The Ledger - Issue 3 - March 2023

The Ledger

Mind Over

Mat ter

2023 Board of Education Candidates

The Ledger

Liberty High School

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Lake Saint Louis, MO. 63367 636.561.0075 ext: 28039 jonathanhall@wsdr4.org

Volume 10 Issue 3

Editors-in-Chief

10 In-Depth

14 Sports

Gavin Block*

Kay Copeland*

Reporters

Elaine Thimyan (Layout Editor), Bryleigh Conley, Cade Goins, Taylor Koehnemann, Abbiegail Luker, Connor Smith and Chloe Stenger

*Eacheditoralsoservesasareporter

Intentions

16 20

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 High School, 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.

Reacting

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 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 publication class that reports on stories

The Ledger is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll and the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association.

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

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design by: K. Copeland & E. Thimyan

pictured on cover: Connor Higlen cover photo by: E. Thimyan

Dearest reader,

Thank you for picking up issue 3 of The Ledger! Your continued support and appreciation for our hard work means a lot to us.

Living in a fast-paced world that often demands more than we’re able to give, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of our daily lives. As a result, we may find ourselves neglecting our emotional, physical and mental well-being. That is why we’ve reserved this issue to bring attention to the virtue of temperance

Temperance is all about finding balance in our lives. It’s about moderation, selfcontrol and avoiding excess. By practicing temperance, we can learn to be kinder to ourselves and take things one step at a time.

As we delve further into this topic, we’d like to remind you of the powerful adage “mind over matter.” While this phrase may seem cliche, there’s actually a lot of truth to it. Our thoughts and beliefs have a profound impact on our bodies and emotions. We garner so much more control over our experiences than we may realize.

We understand that taking care of oneself can be a challenge, especially in today’s world. That’s why we encourage you to start small. Perhaps it’s taking a walk in nature, setting aside time to read a book, or simply taking a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness. Remember that every little step you take contributes toward a bigger goal.

We hope that this issue will serve as a reminder that taking care of yourself is not only essential, but also empowering. By practicing temperance, we can become better versions of ourselves, and in turn, make the world a better place.

Kindest regards,

Gavin Block & Kay Copeland Editors-in-Chief

Letter From The Editors-in-Chief

2023 Wentzville Board of Education Candidates Announced

Six nominees are in the race to fill three open seats and potentially make a difference in our education system

by Gavin Block, Co-Editor-in-Chief

The Wentzville School District’s newest Board of Education candidates for April 2023 were revealed at a meeting convened on Thursday evening, Jan. 19. The six contenders and their submitted biographies on the district’s website were formally presented through various social media platforms on Wednesday, Jan. 25. All three of the seats that are open (currently held by Erin Abbott, Betsy Bates and Daniel Brice) are occupied by members who do not plan on running once again, meaning three completely new officers will join the Board after the election on Tuesday, April 4.

The candidates are listed in the order that they will appear on the April ballot. The only candidate who has previously attempted running for the Board of Education is John Kaelin.

1. John Kaelin is a former U.S. Air Force officer and a past civilian in the Department of Defense. Kaelin believes that the traditional concept of going straight to a four-year university in order to succeed is one that should be abandoned; he says that pathways such as community college and technical school need to be more accepted and promoted by public education. Kaelin feels that if staff members demonstrate a sense of trust and understanding toward each other, progress can be facilitated. He promises to utilize taxpayer funds in a manner that is responsible and that is in the best interest of students and staff of the district.

“As a military veteran, public servant, and parent, I understand the work that lies ahead and I pledge to give everything I have to accomplish the Wentzville School District’s mission,” Kaelin said.

2. Jen Olson was part of the first graduating class of Timberland High School, when the Wentzville School District was beginning to grow rapidly. She is now a wife and a mother to two children, with an occupational background that includes legal research and accounting. Although she believes the WSD had a reputation for providing quality education to its students, Olson cites interferences like special interests, political ideals and excessive control by the bureaucracy as progressively worsening and corrupting this status. She argues that as a result of a conventional “one-size-fits-all” approach in classrooms, many students in the district are struggling to succeed, even when the standards are set lower. She states that as a Board member, she would make sure the district is transparent with the public and would reacquire parents’ as well as stakeholders’ trust.

“I believe WSD can resurrect the academic excellence this district was once known for, and better prepare our students to lead us into the future,” Olson remarks.

3. David Lewis retired from a position not long ago as the vice president of a local federal contractor company that devised solutions for the Department of Defense along with other government agencies, in which he oversaw branches such as engineering, IT and operations. He claims that he has been an active citizen with respect to the political affairs of the city of Wentzville and the WSD. In addition, Lewis says that he started substitute teaching in November to gain a more internal understanding of the general organization. The notions of incorporating business practices in the district’s methodical planning and terminating the “ongoing woke-ism” in classrooms are contained in his platform.

“I believe that it is the responsibility of every able individual to to use their knowledge and experience to give back, and be part of lifting up the next generation,” states Lewis.

4. Renee Henke grew up in St. Charles County and recalls that, for her, school was a safe place where she could develop her potential. However, she is now of the opinion that disruptive and aggressive conduct has recently transitioned it into an unstable environment. Currently raising three children in the district, Henke is aiming to create a more secure atmosphere in academic settings and declares that tax increases have put a strain on families in the area. She possesses experience in balancing financial accounts and supposes that “learning loss” stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on learners that should be considered.

“In order to see this through we must address learning loss, behavioral/discipline issues, financial responsibility, and support our amazing staff!” Henke says.

5. Brad Welsh is a husband and a father to two children who presently attend Prairie View Elementary. He states that he has lived in the region for the past five years. Welsh notes that he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2006 from the University of Missouri and that for 15 years, he has worked in the field of sales. He expresses that education is an important part of his life as well as that a good rapport with teachers and staff should be maintained so as to build support. Coaching children in various sports has apparently given him a greater appreciation for educational employees.

