WG ECHO November 2015 Issue

ECHO

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wgecho.org

Pg. 12: Men’s Soccer repeats at State

BACK 2 KCAB November 2015 Volume 101 Issue 3 100 Selma Ave st. louis MO 63119 Photo by Andy Kimball

webster groves h.s.

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Table of Contents

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Pg. 3.........................................................................................School Spirit Pg. 4...............................................................................Know Your Beauty Pg. 5.....................................................Kimball’s Konception: Voting Age Pg. 6.....................................................................Veterans’s Day Assembly Pg. 7..............................................................Seniors dance last Friendship Pg. 8-9..............................................SuperSmashBros Melee Tournament Pg. 10.....................................................................National Honor Society Pg. 10......................................................................................Betty Roberts Pg. 11........................................................................................Mr. Webster Pg. 12........................ Bennett from the Bleachers: Soccer Championship Pg. 13.....................................................................................Cross Country Pg. 14..............................................................................Review: “Peanuts” Pg. 15........................................Botan’s Beliefs: Thanksgiving Traditions 2015-16 ECHO STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jack Killeen JUNIOR EDITOR: Andy Kimball BUSINESS/ADS MANAGER: Ashli Wagner OPINION EDITOR: Abby Botan GRAPHICS EDITOR/NEWS EDITOR: Jake Collins SPORTS EDITOR: Bennett Durando FEATURE/ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Irene Ryan VIDEO EDITOR/ WEB EDITOR: Caroline Fellows CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Tyler Coleman CIRCULATION EDITOR: Kadifa Tabakovic ADVISOR: Donald Johnson SOME MATERIAL COURTESY OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEWSPAPER EDITORS/MCT CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER SERVICE The ECHO is a monthly publication of the newspaper staff of Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Avenue, Webster Groves, MO. To contact staff members, call 314-963-6400 ex. 11157 or write wgecho@wgmail.org.

Unsigned editorials are the opinion of a majority of staff members; signed articles are the opinion of the writer.

Letters to the editor of 300 words or less are welcome; submit letters by the 10th of the month to wgecho@wgmail.org, or room 155. All letters must be signed, although the name may be withheld from publication if requested. The ECHO has the right to edit letters for publication as long as intent remains unchanged.

The ECHO is a member of SSP, Quill and Scroll, MJEA, JEA, MIPA, NSPA and CSPA. Follow the ECHO on Twitter and Instagram @wgecho; like ECHO on Facebook. Visit ECHO’s website at wgecho.org.

November 2015

The ECHO FAMILY The ECHO Family helps make the ECHO possible. To become a member of the ECHO Family, please contact Ashli Wagner at abwags99@gmail.com.

Thanks to all of our members!

Julianna Fellows Bret Waelterman Peggy Smegner Curtin Family Melodie Carroll Kathy Whaley Laurie Murphy Don and Mary Ann Schafer Webster Groves Baptist Church Zychinski Family Gavin Turner Billy Johnson Devon Cutack Elizabethe Durando

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Opinion

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Editorial

Students, staff debate school spirit

Photo by Andy Kimball

Webster fans gather for the Nov. 14, soccer State championship at Soccer Park. Roughly a third of the school was at the previous day’s game to support the Statesmen in the semi-finals.

Some feel school spirit at the high school has declined over the past few years and point to the lack of students attending and cheering at games to supports this perception.

Coach Dwyane Kirksey, assistant football coach, said when he started in 2002, the student sections were packed, but in 2013, he started to see a decline.

Kirksey said the lack of spirit may be due to “technology, jobs, and people have other plans on Friday nights.”

Senior Pep Club co-president Rebecca Riley said, “Older kids think it’s ‘dumb’ to cheer at games, and younger kids model that.”

While some say spirit is in a decline, others think it’s coming back after a mere period of dormancy and note that over a third of students (800 who checked in with athletic director Jerry Collins) attended the men’s soccer semi-final game.

The question of school spirit is definitely debatable.

Social Studies teacher and freshman basketball coach Zach Smith said, “I feel like we’ve reached a turning point. The 800 students at the soccer game, the Fox 2 Pep Rally, the Lip Dub, Spirit Week... it feels like the whole school, staff and students, is more excited to be here, and that’s what it’s all about! It’s about enjoying our school.”

Some have lamented the days of fun Friday night football games are over as the students seemed to turn to other sports

and activities.

Students seem to be at home or at a party, and not supporting their school and classmates.

All of this is puzzling. School events are now the last thing on students’ minds.

Principal John E. Thomas said this is because “students have many other options like social media and/or jobs.”

Head basketball coach Jay Blossom said, “I don’t understand why kids aren’t attending. It’s tradition I hope comes back.”

