22-23 Marquette Messenger: Issue VII

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MESSENGER

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VOLUME XXX, ISSUE VII | MO 63017 | MARQUETTEMESSENGER.COM | APRIL 2023

AMERICA’S

See pgs.

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INSIDE 04

10 04 RISE IN KIA, HYUNDAI THEFTS Certain brands of cars are easier to break into.

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07 SPECIAL OLYMPICS CONTINUES Students run this year’s Special Olympics and continue the tradition.

10 SUPER MARIO BROS. SPARK NOSTALGIA The release of the new Mario Bros. movie takes students back to their childhoods.

13 IS BANNING TIKTOK PRACTICAL? Messenger staffer considers whether banning TikTok is worth it.

13 Coach becomes a bus driver to combat bus driver shortage. See full story on pg. 14.

Freshman participates in competitive ice skating. See full story on pg. 15.

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ROLL CALL Editor in Chief Aarushi Bute Associate Editor Akhila Swarna Copy Editor Anika Talyan Online Editors Rue Siddiqui Prashu Sidella Production Editor Pranav Sriraman News Editor Annabelle Miller Features Editor Parker Brandt Arts & Entertainment Editor Anvi Talyan Sports Editors Shyam Punnachalil Jacob Robinson Opinions Editor Liza Cooper Illustrator Emma Tyulyayev Business Manager Aubrey Lacavich Social Media Editors Elliott Jorgensen Chloe Schmitt Staff Reporters Annie Alcorn Aiden Burkhardt Jack Cason Emily Chien Brooke Eck Willem Hummel Kate Jesperson Claire Lowder David Moss Justin Small Staff Adviser Emily Jorgensen

PREVIEW

Photographs by Erin Canis, Liza Cooper, Marin Ellington, Myles Edgington, David Moss, Akhila Swarna and Anvi Talyan Front page photograph by Aarushi Bute

ABOUT US

The Messenger is a public forum, published eight times a year by students in the News Production class at Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO, 63017. The publication serves to inform readers about issues concerning the community.

Opinions of Messenger columnists or the Editorial Board are not representative of the opinions of the entire Messenger staff or the administration. The full student publication policy can be viewed on the Messenger official website, marquettemessenger.com.

The Messenger takes responses for any issue. Send these to yourmhsnews@gmail.com. The Messenger reserves the right to edit submitted material and to refuse to print material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter,

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16 ORIENTEERING ADVENTURE AFJROTC students take part in orienteering, a sport testing topographical skills.

libelous content or any other reason the editor in chief and adviser deem appropriate, including advertisements and letters to the editor.

The Messenger is nationally recognized as a member of the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Journalism Education Association, Missouri Journalism Education Association and Quill & Scroll. This year, the publication was named a Hall of Fame recipient and Quill & Scroll George H. Gallup award winner.

Past issues have been named NSPA Pacemaker finalists and CSPA Crown finalists. The Messenger website is a Distinguished Site recipient.

The publication office is located in Room 226, (636) 891-6000 ext.

26228.

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MHSNews | LEGO Adapts Famous Woodblock Painting into Stunning Set by | Elliott Jorgensen

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MHSNews | Reading to Reptiles by | Chloe

Schmitt

issue VII

NEWS

German 4, 5 eliminated next year

3

In Brief

liza COOPER When Richie Tienter, senior, was in elementary school, he had a foreign exchange student from Germany live with his family for a month.

Through the exchange student, Tienter learned about German culture, which inspired him to sign up for German classes in middle school.

Now, Tienter is in AP German Language Culture after taking four previous years of German classes.

“It’s nice to be able to sit back and take pride in the fact that I know how to speak in another language,” Tienter said.

But in recent years, the number of students interested in German has declined, so much so that the district cut German programs at the middle school level.

And now, Frau Kimberly Hotze, German teacher, is retiring this year.

Hotze has taught German at MHS since it opened in 1993 and is the only remaining original teacher.

“It was truly one of the hardest decisions to make because I love teaching,” she said.

Many students, including Tienter, harbor concerns that the end of Hotze’s teaching career will also bring the end of the German program.

For now, German will not be completely eliminated next year, but the structure of the program will look different, Associate Principal Dr. Tracey

Frau Kimberly Hotze teaches students in German 2/3. Hotze is retiring at the end of the year, and the German 4 and 5 classes will no longer be offered. Photograph by Emily Chien

Waeckerle said. German 4 and 5 will no longer be offered and German 1, 2 and 3 will be taught by Tim Abney, Latin teacher.

This decision was based on scheduling, decreased enrollment in the program and the fact that Abney also teaches another language, Dr. Waeckerle said.

“It comes down to allowing, if the numbers support this, kids to finish their two years of a language,” Dr. Waeckerle said. “This is obviously important because for kids that are

college bound. Two years of a language is usually a requirement.”

This year, Hotze taught all five levels. Abney also taught a few sections to help Hotze with her full course load.

Junior Greta Woitach, president of the German Club, is concerned about the program’s future.

“It’s going to impact us a lot,” Woitach said. “It’s going to be detrimental for all the kids that need the language credit and just want to learn the language.”

District hires four safety officers david MOSS Having two children enrolled at Ballwin Elementary, Susan Hartley, science teacher, is always alert to their safety.

“When they have intruder drills and things like that, we have discussions at home,” Hartley said. “It’s always a fear, but how rational it is, I don’t know.”

Steve Aspinall, school resource officer, interacts with Kasey Mills, hall monitor, while he ensures safety in the halls. Four resource officers were hired to increase officer coverage of the elementary schools.

Photograph by David Moss

To improve safety at the elementary level, the Board of Education approved the hiring of four school safety officers.

Each officer will cover 4 to 5 of the 19 elementary schools in the district.

Ty Dennis, district safety supervisor, said the new safety officers will be employees of the district and will have had prior law enforcement experience.

This differs from school resource officers (SROs), who are police officers.

Many police departments have had police officers that stop by elementary schools within their jurisdictions in the past, Dennis said. With these four safety officers, the elementary schools will receive more direct coverage.

“The number one ask of most parents, with all the school incidents and different things that have happened around the country, has been more coverage at our elementary schools,” Dennis said.

Dennis emphasized that safety is a top priority, especially with so many mass shootings shaking the nation.

In 2022, there were 646 mass shootings in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive. This year, that number is already 155.

“We try to evaluate what is best for the district as a whole and do what we can to make everyone as safe as we can,” Dennis said.

Dennis said immediately hiring 19 school safety officers, one for each ele-

mentary school, would be a big investment for the district.

“We’re going to start with the four and see how that coverage looks,” Dennis said.

Reilly Moroney, senior, is a cadet teacher at Kehrs Mill Elementary for Jennifer Busch’s kindergarten class.

Moroney said the district made a good decision by hiring the four school safety officers.

“I’m not there for long enough to see a big difference with that,” Moroney said, “but I think anything to keep our schools safe is a good thing.”

Julie Cooper, school counselor at Kehrs Mill and Wildhorse Elementaries, said the elementary counselors are focused on the social and emotional wellbeing of students.