“My career has prepared me for this position by emphasizing collaboration, problem solving, large scale budget analytics and advocating for others,” explained Welsh.

6. David A. Biesenthal has been a resident of the district since 2006. He has two children that go to Prairie View Elementary and Barfield Early Childhood. Biesenthal carries an extensive educative work history, having been employed as a physical education teacher and athletic director at Immanuel Lutheran in Wentzville and teaching in the Fort Zumwalt School District while he obtained his master’s degree in education from Lindenwood University. He currently instructs students in business and computer programming. He wants to bring a teacher’s perspective to the Board and is ready to take responsibility for assuring students’ and teachers’ educational plans and needs are met.

“As a Director on the Wentzville Board of Education, I will be looking out for our children and for the educators and staff who serve them,” Biesenthal remarks.

Read each candidate's full submitted bios:

Does 4 Equal 5 ?

Thisacademic year, 1-in-4 Missouri school districts will attend class only four days a week. According to data compiled by Missouri State University, over 140 districts statewide are utilizing a shortened week – an increase of more than 100 in the last four years.

The reason for this paradigm shift is not shocking, and it boils down to the fact that Missouri cannot keep teachers in classrooms.

“My district is very short staffed due to being in such a small town. Our teachers are very dedicated to our school, however last year we had three teachers resign for unknown reasons,” explains senior Rylee Dreisewerd, a student in the rural Newburg School District.

Newburg houses a total enrollment of 408 with all K-12 students in the same building. The district voted to enact a four-day schedule beginning this year with classes in session Tuesday-Friday.

“Our teachers throughout the whole school voted on this decision,” Dreisewerd elaborates. “I feel the teachers are more well-rested throughout the week and more motivated.”

Teacher retention is the main motivator behind this schedule shift. Thus far, it’s proven to be a sweepingly successful strategy of which has grown exponentially in the last decade, primarily across Missouri’s rural school districts.

The urban Independence School District recently dominated headlines after voting to enact a four-day school week, becoming the latest and largest Missouri district to do so. With an enrollment over 14,600, Independence nearly quintupled the previous enrollment record of 3,108 held by the Warren County School District.

As the popularity of the four-day week grows, the severity of the teacher shortage grows alongside it. Missouri continues to rank 50th in the nation for average teacher starting salaries, and 47th for overall teacher salaries. As a result, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) estimates there are 3,000 positions in Missouri schools that are either vacant or filled by someone not qualified this school year.

The teacher shortage and factors thereof continue to run rampant in the state, and such explains the appeal of the fourday week in the eyes of both educators and administrators.

design by: K. Copeland

by Kay Copeland, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Missouri State University associate professor, Jon Turner, explains to NPR how he believes the two directly correlate.

“I don’t think the four-day school week is a vision of where schools wanted to go, it’s what they’ve been forced to do by the circumstances that they have.” Turner continues, “And so policymakers in the state of Missouri are going to have to figure out ways to attract more people into the teaching career, because this is a crisis. And again, the four-day school week is a symptom of these challenges that these schools are facing.”

Shortened weeks are being used as a perk to hire and retain teachers, though it may not remain a useful strategy if participating districts continue to grow in quantity. DESE Chief Communications Officer Mallory McGowin explains how implementing a four-day week could grow to be a counterproductive approach in years to come.

“We understand that teacher recruitment and retention is in a crisis level,” McGowin said. “But here’s the problem, when so many school districts in a particular area start to do it, it’s not really a recruitment and retention strategy anymore.”

Dreisewerd elaborates upon this point: while the four-day week may seem like a foolproof solution to keep teachers in the building, there are a number of cons to consider. She has witnessed many shortcomings in her own district within mere months that the modified schedule was implemented.

“Parents are having to keep children at home while they’re at work, or having to find additional childcare. Some children may not be able to receive food on days school is not in session,” Dreisewerd details. “I also know parents who feel this is setting children up to have a weaker work ethic due to less time committed at school, while at a job you may have to work more than a four-day week.”

Another con that Dreisewerd specifies is the inconvenience of longer school days. This factor is seen amongst all districts with shortened weeks, and it’s a direct result of the reason why four-day weeks are even a considerable option. Missouri school districts are not required to be in session for a minimum number of days, according to a 2009 mandate stating that schools must maintain a minimum 1,044 hours of instruction. This enables districts to subtract a day each week, thus compensating for missed time by adding an extra 35 minutes to each school day.

Growing number of Missouri school districts enact a four-day week as the teacher shortage rages on

Q&A: Hear from a student in a school district with a four-day week

Q: A: What are the positive factors of a four-day week?

“I’ve noticed a lot of positive effects having a four-day week, such as helping teachers prepare lessons, providing more rest for students and teachers, and it’s cost effective for the school.”

With the revamping of any district schedule comes a prominent learning curve – such can be seen with Dreisewerd’s experience in rural Newburg. Though as the urban Independence School District begins a four-day schedule next year, many unanswered questions remain as to how a district of milestone stature will adapt to a model made popular by smaller districts.

“I believe it will be a challenge for a much larger district such as Independence to adapt to this new schedule, due to having more factors to consider when it comes to many different matters,” Dreisewerd states. “Although, I believe this will help the school district with their budget, keep teachers involved, and maintain morale among students.”

Aside from first-hand experience, studies have shown that schools with four-day weeks see less academic growth over time, especially in urban areas. Oregon State University and NWEA researchers claim that the effect gets worse the more years a school meets only four days per week.

All eyes are on Independence as they undertake what no Missouri school district of such stature ever has. The appeal of the four-day week is not projected to dwindle in popularity any time soon, and if all goes according to plan for Independence, an influx of heavily-populated school districts could very well follow in their footsteps.

Q: A: What are the negative factors of a four-day week?

“Parents are having to keep children at home while they’re at work, or having to find additional childcare. Some children may not be able to receive food on days school is not in session.”

