Quill Issue 1

Volume 63 Issue 1 Autumn 2025

Hashtag Banned:

One quarter into the school year, Glendale adapts to the state cell phone ban. - pgs. 9-10

Bases Loaded:

An exclusive look into the 2025 Softball season. -pg. 14

Flock Is Family:

Taking a look at all of the behind-the-scenes action and work it takes to create a gameday atmosphere for football games. -pgs. 18-21

Trick or Trunk:

The ins and outs of Halloween for the year/ How old is too old for trick or treating? Trunk or treating the new frontier for Halloween. -pg. 39

LETTER from the EDITORS

The start of school was different for everyone. Some people were filled with fear, while others bubbled with excitement. That said, from the moment the bell rang on the first day of school, we have all been adjusting. Adjusting to new classes (p.8-9), new teachers (p.7), new perspectives (p.12), and new rules (p.10-11). Amidst facing these changes, we, the editors, have been reminded of author Robin Sharma’s words: “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.” Though the end is still a few months away, the messy middle is almost here. The weather has already started chilling, and the leaves have begun falling. The trees, too, reflect Sharma’s quote as they shrivel up into bold reds and oranges. Now, as we look around, the festive fall feeling is taking over our hearts and minds. Students can enjoy autumn festivals (p.28-29) and hidden trails (p.30) during the day, or spooky Halloween movies (p.38-39) and home football games (p.20-23) at night.

For us, this time of year keeps us on our toes. We are constantly running around and trying to hold everything together. Some people, like author Emily Goodwin, chose to look at this crazy season of life through a positive lens: “Life is messy, and I think the trick is finding beauty amongst the chaos.” That said, don’t forget to take a step back and find the beauty in the now.

We have worked hard on this issue with the hope that it would help someone adjust to the new year or find something to do during this Halloween season. So whatever your preference, there is sure to be something for everyone within these pages. So go get some candy (p.37), gather your new friends (p.25), grab a fall drink (p.42), and get comfy because this one is sure to be a fun activity (p.36) to end the first quarter.

Enjoy!

CONTENTS

About the Quill: Quill * Volume 63 * Issue 1 Glendale High School, 2727 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield, MO, 65804. Contact (417) 523-8900 Ext. 38231 * Fax (417) 523-8995 * Email Jcrobinson@spsmail. org. Glendale Student Enrollment * 1294 * Glendale Faculty and staff * 147 * Tech: All pages created using Adobe InDesign 2025 on the Mac platform. Fonts: Bodoni 72, Bodoni 72 oldstyle, Helvetica, Helvetica Neue, and Big Caslon. 500 copies were printed and distributed for free to Glendale students and the surrounding community. Editorial Policy: Quill exists as a quarterly student publication produced by the Glendale High School journalism department. Quill operates as an open forum, with the intention of accurately and fairly reporting and responding to the needs of readers. Staff members take responsibility for reporting honestly and without bias, for running the news-magazine as a business, and for printing material that is not legally considered obscene, libelous or private. All context is subject to prior review. Advertisements appearing in Quill are provided by Glendale’s Marketing Class and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of Glendale administration or Springfield Public Schools. Quill does not support any political campaign or candidate. Quill encourages the submission of ideas or comments from the readers. Letters to the Editor must contain no more than 150 words. Personal opinions column submission must contain no more than 300 words. Letters to the Editor and the personal opinions column should be signed and delivered to room 233, or emailed to editorofthequill@gmail. com. Quill reserves the right to edit submissions for grammatical and spelling errors and space limitations. Opinions expressed in columns reflect the opinions of the writer, not those of the Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is composed of students Aubree Bohannon, Adelyn Letterman, Bowen Nelson, Kira Pigott, and Madi Ashlock.

A Home Field Advantage (18-21)

Senior Spotlight (23)

Foreign Exchange Students (24-25)

Before The Books (26-27)

Where Art Meets Autumn (28-29)

Tick Trouble and Time for Trails (30)

Finding Freddy (31)

Freshman Fits (32-33)

Fall Playlist (34)

Falcon Fun (36)

Features

Opinion

Trunk or Treat (37) Movies (38-39)

Phones (40) Fun

Senior Year vs. College Prep (41) Best Brews (42)

On The Cover

Glendale Cheer in A Home Field

Advantage (pg.18-21)

Behind The Quill

New Beginnings

New teachers at Glendale this year

Turner Jackson is Glendale’s newest ISS teacher and softball coach. A fun fact about Jackson is that he used to play college baseball. Jackson is also thrilled about fulfilling the role as Glendale’s Newsest ISS teacher.

“I am most excited about getting to see kids learn and grow as people this year,” Jackson said.

Kara Shumate is Glendale’s newest math teacher. She teaches Strategic Algebra, Geometry, and Applied Technical Mathematics. A fun fact about Shumate is that she’s from South Dakota, and she says the word “bag” wrong and pronounces it “bayge.”

“ I am most excited about meeting all of the new students and having the pleasure to teach them,” Shumate said.

Vaughan Ward is the new Art teacher at Glendale High. She teaches Art Foundations, Ceramics, and Architecture. A fun fact about Ward is that she has two sons, and they love to be outdoors and enjoy activities like hiking and camping.

“I am most excited about getting to know the students and getting to know everybody that I get to work with, as well as seeing the kids grow and getting to learn all of their personalities,” Ward said.

Haley Gullion is the new Culinary Teacher at Glendale. A fun fact about Gullion is that she’s taught elementary kids for the last eight years before she switched to high school, which she enjoys much more.

“I am most excited about participating in all of the school’s traditions, seeing all the school spirit, and also attending Glendale games and activities,” Gullion said.