“Everytime we hear of any sort of mass shooting in the country, whether it be at a school or not at a school, as people, it makes us uncomfortable and worried,” Cooper said.

While officers at the elementary schools improve school safety, Cooper said they also are an important part of the school community.

“The kids are comfortable around them and they enjoy them,” Cooper said. “They’re out doing recess duty and they’re doing lunch duty. They’re embedded into our school system, and it creates a really beautiful bridge between the community and the school.”

Dr. Tracey Waeckerle was hired as head principal to replace Dr. Steve Hankins starting the 2023-24 school year.

Dr. Hankins will become the assistant superintendent of student services.

Three candidates were elected to the Board of Education on Tuesday, April 4.

Their positions are up for re-election in 2026.

Lynne Midyett

Bob Cadigan

Kary Bachert

NEWS

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April 2023

Hyundai and Kia brand cars have been stolen at increasing rates around the St. Louis area due to a weakness in their software and security systems. Due to this, the unit growth rate for Hyundais and Kias decreased by 15.78% from 2022 to 2023.

Photograph by Akhila Swarna

St. Louis sues Kia, Hyundai amid rise in car thefts Rise in St. Louis Car Thefts

david MOSS

from 2022 to 2023

Hyundai total car thefts Kia total car thefts other car thefts

Safety Tips 1) Lock your doors and remove your keys from the vehicle.

Feb. 2023

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2) Remove USB cables when not in use.

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Late last February, Matt Shockley, father of Layla Shockley, sophomore, parked his Hyundai Sonata overnight 200 at a hotel in Independence, Missouri. When he went to his car the next morning, there was someone in it.

“I banged on the driver’s side window, and he looked up at me and 150 immediately took off,” Matt said.

Eight days later, the vehicle was found stripped of parts, ravaged by fire and utterly destroyed.

“Some cars are notoriously known 100 for being able to steal,” Layla said.

Since July of last year, incidents such as this one have become increasingly common after a viral TikTok video published that highlights a weakness 50 in the software and security system of most Kia and Hyundai cars.

Almost 7,500 vehicles have been stolen in the St. Louis area in 2022, near double the previous year, accord0 ing to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Late last month, the City of St. Louis joined five other cities in suing Kia and Hyundai for failing to install anti-theft technology in many models of their vehicles.

Panus said. “I think there’s also a lack In a recent press conference, Mayor of supervision. These kids are 13, 14, Tishaura Jones said, “Their failure to 15 years old out at 3 a.m., and no one equip Kias and Hyundais with immoknows where they are.” bilizer technology has resulted in an Panus is looking forward to the increased expenditure of city resourcsoftware updates Kia and Hyundai are es, forcing St. Louis to devote signifbeginning to make available. Steering icant manpower wheel locks have to documenting, distributed to A total of 51 students been investigating and police departments have either a recovering stolen by the two compaKia or Hyundai Hyundai or Kia out of nies, and Panus recvehicles.” ommends those with approximately 540 Tracy Panus, affected vehicles get county public registered students one if that option is information officer, available to them. with parking spots. said this rapid rise “You really have in car thefts began to be careful,” Panus Information from the in April of last year. said.

Sophomore Office “At the beginDella Thompson, ning of 2022, there French teacher, has was a very small percentage of Kias and a Kia Soul, along with her daughter.

Hyundais that were stolen,” Panus said. In late February, her daughter’s car “Once the knowledge spread on how to was broken into, and the perpetrator steal these specific vehicles, we saw a attempted to hotwire the vehicle. big uptick.”

“They ended up damaging it so In St. Louis County, only 10 Kias badly it can’t be driven,” Thompson and Hyundais were stolen in April of said. “And because so many of the cars 2022. By that September, almost 300 have been broken into, there’s an eight Kias and Hyundais had been stolen. to nine week delay on parts.”

Panus said at least half of auto thefts Thompson said she and her family are committed by those who are 12-17 have always loved Kia but are now frusyears old. trated by the company’s poor decision “Part of it is they’re being recruited and slow reaction. by adults who know that juveniles are “We feel like they could do better not going to face much punishment,” at helping us out,” Thompson said.

“Hopefully the recall will come out for my model soon, and I’ll be able to get it into the shop and have them put the new upgrade on it.”

James Nacy, orchestra teacher, had a Kia Optima that was broken into three separate times.

“The last two times it happened was 10 days apart,” Nacy said. “I was just fed up and bought a new car.”

Rather than feeling frustrated with Kia, Nacy said he is more upset that so many people are stealing vehicles in the first place.

“At this point, almost anything can be broken, hacked or whatever if somebody tries hard enough,” Nacy said.

“To figure out how to do it and spread viral videos of how to do it, giving step by step instructions, that makes me disgusted with people more so than with Kia.”

3) Don’t leave valuables in your car.

4) Park in well-lit areas when possible.

5) Buy a wheel lock or anti-theft device.

Information from the D.C. Police Department and Allstate This yellow device, called a club, prevents car theft by blocking the steering wheel from turning. Tracy Panus, county public information officer, said at least half of car thefts are committed by teenagers. “The main thing is to keep your car locked, your valuables out of sight, and your keys on you, not in the car,” Panus said. Photograph by Annabelle Miller

issue VII

5

NEWS

Insulin price decrease affects students, staff prashu SIDELLA

“Putting in a regulation on how much insulin can be charged is a beautiful thing and should have been Wake up. Check blood sugar levels. Take medicadone years ago,” Barnhart said. tion. Eat the right amount of healthy food. Don’t skip Drew Mathers, sophomore, was diagnosed with meals. Keep rechecking sugar levels. Sleep. Repeat. type one diabetes in the third grade.

This is what a typical day looks like for someone “I am fortunate enough to have insurance that who has diabetes. will pay for a good amount of the insulin, but we’re Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar still paying some out of pocket,” Mathers said. “Peolevels, known as hyperglycemia. When people eat, ple without insulin or without insurance still have their body breaks down food into sugar, and insulin trouble.” helps send it to the blood. However, the bodies of diLower insulin prices are going to create a little less abetics do not create enough stress for many diabetics. insulin and therefore they “I really think that once “Putting in a regulation on must inject themselves with they actually start to bring how much insulin can be insulin in order to regulate down these prices, it’s going blood sugar levels. charged is a beautiful thing to make insulin a lot more Insulin is vital to the for lower-income and should have been done available needs of diabetics; however, families,” Mathers said. “The years ago.” it comes at a cost. problem that people face is Dawna Barnhart, science they try to use less insulin for teacher, was 28 years old the carbs they’re eating which Dawna Barnhart, when she was first diagnosed is just not healthy.” science teacher with type 1 diabetes. BarnKeaton Mabie, senior, was hart gets a three-month supdiagnosed with type 1 diabeply of insulin at a time, and with insurance, she ends tes in the first grade. up paying $1,000 for four vials of insulin.

