The Ledger - Issue 3 - Spring 2025

THE

LEDGER Liberty’s Magazine

20:25

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL

12 yrs. ago

2275 Sommers Road Lake St. Louis, MO 63367

3:10 out

Find

more

about

K I T TOK 12 13 BAN the the

on Pages

&

SPRING 2025 VOLUME 12 ISSUE 3

2 days ago

2

OPINION ISSUE 3 Designed by Meghan Lynch

Table of Contents 03 | Generation Alpha 04 | Parking Lot Problems 06 | Hurdling to Save Lives 08 | A Night Under the Spotlights: Under Constructions 10 | Struggle for Success 12 | TikTok Ban 14 | Too Much Love!

15 | Speak Out 16 | Ice, Snow, and Skill 18 | Pinning Your Dreams

Our Staff Editors-in-Chief Meghan Lynch and Ella Quinney Layout Editor Faith Vaught Copy Editor Loukya Vaka

Reporters Keena Boschert, Lexi Hufty, Vanessa Jackson, Sage Kennedy, Brielle Vassel *Each editor also serves as a reporter

The Ledger

Liberty High School 2275 Sommers Road Lake Saint Louis MO. 63367 libertyledger17@gmail.com

Volume 12 Issue 3 Intentions

The Ledger is a publication that releases four issues (one issue per quarter) throughout the year, distributing 900 free copies to the student body, faculty, and administration.

The Ledger is a part of the district’s curriculum and is designed to provide a journalistic experience for written expression on a variety of topics. It is a student-led publication class that reports on events related to the school community. Students write, take photos, and design the publication while the adviser supervises the student journalists.

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

Credentials

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

On the front cover: Within screens and social media, people are able to communicate their thoughts on various topics of interest. Photo by F. Vaught On the back cover: Interactive quiz written and designed by Lexi Hufty, Reporter Photos by L. Hufty

NEWS MAR. 2025

Designed by Brielle Vassel

3

Generation Alpha

A generation we will forever remember.

By Brielle Vassel, Reporter

Generational Timeline

Greatest Generation The term “The Greatest Generation” was used to show the patriotism this generation had throughout The Great Depression and WW1.

Silent Generation The people who are born in this time period are called the “Silent Generation,” representing the silenced personalities during the war and economic depression.

Baby Boomers This generation was nicknamed “Baby Boomers,” due to the spike of births that happened in the USA after WW2.

Generation X The term X was used to describe people who did not want to concern themselves with social pressures, status, or money.

Millenials Millennials got their name due to the fact that the oldest people born in their generation became adults at the new millennia: 2000.

Generation Z The “Z” in Generation Z stands for Zoomer--with “zoom” referring to how fast this Generation grew up and the technological advances they had.

Generation Alpha Since this is the first generation of people who were fully born in the new millennia, the generation was named after the first letter of the Greek alphabet-signifying that there is no going back.

Generation Beta The name “Beta” was chosen to follow the pattern of using the Greek alphabet.

Generation Alpha @generationalpha!

2010 started off with a bang. Not only was it the beginning of a new decade, but a new Generation also took the stage: Generation Alpha. During the 15 years that this Generation had its reign, many crazy events, new beginnings, and new issues arose.

11:32 AM - 1 Jan 2025

27 Reposts 250 likes

Dave Boss @Davetheboss Some events that happened in this decade were not so good, such as the Sandy Hook shooting on December 14, 2012--where Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people in a school.

Rosa Wright @GiRlPoWeR!

During the years of this generation, the Black Lives Matter Protest began in 2013 in response to Trayvon Martin’s murder.

In addition, and same sex marriage legalization for all states occurred on June 26, 2015.

Allison Robinson @ROCKSROCK!

While there were significant things happening on Earth, there were also a lot happening in space that we got to witness. During this generation, people got to witness two total Solar eclipses, one being on Aug. 21, 2017 and one on April 8, 2024.

Max Smith @MASKUP

Let’s not forget the worldwide pandemic. CDC alerted America about the pandemic on Jan. 20, 2020. The U.S., like the rest of the world, was thrown for a loop by this situation. The Federal Covid-19 Public health emergency declared the end of Covid-19 on May 11, 2023.

4

NEWS ISSUE 3 Designed by Ella Quinney

Honking and student behavior spark safety concerns in the parking lot.

g n i C k r a P Lot Problems

By Brielle Vassel, Reporter

ars line up bumper-to-bumper around you. Cars are honking at seven in the morning, not being wary of the neighborhoods that are behind them. These are the parking lots of Liberty High School.

