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R OAR The Wildcat VOLUME XII ISSUE THREE WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY www.thewildcatroar.com November 2014 Burrito vs. Burrito p.15 Examining Motives Behind NHS Grades ITSOG Seussical p.15

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Page 1: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

ROARThe

Wild

cat

VOLUME XII ISSUE THREEWESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMYwww.thewildcatroar.com

Nov

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4

Burritovs.

Burritop.15

Examining Motives Behind •NHS•Grades• ITSOG

Seussical

p.15

Page 2: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

2 | THEWILDCATROAR.COM | 11.10.14

OpinionsConsider This................................................4Quitting Cold Turkey.....................................5

News

FeaturesA is for Average..........................................9Teacher Talents....................................10-11

SportsSoccer Turf................................................17Cross Country............................................17

OnlineROAR

www.thewildcatroar.com

What’s Inside

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Apples to Oranges........................................6Damsels Don’t Play No Games.....................7

News FeaturesFall Playlist.................................................12From Student to Principal..........................14

EntertainmentSeussical..................................................15Chipotle vs. Qdoba.................................15

OUR PEOPLE | YOUR VOICE314.588.7000 foxgalvin.com

Admiralty Class Action Commercial Law Employment LawEnvironmental Litigation Health Law Insurance Law

Personal Injury Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Litigation Product Liability Professional Liability

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Page 3: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

thewildcatroar.com Like us on Facebook at The Wildcat Roar Follow Us @WCAroar For LIVE Sports Updates - @wcaroar_live

For Instagram - @thewildcat_roar 800 Maryville Centre Dr., Town & Country, MO 63117

Print Editors: Audrey O’Neill and Mary HeylDesign Editors: Maggi Eachus and Ashley KleinBroadcast Editor: John PottebaumOnline Editor: Katherine YenzerNews Editor: Lauren RamosSports Editor: Jake SchroederEntertainment Editor: Becca EisOpinions Editor: Juhyae Kim Feature Editor: Bria Paxton Business Manager: Andrew Montgomery

News Features Editor: Cate Hoogstraten

Wildcat Roar Staff

Newspaper Editor-in-Chief: Megan GalvinPublications Executive Editor: Chrissy TalentAdvisor: Scott Vonder Bruegge

In the spirit of giving, or ITSOG, has been a long standing WCA tradition to benefit the community by donating different goods to charities. The origin of ITSOG has good intentions; unfortunately, the message of the heart behind it is one that doesn’t penetrate very deeply. As the newspaper editors, we real-ize that we are representatives of the heart of the issue. All of us are guilty of donating more when an incentive is in place. Therefore, the problem is the attitude the students. Then there’s the fact that ITSOG is beneficial and does impact communities, no matter what the attitude of the students is. In order for the week of giving to be ben-eficial for both the students and charities, we need to have a change of heart and realize that we must give up our egos to help people in need. If what is on the tables in the mornings is simply what a parent bought and handed to their kids, then it is more accurate to say the parents are the ones giving. Although this is not always the case, we say this because we’ve been in the position where we merely bring in what our parents have bought. If the Westminster community wanted to truly embrace giving, then the students would be more

Opinion From the Editors

influential in contributing to the collected amounts. Currently, IT-SOG emphasizes the “spirit of giving,” not to see who brought in the most canned food. Yet still, the students are benefitting a good cause.

It’s just that the language itself sounds spiritual. This we feel contributes to the not always positive dialogue about what happens during this week. Could we just call this a charity drive? At this point we could de-em-phasize the idea of changing people’s attitudes through giving. Competition would cease to carry a negative con-notation when associated with ITSOG and people could still give out of the goodness of their hearts or anyone

else’s for that matter. Nobody would stop anyone from helping folks out. Making this week solely focused on donating to charities would eliminate the controversy of the competition aspect because the motivations for the week would be changed. We would love to see ITSOG continue to make a difference, but it is hard for only one week to change the attitudes of the students. So, we should stop making ITSOG a week of what it isn’t. From our standpoint, “in the spirit of giving” overspiritualizes a week that can be used as a simple charity drive.

Staff Writers: Caroline AganJack AndrewsMichael AlldredgeMary Grace BarberMarkus CickaTessa CopelandRyan DavisKatherine GalvinAbi HackmanChase LottmannSarah RagsdaleTierra ReeseMike Richardson Ben Sems

The Heart of the Issue is the Heart of the IssueITSOG reveals the attitudes of the students, rather than change them.

Page 4: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

4 | THEWILDCATROAR.COM | 11.10.14

Opinion Consider This:

-Juhyae Kim, opinions editor

We’ve all had that experience of bonding with someone by complaining. A complaint about the weather or a rant about a school assignment is an easy, natural way to break the ice with a stranger or with a classmate that we’re not familiar with.

“We start a conversation with a negative observation because we know that will get us a bigger response than say-ing something positive would,” said Robin Kowalski, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Clemson University. Not only does spewing negativity stir fun conversations, but it also feels alleviating. We are temporarily relieved of stress when openly share our problems or misfortunes to other people.

Unfortunately, excessive complaining has become a bad habit for many people. People constantly complain for the wrong reasons or for no reason at all. We feel entitled to re-ceive the best treatment from everyone we meet and we have developed an overly critical view of the things we experience. Our natural tendency usually isn’t to appreciate the great opportunities, people, and relationships in our lives, but to criticize the things that do not live up to our self-centered expectations.

If we buy food from the cafeteria that is slightly over-cooked or that is somewhat bland, instead of immediately grumbling about it to friends, simply don’t buy food that looks overcooked and add salt to bland food. There are usu-ally easy solutions to the problems we complain about, but we choose to sit around, spew negativity to our friends, and get nothing fixed.

We should be voicing our opposition to severe injustices, but we should also act on our words. Complaints become irritating when people say them all the time but do noth-ing about them. Once people start to bring about positive change, others will see their complaints as beneficial rather than annoying.

The bad habit of excessive complaining won’t be broken in a day, but we can at least attempt to be more conscious of it and to address the issues we complain about.

Take Action

Don’t be modest.Those three words open up

the application for the National Honor Society, which asks stu-dents to explicate every good deed they’ve done for the com-munity that qualifies them for membership.

National Honor Society emphasizes leadership, service, academics, and character, but students often only focus on the academic side of this. Students apply for NHS because it will “look good” on a college applica-tion.

More often than not, stu-dents do not consider the full benefits and possibilities NHS offers them. Students should contribute to the community, not just for service hours, but because it helps them grow in a want for service and leader-ship. Secondly, serving helps the community around us. As the quality of life of the community improves, lives are edified. Ser-vice is about aiding others before ourselves, not just tallying up hours to stay in NHS.