“It gets easier over time, but there’s also a kind The supplies needed to treat diabetes don’t just of burnout stage of where I don’t want to deal with stop at insulin though. it anymore,” Mabie said. “So, I don’t take care of it as Because Barnhart is on an insulin pump, her much as I should.” endocrinologist has to write a prescription for all As Mabie is a senior, he said the decrease in insuthe supplies required. Syringes, tubing and the pump lin prices will help him in the future. itself must be refilled just like any other prescription.

“I think it’s great that prices are going down for However, last year, President Biden capped insupeople,” Mabie said. “When I go to college and am no lin at $35 a month for people with Medicare, but in longer on my family’s insurance plan, it’s good that this year’s State of the Union address, the president prices are going to be low enough that I don’t have to called for this cap to extend to all Americans. ration or change my food diet.”

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes Type 1 is a genetic disease where the body is unable to produce insulin. Insulin allows glucose, which is used for energy, to enter cells.

Information from the Joslin Diabetes Learning Center

Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

Type 2 is a disease that develops mainly in people who are over the age of 40, overweight and have a family history with diabetes. In this case, the body’s cells are resistant to insulin even though it is produced.

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6

QA

FEATURES

april 2023

&

Lisa Giles, maternal and child health epidemologist, works as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) coordinator at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Sevices.

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

WHAT DOES THE CDC’S REPORT OF YBRS DATA DISCUSS ABOUT ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH? The CDC article is looking at the 2021 YRBS data from high school students across the United States. The data is showing alarming increases across different topics such as feeling sad or hopeless, having suicidal thoughts, and sexual violence, especially among females.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS REPORT, AND HOW DO YOU USE THESE IN YOUR WORK? These statistics are useful because I can look at them and see how Missouri is doing in comparison to the national data. Programs can use this data to see how the pandemic has exacerbated the mental issues among adolescents and enhance existing initiatives to meet the increased need.

HOW CAN SCHOOLS COMBAT THIS DEVELOPING CRISIS? As the article says, schools can work to foster school connectedness so that students can feel close to their community and ensure students have someone to reach out to in times of need. Schools can also recognize that adolescents are dealing with a mental health crisis and there may be an increased need for techniques to manage feelings as well as highlight the need for clear sexual consent. Students can reach out to a friend who they make think is struggling.

Youth experience increased mental health struggles, CDC reports willem HUMMEL · akhila SWARNA Sofia Maciariello, junior, said at a young age she realized she didn’t fit in with the “norm” of her peers at that time because she struggled with feelings of frustration and severe depression.

“For quite some time I tried to figure out how to manage and how I felt about it, and overall try to be okay and realize it was normal and that it wasn’t that I was weird,” Maciariello said.

Elyse Maciariello, Sofia’s mother, said Sofia would have a lot of emotional breakdowns when something out of her routine occurred.

At that point, Elyse said she allowed Sofia to cope through multiple professionals while knowing the most difficult thing about the situation was that it is something her daughter will have to deal with for her whole life.

“There are going to be good days, and there are going to be bad days,” Elyse said. “ I just have to be there to support her when she needs the support.”

By age 12, Maciariello said she had to figure out how exactly to deal with her mental health while also balancing school. In order to cope with her struggles, Maciariello said she found a strong connection with music, art and track.

While Maciariello learned strategies to help with her mental health, youth mental health has continued to worsen, according to the new CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The report details that nearly 42% of high school students have experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, indicating a 14% increase in the past decade.

In addition to an increasing trend of mental health concerns among youth, a record high number of teen girls are experiencing persistent sadness and hopelessness, with nearly a 60% increase.

Maciariello said she attributes the increasing unhappiness in teen girls to the greater normalization of mental health. People feel more comfortable being open about their sadness and stressors.

Everyday high school struggles— school work, hard classes and high school drama— also contribute to something of an emotional roller coaster, Maciariello said.

“I bring myself to a very high standard because I find my worth a lot in grades just because, to me, that is what society bases it off of, even though I know in the back of my head that’s not always correct,” Maciariello said.

During school, Maciariello said she would listen in on Mustangs for Mental Health meetings. Mustangs for Mental Health is a club that advocates for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

“You don’t even have to be a participant, just listening in on the meetings can be helpful,” Maciariello said. “Most people, whether you see it or not, are going through similar things.”

Katherine Bauman, sponsor of Mustangs for Mental Health, said much of the increase in sadness in teen girls can be attributed to social media, as images posted on various platforms can create unrealistic standards for girls.

“Social media can be used to bully or exclude others and make it appear as though your peers are having a fantastic time doing whatever they are doing, and in reality, you are only seeing a split second of what is actually happening,” Bauman said.

These posts also can make girls wonder why they weren’t invited, Bauman said.

In order to combat the rise in sadness, Mustangs for Mental Health tries to promote activities for inclusion, Bauman said.

If you or someone you know is in crisis: Crisis and Suicide Lifeline • 988lifeline.org • Call or text 988 Crisis Textline • crisistextline.org • text “HOME” to 741741 National Suicide Prevention Hotline • 1-800-273-TALK (8255) “For our Valentine’s meeting, we had candy grams that we sent, and they had to be sent with a special message, like what they appreciate about someone else, as a way to reach out to those who might need a little pick me up in their day,” Bauman said.

Bauman said students should regularly check-in on friends to make sure they are okay.

Elyse Maciariello said she would advise anyone going through what she did to have open communication and to find what works best for them and their family, even if the solution doesn’t appear instantly.

“Sometimes what works for a little while might not work for long term,” Maciariello said. “It can become very frustrating to where you just want to give up, but you don’t give up, it’s not a waste of time, you just understand that it’s something that this child has to live with, and as a parent you have to find a way to support them.”

issue VII

7

FEATURES

Students organize annual Special Olympics rue SIDDIQUI

the event is Lauren Lakamp, senior.

Lakamp has been involved with Best MHS is hosting its annual Special Buddies and the PE Mentoring program Olympics today. However, there is a since her freshman year. difference this year: it’s led by students.

“Many students may not have had Lexi Kossmann, senior, is spearthe opportunity to meet and interact heading the organization of the event. with many of our SSD students, but a “Last year when I was a buddy, I big event like Special Olympics helps really loved the experience, so I wanted to begin fostering those new connecto help recreate that experience this tions,” Lakamp said. “Something I’m year,” Kossmann said. truly lucky to do every day.”

Kossmann said she is in charge of Lakamp said it’s an all-hands-onfundraising, t-shirt designs, pairing deck effort. buddies with the “It’s so awesome athletes and prizes. to see so many peo“The relationships you ple eager and willing “I’m just trying form with the athletes to take on a leaderto delegate tasks as best as I can because are so instrumental for ship role to make I can’t do it all by our athletes, but I’ve Special Olympics myself,” Kossmann she said. also found that these happen,” said.

