The 800 News: The Wildcat Roar - Issue 4 December 2019

DECEMBER 2019

Pg, 12-13

Westminster Christian Academy

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STAFF

THE 800

MANAGING EDITOR IN CHIEF ISABELLA FRANCOIS,

SENIOR

CONTENT EDITOR IN CHIEF AVA BIDNER, SENIOR

SPORTING WCA EDITOR TOMMY BRINER, SENIOR

DESIGN EDITOR LEA DESPOTIS, SENIOR

MEDIA EDITOR NATALIE FORD , SENIOR

NEWS EDITOR GRACE SKILJAN, SENIOR 2 STAFF

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STUDENTS SERVING STUDENTS

FEATURE EDITOR REBEKAH SEMS, SENIOR

OPINION EDITOR AVA HOLLMANN, SENIOR

800 SPORTING ONLINE EDITOR & PODCAST HOST BENNIE ANDERSON , SENIOR 800 SPORTING VISUAL EFFECTS EDITOR PEARSON GEORGES, SENIOR

800 SPORTING STAFF WRITER & PODCAST HOST KOBY SCHMER, SENIOR

THE 800 STAFF WRITERS EMMA HARRIS • BROOKE HIGHMARK • MAGGIE LINDSTROM • JACK MARTIN • CALEB MOELLENHOFF • AIDAN PENBERTHY • LAURYN RHODES

STAFF 3

CONTENTS

NEWS

CHRISTMAS TREE COMPETITION RESULTS PG. 6 CHOIR CONCERT PG. 7

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FEATURE

HOLIDAYS AND EATING DISORDERS PG. 8 DEBATE TEAM PG. 9 PAWPRINT REVIEW PG. 10 CHRISTMAS QUIZ PG. 11

OPINION SUPPORTING AND OPPOSING: CHRISTMAS PG. 12-13 JOHN LEGEND: BABY IT’S CALLED CONTEXT PG. 14 FLYING IS NOT AS DANGEROUS AS IT SEEMS PG. 15

SPORTS BEHIND THE BASKETS PG. 18 MICDS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT PG. 19 TROY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT PG. 20 COACH HERRING PG. 21

CONTENTS

STAFF ED

STAFF ED

BY AVA BIDNER

IT’S YOUR CHOICE “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

— Luke 2:6-7 (ESV) This special Christmas edition of the staff ed comes in the form of a challenge.

This year, don’t let the stressed or the gift-obsessed trends that plague America ruin your Christmas.

Don’t let this Jesus-centered, life-giving holiday be corrupted by the consumerism and greed of our society.

Don’t allow yourself to get stressed out. It’s not worth it. So, you forgot to buy the rolls. Or you ran out of time to wrap that last gift. Or your house can just never seem to stay clean. Who cares? It’s not the end of the world — I promise.

Don’t waste your time this Christmas. As a senior, I’m finally realizing how short life really is and how fast time flies by. So, don’t let one more Christmas pass you by without soaking all the joy and hope out of it that you need for the new year. Don’t let this be a Christmas that you just have to “get through.” I want each and every one of you to enjoy it because that’s what Jesus’ birthday deserves.

Even if this means simply asking God to enter back into this busy season or choosing to focus on relational gifts instead of material presents this year.

Go ice skating, watch a Christmas movie, go to church, volunteer at a food pantry, complete an act of service, spend time in prayer with your friends, make homemade gifts. . . whatever it may be, allow this season to fill you up instead of emptying you out. After all, the light of the world seems to be a pretty good reason to celebrate.

From the staff of The Wildcat Roar, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

STAFF ED 5

CHRISTMAS TREE COMPETITION RESULTS

This year, STUCO’s Encouragement and Gratitude Committee took over ownership of the annual Christmas tree competition in which each class decorates a tree in their class colors to compete for Spirit Week points and was impressed by the amazing work done by each class. The senior class took first place, creating a beautiful “Winter Wonderland.” The juniors came in at a close second with their pink tree wowing judges. The sophomore class came in third with their purple tree and hand-drawn sign. The freshmen’s red tree and beautiful sign and 7th grade’s orange tree complete with matching presents tied for 4th. Finally, the 8th grade’s classic green tree took 5th.

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“TIS THE SEASON”

The Westminster choir had their annual Christmas concert on Thursday, Dec. 12th

MAGGIE LINDSTROM Staff Writer

Before the Christmas concert, I had the chance to ask a few of the performers what they were excited for. Ava Berutti, sophomore, explained what she was excited for: “I think the concert is going to be really fun this year because orchestra and band are playing the instrumentals for the choir and vice versa.’’

Another sophomore, Stewart Geisz, also shared what he was looking forward to: “Men’s Chorus is doing a fun song called ‘Holly Jolly,’ I like it because we get to sing with kazoos.”

The Christmas concert started on time at 7:00 pm with the opening band and orchestra. The jazz band and orchestra were featured alongside the whole concert choir and the split choirs.

