May 2012 Globe

GLOBE

83.8

NEWSMAGAZINE MAY 2012

The Places

You’ll Go

!

NEW BEGINNING (08)

CAT AND MOUSE (18)

THE LOSOS LEGACY (45)

GLOBE Volume 83 . Issue 8

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contents

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UPFRONT Representative Stacey Newman speaks during the “Don’t Say Gay” rally.

JESSICA JANCOSE

REVIEW The Patio Café is a newly opened cafe in Clayton that is full of sandwiches and surprises.

ARYA YADAMA

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FEATURE Sara Bailey, a local high schooler with Down syndrome, starts her own bread making business.

JONATHAN SHUMWAY

CURTAIN CALL David Iken shares his unique and moving experience in Israel and Poland.

KATHERINE REN

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PLAY BY PLAY

Jeremy Phillips looks forward to playing baseball in college.

PETER BAUGH

PLAY BY PLAY Three freshmen start early by playing on the varsity girls’ soccer team.

CHARLOTTE REED

get creative.

THE GLOBE CAPTION CONTEST

LAST MONTH’S WINNER “Who will be pushed to their limit first?”

-Ali Rangwala (12)

SUBMIT YOUR AMUSING CAPTION AT CHSGLOBE.COM

2011-2012 STAFF Editor in Chief Noah Eby Senior Managing Editors Laura Bleeke Jackie Leong Zach Praiss Section Editors Jake Bernstein Caitlin Kropp Jocelyn Lee Meredith McMahon Sarah Tait

Editors David Androphy Lauren Friedman Caroline Greenberg Jack Holds Jake Lee Shuyang Li Eudora Olsen Sri Panth Katherine Ren Parker Schultz Shiori Tomatsu Anna Williams Arya Yadama Distribution Editor Jonathan Shumway

Advertising Editor Dylan Schultz Web Editors Appi Sharma Dan Zheng Sri Panth Head Copy Editor Maria Massad Graphics Editor Dee Luo Photo Editor Paul Lisker

Reporters Peter Baugh Abraham Bluestone Rachel Bluestone Chris Cho Neil Docherty Emma Ehll-Welply Jeffrey Friedman Aidan Hayward Jessica Jancose Jon Knohl Nina Murov Steven Paster Charlotte Reed Adam Schultz Peter Shumway Richard Simon

Christopher Sleckman Steven Zou Photographers Grace Cohen Anna DiFelice Madeleine Fleming Lewis Grant Lauren Indovino Olivia MacDougal Regine Rosas Thalia Sass Dana Schwartz Andrea Stiffelman Rebecca Stiffelman Emma Vierod Willie Wysession

Artists Taylor Gold Nicole Indovino Jasmine Raskas Zoe Curry Business Manager David Behrend Adviser Erin Castellano

The Globe Newsmagazine exists to inform, entertain, persuade, and represent the student voice at CHS. All content decisions are made by the student editorial staff, and the Globe is an entirely self-funded publication. Not every story that our reporters write is published in the print newsmagazine. Visit www.chsglobe.com for additional stories and photos, and for more information about the Globe itself. For more information about advertising and subscriptions, please contact our office: Clayton High School Globe 1 Mark Twain Circle Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 854-6668 Fax: 854-6734 globe@clayton.k12.mo.us

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MASTHEAD

EDITOR’S LETTER

Staff Photo

LOOKING TO THE HORIZON

As graduation nears, the future of Clayton seems as uncertain as ever.

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n the August issue of The Globe, I wrote about how this school year seemed somehow different. There was an unusually profound sense of change, a simultaneous unease and excitement. Venerated teachers and coaches had departed, new staff had joined the community, and the building itself had been transformed.

Nine months later, the future of Clayton is no less uncertain. Almost comically, the interim superintendent introduced an interim principal earlier this month as Dr. Louise Losos resigned (page 8). The District’s budget crisis looms large on the horizon, with programs, services and staff positions in jeopardy. Meanwhile, technology specialist and GSA sponsor David Hoffman, band icon Charles Blackmore and familiar face Neil Cerrato will soon say their final goodbyes (page 11).

The Clayton of today may be very different from the Clayton that I visit during college breaks, or the Clayton that I come to for high school reunions. Change is necessary, change is good – but I worry that the changes here may not be for the better.

That said, my 13 years in the District have been remarkable. I will always remember Field Day and weighty words at Meramec; Immigra-

tion Day and Sixth Grade Camp at Wydown; the author project and homecoming decorating at CHS. Clayton is special to me because of its remarkable trust in students, its commitment to developing both character and intellect and, most of all, its phenomenal teachers.

I, and The Globe as a whole, have criticized many aspects of the District. But it is important to acknowledge that, no matter how much we gibe and ridicule, Clayton is exceptional.

The people within the District – the teachers, the administrators, the support staff and the students themselves – form the core of a community that is unique, a community that I have been lucky enough to call home.

I hope it is not these parts of Clayton that change in the coming years.

I hope students ignore the garish posters hanging in the Commons – it is not ACT scores and National Merit semifinalists that make Clayton special. When real excellence and passion are drowned out rather than complemented by test scores, Clayton is no longer unique.

I hope Clayton stays fearless. Learning from other high-performance districts is great, but Clayton should not shy away from pursuing what our community values, despite educational trends or the latest book by a Harvard

professor. That means maintaining Clayton’s commitment to the humanities and the arts, continuing the programs that form the foundation of the Clayton experience (such as conferenced English) and retaining the VST program.

In a way, I hope that Clayton changes without changing Clayton. New faces and new buildings are inevitable as time passes, but the underlying philosophies should persist. Trust, rigor and passion should be the mold around which new policies and plans are implemented.

In a time of flux such as this, I can only be certain of my own experiences: my own memories of laughter and camaraderie in the Globe office, of focus and adrenaline on Field 7, of fascination and curiosity in the classroom. My 13 years in the School District of Clayton have been special, they have been unique. That much will never change. 

NOAH EBY EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITOR’S LETTER

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PANORAMA

IT’S OK TO SAY GAY Senior Nadia Diamond, copresident of the GSA, speaks for a crowd at a rally against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The rally was held on May 3 to protest the bill that would make it illegal for school employees to discuss sexual orientation with students outside of the health class setting.

More about the “Don’t Say Gay” rally on pg. 12

Photograph by Erin Castellano

UPFRONT

Interim Principal Dan Gutchewsky works diligently to fill the shoes of former principal Louise Losos. (Olivia MacDougal)

A NEW BEGINNING

Moving forward after the controversial exit of Principal Louise Losos.

JACKIE LEONG

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t all began Monday, April 9, with the earlymorning announcement that the Clayton population was soon well-versed in. Louise Losos, CHS principal, began what was then termed an “indefinite” leave of absence, and which later morphed into a controversial resignation in the midst of all manner of rumor and speculation.

“Please, refrain from speculating,” Assistant Principal—now Interim Principal—Dan Gutchewsky finished over the PA system that morning. The words went only partly heeded.

And so Gutchewsky began working a double job, balancing and merging two full calendars, and settling into the precarious position as the acting head of the school. He set about making himself open and available in an attempt to smooth the transition, and in Losos’s place, attended most student functions just as she would have done, from games to concerts.

It went, he said, better than he had hoped.

Part of that is due to the fact that Gutchewsky has been in the District for 11 years to date, and the other portion is just familiarity with the routine: Gutchewsky had also stepped in when Losos took medical leave during a battle with breast cancer.

“Nothing was completely foreign,” he said, “though these days I don’t see my wife and 4-year-old so much.”

It is, he noted, the “toughest time of year”

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UPFRONT

for such an occurrence. Students are in the act of wrapping the year to a close while administrators are in the act of planning the next, and with that comes quite a lot of work.

But a large portion of his concerns stemmed from the curious population—students, staff and parents alike. During the period of Losos’ active leave, it was not the students who openly inquired about details of the situation, but teachers. That was logical, he said.

“On a day-to-day basis, the principal doesn’t really impact students’ lives,” Gutchewsky said.

“The leave was more unsettling to the faculty—uncertainty is always unsettling—because Losos was more of a coworker to them. So the faculty was a lot more direct [in inquiring].”

Nearly a month later, Losos’ official resignation came at the Clayton population suddenly from all directions: the night of the news, the District had sent an email out to faculty and a press release to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, both of which reached most Clayton families the next morning, Saturday May 6. The latter took the form of a news story that was soon reiterated by other online newspapers from Kansas City to New York.

“That Friday [the day of resignation] I got a call from Sharmon Wilkinson, asking if we could talk,” Gutchewsky said. “That’s when I found out.”

It was also when his own role was redefined: though Losos’s resignation does not take effect until June 30, Gutchewsky was named Interim Principal for the remainder of the year, as well

as following the 2012-13 school year.

In the meantime, settlements have been made quickly, the terms of which include the District providing $140,000 and a letter of recommendation—but which restrict her from taking legal action against the District.

Speculation has been as much of an issue as it was weeks ago in early April, but Gutchewsky noted that many simply “assume those who are higher up know the truth.” And even if that were the case, he said, there is a difference between what he calls “need to know” versus “want to know.” His main issue is, however, the fact that many popular rumors, including the allegations that Losos set up a false Facebook profile under the name ‘Suzy Harriston,’ have inadvertently become “perceived as truth” because of their pervasiveness.

“We’re in shock mode, still,” he said, “but I’m trying to keep continuity and move forward.

Everyone has really stepped up in her absence.

Other administrators are doing other jobs that aren’t normally theirs. I’m impressed with both the students and faculty—they’ve been keeping perspective despite the distractions.”

His goal is to, as he put it, make the end of the year as normal as possible.

“It’s hard,” he said. “Losos was a good administrator, and a great mentor for me. It’s hard because she’s a friend, and I hope that we remember her for those good things.”

And so life at CHS has continued, albeit with a few bumps and starts. But for the most part, for Gutchewsky life is “business as usual.” 

GOING VIRAL A record-high 29 incoming juniors are taking on the AP Bio/Chem class.

SHIORI TOMATSU

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ext year, 35 students are signed up for the AP Biology and AP Chemistry combined class. Surprisingly, of them are incoming juniors.

“I think Mrs. Laz and I were both surprised by the large number of students who want to challenge themselves with two AP sciences,” AP Chemistry teacher Nathan Peck said. “I guess we must have numerous smart students who love science.”

Chemistry teacher Mike Howe, however, did not seem surprised with the number of sophomores signed up for the combined course.

“Many students at CHS want to learn all they can, and enjoy challenges,” Howe said. “Additionally, the format of two science courses offered in a three hour block makes scheduling more feasible.”

According to sophomore Julia Tomasson, this is one of the main reasons she decided to take on the challenge.

“I think this class will be really good as a way to reinforce my science learning and I want to be able to learn more in depth in a more challenging course,” Tomasson said.

For sophomore Laura James, the challenge is something she is willing to deal with, but she plans to take this course in order to better understannd the science course she plans to take her senior year.

“I’m planning on taking this course not only because I’m sure I will find both of the classes very interesting and fun but also because I am preparing myself to take AP Physics,” James said. “If I want to take AP Physics my senior year, it would be very beneficial to take these classes to better understand all of the components that make up these different fields of science.”

Of course, this is not a track that students should underestimate.

“It’s a lot of work and the course materials are difficult,” Peck said. “You have to be a smart, diligent, motivated, organized and hard-working student throughout the entire school year.”

Howe agreed with Peck about the workload.

“Students who choose to follow this path should be highly motivated, enjoy learning and able cope with stress,” Howe said.

Sophomore Noah Youkilis sees the amount of work as a challenge.

AP Biology teacher Sally Lazaroff stands confident even as next year’s AP Biology and AP Chemistry combined class will be the largest in school history. (William Wysession) “What we’ll be learning is hard, but I’m more prior knowledge on the subjects than the work concerned with how much homework I’m going load.” to have,” Youkilis said.

Sophomore Addison Leong also thought Tomasson also believes that homework will through it, and saw that it was worth it. be an issue.

“The benefits Students who choose to follow this outweighed the im“I’m nervous path should be highly motivated, enjoy pending idea of not for the workload,” Tomasson learning and able cope with stress. having a social life in said. “I value my the sense that I will free time.” be more prepared Nathan Peck for a similarly tough However, most sophoAP Chemistry Teacher class such as AP mores took that Physics,” Leong said. into account and signed up anyway.

Sophomore Olivia MacDougal sees this as a Sophomore Adam Zoll sees it as worthwhile good way to explore the sciences. experience despite the challenging homework.

