Off the Shelves

PILOT PILOT PILOT January January January 2026 2026 2026 January 2026

January 2026

OFF OFF OFFTHE THE THE OFF THE

OFF THE

SHELVES SHELVES SHELVES SHELVES

SHELVES

PILOT January 2025 - Issue 2 - Vol. 72 Lindbergh High School 5000 Lindbergh Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63126 (314)-729-2400 lindberghlookup@gmail.com www.lindberghlookup.com

CONTRIBUTORS Mira Schoewe Editor in Chief Lilian Donaldson Editor in Chief Finnley Placke Media Editor Krystle Hoisington Advisor Leila Thomas Staff Writer Kelly Forbes Staff Writer Zoe Azzara Staff Writer Fiona Le Staff Writer Martin Corbin-Cornwell Staff Writer Lydia Brown Contributing Writer Stella Roehrs Online Contributing Writer Sydney Murphy Online Contributing Photographer, Yearbooker Rick Thomas Concrete, LLC Issue Sponsor The Castillo Family Green Sponsor Ben’s Floral Flyer Sponsor Kirkwood Theater Guild Flyer Sponsor The Donaldson Family Flyer Sponsor Catherine the Great Flyer Sponsor The Murphy Family Flyer Sponsor The Denny Team Flyer Sponsor

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If you notice an error in our reporting, please contact krystlehoisington@llindberghschools.ws so that corrections can be made. All corrections, if any, are listed on the From the Editors page.

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dear readers... dear readers...

As we move into 2026, it has become increasingly clear that many of the challenges facing our community are connected to larger social and political forces. From the strain placed upon local food pantries during the record-long government shutdown to the debate over access to books in Missouri issues explore the growing concerns about FROMschools, THEthese EDITORS who is heard and how communities respond EDITORS when systems fall short. While these FROM THE discussions often begin at the state or national level, their impact is felt locally, affecting students,Asfamilies and educators within our district. In this edition, you will also explore we move into 2026, it has become increasingly clear that many of the challenges major culture moments, music and 2025,and alongside the the ACTstrain and facing pop our community are connected to films largerofsocial politicalchanges forces. to From As we move into 2026, it has become increasingly clear that many of the challenges placed upon local food pantries during the record-long government shutdown the debate ongoing concerns aboutare climate change.

Together, these capture year to marked by facing our community connected to larger social and stories political forces.a From the strain over access to books in Missouri schools, these issues explore the growing concerns about resilience andlocal rapidfood changes.

With this the issue, Pilot aimsgovernment to inform, encourage inspire placed upon pantries during record-long shutdown and to the debate who is heard and how communities respond when systems fall short. While these over accessconversation to books in Missouri these issues explore thoughtful about theschools, world shaping Lindbergh andtheourgrowing future. concerns about discussions often begin at the state or national level, their impact is felt locally, affecting who is heard and how communities respond when systems fall short. While these students, families and educators within our district. In this edition, you will also explore discussions often begin at the state or national level, their impact is felt locally, affecting major pop culture moments, music and films of 2025, alongside changes to the ACT and students, families and educators within our district. In this edition, you will also explore ongoing concerns about climate change. Together, these stories capture a year marked by major pop culture moments, music and films of 2025, alongside changes to the ACT and resilience and rapid changes. With this issue, Pilot aims to inform, encourage and inspire ongoing concerns about climate change. Together, these stories capture a year marked by thoughtful conversation about the world shaping Lindbergh and our future. resilience and rapid changes. With this issue, Pilot aims to inform, encourage and inspire thoughtful conversation about the world shaping Lindbergh and our future.

Mira Schoewe and Lillian Donaldson Editors-in-Chief, Pilot Mira Schoewe and Lillian Donaldson Mira Schoewe and Editors-in-Chief, Pilot Lillian Donaldson Editors-in-Chief, Pilot

Spread design by Mira Schoewe.

Spread design by Mira Schoewe.

Spread design by Mira Schoewe.

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TheThe students students aided aided during during the the shutdown. shutdown.

TheThe Louvre Louvre heist, heist, a lawsuit a lawsuit against against the the Pentagon Pentagon andand “Coldplaygate.”

“Coldplaygate.”

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Behind Behind This This Issue Issue

ONON THE THE COVER COVER Four Four years years after after widespread widespread book book removals removals in Missouri, in Missouri, a a district district is seeing is seeing books books return return back back to shelves. to shelves.

Collect Collect and and Contribute Contribute

FEATURE FEATURE

Policies Policies andand expectations expectations

2025 2025 inin Review Review

SPORTS SPORTS

Inside Inside Coach Coach Shipp’s Shipp’s efforts efforts to help to help girls’ girls’ sports sports getget the the ballball back back on on their their sideside of the of the court. court.

CoverCover photographed photographed

by Mira

by Mira Schoewe Schoewe for Pilot for Pilot newsmagazine. newsmagazine.

OtherOther photosphotos available available on www.lindberghlookup.com. on www.lindberghlookup.com.

Online: Online: A guest A guest essayessay by contributing by contributing writerwriter StellaStella Roehrs, Roehrs, written written for Pilot for Pilot newsmagazine, newsmagazine, is available is available onlineonline at www.lindberghlookup.com. at www.lindberghlookup.com.