The jazz band had a solo named “Rest Ye Merry Samba,” and Eric Gargrave conducted them very nicely for the show, making the concert more exciting. Carrie Roberts, director of the orchestra, also participated in an amazing rendition of “Somewhere in My Memory” from Home Alone.

“Holly Jolly Christmas” was definitely one of the best songs they performed, and it filled the whole theatre with the Christmas spirit. The men’s chorus also did a cover of “Little Drummer Boy” which was beautiful as always.

The choir performed a variety of Christmas songs. Photo by: Maggie Lindstrom Matthew Culligan, senior, narrated the book “T’was the Night Before Christmas” with the orchestra playing a musical version of it.

The whole concert really lived up to the great expectations and was a wonder to hear!

The song “Believe” really left me in the Christmas spirit, feeling a lot of hope, and it just kinda made the way for the rest of the concert. This really lived up to all the expectations and truly Special thanks to Kathy Eichelberger, Allen Schwamb, Eric Gargave, Carrie Roberts, and Daniel Herrera for directing had the Christmas feel to it. the whole concert; they have been working hard for a couple Chamber choir did a wonderful cover of “Feliz Navidad” with months now. Also a big thanks to all the performers who sang their hearts out in the many hours of preparation they all went the jazz ensemble. This song was amazingly composed by Allen Schwamb. The jazz ensemble really made the song even through. Another big thanks to the jazz band for their amazing playing. Orchestra also went above and beyond for the concert, better! so big thanks to them.

The middle school chorus also sang “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and they got to dress up and perform a dance with the song. It was super fun and was a great start to the concert.

I am personally glad I attended the concert, and the Westminster performing arts department really put together a wonderful Christmas concert. “‘Tis the Season” for finals, and a long break!

NEWS 7

NOT SO HAPPY HOLIDAYS While the holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, they can be extremely difficult for those who struggle with eating disorders

ISABELLA FRANCOIS Managing Editor-in-Chief

From decadent Thanksgiving feasts to holiday parties to Christmas dinners to New Year’s resolutions, what is supposed to be a time of joy and fun can spiral into a time of panic and self-loathing for those struggling with or recovering from eating disorders. As someone who has struggled with disordered eating in the past, I know from experience that the holidays can bring about extreme stress and anxiety, even if a person is considered recovered.

During the holidays, people are “faced with foods they haven’t had for a long time, foods they don’t get to enjoy on a regular basis, and larger amounts of it. These situations are more challenging and can tax the recovery skills of many.

Each element that adds complexity or uncertainty to the environment presents an additional challenge,” explains Lauren Muhlheim, psychologist and director of Eating Disorder Therapy LA. However, we are not alone. Over 30 million Americans have an eating disorder, meaning that many people may have the same feelings during the holidays. It is important to band together and rely on support groups as well as friends and family during this time because it is supposed to be a time that focuses on what matters most to you in life, not a time to be obsessing over food.

“Identify who can be a support if you notice you are struggling, what coping skills you have used in the past to navigate challenges, and how you can practice them,” Muhlhiem continues.

Finding support from family and friends is one of the three primary coping skills therapists recommend during the holidays. Another one of the ways that they recommend is to plan for situations that may be stressful or triggering.

“I always suggest planning and preparing as much as possible.

Have a plan for each situation. Think through who will be there, what the food environment will be, and how you can best manage it,” said Muhlhiem.

Feeling out of control is one of the feelings that often leads people with eating disorders to spiral out of control. Person-

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Food is not the enemy; it can be a beautiful way to bring friends and family together. Photo by: Isabella Francois ally, the busyness of the holidays can be overwhelming and cause me to hyperfocus on the things I can control, such as food intake. However, this can also happen in the opposite way. During the holidays, people are surrounded by food, which can encourage those with binge eating disorders to deal with their stress by eating large amounts.

“Being around so much food was overwhelming. Because it was food that wasn’t available at other times of the year, I had this voice telling me to ‘eat it all, now!’” explained Ellie, a caller to the eating disorder helpline Beat, who has experienced different eating disorders over the past 14 years, including bulimia.

Finally, a crucial piece of advice that therapists recommend is for people to be kind to themselves during the holidays. It is okay to mess up and relapse and to eat foods that may be considered unhealthy.

“Food is not just fuel, it’s cultural, celebratory, and delicious.

You are allowed to eat foods just because they are delicious or emotionally nourishing,” Whitney Catalano, a registered dietitian who specializes in patients with eating disorders.

Family members and friends have an essential role in supporting their loved ones with eating disorders during the holidays.

Even if a person is not struggling themselves, they can still help by turning the focus away from food during holiday gatherings and instead focus on the relationships.

“I encourage people to be supportive and not to ask probing questions or give unnecessary advice,” said Ed Abramson, a professor emeritus at California State University.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, there is help available. Beat Eating Disorders runs a helpline over the Christmas period, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m which can be found here. Also, the National Eating Disorders Association runs a helpline. While its helpline is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, they are available around that time. Alternatively, the Crisis Text Line is available in the U.S. 24/7.