“This class, although demanding, will help “While there may be a lot of work, I’m usu- me figure out a career path I might want to ally up for a challenge,” Zoll said. “I care more take,” MacDougal said. “I just love chemistry about learning the material and expanding my and biology.”  UPFRONT

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PRINCIPAL’S PASSION isa Jackson-Terry is an enthusiastic teacher with a love for learning. Recently appointed the Meramec Elementary School principal, she sat down with the Globe’s Rachel Bluestone to discuss her view of the Clayton School District and what she hopes to accomplish while at Meramec.

You worked as a principal in the Ferguson-Florissant School District for the last few years. What was your outside opinion of the Clayton School District? ........................................

What is your favorite attribute of the Clayton School District as a whole? ..........................................

I think Meramec is an extension of the greater Clayton community and there is this very strong sense of community here that’s a really inclusive. There’s a focus on really embracing everyone, regardless [of] the differences that come to the table. There is a real value of each individual, and what they represent at the table.

That’s what really strengthens the community.

I have noticed that Clayton has continued to grow [and] move forward in a very exciting way that’s very positive.

Before you worked for the Ferguson-Florissant School District, you worked for the Clayton School District. What was your opinion of Clayton while you were working here?

Do you have a message you’d like to tell the parents of Meramec students? .......................................

.....................................

It’s the strong sense of community, the strong relationship piece, the embracing of diversity that I think is so important. I think it’s reflective of what the goals are of our greater world. I think the other thing that I really appreciated and am excited about is that here in Clayton there is an understanding of education for lifelong learning that transcends boundaries on education to necessarily stay here, but we want to ensure the students are ready to go anywhere in the world.

What is your favorite part about Meramec? Why? .......................................

I think that at the heart of what excites me the most is the opportunity to serve students.

It’s a passion. I often tease in this day where it’s so much fun to play with words that I am actually a passionista about my practice because I love what I do. And I remember when I interviewed here years ago sharing with Dr. Lieberstein and Dr. Lori Geismar-Ryan that when you love your work, it’s not work. It’s play.

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UPFRONT

One of the things that I’ve learned in education is that it’s very important to include students as stakeholders in the learning process.

It’s very important to support students in setting their own goals [and] revisiting their goals.

That is the message I want to send. It’s that when you dream, dream big. [When] you dream, dream bold.

Courtesy of Karen McBride

What are your hobbies outside of work? ........................................

I love to read and I love to write. I love spending time with my family. In that, I usually love to dive into my work and become very self absorbed in it, but I am aware that it is very important to come up and spend time with family.

Is there anything you would like to add? .......................................

I’m really very excited and appreciative of the opportunity to be joining a phenomenal team that really endeavors to embrace each and every member of the community. I think that’s very important. 

Educational Technologist David Hoffman helps junior Rachel Han with a computer question. Hoffman will retire at the end of this year. (Caroline Greenberg)

MORE THAN 2GB OF LASTING MEMORIES

After a decade of working at CHS, David Hoffman retires from being the “Tech Guy.” JOCELYN LEE

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hen CHS educational technologist David Hoffman first began his teaching career in 1980, there were no computers in the classroom. After spending nine years teaching fourth and sixth grade in Mason City, Ill., he moved to St. Louis and started as a fourth grade teacher at Captain Elementary. Within a couple of years, the school’s technology specialist had retired, so Hoffman went to talk to the school principal about getting the job.

“I was really interested in it, so she gave me the job,” Hoffman said. “I’ve since went back and got a degree in computer science and education, and I’ve been doing that ever since. It’s just a real interest of mine, and it’s fun to work at a job that you like. I’ve had the pleasure of doing that for a long time now.”

Hoffman moved to CHS in 2002 and has seen the role of technology change dramatically in the last 10 years.

“Getting to always explore the new technology has been great,” he said. “When I started, even at the high school, we didn’t have teacher laptops yet. We only had, I think, one computer lab.”

Beyond his great interest in technology, Hoffman also finds his work with extracurricular activities rewarding.

“I’ve been GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) sponsor for about the past five or six years, and that’s

been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done “One thing about being a teacher in Clayton in my career,” Hoffman said. “I’m really going to is you can’t just relax where you are and say ‘I’ve miss that.” learned enough,’” Hoffman said. “You have to He added that he has greatly enjoyed wit- keep growing. The philosophy of the district nessing the growth of an accepting environ- is that we’re all learners, not just the students ment at CHS. but the teachers too. So I’ve really grown in my “I’ve seen kids who weren’t out when they knowledge of how people learn, myself and the came here, who came out at the high school, students I work with. That’s been a result of and now are leaders here,” Hoffman said. “It’s working here with this faculty.” been my biggest thrill as a teacher in this high Hoffman will retire at the end of this school school.” year, after 23 years of teaching and working in Hoffman said that working with both stu- the Clayton School District. Although he does dents and teachers has been meaningful, and not have any long-term plans, he does plan to sometimes in ways that he did not expect. begin his retirement by traveling.

“When I first came to the high school, I was “I’m really excited about the unknown,” terrified of high Hoffman said. school students The philosophy of the district is that we’re “I’ve gone because I had all learners, not just the students but the through three been working teachers. different jobs in with little kids,” teaching at differhe said. “But I ent schools, and David Hoffman I like change, so found that they respond to how Educational Technologist I’m just excited you treat them. If about it. And part you treat them with respect, they treat you with of the excitement is not knowing what’s comrespect. It’s been really nice getting to know ing. I, for the first time, don’t have a plan, and kids at a different age levels.”

I’ll just see where it takes me.”

In addition, he said he enjoys working with a Now that his own career is coming to a close, faculty that is, what he calls, “top-notch.”

Hoffman advises others to do what they love.

“They’re very educated, they’re very caring “Choose to do something in your career that and they’re very student-centered,” he said. you love, and everything else will follow,” HoffHe adds that he has appreciated how his col- man said. “If you can enjoy getting up and goleagues have always pushed him to continue ing to work every day and never dread it, then growing as a person and teacher. you’ve chosen the right career.”  UPFRONT

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ABOVE: Missouri Representative Stacey Newman speaks at the May 3 press conference in opposition of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill (Emma Vierod). LEFT: Students and community members at the rally show their support for equality in Missouri schools (Staff Photo).

IT’S OKAY TO SAY GAY

House Bill 2051 threatens to make it illegal for homosexuality to be discussed in Missouri public schools outside of health class.

JESSICA JANCOSE

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n May 3, CHS students and faculty gathered in front of the Globe entrance before school at 7:30 A.M. to protest House Bill 2051, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The protest was hosted by Clayton’s GayStraight Alliance (GSA) and was attended by over 90 people including Missouri Representative Stacey Newman and A.J. Bockelman, Executive Director of PROMO (Promoting Equality for all Missourians).

The bill states that “No instruction, material or extracurricular activity sponsored by a public school that discusses sexual orientation other than in scientific instruction concerning reproduction shall be provided in a public school.”

Proposed by Missouri Representative Steve Cookson, the bill would make it illegal for school employees to discuss sexual orientation with students outside of a health class setting.

This regulation would affect all public schools in Missouri. It also would ban schools from having GSA’s and it would nullify any non-discrimination policies that schools might already have in place.

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UPFRONT

“[The bill] is not going to provide the support and care and nurturing that our schools are designed to provide. It will stigmatize LGBT students and it will continue to bring isolation to them,” Bockelman said in his speech.

GSA co-president Nadia Diamond agreed.

“It automatically rules everything out including when students are being bullied and teachers need to talk about that and about bullying and about how that is absolutely not okay,” Diamond said. “It’s important for public schools to stay safe for all students.”

Many also believe that this bill would violate the First Amendment’s guarantee to the right to free speech.

In an interview done with the Columbia Tribune, Cookson said that the bill is misunderstood. He said that he believes that schools should focus on matters that will lead to success in life, such as math, science and reading.

He has stayed steadfast in his support of the bill and refuses to withdraw it despite adamant requests from the bill’s opposition.

This piece of legislation is co-sponsored by 19 other Republican lawmakers; these include current Speaker Steven Tilley and House Majority Leader Tim Jones.

It also has the support of many conservative

organizations. Abram Messer of the Missouri Family Network, who believes that homosexuality is a choice and not biologically determined, told the Columbia Tribune that the bill is an attempt to stop “social engineering” in Missouri schools.

However, for those who do not subscribe to this line of thought, Newman summed up her point of view by saying that “this bill is bigoted and . . . mean.”

She emphasized the importance of speaking up against bills that are seen as being discriminatory.

“I’m just one vote, but voters and students and the community really drive the issue and you all can convince others to run for office who really understand equality,” Newman said.

CHS has been far more vocal in its opposition to the bill than most high schools in Missouri, in part due to a thriving GSA but also because of the strong belief of administrators that tolerance of all people is important.

“We have an obligation as a school and a mission to make sure that we’re inclusive of everyone regardless of skin color, sexual orientation and political or religious views,” Interim Principal Dan Gutchewsky said. “This bill, if passed, would significantly impact that.” 

FOLLOWING A DREAM Senior Peter Grayson hopes to pursue his dream of directing movies.

CHS senior Peter Grayson stands confidently in his family’s theater, the Hi-Pointe. (Dana Schwartz) MEREDITH MCMAHON

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’d rather make a movie a hundred people need to see than a movie that a thousand people want to see.” Joss Whedon’s ambitious and inspirational quote captures precisely the view that senior Peter Grayson takes on in his role as an aspiring filmmaker.

Film isn’t something that Grayson just picked up out of no where—it’s not only an intrinsic part of his life, but it’s also “in [his] blood.”

Grayson’s grandparents currently own the Hi-Pointe, and his family has owned a theater for as long as Grayson can remember.

Despite all of the film that surrounded Grayson while he grew up, it was the combination of his older brother Alex deciding to go into film and taking the class “Film in American Society” at CHS which inspired him to realize his true passion—film. “[My brother] is my biggest inspiration,” Grayson said. “I don’t feel like I’m copying him.

When he decided to be a filmmaker, I just feel like it sparked my interest. When he said it, I realized, ‘Oh wait, this is what I want to do’. Before I wanted to be an architect--I said that, but I didn’t actually feel it. When he said he wanted to be a filmmaker, that sparked something in me.”

The first film Grayson’s older brother made was for his class “Film in American Society.” The brothers worked together on the project, and since then, have aspired to become the new Co-

hen brothers, sharing a passion and using their Grayson not only is dedicated to making his combined talents to create unforgettable films. work have meaning, he is also devoted to his Each summer, they put their heads together work in a way that is very different from many and work to create a film. While the brothers other high schoolers. work on a single project during the summer toWhile for others, work may seem like a gether, they each go their own ways during the frightening and stressful concept, for Grayson, school year to create smaller pieces. it is just another exciting opportunity to rise to The subject of the films can vary from any- a challenge. thing from zombies to psychological insights “I like the hard work,” Grayson said. “I like into human nature to comedy. Grayson’s cur- the challenge of doing everything yourself. I like rent project is a the editing, then the I like the editing, then the physical physical directing and short, 15-minute film called “Switch.” directing and filming, and principle filming, and principle “[Switch] exphotography, and photography, and then the editing then the editing and plores reasons behind certain hu- and the special effects. I like to do it the special effects. I man thoughts and myself. Because it’s my vision. like to do it myself. actions,” Grayson Because it’s my visaid. “It’s about a sion.”

Peter Grayson group of people Grayson’s hopes Senior for his unique career developing ways to make life more inpath are high, and teresting in the world of film that I’m writing. his undying passion for his meaningful work It’s kind of psychology, kind of science fiction.” will hopefully make his work stand out in the Despite all of the differences in content, future. however, ultimately Grayson works to create art Any way his work is received, however, Graythat is beyond entertainment. Grayson draws son looks forward to at the very least a bright inspiration from his own life. future in which he will be fulfilled by his job and “I get my ideas from past experiences . . . like passion as filmmaker. this film I’m working on now,” Grayson said.

“A filmmaker’s job is to make something ex“It’s how I would like the world to be, how I citing happen and it doesn’t happen by itself,” would like people to act. I’ll make a movie show- Grayson said. “And if you don’t bring a passion casing my view of what everything should be and an intensity to it, you shouldn’t be doing it. like, and I hope my films will later inspire others If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day to act that way.” in your life.”  UPFRONT

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Party in the Quad Lightsaber Fight Senior Plank

THINGS TO DO BEFORE GRADUATION

by Eudora Olsen

Nap in the quad during your free period... or class. Detentions don’t count now anyway, right?

Ride the elevator. (Don’t pretend you haven’t already, but still, elevators beat stairs any day) Play the radio over the intercom system. Dance to your classes.

Wear pajamas to school. AKA “Prep for College” day.

“Forget” your backpack at home. Just do it.

Visit the greenhouse. Lament over how cool your school has gotten just before you leave.