One of the main causes of problems are the small parking lots. “The whole parking lot is a very small parking lot,” said Angel Milton (12) about the senior lot.

The insufficiently sized area causes students to have to arrive earlier just to get a good spot in the lot.

Problems in the lot are not just happening in the morning, they are happening after school as well.

There is a significant struggle when leaving the parking lots at the end of the day. Due to the sheer number of cars leaving, it takes a long time for one to make their way out of the parking lot.

This unfortunate issue also affects the people who have places they need to get to right after school–

Connor Velleca (11) poses as though he is honking his horn. This represents students’ misbehavior in the parking lot, which is a common issue. Photo by B. Vassel

such as work.

“Everyone is eager to get out, kind of like a race,” Kayla Kroehnke (11) said. The rush to leave can lead to impatience, which results in drivers honking at others for the slow moving pace that is out of everyone’s control. Consequently, the noise of some frustrated individuals causes others to become aggravated at being honked at.

“I’ll just hear random shouts and then random honking, like full on blaring of the horn,” Aubrey McKinney (10) said.

This problem is not just isolated to the afternoon, but the morning as well. “In the morning, people will play music or honk their car horns,” Brynn Galliher (10) said. Whether it is in the morning or afternoon, unrestrained, nearly constant honking is a big problem for drivers.

From honking to small lots, driving to and from school is a challenge for LHS students.

NEWS MAR 2025 Designed by Brielle Vassel

5

Parents wait patiently in the pickup line, where afternoon obstruction has become a daily challenge. Photo by B. Creen

Parking lot congestion causes frustration for parents and students.

By Ella Quinney, Editor-In-Chief

B

rakes screech, and the drivers take a deep breath, grateful that they didn’t crash.

They then continue on with their normal drive home. The event was forgotten by dinner. This isn’t an unusual occurrence in the school parking lot. In fact, near crashes happen almost every day.

“There have been a few times when other cars have almost hit mine. This is because they weren’t paying attention or being careful,” Lucy Bowen (12) said.

Bowen went on to say, “The biggest issue is that the flow of traffic in the parking lot isn’t very good.” The flow of traffic is a

massive problem in the front lot, as seniors and parents are both leaving the lot, and attempting to avoid the traffic by being the first out.

A parent, Keith Kessler, shared that taking a left turn out of the front parking lot is a bit tricky, and that he “takes the path of least resistance.” This path is taking a right out of the parking lot and turning around in the neighborhood.

Another parent, Colleen Grams, had a similar sentiment. Grams shared that “getting stuck behind the parents that are still waiting to pick up” is an issue that she’s

faced. This problem helps to contribute to the problems involved with flow of traffic.

High congestion in the parking lot may not seem like a massive problem for some, but with jobs, homework, and sports, a 10 minute wait to leave can cause students to lose precious time to work on these things.

Solutions to these parking lot problems are constantly in the works. With the addition of a entrance/exit road in the back lot for buses and the juniors to use, and a “no left turn” sign on the north entrance (closest to QT) being added, the issues are slowly declining, though they are not entirely gone.

6

FEATURE ISSUE 3

Designed by Vanessa Jackson

T

he reality of being a student athlete is no easy task. You have to make time for practices, games, and school work. Plus, you also need to make sure both your mental and physical states are functioning well. However, being a Lewis & Clark member and a student athlete comes with even more responsibilities. You are in charge of going back and forth between trade school and your assigned school. Alongside that, you are responsible for trying to get to your practice on time. Well, one student named Ariyah “Ari” Quail (11) is not one to back down from a challenge, even with its struggles.

Quail attends Lewis & Clark Career Center in Health Sciences, hoping to one day become a Labor and Delivery nurse–due to enjoying working with babies. According to Lewis & Clark Career Center, they “prepare students to become productive leaders in their communities, help them build confidence, and increase their ability to solve real-world problems.” In addition, they “provide students a rigorous, supportive, and meaningful career and technical education program designed to meet the needs of our community.” In Health Sciences, the program consists of labs, lectures, and learning anatomy–while also transferring that knowledge to hands-on work in a hospital, blood drive, etc.

“The labs are really fun cause we get to do everything we’re learning on each other,” Quail stated.

Ari running her first 300 meter hurdle race of the 2024 season.

