Issue 6--The Wildcat Roar

Issue 6 January 2023

THE C[H]AT IS OUT OF THE BAG

DISCLAIMER: Only half of the articles this issue were written by real human beings. Can you find them?

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STAFF

Editing Staff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ANNA GRACE LIKES, SENIOR

800SPORTING EDITOR SYDNEY BRADLEY, SENIOR

BROADCAST LEADER AMILA PIERIS, JUNIOR

WEB DESIGN EDITOR ELIJAH SCHMIDT, SOPHOMORE

IMAGES EDITOR

MADDOX ROSENBURG, JUNIOR

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ALLI BISHOP, SENIOR

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STAFF

STAFF WRITER

CHRISTINA ENGLISH, SENIOR

Staff Writers

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

TARYN CUNNINGHAM, SOPHOMORE

AUDREY ROHLFING, SENIOR

EMMA FAIRCHILD, SENIOR

STAFF WRITER

EMILY GRIEGE, SENIOR

STAFF WRITER

MIA SCHEULEN, JUNIOR

JACK NELSON, JUNIOR

BEN ATKINS, JUNIOR

STAFF WRITER

CORINNE PLUMB, JUNIOR

AHREN MUEHLEISEN, SENIOR

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

ALYSSA GRECO, SENIOR

JOEY FENTRESS, SOPHOMORE

RAQUEL HERRERA , SOPHOMORE

STAFF WRITER

ANDREW CAHILL, JUNIOR

NYAH KIM, SENIOR

LAILA ANDERSON, FRESHMAN

LUCY KIM, FRESHMEN

JIMMY MACDONALD, SENIOR

STAFF WRITER

NEVAN SHIVELY, SOPHOMORE

STAFF

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

KEY: ALL EVEN PAGES ARE WRITTEN BY 800 NEWS STAFF AND ALL ODD PAGES ARE WRITTEN BY AI. AI PAGES MAY CONTAIN FALSE INFORMATION.

FEATURE THE C[H]AT IS OUT OF THE BAG PG 6-7 THESCON: ACTORS PARADISE PG 12-13 SETTING THE STAGE ON FIRE PG 14-15 A FRESH WAVE OF YOUNG ATHEISM PG 18-19 WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF FOOD? PG 20-21

OPINION

THE DARK SIDE OF TIKTOK PG 8-9 DOES PRIVATE=PRIVILEGE PG 10-11 THEY HAVEN’T RESPONDED TO ME YET PG 16-17

SPORTING WCA’S TOP TIER DIVER PG 24-25 VETERAN COACHES SNYDER AND PETERSON RETURN PG 26-27 SCHOECK MAKES A SPLASH PG 28-29 WILDCAT SHOOTOUT TOURNAMENT RESULTS PG 30-31 WCA ALUMNI COLE MCWARD PG 32-33

CONTENTS 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STAFF EDITORIAL

Help! A Robot Stole My Job!

For this January issue of The Wildcat Roar, we wanted to push the boundaries of what we normally publish and provide an eye-opening reading experience. In the past month, the use of ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that can answer questions, code, solve math problems, write papers, and more has gained notoriety and use exponentially (see pgs. 6-7 for more information).

to crank out a 500 word article--that may take a writer an hour or two plus the time it takes to research and hunt down interviews--in less than a minute.

Another reason is to make you think. If a computer is faster, smarter, and better than a human writer, then why do we even need to know how to write? Does school matter if a robot can do it For each story written by one of our staff writers better? What are the implications of a society that or editors, there is, placed directly next to it, what never stops technological advancement? These are looks to be a duplicate story. It will have the same all big questions. They won’t be definitively anheadline, deck, and likely even the same imagswered in these pages. But they will push towards es, but if you get into the articles, you’ll notice a a better understanding both the benefits and the difference. One version was written by a Wildproblems. cat Roar staffer, and the other was written by ChatGPT AI. It’s your job to decide which story The last thing this experiment will do is show you is which. that, while most of the time ChatGPT and similar AI systems can produce eerily-accurate gramWe did this for a few reasons. One is to show the mar and information, there WILL be errors and immense capabilities of this technology and just misinformation in the AI articles that can easily how good it is. It may be pretty hard to tell in distinguish many of the stories that come from our some of the more research-based stories which own Westminster community. Technology can put article was written by a human and which article on a good show, but it is certainly not at the point was written by a machine. AI has advanced so where it can replace writers that know, undermuch in the past few years to the point where, in stand, and interact with the community they are some cases, it’s exponentially smarter than the part of. So we’re happy to know that our jobs are human brain. AI has access to the entire internet’s safe (for now). information in a split second’s time, and it is able

Signed,

STAFF ED

800 News and Anna Grace Likes, Editor-In-Chief

Contact us at 800news@wcastl.org if you have any ideas, questions, or concerns.

STAFF ED

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The C[h]at is Out of the Bag

If the number of articles written about ChatGPT is any indication, the era of AI generated writing in schools ishas arrived.

Anna Grace Likes

a smarter and more effective way to beat the system.

Because the AI generates a unique answer each time a Editor-in-Chief question or prompt is typed in, no system will pick up plaAs society continues to delve deeper into the exponengiarism in the response–allowing for them to easily churn tially-growing world of technology, AI (or Artificial Intelliout a well-written essay without even giving the question gence) has begun to dominate headlines. This developa second thought or worrying about plagiarism-detection ing technology has the ability to revolutionize the way our sites such as turnitin.com. world runs and mimic the human brain in a highly-accurate fashion.

Even Elon Musk, who was formerly on the board of OpenAI, recently tweeted, “It’s a new world, goodbye homeOne of the most shocking and notable forms of this AI work!” in response to a post about the New York Dept. of is ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, which, according to ZDEducation ChatGPT block.

Net, is “a natural language processing tool driven by AI technology that allows you to have human-like conversaStudents may see this as a thing to celebrate, but many tions and much more with a chatbot,” which can “answer teachers right now are thinking the opposite. All over questions, assist you with tasks such as composing emails, social media sites such as Tiktok, frustrated and woressays, and code,” (ZDNET). ried teachers are posting their concerns about how this technology has the potential to ruin their work in the This tech may seem like something from the movies, and classroom and the work ethic of an already unmotivated it truly is. But, as with any new technology promising to generation of students. Articles in The Atlantic have even solve the world’s problems, many people who work in gone so far as to declare the introduction of ChatGPT as fields that include writing, education, business, and more “The End of High School English” and “The Death of the are rightfully fearful of the threat this near-perfect AI posCollege Essay.” es to the imperfect human brain. Many wonder, could this technology take away more human jobs?

But, even in light of the threats AI can pose to society as it rapidly progresses, it’s not all doom and gloom. For “One of my favorite animated movies is Wall-E, and one, ChatGPT only has knowledge of information up to the whole premise of that film is that human beings lost 2021, so any news, current events, research, discoveries, the capacity to be humans because they were replaced etc. within the past year or so is unknown to this seemingin their work by machines, so they’re flying around in ly all-knowing chat bot. a spaceship, sitting in a chair, staring at a screen–and they’re not really people anymore. In that case I do have Another promising piece of hope for the future of humanconcerns about the mechanization of work and labor and ity is the aspect of intelligence beyond even the most how advances in tech take away people’s capacity to complex of data calculations: morality. work,” said English teacher and academic integrity committee member Kyle Roff.

“I do not think that our current technology is smarter than a human, because intelligence is not simply the capacity Because of these concerns about cheating or even being to compute data. To be truly intelligent is to possess wisreplaced by technology, school districts, such as New York dom, empathy, and other virtues of a moral quality. An AI, City schools, have already made the jump to banning the I can never imagine, will have a moral compass beyond technology. what has been programmed by the humans who created it,” said Roff.

Particularly in schools, ChatGPT negates the need to learn the basic writing and communication skills necessary While the future of our world and education are uncertain for college and countless careers beyond. Even without and likely to change with any technological advances the use of AI, cheating and the lack of academic integsuch as this one, all we can do is adapt to our environrity is an age-old problem for middle and high schools. ment and keep asking the important, ethical questions.

Whether the school be public or private, rural or urban, How far is too far? Does this cutting-edge technology every school deals with lying and cheating students who help or hurt us in the long run? want an easy work-around for that boring or challenging analysis paper.

Wait and see.

