The Ledger - Issue 1 - November 2022

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The Ledger

WITH MIGHT & MAIN

Content 4

Feature

Meet Liberty’s First Principal

The Ledger

Liberty High School 2275 Sommers Road Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367 636.561.0075 ext: 28039 jonathanhall@wsdr4.org

Volume 10 Issue 1

10 In-Depth

Road to Recovery

Editors-in-Chief Gavin Block* Kay Copeland*

Reacting

Reporters Elaine Thimyan (Layout Editor), Bryleigh Conley, Cade Goins, Taylor Koehnemann, Abbie Luker, Connor Smith and Chloe Stenger *Each editor also serves as a reporter

14 Sports

Their Last-First Game

16 Opinion

The Alpha Male Fallacy

Intentions

publication class that reports on stories relatable to the school community.

Students write, take photos, and design the publication while the adviser supervises the student journalists.

The opinions expressed in this magazine may not be those of Liberty, nor of the Wentzville R-IV School District faculty, staff or administration. The main editorial, when included, expresses the opinion of The Ledger editorial staff.

The Ledger is a publication that releases 4 issues (one issue per quarter) throughout the year, distributing 1,000 free copies to the student body, faculty and administration.

The Ledger magazine is a part of the district’s curriculum and is designed to provide a practical journalistic experience for written expression on a variety of topics. It is a student-led

Letters to all editors can be submitted in room 239, emailed or mailed to Liberty. All letters must be signed. Limit letters you wish to be published to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space requirements and libelous material to the discretion of the editors. If you have a news story idea or comment, please contact us in room 239.

Credentials

The Ledger is a member of the Sponsors of Student Publications of Greater St. Louis.

Advertising

To further facilitate the space available for student writing, advertising will not be offered in The Ledger.

Follow Us! @lhs.publications

20 Interactive

Horoscope Matching

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Content | lhstoday.org design by: K. Copeland & E. Thimyan

@lhsstreaming

@LHSjourn

cover photo by: G. Block graphics by: A. Luker

Letter From The W

e welcome you to our first issue of volume 10 of The Ledger magazine! Thank you for picking up a copy. Our crew has worked hard to create this magazine, and we are very excited to share it with you.

In case you were not already aware, Liberty is entering its 10th year, and thus the magazine will be putting out its 10th volume. Through different faces, district and state competitions, elections, a global pandemic, spirit weeks, theatrical productions, school soirees and much more, the publications team has seen and captured it all. In just a decade, students, teachers, staff members and administration have been on a roller coaster of both thrilling highs and crestfallen lows. It can be observed that what has consistently held up our establishment is our courage and drive to continue navigating and flourishing.

Without further ado, we’re proud to announce that our collective theme for this year is based on the cardinal virtues. A theory derived from the Greek philosopher Plato, the virtues of fortitude, justice, temperance and prudence are regarded as the basic principles for living a fulfilling life.

Let our first issue serve as a reminder for you to always show fortitude through the adverse moments. As many have witnessed before, strength is an essential quality for growing as a person. The phrase “with might and main” means to tackle a task or circumstance with as much effort as possible. With unwavering perseverance, one holds the potential of succeeding in ways they never thought possible. Trying again and again will not only assist you in overcoming obstacles, but it will also give you a more innovative mind and develop your experience.

We appreciate your interest and you taking a look at what this issue has to offer.

Whether it’s the multitude of stories, design layouts, graphics, other visual components or the combination of it all, we hope that you are able to delight in the many aspects of our magazine and that you enjoy reading through it!

Kindest regards,

Gavin Block & Kay Copeland Editors-in-Chief

Editors-in-Chief

Dearest reader,

Content | lhstoday.org design by: K. Copeland & E. Thimyan

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Meet Liberty’s First Principal

A decade later, Mr. Phil Ragusky recalls the precedent he set during the inaugural years of Liberty High School

by Kay Copeland, Co-Editor-in-Chief

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Feature | lhstoday.org design by: K. Copeland

Liberty High School has been

well-acquainted with the current building principal, Dr. Ed Nelson, since he obtained the position back in 2015.

But how many students know the man who was instrumental in setting the foundation Dr. Nelson would build upon? That man is Phil Ragusky.

Ragusky served as the principal of Frontier Middle School before transferring to Liberty for the buildings’ inaugural academic year in 2013.

Though he had nearly nine years of admin experience at Frontier, along with previous admin experience at the high school level, he was initially hesitant about undergoing the application process at the brand new Liberty High School.

“Quite honestly I thought there would be plenty of other people who would want to be principal or would be better than me, so I didn’t aspire to be principal at first,” Ragusky recollected.