But colleges don’t care about how kind of a heart we have, or if one time we helped a little old lady cross the street in the name of having a servant’s heart, you may say. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what your motiva-tion is, because all it counts for is a college application.

Although colleges cannot look into their applicants’ hearts

to see the motivations for their membership, this shouldn’t affect a students’ overall desires.

“I do not think college appli-cations should be the only reason for joining NHS. There are some students who joined because they need to serve their com-munity, and being apart of NHS gives them the incentive, struc-ture, and accountability to be serving,” said Mr. Jacob Mohler, co-advisor of the Westminster NHS chapter.

“NHS is about so much more than just academics. It is about learning and caring about our community and being aware of the needs of others, and try-ing to help out,” said Maddie Schuler, senior and vice presi-dent of NHS.

Being a member of NHS should be more than a “feather in one’s hat,” but a beneficial service to the community.

“If someone was to only fo-cus on this program benefitting their transcript, they would miss out on the personal growth that comes out of learning to think and put others before yourself,” said Schuler.

Perhaps the solution isn’t too clear and simple. How does changing the motivations behind membership make an impact? At the end of the day, members still have to show up to Room at the Inn, they still have to serve hours, and they still have to maintain their GPA.

Imagine if perspectives changed, and students learned because they wanted to, or students served because they wanted to. In the end, it benefits them because, when they want to serve in their future, the task of service will be easier. NHS membership is a matter of the heart, not the brain.

NHS Should Not Merely be a Feather in the Cap

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Page 5: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

Turkeys dance with glee as � anksgiving, previously one of Amer-ica’s favorite holidays, has � nally seen its end in 2014. A� er a long life of 393 years, it has sadly been cut short by the overshadowing of Halloween and Christmas.

For centuries Americans have gathered around the table in honor of � anksgiving. Heaps of home cooked food, hour long turkey comas, and family squabbles make it a celebration full of nostalgia.

Sadly, American consumer-ism and love for other holidays have made � anksgiving just another day of gluttony, foot-ball, and shopping. Never mind the happy childhood memories and the time to give thanks and count your blessings--� anks-giving has become that poor day in between Halloween and Christmas that everyone dreads.

Every year marks an earlier opening of stores o� ering door-busting deals for your holiday gi� list. Whatever winter holiday your family celebrates, at least mourn the tragedy of unused appie recipes you have taken all that time to collect on Pinterest before going out to buy that 50 inch � at screen for 30% o� .

Besides the intrusion of big box stores marketing ploys, there doesn’t seem to be time for � anksgiving. All of October people fawn over Halloween, buying up bags of candy and overpriced costumes for their children. All things pumpkin and spooky dance through the air until the clock strikes mid-night on the 31st and October

Quitting Cold Turkey

Graphic by Maggi Eachus

turns into November. Suddenly the candy is on

clearance and giant blow up Santas are in front of every other store. Christmas music is on 24/7 and everyone is worried about the giant list of gi� s they haven’t even begun to tackle. Drive past a local garden shop or Ted Drewes and you’ll be greeted by lines and lines of douglas � rs.

Poor � anksgiving has no time to shine. I’m lucky if I see a turkey � ag swaying to and fro is someones front yard before it is replaced with a little cheery man in a big red suit forcing holiday spirit down your throat.

Well, it will be a nice story to tell the grandkids, because frankly � anksgiving seems to be a thing of the past. But maybe, just maybe, the holiday can be redeemed.

Buy yourself a nice turkey and try to sit down with your family for a couple hours before you go shopping. I promise you can still get a good deal if you wait until Friday morning.

Maybe if we all try, we can take back � anksgiving and relive its former glory. Make Martha Stewart proud and take a day out of your schedule to prepare a nice meal and share it with the ones you love.

Conversations about mental health have risen to the surface of news and social media spheres with deaths of figures such as Robin Williams. Everyone is talking about it, so why aren’t we? WCA students aren’t excluded from the effects of mental illness. Nearly everyone knows someone who is struggling with depres-sion: a friend, a family member, a student in math class. One person commits suicide every 14 minutes in the US alone, so clearly we must battle this illness and the stigmas that surround it. It’s difficult to talk about what we do not fully understand, so what’s said is not often what needs to be heard. The major-ity of misunderstandings that surround mental illness stems from the words of those who are unaware they are spreading falsehoods. People who believe that one living with depression is merely attention-seeking or self-ish and should “just be happy” often don’t understand how debilitating the illness can be. Others believe that depression cannot exist if someone has joy. The two can absolutely coexist in each person, but the light and joy and moments of clarity in the midst of hard days does not get rid of the depression. We falsely accuse those who appear happy, or “should be” happy by our standards, but anyone may feel powerless against the darkness that has settled in their mind. When someone dies after battling cancer and people ask, “How did they die?”, no one says “pulmonary embolism”, but always, “cancer”. A Pulmonary Embolism can be the final cause of death with many cancers, but it is not the disease that brought a person there. The word “sui-cide” gives off the impression

that it is someone decided to die because they wanted to. But usually that person has struggled with some sort of depression for years. Depression is the disease that brought them to that place. Victims of cancer fight to live, and so do victims of depression. One cannot simply “cheer up” with depression, just as one can-not simply choose not to have cancer. In the end, both illnesses can have fatal results on a strug-gling body. Those who commit suicide as a result of depression die from depression. It isn’t their choice to suffer, and calling it such will only further the harm-ful judgements that keep more and more people from speaking up and getting help. We must learn how to help them heal. And it’s not a “3 Steps to Being Happy” process. It’s real, and it’s difficult, and it’s terribly painful, but it’s not hopeless. Certainly, there is a hope in knowing depression does not have the final word. But simply knowing that doesn’t take it away. People will always struggle no matter how hard they try to feel differently or to change or to hide it. Denying brokenness because it is dirty or difficult degrades the broken. When walking next to people with depression, the difference between helping and hurting is understanding. Genuine healing comes when we humble ourselves, when we wade into the mess and lift up oth-ers. We’ve got to stop giving out cliches and give our hands and our time. Be empathetic. Be humble. Educate yourself and listen. Let those who have walked the road speak up and share their wisdom. And to those who are struggling:

It is not your fault.Depression is not a sin. And you are so loved.

Page 6: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

6 | THEWILDCATROAR.COM | 11.10.14

News

Apples and oranges, both fruits but di� erent at the core. Similarily, private and public schools contain aspects that make them comparable and also contrasting. As students examine the counter forms of education and confront the stereotypes, they come face to face with star-tling similarities and apparent di� erences.

