AUGUST 2021
Westminster Christian Academy
COFFEE FOR ALL; MEET THE NEW PAWPRINT! PG.1 7
STAFF
MANAGING EDITOR IN CHIEF MAGGIE LINDSTROM, SENIOR
Students
EDITOR: 800 SPORTING BROOKE HIGHMARK, SENIOR
CONTENT EDITOR EMMA HARRIS, SENIOR
Serving
BROADCAST LEADER IZZY TROST, SENIOR
BROADCAST LEADER ABBY JOHLERT, SENIOR
Students
BROADCAST LEADER TRISTON SCALES, SENIOR
BROADCAST LEADER ANNA FREGENE, SENIOR
2 STAFF
Staff Writers STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
HOPE LINAM, SENIOR
STAFF WRITER
RILEY HEIRONIMUS, SENIOR
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
EVAN KOHN, SENIOR
STAFF WRITER
ELLIE JONES, SENIOR
SAYVA PHILIPS , SENIOR
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
ALEX WITTENAUER, SENIOR
NOLAN JONES, SENIOR
JACOB BROWN, SENIOR
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
JACKSON LOEHR, SENIOR
STAFF WRITER
JACOB HANSON, SENIOR
STAFF WRITER
ANNA GRACE LIKES, JUNIOR
STAFF WRITER
ELIJAH SCHMIDT, FRESHMAN
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
LUCY KNERR, SOPHOMORE
SYDNEY BRADLEY, JUNIOR
STAFF WRITER
MADDOX ROSENBERG, SOPHOMORE
STAFF WRITER
ALLI BISHOP, JUNIOR
STAFF WRITER
WILL DANA, SOPHOMORE
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
MEGAN MOREY, SENIOR
STAFF WRITER
WILLIAM JINKINS, SOPHOMORE
STAFF WRITER
AMILA PIERIS, SOPHOMORE
POPPY MCCAULEY, SOPHOMORE
MIA SCHEULEN, JUNIOR
STAFF WRITER
COLE STEPHENS, JUNIOR
STAFF WRITER LUKE RYAN, JUNIOR
STAFF WRITER
CHRISTINA ENGLISH, JUNIOR
STAFF WRITER
DREW CAHILL, SOPHOMORE
3
CONTENTS
FEATURE
STAYING CONNECTED PG. 12
YOU WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH: ANTI SOCIAL MEDIA PG. 10-11
HORSE BACK RIDING CHAMPION NYAH KIM PG. 12
THE” NEW” OLD NORMAL PG. 13
WHAT IS H.O.U.S.E? PG. 19
HOW PROOF OF VACCINATION CAN BE A PROBLEM
OPINION
IS THE UPDATED DRESS CODE EFFECTIVE? PG. 14
LEARNING EQUALS... KNOWLEDGE? PG. 17
PURPOSEFUL WORSHIP: WHY CHAPEL MATTERS PG. 18
NEWS
SPORTS
JUNIORS AND SENIORS CAN DRIVE OUT AND DRIVE THROUGH
PAYTON MATTHEWS
MEET THE NEW PAWPRINT PG. 8
EXPERIENCED SWIM COACH SETS HIGH EXPECTATIONS
PG. 9
THE FUTURE OF THE GAME
PG. 6
WESTMINSTER YOU THE HUB FINALLY GETS THE REMODEL WE WANTED
PG. 23
DANCE PG. 24
PG. 25 PG. 26
PG. 15
PG. 20
SPANISH CLASS AFTER SENORA GILBERT PG. 21
4 CONTENTS
CONTENTS
STAFF ED Welcome Back! Welcome back Westminster! Who is excited for a hopefully normal school year again? No masks, no horrible dividers, and longer lunches. This is all very exciting and it is only the start of this normal school year. We here are 800 News can’t wait for our community to see some of our new changes for this school year as well. The Wildcat Roar and 800 Sporting have relocated rooms in order to unify the whole 800 news and be closer to our broadcast members. WCA Today shows will be a little short this year (sadly). But we hope to still bring the best quality content we can. So Westminster, what are you most excited for? Please feel free to email us at 800news@wcastl.org with any questions or story ideas.
From Maggie Lindstrom -Managing Editor In Chief and the rest of 800 news!
STAFF ED
STAFF EDITORIAL 5
JUNIORS AND SENIORS CAN DRIVE OUT AND DRIVE-THRU Leadership groups such as Student Council, Student Ambassadors, and PC leaders will also be able to meet and discuss their development over lunch. “Before and after school are This summer, the administration revealed that many difficult times for students and teachers to meet, so leaderaspects of Westminster life are changing in the 2021-22 school ship teams will definitely need to utilize the extended lunch year. On top of the new enrichment and academy options times to get their work accomplished...I’m so impressed with offered in the previous advisory time, lunch was extended to our student leaders’ willingness to sacrifice such precious 45 minutes on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, with a slightly time each year to serve the community,” said Ashley Woodshorter 30 minutes on Wednesday and 40 minutes on Thurs- all, Assistant Director of Student Life and Director of Student day. This open-ended reveal left students wondering what Council. could be done in their lengthened lunchtime. Will they have to stay confined to the drab, beige walls of the cafe? Whether you are a new 7th grader, a senior ready to head out, or somewhere in-between, you can start getting The answer to this question is no. Many options will excited about all the new changes this school year! Being able be available for students to spread out around the school, to have some time to eat and either gather with friends or hang out with friends, meet with leadership groups, and even just take a break is certainly necessary in the busy days of leave campus. Some of the goals were to “provide training hardworking Westminster students. for time management and responsible freedom,” and to give “enough time for students to interact with their peers and teachers to promote more social connection and engagement,” said Dr. Dani Butler, Head of Student Development.