CHAMPIONS OF SPEAKING FAST

The Westminster debate team is now in their second year of debating

MAGGIE LINDSTROM Staff Writer

a lot of fun with. I was unable to enroll in the class the first year it was available (last year) due to my schedule, so I made sure to make it a priority for this year.”

How can debate be helpful out of high school? When talking to Kelly Gilbert, an upper school Spanish teacher and the debate coach, she explained how debate is a skill that people can use in the workplace and anywhere they go: “Debate is about arguing politely, but still getting your point across. Debate is a great skill for anyone who is looking to become better at arguing or even at public speaking.”

This year has been very successful for the Westminster debate If you would like to join the club, you can contact Anu team. A debate team is usually set up in several pairs, and what Akinyede, senior, or Mrs. Gilbert! distinguishes the varsity team from the novice team is the number of years of the pairs have debated. So, the whole debate team is made up of smaller pairs of two, although students can choose to participate alone, as well. The Westminster team has had one pair go into the quarter finals and take second place and have also had multiple pairs come quite close to going farther in the competition.

When the pair who went to the quarter finals was asked about how they prepare, Tyler Collison, freshman, replied, “You have to read the entire brief and pick out the best arguments, and then you have to write a speech for the pro and con side. You have to be prepared to answer questions about your speech and have questions for the opponent. Preparing for debate tournaments is very meticulous, and it is even harder knowing you have to prepare for both sides.”

The brief Collison is referring to is a 200 page document that high schools all over the St. Louis area use to prepare for their debates. Collison’s partner is Bryon Moser, freshman, and he also gave his opinion on his preparation: “Preparing for the debates is fun, although it takes a lot of deep thinking.”

Some members of the debate team before the Ladue Novice Invitational. Photo by: Kelly Gilbert

When I asked some of the varsity debaters about how they prepare for each debate, they had similar answers.

“My partner and I prepare for a debate by going through lots of articles from both affirmative and negative arguments. From those 15 articles on each affirmative and negative, I group 2 or 3 together to make a speech with,” said John Freeman, junior.

So, why is debate important? Katherine Bauer, senior, said, “I would say debate is very important because it teaches a lot of skills, such as arguing respectfully, public speaking, and using logic that can be useful to anyone no matter what career they go into.”

Bauer is new to debate, but she has wanted to debate for a long time. When I asked her why she wanted to debate other than because it is an amazing skill and a great community opportuni- Bryon Moser and Tyler Collison after getting second place ty, she said, “I’ve been interested in trying debate for awhile and in the semifinals. Photo by: Kelly Gilbert just felt like it was something that I would be good at and have

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CHILL OUT

3 reasons why the Americanized Christmas season is overrated AVA HOLLMANN Opinions Editor

As a Christian in America, the Christmas season is blown way out of proportion. While of course this means that the “reason for the season”- the birth of Jesus - is usually muddied in this mess, I personally can’t even find much fun in the distraction. In other words, I find the season stressful, overrated, and underwhelming. And here are three

sections of grocery stores. For this reason, it’s true that Christmas is basically it’s own season, in that for two months, we are completely preoccupied with decorating, traveling, buying, and eating, all while hibernating in our suburbs or zipping about in our heated SUV’s, drinking Starbucks, and listening to Christmas songs. But even after December ends

A firm thumbs down in the Christmas section of a retail store. Photo By: Ava Hollmann reasons why: 1) Ahhh, Christmas in America, the start of which is Nov. 1. Immediately following Halloween, stores are all too eager to swap the chocolate with candy canes, the plastic skeletons with blow-up Santas, and pumpkin candy buckets with velvet stockings. Thanksgiving barely has any shelf space except in select canned

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and we have been blissfully rung into the new year, we spend January in the gym with false hopes of getting back into shape, or into shape at all.

And then, at the end of the month, we slyly abstain from going to the gym anymore by well-worn excuses and a liberated knowledge that we can retreat back into hibernation.

What a cozy, lazy relief.

2) Mmm. Christmas songs. Not only are they projected from just about any speaker that makes sound, but they are too catchy and unrealistic. Why must one sing about a doe with an abnormally bright nose? Or chime along with Mariah Carey for the fiftieth time about a mystery man who doesn’t make time for her? I don’t think this is necessary.

The best of all, though, has to be “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

by Andy Williams. Caroling, scary ghost stories, and mistletoeing all make appearances in the song, and are still so obviously (not) relevant today. If sung enough, it’s almost like the cult chant for Christmas, as in if you sing that it’s the most wonderful time of the year, you can somehow watch your stress melt away.

3) Now let’s talk about the fat old man.

I am, and always have been, thoroughly confused as to why the youth of this country have been taught to revere a mystical figure who has so many flaws.

