The Echo is a monthly publication of the newspaper staff of Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Ave., 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.
Seniors Carl Whitehead, Jr., and Raegan McCoy celebrate after winning Friendship Court. The annual Friendship Dance was hosted by Kirkwood High School on Saturday, Nov. 2, with students from both Kirkwood and Webster in attendance. Photo by Micah McCoy.
Cover made in Canva by Margaret Korte
theecho
Principal retires from Webster after six years
Nationally ranked freshman to play on varsity basketball
Jazz band performs with member of ‘The Urge’
Editorial: Results of the 2024 election threaten democracy, minority rights
Football players prepare for Turkey Day on new field
Op-Ed: The fight for abortion rights is not over
November word search
High school holds annual Veteran’s Day celebration
November trivia
Principal retires from Webster after six years
Margaret Korte Print/Podcast Editor
Principal Matt Irvin announced his retirement to the district through ParentSquare on Oct. 14, after working at WGHS for six years.
Before working at Webster, Irvin worked at multiple schools, including Kirkwood, MICDS and Lindbergh.
“I’m well traveled,” Irvin said of his career. “My background’s in social studies, but I did get certified in P.E. and taught some P.E. towards the end of my teaching career.”
According to Irvin, his decision came from a combination of different reasons. His daughter is graduating high school, and his son is graduating college at the end of the year, as well as the fact that he meets the age requirement.
As principal, Irvin said he is proud of what he has been able to accomplish with the staff and students. “It’s the people, really. Working with Dr. Simpson, our school board, our teachers in the building, our kids and students we’ve gotten the chance to work with,” Irvin said.
Irvin said one of his proudest moments as principal was during COVID. “I happened to be here during all the pandemic machinations, and I think we really pulled together and pulled through in a way that I’m very proud of what our school did at that time.”
Assistant to the principal Mickey Erb echoed that the school’s handling of the pandemic was an important part of Irvin’s role at Webster.
“He was here during the pandemic, and that was a huge weight for anybody to carry, and I think he was able to really keep students first and redesign how they learn in a very big time of uncertainty,” Erb said.
Superintendent John Simpson said as principal, Irvin “has al-
ways put the well-being of his students at the center of his decision-making, and he’s been uncompromising in that.”
“I think the educational programs and offerings at the school are significantly better than they had been [before Irvin],” Simpson said. He pointed out Irvin’s work on the Chelsea Center, the Frick Initiative and the way staff is recognized by students.
As for six years ago, Simpson said Irvin’s strength in both leadership and classroom roles were largely what got him the job, and have impacted his position as principal since.
“Having somebody that was a building-level leader that was strong on the teaching and learning side, he demonstrated that he knew high-quality teaching and learning,” Simpson said. “He had a lot of leadership skills that were either learned or natural to him. He had served in a number of different leadership capacities, both in schools and otherwise, that I was confident would transfer to his ability to lead the school.”
Simpson said Irvin has “a willingness to grow and learn,” which the district is looking for in hiring a new principal.
Erb said Irvin has made a lot of good changes to the school.
“I really love that he has a great vision for Webster Groves High School, and he’s done very thoughtful research into redesigning our education here to meet current educational trends.”
According to Erb, hiring the new superintendent will be the main focus before a new principal is selected.
“[The district is looking for] somebody that’s going to be humble enough to bring to a group of students: here’s the issue that we’re going to solve, here’s the issue that we’re wrestling with, what are your thoughts related to it?” Simpson said.
Overall, according to Simpson, the new WGHS principal should have a “collaborative approach”: someone who puts students first, an ability to adapt and be flexible and be able to consult with students as well as parents and teachers.
The essential question, Simpson said, is “Who’s that best person to take where we are and help us move forward?”
“I wish him all the best in his next chapter, and like every other hire in our school district, we’re always looking to find somebody who will be great and take us forward from where we are,” Simpson said. “Don’t ever look to stay static, don’t ever look to go backwards, always looking to go forwards.”