Bonnie Randall and Isabelle Slane, seniors, said they saw a decline in the senior participation from last year.

Assistant football coach Dwight Kirksey said, “Kids have more going on; the school work is harder,” and that’s why they aren’t coming to the games.

Kirksey said having events for students during tailgates would be good for the students and to capture their attention.

Deadmon said players have to win games to grab students attention.

To raise school spirit, Riley and her pep club members have put together a lip dub where the entire student body lip syncs a song for a video, and they included all the clubs and sports teams.

Riley said, “The lip dub will hopefully bring school spirit back.”

Those who suggest that there is good school spirit point out that Statemen paraphernalia sales have increased from $9,000 in 2013 to $11,000 in 2014. At

only halfway through the school year, spirit gear sales are already over $11,000.

Right now in Webster the soccer team is very popular. High school soccer is in the same season as football, so it makes sense why students aren’t attending football games.

Head men’s soccer coach Tim Cashel said, “I feel the student spirit has never been higher than right now. The students rallied around us.” Cashel felt the atmosphere was incredible.

When one wins State championships, fans will be attract to the games; when one doesn’t, it’s hard for students to feel obligated to come out and give support.

Soccer has captured the attention of many students, and that’s what they are supporting right now.

It seems, then, that spirit is fluid.

Daniel Deadmon, senior and football/ basketball player, said the school spirit was based on the success of top athletes from a year ago, and since those athletes left, fans lost faith in the teams.

Deadmon said since fans haven’t showed support, it makes him want to work harder.

Regardless of performance, though, it’s important for the student body to show spirit.

Blossom said, “The student body makes a difference at games, and the players feed off that.”

Spirit helps create success, and success keeps the spirit high.

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Opinion

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Op-Ed

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Feminists use hashtag to spread body positivity

Photos provided by Irene Ryan

Senior Gavin Turner, Jamie Tabron and freshman Molly Nash post photos on Instagram, tagging their photo #knowyourbeauty as a part of self positivity.

Irene Ryan Entertainment/Feature Editor Feminist Coalition members hashtagged their Instagram photos with #knowyourbeauty on Oct. 30, to spread body positivity and self love.

The club organized the day for members to post pictures of themselves in which they felt beautiful. The club also encouraged non-members and students who don’t even attend WGHS to post.

“The campaign went so well!” senior Annie Bryan, one of the four coalition’s presidents said. “People from Webster, Ladue, Nerinx and Kirkwood participated, and we had over 70 people add the hashtag to their selfies.”

“Originally we were deciding between ‘find your beauty’ and ‘know your beauty’ but most people in the club liked “#knowyourbeauty” because the phrase assumes you already have beauty, you

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just need to realize and flaunt it,” Jenny Perkowski, senior coalition president said.

Body positivity has become a focus of modern feminism, as objectification and unattainable beauty standards have saturated today’s media. The coalition took this and with the help of its members created the hashtag #knowyourbeauty to express acknowledgment and appreciation of everyone’s unique beauties.

Especially for teenage girls, it is really difficult to feel beautiful and love themselves. Social media has become a huge support for young women and others to explore and express themselves and recognize their power and boost their self confidence. The rise and popularity of the selfie has subverted the male gaze and given women the power to control what people see, and in some ways it has taken away the power to objectify. Professor Derek Conrad Murray of University of California-Santa Cruz published a paper

“Notes to self: the visual culture of selfies in the age of social media,” which argues the selfie as a political act.

Murray said in his paper, “It feels like a revolutionary political movement – like a radical colonization of the visual realm and an aggressive reclaiming of the female body.” Murray added the selfie is an “unfiltered form of expression” that gives people, especially young women,“an opportunity for political engagement, radical forms of community building, and most importantly, a forum to produce counterimages that resist erasure and misrepresentation.”

Too much emphasis and importance is placed on women’s bodies and physical attractiveness. Women today are forced into believing that all that matters is how they look, sometimes even when that isn’t what they truly care about. #knowyourbeauty gives women the power to take their beauty into their own hands.

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Opinion

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Kimball Konception

Voting age should be lowered

Andy Kimball Junior Editor Imagine two students at the high school.

Student “A” is a student a student who is informed about political issues, watches debates and is very knowledgeable about the current presidential candidates.

Student “B” is not informed on po-

litical issues and only knows a couple of characteristics of a few candidates.

In this situation student “B” will be 18 and will vote in the upcoming election, and student “A” will be 17 and unable to vote.

At the high school this is a common situation that can be very unfair. The point of a democratic election is to have the public make a choice regarding who will represent them in the government’s executive branch. This works best when more voters are informed on political candidates and issues.