Lakamp said she relationships also make urges future students The turnout in buddy registration a huge impact on our to join the event in has been greater this any way possible. volunteers as well.” year, allowing for “The relationalternate buddies ships you form with in the absence of Lauren Lakamp, the athletes are so one, Kossmann said. instrumental for our senior Buddies are students athletes, but I’ve who assist and athletes throughout the also found that these relationships also day as well as keep them company. make a huge impact on our volunteers “It’s so exciting to see all the inas well,” Lakamp said. “To feel accepted terest in this event,” Kossmann said. and celebrated for who you truly are is “It’s so important to get these kids so important.” well versed with other kids and makLakamp said many students who ing friends while having a fun day for receive SSD services spend their entire themselves.” day in the same classrooms with the Assisting Kossmann in planning same students, so getting outside of the

Students participate in last year’s Special Olympics at MHS. After last year’s success, MHS is hosting its second annual Special Olympics today. Photograph by Marin Ellington

classroom and making these relationships with other peers is all the more special for them.

“Last year was so much fun, and now that we’ve been a lot more student-led this year, it will be amazing to see all of our hard work put into action,” Lakamp said.

Felicia Durst, P.E. teacher, was the head organizer last year, and remains heavily involved.

“I felt our athletes deserved a home event, so I asked for MHS to host a

track and field event when Dr. Hankins became the principal, and he excitedly said yes,” Durst said.

This year, there are 100 more athletes than last year and more money fundraised for the event.

“Many students say they sign up to help the athletes but then realize how much impact the athletes have on them,” Durst said. “Seeing the faces of the athletes and volunteers the day of the event is so inspiring.”

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IN-DE

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Cultural Mosaic

Phot Punn

Students, staff discuss cu

akhila SWARNA • anvi TALYAN

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Along with the Class of 2023, Storm Van Oosten will be graduating this year. But, unlike the rest of his class, he will be completing his sixth year of high school.

Van Oosten grew up in the Netherlands for 14 and a half years, moving to the U.S. for his freshman year of high school. In the Netherlands, middle school is not offered, so high school starts in the seventh grade.

“When I moved here, I loved it,” Van Oosten said.

“It felt comfortable for me pretty quickly.”

But other than free refills at restaurants and driving with a permit at 15, Van Oosten said adjusting to American culture has had some struggles.

“I missed the people more than the country itself,” Van Oosten said.

Van Oosten said his move was also difficult at first because he didn’t speak a lot of English, though English was taught in the Netherlands curriculum.

“I only learned through movies and video games, so that was very hard,” Van Oosten said.

For Van Oosten, his transition to the U.S. became routine after his freshman year.

Van Oosten experienced cultural assimilation, or the process in which minority cultures or groups come to resemble the society’s majority group.

Adjusting to American life is a reality for immigrants and can change the manner or logistics of how their cultural and religious practices are observed.

Cultural Experiences at MHS

Mosaic People have individual identities that they combine together like a mosaic in the U.S.

vs

Melting Pot The idea that people combine cultural identities to make one final product

Musa Mirza, senior, considers himself a culturally appreciative person. After all, he attended an international school and lived in Saudi Arabia for seven years, exposing himself to people from many different cultures.

“Filipinos, Palestinians, Chinese, Japanese, Tunisians—honestly, it’s interesting, people from different cultures who like other cultures,” Mirza said.

Mirza also has a rich cultural background, with his father being Indian and his mother being Italian and German.

The variety in Mirza’s cultural background with Indian and European parents makes balancing both sides equally challenging.

“It's kind of hard because having different backgrounds you can't really just stick to one,” Mirza said.

“But, it’s still so enjoyable.”

Additionally, living in America also exacerbates the challenge for him.

“It is hard to practice culture because when you have a certain culture and when you’re experiencing other cultures, you kind of lose part of it,” Mirza said.

Mirza said he doesn’t connect much with his

Italian or German side as he hasn’t picked up the language as much as he has with Arabic or Urdu.

For Zubia Rajput, junior, observing Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam, is about community.

But fasting during Ramadan in America versus in Pakistan, Rajput’s nation of “Assimil origin, has its differences. certainly sa “It’s definitely harder because when you don't you live in Pakistan, everyone’s just fasting, so it’s not like you’re the only forget you one,” Rajput said. but it's als During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to inevit sundown to introspect and deepen their relationship with God. The fast Zubia R is broken at iftar, or after sunset, with three dates. jun In America, Rajput said Muslim students also have to make time to pray during the school day. For example, Muslim students pray in the physics room between fourth and fifth hours.

As a first-generation immigrant, Rajput said she can see herself becoming more Americanized than her relatives living in Pakistan.

“Assimilation is certainly sad because you don't

The Food of Ramadan

Ramadan, a period of fasting for Muslims from sunrise to sundown, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This year, it was from March 22 to April 20.

Sharba, a traditional Libyan soup that is eaten every night and made with lamb

Photographs by Nora El-Ruwie

l

EPTH

1. Ramla Jumat, seventh grader, waves the flag of Tanzania as a part of a performance with the African Kidz Performing Arts group at the first ever Festival of Nations at MHS Wednesday, March 8.

2. Samvida Batchu, sophomore, performs Bollywood dancing with her friends in the Commons for the Festival of Nations.

3. Rehman Lodhi, senior, leads Muslim students through Zuhr, their

second prayer out of five of the day. The purpose of the prayer is the purify the soul and clear the mind.

4. Musa Mirza, senior, and his sister drink coffee on a rug in the

country Oman. Drinking and eating on rugs is very common in Arab culture, Mirza said.

5

tographs by Musa Mirza, Yunas Mirza, Storm Van Oosten, Shyam nachalil, and Akhila Swarna

5. Prayer mats are normally used by Muslims during prayer.

6. Durrell Turk, member of the Capoeira De Ouro, performs an

Afro-Brazilian martial arts demonstration at the Festival of Nations.

Education and Culture

lation is ad because t want to ur culture, so kind of table,"

Scott Szevery, history teacher, has gained a thorough knowledge on assimilation within the U.S. after teaching about the topic for years.

“I think the push towards assimilation is a pretty natural tendency,” Szevery said. “Humans desire belonging, and we also tend to feel threatened by differences.”

Due to those large waves of immiRajput, gration in the late 1800s, a federal policy was instated that forced immigrants nior to assimilate into American society.

“There was a sense of superiority associated with it, that America was better than the place wherever you came from and therefore you need to adapt to our ways,” Szevery said.

The second stage of assimilation, Szevery said, occurred during the 1920s, when Americans became overwhelmed by the number of new immigrants, causing the government to set up a quota system for

Knafeh, an Arabic sweet made with spun pastry and layered with cheese or nuts

Maamoul, date filled cookies

Ka'ak, an Arabic sweet that is similar to a dry and hardened biscuit.

&

Betsy Cohen, Executive Director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project

7. A camel is walked during a cultural event at Musa Mirza's, senior, school in Saudi Arabia. People were wearing different traditional and cultural outfits such as Thobes and Abaya.

ultural assimilation want to forget your culture, but it's also kind of inevitable,” Rajput said.

QA

9

certain countries. After 40 years, these quotas were changed, as cultural diversity and differences began to be celebrated instead of discouraged.

Dr. Cassandra Suggs, the new director of educational equity and access beginning July 1, said culture by its very nature is a part of education in Rockwood and everywhere.