“I guess somewhere along that last year when the designs were made and plans were drawn up, I started to think that maybe my time at Frontier had gotten to the point where somebody else could come in and do a better job.”

Ragusky was granted the role of Liberty’s firstever building principal, a position he would hold for two years before making the difficult decision to step down. He also had the privilege of hiring staff for the first three years of the school’s existence, many of which remain current staff members at Liberty today.

“There’s a lot of reasons why I moved on. That was probably one of the hardest decisions I had to make in my career, to move on from Liberty,” Regusky expressed. “It’s a great place.”

When Ragusky began working at Liberty, the school had a completely different atmosphere than it does today.

Only underclassmen attended during the 2013-2014 school year, and the building itself didn’t include an auditorium.

“I think it was one or two years after I left when [Liberty] almost doubled in classroom size, which obviously we needed to take on the larger enrollment.”

Ragusky commented, “Physically the building is beautiful, we didn’t have an auditorium so I love that the fine arts and theater area have been built up.”

Though he retired from public education in June 2020, Ragusky now works for Missouri Baptist University as the Director of Field Experiences.

Through this position, he helps to place future educators in classrooms across the state. Ragusky explains how he goes into “a lot of buildings with [his] current job,” yet he believes Liberty is ‘still one of the best in terms of the climate.’”

With a decade of Liberty in the books, Ragusky took a minute to envision where the school will be in the next 10 years.

“With a school like this, you look at the community, you look at the surrounding infrastructure, it’s growing. People want to move here, so you have everything you need for success.”

Ragusky admired, “There’s no reason why this school doesn’t continue to grow to be one of the top schools in the state of Missouri.”

Recognizing a 10Year Staff Member

Ms. Magno-Parsons has taught marching band at Liberty since the school opened 10 years ago

by Chloe Stenger, Reporter

photo by E. Quinney

Ms. Magno-Parsons instructs the marching band from the football field pressbox at a morning practice earlier this fall.

S

arita Magno-Parsons teaches band at Liberty and Frontier Middle School. She chose to teach band because she has always loved music.

When asked what her first year was like at Liberty, she said it was much smaller and there weren’t as many students. It was hard because there was no one there to show them the way, there were no upperclassmen to guide the underclassmen.

“It was much, much smaller with just the freshman class. It was a challenge because we didn’t have a lot of students and they didn’t know how to be high schoolers yet, as nobody was there to show them the way. So it was the staff trying to show them what high school was like, how everything worked.”

When asked how she got hired, she said her old principal at Frontier had told her she was going to be working at Liberty as well as Frontier.

“I was the band director at Frontier Middle School already teaching grades six through eight. So when we found out Liberty was opening and our principal had been hired as the principal, I came into his office and asked him about it and he said he would be hiring me.”

When asked how she thinks the school has changed, she said there are a lot more things that have been added on over the years and there’s a lot more people than before. There’s a bigger sense of pride and understanding of high school, growth in people and sense of community. A lot more things have become more possible over the growth period.

“We have a whole lot more people, and we have the auditorium as well as the extensions to the middle hallways. There is much more of a sense of school pride. We have not just grown in number of people but in that sense of community and sense of belonging at Liberty.”

Feature| lhstoday.org design by: K. Copeland

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News | lhstoday.org design by: E. Thimyan

ender and Sexuality Alliance is going on its sixth year at Liberty. With the first meeting starting off with already more than 25 members and with the ability to attend this club during school hours due to the implementation of the new SOAR Time scheduling, students that would not normally be able to attend now have a chance to be in an environment full of inclusion and high spirits.

The sponsor for this event is Nicole Siman, the education support counselor for Liberty.

When asked about the goals for GSA, Siman says, “To be a place of support for those who want and those who are struggling or just needing to meet friends, to be there in a ‘catch all’ kind of situation, to be as inclusive as possible.” As one of the school’s counselors, Siman expressed how having a kinder environment that can support all students and be inclusive is one of the most important things.

Club president Cario Roberson describes GSA as “a place where we can all come together and not have to worry for a bit.”

When asked about how the new year has affected the club and managing GSA altogether, Roberson replies, “It’s very stressful and a lot of time management and some things can be very pressing. However, it is very worth it and I am proud of what it is.”

The club takes place in a classroom during lunch and begins shortly after the door is opened where members are greeted and relax while the executives go over anything they need to for that day before enjoying the rest of the time socializing and playing games.

Peyton Murphy describes the club as a “fun and chill environment that is full of expression.”

Many other members love the environment as it is light-hearted, silly, and overall a great time with the activities and even sweets that are given out.

The Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club is a wonderful setting that accepts all people to participate in it, including allies that wish to learn more about the community or just be able to hang out and spend time with lovely and kind people with welcoming smiles and hearty laughs.