Nationally ranked freshman to play on varsity basketball
Sam Enlund Social Media/Sports Editor
Freshman
Miles Simpson tried out for the basketball team, and on Wednesday, Nov. 6, learned he made the men’s Varsity basketball team.
About the Webster basketball tryout process, Simpson said, “It was fun. The energy was high, everybody was competing. It was just good all around. Everybody was going at it with each other, just trying to make the team.”
Now as the season begins, the team has started practices in preparation for its first game on Friday, Dec. 6.
On the topic of team dynamics, Simpson said, “{the connection is} really good. I’m cool with everybody. We are all like a brotherhood together.”
About Simpson, teammate and senior Brady Schuettpelz said, “I think he’s blended with the team well. He brings a lot of energy and we’re really tight knit,
and he’s going to do well in that aspect, and he’s really close with everybody on the team. The chemistry has been good so far.”
Schuettpelz also said, “I think the way we get along off the court helps us on the court with our team dynamic. We all get along and we respect one another, and it just helps when we can bring a lot of energy.”
Simpson started playing basketball when he was only three years old, going from playing travel basketball to now playing as a freshman on Varsity. He first became interested in basketball because of his dad who played in high school.
Simpson described how his favorite part of the sport was simply just competing and how no matter who he is playing, if he loses a game he will be upset and disap-
pointed in the loss.
Simpson also explained how his favorite person to practice with is his dad. His dad is his biggest motivator and pushes him to be better every day. Simpson described that relationship and said, “He pushes me very hard, like he’ll never just tell me I’m good. He’s my biggest fan, but also my biggest hater at the same time.”
Alongside basketball at Webster, Simpson also played travel basketball. He said, “For a while I was unknown but then this past eighth grade season I went and played on the UIBL circuit. I got my name out there and became one of the top kids in my class.”
Currently, on the “National High School Boys Basketball 2028 Player Rankings” by Prep Hoops, Simpson is ranked fourth in the nation. His ranking is out of the boy’s class of 2028 and is the only athlete from Missouri listed in the top 25.
Simpson has four division one college offers including offers from Austin Peay, Mizzou, St. Louis University, and Southeast Missouri State.
Freshman Miles Simpson participates in the men’s Varsity basketball’s media day on Friday, Nov. 15. The team has practiced since its tryouts on Wednesday, Nov. 6, in preparation for its first game on Friday, Dec. 6.
Photos by Sam Cashel
Jazz Band performs with member of ‘The Urge’
Jasper Winterton Feature Editor
“I want to thank our school and community personnel for supporting us. We live in a cool little town that embraces the arts, and we always hope we’re being good stewards of jazz.” Kevin Cole, music teacher and jazz band director, said via email.
The jazz band performed at The Grandel with special guest Steve Ewing, member of St. Louis-based band The Urge on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 6-8 p.m. Tickets could be bought online at MetroTix and are $20 a person.
This isn’t the first time that the band has done a collaboration.
Cole said the band has “Toured and performed with Grammy winners and some of the leading musicians and educators in the jazz world. We’ve played for local, national and international audiences, and now that we have alumni who are ‘on the scene,’ we’re even lucky enough to get to play with our own former students.”
eclectic mix of punk, reggae, hip hop and ska, and sent a sonic shockwave from the Midwest that can still be felt to this day.”
Woodfin added, “(Ewing) was very personable and easy to work with. Finally getting to rehearse with him made everything we’ve been working on fall into place, since we got to feel how our parts interacted with Steve’s singing.”
She mentioned that her parents are big fans of The Urge, so growing up listening to Ewing’s music makes the experience especially cool.
Ewing is a 1988 WGHS graduate, and Cole added, “He’s a great artist, entrepreneur and person. He is definitely someone who ‘gives back’ to the community, and we have talked for years about a collaboration like this. I felt like he’d do a great job handling Ray Charles’s music, and I hope people enjoy what we’re doing.”
Molly Woodfin, senior, has been a member of the band since the beginning of her sophomore year, playing tenor saxophone.
Woodfin said via messages, “Preparation for the performance has been similar to that of our other concerts, but since the music isn’t super challenging Mr. Cole
really emphasizes listening to the original tracks so we can sound as authentic (similar to Ray’s band) as possible in terms of style.”