“When I think of a private school like Westminster, I think of rich, preppy kids with their polos and sperrys, who think highly of themselves,” said Han-nah Smith, Webster Groves High School junior.

While there certainly are kids in private schools that � t this description, it cannot be said of every single student.

“A common stereotype

about public school kids is that they are not as challenged as we are,” said Alyssa Freiner, junior.

� ough the intensity and workload at an especially rigorous academic school like Westminster may di� er that of public school, Webster o� ers higher level courses for students who desire a challenge, just like Westminster.

“For most subjects at Web-ster, there is a regular, honors, and/or AP class,” Smith said.

Both private and public schools serve their communties. Webster’s soccer team made over 1000 sand-

wiches for another school, and two students created a program to help senior citizens with elec-tronic devices.

Although they keep religion out of the curriculum, public schools have groups for students to be open about their faith together, just like private schools. Webster Groves o� ers FCA along with a thriving Young Life club.

“Young life is an inter-national relationship-focused ministry based in high schools to reach kids who don’t know Jesus,” said Shelly Milligan, Ex-ecutive Director of Institutional

Adavncement and Strategy and volunteer leader for Young Life.

“It’s youth group upside-down. Instead of asking kids to come to us, we go to them. Leaders are at all the concerts, the

football games, the plays. At each meeting, which takes place in a student’s house, we sing secular songs, play games, and spend the last ten minutes talking about the Gospel,” said Milligan.

While many similarities exist, teachers stand as one of the most apparent contrasts between public and Christian schools.

“WCA students have seven classes in their schedules. � at means a kid could have seven teachers praying for him through-out the year. � at’s pretty power-ful. At Webster, there’s no way that would be the case,” said Milligan.

Webster is “committed to academic and personal success” for every student while WCA’s vision is to “to prepare and equip more young men and women to engage the world and change it for Jesus Christ”. Although both schools intend to set students up for success, their purpose and vi-sions contrast at the core and thus create di� erent school experi-ences.

Apples to OrangesExamining the similarities and differences between public and private schools

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Alyssa Freiner, junior

Hannah Smith, Webster Groves junior

In a few years the majority of Westminster students will be outside the Westminster eco-system and � nd themselves in arguably on of the highest secu-lar environments in the United States - An American University.

Bombarded with world-views, it is easy for students to be disoriented and end up confused about what people believe and why they believe it. Even in private religious colleges there are very few that hold to the

exact doctrine that underpins a Westminster education.

Whether it be di� erent Christian denominations or other religions, belief systems, theology, or the absence of, is a reality. In the more liberal state schools, the beliefs of athe-ism and agnosticism are more prevalent or even encouraged. Atheism is the belief that there is no god, and agnosticism is the belief that nothing can be known about the existence of a god--

that no one can con� rm or deny the existence of an all powerful being.

Some may � nd this confus-ing: how does someone believe that there is no higher power? Others understand those feelings completely, as they themselves are wrestling with the same beliefs.

In order to foster under-standing and communication be-tween these two sides there must � rst be an understanding of why

“I feel like people turn to religion because they need strength, some-thing to believe in, answers to hard questions, etc and I feel like I’ve never needed that. I didn’t ever make a conscious decision to be atheist; I just never needed something to believe in.” -Kat

“I grew up in a Christian Faith and I don’t consider religion nec-essarily true if you grew up with it. � at is why I consider myself agnostic, so I can look at religion unbiased and � nd out what works for me.” -a WCA senior who asked their name be withheld.

“Because it is hard to believe in something you can not back with fact. And not some made up fact. Also in something you can’t see. I understand there is room for interpretation but you have to be able to prove and disprove. And im alittle old for an imaginary friend” -Jessica

people believe what they believe. Several people, from various high schools and colleges have been asked to explain why they are not religious in two to three sentences. Not all were comfort-able revealing their identities yet they agreed to be quoted. � ese are their responses:

Serious Questions Beg For Serious DiscussionNot everyone believes in God. Its a topic big enough for open dialogue.

Page 7: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

As more and more Chris-tians and politicians alike express outrage to the new laws implemented in Houston, Texas, national attention is drawn to the issue of Mayor Annise Parker’s enforcing subpoenas. Parker, the city’s openly homosexual mayor, demanded that all pastors turn in prepared sermons for their services. Along with this were the controversial laws passed that allow and encourage women who identify as men to use the men’s restrooms, and men who identify as women to use the ladies restroom. � e equal rights ordinance, sexuality, and anything pertaining to Mayor Parker were the topics of interest to those critiquing the sermons.

A group of pastors protest-ing the ordinance started a peti-tion drive that produced 55,000 signatures, far more than twice as much needed to start a vote on the ballot. However, the city threw out the petition based o� alleged “irregularities”; the city attorney, David Feldman (with no legal authority) discarded 38,000 of the signatures on the basis that they were “in print, rather than the preferred cursive” or “considered illegible” until the petition was below the needed 17,000 mark.

One pastor, Steve Riggle of Grace church, claimed that not only did o� cials want his

sermons, but also his emails and texts that may contain discussion of the same topics. However, de-spite everything that’s happened, Mayor Parker and City Attorney Feldman deny the fact that they took part in the issuing of the subpoenas, and even go as far as to claim they had no idea that this matter was happening until October 19.

Regardless of who issued the subpoena, this was a major breaching of an American’s re-ligious freedom, as well as their freedom against unlawful search and seizure.

While it can be assured that, speci� cally, most Christians - but also those who may not associate themselves with the Christian faith yet consider themselves more right wing on the political spectrum - are naturally infuri-ated by this incident. However, all must take this into consid-eration when trying to make a stand against this attack on civil rights: is the goal to open hearts and make this issue heard, and inevitably bring about a change in the state government in Houston? Or is the goal to bully the authorities back, and send them an angry and threatening message? � e turnout of this situation lies mainly in the hands of the public and what actions they choose to take.

Hitting a NerveFundamental rights come under fi re in Houston

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Video games arehard to rate in terms of modesty. Feminist Anita Sarkeesian, has taken up the � gh and added the topic “Tropes (cliches) vs. Women in Video Games” to her Feminist Frequency YouTube series. In it she talks about the stereotypical and o� en negative depictions of women in video games.

Whether it be the “Damsel in Distress”, “Evil Seductress”, etc. She encourages many girls to break free of these constant tags and to try and � ght for new representations of females in video games.

A staunch feminist, Anita has received death threats be-cause of her views. � e biggest came the week of Oct. 13, when she was scheduled to give a speech at Utah State University. � e university received an email from an unknown user threaten-ing to carry out “the deadliest shooting in American history.” Be that as it may, her views on video game portrayals of women denounce the trend to debase women or portray them as help-less or as sexual objects.

