Pepper Box 2021 Senior Special Edition

Senior Issue

May 2021

2 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

Table of Contents The Pepper Box Senior Special Edition May 2021

Photo Galleries - Decision Day & At-home prom......................3 Senior Survey Results.......................................................................4 Teacher Superlatives.........................................................................5 Senior Bingo.........................................................................................6 Baby Pictures.......................................................................................7

SENIOR REFLECTIONS

What I Wish I Knew - Sammy Lewis & Skyler Gayden..............8 What I Wish I Knew - Jordan Fritzsche.........................................9 Goodbye Column - Toni Taylor & Samia Fouché.......................10 Goodbye Column - Peter Tran........................................................11 Sibling Advice Story,.........................................................................12 Seniors in Activities..........................................................................14

THE FUTURE

College Map........................................................................................16 Senior Heirlooms.............................................................................18 21 Years in the Future.......................................................................19

PEPPER BOX STAFF Visual EIC: Jordan Fritzsche

Content EIC: Faith Boyd

Production EIC: Samia Fouche

Spotlight Editor: Kayley Norman News Editor: Maxine Bee A&E Editor: Chris Campos Art Editor: Veronica Susovica

Opinion Editor: Kayla Baker Online Editor: Miranda Martin Special Editions Editor: Lizbeth Hernandez Video Game Editor: Toni Taylor

Sports Editor: Darleen Garcia Business Manager: Sammy Lewis Social Media Manager: Jessica Murillo Adviser: Ron Steinschriber

Staff Members: Tamera Baker, Tyran Cooper, Michelle Everett, Chanel Foster, Kamari Higgins, Kaitlyn Hurst, Maricela Nunez, Asia Poe, Kaylyn Riggs, Taylor Rowald, Chloe Sapp, Tyra Smith, Jaylen Strong, Nykiya Taylor, Gabriel Thompson, Peter Tran, Deaunzze Trotter, Jordyn Williams Front cover art: Veronica Susovica

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Senior Photo Galleries Normally held in the gym, decision Virtual Decision Day day went virtual this year on video

See the whole video

At-home prom

Although COVID forced prom to be cancelled, some students held their own

ABOVE: Promgoers celebrate under a tent at their at-home prom.

LEFT: As part of the at-home prom, senior Kayla Baker invited all of her friends via “promposals,” including this one inviting Bella Rohlfing to the event.

ABOVE LEFT: Senior Ava Pingel poses with Spencer Osborn at the portrait station of the at-home prom at Kayla Baker’s house.

ABOVE RIGHT: The walkway is lit with tiki torches as students attempted to create a prom-style experience in their own backyards. Due to COVID, prom was cancelled at the high school.

4 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

Senior survey

Either/Or Chuck A Burger Clubs

44%

Earthquake Drill Snapchat Spotify Jeans Quizlet

70%

63% 30%

30%

Bus Loop Burger

56% 37 %

Sports Tornado Drill Tik Tok

70%

60%

40%

Apple Music

68%

32% 77%

Sweatpants 22%

Study on own

Yes/No - Virtual learning 53% 91% 62% 66% Turned on their camera during virtual learning

Liked asynchronous learning days

Talked at least once in a breakout room

Fell asleep at some point during class in virtual learning

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class of 2021 School Mom

School Dad

Most Hip

Staff Clown

Angela Lane

Ron Steinschriber

Jeff Dean

Greg Jones

Teacher Superlatives

Most Trustworthy

Christina Melly

Best Drip

Most Likely to Go Viral

Most Chill

Most Understanding

Tavonda Palmer

Tyler Elder

Molly Dahlquist

Angela Huber

6 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

By: Kayla Baker

By: Chanel Foster 1. Aniyah Mangrum, 2. Miranda Martin, 3. Veronica Booker, 4. Ariana Anderson, 5. Deaunzze Trotter, 6. Camille Fuller, 7. Kim Teoli, 8. Daniel Marcuti, 9. Tamara Gibson, 10. Faith Boyd, 11. Darian Dickerson, 12. Kaitlyn Meyer, 13. Rhema Briggs, 14. Emily Trueblood, 15. Isabel Candelaria Barragan, 16. Eva Gleckler, 17. Samia Fouche, 18. Evynn Scherretz, 19. Jessica Murillo, 20. JoAnna Ostoff

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Guess the senior

Can you guess these 20 seniors from their baby photos?

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8 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

What I wish I knew

Staff members share advice for underclassmen

analogy above would refer to it, the ocean.

Sammy Lewis Starting out high school feeling the worst, but expecting the best is mostly what freshman year feels like.

You start out, after all, as a small fish darting around the large ocean they call high school. Soon you gather other small fish and start darting around the sea together.