With the introduction of ChatGPT, students now have

6 FEATURE

The C[h]at is Out of the Bag

If the number of articles written about ChatGPT is any indication, the era of AI generated writing in schools ishas arrived.

Anna Grace Likes Editor-in-Chief

ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that has the potential to revolutionize education in schools.

The model can assist teachers and students in a variety of ways, including as a writing assistant, a research assistant, and in assessment. It can also help students in editing and revising their work by suggesting grammatical and stylistic improvements, and can assist teachers in creating lesson plans and educational materials.

tionally, the model can help to summarize the information and help students to organize their research, which can make it easier for them to write their report or essay.

In addition, ChatGPT can also be used in assessment, particularly in language testing. It can help in creating automated essay scoring systems, which can grade written assignments faster, more objectively, and help to save time and resources. This can be particularly beneficial One of the most obvious applications of ChatGPT in for schools with a large number of students and limited schools is as a writing assistant. The model can help stu- resources. Automated scoring systems can provide quick dents generate ideas for essays, stories, and other written and accurate feedback for students and can also help to assignments, which can be especially helpful for students alleviate the burden on teachers who would otherwise who struggle with writer’s block or have difficulty coming have to grade a large number of essays manually. up with creative ideas. Additionally, ChatGPT can assist students in editing and revising their work, which can help It is worth noting, however, that while ChatGPT has the to improve the overall quality of their writing. This can potential to be a valuable educational tool, it is not be particularly beneficial for students who are learning without its limitations. One of the main concerns is that English as a second language, as ChatGPT can help them the model is trained on a massive amount of text data, to improve their grammar and sentence structure. primarily in English, so it may not perform as well on text in other languages or text that deviates significantly from ChatGPT can also be used to assist teachers in creating the training data. Additionally, while ChatGPT’s output lesson plans and educational materials. The model can can be very realistic, it may perpetuate biases and stegenerate summaries of complex texts and other materireotypes that are present in the training data. As such, it’s als, making it easier for teachers to prepare for their class- important for teachers to carefully review and verify the es. This can save teachers a significant amount of time output provided by the model, as it should not be considand allow them to focus on creating engaging activities ered as the final outcome without any teacher’s intervenand assignments for their students. Additionally, ChatGPT tion. Furthermore, the teachers should be aware of the can assist teachers in answering student’s questions, ethical concerns that come with using advanced language which can be very helpful during online classes or virtual models like ChatGPT and carefully consider their use in the classroom. learning settings where teachers are not physically present in the ChatGPT is a powerful language classroom. model that has the potential to revolutionize education in Another potential application of schools. It can assist teachers ChatGPT in schools is as a reand students in a variety of ways, search assistant. The model can including as a writing assistant, a help students find and analyze research assistant, and in assessinformation on a wide range of ment. However, it is important to topics. This can be very useful in recognize that ChatGPT has its subjects such as history, science, limitations and potential biases and social studies, where students and should be used under guidoften need to conduct research ance. as part of their assignments.

ChatGPT can also assist students in identifying relevant sources Chat GPT was able to write a 200 word explanation and can help them to evaluate the of itself in under 8 seconds. Photo by Anna Grace Likes credibility of those sources. Addi-

FEATURE

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The Dark Side of TikTok Exploring the birth and controversial existence of TikTok.

Maddox Rosenberg Image Editor

Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has never failed to cause its fair share of controversy. The creators of TikTok are a company called ByteDance, which is a data collection company that has ties to the Chinese Government.

TikTok’s existence has caused a multitude of security threats, causing the US government to ban the app from being installed on government devices.

A recent bill was passed to do just that. Section 101 on page 2001, this ban is named the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act.” The act spells out what the ban means, or the “covered application,” meaning “TikTok or any successor application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Limited” (Sec. 102).

In 2019, the US government launched an investigation

regulated by the Chinese Government.

In 2018, ByteDance had two apps taken down by the Chinese Government, and after ByteDance promised to promote “socialist core values.” In April of 2022, the company promised to “report users’ content that goes against “official CCP history.” In November of 2022, due to Covid-19 protests, the Chinese Government required ByteDance to intensify their censorship.

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ByteDance’s relationship with the Chinese Government has been alarming to national security. If the US Govern-

“ByteDance’s relationship with the Chinese Government has been alarming to national security. If the US Government cannot have TikTok on their devices, why should we?”

Image by Maddox Rosenberg

into the threat of national security imposed by TikTok. President Trump faced some backlash from angry users of the app when he pushed to ban TikTok on all devices in America.

ment cannot have TikTok on their devices, why should we?

Having TikTok voluntarily gives your location, camera, microphone, keystrokes, photos, videos, contacts, and On August 14, 2020, President Trump said there is “cred- more to the Chinese Government. ible evidence that leads him to believe that ByteDance might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States.”

One of the first apps that ByteDance produced was a news app called “Headlines”. ByteDance also expanded their company in 2016 to introduce ByteDance AI Lab, which uses AI to write news articles. This app was very

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The Dark Side of TikTok Exploring the birth and controversial existence of TikTok.

Maddox Rosenberg Image Editor

TikTok is a social media app that has taken the world by storm, particularly among young people. It is known for its short-form videos, which range from comedic skits to lip-syncing and dance challenges. However, like any other social media platform, TikTok also has a dark side.

One major concern with TikTok is the app’s handling of user data. In 2019, the U.S. government launched an investigation into the app’s data collection practices, raising concerns about the potential for data breaches and misuse of personal information. Additionally, TikTok has faced criticism for its lack of transparency when it comes to how it uses and shares user data.

Another major concern is the app’s handling of inappropriate content. TikTok has faced criticism for allowing explicit and offensive content to be posted on the app, as well as for not doing enough to moderate and remove it. This has led to concerns about the safety and well-being of young users who may be exposed to inappropriate content.

Maddox Rosenberg The Chinese government’s involvement with TikTok.

and other forms of abuse. Many have criticized the company for not doing enough to address this issue and to protect users from harassment.

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Another issue is the psychological effects of using TikTok. There have been studies that indicate that excessive use of social media can lead to negative mental health TikTok has also faced criticism for its role in the spread outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and decreased of misinformation. The app has been used to dissemiself-esteem. This is especially true for young users who nate false information and conspiracy theories, which can are still developing their sense of self and may be more have serious consesusceptible to these negative effects. quences. Inaccurate health information, Lastly, TikTok has been a source of political conpolitical misinformatroversies. A number of countries, led by the tion, and dangerous US government, restricted the use of TikTok challenges have gone as it’s owned by a Chinese company and there “TikTok has also faced critiviral on the platform, were suspicions that the company could be which can be harmcism for its role in the spread subject to laws that would require it to provide ful to the users and user data to the Chinese government, thus putof misinformation. The app their surroundings. ting their data at risk. The company has denied has been used to dissemiThe company has not these claims, but the controversies have led to nate false information and been completely suca decline in its popularity in many countries. conspiracy theories, which cessful in containing the spread of misinIn conclusion, TikTok has become one of the can have serious conseformation. most popular social media platforms in the quences.” world, but it also has a dark side. From data priIn addition, there vacy concerns to the spread of misinformation have been numerous and harassment, there are a number of issues reports of users being bullied and harassed on the app. that need to be addressed by the company in order to The anonymity provided by TikTok can lead to users en- ensure the safety and well-being of its users. It’s importgaging in harmful and abusive behavior, and there have ant for users to be aware of the potential risks and to been reports of users being targeted with hate speech use the app in moderation.

OPINION 9

Does Private=Privilege?

Does attending a private school increase your admissions into college?

Alyssa Greco Staff Writer

Parents send their children to private schools with high hopes for their future. There tends to be three main reasons as to why parents are sending their children to private schools rather than public: safety, higher education, and occasionally religion (Why Do Parents Send Their Child to Private School?). Part of the motivation behind sending a child to a private school is that it will increase their chances of college admissions (especially at more selective schools), but is this a false narrative? Do college admission directors really choose a student who attends a private school over one who went public?

The American public school system has faced large amounts of criticism over the years.

Parents evaluate the overall

form of need-based financial aid. This leaves America to assume that the other 72% percent come from a family of money, privilege, or connections for their children to be attending some of the most elite schools in the nation.