“I believe that Rockwood provides an opportunity for students, staff and parents to interact with one another in a positive manner and that is great for kids to see and be a part of,” Dr. Suggs said.

According to a breakdown of the MHS student population by race and ethnicity, 35.74 percent is a racial minority not of Hispanic origins. More specifically, within the district, 1,755 of the total 6,853 students are either a minority ethnicity (Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander) or multi-racial.

Being native to Panama, Monica Bremer, Spanish teacher, is able to pass Spanish culture onto her students while teaching them the language.

“I'm not only sharing the language, but I'm also sharing the way the culture thinks,” Bremer said.

“The fact that I grew up in that culture is a more direct or immediate experience through me than someone that grew up here.”

Cultural Appreciation at Marquette In response to a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) survey indicating students wish to see more diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), the DEI committee was formed.

The DEI committee encourages new activities and initiatives at MHS to increase students’ sense of belonging, Jordan Shelton, language arts teacher, said.

Shelton is one of the DEI champions and led the Festival of Nations, conducted on Wednesday, March 8. The Festival included numerous student performances of cultures, music, games and even a story corner with cultural books for younger kids.

“At the end of the day, what matters to me is that our students feel supported and safe and welcomed here in our schools,” Shelton said.

For future initiatives, Shelton is looking for students' help in creating a club as part of the DEI committee that is focused on helping immigrant students assimilate into schools and feel like they belong here.

Shelton said culture plays an incredibly important role in education because culture defines how individuals relate to each other and the world around them.

“If we're talking about it from a career standpoint, I would say that we as teachers have to be aware of students' cultures and differences in order to be able to meet them where they are and help them internalize new information,” Shelton said.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE ST. LOUIS MOSAIC PROJECT? The goal is to increase our population of foreign born people into our region for population growth year and for a more multicultural community. We have a three-person marketing team to help people around the country to move here, or to have international students stay here and help companies when they move international people to have those people be welcomed and love St. Louis.

HOW DOES THE ST. LOUIS MOSAIC PROJECT HELP IMMIGRANTS ASSIMILATE? In terms of assimilation, we have two programs. One is called the Womens Connector. For example, we have a group that has about 700 international women. There's also a St. Louis International Mentoring Program, and that has local women that would be matched with an international woman, and we meet once a month for a year.

WHAT ARE THE ORGANIZATION'S BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS? In the last year, the foreign born community in the St. Louis region grew by 5,000 people. That's a big accomplishment. It’s international students that are growing. It is our companies that are bringing more international people. There was a study done by the George W. Bush Institute at SMU University and it put St. Louis in the top 10 where immigrants are thriving.

10

april 2023

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mamma Mia! Super Mario Bros. movie evokes nostalgia

anvi TALYAN

Growing up with a father interested in video games, Kara Miller, junior, was introduced to the world of Mario at a young age.

She ended up playing Mario games throughout elementary and middle school, gaining an interest in “Super Mario 3D World,” “Mario Galaxy” and especially “Mario Super Sluggers.”

“I don’t really have an interest in baseball, but I love that game. I played it 24/7,” Miller said.

Though she doesn’t play much now, Miller said she regained interest in the games after hearing about the “Super Mario Bros.” movie, which was released in theaters Wednesday, April 5.

Miller said the voice actors caught her attention, and that she is looking forward to seeing it.

“Even if it sucks, even if it’s the worst movie ever, I’m going to love that movie,” Miller said.

Miller is not alone in feeling nostalgia with the release of this new movie.

After also growing up playing Mario, Thomas Puetz, math teacher, has been able to introduce the game to his children.

“The games hold up decades later,”Puetz said.

Puetz said some of his best memories came from late nights playing Mario with his friends, and he was excited for the movie after seeing the cast list.

"My sons and I really enjoyed the Super Mario movie," Puetz said. "It was a fast-paced adventure

filled with fun references for fans of the franchise."

Tyler Penrod, Class of 2006, works as a technical artist at Insomniac Studios, where he has gained experience in the video game world.

After working with these games, Penrod said he has been able to recognize aspects of Mario that have allowed the games to maintain popularity.

“There's a simplicity to Mario, and it's kind of evolved over the years as games make these technological leaps,” Penrod said.

Penrod also said Mario is an icon in the video game world.

Though other video games have recently been adapted into movies, Penrod said Nintendo most likely decided to wait on making this new movie due to the negative feedback received after making their live-action in 1993. Despite this, Penrod said he thinks now was the right time for them to release the movie and he hopes to see more in the future.

“It'd be interesting to see what they would do with it, like how do you condense hours and hours of game into a two hour story,” Penrod said.

In the movie, Mario hates mushrooms, though they act as powerups.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has made over $693 million worldwide.

Nintendo rereleased their old "Game and Watch" controller in 2020, after it was first launched in 1997.

Photographs by Elliott Jorgensen Illustrations by Emma Tyulyayev Information from Deadline

The Evolution of Video Game Controllers Nintendo Entertainment System

1985

Wii U Game Cube

2001

Nintendo Switch

2012

2017

issue VII

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

11

Break Room Concerts raise needed funds aubrey LACAVICH John Lynch started the Break Room Concerts (BRC) in the break room of his own business to raise money for the community including for his kids, who went to MHS, and their activities of soccer and lacrosse.

“I have a passion for helping the Marquette community, local nonprofits and seeing the fundraising I do prosper around me,” Lynch said.

BRC is a series that hosts concerts of developing artists to fundraise for local charities and organizations.

Angels’ Arms is one organization Lynch partners with often. They help to keep siblings in foster care together instead of splitting them up.

BRC has also raised money for MHS organizations such as choir, theater and golf.

After his cable business shut down, he moved the concerts to Forest Hills Country Club where he can seat more people and bring in more funds.

Lynch switched the fundraising amount to split the revenue between two organizations after the relocation.

This increased the amount raised for both parties. Tickets are $50 per person, so half goes to each organization.

Lynch brings in smaller artists, such as Griffin House, to artists like guitarist Sean Watkins, who has won a Grammy award.

“All artists have to start somewhere,

and I provide that opportunity to these smaller artists who are just as talented as famous artists,” Lynch said.

Learning about this fundraiser is usually by word of mouth in the tightknit community Lynch has formed.

BRC is geared more toward adults, but that doesn’t stop some students from going. Nora Dean, junior, is a member of choir and is Lynch’s neighbor. She’s gone to three BRCs and helped set up a choir fundraiser.

Leigh Nash, who is known for her songs “Kiss Me” and “There She Goes” as a member of the band Sixpence None the Richer, performed at the BRC to benefit the choir.

“It’s very interactive with the singer,” Dean said, “It was a very closeknit, intimate concert, and it was a lot of fun.”

Jason Winters, choir director, said he was happy for the opportunity to raise money to hire band members for Show Choir next year.

“We were looking for fundraising opportunities and ways to give back to the community,” Winters said. “You feel like you are having a conversation with the artist, even though you aren’t.”

