Prep News 74-7

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News

“If nothing else, value the truth” Volume LXXIV

Sports

-PSAT shifts traditional schedule, pg. 2

-Conversation Cube, pg. 6

Features

Opinion

-Alum in longest baseball game ever, pg. 9 -XC pregame rituals, pg. 11

-Zombieland movie review, pg. 3

Cartoon, pg. 3

St. Louis University High School, Friday, OCTOBER 16, 2009

Issue 7

Wash. U’s Early opens jazz diversity series Luke Chellis Core Staff he Diversity Council (DC) Jazz Diversity Series kicked off Tuesday with an all-school assembly featuring a presentation on jazz by Dr. Gerald Early, Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters in the English Department and Director for the the Center of Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis.

“Jazz has been historically a very diverse music—that is to say lots of different kinds of people have played jazz. Now, I know that jazz is identified with African Americans, but actually lots of different kinds of people have played jazz. So, jazz is actually a richly diverse music … a very global music,” said Early before delivering his talk. “That’s what I mean by jazz diversity. It’s a music that has been attractive to lots of people.”

According to Evans, the DC was formed last year to meet “regularly to talk about ideas as they relate to diversity.” The DC’s

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theme during its first year is “A Jazzuit Education.”

“The Diversity Council’s rationale for using jazz is it’s now a global language. … It provides us with some opportunity to explore this very American art form with everyone, but it also gives us an opportunity to discuss diversity topics like gender, ethnicity, race, age and many other things,” said Evans.

Early structured his talk around six questions, which he posed and outlined but did not answer. The six were: why do human beings have perfect pitch? why do human beings make music? why do people like the kind of music they like? how did music become a commodity? why did Americans invent jazz? and why did jazz change?

“I want people to think a little bit about music and about what music is and what music does. And then I hope to have people think about jazz music a little bit and about what it is and what it does and the way it’s

see JAZZUIT, 13

Rocktoberfestivities

Photo by Mr. Matt Sciuto

Photo by Luke Buckheit

Washington University professor Gerald Early speaks during Tuesday’s assembly

Drury Plaza excavated, hole filled

Ben Kim News Editor t. Louis U. High drew caution tape around the Drury Plaza on Tuesday to allow construction crews to work on a ground depression underneath the plaza’s concrete slabs that was found around Sept.

8. Construction on the depression began on Tuesday.

“It is going as planned as far as what we expected to be there underneath the concrete,” said Director of Facilities Joe Rankin. “There are no surprises. We don’t see any further structural damage due to this

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Taking Everest opened for Saturday’s fun-filled Rocktoberfest.

see UNSUNK, 13

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News Schedule change for PSAT, quarter exams

October 16, 2009

Volume 74, Issue 7

Patrick O’Leary Core Staff irst-quarter exams are the week after the PSAT this year instead of the same week as in recent years.

St. Louis U. High exam dates, not the PSAT’s date, changed this year. Every year, the CollegeBoard sets the dates for the PSAT nationally. This year, the dates were Wednesday, Oct. 14, and tomorrow, Oct. 17.

A council of SLUH administrators, which includes Assistant Principal for Academics Tom Becvar, meets annually to decide the schedule for the following school year.

Becvar said that although school seemed to have started later this year, it really started the same week as last year, except on Thursday instead of Monday. He said school started on Thursday to eliminate class interruptions due to standard beginning-of-the-year procedures such as taking the all-school summer reading test.

Because of the slightly later starting date, the council wanted to move the exams to make up for the few days lost from the

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first quarter. As a result, this year’s first quarter was actually slightly longer than last year’s.

Since first quarter exams were moved to the week after the PSAT, the schedule surrounding the week changed a little bit as well. Instead of the four-day exam week including the Wednesday PSAT with a day off on Friday, this year’s exam week will be styled after SLUH’s other three exam weeks.

However, some concerns have been raised regarding the schedule change, mainly shortened grading time for teachers.

Social studies teacher Tim O’Neil said, “The PSAT (day) never really afforded much extra grading time … No three-day weekend will be a challenge.”

“(English teacher) Michael Koenigs and I will be relying more on the checklist (of essay requirements) and less on internal comments,” said English teacher Jim Raterman. “I wish I could do a more helpful job but time restraints prevent me.”

Junior Phil Nahlik had mixed opinions

about the change. He said that the PSAT being separate from exams “makes it easier because you are only studying for the PSAT.” On the other hand, he said, “The three-day weekend was a nice time to recover (from exam week).”

Other students shared this sentiment.

Senior Dan Keuhl said, “It was nice to get a break this week.” He also remarked that he would miss the three-day weekend.

Senior Anthony Ré said, “(The day off this week) worked out well for me. (Senior) Chad (Carson) and myself had a two-hour meeting with the yearbook reps and basically finalized all the designs. In my opinion, it was great to have the day with it being kind of crunch time with coming up to exams but you didn’t feel like you had to study for exams.”

He added, “The only problem I would foresee is for freshmen. (They) have one day of exams under their belt. (They) kind of have a preview and maybe gave (them) a little insight on how (they) needed to study

Rocktoberfest caps off Spirit Week Frank Schumacher Reporter his past Saturday, STUCO ended Spirit Week with a bang as the Rocktoberfest concert blasted in SLUH’s circle turn-around. The goal of the fall festival was primarily to show school spirit, but it also raised money that STUCO generously donated to Operation Sunscreen, which sends supplies to soldiers in the Middle East who are from Missouri bases and provides them with common things such as wipes, small portions of food, and letters that really boost our soldiers’ spirits, according to a STUCO message to students. STUCO raised funds from the five dollar admission fee and by selling various drawings, contests, and food.

The original plan for the Rocktoberfest was slightly altered by the cold and rainy weather of the day. STUCO planned to use the field outside of the Danis Field House for people to throw a disk or just hang out, and they also planned to have a dunking game, where students would pay to try to dunk

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STUCO members and STUCO moderator Brock Kesterson and Rob Evans into water.

Unfortunately, the company would not let STUCO set up the station due to liability issues.

Despite the unfortunate weather, STUCO still considered Rocktoberfest a success.

As usual, the new Tailgating Club sponsored the Rocktoberfest. Huddled around their grills to warm up from the cold, the Tailgaterbills provided students with burgers and hot dogs.

The Rocktoberfest was filled with fun activities. Just inside the school, a TV had been set up so people could watch their favorite baseball team, the Cardinals, play their final game of the season.

A competition to guess the amount of skittles in a jar and a raffle for a Thierry Henry jersey drew the attention of many Jr. Bills.

However, both competitions were won by the Fister family—sophomore Greg Fister winning the skittles and eighth-grader Paul Fister winning the jersey.

see TEST TIME, 15

A pie-eating contest also took place in between shows, and senior Michael Gaines took away the victory.

The main events of the night, however, were the shows of six SLUH-affiliated bands.

Starting at 6:00, Taking Everest had a halfhour to show off their songs. The band’s line-up consisted of DeSmet sophomore Zach Sullentrup on guitar and vocals, sophomore Jack Milford on drums, sophomore Brendan McEnery on keyboard, DeSmet sophomore Andrew Scherping on bass, and St. Mary’s sophomore Matt Bueltmann on guitar.

The Morning View Drive, an all-SLUH, all-sophomore band held the spotlight for the next half-hour. With Jordan Bollwerk on vocals, Steven Dyke and Tom Blood on guitar, Connor Stinehart on bass, and Mark Kuehner on drums, the Morning View jammed until 7 p.m.

The next hour belonged to the Dead of ’92, a band consisting of SLUH juniors. To quote their MySpace account, Michael Blair provides the “shrieks, wails, and purrs,” Rich

see ROCKTOBERFESTIVITIES, 15

October 16, 2009

Opinion

Volume 74, Issue 7

Penny Wars Update 1. Seniors

4. Freshmen

2. Juniors

5. Sophomores

For: 5,427 Against: -700 Total: +4,727

$61.27 raised

For: 1,724 Against: -800 Total: +924

$25.24 raised

For: 97 Against: -300 Total: -203

$3.97 raised

3. Faculty

cartoon by Robert Lux

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For: 262 Against: -700 Total: -438

$9.62 raised

For: 1,208 Against: -1,900 Total: -692

$31.08 raised

Rules: -Change counts for a class, one cent equaling one point.