STAFF WRITER ANNA GRACE LIKES
One of the most exciting aspects of this new reveal is that juniors and seniors can now leave during their lunch. Before, students have expressed their dislike for the lack of freedom at WCA, but this year promises some positive steps toward change. While they still have to wear uniforms and keep their phones out of sight on campus, being able to leave during lunchtime gives juniors and seniors a much-needed break to escape mentally and prepare for their final classes of the day. Just be sure to head back to campus by the time your next class starts! For on-campus options, the sleek and modern newly-designed Hub can be used for all upper school students to gather and converse. Other locations include the Cafe, courtyard, plaza, both upper school commons, and classrooms, if teachers allow. All other locations in the building and outside will be off-limits (including the middle school commons and hallways). As long as you stay within these areas outlined by Dr. Butler, feel free to enjoy your extended eating time over the Hollyberry cookies that were missed so much over the summer. “Students have freedom to go places in the building to have lunch, BUT each student must clean up after they eat wherever they are,” said Dr. Butler. So, stay tidy and enjoy your new freedom, WCA! Lunch in 2019/20 vs. 2021/22 By: Anna Grace Likes
6 NEWS
COFFEE FOR ALL; MEET THE NEW PAWPRINT! STAFF WRITER LUCY KNERR
When talking to the Westminster community, you will find many agree that starting their educational day with a hot cup of coffee makes all the difference. After all, what student doesn’t enjoy the taste of decadent coffee right before the taste of success in that dreaded first period quiz? Westminster’s cultivated coffee career, “Pawprint”, has been up and running for five years and counting; but never has the school seen such growth for this business until now! Pawprint is getting a major upgrade along with its move into the Hub in this upcoming 2021 - 22 school year. With this transition into the new, fully renovated space, the extra space will allow multiple new additions to the business as a whole.
pawprint coffee Renovated hub. Photo by: Lucy Knerr and grow together.”
Students in the business courses are able to enroll and work as employees in the school-led business , originally established Maloy, shared some of the same sentiment as Yost, saying by Mr. Horn, a much loved business teacher here at Westmin- “I am both excited for the Pawprint move upstairs, and I am equally nervous for the Pawprint move upstairs! But honster. This day job of sorts enables students to grow in their business expertise in accordance with the opportunity to get estly, that is how most [exciting] change is — equal parts awesome & equal parts yikes!” informative experience in the workforce. Emma Yost, senior, an active member of Pawprint, says that Just like Yost and Mr. Maloy said, it is quite sad and nerve racking to see pawprint migrate from its original location into she “was sad to see the grand entry lose Pawprint, and the community and fun atmosphere that it brought when every- the hub, but that sadness brought on by nostalgia is over one walked into school— but I am so excited for the Hub to recreate that community and be a way for students to connect powered by the overwhelming feeling of excitement for the future of the program in this newly renovated layout. “We want it to be inviting and welcoming. We want to create the feeling of home and comfort! We have gone through a lot of change and difficult times in the last year but with this new place to join together, it can be a way to revive and recreate the place we had before! And Pawprint is very excited to be a part of this movement with one cup of coffee at a time!” said Yost. This new atmosphere will help the student body as well as the faculty to hopefully begin recovery from the alienating cloud that fell over the school during the pandemic. Overall, Students involved with this program will come out of it with a better understanding of business, career experience, and the fulfillment of helping their academic community one cup of coffee at a time.
Pawprint will be returing soon! infographic by: Lucy Knerr
NEWS 7
WESTMINSTER YOU CHOOSE! STAFF WRITER MADDOX ROSENBERG
This 2020-21 school year, Westminster Cristian Academy has decided to create a new, customizable education program called Westminster You. With the addition of Academies, Enrichment, and Recovery on Wednesdays and Thursdays, students have brand new options to further their education. Westminster students get the opportunity to obtain valuable experience facing real-world challenges and situations with courses called ‘academies’. Your academy choices are between the Business Academy with Mr. Maloy and the Law and Constitution Academy with Mrs. LeVar. The Business Academy will provide real world business training and will develop leadership skills on the way. Students practicing in the Law and Constitution Academy will get to analize cases and facts, as well as participate in mock trial competitions. As of now these are the only options, but in the future there stands a possibility of the addition of STEM, Fine Arts, Ministry, and many more Academines. All of the Westminster students participating will be awarded with a credit. Westminster is also introducing an opportunity for students to dive deeper into academic materials they’re interested in called Enrichment. There are nine Enrichment options this school year, including Apple Certification, Introduction to Coding, 10 Pillars Leadership Institute, Literary Magazine/Creative Writing, Marine Biology/Ocean Discovery, Theatre Arts, College Connection Hub, “Exploration of the Great Questions”, and National History Day Competition. “In the future, we hope to expand these enrichment programs to an even larger variety of topics to reflect both our students and teachers’ passions,” said Gina Rosenberg, American Literature teacher. There will be more ways for students and teachers to attend/lead a class that is their ideal topic in the future.
Todd Fuller teaches accounting in the Business Academy Lab Photo by: Maddox Rosenberg Westminster. Westminster students, instead of the Academies, Enrichments, or Recovery, can use the last hour as a study hall to get homework done and work on projects. So then Westminster, what will YOU choose?
If the previous options were unappealing or you just need a bit more time for assignments during the day, there is one more opportunity for Westminster students: academic recovery. Academic recovery is a window for students to have more time, space, and support. Students have the ability to ask teachers for help, get caught up on late assignments, or go Elizabeth Holliday is one of the advisories for the literay magazine, here she teaches her first hour freshmen english to the Writing and Math Center. course. Photo by: Maddox Rosenberg “And if none of what we introduced today is appealing, you may use the very last hour of your school day as a study hall in your advisory.” Mollie Pfuetze, middle school counselor at
8 NEWS
PURPOSEFUL WORSHIP: WHY CHAPEL MATTERS
like any most of us have experienced: the devastating loss of her husband. She acknowledged that, while everyone’s challenges in life may not look like hers, she still felt her journey was important to share because it is a reminder that God will After many months of chapels apart from one another, Westminster has finally started in-person chapel again. always stay with us even when we feel like we will never escape the valleys of life. “I felt blessed to hear my story was Worshipping as a community is an important aspect of the encouraging even though our struggles may be different,” school’s spiritual life, and being back in the arena again for Meeks said. chapel has brought the energy we need back to Wednesday mornings. Mr. David Ottolini, Director of Spiritual Life at Westminster, is tasked with developing chapel as we know it. He Chapel has been an integral part of a Westminster asked both of these inspiring women to speak, and according student’s week for as long as the school has been around. This time typically involves worship songs with the leadership to student feedback they were both a perfect fit. “One of the largest struggles is changing the mindset of students from of the chapel band and messages from students, staff, and other speakers. But, why do we need this time to worship to- coming to chapel to observe or consume (looking for some gether if we are constantly being led in devotionals and Bible form of entertainment), to participation (seeing chapel as an classes? And does anyone even remember the messages that opportunity for growth in Jesus),” said Ottolini. Because students are so distracted with their busy days, it is hard to take have been shared? a break to focus on the message or connection to their life. I would argue that the most memorable and import- Mr. Ottolini’s goal is to have a speaker that will be able to both captivate an audience and ingrain into them a scriptural ant chapel messages are the ones that capture our attention message. This ideal was captured perfectly by both Kempen and are different from the typical “be a good Christian and and Meeks. do your part in the world” talk that we receive daily. Those
STAFF WRITER ANNA GRACE LIKES
messages, while important, do not exactly draw a busy student’s mind away from the Bible class they just took part in. The stories that matter the most to people typically are the ones where the speaker shares a personal experience that has altered their life and made their faith stronger. For staff members and teachers especially, being able to connect to students through shared experiences is important in developing relationships. After speaking to friends and peers, there were certain talks that stayed with them for months and even years after hearing them.
