One may believe, one may not, but there are a few ways to help cast “spirits” away from someone or something.

One of the natural ways to clear a house or building of a certain type of energy is to smudge. To do this, one must light a bundle of dried sage and then waft it around the room(s). Some words may also be expressed while doing this ritual. According to site angelsghosts.com, “This sage is cleansing out all negative energies and spirits... all negative energies and spirits must leave now through the windows and not return.”

Anne Reith, director at the Institute for Mediumship, said, “ I teach my students how to communicate with connecting with angels, guides and deceased loved ones. I focus on helping people feel completely safe when working in this field. I help them understand that we are all more powerful than anything ‘dark’ that they might encounter. I know from personal experience that if something frightening happens, then all we need to do is use our personal power to say, ‘Go away.’ Due to the Law of Free Will, they must leave, so no one ever needs to be frightened.”

wgecho.org 9

Coming Out day offers opportunities for education Trinity Madison Business/Advertisement Manager The danger of identifying as nonheterosexual is extensive, yet annually people still take the risk on Oct. 11, National Coming out Day.

Photo from lgbthistorymonth.com

LGBT History Month honors 31 icons in October.

What is Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) History Month?

Not to be confused with LGBT Pride month in June as a commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan, LGBT History Month has been celebrated every October. It started when the General Assembly of the National Education Association (NEA) inducted the month at the prompting of Missouri school teacher Rodney Wilson.

George Chauncey, Chair of the History Department at Yale University stated, “LGBT History Month sends an important message to our nation’s teachers, school boards, community leaders, and youth about the vital importance of recognizing and exploring the role of LGBT people in American history.”

Each day of the month, a different public figure from the community is named a national LGBT history month icon. Advocates teach lesson plans surrounding LGBT history. Also art exhibits, protests and parades are acted out.

While all these are great features, the star of the month is National Coming Out Day. What is Coming Out? The phrase “coming out” is common in the LGBT community.

There are pop culture references to this, arguably the most famous one being Diana Ross’ song, “I’m Coming Out.” According to the American Psychology Association (APA) website, “The phrase ‘coming out’ is used to refer to several aspects of LGBT persons’ experiences: self-awareness of same-sex attractions; the telling of one or a few people about these attractions; and identification with the LGBT community.”

Those who are self-aware of their non-heterosexuality but haven’t told anyone are often referred to as “closeted.” APA elaborated, “ LGBT people who feel they must conceal their sexual orientation report more frequent mental health concerns than do LGBT people who are more open.”

Should I come out?

Coming out can be a relief for those who feel well equipped for the process. Drama department chair, Todd Schaefer, cited being out as a source of relief for him and his partner regardless of any discrimination he’s received.

10

wgecho.org

Becoming aware of sexual feelings is a normal developmental task. In fact, experimentation and questioning of sexual attraction is most common in younger audiences. This exploration may lead people to find a label they feel comfortable with, however the timing in revealing that label is also crucial, according to the APA. Though National Coming Out Day is celebratory for some, just because there is a holiday does not mean people must come out on this day, or ever.

APA said, “The younger a person is when she or he acknowledges a nonheterosexual identity, the fewer internal and external resources she or he is likely to have. Therefore, youths who come out early are particularly in need of support from parents and others.”

LGBT people are more likely to be the victims of hate crimes than any other minority group. Many high school students still rely on their parents for needs like finances and housing. When choosing the correct time to come out, a person should think about how parents or guardians are most likely to react. If this reaction is negative, it may be best to wait until the person is ready for independence.

What are my resources?

A number of programs in the St. Louis region help youth who want more education, therapy services or even shelter.

The prominent program at WGHS is the Gender Sexuality Alliance club (GSA). Nationally, there are more than Photo by Trinity Madison 6,500 student led GSA clubs. StuAttendants of 2018 STL Pride walked dents in schools wearing American gay pride flags. with GSAs are 18 percent less likely to hear homophobic remarks in school on a daily basis.

GSA club meets every Thursday in math teacher Susan Riegel’s classroom to discuss topics and support the LGBT community through charitable works and education.