Sarkeesian has not backed down because of the threats.

Sarkeesian’s speci� c message is easily lost if it is dicounted because of other feminist stances she takes. As was reported last issue, Westminster has taken steps to distance itself from things such as Soccer Sweeties in order to not promote disparag-ing stereotypes. In this instance Sarkeesian may be an unwitting ally.

Anita Sarkeesian Fights For Female Modesty in Video Games

Gamer Girls

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

ITSOG BringsSunshine � is year, ITSOG, in the spirit of giving, began the week collecting food for various charities, one being Sunshine Ministries. Sunshine Ministries is an organization founded to provide Christian services to the needy living in downtown St. Louis. � e organization runs a food pantry, a community closet, shelters and preschool. Sunshine is completely based from indi-vidual support. Although bringing a can of food is a small sacri� ce to stu-dents at Westminster, donations such as these keep Sunshine running. In addition to the people who use the ministry, students who helped donate items were also blessed. “Seeing how my small sacri-� ce bene� ted others so greatly was an outstanding experience,” said Brooke Ellen Brugner, junior. � anks to ITSOG, ministries across St. Louis are being sup-ported.

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Top: Tables where ITSOG items were collected.Bottom: Rachel Ritter, senior, dis-plays the baby clothes she brought for ITSOG.

Page 8: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

8 | THEWILDCATROAR.COM | 11.10.14

Features

To The Beat of Their Own DrumA review of, and a call to support, local bands.

� ere is a whole network of start-up bands in St. Louis, and this city is a great place to sup-port the local artistic outsiders.

For those who do not know how to get involved with the un-derground band scene but want to support local groups, here are just a few of St. Louis’ very own that are trying to make their way into the spotlight:

Dots Not Feathers is a group of � ve college friends whose friendships are as harmonious as their music. � eir music is gen-erally indie pop but has refresh-ing hints of folk in� uence. � ey are growing in popularity around the St. Louis area and have even

received attention from some na-tional music publications. Dots Not Feathers � nd their unique sounds by mixing strong vocals- harmonizing as if they were sing-ing in a musical- with synthetic melodies. � eir performances are as lively as their music.

All My Vices is an alterna-tive rock group consisting of � ve friends that just want to make a di� erence with their music. It is their goal to positively in� uence audiences by pushing them to face their struggles and act, and with their genuine lyrics and passionate vocals, All My Vices achieves this goal. While life experiences prompt their lyrics, their exuberant music is in� u-enced by bands such as Switch-foot and Yellowcard. All My

Vices has its own unique energy and sound.

Blue� sh is another lo-cal band made up of four guys looking to connect with others through their music. � eir alter-native indie style is comparable to Coldplay, and their smooth vocals � ow with the music im-peccably. Blue� sh is sincere and has the ability to capture the full

scale of emotions that life causes everyone to feel at one point or another through their music.

Helping others achieve their dreams while listening to great music is bene� cial to both the audience and the band.

Check out these groups while and help out some talented people.

Top from le� to right: Blue� sh, Dots Not Feathers, All My VicesBottom from le� to right: All My Vices, Blue� sh, Dots Not Feathers

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Focus On:

Middle School Fall Sports

Page 9: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

A� er a long day at school, a student may come home, have a snack, check social media, and glance at Veracross before starting on homework—a ritual shared by many. He quickly glances over several percentages and letters. A, A+, B, A. His eyes widen in surprise at this foreign letter. An A- is pushing it, but a B is simply unacceptable. He will have to do something about this blemish on his nearly perfect quarter grade.

In this day and age, dressing up college applications seems to be the primary motivation for high school students, and a straight A report card is thought to be the cherry on top.

“We live in a culture of ‘making the grade’ which o� en has nothing to do with learn-ing. But learning is why we are in school. I wonder how many students, when they walk into a classroom, walk in with a desire to learn,” said Jeremy Scott, for-mer middle school Bible teacher.

However, once students leave the classroom and enter the professional world, it suddenly makes a di� erence to get the right answer.

“We need to ask ourselves how well these students are func-tioning in their professions years later. We want students to enjoy learning for the right reasons, but the bridge has to work and the pacemaker has to function,” said Dr. Andrew Shaw, upper school science teacher.

Questions continue to be raised about the bene� ts and disadvantages of grades. � e grading process tends to place students’ focus on percentages rather than the actual learning process. Suddenly a 4.0 GPA becomes a student’s idol and source of stress instead of an ac-

curate representation of content mastery.

“I love learning; I hate school. I don’t like the pres-sure that teachers and parents instill. I’m not a great test taker and I don’t like how my bad days or my anxieties can mark my future forever. I feel like it’s now become about the numbers instead of learning,” said Elyse Blatz, junior.

In an honors American Literature class, 13 juniors

were polled about the motiva-tion behind their work. All 13 students replied that grades were a signi� cant motivator. Of the 13, 10 replied that grades were their primary motivation. One student, Zach Hughes, junior, commented on the his personal motivation to achieve.

“It’s not like my parents put a lot of pressure on me; I guess I just want to see a big number on the Veracross GPA report at the end of the quarter,” said Hughes.

Outside pressure from teachers and parents may add to the stress of some students, but for others, the pressure can come from their own expectations and personal GPA goals.

Despite the obvious � aws,

a letter grade does have some merit such as holding students accountable for completing their work and providing them with feedback.

While there are both pros and cons to current grading practices, the accuracy of this method of student evaluation remains ambiguous.

“Sometimes A’s accurately represent learning and under-standing, and sometimes they do not. It sometimes depends

on how the teacher assesses and grades the work. Sometimes assessments, if they are poorly conceived or made, reveal noth-ing that the student learned. � e student might have mastered the art of cramming for a test and making a good grade,” said Scott.

Regardless of how the grading system might change in the future, students will always feel the pressure to succeed. Ultimately, the choice of where to derive satisfaction in one’s academic career lies with the student.

“Our goal should be to do our best regardless of a grade, but whatever the new grading system may be, people will � nd a way to manipulate it,” said Shaw.

A is for AverageA look into the benefi ts and disadvantages of grades

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Joey Hobaugh, junior, looks at Veracross grades.

Ivy Wang, senior, is an exchange student from China. Ivy shares some of her experi-ences and thoughts on living in the American coulture.

Q: What is the hardest part of being an exchange student?A: “Being an exchange was really hard for me. I remem-ber I took out my translator because I didn’t know what one of the words meant and one of the teachers yelled at me because he thought it was phone and another hard thing is that I am away from my fmaily.”Q: Do you miss your family?A: “Yes, I don’t talk to them everyday but I talk to them as much as I can.”Q: Why did you come to the United States?A: “Basically, just to get a bet-ter education and make my family proud of me.”Q: You learned how to blend in very well at school. How have you been able to � t in and feel comfortable?A: “I wanted to be as ‘normal’ as I could so I just put in the extra hard work.”