So next time you are bored in chapel, distracted by your Chemistry test next hour, think about how the message may connect to you or why we take time out of our busy weeks to stop and worship all together. Glorifying God is the goal, and these speakers are able to make an entire student body stop and think about how Christians are connected by shared experiences and a love for the Lord. If we can relate to one another, worship becomes more personal and stays with us long after we leave the cold arena.
Mrs. Marjan Kempen, Academic Hub Facilitator, shared her story in March of 2020 right before quarantine started. She told about her life story and the prejudice she faced growing up in the middle east and then moving to America. Her main focus was telling the story of the happiness she found in becoming a Christian and how, even though she felt alone in a new country, she was never alone when she found God. She struggled originally with the thought of sharing her story. But, when students shared how she made them feel less alone after hearing the message, she was glad she had the opportunity to speak on the topic. In 2021 during online chapel, students also had the opportunity to hear from beloved middle school Spanish teacher Mrs. Gina Meeks. She told the story of how, through Mr. Butler B’ynote, Assitant Dean of Students, speaks to facing difficulty, she discovered the true faithfulness of God to the first upper school chapel of the year. follow through with His plans. This challenge she faced wasn’t Photo by: Anna Grace Likes
NEWS 9
THE HUB FINALLY GETS THE REMODEL WE WANTED STAFF WRITER ELIJAH SCHMIDT
Since 2011, the Academic Hub has been a place of fellowship and learning on the Westminster Campus, used for Study Halls, Rock Paper Scissors Tournaments, and Math Labs. “We think it’s time for a redesign,” said Aaron Layton, History Teacher, in a informational video about the new WestminsterYou program. Going into the 2021 school year, the Westminster campus is celebrating its ten year anniversary- The Academic Hub has remained the same for those ten years. “This amazing project was possible because of a restricted gift from anonymous donors” said Dani Butler, Head of Academic Development. The Academic Hub has been fully renovated, New furnishings and a crisp paint job are only some of the new improvements made to this now usable space. “The renovated Hub will provide an inviting and well designed space for teaching, studying, meetings, entertainment, and for community engagement on campus.” said Layton. The new Hub will provide many new academic opportunities, but it will also provide a new home for Pawprint. Pawprint Coffee has fostered fellowship within the Westminster Community at their original location in the Grand Entry. Now Pawprint will foster fellowship and draw people to the evolved Hub. Students can grab a coffee, relax, study, or meet with friends. Not only is Pawprint moving into the Hub, but STUCO and others will use the old Math Lab room as a meeting room and classroom. “I think the room will give STUCO a place where they can meet, mainly the Executive Council on Tues-
Upperclassmen study in the Hub. Photo by: Elijah Schmidt
10 NEWS
day mornings. It will also be a nice quiet space for people in study hall during the regular school day.” said Elizabeth Woodall, Assistant Director of Student Life. All in all the previously mentioned classroom will be a workable space for all purposes and functions. Jennifer Sengpiel, Head of Enrollment at Westminster who was a part of the group effort to renovate the Hub. “We really were going for a Starbucks meets Genius Bar meets New York Loft.” Sengpiel articulated that they were going for a more modern and innovative space that will draw students. And the space certainly has drawn people to it already, STUCO Orientation and New Student Lunches or only some of the bonding and community building events that have been hosted by the Hub. Sengpiel and I also went over the layout of the Hub. The Hub is separated into three spaces, the middle of the Hub is The Cafe. This is a space where students can eat snacks and drink coffee in fellowship with each other. The left hand side of the Hub was envisioned as an academic area. A spot for studying, reading, or doing school work. Lastly the right hand side of the Hub is meant to be a meeting area. This would be a spot for campus groups to gather and the most exciting edition will come at the end of August, a large u-shaped couch will be installed for presentations and however students and teachers can utilize it. Overall the entirety of the renovated Hub will serve the Westminster Community’s faculty, students, and even alumni and will be a place for people to connect. “I think it’s an anchor in our mission of teaching our students to teach and engage the world in Jesus Christ.” Overall the improved Hub will help the WCA community bring the passion of Christ to everything they do.
WHAT IS H.O.U.S.E? CHRISTINA ENGLISH STAFF WRITER
H.O.U.S.E. is an acronym that explains the core elements that make up Westminster as a school. H stands for honor Christ, O stands for own the outcome, U stands for unite in gratitude, S stands for set the example, and E stands for empowering each other. H.O.U.S.E. is a way to help Westminster students think positively and become one big, strong community.
the world. Jen Sengpiel continued, “It’s really up to all of us to grab hold of this for it to be rooted. We need to be intentional, and I think that intention starts with us as teachers and faculty and staff to say it; to reference it. […] I would love for the students to grab a hold of it too and make it their own.” The people of Westminster are the people who are going to represent what H.O.U.S.E. means. It should be encouraged by everyone who works at Westminster, and people have plenty of opportunities to give H.O.U.S.E. its own creative meaning that shows who they are as brothers and sisters of Christ.