Q: A: Do you ever miss the traditional five-day week?

“No, the four-day school week gives me more time to recover from a long school day. The teachers are doing better in their curriculum because they have more rest as well.”

Q: A:

What would you tell a student or staff member who wants a four-day school week?

“Though it might be a tough adjustment, I would tell them to push for it because there are many benefits to having a fourday school week.”

1-in-4 Missouri school districts have adopted a four-day week, a number of which has grown exponentially in recent years.

photo via Jon Turner

Senior Rylee Dreisewerd of the Newburg School District checks her academic schedule. Each Monday is marked as a “Blue Day,” signifying her weekly day off.

photo by K. Copeland

Questions Marking the One-Year Anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine War

The world has now witnessed over a year of conflict between Russia and Ukraine

by Elaine Thimyan, Layout Editor

It’s heartbreaking to think the war on Ukraine is still forging, but it’s a reality that we can’t shy away from. Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The official reason was stated by Putin that he wanted to “demilitarize” Ukraine, but the real reason is that Russia doesn’t want Ukraine to be a part of NATO. There are lots of questions and it’s important to keep an open eye.

What’s

changed?

Approximately 8 million people have fled Ukraine for different spots in Europe as of January 2023. Around 10,000 people left in one day back in March. People have also returned but as it stands right now, the outpour is outbalancing the inpour. Russia has been damaged as well. The war has tanked their economy, as well as the reputation of their military. They haven’t managed to take Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, however they have come close but had to flee back up North.

Gas prices have spiked worldwide since Russia produces 10% of oil. The sanctions on Russia raised gas prices in the U.S back in February and March. There were relief bills that helped alleviate that pressure, but those have since been overturned. Gas prices are tricky and the war isn’t completely to blame, but it’s one of many factors.

The Russian soldiers killed and wounded count, as of 2023, is reaching 200,000. For Ukraine civilians the total for both wounded and killed is 21,000. Have things improved?

Yes and no. Things have gone right and things have gone wrong for both sides. The 2023 outlook predicts a hard fight ahead of Ukraine. There are no signs that Putin will let up. He has no political opposition in Russia, so he can go thousands upon thousands of death before his approval ratings go down. There’s been rumors going around that Russia has something big planned for the one year anniversary, but until then we’ll have to wait and see.

We can already see the effects the war on Zelensky who has stayed with his country. Over the past year, President Zelensky was named person of the year by TIME magazine, and it is well deserved.

There’s no telling what will happen this year, but it’s imperative to be alert and unbiased.

Ukrainian President Zelensky was named TIME Magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year.

photo via Time Magazine

America’s Immigration: An Experience From an Indian Family

Senior Sathvika Shanker retells how her life in America has been influenced and changed by her Indian family and the challenges they had to overcome

by Cade Goins, Reporter

America, the golden land of opportunity. Many individuals come to live in America in order to find a future for themselves or family. In this country, they can find many things including jobs, homes, freedoms, education, and new possibilities. It is truly beautiful in the fact that people from across the globe have come here to find a new life or sanctuary and the country provides that role for them.

One of the families that have come to America is the family of senior Sathvika Shanker. Vika was only 1-year-old when her family moved across the world and over a sea to be able to settle themselves into a new future here. While she was too young to remember the first move her family had, Shanker does recall many of the conversations she’s had or heard with her family about the numerous obstacles they had to overcome.

“Being able to move here was not an easy process, it still isn’t after all these years,” is one of the many comments Shanker has about the process.

“A huge culture difference is how we look at friends. Indian culture is a lot more family-based; many activities were focused around the people in your house, and it was sometimes slow to make friends paired with the fact I couldn’t go out and do many things with them.”

- Sathvika Shanker (12)

“There was years worth of documentation and paperwork that had to be filled out and filed before we were approved to move, and once we got here, things were still a little difficult.” Visa paperwork and approval for residency is notorious for being a tedious process, even more so from certain countries that see the bulk of American immigration such as India, where Shanker’s family was born and comes from.

Numerous changes are made to family’s lifestyles when they move countries. The culture, environment, and people are all much more different than where they come from. Shanker describes some of the differences she experiences compared to most people in America. “It is sometimes weird to think about because we have a lot of different ways

we do things or views on bonds with other people. One of the things we do differently is leaving our shoes outside. It seems small but compared with many of the other people and how we request guests to do the same, it does end up a bigger deal than it would seem,” Shanker said.

One of the parts of American culture that people have grown very used to is how social life goes and develops, going out with friends or having sleepovers. This can be in a romantic sense too of being able to find someone to love on a chance encounter while out in the world. However, Shanker has a slightly different story with how she was raised.

“I was raised a lot more Indian than American, so I grew up and still am around that Indian culture and way of life,” she stated.

“A huge culture difference is how we look at friends. Indian culture is a lot more family-based, so many activities were focused around the people in your house, and it was sometimes slow to make friends paired with the fact I couldn’t go out and do many things with them. Another thing to note is that in India, arranged marriages are a very common practice, so self-seeking romance is somewhat discouraged in a way.”

Shanker has mostly lived in the United States, but for a time she had gone to India to see family and temporarily stay there. Traveling between countries is already a hassle for many people with passports and the many airport obstacles that seem to appear, but Shanker accounts for a story more difficult than normal.

“Even after all these years, we still don’t have the documentation we should have received as the processing time seems to keep getting delayed,” she said.

According to visa offices in America, getting some of the visas and other documents Shanker’s family still needs, such as a green card, takes about 1-3 years, but sometimes it can be as long as 10 years, a time that Shanker’s family is around.

“We actually got stuck in India for a little while because of some of these missing docs, it took a little longer to be able to return here as we had to go through a lot of paperwork and signing to get back.”