Life as an Exchange Student

Page 10: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

10 | THEWILDCATROAR.COM | 11.10.14

Features

Teacher Talents

Robert Murphy, upper school math teacher, is a man of many talents. While he has served in a great variety of oc-cupations, including working in an emergency room and volun-teering as a firefighter, he actu-ally focused on a major in music during his time in college. Mr. Murphy shares how he found out that his array of diverse tal-ents includes the skill of impro-visation:

When a visiting gospel choir was in need of a band, Mr. Murphy got called on last min-ute to accompany them with his bass guitar. When he went to his room to pick up the instru-ment, he found that his room-mate had accidentally knocked it over, breaking the strings and rendering it impossible to play. Fortunately, there was another bass available. Unfortunately, it was a six-string bass. Before this, he had only played with four strings.

Murphy was forced to im-

Luke Breems, upper school science teacher, has been run-ning for about three years, start-ing before he moved to St. Louis to teach. While there are many amateur runners out there who sweat for a couple of miles every now and then, Breems has gone so far as to run marathons. He gives his father credit for getting him into the sport.

“My dad is a runner, so that was a good way to spend time with him before I moved here,” said Breems.

Breems runs every week-end, saying that forest park is the perfect place to do a long run and explore the area. He started participating in races last spring with the Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathon in St. Louis.

“It was terrifying, but completely worthwhile,” said Breems.

While Breems has ran in a variety of location, he claims that doing a marathon in Toronto, Canada was one of his most interesting experiences.

“[The] runners’ names were printed on our running bibs for a personal touch, so all the spectators, who were complete strangers to me, were cheering things like ‘Way to run, Luke!’ and ‘Keep it up, Luke!’ Canadians - gotta love them. On the down-side, all the posted distances were in kilometers, which was confus-ing. I think they did that just to mess with the Americans,” said Breems.

Breems reaches mile 24 of the marathon.Photo Courtesy of: Luke Breems

prov for the entire performance, listening to the singer’s voices, watching the piano player’s hands, and quickly transposing the notes in his head - all on an instrument that he had never played before.

“I was exhausted,” said Murphy.

Picture Courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons

Page 11: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

Upper school Bible teacher Rev. Luke Davis

(affectionately known as “Rabbi”), boasts the

talent of a seemingly limitless memory. To

Rabbi, calling up dates and statistics from his-

tory, sports, or other areas of knowledge seems

like second nature.

“My wife believes I have a hyper eidetic

memory, in which I can, at will, pull stuff from

the universe and hold onto it. I tend to think

that we remember what we truly value. So I

think I just make an overloaded commitment

to remember as much stuff as possible” says

Davis. Rabbi cites witnessing his grandfather’s de-

scent into senility as the reason for him to focus

on mental strength and activity.

“I make it a point to read as much as pos-

sible, to remember as much as possible - it’s all

part of keeping the brain alive.

We sat down and asked Rabbi the following

questions, all of which he answered with his

knowledge alone.

A: The one in January of ‘82 would’ve been Super Bowl XVI played in Pontiac, Michigan at the Silverdome. The San Francisco 49ers took a 20-0 halftime lead and held on for a 26-21 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Montana completed 14 of 21 passes,

157 yards including a touchdown pass to Earl Cooper for the 49ers’ second score, and he won MVP honors. Now, the one after the ‘82 season was rather unique because that was the season interrupted by the players’ strike after the first two games. There was a seven-week hiatus in which there were no games, so NBC started covering Canadian football during that time. And then when the season finished, the Wash-ington Redskins played the Miami Dolphins in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl in Super Bowl XVII. That was 38 carries by John Riggins for a Super Bowl record of 166 yards, plus a touchdown from the 42 yard line, making the game-winning touchdown and a 27-17 win. That game was also marked by Fulton Walker’s Super Bowl record 98 yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

A: Ulysses S. Grant. He was a republican in his second term as president, which was marked by the Teapot Dome Oil Scandal. Grant, although he was a fine general strategically on the battle-field and a pretty good fighter, he’s generally referred to by historians as a poor president. The country was still driven by controversy over re-construction in the south. In 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes won the presidency 185-184 over Samuel J. Tilden of New York.

A: Thursday.

A: I cannot tell you anything about the 1994 World Series, because the 1994 World Series was not played due to the players’ strike that ended the season prematurely in August of that year. Now, had it been played, the team with the best record in the American League was the New York Yankees, and in the Na-tional League was, of all teams, the Montreal Expos with the best record overall with 74 [wins] and 40 [losses]. At that time, Tony Gwynn led the major leagues with a 394 batting average.

A: It was 1990 when they were known as “West Germany.” And they beat Argentina 1-0 on a penalty kick. The final was in Rome. Rudi Völler got tripped in the box, so they were awarded a penalty kick, which An-dreas converted to give them a 1-0.

Pictures Courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons

Page 12: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

12 | THEWILDCATROAR.COM | 11.10.14

News/Features

“I believe humans are break-able. I noticed the crack spider-webbed across my face. In Shat-terproof, our skin is glass. Your skin cracks whenever someone says something bad about you. My glass has remained unbroken. Until now.”

Shatterproof is a dystopian, short serial novel published on-line at � e Wildcat Roar. Each issue, there will be a new chapter submitted to the website, totaling seven chapters. � e novel focuses around an eighteen-year-old girl named Bryony Glazer, who lives in the isolated town of Shatter-proof. � ere, everyone has glass skin. If anyone says anything bad about a person, a crack appears in his or her glass.

Bryony has tried to live her life perfectly, above repute, so that nothing negative can be said that would make her skin crack. One day, however, she sees a ter-rible split down the middle of her face, with no knowledge of how or why it is there...

Shatter-proof

A new, exciting serial novel now available online at Wildcat Roar.

Photo by: Mary Grace Barber

A look at the Water Crisis - Infographic by Ben Sems, Staff Writer

97.5 % SALTWATER

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70 % IS FROZEN IN POLAR ICECAPS

30 % LIES UNDERGROUND (MOST OF WHICH IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO TAP INTO)

LESS THAN 1% OF THE WORLD’S FRESHWATER IS AVAILABLE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION 780 +  

MILLION PEOPLE LIVE WITHOUT CLEAN DRINKING WATER . . . 30 SECONDS A CHILD DIES

FROM WATERBORN DISEASE

EVERY 12

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CAUSED BY CONTAMINATED WATER

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Page 13: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

QUESTION: If you could give advice to yourself at age 18, what would it be?