“H.O.U.S.E. is an articulated, simplified way to represent who we are, what we believe, which equates to our culture here at Westminster,” Jen Sengpiel, head of enrollment, said. “It’s for our students, it’s for faculty and staff, it’s for everybody that comes into the building, vendors that we work with; this is who we are, and this is how we act and how we come together.” H.O.U.S.E. is what is going to bring all Being one community that follows the path of Jesus Christ is of us together as a school body. It is a combination of all the the goal of H.O.U.S.E., and as the people that make up Westthings that Westminster has been made up of in the past that minster, we should strive to live up to the acronym. it considers important into a simple acronym that’s easy to follow. H.O.U.S.E. is Westminster’s way of being warm and welcoming to visitors and gives off a homey vibe. It is for everyone and everything, and we should show who we are to
The H.O.U.S.E. acronym above the Grand Entry stairs. Photo by: Christina English
NEWS 11
SPANISH CLASS AFTER SENORATheGILBERT first year teacher has an obvious passion for teaching, but more specifically she has a love of language: “I think it’s between teaching and teaching a language, it’s just the combining of two of my pasSenora Gilbert’s cinnamon scented classroom is a sions and interests,” Dunn said. She also states that vivid memory in the minds of numerous alumni. she is a huge introvert, and that language is a way Although the bright-colored walls and air fresheners for her to engage with others and their cultures. “... are gone, a new teacher has taken her place: Serornita Language is people,” said Dunn. Dunn. Her parting words to me was a piece of advice for Senorita Dunn grew up in St. Louis County, more spe- high schoolers to “just be kind to yourself.” She goes cifically Hazelwood. When asked about her own gen- on to say that students today put a lot of pressure eration and how different it is compared to Generation on themselves. Senorita Dunn’s main message to Z she said, “There might be so many reasons why high schoolers seems to be that they should go easy there are so many differences, but I think certainly the on themselves. As high schoolers we don’t need to transition to online is probably more of a generational be perfect all the time. Overall, I think the takeaway reality.” from Senorita Dunn’s message is that academic rigor is important, but not at the cost of your own self She hinted at the vast differences that were brought worth. by the presence of the internet. Senorita Dunn not only pointed toward Generation Z as a whole but also Senorita Dunn, while totally new to Westminster, those at Westminster, while also contrasting Westin- seems to be changing Westminster for the better ster with the public school she attended, “...the Bibli- through kindness and sticking to Biblical principles. cal Principles that are behind some of the philosophy and education, and behind what it means for teachers and students to be in that dynamic here is profoundly different.” said Dunn. It is apparent that she values Christian education and that Westminster’s Christ-Like beliefs are important to her.
STAFF WRITER ELIJAH SCHMIDT
In addition to her admiration of the Biblical beliefs and academic rigor that are apparent, she is shocked by just how much the teachers have a love for students, “...yes there’s good education there, but it’s really about the staff and faculty who care about my child.” said Dunn. Her love of Westminster already is apparent and her values mirror that. Westminster seems to be a place where students are surrounded by a good support system made up of faculty, staff, and students. “Lots of schools say they have Christian Education, what’s apparent here is that here there is a genuine intention by the administration to have a truly Christ-Based education,” said Dunn. Overall her appreciation of academic rigor, but the incorporation of Christ’s values into school is a passion of her’s.
12 FEATURE
Senorita Dunn stands in her classroom. Photo by: Elijah Schmidt
NYAH KIM: A HORSEBACK RIDING CHAMPION CONTENT EDITOR EMMA HARRIS
Soccer, baseball, football; these are the games you most likely think of when you hear the word “sports”. Horseback riding doesn’t usually come up. But for one Nyah Kim, junior, this unique and difficult sport is a big part of her life. Nyah Kim, horseback riding ever since the age of six, noted that she always had a particular fondness for horses. However, “as for the sport I took a while to really find a passion for it,” said Kim, explaining that “when you first start riding it can be hard to get over the fear factor. I struggled with it not even 2 years ago.”
Despite feeling accomplished over these wins, the junior has lately tried to keep a different mindset when she competes, one that values hard work over winning. “Even if you try your hardest and give your best personal performance, someone can always come and beat you. So I try not to focus too much when I don’t win, because that’s not really what it’s about. If I have a really good round with Calvin and I don’t win, I don’t worry about it too much because I did my best, and that’s enough,” Kim stated. Kim said she tries to find a balance between working hard and taking the work seriously and having fun as well, and believes she has found that perfect balance in the past year.
One aspect of riding Nyah Kim has discovered a love for is that unique relationship and bond between rider and horse, one made of dependency upon each other, and also one of the reasons horseback riding is a difficult sport. “The horses can feel every small detail about how you’re feeling. If I feel anxious or angry my horse can feel that and they get anxious as well. You have to be so in tune with each other,” the Westminster student stated. “But I think that’s also what makes riding so rewarding. [...] You don’t get that [relationship] from Nyah Kim has been making her way in the unique sport of any other sport.” horseback riding and hopes to keep pursuing her passion for many years into her future, stating that her “biggest goals As can be gathered from the co-dependency of rider and horse, horseback riding is a difficult sport- more difficult than for the future are definitely to ride on a team and continue many people know, according to Kim; “Part of our job, so to to compete throughout college. Eventually I would like to try speak, is to make it look like we aren’t really doing anything. and become a professional rider and open In reality it is both physically and mentally very challenging and there is so much technicality involved. When we go over my own training facilia jump we are thinking about at least 15 things at one time to ty. I will also continue to show a substantial set up the next jump.” But Kim also enjoys that the sport of horseback riding is a challenging one and says the knowledge amount through this upcoming school year.” that “your whole performance can be sabotaged with one mistake” pushes her “to do better every time.” Westminster will watch as she hopefully does And push herself she has. Nyah Kim has competed in many competitions recently, and won her fair share of them: “From exactly that. December 2020 to August 2021 I competed in 5 shows, each 1-3 weeks in length with my horse Calvin. I spent Spring break this [past] year in Gulfport, Mississippi, and won a championship in my division,” Kim said. At these competitions, particNyah Kim and ipants jump for four days in a division and the scores from her horse Caleach day are add up. Whoever has the highest score wins the vin. championship. During that week Kim also won the Classic, Photos courtesy which is a “separate class that includes all ages. In Colorado I of: Nyah Kim was reserve champion and had another Classic win. This past summer I spent a week in Mason City, Iowa, 3 weeks in Colorado, and I’m headed to another week in Des Moines, Iowa on August 11th,” said Kim. She also won champion in Des Moines, Iowa, that took places over August eleventh to fifteenth.