Trip down the Commons steps. Feel no embarrassment.

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UPFRONT

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GRADUATION

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FEATURES

Courtesy of Karen McBride

BY CAITLIN KROPP

ith the end of May fast approaching, the thoughts of many inevitably turn to that event, the ultimate rite of passage: graduation. Once again, the Field House at Washington University will be packed to the rafters with friends and family, teachers and students,

all adding their voices to the echoing acoustics of the site.

And although graduation may seem like a fairly repetitive ritual, quite a few details have changed since CHS opened its doors. From 1917 to 2012, graduation has been anything but static.

ride

The Last Class Before moving to its current residence at 1 Mark Twain Circle, CHS was situated on Maryland Ave for more than 35 years. However, because of space issues, the decision was made to move the campus to larger accommodations across town, making 1954 a year to remember.

Harriet Spilker graduated that year, and remembers it as a bittersweet time, especially due to the fact that her class was about half of the normal size.

“My graduation was quite different from other graduations,” she said. “My class was the last class that graduated from the old CHS. Before graduation, though, we visited the new CHS on Mark Twain Circle, to see where our friends would be. Also, Ladue High School opened before our junior year, and half of our class left and attended Ladue, so we had a very small class.”

Dressed in white and black, the graduating seniors marched across the stage for the Maryland building’s last time. But, as with any graduation, the tears came not from leaving a building, but from leaving friends.

“The most vivid memory I have is a tearful good-by to my friends who I probably would not see for a long time,” Spilker said.

However, like so many others, Spilker felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in what she had achieved.

“I also remember how proud my mother was to see me graduate,” she said. “My father had died when I was nine. It was his wish that I graduate from Clayton High.”

Memories from Gay Field After the move, graduation moved to Gay Field, where students and teachers alike sat under the sun as names were read, speeches were made and friends left for good.

Alex Berger III graduated in 1967, on the cusp of the Vietnam War. Tensions were high as the U.S. appeared to be moving toward a conflict, making the significance of the move to college all the more momentous.

“Thanks to teachers like Frank Armstrong and others, we had studied some of the Vietnam War,” Berger said. “We realized the value of the college deferment and delaying or avoiding the draft into military service.”

More changes occurred as the ’70s ended. It was then that a group of students came forward with a petition to eliminate the practice of having a valedictorian, traditionally the student with the highest GPA. Instead of valedictorian, a mixed panel of students and teachers selected the speaker

from then on. Stacy Felps, who has been teaching math since 1985, has participated in this process for nearly every year that she has been at CHS. For her, the selection process is about picking a truly representative speaker.

“You want somebody who’s really going to speak well for your class, to bring up specific memories for your class, not just something generic or overdone,” she said. “When everyone sounds the same, it gets hard.”

Judy Gorin, who graduated in 1981, benefitted from this new speaker policy, although she doesn’t remember the speeches. She was a bit concerned with another issue.

“We each had a card with our name on it – the way it was to be pronounced during the ceremony,” she said. “I remember before the ceremony I was fixing a friend’s hair. I handed her my card to hold while I combed her hair. During the ceremony, I looked down and realized I had my friend’s card. She was sitting in the front row on the right side, and I was in the second row on the left side. Somehow, I got her attention, and we were able to switch cards shortly before we were to walk across the stage. I was panicked that our parents would freak out if the

CHS is a great school. I think that students leave CHS with many memorable moments of long hours of studying, participation in many activities and fun times at all the parties.

Harriet Spilker CHS Alum

wrong names were announced.”

During that time, the robes were changed to blue and white, and a special section, dubbed “Senioritis” was added to the program, as Gorin remembers.

“It was a publication of where the seniors were going or doing after high school,” Gorin said. “We also had a senior comments publication – where seniors can list biggest thrills, favorite pastimes, pet peeves, ambitions and other random comments.”

The Evolution Continues Felps has been attending graduation ceremonies for 28 years, and the majority of those were held on Gay Field. Outside, seating was unlimited, parking was a nightmare, and the backdrop of the setting sun was perfect, “…very fitting, very beautiful for such an important day.”

It was when the sun didn’t shine, however, that issues started to arise.

“There was always the issue of rain,” Felps said. “Every year we would be wondering whether we would be blessed by the weather gods or if they would get us. It was fingers crossed all the way up until the last minute.”

The back-up location, in those moments of crisis, was Stuber gym. Which was fine, if the attendees didn’t mind the cramped quarters and lack of air conditioning. Obviously, some had problems with this arrangement.

“It was awfully hot,” said Felps. “People would pass out. You had older folks, but also people who were in all of the robes and other clothes, so you’d have faculty members struggling too.”

After several years of such poor environs, the decision was made to move the ceremony to the Wash U Field House, a much roomier, and better climate-controlled, option. The robes were switched to all blue, the ceremony was streamlined, and the next few years all rush forward to the approaching graduation of the class of 2012.

And with those moments approaching, some alumni will return to share memories and wisdom for the coming years, and all echoing the same sentiment: how much they enjoyed their CHS experience.

“CHS is a great school,” Spilker said “I think that students leave CHS with many memorable moments of long hours of studying, participation in many activities, and fun times at all the parties.”

And for Berger, the fact that he has the status of a CHS graduate “resonates as a good thing, a very good thing!”

Congratulations, Class of 2012, and good luck.  FEATURES

17

A GAME OF

CAT & MOUSE The battle over the Internet at CHS Story and Graphics by Parker Schultz

Devin Davis, Chief Information Officer at CHS, is entrusted with a special job. He protects students from the dangers of the Internet. His job includes managing the school filter, keeping students off of blocked pages and hunting down proxies.

“It’s very much a game of cat and mouse,” Davis said. Several students who frequently break the filter would agree. In the midst of growing concerns over technology usage in education, this game of cat and mouse highlights the changes taking place within schools.

F

iltering student Internet starts with the federal government.

Laws such as the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) aim to limit the harmful effects of the Internet on minors. Part of Clayton’s federal funding budget dictates that they must meet filtering standards set by the government.

“I have to sign a document every year where I swear that I’m performing due diligence,” Davis said. “So my name is on that sheet and I’m required to [filter] by law.”

Despite the huge role the Internet plays in our lives, it’s still relatively new. State and federal legislation has been struggling to catch up with the advances the web has made. In many instances the law still hasn’t caught up.

“I think it takes a while for the public to adjust sometimes,” Davis said. “The government tends to be restrictive at times, especially when you’re dealing with school districts.”

In Missouri, local issues have added to the pressure on government to protect students from the web. In 2006, Megan Meier, a 13-yearold girl from St. Charles, committed suicide over a Myspace post. Later investigation found the post to be part of a large chain of cyber-bullying. Meier’s parents actively campaigned to tighten cyber-bullying laws. School districts as well as governments fear getting involved with these online feuds.

Myspace may be outdated, but social net-

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FEATURES

THE CAT working still looms large as a threat in schools. works to keep as many web pages open as posRecently, Missouri passed the Amy Hestir sible.

Protection Act, more commonly known as the “I would say that throughout the District of “Facebook Law”. The Act prohibits student- Clayton the general wish is that [the Internet] teacher interaction on social media sites. These be free and open, and that it not be restricted,” new laws provide even more reason for schools Davis said. “We try to be right up against the to keep students away from the potentially dan- edge of those rules and try to make sure that gerous parts of the web. we can keep [the Internet] as open as possible.”

While it’s clear that these laws are made to Davis said that compared to many other disbenefit the students, tricts, Clayton has an not all high schoolers open policy. agree with the filter.

“In Clayton we try A lot of our students are smart This leads to hackers, to have the most libenough to set up their own which are a daily part eral view of what is acproxy server at their home. How ceptable, and I think if of Davis’s job.

“A lot of our stumany? I don’t have an idea and I you check certain disdents are smart probably don’t want to know. tricts like St. Charles, enough to set up their you’d be amazed at own proxy server at how open we really Devin Davis are,” Davis said. home,” Davis said.

“How many? I don’t David believes that Clayton Chief Information Officer have an idea and I as the public becomes probably don’t want to know.” more accustomed with the web, policies will beProxy servers allow computers to forward come more open. their tasks to other computers. For instance, “I think as time goes on, some of these a school computer could send a request to the things may be deemed less of an issue,” Davis proxy server to open Facebook, a normally re- said. “Facebook and those types of sites are still stricted site, and then the proxy server would relatively new, and so I really can’t see things allow that computer open it. Proxies provide an like that being blocked ten years down the easy way around filters, and are a common way road.” students circumvent security measures.

Until then, Davis will continue hunting Although it is Davis’s job to block hackers, down proxies, and doing his best to uphold he describes himself as a reluctant enforcer. He what is for now seen as justice online.

F

THE MOUSE

rebellious action or to go against authority, but or every wall that’s put up, there more one out of need.” will always be people who try to Jerry says his friends play a large role in get around it. This rule makes no hacking the server. Through them, he gets to exception for the CHS web filter. the web through the back door, as well as upStudents find ways around the “Lightspeed date working proxies.

Systems” daily. One “I needed to log on such student volunI texted a friend, and by the next to a web page that I teered to share his period I had a working proxy. couldn’t get on because story, named Jerry*. it was blocked, even “I’ve broken though it was just a Jerry news site,” Jerry said. “I through the filter countless times, and Anonymous hacker texted a friend, and by usually I do it as ofthe next period I had a ten as I can because there are many essential working proxy.” sites that I see as being wrongly blocked by the The main challenge to hackers like Jerry is administration,” Jerry said. that the administration is always learning. For Jerry has been breaking through the filter every new proxy that’s found, another old one since his freshman year. He says that breaking is blocked. the filter takes very little skill. According to “It’s sort of a red-queen paradox,” Jerry said. him, anyone with a rudimentary sense of com- “If you keep on running as fast as you can, then puters can get around it. that’s just fast enough to stay on par with the “In terms of hacking through [the web filter], other party.” there’s not much actual hacking involved like in Despite Jerry’s objections to the filter, he the movies where you’re typing and manipulat- believes it’s good for the school. ing the network,” Jerry said. “My inspiration [to “I think that the usage of the filter is somehack] wasn’t one that came through a want for thing that the school should employ and is good

* For the sake of his identity, said student will be referred to as “Jerry.”

for the educational system of the school,” Jerry said. “Nevertheless, I think they’ve superseded the limitations of how it should be used.”

One such site Jerry thinks should be open is the Huffington Post. News sites are commonly targeted by the filter, even though they may be highly reputable.

Another area where the filter struggles to sort good from bad are foreign language sites.

When faced with multiple languages, the filter has trouble deciding if content is school-worthy, and as a result, many useful foreign language sites are blocked.

“I think the District is overstepping its boundaries when it employs a safety filter set at a level for kindergartners and then impose that on high school,” Jerry said. “So yes, there should be some limitations, but when it gets to the point of limiting the Huffington Post, then they’ve gone too far.”

While the web filter will remain controversial, Jerry believes as long as it’s up, students will continue attempts to get around it.

“I can’t predict [the future of the filter itself], but what I can predict is that there will always be those who are trying to get around the filter.” 

(Thomas James Hurst/Seattle Times/MCT)

R HALLENGE C ISING to the

Sara Bailey is a social and happy teenager who will put a smile on your face when you are around her. Her way of living is simply contagious. She will be graduating from Ladue Horton Watkins High School this month.

She is the eighth of ten children. Sara skis, plays piano, throws beautiful pots on the pottery wheel and swam for LHWHS. Sara also has Down syndrome. Along with living a lifestyle that is very active and extraordinary, she is also a teenage entrepreneur who recently started her own baking business.

by Jonathan Shumway

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..

The Beginning The beginning of Sara’s baking career started during this past winter break. Sara’s sister, Lara Buckwalter, brought a Bosch baking machine back home with her to show to her mom, Annagreth Bailey.

“We always have fun doing things together, and my mom had the idea that this is something that Sara could do,” Buckwalter said.

Although Sara admits it was “messy” the first time she made bread, she was ready for more.

Sara then got her own Bosch baking machine for Christmas, and has been in the kitchen making bread basically every day since.

After Lara taught Sara how to make bread once, Lara videotaped every step so Sara could look at the video and see what she needed to do.

Although Sara has surprised her mother on many occasions in her ability to accomplish a feat or task that is difficult, or even seemingly insurmountable, Bailey, her mother, was again reminded of Sara’s capacity to learn.

“This experience teaches me how teachable she really is, how she can learn if I take the time to break down something into little steps and then let her repeat it,” Bailey said. “The repetition teaches her and then she gets faster and more productive.”