Changing countries is no easy feat, even more difficult in being able to adapt to the different culture and way of life. Despite this challenge, America has more than 1 million immigrants per year that seek permanent residence, asylum, or other purposes that have them reside. All of these families and people undergo such changes and are able to keep themselves together, truly showing the determination to thrive and live the best life they can in a new home here in this beautiful and welcoming country, with Shanker and her family being one of these strong groups of individuals.

Vika Shanker and her family stand near the iconic Gateway Arch. The monument symbolizes new beginnings and development.

photo provided by S. Shanker

MIND OVER MATTER Maintainingahealthymindisessentialtoahealthylife

byKayCopeland, Co-Editor-in-Chief&AbbiegailLuker,Reporter

Picture yourself in a crowded city, the hustle and bustle of people rushing by, the sound of cars honking and the smell of exhaust filling the air. You’re trying to keep up with the fast pace, balancing a heavy load of responsibilities on your shoulders. You’ve got work deadlines to meet, projects to complete and exams to study for. You’ve promised to meet up with your friends later, and your family is expecting you for dinner tonight. You feel like you’re being pulled in a million different directions, and there’s no time to stop and take a breath.

Now imagine a different scene, one where you’re surrounded by nature. You’re standing at the edge of a vast, open field, the sun shining down on your face, and a gentle breeze blowing through your hair. You take a deep breath and feel a sense of calm wash over you. You sit down and close your eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin and the grass beneath you. In this moment, you can let go of your worries and just be present.

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, we often find ourselves in the first scenario, where we’re constantly on the go with little time to pause and reflect. Just like nature offers us a

In-Depth | lhstoday.org

design by: K. Copeland & A. Luker

respite from the noise and chaos of a city life, taking time for ourselves allows us to disconnect from the constant demands and pressures of our daily lives.

Taking a break for oneself can often be perceived as a luxury, if not a weakness. The pressure to excel in every aspect of life can be overwhelming, leaving little room for rest and relaxation. It’s not uncommon for people to feel guilty or ashamed for taking time off to prioritize their mental and emotional health.

The constant juggle of school, work, hobbies, friends and family can leave us feeling exhausted and burnt out. It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of productivity, feeling like we always need to be doing something and pushing ourselves to the limit. However, neglecting our mental health like this is not sustainable and can have severe consequences.

Maintaining a healthy mind is essential to leading a fulfilling life. It’s crucial to recognize the importance of taking time off and making self-care a priority. Prioritizing mental health not only benefits us but also those around us, as it helps us to become better parents, friends, partners and colleagues. Taking care of our minds and emotions enables us to tackle the challenges of life with greater resilience, creativity and joy.

SELF-CARE STARTERS

Four healthy habits that are so easy, you’ll want to start today

Meditation is a practice that involves sitting quietly and focusing on your breath, allowing your mind to calm and relax.

The benefits of meditation are numerousincluding reducing stress and anxiety, improving mental clarity and promoting relaxation. It has also been shown to have physical benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation.

One of the most powerful benefits of meditation is its ability to help us develop a greater sense of mindfulness. By observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment, you can learn to be more present and engaged with your surroundings.

MEDITATE JOURNAL

Journaling is a self-care practice that allows us to process our emotions, gain clarity and cultivate self-awareness.

Research has shown that journaling can improve mental heath, reduce stress and even boost the immune system. Whether it’s a daily gratitude journal or a more free-form style of writing, incorporating journaling into your routine can be a prominent way to practice self-care.

Journaling can also be a powerful tool for personal growth and goal-setting. By reflecting on our experiences and setting intentions for the future, we can develop a greater sense of purpose and direction in our lives.

NATURE EXERCISE

Nature provides a peaceful environment, allowing us to disconnect from the distractions of daily life and reconnect with ourselves. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce cortisol levels, improve mood and boost cognitive function. Additionally, being in nature allows us to engage our senses in a way that we can’t in our everyday lives. Allowing ourselves to be fully present in these experiences can help us let go of stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm. Whether it’s taking a hike in the mountains or simply spending time in your local park, incorporating nature into your self-care routine can have a profound impact on your overall health.

Exercise is an essential component of self-care, helping us maintain our physical and mental health. Hitting the gym, taking a yoga class or going for a run are all excellent ways to reduce stress, improve mood and boost energy levels.

Regular exercise has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic disease, improved cognitive function and increased longevity. In addition to its physical benefits, exercise can also be a powerful tool for social connection and community building. By joining a fitness class or team, we can meet like-minded individuals and develop a sense of camaraderie and support.

Are You Alone, or Are You Alone?

The feeling of being alone vs. wanting to be alone

by Bryleigh Conley, Reporter

Think of yourself in a situation where you’re surrounded by a big crowd of people. While you’re surrounded by that crowd, you find yourself having a certain sense of loneliness. No matter how hard you try, you feel like you’re the only one – the only one who is feeling that certain type of way. Or maybe you’re surrounded by that crowd but find yourself wishing to be alone, wishing that everyone would just vanish and leave you with that peace and quiet until you’re ready for all that noise again.

“You can be alone without feeling lonely. You can also feel lonely even when you’re around other people,” according to a story in Healthline. The reason being “alone” could be taken in many different ways, or rather, hard to explain depending on the person you talk to and how they perceive the word. It could be used to talk about the feeling of being alone, or used to describe the actual setting of wanting to be left alone. Sometimes the world can become too much, too loud.

Quarantine during COVID-19 may be an old and repetitive topic by now, but feelings of loneliness peaked during that recent point in time. After being forced into lock-down and having most of your time surrounded by people and noise taken away, it’s only natural for one to feel alone. These feelings of being alone and loneliness can be caused by all different types of ways, including straying away from your natural everyday surroundings, not having things in common with the people around you, and most commonly being separated from family and friends, or even just breaking away from your normal everyday routine. As described by Healthline, “Most people need close relationships in order to thrive.”