It is an It editorial is an editorial aboutabout what what a a childhood childhood favorite favorite superhero superhero taughttaught her about her about identity. identity.

All stories All stories in Issue in Issue 2 are 2also areavailable also available online. online.

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RE ANDCULTURE AND TYLE LIFESTYLE

Put Your Girl, Put Your rds On Records On

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NEWS NEWS

A Climate A Climate in in Crisis Crisis

Climate change Climate change is heavily is heavily impacting impacting local local coming artists, Up-and-coming artists, communities, LHS teacher LHS teacher dollar tours billion-dollar and thetours and the communities, says.

AI made rise 2025 of AI a made big 2025 a big says. r music. year for music.

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“I’m “I’m just just glad glad we’re we’re here here [to] [to] offer offer the the kids kids an an opportunity opportunity to to play play aa sport sport they they seem seem toto love.” love.”

COACH COACH ANDREW ANDREW SHIPP SHIPP

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The students aided during the shutdown.

by Kelly Forbes - Staff Writer News

ast year’s record-breaking

government shutdown halted SNAP benefits, paused the National School Lunch Program and left thousands of St. Louis residents in need of affordable food. Feed My People volunteer Alice Larson, however, said the local pantry is working hard to keep up with the rising demand.

6

A member of AVID 11 and a junior at Lindbergh High School, Larson dedicates her free time to volunteering with Feed My People, a local program that provides food and clothes to those in need. Recently, the organization ran a food drive accepting donations of canned goods, whole-grain products, spices and clothes as a way

Spread design by Mira Schoewe and Kelly Forbes.

to combat the temporary defunding of government programs.

Lindbergh students already to combat Several the temporary defunding of have government made an effort to help out, Larson said,have calling the programs.

Several Lindbergh students already project a “student-led initiative” and saying that made an effort to help out, Larson said, calling the students the primary drivingand force behind project awere “student-led initiative” saying thatthe organization’s work and efforts. students were the primary driving force behind the “It’s very heartwarming organization’s work and efforts.to see all of these people getting theheartwarming help they need, because “It’s very to especially see all of these it’s more personal and they get to choose what they people getting the help they need, especially because want or need,” Larson andtoadded: “Feed it’s more personal and said, they get choose whatMy they People can give people in poverty a lot more dignity want or need,” Larson said, and added: “Feed My because it’s give morepeople similarintopoverty a grocery the People can a lotstore, moresodignity people picksimilar out thetofoods they need.” becausecan it’sgo more a grocery store, so the Larson believes that Feed My People’s people can go pick out the foods they need.” grocery-store environment makes getting Larsonlike believes that Feed My People’s assistance with food feel less dehumanizing and that grocery-store like environment makes getting itassistance makes the experience natural forand people with food feelfeel lessmore dehumanizing that than picking up a box offeel prepackaged food. it makes the experience more natural for people “People goof and pick out thefood. foods they than picking up can a box prepackaged need, like if theycan have picky eater “People goaand pick out at thehome,” foods they Larson said. need, like if they have a picky eater at home,” Larson Around said. ten percent of Missouri’s population uses food stamps, nearlyof48 percent ofpopulation Missouri Around tenand percent Missouri’s students use NSLP for lunch, according to an article uses food stamps, and nearly 48 percent of Missouri by USAfacts.

During government shutdown, students use NSLP forthe lunch, according to an article Feed My People worked to target St. Louis’ South

by USAfacts. During the government shutdown, County where they believed Feed Myarea, People worked to target residents St. Louis’were South affected the most.

County area, where they believed residents were affectedMs. theDerry, most. an AVID 11 teacher helping overseeMs. the organization of the at helping Lindbergh Derry, an AVID 11 drive teacher Schools, said that food drives such as Feed My oversee the organization of the drive at Lindbergh People have to theaslocal Schools, saidbeen that very food helpful drives such Feed My community.

People have been very helpful to the local “To me, it sounds like Feed My People is community. very involved initthe community.

One ofPeople my students “To me, sounds like Feed My is asked the director of Feed My People what she does retirW f f a t S s e b r o F y l l e K y b very involved in the community. One of my students sweN asked the director of Feed My People what she does

if someone does not have the transporation to get here, and she saidnot shehave willthe sometimes deliver if someone does transporation to the get food those people also need the more here, and and that she typically said she will sometimes deliver help than just food, so they also can provide a food and that typically those people also need lawn more service,” Derry said. help than just food, so they also can provide a lawn Other local programs, such as the Salvation service,” Derry said.

Army, Feeding Missouri (a partnership of Salvation Missouri’s Other local programs, such as the six major food banks) and(aSt. Louis Gateway Army, Feeding Missouri partnership of Missouri’s Citadel, have also contributed to food donation six major food banks) and St. Louis Gateway efforts.

Citadel, have also contributed to food donation efforts. Leigh Anne Haun, the executive director of FeedingLeigh Missouri, in an by the Missouri Annesaid Haun, thearticle executive director of Independent that “food banks are thebysafety net to the Feeding Missouri, said in an article the Missouri safety net” and that the main for safety the net to the Independent that “food banksneed are the community rightthat now volunteering safety net” and theismain need for and the donations.