Photo by M. Geisler

After getting back to school, Quail has track practice for the events she will run this year–which are the 4x1, 100, 200, hurdles, and possibly long jump. Yet, even though she has a lot on her plate, Quail is balancing everything very well and she always keeps a positive spirit.

According to the varsity sprint track coach, Jeremy Tutterrow, “She’s done a great job of balancing the two.” Furthermore, Quail not only takes track seriously, but she tries to make it lively for everyone, too. At the end of the day, Lewis & Clark is a great way to get ahead in your chosen career. The unique opportunity helps students get jobs right outside of school without having to go to college, and students who go to college will have one less step as well. At the end of her program with the Lewis & Clark Career Center, Quail will receive her CNA degree as soon as she is out of high school. She shows many upcoming juniors who are thinking about participating in Lewis & Clark that–with good time management, dedication, and commitment–participating in Lewis & Clark should not stop you from participating in extracurricular activities as well. Quail exemplifies that, at the end of the day, just one smile can brighten a whole person’s day.

Photos by V. Jackson

FEATURE MAR 2025

Designed by Vanessa Jackson

HURDLING LIVES

Ari at Lewis & Clark doing notes with her friend Photo submitted by A. Quail

Brief Summary to Apply for Lewis & Clark 1. Apply through the school guidance office.

Applications are available in guidance office and under the Admissions tab online.

2. Complete the OASIS exam (Occupational Aptitude Survey and Interest Schedule). Students applying for the ARBS (Applied Retail and Business Skills) program are not required to take the exam.

3. Students with an IEP are referred for an ACE evaluation (ACE: Aptitude and Career Exploration test).

4. The guidance office will create an application packet and send it to Lewis & Clark, which includes transcripts, attendance, and discipline reports.

5. Student must meet the criteria, as set forth in the Missouri Safe Schools Act. 6. Acceptance is a decision made between the partner school and Lewis & Clark. *Some steps, details, and accommodations to get into Lewis & Clark are not provided in this article. For more information, please visit the Lewis & Clark Career Center website.

to

By Vanessa Jackson, Repoter

Ariyah Quail demonstrates responsibility by being a student athlete and a Lewis and Clark member.

Save

7

8

FEATURE ISSUE 3 Designed by Keena Boschert

A Night Under The Spo otlight:Under Construction What goes into the planning of Prom?

By Keena Boschert, Reporter

C

ontacting vendors, scheduling a date and time, selecting decorations, and choosing a theme seems like a tall order, but this is the job of the junior class officers. Each year, the junior class’ representatives are the ones that meet to develop the highly-anticipated dance. Despite being a daunting task, the dance delivers a fun, exciting experience each year.

The current officers for the junior class are directed and sponsored by Spanish teacher Katelyn Tock. The group consists of 12 dedicated juniors, with a selected board. Co-presidents Jasper Leech and Charles Giraud, elected by the officers themselves, work to specifically represent the student body.

“I wanted to become a class officer to get more active in the school, and to have some influence over what happens,” Leech said.

We chose ‘A Night Under the Spotlight’ because we wanted prom to have a classier feel, and wanted to do something different from previous years.

Jasper Leech (11) Junior Class Officers Ryan Lipski (11), Ethan Coleman (11), Jasper Leech (11), and Nate Wietbrock (11) review their thoughts for Liberty’s “A Night Under the Spotlight,” and work together to progress their plans.

Photo by K. Boschert

FEATURE MAR 2025 Designed by Keena Boschert “There is not a specific list of tasks given out to every member. For example, if labels need to be printed and one member has a label printer at home, that member will take upon that task of printing,” officer Naudia WatsonBooker said. “Everyone has a role to play in choosing foods, decorations, and themes for the dance.”

Each officer is able to add their own touches to the night, and provide their opinions on how the dance should be held.

This year, the officers have landed on the theme “A Night Under the Spotlight.” This theme will include a Hollywoodesque setting and decorations.

“We chose ‘A Night Under the Spotlight’ because we wanted prom to have a classier feel, and wanted to do something different from previous years,” Leech said. “We loved the idea of a bougie red carpet, blinding lights, and golden accents to kick off the dance,” Watson-Booker said.

They want to give the student body something new and fresh.

“The most difficult aspect of planning prom is ensuring that the majority would be satisfied with our choices. Since it is a small group planning the event there are only so many opinions being transformed into reality,” Watson-Booker said.