The next BRC concert will feature Griffin House on Wednesday, May 3, in support of The Forest Hills Charitable Foundation. Tickets must be purchased in advance through breakroomconcerts.com. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

YEARBOOK Buy the yearbook FAST at www. yearbookordercenter.com or 1.866.287.3096 The price increase as time goes by!

Anthony De’Amato played last Wednesday night at Forest Hills Country Club for a Break Room Concert. It raised funds for the MHS golf team. Photographs by John Lynch

12

7 april 2023

OPINIONS

SPEAK OUT WOULD YOU DATE OR BE FRIENDS WITH SOMEONE WITH OPPOSITE POLITICAL BELIEFS?

In the wake of the Nashville shooting, policymakers have been pushing out bills to target the transgender community instead of prioritizing gun control.

“Yes, I would do that. I would look for personality more than their opinions on political issues.”

NOAH SCHWEITZER,

freshman

“At this age, political things shouldn’t change a relationship.

Yes, I would because politics isn’t even my thing.”

NAVIN RAMAMOORTHY,

sophomore

“I would say yes because people are allowed to have different opinions, and I don’t think I would let it impact our relationship.”

ALEXIA MONTICONE,

junior

“I think I could be friends with them, but I could not date them because we would be too different. But as friends it is good to have differences like that.”

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

Legislate the guns, not the people On April 4 and 5th a ban on gender-affirming healthcare became law in Indiana and Idaho, following the Nashville school shooting where a transgender individual shot and killed three children and three adults.

The Indiana law, effective July 1, requires children currently taking medications to transition gender to stop doing so by the end of the year. And the Idaho law, which will go into effect next January, makes it a felony to administer gender-affirming care to minors.

They aren’t alone, as other states follow suit.

About a month ago, the MO Senate advanced a pair of bills to prohibit gender-transitioning health care treatment for minors and restrict them from competing in sports.

The current crisis is not the presence of transgender individuals, but the guns that kill innocent civilians everyday and the laws that target transgender citizens we are supposed to protect.

While transgender people are rarely the perpetrators of shootings (which are overwhelmingly carried out by cisgender, white men), taking away transgender rights has soared to the top of the policy priority list.

We should be focusing on gun control.

In 2023, there have been 90 incidents at primary

and secondary schools. According to Gun Violence Archive, the Nashville shooting was the 130th mass shooting of the year, which means they occur 1.5 times per day.

In fact, during 2017 and 2021, guns were the most frequently used weapon in the murder of trans people. Yet here we are taking away the rights of individuals who need it the most. Anti-trans legislation with weak gun laws fuels the already existing transgender hate crimes.

State congresses are wasting their time and effort on discriminatory laws focused on a group of people who are rarely the perpetrators and are painting over the massive issue of gun control. Legislation is often said to take years, but these anti-trans bills took less than a week to enact.

The U.S. was built on the social contract theory, an agreement for society to abide by the moral rules of behavior, so we as citizens have the responsibility to protest against hate-crime infused laws.

It’s essential to contact senators, Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt to veto these laws, educate yourselves about the struggles within the trans community, and most importantly, use your voice and platform to amplify the voices of others.

EDITORIAL

BOARD

GAZELLE JOHNSON,

senior

ASHLEY HOBBS,

teacher

“Yes, I believe that people can have different beliefs and still maintain good friendships. There are some beliefs that would be deal breakers — I don’t think I could be friends with someone who is racist or sexist.”

Interested in voicing your opinion in the paper?

Submit a Letter to the Editor through the website linked in the QR code or email mhsnews@gmail.com

issue VII

Philanthropy should not be for show pranav SRIRAMAN Surfing the Twitter timeline, I came across a post that several of my mutual Tweeters, as well as several other accounts, were interacting with.

The tweet was from Dexerto, a media and news company, and stated, “In his latest video, @MrBeast gave 20,000 kids in South Africa their first pair of shoes,” with a 33-second clip of the action attached beneath the caption.

Jimmy Donaldson, more commonly known by his internet name “MrBeast,” is a famous YouTuber and social media influencer who has created a massive online platform by creating content based on philanthropy. MrBeast travels to various poverty-stricken areas around the world and creates videos of himself helping out people in need.

On initial review, one may think that MrBeast is using his platform to make the world a better place.

Not quite.

On the surface, MrBeast’s actions in these videos are positive: he is providing something of need to someone in need. However, upon further evaluation, it becomes clear that is not the case. To say that there is nothing problematic with the way he and other philanthropic influencers use their platforms would be incorrect.

Mr. Beast’s generosity, and that of other philanthropic influencers, is a clear ploy to garner respect from the internet.

Morally, it’s hard to garner respect for someone who is donating for personal gain, regardless of the extent to which it’s being done. If someone were to truly care about philanthropy, then

The recent attempts by the U.S. government to ban TikTok, a popular social media app among the teen population, has sparked an important debate: the balance between national security and individuals’ rights and freedoms.

The app, owned by a Chinese tech company by the name of ByteDance, has faced many allegations of sharing user data with the Chinese government.

Given the current tensions between the U.S. and China and the fact that TikTok currently houses more than 150 million American

Is it practical to enact laws promoting electric vehicles?

Many states, including Oregon and California, have passed requiring all cars for sale be zero-emission by 2035. This will greatly increase the sale of electric vehicles.

YES MrBeast frequently gives away money and other items to people in need, but is it really a selfless act? Since his cameras seem to be always rolling, it seems like the answer is no.

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

there wouldn’t be a need to bring a camera crew to the site.

However, some internet users say that MrBeast and other philanthropic influencers create content and record their actions in order to earn more money to fund their next charitable act.

But according to Forbes, MrBeast is the #1 highest-paid YouTuber in the world, earning approximately $54 million a year. The result of him spending a sum of money on YouTube is making even more money, some of which is spent on his next production, while the rest of it is likely largely spent on himself.

In return, he also gains more sub-

scribers and traction. He is undoubtedly benefitting from his charitable work, both monetarily and in personal gratification.

Given his large platform and its power, it would be more suitable to see MrBeast make content addressing the injustices that result in poverty-stricken areas. However, the backlash and lack of interest that comes with real activism will almost certainly kill his source of income, which is something his brand simply cannot afford.

The action being made can be one that is good but if it results in personal gain, is the action still acceptable?

The answer is no.

TikTok ban is not the correct answer emma TYULYAYEV

13

OPINIONS

users, it is understandable the government would want to protect its citizens’ data from potential danger.

However, an outright ban on TikTok would be an overreaction from the government and is not the right answer.

Banning TikTok would affect Americans’ freedom of expression and choice. While TikTok may not be for everyone, it has become an important platform for many people across the states to share their creativity and connect with others.

TikTok has offered me the opportunity to express myself through small, short and fun videos. TikTok has also given me the oppor-

tunity to learn about new and intriguing information on the For You page.

Without TikTok, I would have to find a new place for my creativity.

The app also has become a significant voice in economic growth in the U.S., with many content creators able to make a living from posting their content to the platform. The ban would hurt these individuals’ livelihoods and also potentially affect the broader economic growth of the U.S. While the concerns surrounding TikTok are legitimate, a ban is not the answer.