GSA Fills Another Year With

Positivity

by Cade Goins & Josh Deters, Reporters

News | lhstoday.org design by: E. Thimyan

7

Jersey Goodall Pioneers in Her Gridiron Endeavor The varsity kicker is exhibiting an intensity and a keenness like nobody has seen before

photo by A. Queen

Jersey Goodall is ready to make a difference as one of Liberty’s first females to play on the varsity football squad.

by Gavin Block, Co-Editor-in-Chief

W

hen you generally think of a high school football player, the first image that comes to your mind may not be a female. However, Liberty junior Jersey Goodall is blazing a newly set trail, playing primarily as a kicker for the varsity football team.

The Eagles’ No. 17 will surely become further incorporated in the team as the year continues.

Though Goodall has only some experience playing the sport (formerly as a hobby), she is very eager to get into a more competitive gear as she joins the Eagles football roster.

“I’ve played around with my friends before, but I just started getting serious about it this year,” she stated.

When asked if there was a specific person that sparked an interest in football for Goodall, she remarked, “One of my friends who plays football for a different high school did, and then I just like football in general. I check the Steelers and I love playing.”

Goodall noted that she adores the collective and united aura of the group she plays with. She is also enjoying how the experience has positively altered the perceptions of

8 design by: C. Stenger

Feature | lhstoday.org

her peers.

“I love the team and the atmosphere of the coaches,” commented Goodall. “It’s fun and you get to know a lot of the boys in different ways than you would usually see them at school.”

Varsity football head coach Ryan McMillen mentioned that two or three girls have already donned the aquiline Liberty football uniform before Goodall entered the picture.

It is clearly seen that inclusivity is a recurring, valued idea among the Liberty team’s members and administration.

“She [Goodall] asked us last spring if she could come out and kick,” Coach McMillen commented.

“It’s really cool. We treat her like anyone else, like just another member of the team.”

Goodall may not be Liberty’s first female football player, but her involvement with the team still serves as an inspiration for girls to know that they can be just as capable and strong-willed as their male counterparts. Her unique presence is an accomplishment that should be admired by everyone, regardless of gender or background.

Getting to Know Goodall What song do you have on repeat right now? ‘‘Literally almost anything by Taylor Swift, mainly her album ‘Reputation’. I started not liking her after a while, and that was the album that got me back to liking her all over again. It’s back on repeat until she drops her new album.”

Who is your biggest inspiration?

“My brothers. They both inspire me to go out and do things and to keep fighting everyday.”

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?

“Just to keep trying and to not ever give up, no matter what.”

Who is your favorite teacher at Liberty?

“I would say Mr. Smith because I’ll go rant to him and he knows what to tell me to make it better.”

Get Horseback Ready With

by Megan Geisler, Reporter

Beckhardt

Audrey Beckhardt displays her dedication to horseback riding

Audrey Beckhardt puts a bridle on Cobalt in preparation for their ride. photo by M. Geisler

I

magine you are driving down a long winding road through the country and you pass by a beautiful green pasture full of horses. Amazed, you yell at the top of your lungs, “Look, horses!!” before continuing on your way.

For the average person this is about the most you will ever see of horses, but for junior Audrey Beckhardt, this is everyday life.

You see, Beckhardt has been riding horses for almost eight years and for the past few years has spent most of her time in a barn as she trains for competitive dressage.

“It’s weird because whenever I bring people out to the barn they act so amazed and I’m always so confused because, I mean, this is just normal for me,” Beckhardt said. “I see these horses almost every day.”

Three times a week Beckhardt drives out to her barn in Stonegate Stables to practice with her horse Cobalt and get some training in before big competitions. It’s a lot of work and training usually lasts about 45 minutes.

When asked why she puts in all of this effort, Beckhardt said, “Cobalt has so much personality in hand and in the saddle and that’s one of the biggest reasons I love riding. He’s a tricky horse so riding him is both frustrating and rewarding. It’s about give and take and at the end of the day it’s always worth it.”

Not only is training a lot of work, but caring for a horse is no easy feat. Not only do you have to make sure they are properly cared for and eating right, but you also have to make sure they are healthy. In Cobalt’s case, this means taking medicine regularly, getting just the right amount of food each day, and having good, clean hooves.

You also have to have the right kind of equipment in order to ride at all. Before each ride, Beckhardt puts a bridle on cobalt and then saddles him up. For dressage and training she uses an English saddle instead of the usual western ones that you see on TV. These saddles are a lot more sleek and lightweight which allows the rider to feel closer to the horse while competing.