You might lose some of them, but gain others as the current washes them only to bring somebody new.

But I am getting ahead of myself, hi, I am Sammy and this is a list of ten things I wish I knew before starting high school, or as the fish

Skyler Gayden Students have to deal with a lot of stress any time a new school year is approaching, especially when it’s such a big transition, like from 8th to 9th grade.

There are a lot of things teachers try to prepare their students for, but it never quite reaches full potential, simply because they haven’t experienced high school in the way it is now. In all honesty, these kinds of transitions are best to just experience in your own way, and learn as you go, but it is still scary.

As a senior in high school, I would

1. I should have worked on my cardio beforehand, who knew running to classes would make me so exhausted?

2. Sometimes your locker can be your saving grace. Heavy stuff will slow you down, so use your locker for that class project or storage space for extra supplies.

3. Time is of the essence, in high school you do not have time to be wasting, whether it be heading to class, taking notes, or eating. Do it fast so you have more time for other things.

4. You are not perfect and you are not going to get perfect grades. It’s everybody’s dream to have that perfect 4.0, but you need to face the music that everyone has different ways of maximizing their talents.

5. You are going to change. Sure, like to give incoming freshmen a bit of advice. Keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different, so take this with a grain of salt, but if I can help anyone out, I want to. There are a few things I was never told when I was going into my freshman year of high school that I definitely would’ve benefited from had I known them sooner.

One thing I really wish I knew going into high school was to save the fun classes for later in your junior and senior year. A lot of people sign up for the fun classes first, and put off the more boring classes for their later years, but I do not recommend this. When I first signed up for classes, I took a lot of art classes and wanted to go easy on myself for my first semester, but I definitely regret this. It is better to take those harder, more

you may not think so right now, but four years from now you will be a different person, even if it is only your hair color that’s changed.

6. Do not believe the movies.

Nobody stands like that around their lockers. Sure, they might stand in the hallway, but that is it.

7. Nobody is really sure what they are doing. You may think that everybody has got it figured out already, but the future is not set in stone.

8. Heartbreak is going to happen, that is inevitable. It’s going to hurt, but you are better without them anyway.

9. Do not suffer in silence, tell your teachers you are struggling.

They are there to help you.

10 .People are going to get in your way, but that is okay. You can overcome them.

boring classes first, and make your juniorand senior year so much easier and more laid back.

I took all the math classes I needed my first three years of high school, so for my senior year I did not need to take any math, and that was probably the best decision I made. It sucked, of course, for those first years, but it is worth it when you do not have to stress about those math or science classes on top of figuring out what you want to do after high school. It also gives you the opportunity to explore your interests more and find your dream career much quicker, getting the experience you need.

Another thing I wish I knew was to not be afraid to ask for help. I know adults say that a lot. It can be hard

See GAYDEN on next page

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GAYDEN contd. from p. 8 to listen to, especially when you feel like you are drowning in your own work and struggles, but teachers can be very understanding and helpful. I have always had an issue with self sabotage when it came to the end of the year in that final stretch with all of the testing and end of year projects, but when you actually reach out to your teachers they can be really helpful.

A lot of the teachers are super understanding when it comes to mental health days, as well as just being overwhelmed,so do not be afraid to ask for help.

One final thing I wish I knew is that high school is not like the movies. Do not be scared if your experience is not what you expected. I know it is hard to go in without expectations, but things do not always turn out the way you would like. There is no ‘mean girls’ clique or ‘losers club.’ For the most part, at least in my experience, everyone is so caught up in their own worlds that they pay no attention to others.

Do not stress about what others think of you. Again, I know a lot of people say that, but it is true. And if anyone is rude or you do have to deal with bullies, because of course there are still people like that, please make sure you reach out to a friend, family member, or a teacher.

You will always have someone who will support you.

It is okay to be stressed or scared of the years to come, as most people are when they are transitioning into high school, but there will always be people who understand and who will be there for you. Do not be afraid to reach out to friends, family, or anyone you trust. Your mental health matters and it is so important that you give yourself the time you need to adjust to this big change.

As a freshman, you hear all of the same things.

This year you want to get off to a good start, set yourself up for success following the rest of your high school career, get involved, do npt be afraid to put yourself out there, and most importantly, high school goes by in the blink of an eye. Of course it got tiring hearing each of those statements being repeatedly shoved into my brain, but the last one in particular annoyed me the most.

It is also my biggest regret that at the time, like many others, I just did not believe it. I can still envision my final moments as a freshman, sitting in Melly’s class waiting for that final bell to ring and summer to come. As I reflect on my high school career, I am filled with both pride and sorrow as a crucial chunk of it was taken away from my class. I hope that the classes that come after us can never say the same.