-Cash counts against a class, one dollar equaling negative 100 points.

-The battle ends Monday after school, results will be announced Tuesday.

Movie Review Zombieland: comedy in the horror genre Michael Blair Film Critic ’ll confess it: I’m not much of a horror guy. In fact, I avoid the genre like a werewolf steers clear of the full moon or a man with a silver stake. As a little kid, I’d scream through dreams where zombies in trench-coats appeared, wild and hungry, on the monkey bars of my backyard swing set. And just few months ago, I finally gave Francis Ford Coppola’s take on Dracula a shot. It didn’t go so well. In short, I’ve learned one thing: when the blood starts to run, so should I. So, last week, when Rob Bertucci suggested I see Zombieland, there was a little more than U.S. History homework holding me back. In a way, I was a lot like the film’s protagonist, a soft-spoken, neurotic kid who’s suddenly thrust into a world where madhuman disease is passed out like cheeseburgers at the local drive-thru. The boy, called Columbus for his original hometown by his fellow non-cannibals, appends a set of rules to see him through his zombie-filled nights.

Never be a hero, he says. And keep away from bathrooms.

It probably helps that Zombieland is

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more comedy than anything; it cashes in its yucks for yuks. By the time we meet the Twinkie-eating, zombie-killing Tallahassee (played wonderfully by Woody Harrelson), the film works on tickling, rather than chewing, our funny bone. Columbus trades in his slaughtered zombies for a little Abercrombie, and the remainder of the movie plays out in the classic Rio Bravo “hang-out” tradition.

Ultimately, though, Zombieland isn’t much more than funny in a cheap kind of way. It’s wildly entertaining, sure, but it’s not entrenched enough in the dimensions of the genre to be significant and not off-kilter enough to attain the kind of cult status recent films like Shaun of the Dead or SLUH grad James Gunn’s Slither have.

One thing Zombieland does get wonderfully right, though, is its release date. Soon, names like Woody Harrelson will have been replaced by the likes of George Clooney and first-time director Ruben Fleisher will take a backseat to a giant like Marty Scorsese.

But right now, I’m sure to take some finely-crafted zombie comedy over the other, more generic, stylings available, even if that means I might not be getting sleep anytime soon.

Environmental Awareness After school today in J227 the environment club has invited Pat Margherio, President of Sustain Mizzou, to speak about why recycling is important, and what we can do as a school. Anyone is welcome to come and listen.

PN Mike Shannonism of the Week (Broadcasting from New York under a full moon) “I wish you folks back in St. Louis could see this moon.”

-St. Louis Cardinals announcer Mike Shannon

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News SLSO Violinists

October 16, 2009

Volume 74, Issue 7

Pro-Life Club prolific under Callon Andrew Kastner Reporter nder the leadership of its new moderator, English teacher David Callon, St. Louis U. High’s Pro Life Club is taking a bigger role in the SLUH club community with weekly meetings and organized activities. While it has struggled the past few years, the club has resurged in both membership and the number of activities planned and carried out.

Last year, when Principal John Moran called on the faculty for a new moderator, Callon responded, and was appointed the club’s new moderator.

“I had been a member of Pax Christi and really enjoyed it. I have always tried to challenge myself,” said Callon.

Callon has set up an e-mail list, and the group has meetings every Wednesday. Each meeting contains components of prayer, education, and planning activities.

Service has been important as well, as the club has volunteered at Our Lady’s Inn, a center for young mothers and pregnant women, as well as helping to advertise the center’s thrift store. The club also plans on going on the the “March for Life” on Jan. 22, organizing a “Diaper Drive” later on in the year, and unveiling a bulletin board next week that will be shared with Pax Christi.

Each month, the club also has a theme tying in Pope John Paul II’s teaching of the

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Culture of Life for its meetings. The first month’s theme was focused on health care, due to the amount of news coverage on the matter.

“I’m just hoping to ask the questions to get people interested,” said Callon.

A common misconception, according to Callon, is that some people assume that their political affiliation or religious background would prevent them from participating.

“To me, we are Catholic Christians before anything else. Being Pro-Life is in some way standing outside of both parties and calling us to a more perfect vision of how to respect life,” said Callon.

Gabler founds NASCAR Club Nathan Rubbelke Reporter uckle up and hold on tight, St. Louis U. High has a NASCAR club. The club was inspired by senior NASCAR enthusiast Bill Gabler, who is often seen in the halls sporting NASCAR apparel and his infamous Jeff Gordon lunch bag. Gabler said he has had the idea of trying to promote NASCAR at SLUH since freshman year but was too shy early on to show his love of racing.

It was not until last year that Gabler found others who share his passion for NASCAR, including junior Etefia Umana and sophomore Joe Esswein. After Esswein and Gabler made a pilgrimage to the Brickyard Speedway in Indianapolis over the summer, the group decided to create the NASCAR club.

Wet Billies B photo by Connor Blanquart

Senior Travis Meyer gets sophomore Joe Milburn into a headlock during Wet Billies last Friday.

photo by Kyle Vogt

Left: Two violinsts from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), Hiroko Yoshida (left) and Ling Ling Guan, performed the Bach Violin Concerto, the Mozart Duo in B Flat Major, and the first and third movements of Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violins in the Joseph Schulte Theatre on Monday during activity period. Approximately 60 students and faculty attended the performance.

—Reporting by Conor Gearin

The only problem facing the club’s formation was scouting a moderator. The group did not know of any teachers who are fans of NASCAR, so Gabler picked history teacher Joe Porter. Although Porter is not a NASCAR fanatic, he said, “I promise to fulfill my duties so that the club is successful and the guys have a forum to discuss and enjoy their passion for NASCAR.” Gabler described the mission statement of the club, saying, “We want to be able to educate others of the teamwork of NASCAR (and) give everyone the opportunity to understand the sport.”

The club plans to meet and discuss the recent races and standings in NASCAR, and possibly have different contests based on races, drivers, and the Nextel Cup. The group also aspires to gather at a restaurant or a member’s house in the future to watch a few races together.

The group is small right now and consists of only about five members. They will meet this upcoming week in M104. The group encourages anyone with interest, die hard NACSAR fans or not, to join.

5 Sports Soccer outplays Jeff City, ousted by Griffins

October 16, 2009

Volume 74, Issue 7

Jacob Born Reporter he St. Louis U. High Jr. Bills (12-4-1) continued their success in the Jr. Billiken Classic with a win over Jefferson City 2-1, then fell to Metro Catholic Conference (MCC) rival Vianney 3-0.

After the Edwardsville game was cancelled due to inclement weather, the Jr. Bills came out to play Saturday on a sunny afternoon. Defense was the key in this game.

Most of the passes that players attempted to thread through were easily intercepted and booted out for a quick transition play.

As for play in the middle, the ball control was evenly controlled, unlike the Lutheran South game.

“There really wasn’t much difference between the Jeff City and the Lutheran South game,” said head coach Charlie Martel about the offensive and defensive play. “Jeff City was just a better team.”

At the ten-minute mark, Jeff City man-

aged to break into the box first and got the much-needed first goal of the game off of a shot that went just over junior goalie Andrew Evola. For the rest of the half, the Jeff City defenders double-teamed the U. High of-

Adam Cruz, Rob Bertucci Sports Editors uring the Mehlville-St. Louis U. High district football game on Oct. 23, Mehlville will be holding a fundraiser for long-time superfan Tim “Ozzy” Osborn who for the last 12 years has lived on the streets.

Osborn is a mentally disabled man around the age of 50. “Ozzy” is not a Mehlville alumnus—he attended Southview High School in the special school district.

However, he grew up near Mehlville, and most of his neighborhood friends attended the high school. As a way of keeping his

relationship going with his childhood friends, Osborn religiously attended their sporting events.

“He would cheer with the cheerleaders.

He would help with the statisticians. He was very involved and enthusiastic and loyal to the Mehlville fans,” said Mehlville graduate Ken Stevenson, who is spearheading the fundraising for Osborn. “For approximately 25 to 30 years, he became a fixture at Mehlville sporting events to the extent that they started referring to him as ‘Mehlville’s number one fan.’”

However, over the last 12 years, Osborn has fallen on hard times and has not been seen

as he usually was by the Panther faithful. For various reasons, he had lost his job and his apartment, and was living homeless on the streets in the Soulard area.