Humans of

“I would tell myself to go into the military.”Deb, Hollyberry Staff Member

WCA

“Be accepting of yourself. Be open to whatever life brings your way. Don’t try and define your future.”Ms. Devries, Upper School French Teacher

A list of the seven best songs to listen to in Fall 2014.Students Play Bingo at Delmar Gardens

On � ursday November 6th, ten Westminster students from all grades ventured across the street to Delmar Gardens to play Bingo with the residents. “Going to Delmar not only brought the residents joy, it also brought me joy,” said Olivia Coomes, senior. � is service is planned to oc-cur every � ursday immediately a� er school.

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Students and Delmar residents play bingo.

Adventure Is Out ThereWCA’s Adventure Club explores the world beyond the classroom.

Sometimes it gets cold. Like, can’t-feel-your-toes, waking-up-with-frost-in-your-hair cold. And even when there’s no risk of frostbite, there are bugs every-where. But despite the uncom-fortable nature of the campouts, Adventure Club remains a favor-ite for student explorers. Led by Chris Knerr, along with seniors Andrew Eichenlaub and Drew Port, the club has taken trips to Hawn State Park, Pickle Springs, and Johnson Shut-Ins, along with many other locations in southern Missouri. � e students come because there’s something refreshing about the outdoors, the starry skies and falling leaves, even the 32º nights. � e time spent hud-dled around the � re is invaluable;

the acoustic music and midnight cups of hot chocolate bind kids together who, before that time, might have only had the chance to connect in the classroom. “It’s a good way to get closer to people in a really cool en-vironment,” says senior class president Drew Straub. � e popularity of Adventure Club is readily apparent. Despite cold winds, early mornings,

and not-quite-gourmet food, the number of kids going on the camping trips continues to increase.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Eichenlaub

Photo courtesy of Andrew Eichenlaub

A look at the Water Crisis - Infographic by Ben Sems, Staff Writer

!Fall 2014 laylist

Page 14: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

14 | THEWILDCATROAR.COM | 11.10.14

News/Features

Anime Club Takes Off

Anime lovers can now re-joice, as Mr. Murphy has started an Anime and Manga � lm club.

� e club has watched and discussed “Valley of the Wind”, a pivotal � lm in the in the popu-larizing of the genre in American culture.

Members discuss the im-plications and major themes of the � lms and shows they watch, keeping in mind the in� uence they in their countries of orgin and beyond.

Learn how to decorate for the holidays in a fun and frugal way!

What you will need:A small jar (preferably clear)Hot glue gunCinnamon sticks (long)

Steps: Put a glue strand on one

cinnamon stick, then wait 10 seconds until somewhat tacky and then attach upright on the jar. � en proceed with the next sticks until the jar is fully covered.

Just In Time for T-day and Christmas DIY Cinnamon Stick Candle Holder

I I haven’t stopped listening to the Taylor Swi� album for 4 days

Ali Montgomery

Watching teachers try to work tech-nology of any kind truly makes my brain hurt

Emily Sulewski

J Just really needing some one tree hill reunion seasons... #yafeel

Emily Broyles

I feel like every girl at some point tweeted “overthinking will be the death of me”

Kevin Stump

TWITTMINSTER

Tony Thompson, a 2011 graduate of Westminster Christian Academy, has taken the position of principal of The Academy of E.P.P. The Academy of E.P.P (Empowering students to succeed. Partnering with par-ents. Partnering with commu-nity.) is a growing private school, that is not necessarily a “Chris-tian” school, but the administra-tion does avoid discussing their beliefs.

As principal, he hopes to include faith and the need for Jesus into school everyday. Con-sisting of a nursery, pre-school, pre-kindergarten, and 1st-6th grade classes, the school was founded by Tony’s mom, Gay Thompson. She saw the need to help students academically, and wanted to create a school similar to WCA.

“I’m just trying to follow her

sound academic blueprint and add some new things here and there,” said Thompson.

While in college at Samford University, Tony realized how WCA had shaped him to be a servant leader. Learning from the way the Westminster admin-istration and teachers acted, he allowed it to shape the way he lives today, which he hopes will be useful in his new career at The Academy of E.P.P.

“Administration, as well as teachers, served us. Not every school has a Head of School (Jim Marsh) that knows most of his/her students by first and last names,” said Thompson.

Thompson strives to create leaders who are prepared to change the world. Education is crucial, but most importantly, Thompson hopes to build char-acter.

“If a child can’t express that

education in the real world, it will create problems for him/her,” said Thompson.

Thompson’s three big “I”s are: inspiration, impact, and influence. He wants to inspire students so that they can make an impact on society, and spread hope throughout struggling St. Louis communities.

“One thing that defines EPP is the passion level of the staff/faculty. All of the administra-tion and every teacher genuinely cares for their students,” said Thompson. The Thompsons believe The Academy of E.P.P. can re-create what WCA was for them..

From Student to PrincipalAlumni, Tony Thompson, seeks to inspire stu-dents at The Academy of E.P.P.

Tony Thompson, class of 2011 with one of his students.

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Page 15: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

Months before students, teachers, and parents flood into the theatre doors, middle school and high school students spend countless hours on the produc-tion of Seussical, on and off the stage.

Seussical combines several of the children stories by Dr. Se-uss together to create an energy-filled, family-friendly musical.

The story begins with a young girl, played by Allison Broadhurst, eighth grader, find-ing a odd, red-and-white striped hat. Soon the Cat-in-the-Hat, played by Harrison Farmer, senior, joins her on stage and together they create the “Jungle of Nool” with their imagina-tions. A plot involving a clumsy elephant, a village living on a speck of dust, an evil kangaroo, and a plain, love-struck bird then enfolds.

“[Seussical] is super fast-paced and silly while still being serious and full of wonder,” said Farmer.

Unlike many musicals performed in the Westminster theatre, Seussical requires a large amount of work in the scene shop along with unique cos-tumes and makeup. The set club is working diligently to create set pieces such as a Pillberry tree and a bird’s nest complete with a large egg. John Sara, set club advisor, is bringing in outside help to make a realistic puppet for Vlad Vladikoff, the vulture. Since most of Seussical’s charac-ter are animals, the stage makeup will prove to be a new challenge to even the most experienced of

Westminster thespians. “This show involves 46

students on stage, and 35 stu-dents working in other areas of production (A/V, backstage, orchestra, set club). So there is a huge village making this show happen,” said Allen Schwamb, upper school music teacher and Seussical’s director.