While you are in high school, live in the moment. I spent so much time looking forward to the end of it, at times I was forgetting to be present. Relish your first football game, Homecoming dance, every spirit week, and never take those moments for granted. High school is not a smooth paved road, it has twists and turns and is more closely related to a bumpy roller coaster.

I remain thankful for all of the experiences I have had throughout my time at Ritenour, both the good and the bad and how they have shaped me into who I am today.

I recommend to anyone to get involved in your school, explore all of the clubs, try a few different sports, and run for student council.

It was through HOSA, volleyball, newspaper, and eventually golf ,among many others that I came

Jordan Fritzsche out of my shell and found myself.

Whether it had been through all of the laughs I had shared with the boys volleyball team as a manager, going out and competing in a statewide HOSA event, or watching the work I put into newspaper paying off, I have come into myself.

My hope is that any students who come after me that share some of the same characteristics can find the same comfort in the activities offered at Ritenour. My most important takeaway from my time at Ritenour, and objectively the thing I will miss the most will of course, be the people. I wish I knew from the time that I had taken my first steps into the building to now, how valuable and unique our diversity is.

When speaking with Coach Wagner during an interview this past school year, he said to me that you will never find another place like Ritenour. Those words stuck with me. How lucky are we to be the most diverse high school in the St. Louis area and the 2nd in the state of Missouri? It was something that was so normal to me, as I had been in the district my whole life, that it had not crossed my mind this would be the last time I would ever be in a space like this.

Ritenour will forever hold a special place in my heart. To all of the teachers who pushed me to be the best I can be, and to all of my fellow students and friends who came along this journey with me; thank you.

10 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

Saying one final goodbye Toni Taylor

Hello people of RHS.This is the first column that I have ever written for The Pepper Box, but since I am a senior, it also happens to be the last column that I will ever write. I know, it is unfortunate, but I have faith that all of you will survive such disappointment.

Going along with the theme that I am leaving and never coming back, I would like to say my farewells to the school.

Goodbye ramp that I used to walk up sometimes. I do not know the reason why you were built because you need to use stairs to get to it, but it was really nice not having to use the stairs all of the time.

Goodbye Stein, the Pepper Box

Samia Fouche Dear Ritenour High School, I honestly still cannot believe this is finally it. My whole school career is coming to an end. Thinking about

intern. I hope you get to work on the paper someday to take some of the load off of the backs of the other staffl I know it’s a dream of yours.

Goodbye to all the teachers I have made connections with, you know who you are. To all of the students I have come to be friends with over the past four years: I will really miss all of you and hopefully we meet again someday. I will miss all of the good times we had whenever something was even remotely funny and we just started laughing our heads off, or when we had important moments like performing at musicals or concerts and celebrated how great we did afterwards.

I will miss getting out of school on a warm day just to walk back to my car or the buses, walking past everyone eager to get on with their after school activities and chatting freely with their friends, as the warm breezes comforted us all.

Those were really special moments that the next generation of high schoolers will get to share with each other, and for that, I am excited for them.

Now for my more important

goodbyes.

Goodbye water fountain next to the gym in the cafeteria. If I remember correctly, you always had the coldest water. Even if your stream was a little low, we did not care!.

Finally, most of all, I want to say bye to the dead bug Veronica and I saw junior year. You really made us laugh and you were always a good time when we came around.

Now I cannot say that I will not miss this school. I mean, I have been here for four years, and I am always going to be a Husky for like, ever, but I am excited to see what awaits me and all of the other seniors after high school. I am proud of us because even though we missed out on everything we had been waiting for, for almost our entire life, (you know the year we were supposed to be talking about until we are like thirty or something, and that was supposed to be one of the most exciting times in our teenage years and school life?) we are still managing to pull through!

So long Ritenour Huskies, #5ever.

the end of it all really makes me emotional. I went through so much in my four years in this building and having it not end the way I want it to end does not sit well with me.

Not at all. I think maybe if the world was not the way it was today, then I would not be so sentimental about losing everything I have here.

I have made so many different memories at Ritenour and I have had the ability to try out many different things, whether that’s playing a sport or being a part of a musical, onstage and off. Even if my

time here did not end how I wanted, I am so grateful for the experience and the support I have gotten. Many of those experiences changed my life, and the support I have gotten really helped bring me to where I am today.

Being at Ritenour, my focus was mostly spent on newspaper and my musical abilities. I am glad I was able to work on those abilities here, because I had such an amazing support system behind me that gave me rare opportunities.

Through Stein, my newspaper

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Pepper Box staffers reflect on their time in the Ritenour School District For the last thirteen years I have given my time and effort in exchange for education and experience within the Ritenour School District, enjoying the highest of highs, like winning my first wrestling match and encountering some of the most lively personalities I have ever come across, to experiencing the lowest of lows of getting suspended and kicked out of school for idiotic misconduct.