Lastly, horses require lots of love and time. And for Beckhardt this is the easiest part, “I love Cobalt. He is my baby and I don’t know what I would do without him.”

Feature | lhstoday.org design by: A. Luker

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Road To Recovery

Josh Theriot’s

provided by Josh Theriot

Junior Josh Theriot’s courage is what keeps him going as he reconstructs his weakened condition.

A look at how Josh Theriot is doing his best to navigate a troubled passage

by Gavin Block, Co-Editor-in-Chief

J

unior Josh Theriot is what you would call an active person.

In addition to being a student at Liberty, he plays in the low brass section of the Eagle Regiment, races mountain bikes and works outside of school.

Theriot was in Bentonville, Ark. on the first day of summer break in 2022. Theriot has gone there for multiple past summers, especially for bicycle riding. What should have been an enjoyable way to commence the three-month rest from school for him quickly turned into a disaster.

Theriot has had a few injuries and calamitous episodes come about after bike rides, including some previous ones in Bentonville.

However, this summer’s mishap was unlike any that he had endured before.

Jace Brewer, a friend of Theriot and a sophomore attending Liberty, was accompanying him on that first day of break.

10 design by: C. Goins & K. Copeland In-Depth | lhstoday.org

While they were riding on a bike trail, Theriot lost control of his two-wheeler. This consequently sent him flying head first toward a nearby tree.

“We were on one of the jump trails, and I was behind Josh,” recalled Brewer. “He sent over the jump. He only made it halfway over, so his back wheel clipped the end of the jump, and he went over the bars.”

Brewer explained that Theriot’s protective headgear prevented him from suffering a much more dire outcome, stating, “There was a rock about the size of my foot that his helmet slammed into. It’s lucky that he had that helmet, or else he probably would have had some major issues.”

Theriot was knocked unconscious after the collision.

According to Brewer, he woke up disoriented on the track but eventually reevaluated and continued riding. However, this did not mean any unwelcome circumstances had left him. Theriot would

come to discover that he had sustained a concussion and dislocated his knee as a result of the incident.

Along with losing some physical abilities, Theriot had lost much of his self-belief. In spite of this, he kept his resolve and decided that the best course of action would be to push through the unlucky yet temporary situation he was in.

The Liberty band member said that seeking outside help has assisted him greatly as he seeks to regain what he was deprived of following the crash. While issues with his knee may still linger at times, Theriot feels that his overall health is improving.

“I’ve been going to a physical therapist,” Theriot remarked. “They have been helping me get the strength back in my knee and making sure that it will not dislocate again.”

Theriot mentioned that he seems to be making progress psychologically as well. He noted that building back the confidence he lost has been a challenge, but he knows readjustment is still attainable.

“It taught me that trees don’t move,” Theriot joked.

“It also taught me that I just need to be more conscious of where I’m going when I’m biking.”

The experiences Theriot has had since the accident have shown him that simply recouping, much like how he stood back up on that day in Bentonville, can open the possibility of great results. His choice to continue fighting against his personal struggles is also what allows him to continue his relationships, activities and constant learning.

This demonstrates that as long as you maintain strength and analyze where you are traversing in life, the lowest points can potentially direct one on the path to a better elevation.

How Does Liberty Define Fortitude?

Mr. Hill “Having enough confidence and belief to be able to go above and beyond yourself. It’s having the knowledge of how you are and what you’re capable of and being able to push on without being brought down, no matter what others may have to say about you.”

Mr. Wheeler “Fortitude is all about strength and endurance, being tough and able to handle any situation and move on. Strong like an iron tiger.”

“Fortitude is the marshal of thought, the armor of the will, and the fort of reason.”

- Francis Bacon

Fortitude is the virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles.

Mr. Kling “It’s about not quitting or giving up no matter what’s happening or the circumstance or scenario you’re in, to be able to press forward.”

In-Depth | lhstoday.org design by: C. Goins & K. Copeland

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Why Are Teachers Leaving ?

A mass exodus of educators ensues following strenuous academic years

by Kay Copeland, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Managing the aftershock of COVID

policies, book bans, and a looming fear of mass gun violence are merely a handful of stressors that teachers have endured in recent academic years.

Even from an onlooker’s perspective, it’s easy to see that K-12 employees have been put through the wringer – so much so that 44% reported “always” or “very often” feeling burned out in a survey conducted earlier this year. This figure further explains why a baffling 55% of U.S. educators are thinking of leaving their job.

English teacher Mrs. Steinbruegge described factors of which she believes have contributed to the national shortage.

“There’s an increased expectation for teachers to be not just teaching content but also healthcare professionals, custodians in their classrooms cleaning desks and floors, and not getting necessary support from administration.”