Ewing’s official website describes him as, “the golden voice behind the seven piece powerhouse The Urge.” The Urge created a lasting impact on the community, as the website includes that “Formed in high school back in late 80’s, The Urge took their
Cole said, “Jazz band includes anyone in the band program who reads music (at least at a basic level) and will have good attendance at rehearsals. In the case of guitar, bass and piano, we take students outside of the band (since traditional band programs don’t feature those instruments.)”
CAUSE
Photo provided by Kevin Cole
Editorial: Results of 2024 election threaten
Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump faced off on Nov. 5, in the 2024 presidential election. Trump won with 312 electoral votes.
Both parties fought hard in their campaign to win battleground states and minority support using their unique characteristics. They each held rallies in swing states and other potentially important states.
During his rallies, Trump made several threatening comments like, “I would bring back waterboarding” during a 2017 rally, and “Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath, for the whole – that’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for this country” during a rally in March, according to U.S. News.
According to The Daily Beast and Forbes news, Trump even suggested creating an annual night where all crime is legal, identical to the concept in the horror movie series, “The Purge.”
In addition, Trump threw a bizarre dance party at a Pennsylvania rally, where he “stood there frozen in a 40-minute K-hole, waving his arms to the music. Lurching side to side, eyes glazed over, shaky on his feet, dazed and confused,” according to Rolling Stone.
gia, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. NBC News rated all these seven states a “Toss Up,” meaning “these races are the most competitive with either party having a good chance of winning.”
Trump’s sweep in the battleground states was a disappointing loss for the Democratic party, especially after its stellar performance in the 2020 election.
In the 2020 election, Biden won all seven of the key battleground states, finishing with 306 electoral college votes. However, there was extreme pushback from the Trump Campaign, as they believed it was “fraud on the American Public,” and that “we [Trump] did win this election,” according to ABC News.
In turn, this led to what the FBI classified as a “domestic terrorist attack” by Trump supporters on Jan. 6, 2021, the day when the electoral votes were officially counted in Congress.
“He’s [Trump’s] embarrassing, like we elected this idiot,” -Chase Curtis
“This is a 40-minute mess that future historians will study frame-byframe like the Zapruder film, to figure out how America went so wrong,” Rolling Stone added.
However, these bizarre occurrences did not dissuade voters, as Trump did win the election, along with all seven battleground states.
The seven key battleground states in this election were Geor-
“‘Apparently when anyone votes against him, it’s an act of theft,’” Ted Cruz, a Republican Texas Senator, said about Trump in 2016 when Cruz was running against him in the Republican primaries.
Trump’s claims of election fraud have continued throughout the Biden-Harris administration term.
In addition, he has made other concerning comments in his campaign for the 2024 election. This includes when asked by Sean Hannity during a Fox News interview if he could assure the American public that he would not “abuse power as retribution against anyone,” and he responded “Except for Day one,”
threaten democracy, minority rights
where he vowed to “close the border and drill, drill, drill.”
Not only did Trump make concerning comments throughout his rallies, but his running mate was also quite controversial.
This controversy was due in part to the fact that Vance has been a strong critic of Trump.
According to CNN, back in 2016 Vance sent a private message to a friend saying, “I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical a**hole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler. How’s that for discouraging?”
Also Vance “liked tweets that said Trump committed ‘serial sexual assault,’ called him ‘one of USA’s most hated, villainous, douchy celebs,’ and harshly criticized Trump’s response to the deadly 2017 White nationalist rally in Charlotteville, VA,” in a now-deleted tweet, CNN added.
survey.
Conversely, “More than half of men under 30 supported Trump over Harris,” the Associated Press added.
Although Trump had a whopping 34 felony convictions, it did not prevent more than half these men from voting for him.
This election held more historical significance with the extreme controversy that surrounded it.
An anonymous teacher said, “This is only the second time in U.S. history where there is a woman on the ballot for president, and this is also only the second time that a former president, who lost the election for a second term, is on the ballot again for a main party.”