Maybe you’re at lunch, after having a stressful morning of classes, in a noisy hallway. You put headphones on to drown out the noise. Full volume. For in that instant you try to detach yourself from everything around to regain that social battery that was drained.

If you are ever in a situation where you are feeling alone, here are some ways to help: Listening to music or watching TV, filling the area that surrounds you will help it feel less quiet and lonesome. Call a friend or family member to talk to, keep you company. Or maybe try doing a few things to help take your mind off of it –cleaning, staying off of social platforms, playing games, or even going on a hike, anything that makes you feel happy. However, don’t push these feelings off too much to where at one point they may become too much to handle.

Maybe you’re a therapist friend. Everyone comes to you for their problems, and you help. They seem self-centered. Every once in a while you need that help but they end up only talking about themselves. At that moment you start to get that familiar feeling again. But then comes along that one friend or family, the one who always listens. You feel better and realize that the loneliness was only temporary.

Alongside feeling alone is the setting of being alone, the wishing of wanting to be separated from everyone. Most people feel this way after school or work, maybe your social battery is drained and needs replenishing. For some people, being around people 24/7 makes them happy, while others believe spending time by themselves is better, which is okay. Being around people all the time can be tiring. Nothing is wrong with wanting alone time, in fact, being alone can help deal and or cope with stress and anxiety. It can help give you a more clear thinking process and allow you to understand yourself better, and improve your concentration.

There are lots of things that you can do as well, wanting to be alone doesn’t mean you have to sit inside, locked in your room. It could be a variety of things. Going outdoors or on a walk can help relieve stress and relax the mind, sometimes all you need is a simple walk alone through the park. You could sit down and read a book in a comfy spot, or take a drive listening to music, etc. Just because you want to be alone doesn’t always mean it’s a bad thing, it’s okay. “We tend to equate a desire for solitude with people who are lonely, sad, or have antisocial tendencies. But seeking solitude can actually be quite healthy. In fact, there are many physical and psychological benefits of spending time alone,” says psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter, Psy.D.

If you do need time alone, don’t be afraid to tell people no. If you are always surrounded by friends and family, it can be hard to find that alone time that you’ve been searching for. Though, make sure you don’t push yourself away and lose those connections, it can hurt those around you and possibly yourself in the future.If you need more help with feeling lonely, anxious or sad, please try talking with someone. There are many ways to stay in touch, whether that be through a therapist, a hotline, or just family and friends. Someone you can trust.

How does a trend become a trend? Does someone well-known have to start a trend for it to be noticed? What makes a trend “trendy?” Does it take a lot of people to set a trend?

As a person who doesn’t have social media, I wonder if it is possible to set a trend based simply on word of mouth.

As a student body, would it be possible to set a kindness trend? I’m sure at one point in everyone’s life, you notice something positive about somebody. You wish you could say something to compliment them, but in the end perhaps you were too embarrassed to compliment them. I want to know, is it possible to start a trend where we take action? It’s just a compliment. Why be embarrassed?

I don’t have social media, but I’ve seen and heard about some of the weird trends going on around. Stealing from bathrooms, dancing in stores, stealing from stores, dry scooping and the Devious Licks. These are just several of the past trends. I looked up some of the worst trends on TikTok: door kick challenge, fish tank challenge, Orbeez challenge, cha-cha challenge, blackout challenge, skull breaker challenge, etc. What is the world coming to?

Some of these trends are illegal, not healthy and can be downright dangerous.

“It doesn’t matter who gets the most likes or who gets the most shares. All that matters is the kindness you share, how many days you make better by just giving a small compliment.”

As a person without social media, it can sometimes be a good thing or a bad thing. Let’s start with the bad. Whenever I’m first meeting a person, their first question is,

“Do you have any social media so I can follow you?”

When texting a friend, it takes longer for them to get to me. They say, “Do you have Snapchat? I use it more than text, so I’d get to you faster.”

I get news way slower than others and I don’t know any of the latest trends or dances. It’s harder to connect or even keep in contact with old friends. It’s also harder to get out there. Some good that comes out of not having social media is not having to deal with the toxicity – such as bullying, dangerous things leaking on to the internet, the like system/popularity system (if you don’t get a ton of likes you’re not popular), or political bias.

So why not set a positive trend, a kindness trend? It’s quite simple. Maybe you notice someone’s shoes, or hair or style, maybe you’ve seen them multiple times. It doesn’t have to be embarrassing. Just be brave and go for it, but don’t be rude. Be positive, maybe the person you’ve complimented will send it on and you can make that person’s day just a little better. Don’t be sarcastic about it, the point is positivity. It doesn’t matter who gets the most likes or who gets the most shares.

All that matters is the kindness you share, how many days you make better by just giving a small compliment. I encourage you to do your best, be as kind as you can be because you’d want to be treated the same by others, and don’t say something you wouldn’t want to hear yourself.

It’s nice to hear compliments, so why not give them? In return you might receive your own compliment.

#BeKindTrendSettingLHS

When we spread kindness, it doesn’t need to be some large gesture. Something as small as a kind note can make someone’s day better.

photo by C. Stenger

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Eagles Display Resolution and Resilience in Annual Red Out Game

Liberty managed to gain a victory from Fort Zumwalt North and continue their overall strong season

by Gavin Block, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Both the varsity boys basketball and varsity girls basketball teams battled against Fort Zumwalt North’s respective squads on Friday evening, Jan. 6, for the winter season’s annual Red Out/Coaches vs. Cancer night.

A winter pep assembly was held in the main gym during Nest Time the day before the matchup. Events involved in the gathering included a rehearsal of the parting of the Red Sea in the stands; the cheer team, Liberty Belles, and even staff and StuCo members performing dance numbers; and a basketball knockout game between teachers and students. These activities helped raise both the roof and the hype in anticipation of Friday’s game. A total of at least $538 was raised during the week, all of which will be going to the American Cancer Society. By the end of the game, a grand total of $2,058 was raised for the week.