After playing around with several other potential themes, they landed on “Hollywood.” “There were several other considerations…but we got the farthest with Hollywood,” Watson-Booker added.

To get the supplies necessary to bring the event together, the officers partner with vendors to find what they need. “We get supplies through vendors that have already partnered with the school,” Leech said. The venue also has its own decor that will be utilized for the event.

Additionally, “some parents of the planning group have businesses that relate to necessary materials, so we can use them as well. T-shirts, DJ’s, and labels were all sourced by the parents of students,” said Watson-Booker. This means that the weight does not rest completely on the officers’ shoulders when it comes to the event’s inventory.

Overall, this year’s prom is sure to be a night to remember, and will be a testament to the effort of our junior class officers. It is no easy feat to bring mere ideas and concepts into reality, especially at the scale of an event like prom. While dancing the night away, or treating yourself to some snacks, make sure to take a moment to thank your class officers.

The most difficult aspect of planning prom is ensuring that the majority would be satisfied with our choices.

Tabitha Musangali (11), Jillian Breckenridge (11), and Charles Giraud (11) develop and flesh out their ideas for Prom during a Junior Class Officer meeting.

Photo By K. Boschert

Naudia Watson-Booker

9

10

IN-DEPTH

STRUGGLE Success ISSUE 3 Designed by Meghan Lynch

for

By Meghan Lynch, Editor in Chief and Loukya Vaka, Copy Editor

What Should I Do? “If you don’t know what you want to be, you might be pushed into a hole. You might struggle to get out of that hole,” Kate Broussard (11) said. During a time when teenagers are trying to figure out their interests and their sense of self, it’s easy to become daunted or overwhelmed by such a seemingly massive decision.

Decisions and Consequences “It depends on how important a priority is, and it depends on knowing your limits,” Rathi Thiagarajan (11) said. In high school, students are able to explore so many possibilities, whether that be in classes or extracurriculars. However, as students and friends begin to choose their own paths, it’s easy to become distant or isolated from those they were close with. Students have to ask themselves, “Is the trade off worth it?”

Tests, Tests, Tests!

Let-Downs and Disappointments “In freshman year, when I was first envisioning what my schedule would look like, I was really optimistic,” Emily Nguyen (11) said. “After the first semester, my view of this ‘dream class’ went away.”

And it’s the same for a staggering number of students.

Very few have their expectations of high school met, and many are often let down.

Charles Giraud (11) said, “I’m not a good test taker, and I now have to study way harder just to try to get a couple extra points on a quiz or test because my grade will change so drastically if I do badly on one exam–which I find to be extremely unfair.” Assignments and exams directly affect students’ academic success, and is a huge source of stress for many high schoolers, which makes sense because it’s such a substantial part of students’ grades.

IN-DEPTH MAR 2025 Designed by Loukya Vaka

Extracurriculars = Extra Stress “I think students put a lot of value into college and their future, so a lot of the time people join clubs and activities just to have those extracurriculars, when a lot of the time they are not active members in those clubs,” Aiden Franco (10) said. Different clubs and organizations can be a great way for students to find enjoyment, but they can also end up turning into a chore if a student is only participating as a resume-booster.

11

I’ll Sleep When I Graduate “In this day and age, students are very pressured to prioritize academic endeavors. So, I feel that there is a lot of stress on what you should do,” Navya Manchala (9) said. When school takes up so much time and effort, opportunities to truly relax can be few and far between. While it’s good to work hard, ignoring your physical and mental health can be detrimental.

Under Pressure

Driven, or Driven Insane?

Haley Jett (11)–a student athlete on the JV volleyball and basketball teams–said, “If a student athlete doesn’t see a future in anything else, they can be really stressed out.

My friend has no idea if she wants to do anything besides sports, so she’s been really stressed about getting into a good school for their sports.” Sports is an area of school life where competition and never-ending effort thrives, but that competition can lead to excessive worry and stress.

Raksha Thiagarajan (12) said, “Students are being pushed towards being more competitive, and it is stressful. But, I think this is a good kind of pressure. If we fall behind, we’re not really ready for whatever career we want to do in the future.” There is a lot of pressure on students to be ready for life after high school, and if it’s not managed or dealt with correctly, many students can feel lost or hopeless. In reality, it is completely normal to be unsure of where your life is headed.

Photos by M. Lynch and L. Vaka

12

OPINION ISSUE 3 Designed by Keena Boschert

TikTok doesn’t deserve to be banned.