Steinbruegge continued, “Although we don’t have that issue here because we’ve got a really solid support base with our principals, but I know a lot of other schools don’t have that.”

It’s no secret that education remains one of the most gravely underpaid professions in the United States. Missouri has one of the lowest starting teacher salaries in the nation, clocking in at $32,970 on average. The mountain of responsibility granted to educators during COVID’s prime has only proven how they are not paid enough to deal with such an abstract level of toil. This is a primary example as to why we need to better value our educators’ time and effort. The fix for this issue is simple: pay teachers better across the board! It’s long past due for all educators to be given a stable wage that is fully compensatory while also allowing them to live comfortably.

An average teachers’ workday is jammed with keeping children alive, well, and engaged in learning. Yet the mob mentality of angry parents and politicians who fear-monger the existence of a “woke agenda” in public schools, occasionally going as far as to harass teachers,

78% of educators cite low pay as a serious problem. | lhstoday.org 12 Feature design by: C. Smith

administrators and school board members, is nothing short of detrimental.

“There’s a lot of outrage within communities blaming teachers for things not going exactly right, especially during the pandemic,” Steinbruegge commented. “I think teachers are shouldering a lot more burden.”

For instance, Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill banned discussions of sexual orientation within K-3 classrooms that are “not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” Additionally, many districts across the country joined the book banning frenzy last school year, a movement that went after literature containing themes of racism, drugs, profanity and sexual abuse, among other harsh themes. This current academic year, Missouri passed a law that deemed distributing “sexually explicit” literature a misdemeanor.

Librarians, teachers, and other school officials may now face up to a year of jail time, or hefty fines if they’re found guilty of breaking this extremely subjective piece of legislation.

Undeniably, it takes a toll on educators when they’re continuously disrespected by the general public and observed under a microscope. This rhetoric is not only damaging to them, but to the public education system as a whole.

Of those surveyed, 22% of teachers mentioned that insufficient compensation and benefits further contribute to this statistic. If our educators are so unhappy with current working conditions, how can we expect them to recommend this profession to others? In turn, how can we ever expect to resolve this shortage?

Educators’ voices must be uplifted during these trying times, and there must be a conscious effort made to meet teachers halfway. Educators are here to help children, and that has never changed. It appears painfully obvious that treating teachers with respect, compassion and empathy while providing the resources needed for their duties is the solution to this shortage. Be kind to your teachers, you never know who’s pouring from their own cup even though it’s empty.

76% of educators report that lack of parental and public respect is an issue.

Only 10% of educators would recommend the profession.

SATURN

A new way to keep track of your schedule

by Taylor Koehnemann, Reporter

R

ecently, students have found a new way to keep track of their schedule while in school with an app called Saturn. This has gained lots of popularity amongst students. Students are able to do multiple things on the app, like keep track of the time, look at their schedule, chat with friends, and much more.

When you start up the app for the first time, you will be greeted with an option of being able to connect your Snapchat or email to the app. After signing in you will be able to find your own school and set up your schedule. You will be able to search up any of the classes within Liberty High School, and the app will have every class within Liberty.

Beyond the login for the app, the most popular use of this app is keeping track of time along with your schedule.

Junior Abby Dickerson stated, “The most helpful thing for me is seeing how long you have left in a class.”

This usually is helpful for students so they can manage their time well while in class. This feature comes with a timer that creates a circle as the class progresses.

Another feature the app lets students use is the chatting feature.

This feature lets you chat with classmates in that class. There is a different chat for every class. Amongst students at Liberty this seems to be an unpopular feature which not many students tend to use.

Another feature on the app is the tasks feature which lets students create tasks for any class of theirs. This can be any task you want to add: projects, homework, upcoming tests, and more. This feature can have a timer set and remind students of the task and keep them focused. A feature similar to the tasks feature is the events one, which lets you take reminders for events outside of school; this can include sporting events, parties, or create your own. So far, this app currently has almost 700 members from Liberty. Saturn only continues to grow in popularity amongst students to help them and make the new schedule easier for them.

Screenshot of the app’s timer feature.

Screenshot of the classes feature.

A&E | lhstoday.org design by: T. Koehnemann

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Their Last-First Game

Liberty seniors are recognized for their four years of hard work as they head into the first game of their senior year

by Megan Geisler, Reporter

Senior night is the night every

young athlete looks forward to in their high school career. The lights, the crowd, the adrenaline, it’s all there. But before the game starts, each athlete is given the opportunity to be individually recognized for their accomplishments. For this year’s seniors, that means walking the track alongside friends and family.

On Friday, Aug. 26, students from all over Liberty gathered together to celebrate the first football game of the year against their rivals, Timberland High School. To make the night even more special, seniors from all three organizations, including cheer, dance, and football, were recognized for completing all four years of their chosen sport.