Varsity boys basketball head coach Chip Sodemann noted the significance of the game not just regarding its competitiveness, but also due to its meaning and overall theme.

“To start off, it’s a conference game, so those are always important because competing for a conference championship is always one of our goals in a season,” Sodemann remarked. “But more importantly, I think it has to do with the bigger picture; it is the Coaches vs. Cancer night, and donating, giving back and understanding that there are people in the world that are struggling and suffering, if we can do something small to help them, I think that’s a great thing.”

According to Sodemann, Coaches vs. Cancer is a program of the American Cancer Society that was mobilized by former Coach Norm Stewart in 1992,

a Hall of Fame coach at the University of Missouri and a cancer survivor. He wanted to use his platform and network of coaches to make his concept a national organization. The initiative recently reached its 30th anniversary.

The boys’ battle against the Panthers, who had a record of 2-9, started around 7 p.m., and the tensions were high right from the get-go. Liberty’s animated and passionate student section proved to surely be a rather large and uplifting contribution to the maintenance of the team’s good morale throughout the heated contest.

The first half saw a generally dominant and assured display from the Eagles. However, the first two quarters finished with an impressive half-court shot buzzer beater by a Fort Zumwalt North player, bringing the score to a tight count of 34-32 in favor of the Panthers.

The third quarter of the engagement is when the Eagles truly began to soar. Through players such as seniors Nate Bobikiewicz and Ashton Long, the birds of prey managed to push themselves six points clear of the cats at the end of the round.

The fourth quarter was likely the tightest segment of the matchup with a multitude of pauses and fouls, but the red-white-and-blues handled their competition effectively as they had done all game with aggressive defense and slick forward play.

Near the very end, to unquestionably slam the door shut, a foul resulted in two consecutively successful free throws from sophomore Andrew Badra. This secured a final victory of 63-57 for the Eagles. As a result, the boys basketball squad brought their so far engaging season to a record of 9-3.

“It felt really good,” Badra commented on his sealing of the win. “I couldn’t do it without my teammates.”

Sophomore Andrew Badra looks for a pass as he clutches onto the basketball, guarding it from a contending Fort Zumwalt North player.

photo by M. Reyes

Ashton Long (12) jumps to make the shot over the Zumwalt North defense.

photo by M. Reyes

Nolan Frey (11) looks to pass the ball to a teammate.

photo by M. Reyes

“Competingfor a conference championshipis alwaysoneofour goalsinaseason.But moreimportantly,I think it has to do with thebiggerpicture; donating,givingback andunderstanding thattherearepeople in the world that arestrugglingand suffering.”

Chip Sodemann

Girls Wrestling Reaches Biggest Numbers Yet

Senior Lillia Clay has been on the girls wrestling team for the past four years. This year marks the most female wrestlers Liberty has ever had.

The team has nine girls: Clay, Caroline Ward, Sophia Drake, Sophia Spakowski, Elektra Lowe, Kat Zink, Madelyn Kuhn, Jersey Goodall and Arely Perez-Gomez.

“I think this is the highest because it’s gained more popularity over the years. Girls wrestling and wrestling in general wasn’t very popular in the last four years, but our team has steadily been growing,” Clay said.

Clay believes that girls wrestling has grown a lot and she also believes it will keep growing, stating, “I’d say girls wrestling in my and the coaches’ opinion has really saved wrestling as a sport all together,” and “I sure hope it keeps growing, and I think it will.”

The team also has had some solid performances on the mat in both team and individual competition.

“Our team at the moment is doing pretty well. We just recently beat Holt High School which we’ve never done before, so that was a big morale boost for our team,” Clay said.

When asked about the team’s biggest highlights, she said, “Where to begin? There are so many highlights. The duel at Holt was really good.”

One of Clay’s personal highlights was when she placed third at the most recent GAC meet.

“Normally it would just be another medal, but I just got out of a stump from last year’s injury. It was kind of a slap to the face, realizing how much an injury can destroy my body and ability, so just being able to place third at GAC, being able to know I’m going to districts, it really brought my old self

Clay believes that Ward is one of the strongest wrestlers as well as Spakowski.

“Caroline Ward is definitely doing well, but she always does good and always had a thing for wrestling.

by Chloe Stenger,

“Another person who is also really improving but she won’t admit it is Sophia Spakowski; this is her first year doing it and she’s learning very quickly.”

When girls wrestle in a match, they are legally not allowed to wrestle the opposite sex, but at practices they are able to wrestle whomever.

Wrestling as a sport is rather unique because it’s an individual sport, however, you have a team that motivates you.

“It can be pretty hard on you mentally especially after a loss,” Clay said. “I just recently had a loss from Fort Zumwalt; it’s pretty hard sometimes, but overall it’s a great sport, very unique.”

She confirmed that girls wrestling at Liberty started in 2019 with Janna Stevenson. Clay became friends with Stevenson her freshman year and really looked up to her as a mentor and a

“Believe it or not, I was wrestling with her for practice when she was 180 and I was 110; she really guided me and pushed me to keep going, and she was a big inspiration for more than just female wrestling but for wrestling in general. Because A, she was our first female state qualifier, and B, she just knew what she was doing.”

Up until this year, the only girls to have made it to state are Stevenson and Ward. That all changed on Feb. 11 when Clay, Kuhn, Lowe and Ward all qualified for state at the district competition, marking the most girls qualifying for state at one time in Liberty history. They have enough females to qualify as an individual team “because it’s not really about the amount. I’ve actually seen some pretty small teams make it to district and state, however the chances of those teams winning tournaments is slim to none,” Clay said.

Clay would like to mention, “I just want to say for those female wrestlers that will hopefully see this, keep doing what you’re doing and work to be the best version of yourself,” and a recruitment message: “Female freshmen, if you are looking to do female wrestling, don’t hesitate to; please join, we want to keep ladies Eagles wrestling going, and we want to keep our team growing. Please consider joining.”