Osborn ran away from home in 1996 after having a falling out with his father. After looking for work in the city, he settled and started living under a bridge at Jefferson and Chouteau, where he lived for five years.

Osborn refused to beg for money and instead took part time work wherever he could. When he did manage to scrape together enough money, he would try to attend the games.

JV XC Last meet: MCC Championship, 1st place Key runner: Junior Alan Ratermann

(16:52), first place Next meet: Borgia Invitational 10/17 JV Football Record: 2-4-1 Last game: 26-14 loss vs. Chaminade

Key player: Sophomore Alex McNeil, TD

pass Next game: At Ritenour 10/19 JV Soccer Record: 5-4-2 Last game: 2-1 loss vs. CBC Key player: Junior Jake Schonoff, goal Next game: vs. Clayton 10/19

B Soccer Record: 6-1-1 Last game: 2-0 win vs. O’Fallon Key player: Sophomore Tommy Behr Next game: At CBC 10/16 -Compiled by Eric Mueth, Adam Cruz, Ryan Bedell, Joe Jedlicka

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keeper to even the score, 1-1.

After tying the game, the Soccerbills became very patient with the ball, letting Jeff City defenders make the first move when in the corners. And when in the middle of the field, the Jr. Bills would pass the balls down the sidelines. The system seemed to work. After Jr. Bill midfielders brought the ball up the middle and took a shot from outside of the goalie box, senior David Burr redirected it into the wide open bottom left corner, giving the FIFAbills a 2-1 lead.

With the time winding down, the Jr. Bills continued their spectacular defense, not allowing many shots on goal despite a lack of sense of urgency to get the ball past the midfield line late in the game. The Jr. Bills kept possession for most of the last five minutes of the game and defeated the Jays 2-1.

On a chilly Tuesday night, the Jr. Bills traveled to St. John Vianney High School

photo by mike dryden

Senior Matt Reda cuts around the Vianney defender.

fensive front, causing very little play above 25 yards out. When the halftime whistle sounded, the Jays were ahead 1-0.

But just five minutes into the second half, junior Ben Emnett, off of a pass from senior Joe Bettger, put the ball past the Jays’

see CHALK, 12

Mehlville to hold benefit for Tim Osborn in District game vs. SLUH D

JV Sports Updates

see OSBORN, 12

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Sports Late miscues, Standard lead to blow-out

October 16, 2009

Volume 74, Issue 7

Daniel Schmidt Reporter here would be no last-minute drive this year. No game-winning field goal, no storming of the field. Just 30 or so Chaminade fans cheering for their team’s victory and running back at the end of Friday night’s game.

Most people who bought a ticket to the SLUH game last Friday night probably didn’t expect to be buying a ticket to an exhibition. But they did: the Rob Standard and Co. exhibition. The Chaminade junior running back rushed for 243 yards and 5 touchdowns as the Red Devils racked up 366 yards of total offense and thrashed and

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dashed the St. Louis U. high Jr. Bills 49-7. who is getting offers from across the Midwest, including from Although the Notre Dame, and is momentum from the receiving about seven Vianney win carletters a day, accordried over to the first ing to his father. drive—sophomore Though the Red quarterback Trevor Devils dominated McDonagh hit sophthe Biggamebills in omore wide receiver nearly every aspect Stefan Sansone for of the game, SLUH an 80-yard TD rewon the sportsmanception—it abruptly ship battle. Despite ended there. From Junior Lan Sansone surges through the open field. the fact that the game that point on, the was virtually over after the third quarter, SLUH offense amassed just110 yards, and the see EXORCISM, 14 defense could do nothing to stop Standard, PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. RICK KUEBEL

Conversation Cube

-Compiled by Adam Cruz

Mike Riddering Football captain

John Helling Swim captain

Caleb Ford XC captain

Kurt Eisele Hockey captain

Joe Rund Freshman Varsity Soccer player

Game Day Meal

Grandpa comes over and makes me bacon, eggs, and a grapefruit.

Pasta the night before, fruit and anything that gives me carbs the day of.

Strawberry yogurt, bran flakes, a banana, a bagel, and a Gatorade.

Two or three slices of pizza, fries, ranch to dip it in, and a Mountain Dew.

Peanut butter and jelly, an apple, and a banana.

“Do you know what the sine of Pi/6 is?”

“Check out that hot blonde in the stands.”

Weirdest thing an opponent has said to you

A lacrosse player from Hickman told me about his friend being expelled for killing a guy.

Right before our race, this guy started talking about his leopard speedo.

Chaminade runner“Oh yeah, well we beat you in football!”

Favorite Sports Quote

“You got to beat the best to be the best.”

-Ravens’ Ray Lewis.

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice a gift.”

-Steve Prefontaine

“Hit the tight end!”

“It doesn’t take talent to hustle”-H. Jackson Brown

I can’t play without ...

That one scene from Remember the Titans with Coach Yost…

You know what I mean, the title comes from it.

Two pairs of socks on.

My goggles I’ve worn since age ten.

5-Hour Energy.

We will win state if ...

(Former linebacker) Jabari Allen makes his long-awaited comeback.

Rockhurst gets the swine flu.

A Linhares pre-race prayer and my lucky socks.

Giving 100% every moment of the game.

We continue to work hard and play together as a team.

We run at our best.

We have the talent, but it will be tough.

We come out ready to play every time. In hockey it’s all about focus and heart.

C Sports Updates

C Soccer Record: 8-5 Last game: 1-0 win vs. Vianney Key player: Remi Hoffmann, goal Next game: At DeSmet 10/17

C XC Last meet: MCC Championship, 1st place Key runner: Joe Archer (18:38), 4th place Next meet: Borgia Invitational 10/17

C Football Record: 3-5 Next game: At Mehlville 10/22 -Compiled by Danny Buehler, Eric Mueth, Adam Cruz

Opinion Brad Zandstra, father of Chris Zandstra, ‘10, shares his perspective in a Q&A October 16, 2009

Volume 74, Issue 7

Ben Kim News Editor spoke with Brad Zandstra, the father of Chris Zandstra, over the phone on Wednesday Oct. 7 and asked him about Chris.

The following is the transcription of the interview. Ellipses represent short pauses unless otherwise noted.

Prep News: As you know, SLUH has dedicated a tree to Chris.

What are your feelings towards that?

Brad Zandstra: I think it’s great. I think it is an honor to say the least. I think that SLUH is an institution … I mean, I can speak highly about them. Just the interaction that I have had with some of the students, most notably Mark McBride and … Will Bufe, has been something that helps me keep going, you know. It really helps to have contact with friends of Chris’ and kind of helps me deal with it. I think it is great that the tree was planted there, and I understand—unfortunately I couldn’t get off work to get down there—but I understand that it is a maple tree and that it is kind of planted by its own. And you know, it kind of sits by itself. That is correct, right?

PN: Correct.

BZ: Ok … and it is a permanent thing. I mean, maple trees live a very long time. And it’s a great tribute to Chris, and I also think that … universally it is also a tribute to the institution and the students there, who cared enough to do that. So I mean, it’s an honor, honestly.

PN: It has been two years since Chris passed away. How are you and your family members dealing with Chris’ absence?

BZ: Well … honestly, my eyes well up daily. I get tears in my eyes daily. It’s … it’s a … it’s not constant like it used to be, but it stinks.

I mean, you know, as you know, Chris lived with his mother in St. Louis, but he also came and visited up here frequently. And you know, I talked to him on the phone, pretty much daily. The only time I wouldn’t talk to him was if I was out of town somewhere else or he was out of town, cause if he was on a road trip. Or as I’m sure you know, we took him to London. We took him to Hawaii. And he also has been to Spain with the Spanish Club. Also he went to Brazil with his cousin, Gabriel Lima.

So I mean, you know, he was well-traveled, and I was very happy about that, but it was more fun to travel with him. And we would see things for the first time together, which was, you know, kind of a cool experience.

It’s brutal because, you know, Chris was my only child, and you know, I … I … I miss him incredibly, you know. I mean, that’s … that’s … the feeling that it is to lose your son is something that I wouldn’t wish on anybody because I can’t understand how anything can possibly … how anything worse can possibly happen to me.