By Keena Boschert, Reporter

I think that some teenagers could benefit from not having to scroll so much, but I also think that there would be a great amount of detriment. I’ve seen a lot of people create great businesses on [TikTok] Hadassah Haefele (12)

T TIII K K K “S

o you said today, as you often say, that you live in Singapore. Of what nation are you a citizen?” “Singapore.”

The ban on TikTok is nothing more than racism and a lack of understanding of social media by our representatives.

“Have you ever been a member of the Chinese Communist Party?”

“Senator? I’m Singaporean, no.” During his hearing with the US senate, CEO of TikTok, Shou Chew, was met with questions that served no real purpose in understanding the negative attributes of TikTok, and instead, revealed the true nature of what this ban is about.

Is TikTok run only by China? No, it is simply owned by a Chinese corporation.

Additionally, the company holds many shares within America. Are users forced to conform to the Chinese Communist Party? No, there is media that is blatantly critical of said party found all over the app.

“Can you say with a hundred percent certainty that TikTok does not use the phone’s camera to determine whether the content that elicits a pupil dilation should be amplified by the algorithm?”

Questions that blatantly show America’s representatives’ lack of comprehension towards technology were thrown at the CEO. “We do not collect body, face or voice data. The only face data that we collect is when you use the filters to have, say sunglasses, on your face.

We need to know where your eyes are.”

“Why do you need to know where the eyes are if you’re not seeing if they’re dilated?”

This ban is not about national security, and it isn’t about protecting users’ data. It’s not even about saving young lives. It’s because of racism and politics. Every social media application will face challenges with removing graphic content in a timely manner.

Every social media platform, if they provide filters for users to use, will scan the face. A majority of social medias are known to sell the data of their users. So what is different about TikTok? It’s not American, and it’s taking money from already wealthy American billionaires.

Many Americans rely on TikTok. Reportedly, 7 million small businesses utilize the shop feature on TikTok to market and sell their products.

An integral part of America’s economy, small businesses, have prospered on TikTok. Some need TikTok’s platform in order to make their living. Many believe other social media companies aren’t as successful in marketing their products.

So if this is an action that is supposed to protect the American people, why is it hurting them?

Every social media app has problems with graphic content. Reports of Instagram’s failed blurring and warnings on graphic images has led to great amounts of users seeing violent and sexual imagery. One study in 2023 by Melanie Takarangi of Flinders University reported that 34% of participants reported seeing sensitive content on Instagram. So where is the hearing for Instagram? Additionally, Meta was exposed to be illegally stealing data from hundreds of millions of users.

Where is the Meta ban?

The fact is, TikTok is no different from other platforms. Yes, it is owned by a Chinese company, but it is operated by a Singaporean CEO, and has shares in America and American workers. The loss of a small business wonderland, and a creative platform exemplifying free speech is not the price to pay for an app that has the same attributes as any American social media.

OPINION MAR 2025

Designed by Sage Kennedy

13

I think TikTok definitely could cause a decline in someone’s mental health.

It can make people really self conscious in their own bodies Bella Milatovic (9)

T TO OK K K I

t begins with a harmless tap, just one video, or maybe two. A few seconds turn into minutes, then hours. The algorithm already knows what to show next, predicting every interest.

New ideas and misinformation are being introduced, and there is always enough to stay entertained. A simple distraction quickly becomes something else. A habit. An addiction. A loss of control disguised as an enjoyable experience. Then, deadlines are pushed aside, and conversations fade into the background. Even in moments meant for rest, the urge to scroll lingers. But, when the phone is finally set down, the exhaustion settles in, awaiting to start the cycle all over again.

Every swipe uncovers content meticulously selected to prolong the engagement, drawing users deeper into the seemingly endless loop of distractions–regardless of when one is spending time with others, such as friends. Oftentimes, the need for other distractions or entertainment consistently grows. The cycle and capture of attention is relentless, becoming a simple piece of enjoyment to an everyday activity over time.

So, the countless hours scrolling are undeterred.

TikTok deserves to be banned.

By Sage Kennedy, Reporter

It may be simple, and it may be harmless, but it has a bigger effect than one might assume. The amount of time spent scrolling through social media, watching videos, and texting are all consistently affecting other important parts of life–including sleep, mental health, face to face interactions, the spread of information, and so much more. Consuming a large amount of negative content can affect incredibly important things like social behavior, impulsive control, interactions with peers or close friends, and emotional regulation. Plus, when it comes to being more sensitive to social punishments and rewards, continued exposure to harmful content later on can even impact a teenagers ability to learn and take in information.