It is not the question of whether private school attendees have more privilege, it is proven through statistics and multiple reports that these children have the upper hand. These Students families are sacrificing a lot to send their children to these schools, but are they getting their money’s worth? Private Schools are notoriously more selective, ergo the class sizes are going to be smaller. Students are receiving a more personalized education from the teachers. The smaller class sizes can be relative to the school, but it is explicitly stated to the parents that they are paying for the benefit of their kids’ education. Public school staff members are not classified as Federal employees but state employees, meaning they are directly funded by tax dollars. The funds go to the school and then are adminstarted to the teachers.

Public School Teachers are proven to be paid more than Private ones, but public school teachers are being paid to deal with tougher conditions. (Does Your High School Impact Your College Admission Chances? - Ivy Scholars).

To really get some insight, I interviewed my parents, who have sent all three of their children to private schools since we were seven years old. I asked my dad, College Admisson directors overviewing applications. who went to public school his entire life, why he wants Image by: Alyssa Greco to pay for his kids’ school, rather than just sending them to a public school for free? Don Greco states: “All quality of the education and environment of the school families have different ways of spending their money, while deciding where to send their children. The Public Schooling system has been declining since World War II, me and your mother decided to spend it on your guy’s education. We did the math and figured out if you and and has since been overflowed with half-hearted efforts your siblings went to a public school, we could buy a to reform it. A stigma has been created in Saint Louis new car every year. We think that putting money toregarding whether the student attends a prestigious private school or not. If you are from Saint Louis, I’m sure wards your education is the best, so you will be successful later in life.” In short terms my parents tell me that you’ve heard the infamous saying: “where’d you go to they send me to private school so I can get into a good highschool?” Due to this stigma, the most controversial argument arises; are these students receiving admissions college, and be successful in life. or their academic efforts or purely privilege?

Long story short is, yes, attending an elite private school Albert Tecerco writes a guest essay for the The New York- increases your admissions to a prestigious college. er, regarding this topic: “These schools are so effective at These statistics prove that this statement is true, but it influencing the admission process that they further advan- does not necessarily mean that Private School is better tage our society’s privileged few and leave everyone else than Public, just that there are different benefits and factors that go into consideration while looking into college free to believe that only the most accomplished, most brilliant students get into prestigious universities” (There’s admissions. It is not a matter of the curriculum but how the teachers are helping the student body navigate the Still One Big Trick for Getting Into an Elite College). real world and getting a taste for what college curricuDoug Abhrams for the US News reports that as of Octo- lum will look like. ber 2021, only 28% of students nationwide receive some

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OPINION

Does Private=Privilege?

Does attending a private school increase your admissions into college?

Alyssa Greco Staff Writer

Attending a private school can have a positive impact on a student’s chances of being admitted to college. There are several reasons why this is the case.

First, private schools often have smaller class sizes and more experienced teachers, which can lead to a more personalized and effective education. This can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and beyond.

Second, private schools typically offer a wider range of extracurricular activities and resources than public schools.

This can provide students with the opportunity to explore their interests and passions, and to develop skills in areas such as leadership, teamwork, and time management.

These experiences can be valuable in preparing students for college and for the workforce.

Third, private schools may have more connections to colleges and universities than public schools. This can provide students with opportunities to meet with college admissions officers, attend college fairs, and participate in college-prep programs.

Fourth, private schools typically have stronger college College Admisson directors overviewing applications. counseling programs. A dedicated staff of counselors can Image by: Alyssa Greco help students explore college options, prepare for the college admissions process, and complete their applications. This can increase the chance that students will apply Attending a private school can increase a student’s to and be admitted to their desired colleges. chances of being admitted to college in several ways, including smaller class sizes, a wide range of extraFinally, many private schools have a more selective curricular activities, more connections to colleges and admissions process than public schools. This means that universities, stronger college counseling programs, students attending private schools are more likely to be and a more selective admissions process. However, it’s academically advanced, and more prepared for the rigor important to keep in mind that college admissions are of college coursework. based on a variety of factors and no single factor can It is worth noting that attending a private school does not guarantee admission to any given institution. guarantee college admission. However, it can provide a student with an educational experience that can help them develop the skills and experiences needed to be successful in college. Additionally, private schools may also have a better rate of students accepted to prestigious colleges, but this may also be a result of the fact that private schools tend to attract students from higher socio-economic backgrounds, students from this backgrounds usually have more opportunities, resources and influence to help them applying and getting accepted to prestigious colleges.

OPINION

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THESCON: Actor’s Paradise

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Students involved in Westminster’s theatre department attended the Missouri Thespian Convention this past weekend.

Jack Nelson Staff Writer

The Missouri Thespian Convention was held in Kansas City just recently. It is an opportunity for high school thespians to develop new skills, meet new people, or just enjoy themselves. Devoted theater students at WCA had an opportunity to experience the convention, starting January 5th.

“I had a great time at Thescon. I connected with people in our troupe, and outside our troupe, and I had lots of fun at the workshops,” says Maggie Dalby, Junior and Thespian.

I had a great time at Thescon, I connected with people in our troupe, and outside our troupe, and I had lots of fun at the workshops” - Maggie Dalby, Junior year Thespian

“The kid that the presenter was practicing on looked so realistically old that when he turned to show his non-makeup half of their face there was an audible gasp in the room from the difference,” says Jonah.

Thespians from aound the state gather in a theater Photo by Jack Nelson

Several Westminster troupe members also participated in an Individual Event, an opportunity to exercise acting ability. A few people volunteer to participate in one of several categories, and perform a scene or sing a song in front of fellow thespians. The categories Westminster participated in were: monologue (Patrick Howard), group scene (Anneka VanderVelde, PJ McCauley, Charlie Mathis, and Jack Nelson), duet song (Elizabeth Bauer and Ginger Cox), and solo song (Zach Leeker).

“My individual event was so fun!” said Ginger Cox, Freshman and thespian. “At first I was nervous, but as Participants from Westminster departed at 4:30am, Janu- soon as we had started the song, I began feeling less ary 5th. They then embarked on a 4.5 hour trip to Kansas nervous and easing up.”

City. After settling in the hotel, thespians from across the At the end of the day, thespians gathered together to state gathered in an opening ceremony, where severwatch a performance put on by fellow thespians. Each al videos from successful stage actors were played to encourage attendees. Afterwards, Thespians were free to day had a different show. The first show was Girls Like explore the convention. For three days, many workshops That, the second was You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, were held, from dance to makeup to improv to even jump and the third was The Mousetrap. Each show was a roping. Thespians could decide freely which workshop to high-quality performance. visit.

On January 7th, at about 4:30pm, Westminster Thespians began the long journey back home after a succesful “My favorite workshop I attended had to be the weekend. ‘makeup for old age,’” says Jonah Zell, Senior.

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FEATURE

THESCON: Actor’s Paradise

Students involved in Westminster’s theatre department attended the Missouri Thespian Convention this past weekend.

Jack Nelson Staff Writer

The Missouri Thespian Conference, held annually in Kansas City, is a three-day event that brings together high school theatre students from across the state to participate in workshops, performances, and competitions.

The conference begins with an opening ceremony, where the Missouri State Thespian Officers welcome attendees and introduce the keynote speaker, who is usually a professional actor or director. The keynote address is followed by a variety of workshops and masterclasses, where students can learn about different aspects of theatre and improve their skills. Workshops cover topics such as acting, directing, stage management, and technical theatre, and are led by experienced theatre educators and professionals.

In addition to workshops, the conference also includes competitions and performances. The Individual Event Competition allows students to showcase their talents in acting, singing, and dance, while the Group Event Competition allows students to perform in scenes, musical numbers, and one-act plays. These performances are judged by theatre professionals, who provide feedback and awards to the top performers.

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The conference also features several student-led events, including the Thespian Troupe Showcase, which allows schools to showcase their troupe’s best work, and the Improv Show, which is an opportunity for students to

“My individual event was so fun!”

“At first I was nervous, but as soon as we had started the song, I began

feeling less nervous and easing up.”

A BeReal of Westminster’s troupe at the end of the convention Photo by Patrick Howard

showcase their improvisational skills. Additionally, there are several vendors present in the conference, selling theatre-related merchandise and providing information about colleges and universities with theatre programs.

The Missouri Thespian Conference also provides an excellent opportunity for students to connect with one another and make new friends. It is a great chance for students to learn from each other and gain inspiration for their own work.