Despite city-wide strains, Derry said the My community right now is volunteering andFeed donations.

People drive has seenDerry amplesaid success.

Despitefood city-wide strains, the Feed My students organized and People “The food drive hashave seen been amplevery success. have really taken initiative.

They have blown meand “The students have been very organized away.

Students have been following their interests, have really taken initiative.

They have blown me and people have really been doing their set jobs away. Students have been following their interests, really well. have The drive doing verytheir well,” and people reallyisbeen doing setDerry jobs said. really well. The drive is doing very well,” Derry said. Larson also said the drive had collected more items than expected.

Larson also said the drive had collected more “The original goal was around 350 items, and items than expected. we ended up with 1,300 items passed goals and in “The original goal was and around 3502items, the I would definitely help with 2this drive we same endedday. up with 1,300 items and passed goals in again,” Larson said. the same day. I would definitely help with this drive again,” Larson said.

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2025 2025 2025 IN INREVIEW REVIEW REVIEW ININ REVIEW by Zoe by Zoe Zoe Azzara Azzara -Writer Staff - Staff - Staff Writer Writer Writer

by Zoeby Azzara -Azzara Staff

Donald Donald Donald Trump Trump Trump Takes Takes Takes Office Office Office Donald Trump Takes Office Donald Donald Trump Trump Trump was was inaugurated was inaugurated inaugurated as as thethe as47th the 47th 47th DonaldDonald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president president president of of the the of United the United United States States States on on Monday, on Monday, Monday, Jan. Jan.Jan. president of the United States on Monday, Jan. 20,20, marking 20, marking marking thethe beginning the beginning of of hishis ofsecond his second second term term term 20, marking the beginning ofbeginning his second term following following following a landslide a victory. landslide a landslide victory. victory. victory. following a landslide

Donald Donald Donald Trump Trump Trump points points points Donald Trump points while while speaking while at aat aat a while speaking at speaking a speaking rally. rally. rally. rally.

19

WHO WHO WHO WHO

WAS WAS WAS AT AT AT THE THE THE INAUGURATION? INAUGURATION? INAUGURATION? WAS AT THE INAUGURATION? Sitting Sitting in the in the in front front row front row atrow the at the at presidential the presidential presidential inauguration inauguration inauguration were the were the world’s the world’s world’s Sitting inSitting the front row atthe the presidential inauguration were the were world’s toptop one top one percent one percent percent —America’s —America’s —America’s billionaires, billionaires, billionaires, worth worth worth a collective a$1.35 collective a collective $1.35 $1.35 $1.35 trillion. trillion. trillion. top one percent —America’s billionaires, worth a collective trillion.

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California California California Wildfires Wildfires Wildfires California Wildfires

Papal Papal Papal Transition Transition Transition Papal Transition

California’s California’s California’s January January January wildfires wildfires wildfires California’s January wildfires were were were among among among America’s America’s America’s most most most were among America’s most damaging damaging damaging natural natural natural disasters. disasters. disasters.

In In In damaging natural disasters. In January, January, the the fires the fires burned fires burned burned 40,000 40,000 40,000 January,January, the fires burned 40,000 acres, acres, acres, damaged damaged damaged about about about 12,000 12,000 12,000 acres, damaged about 12,000 structures structures structures andand and killed killed at least least at least 2424 24 structures and killed atkilled least 24at people. people. people.people.

Pope Pope Pope Francis Francis Francis passed passed passed on on Apr. on Apr. 21, Apr. 21,21, Pope Francis passed on Apr. 21, 2025, 2025, 2025, andand Cardinal and Cardinal Cardinal Robert Robert Robert Francis Francis Francis 2025, and Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Prevost was was elected was elected as as the the asnew the new pope new pope pope PrevostPrevost was elected as theelected new pope May on May May 8,He 8, 2025.

2025.

8, 2025.

He He took He took the took the name the name name on Mayon 8,on 2025. took the name Pope Pope Pope Leo Leo XIV, Leo XIV, XIV, becoming becoming first the firstfirst Pope Leo XIV, becoming thebecoming firstthethe American American hold hold to the hold the position. the position. position.

American to American hold to theto position.

Released ReleasedtotoNetflix NetflixJune June20, 20,2025, 2025,Kpop KpopDemon Demon Hunters Huntersreached reachedunprecedented unprecedentedsuccess. success.ItIthad had over over325 325million millionviews viewsininitsitsfirst first91 91days dayson onNetflix Netflix and andfour foursongs songsininthe thetop topten tenofofthe theBillboard BillboardHot Hot 100, 100,including includingitsitssoundtrack soundtracksingle, single,“Soda “SodaPop,” Pop,” which whichinspired inspiredaaTikTok TikTokdance dancechallenge. challenge.

The The“Coldplaygate” “Coldplaygate” Incident Incident AAviral viral“kiss “kisscam” cam”moment momentininJuly July 2025, 2025,ininwhich whichthe theformer formerCEO CEOofoftech tech company companyAstronomer, Astronomer,Andy AndyByron, Byron, was wascaught caughtembracing embracinghis hisformer former employee employeeKristian KristianCabot, Cabot,before before quickly quicklyducking duckingout outofofthe theframe, frame, prompting promptingthe themedia mediatotosuspect suspectan an affair. affair.