Rather than limiting Americans’ freedom of expression and choice, the U.S. government should work to strengthen data privacy and security regulations for all social media apps.

This approach would be more effective in addressing the security risks posed

by TikTok while also being more in line with American values of free speech and individual choice.

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

parker BRANDT

While climate change policy has seemed like one step forward and two steps back, we finally achieved a win after five states have enacted legislation to require all new cars sold in its borders to be electric by 2035. So, why are we trying to fight it? Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars contribute 27% of the total carbon emissions in the U.S., making them the sole largest source of GHG emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The opportunity to have government mandated climate conscious vehicles is starkly different from the typically unheard demands for environmental protection legislation.

When state governments enact policies like these, they are actively taking the future of the nation into their hands.

While the argument can be made that electric vehicles are more expensive than gasoline cars, not every electric car is a Tesla.

NO liza COOPER It is absolutely not a good idea for states to promote the purchase of electric vehicles to “reduce climate change” in years to come. Electric vehicles, while marketed as good and safe for the environment, are actually anything but. The mining of lithium for the large batteries of electric cars just contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which is exactly the thing they are supposed to reduce.

According to MIT, the production of a battery for a Tesla Model 3 releases anywhere from 3 tons to 16 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, electric vehicles are substantially more expensive than gas-run vehicles; therefore, it is not in the best interest of the working and middle class for governments to make these pricey requirements.

14

april 2023

SPORTS 1

3

2

Coaches combat bus driver shortage jacob ROBINSON The bus driver shortage has caused sports to be left short a bus or without transportation entirely.

For this reason, Cross Country Coach Matthew Nienhaus stepped up.

“The biggest reason is because, as the head track coach the last couple years, we've had horrible times trying to find drivers to take us when we need to go,” Nienhaus said.

Nienhaus said he was interested in doing it, but Lisa Nieder, activities assistant, encouraged him to do it after listening to his frustrations about the shortage.

“So kind of jokingly, I said, well

then why don’t you become a bus driver and then you could drive your own team and it solves all your problems,” Nieder said.

After saying this in a joking manner, Nieder said Neinhaus was inspired.

“We dove in and got the information we needed to do it,” Nieder said.

Nienhaus trained with district transportation for six days, nine hours a day, over the winter break.

The shortage of drivers has allowed Nienhaus to drive a lot of the weekday trips for the track team, the bus he drives remaining on campus for his use.

“And then next fall and next winter, if I'm not already doing something

for Marquette, then I'll do some other sport trips, unless things correct themselves,” Nienhaus said. “But right now, they only have three trip drivers for the entire district.”

Junior Nathan Rampey, sprinter, said Nienhaus driving will make getting to meets easier, especially for underclassmen who can’t drive.

“It helps keep the coach with everyone and makes sure we are all together,” Rampey said.

Jennifer O'Brien, boys volleyball coach, also trained to drive a school bus in order to transport her team.

Both coaches receive an hourly wage for the times they drive.

1. Teacher

Matthew Nienhaus teaches math courses such as Trigonometry and Geometry during the day. Photograph

by Kate Jesperson

2. Coach

After school, Nienhaus coaches track and field. Photograph by Anika Talyan

3. Bus Driver

Due to bus driver shortages, Nienhaus stepped up to drive the track and field athletes to and from their meets.

Photograph by David Moss

Ultimate Frisbee team rebuilds after seniors graduate kate JESPERSON The Rockwood Ultimate Frisbee Team was left in desperate need of new recruitments for this year’s season after losing 75% of the team.

Anish Paspuleti, sophomore, stepped in to become team captain and increase numbers.

Pasupuleti hung flyers and used social media to reach out to prior teammates and get the word out about the new season.

With Pasupuleti’s consistent effort, 20 interested athletes joined pre-season practices. The team ended up with 12 members once the season officially started.

“It has been a very different start to the season this year as we have had to work from the ground up in training the new athletes,” Pasupuleti said. “Yet, the work has been worth it as we have successfully built up our new team.”

New member Rohan Deshpande, freshman, said he appreciates how

much emphasis Rockwood Ultimate has put on teaching the team the basics.

“Anish has done a great job getting new people to join Ultimate Frisbee,” Deshpande said. “I wasn’t here for a third of the season, but the team’s cohesive efforts have helped me grow significantly already in the sport.”

Lizzie Tilden, coach, said she was amazed with Pasupuleti’s efforts and commitment to the team.

“We had an army last year and when you have a team as big and experienced as we did, the energy creates itself," Tilden said. "When that’s gone, it can be challenging to recapture that same, fundamental energy, yet Anish has done an amazing job uniting a dedicated, outstanding team.”

Each practice is spent going over all the necessary techniques such as throwing the Frisbee to running targets or scrimmaging using offensive and defensive strategies.

The team hasn’t won a game this season, but Tilden said that is to be

expected with only having a month to get the new team prepared for competition.

However, Tilden is optimistic to see the team succeed.

“I am really impressed by the morale and fight that these guys have,” Tilden said. “They keep their heads up, they listen to what I have to say, and they apply it to the next point. I hope that as things start to click a little more, we can reward their hard work with a win.”

Krish Rajpurohit, senior, is excited about his last season on Rockwood Ultimate Frisbee.

“I would love to see us make more progress as we work to pass the torch onto the rest of the team once we seniors graduate this spring,” Rajpurohit said.

The team will play next tomorrow at North Kirkwood Middle School and Sunday at Crestview Middle School.

Liam Rich, sophomore, jumps to catch the Frisbee during a Rockwood Ultimate Frisbee practice. Photograph

by Kate Jesperson

SPORTS

issue VII

15

Freshman Phenoms Skater finds success at early age

jamie PARK Erin Canis, freshman, glides across the Webster Groves Ice Arena, her pink and yellow dress fluttering around her legs. The theme from “Schindler’s List,” a movie about the Holocaust, resonates across the rink, corresponding with Canis’ heritage.

“I give myself a sort of pressure that I need to skate this well because I’m skating for my ancestors, and I can’t let them down,” Canis said.

Canis first competed with this routine at the Sweetheart Open, where she placed first despite learning the routine quickly.

Terri Canis, Erin’s mom, said she loves to watch Canis compete.

“Her gracefulness and technical accomplishments have led to many proud parent moments,” Terri said.

At the Meet Me in St. Louis competition in March, Erin placed second in her Freestyle 5 solo. She said it wasn’t her cleanest performance of this program, but that meet is known to be a harder and larger competition.

Off-season, Erin enhances her skills in artistry and footwork for future competitions with Joy Elder, coach, who has been in the field for 35 years.

“She has an unbelievable work ethic,” Elder said. “There is no doubt in my mind that she will achieve multiple gold medals in her skating career.”

Erin has been figure skating for six and a half years and goes to both guided and individual practices in order to work toward United States Figure Skating (USFS) gold medals.

It’s uncommon for a 15 year old to gain a gold medal so early on, but Erin is close to passing her senior level Moves in The Field test, which would award Erin her first USFS gold medal.