First, Santa apparently lives in the north pole with elves as his toy-making slaves in what could be considered a sweatshop because of how many toys they crank out, with the meager payment of gumdrops and christmas cheer. Santa’s Workshop? More like Santa’s Sweatshop. Two, he explores the entire world in a single night with the help of ageless, magical reindeer; Protection for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) should be quaking. Three, he enters houses, through chimneys, which is not only trespassing and disgusting, but also impossible considering his plump physique. Four, he stuffs his face with probably billions of cookies and glasses of milk, and yet is not dead of gluttony. The man is an anatomical wonder. Five, he is the motivation for children to actually have good behavior and love their parents; it is a warped transactional system to motivate kids to be decent human beings.

And six, parents not only allow, but embrace the fact that he is a stalker that “sees you when you’re sleeping” and “knows when you’re awake.” Creeper.

THE SUPERIOR SEASON

Why Christmas truly is “the most wonderful time of the year”

AVA BIDNER

song by For King and Country proclaims, “There’s a baby boy who won the war. . .Oh, before that silent night/ Listening to “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot No savior and no Jesus Christ/ The Like Christmas” in the car as I drive down world cried out so desperately. . .Yes, snow-dusted roads. Carefully hanging my heaven’s reply was a baby boy. . .See, handmade ornaments from kindergarten on the king is coming down/ And he’s here the evergreen in my living room as you remwithout a crown/ The baby boy without inisce about my childhood. Belting out “Joy a bed/ Giving life back to the dead. . to the World” during the candle-lit Christ.Endless hope and relentless joy started mas Eve service at church. Placing the final with a baby boy.” gumdrop on my colorful gingerbread house.

That first sweet sip of hot cocoa. Watching “Elf” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” by the fire Regardless of how Christmas has evolved, the birth of our Savior cannot with my family after my last final. Sitting be dismissed or forgotten. around the Christmas tree and hearing my dad’s voice read the familiar words of Luke 2. This is Christmas. This is what it’s all about.

Content Editor-in-Chief

Okay, I admit, maybe I’m biased. I’ve written several stories about why Christmas is my absolute favorite season (I encourage you to read “Decking the Halls…in November?” on thewildcatroar.com), and I just don’t think anyone will ever be able to sway me on this one. All that said, here are a few reasons why Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year, flaws and all.

1) Jesus. I mean, I have to start with this one. Sure, Christmas has certainly become a holiday engulfed by consumerism and stress for many people, and it has also morphed into a secular tradition, as well. Although it may sound cliche, America has, in many aspects, taken the “Christ” out of “Christmas.” But regardless, you simply can’t deny what Christmas is all about. Because of the overwhelming love and grace of our Father, our Messiah made the ultimate sacrifice — and before He could do that, He had to come down and become one of us.

The perfect, holy Prince of Peace was willing to live among us, to become fully human, to endure pain and suffering, and to be born in the humblest of ways — in a barn, wrapped in burial clothing, and placed in a food trough. As my favorite Christmas

Jesus is “the reason for the season,” and because of this, Christmas will never be overrated. I think the birth of the Son of God might deserve just a little bit of celebration.

2) Reunion with friends and family.

I know for many people that family coming into town or traveling during Christmas can be stressful and draining, but it doesn’t have to be. Christmas is a time when families and friends gather together to celebrate not only Jesus’ birth but also the gift of their relationships, the blessings they’ve experienced this year, and the joy and freedom they can experience as they remember that the Savior has already arrived. I know all of these positives can be buried by the stress of gifts and the desire to create a picture-perfect holiday for your family. So, then skip that this year. Do you really think your kids, siblings, or parents will remember the gifts you gave them ten years from now? Probably not. But they will remember the laughs you had, the memories you created, and the way you made them feel when you opened up your home and your arms.

Take advantage of this opportunity to reconnect with family and friends this year, and consider practicing Advent Conspiracy (check out this video: https://m.youtube.com/ watch?v=2yfnlhvmr-k), choosing to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all.

3) Traditions. I’m a sucker for traditions. From opening one present right before bed on Christmas Eve to making monkey bread on Christmas morning (I highly recommend) to reading the letter my mom writes as a summary of my year, I adore every tradition my family has created. Every tradition we have helps my family remember who we are, what matters to us, and what we value and believe in. These are the memories I will have when I’m older.

These are the practices I will bring with me to my own family one day. These are the traditions that make us unique, special, and quirky, and no Christmas is complete without them.

4) And lastly, the feeling that Christmas carries with it. When I think of Christmas, I am transported back to when I was five-years-old, singing carols in my elementary school’s Christmas pageant, sledding down the hill in my backyard with my big brother, and sitting in the back of my mom’s car as my family drives around, searching for the best Christmas lights in our town. I just can’t help but smile. If Christmas brings back memories of stress, anxiety, or unfortunate memories for you, then I encourage you to change that this year.

Create new traditions. Allow your heart to be filled with childlike wonder again.

And remember that it’s really all about Jesus.

There’s a certain spark in the air during Christmas time. People seem to be a bit more joy-filled, willing to forgive, and excited to celebrate. And it’s this spark that encourages more compassion, empathy, and love. Christmas is a time when service is welcomed, positive change is encouraged, and hope is restored.