For years, TikTok has fueled this vicious cycle, drawing in millions of users for hours each day–time that could be spent reading a book, learning an instrument, or picking up a new skill. But, TikTok wasn’t just a source of entertainment: it became a powerful tool for shaping opinions, influencing perceptions, and gathering the data of users.

TikTok has been returned to the app store, after its previous revival less than 24 hours after its ban. Despite previous intentions to ban TikTok, President Trump delayed the ban with an executive order, keeping the app alive for an additional 75 days. The Trump Administration intends to permanently remove any restrictions on TikTok. Whether the information spread was useful or misleading, the app continuously tracked behaviors– the app continuously tracked behaviors– reinforcing ideas and altering how people saw themselves and each other.

The decision to ban TikTok wasn’t just about removing a popular social media app. In fact, the TikTok ban could have had a much larger effect: allowing people to break free from an endless loop that took more than it gave.

Without TikTok, there’s time to focus, think, and engage with the world beyond the screen. The silence left behind is not an absence; it’s a regain of control, doing more than what was left behind.

14

OPINION ISSUE 3

Designed by Lexi Hufty

KallMeKris, a popular TikToker and Youtuber, recently caused controversy within a community on TikTok. She posted a video on Youtube, reviewing books that she claimed were popular on BookTok. KallMeKris read four romance novels, criticizing them for being “disgusting” and “gross.” This enraged many viewers on BookTok, forcing KallMeKris to take the video down and post a well-written apology.

Still, plenty of those angry viewers see her apology as insincere and refuse to accept it- perhaps an overreaction to what KallMeKris claimed was meant to be a joke.

Too Much Love!

Romance that was definitely written in one sitting.

By Lexi Hufty, Reporter

T

BookTok 101

Photo by Lexi Hufty

Abigail Wagner (9) poses confidently with a romance novel.

he romance genre is the most profitable genre, at $1.5 billion U.S. dollars. In fact, the second best selling genre, mystery/ thriller, is only valued at half of this amount. With the rise of social media, many interactions have gone online. This change has made it much easier for many to lie and deceive others. Due to this, many have sought a true connection, and they have found a parasocial one in the romance novels they read. That would be fine on its own– we all need a way to cope– except that most corporate CEOs have latched onto the profit and have refused to let it go.

This kind of money-hungry, profit-focused behavior is making readers upset. Abigail Wagner (9) has read quite a few romance novels in her time. But, she believes that romance authors care more about what will sell than what a good story takes. “I see a lot of authors now, especially authors who have an online presence.

They’ll ask people, ‘Well, what do you want?’ and only do those things. They don’t consider how this will affect the characters, or how this will affect the book.”

Even the better romance books seem to lack substance. Most authors use social media algorithms to promote their content, and in doing so, have to boil down the wonder of a new book into popular tropes such as “sunshine x grumpy” or “enemies to lovers,” completely erasing speciality within their own works.

Wagner said, “It’s just the same trope, over and over again–and I despise that.” When you look into a bookstore, what do you see?

An endless array of the same book, just in different fonts. Nothing special. Wagner said, “They can [be significant], because some of them are, but not a lot of them bother to be.”

With such a broad audience, it would be easy to implant an important life lesson that readers can then carry into their lives, but most romance authors don’t. Rather, they use tropes and tags to draw readers into a story without any originality. They fill the pages with meaningless physicality and trivial obstacles. And then, ultimately, they let the reader down with a story that has absolutely no reason to be written except to get quick cash. Once, this genre meant something, only to be tainted by a capitalistic economy that only emphasizes how much money you can squeeze out of consumers. People deserve to read books that mean something, to both the authors writing them and to the people reading them.

STAFF EDITORIAL

15

SPEAK OUT MAR 2025 Designed by Meghan Lynch

How respecting younger generations voices leads to a stronger society.

S

tudent journalism is much more than just a school activity or a college resume booster.

Student publications represent essential parts of democracy: freedom of speech and freedom of the press. When students write for their school newspaper or take a photography class, they are exercising their constitutional right to express their opinions. Younger generations deserve an equal voice in discussions and decisions that affect the world, for those same decisions affect everyone equally.