A way to get more informed voters to vote in the election is by letting 16 and 17 year old voters who are informed vote in elections.

A way to know the competence of these younger voters is to have a voting test.

This test would only apply to U.S. citizens

Willie’s Comic

under 18 that want to vote in the upcoming election.

This is something that is different from past voting or literacy “tests” because in this case people would be showcasing their knowledge and earning their right to vote even though they are constitutionally under age.

Also the test will be about what stances candidates take on issues and about current events that correspond with those issues, therefore making the test bipartisan.

This could be changed through a Constitutional amendment, which would be very difficult but is possible.

This is important because if this change is made then this would add more informed voters which would help our nation as a whole make a more informed decision when choosing our president.

After all a democracy falls apart with uninformed constituents.

Comic by Jack Killeen

November 2015

6 News

ECHO Veterans Day celebration focuses on Korea the

Ashli Wagner Business Manager Korean War veterans were commemorated Oct. 6, during first hour at the fourth Veterans Day assembly on the 65th anniversary of the start of the war.

All social studies classes were invited, and Alumni Relations Pat Voss advertised the assembly inviting the public to come and listen.

Over 40 veterans were expected to come to the assembly.

Freshman Spencer Erb created a memorial video for the assembly.

At the assembly the school’s choir and the Silver Strings performed the national anthem.

Charles Schneider, 1967 alumnus, spoke about his experiences in the war.

Seniors Kate Arendes, Jack Killeen and Anna Petersen spoke about Lincoln at Gettysburg.

Boy Scout Troops 300 and 301 presented the flags.

Trumpets were played by seniors Cullen Drissell and Killeen.

Photo by Ashli Wagner Veterans spoke to the social studies classes Veterans talk to the social studies classes about their experiences during the throughout the day about their experience dur- Korean War on Nov. 6. ing the war.

Photo by Page Kimzey

Orchestra teacher Leah Poe conducts the Silver Strings as they play the national anthem conducted at the Veterans day assembly Nov. 6, during first hour in the auditorium.

Photo by Ashli Wagner

Pictures of Webster and Douglas veterans are featured on the second floor, and any veteran is invited to donate a picture for Webster to hang on the wall.

November 2015

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7 DECA hosts Smash Bros Tournament the

News

ECHO

Andy Kimball Junior Editor

Photo by Jack Killeen

Eighth grader Evan Palmer looks on as students compete in the Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament. The tournament was sponsered by DECA to support its annual trip to New York.

Senior Gavin turner won DECA’s Super Smash Bros melee tournamenton Nov. 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the PV Commons.

Super Smash Bros melee is a fighting game on the GameCube console. It was released in 2001.

The game has characters from various Nintendo games featuring Mario, Pokémon, Zelda and Starfox among others.

Senior DECA members Mick Hanrahan, Chris Dryer and Maddie Winkelman created the idea for the tournament.

Hanrahan said, “We came up with the idea because there has never been a video game tournament at the high school before.

We wanted to make it a tournament with a video game that attracts the most people, and everyone loves Smash.”

The tournament had 32 participants, who each paid a $5 entrance fee, and was played in the “free-for-all” mode.

The funds raised will support DECA’s annual New York trip.

For each round four players played in an every man for himself format where the top two advance until the final ends with one winner.

Turner won the final 2-1 in a best of three series.

Turner received a $50 gift card to the video game store Slackers as prize for winning the tournament.

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In-depth

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Trouble

Alumni share their experiences su

Jack Killeen Editor in Chief

Bennett Durando Sports Editor

Mizzou has been in a state of tension for the last three months, sparked by several incidents of racism on campus.

Protests, which have been led by an organization called ConcernedStudent1950 (named so for the year the school admitted its first black student), have been driven by incidents like Missouri Students Association (MSA) president Payton Head being harassed with racial slurs, more racial slurs being used against the Legion of Black Collegians on Oct. 5, and a swastika drawn with feces on a bathroom wall in the school’s Gateway Hall on Oct. 24.

Mizzou first gained national attention on Nov. 7, when black members of the football team announced their plan to boycott any football-related activity until school president Tim Wolfe resigned.

Five days earlier, Mizzou student Jonathan Butler announced he would go on hunger strike, also effective until Wolfe’s resignation. When he made the strike public, Butler had already gone five days without food.

Butler said in a letter to Mizzou’s board of directors, “During this hunger strike, I will not consume any food or nutritional sustenance at the expense of my health until either Tim Wolfe is removed from office, or my internal organs fail and my life is lost.”