“I love senior night. It makes me feel so special. I just love being with my team, because they are like a family,” senior dancer Serena Bartels said.

Before the game started, we asked senior Justin Little how he felt going into his last first game as a student at Liberty.

“It was surreal. I have never felt that way before a game before. I wasn’t really nervous, mostly just excited,” Little said. With this, the Eagles took the field.

photo by S. Hegyi

Serena Bartels (third from left) and members of the dance team perform at halftime. Bartels is one of the team’s senior members.

The first quarter didn’t start off that great for the Eagles, as Timberland scored two touchdowns just minutes apart – one by AJ Raines and another by August Tank Billings. This totalled up to 14 points for the Wolves. Then, just 30 seconds into the second quarter, the Wolves scored again, bringing their total score up to 21 points.

It was then that the Eagles started bringing the heat with a beautiful touchdown pass from Noah Kuehner to Marquise Williams just minutes later.

The game continued on like this with back-and-forth touchdowns and amazing defense, but in the end, the Liberty Eagles were defeated with a score of 58-14.

“I mean it wasn’t a very good game. I wish we would have done better, but some days, we just have to go back to the drawing board and make some adjustments,” senior football player TJ File commented.

The varsity football team celebrates along the sidelines after watching an amazing play.

14 design by: G. Block

Sports | lhstoday.org

photo by S. Hegyi

photo by E. Pinz

Liberty Volleyball Strikes Again Varsity girls volleyball has a strong run with a nearly undefeated season

by Rynell Ipema, Reporter

The varsity girls volleyball team breaks during a match against rival Timberland earlier this season.

Varsity girls volleyball has

had an incredible streak of victories, being almost completely undefeated so far this season. With a 26-1 record, they are determined to go all the way.

As the volleyball season continues, the girls will carry on with practicing and working together as a team to lead each game to another victory. In order to win each match, the girls have to continue on with their spirit, competitiveness, and keep the hype up on game day. Riley Watson, a senior, says that some traits she has on the court are good energy and encouragement.

“I am generally one of the loudest players on the court, and it reminds people to keep their energy up,” Watson said. “I encourage my teammates when they do something well, which helps them know that they’re doing a good job.” Watson is the leader on the team in aces and assists.

They have won against schools such as Fort Zumwalt West, Fort Zumwalt South, Fort Zumwalt East, Troy Buchanan, Timberland, Washington, Holt, and North Point.

In order to defeat each team, the seniors have to keep it up so the others can follow in their footsteps.

Junior Reese Douglas mentions that the seniors are trustworthy and have lots of experience in the game.

“The good thing about our team is that we have strong connections between each position, and we have good communication throughout the game,” Douglas said.

After a 3-0 victory over Washington on Oct. 17, the Eagles finished the regular season with a record of 27-1, the best that the school has ever achieved.

They also won the Central division of the Gateway Athletic Conference.

As they get prepared for districts, Douglas mentions she is excited for the potential district game against St. Dominic, who is one of their main rivals.

Obviously, the varsity volleyball team does not mess around with the game. Although volleyball is a very competitive and intense sport, Liberty always comes around to make it a fun and enjoyable match that they know how to win.

Riley Watson serves during a match.

photo by E. Pinz Sports | lhstoday.org design by: G. Block graphic via Freepik

15

The Alpha Male Fallacy

Menacing rhetoric sweeps social media by means of the manosphere’s most revered influencer

by Kay Copeland, Co-Editor-in-Chief

A

ndrew Tate believes that women cannot drive, are a man’s property, and should bear some responsibility when sexually assaulted. He’s also one of the Internet’s most viral personalities.

The professional kickboxer, “Big Brother” contestant, millionaire and crypto enthusiast turned self-help guru has flooded social media in recent months with video clips showcasing his unfathomably patriarchal beliefs. Consequently, Tate has infiltrated countless impressionable minds of young men around the globe.

Tate is not unfamiliar to public attention - one of his first controversies came in the form of an Oct. 2017 Twitter thread. At the height of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault allegations, Tate released a series of tweets stating that women should not claim victimhood if they’ve “exchanged sex for opportunity,” while also ascertaining that rape victims must “bear some responsibility.”

Tates’ rhetoric is primarily marketed through the boys and men who subscribe to his private online academy, “Hustler’s University.” This academy has a growing 127,000 members worldwide who pay a monthly fee of £39 ($45 USD) to maintain membership.

Simply put, “Hustler’s University” is a not so hidden multi-level marketing scheme. Members are told they can earn up to £10,000 a month by attending lessons on crypto investing, drop shifting, and by recruiting others to the academy with a 48% commission referral. Members are also advised to fuel online controversy regarding Tate to further increase chances of going viral.