You know, I was very nervous about being a father. I didn’t know how I would be. But the minute I saw him when he … he was born, he opened one eye and looked at me. And I was the first thing he saw. And actually, I believe I may have been the last thing he saw. But I don’t think he remembers the last time he saw me

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because he was under a lot of sedation and he was … you know, the toxins in his system were so high that he was pretty much out of his mind. But I must have prayed a million times over the years.

The three times he had cancer that, you know, “It should be me, it shouldn’t be him,” because as a father, your nature instinct is to protect. I mean, you would take a bullet for your kids. And … it’s brutal because I couldn’t take the bullet for him. So it’s very sad for me … kind of daily. I mean, I feel like it was an honor to have him as my son because I think … he touched many people at 16.

He’s twice the man I’ll ever be.

And it’s… it’s … I think his mother actually said it to me, and she heard it described by someone else who had lost a child that “You now realize that your best days are behind you.” And I think that’s a very accurate statement, and that kind of encapsulizes how it feels for me daily. You know, every morning I get up and walk by his room, and … it’s kind of an indescribable feeling. I think that if you become a parent yourself someday, some of that will be kind of brought into perspective because the love and the bond that you feel for your kids are kind of unshakable.

I hear about people who disown their kids, and I can’t … I can’t imagine … I mean, I can’t imagine that because I would give anything to have him back. I would die a hundred times and … you know, walk through fire. But it just doesn’t work that way. So it’s … it’s … I guess it gets kind of better over time. That said, it’s still something that bothers me all the time and is on my mind constantly.

I mean, I would kill to hear him say dad … even one more time. I think that’s pretty much it.

PN: What is your personal image of Chris that is in your mind?

BZ: Just him smiling and laughing. He did a lot of that and beating me in ping pong (chuckles). He had a terrific sense of humor. He was always upbeat. He always had a smile on his face. You know, the stuff that that boy had to deal with in his life is overwhelming to say the least. And he never complained. He never whined. And there were times where he was absolutely miserable, and I only ever heard him say it once. But again, he said it once and just kind of dealt with it.

He … he was very brave. He was … he was great to be around.

I mean, if you know him, you kind of know he just kind of had this … you know … it’s tough to put into words … He almost had like an aura of happiness around him. Or contentment. You know, it’s difficult … whenever I think of him I see him smiling, you know.

And we used to goof on each other a lot (laughs). We had a lot fun. We played a lot of cards. He was actually a very good poker player. He used to play with me and my friends, and he used to win, which for a bunch of old men, was a little bit of a shock. We went on a couple vacations where we went up to Wisconsin, just me and him, and went camping for a few days and just stayed up there, and just kind of walked through the woods or played cards or played video games. You know, just be completely alone because usually

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Volume 74, Issue 7

ZANDSTRA

(from 7) we rented out someplace, we rented the only place around. And it was amazing the level that we used to communicate with. I mean, I guess part of it was because it was a father-son thing, but I think part of it probably was also that …

You know, I’m sure that deep down at someplace in his subconscious or whatever, something in him must have known, his soul must have known that at some point his life was going to be cut short because he just had a great attitude about everything. And I guess that sums it for him. He was just smiley, happy, and had a great attitude, and did not like to bring those around him down when he was feeling down.

PN: Chris would have been graduating with us this year. What were the hopes and dreams that you had for him?

BZ: You know really, my hopes and dreams for him were just for him to do something that he would be happy with. I had no doubt that he would do something meaningful. I mean I had heard him say that he possibly wanted to get into medicine and kind of the research thing, but that wasn’t his only interest. I mean he was kind of big on math and science, so it might have been the natural thing for him to go that way. But really, I think that as a parent, first and foremost, you want your kids to be happy, to lead a productive life.

Because if you are not leading a productive life, then ultimately, you are not really that happy.

You know, you hear all these stories about all these rich kids, who are, I mean, you know, the kids you hear about in New York City and serious old money and they never had to work and their parents never had to work and you hear about how miserable they are all the time and they are addicted to drugs and they’re constantly in a psychiatrist’s office or two. So I think a part of being happy would be for him to be productive. And I think that is something he would have easily achieved. But really that, just for him to be happy. That’s, that’s it.

PN: Do you wish that Chris was never afflicted by multiple cancers, that he had lived an easier life?

BZ: (a long deep sigh) That’s a difficult, that’s a really good, difficult question. In one case, of course, as a father, I would have to say “Yes, I would.” Of course, I wanted him to not have to go through all that. But I think if you were to ask Chris that question, I think he would probably say he probably didn’t have a lot of regrets because it made him who he was. I mean, adversity in life teaches you lessons.

I mean, it builds character. That’s quite true. I mean, it’s all about how you use it. He clearly used it in a positive way, and I struggle to do that daily. Because it is easy to, when you lose the thing you love the most on this earth, it’s pretty easy to be bitter and angry.

And there are times where I do slip into that, but they are few and far between. And I kind of think of his smiling face to get beyond that, but back to the question, boy that’s tough. I mean, I suppose it would be pretty selfish of me to say, “Yeah I would want him to have never have had to deal with any of that.” But on the other side of the coin, he sure touched a lot of lives. And I think he made a lot of difference, I think he made a big difference in a lot of peoples’ lives. So if you look at the greater good, I would have to really

Opinion

October 16, 2009

(sighs) say it was the way it was supposed to be. And you know, obviously I wish the last one wouldn’t have taken his life, cause I think he had touched a lot of lives by then, but boy, that’s me more thinking about me than it is thinking about him and the rest of the world. So I’m not sure if I have given you a definitive answer, but that is as close as I can come. I mean it’s, I could go both ways on that, it’s really tough to be definitive on that one. That is a really tough question. Very good one.

PN: As time passes, the future SLUH, as well as some part of the current SLUH, will never get to know Chris on a personal level. What do you want the future SLUH community to remember Chris as?

BZ: (long sighs) A kind inspiration I think. Somebody who was at some point was so mentally strong that with all the horrible things that were happening to him, he never ever let it get him down. And I think he didn’t always like having a big fuss made over him. You know, he would always become a little anxious. Let me put it this way, he was very cognitive of the fact that there were others that were much worse off than him. And he kind of gained perspective on that. As a parent, I have been to a memorial service at the Children’s Memorial, where they had a service for parents who had kids who have passed away from you know various diseases at Children’s Memorial. And you know, it is really tough to go there and do that because boy it’s just in your face and very very emotional. And everything gets peeled away, it’s really tough. But then you see parents who get up there who have had two kids pass away. And I look at them, and I don’t know how they can get out of bed in the morning to be honest with you. And I think Chris had that kind of strength, where he was just mentally really really tough. And he could really just deal with it and not get down. Not get down on himself or others around him. He was always a happy kid. So I would have to say that I hope people would remember him of that first of all, and I think he would agree with this with a smile and maybe a laugh, And then talk about how strong he was, and how unselfish he was.

PN: Last question. If Chris were here, what message do you think he would want to give to the SLUH community?

BZ: (long sighs) I think he would want everybody to keep the faith.

I think he would want everybody to do for others. I think he would want people to realize that no matter how bad your day gets, somebody else is having a worse day and to think of that person before, you know, you go into despair or get depressed or anything like that. There is always somebody who is worse off, and you know, there are a lot of tragic things that happen in this world. I think he would want everybody to keep things in perspective, when you get stressed out at school or at work or you know, later on in life when you have a family that you get stressed out at. I would think he would want you (sighs), you know, trust God and be faithful, and be strong because somebody else has it worse. And don’t feel sorry for yourself because that’s really counter-productive. Because I don’t think that is something he ever did.

October 16, 2009

feature

Tuxbury, ‘83, plays in record length ball game

Volume 74, Issue 7

9

Alum’s 133 inning marathon baseball game

Eric Lewis through corporate sponsorships, player donations and solicitations, Core Staff and outside pledges, the participants raised $100,000 for the Boys left behind the lights of the stadium feeling cold and exhausted Club of St. Louis, Pona’s charity of choice. on Saturday night as the Cardinals returned to their dugout.