The conference concludes with a closing ceremony, where awards are presented to the top performers and the next year’s conference location is announced. Overall, the Missouri Thespian Conference is a valuable experience for high school theatre students, providing them with the opportunity to improve their skills, connect with their peers, and gain a greater appreciation for the art of theatre.

Ginger Cox, freshman

FEATURE 13

Setting the Stage on Fire

Elijah Schmidt Web Design Editor

The theater department is one of Westminster’s sets, act, dance, sing [...] and she’s just so much most successful departments. It is widely known fun to work with.” remarked Carissa Mitchell, throughout the community to be incredibly Sophomore. fruitful and has brought awards to this incredible department. But there is one woman who helps Furthermore Gina Rosenberg a Theater Arts create the atmosphere that makes our theater Teacher also had positive things to say about department so immersive.

Westmisnter’s incredible Set Designer.

“I was hired to design the theater sets and then “We are so blessed here at Westminster to have Mrs. Mueller on staff, she has so much to build them.” said Dianne Mueller, Set Designer for Westminster Christian Academy. experience in directing, teaching, acting, and set design.” said Mrs. Rosenberg, Theater Arts Mrs. Mueller entered into the community two Teacher. years ago in 2021 and worked on the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, designing the first of In addition to helping build sets Mrs. Mueller many elaborate and immersive sets. She has also teaches a Set Design Enrichment during Advisory. This is a way for students interested gone from the set of Brothers Grimm to the recent and incredible set of Mousetrap; a nota- in the other aspects of productions to gain a bly elaborate set even to the audience. But her glimpse into the behind the scene efforts, while journey to set design has not always been so also being creative. clear.

“The kids just love to create something [...]

“I worked in a Biochemistry lab for ten years Westminster has excellent students.” said Mrs. until my kids were born. [...] then I started work- Mueller. ing in community theater because that’s one of my loves [...] I then started building sets about Mrs. Mueller is a shimmering pillar for the Wstten years ago. [...] and one of the women who I minster theater department, and the efforts worked with in productions told me about West-behind the scenes of her and students creates minster, that was Mrs. Eichelberger.” wondrous worlds of imagination for the wider community.

Through the Westminster Teacher Mrs. Eichelberger, Mrs. Mueller discovered and joined the WCA Faculty. “[The faculty] and I hit it off instantly.” Mrs. Mueller recounted.

The environment of Westminster’s community embraced the new set designer with open arms, and she immediately became a student favorite.

“I absolutely love her so much [...] she can build

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FEATURE

Mrs. Mueller poses with her daughter in front of the Suessical set. Courtesy of Dianne Mueller

Setting the Stage on Fire Elijah Schmidt Web Design Editor

Mrs. Mueller poses with her daughter in front of the Suessical set. Courtesy of Dianne Mueller

Dianne Mueller is a community member who has made a significant impact at Westminster Christian Academy through her passion for building sets. For the past two years, she has been an integral part of the school’s theater program, creating beautiful and intricate sets that have brought countless productions to life.

One of the things that sets Dianne apart from other set builders is her attention to detail.

She is always looking for ways to make the sets more realistic and believable, whether it’s by researching the historical period of a play or incorporating realistic elements like plants or furniture. Her dedication to her craft has resulted in some truly stunning sets that have wowed audiences and earned her many accolades.

Dianne’s interest in set building began in high school, where she was a member of the drama club. She quickly discovered that she had a In addition to her work on the sets, Dianne is natural talent for creating believable and immer- also a mentor to many of the students at Westsive sets, and decided to pursue this passion minster Christian Academy. She takes the time in college. After studying theater design and to teach them about the process of set building production, she graduated with a degree in set and encourages them to explore their own credesign and began working in the industry. ativity. She is always available to answer questions and offer guidance, and her enthusiasm However, her love for set building didn’t stop for her work is contagious. there. When she heard about an opportunity to work at Westminster Christian Academy, Overall, Dianne Mueller is a valued member of she jumped at the chance to bring her skills the Westminster Christian Academy community. to a new generation of theater students. She Her passion for set building has helped to bring has been a valued member of the theater de- countless productions to life and has inspired partment ever since, helping to design and many students to pursue their own interests in construct sets for a wide variety of productions, theater. She is a true asset to the school and will from classic plays to modern musicals. continue to be for many years to come.

FEATUTRE

15

They Haven’t Responded to Me Yet

The

Christina English

Chris

Reasons why people want immediate feedback from others.

causing them to want immediate interaction with others.

If it’s causing people to have shorter attention spans and Staff Writer Staff short-term memory, then people are going to want to know about certain things and get responses from peoInstagram. Snapchat. TikTok. BeReal. These are only a few of the different types of social media platforms that ple right away before they become impatient or forget the students use daily. These, and many other platforms, about it have been created in the last decade to provide people completely. a place to post about their lives and to connect with Not only others. does social media While there might be some positive effects regarding social media, there are also quite a few negative effects cause that, at this point, are fairly widely known. Some of these peoples’ patience effects regard mental health, consumerism, and hyperand memsensivity, and they all relate back to the idea of people wanting immediate responses and feedback from others. ory to thin, it also can cause some Most know by now after interacting with social media people to over the past couple of decades that constantly being People want immediate become hypersensitive to online does not positively affect mental health. It can feedback from others on social media, but why? lead to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and many others criticism. Criticism can bring the idea of people Photo by Christina English other harmful mindsets such as self-esteem issues. wanting a certain response Rachel Ehmke of childmind.org explains how teenagers that caters to them. If they do not get this response, they do not take it well and become defensive of what try to improve their self-esteem by using social media and how it only makes them feel worse. Ehmke also says has been said. that social media can “make talking in person feel more “Social media platforms provide adolescents with unintimidating.” People, especially teenagers, see what others are posting online and want their lives to be like precedented opportunities for social interactions during a critical developmental period where the brain is espetheirs, sometimes right away. They want an immediate change in their lives, and this can sometimes affect peo- cially sensitive to social feedback,” said Dr. Eva Telzer, assistant professor in developmental psychology at the ple’s mental health negatively.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Telzer conducted a study on tweens and teenagers regarding how Social media companies design their apps for people long they are on social media, where they found out that to consume their content daily. In the last five years or so, different social media companies have been able to 78% of 13-17-year-olds check social media hourly. Telzer find different ways to keep people consuming more and then concluded that social media is connected to kids’ neural development regarding criticism. If this problem more content at a rapid pace. Other companies have with children’s neural development continues, they will not figured this out and are slowly becoming irrelevant as time goes on. The three social media apps that have not be able to handle the immediate feedback they do been able to figure out this fast pace algorithm are Tik- not want to hear and continue to seek out the positive responses that they desire.

Tok, Instagram, and BeReal.

At the moment, TikTok is the most notorious of the three for its addictive properties. From 2017, it has grown rapidly to the point where people can make money off of the 15-30 second videos that they post. According to Megan McCoy and Lindsay Gould of oakparktalon.org, “TikTok is actively crippling [people’s] attention span, concentration, and even short-term memory.” This corruption that TikTok is creating in peoples’ heads is also

16

OPINION

Because of mental health, consumerism, and hypersensitivity, people always want immediate feedback from the people around them and the people online. Wanting to hear back from people is not truly wrong, but it should not be taken to the point of irrationality. If people are feeling restless about immediate feedback, they should put their phone down, relax, and enjoy what the real world has to offer them right now.

W

They Haven’t Responded to Me Yet

Reasons why people want immediate feedback from others.

Christina English Staff Writer

Social media has become a ubiquitous presence in our daily lives, providing a platform for communication, self-expression, and connection with others. However, with the convenience and immediacy of social media comes the downside of constant feedback, which can have a detrimental effect on our mental health and well-being.

One of the negative aspects of immediate feedback on social media is the constant comparison it can lead to. Social media platforms are designed to show us the best and most curated versions of other people’s lives, and it can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even depression. Research has shown that social media use can contribute to the development of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Eating disorder and other mental health issues related to self-image.

Another negative aspect of immediate feedback on social media is the pressure to present a perfect version of ourselves online. With the ability to curate our online presence, many individuals feel compelled to present a flawless image to the world. This can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety, as well as a disconnect between our online and offline selves. It’s crucial to remember that social media is not reality, and the perfect image we see online is often a carefully curated selection of the best moments, while the reality is much more complex.