Unfortunately, the controversies and lies that emerged from the Trump campaign were not enough to discourage people from voting for him.
Still some men do not support him.
Chase Curtis, junior, said, “He’s [Trump’s] embarrassing, like we elected this idiot,” and the outcome of the election is overall embarrassing for Americans.
Curtis said he is concerned for minorities as Trump’s personal agenda and Project 2025, threaten their constitutional rights.
Curtis added Trump might not do much while in office due to his age and mental decline, explaining that Trump’s threats don’t necessarily mean much in regards to his actual plans, or as stated by Trump, his “concepts of a plan.”
Harris, meanwhile, had a solid agenda: reducing inflation, raising taxes on big corporations, protecting abortion rights, tackling the border crisis and working to fight climate change.
If elected, Harris would have not only fought against the issues plaguing America, but she would have also protected both minority rights and democracy.
The very fabric of the nation has been threatened by the results of this election.
“This is only the second time in U.S. history where there is a woman on the ballot for president, and this is also only the second time that a former president, who lost the election for a second term, is on the ballot,” -Anonymous teacher
Trump has made it abundantly clear that not only does he not care about democracy, or one’s rights. His offensive remarks and 34 felony convictions did not sway voters shows the grim reality of American beliefs.
“Harris had the advantage among women, winning 53% to Trump’s 46%, but that margin was somewhat narrower than President Joe Biden’s in 2020,” according to an Associated Press
One should fear for democracy, for individual rights, and for individual freedoms.
Graphics made in Canva
Football Players prepare for Turkey Day on new field
Sam Enlund Social Media/Sports Editor
Webster Groves football will host the Turkey Day game this year on Thanksgiving. The last Turkey Day game at Webster was in 2022, and this year’s game will be the first on the new field.
With the construction of Moss Field having finished in August, Webster has been able to utilize the new field, and with Thanksgiving coming up, Webster will get to host Turkey Day on the brand new field for the first time.
to see the legacy he is a part of and how far back the tradition goes with all of the
our job to like to keep that ours and not let anybody else show up and walk all over us.”
Senior Patrick Brown described how his favorite part of Turkey Day is getting
Webster Alum that show up for the game. About playing on the new field, Brown said, “Really excited… I mean, we all know what went into that, and so now it’s
Senior Sean Keagen said, “I feel really good about it, and I feel like it’s gonna bring a lot more people to the game then it has in the past few years. I feel like it’s gonna be really special.”
Senior Carl Whitehead Jr. described how he is very excited for it being on the new field and feels like there will be a lot of people there this year.
Turkey Day is a unique tradition on its own, but this year is made even more special by a brand new field. Seniors like Brown, Keagen and Whitehead are excited to get to play on the field for Turkey Day which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 28.
Webster players line up during 2023 Turkey Day Game.
Photo by Karson Bluette
Op-Ed: The fight for abortion rights is not over
Margaret Korte Print/Podcast Editor
Missourians voted, “Yes,” on Amendment 3: a reversal on the state’s abortion ban and a constitutional right to reproductive freedoms.
The amendment guarantees citizens the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health, only banning abortions after fetal viability, the stage in which a fetus could survive outside of the womb.
This outcome makes Missouri one of the first to overturn an abortion ban through vote, and the amendment will be effective starting Dec. 5. It’s a huge step towards securing reproductive rights—but it’s not over yet.
The amendment was added to the ballot through petition, started by the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, and there was backlash from the beginning. Before the election, lawmakers attempted, including filing four lawsuits, to keep the amendment off the ballot and alter the system to keep Amendment 3 from being voted on.
Missouri has a history of being largely pro-life: it was the first state to make abortion illegal after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, and many of its top lawmakers have taken anti-abortion stances. Missouri’s current abortion policy is a ban in all cases, excluding medical emergencies, but no exceptions for rape or incest. The state also operates under TRAP (Targeted Restrictions on Abortion Providers) laws.