“I’m on the same page as Trevor Hoffman, the first closer to But another shift of players quickly began a new inning and the get 500 saves,” Tuxbury said of the game making it into Guinness game continued. It was not Busch Stadium that I had just left, World Records 2009. “Never in my wildest dreams would I see that but TR Hughes Ball Park in O’Fallon, the home of the River happening … I’m on the same page as A-Rod.” City Rascals. Forty men, including St. Louis U. High alumnus Their record was short-lived, however. Over May 23 and 24, Jim Tuxbury ’83, were competing to set the world record for the 2008, the Long Island Division Men’s Senior Baseball League, longest baseball game ever played. based in New York, played a 33-hour, 15-minute game to claim the The game record. was actually “They beat their second our time by attempt at the about 40 minfeat. They had utes, and we set the record (who had paronce before on ticipated in Oct. 14, 2007, the first game) at 32 hours, 29 all thought, minutes, and ‘Come on. You 25 seconds. can do better S a t u r d a y ’s than that,’” said game lasted 92 Tuxbury. “So innings, just we decided that over ten reguthis time we’d lar games, and really beat the ended with the record.” team named S o the in honor of group started the 1944 St. planning its Louis Browns big event, a defeating their 48-hour long opponents, baseball game named after which would Jim Tuxbury, ’83, steals home during the record baseball game, which lasted over 48 hours. the 1928 Nebegin on Oct. 9 gro National League champion St. Louis Stars, by a score of 119 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the so-called Streetcar Series, to 81 and ending with a final time of 48 hours, 9 minutes, and 25 which ended on Oct. 9, 1944 when the National League champion seconds.

St. Louis Cardinals beat the American League champion St. Louis

Following Guinness World Records protocol, each team con- Browns 3-1 in Game 6 of the World Series. Like the first game, sisted of 20 players who played in shifts but were not allowed to leave this one would also serve as a charity event, benefiting the Cardinal the premises during breaks. Many slept on cots in their respective Glennon Children’s Medical Center at Williams’ request. locker rooms when not out on the field. It was also required that “(When Williams) and his wife were expecting their second the game be played in the spirit of the game; as Tuxbury explained, child … it came with complications, and I think after just over a “we had to compete like in a normal game.” year, the little boy passed away,” Tuxbury said in explanation of The idea originated within the Men’s Senior Baseball League to Williams’ choice. “He had a special interest in choosing Cardinal which Tuxbury belongs, when member Steve Pona read of similar Glennon as the charity because they treated them with such dignity, marathon baseball games in a magazine. He and fellow member Chuck and they did such a wonderful thing for his family.”

Williams became the chief organizers of both games. The majority The players rallied a lot of corporate and public support for of the rosters for both games were drawn from the league. their adopted cause. The two principal sponsors were Edward Jones The 2007 record-breaking game doubled as a charity event, and

I

photo courtesy of Mr. Jim Tuxbury

see EXTRA INNINGS, 10

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EXTRA INNINGS

(from 9) and the Jonny G Foundation, but a complete list is available on the event’s website, www.worldrecordbaseballgame.com.

The River City Rascals offered both the stadium and its locker room facilities, without which the game would not have been possible. Another sponsor covered the cost of running the stadium’s lights all night long, and yet another donated necessary athletic equipment.

“We had five cases, so maybe 850 baseballs (at the beginning of the game),” said Tuxbury, who guessed that they used between 450 and 500 baseballs throughout the course of the game. “At first we were asking people to throw back foul balls because we weren’t sure how many we’d need for 48 hours of baseball.”

In the end, Tuxbury and his teammates actually played for an extra nine minutes and 25 seconds to complete the game’s 133rd inning. The Edward Jones Browns defeated the Jonny G Foundation Cardinals 180-140.

“The first time there was a lot more anticipation and excitement about breaking the record, and we stopped the game and marked breaking the record, and everyone shook hands. This time we broke the record at like 3 in the morning and half of us were asleep,” Tuxbury said when comparing the two games. “They were probably concentrating more on playing baseball than they were on beating the record (this time), so I think (the second) game was maybe a little more competitive than (the first).”

“The number one reason we were out there was to raise money

Photo of the Week

Photo by Mr. Matt Scuito

News

October 16, 2009

for Cardinal Glennon,” said Tuxbury. “When we started to hear about the big numbers that were rolling in, the guys were starting to get more and more excited.”

“Although the numbers aren’t back yet,” he continued, “I think we cracked the $100,000 mark again.”

The proceeds will go towards financing the construction of a new cardiac center at Cardinal Glennon, which, according to Tuxbury, will be “one of only five in the nation” upon completion.

Tuxbury recalled catching during Williams’ last at bat as his favorite moment of the game: “When (Williams) came up to bat near the end of the game, he had just done a television interview where he revealed to the press about his experience with Cardinal Glennon Hospital, and he came to the plate and looked really emotional to be there.

“He was fighting back tears, at one point he was actually crying a bit, and who can blame the guy?” said Tuxbury, choking back tears of his own. “And he just asked me to walk him through the at bat, to get him out of there without looking like a fool. So every pitch that came, he knew what it was going to be (because Tuxbury told him), and everyone who has experience with competitive baseball know that that’s a no-no, but everyone who’s ever experienced life knows that you take care of a friend that way.”

“And when he slapped a base hit between first and second and ran out there and turned around and pointed at me and said thanks,” Tuxbury concluded, “That was probably my most memorable … point in the game.”

Cookbooks for Sale SLUH’s Mother Club’s Volume II Cookbook is available! Entitled SLUH Cooks! Vol. II, the cookbook costs $20 and can be ordered from SLUH’s website. The cookbooks will be sold at the October Card Party and SLUHtique.

Shirtless senior Doug Guilfoy informs the student body of upcoming events.

Drawing by Jennifer Langford

Sports Feature

October 16, 2009

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Volume 74, Issue 7

Before the gun: SLUH’s Cross Country team Reviewing the course, getting focused

Mike Lumetta Core Staff t. Louis U. High’s top seven arrived at Chaminade around 3 p.m. Tuesday for the cross country Metro Catholic Conference (MCC) Championships and, after stashing their bags under the bleachers of the football stadium, set out in sweats on their regular routine. I joined them on their walk of the 5k (3.1 mile) course, which was laid out across Chaminade’s campus.

Senior Caleb Ford led the group, composed of himself, seniors Emmett Cookson, Bill Gabler, and Tony Minnick and juniors Tim Rackers, Joe Meier, and Dan Raterman, across the track to the secluded lower field where the starting line was located. Because of a football practice on the field, they did not go all the way to the starting line, which pressed against the woods at the back of the campus. Instead, they began walking from the first turn about 200 meters from the start, which took the white line uphill.

“Dang, these turns are going to be bad,” observed Rackers.

“Tim, all you are going to see is blue,” said Raterman, implying that Rackers would have bested the whole field except some of his teammates by that point. Nevertheless, the captains advised the team to take care going around the turn so early in the race.

As the team continued uphill, they allowed themselves to digress a little. The conversation dipped into commentary on SLUH physics classes before a rough patch in the course brought about a return to race strategy.

“Stay high and left!” Cookson called back to his teammates as we walked over a particularly muddy and uneven stretch.

“Don’t kill yourself here,” said Ford, kicking some crabapples by a fence a little further on.

As we advanced along the line, the captains laid out race strategy in greater detail. They analzyed potential problems on each stretch: tight parts, pack sizes, protruding branches, slippery ground, and other unusual facets of the course, including a cable from a power line.

“Right here could become a bottleneck if it doesn’t spread out,” said Ford where the course threaded itself between trees.

The course then swept around the front of the school. It remained flat for the most part and went under several more trees before reaching the school’s main driveway.

“Alright, there is a grate here. That is bad,” said Ford, directing his teammates to steer left onto the pavement.

As we followed the course back to the rear of campus, the talk turned to the competition and the race’s dark horse: DeSmet.

“DeSmet wants it,” said Cookson.

“What?” asked Minnick.

“It. MCCs. The championship,” answered Cookson.

S

“In viewing their Facebook statuses, they’re ready for this,” added Ford, who himself follows carefully prescribed rituals the day before a race.

“The day before a race, when you take a shower, you have to wash between your toes twice,” he said.

Shortly afterward, at 3:40 p.m., the team broke into a jog. The atmosphere became much more serious, and the conversation ceased for the most part, limited to only major points of strategy. The approximately two-mile warm-up halted only briefly when Minnick got a bit of debris stuck in his shoe, and the top seven returned around 4:00 p.m. to the track and approached the chute that marked the conclusion of the race. The walk and jog exemplified SLUH’s ideal of pack running—a tight-knit team philosophy.