I can truly say that through it all I enjoyed my time here and would not trade it for anyone else’s.

Though my experience here has been different from most, it has really been a thrill. From aimlessly wandering around the halls avoiding staff members, to getting bodied at wrestling practice everyday, to acting out a scene in drama class, all the way to being sent to an alternative school because I could not get it together, I have learned to appreciate every moment, and that is what I want people to take away from this.

You only get one high school experience so go and experience high school. Make friends, go to class, study for that test, try out for

that team, because one day this will pass us by like it has for me. I did not get to do all the things I wanted and now I have to live with it as a distant memory in the back of my mind. Do whatever you want or do not want to do because one day you will not have the opportunity anyways. I am not even trying to be corny, this all just came to me while writing this.

I will never get this time back and neither will you so utilize the time you have.

I have appreciated everything this school has done for me. The staff has gone above and beyond for me and I commend them for dealing with me along this journey.

I truly believe they do not get enough credit and deserve more respect than they receive. I know they truly care for the students and have given them their all since the moment I walked in four years ago. This is coming from a student who two years ago was making poor decisions and clashing heads with some of these teachers. As time goes on I have recognized what they have done for me, from the teachers I met way back in August 2017 to the new staff in the COVID era of 2021, I cannot thank

advisor, I was able to take on a leadership role within the class. I feel like I could have worked a bit harder, but I am very grateful for the role.

Through Ms. Campbell, I joined the Chamber Orchestra and was able to participate in a lot of activities. I think all of my favorite activities I did through orchestra were in my sophomore year. I played with hip hop duo Black Violin twice, I did pit orchestra for Beauty and the Beast, and I was able to travel to New Orleans just

to play with my classmates. I’m VERY thankful for the opportunities Chamber and Ms. Campbell gave me because they gave me a new perception of music and also solidified my love for the violin.

What I am basically trying to say is that Ritenour has made the end of my schooling career such an amazing experience. The best part about it is that I got to do things a lot of other kids would not do. I got to experience a lot of things a lot of kids cannot do. I got to grow up and be in such a diverse community,

Peter Tran

you enough for the support I have received.

Graduating has always been important to me. I have watched a lot of my friends drop out and find different routes in life and watched many follow behind them.

Graduating is becoming rarer and rarer with teens my age coming from where I come from. I’m not badmouthing them or anything, I know school is not for everybody, but where my family comes from, people have died seeking the opportunities I have been handed, and I knew I could not squander it.

It is easy to lose an opportunity when it goes unnoticed, but when you acknowledge opportunity and let it pass by, that’s the greatest loss of all. who all were still able to connect with each other. I think that is the most beautiful thing of it all.

It is kind of hard to say goodbye like this. Everything is coming to an end so quickly. I am really going to miss this place and all of the people I have befriended over the years.

Ritenour High School, thank you for giving me some of the best times of my life.

Your favorite, Samia Fouché

12 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

Seniors offer advice to younger siblings As some freshmen enter the building, they can rely on the wisdom of their siblings Written By: Tyra Smith For many, high school is a time for new experiences to be made, interests to be explored, and unforgettable memories to be created, however, it can also be a time just as difficult to navigate.

Luckily for some, there are older siblings who have already experienced the trials of secondary school and are kind enough to offer some words of advice. The following are just some of the lessons being passed down from these graduating seniors to their younger siblings.

Senior Uneek Bowens’ younger sister, Desani, will be a freshman at Ritenour in the fall. As lively and energetic as high school can be portrayed as in the media, Bowens advises the incoming freshman to not anticipate her future experience to be all fun and games.

“I would tell her to not expect it to be too easy nor fun. Yes, it can be easy and fun, but it depends on how you work because you can have as much fun as you want, but it can definitely take a toll on you if you don’t take your grades somewhat seriously, especially if you participate in other activities and/or plan on going to college in the future,” Uneek Bowens said.

Senior Emma Gaither’s younger brother, Caden Gaither, is currently a freshman. While she believes education is an important priority for high school, she also believes that one of its most significant aspects is the experience created throughout the journey.

“I think the most important parts of high school are the memories you make along the way. Of course,

learning and grades are important as well, but the memories are something you carry with you and you can always look back on,” Emma Gaither said.

Senior Kimberly Teoli has two younger brothers, Junior Justin Teoli, and Jordan Teoli, who will also be a freshman next semester.

Kimberly advises them both to use their high school years as a time to explore what they’re interested in, in order to prepare for life after graduation.