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Taylor TaylorSwift Swiftand andTravis TravisKelce Kelce announced announcedtheir theirengagement engagementon on Aug. Aug.26, 26,2025, 2025,sharing sharingthe thenews news through throughaajoint jointInstagram Instagrampost post captioned, captioned,“Your “YourEnglish Englishteacher teacher and andyour yourgym gymteacher teacherare aregetting getting married.” married.”

The Thesequel, sequel,released releasedFriday, Friday,Nov. Nov. 21, 21,earned earned$150 $150million millionnationally nationally and and$226 $226million millionglobally globallyduring duringitsits opening openingweekend, weekend,ranking rankingasasthe the second-largest second-largestU.S. U.S.opening openingfor forthe the year yearand andthe thelargest largestinternational international debut debutfor foraastage stagemusical musicaladaptation. adaptation.

The Themovie moviemusical musicalperformed performedwell well with withthe thefans, fans,achieving achievingaa95% 95% audience audiencescore scoreon onRotten RottenTomatoes.

Tomatoes.

A A ROBBERY ROBBERY AT AT THE THE

LOUVRE On OnOct. Oct.19, 19,2025, 2025,two twosuspected suspected thieves, thieves,disguised disguisedasasconstruction construction workers, workers,stole stoleeight eightpieces piecesofofthe the French FrenchCrown CrownJewels Jewelsvalued valuedatat€88 €88 million, million,ororapproximately approximately$101 $101 million, million,from fromthe theApollo ApolloGallery.

Gallery.The The incident incidentattracted attractedwidespread widespreadmedia media attention attentionand andbecame becameaaviral viralmeme. meme.

InInDecember December2025, 2025,The TheNew NewYork YorkTimes TimesCompany Companysued suedthe thePentagon Pentagonover over new newrules rulesimplemented implementedby byDefense DefenseSecretary SecretaryPete PeteHegseth, Hegseth,whose whosetitle titlewas was recently recentlychanged changedtotothe the“Secretary “SecretaryofofWar” War”by bythe theTrump Trump administration. administration.These Theserules rulesrestrict restrictmedia mediaaccess accessand andrequire requireprior prior approval approvalfor forreporting. reporting.The Thelawsuit lawsuitisiscurrently currentlystill stillongoing. ongoing.

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BAN BAN Four Four Four years years years after after after widespread widespread widespread book book book removals removals removals in in in Missouri, Missouri, Missouri, oneonedistrict one district district is isseeing is seeing seeing titles titles titles return return return to toitsto itsschools. its schools. schools.

AtAtLindbergh, At Lindbergh, Lindbergh, several several several books books books remain remain remain offoffshelves. off shelves. shelves.

Why? Why? Why? 2022: 2022: Missouri 2022: Missouri Missouri Senate Senate Bill Senate Bill 775 775 Bill 775 is introduced is introduced is introduced to to to Congress Congress Congress by the by the by the bill’sbill’s sponsor, bill’s sponsor, sponsor, Republican Republican Republican Sen.Sen. Holly Sen. HollyHolly Thompson Thompson Thompson Rehder.

Rehder.

Rehder.

Photo Photo courtesy Photo courtesy courtesy of of of MOMO Senate.

MO Senate.

Senate.

Rehder Rehder and the andbill’s the bill’s Rehder and the bill’s co-sponsor, co-sponsor, Democratic Democratic co-sponsor, Democratic Jill Schupp, Jill Schupp, Sen.Sen. Jill Sen. Schupp, carry carry it through it through carry it through Senate Senate debates. debates.

Senate debates.

While onWhile the Republican Sen.Sen. RickSen. While on Senate the onSenate thefloor, Senate floor, floor, Republican Republican RickRick Brattin and other members of the Brattin Brattin and other and other members members of theof the Consevative Caucus propose the the the Consevative Consevative Caucus Caucus propose propose book-restricting law law as an amendment to add toto to book-restricting book-restricting as law anasamendment an amendment to add add to the original bill.bill. bill. the original the original

M M M

Republican Gov.Gov.Gov. Republican Republican MikeMike Parson signs Mike Parson Parson signssigns the bill, with the with the bill, the bill, with the the amendment, intointo into amendment, amendment, law law JuneJune of 2022. law June of 2022. of 2022.

Rehder Rehder does Rehder does notdoes approve not approve not approve of the of amendment theofamendment the amendment and and says,says, and in reference says, in reference in reference to the to proposal, thetoproposal, the proposal, thatthat that the bill the is bill the being isbill being is “hijacked being “hijacked “hijacked by aby few a by few men a men few whomen who who wanted wanted to wanted talk to talk about to about talk another about another issue.” another issue.” issue.”

be labeled be labeled be labeled a Class a Class A a Class misdemeanor A misdemeanor A misdemeanor andand could and could result could result inresult up in upin up to one to one year to one year in jail year in jail orinaor jail fine a or fine ofaup fine of to upof $2,000. toup$2,000. to $2,000.