FEATURE 13
THE “NEW” OLD NORMAL
lunch, as well as study hall like years past. Meaning if you have study hall before or after lunch hour, a junior or senior can be absent from campus for an hour and 45 minutes, 4 days a week.
STAFF WRITER ELLIE JONES
“It’s great to be able to go wherever we want during lunch, whether that’s outside in the parking lot or going to eat “I feel like I’m able to connect more with my classmates,” said somewhere,” said Mathews. Students are also able to eat in the hub, classrooms (if teachers allow), and outside on the Alexis Hackmann, sophomore. Hackmann is one of many Westminster students eager to get back in the classroom un- plaza during lunch hour, providing more space in the cafè for der two conditions: mask-free and divider-free. Another factor the underclassmen. Westminster is bringing back is lunch; However, lunch is substantially longer this year. Jumping from a 30 minute to a 45 One of the perks despite many downfalls last year was minute social hour every single day, excluding Wednesdays. the extremely relaxed dress code. However, there is much certainty in the statement that the dress code is the complete “I’m excited to be a senior this year without all of the COVID opposite of casual this year. guidelines, being able to enjoy all of the activities and fun things we do,” said Payton Mathews, senior. “To be mask-free “So far the dress code is slightly more strict than last year,” and not having to utilize dividers is extremely helpful because said Mathews. “There are a few teachers that are more strict than others, meaning others are more relaxed, which is nice.” I feel like I am able to focus more, along with being more Pieces that have quickly proven to be prohibited during the active.” school day are t-shirts, colored leggings, or non-Westminster Within the walls of the academy this year, the school day ap- sweatshirts. pears to be filled with more laughter than last year. The social Overall, this year, so far, presents itself as promising for a interaction has increasingly progressed as no face coverings normal school year- more normal, at least, than last year. allow for more facial expression and lack of social barrier More Westminster traditions, such as homecoming and making communication strikingly easier and more exciting. unlimited spectators at sporting events, are brought back creating buzz throughout the halls among students. All one As juniors and seniors, leaving campus is allowed during
14 noOPINION masks, no dividers, we are back to the pre covid world. By: Ellie Jones
LEARNING EQUALS...KNOWLEDGE? STAFF WRITER LUCY KNERR
Ask any student grades first through twelfth their thoughts on their academic experience and most- if not all- will say something along the lines of ‘I hate it’ or ‘I would literally rather work at a McDonalds for the rest of my life than stay in school for another six years.’ However, when asked why they may feel that way, most students wouldn’t necessarily be able to articulate the reason for these feelings of hatred. The shallow answer to this hatred would be the incredible amount of out of school assignments students are required to complete out of the academic classroom. However, the larger, more complicated answer goes much deeper than this. The trouble began at an estimate of 145 years ago at the beginning of the American industrial era in 1876. With the rise of factory work and production rates came an increased demand for intelligent individuals in the workforce to match the increase in job openings. The education system followed the industrial revolution with a revolution of its own, in a sense. Real learning and a curiosity for knowledge were not necessarily needed for the workforce at that time, so instead schools used education to teach obedience and work ethic Photo by: Lucy Knerr through lectures, graded work and standardised tests. This system proved to work exceptionally well; literacy and production rates rose dramatically during the industrial era. The only issue this system inherently has is that it was designed for the students of the late 1800s and early 1900s. As such, one would think that a second educational reformation would come along within the next hundred years or so.
Scholarships, on the other hand, are primarily sports based due to the fact that students aren’t getting the education they need to earn full rides using grades alone. So, what can we do about it?
Well, what is really needed is a complete educational reformation. However, with the current state of the country, education is most likely the last thing on people’s minds at Unfortunately, this was not the case. Students and teachers the moment. So, we can begin by looking at the classroom. of the twenty-first century are still consistently using outdatHow is the information taught? What kind of information is ed methods to teach students not how to learn and pursue being taught with these methods? How is this beneficial? knowledge, but rather to be consistently obedient and work prone. Lessons in the classroom are no longer necessarily preparing students for the workforce which is now primarily If a certain level of understanding of the system itself can be confronted, then change can finally start to come to fruition. run digitally and/or electronically. Education needs to begin to benefit the student and educator before the workforce and the country can change for the This also carries into higher education. Because university better. Because, although it doesn’t seem like it, everything attendance was not common during the industrial era due to begins in the classroom. the price and the need for work, college tuition prices in the current age continue to rise an outlandish amount every year to keep them up and running because of the little attendance in the industrial era. Scholarships and loans are options- however, almost every student that uses loans as a method of payment ends up thousands of dollars in debt and are unable to work their way out of it.
OPINION 15
YOU WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH: ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA EMMA HARRIS Content Editor
At this point, everyone knows faces and bodies are often photoshopped on Instagram- the side by side of photos from real life and ones from Instagram have been floating around for years now. Everyone knows that videos are edited to leave out the ‘bad’ parts. Everyone knows viewers are easily manipulated through photos and videos, and most people know that the amount of likes they receive does not reflect their likability as a person or their talen. But the longer you’re on social media, the harder it is to remember these things, the harder it is to believe this, the harder it is to shake those negative voices that were implanted into your head. Social media of all forms is a degrading and addictive part of over 3.96 billion people’s daily lives. In 2020, the average person owned 8.6 social media accounts. The average time spent on these accounts a day was 2 hours and 24 minutes on it, according to the article “Social Media’s Impact On Our Mental Health Is Far More Serious Than You Think,” one based in studies by Dove Self-Esteem Project. According to an article by the New Yorker, screens literally decrease dopamine levels in the brain. Instagram is a particularly corrosive app with many ways it actively harms people’s confidence and satisfaction with their reality, a cesspool of shame. It is filled with plastic surgery, photoshopped faces and bodies, people showing off their ‘amazing’ lives, advertisements pushing diet pills and new exercises for weight loss, and it clearly displays one single image of ‘beauty’. Skin is brushed to be freed of texture. Waists are cinched inwards with a computer mouse, just as thighs are expanded. Jaws are tweaked to be even on both sides. Cheekbones are accentuated by being pulled inward and shaded in a certain way. Noses are made to be smaller. According to a 2017 study conducted by Cognitive Research, people can only tell an image is manipulated 65% of the time… a percentage that has likely risen since due to the better applications meant to tweak them. Clearly, this is having an effect: as found by a 2020 study done by Eldamen Data & Intelligence, 80% of girls have utilized a filter or altered the way they look through apps by the time they are 13 years old. An even greater 81% of girls compare the way they look in photos to the way their close friends look, according to the same study in the article “Social Media’s Impact On Our Mental Health Is Far More Serious Than You Think.”