“What you ideally want is a mix between 60-70% fans and 40-30% haters,” a deleted “Hustler’s University” instructional guide reads.

“You want arguments, you want war.”

Upon first glance, Tate’s online personality appears to be satirical due to his extensive use of hyperbole and incorrect statistics seen in nearly every viral video clip. But alas, Tate is entirely serious about the beliefs he orates, no matter how baffling they may be - and he is actively indoctrinating other young men to subscribe to the same viewpoint.

“Most women I know can’t even drive a car, why is a woman flying my plane?”

16 design by: C. Goins

Opinion | lhstoday.org

Numerous teachers have witnessed real-life examples of Tate’s rhetoric influencing young boys. One teacher went viral on TikTok for explaining how her male students have begun copying Tate’s attitude toward their female classmates.

“I had a boy today, 11, turn to a girl and tell her that she’s fat, women need to be thin, she sits at home and eats all day and that she’s like every other girl in the world and that she uses men to get money, and at least he’s a hardworking man and he works for his money.”

The situation worsens upon discovering Tate is currently under investigation for human trafficking by the Romanian government - a country he admittingly moved to for the relaxed sexual assault persecutions. “I’m not a rapist,” he stated in a video, “but I like the idea of just being able to do what I want. I like being free.”

Tate’s content has become a direct pipeline to the manosphere, a part of the Internet promoting anti-feminist and sexist beliefs while blaming women for all kinds of societal issues.

Though its message is currently amplified, the manosphere has existed for decades.

The only difference is it has never been this rampant, and Tate is the sole individual to blame for the influx of young “alpha males.” His patriarchal oratory will prove undeniably consequential to his supporters. The only question is, how vastly will the fallout be felt?

The LHS band in set, waiting for instruction.

Marching Season Starts with a Boom

The Eagle regiment has first competition of the season at Seckman High School

by Lorelei Wise, Reporter

T

he Liberty Marching Regiment met in the band room on Sept. 10, with light chatter filling the halls with wary anticipation for the 11 ½ hour day ahead of their group.

Finally, the day was there: the first competition of the 2022-2023 school year, laying ahead of the students with the smell of fresh turf and familiar drill. Juxtaposed were the levels of excitement with the seniority of students.

“I feel like we will do well…we have worked hard,” mulls freshman Sebastian Tabers. “I am a bit nervous, though.” This sentiment was felt among the freshman in particular, as the marching experience is completely new. Yet, the novelty of the amateurs this year is met with the nostalgia of our seniors.

Fiona Do (12) remarked, “This is my last first competition.

I don’t know how to feel.” The Seckman competition was much prepared for, despite the rapid start to the season. From daily early-morning practices, to 2.5-hour practices every Wednesday, our band has been through rigorous training.

However, the supportive staff have touched the hearts of these students, including the new assistant band director, Ms. Frein. “The teachers are really encouraging to everyone, they never hold back criticism, or cease to be patient with those who struggle,” commented Jennifer Knapp (12).

The support of our directors has been more crucial than ever, with the challenging performance the regiment has been given. Titled “Pandora’s Box,” the show is centralized around the allure of a mystical chest, within such holds the epitome of wisdom, and the question that hangs with such: is the revealing of ignorance justified in the face of possible knowledge?

In particular, the amount of visuals and choreography being

photo by L. Wise

executed by the band itself is immense, compared to the past years. “[Pandora’s Box] definitely requires much more skill in coordination and acting than many past shows,” expressed Ms. Magno.

After loading the buses, arriving, and warming up, the band was ready to step onto the performance field, where they would be competing against two other marching bands in their division.

The mood performing here was palpable, different from football games. “Everyone was there to actually see the band,” remarked Megan Geisler (11). Ms. Magno came and gave a final few words, calming the band. “You have prepared for this. Go do your best.”

The next few minutes went by in a blur, the steps and music they labored over for hours came naturally. Gone was the anxiety, blossoming was confidence and innate muscle memory.

After the performance, the namesake to our band here at Liberty, “The Most Flexible Band in the Land,” was tested when it rained. Due to this, the other two bands performed indoors, leaving the judges to disregard any visual points for marching.

In the end, our band placed third. While spirits were a bit low, the bus ride home was not a melancholy one. In fact, encouragement rang over the thunder, and every member of the band worked to load the ensemble instruments off of the bus.

The next day, the band came in, bracing themselves to hear the feedback from their directors. Sitting in an arch, knees digging into the dew of the turf, Ms. Frein offered these words: “Last night was your best rep, you guys looked really good out there. And, at the end of the day, the memories we create here, together, are worth more than any piece of plastic.” The band paused, allowing the sentiment to settle. “That being said, are there things we can improve on?”