“I was surprised because the incidents [Concerned Students 1950] were citing, like the racial slurs blacks had been called on campus and other incidences, just seemed like stuff prevalent in America that happens everyday to black people,” Mizzou freshman Lily Moore, who is black, remarked. “That kind of racism makes me feel trapped, but it didn’t inspire protest in me.”

“The threats and overall negative response on Yik Yak made me realize this campus is overwhelmingly racist, or overwhelmingly ignorant at least,” Moore said.

Butler and the football team had their cries answered on Nov. 9, when Wolfe at last resigned. Butler’s hunger strike came to an

November 2015

end, 12 days after it had started.

Other prominent incidents on campus over the last month include the protesters’ attempts to prevent media coverage of their demonstrations. One video, shot by senior photographer and Webster alum Mark Schierbecker, highlighted the media’s struggles.

Schierbecker, along with Webster alumni Alex Ring (representing the general student body) and Cam Hilton (representing the football team), have shared their experiences regarding the events at Mizzou with the ECHO. Here are their stories.

Mark Schierbecker WGHS Class of 2012

In the aftermath of Tim Wolfe’s resignation, Mizzou senior and photographer for The Maneater newspaper Mark Schierbecker was filming as protesters blocked Photo by Mark Schierbecker the press from having access to the campsite occupied by ConcernedStudent1950 at the Mel Carnahan Quad.

In the video, protesters form a circle around the campsite in order to shut out media personnel. Schierbecker is left alone in the middle of the circle at the end, and when he approaches a communications professor Melissa Click, she yells to “get some muscle over here” to remove Schierbecker.

“MUPD is charging [Click] with assault for grabbing my camera,” Schierbecker said. “In another instance, one of the protest allies blocks my view of the camp with her sign. Then she waves it violently, hitting me.”

Schierbecker’s video has gone viral since he posted it on Youtube, earning him national attention for his work as a photographer and free speech activist and over 2.7 million views.

“At first, ConcernedStudent1950 defended their no-media stance on social media – vehemently even. They held that position until

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In-depth

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urrounding Wolfe’s resignation Tuesday (Nov. 17) afternoon, when they took down their signs and invited back the media,” Schierbecker said. “It was a proud moment for free speech.”

Alex Ring

WGHS Class of 2015

In the time around Tim Wolfe’s resignation, freshman Alex Ring has tried to stay involved to understand the issues.

He’s been in dance circles, “gettin jiggy with it” to Kendrick Lamar, read threats on Yik Photo by Alex Ring Yak and taken part in the celebrations at the Mel Carnahan Quadrangle camp site.

“Because I go to Mizzou and am a part of what’s going on, I think it’s a part of my responsibility to understand what is going on here,” Ring said.

On the night of Nov. 10, someone posted on Yik Yak “Some of you are alright. Don’t go to campus tomorrow,” mimicking a post from Chris Harper-Mercer before his Oct. 1, Oregon mass shooting.

Despite this and other threats on social media, Ring said he didn’t feel in harms way at any time.

When Tim Wolfe resigned, a group of about 50 or more people celebrated on the campground with people surrounding them in locked arms to block reporters from coming in.

“That was something I was confused about. There was definitely a sense of anti-media at first, but then in the past day or so they’ve opened up to the media,” Ring said.

Cam Hilton

WGHS Class of 2015

On Nov. 7, members of Mizzou’s football team announced they would not play until Tim Wolfe resigned.

Cam Hilton was one of these players.

At first, Hilton was not part of the group that boycotted playing, but as his “family” Photo by Katherine Lucchesi members in the football team started joining the movement, Hilton decided to stick with them.

“I didn’t really want to not play in the game, because football means so much to me, but I started to realize that sometimes things are bigger than football. I didn’t know much about it at first, so I didn’t want to commit myself to something I knew little about,” Hilton said.

Hilton said a few of the football players presented the idea to boycott playing to the rest of the team, and the rest of the team agreed. It was after hearing this presentation that Hilton decided to not play.

Two days after Hilton and his teammates announced they wouldn’t play, Wolfe resigned.

“I think everyone was just thankful that we got to play and relieved that [Jonathan Butler] ate before he died,” Hilton said.

Hilton said there is hope for Mizzou to make progress towards a more racially equal campus.

“It was a small step to fixing a bigger problem,” Hilton said.

Title photo by Alex Ring

Mizzou staff and students make a ring around people celebrating the resignation of Tim Wolfe to block reporters.

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10 Feature ECHO Seniors show off talents in Mr. Webster the

Andy Kimball Junior Editor DECA will put on the fifth annual Mr. Webster Pageant in the auditorium on Dec. 3.

Mr. Webster is a humor pageant that is held to raise money for DECA’s annual trip to New York.