2023 State Qualifiers

Girls wrestling has grown over the four years of being a sport offered at Liberty

Reporter

Lillia Clay and Arely Perez-Gomez share an emotional moment after Perez wins a match.

photo by M. Morris

Kat Zink focuses on her move to try to take down an opponent.

photo by S. Davis

The Revolting Nature of Our Cafeteria Food

Liberty’s cafeteria food is in a very sorry state

by Abbiegail Luker, Reporter

Thisstory has been a long time coming. I would like to speak on behalf of every student lunch buyer and say that our school’s food is at best, questionable, and at worst, atrocious. It is stomach-curdling, stomach-churning, and an offense to the eyes and mouth. An eye sore, to be frank; a bellyache waiting to happen.

The time has come to, albeit dramatically, report on this crisis. I have documented my lunch for a couple days to give real examples of what our food is like (for the unknowing). I am sorry to subject you all to this disagreeable sight, but alas, I must.

1/20/23 - The sandwich was fairly hard to hold, given that it was kind of falling apart. The juice(?) on the side is something I get often, (because it’s the only side I will voluntarily consume) and is strangely always partially frozen. I usually eat it like a slushie, although I don’t think it’s actually meant to be eaten that way. Somehow the taste changes each time, even when it’s the same flavor and is clearly unopened.

1/23/23 - The bun on the sandwich was hard as a doorknob, eliciting gasps of horror from my dear lunch group. The cheese on the nachos is the kind that you would find on macaroni and cheese, which I find quite funny considering that lately whenever I have purchased macaroni and cheese, it has been covered in nacho cheese.

design by: A. Luker

1/24/23 - I usually don’t get chicken since the last time I got a chicken sandwich for lunch it was not fully cooked, but I decided to chance it and got one. While it was, thankfully, fully cooked, it was actually rather dry. You can see I grabbed a fair amount of ketchup, which has become a natural habit to ensure I can tolerate the food I purchase.

Now I’d like to make clear I do not hold the lunch ladies at fault, they’ve all been very kind to me (especially Kathy). I would not blame them for the vile state of our lunches. I think it’s more of a vendor problem than anything. While they are the ones preparing the food, there’s not much you can do when the quality of what you receive is sub par.

Which raises many questions; why is our food so awful? We’re constantly lacking warm sides, most people I know wouldn’t touch the fruit, and the good foods that I enjoyed last year are nowhere to be found (I personally think we have pretty good chili and alfredo noodles).

I have had Timberland’s food quite recently (as my mother works there), and it is significantly better than ours. They even have a salad bar with onions, banana peppers, and such. How does a school in the same district have such a different lunch experience than us?

1/20/23 - A soggy sandwich and mystery juice.

1/23/23 - A hard sandwich and nachos’ and cheese.

1/24-23 - A Saharan chicken sandwich.

photos by A. Luker

“WhileIjest,thisissomethingIdoseriouslythinkshouldbe broughttoadults’attention.We’realreadydoingalotwhileat school,attheveryleastwe’dliketoenjoythefoodweeat.”

Yuck! We need better vendors.

photo by K. Copeland

AI ART

Will it ruin the man-made art industry?

by Taylor Koehnemann, Reporter

Around a year ago, the topic of artificial intelligence skyrocketed amongst people and the internet. Eventually, we got our first good look at AI with interviews of the AI and more, although one of the biggest and most popular breakthroughs of AI is its very own artwork. As popular as this artwork is, could it ruin the man-made art industry?

First of all, what is AI art and how is it made? There are a couple of particular types: the expansion photos and the description-based art. These both are different in their very own ways with the description-based art being based around a simple description of what you want the AI to show. It will then use its mind to give out the best it can, but what makes these pieces so interesting is that the AI is still developing. This means most pictures will look disoriented and disfigured while still having the main idea set within that art piece.

A good example of a description-based picture is this piece shown here of a futuristic city. As seen, it may look odd and weirdly shaped but zoomed out it still holds the bigger picture using blue and purple neon colors, tall buildings and what looks to be a rainy night sky. This is only the beginning of what AI art can be.

Next are the expansion photos. This types of AI art is used through an already existing picture, where you erase part of the picture or let it expand the picture. Some people have taken old pieces of artwork and asked the AI to expand these photos, giving it more depth than before. Others have taken photos of an existing photo, erased a portion of that picture and asked AI to add something new. These ones in particular give some of the weirder outcomes. Here is an expansion photo of the Mona Lisa, now giving a larger view of Mona Lisa herself.

Now the real question is – can this ruin the man-made art industry? Currently there is a small market for AI art mostly being sold online, similar to how NFTs were sold. To most people, AI art can’t compare to the real thing and the creative minds of people.

However, this art only continues to advance since it is AI created to become better and develop. There is a possible chance that real artwork and AI artwork could eventually both be on the same playing field with each other if the development factor does actually work well. Right now, the answer is hard to tell since this is only the start, but for now the answer is no.

But, there is still much time for this category to grow and become popular all over the world. Time will only tell.

design by: T. Koehnemann

An AI-expanded version of the Mona Lisa painting.

An AI’s interpretation of a futuristic city.

Disney is rotten to the core and faces many troubles inside the company

by Connor Smith, Reporter

Truly there is no company that has a firmer clutch on entertainment than Disney, to the point where the real question is, what isn’t owned by the big mouse of destruction? To everlasting properties such as Pixar, Marvel, 20th Century Fox and so much more, Disney has been one of the biggest juggernauts in entertainment – being one of the biggest multi billion dollar companies in the world. However, this once powerhouse of a company faces dire issues that may spell out Disney’s end. If the changing of leadership and power struggles, loss of box office returns and layoffs within the company is true, then truly it spells capital devastation.