Following Following Following the the law’s law’s theenactment, law’s enactment, enactment, 12 Missouri 12 Missouri 12 Missouri lawlaw thatlaw that prohibited that prohibited prohibited schools schools schools from from providing from providing providing books books classified books classified classified school school districts school districts districts removed removed removed 315315 books 315 books from books from their from their shelves their shelves shelves as “explicit as “explicit as “explicit sexual sexual material” sexual material” material” to students to students to students waswas overturned was overturned overturned on on on between between between JulyJuly andJuly and December and December December 2022, 2022, according 2022, according according to data to data to data Nov.Nov. 17,Nov. 17, 2025, 2025, 17,by2025, Jackson

by Jackson

by Jackson County County County Circuit Circuit Court Circuit Court Judge Court Judge J.Judge J. J.published published published

by St.

by Charles St. byCharles St. Charles Community Community Community College.

College.

College.

At At At DaleDale Youngs Dale Youngs Youngs afterafter a lawsuit after a lawsuit a lawsuit filedfiled on filed behalf on behalf onof behalf some of some ofMissouri some Missouri Missouri Lindbergh Lindbergh Lindbergh High High School, High School, School, the the removed removed the removed titles titles included titles included included librarians. librarians. librarians.

TheThe ruling The ruling applies ruling applies applies onlyonly in the only in the district in district the where district where the where the theTheThe Handmaid’s The Handmaid’s Handmaid’s Tale: Tale: The Tale: The Graphic The Graphic Graphic Novel, Novel, The Novel, The SunThe Sun andSun and and circuit circuit court circuit court is court located is located is located andand is still and is still currently is still currently currently impacting impacting impacting HerHer Flowers Her Flowers Flowers andand volumes and volumes volumes oneone through one through through fourfour of A four ofGame Aof Game A Game Lindbergh Lindbergh Lindbergh High High School.

High School.

School. of Thrones, of Thrones, of Thrones, according according according to information to information to information obtained obtained obtained from from thefrom the the Before Before itBefore was it was struck it was struck down struck down early down early last early last November, November, last November, the the the school school through school through through a Freedom a Freedom a Freedom of Information of Information of Information ActAct request Act request request lawlaw — Missouri law — Missouri — Missouri Revised Revised Revised Statute Statute 573.550, Statute 573.550, 573.550, enacted enacted enacted through through through submitted submitted submitted in November in November in November of 2022. of 2022. of 2022.

Senate Senate Bill Senate Bill 775Bill 775 — criminalized 775 — criminalized — criminalized librarians, librarians, librarians, teachers teachers teachers andand other and otherother Lindbergh Lindbergh Lindbergh High High School High School Director School Director Director of of of school school staff school staff who staff who made who made available made available available materials materials materials containing containing containing Communications Communications Communications BethBeth Johnston Beth Johnston Johnston saidsaid thesaid the district district the is district closely is closely is closely visual visual depictions visual depictions depictions of sexually of sexually of sexually explicit explicit explicit acts.acts.

Violations acts.

Violations Violations would would would monitoring monitoring monitoring the the situation situation the situation but but must must but continue must continue continue to follow to follow to state follow statestate

ISSOURI ISSOURI ISSOURI —— A 2022 — A 2022 A state 2022 state state

10 10 10

NED! NED!

by Mira Schoewe and Lillian Donaldson - Editors-in-Chief News

August 28, 2022: The law officially goes into effect, and hundreds of books are removed from schools across the state.

2025: Youngs rules in the ACLU’s favor, and the law is overturned in the area where the circuit court is located.

2023: The bill is challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri on behalf of some Missouri librarians.

The case is brought to Jackson County Circuit Court Judge J. Dale Youngs.

law as it currently applies.

“Our district values the role that library media centers play, both as a part of the academic experience and social-emotional development,” Johnston said. “In serving a large, diverse student population, it is our intention to help students see themselves reflected in the literature as well as be exposed to new learning opportunities.”

Johnston added: “Having said that, as long as the law remains in effect, Lindbergh Schools will continue to ensure compliance with the requirements set forth in SB 775.”

Lindbergh, being not in that district, is still experiencing the impacts.

Legal challenge Missouri SB 775 was officially challenged in February 2023 on behalf of the Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) and the Missouri Library Association (MLA). The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Missouri, according to court documents filed within the appeal.

Tom Bastian, Director of Communications at the ACLU of Missouri, told a reporter for Pilot in December 2025 that following the law’s enactment, the organization challenged automatic book-removal policies in the Wentzville and Independence school districts. The lawsuit against Wentzville was later dropped after the

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“It is our intention to help students see themselves reflected in the literature as well as be exposed to new learning opportunities.” - Beth Johnston, LHS Director of Communications

district returned seven of the eight removed books to its shelves. He added that many of the book challenges originated “through organized efforts on Facebook.”

In their petition, the plaintiffs said the bill was “unconstitutional” and violated the Missouri Constitution’s Free Speech Clause (Article 1, Section 8) and Due Process Clause (Article 1, Section 10).