These and other pro-life laws will have to be challenged in court before the amendment can override them, which Missourians for Constitutional Freedom plan to fight for “soon.” Less than 24 hours after the amendment was passed, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against some of Missouri’s restrictive abortion laws.
However, the passage of the amendment did not eliminate its critics, or those who have tried to invalidate it. Many of these are lawmakers or government officials, who speak against the choice voters have made.
Missouri Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman posted on social media that she would “do everything in my power” to make sure abortion will be on the ballot again: “This won’t be the last time Missourians vote on so-
called ‘reproductive rights.’” This discredits the decision Missouri made and voted for.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey will be the one to interpret the language of the amendment and could sway its meaning to align more closely with conservative ideas.
In addition to Missouri’s largely anti-abortion government, the federal government will be largely Republican come January. While President-elect Donald Trump has expressed differing stances on abortion (saying he wouldn’t sign a ban, while at other times saying he would support one), it is likely that a Trump administration wouldn’t be extremely pro-choice.
Trump appointed the Supreme Court judges who overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, a fact he has bragged about before. His vice president, JD Vance, has said he would be in support of limiting abortion access across the country.
Therefore, while the amendment has been passed, it by no means guarantees reproductive rights—at least, not yet. Many lawmakers and government officials, as well as anti-abortion activists, are still fighting to keep abortions from being performed and to silence the decision the state has voted on.
The passage of Amendment 3 is not the end of the journey, but rather a step in the right direction. Missourians have spoken; they want their reproductive rights: but in a state whose government disagrees with its people, they are going to have to be the ones to make sure the amendment is put into effect.
Missourians can’t simply sit back and expect their government to accurately represent their vote. They will have to be a part of the process, making sure their voices are heard.
People line up for early voting at the St. Louis County Library. Amendment 3 passed 51.6% of the vote.
Photo by Donald Johnson
High school holds annual Veteran’s Day celebration
Ali Schulz Editor-in-Chief
Webster held its annual Veterans’ Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 4. There was a ceremony in the morning to honor veterans, and in the afternoon veterans shared their stories in students’ history classes.
According to the U.S. department of federal affairs, Veterans’ Day is “a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Nearly all the veterans who attend the high school’s celebration had some sort of tie to Webster. While some were alumni, many had children or grandchildren who had gone to or currently attend Webster. The veterans traveled from across the St. Louis area and beyond to be recognized by Webster.
A lot of preparation went into the celebration. History teachers began planning the celebration a year in advance, and they discussed themes, dates and responsibilities. Then, they began recruiting veterans to come. This year, 48 veterans showed up to be recognized.
According to history teacher Michael Weber, “The day started with a special breakfast for the veterans, where they
enjoyed coffee, egg casserole, and catching up with each other. After breakfast, all the first-hour Social Studies classes gathered in Roberts Gym for the assembly. The veterans were treated to performances by the orchestra and choir, a flag ceremony, and special readings and poems presented by students.”
Choir and orchestra both contributed to the ceremony this year, and “the day wouldn’t be complete without them,” Weber added.
After the cere mony, the veterans traveled to history classrooms to share their stories. The veterans served in everything from the Vietnam War to the Iraq War. They had a range of dif ferent jobs. While some handled con trols and commu nications in government facilities, others participated in combat.
most notable stories she heard was about a veteran who “was a helicopter pilot running evacuations from Saigon, Vietnam, the day the U.S. withdrew from Vietnam, effectively ending the Vietnam War. He was a crucial component of a historical event that we learn/teach about in history classes. It was incredible to hear that he was there on that day.”
On the importance of holding this celebration, Weber said “Veterans’ Day is important because it gives us a chance to pause and honor the men and women who have served in our military. It’s a way to show gratitude for their sacrifices and the role they’ve played in protecting our freedoms.”
“Beyond that, it’s an opportunity to learn from their stories, connect different generations, and remind ourselves of the values and responsibilities that come with being part of a community. It’s not just about looking back—it’s about carrying their lessons forward,” Weber said.
According to history teacher Alison Bryar, one of the
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Veterans salute during the Veterans’ Day Opening Ceremonies Nov. 4, in Roberts Gym.