Over the past two years, Disney’s shareholders have declined 50% to an all-out high of $100 a share at the end of 2021, to only $10 in the present day. You don’t have to be a crypto genius to understand that’s a bad thing. Investors are losing faith and interest in Disney real fast. Not even the parks (which make about 28% of Disney’s revenue) are enough to keep it up for that long. Not to mention, Disney’s streaming service has lost 2 million subscribers in the past year and is still gaining in losses.

Disney’s initial plan and response to monopoly the whole entertainment market seemed like a smart move, given that they could make it work. The two powerhouses in this equation are the Marvel and Star Wars franchises. Star Wars has managed to drop in revenue with each of the sequel trilogies losing money gradually. And Marvel phase 4 hasn’t managed to bring back its own lost revenue. The only movie to even break even and make more of a profit was “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”

Now when you look at the leadership of the company, it can be pretty appalling. Bob Iger has been the CEO of Disney for 15 years. During his tenure, his plan was to essentially buy every property he could find and slap the Mickey Mouse stamp on it. The plan worked for considerably a long time, buying huge, well-established franchises like Lucasfilm, Pixar, Marvel and 20th Century Fox to add to their collection in 2009. However, as Disney is losing money, the once prominent franchises such as Star Wars are in the rumors of being sold offsomething that would be unheard of in 2012 when it was first bought.

So Iger packed his bags and left the burning shipwreck that was the company. Then stepped in Bob Chapek with a new incentive to rework the company around - to implement better resources and make Disney more effective, leading to layoffs and firing of the company. To put it simply, if they weren’t working or the content that they were producing isn’t up to standard, then sorry, you’re out.

Obviously this doesn’t look good for majority of the Disney staff who have relied on year contracts, to just collect a nice easy paycheck and push out their political agenda.

However, Disney was thrust into controversy after management’s lack of response to the legislation known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida. This resulted in mass staff walk outs and angry tweets and social media outrage, causing Chapek to resentfully apologize for essentially being there in the crossfire. As a result, he was practically fired by the board and replaced with Bob Iger once again. Completely back tracking on their own mission statement and wasting more time. Truly a ring around the rosie of disaster.

Disney movies and shows haven’t seen much success as of late. Even the previously hyped up juggernaut of “Avatar: Way of the Water” became only the sixth film to reach that milestone in its first 14 days. Making over $1 billion so far, “Way of the Water” does not match its success as James Cameron announces that they would need to reach $2 billion to break even.

These days Disney has been staggering from failure to failure. Unable to learn from their past mistakes and get over their personal vendettas. There’s no getting around it anymore Disney is a brand in decline. Relying on making quantity over quality, meandering with no sense of purpose, exhausted of good ideas, and getting into political controversy where it absolutely shouldn’t be.

Disney is an entertainment company through and through. Its main focus should be to create good content for the public to enjoy. Not to dive into what political issue is hot at that time. It’s bad for business and it loses money. And when it comes to running a company it all comes down to that very thing. Money.

Things are going to have to change if Disney wants to stay afloat, and that savior may be on the horizon.

Bob Iger: CEO of Walt Disney for 15 years.

Bob Chapek: Executive Officer of Walt Disney and CEO for 2 years.

photo by Variety

TIME TO CUT BACK

Here’s the bad habit of each zodiac and how to cut it lose

by Elaine Thimyan, Layout Editor

You tend to rush into things, whether that be a job, hobby or relationship. You have a competitive nature and want to be the best at everything, but nobody likes competing in life. Find a quiet pastime, enjoy a walk by yourself outside. Being bored is a skill everyone should learn.

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO

Cancers are known for being sensitive, but they tend to hold it in. Not wanting to burden others with silly things, but after a while they start to come off as passive aggressive. The pettiness always makes its way out so instead of holding the grudge, talk it out.

You like structure, you set up a plan for a hangout and expect it to go as planned. This causes you to be a hermit. This doesn’t allow you room to grow. Say yes to things, go to places you wouldn’t normally. Pushing yourself and allowing your boundaries to change is what’s going to help you in the long run.

Geminis tend to get bored really quickly. Instead of learning how to be by yourself, learn how to be present with others. You’re a daydreamer, in moderation it’s okay, but you end up ignoring the people around you. Pay attention to others instead of just your entertainment.

Leos can be insecure too. When a Leo gets insecure they tend to talk and gossip, it’s not healthy. Sometimes the best thing to do is not say anything, even if you’re right. Take a deep breath and walk away and remember that your time is valuable, you should spend it the way YOU want.

It’s stereotypical but Virgos overwork, or over-commit, themselves. This leads to procrastination and wanting things to be perfect, even getting nit-picky in your friendships. Let yourself and others be imperfect, and give yourself time to breathe in-between projects.

LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS

Libras are people pleasers through and through. This leads them to not being very good at saying no. You are in this life for you, not for others. Be caught up in the things you like, not the things you don’t. Set up your priorities and follow through.

It’s no secret that Scorpios are the most intense. This opens the gate for being controlling, especially in your relationships and at work. Let your expectations of the people around you go. There’s no need to fear failure if you don’t set yourself up for it.

Don’t be saying things you don’t mean. You like moving from place to place, situation to situations. Don’t rush into a relationship you don’t really want, don’t make plans you don’t plan on attending and don’t take up hobbies you’ll abandon. It’s okay to be stagnant for a while.

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES

You don’t need to be productive every waking moment. You can take breaks and have fun and let yourself be imperfect. The late nights working on school and skipping hangouts can leave you with burnout if you don’t balance work and fun.

You like to know what’s going on in the world, you have opinions about every major issue and scandal, and while that’s okay in balance, you might want to get off your phone and enjoy the simple things in your life right now.

You might tend to overspend on the idea of self care. Snapping back into reality will do wonders. You’re a dreamer but you have to check in and make sure you’re not ignoring red flags in others, not overbooking yourself with fun activities and ignoring your responsibilities.