Making Bread Sara makes five to ten loaves of bread for each batch almost every day. Her bread is sold in a clear plastic bag entitled, ‘Sara’s Bread,’ at

Global Foods Market in Kirkwood, and she also gets special orders throughout the week. It is sold for $2.99 per loaf and Sara is considering expanding her business to eventually making other types of bread and even cupcakes.

“At first, she has to get everything ready,” Bailey said. “She likes it to be in order. She gets all of the ingredients and lines then up on the counter and takes out the bread machine.

If there is not enough wheat that has already been ground, she grinds wheat. That takes longer, but if the wheat is all ready to go, with only putting the ingredients into the bowl, it doesn’t take her longer than maybe ten minutes to make the dough.

The ball of dough is then divided into five pieces and she then weighs each of the pieces so each is exactly one pound ten ounces. She folds the pieces and then rolls them out again to make sure there are no air bubbles left in the dough.

The bread has a fluffy consistency and is cooked to ensure that the crust does not become too hard.

“It was Lara’s recipe that she had gotten from a friend,” Bailey said. “It is a healthy recipe with flax seed, whole wheat and honey, so it is tasty as well as healthy.”

Bailey has seen Sara become more self-confident as Sara now recognizes that her skill of making bread allows her to have some financial independence.

“She gets very excited when people want to buy her bread, and to get the money so she can put in a folder—it is all now a process so she can see that when she makes something, she gets paid for it,” Bailey said.

Sara has been saving her earnings for the last couple months.

•

“I want to buy a laptop so I can iChat with my siblings, [go on] Facebook and also for my business because we are thinking of making a website in the future,” Sara said.

Working at St. Louis Smoothie Although Sara started her bread making business in January, she has in fact been working for the last two years at St. Louis Smoothie.

Two years ago, to Bailey’s great surprise, the person at the counter, Randy, asked if she was interested in helping there.

“I was blown away that someone would offer that to her,” Bailey said. “I wouldn’t have to ask or go through an agency to find established community places all ready. Of course, I said that would be awesome. She started out an hour a week and Randy showed her the ropes.”

In the last couple of months, Sara has begun to work at St. Louis Smoothie with a job coach, Roberta Schoenfeldt, to help her develop a sense of appropriate business behavior.

“Before, I would give her money to buy a smoothie, or Randy would give her a smoothie on the house,” Bailey said. “Roberta said that we couldn’t do that anymore. She goes there as an employee, a worker . . . a volunteer. She can’t be customer or expecting a smoothie at the same time. She has to learn the lines [between] business and being a volunteer.”

Schoenfeldt trusts that with the many “exceptional skills” Sara has, she can help Sara learn everything she needs to know.

“I put no caps on her learning,” Schoenfeldt said.

Left: Sara’s bread not is only fresh, but also healthy, including flax seed, whole wheat and honey in her recipe.

•

Right: Sara poses for her senior picture.

Job Opportunities for People with Special Needs

Bailey is grateful that St. Louis Smoothie has been so accommodating for Sara, but only wishes that other individuals with special needs had similar opportunities to gain skills.

“I think it is a great idea to get it out there that these people need employment, but there is no way they can learn how unless it is on the job,” Bailey said.

Most people in St. Louis with special needs are matched up through a non-profit organization, St. Louis Arc, which both finds jobs for and trains them. Special School District also provides similar services, but even so, job sites can be limiting due to a lack of faith and trust in people with special needs and that these businesses have.

Sara has been assigned to a nursing home in Webster Groves where she takes classes

and works, learning skills such a cleaning a bathroom, or walking a dog for a resident.

The dream job for Sara is working in a childcare center, but opportunities for her in that setting are essentially non-existent although Bailey believes she works well with her nieces and nephews.

In Wisconsin, there is distinctive bakery and café called Taste of Home—Kneaded Life Skills. They employ people with mental challenges as culinary interns.

“That is exactly what I am looking for, places in the community that are willing to train people with disabilities,” Bailey said.

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UPFRONT

•

Right: Sarah poses with her fresh bread, her sponsor Rebecca Lynn, and a member of her youth group, Andrea Brown.

•

The culinary interns come from Shepherd’s College, a three-year college that focuses on teaching students a trade such as culinary arts, or landscaping. Internships lasts for two years, where they can earn money and a certificate.

Bailey wishes such internships as steps towards “independence, at least with assisted living.”

Saint Louis University is considering opening up a similar program in 2013, or 2014 for students at a fourth to sixth grade academic level, where these students can take life skills classes and live on campus. These students would live on the same floor as college students going into special education, but Bailey is still skeptical.

“When you pay $50,000 a year in tuition,” Bailey said. “Can they then be employed so then can pay those loans back? Are you then going to be really employed more if they obtain a certificate especially in the economy we have now? Would people choose out a pool of applicants a person with special needs first?

There are all questions I have before I spend that money.”

Schoenfeldt, Sara’s job coach, believes strongly that people with disabilities can be functional and contribute to their community.

“We need more employers to open their doors and provide workplaces for their skills to be developed,” Schoenfeldt said. “They will enhance anyone’s workplace.”

Looking to the Future Although Sara is an involved and active student at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, she is excited about the next step.

“After graduation, I am excited to go on with life, and about having more independence,” Sara said.

All photos provided by Sara Bailey.

Even so, the adult lives of people with special needs are often uncharted and uncertain after they finish their schooling.

“She is nervous because all of her siblings went to college after high school and there is no plan for her to go to college,” Bailey said. “I have to tell her that she needs to learn other skills first before she goes to college. You have to be independent before you leave home.”

Sara is a reminder that people with special needs can greatly exceed societal expectations, if people will only forgo assumptions and judgments.

“I have learned to never underestimate ourselves and our abilities, but also never to underestimate other people in their lives either,” Buckwalter said. “Sara looks at life in a simple lens; it is refreshing and teaches me a lot about myself. We think that we are teaching them, but they are the ones that really are teaching us.”

Ultimately, people who only see boundaries will inhibit themselves and others. The sky is the limit for all individuals--regardless of the constraints of society’s labels and notions.

“I catch myself sometimes thinking that she can’t do something, but I then have to tell myself, of course she can do that,” Bailey said.

“As a mother, I have to work on that, I can only imagine how others limit her after simply looking at her . . . I admit, it is hard work, it is much easier to say ‘you poor little thing,’ and let them sit back, and please them at every corner. It takes a lot of effort and dedication to help them achieve their potential.” 

For more information, watch “Sara Making Bread” on youtube.com. Sara’s Bread can be found at Global Foods Market.

P l a c e s e h T

You’ll

Go!

By Peter Baugh & Zach Praiss With Sri Panth & Laura Bleeke Illustrations by Dee Luo

W

ith graduation around the corner, one cannot help but wonder: what comes next? After four years at CHS, the seniors will soon be walking across the stage to accept their diplomas, forever changed as individuals. Like alumni before them, their education and experiences at CHS have and will continue to shape their character and actions for the rest of their life.

With an incredible array of opportunities at CHS, it’s nearly impossible to guess the places they’ll go in life. By talking to alumni from the past 60 years about what they learned from CHS and how Clayton impacted their life, one can only begin to comprehend the vast opportunities that lay ahead in the future for the Class of 2012.

COVER STORY

25

HARRIET SPILKER CLASS OF 1954 Harriet Spilker has been involved with the School District of Clayton nearly her entire life, since her first days as a small kindergartner at Glenridge Elementary School in the 1940s.

At the time, Glenridge actually enrolled students from kindergarten to eighth grade, Wydown Middle School only enrolled ninth graders, and CHS went up to twelfth grade.

As a student, Spilker appreciated the School District’s balanced commitment to supporting and challenging students with high expectations.

After her father passed away when she was nine, Spilker explained how her principal and teachers came to support her and helped her overcome this tragic event in her life.

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At CHS, Spilker always enjoyed all the various clubs and extracurricular activities the school offered to students.

“I participated in many activities, clubs, and sports,” Spilker said. “These activities enabled me to meet a lot of different people, and to see what I enjoyed doing and what I was good at.”

In addition, Spilker admired how teachers and administrators at CHS were not afraid not tackle the “hot topic of the day.”

Spilker recalled how in 1953, Jackie Robinson visited the high school to talk about segregation in St. Louis.

“We had the opportunity to meet Jackie Robinson,” Spilker said. “He was quite a gentleman. He came out to Clayton High and I moderated the panel in which he spoke about a half an hour to the students. He told why he came out. We were an all white school at that time.

He said, ‘I want the people to know how black people feel.’”

Spilker was thrilled by this unique experience, inspired by the amazing potential of education and communication that were so valued in the School District.

Later in life, Spilker returned to the District.

She taught for 25 years throughout Clayton at all three of the elementary schools.

Now, at the age of 75, Spilker serves as a coordinator for the OASIS program, which provides literacy tutors to over 100 students in the District. She also chairs the Clayton Connection Committee that brings together Clayton students with other members of the community.

Spilker is thankful to have been a part of this unique community for almost her entire life.

KAREN KALISH CLASS OF 1963 Karen Kalish describes herself as a “late bloomer.”

Throughout high school, nobody would have guessed that she would be where she is today,

due to her rebellious and nonchalant behavior.

She frequently skipped class and even ventured off campus, despite the fact that Clayton did not have an open campus policy at the time. At the end of her four years, she felt that she did not gain much from her experience at CHS. Her life story, however, is full of twists and turns.

After being kicked out of college, she received her first teaching job in Washington, D.C. at Sidwell Friends School and she loved it.

“Then I became a screaming, yelling consumer advocate, and ended up a television reporter at CBS in Washington, D.C.,” Kalish said.

She also worked for ABC in Chicago and Entertainment Tonight in Washington for two years.

Then she gave the whole thing up to play the stock market for a little while.

Following her successful run in stock ex-

change, she started a media training business where she helped prepare people for televised interviews on news shows like the Today Show or Good Morning America.

In Washington, D.C., Kalish became involved with a program by William Grey, a representative from Philadelphia, that brought AfricanAmerican and Jewish kids together. She was fascinated by the blending of cultures.

Afterwards, Kalish returned to St. Louis with the goal of bridging the racial gap in education. She started a program called Books and Badges in which police officers would read to students in the St. Louis City Public Schools.

The program aimed to help the students develop a lifetime passion for reading.

Kalish established the Cultural Leadership program, which, similar to the program in Washington, brings adolescents of different backgrounds together.

She also founded the Teacher Home Visit

program to raise parental awareness and enhance student performance by bringing learning home to students. These programs demonstrate Kalish’s strong commitment to bridging the educational gap between underprivileged and privileged kids.

“This is what I am passionate about, what I am desperate about and want everyone to be involved in, because I cannot think of anything more important for our country,” Kalish said.

After living in Clayton for many years, Karen expressed concern and frustration to see that the gap between African-American and white students in the School District of Clayton remains static.

“I am disappointed that they are not taking a leading role in bringing the African-American kids up to the same level,” Kalish said.

Kalish’s one piece of advice for CHS students was not to “write off” students like her.

“Just keep them in the back of your mind,” Kalish said. “They may just be late bloomers and do great things.”

E N I C I

D E M

ATHL E

SCOTT ADZICK

TICS

MEDIA

CLASS OF 1971 When Scott Adzick was in fifth grade, it took his dad, Nick Adzick, 45 minutes to an hour to drive him to Meramec Elementary School every morning, simply so Scott could have a Clayton education. Nick Adzick taught at the high school, in part so that he could bring his son to Clayton to go to school.

Adzick started attending school in Clayton in fifth grade and continued all the way through high school.

At times in his high school experience, Adzick had his father, a former minor league baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals, as both a baseball coach and a history teacher.

“Nick Adzick taught American history and coached baseball at Clayton High School for nearly three decades,” Adzick said. “His prowess as a teacher was legendary. He touched thousands of lives as a teacher and as a coach, and he profoundly affected me in the high school classroom, on the baseball diamond and at home.”

Scott Adzick played varsity basketball and baseball, and was named a Scholar-Athlete by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Adzick explained that his father’s high standards and demand for critical thinking made him an effective teacher while preparing his students for college.

After graduating from Harvard University and Harvard Medical School, Adzick fulfilled his childhood aspiration and became a surgeon.

“When I was 11 years old, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I was very grateful to the surgeon who cured her,” Adzick said. “I sought to emulate him, hence my desire at an early age to become a surgeon.”

Adzick remembered how his studies as well as athletics at CHS helped him prepare for college and his profession. He currently serves as the Surgeon-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania.

“The science and math preparation at CHS was outstanding, and eventually led to a career as a pediatric surgeon,” Adzick said. “The academic preparation at Clayton High School and the participation in sports taught me many life-long lessons. The experience inspired me to dream and to achieve.”

cals all four of his years, and was the president of his class senior year.

He enjoyed his time at CHS and respected the administration for the trust they had in the student body in having an open campus.