Slow smiles grew on their faces as they looked back and forth at each other. “YES!” cried the chorus across the empty field.

We look forward to this new marching season and are waiting for new opportunities to arise.

News | lhstoday.org design by: G. Block

17

MUS

The Ledger Staff Playlist

Learn more about your publications staff through their taste in music

by Chloe Stenger, Reporter

Jonathan Hall (Adviser)

His favorite song is “Ants Marching” by Dave Matthews Band. He loves the song because he has loved Dave Matthews since growing up. Hall’s favorite all-time musical artist is Dave Matthews, but right now he really likes The Head and the Heart, The Killers, The Avett Brothers and The Lumineers. His favorite genres are rock and indie folk. Hall likes these genres because they put him in a good mood.

“I went to The Lumineers concert this summer. I like the song writing and the lyrics,” Hall said. “I like the genres because of the mood they put me in. An upbeat mood, I can use it for anything, to study, work, run and workout.”

Kay Copeland (12)

Her favorite song is “Black Honey” by Thrice. She likes this song because it’s heavy but dynamic. Her favorite artists are Amy Winehouse, and Lil Peep. She likes Amy Winehouse’s music because her music is calming, she said she likes Lil Peep because his music is versatile. When asked, Copeland said her favorite genres would be rock, soul, alternative and rap. She likes them simply because it’s what she’s grown to adapt to.

“It’s kind of like a heavy song but also very dynamic in the way that it can be listened to whenever I’m upset or when I’m trying to get into the grind. It’s great and very versatile. It’s not a new song, I just found it on the shuffle feature.” Copeland said, “I have like a grab bag of genres, I can’t be confined by just one.”

Cade Goins (12)

His favorite song is “Dr. Sunshine Is Dead” by Will Wood and the Tapeworms. He said it’s his favorite because Will Wood has a very unique side, and also mentioned how there are some lines from the song that really stick out. Goins’ favorite artist is Bastille because his friend introduced them to him. He likes Bastille’s music because they have a wide collection of songs. He loves that every song tells a story.

Goins’ favorite genres are indie and alternative rock. He likes these because there is something in the genres that he can connect to.

“I probably wouldn’t have discovered Bastille without my friend,” Goins said. “They do a wide collection of stuff, they made ‘Pompeii’ and ‘Happier’. I like that all of their songs tell a story while other genres repeat the same thing or talk about something not very meaningful.”

18 design by: B. Conley A&E | lhstoday.org

SIC Listen to the full Ledger Staff Top Hits playlist:

Gavin Block (12)

His favorite song right now is “Human Behaviour” by Björk, but of all time he said it is “Yellow” by Coldplay. He really likes “Yellow” because it has a bittersweet sound. Block’s favorite musical artist is Coldplay because he feels like he can really connect to their songs. His favorite genre is alternative rock. He likes the use of guitars and how they use percussion. “‘Yellow’ just has a very bittersweet musical sound that I really like in a lot of other music. Very tender but strong and powerful.” Block said, “There is a very bittersweet longing sentiment in their music.”

Taylor Koehnemann (11)

His favorite song is “Lose Yourself ” by Eminem. He likes it because anytime he needs motivation he listens to it, it gives him more confidence because the lyrics and instruments go well together. Eminem is Koehnemann’s favorite artist because he likes his songs and his messages. His favorite genres are rock and rap. He likes rock because of the instrumentals for rap. He likes what goes into the song and that it sends a powerful message.

“I like a lot of Eminem’s songs and his messages.” Koehnemann said, “He is just really not afraid to say what he wants to say and I think he is cool for that.”

Bryleigh Conley (11)

Her favorite song is “As the World Caves In” by Matt Maltese. The one she is listening to right now is “Beware” by Deftones. She likes “As the World Caves In” because it is dramatic but sad, and she likes “Beware” because it’s alternative and rock. Conley’s favorite musical artist is Ariana Grande, but she also likes Ricky Montgomery. She likes Ariana’s music because it helped her with her anxiety, while she likes Ricky because his music is chill. The genre she most enjoys is alternative.

“I’ve gotten into alternative and rock lately. My favorite song artist is Ariana but Ricky is getting up there, he might even surpass her,” Conley said. “When I had anxiety a few years ago I found Ariana and her music helped me out a lot.”

A&E | lhstoday.org design by: B. Conley

19

Horoscopes Matching Can you find out who you are compatible with?

by Elaine Thimyan, Layout Editor Follow the lines according to your color and find out who you’re compatible with in life!

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