Moreover, Immediate feedback on social media can also exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation. While social media platforms are designed to connect us with others, they can also create a sense of disconnection and lack of meaningful human interaction. Studies have shown that heavy social media use can be linked to depression and anxiety, and it is important to be mindful of how much time we spend on these platforms and to make sure we have a balance of online and offline interactions with others.

Another negative aspect is the rise of cyberbullying and online harassment. Social media platforms have created an environment where people can easily hide behind anonymity and harass, bully or spread hate, which can lead to severe mental health issues for the victim. this type of toxic interactions can have lasting impacts on an individual’s self-esteem and mental well-being.

In conclusion, the immediate feedback provided by social media can have a negative impact on our mental health and well-being. It is crucial to be aware of the potential downsides of social media and to use it in a healthy and balanced way. Setting boundaries, limiting the amount of time spent on the platforms, and being mindful of the content we consume and engage with can help mitigate the negative effects of immediate feedback on social media. Additionally, it’s also important to not take online interactions too seriously, and to remember that everyone’s online presence is curated. Overall, it’s essential to practice self-care and make sure that social media is not negatively affecting our well-being.

People want immediate feedback from others on social media, but why?

Photo by Christina English

OPINION

17

A Fresh Wave of Young Atheism Many young non-christians hold a bad impression of what Christianity is today.

Raquel Herrera Staff Writer

Throughout the past decades, Christianity has been claimed to be easily the most problematic religion of them all. A vast majority of young churchgoers (ages 16-29 years old) have found problems with Christianity and the church. Feelings of judgment, pressure, and unrealistic expectations cloud over the opinion of whether religion itself could be beneficial for them or not.

“

for not believing, the younger generation focuses on a reason that comes from their own personal experience in a church. Research has found that the main factors as to why young people separate from faith is disagreement with either the behavior of Christians or political stances. In January, 2018, Barna, a re-

“Eighty-five percent of young outsiders have had sufficient exposure to Christians and churches and they conclude present-day Christianity is hypocritical.”

- Christian book author, Gabe Lyons

search company focused on the intersection of faith and culture, shared that “the percentage of Gen Z (the group of young people following the Millennials) that identifies as atheist is double that of the U.S. adult population” (Barna).

This graph depicts the decline of Christianity’s popularity over the past 2 decades.

Photo by Raquel Hererra

At increasing rates, higher than any other generation, Gen-Z is showing less interest in religious affiliation due to misconceptions, powerful influences, and current, cultural dilemmas.

Potentially, any previous negative experience with faith that caused a young person’s reason for not believing can also affect the way they think of the religion in general. That misconception could be thought to be true of every part of Christianity.

An individual could be misled on what true, personal faith looks like based off of a preconceived notion.

Nowadays, the pressure from society towards Christianity has Most non-believers find themselves disinterested in Christianity caused followers to rethink their beliefs. The problem arises of because of its external factors. One misconception is that a per- whether Christians should conform for the sake of staying releson must rely on the church and its people for individual faith. vant to the younger generation or ignore the problem altogether.

By following this principle, one might believe that Christ’s character can always be found in the flawed members of the church. While the members of the church and those who have accepted Christ in their lives are meant to represent Christ in an active Christian author Gabe Lyons writes, “Eighty-five percent of young outsiders have had sufficient exposure to Christians and way, members and church ministries can fall short. The church churches and they conclude present-day Christianity is hypocrit- and other areas that help to grow an individual’s faith are always in progress to improve and polish the ways in which it follows a ical.”

Biblical standpoint.

Previous generations did not have the same exposure that Gen-Z has had. While other generations prioritized a different reason

18

FEATURE

A Fresh Wave of Young Atheism Many young non-christians hold a bad impression of what Christianity is today.

Raquel Herrera Staff Writer

Christianity, one of the world’s major religions, has long struggled with an image problem. While many people view Christianity as a source of hope, inspiration, and guidance, others see it as a source of bigotry, intolerance, and oppression.

many people find objectionable, such as opposition to gay marriage and restrictions on access to birth control. This has led some people to view Christianity as out of touch with modern society and unwilling to change with the times.

One of the main causes of Christianity’s image problem is the way in which it has been used to justify some of history’s most horrific acts of violence and persecution. For example, during the Crusades, Christians killed thousands of Jews, Muslims, and other non-Christians in the name of spreading their faith.

Similarly, during the Spanish Inquisition, Christians tortured and killed thousands of people who were deemed to be heretics or apostates. These and other historical atrocities have left a stain on Christianity’s reputation that many people find difficult to ignore or forgive.

Despite these challenges, many Christians are working to improve the image of their faith. They are reaching out to people of different cultures and backgrounds to build bridges of understanding and respect. They are also working to promote a more inclusive and accepting vision of Christianity that rejects the use of religion to justify violence and oppression.

Another factor that has contributed to Christianity’s image problem is the way in which some Christians have used the Bible to justify their own prejudices and biases. For example, some Christians have used the Bible to justify slavery, racism, and discrimination against women and members of the LGBTQ community. While many Christians have rejected these views and worked to overcome them, they have left a lasting impression on the way that many people view Christianity.

“

As Christianity is a diverse and wide religious group, with different sects and denominations, it would be generalizing to sum up all its followers with one problematic image. Christianity is practiced by many who find it a source of hope, inspiration, and guidance, rather than bigotry, intolerance, and oppression.

Overall, Christianity’s image problem is a complex and multifaceted issue that will require the efforts of Christians around the world to overcome. While it will not be easy to change

In recent years, Christianity’s image problem has been exacerbated by a growing divide between religious and secular people in many countries. In some places, Christianity has become associated with conservative political views and policies that

“In January 2018, Barna shared that the percentage of Gen Z [...]that identifies as atheist is double that of the U.S. adult population”

- Barna, research company focused on the intersection of faith and culture

This graph depicts the decline of Christianity’s popularity over the past 2 decades.

Photo by Raquel Hererra

deeply held perceptions and prejudices, by working together and promoting a message of love, acceptance, and understanding, Christians can help to improve the image of their faith and make it a more positive and empowering force in the world.

FEATURE

19

What is the future of food?

Despite having visible positive effects, Modern Farming has many invisible effects that could be costly.

Ahren Muehleisen Staff Writer

When driving through Iowa, Illinois, and Neraska, you will likely see one thing, monoculture fields filled with corn.

GMO corn along with massive farming equipment was heavily introduced in the late 1900’s and has made huge strides for food. Now, one field can create massive amounts of corn from a single field to feed animals and humans. This practice is known as modern farming. But what was not known about modern farming is that it actually harms the environment. The use of tilling discs and synthetic fertilizers are harmful to the soil and the environment. When a modern farmer goes to plant crops in the spring, they will typically run a disk through their fields, then go along and plant either corn or beans, then harvest their crop later in the fall. This is what a large majority of American farmers use to farm their land. But, what they don’t realize is that through tilling their fields, they severely disturb the soil and release carbon into the atmosphere.

“

“The United States is losing about 1% of its topsoil every year due to erosion. This may not sound like a lot, but it is eroding at a rate 10% faster than soil replenishment.”

Eric Verso, Stanford University

eroding at a rate 10% faster than soil replenishment.

Vacant and distrubed fields are highly prone to erosion, signifigantlty decreasing soil health.

Image by: Ahren Muehleisen

Topsoil contains countless microbes and microorganisms that grow the crops and create a healthy ecosystem. It is vital to growing a good crop and getting a consistent yield. Topsoil also contains a vital nutrient to soil, Carbon.

Carbon is sequestered in the soil and contributes to the overall soil and ecosystem health. But when one tills or discs the soil, the sequestered carbon is released into the atmosphere, essentially creating a double whammy.

The Carbon is not in soil anymore, decreasing soil health, and also releasing carbon into the atmosphere which is a major contributor to global warming.

Modern farming and tilling has an enormous effect on the According to Environment Reports, Agriculture can topsoil. contribute to 21% of global warming and environmental issues. The carbon released into the atmosphere polTypically, crops are planted only from spring to fall. By only lutes the air and harms the environment which is slowly having crops in the ground from around June-October, warming the earth. With almost every farm practicing the topsoil of America is exposed and vulnerable to the modern farming, the effect compounds very quickly and elements for almost half of the year. This causes extreme is becoming a problem. For now, America’s food security amounts of erosion due to wind and rain. The problem is relatively safe. Farmers are still harvesting crops every with this is that the farmers’ ground gets worse and worse year and new technology is constantly evolving to help year after year because rich soil is lost. crops grow in worse conditions. But, we can’t determine the future of America’s farming. At the current rate, we According to a study by Eric Verso from Stanford Universi- are destroying and wasting precious topsoil which is vital ty, the United States is losing about 1% of its topsoil every to growing crops. So this begs the question, what will year due to erosion. This may not sound like a lot, but it is food look like in 50 years?