“The open campus really helped foster my independent spirit that I still have today,” Cohen said. “We were treated as responsible kids who could be counted on to run out for lunch and come back for class.”

Cohen also appreciated how one of the principals, Doris Randolph, encouraged him to sign up for a summer internship.

“Randolph was a big cheerleader of mine and encouraged me to get my first internship, at KMOV-TV,” Cohen said.

Cohen said that this internship had a lasting impact on his life, motivating him to continue to explore radio and television. Since his time at CHS, Cohen has gone on to win many awards, including an Emmy for being the Executive Producer of “Top Chef.”

In looking back on his years at CHS, Cohen recalls some wonderful times of his youth.

“The whole time was great,” Cohen said.

“I loved the open campus and am still great friends with many of my classmates.”

ANDY COHEN CLASS OF 1986 Now a television star on Bravo, Andy Cohen grew up in Clayton, attended Meramec Elementary School, and experienced the ups and downs of high school like most students.

In his new book, “Most Talkative,” Cohen talks about his experiences at CHS. The book’s title originated from the superlative he won senior year as most talkative in his grade.

He participated in many clubs and activities at CHS, but not all of them ended well for him.

Cohen recalled how he was kicked off the water polo team freshman year for talking too much.

Despite the setback in water polo, Cohen also ran track, participated in the school musi-

ERIN GREENWELL CLASS OF 1990 Erin Greenwell felt that she had a lot to live up to when she was in high school.

“My older brother was a senior when I was a

freshman, and he was the football jock and he was the most popular guy at school,” Greenwell said.

Trying to follow in her brother’s footsteps, Greenwell remembers putting herself in tough situations, such as playing sports even though she did not have much interest.

“I did field hockey, cross country, track and I was a [decent] athlete and my brother was a god,” Greenwell said. “He was really eating me up inside.”

Then, her junior year, things changed.

“I was like ‘Why don’t you paint sets or be in the chorus for the school musical?’” Greenwell said. “And as soon as I began to do that it was not that I could not measure up to what my brother does that he likes, it is that I do not like sports, I like theatre.”

She became involved in the high school’s theater program, participating in many musicals and plays her junior and senior year. For the first time in her life, Greenwell felt confident in pursuing her newfound interests in life for theater, acting and playwriting.

After CHS, Greenwell attended New York University where she studied screenwriting.

However, upon graduation she hit a roadblock.

“When I graduated it was really hard to get people to read your stuff, which is something they do not really brace you for,” Greenwell said.

So she decided to produce her own movies.

Soon, Greenwell was producing full length feature films. Her recent film “My Best Day” premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

The film explores a scene of rural America, where characters struggle to find meaning in their individuality and relationships with one another. The film was included in the QFest film series at the Tivoli for its inclusion of multiple gay characters. For Greenwell, being gay has been a significant part of her life story and her work.

“Everything started coming out in my art and films because that was the landscape of my experience and the people that I knew,” Greenwell said.

To students at CHS, she stressed the importance of being yourself and overcoming obstacles in life by always pursuing your passions.

“When you are in the middle of your conflict, you think that it is going to last forever and that your fate is sealed by what happens now, [remember that] it is never sealed,” Greenwell said.

“Even when I look back at something from two years ago, it is not that big of a deal. Just stay in the game and things will work themselves out.

Everything is important because you are important, and that is the most important thing, nothing else is important.”

COVER STORY

29

DERRICK FROST CLASS OF 1999 Like Adzick, Derrick Frost learned a lot from his father, who coached football at Clayton, during his time at CHS. Over those years of intensive practices and training, his father taught him the lesson to “just stay positive and keep working.”

From the economics department to chess to the Clayton football team, Derrick Frost was greatly impacted by CHS. Yet he was passionate to pursue his goals in football and sought to receive a scholarship to play football in college.

Though he was the top high school kicker

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COVER STORY

in the state, the University of Missouri did not even offer to have Derrick Frost walk on as their place kicker, so he accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Northern Iowa.

Despite the fact that he had always been a place kicker, the school transferred him to punting.

“The coaches and I had some disagreements ,and I never ended up kicking field goals there,” Frost said. “I ended up punting.”

After college, Frost signed a contract to play in the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he was released after two days. After a short stint with the Baltimore Ravens, Frost played with the Cleveland Browns for a season.

Then, Frost played for the Washington Redskins for three seasons and the Green Bay Packers for a year. After that, Frost decided it was time to try something new.

“There is a fine line in the NFL between playing well and not playing well, and I did not really have it in me to want to play anymore,” Frost said. “You can only play at a certain level for a certain period of time, and I felt my time had expired.”

Frost decided to become a financial consultant, returning to his high school interest in economics.

After having benefitted so much from his time at CHS, Frost hopes that Clayton students today realize just how grateful they should be to have a top-notch education.

“Clayton has an atmosphere and expectation for learning,” Frost said. “That does not exist everywhere.”

TANYA HAMILTON CLASS OF 2000 Tanya Hamilton can often be found in the business office at CHS. Though she graduated in 2000, Hamilton works with Clayton’s DECA program for the organization she founded, Independent Youth.

After attending Clayton High School, Hamilton attended Johnson C. Smith University, where she received an undergraduate degree in business management. After college, Hamilton traveled to Portland, Oregon for an MBA program at the University of Portland.

“I got my Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship,” Hamilton said.

After working as a marketing intern for the Portland Trailblazers, an NBA team, Hamilton worked at INTERLINK Health Services for a little under two and a half years.

“Then I got bored there, and looked for another job, put in my notice, and went to a technology company,” Hamilton said.

Unfortunately though, the economy tanked, and Hamilton was laid off. She then founded Independent Youth, a non-profit organization that teaches students about entrepreneurship.

“I knew I was passionate about working with youth, I had done a summer program on entrepreneurship when I was in undergraduate

school,” Hamilton said. “So I created this [Independent Youth] from scratch two years ago.”

Hamilton has been working on the annual Independent Youth Symposium, which brings in entrepreneurs from around the nation to talk to young people.

She also feels that her experience in DECA at CHS helped her a lot on her way.

“DECA has allowed me to discover my interest in business at an earlier age, when I was in high school,” Hamilton said. “I feel it has opened the doors for me in terms of real life things, which is definitely what I wanted to get into.”

Looking ahead, Hamilton has big dreams for

Independent Youth.

“I want to be the leader in teen entrepreneurship education in the country, if not the world,” Hamilton said. “I feel so passionately about it.”  All photos used with permission of the individual alumni.

COVER STORY

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PLAY BY PLAY

STARTING EARLY

Freshmen Bridget Boeger, Lindsey Anderson and Arynne Zimmerman are bonded by their experience on the varsity girls’ soccer team. (Rebecca Stiffelman) CHARLOTTE REED

A

s they braid each other’s hair, share sunscreen, and tie pre-wrap headbands onto one another’s head, it is difficult to determine the different ages of the girls on the varsity soccer team. But there are three girls who are much younger than the rest: Lindsey Anderson, Arynne Zimmerman and Bridget Boeger, three freshmen who happen to fit perfectly into the winning soccer squad.

“Lindsey had a great pre-season, made the varsity team and then started having problems over break,” varsity head coach Paul Hoelscher said. “She was diagnosed with a stress fracture and has had to sit out all of our games. However, she is a great teammate, a positive source of energy and a big help. She’ll be a great player when she gets healthy.”

The other girls are off to a great start as well.

“Arynne is well coached, smart and technically skilled,” Hoelscher said. “She understands the game and excels with possession. Bridget is a hard worker, great athlete and shows promise as an outstanding defender.”

But the girls’ talent is not the only factor that brought them into the fold. The girls credit team building activities as being a key part of the experience. Activities such as the Soccer

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Olympics, which all the girls thought was “the of injuries.

“It was hard being out because I couldn’t most fun game we did,” was one team building play,” Anderson said. “But the girls all still made activity they enjoyed.

“We each had a partner or two and we had to me feel like I was a part of the team and that do different activities like who could juggle the was really nice to still feel like you’re part of the most and who could kick the farthest, who had family. But Bridget just broke her foot. She fell a the most accurate shooting,” Zimmerman said few times during scrimmaging,” she added, ofwith a smile. “Since I’m short, I was on a team fering to show pictures of her teammate’s swolwith a senior—Karlie—who was my height and len foot.

While the girls have to make a large comwe were called the ‘Too Short Team.’”

Although the girls often enjoy their activi- mitment to varsity, they also have to make a commitment to play on the freshman team for ties, practices are not always as fun. games that the freshThe girls’ fitness is men need a bit of extra tested often to ensure that they are good I actually started in the first help.

“It’s weird going enough to meet the varsity game. I wrote about it in back and forth: we demanding commitmy diary the next night. had a freshmen week ment. with three freshmen “On the first week of practices—I think Arynne Zimmerman games,” Zimmerman the Friday—we had to Freshman said. “The third day we went to varsity and do a six mile run and that was the coach testing our fitness to see I did not have the same skills I’d had the week if we had been working in preseason to get in before because I was used to practicing with the shape and I think we had an hour to run it, so freshmen.”

All the good and the bad of being on varsity it wasn’t that bad,” Anderson said. “Everyone completed it with about 10 minutes to spare.” are worth it when the girls get to step onto the Injuries are not uncommon on varsity, as field.

“I actually started in the first varsity game,” the girls work to the peak of their ability and sometimes go a bit too far. Both Anderson and Zimmerman said with a grin. “I wrote about it Boeger have missed some of the season because in my diary the next night.” 

Athlete Profile: Jeremy Phillips

Mentor: Charles Goodman Position: Center field, but can play anywhere Best offensive performance: 4-4, two triples, four steals Best pitching performance: No hitter, only runner reached on a walk Educational future: St. Louis University, where he will play baseball

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Both on and off the field, Jeremy Phillips played a defining role for the CHS baseball team.

PETER BAUGH

W

ith advantages such as speed, smarts and batting capabilities, Jeremy Phillips has been a valuable member of the Clayton High School baseball program and one of their best all around players.

“My best weapon is my speed,” Phillips said.

Craig Sucher, the varsity baseball coach, agrees, and said that Phillips has baseball intelligence that make his speed even more valuable.

“What makes it more effective is he is so smart as a base runner,” Sucher said. “He puts pressure on people.”

Phillips was also one of the most versatile players on the varsity squad. Along with being a top-notch center fielder, he has filled in at catcher and infield positions in his career, and was one of Clayton’s best pitchers.

Sucher compares Phillips to Chase Utley, the Philadelphia Phillies’ second baseman, despite the differences in their positions.

“If he is on your team you love him, and if he is on the other team he is just a thorn in your side,” Sucher said.

Phillips offers some advice to future stu-

“We try to talk about . . . not being too high dents at CHS. Although he believes students should “be student athletes” and put effort into or too low,” Sucher said. “Jeremy, from the betheir studies, he warns those looking to play ginning . . . was a very mature player.”

Howard said that Phillips sports simply in order to leads in many different ways. gain attention from col“Jeremy definitely leads leges. by example, but he also gives “Do not be that guy moral support and is there to that plays sports just so help you out,” Howard said. they can put it on their college transcript,” PhilAs well as giving moral lips said. “It may look support, he values the importance of individual playgood, but you are wasters. ing your time by not do“If one person has a mening something you like, tal lapse and loses focus the and you are wasting your teammate’s time by not entire team picks him up.

That is what teamwork is,” caring for something Phillips said. they like to do.”

Both on and off the field, With a team consistPhillips has been an asset for ing of three freshmen Jeremy Phillips runs out to his centerthe CHS baseball team. and two sophomores, Phillips has been sup- field position during a practice game.

“We like guys where you (Emma Vierod) cannot tell a difference if portive and helpful. they are four for four on a “He is a good leader, given day or zero for four,” he is a good guy to watch, and he is always calm and level-headed,” fresh- Sucher said. “That is what Jeremy does for us.

He leads in ways that cannot easily be meaman John Howard said.

Sucher agrees. sured.”  PLAY BY PLAY

33

TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL Many CHS seniors’ athletic careers have come to an end, but these individuals have taken it to the next level and will be competing in college. Globe reporter Chris Sleckman talked with them about their future.

ELIZABETH KRANE

Southern Methodist University Swimming Greatest Achievement?

My greatest achievement is qualifying for Junior Nationals the past four years for USA swimming. It is the national championship for club swimming [and] there are around 200 female swimmers that qualify from across the country each year.

Best Statistic?

My 00:59.93 time for the 100 meter freestyle is my best statistic. Olympic qualifying time is 00:57.19.

Favorite Memory?

My favorite memories are of recruiting trips because I got to live the college life for 48 hours and meet potential future classmates from around the country.