This year’s pageant has 12 senior contestants who will answer questions from judges, showcase a talent and join the other contestants to perform a dance routine.

Below each contestant tells a bit about himself and why he will win Mr. Webster.

Sam Cashel “I’m a chill guy, and I go with the flow. I am the world’s greatest rapper.”

“I will win because I am a chill guy. I have humor and rapping for my talent. I have a personality that I think will show and that people will like.”

Ginu Kurian “I’m fun; I am nice. I like to save little children in Africa, and I want to end world hunger.”

“Because I am awesome and I have a quality to win and because people like me.”

George Anderson “I’m a very humble man; people should vote for me because I am humble.”

“Because I have a certain cult following and that will lead me to the top. I should win because if it is a show of change, I have had a great change. I’m a great product of Webster Groves High School.”

Chris Gordon “I had a lot of fun in Mr.Webster. I had a good experience, and I thought it has been a good way to spend senior year.”

“I will win because I have had a lot of fun, and I think that that is what Mr. Webster is about.”

Mick Hanrahan “My favorite color is yellow.”

“Because I have something special for my act. A surprise.”

Mitchell Paulson “My favorite country is Papua New Guinea.”

“Because people give me sympathy for my injuries, and I will woo the freshman girls’ hearts.”

Trey Paloucek “I want people to know that I am more than just a soccer player. I am dedicated to my schoolwork and to everything I do. I do everything 100 percent. I love my school and dedicate myself to my education.”

“Honestly, I don’t know if I will win. I’m doing this to get to know the guys and to have a fun time. I’ve talked to people who

November 2015

have been in the pageant, and they talk about how they enjoyed the experience.”

Nick Suber “I have a spot on my head that never grows hair.”

“I will win Mr. Webster because I’m smarter than Donald Trump.”

Robbie Morefield “I really like the pretzels you can get at Target.”

“Because I have (senior) Erin Stanton by my side for my talent, and that is why I will win.”

Travis Williams “I’m excited to have had a fun time and to have people see us be goofballs on stage.”

“Because I have compassion that shines through, and that is a very important part of Mr. Webster.”

Jack Killeen “I do my own laundry, and I iron my own clothes.”

“Because I write Willie’s Comic.”

Jameson Howard “I’m good at golf.”

“Because I am nice to everyone, and a lot of people are my friends.”

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Feature

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NHS supports community through events Kadifa Tabakovic Circulation Manager National Honors Society have focused on helping others within the community with the upcoming events.

This year as Thanksgiving approaches, Webster Groves Rock Hill Ministry encourages groups to “adopt” a family. What that means is the Ministry will helps provide food for the holiday and with this extra help relieve some of the stress of providing for the family. Not only is this adopting done for Thanksgiving, but also for Christmas, where gifts are given to the family if it can’t provide its own.

NHS supports the ministry in this effort.

“This year has been the most successful year in 10 years that we’ve had,” Pam Mahoney, sponsor, said. “It’s been so successful this year because of the leadership everyone has.”

Mahoney specifically commended senior Travis Williams, NHS president, and said the reason this year has been so successful was because of the leadership he instills into everyone.

Also the National Honor Society held its annual Blood Drive on Nov. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the southside of the secondary gymnasium.

Participants were required to have an issued state ID with date of birth.

The blood donated went to St. John’s Mercy Hospital. All donors received a complimentary T-shirt.

“If it is possible for them to do it, it is a good feeling, knowing that you are helping someone in need by doing a small donation,” senior Mallory Neville said.

The National Honor Society students helped out the Shep-

Photo By Kadifa Tabakovic

Senior Corey Dunlap calms senior Bryce McLean while he is giving blood at the annual NHS blood drive on Nov. 16.

herd’s Center of Webster/Kirkwood on Oct. 24, with the “Make a Difference Day.” The National Honor Society students, with the help of social studies teacher Betty Roberts, would do seasonal yard clean-up for senior citizens.

National Honor Society students will help STAR, with its Sandwich Program on Dec. 3.

Last year, STAR made 800-1,000 sandwiches and sent to them St. Vincent de Paul.

“We are always looking for new members to come join. Last year 65 students came to help us, and we finished making 12,000 sandwiches in a half hour,” FACS teacher Diane Stromberg said.

Social Studies teacher uses free time to help others Jake Collins News/Photo Editor Social Studies teacher Betty Roberts teaches her students not only world civilizations, but also how to give back to their community.

“It (charity work) really gives kids immediate sight of what they can do with the blessings they are given,” Roberts said.

Roberts has volunteered with the Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association (W.G.W.G.A..), and Roberts has run charity events here at WGHS for five years now. Roberts helps out with its larger events including the Herb Society plant sale and the W.G.W.G.A.. annual plant sale.