20 FEATURE

What is the future of food?

Despite having visible positive effects, Modern Farming has many invisible effects that could be costly.

Ahren Muehleisen Staff Writer

Modern farming practices have revolutionized the way we grow our food, making it possible to produce more food on less land and feed a rapidly growing global population. However, there are also a number of negative effects associated with these practices that are worth considering.

One of the main concerns with modern farming practices is the heavy use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

These chemicals can have negative impacts on the environment and human health. They can contaminate the soil, water, and air, and can also harm beneficial insects and other wildlife. In addition, overuse of these chemicals can lead to the development of pesticide-resistant pests, making it more difficult to control these pests in the future.

Another negative effect of modern farming practices is the loss of biodiversity. The use of monoculture crops, which are crops that are grown in large, single-species nt. fields, can lead to the loss of natural habitats and the anisms extinction of native plant and animal species. In addition, the heavy use of machinery and the use of large-scale m. It istent irrigation systems can cause soil erosion, which can lead Carbon. to the loss of fertile farmland over time. According to a to the study done by Stanford University, the United States is losing about 1% of its topsoil every year and it is eroding lls or at a rate 10% faster than soil replenshment. nto ammy. health, There is also concerns about modern farming practices’ ich is a impact on soil health. As farmers are forced to continuously produce more crops, many have turned to synthetic fertilizers and monoculture farming methods to boost n mental polowly ing ly and ecurity every help rmine e, we is vital Vacant and distrubed fields are highly prone to erosion, signifigantlty will decreasing soil health.

yields. However, these practices can cause soil compaction and loss of organic matter, making it harder for soil to retain water and nutrients. This can lead to poor crop growth, increased erosion and a decrease in fertility over time.

Finally, there is the concern about food security. The large-scale industrial agriculture system, with its focus on monoculture and high-yield crops, often comes at the expense of traditional, more sustainable farming practices. This can leave farmers and communities reliant on a single crop that is often vulnerable to disease or climate fluctuations, putting food security at risk.

“

While modern farming practices have allowed us to

“The United States is losing about 1% of its topsoil every year due to erosion. This may not sound like a lot, but it is eroding at a rate 10% faster than soil replenishment.”

Eric Verso, Stanford University

feed a growing global population, it is important to consider the negative effects that these practices can have on the environment, human health, and food security.

With this in mind, many farmers and experts are now exploring ways to make farming more sustainable by using a more diversified, agro-ecological approach to farming which is more beneficial to the environment, promoting food security and a healthy local economy.

Image by: Ahren Muehleisen

FEATURE

21

22 AD

December 2022

Pg. 30-31 Shoeck Breaks Records 23

WCA’s Top Tier Diver

Will the three-time state competitor make one last appearance her senior season?

Emma Fairchild Staff Writer

“

Sara Schloss’s Westminster swim career should leave and is someone many opponents fear to face. everyone intrigued for this upcoming winter season. This three time state qualifier has suited up for her senior “She’s a leader, beyond competitive, and because of this swim season with high hopes to succeed. she secured a role as a team captain. Wherever we put her she will succeed, with both diving and swimming,” Schloss has been a key component of the girls Wildcat said Assistant Coach Marjan Kempen. varsity swim team for the past three years and throughout this season. She has competed both in swimming and diving and succeeded at both.

32 people are able to qualify for the State Diving Tourna-

“She is a great diver who has experienced many injuries but still manages to perform well. Her attitude during practice and meets is alwasy recognizable. She simply is an amazing teammate and competitor,” said senior teammate, Annie Wood.

- Westminster Varsity Swimmer, Annie Wood (12)

Varsity swim team competes in meet against Villa Duchesne.

Photo by Sami Mabry

ment, but with Sara’s skill she has managed to achieve a spot every year. Her freshman year, with a rough go and failing a dive, she placed 30th. This did not diminish her competitiveness as she then placed 10th her sophomore year and 3rd her junior year.

“This year I started the season swimming and diving, but now I don’t really swim at practices,” said Sara Schloss as she plans to focus her time on perfecting her diving due to past and current injuries.

With that, Sara has already qualified for diving districts.

To make the State Tournament she must place top 8 in districts. She is consistently performing at the top level,

24 SPORTING

“The team is so much fun! All the girls are super nice and it has been super fun to compete alongside them. This year a ton of freshmen came in who are really good so it had been a lot of fun getting to watch them race and to hang out with them,” said Sara when asked about the team dynamic.

The underclassmen have made a clear appearance this season with freshmen Sydney Schoeck setting three new school records. She broke the 100 back record, 200 medley relay with Hannah Renaud, Ella Wolf, and Janna Moellenhoff, and the 100 free record.

Whether or not Schloss can place higher than previous years when competing at State for diving, her leadership skills will carry on to push her teammates to succeed.

WCA’s Top Tier Diver

Will the three-time state competitor make one last appearance her senior season?

Emma Fairchild Staff Writer

Sara Schloss is a talented diver at Westminster Christian Academy, a private school located in Missouri. Throughout her high school career, Sara has shown a dedication to the sport, consistently pushing herself to improve and achieve new heights.

Sara began diving in middle school and quickly found a passion for the sport. She joined the Westminster Christian Academy diving team in her freshman year and has been a key contributor ever since. Under the guidance of her coach, Sara has developed her skills and become one of the top divers in the state.

“

In her sophomore year, Sara won the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 1 diving competition, and she went on to win the event again in her junior year. She also placed third at the MSHSAA Class 1 swimming and diving championships in both her sophomore and junior year.

“She is a great diver who has experienced many injuries but still manages to perform well. Her attitude during practice and meets is alwasy recognizable. She simply is an amazing teammate and competitor,” said senior teammate, Annie Wood.

- Westminster Varsity Swimmer, Annie Wood (12)

Varsity swim team competes in meet against Villa Duchesne.

Photo by Sami Mabry

Sara’s dedication to her craft is evident in the time and effort she puts in at practice and in her commitment to maintaining her physical and mental well-being.

Sara’s talent and dedication have made her a leader on the Westminster Christian Academy diving team. She sets a positive example for her teammates, inspiring them to work hard and strive for success. She is also a respected member of the school’s community, known for her friendly and outgoing nature.

Off the diving board, Sara is a dedicated student and member of her school’s community. She’s a well-rounded student, active in school activities, maintains a great GPA and volunteer in her community. Her coaches, peers and school faculty have praised her not just for her athletic achievements but her character as well.

Sara’s performances have not gone unnoticed by colleges, as she has received several offers from Division I programs. She is an excellent student as well as an accomplished diver, making her a highly sought-after recruit.

Sara Schloss is a remarkable athlete who has achieved a great deal of success in the sport of diving. Her talent, dedication, and leadership make her a valuable member of the Westminster Christian Academy diving team and her school as a whole. It’s no wonder she is a highly Despite her success in diving, Sara is a humble and hard- sought-after recruit by colleges as she is more than just working athlete. She recognizes that there is always room a talented diver but a well-rounded individual who will make an impact in any organization. for improvement and works tirelessly to refine her skills.

SPORTING 25

Veteran Coaches Snyder and Peterson Return Joey Fentress Staff Writer

The Westminster football program has no doubt had its ups and downs throughout the years. After a rough couple of seasons, change is in the air.

This past season, the Wildcats had a record of 1-10 with their only win against Clayton High School with a score of 28-20. The season before that, the 2021-2022 season, the cats had a record of 3-7. In 2020, Westminster hired new head coach Butler By’note. For this next season, By’note will become the offensive coordinator.

In the upcoming 2023 season, Cory Snyder will return as head coach after serving only as Westminster’s Athletic director.

Snyder said his main reason for coming back was for the experience.

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years, but I am working to create the most cohesive group of young men that has ever played the offensive line here” In another sense, coach Snyder has already been putting in some changes to the team. One of his first changes is

Coaching the line has always been a love of mine and I have been without and watching from a side line for too long. I can’t separate this

from the connection with the team and the layers themselves.