Riegel said, “[Club members] can essentially meet other members from their school that they know they will get support from.”

GSA president, senior Isabelle Blake, said, “I want to provide a space for other students who are experiencing any sort of tension revolving around their sexuality or gender identity or if they are experiencing strife at home or at school. I think it’s really important to have a space for the LGBT plus community in all education and work settings.”

Some additional supportive organizations for LGBT youth in need of help are PROMO, Youth in Need, Places for People, PFLAG, TransParent St. Louis Chapter, Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, The Spot and Saint Louis University Rainbow Alliance.

Other resources to consider at school are social worker, Ann Gibbs, psychologist Lily Hal and any trusted adults.

Feature | October 2018

A guide to voting in general elections

High school voters prepare for mid-terms Rosa Parks Social Media Manager The following guide only contains a few of the issues on the general election ballots. For more information, go to https:// www.sos.mo.gov/elections/petitions/2018BallotMeasures General elections are coming up on Nov. 3, and students 18 and over may be voting. Here is a guide to make it simpler.

In order to vote, one must be registered and bring identification, such as a non-expired drivers license, to the polling stations.

If voting with a paper ballot, one must mark individually for each candidate. If voting on an election machine, one may ask for a demonstration. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

U.S. Senate Josh Hawley-Republican, is Missouri’s current state Attorney General. Hawley’s views include the protection of the Second Amendment, pro-life and religious liberty, and fighting the opioid epidemic.

Claire McCaskill-Democrat, was the first woman elected from Missouri to the U.S. Senate. Her views on some issues include her support on legal immigration, fighting against trafficking and sexual violence, and lowering healthcare costs.

Japheth Campbell-Libertarian, has a campaign theme of “Take Back the Power.” The issues that are important to him include fair representation in elections, legalization of hemp in Missouri and options of where taxpayers can pay their taxes to.

Missouri Amendments Constitutional Amendment No.1- If passed, the state legislature will have new criteria when reapportioning legislative districts. The redistricting must be passed by 70 percent of the commissioners in order to be ratified. It will also establish more limits on the amount of money that candidates for state legislature can accept from lobbyists.

Constitutional Amendment No.3- If passed, then the constitution will be amended to allow marijuana for medical usage and create 15 percent tax on marijuana. The money raised from the tax will go towards research on cures for illnesses like cancer.

Propositions Proposition B- If passed, the minimum wage will be raised from $7.85 to $8.60 per hour. The wage will raise by 85 cents per year, and government officials will not be included in the wage increase. The consequences for not paying minimum wage will be increased. Currently, if an employee is being paid insufficient wages, he or she can file a complaint, and the business will be responsible to comprehend remaining funds.

Proposition C- If passed, Missouri will allow the use of medical marijuana under the laws of the state. Sale and consumption of marijuana for recreational usage will still be illegal and considered a federal offense. This amendment will create certain regulations for the growth of medical marijuana. This proposition will also create a 2 percent tax on the sale of medical marijuana by dispensaries. The money collected by the taxes will help fund veteran programs, drug treatment and more.

Jo Crain-Green Party, is active with the American Civil Liberties Union. She wants to support unhoused citizens and immigrant rights, and she believes that everyone should have access to a quality education.

Craig O’Dear-Independent, has a few principles, one of them being that the country comes before the party. O’Dear believes that Second Amendment rights are important but believes that background checks are necessary. He is also pro-life and believes immigration is good for America, but borders still must be intact.

U.S. House of Representatives Ann Wagner-Republican, currently holds the position of U.S. representative for Missouri’s second district. She is pro-life, proSecond Amendment, and wants stronger borders for immigration. She has also made strides against sex trafficking.

Cort Vanostran-Democrat, is an attorney and has also been involved with helping out several campaigns. He believes in creating more accessible healthcare, renewable energy, and some restrictions for the second amendment.

David Arnold-Green Party, ran for congress in 2010 but lost to Russ Carnahan. He believes in the elimination of violence, a universal basic income, and that government officials should acknowledge extraterrestrials.