“The ACLU of Missouri will always stand for the right to access ideas and information in schools and defend the ability of trained library professionals to make choices about what books are appropriate for their library shelves,” Gillian R. Wilcox, the ACLU’s director of litigation, said in a statement.

The petition also said that the law appeared to target books authored by or about individuals belonging to minorities. Bastian echoed this statement and said the ban “primarily targeted books by and about people from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.”

The petition also described SB 775 as “vague and overbroad,” and said that it did not make clear enough what actions were permitted inside or outside of school.

The plaintiffs claimed this led many librarians to fear potential persecution for materials shared outside the classroom or at home.

“This statute has created a chilling effect on school library collection development, resulting in fewer representative books within our collections due to fear of prosecution,” Melissa Corey, former president of MASL, said in a statement.

Jean Baldwin, the association’s current president, said the ruling restored librarians’ ability to support students’ literacy without fear.

Republican Sen. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, the politician who first proposed the book-restricting amendment, later criticized the librarians challenging the statute in a 2024 Facebook post.

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He wrote that “There is ZERO misunderstanding of what is prohibited by the law I passed to protect children in [Missouri].”

Legislative history Senate Bill 775 was first proposed in early 2022

by Missouri Republican Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, the bill’s primary sponsor. She and co-sponsor Democratic Sen. Jill Schupp advanced the bill through the Missouri Senate while Republican Rep. Hannah Kelly served as the joint sponsor in the House of Representatives.

According to Rehder, the bill’s original intent was to protect minors from exposure to unnecessary sexual content, predatory behavior or other forms of sexual victimization.

During Senate debate, Brattin introduced an amendment that added the book-restriction language to the bill. Brattin said the law was necessary to “protect the youth and their minds and their innocence.” Several other members of the Conservative Caucus, including then-Sen. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg, supported the amendment.

Rehder opposed the change and said that Brattin was “pushing around…sexual assault survivors” and “torpedoeing bipartisan bills to help new mothers and sexual assault survivors,” according to reporting by the Associated Press. She also said, in reference to the amendment, that the bill was “hijacked by a few men who wanted to talk about another issue.”

Despite Rehder’s dislike of the new legislation, the bill, with the book-restricting statute, was passed and signed into legislation by Republican Gov. Mike Parson in June 2022. The law was officially enacted on Aug. 28, 2022 and remains in effect in the Lindbergh district.

THE ACT

TRANSFORMS

Policies & Expectations

by Lillian Donaldson - Editor-in-Chief Feature

A

s college admissions

continue to change, many Lindbergh students are trying to understand how important the ACT really is. Some believe it still matters, others feel it is becoming optional and many are unsure how colleges view the test now.

College and career counselor Ms. Kienzler said the ACT’s importance depends on the strengths of each student’s application.

“A lot of colleges have test options so it isn’t necessary to have a great test score especially if you have really solid grades. If a student doesn’t have good grades, that’s when the ACT score becomes more significant. If your ACT score is in a higher range like upper 20s and 30s, then that helps you qualify for scholarships,” she said.

Kienzler’s explanation illustrates what students often discover when comparing colleges. A strong GPA can sometimes replace the need for a test score at many schools.

But students with lower grades may use the ACT to show academic ability in another way. For some, the ACT isn’t about admissions at all, but about making college more affordable. As students review why they take the test, the ACT itself has changed a considerable amount.

Mr. Griner, Lindbergh’s ACT coordinator, said several sections were fixed to help students manage their time better.

“They adjusted the time and amount of questions for most of the test, usually in the students favor. Like now the English test is down to 35 minutes where it used to be 45 minutes and 75 questions. Reading tests were given more time: 40 minutes,” Griner said.

These updates mean that students today face a test with slightly less pressure and more balanced pacing than in past years.

Some students are deciding whether the ACT fits into their plans. Some take it once to keep their options open, while others test multiple times to raise their chances of scholarships. For teachers helping students prepare, the changes have also influenced how they guide them.

Mr. Little, an English teacher who works with students in after school practice, offered a few tips.

“You should take the ACT as soon as you are able to just to get a feel for it. I think that then you can use that to say ‘okay what do I need to work on?’ and then you keep taking it until you top out your score and you’ve gotten the best score you can,” said Little.

Even with new policies and more flexible requirements, one part of the ACT has stayed the same: the expectations for honesty and conduct on test day.

“If you get caught cheating, your test gets dismissed and you’re not scored. There is a lot of paperwork involved. But you can sign up again and hopefully not cheat the next time,” Griner said.

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SHIPP

SETS SAIL Left: Coach Shipp, Lindbergh’s varsity field hockey and frehsman basketball coach, looks on in Flyers Gym. Photographed by Mira Schoewe.

Inside Coach Shipp’s efforts to help girls’ sports get the ball back on their side of the court.

by Leila Thomas - Staff Writer Sports

A

“We’ve got a ton of talent to build with, so it should be a really fun adventure for us.” - Coach Andrew Schipp

fter scheduling issues

left several staff members unable to coach the freshman girls’ basketball team this season, Varsity Field Hockey Coach Andrew Shipp stepped into the role.