- Chris Pederson, Lineman coach

“Coaching football at Westminster is a great opportunity to work he has started an off season lifting program that the team with student athletes has been attending. Although off season lifting has been and hopefully provide incorporated in the past, the intensity and authority that a great experience for coach Snyder brings is the exact change that the team them, their families, and needs. the community. I’m really looking forward to “The first priority for the team this offseason has to be the opportunity to work gaining strength and making the weight room a priority. with athletes on the We need the guys to commit themselves to that process field on a day to day for the next 7 months,” said Snyder. basis,” said Snyder.

Coach Snyder and Coach Pederson in Another big change that has started this off season is the the 2014 season Alongside Snyder, Chris football field. The athletic department decided that it was Photo courtsey of yearbook archieves Pederson is also com- time for the turf to be replaced. Starting in early deceming out of retirement ber, the original turf started being torn up and removed. as a coach. Pederson will be retaking his position as the The wildcat’s offseason has been eventful. The turf that offensive and defensive linemen coach. Pederson said his was torn up was the original turf that was placed when main reason for coming back was the line. the building was made. Players have long complained about the turf saying it is injury prone because of the lack “There is nothing like coaching a group of linemen. There of grip. Sophomore tight end Sean Gross says “Westare similar experiences found in many facets of life, but an minster’s turf is hit or miss, making quick and fast turns is offensive lineman is one of the most unique roles in all of hard on our turf. I am excited to see how the new turf will sport. There is really nothing like it,” said Pederson. be for next season” With a multitude of changes the cats hope to improve their record into the win column for the Pederson also said that one of the main lessons he will be upcoming season. With both of the new coaches excited applying to his linemen is reflecting the Westminster 10 to return to coaching and make a positive change, things pillars, specifically pillar 4. Pillar 4 says “we before me”. are looking up for the Cats.

Chris adds, “I am sure this has been a focus in recent

26

SPORTING

Veteran Coaches Snyder and Peterson Return Joey Fentress Staff Writer

Westminster High School in Missouri is thrilled to announce the return of two beloved football coaches, Coach Snyder and Coach Pederson. The two coaches have a combined total of over 50 years of experience coaching football at Westminster and have had a major impact on the lives of countless student-athletes.

Coach Snyder, who previously served as the school’s head football coach for 25 years, is returning to the school to take over the football program once again.

Coach Snyder is well known for his success in turning Westminster’s new turf football field. the Westminster football program into a powerhouse. Un- Photo by Joey Fentress der his leadership, the team has won multiple state cham- have been recognized for their contributions to Westminpionships and consistently been a top-ranked team in the ster football with numerous awards and accolades. Coach state. Coach Snyder has also been a mentor to many of Snyder has been named Coach of the Year multiple times, his players, helping guide them to successful careers both while Coach Peterson has been an integral part of the on and off the field. winning team.

Coach Pederson, who previously served as the school’s assistant football coach for 30 years, is also returning to the program. Coach Pederson’s role will be the offensive coordinator, he is well known for his ability to develop strong and successful offenses. He had an integral role in the teams that Coach Snyder lead to multiple state championships. He has a reputation for his ability to develop talented players, and for his ability to create game-winning plays.

The school is confident that Coach Snyder and Coach Pederson will be able to pick up right where they left off, and bring the football program back to the level of success they had during their previous tenures. They have set the bar high for future coaches and players, and it will be up to their successors to continue the tradition of excellence established by these two remarkable coaches. With the return of these two experienced coaches, the school and community are expecting a successful season, and the players are eager to learn from these two respected The Westminster community is thrilled to have these two coaches. The Westminster Football team is expecting to coaches back and they have high expectations for the up- be back to its winning ways under the guidance of these coming season. Both Coach Snyder and Coach Peterson two experienced coaches.

“

Coaching the line has always been a love of mine and I have been without and watching from a side line for too long. I can’t separate this

from the connection with the team and the layers themselves.

- Chris Pederson, Lineman coach

Westminster has recently installed a new football turf at their stadium. The new turf replaces the old, worn out surface that had been in place for over a decade. The school district decided to replace the old turf to improve the overall safety and playability of the field for the student-athletes. The new turf is made with the latest technology and materials, which will provide better shock absorption and reduce the risk of injuries. In addition, the new turf will also be able to withstand heavy usage and weather conditions better than the old turf, allowing for a higher quality playing surface for the players. The new turf is expected to be a big upgrade for the football team and the entire community is excited to see the new field in action.

SPORTING

27

Schoeck Makes A Splash

Freshman Sydney Schoeck has already become an integral part of the Westminster girls’ swim team

Sydney Bradley 800Sporting

Freshman swimmer Sydney Schoeck is making her mark in her first season and has made an immediate impact on the whole Westminster swim team. At Saturday’s meet, the cats trumped Parkway West and Parkway South, winning the meet (142-99-74). Schoeck led the 200 Medley Relay team to victory, beating the school record with a time of 1:52.83. She also broke the 100 meter back record and the 100 free record–all in the same meet.

Schoek started swimming at the age of 7 for the Rockwood Swimming Club and has worked hard to improve at the sport ever since. Current Westminster swim

“

out the school in all different grades. We all know how to make eachother laugh and have fun at practice and meets!” said Schoeck.

Not only does Sydney hold a couple of new school re-

“Sydney has a special combination of attributes that make her a really great athlete and teammate. She’s an elite athlete yet very humble. She’s a fierce competitor yet loves to have fun with her templates at practice. She’s hard-working yet has an easy-going personality,” - Coach Andrew Schonhoff

cords, but she is also holding on to top state times as a freshman.

“She’s already broken 4 school records for individual events and was on the school record breaking relay Schieck glides through the water at a meet. team. She also currently has the top time in the state in Photo courtesy of the Foundation yearbook staff.

5 different individual events and she’s certainly not done with what she wants to accomplish this season. It’s going to be fun to watch what she does down the stretch,” said Coach Andrew Schonhoff agrees that the freshman is very Schonhoff. talented, but he also acknowledges her as a teammate.

“Sydney has a special combination of attributes that make her a really great athlete and teammate. She’s an elite athlete yet very humble. She’s a fierce competitor yet loves to have fun with her templates at practice. She’s hard-working yet has an easy-going personality,” said Schonhoff.

“It was intimidating coming as a freshman on varsity, but the team welcomed me in and everyone was nice. I have made so many new friendships with people through-

28

SPORTING

Seeing as this is Schoeck’s freshman season, she’s sure to continue to make waves on the team and in the state throughout her high school career. Both her teammates and the rest of the Westminster community are excited to see where this talented underclassman goes next.

Schoeck Makes A Splash

Freshman Sydney Schoeck has already become an integral part of the Westminster girls’ swim team

Sydney Bradley 800Sporting

Sydney Schoeck was a freshman at Westminster Christian Academy and had just joined the school’s swim team. She was a natural athlete and had been swimming competitively for several years, but she was still a little nervous about joining the high school team.

Despite her nerves, Sydney quickly made a name for herself on the team. She was one of the fastest swimmers on the team and had a positive attitude that helped to lift the spirits of her teammates. She had a great work ethic and always put in extra time to perfect her technique and improve her times.

Sydney’s dedication to the sport paid off as she had quickly become one of the top swimmers on the team.

She had broken multiple school records and had even qualified for the state championships. At the state meet, she had an amazing performance, winning multiple medals and setting a new personal best time in the 100-meter freestyle.

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“Sydney has a special combination of attributes that make her a really great athlete and teammate. She’s an elite athlete yet very humble. She’s a fierce competitor yet loves to have fun with her templates at practice. She’s hard-working yet has an easy-going personality,” - Coach Andrew Schonhoff

Schieck glides through the water at a meet.

Photo courtesy of the Foundation yearbook staff.

Despite her busy schedule, Sydney always made time to give back to the community. She had volunteered at the local swim club, helping young swimmers to improve their skills and encouraging them to follow their dreams.

Sydney’s freshman year had been a great success, and she had quickly established herself as a top swimmer and a leader on the team. Her hard work and dedication to the sport had not only made her a successful athlete but also a role model and leader.

Sydney had set a high standard for herself, and the bar was set high for her upcoming years in the school swim team and in her swimming career. She had a bright future ahead of her, and she was determined to work hard to achieve her goals.