“You can’t perform like a unit unless you do things really tightly,” said Linhares.

With the race only half an hour away, the team made its way back to camp beneath the bleachers, where JV and freshman runners were gathering for their later races. After a brief break during which they collected their bags and spikes, they circled up on the tarp and stretched. The routine consisted of butterfly; figure 4, a toe-reach; Sean-lock, in which a runner supports himself with one leg and two arms behind him and crosses his other ankle over the knee; quads; hamstrings; and Achilles.

“Contrary to popular belief, Emmett Cookson is racing!” Cookson yelled to no one in particular from his position in a Sean-lock.

When I asked him why popular belief might make that mistake, he said that he had had a cold earlier in the week and was on the bubble for Tuesday’s race. Linhares had not made clear that Cookson and not senior Ben Ford, Caleb’s twin brother, was starting on the top seven.

With stretching completed, the team started to don race gear.

Some had boxes for their racing spikes, but Cookson set down an immaculately organized case containing his red, green, blue, and yellow spikes next to his half-full gallon jug of water. He pulled a small temporary tattoo from the case, walked over to a nearby retaining wall with his jug, and applied the Nike Nationals tattoo to his biceps.

“I got it when I broke 17:00 at Rim Rock on a horrible day, so I thought I’d save it until MCCs,” he explained.

Then assistant coach Joe Porter marched through camp and called the top seven to the line, “Varsity, we’re ten minutes out.

Let’s go!” He counted the starters as they assembled just outside camp. Ford was the last to arrive.

“There’s six, there’s seven,” Porter counted.

“It’s been 31 days since I wore these shoes,” remarked Ford as he ambled into the huddle of the top seven, Porter, and Linhares, assembled next to the concession stand.

“You can’t perform like a unit unless you do things really tightly.“ -coach Jim Linhares

see XC, 12

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CHALK (from 5)

Sports XC

play the Golden Griffins. As it is in all competitive games, ball control played a major role. But, in the special case of Vianney, so was physical play.

“Whenever we play Vianney there’s always a physical game and we usually can play with them for 40 or 50 minutes. But after that the play starts to get to us,” Martel said.

Because of the physical play, the Varsitybills would send the striker on a fast break to create some chances, but the Griffins would just shut them down. However, the strategy made the Griffins run, fatiguing them. The first half ended in a deadlock, 0-0.

The second half was a disappointment for the U. Highbills. They would get the ball low, but then they would try too hard to get a pass into the middle. The pass would be intercepted and then taken the other way.

Then SLUH committed a weak foul, and the ensuing shot was redirected into the post, but the same Griffin followed his shot and put the ball into a wide open net. The goal

gave the Griffins a 1-0 lead, and that was all they needed.

Eight minutes later, another shot got past senior goalie David Kirner. The Griffins crossed the ball and the striker headed the ball into the top corner.

Vianney led 2-0, and after the second goal controlled the speed of the game. SLUH had some good efforts and good scoring chances, but the Vianney defense would always steal the ball, work it up the field, and apply pressure to the U. High defense.

At the 10-minute mark, a Griffin was dribbling down the left sideline when the ball got away from him. In an effort to save the ball, he slid and chipped the ball into the goal box, where another Griffin shot the ball into the opposite corner. The Griffins continued controlling the game, and closed the game out with ease, winning 3-0.

After playing O’Fallon last night, the Jr. Bills will play DeSmet at 2 p.m. on Saturday, MICDS at SLUH 6 p.m. on Monday, and Whitfield on Thursday at 6 p.m.

(from 5)

help to Operation Ozzy on October 23 by attending the district game between SLUH and Mehlville, a charity benefit for Osborn.

Tickets will cost two dollars at the front gate, three dollars lower than SLUH’s entry price, but there will be an Operation Ozzy booth accepting donations outside of the stadium.

“One of the things Tim did over the years at Mehlville was a cheer called ‘Down by the River,’” said Stevenson. “Part of the ceremony will be Tim doing the ‘Down by the River’ cheer with the team.”

T-shirts picturing Osborn and saying “Down by the River” will be sold for $10 as well and will also help to raise money for Osborn.

In addition to the money raised, Mehlville will unveil a specially painted portion of the bleachers just for Osborn. This section will belong to the superfan forever.

“We want to have people who he has touched over the years come back and help him and honor him for how he was such a major part of their lives,” said Stevenson.

“The goodwill that Tim has spread over the years as an ambassador of goodwill and an ambassador of loyalty as Mehlville’s

OSBORN

“Tim has gone through a tremendous amount,” said Stevenson. “He has had a very rough decade plus.”

On Aug. 1, Osborn was found outside Busch Stadium. Stevenson, who grew up with Osborn, asked Osborn to live with him until he got his feet back on the ground. Osborn is currently living with Stevenson and works part time at Fortel’s Pizza Den in Affton.

Several Mehlville graduates became aware of Osborn’s situation and started a project named “Operation Ozzy” to help him.

Operation Ozzy, started by Mehlville graduate Curtis Reville, has worked diligently to help give Osborn medical and dental help and a strong foundation to enter a more normal lifestyle.

“What has been amazing is the reaction,” said Stevenson. “We have had numerous people step up to help him, such as the dentist who is doing the work on him for free. The oral surgeon is doing work on him for free.

We have a graduate who is a lawyer. His law firm is setting up a trust fund for Tim and he is doing that pro bono.”

The SLUH community can offer its

October 16, 2009

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Linhares offered a few last words of advice and, in light of the wet and cool conditions, of caution. “Don’t try to cut anything sharp out there. Swing wide and cut it,” he said. “Jog to the line, boys!”

At the line, the team ran through its last warm-ups—strides. Strides are short brisk bursts of running to prepare the body for performance. Linhares described them as six seconds of energy.

“It’s good to start a race with a little bit of a sweat,” he said.

On the last stride out, the team broke their rhythm for one final huddle, hands held in the middle.

“We are covering them in mile one,” said Linhares before reiterating the safety concerns. “Other than that, we’re punching it!”

He then led a prayer and concluded, with the team joining him in unison, “One, two, three—let’s go SLUH!” The team ran their last stride back to the line as Porter yelled after them, “Bring some intensity now, let’s go!”

At the line, the team stripped from sweats to singlets and took its place. An official reminded the teams of starting procedure and stepped to the side. Then the runners leaned forward, seven of 35 men vying for a title and waiting for a gun.

MCC XC RESULTS Individual Placement 1st Caleb Ford 16:15 2nd Tim Rockers 16:16 3rd Emmett Cookson 16:20 4th Joe Meier 16:30 7th Tony Minnick 16:40 10th Dan Raterman 16:59 12th Bill Gabler 17:30 Team Placement 1st SLUH (17 points) 2nd DeSmet (46 points) 3rd CBC (84 points) 4th Vianney (110 points) 5th Chaminade (126 points)

October 16, 2009

JAZZUIT

News

(from 1) affected our country having jazz music, and what jazz has done for the country,” said Early before his presentation.

Responses to Early’s speech were positive, though some students debated about its focus on diversity.

“I actually enjoyed Dr. Early’s presentation a lot. Like Mr. Linhares said, to me it means a lot that someone can be comfortable with ambiguity like he was and just, you know, leaving questions,” said junior Connor Fellin. “I know a lot of people complain that it’s unrelated to diversity, but I think there was a bit of diversity in it in the fact that he kind of asserted even through his questions that we all as humans are tied through this love of music.”

“It was a very enlightening speech but had little to do with diversity,” said senior Greg Matthews.

“I thought it was interesting. I mean, he certainly had a lot to talk about and made some very good points,” said freshman Blake Gibson. “Really the way that jazz has developed over the years as so many different genres of music have branched off it. That’s where it started.”

“It was different,” said junior Joe Hannan. “I was expecting more jazz, like music. There wasn’t a huge amount about diversity.”

“I hope we can do more diversity activi-

UNSUNK (from 1)

particular sinkhole.”

According to Rankin, the depression is about seven feet deep and 11 feet in diameter, making the plaza’s concrete slabs sag and tilt towards it. Byrne and Jones Construction, the company hired to fix the void, estimated the dimensions in a preliminary testing by five concrete borings performed two weeks ago. The findings were confirmed Tuesday when the sagging concrete slabs were lifted, allowing workers to view the actual depression.