“All of the events that I do are driven by my World Civilizations kids, and some juniors that come back to help me,” Roberts said.

Some events Roberts does around the school are geared towards bringing the school together department by department.

“The Turkey Day baskets are a great way to bring everyone together; we have so many teachers and different departments doing the baskets,” Roberts said.

The Turkey Day baskets consist of a full meal that would be considered a “traditional Thanksgiving meal” for families in the Webster district who may have a tough time finding the money for a Thanksgiving meal. This year, 18 families were either provided the food in cans or given the money to purchase a meal.

These meals included money to Photo by Jake Collins purchase a turkey. Turkey prices Social studies teacher tend to shoot up around ThanksgivBetty Roberts holds ing due to supply and demand. a canned food drive In another event, Roberts takes to assist families who some students to rake leaves for elmay not be able to derly people. afford a “traditional “There is this woman whose Thanksgiving dinner.”

This year, 18 families house we rake leaves for every year were assisted by this and she comes out to take a picture program. with all of the kids,” Roberts said.

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12 Sports

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STATE CHAMPIONS

Givens’ goal gives Webster second straight State title Bennett Durando Sports Columnist Emcee Steve Leftridge had one more question for men’s soccer coach Tim Cashel.

“Is there anything else you want to share with WGHS about the team going forward?”

Cashel stood facing a packed Roberts Gym for the Spirit Week pep rally as Leftridge interviewed him about the 2014 State championship, the team’s first in school history. This last question presented the potential for a very ambitious response.

“I have one word for you,” Cashel said.

“Repeat!”

Cashel’s year-old prediction became a reality on Nov. 14, as the Statesmen defeated St. Dominic 3-2 at Soccer Park on senior Antoine Givens’ dramatic late goal.

With the victory, Webster became the first public school ever to repeat as Missouri State champs in soccer.

This year, it took a wild weekend at State to capture a second straight title, a title which was still undecided all the way down to the last minute.

After going back and forth with St. Dominic in an intense championship game, the score was knotted up 2-2 with a minute to play. Webster had just missed an opportunity when senior Cam Oliver’s corner kick sailed out of bounds, landing on top of the goal. It appeared as though that would be the last scoring chance of regulation; extra time was a certainty.

Not for the Statesmen.

“I think the temptation at that point is to kick the ball in their box and hope something good happens,” Cashel said. “And if you watch what we were doing in the last minute of the game…. We were playing soccer. We had the ball on the ground; we were trying to create a scoring chance, not hope for a scoring chance.”

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That scoring chance began when se- 23rd minute, one-timing in a centering nior John Conley came up with the ball pass from Oliver on the ground. for Webster after a St. Dominic goal kick.

With 3:59 left in the first half, a St. A through-ball attempt to senior Sheriden Dominic free kick from midfield took a Smith was blocked by a defender, but the slight deflection off senior Connor Flynn’s ball bounced to Oliver on the right wing. head, getting past Webster junior keeper Oliver played it to sophomore Jordan An- Will Sprick to tie it 1-1. drews, who took it to the back line and Smith delivered again for Webster in made an impossible turn to keep the ball the second half, burying an open chance in bounds for an off-balance cross. in the box after a give-and-go with AnGivens, who had snuck to the back post drews with 23:40 to play. It was Smith’s unmarked, was there to finish the cross. fifth goal in two days; his first-half hat His header bounced past the goalie’s des- trick against Helias Catholic in the semiperate dive and into the top of the net with final was all Webster needed to get a 3-1 39 seconds left. The rest is history. win.

“It was a very difficult cross, consider“When I think of the (Helias) game, the ing Jordan’s body position,” Cashel said. image that comes to mind is Sheriden’s “He wasn’t really able to get his hips sharpness on the ball, and his movement, turned, but somehow he got it over the his penetrating runs,” Cashel said. “He front post, over the goalkeeper, and An- was at the center of it all.” toine was just sitting there waiting.”

Smith’s five goals tied an all-time record “It was a really good cross from Jordan, for most goals scored by a single player at and I knew I needed to get on the end of it since there wasn’t much time left in the match,” Givens said.

“It meant the world to me, being able to have such a huge impact for a team like ours with some really great players and coaches.”

Givens turned and led the sprint to the other end of the field. He finally collapsed on his back in front of the bench, where he welPhoto by Andy Kimball comed the dog-pile from Senior Mick Hanrahan and junior Ben Mitchler are his teammates. the first to meet senior Antoine Givens after his State“It was just a really eu- championship-winning goal. phoric moment for everyone at the game, and I was glad I was able to share it with teammates the State Tournament. In four State Tournament games in his career, Smith scored and fans,” Givens said. seven times.