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BABY, IT’S CALLED CONTEXT

John Legend and Kelly Clarkson totally missed the mark in their “socially-correct” remake of this classic Christmas song

REBEKAH SEMS Feature Editor

At Westminster, students have become very familiar with a phrase repeated in each grade: “context is king.” Most often this phrase refers to Scripture and determining what the passage from a book written thousands of years ago meant then and what it means for us today. However, this simple idea can apply to all sorts of misunderstandings due to a lack of looking at the context and situation surrounding an event. In our modern world, we can see this mistake play out everywhere we look. And if you were hoping to turn on the radio and catch your favorite Christmas song “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” you’re in for a shocking surprise.

ger and complaints radio stations received for playing this song on their stations, it has been removed from virtually all stations in order to keep up with culture’s values.

However, you can still hear the tune on the radio, but with some changes. Legend and Clarkson changed the lyrics in such a drastic way that the comment section of their new music video is filled with people wondering if this song is a joke. Some of these new lyrics include: “My daddy will be pacing the floor (wait, what are you still livin’ home for?)”/ “So, really, I’d better scurry (your driver, his name is Murray).”

And the politically correct version of the song hints at the #METOO movement by saying, “But maybe just a half a drink more (oh, we’re both adults, so who’s keepin’ score)”/ “What will my friends think? (I think they should rejoice)”/ “If I have one more drink? (It’s your body and your choice).”

In fact, some commenters noted that this version of the song sounded more like a desperate girl not catching the hint that the guy is begging her to leave his house already.

The most significant error, though, is that they failed to look at the context surrounding the creation of the original song. When Frank Loessar first wrote the words to this classic Christmas tune in 1944, it was intended for his wife as a song they would sing together at parties.

In fact, Loessar’s daughter, Susan, commented last year about the controversy surrounding the song: “People used to say, ‘What’s in this drink?’ as a joke. You know, ‘This drink is going straight to my head, so what’s in this drink?’ Back then it didn’t mean you drugged me… Absolutely I get it. But I think it would be good if people looked at the song in the context of the time. It was written in 1944.”

Clarkson did admit on her show that “honestly the original doesn’t even offend me, I was just like, ‘Cool, we’ll do another version.’” She and Legend’s new version was created in hopes of making the classic more acceptable with the times, but it has been met with plenty of criticism.

After concluding that the lyrics in the original “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Frank Loessar were too “sexist” and implied a Society should take a deep breath and look at the context surman taking advantage of a woman, singers and songwriters rounding an event before reading into it to the extent of taking John Legend and Kelly Clarkson paired up to remake the clasoffense to everything. So, if you’re looking for some entersic song with new and “improved” lyrics. tainment and a good laugh this Christmas, check out the new, “improved,” and socially acceptable remake of “Baby, It’s Cold Lyrics such as “Say, what’s in this drink?” and “Get over that Outside.” hold out” have come under fire because in today’s modern age, they are deemed offensive toward women. Because of the an-

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THE FEAR OF FLYING Breaking down the “dangers” of flying

EMMA HARRIS Staff Writer

As the kid of a pilot, I always had a fear lingering over me: What if something went wrong and the plane crashed and he died? As I’ve grown older and more capable of understanding the job, that fear has subdued for the most part. However, I know a lot of people are scared of flying - here’s why they shouldn’t be: First, let’s look at the statistics. According to Dr. Arnold Barnett (MIT), a person would have to fly every day for 22,000 years before they would die in a U.S. commercial airplane accident.

And in the 81,852,177 flights that occurred in 2016, there were only 31 accidents and zero fatal ones. In fact, from the year 2012 to 2016, 98.6% of the 140 crashes that transpired, in a four year span, there were only two deaths total (a 1.4% chance) - both deaths were in the year 2013. In 2018, the most recent data available, there was a rate of one fatal accident for every 3 million flights. Keep in mind that an accident with only one death is still considered fatal.

My dad, Matthew Harris, is an airplane pilot who has flown for 17 years and has been a captain for 12 years out of those 17, and in addition to this, he has been a sim instructor for a year. Sim instructors’ jobs are to, in a flying simulation, teach people how to fly planes. In the simulation, they not only practice flying but are also put into situations where they have to think on their feet, keep calm, and apply critical thinking. And let me tell you, there is no way an incompetant person could pass the rigorous training and tests. As Harris stated, “the training is very robust.” Future pilots are pushed to study and work as hard as possible, and if they aren’t ready, it’s unlikely they will be able to pass all the tests. He stated that along with passing the finals, every single airline pilot has to take a “knowledge validation,” “procedures validation,” “maneuver validation,” “line check” (riding in the jump seat to observe someone else), and an L.O.E. (sim line flight check) every year. This means that if a pilot is a horrible one, he won’t be a pilot for very long. This also eliminates the possibility that pilots will forget their training years after they finish.

time to get to a suitable airport” if an engine fails. If an engine is to fail over a body of water, the pilots will land the plane at one of the numerous designated locations on the way that the captain and dispatcher planned out before taking flight. The reality is that a plane can still fly on one engine, and landing a plane if things get too bad is hard but not as impossible as it seems. If something does end up going wrong, the pilots have it under control, for these situations are what they trained copious amounts for. In the 17 years Matthew Harris has been a pilot, nothing unsolvable has ever occured.