“I don’t know who declined the position before me… We started the field hockey team here, and I helped start the girls’ lacrosse team here to provide girls an opportunity to play sports that they otherwise [might] not have had,” Shipp said.

A coach of girls’ sports for 19 years, Coach Shipp has been involved with multiple Lindbergh athletics programs and girls’ sports teams. In 2015, he worked with Coach Jackie Stevens to restart the field hockey program.

Two years later, he assisted Stevens in launching the girls’ lacrosse team during its first full season.

“Shipp knew I was interested in starting a girls’ lacrosse program at Lindbergh, so he asked for my help with field hockey since he thought working together would be beneficial for us both... Our program would have gotten off the ground without his support,” Stevens said.

Gender disparities have been a topic of dicussion in sports for some time. According to a study by Western Oregon University, WNBA players receive 30 percent less shared revenue from their teams and leagues than NBA players.

At Lindbergh, Shipp also said his decision was driven by a desire to ensure the program continued. “[Coach Luczak and I] were really trying to make sure that the freshman girls team was going to be able to stand because we really want them to be able to experience high school sports… and I’m just glad we’re here and can offer the kids an opportunity to play a sport they seem to love,” Shipp said.

Varsity field hockey player Evy Przygoda said Shipp’s coaching style contributed to the team’s growth and dynamics.

“Shipp’s been a really good coach and not only just as a coach, but as a team player. He’s really great at working with us individually as well as a team,” Przygoda said.

Przygoda also added that Shipp was effective at

communicating and teambuilding.

“Shipp’s [very] good at noticing things that [no one has] outwardly told him. When we’re having issues as a team or between players, he’s able to see that and help us, [as well as] work with us through that type of thing,” Przygoda said.

Months before the winter sports season began, Shipp said he was preparing for the upcoming basketball season while continuing to work with the field hockey team. Part of his motivation, he said, stemmed from a desire to mentor younger players, an experience he said shaped his own journey as a student athlete years prior.

“Seeing that no one else was able to make this happen, I felt that it would be the right thing to do to step in and learn some basketball with them so that they could have a season, and the kids could get to play,” Shipp said.

Freshman basketball player Penny Anslem said Shipp has helped bring new momentum to the team and his role as coach.

“Shipp has [been] an amazing freshman coach, and the way he approaches us is just so understanding.

He really understands everything that’s going on, and he helps just our team in general,” Anselm said.

Shipp said his focus is understanding, empathy and creating a supportive environment for athletes.

“What I want to accomplish is that they all come back next year and want to play again. I hope for this year that they learn some skills to make themselves a competitive team, learn how to trust and work with each other, and in the end, just have fun,” Shipp said.

He emphasized that taking the job wasn’t just about adding another title to his resume, but about ensuring that the girls had a chance to grow and enjoy the sport. He wants the players to develop teamwork and skills, and feel motivated to return to the team the next coming season.

“They want to try. They want to prove that they can make it to the next level. We’ve got a ton of talent to build with, so it should be a really fun adventure for us,” Shipp said.

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American pop phenomenon Beyonce performing at her recent Cowboy Carter tour.

Photographed by Parkwood Entertainment.

girl,

PUT YOUR

RECORDS on

Up-and-coming artists, billion-dollar tours and the rise of AI made 2025 a big year for music. Here’s an overview.

by Lydia Brown - Contributing Writer Culture and Lifestyle

AI-generated music first began to climb the charts early last November, prompting critics to speculate possibilities of job displacement, copyright infringement and what this could mean for the future of the music industry. Some Lindbergh students have also shown concern about these new developments. Franco Pona, a freshman and president of the Lindbergh Anti-AI Coalition (LAAC), said that AI was “just really insulting,” and that “all it does is steal other people’s ideas…it hurts my heart to see everyone else’s music just be turned [into] profit.”

In 2025, AI companies, including ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, made billions from distributing AI content and received backlash from Euronews article claiming this would strip artists of their income. Other news sources, including The Atlantic, Forbes and APNews have also criticized AI’s involvement in the music industry.

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BIGGEST TOURS BIGGEST TOURS BIGGEST TOURS Coldplay of the Spheres - $1.15 billion Coldplay - Music-ofMusic the Spheres - $1.15 billion Coldplay - Music of the Spheres - $1.15 billion - Cowboy Carter Tour - million $407.6 million BeyonceBeyonce - Cowboy Carter Tour - $407.6 Beyonce - Cowboy Carter Tour - $407.6 million Tourmillion - $130 million Shakira - Tour - $130 million ShakiraShakira - Tour --$130 Coldplay’s of the Spheres the largest Coldplay’s Music ofMusic the Spheres was the was largest Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres was the largest tour inmaking 2025, making $1.15 Beyoncé’s billion.

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Spread

by Mira Schoewe.

Spread data courtesy Rolling Stone. Spread data courtesy of Rolling Stone.

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A 2025Atornado 2025 tornado takes on takes downtown on downtown St. Louis.

St. Louis.

This photo This isphoto part is ofpart a video of aclip video courtesy clip courtesy of Earthcam.com. of Earthcam.com.