However, Erin’s favorite part of ice skating goes deeper than competitions.

“The feeling of just being on the ice or learning a new spin or landing a new jump, which is the best feeling ever, really brings me life,” Erin said.

“Beyond learning the physical moves in skating, it has taught me to strive for my goals and to always work hard to achieve success.”

Erin Canis Photograph by Erin Canis

Pooja Ganesh, freshman, practices cricket in her basement batting cage. Ganesh practices her cricket skills every day in order to stay sharp. Photograph by Anika Talyan

Cricket player breaks national women’s record anika TALYAN Pooja Ganesh, freshman, sets her sights on the wicket 20 meters ahead of her and runs, not realizing that she is breaking a cricket national record.

During a cricket camp designed to scout talent, Ganesh, then age 13, participated in a Yoyo test by running between the two wickets at increasing speeds until she couldn’t anymore.

During her test, Ganesh broke the National Women’s Record, pulling attention toward her.

“I didn’t realize that I did it,” Ganesh said. “I thought I could’ve done better.”

With a national record under her belt, Ganesh was picked for the regional cricket team, which progressed to her playing at the national level. There, Ganesh was named MVP of her team and best hitter despite being 13 among 18-year-olds.

The year after, the Women’s U.S. Under-19 Team was looking at her to play for the World Cup. The only problem: Ganesh was not at the minimum age of 15 and would not be able to compete according to the International Cricket Commitee’s (ICC) rules.

The coaches reached out to the ICC, asking them to do something they have never done before: make an exception.

The ICC agreed, making Ganesh the youngest person ever to play for the Women’s U.S. Under-19 Team.

On the team, Ganesh traveled to countries like South Africa, United Arab Emirate and Italy to play against other female cricket players in the World Cup. The team didn’t do very well, but Ganesh said she still enjoyed the experience.

“It was still really cool to be there,” Ganesh said.

The Chesterfield City Council awarded Ganesh a Mayoral Proclamation for her success in cricket and proclaimed March 20, 2023, as “Pooja

Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation gives Pooja Ganesh, freshman, a plaque proclaiming March 20, 2023, as “Pooja Ganesh Day.” Photograph by Ganesh Krishnamurthy

Ganesh Day” in the city of Chesterfield.

Her father, Ganesh Krishnamurthy, introduced her to cricket by having her read World Cup statistics to him. He noticed she was analyzing the skills of the players and said he saw something special in her.

Krishnamurthy started playing cricket with her in their driveway before placing her in the American Cricket Academy Club, as the only girl.

Many have watched Ganesh play cricket and have come up to her to ask for her picture or autograph. With that new kind of spotlight, Krishnamurthy said it is as important to him for Ganesh to be a humble, kind person while also being a talented cricket player.

“Being humble and being respectful is something that any athlete should have,” Krishnamurthy said.

Although Krishnamurthy is a cricket coach, he said he only helps Ganesh if she asks, leaving most of the coaching to Ajay Jhamb, who has been coaching Ganesh since 2016 Jhamb started by teaching her how

to hold a bat.

“Very few kids work as hard as she has,” Jhamb said. “She is an ideal kid for a coach and is always going the extra mile.”

Jhamb said she is one of the strongest female batters in the country.

After Ganesh played with the Women’s U.S. Under-19 team, Jhamb said Ganesh turned her focus from technical skills to getting stronger and faster.

“By playing with the top talent in the world, she was playing at a level where she got to see what she needs to do to improve,” Jhamb said.

Jhamb is focusing on teaching her patience as a player.

“It now is going to be more critical than working with her skill,” Jhamb said.

Jhamb said he knows she will play pro in the future and be successful in her cricket endeavors “It’s just so heart warming and it gives me so much immense pride for her,” Jhamb said.

16

april 2023

SPORTS

AFJROTC students Zach Tracey, senior; Emma Ryan, freshman; and Sam Payne, freshman (left to right), trek the hills of the Beaumont Scout Reservation on Saturday, March 11, for their orienteering competition. Orienteering is a sport in which participants find their way through different terrains using navigation materials such as compasses and topographical maps.

Photograph by Myles Edgington

AFJROTC students compete in orienteering aarushi BUTE With a map in one hand and a compass in the other, Sam Payne, freshman, ventures off into the woods for the treasure hunt, otherwise known as orienteering.

Payne is the lead of JROTC’s orienteering team.

The sport of orienteering is when participants find the way through different terrains by using a compass, a topographical map and navigation skills, all inspired by skills from military members.

Payne first participated in orienteering when he lived in Sweden where the sport was mandatory in schools.

“Doing it here gives me a connection to where I’m from. I really like it,” Payne said.

The rules here give more access to properties and areas for participants, Payne said.

“Most people don’t go out into nature, but we get to explore different areas,” Payne said.

As a lead, Payne said he helps to organize competitions and double checks the equipment.

“We’ve been doing pretty good and have already won,” Payne said. “I’ve only been here for a couple of months now but we’ve definitely improved and have gotten more competitive recently.”

MHS is the first high school to sponsor the sport in the Missouri region and to work in association with the St. Louis Orienteering Club.

Major Terri Zuber, ROTC teacher, helps organize the students and pushes other schools to compete with the goal of having monthly competitions.

“Leadership is the core of what we do,” Major Zuber said. “So to take something like this and watch students

Orienteering Kit

1 1. In order to initially

navigate through the orienteering site, competitors use a compass.

3

2 2.

Since the orienteering sites are large, competitors are given a topographical map, consisting of the locations of the control points. The map also consists of a key to explain key information about the terrain.

grow, develop, lead and have a lot of fun doing it is just exciting.”

Last year the team consisted of approximately six students and has since doubled.

“We’ve gotten the right students who are willing to take the time to help build and design training courses,” Major Zuber said.

Josh Borgmeyer, president of the St. Louis Orienteering Club, sets up the meets, which have about 70-100 people of all age groups and skill abilities in attendance at one central location. The next meet will be Saturday, April 22, in Queeny Park.

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Competitors use a score sheet to keep track of the control points they succesfully trekked to.

Borgmeyer first entered into an adventure race with orienteering at Castlewood Park in 2008.

“It was my first time owning a compass and the first time looking at a topographic map, and we got lost in the process but had a lot of fun,” Borgmeyer said. “I wanted to get better at that.”

The St. Louis Orienteering Club has worked with JROTC to improve their skills by holding practice courses and trainings.

“We feel that the youth of today are too reliant on technology,” Borgmeyer said. “The sport gets people out into

4. After successfully being the first to reach all of the control points before the other competitors, the winner recieves a first place ribbon.

Infographic by Shyam Punnachalil

a natural environment, away from technology. We’re really excited to offer that experience to youth.”

Kaitlyn Laurentius, junior, said she hopes to see orienteering grow even more with more competitions and increased participation.

She said she loves running through the woods with just a map, compass and her friends.

“It’s so much fun,” Laurentius said.

“I get to spend time with my friends and explore the area.”