According to a study sponsored by Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, 62% of all people afraid of flying are nervous of bad weather in the air. While it’s true that flying directly into a storm would be catastrophic, pilots would never do this, for it would be “grossly negligent.” Instead, the pilots would navigate around the storm using a weather radar and by communicating with air traffic control, who are all certified to do this job.

Changing route isn’t a big deal at all, either, occurring very commonly. If you’re worried about running out of fuel because of a detour, there’s no cause for alarm; pilots always carry extra fuel, especially if they know they’ll have bad weather. Over the course of all commercial plane crashes, only one has ever been a result of stormy weather.

Another factor that scares people is turbulence. However, it’s actually not dangerous at all, and even level three turbulence (on a one to four scale, four being extremely rare) is no cause for concern, for the only thing it does is make exact precision But let’s eliminate the idea of human error and look at possible a little harder for pilots. In fact, turbulence is so little a cause technical difficulties of the plane. The fact is that the chance of for concern that the only reason pilots try to avoid it is for the something catastrophic happening is incredibly low. That said, a comfort of their passengers: “Airline pilots work hard to get lot of people are nervous about engine failure. However, Harris a smooth flight, not because turbulence is unsafe but simply said that “engine failures are exceedingly rare and heavily because of passenger comfort,” Harris said. trained, and frankly not that big a deal.” There are millions of places to land and the airplane is still controllable; it’s not like In short, there’s no realistic cause for concern when flying. In those cartoons where the plane suddenly nose dives or spirals fact, getting into your car is safer than getting into a plane. So, toward the ground. In fact, pilots have “more than enough next time you’re nervous about flying, you can rest easy.

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BEHIND THE BASKETS Take a look into the jobs of Westminster’s very own basketball managers.

LAURYN RHODES Staff Writer

Here in Town & Country, the quick change in seasons brought about an ever quicker transition from fall to winter sports.

With several sports occurring during this time of the year, the Westminster campus is still buzzing with activity well after the final bell of the day rings at three. Due to the schedule and work needed to support these extracurriculars, it’s easy to see how challenging it can be to keep track of the various things needed in order for these teams to be successful. In other words, coaches have a lot on their plates. Luckily for them, there’s a genius way to lift potential stress off of their shoulders. Westminster students have the chance to be managers of the various sports that the Academy has to offer, giving them more responsibility, as well as a beneficial leadership opportunity.

ers are taken care of with water, or whatever else they need, it can be a lot,” Fregene admitted. “Thankfully, Coach Kat and Coach Sullivan are super nice and never give us more than we can handle. They’re also super understanding and give us a really flexible schedule to work with, too,” Fregene told me.

Basketball, one of Westminster’s most popular sports, is a testament to how smoothly things run with the help of students to operate things. Unbeknownst to Johnson and Fregene, they aren’t the only ones aware of the work they put in to further uplift the team.

“Anna and Kate are a huge addition to the team,” Coach Kat Martin shared. “They both have hearts of loyalty, bring a great energy to practice, and really help everything run smoothly. No job is too big or small, and they truly make us better. I’m so thankful for them!”

While being a manager certainly isn’t for every student, the two enjoy serving their community and can confirm that the job is more entertaining than it may sound. Both believe that their positions are enjoyable and are glad that they got the chance to have them, especially because of the relationships they’ve formed with team members.

“Knowing that we’re giving the coaches a helping hand is rewarding enough,” Fregene replied. “But, already, in such a short amount of time, we’ve created a bond with the players on the team and with each other.”

Managers Kate Johnson, senior, and Anna Fregene, sophomore.

Photo by: Lauryn Rhodes

“Obviously a bunch of hard work goes into the jobs of the players, coaches, and us. But there are so many moments where we can have fun. Bus rides, team dinners, and even in the spaces before and after practice,” Johnson stated. “In the end, we’ve all just gotten closer, and now we’re this big happy family. It’s more than I could’ve hoped for, and it makes me super grateful for my role with this team.”

Meet senior Kate Johnson and sophomore Anna Fregene, the official managers of the girls’ varsity basketball team. These two students have dedicated their time during both the school week and over weekends to completing a number of different tasks that reduce the workload for coaches and even members of the team.

“It’s never boring because there’s always something to do,” said Johnson. “During practice, we’re in charge of running the clock while the girls do different drills, and keeping score if they scrimmage or practice shooting. Once you get the hang of it, it’s super easy - almost relaxing.”