Post-College Athletic Plan?

I received a scholarship, so I plan to swim in NCAA Division I for the next four years and I would like to be a finalist at the national championship (top 16 in any specific event). After college I plan on swimming through the 2016 Summer Olympic trials and then competing in triathalons.

College Athletics I am looking forward to the team spirit and having the opportunity to represent my school, hopefully nationally.

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PLAY BY PLAY

CHARLIE HARNED

Knox College Soccer and Basketball Greatest Achievement?

My greatest achievement was making first team all-state for soccer my senior year.

Best Statistic?

My best statistic was getting 51 points, 17 goals and 17 assists in soccer my senior year.

Favorite Memory?

My favorite memory was winning districts in basketball and soccer junior year.

After winning districts for soccer we went all the way to the state semi-finals and ended up getting 3rd place in state which was really exciting.

Post-College Athletic Plan?

I hope to continue playing sports throughout my entire life for enjoyment and exercise.

College Athletics I am looking forward to competing against other colleges and helping my team out on the field and getting to know them off the field.

Comments All of my high school coaches have been great to work with and have helped me improve a lot.

LAURA BLEEKE

Harvard University Rowing Greatest Achievement?

I feel like the culmination of all the hard work and hours spent training pay off whenever I do well in a race, and that is an awesome feeling and a great achievement.

Best Statistic?

My 2k time on the indoor rowing machine is 7:16.6. The world record is 6:28.4.

Favorite Memory?

I do not have a specific favorite memory. Anytime I win a race it is exciting.

Sometimes when training is at its hardest I wonder why I still do the sport. But then when you go out and win a race it is all worth it.

Post-College Athletic Plan?

Ivy League colleges do not give athletic scholarships. I am competing in college solely because I love the sport. I do not have a specific plan for after college, it just depends how well I do in college and how much I improve.

College Athletics I am looking forward to having a group of upper classmen that can give me advice.

It is nice to have a group of friends before I even start classes. ďƒź

A NEW PERUNA Senior Elizabeth Krane signs on to swim with SMU. PETER BAUGH

O Sophomores Joshua Lee and Adam Rangwala celebrate winning a doubles point. (William Wysession)

SERVING FOR STATE

Once again, the state championship is within the tennis team’s grasp. sophomore Mac Rechan said. “We try and play fun instead of worrying about points and that makes us feel looser.” fter coming off a phenomenal perThe Hounds also played well in the MICDS formance last season in the Missouri Tournament of Champions where they came in State Class 1 Tournament, the boys’ 1st place. The MICDS Tournament is known as varsity tennis team has a lot to live up to. The the most competitive tournament in the state team’s ultimate goal this year is to finish 1st in of Missouri and features teams such as Rockthe state, but they will have to work very hard hurst, MICDS and Pembroke Hill. In the tourto do so. The Hounds are one of the favorites in nament, Mac Rechan placed 2nd in the singles the MSHSAA Tournament along with the cross bracket. In doubles play, Joey Dulle and Jake state powerhouse, Pembroke Hill.

Lee once again came in 1st.

Recently the Hounds were tested in the Bell“Our team proved a lot by winning the ville East Invitational.

MICDS Tournament,” The team placed 2nd to We’re still going to have a tough Schultz said. “We’re Alton, IL in the tourna- road to win state, but we gained a still going to have a ment. In singles, Mac tough road to win lot of confidence and experience. state but we’ve gained Rechan placed 1st in the 1 seed bracket, a lot of confidence and Jake Lee placed 3rd in Dylan Schultz experience.” the 2nd seed bracket, The Hounds will Senior Dylan Schultz placed play the conference 4th in the 4th seed bracket, Brett Rapponotti tournament last week. The team is one of the placed 1st in the 5th seed bracket, and lastly premier teams in their conference along with Jake Bernstein placed 4th in he 6th seed brack- Lafayette, Eureka, and Parkway Central. et.

“Historically we’ve done very well in district “I think our team played really well in the play,” senior Jack Holds said. “This year we have tournament,” senior captain Dylan Schultz said. a better team than we’ve had in past years and “It would’ve been nice if we got first but I think we’re confident that we’ll be able to go far eswe learned a lot as a team and got better from pecially with all the hard work we’ve put in this it.” year.”

The team also dominated in the doubles play Following the district tournament the team as Mac Rechan and Jack Holds placed 1st in the will head to Columbia to face Rock Bridge High 2nd seed bracket and reigning Missouri State School, where Mac Rechan looks to avenge his Champions Jake Lee and Joey Dulle placed 2nd only loss of the season. The team will look to in the 1st seed bracket. maintain their perfect regular season record “Jack and I do a really good job of commu- before having to face teams such as John Burnicating and were always on the same page,” roughs and University City. 

JON KNOHL

A

n Friday, May 4, Elizabeth Krane had a lot on her plate. Not only did she have a Spanish final that day, she was also confirming a huge decision: her educational future. But Krane was calm and collected, and the room was full of excitement.

Krane has decided to attend Southern Methodist University in the fall. A swimmer for 12 years, Krane will continue swimming at SMU, the 13th ranked swimming school in the nation.

“I went on an official visit, I liked the team and coaches, and I was interested in the school already, so I picked it,” Krane said. Her coach, Dave McCrary was at the signing.

“She has gone through a long process of trying to decide schools . . . it was good to see one that fits her very well,” McCrary said, the head coach of the CSP Tideriders, Krane’s swimming team. “I am happy for her.”

Terry Freerks, the executive director for the Tideriders, is proud of what Krane has achieved.

“She is able to stay committed through thick and thin and is resilient,” Freerks said. “Things do not always go exactly as you would like. It has . . . resulted in success.”

Freerks is also very proud of Krane’s leadership abilities.

“She has been a wonderful role model for her teammates,” Freerks said. “As a program, this is exactly as we like it to happen . . . we are very happy for her and very proud of her.” 

Elizabeth Krane poses for a picture after she signs the letter of intent to swim for Southern Methodist University. (Peter Baugh) PLAY BY PLAY

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S U MM E R MO V I E PRE V I EW 1

JUNE 15

“Rock of Ages” hits theatres on June 15 with Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise and Russel Brand. A country girl and a city boy’s romance is told through the hits of such bands like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and more.

“Snow White and the Huntsman,” stars Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth. Snow White tries to escape her evil stepmother with the help of a hunky huntsman.

8

“Safety Not Guaranteed” also hits theatres on June 8. Starring Jake Johnson, Aubrey Plaza, and Kristen Bell, a group of journalists investigate a man who put out an ad in the paper looking for a partner to travel back in time with him.

“Snow White and the Huntsman” photo from Wikimedia Commons.

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“Take this Waltz,” starring Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen, comes out June 29. A woman stays faithful to her husband, even though she has an undeniable connection with another man.

“Safety Not Garunteed” photo from the official movie site.

David James/Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/MCT

“Take This Waltz” photo from the movie’s official site.

ALSO IN THEATRES: “Prometheus” (June 8), The Madagascar gang comes back June 8 with “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.”

“That’s My Boy” (June 15), “Brave” (June 22), “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” (June 29) and “People Like Us” (June 29).

W

J

ULY

3

20

“The Amazing Spider-Man” kicks off July.

Peter Parker struggles with high school, love, and the disappearance of his parents. He has to use his powers wisely.

“The Dark Knight Rises” flies in on July 20, with Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway and Joseph-Gordon Levitt. Batman faces challenges from Bane and Catwoman eight years after the events of The Dark Knight.

John Schwartzman/Courtesy Columbia Pictures/MCT

Ron Phillips/Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/MCT

27

“Neighborhood Watch,” starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill will be in theatres on July 27. Bored suburban dads start a Neighborhood Watch group that takes them on a wild adventure.

A

ALSO IN THEATRES “Savages” (July 6), “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (July 13) and “Step Up Revolution” (July 27).

UGUST

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

17

Ending the summer on a dangerous note, will be “The Expendables 2,” out August 17.

Starring Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and Liam Hemsworth, the Expendables reunite for what they think will be an easy task. But one of their men gets killed, and they are thrust into the enemy territory trying to get revenge.

10

3

Although Jason Bourne will not be featured, “The Bourne Legacy” will be in theatres on August 3. A whole new chapter for the franchise, the story is centered around another assassin trained in the same program as Bourne. Starring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton.

Meryl Streep and Steve Carell will grace audiences with their presence in “Hope Springs,” out August 10. A middle-aged couple attends a counseling weekend to save their marriage, after being married for 30 years.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

ALSO IN THEATRES: “Total Recall” (August 3), “Sparkle” (August 17) and “Hit and Run” (August 24).

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

REVIEW

37

THE PATIO RESTAURANT

Marvel/MCT Courtesy of IMDB

THE AVENGERS ACTION

PETER SHUMWAY As a childhood Marvel comic book consumer, it is not surprising that I was a fan of “The Avengers.” It was everything that a comic book aficionado would hope for and then some.

In 2008, the Marvel movie “Iron Man” was released with almost $600 million in the box office. And ever since Robert Downey Jr.starred as Tony Stark, the citizens of the Marvel fan base have been wondering how this classic series will end.

Hints of a team of superheroes working together first appeared in the credits of “Iron Man.” Then we were captivated by the Norse Mythology Legend, Thor, who fights with a weapon only a Demigod deserves--a battle hammer.

Then Captain America came, with his leadership abilities and moral compass.

The epitome of brawn, the Hulk, Hawkeye and the Black Widow were also introduced. All of these super heroes combine in a clash against Thor’s adopted brother named Loki.

This epic buildup of heroes and role models would certainly end in an epic clash.

The director of this almost two-and-a-half hour long film is Josh Whedon. Whedon was born in the culture capital of New York City.

As a child he was known for his love for comic books, and even wrote some of his own. One of the comics he wrote was Dark Horse Comics.

This would later inspire him to create “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Firefly” and “Dollhouse.”

Through these experiences Whedon has cultivated his skills in directing supernatural story lines and that was clearly applied to “The Avengers.”

“The Avengers” did not disappoint viewers and its profits confirm that. “The Avengers” made more money over a weekend than any other film-ever. From May 4 to May 6 it took the record with box office earnings of $207 million.

But back to the film itself. Downey Jr. was humorous, and his fight scenes compelling.

While at first I thought Hulk was there just to roar, I learned that he was something more.

While staying the robust green monster he was, he was able to be witty, and of course, continued to take down anything in his path.

“The Avengers” exceeded my expectations.

By incorporating Marvel’s most loved comic characters, “The Avengers” was able to create one of the most epic story lines on the clash of right and wrong. 

ARYA YADAMA

The streets of Clayton are filled with dozens of cafés and restaurants. Just recently, a new café as appeared. The Clayton Patio is a breakfast and lunch café at the intersection of Bonhomme and Hanley. There are plenty of places in Clayton that offer wonderful indoor ambiances, but only a few that have great outdoor spaces.

The Clayton Patio is unique in this way. The café itself is small, but large windows provide a sun-washed look to the little shop. But the outdoor space, or the patio part of the café, is what really stands out. The patio provides a large, comfortable, open space in which customers can eat in the sunlight.

The tables are equipped with large umbrellas, which provide shade on beautiful sunny days. The ambiance of the patio outside is just as warm and comforting as the inside. The fireplace and sofa chairs placed around it add to the air of hospitality of the café. The price range is also extremely reasonable.

Almost everything on the menu is under ten dollars. And food of this restaurant is quite good for the price.

It’s great place for lunch. And the service of the café is top-notch. Although it has a very informal ambiance, even when sitting outside, the waiters still attend to the need of their patrons.

Bottom line: The Patio Cafe has it all: great ambiance, good food and great service. 

Lauren Indovino

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REVIEW

PINK FRIDAY: ROMAN RELOADED POP ALBUM

EUDORA OLSEN

Courtesy of Glen Wilson/MCT

FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT

ROMANTIC COMEDY

LAUREN FRIEDMAN “The Five-Year Engagement” is a light-hearted yet meaningful romantic comedy and one of the few in its genre to relate the struggles of real life relationships. Starring Jason Segel and rising starlet Emily Blunt, the film tracks the struggles and pitfalls that Tom (Jason Segel) and Violet (Emily Blunt) encounter on their long journey to the altar.

While Tom and Violet are in many ways the typical rom-com couple, from their meeting at a “make your own superhero” New Years Eve party to their engagement exactly a year later, the film is unique in the way that it captures the realities of careers, relationships and compromises. Viewers are not only able to enjoy a charming love story, but one that could actually occur in real life.

Although the two definitely have their moments, you root for them because they show true chemistry together and they are much better with each other than they are apart. Although you feel sympathy for Tom, who sacrifices his well-established career as a chef in San Francisco so Violet can attend The University of Michigan, you understand Violet’s reasoning as well and you know that this is a great opportunity for her.