To combat the effects of this depression as well as prevent future ones, Byrne and Jones are reconstructing a large section of the Drury Plaza’s concrete slabs. So far, Byrne and Jones has ripped out a total of 2,015 square feet of concrete, pounded the

ties like that in the future,” said sophomore Nate Heagney.

“People have the question of how does (Early’s speech) relate to diversity. That wasn’t Dr. Early’s job to do that for us, to frame it for us. His was more along the lines of a kickoff of an introduction to the topic,” said Evans. “Now it’s up to the Diversity Council to figure out ways to have those conversations now that we’re all working with the same language of these broad questions, these broad ideas about what music is and jazz is, specifically.”

The DC hopes to accomplish this goal in a variety of ways throughout the year, not all of which have yet been settled. Ways of starting diversity discussion include both optional and mandatory events.

One mandatory event involves class assemblies focused on jazz diversity topics scheduled for Nov. 24, said DC Member and English teacher Frank Kovarik. Patterned after the late start schedule, each class will meet in separate locations throughout the school to talk about a different jazz diversity topic, instead of using that time to sleep or do homework.

The four topics are “Where in the World is Jazz,” designed by DC member and English teacher Barbara Osburg for the freshman class; Kovarik’s “Jazz and Gender” for sophomores; “Jazz and Civil Rights” created by DC member and history teacher

surrounding ground down to the level of the depression, and filled the depression. After creating a new basin, the construction crew placed large rocks, called riprap, followed by smaller ones, and six inches of minus, a fine gravel that fills in the remaining gaps, compacting the fill at each step. More compaction and grading will occur before the concrete is poured.

If weather stays cooperative, Rankin hopes that Byrne and Jones will pour the concrete today, though they will need two more days for drying.

“We have to fix it to the best of our ability,” said Rankin, “to bring back the structure and to make that ground underneath that concrete patio as supportive as it needs to be and as safe as it needs to be for years to come.”

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Anne-Marie Lodholz for juniors, and finally “Jazz and Spirituality: Through the Music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane,” which DC member and Assistant Principal for Mission Jim Linhares designed for seniors. This discussion is the only mandatory event.

According to Evans, the DC hopes to continue its four-year running Diversity Film Series, incorporating its new theme. Other DC optional events include a presentation

by Washington University’s Cecil Slaughter on jazz dance during an activity period and a February evening presentation by Reggie Thomas, who teaches jazz education, jazz history, jazz theory, and jazz improvisation at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“If nothing else, we got folks saying, ‘How does this relate to diversity? How can we talk about diversity with jazz? So I think that’s a great way to start a conversation,” said Evans.

Soccer Nightbeat The St. Louis U. High soccer team (12-4-1) beat the O’Fallon Panthers last night, 2-0.

The match was a stalemate through the first half, but the Jr. Bills brought the win home with two second half goals.

Senior captain Dominic Hewitt scored both of the team’s goals, one coming on an assist from senior Grant Welge, the other coming on a penalty kick.

The Jr. Bills next play at DeSmet on Saturday at 2 p.m.

—Reporting by Andrew Salamone

According to Rankin, there had to be some type of ground erosion to cause the depression, but the source of the erosion is still unknown. Rankin said that the source could be anything from an abandoned brickmining site that was covered to poor initial ground compaction to the refuse left in the soil from demolished houses and warehouses.

Such conditions would make the soil pocketed with gaps and easier to collapse or be swept away.

For Rankin, though, because of all the possible causes, he wants to focus mainly on fixing the depression. “It was a collapse due to something. That we do not know why.

I don’t want to just sit and speculate,” said Rankin.

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EXORCISM (from 6)

continued to pass the ball throughout the fourth quarter, and whenever SLUH got a first down on offense, Chaminade would immediately send in their first string defense.

Improvements and adjustments need to be made quickly, as the Playoffs?bills need two more wins in their next three games to make the playoffs. Most of these adjustments need to be made on offense which, despite scoring 20 points a game, is having trouble holding on to the ball and preventing sacks.

Most of the players cite consistency and concentration as issues to be addressed.

“We have to play more consistently on both sides of the ball,” said guard Doug Guilfoy. “This team has potential to do great things and make a run in the playoffs if we cut back on mistakes.”

Senior wide receiver Bill Weiss disagreed saying, “It’s more about getting our confidence back. We need to stay focused and take it one game at a time.”

Hopefully this young team—which features several sophomores—can hit puberty quickly as they take on Ritenour at home this Friday at seven. Last year, SLUH beat the Huskies in overtime, spearheaded by a goal line stand. The victory aided the Bills as they went on to win the conference.

However, the Huskies’ 1-6 record seems to be deceiving.

“They are a big run team with good athletes on both sides of the ball,” said head coach Gary Kornfeld. “They’ll come out and play hard, no matter what the score is.”

Fortunately for SLUH, its next two opponents are a combined 1-13, so hopefully the Andthat’sawinnerbills can get the two wins before the regular season finale against the presently undefeated Lindbergh Flyers, who currently rank No. 5 in the Post-Dispatch rankings.

Prep News Quote of the Week “Only the most intelligent and the most stupid do not change.”

-Confucius

October 16, 2009

Volume LXXIV, Issue 7 “Excuses for not doing homework” Credits “The weekly student newspaper of St. Louis U. High” www.sluh.org prepnews@sluh.org

Editor in Chief: Matt “Homework is the veil you use to hide your own mortality” Bettonville News Editor: Ben “I’m doing layout” Kim Sports Editors: Rob “Got a girlfriend” Bertucci, Adam “She’s not going to check it anyway” Cruz Features Editor: Nick “I don’t have a home” Fandos Core Staff: Eric “see page 9” Lewis, Conor “uhh, WebAssign has issues” Gearin, Mike “I’m on a mission from God” Lumetta, Patrick “Another part of my life is sleeping” O’Leary, Luke “I always do my homework” Chellis

Corrections and Amplifications

-In the previous issue, the Prep News incorrectly identified freshman Alex Grosch as Alex Greubel in the C Cross Country photo caption.

The Prep News apologizes for this error.

-In last week’s “Letter to our Readers,” the Prep News reported that theater teacher Joe Schulte is the only current faculty member from this newspaper’s previous broadsheet days. Due to a gap in the Prep News archives, we cannot accurately identify which current faculty members were at SLUH during that period. The Prep News apologizes for this error.

Staff: Eric “watching the Cards game” Mueth Reporters: Andrew “But what about paper cuts?” Kastner, Daniel “I can dunk” Schmidt, Jacob “Who needs college?” Born, Danny “caught in traffic” Buehler, Frank “college application” Schumacher, Nathan “We had homework?” Rubbelke Contributing Photographers: Connor “got lost in a cornfield” Blanquart, Ted “What’s homework?” Wight, Mike “watching Fight Club” Dryden, Luke “Nip/Tuck was on” Buckheit, Mr. Matt “on a vaca—I mean— sabbatical” Sciuto Technology Consultants: Mr. Jon “busy blocking Internet sites” Dickmann, Mr. John “checking Zimbra in hope of getting baseball tickets” Haefele Advisor: Mr. Michael “I broke my glasses” Koenigs Moderator: Mr. Stephen “my dog ate the essays” Missey The Prep News is a publication of St. Louis University High School. Copyright ©2009 St. Louis University High School Prep News.

No material may be reprinted without the permission of the editors and moderator.

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS HISTORY “Football wins two straight on games’ final plays: Schrick jolts Chaminade” by Adam Cruz Oct. 24, 2008 Volume LXXIII Issue 7.

“I kicked it and I didn’t need to look. I knew,” said senior kicker Joe Schrick. What he didn’t see was his 42-yard field goal fluttering through the uprights at time expired, giving the Jr. Bills a wild victory against Chaminade, 33-32... “What a great victory for Chaminade,” said the CCIN announcer (after a Rob Standard touchdown with 25.9 seconds to go). But the Jr. Bills fought back.

-compiled by Adam Cruz

October 16, 2009

News

ROCKTOBERFESTIVITIES

(from 2) Miller supplies the “funkay grooves,” and Austin Winn acts as the “beat doctor.”