Sydney had also become a leader on the team. She had a great relationship with her coaches and was always willing to help her teammates with whatever they needed. She had also become a mentor to the younger swimmers, helping them with their technique and providing them with encouragement.

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Wildcat Shootout Tournament Results

Mia Scheulen 800Sporting

This week the women’s basketball team had their annual Wildcat Shootout. The teams consisted of seven teams.

Pattonville, Howell Central, Cor Jesu, Westminster, Troy, Lift For Life, and St. Charles. (1st to last seed).

The tournament started on Thursday with Pattonville, being the first seed, starting off the tournament with a bye.

Westminster (4) took on Troy (5) securing a win of 62-37.

Howell Central (2) played St. Charles West (7) with a result of 43- 26 spartans on top. The last game of the night was Cor Jesu (3) playing Lift For Life (6), Cor Jesu won 45-43 by free throws at the end of the game. On Friday Pattonville (1) played their first game against Westminster (4) the pirates came out on top with a nail biting win of 56-51.

To end the night Howell Central (2) played Cor Jesu with Central winning 42-18. Moving on to Saturday the morning started off in the consolation bracket with Troy (5) vs.

Lift For Life (6), Troy secured the win in the end 34-31.

Westminster(4) then played Cor Jesu (3), chargers came out on top 45-40. The final game of the tournament was Pattonville (1) playing Howell Central (2) the game was very back and forth. This was evenly matched but Pattonville became the Wildcat Shootout champions with a 35-31 win.

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Addie Drumm, freshman, prepares to shoot the ball.

Photo by: Mia Scheulen

Wildcat Shootout Tournament Results

Mia Scheulen 800Sporting

The Town and Country High School Girls Basketball Tournament, held in Town and Country, Missouri, features some of the top teams in the state. This year, the tournament will include Pattonville High School, Howell Central High School, Cor Jesu Academy, Westminster Christian Academy, Troy Buchanan High School, Lift for Life Academy, and St. Charles High School.

The team has a deep roster with multiple players who can score in bunches, including junior guard Hailey Smith who averages 17 points and 5 rebounds per game. They play a well-rounded game, with strong defense and solid ball movement on offense. Troy Buchanan High School and Lift for Life Academy are both known for their tough defense and physical play.

Troy Buchanan has a balanced attack, led by senior Pattonville High School, known for their strong defense center Sarah Williams, who averages 15 points and 10 and aggressive play style, will be a team to watch in this rebounds per game. Lift for Life Academy is a solid tournament. The team is led by senior point guard Sarebounding team, led by junior forward Lauren Johnson, mantha Jones, who averages over 15 points and 5 assists who averages 12 rebounds per game.

St. Charles High School rounds out the field of teams in the tournament. With a balanced attack, St. Charles relies on their defense and teamwork to win games. The team is led by senior guard Rachel Baker, who averages 13 points and 4 assists per game.

This tournament is sure to be an exciting event, with

Addie Drumm, freshman, prepares to shoot the ball.

Photo by:

per game. The team also boasts a solid supporting cast of shooters and rebounders, which will make them a tough match-up for any opponent.

Howell Central High School is another team that will be in contention for the championship. The team has a strong record this season and is led by junior forward Emma Thompson, who averages 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. The team plays a fast-paced, up-tempo style of basketball and is known for their scoring prowess.

Cor Jesu Academy is a perennial powerhouse in girls high school basketball. With a team made up mostly of underclassmen, Cor Jesu relies on their defense and teamwork to win games. Cor Jesu’s defense is led by Sophmore Guard Madison Austin, who averages over 3 steals and 2 blocks per game, is averaging double-digit points as well.

Westminster Christian Academy will also be a team to watch in the tournament.

some Addie Drumm, freshman, prepares to shoot the ball.

Photo by: Mia Scheulen of the top teams in the state facing off against each other. With so many talented teams, it’s difficult to predict who will come out on top, but one thing is for sure: the competition will be fierce.

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WCA Alumni Cole McWard

Class of 2020 star hockey player Cole McWard is having a phenomenal sophomore season at The Ohio State University.

Emily Griege Staff Writer

Cole McWard is a part of the 2.6% of hockey players that make it to the Division One level. Men’s ice hockey has a very unique recruiting process compared to many other sports which requires most players looking to play at a high level in college to leave high school early.

Cole McWard was a stand out hockey player during his time at Westminster where he was a crucial part of the back-to-back state championship winning team. In order for Cole to chase his dreams of playing college hockey, he had to leave high school early to go play junior hockey for the Tri-City storm, a USHL team based out of Chicago.

Cole had 11 points in 6 games and was a cruciall player in the team’s success.

“Cole is a very special player and very easy to coach. His competition level was off the charts and he controlled the game every shift he was on the ice. He was also a perfect balance of humble and confident.” Said Coach Dean Penberthy.

In the 2017-18 season, the Westminster hockey team finished the year with a record of 11-9-4. The following season the team finished the year with a disappointing 6-11-3. The absence of Cole’s dynamic defense was a major factor of this rapid decline in success. At this time Cole was playing in his first season with the TriCity Storm where he continued to play for the next four seasons.

The Tri-City storm is a USHL (United States Hockey League) juniors team. The USHL is the most well known junior league where the majority of high-end players get recruited to play college hockey. During his final season with the Storm, he was named captain and had 33 points in 52 games which is impressive for a defenseman.

“His knowledge of the game in all aspects was very apparent during games, and he made it easier for everyone on the ice to play as effectively.” Said Jack Freeman, former teammate of McWard.

Cole McWard takes a shot in the State Championship game Photo by 800 Sporting

The 2016-17 and 18-19 hockey seasons were the peak of the Westminster hockey program. The team was full of young talent and dedicated players. Among those players was Cole. In the 2017-18 regular season, Cole played in 14 games where he had 10 goals and 11 assists where he averaged a point and a half per game. He missed a few games during the season due to traveling for his club hockey team, but when he was at games, his presence was known. In the playoffs of the 17-18 season

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In 2022, Cole attended the New Jersey Devils development camp as a free agent. Getting invited to a development camp is a huge step for any player trying to crack their way into the NHL. With his success at Ohio state and after recently being named a big ten star of the week, Cole should continue to gain the attention of a few NHL teams.

Cole has been the most successful player to play on the Westminster hockey team in recent years. He contributed to the team as much as possible even though his club team was his priority. Cole’s contributions to the team set them apart from other teams and was a major factor in the team winning state.

WCA Alumni Cole McWard

Class of 2020 star hockey player Cole McWard is having a phenomenal sophomore season at The Ohio State University.

Emily Griege Staff Writer

Cole McWard had always dreamed of becoming a professional hockey player. As a child growing up in Canada, he would spend hours every day practicing his stickhandling, shooting, and skating on the frozen pond behind his house. His parents, both of whom had played hockey at a high level, recognized his talent and passion for the game and did everything they could to support him.

When Cole was 14, he was recruited to play for a prestigious junior team in the Canadian Hockey League. The next several years were a whirlwind of long bus trips, early morning practices, and intense competition, but Cole loved every minute of it. He worked tirelessly to improve his skills and by the time he was 18, he was one of the top prospects in the league.

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“Cole is a very special player and very easy to coach. His compete level was off the charts and he controlled the game every shift he was on the ice. He was also a perfect balance of humble and confident.

- Said Head Coach Dean Penberthy

Cole was eventually selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft by a team based in the United States.

He knew it was going to be a tough transition, but he was determined to prove himself at the next level.

His first season in the NHL was challenging, as he had to adjust to the faster pace of the game and the increased physicality. But Cole was a quick learner and by the end of the season, he had established himself as one of the top young players on the team. Over the next few seasons, Cole continued to improve and became one of the

Cole McWard and Levi Wright talking between face offs at the State Championship game Photo by 800 Sporting

best players in the league. He was known for his speed, skill, and toughness, and was selected to play in multiple all-star games.

In his tenth season, Cole was named captain of his team and lead them to win the Stanley Cup, it was a dream come true for him. He was also recognized with several awards, including the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. After winning the championship, Cole retired. He was one of the best players to ever play the game, and his legacy would be celebrated for many years to come. He also decided to give back by creating hockey schools for children, in which he and other retired professional players could teach the kids the love for the sport.

Although his playing days were behind him, Cole’s impact on the game of hockey would be felt for many years to come, and his name would forever be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

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