CLIMATE CLIMATE

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CRISIS CRISIS

Climate Climate change’s change’s impact impact on local on local communities communities

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limatelimate change change is anis an

by Fiona

by Fiona Le - Staff Le - Staff Writer Writer NewsNews

communities. communities.

“So, as“So, we as have wean have increase an increase in carbon in carbon dioxide dioxide “imbalance “imbalance of the of input the of input energy of energy from the from sunthe and sun theand the and also andgases also like gasesmethane, like methane, the ability the ability for ourfor our outputoutput of energy of energy by earth by due earth todue the to fact thethat factour that our atmosphere atmosphere to traptothat trapenergy that energy is increasing,” is increasing,” OeschOesch said. said. atmosphere’s atmosphere’s abilityability to holdtothat holdenergy that energy is increasing,” is increasing,” Burning Burning fossil fuels fossilto fuels generate to generate powerpower is the is the Ms. Oesch, Ms. Oesch, a Lindbergh a Lindbergh High School High School biology biology teacher, teacher, primary primary driver driver of climate of climate change, change, according according to the to United the United said. said.

Nations.

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Though Though America America and other and developed other developed countries countries Climate Climate changechange is an ever-evolving is an ever-evolving challenge challenge not notproduce produce the most thegreenhouse most greenhouse gases, gases, its impact its impact on on just forjust all for of America, all of America, but forbut underprivileged for underprivileged developing developing countries countries is often is overlooked. often overlooked.

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“So flooding of lowland areas, which we are also already seeing, places like very low-lying areas like Bangladesh, which is basically a country on a river delta. A river delta is just the sediments dropped by a river. So, this is very porous land that is being inundated from below by seawater. The people that live there, their drinking water and their irrigation water for their rice is just becoming saltier and saltier every year. And then you have countries like the Maldives, which is, if you look up the Maldives, it’s gorgeous pictures of islands, and those populations will not have a country at some point,” Oesch said.

Climate change is directly related to natural disasters, causing them to be more frequent and intense, according to the National Library of Medicine. In like manner, low-income, urban communities within St. Louis city limits also struggle with the impacts of climate change. St. Louis City Mayor Cara Spencer addressed these issues in her Sustainability and Climate Plan.

“The effects of climate change have never been more apparent in our community than they are now. In the tornado-impacted area, residents who are already dealing with so much are now also facing years of higher temperatures because much of the tree canopy was destroyed, leaving asphalt and buildings to absorb the heat and cause temperatures to become even more dangerous,” Spencer said.

Urban Saint Louis is vulnerable to heat waves due to the lack of air conditioning, particularly in underprivileged, poor neighborhoods and because urban areas are typically warmer than rural areas, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“The general consensus is you will have more extreme weather events: overall increase in temperatures in the temperate areas and in, well, I guess everywhere, and again, average temperatures. So it’s not that the cold’s going away. It’s just that when we get warm, we’re going to get really, really warm and when we get cold, we’ll get less cold. And we are already seeing that on average over time,” Oesch said.

At LHS, students and staff demonstrate their own efforts to be eco-conscious. Mr. Barry Marquart, a Lindbergh High School AP Environmental Science educator, stated the efforts to reduce energy use in the Lindbergh school building.

“I think in some way we’ve done some things.

Like, the new buildings have controls on our heating and cooling and things like that.

So they’re making sure that at night it cools down, so we’re not using as much heat,” Marquart said.

In addition to reducing heating use, the building includes sensors to further reduce energy.

“We’re making sure the lights are on sensors now, so that lights don’t stay on for a long period of time. So, lights are turned off when they’re not in use.

There are motion sensors in most rooms, and so, I think that the school is saving a lot of energy,” Marquart said.

Ms. Oesch provided further insight on climate-conscious efforts within the building.

“They’re trying to reduce those maintenance costs, they’re trying to reduce the energy costs, and that, even if it’s only for the bottom dollar, so that we can invest in our students more, that is eco-conscious, because that’s that much less coal we’re burning… All of this is powered by coal. Very little is, if any, renewable where we are in this region,” said Oesch.

Ms. Oesch also identified efforts outside the building to sustain Missouri streams.

“They have a rain garden out back, and again, that’s part of water reclamation, so that we’re not just sending all our dirty water... like, sending our water onto the streets, through the streets, and then right back into the rivers and the creeks. If you keep that in the ground, it replenishes the water table better, keeps our trees healthier, and it allows all that water to get cleaned before it goes to the stream. I also notice they have a lot of native plants, like the trees and the landscaping is somewhat thoughtful in that regard,” Oesch said.

Lindbergh junior Serah Munene shared her efforts to be eco-conscious.

“I guess [I’m] trying to be mindful of what I do.

Like, recycling when I can, being mindful of water usage… sometimes I walk from school, or I’ll take the bus instead of driving that day,” Munene said.

As it appears from those members of the staff and students, being ecologically responsible is a community effort.

“I find the more I think about climate change and resource management, the more I feel that so much relies on people just being good people. But I know that it is more complicated… At the end of the day, I wish no one ill will for protecting their own interests. We all have to protect our own interests—because no one else will. I guess what I really wish for is for more education and more critical thinking among voters and consumers.

I think that is the key to any meaningful change in the US,” Oesch said.

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