You learn that sometimes in order to keep a relationship alive, one of the two people has to pack up everything and move to a city that is not where they want to be.

While the couple’s journey is enjoyable and provides many laughs to go along with a touching story, the movie definitely drags on with its 124-minute running time and could benefit from being about twenty minutes shorter. 

“She said her name was Nicki,” and everybody listened. With the great success of her debut album “Pink Friday” released in 2010, Nicki Minaj brings her signature bubble-gum, hip-hop sound to her new album “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.”

Although the majority of Minaj’s songs are solo tracks, those that are collaborations with other artists such as Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Drake are some of the strongest tracks on the record.

Minaj’s collaboration with Chris Brown in particular on the track “Right By My Side” is a nice blend of the rapper’s signature “Your Love”-esque love ballads with fun upbeat intervals. Also Brown’s verse is perfectly suited for the carefree tone of the track.

One of Minaj’s strengths as an artist is her ability to rap to not only beats, but also to guitar riffs and drums alike. The track “Starships” is an example of the wide range of musical instruments that Minaj displays on her new album, and the song is reminiscent of the upbeat,

pump-up track “Check It Out.” In tracks such as “Champion,” Minaj gets back to her roots of growing up in the impoverished neighborhoods of Harlem that she describes on her first album. “Champion” serves as an inspirational song for kids living in Minaj’s former economic state. With the opening words “This is a celebration, this is a levitation,” Minaj sets the stage for another one of her signature underdog anthems.

Many of Minaj’s tracks on her new album stay true to her fun, yet soulful, approach to rap music, but some tracks tend towards monotonous, “slow-grind” sounds. “Beez in the Trap” and “I Am Your Leader” are boring, wordy tracks that are not in the slightest dance-worthy. These tracks, along with “Stupid Hoe” and “Marilyn Monroe” seem to be fillers on a whopping 22-track album.

But the slower tracks are outweighed by Minaj’s expert dance club electropop tunes that are sure to get the listener up on their feet and rhyming along with the female rapper. 

Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT

REVIEW

39

AP DILEMMA

COMMENTARY

How the College Board is ruining education.

NOAH EBY

I Paul Lisker

THE SIDE NOT SEEN

Exploring the diversity and stereotypes of Clayton students.

SARAH TAIT

E

arlier in the year, after grinding through hour after hour of college supplements that asked me to describe my community, I was forced to stop writing my flowery, metaphoric, and ultimately meaningless responses and actually think about the question. I was at a loss: how could I possibly describe the Clayton community?

The answer was surprisingly simple: I could not. Clayton does not have a “typical student.”

There is no one mold which the majority of students can fit into. After happening onto this realization, my first feeling was one of dread and panic because there was certainly no way any of my dream colleges would accept an answer that read only “I can’t.” Eventually, however, I began to feel a sense of pride that my community, the only community I have ever felt comfortable calling a home, allows for such diversity.

Yes, by now most everyone knows that Clayton is relatively diverse; Clayton boasts of its diversity as a strong point of its educational program in every pamphlet and poster possible.

The diversity I experience and have benefitted from in the past four years, however, has not been rooted in the fact that the student body is constituted of multiple ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, though that certainly contributes.

I have benefitted most from learning in an

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COMMENTARY

environment free from the labels that have become a familiar, even humorous hallmark of the high school education. The nerd, the jock, the prom queen, all are stereotypical characters in high school melodramas that simply do not exist here.

At Clayton, the jock is an aspiring businessman with a penchant for Latin. The prom queen is also a track star and Harry Potter aficionado.

The nerd happens to be an ambitious, musically gifted, bowler. In other words, the names the high school stereotype would force upon them fail to encompass even half of who they are. At Clayton no student is a stereotype or a label.

The 89th best high school in the nation can boast of many things, not least of which is preparing its students to thrive once they are thrust into the post-high school world. As I ready myself to exit those beloved glass double doors and drive away from the circle for the last time, I can’t help but think about the ways in which Clayton has equipped me to excel.

The curriculum, the rigor, and the expectations have all played a vital role in shaping my character. There is no doubt, however, that Clayton’s defiance of high school norms have been the biggest factor in pushing me to reach my full potential.

To put it simply, you can never know what you are capable of until you veer dangerously outside of what others have designated as your lane. I will forever be thankful that at Clayton, lanes exist only in metaphor. 

n what was, rather pathetically, one of the more liberating moments of my life, I walked out of the AP Language exam room after four hours of testing. I contemplated quoting Martin Luther King – “Free at last, free at last…” – but decided the occasion was not quite so significant.

Completing the final AP test I would ever take was such a spectacular event because, quite simply, I have come to loathe the College Board.

The standard message from colleges and universities is that they want students to take “the most rigorous courses in the setting of their high school.” Unfortunately, College Board has managed to market itself as the rigorous course, so that no respectable high school like Clayton would dare not offer AP classes.

But what if Clayton dropped the AP label from its hardest classes, and instead called them “Advanced”? There would be no pressure to cram content in by the first week of May, no time wasted teaching students how to format answers so that College Board could give full credit. Students could stop practicing unreasonable 40-minute essays and unrealistic two-minute Spanish oral presentations. Teachers could craft their own curricula and their own cumulative assessments to test what they think is most important in the way they think is most effective. Imagine the creativity, the innovation and the learning that could be unleashed.

This, of course, would never happen in Clayton, and I’m not entirely sure it should.

Taking an AP class is, for many students, well worth the college credit that they earn by doing well on the exam. But for those students who are not taking AP classes for the college credit, and instead solely want a rigorous class in a subject area that interests them, there should be another choice.

I wish this were a possibility. Sadly, nothing will change. Students will continue to take AP classes because they know that is what colleges look for, and schools will continue to offer them because they can boast about how well their students do and they are afraid to do anything even slightly off the beaten path. Meanwhile, opportunities for even greater learning pass by, squandered by the College Board’s monopoly on rigor. 

PRO/CON: ADS ON SCHOOL BUSES? The Missouri legislature is considering allowing companies to place ads on school buses in order to increase revenue for districts.

MEREDITH MCMAHON vs. JESSICA JANCOSE

S

o, what truly is an education, after all?

In regards to the bill being considered, it seems that the opposing parties to this bill should step back and re-evaluate what truly defines an education.

In the midst of an economic slump in which school districts are being forced to cut their budgets, districts are making the seemingly impossible choices of what to cut. In this kind of budget, it is obvious that any kind of financial help to the budget would be expedient. Advertisements on school buses would generate substantial revenue, and thus must be considered positively as a way to lessen the cuts on the things that really define our school lives.

Not only can ads be thought of as gentle positive impacts on the budget, they can be thought of ways to directly help keep teacher’s jobs and salaries steady as well as limit cuts on parts of our education that truly define our school experiences, like computers, libraries, auditoriums, and more. When compared to cutting teacher’s jobs, keeping school buses ad-free does not seem as important. In terms of a great education, how far up on the list of importance in one’s education is a pristine yellow school bus? Although there are morality issues with putting ads on school buses, there are times when reality has to kick in, and someone—or something—has to pay for the things that we cherish.

Although some say otherwise, there is also no need to see as the new evil that is out to spoil students’ minds. If we are, indeed, being barraged with five thousand ads per day as the New York Times study in 2007 revealed, then what harm will a few more have on the minds of students? Also, obviously the “devastating psychological effects” that many are afraid of cannot be significant if we are bombarded with so many ads every day. In today’s modern age, students are able to see and differentiate between fact and fiction, and are mature enough to “handle” seeing ads. We are surrounded When compared to cutting by them everywhere—it’s teacher’s jobs, keeping school a fact of life. If anything, such ads could encourage buses ad-free does not seem students to become more as important. wary of the underlying messages in ads and be more conscious consumers in general.

Although having ads inside and outside buses is not ideal, in light of our current budget, ads are very practical and reasonable ways that could lessen the economics strains on the commodities that really define our education. Districts should look past the “tacky” material appearances of ads on buses and the vague, hazy symbol of corruption they supposedly represent, to the objects and people that are quintessential to our learning and truly shape our lives. In the end, an education is defined by one’s teachers, textbooks and resources that provide dozens of opportunities for growth and expansion of the mind—not by the ads on buses. 

A

school bus is arguably one of the most commanding symbols of an American education.

Is it really necessary to tarnish the image of something as simple and wholesome as a school bus with a tacky ad plastered across the side?

Imagine waiting for the bus each day and the first thing that you see when it pulls up is a massive advertisement trying to convince you to visit your nearest Chick-fil-A or to send your broken or unwanted gold jewelry to Cash for Gold.

More importantly, consider the effect that this onslaught of advertising could have on young children riding the buses.

As it is currently written, the bill allows for advertisements for violent media and junk food.

Are we as a state really so financially unstable that we must subject our students to this?

We as a society are already are already drowned in a torrent of ads. Between commercials on television, ads on our phones, on the computer, in movies, in stores - companies have us fully covered. According to the New York Times, as of 2007 we are exposed to over five thousand advertisements each day. One can safely assume that the number has grown since then.

Doesn’t there have to be some place where we draw the line?

What’s next, advertisements in hallways? Will ads become the new screen savers on our Smart Boards?

Children are already bombarded each day with millions of bites of information regarding how to look, act and eat – school should offer some sort of refuge from all of that in the form of a good old fashioned education.

Messages conveyed through ads can, in some instances, run counter to the messages that schools are trying to instill into the minds of students.

Take junk food, for example.

What’s the point of spending thousands of dollars on health classes each year if a district is just going to turn around and splash an ad for McDonald’s on the side of one of their school buses?

Furthermore, one of the main objectives of school is to educate children on how to make informed decisions for themselves. By broadcasting an ad on the side of school buses, schools will inadvertently be giving their endorsements of certain products or companies.

Another issue to consider is safety. These bright buses are meant to get the attention of other drivers and alert them to the fact that there are children aboard.

Ads are, by design, meant to get people’s attention. If people are focusing on the ads rather than the school bus itself, they are more likely to get in accidents and children could be hurt as a direct consequence of this bill.

The idea of using school buses as an outlet for advertisements is ridiculous. I know that I would prefer it if my school bus remained a school bus and was not transformed into a billboard on wheels. 

COMMENTARY

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HAVE YOU BEEN SORTED YET? Pottermore has captivated fans across the nation.

RACHEL BLUESTONE

Kate Harrison

SUMMER LOVIN’ Enrich your summer this year with true learning.

MEREDITH MCMAHON

S

ummer. Even the word has a most delectable taste on the tongue when spoken. The ‘m’ lengthens into a long and content sound that, like the season, seems to stretch on forever in a most content manner.

Summer is the time when students and teachers alike dream of all year - and for good reason.

Summer is, undeniably, the best season of the year.

So what makes summer so glorious? It seems obvious, as the overbearing stress of exams come, that summer is an escape from the chaotic, stressful and rout life of a high school student. Summer becomes a haven of laziness, an ideal of mindlessness, a time to forget and stop our minds from growing. So, many of us do--evidenced by the stress of schools to lengthen the school year in order to lessen the “stupefying” effect of summer on our impressionable minds. Teachers begin giving homework to avert these effects, not to encourage but rather, to force academic growth out of students. What has the initial purpose of encouraging student growth in many cases becomes a crutch, stinting our education in the real world.

Although I find the mandates of summer homework assignments constricting, I’m not advocating for the erasure of anything that even sounds like academia during the summer-- in fact, quite the opposite. In my opinion, summer is the ideal time for academic growth, learning and teaching. However, it is undeniable that learning comes most easily and is most

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meaningful when it comes from one’s curiosity, not fear of a grade. And in the time of summer, when days seem to stretch on with no end, it’s the perfect time to start projects, read for fun, and start learning for real.

And so to everyone considering taking this summer as time to catch up on television show reruns and forget all the equations and facts they learned this year, why think of summer as an escape? Summer, is, after all, the most glorious season--not to be sought after like a refuge but instead, celebrated in all of its glory.

Summer is a time to learn-- not just out of textbooks, but in real world environments that can teach us so much more than books or even the best teachers can.

Although I value the education that I receive during the school year immensely, I also have to admit that during summers past I have had some of the most meaningful and educational experiences of my life. Whether it’s finding or immersing myself in a passion like music, traveling, learning about new places, reading, or meeting new people, I have always taken summer as a piece of time of my life in which I have decided to follow and learn about the things that truly interest and excite me. That is what summer is to me, and I hope that others will take a look at this canvas of time – 3 months –- in a new perspective as well. It’s your canvas, this summertime is, and it was made for painting. It’s time to look outside the box, find what you’re passionate about, and take advantage of this rare time when your life is stuck on pause like a broken tape – take this pause, this silence, and create something meaningful out of it. 