“I think that the smartest step to take in the direction of postgraduation is to find things that will help you explore your own interests and skills. The best way to do that is to get involved at school and try new things. Once you figure out your interests and skills it will help you find a career path that will include those things, which will ensure that you chose to do

something that you will enjoy and be good at,” Kimberly Teoli said.

While it may not be the most exciting, academics are still an important part of the high school experience. Emma Gaither believes that in order to be successful, selfdetermination is key.

“I think that for achieving success you have to really dedicate yourself to what you want to achieve. It’s hard to keep that dedication but if you keep your sights set on the future and what you want to accomplish then it’s worth it,” Emma Gaither said.

Although commitment is essential when obtaining success, as Uneek Bowens later warns, too much devotion can also be harmful, which is why she advises her sister to take on academic rigor in moderation.

“If you are recommended to sign up for a bunch of AP classes

Photo courtesy: Kim Teoli Junior Justin Teoli and Senior Kim Teoli have both experienced high school. Their younger brother, Jordan, will be a freshman at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.

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Photo courtesy: Uneek Bowens Senior Uneek Bowens wants her sister Desani to know that high school is not all fun and games, and she will need to stay focused to find her path.

starting freshman year, don’t fall for it. It may make you feel ‘smart’ but it is mentally draining to take such classes, let alone so many of them during your first year. Take your time and participate in what you are sure you can achieve,” Uneek Bowens said.

When it comes to finding a healthy balance in between, Kimberly Teoli believes her brothers should prioritize what’s important to them in the midst of balancing schoolwork, clubs and activities, and socializing.

“My best tip for managing the workload on top of everything else is to keep track of your priorities.

They may sway from time to time but it’s best if you take care of what’s important to you before you spend time doing anything else.

Everyone’s priorities can look different so it’s important to focus on your own,” Kim Teoli said.

While a lot can happen

throughout someone’s four years in high school, as Emma Gaither advocates, it is important to remember that it will be over before you know it, and that a student should make the most of their experiences while they can.

“I regret not going to more school events. Now that I am about to graduate, I wish I would have gone to more sports games, dances, and even boat races. I missed the opportunity to support my school and student body more and I wish I had not. The most valuable lesson I’ve been taught is to not let life pass you by. Enjoy and appreciate everything you have because soon it will all be gone,” Emma Gaither said.

Another lesson that Uneek Bowens has internalized is the preservation of mental health.

“A valuable lesson I have learned during my high school experience that I would like to share with my sister is to always make your mental health your main priority.

Regardless of what others say,

your mental health is the key to all of your successes. If your mental health is bad, other skills and abilities you may have are bound to go downhill which may include your schoolwork. Take care of yourself and do not let anyone tell you or make you believe that anything is above your well being,” Uneek Bowens said.

Lastly, Kimberly Teoli shares one important lesson that high school has taught her about change.

“One valuable lesson I’ve learned throughout my high school experience is that there is going to be more change than you will ever anticipate. You may think going into high school that your friends and interests will stay the same but I can guarantee that you will be proven wrong. The craziest part is that usually the change that you will experience will come from inside, and it’s your job to navigate all of it.

It may be scary but with the right mindset it can be very exciting,” Kimberly Teoli said.

Photo courtesy: Emma Gaither Senior Emma Gaither wants her brother Caden to know that self-determination is an important factor in success in high school. Caden has experienced his freshman year during COVID, so next year will be a new experience for him.

14 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

Senior club experience

By: Maricela Nunez and Taylor Rowald

Ella Clover Band Q: How has this year affected your activities with band?

A: We normally have halftime performances, we go to Mizzou, have parades, we go to solo and

Q: How has this year affected your activities with GSA? A: The GSA has met many times, but most of us are not making it to the meetings. Due to connection issues, many people have not gotten to meetings on time.

Q: What are the big changes occurring in your club/sport due to the pandemic?

A: We had to move Ally Week from the initial week planned to a week after. Most of us, myself included, continue to work towards Ally Week, for people to understand what being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and what it means to be

ensemble, we host the large ensemble festival, and we have our normal concerts, and we have done none of those things. Although we are getting one concert our last week of school.

seeing each other for a while, which makes it easier to forget the things we are missing out on because of COVID. The logistics of the class have just changed with the masks and social distancing.

Q: What are the big changes occurring in band due to the pandemic?

Q: What were/or currently the pros and cons of virtual band?

A: Well, while we play we have to wear masks, we have these tie-up bags that go on the end of our instrument to prevent the spreading of germs/COVID. Also, we are spaced six feet apart when we are used to being super close.

Q: What about this year is the same?

What’s been different?

A: The friends and relationships. We are all still very close despite not

an ally.

Q: What about this year is the same?

What’s been different?