Larry Kirk-Libertarian, has had job experience in law enforcement and a small business owner.

October 2018 | Feature

wgecho.org

11

Women’s tennis celebrates winning season Eleanor Marshall Print Editor

Photo by Lindsey Bennett

Freshman Molly Stevison leaves the ground to serve the ball on Sept. 24 against Rockwood Summit, where the tennis team won 5-4.

For the first time in 25 years, women’s tennis has a winning season.

“This season we took it more seriously and improved so much from the first day,” junior Izzy Heintz said.

“We ended the regular season 8-5, which is really exciting especially because we ended last season 4-11,” senior Emma Binder said. “We beat teams like Nerinx, Ursuline and Summit, and they aren’t teams we ever would have had a chance against in the past.”

“Beating Nerinx on their senior night and ours was amazing.

They had changed their lineup thinking they would easily beat us but we won,” senior Sarah Richards said.

While the whole team made it to Districts due to its successful season, Binder and Heintz made it to the semi-final round.

“Districts was a lot of fun,” Heintz said. “Emma and I got to play doubles, and we beat Nerinx in the first round to continue the next day. We lost to St. Joe and Ladue but came out in fourth place.”

Binder added the support of the team is what has made a difference this season.

“So much of tennis is mental that it’s so important to support each other, and that’s something that our team is so good about,” Binder said.

“On this team, there’s always someone cheering for you. We see a lot of teams with players who play their own match and then leave. That’s not us. We stay and support our teammates until the very end, and I think that’s something that’s really special about our team,” Binder said.

Underclassmen move to women’s golf Sectionals Lindsey Bennett Feature Editor Three underclassmen competed in the women’s golf District tournament: sophomore Anna Hauser, freshmen Jenna Clark and Sarah Ewing.

Both Clark and Hauser moved on to Sectionals.

“I am really excited to get a freshman and sophomore to experience the sectional tournament,” head coach Cory Morrison said.

A team score at the District tournament requires four golfers.

Only three were competing; Clark and Hauser had to make it to Sectionals by placing in the top 15 individually.

Clark shot 91, and Hauser shot 100.

“They played a tough course well… they are learning a lot as Varsity players their first year of golf. [I am] proud of how all three played,” Morrison said.

The District tournament took place at Quail Creek Golf Club.

The golf course is tied for the most difficult public course in the St. Louis area, according to Golf Adviser. Bunkers, narrow fair-

12

wgecho.org

ways and water hazards are just some of the challenges.

One thing that Clark attributes their success to is the team culture.

“I think we all get along pretty good. Whenever I would have a bad shot, you play with a teammate, and they pick you up and you can talk with them,” Clark said.

Assistant coach Joshua Spuhl also believes that their success partially stemmed from “the girls wanting to play well for each other.”

In the Sectionals tournament, neither Hauser or Clark moved on.

“Sectionals were very tough,” Spuhl said.

Despite the results, both coaches are optimistic about the future of the young team. This year was an opportunity for all three young players to experience a higher level.

“To be good players and students as freshmen/sophomores, they will do great things individually, but also set the tone for great leaders who join our program over the next few years as well,” Morrison said.

Sports | October 2018

Juniors perform for famed composer Sean Mullins Technology Columnist

Juniors Elizabeth Teeter and Caleb Miofsky performed in the concert “Finishing the Hat- Songs for Sondheim” for composer Stephen Sondheim during his St. Louis Literary Award acceptance ceremony on Oct. 4, at Sheldon Concert Hall.

Sondheim composed for various musicals ranging from “Sunday in the Park with George” to “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and he was a lyricist for such musicals as “West Side Story.” In addition to the Literary Award, he has received eight Tony Awards, eight Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize.

The concert consisted of students from schools across St. Louis. Both WGHS juniors had solo numbers and joined together with other acts for the grand finale, which received a standing ovation.

Teeter previously performed in shows at the Muny, Repertory Theater, and even Broadway productions in New York like “Mary Poppins” and “The Crucible,” while Miofsky performed in musical theater around St. Louis since age 10, having taken voice and acting lessons.