Another aspect that makes this musical stand out among others performed on the West-minster Theatre stage is the cho-rus of middle schoolers involved. Twelve seventh and eighth graders make up the citizens of Whoville, the town residing on a speck of dust.

“The most challenging part has been trying to remember lines, lyrics, choreography, and blocking” said Broadhurst, who plays the young Who girl named Jojo.

Showtimes are 7 pm, November 20-22. Tickets will be sold online only for $5.00.

Fall Production

Middle and high school students prepare for the production of Seussical.

Preview

“The Bird Girls,”, Klarissa Sheffield, junior, Kathryn Hinrichs, senior, and Haley Weinberg, junior, narrate Hor-ton’s adventures.

Entertainment

Are all Burritos created equal?A look inside the philosophies of two giants in the Mexican food industry

At face value, there’s not much contrast. Two companies, Chipotle and Qdoba, o� er simi-lar products, at similar prices, in a similar atmosphere. Slight preferences or convenience may pull consumers towards one or the other, but providing an explanation on why one and not the other is a much harder task. However, these two companies operate on entirely di� erent phi-losophies that in� uence every-thing they do.

Companies are begin-ning to see that more is required of them than slick advertis-ing and catchy phrases. CEO Steve Ells echoes his company’s, Chipotle, way of doing busi-ness as a “lo� ier vision for their enterprise”. � is is not an in-novative way of rising above the competition, but rather a lifestyle and moral duty that in� uences everything Chipotle does, from executive decisions to the day to day operations. � e company is not driven by � nancial perfor-mances but by simply advancing humanity.

“ We are committed to advancing humanity. We do things because they’re just and right”, said Ells.

� eir mission statement: “Food With Integrity” makes it clear that � rst and foremost, Chipotle serves the global com-munity, and the rest will follow. Whether it be their eco friendly buildings, partnerships with farmers across the world, or their unparalleled standards in all natural produce, Chipotle paves the way in living out “Food With Integrity”.

Qdoba o� ers an entirely

di� erent approach to buisness that stresses more of a strictly culinary vision than a social endeavor. � eir mission state-ment provides a clear view of the philosophy and beliefs of the company:

“Qdoba is a place where we appreciate tradition, but are not bound by it. Where creativ-ity and experimentation thrive. We believe perfection is achieved through skilled cooks, an open grill, and a friendly atmosphere.”

Certainly a lo� y promise in and of itself, Qdoba, while not emphasizing the nuances of ethical business, presents a vivid picture of quality and innova-tive meals. It is no mystery that Qdoba o� ers a wide range of en-trees, continually seeking to add seasonals or even begin a main staple for customers. Much more so than their competitor Chipo-tle, Qdoba thrives o� variety and a dynamic, changing menu.

In determining which of these two companies “wins out”, one must evaluate their own priorities and lifestyle. A socially concensious person who values organic ingrediants and eco-friendly practices would have an inclination towards Chipotle. On the other hand, a foodie who enjoys a diverse menu with a plethora of dishes and ingredi-ants may � nd that Qdoba is the clear cut choice. Both of these companies thrive o� unique contributions to the food indus-try that appeal to Mexican food lovers eveywhere.

� ese companies display two starkly di� erent philosophies that greatly shape the way that they view the world and their customers.

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Sports

Athlete of the MonthSam Dunne, soccerGrade: SeniorPosition: ForwardGames Played: 24Goals: 15Game Winning Goals: 5

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A� er a dominating perfor-mance in the district semi� nals, the Westminster Varsity foot-ball team once again lit up the scoreboard in the district � nal game, dominating the St. Francis Borgia Knights 34-7.

� e � rst quarter started o� with strong defensive plays from both teams. � e Cats’ defense proved to be tougher, with Caleb Miller, senior, getting the game’s � rst breakthrough with a div-ing interception in the � nal 3 minutes of the quarter. On the ensuing Wildcat drive, a crucial 4th and 6 conversion kept the play alive and brought the Cats into the Borgia red zone. With under a minute to play in the 1st quarter, Steve Webb, sophomore, broke the deadlock and gave Westminster a 7-0 lead.

� e Wildcat defense started the 2nd quarter with strong pres-sure, forcing a Borgia punt on their opening drive. Sophomore Dylan Conway returned the punt 37 yards to set up the Wildcat o� ense with great � eld position. Forced to a 4th and 8 play in Borgia territory, senior Bren-dan Bognar came up big with a completion to Zach Hughes, junior, to bring the play to Bor-gia’s one yard line. Seconds later, Bognar scored via a quarterback sneak to bring the score to 14-0. On Borgia’s next drive, the Wildcat defense continued their dominance by forcing a turnover

on downs on an important 4th and 1 play. � e o� ense backed up this strong play, with Steve Webb, sophomore, pulling in a Bognar pass for another Wildcat touchdown. � e Knights could not muster a response, and the � rst half ended with the Cats leading 21-0.

� e Wildcat defense did not let up a� er the break, forcing a Borgia punt on the half ’s � rst drive. On Westminster’s ensu-ing drive, Miller proved that he could also be an o� ensive threat, punching his name on the score-card with a 2 yard touchdown run.

Even in the fourth quar-ter, Miller was once again in the thick of things, getting his second interception of the game. Seconds later, Bognar showed o� his arm with a 38 yard touch-down pass to Conway, putting the Cats up 34-0. As the game entered it’s � nal 2 minutes, the Wildcat defense showed it’s only weak spot of the game as the Knights got their only touch-down of the game. � e touch-down was of no matter, however, with the � nal score ending at Westminster 34, St. Francis Borgia 7.

With their victory, the Cats captured their second straight district championship. Be sure to support the Varsity football team next weekend as they take on St. Charles West at home.

Wca Football Claims District Title

Page 17: The Wildcat Roar Issue III

ray said, explaining his practice routine.

Murray has enjoyed joining the WCA squirrel chasers.

“My favorite thing about the team is how close everyone is,” Murray said.

� e Cats had great success at State on November 8th with the guys team taking third. Janie Hughes, Makaylah Meridith, and Katherine Kramer represented the girls’ team with strong races. Murray placed 10th out of over 170 runners and earned an All-State title along with captain Josh Sumner. � e runners’ e� ort this season paid

o� , and the future looks bright for the WCA squirrel chasers.

� e WCA cross country team is running to new places this year with the help of an ad-dition, Andrew Murray, junior.

Murray started running the summer before freshman year.

“My fa-vorite event is the 5K,” Murray said. His best time for this 3.1 mile run is an aston-ishing 16 minutes and 42 seconds.