Unfortunately, the opinions of young people are often dismissed, which harms both their self-esteem and their willingness to speak out. Some of the most influential activists of today were children or teenagers when they started speaking out. For instance, Malala Yousafzai began speaking about her support for girls education when she was only 11 years old, and she was so influential that she was later a target of the Taliban. In January, Yousafzai gave a speech at the Muslim World League International Conference. “In Afghanistan, an entire generation of girls is being robbed of their future. For the past three and a half years, the Taliban have ripped away the right to

learn from every Afghan girl. And they have weaponized our faith to justify it.” Yousafzai’s tireless efforts have helped bring attention to problems of misogyny and mistreatment of women in certain parts of the Middle East.

Another example is Greta Thunberg, whose environmental activism has prompted real change in the world, and she started when she was only 15 years old. According to TIME Magazine, Thunberg’s “moral clarity inspired other young people around the world.” Her courage to speak out has given politicians and civilians alike the sense to work for a better future. Age does not equate to wisdom or understanding.

More often than not, young people bring unique and important perspectives to critical issues.

This is why student journalism is so important—it offers

young people a platform to express themselves, guided by teachers and advisers.

Unfortunately, student expression is often censored, especially since the 1988 Supreme Court case Hazelwood School District v.

Kuhlmeier legalized censorship within school publications. Advocates for free speech are pushing for New Voices laws to protect student journalists. In Missouri, the proposed SB 1099 bill, also known as the Cronkite New Voices Act, would grant students the right to free speech in school media. This bill is a crucial step toward restoring true freedom of expression in the U.S. The censorship and general disregard of younger generations’ opinions is quite frankly unAmerican. Democracy only works if everyone has an equal and respected voice. It’s time to recognize that young voices matter and deserve to be respected.

ING H T NO NEW

It can be discouraging to see the same stories over and over again, with no new perspective from news outlets. It can be especially hard for teenagers, who are used to being left out of or ignored during important conversations.

nch

. Ly

Gr

aph

yM ic b

16

SPORTS ISSUE 3 Designed by Faith Vaught

Ciro Arnone (10) holds an opponent’s legs.

Raegan Morrison (12) hits a pose during routine.

Landon Johnson (11) does a layup around peers.

Jacob Spoor (12) pins an opponent from Fort Zumwalt.

Taylor Moomey (10) strikes pose during routine.

Caden Thornton (11) dribbles around fellow athlete from Troy.

Photos by C. McDonnell

Caitlyn Chandonnet (9) competes against others in front stroke.

and

ICE , SKILL Snow,

Pushing limits in the cold.

By Faith Vaught, Layout Editor

Isabelle Smith (11) holds opponent to the mat.

Caitlin McDonnell (12) Liberty’s Publications Photo Editor.

Photo by K. Pinkham

“I really enjoy the rush of not only getting all the cameras packed but also teaching students that are coming into the program how to use the camera and take pictures.”

The Liberty hockey team shakes hands with Francis Howell Central after a game.

Student athlete Mason Nickler (9) skates with puck.

Photo by M. Stroud

18

A&E ISSUE 3 Designed by Ella Quinney

Cooper enjoys finding outfit inspiration for their outfits from Pinterest. Photo by E. Quinney

Cooper finds inspiration for her drawings and paintings. Photo submitted by K. Cooper

McCullough personal style derives from photos she’s seen on Pinterest and TikTok.

Pinning Your Dreams

How Pinterest inspires many to create, explore, and bring their visions to life.

Photo by E. Quinney

By Ella Quinney, Editor in Chief

E

veryone finds their inspiration in different places. Some find it during a walk at the park, and others find it in a conversation with their friends. Either way, inspiration constantly surrounds us, and platforms like Pinterest can be a place where you find inspiration for you.

These platforms adapt to each user, showing them the art, outfits, and content that matches with their interest. While all social media platforms do this, there’s something different about Pinterest that draws people in. As Arianna McCullough (11) put it, “You can really just go on and use it (Pinterest) as a getaway.”

McCullough shares how, when she feels stressed or overwhelmed, she’ll listen to music and scroll on Pinterest to decompress, finding outfits, hairstyles and nail designs to use as inspiration.

Lily Plotnitskiy (12) shared that her fashion stems from Pinterest, Vsco, and TV. “I definitely find outfits on there, and have a bunch of things I find and save,” Plotnitskiy said. “Then, when I go to the store, I try to find those outfits.”