About performing for Sondheim, Teeter said, “It was pretty amazing to know that we got to perform for him, honor his work and all he has done, and that he would be there to witness that. It was just an honor.”

Photo by Ethan Ryan

Pulitzer prize winning composer Stephan Sondheim speaks to high school students at the Sheldon Concert Hall on Oct.

Miofsky said, “It was indescribable, I still don’t have words.

I’ve never been so nervous in my entire life, but it was also probably the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. He was so humble and so kind and so moved by all the performances. It was just a great reminder of why I do what I do and why I love it so much.”

on October 28th from 6 - 8 pm

October 2018 | Entertainment

wgecho.org 13

Josie’s Journal

Is Webster a ‘fine arts’ school?

Josie Krueger Entertainment Columnist In the summer of 2017, the auditorium had its seats replaced for the first time since it was founded in 1928. Now, an even more pertinent issue arises concerning the auditorium’s safety and functionality.

Over last summer, drama teacher Todd Schaefer’s 10-year-enduring request for an auditorium inspection was finally granted.

Not only was the inspection long overdue, but replacement of the batten system-- a system of metal poles suspended above the stage or audience from which lighting fixtures, theatrical scenery, and theater drapes and stage curtains may be hung-- is past code by an estimated 20 years.

Discussion and action by administrators and school board members needs to start in order to address this problem.

Schaefer said, “Right now, it’s a pulley system, and code for now in 2018 is it’s all hydraulics. You just push a button. People are getting hurt with the hand pulley system.”

Schaefer had no choice but to take the system down completely. According to him, until the replacement takes place, the mainstage is left with one-third of the lighting power it previously had.

This issue will affect large events like the All Write Festival, indoor graduation, mainstage plays, smaller events like class meetings and any others that depend on the school’s auditorium.

Although Schaefer said this will not prevent these events from happening, it will be a “major disadvantage” to not only drama productions which use extensive lighting effects, but to band, orchestra and choir concerts.

Webster has long considered itself a “fine arts” school district.

Principal Matthew Irvin said, “We have a community here, I think, that values the arts and cares about expression in whatever

14

wgecho.org

manifestation it is, and yet, we’re capped.”

The high school offers 54 fine art courses, many of which spend most class time preparing for their concerts in the auditorium--especially music related courses. Students involved in music or drama classes account for about 40 percent of the student body.

These students’ work is displayed at their concerts, and they deserve to have an accommodating functional lighting system so their family and friends can see them as they perform.

Irvin said, “We are not experiencing, I think, what that (auditorium) space was envisioned to be. I think we would certainly want to talk to the people who are using the space... and get their thoughts and visions of what it could be, and then it would be a matter of how the district would fund that.”

Schaefer mentioned possible solutions: “Basically, (the replacement team) will have to remove all the battens, all the cabling, all the weight systems--all of it has to come out--and they have to put a hydraulic system in.”

Another option would be a permanent batten system: “It is two permanent battens that can’t fly in and out that we can hang our lights on, and basically we’ll have our lighting from above. You can still do lights, but no flying set pieces or curtains in… I have a feeling that’s where we’re going.

“We have the architectural space for a fly system-- but we probably won’t be able to afford it.” Schaefer said.

More information on the process and price of this replacement can be determined through school board and district-wide meetings discussing the issue.

It is the administration and board’s responsibility to uphold our facilities to the proper standards and support the school’s art programs, especially with Webster Groves being such an artsfocused community.

Entertainment | October 2018

Students form bands, Beatrix Kiddo, the Jettisons Evelyn Trampe Video Editor Some students play sports, have jobs or just play musicial instruments, but others form bands like The Jettisons and Beatrix Kiddo.

The Jettisons The Jettisons consists of five juniors: Quinn Coffman (bass), Charlie Teeter (keys), Bill Harned (lead guitar), Eli Bent (rhythm guitar) and Max McArthur (drums). The group categorizes itself as an indie rock band that draws inspiration from Boy Pablo, Mac Demarco, Glass Animals and The Artic Monkeys. However, it has been working to establish a unique sound within the genre.