16 OPINION
On Instagram, you are taught that only a few features will deem you as beautiful and an absence of any of them will make you ugly. As a result, from celebrities to normal people, everyone has started to look unnervingly similar. With society and consumers caught in a ruthless cycle, those who fit that one look garner far more attention than those who don’t. Thus, it is seemingly confirmed to everyone that one must look a certain way to have value, that your looks are more important than the depth or value of anything you have to say and the impact of anything you do- a certain way that most people don’t even naturally look like, and a way people go as far to risk their lives through plastic surgery to achieve. On TikTok, the experience is similar to that of instagram. Every once in a while, a girl will pop up on the ‘for you’ page wielding a new feature to be insecure about, a new trend made solely for the purpose of validation. TikTok is relentless with body validation and shame trends. First came the comparison of side profiles and a focus on petite noses, then came the reverse camera to highlight the lack of perfect symmetry of your face, and then the glow filter Coming from an already insecure girl, before TikTok, I had never felt insecure about the symmetry of my face, I never noticed that my jaw is slightly uneven. Before TikTok, I never absolutely loathed my side profile, albeit I had some insecurities about it. TikTok, as most social media does, spits out nonsensical ways to determine beauty, and for some reason they work. I remember a girl coming up on my ‘for you’ page a few weeks ago: “If the glow filter looks fake on you, you’re just pretty. If it looks natural, you’re beautiful,” she said. I know this statement is absolutely meaningless, I know it’s based off of nonexistent facts, I know this statement was completely pulled out of thin air. It was a stupid statement. But when my curiosity and insecurities got the best of me and I tried that filter, and no matter what lighting I was in it looked incredibly fake, that statement got to me. I felt insecure (and shameful about that insecurity). I downloaded TikTok for the art content. I mainly used it for the art content. But somehow, these little insecurities slipped into my “for you page”, and thus into my mind, and then planted ideas in my head that are hard to uproot. Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok are all guilty of making users self conscious through their unrealistic and overproduced filters.
atures of ities to rvingly uthmore ngly in way t than nd the ost people go as hieve.
Social media also plays into social status and allows for quantifiable comparison, centering around the like feature and the comments left and followers and, on Snapchat, how many friends a person has and if their “best friend” doesn’t have them as their best friend back.
your life however you want it to look, gives an unrealistic and ‘perfect’ reality- a reality they themselves don’t even live up to in real life. Nonetheless, expectations are set, especially for younger audiences who are more impressionable. It’s easy to look at someone’s social media life and compare it to your own and feel as though you’re missing out or falling behind or envy what they have that you don’t. Social Media provides a quick way to compare your real relationships with couples at their best. It provides an easy way to compare your own body to someone else’s. This comparison is beyond harmful and oddly addicting, a never ending search for validation you will not receive. I know I have personally used social media to feed my own self-consciousness.
Well, that person has way more likes than me. Do people hate me? What does that person have that I don’t? Why have they received more comments about how pretty tagram. they are than I have? “Postor you’ , a new ing selfies to seek validation ikTok ds. First through comments and likes, on comparing the hlight way you look to en the the people you see on social media (particuok, I larly fitspiration y face, content), and fore From what I have , albeit I engaging or Social media teaches you this: you will neer be enough. Illustration by: Emma Harros seen, we are the commenting on ocial memost insecure genother people’s beauty, eration to ever exist. In short, this is the essence of social appearances can be problematic,” said Dr. Diedrichs in l coming media: you will never be enough. You will never be pretty the article “Social Media’s Impact On Our Mental Health glow enough, you will never be wealthy enough, you will never oks nat- Is Far More Serious Than You Think.” be adored enough. You will always be too much of somement is thing, too little of something else, and your real life will Social media convinces you to believe that worth is onexisalways pale in comparison to the ones made picture perfect determined by popularity and adoration, when worth has pulled absolutely nothing to with either. Every platform has a for social media. en my like feature to give users a quantifiable method of comtried But you aren’t a photo. Your worth is not determined by parison- which makes the sources seem more valid- to looked the texture of your skin, your life is not meant to match the others, and comments that nitpick your life and provide secure perfection you see in a thirty second video, beauty is not yet another easy method of comparison. And even though Instagram made it possible for users to remove one single look, your value is not dependent upon the likes you receive. You are enough. Whether this article invokes likes, very few actually have. With users feeling safe used behind their screens, the comments can be absolutely you to get rid of instagram or tiktok or facebook or securuthless and resort to attacking a person’s looks because just serves as a reminder to take what you see on o my hard to they didn’t like their opinion. social media with a grain of salt and treat yourself uilty of kinder, I do hope you know this. stic and Social media also provides viewers with a very tailored, very curated life, and thus, due to the ability to shape
OPINION 17
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE GOING FOR? MADDOX ROSENBERG STAFF WRITER The dress code has been a topic of discussion for years now, ever since 2011-2012 when Westminster moved buildings. When WCA moved, they developed a standardized dress code. At the old building, students were allowed to wear non Westminster apparel, but it was hard to enforce well. I myself would like to ask some questions about some subjective rules and some inconsistency in the rules. To be clear I do not want to try and get rid of the WCA uniforms, because there are many pros to it. I just want to bring some things in the handbook to the light to try and get them cleared up. Now some points addressed in the Student Parent Handbook are mostly subjective, giving the teachers and administrators the ability to deem what you wear in violation of the dress code. For example, “Westminster reserves the right to request Hats, bandanas, and tee-shirts are restricted. that students refrain from wearing or displaying a particular Illustration by: Emma Harris style of dress, makeup, or hairstyle that calls unde attention to them and/or is judged inconsistent with the standards that define the rules and policies of Westminster” (Student Parent Many also wonder why the bookstore would sell articles of Handbook 2021-2022, pg 19). clothing that are labeled with WCA when we are unable to wear it freely to school? I have many tee-shirts that have the The problem is that the only definition of acceptable hairstyles WCA logo on them but I still need to wear a collared shirt or is that it cannot be distracting, inappropriate, and or colored sweatshirt. Just as they sell shirts students cannot wear, the unnaturally. Again, a teacher or administrator can deem one’s Bookstore also sells restricted headwear, such as hats, caps, hair as inappropriate or distracting on their own. bandanas, and hoods. We can all agree that it is a very hot beginning of school. The handbook also states for tops, “Students should wear a standardized dress shirt that is embroidered with WestminMost of the weeks are 100 degree plus outside. It would be ster’s logo and/ or approved outerwear that says Westminster very helpful if there was an exception based on temperaon it. If students choose to remove their outerwear, they must ture. A Westminster tee-shirt should be acceptable based on have a standardized dress top on. temperature. If a student wears Westminster outerwear and does not remove it for the duration of the school day, the shirt underneath need not be standardized dress” (Student Parent Handbook 2021-2022, pg 19). My question: Why are we allowed to wear sweatshirts that don’t exactly look preppy, but we have to wear something preppy underneath if we want to take off our sweatshirts?