“It was bedlam,” Cashel said.

The two he scored in the Final still The Goal marked the conclusion of a see-saw game, an unforgettable five-goal Final. Smith started the scoring in the Continued on Page 13 (See “Soccer”)

ECHO Sports 13 Cross country wins 1st District title since 1970

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Jack Killeen Editor in Chief

Following the departure of head coach Dan Sebben last season, the men’s cross country team began the year with Jon Petter as head Coach, who wanted to bring in a more tactical strategy.

“Anytime you take over a program, you worry if the program is going to have any issues just because of a change in leadership or methodology,” Coach Petter said.

Unlike Sebben, who was about mental toughness and a lot of workouts, Petter was more about numbers and tactical approach. One of Petter’s strategies was to teach his runners pacing. In practice, they worked on hitting specific times and knowing how their bodies should feel to hit a certain time.

“Petter’s main goal for this season was having that strength and ability to pick people off. Not many people can do it; pacing is a really hard thing to grasp. It’s really hard to keep your own pace, but Coach Petter really trained us hard to move past that desire,” Varsity runner junior Joe Grasso said.

“The guys ran well and it really gave us

Photo from Jon Petter

Men’s Varsity cross country team members celebrate their first District championship in 45 years. a big confidence boost going into districts, and really made us believe that we could possibly do really well at districts, although we knew SLUH was really tough.”

The next week along with districts came, and Petter and the team looked to settle in behind SLUH, watching where the private school’s runners’ pace would be at the mile and knowing whether they needed to adjust their own pace.

“When the mile came I could see that

we were right there with SLUH, and started yelling at the guys to believe we could beat them. I was like, ‘You’re right there with them, stay where you’re at, move up,’ and by about the 4,000 meter mark, I knew we could beat them,” Petter said.

At Districts, men’s cross country beat SLUH by one point.

“Beating SLUH was a big boost for everybody. We all worked our hardest. We did well, we’re very proud,” Grasso said.

Soccer (Continued from Page 12) weren’t enough though, as St. Dominic tied it four minutes later at two, setting the stage for Givens’ late heroics, the culmination of a nail-biting final 20 minutes.

The Statesmen won this instant classic just a day after their 3-1 victory over Helias was overshadowed by the concussion suffered by senior forward Mitchell Paulson, part of a physical second half from which Webster escaped, gasping for breath.

After his head slammed into the ground during a collision, Paulson was helped off the field to the sideline, where he immediately collapsed. It was the fourth concussion he’s suffered, the second while playing high school soccer. He had to be carted off the field and taken to a local hospital after the game.

“The most difficult part of that game for me was managing the post-game,” Cashel said. “It was supposed to be a celebratory moment, but, you know, I’ve never seen

anything like it. It was like we lost, it was like the season was over. That was the mood among the boys.”

“I think the most important thing was to address the situation with Mitchell, to reassure the boys that Mitchell was gonna be okay,” Cashel said.

The team had a gathering at Cashel’s house that night to watch the U.S. National Team game. Paulson, who came to watch with the team after being released from the hospital, was in better condition, though he has dealt with memory loss from the day of the semifinal.

Paulson said after the injury, he had trouble remembering his name, what team he was on, what game it was, and later whether Webster had won.

“From noon to 10 p.m. that day, it’s all gone,” Paulson said. “John Binder told me that at the Cashels’ that night, I asked him who we were playing the next day four times.”

Paulson’s memory of the Final the next

day is much better, though he did eat breakfast twice that morning. “Time is the only cure,” he said.

The physical and emotional toll taken on the Statesmen in the second half didn’t phase them in the Final though. Webster rallied around Paulson and its other 13 seniors, who made up the winningest class in the team’s history.

That special class got one last send-off from Cashel before the Final. “The last thing we did was everybody went around the room and thanked each other. Every player thanked every other player and coach for the experience we’ve given each other,” Cashel said. “There were tears in the room for sure.”

Cashel continued, “I don’t really think anyone felt any pressure in that game. I think they just felt excitement at being a team one more time.”

For this Webster team, the last time was the most special.

November 2015

ECHO 14 Entertainment Peanuts movie stays in classic time period the

Caroline Fellows Web/ Video Editor

Peanuts celebrated its 65th anniversary this year, and from the original comic strip by Charles M. Schulz and Blue Sky Studios came “The Peanuts Movie,” a family-friendly movie which will charm people of all ages.