A: The amount of times the schedule has changed, that’s been crazy. There really hasn’t been anything the same from that of the last three years.

Q: What are the pros and cons of virtual clubs?

A: There are many pros and cons to virtual clubs. The main pro is that everyone has the opportunity to speak during these clubs, with a longer amount of time. The main con is that not everyone is able to

A: I do not really see any pros to having a band virtually other than it being safer. I mean everything is safer COVID wise if we are virtual.

There are so many cons to having a virtual band, but the main one is there is not really an opportunity to play together with everyone there.

Obviously being back in the class is better, but there are people that are virtual so we do not have the same sound as we did pre-COVID.

speak with great connections to the Internet, myself included. With the virtual clubs, people are not as willing to speak either, many of us stay quiet and muted during many meetings.

Cassandra Kuhlmann GSA

The Pepper Box l Senior Edition l 15

Senior athletic experience A: It shortened my season by a lot, which allowed us to play only 12 games. Though we fortunately were able to have a summer camp and open gyms. Overall it was a great winning season, I just wish it could have been longer.

Q:What are the big changes occurring in your club/sport due to the pandemic?

Jessica Murillo Girls Volleyball Q: How has this year affected your club/sport activities?

A:Unfortunately for those that play club volleyball and high school volleyball, we were forced to pick one or the other. Half of the schools in our area were left to pick and some were able to play both club and high school volleyball. I, unfortunately, could not play my last year of club volleyball.

Q: What about this year is the same?

Q: How has this year affected your football activities?

A: This year has affected me with recruiting and slowing the process down significantly along with the season.

Q: What are the big changes occurring in football due to the pandemic?

A: The biggest change was the shortened season and us playing in spring. And of course, the mask was a factor as well.

Q: What about this year is the same?

What’s been different?

A: What’s been the same, practically nothing because the way we lift weights, team meetings, and our day to day life has been changed due to the pandemic

What’s been different?

A: I can definitely say that the motivation and drive for bettering ourselves on the court has been different than years before. My teammates and I realized how little time we had each other to practice and get better, so we took advantage of every practice we were able to squeeze in. The friendships were definitely the same and some even stronger.

Q: How is practice different from last year?

A: Last year we had a lot of variations of drills and ideas, but this year we almost had to cram the important drills and games, versus having fun practice days where it was games.

given to the team even if one person is undisciplined because its a team game.

Q: What are the pros and cons of practice?

A: Some pros are you get to work on the skills that you are lacking in and the building confidence playing ball and being able to better the people around you.

Some cons are when repping a certain play or drill for an amount of time you can lose focus and discipline. When you are having a bad practice it rubs off on others and eventually a punishment is

Marcellus Griffin Football

16 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

ALABAMA ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY Kristyn Bills Aniah Cosby Keyshaun Guyton

Huntsville, AL

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EDWARDSVILLE Edwardsville, IL

Maria Castillo-Vega Monserrat Delgado Joshua Scruggs Deaunzze Trotter Korea Tucker

Veronica Booker

Holland, MI

MISSOURI CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY Jordan Fritzsche Noel Rilea

KANSAS

COLORADO

HOPE COLLEGE

Fayette, MO

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY

Kale White

Blake Simino-Smith

Nya Baylor

Fort Collins, CO

FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY

Winter Park, FL

Jayla Gordon

Lawrence, KS

Union, MO

LOUISIANA GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY

Chris Campos

Kamaryn Kirk

Miami, FL

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

By: Darleen Garcia

Grambling, LA

MICHIGAN

ILLINOIS Chicago, IL

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY Londyn Jones

EAST CENTRAL COLLEGE Cassandra Kuhlman

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

Emma Finnegan

Maryland Heights, MO

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

FLORIDA Nikya Hourd

Manhattan, KS

Ypsilanti, MI

HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY Tamara Gibson Kelli Jones Brook Madison Aaliyah Patterson

St. Louis, MO

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY Tyler Duerbeck

Jefferson City, MO

Map courtesy of Wikimedia

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

Destiney Knight Zharia Sykes Ava Pingel Jose Ventura

Kayla Baker Rhema Briggs Camille Fuller Darleen Garcia Lizbeth Hernandez Emily Trueblood

St. Charles, MO

MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY

St. Louis, MO

Jessica Medina-Ramos Guadalupe Rico

MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY Emma Gaither

Springfield, MO

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis, MO

SOUTHEAST MO. STATE UNIVERSITY Edward Dueker Malcolm McClain

Cape Girardeau MO

SAINT CHARLES COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Tyrese Cooper