18 OPINION
The biggest thing is that the handbook does not spell out exactly why a rule is the way it is or what deems something in violation of the rules. Students would be more likely to follow a rule that they have an understanding on why it is in place.
HOW PROOF OF VACCINATION CAN BE A PROBLEM STAFF WRITER LAUREN BORCHELT
In today’s day and age with COVID, many people are required to have the COVID-19 vaccine in order to do many things. This includes traveling, entering certain places, etc. and having proof of vaccinations is becoming more and more common. Why is this an issue? Well, at first glance it might not seem like such a bad idea. It seems pretty simple- show you have the vaccine to ensure others around you are safe and limit the spread of the virus. How could this be an issue?
you are not allowed into the theatre onto the ship. You have to be in a separate area in the restaurants, being separated from others simply because of your vaccination. This vicious cycle continues to snowball and all of the sudden a simple temporary fix to the vaccination issue turns into a much bigger problem than originally thought to be. While requiring proof of vaccination might seem like a good idea at first, put these thoughts into consideration and look at the long term effects and how this can negatively affect our society. This is just one of the ways public places requiring proof of vaccination can be an issue.
As more and more places are requiring proof of vaccination, what does this open us up to? For starters, this could Another way that this can be an issue is to those start segregation. Segregating people by vaccinated or unvacciwith health issues. Think of this-you are applying to a job nated. While this might seem like a safe way of preventing the and the workplace requires proof of vaccination. This turns spread, once more thought is put into it people can begin to into them having access to your medical records and files. At see the issues with this. For starters, lets say there is a family first it might seem okay, safe even, but once you look further in a restaurant. The parents and teenagers are vaccinated, but into it this small change turns into a much larger issue. Let’s the children are not, and the restaurant puts vaccinated people say the company/business you are applying for sees your in a different section of the restaurant than the un vaccinated. health records, and sees you have chronic medical conditions. Does the family have to separate themselves simply because The employers see how many health issues and medical the children have not received a vaccine? Cruise ships are expenses you have, and they all of the sudden don’t want to beginning to open up again, and the same issue goes for this. hire you because you will be too much to insure. This minor It may just start with little changes like different sections for chage-requiring proof of vaccination, very quickly snowballs different people based on vaccinations, but once the ball starts and is leading to people not being able to get jobs because rolling it only continues to get faster. Again, only vaccinated they have cancer or chronic conditions that would cost the people are allowed in the theatre, so by not being vaccinated business too much to insure you. Overall, this new change in requiring proof of vaccination can have a major impact on our society and how we live our lives. It can cost people their jobs and requirements and they all of the sudden have a whole new issue to try and deal with. Being vaccinated is such a touchy subject for many, and all the impacts and effects involved in it can change so many things.
COVID-19 Vaccine card
OPINION 19
Westminster Christian Academy
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PAYTON MATTHEWS: FIRST AND LAST SEASON
Payton Matthews puts his club career on hold in order to lead the boys soccer team to a state championship.
BROOKE HIGHMARK CO-EDITOR OF SPORTING
The Westminster boys soccer team will be led by a new face this fall. Payton Matthews, senior, has been the talk of the town following his recent decision to play on the team, and he is ready to take the field by storm.
Matthews will rep the number five for Westminster this fall. Photo by: Evan Kohn letes around common goals; in Westminster’s case, winning a state championship. “Another thing that makes it stand out is the community. Everyone in the school is supporting you no matter what which makes the team feel better. You don’t have that atmosphere with club. Overall, The Westminster team makes me want to be the best person I can be on and off the field,” said Matthews. Payton Matthews plans to make the most of his senior year at Westminster. Photo by: Evan Kohn You might ask, why has he not played in the past three years? Matthews has been playing for a competitive club program, STLFC, that gives college exposure to its athletes but does not allow them to participate in their high school seasons. However, he decided to switch it up this year in order to make the most of his final year at Westminster.
Payton has been around the game of soccer, more formally called fútbol, since he can remember. After his love for the game began when he was three years old at his older sister’s soccer games, he never looked back. “Soccer to me is everything because that’s what I grew up with. From traveling every weekend for games to having late night practices I’ve always had a joy for the sport,” said Matthews.
While he may still be undecided about his plans after high “The reason I decided to play this year was because I wanted school, Matthews prioritizes his academics above all else; a to enjoy my senior year with my friends. I want to help the characteristic that is quite uncommon for serious athletes. team win a district championship and maybe state championship, and overall high school seemed more enjoyable to me “I would like to play division 1 soccer, but for me it’s more than club,” said Matthews. important that I find the right school. I would rather go to a school with no soccer and a good academic program than a In addition to contributing his elite skill set and experience decent school with soccer. I’m going to keep my options open with the game, Matthews plans to lead his team by example until the end of the season so I can keep communicating with as well as vocally throughout the season. the college coaches,” said Matthews. As Matthews can attest, club sports are all about the individual, promoting yourself to impress college recruiters, while high school sports are centered around the team and unite the ath-
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THE FUTURE OF THE GAME
Talented underclassmen and experienced upperclassmen are ready to work together to develop the football program. back, and impactful leader on this team.
STAFF WRITERS SYDNEY BRADLEY & MIA SCHEULEN
With the football season starting up in a couple of days, the numerous underclassmen on the team are ready to step up and fill some big shoes. “My mindset this year is simply to be better than last year. If I can consistently improve throughout the year, I know I will be able to hang with the upperclassmen at the varsity level,” said Caden Collison, sophomore wide receiver.