Charlie Brown can’t seem to do anything right. His unsuccessful kite flying combined with his lack of self-esteem always take him down and make him a laughing stock. When a new red-haired girl moves into his neighborhood, he tries to turn over a new leaf. Despite embarrassing himself numerous times and still having no luck with his 5-cent psychiatrist, he does everything in his power to win over the red-haired girl.

The fact that the story mainly revolves around Charlie Brown and his bad luck makes a portion of the movie a little dePhoto Credit: Twentieth Century Fox/MCT pressing, but his trusty sidekick Snoopy Lucy steals the football from Charlie Brown during “The Peanuts Movie.”(c) 2015. definitely cheers up the audience with Distributed by McClatchy/Tribune Information Services. his comedy and imagination. Almost in a world of his own, he types out a story A major theme of “The Peanuts Movie” ally reading hard-copy books and playing on his classic red doghouse of his heroic battle in the skies against the Red Baron is becoming a winner, something even- outside. In the modern times of increasing in an attempt to rescue the love of his life, tually Charlie Brown achieves by being technology and lack of physical activity, it honest, responsible and caring for others. was definitely refreshing to see that direcFifi.

No adults actually appear in “The Pea- Viewers can learn something from Char- tor Steve Martino respected the timeliness nuts Movie” and rarely in any of the origi- lie Brown’s determination, not to mention of Peanuts.

The Peanuts Movie is rated 8.1/10 stars nal Peanuts comic strips, as Schulz said he his overwhelming talent to have read Leo never was interested in adults and chose Tolstoy’s “War & Peace” by himself dur- by IMBd.com and plays at local movie to depict the children as growing up by ing scene in which he must write a book theaters like Ronnies 20 Cine, AMC Esquire 7 and Galleria 6 Cinemas. Tickets themselves with adults just in the back- report in only a couple days.

“The Peanuts Movie” stays true to the range between $5 and $11, it is rated G ground. When the adults spoke, the only sound heard is a trombone and a muffled innocence of Schulz’s original comic strip and runs for 88 minutes. and keeps the world of children still actuvoice.

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November 2015

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ECHO

Opinion

Botan Beliefs

15

Thanksgiving for everyone Abby Botan Entertainment Columnist

As Thanksgiving approaches, many are excited, but for what?

The holiday revolves around a lot of important factors: family, fun and - of course - the food.

Thanksgiving is seen as a family oriented holiday that involves a lot of food, but the way Thanksgiving is celebrated depends on the house that’s visited or the family.

Brooklyn Childs, junior, and her family go over to her aunt’s residence and eat before going Black Friday shopping the next day.

“All of my family in St. Louis meets up together and spends an entire day together,” Childs said. “My grandma always cooks the turkey; my aunts and my mom do the rest.”

Patrick Schranck, junior, had a very different take on Thanksgiving.

“The way I celebrate Thanksgiving is the pretty typical. We usually have the traditional dinner with some family and friends, and we share what we’re thankful for,” Schrank said.

Unlike Childs who plans on having a fairly big Thanksgiving with family, Schrank plans on celebrating the holiday with his mother.

Both said they’d be having the typical

Photo Credit: Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune/MCT

Gently loosening the skin covering creates an opportunity to boost flavor by slipping in fresh herbs such as sage and thyme. (c) 1999, Bob Fila, Chicago Tribune, Distributed by McClatchy/Tribune Information Services.

Thanksgiving turkey.

Thanksgiving for vegetarians is definitely expected to be different meal wise.

Maddelyn Whaley, junior, vegetarian, said Thanksgiving isn’t that different for her as it would be a meat eater.

“I just avoid all meats,” Whaley said about her meal. “I might not get as much as everyone else, but at least I have more room for pumpkin pie.

Whaley said she knows a lot of recipe alternatives, but she doesn’t want her family to go out of their way on such a busy holiday. Plus, she’s a bit lazy to do it herself.

It’s always nice to sit around on Thanksgiving Day, accompanied by good people and think of how lucky one is to have things other may not.

What to do for the holidays:

Dec. 9: One Act Festival, in the Little Theater $7 for Adults $5 for students.

Dec. 12-13: Metro Edge’s “Nutcracker on Ice” at Webster Groves Ice Arena

Advance Tickets - $12 , Box Office tickets- $14 Nov. 13- Jan. 3: Winter Wonderland Christmas lights at Tilles Park

$6 to walk, $10 for a car.

Nov. 20- Jan. 1: Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine Free to walk or drive.

Nov. 21-Jan. 2: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden Adults $16/Children $10 through Dec. 17 Adults $18/Children $10 after Dec. 17

November 2015

“Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord...�

Psalm 100:1 Webster Groves Baptist Church invites instrumentalists and vocalists to perform in its weekly services. music@wgbaptist.com wgbc@wgbaptist.com