Unfortunately, it can be a struggle to find the clothing seen on Pinterest in real life, as Plotnitskiy said, “Not everything you see on the internet is how it is.” Although it may be a struggle to find certain items, the positives of Pinterest abound, as Plotnitsky noted there’s lots of inspiration and new things to discover on the app.

Kennedi Brower (12) shared

how the simplicity of Pinterest is a major bonus of the app. The way comments and likes are not highly visible makes Pinterest feel more private and seem more personalized to the user. Brower finds that this feature makes the app “a break from social media.”

She went on to share that she loves to use Pinterest when it comes to finding outfit and artistic inspiration.

Being in Ceramics II has given Brower the opportunity to learn how to throw clay, and she’s using Pinterest to find inspiration for her future projects. “I’ve found cute little sculptures, or dishes, I can make,” she said.

Clem Arey (11) shares a similar sentiment with finding inspiration for his art. Arey tends to lean towards painting and drawing, and when it comes to adding a person, he’ll turn to Pinterest to help find poses and outfits.

Kay Cooper (9) takes DIYs he finds online, and recreates them, making them his own thing. Art and DIYs is what they typically use Pinterest for. After seeing surrealism and other oil pastel artworks online, Cooper felt inspired to learn this technique.

Taking what they had seen, and turning it into their own masterpieces.

Inspiration can be found for so many different things, from clothing, to hair, to art, the internet allows for everyone to find something that inspires them.

Brower loves to wear “cute and comfy” clothing.

Photo submitted by K. Cooper

Cooper has an ongoing patch work jacket that she has been finding inspiration for online.

Noah Block (12) finds inspiration online, and from his friends, shifting his style based on his mood for the day.

“

Photo by E. Quinney Photo submitted by K. Brower

This statue is titled “Symbol of Self Love,” and was sculpted by Brower.

A big part of

my inspiration

Photo by E. Quinney

Cooper makes DIY necklaces using sewn together soda tabs, and other materials.

comes from the internet, and also from a lot

Photo by E. Quinney

“I get my inspiration for outfits based on vibes, music, and just how I’m feeling,” Arey said.

“

of my friends.

- Noah Block -

Photo submitted by K. Cooper

Cooper created this rose by combining several methods she had found on TikTok and Pinterest. Photo by E. Quinney

Plotnitskiy uses Visco to share her fashion and find inspiration from others

Photo by E. Quinney

Photo submitted by A. McCullough

McCullough uses Pinterest to find nail inspiration.

xxxSpoonfedxxx February 28th

Quiz Time!!!! #have fun! #xoxo #there are no losers

technobladeneverdies32 March 1st

What’s your favorite year? #A: 2020 #B: 2021 #C: 2022 #D: 2023 #E: 2024

Tommy Brigetts

What kind of profile picture do you have?

March 2nd

#A: a meme #B: a pretty landscape #C: something cute #D: my face #E: a logo TheRealSlimShady March 3rd

What

aesthetic

are you?

#A: goblincore #B: cottagecore #C: indie #D: vsco #E: academia PhantomPineapple March 4th

What do you usually post?

#A: dances #B: cute animals #C: current trends #D: random photos #E: something really, really long BartholomewlEsquireIII March 5th

Ok, but what’s your Hogwarts house?

#A: this is stupid #B: hufflepuff #C: ravenclaw #D: slytherin #E: gryffindor

Mostly B’s: Pinterest!

You might be an artist, or you might have an appreciation for art.

Your phone is likely full of photos of sunsets, cats, or pretty outfits. You’re pretty, yourself.

xxxSpoonfedxxx

Oh, you’re cool. And, they know it. You manage to stay both on top of and completely apart from ongoing trends.

One word to describe you?

Untouchable.

xxxSpoonfedxxx

Just like Tiktok, you bounce back from every possible ban. They can’t get rid of you. You are too chaotic, too unpredictable. They fear you.

Mostly D’s: Snapchat!

Mostly C’s: Instagram!

Yeah, you know everyone. xxxSpoonfedxxx

Mostly A’s: TikTok!

They shouldn’t question why you’ve been hiding that alien that crash-landed in the park six months ago.

The classic. You probably have everything in your backpack, from a wilderness survival kit to an old record from the 60’s. You’re the one your friends go to when they’ve locked themselves out of their car or accidentally microwaved grapes.

Mostly E’s: Youtube! xxxSpoonfedxxx