“The person at my position that I think will step up next year is probably Maddox Rosenberg. He may not be the greatest, but he is by far the most hard working out of them all,” said Webb, defensive end and nose guard. “Knowing this is my final season at WCA, I’ve seen a lot of growth from Mason Burnham, a sophomore. He’s really impressed me with the improvement in his technique and strength. He’ll make a great tackle,” said Joshua Anderson, nose guard, and Eastern Michigan verbal commit. One big change to this season is Shepard Nye, sophomore quarterback, who now has a big responsibility and a strong leading spot on the team. “With Shepard being an underclassman he has to stay calm. Especially with his first varsity snap coming up. I try my best to keep him calm, he gets much at not making the same mistakes. Once he gains full control of that he can be a threat to opponents,” said Minner.
Collison, Moore, Burnham, and Heard never back down from a challenge. Photo by: Mia Scheulen
“Having a new QB has been an adjustment like learning his playstyle and how he moves in the pocket, but Shepard has been a great QB with a good arm, and he’s stepped up a lot as a leader, so I think he’s earned the respect and trust of the team throughout the summer and preseason,” said Anderson.
Matthew Moore, freshman, shares a similar mindset to Collison, as he feels confident in the preparation that he has put in during the summer in order to make a significant contribution Whether they know it or not, the upperclassmen have mento the team. tored the younger players throughout their years as Wildcats, and their impacts will not be forgotten. “Given that we’re underclassmen just makes me want to shock people even more because our freshman, sophomores, and “Broadhurst and LJ are perfect examples of prospering stujuniors all have a lot of talent, so we can’t take our feet off the dent-athletes, and I strive to have their worth ethic, maybe pedal. Grind is not over yet,” said Moore. better,” said both Heard and Moore. Chris Heard, a sophomore, is well aware of the team’s strengths and knows that the underclassmen are “next up” in the program.
“I look up to Ben Broadhurst. He’s really been a mentor for me at the wide receiver role, and he’s helped me understand the game and how to play it to my best ability,” said Collison.
“I believe that our linemen are insane compared to other schools, and it’s gonna help us in the long run,” said Heard.
“Jack Powers, 2021 graduate and Cornell offensive lineman, was a great role model because he performed to the best of his ability both on the field and in the classroom. He also helped me by taking me under his wing freshman year and teaching me more about football and the community of the Westminster football family,” said Mason Burnham, sophomore.
Larry Minner, Sterling Webb, Joshua Anderson, and Ben Broadhurst, seniors, are not worried about the players taking their spots after graduation. “With this being my last year, I think that Sam Avanzado and Josh Avery will step up,” said Minner, strong safety, running
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VARSITY DANCE IS BACK Q and A With VDT Captain, Amber Allen
STAFF WRITER HOPE LINAM
Q: What school/sports event is the team looking forward to dancing at this year, seeing as how COVID didn’t allow for that last year? A: The team is looking forward to dancing at more football games this year since COVID didn’t allow for us to dance on the field as much as we would’ve liked. Also, VDT is excited to perform a routine for spirit week as well. Q: What is your strong suit as a team? A: The Varsity Dance Team is excellent with dancing energetically; we are also really good at encouraging one another during practices and games. Q: What are you personally most excited for this season? A: I am personally most excited about learning new choreography this year and sharing them with the WCA community. Pictured Sarah Sadtler, Junior. Additionally, I look forward to growing as a leader with my Courtesy of Yearbook position as a captain and serving as a role model to the rest of Q: How will the new addition add to the team dynamic? the team. Q: Does the team have any new additions? A: Yes, the team has one new member—Ava Tennant.
A: Although Ava Tennant is a sophomore, I think she will be a great addition to the team because she is a very talented dancer. Q: Is the signature “VDT HUH” a fun tradition to continue before each performance or do you think it’s time to transition out of that routine? A: I think the team’s signature “VDT HUH” is a tradition that I want to continue this year before each performance because it gives us a little boost of confidence and energy. Q: Lastly, what is your personal favorite type of dance? A: Personally, my favorite style of dance is jazz because it is extremely sassy and appealing to watch.
Amber Allen, senior, performs a contemporary dance at senior night last year. Photo by: Nicki Mabry
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EXPERIENCED SWIM COACH SETS HIGH EXPECTATIONS STAFF WRITER ALEX WITTENAUER
making personal best times but swimming in races that they did not compete in last year.
Kevin McGowan, boys swim team head coach, accompanied by Rick Hendricks, assistant coach, have made an immediate impact on the program by introducing By introducing the new “step-dive” method for relays, he hopes to shave off a new style of coaching. six seconds on each relay. Along with this, he has very ambitious goals of breaking eight school records, including the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Through different techniques and coaching styles, the swim team expects to see Relay, and 400 Freestyle Relay. For individual events, the 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 results and progress that they have never seen before. Breast, 200 Free, and 500 Free, are all set to be broken this year. The 500 Free record was previously set by Coach McGowan’s son, Maddock, in 2018. Heading into his 42nd year of coaching, McGowan began his career in 1979 as a senior in high school with country clubs, the YMCA, and various high school “I have never worked with a better group of guys,” said McGowan. teams. He later moved up to working with the Belgian Olympic Team, United States Olympic Team, and Yale University. McGowan pushes the swim team every day through a new practice schedule. This includes introducing four morning practices before school each week McGowan pointed out that most of his learning was during the 80’s while along with the after school practices, and a Saturday afternoon practice. working with the US Olympic team head coach, Frank Keefe. Keefe served as an assistant coach for the 1984 United States Olympic team at Los Angeles and was “I think that one of my strengths is being able to show swimmers what the head manager for the 1988 Olympic team at Seoul. tomorrow can be for them, how they can get there, and how I can be their motivation,” said McGowan. “The knowledge gained from Frank Keefe was invaluable,” said Mcgowan. Relating this same philosophy to Christianity, he preaches to the team that a Picking up where last season ended, Coach McGowan started his first season of new Christian with dedication can do great things. In the twelve weeks that he coaching the Wildcats by requiring returning swimmers to bring their best times has had with the swim team, he hopes to bring each swimmer closer to Jesus from last year and make goals for the end of the season. This not only includes Christ.
Jack Villa works on his butterfly stroke during practice. Photo by: Nolan Jones
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