“We formed [The Jettisons] last year after a friend of ours joked about how Bill, Quinn and Charlie looked like they belonged in a boy band together,” Bent said.

“This led to me joining the fake band, and once we decided to become a real group, we asked Max to play drums for us,” Bent said.

“We joked about writing a song together; then we got Eli and Max and actually did it,” Coffman said.

The group had trouble thinking of a fitting band name until they saw the movie “Hidden Figures.” “[In the movie] they tell people not to jettison the retro package, and they never explain what that actually means despite making a big deal out of it,” Bent said.

“We threw lots of things out and didn’t like them...but we heard ‘jettison’...and it’s stuck so far,” Coffman said.

Photo by Greg Frazier

Juniors Quinn Coffman, Charlie Teeter, Bill Harned and Eli Bent rehearse about once a month for their band, The Jettisons.

“We have a little inside joke where I call what we play ‘BeachPump.’ It’s a genre we made up, and it doesn’t mean anything, but hopefully when you hear our songs you think, ‘yeah, that sounds like BeachPump,’” Coffman said.

The Jettisons work on developing their sound about once a month.

“Our rehearsal schedule is maybe once a month, and then once we have a show we cram a few days before the concert. We’re horrific procrastinators,” Coffman said.

“We try to learn everything, write out chords and lyrics, record clips of us playing, talk about ideas for the shows and goof around. Eventually it devolves into us giving up and getting

October 2018 | Entertainment

Photo by Greg Frazier

Beatrix Kiddo plays at Webstock on July 2, during Webster Groves Community Days.

food, but it works,” Coffman said.

This summer, the group had its first performance at Webstock and wanted to have pictures taken to promote itself.

“During one practice we had the great idea to ‘get pictures in the early morning with the sunrise.’ It seemed like a great idea.

Everyone else set an alarm for 4 a.m., and we called our friend (senior) Greg Frazier to take the pictures,” Coffman said.

“I decided it would be easier to just not go to bed, so I stay up all night, and 4 a.m. comes around. I get picked up, and we drive to Blackburn to try and position ourselves in front of the sunset.

There we are six teens in dress clothes, in the frigid morning air, instruments covered in dew, waiting in the dark for the sun to rise. It was so stupid. Turns out that it was way too cloudy to see the sun at all. We got the pics though. We shouldn’t be trusted to make plans,” Coffman said.

The Jettisons’ next performance will be Nov. 2, at the DECA sponsored Night in the Courtyard.

Beatrix Kiddo Beatrix Kiddo is an indie-alternative rock band that consists of Class of 2018 alumni Ian Thompsian (guitar and lead vocals), Terry Johnson (keyboard) and Kent Kleinshmit (drums), senior Ben Ortinau (bass and background vocals) and junior Bill Harned (keys and vocals).

“Our self written music takes cues from alternative artists such as Wilco, and we often play covers of songs from bands like Wilco, the Beatles, etc,” Kleinshmit said.

Beatrix Kiddo was formed in 2015 to perform for Webstock at the Fourth of July carnival. “[Webstock] was an amazing experience, and we all loved playing together, so we decided to keep the new band together.

We eventually added new members to become what we are today,” Kleinshmit said.

Since then the group has played at house parties and AllWrite.

According to Ortinau a typical rehearsal consists of “ Band arrives at house, set up equipment, order pizza, talk about ideas for songs, run through a few songs and play FIFA.” About any good stories the band has, Ortinau said, “Nothing worth mentioning in a school newspaper, [but something] worth mentioning: We have material in place and plan to record our first EP this winter.”

“We currently are not performing, for several members are at college, and so they aren’t here to play, but Bill Harned and myself have recently been scheming to come out with a few original recordings of our own, but you didn’t hear that from me,” Ortinau said.

wgecho.org

15

Electric Retrospective

Telltale to tell no more tales Sean Mullins Technology Columnist

Telltale Games shocked the games industry this month by announcing its closure, and while the future of its unfinished projects is uncertain, what’s more important is the future of the staff that created them.