Jayden Frost Eva Gleckler JoAnna Ostoff Jordyn Waites

Columbia, MO

Faith Boyd Samia Fouche’ Ryan Klohr Bella Rohlfing

RANKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE St. Louis, MO

Javier Valdez-Vargas

St. Charles, MO

Darian Dickerson Annie Le Veronica Susovica Toni Taylor

St. Louis, MO

XAVIER UNIVERSITY

STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF MISSOURI Paul VanDoren

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

OHIO

Linn, MO

SAINT LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE St. Louis, MO

2021 College Map

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SAINT LOUIS Keyri Alcantar Aby Arango Ella Clover Hasset Asfaw Miranda Martin

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY St. Joseph, MO UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

The Pepper Box l Senior Edition l 17

Jennifer Amador Isabel Barragan Ray Dickerson Drew Duda Shannon Duda Trinity Gibson-Heard Kenya Gomez Skye Hampton Kaniyah Ilyas Destiny Jackson Perla Jurado Daniel Marcuti Ashanti Mosley Jessica Murillo Abigayle Parker Esmerelda Rendon Bianca Reyes-Estrada Obersy Robles Valdez Saul Saavedra Jalynn Smith Kimberly Teoli Jaiana Whitfield Trinity Williams Donte Wilson

Jaiden Drummer

Cincinnati, OH

OKLAHOMA LANGSTON UNIVERSITY Carmen Bradley Rayna Keen

Langston, OK

PENNSYLVANIA FRANKLIN & MARSHALL U. Tyra Smith

LEHIGH U. Maxine Bee

Lancaster, PA

Bethlehem, PA

WASHINGTON D.C. HOWARD UNIVERSITY Kaila Anderson Reiana Richmond

Washington, DC

WISCONSIN MOUNT MARY UNIVERSITY Gia Elston-Gove

Milwaukee, WI

18 l Senior Edition l The Pepper Box

To Torin Blevans- stay in school and don’t clown around too much. You’ll be a senior graduating before you can believe it.

DANIEL MARCUTI I leave my ability to fall asleep anywhere to my little brother.

SYANN FINERSON To Brian Serrano, I leave my best luck for you to finish class.

JOSE DIAZ ROMERO To all underclassmen, never give up and keep pushing forward .

KELLI JONES To Stein, I leave my humor. Please be funnier next year.

EMMA GAITHER I left my water bottle somewhere, find it, take it or leave it.

CLARK CAPPS To whoever, don’t procrastinate, it destroys you.

ANDREA GONZOLEZ To Kobe “God’s will” Uko.. this is your world now.

BELARMINO GARCIA To the next tennis team members I leave Coach Seibold and her fancy glasses. <3 KENYA GOMEZ To Layton Smith, I leave behind my brightest ideas and unconditional laughs. To Chanel Foster, I leave my highest grades, my sweetest memories, and of course, my most iconic one-liners.

TYRA SMITH

To Mrs. Hartmann, I’ll leave you that foot I built if it’s not in the trash yet ;) JAIDEN DRUMMER To Aniyah Long I leave my locker. P.S. I forgot the locker number and combo so good luck.

JALYNN SMITH To Samara Ruiz I will leave my heart because you’re my best friend.

ABIGAYLE PARKER

To Rylee Berry, I leave you my strength, courage and skills in dance, keep on dancing, girl.

EVA GLECKLER

To my dear sister Canaan, I leave my wisdom and strength to pass. To Mr. Dean, I leave all things assistant related- I quit. To my dear friends, may the factroom group chat never die. #factroomsigningoff HASSET ASFAW

To Charlie Holmes, I leave my ability to outdance any competitor.

KAILA ANDERSON

To the underclassmen, I leave my loud voice for you guys to voice your opinion on any opinionated topics.

CARMEN BRADLEY

To Leon MitchellWilliams, I leave number 16 in football for you to pass down next year.

ANDRE’ DAVIS

To Karis Key, I leave you my love and support that you are going to finish off high school strong.

ASHLEY BRYANT

Senior heirlooms To Trinitee Henderson, I will leave you my favorite albums.

KRISTYN BILLS To class of 2022, LIVE IT UP Y’ALL SENIOR YEAR! Have a better one than we did! :) ANIAH COSBY To Stein, I will leave the TikTok we never made.

MIRANDA MARTIN

To Carmen Lee Taylor, I leave my setting skills and to Maddi Travis, I leave my captain duties.

JESSICA MURILLO To everyone, I leave you infinite wisdom to get through all four years of highs chool without any problem.

GABE THOMPSON To the underclassmen, I leave Mrs. Kim, the greatest math teacher that I’ve ever had.

KANIYAH ILYAS

To the girls volleyball program, I leave my dedication and positive attitude.

LUPE RICO To Roi Mundin, I leave you the middle back. Better cover that back line!