From 8 to 9, Rocktoberfest was dominated by the sounds of Sumus Vulgus, previously know as the Dirty Fries. Made up exclusively of SLUH seniors, they were the first of three senior bands to play. Collin McCabe played bass while providing vocals, and his twin brother Sam McCabe also supplied vocals while playing guitar. Michael Tynan took care of the band’s percussion.

“We played pretty good despite the cold,” said Collin McCabe. “Our new songs went really well,” added Sam McCabe.

The second all-SLUH, all-senior band took the stage for the next hour. Plainview

got plenty of attention by playing popular cover songs, and they also unveiled three new songs. Their line-up consisted of Michael Dienstbach and Ryan Bedell on guitar and vocals, Tony Medina on bass guitar, Jamie Hagan on keyboard and vocals, and Luke Landolt on the drums.

“The exposure to SLUH students was good,” said Bedell. “They will be more interested in our music now.”

“Despite the cold weather, the instruments maintained their tune. And our new songs went great,” commented Landolt.

Dienstbach added that the show was “funkalicious.”

The final act of the night, starting at 10, goes by the name Tuxedo Park. Made

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Volume 74, Issue 7

up of all seniors from SLUH and Webster Groves High School, Tuxedo Park played a lot of original songs in their characteristic jam-band style. Jim Butler and Mike Ottenlips shredded the guitars while Dane Stole rocked the keyboard. Mike Flynn and Tim Adams from Webster Groves High School added to the music, playing bass guitar and drums, respectively.

“The show went pretty .... actually really well. Jam-tastic,” said Stole. Griffin Lowry added that “Dane’s signature move, texting while keyboarding, got everyone on their feet.”

Overall, and despite the chilling weather, STUCO considers the night a great success.

TEST TIME

(from 2) for the next two days.”

Junior Stephen Deves said, “I kind of liked it better. I liked having the half-day today so that I could catch up on homework and I just kind of liked having a break in the week.”

According to Becvar, when creating the schedule for the school year, the council starts with important dates such as the start of school, end of school, and spring break, and then works backwards until it has the entire schedule filled in. He said that spring break is one of those important dates because its dates are regulated by the Archdiocese of St. Louis and decided at a meeting of representatives from most of the schools—grade schools and high schools—in the Archdiocese.

Hockey Nightbeat

photo by mike dryden

St. Louis U. High’s hockey team barely squeaked out a 5-4 victory against DeSmet last night at the Webster Groves Ice Arena. Junior Jackson Hoffmann started the scoring, and senior Phil Luongo lit the lamp thrice to earn himself a hat trick. This win puts the Jr. Bills’ tournament record at 2-1 as they ready themselves for the regular season.

-Reporting by Sam Bufe

Forecast printed with permission of the National Weather Service.

St. Louis, MO Weather Service Office Phone: 636-441-8467 Compiled by Nick Fandos and Conor Gearin

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Boo Davis

Volume 74, Issue 7

by Patrick O’Leary

Friday, October 16 Schedule R STUCO Blood Drive Junior Class Mass AP College Rep. Visits:

Fontbonne University-M110 Truman State University-M108 Sign up in Counseling Office for: Morehouse College 8am SIU-Edwardsville 1:30pm Fr. Bashball Intramurals AP: Sheehan vs. Xavier (Game 4)

Backer vs. Game 1 Winner (Game 5) Regis vs. Game 3 Winner (Game 6) FB vs. Ritenour 7pm SWIM vs. Vianney B SOC @ CBC 4pm AP Snack—Mozzarella Sticks Lunch: Special—Pasta with Garlic Bread

Healthy—Baked Pollock Saturday, October 17 Fall Ball 8pm XC @ Borgia Invitational 10am SOC @ DeSmet 2pm B SOC @ DeSmet 12pm C SOC @ DeSmet 10am Monday, October 19 Schedule R Missouri Mathematics League AP Soph. Bonus Reading AP College Rep Visits: University of Chicago-M104 George Washington University-M106

Loyola University-Chicago-M108

Loyola-New Orleans-M110 Seton Hall University-M112 Trinity University-M114 Tulane University-M105 U. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee-M107

Xavier University-M115 Sign up in Counseling Office for: Case Western Reserve University 8am Carleton College 10:30am University of Richmond 12:30pm University of Cincinnati 1pm Sewanee—University of the South 1:30pm Macalester College 2:30pm Junior Bashball Intramurals AP: Sheehan vs. Xavier (Game 4)

Backer vs. Campion (Game 5) Regis vs. Murphy (Game 6) SOC @ MICDS 6pm JV FB @ Ritenour 4:30pm JV SOC @ Suburban JV Tourney B SOC vs. MICDS 4:30pm Boston University Event 6pm AP Snack—Mini Tacos Lunch: Special—Bosco Pizza

Calendar

Healthy—Pulled Pork on Wheat Bun

Tuesday, October 20 Schedule H (Half Day) College Rep. Visits:

Sign up in Counseling Office for: Earlham College 8am Grinnell College 10:30am Wednesday, September 21 Schedule X (Quarter Exams) JV SOC @ Suburban JV Tourney XC (B, C) @ Hazelwood Invitational 4pm Thursday, October 22 Schedule X (Quarter Exams) SOC @ Whitfield 4pm SWIM vs. DeSmet 4pm JV SOC @ Suburban JV Tourney B SOC @ Whitfield 4pm C FB @ Mehlville 4:30pm Friday, October 23 Schedule X (Quarter Exams) FB @ Mehlville 7pm XC @ Clayton Invitational 4pm SWIM vs. Lafayette 4pm Saturday, October 24 ACT 8am XC @ District Meet SOC vs. Chaminade 2pm B SOC vs. Chaminade 12pm C SOC vs. Chaminade 12pm Sunday, October 25 Grandparents Mass 9:30am Monday, October 26 Schedule R Jr. Class Meeting AP College Rep Visits: Sign up in Counseling Office for:

Bard College 12:45pm Sr. Bashball Intramurals AP Currigan vs. Dunn (Game 7) Murphy vs. Sheehan (Game 8) Soph. Bashball Intramurals AP SOC @ Parkway South 5:30pm SWIM vs. Chaminade 4pm JV FB vs. Mehlville 4:30pm B SOC @ Parkway South 4pm C SOC @ Parkway Tourney AP Snack—Mini Corn Dogs Lunch: Special—Stuffed Crust Pizza

Healthy—Baked Pork Chop Tuesday, October 27 Schedule R Sophomore Retreat Quarter Grades Due 10am

October 16, 2009 Oct. 16 - Oct. 30

College Rep. Visits: Sign up in Counseling Office for:

Hampshire College 1:30pm Sr. Bashball Intramurals AP Fr. Bashball Intramurals AP SOC vs. Marquette 6pm JV SOC vs. Marquette 4pm C SOC @ Parkway Tourney AP Snack—Pizza Sticks Lunch: Special—Taco Salad

Healthy—Hamburger Stroganoff Wednesday, October 28 Schedule R Sophomore Retreat Fr. English Tutorial AP Theater Field Trip AP Senior Mom Cookie Sale AP College Rep. Visits:

Webster University-M110 Jr. Bashball Intramurals AP XC (JV/C) vs. Findlay 4:30pm C SOC @ Parkway Tourney AP Snack—Garlic Bread Lunch: Special—Toasted Ravioli

Healthy—Chicken Parmesan Thursday, October 29 Schedule R Sophomore Retreat Jr. Ring Orders AP College Rep. Visits: Marquette University-M110 Jr. Bashball Intramurals AP Fr. Bashball Intramurals AP SOC vs. CBC 6pm SWIM vs. CBC 4pm JV FB vs. Lindbergh 4:30pm JV SOC @ Chaminade 4pm B SOC vs. CBC 4pm C SOC @ Parkway Tourney Ignatian Mix-it-Up Lunch 11am AP Snack—Bosco Sticks Lunch: Special—Chicken Bites

Healthy—BBQ Chicken Skewers

Friday, October 30 Schedule R FLU Shots for Faculty/Staff Fr. Class Mass AP Jr. Ring Orders AP 1-8-1-8 Teachers Meeting AP College Rep. Visits: Missouri State University-M108 Northwestern University-M110 University of Southern California-M112 Soph. Bashball Intramurals AP: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner FB @ Lindbergh 7pm AP Snack—Curly Fries Lunch: Special—Meatball Sandwich

Healthy—Country Fried Steak