“Earlier in the season I ran 50-55 miles a week,” Mur-

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Student Spotlight

Murray during his race at State

Once the ball pounded into the back of the net, Connor Dolan was swarmed by team-mates, and screaming students. Dolan had just won the Class 3 district 6 championship for Westminster.

As the fourth seed coming into districts, the Cats were the obvious underdog. To open o� the district tourney, West-minster had to face superpower Priory, who was ranked #5 in the STL area, and seeded #1 in the district. � e Wildcats kept faith in themselves and four minutes into the game they were up 2-0. � e Wildcats completed the David vs Goliath fantasy while holding on to their lead for the rest of the game.

A� er they slayed Goliath, the Wildcats had to face the #3 seed, Parkway West Longhorns, for the title. West looked to carry their momentum from their upset against #2 seed Parkway Central to help them against Westminster. However, that was not the case.

Midway through the � rst half, West picked up a cross that slipped through the defense to go up 1-0. But, that did not waiver the Wildcats. For the remainder of the � rst half, the Cats started to play their game. Yet, the team went into half fac-ing a 1-0 de� cit.

� e play continued to be even until about a fourth through the second half, then the Cats began to apply pressure to the West defenders.

� e Cats broke through the seal with 7 minutes le� in the game when Sam Dunne received a pass from Carl Simako� , and muscled his way through de-fenders to slam it into the goal. � e student section came alive.

Once the Cats became refo-cused, they had to fend o� West’s constant pressure until the end of the game, and for the entire 1st overtime.

� e second overtime was a di� erent story. � ree minutes into the period, WCA earned a corner kick. � e Wildcats � ooded the box, and anxiously awaited for the ball to � y in. � e corner kick by Sean Apple-baum was one cra� ed by Picasso himself. � e ball � oated into the sweet spot of the box, and was knocked home by Dolan.

� e Wildcats had earned their second district title in school history. “Key words that describe this team are deter-mined, driven and passionate”, said Dan Legters, head coach. � e qualities in this team that Legters stated all molded togeth-er at the right time to achieve a district title.

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Futbol Cats Come Out On Top as District Champs

Once a month, forty seventh and eighth grade girls practice for several hours to learn cheers and dances for game days.

� e Middle School Cheer and Dance Team is led by Mela-nie Broyles and her two daugh-ters, Emily, senior, and Sarah, sophomore. Together they prepare the team for games by teaching them proper technique, stunts, cheers, and chants. Foot-ball season is mainly focused on the cheer aspect of the team, so they perform their cheers and chants throughout the game. During the winter basketball season, the team displays their dancing abilities at hal� ime while still performing their cheer and chants during the action of the game.

� e main goal of the team

is to prepare middle school girls for the competitive high school dance and cheer programs. � e Broyles coach the girls on the technique and ability in order to strengthen their skills for the intimidating cheer or dance tryouts in the spring for.

“It’s nice to see the rigor-ous hours of hard work the girls put into the team during their middle school years pay o� when they make the cheer or dance team in high school” said Emily.

Middle School Girls Catch the WCA Wave

Middle school girls cheering at a football game.

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Sports

Q: What is the process to become a referee?

A: You call the state o� ce and they will send you a rule book. the fee is $25. You study and take an online test that is open book, and if you pass they send you a patch to put on your uniform.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being a referee?

A: comradery. � e friend-ships I’ve made over the years. � at’s the best part. I have friendships that will last the rest of my life.

Q: How long you have been a ref?

A: 19 years

Q: What is the hardest part of your job?

A: You have to learn to get

used to the reactions that you get from people. Sometimes you get reactions from the fans that aren’t a lot of fun. We lose most of our young o� cials in the � rst three years because they don’t like to get screamed at. � at’s the hardest part.

Q: Which sport do you enjoy most?

A: I would call it even. Each sport has its own set of unique challenges. football, the intensity of the contact and in basketball the speed is a challenge.

Q: How do you prepare for a game?

A: Rule study daily. I also send AD’s emails to let them know that my crew will be there that week, and � nd out what time we need to arrive at and what I will need for that game.

Those Are Real People With the Whistles

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An interview with Scott Gaylord, High School Referee reveals a bit about the realities of refer-eeing high school sports.

Running Into a Potentially New ProblemThe debate is rising over whether crumb rubber artificial turf poses health risks

When soccer goalies come home, or any other athlete play-ing on newer artificial turf, they unload their gear and pour out the crumb rubber pellets from the turf that they dive into every play. According to an Oct. 20, 2014 Forbes article, the turf is installed in over 5000 fields across the United States. The artificial playing surface is now under suspicion as a possible health risk.

Every day, athletes come home from competing on artificial turf fields and remove rubber crumbs from their hair, mouths, and noses, shaking the stuff from their clothing and gear.

On Oct. 8, NBC reported that a coach at the University of Washington was visiting two female goalies who had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, when a nurse brought a trend to her attention. That day, the nurse looked down

at the woman Griffin was sitting with and said, “Don’t tell me you guys are goalkeepers. You’re the fourth goalkeeper I’ve hooked up this week.” Later, the goalkeeper with the chemo needle in her arm said, “I just have a feeling it has something to do with those black dots.”

The small grains are made of scrap tires which can contain dangerous benzene and lead. Artificial turf fields are now everywhere in the United States, from high schools to NFL teams. But for goalkeepers, or other athletes, whose bodies are in repeated contact with the turf, the risk could be higher.

In practices and games, they make hundreds of dives, and each plunge sends a black cloud of tire pellets into the air. The granules get into their cuts and scrapes, and into their mouths. The University of Washington nurse wondered if those crumbs – which have been known to contain carcinogens and chemi-cals – were making players sick.

According to NBC, Ken-nedy Catholic School in Burien, Washington recently decided to change their brand new football field filled with the toxic turf with an innovative product from Nike. For $20,000 more, the school purchased Nike Grind which consists of the rubber soles of Nike shoes ground up into turf. This new, innovative solution from Nike provides safe, rubber only made in a Nike fac-tory. It helps with recycling old shoes as well.

A 2013 study by the Synthet-ic Turf Council concluded that the infill posed no significant health risks based on research from more than 75 independent studies over 40 years.

According to the Council, the lifespan of fields like this is typically 8-10 years. Cost savings over the life of the field are sig-nificant when compared to natu-ral grass. Westminster is some-where near halfway through that lifespan and will have to make a decision in a few years whether to continue to use this product.

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20 | THEWILDCATROAR.COM | 11.10.14

  Kumon Mathnasium

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Small Student to Instructor Ratio

 

Individual Learning Plans for Students

 

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Computer-Adaptive Assessment Test

   

Computers / Tablets as Teaching Tools

 

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Parents Upon Request Upon request 

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Proven Results