CHRIS CAMPOS To whoever has Montgomery, I leave you with her kind soul. To whoever has Stein, I leave you with some Diet Cokes.

LIZBETH HERNANDEZ

To Baylee Coffman, I leave my mechanical pencils that never fail me and the joy of having Mrs. Melly as an English teacher.

RILEIGH COFFMAN To April Berri, I leave my ability to give hugs and my skill of being responsible to you.

JOANNA OSTOFF To Janiya Scott, I leave my argumentative skills. I feel comfortable graduating knowing that you’ll still be here shaking things up for one more year. I can’t wait to see all of the change you’ll bring!

KAYLA BAKER

The next ‘21 The Pepper Box l Senior Edition l 19

In 21 years, I will be...

In a ranch that I built myself.

ANDREA GONZOLEZ

In the house that I will have in 21 years.

TONI TAYLOR

Hopefully not a bum....

ISABELLA HOUSE

Married and at home with A teacher at an a bunch of pigeons, maybe elementary or middle 38 On the moon. Creating the best memories with my friends and family, a raccoon, and probably school. I will probably MARIA EMMA growing and maturing each watching Legally Blonde. have some kids MONTOYA GAITHER day. I want to be married KAYLA BAKER or something and and have at least one kid maybe be married. I Attending One A museum Enjoying life while being and fulfilling my dream of will also have dogs curator or a Direction’s successful. I have a goal and live on a farm so reunion tour. going viral. Oh and being an teacher! of becoming a physical orthodontist.

I can have chickens FAITH BOYD NOEL RILEA therapist and opening JESSICA MURILLO and pigs. my own rehabilitation JOANNA OSTOFF A financial analyst.

Writing for the St. Louis clinic for athletes working KAILA ANDERSON Cardinals, or at least towards getting back on Hopefully in a state of working to get to that their feet when it comes to financial balance and point. training. I want to be one happiness.

I will have both my SAMIA FOUCHE’ of the first in my family to BELARMINO GARCIA bachelors and masters and become a millionaire and be working a full time job.

I will probably have a A father, a manager of I want to help fund and I will be doing something family...not probably, I will. an important electric build a family estate. with kids because I love I’ll be a social worker who car brand, and a former them. I’ll still be driving my RHEMA BRIGGS really is trying to make a student who will visit nephew and nieces around change. My husband lol, If anything, I will probably this High School again. (maybe even my own kids) he’ll be doing something be coaching in my own :) and be a foster dog mom for with communications and figure skating school and BRUNO PAZ CRESPO sure. that’s cool. traveling the world with LIZBETH HERNANDEZ CAMILLE FULLER my shiba and mini french Traveling the world in bulldog, simultaneously.

I will hopefully have kids and luxury.

Successful and able to VERONICA SUSOVICA in my own house and with DEAUNZZE TROTTER live comfortably, while some nice cars and about to also taking care of my In Congress. buy some new cars cause of Hopefully running my own loved ones as well.

TRINITY WILLIAMS the mid life crisis. business.

MALCOLM MCCLAIN PAUL VANDOREN AUSTYN ELLIOTT Hopefully an athletic Living in one of my beach I will be living in a nice Successful and married. trainer, working to help houses. house with a beautiful athletes.

I will have my bachelor’s JAVIER VALDEZ VARGAS environment.

I’ll be JAYDEN FROST degree majoring in writing my next novel and computer science, Hopefully with my life I will be settled petting my dog. minoring in math, maybe together and married. down and have a GIANNA ELSTON GOVE one day coming back and SHANNON DUDA family. While also teaching here or being I believe I will be working at being a pediatric a data programmer in a A person with a lot of an interior design company, nurse. I love kids different state, most likely responsibilities, working on traveling and making the most and want to help Texas. myself, and my future job. out of life. them the best I can.

ANIAH COSBY VIANEY URBANO AMBROSIO LONDYN JONES EMILY TRUEBLOOD

Congratulations, Pepper Box seniors

Kayla Baker Opinion Editor

Max Bee News Editor

Faith Boyd Content EIC

Jordan Fritzsche Visual EIC

Darleen Garcia Sports Editor

Skyler Gayden Cartoonist

Miranda Martin Online Editor

Jessica Murillo Social Media Mngr.

Kayley Norman Spotlight Editor

Toni Taylor Video Game Editor

Gabe Thompson Staff Reporter

Chris Campos A&E Editor

Samia Fouché Production EIC

Lizbeth Hernandez Sammy Lewis Special Edition Ed. Business Manager

Tyra Smith Staff Reporter

Peter Tran Staff Reporter

Veronica Susovica Art Editor

Deaunzze Trotter Staff Reporter