The adventure game developer was created in 2004 by former employees of LucasArts, which was known for point-and-click adventure games like “Day of the Tentacle.” Telltale employed episodic releases for its games that gave customers a season pass, as new episodes of the story would release over time. The company’s early point-and-click games have a fair following, albeit mostly being games for smaller but relatively popular intellectual properties.

Telltale’s success began with its adaptation of “The Walking Dead,” which was hailed not only for its excellent story, but its focus on player choice. Despite having less gameplay than previous Telltale games, players could make important decisions that impact the plot, even carrying over to later installments. The success of “The Walking Dead: Season One” kickstarted the studio’s reputation, leading to other major companies seeking their partnership.

Despite critical acclaim, Telltale hasn’t transferred its praise into sales in recent years, with games like “Batman: The Enemy Within” and “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: A Telltale Series” having moderate sales that would be excellent for other developers but seriously underperforming for games with the licensing power of Marvel and DC. Those licenses come at a hefty price, meaning Telltale’s licensing success was as harmful as it was helpful.

Considering its financial issues, it makes sense that Telltale has had reports of crunch weeks and unpaid overtime, which is unfortunately and undeservedly common among game developers.

In an article by The Verge, over a dozen anonymous Telltale employees, former and current alike, were interviewed about working for the company, giving complaints such as pressure to work overtime and toxic management that avoided experimentation in favor of their repetitive ideas.

One issue employees raised was particularly telling: an overused template. While Telltale’s early games were point-and-click adventures with object puzzles, the majority of its later games played like “The Walking Dead.” Not only did the increasing lack of gameplay turn off consumers, it led to players discovering that choices provided often gave the illusion of choice ultimately leading to one outcome, which disincentivizes buying games advertised for player-impacted stories.

In a staff meeting on Sept. 21, 250 Telltale employees were spontaneously laid off as the company announced its closure, which was due to investors removing funding. Telltale layoffs are nothing new, as 90 employees laid off in Nov. 2017 were paid through the year’s end and given time to find new work, but the recent layoffs included no severance, as well as employees’ healthcare only lasting through Sept.

When Telltale’s closure went public, fans at large were primar-

16

wgecho.org

Image from Telltale Games

“The Walking Dead: Season One” put Telltale on a high pedestal, but following its formula too closely in later games led to repetition.

ily concerned with its unfinished works rather than their creators, such as the now-cancelled second season of “The Wolf Among Us.” Telltale’s partnership with Netflix is the company’s current focus, as an interactive “Minecraft: Story Mode” experience was still in development by a now-laid-off skeleton crew, though Netflix is searching for other developers to create a previously announced “Stranger Things” adaptation.

Fans were most focused on the future of “The Walking Dead,” with its Telltale adaptation being in its final season at the time.

Skybound Games was eventually announced to continue development on the final two episodes while offering former Telltale employees jobs on a contract basis, but in the weeks between the layoffs and this announcement, Telltale seeked a new company to take over after firing its employees.

Once the public became aware that Telltale’s employees were at risk in addition to the games they made, its sympathy shifted from the company to its former workers. It’s hard to think of a worse note for Telltale to end on given that it laid off most of its employees without warning or severance pay, all while it looked for a last-minute replacement to finish any projects that weren’t canceled.

Telltale employees are just as outraged as the public, with some even believing the sudden layoffs violate California labor laws. A class action complaint by former employee Vernie Roberts, Jr., states that the WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act requires notice of mass layoffs 60 days in advance, with those filing the lawsuit seeking 60 days of wages and benefits for all affected employees.

While its stated explanation is investor disinterest, Telltale’s downfall was due to horrible treatment of employees to the bitter end. By stifling employees’ innovation and mental health, mismanagement doomed Telltale, not helped by applying the “Walking Dead” formula to popular properties. To prevent other developers from doing the same, the games industry must learn from this situation and prioritize creators before their creations, or as Telltale’s saying goes, “remember this.”

Visit the Electric Retrospective blog at https://electricretrospective.wordpress.com/ for gaming news, reviews, and editorials. New posts release every Tuesday.

Entertainment | October 2018