“Game days definitely require us to be on our A-game a little The girls’ varsity basketball team after winning a tournament more. Between filming, keeping stats, and making sure the play- at Troy Buchanan Photo by: Caleb Moellenhoff

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WILDCATS COME UP SHORT AGAINST MICDS IN TIP-OFF TOURNAMENT The boys’ basketball team experienced a tough loss in the MICDS Tip-Off tournament last Friday

JACK MARTIN Staff Writer

The Westminster boys’ basketball team suffered their first loss of the season on Friday in a highly anticipated matchup with the Rams of MICDS. The game drew quite the crowd as many students from both Westminster and MICDS filled the bleachers to witness the championship game of the MICDS Tip-Off Tournament. Unfortunately, the Wildcats were unable to pull through when the stakes were the highest.

six points. Senior Brennan Orf also chipped in with a few baskets, including a clutch and one to give the team a 27-23 lead going into the half.

As the teams came out of the halftime break, they were both prepared for a dogfight. Lawrence came up big for the Wildcats yet again with a couple of three pointers. Sophomore Caleb Thompson also added a couple buckets to keep the team alive offensively. But Lift for Life did not go away. They hit a couple of much needed shots to keep the game at 40-37 at the end of the third quarter.

When the fourth quarter began, the game quickly became a one-sided affair. The Wildcats stormed out and took the air out of Lift for Life’s sails. The defense forced a few turnovers early, halting any chance at a Lift for Life comeback. The team was able to ice the game away by making some pressure free throws at the end of the game.

In the championship game, the Wildcats struggled out of the gate. MICDS quickly went on a 7-0 run to put themselves ahead early. The height difference between the two teams was evident in the early stages with Westminster being unable to defend the paint. The offense also had real difficulties scoring early, leading to a 10-3 deficit at the end of the first quarter.

However, the Wildcats finally did find their stride in the second quarter. Senior Brennan Orf energized his team by snagging rebounds, diving for loose balls, and fighting for buckets down low. This effort from Orf allowed the Wildcats to claw their way back into the game, but they still trailed 20-17 at the half.

As the third quarter began, it seemed that points would be at a premium. Unfortunately, this was not the case for MICDS. The Rams got hot from three-point land and went on a huge run in the middle of the quarter, stretching their lead to as many as 14 points.

Casen Lawrence brings the ball up the court in the championship game of the MICDS Tip-Off Tournament against MICDS. Photo by: Mike Rohlfing

In the second game of the tournament, the Wildcats knocked off Lift For Life--ranked sixth in St. Louis small schools--59 to 44. The Cats found themselves down 6-0 early in the first quarter, but rallied by going on a 12-2 run and eventually led by one point at the end of the quarter. Sophomore Casen Lawrence played a huge role in keeping the Cats in the game with a couple contested layups and a three pointer.

But the Wildcats were not done. Sophomore EJ Williams scored a couple of buckets down the stretch to cut the lead to as little as five points in the fourth quarter. Despite this effort, the Rams were able to hold off the Wildcats’ attempt at a comeback. They were able to ice the game by converting their free throws late, and thus, take the championship.

While the Wildcats may have come in as the runners-up, there are still plenty of positives to take from these first three games.

The Wildcats showed signs of resiliency many times in this tournament, giving hope that they can close games late, something they failed to do for the most part last year. They will also face the MICDS Rams twice more in conference play for two more shots at redemption for this preseason loss.

The second quarter began with more of the same. Senior Zach Benes gave the Cats a spark with a breakaway steal for a layup in his first action of the season. He would finish the night with

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GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM WINS TROY TOURNAMENT Girls’ basketball opened their season up with three straight

After a slow first quarter, the Wildcats exploded in the second quarter, giving themselves a three point lead heading into the break. The message was clear for the team in the locker room: win one half of basketball and leave as champions.

wins

CASEN LAWRENCE Staff Writer

Last week, the girls’ basketball team battled out three tough victories to win the Troy tournament for the first time since 2014.

The Wildcats knocked off St. Charles in the first round of the tournament by a score of 79-27, giving themselves lots of confidence heading into the second round.

Freshman Julia Coleman shoots a three against Fort Zumwalt South in the second round of the tournament. Photo by Tommy Briner

Holt made their runs in the second half, but ultimately the Wildcats were able to get the win with the help of late free throw shooting and stout defense. Westminster won by a score of 48-42, claiming a well earned early-season championship.

Sophomore guard Reilly Brophy handles the ball against the St. Charles defense. Photo by Tommy Briner

Throughout the tournament, the Wildcats were led by the sophomore trio of Brooke Highmark, Reilly Brophy, and Carly Vick. Highmark led the team averaging 17 points a game, followed by sharpshooting Reilly Brophy who averaged 13 points per game. Vick showed great grit throughout the tournament as she played on a hurt ankle that was injured early in the semifinals. The Wildcats also got great contributions from senior Macey Lottman’s leadership and shot-making ability, and freshman Julia Coleman’s athleticism and ability to defend every position.

Although the second round wasn’t pretty due to many turnovers Coach Kat Martin was very proud of her team and the fierce and unforced errors, good shooting, especially from Reilly Brophy, led the Wildcats to victory over Fort Zumwalt South by competitiveness that they showed. “I’m very pleased with the way that we worked together and gave it our best effort. I feel eight points. like we are capable of having a very successful season.”