T

here comes a time in our lives where a decision must be made. Sometimes, the decision is up to us. Sometimes it’s not. For the millions of students swarming the Great Hall, this decision lies with the Sorting Hat. Since its opening to the general public on April 14 of this year, Pottermore has welcomed over one million new students. Many of these witches and wizards wanted to know one thing: which house they would be sorted into.

The Sorting Quiz on Pottermore changed many people’s opinions of themselves, as they were occasionally sorted into a house different than the one they had originally thought they would be in.

“I was a bit surprised not to be sorted into Ravenclaw,” sophomore Griffin Reed said, a recently sorted Gryffindor. “But I am not at all disappointed.” She is joined by many who hoped for one house, but were sorted into another. Some didn’t take it as well as Griffin did, though.

“I always believed that my pure heart and my courage to stand up for what was right marked me as a true Gryffindor,” said Carley Griffiths, a Hufflepuff with some hard feelings toward her house. This appears to be a common trend among Hufflepuffs who were not exactly satisfied about their Sorting results.

However, some people were ecstatic with the house they were sorted into. Take Sophomore Rilke Griffin, a Slytherin, for example. Sorted into the “evil” house, Rilke welcomed the opportunity with a sense of pride.

“I was sorted into Slytherin, and I have pretty much always thought I was a Slytherin,” she said happily. “Because I like to consider myself smart and willing to use my intelligence to get the things I want.” The classic trait of selfpreservation is seen in her, proving her to be a definite Slytherin.

But no matter what house one is sorted into, Pottermore gives people across the globe a peek into the world of Harry Potter that is nothing short of magical. 

LAND OR LITTER?

The battle between explorers and companies.

Taylor Gold

NEIL DOCHERTY

I

was ten years old when I first ventured off into the woods alone. It was early fall then, and my family and I were spending the weekend at our farm in Southern Missouri.

I can remember the feeling of awe as I witnessed the beauty of the forest. I had been in it many times, but never alone. This was different because now it was just the woods and me. The experience opened up the door to new exploration.

The first day I only went about 200 feet, the next day 100 more and it soon got to the point where I was traveling miles alone, for many hours at a time.

In a transcendentalist kind of way, this time spent alone in the woods changed me. It made me aware of our diminishing natural resources and the fight to save them.

This is a feeling that I share with many who have had their own experiences outside,

whether it be on the open plains of Kansas or the warm beaches of Florida. Wherever it is, people feel a connection to nature where they feel the world is bigger than just them.

Without these great wild places our nation would not be the same. What would Wyoming be without Yellowstone National Park? Or Canada without Niagara? What would the West be like if it was not wild? Could there be any happiness if our green places were gone?

These are the questions that must be asked in order to preserve our wild places and keep our natural heritage.

In the past few months the forest by my farm has started to disappear. At first it was just a couple of acres here and there, but then whole chunks of forest were wiped off of the face of the earth.

I didn’t really pay much attention to it because it was far enough away from our property that it didn’t affect my family or me. But then, one day, it did. A thousand plus acres that surrounded our property were no longer open to

roam on. The previous owner, who had always allowed us to go freely on his property, signed a 50-year lease with Nestle Purina that gave them full rights to the property.

A road will be built a mere 200 feet from our farmhouse and will cut through the entire forest to the south where Nestle Purina will dig a hole the size of four football fields.

And why is this beautiful place being destroyed? For cat litter. Specifically for the clay found on that land that Nestle Purina will use to make cat litter.

For years our little three acre farm was an island of human existence in a sea of forest, but now our farm will be an island of green in a sea of man made destruction.

I know that we as humans have gone too far when we are willing to chop down thousands of acres of woodlands to make a quick buck.

Although I know this happens in every state, every country, every continent, I never truly understood until it happened to me and “my land.” 

TO VOTE OR NOT TO VOTE

One reporter argues the negative consequences of lowering the voting age.

STEVEN ZOU

T

he right of citizens of the United States who are 18 years of age or older to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age.” That is what Amendment XXVI of the U.S. Constitution says: only citizens 18 years and older are allowed to vote. Some believe that lowering the voting age to 16 years old would be a good idea, but I am not so sure.

In the beginning, I thought it was a good idea. I thought that voting rights should even be granted to 10-year-olds. Who wouldn’t want to pick the future leader of America?

I have participated in mock elections, hoping that the politicians I vote for get elected and lead our country.

As I’ve gotten older, I have caught up in the wave of political debate of the 2012 elections, whether the issue is gay rights or congress raising taxes on the rich. I argue with my friends on

which candidate is fit to run our country, if any.

I personally believe that people under 18 should not have the right to vote because they are not mature enough and should not be given the responsibility that comes with voting.

I have healthy debates with my friends on the candidates, some of which change sides everyday. With that being said, I feel that teens do not know enough about how the government works to make quality decisions on who to vote for.

Most teens have not taken an American Government class and do not follow the political news often.

We live under the protection of our parents, where we have a roof over our head. With meals set on the table and almost everything we want thrown our way, it is hard not to have a good life living with parents.

Voting is a responsibility. But living under our parents’ protection and comfort means we don’t have to worry about much. We don’t pay taxes, buy our own food, or even pay for that

(Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

brand new BMW our parents have gotten us.

I understand that many teens do care about voting, but are they only thinking about electing the candidate that is going to benefit them?

Next time you think that the voting age should be lowered to 16, ask yourself, “Do I want this candidate to win so I can benefit from it, or do I really think that this candidate is going to be the best for America’s future?”  COMMENTARY

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(Keith Myers/Kansas City Star/MCT)

EQUALITY FOR ALL In response to Joe Biden’s inadvertent outing, Obama expresses his support for same-sex marriage.

NOAH EBY

P

resident Barack Obama rather awkwardly made history this month.

His May 9 announcement that he officially supports same-sex marriage came in the wake of comments by Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, in which they both said that they were in favor of gay marriage.

With that added pressure, Obama was compelled to declare his position in an ABC interview instead of a speech or formal address. In contrast to his usual eloquence, Obama clumsily said that “at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”

While his proclamation is undoubtedly a step in the right direction in terms of expanding rights for same-sex couples, it has come un-

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der attack for somewhat valid reasons. According to a New York Times/CBS poll, the majority of Americans believe Obama’s decision to come out in support of gay marriage was politically motivated.

The timing is indeed convenient for Obama, who is desperate to invigorate supporters who have so far failed to recreate the excitement of the 2008 campaign. And as the economy continues to weigh on Obama’s re-election prospects, he surely wouldn’t mind shifting the focus to a social issue that stirs the hearts of liberals.

This is not, then, the way that such a milestone should have been achieved. The politicization of Obama’s announcement and the haphazard way it came about unfortunately detract from its immense significance.

That significance is largely unrelated to Obama’s presidency or his future. For the first time, a president of the United States has declared their support for gay marriage. This is unlikely to bring about timely change to mar-

riage laws, and it will probably not discourage more states from banning same-sex marriage.

Rather, it sets a vital precedent. It should no longer be notable or spectacular for national leaders to support gay marriage – it should be expected. Supporting same-sex marriage should now become the norm, even at the highest levels of government.

Hopefully, all future Democratic presidents – and Republican presidents, eventually – will reaffirm Obama’s declaration. While gay marriage will remain a hot-button issue for some time, consistent support from politicians could build momentum towards a legal solution. Gay marriage should be legal, and now that Obama has declared his support, no politician, celebrity or ordinary citizen should be afraid to say so. 

Five states currently allow same-sex couples to marry. In date order, those states are: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire. The District of Columbia also recognizes gay marriage.

Dr. Louise Losos dedicates the Golden Greyhound to the senior class at the 2011 homecoming game.

She has resigned over a scandal involving social media. (Olivia Macdougal)

THE LOSOS LEGACY As CHS principal, Louise Losos did great things for Clayton. We should remember her for more than her untimely departure.

STAFF EDITORIAL

I

t would be impossible for us to judge Dr. Losos’s tenure as principal. Or, for that matter, to rate Sharmon Wilkinson’s decisions as superintendent. The actions of the principal, the superintendent and other administrators are rarely seen by the eye of the public. As students, it is largely impossible to know which administrator made which decision, which faculty member knew which secret and which boss to blame.

We may never know why members of the community expressed so much hatred towards Losos. We may never know if the administration was previously aware of the “inappropriate use of social media.” We can, however, remember the times when we experienced the graciousness of Dr. Losos.

Losos believed that, given the opportunity, in the decision to continue funding our forenstudents would make responsible choices. She sics team, which, according to coach Justin Seiwas a proponent of allowing CHS to host events well, had 84 participants this year. on behalf of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).

It is all too easy to jump on the bandwagon With help from Losos, GSA hosted the counter- of hatred and continue to ruin a once – esprotest to the Westboro Baptist Church visit teemed principal’s name. As with all decisions, and the NOH8 campaign on school grounds. it is necessary to step back and assess the enThese events have brought national recognition tire body of work before reaching a conclusion. to our school and GSA. And students and parLosos, who has of- We should appreciate the respect ents simply don’t know ten spoken on behalf she showed us as principal over enough to make a comof freedom of the press prehensive judgement the last six years. about the Losos legacy. in the high school setting, always responded But we can rememto Globe interview requests. She even granted ber the times when Losos reached out to us, and exclusive interviews to students, leading Globe we should appreciate the respect she showed us stories to be quoted by other media. as principal over the last six years. Losos was Many schools have turned to cutting fund- professional, dedicated and passionate about ing for speech and debate programs in times of Clayton. financial trouble. Losos played an integral role She will be missed.  COMMENTARY

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CURTAIN CALL

MARCHING THROUGH HISTORY CHS junior David Iken joined the BBYOsponsored “March of the Living” through Poland and Israel. The Globe’s Katherine Ren sat down with Iken to talk about his travels.

Can you give me some background regarding the trip?

The trip I went on was “March of the Living”. There were about 15,000 kids, mostly teens, from all around the world who participated. There were many different groups, approximately 200 kids, from all over the United States who went with BBYO [B’nai B’rith Youth Organization]. Each group was accompanied by a Holocaust survivor. First we went to Poland, where our main focus of study was the Holocaust. We visited many of the concentration camps such as Auschwitz, Treblinka, Mydonic and Auschwitz II. We also walked around Krakow, Poland, which is a city with a substantially large Jewish population. Then we went to Israel for the second half of the trip, where we did more of the touristy things.

Can you tell me more about the actual march?

So on Holocaust Memorial Day [April 18, 2012], everyone that was participating in the March of the Living program met at Auschwitz and proceeded to hike a two-mile walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau, which was a huge death camp. The march started out with everyone singing songs and waving the Israeli flag, but as we got closer to Birkenau, things began to quiet down. What struck me hard was when we saw Israeli soldiers walking through Birkenau. It was just an amazing thing to see the people who were defending our country go through a place like that. This was the place where the Nazis tried to destroy all the Jews. Yet, out of all the terrible things that happened, we got something amazing, which was Israel.

What did you do in Israel?

Well one of the reasons this trip was scheduled at this time was so that we would be in Poland during the Holocaust Memorial Day and in Israel during their national memorial day and independence day. So I had the privilege of experiencing their memorial day and independence day.

Unlike in the States, Israel’s memorial day is a very solemn holiday. Since Israel’s such a small country, everyone has been affected in some way, shape or form by the draft and the wars. They either have direct family who have been affected or they know someone. At about 11 a.m., sirens go off everywhere in the country and everyone who’s driving stops and

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David Iken praying at the Western Wall during his trip. (Courtesy of David Iken) gets out of the car. The whole country freezes for a minute, and stops to think of their loved ones and those who have fallen in battle. We saw this man who got out of his delivery truck and just started crying. We went over and asked him what he was crying for and he told us it was for one of his deceased friends who had fallen in battle. He said that the worst part was that only a part of him came home.

If you were to pick one message to tell the rest of us, what would it be?

Everyone in the world, whether you are Jewish or not, needs to see these concentration camps. The reason being that what you learn from textbooks, in class, from going a museum or memorials just isn’t enough.

It’s not the same as seeing things with your own eyes. I will still never understand the Holocaust, I don’t think anyone ever will. But you have a different level of perceiving it. It’s more concrete when you see that there are rooms upon rooms of shoes that the Nazis stole from the Jews.

It’s different when you see history with your own eyes. You see the place where 800,000 Jews were massacred, and it changes you. As we were walking through the gas chambers, I asked how the Holocaust survivor who was with us could walk through such a place. And she said, “It is because you are here. It is because we [the Jewish people] are here. The Nazis tried and they didn’t succeed.”  To read more of the interview, go to www.chsglobe.com