In the championship, the Wildcats squared off against the Holt Indians. The Wildcats knew Holt would be a tough matchup, but Overall, the Cats are satisfied with their performance in the tournament and are hopeful for the future of the program, espethey knew it was a game they could win. cially as the underclassmen continue to develop.

“We felt good headed into the game. We knew it was going to be a close game and that we had to play well in order to win,” said Brooke Highmark.

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The Wildcats are now 3-1 after a loss to Kirkwood on Monday.

They now look forward to their upcoming matchup against the Crusaders of Lutheran North Friday at 6 PM at Westminster.

HEAD COACH KEITH HERRING STEPS DOWN, COACHING SEARCH UNDERWAY

Head Coach Keith Herring is retiring as the Westminster football Head Coach after three seasons

TOMMY BRINER Sports Editor

Westminster varsity football Head Coach Keith Herring recently revealed that he will be stepping down as head coach of the Wildcats after three seasons.

Although Herring’s time at Westminster may have been short-lived, he will leave with a career record of 15-17 and two total playoff wins.

Head Coach Keith Herring, who is retiring, was the varsity football coach for three years. Photo by: 800 Sporting

In his three seasons, Coach Herring has overcome some serious difficulties. He took over the program in 2017 in the wake of the divisive National Anthem protest issues and led his team to a tough 4-6 season under quarterback Chad Briden that ended in a first round loss to Rolla.

In his second season, his team was able to overcome the loss of their star quarterback Lane Davis in the second game of the season on the way to a 6-5 record that included his first playoff win at home against Parkway Central. The Wildcats would lose the next week at Hannibal.

This year, the team got off to a rough start. After going 0-4 to start the season, the Wildcats earned their first win of the season at Priory, and from there, they went on a run. They won five of their next six games, including a playoff win in the first round at Parkway Central.

The next week, on a cold night at Ladue, Coach Herring’s players showed the true character he’s instilled in them.

After holding one of the state’s hottest offenses to ten points in the first half, the Wildcats came out of halftime and the eventual state semifinalists started to pull away. The Wildcats would never give up.

The team had already lost senior Ben Hicks to a violent concussion. Before the game was over, Arthur Jordan was taken off the field by ambulance, Jack Powers was forced to stop playing because of a high ankle sprain, and Ben Chereji would leave the game with a hand injury. The team still never gave up. They played till the last whistle of their final game.

“Coach Herring had a rough go of it his second year.

That was really supposed to be his big year, and he had some tough luck with losing some key guys,” said senior offensive line Bennie Anderson, “One thing he did a great job of was taking athletes who were not necessarily great until they just exploded during their senior year.”

Coach Herring says that he’s retiring. “This was not an easy decision to make,” he said, “It has been a blessing to work alongside great Christian coaches who care deeply about our players and to have the wonderful privilege of coaching our amazing young men.”

Herring hopes to stay on as an administrator at the school next year. Last year, he worked as the Assistant Dean of Students, and this year he’s working in the middle school.

Looking ahead, the coaching search is officially on.

There’s an application listed on the Westminster website and Athletic Director Cory Snyder will most certainly draw a strong candidate to carry on the program as it heads into its next phase.

It will require someone strong, though. The program has seen a steep drop off in the last four years. With 17 graduating seniors this year, there will be between 15 and 20 returning players depending on how many players come back out.

The program needs a coach dedicated to recruiting the halls of Westminster and finding success with the talent and athleticism that exists within this building.

Everyone is thankful for Coach Herring’s contributions to our school and our football program as we look hopefully towards the future.

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FACES IN THE CROWD CALEB MOELLENHOFF Staff Writer

Brett St. John St. John, a junior wrestler in the 152-pound weight class, has been tearing up the mats so far this season. On December 4th, Brett took down the wrestlers from Ritenour, St. Charles West, and Liberty helping his team to victory against two of the teams. Most recently, at the Westminster Tournament, he placed second in class.

There is still a lot of matches to come, but after three matches the future looks bright for Brett St. John.

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Brennan Orfext

Grace Skiljant

Boys Basketball Orf, a senior forward, has been averaging 19.0 points through 5 games this season.

Also, he has already put up 3 double-doubles so far as he has been a monster on the boards. Orf’s efforts have helped the team start off the season on a 4-1 record and be runner-up in the MICDS Tournament.

Skiljan, a senior backstroke and freestyle specialist, in the most recent Ladue Invitational, she placed 5th in the 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke.

She times for these events were 1:01.27 and 1:09.35 respectively. Also, in the 400 Freestyle Relay, she helped the team finish in second place with a time of 4:00.49.

Brooke Highmark Highmark, a sophomore combo guard, led her team to a firstplace finish in the Troy Tournament and has averaged 14.3 points and 4.25 assists per game, and she has been perfect from the freethrow line making all 10 of her attempts. Impressively, in the first game of the season, she scored 23 points in a 52 point victory against the St. Charles Pirates.

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