Tahyani Perdomo is the new Spanish teacher here at Glendale. A fun fact about Perdomo is that she is a swim coach as well as a high school teacher.

“I am most excited about getting to teach public school since this is my first year doing it. For the past thirteen years, I’ve taught at a catholic private school,” Perdomo said.

Madison Young is the new FACS teacher at Glendale. She teaches Fashion Design, Interior Design, and Culinary. A fun fact about Young is she loves reality TV shows.“I am excited to foster the students’ growth through developing their creativity and learning while also being in such a supportive environment,” Young said.

New vs. Old

How new classes are added, and how old classes are removed.

Before students come to Glendale, they’ll fill out a form stating what classes they want to attend and different extracurriculars. This paper decides how most classes will be decided for Glendale. However that’s not the only step, there’s multiple different processes, agreements and barriers in making a class happen – and sometimes, it all ends up back at the beginning.

Firstly, there has to be an interest for a teacher to teach a class, or a class that needs to be replaced.

Glendale High School’s head principal, Dr Josh Grove said the process for adding new courses, or preps, depends on the amount of students who want to take a class.

“Said teacher will go to administration and request this class to be a thing, or the class will be suggested to a teacher for them to teach as a new prep,” Groves said. “Then if the teacher requests it, the request will be brought up to the school board and they will decide from there if it’s in the budget and can actually be taught with the resources they have available.”

Story by Audry Gowers

Design by Audry Gowers

Second, if the class does get approved, the students will still have to show genuine interest in the class by signing up either with their counselor or through that packet. For example, last year, AP Music Theory was up in the air for students to take if they signed up, and advertised as a possible class if enough students actually signed up for it.

Austin Grega, Orchestra and AP Music Theory teacher, said he has enjoyed teaching theory to new students at Glendale.

“I think it would be nice to have music theory every year, forthe kids that want to go on and do music,” Grega said. “I think that some of the juniors this year might try and take it again next year, and then they can kinda act as tutors for

Some believe the classes that have been added are important for students’ futures, specifically for students going into some form of music degree later in life, or just for fun. However, for this class to actually be a prep it has to have enough students sign up for it.

These changes not only affected students, but also the teachers. Amy Franklin formerly taught the class Criminal Justice I and II. She believes that the new classes are good for student growth and helps with their overall education, however can be too stressful on the student, and even on the teachers.

“The hard part is we want to serve students and let them take the classes they’re really interested in, but the other hard part is when we have to lose teachers and we don’t have as many teachers in the building to support the students who wanted to take criminal justice,” Franklin said. “It impacted some kids, unfortunately just because we’re not able to offer those classes anymore.”

For some it’s difficult to say, because the students’ learning will be affected in a negative way, however the teachers will have an easier time teaching and organizing their classes, and vice versa.

“The downside is that I get bored and wish that I could talk about different things, because believe me by the 6th time that I talk about something, students are bored and I’m bored of myself,” Franklin said.

The choir teacher, Tabitha Tracy, who teaches choir and the new class music appreciation.

“It’s not stressful, because I enjoy what I’m teaching. This class is focusing on teaching music and its relation to society and its very engaging for me, but its hard because its new,” Tracy said.

- AP Music Theory -Music Appreciation -Intigrated Science -Plant Science - Criminal Justice -Freshman Seminar -Physics First -Principals of Law and Security

Hashtag Banned

One quarter into the year, Glendale adapts to the cell phone ban.

On July 9, 2025, a new law in Missouri was passed banning phone use in schools. Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 68 into law, and the bill was set in motion for the 20252026 school year. The bill requires all public schools to implement restriction of student phone use throughout the day in exception of emergencies and specific student needs.

Dr. Josh Groves, principal of GHS, said students have adapted well to the ban this year.

“Students have been very compliant… like it hasn’t been a big issue at all during the school year so far,” Groves said. “I think it’s been really good for the classroom environment. I think kids are more engaged… the dialogue amongst students has been really good in the classroom, so people seem to be engaging academically

differently than they have in the past.”

Removing the aspect of cell phones in the classroom leaves a lot of room for growth and improvement in learning for both the students and the staff. Groves has found natural correlation in SPS test scores as cell phones have slowly decreased in the classroom.

“We’re on a streak, like a five-year streak of continuous growth in all of our EOC-tested content areas, and so I hope that we can continue that and the momentum is there that we can continue to improve in all of our tested content, but across the board academically, I think, is really good,” Groves said.

On the stretch to the halfway point of the first quarter, students are continuing to adapt to the new cell phone law. When a student is caught on a cell phone during the school

Story by Maya Price

day, there is a certain procedure to be followed. Jodi Morris, the art and photography teacher at Glendale High, describes implementing the cell phone ban in her classroom.

“If you see something out, it makes sense to give just a polite, firm reminder. As long as they do, then I’m not going to take it any further,” Morris said. “If that student continues to get it out, then I just follow the procedures of calling for admin.”

With the law still being fresh, breaking habits can be difficult for students. However, the admin and staff are not just enforcing a rule; they are enforcing a law. Fortunately, students have been fairly cooperative and positively obeying the new rules. Not only are students improving academically, but socially as well.

“I’ve seen such an improvement in

students interacting with each other and having more socialization that feels healthy and positive,” Morris said.

Senate Bill 68 describes the concern of child mental health, student engagement, and classroom distraction. The cell phone ban was created to help benefit students and create a safe and productive learning environment, according to the bill.

Caleb Herring (10) was a student who felt the consequences of the cell phone ban.

“[The phone ban] hasn’t affect ed me too much because I normally keep it away,” Herring said.

“But whenever I do need to get on it, it’s kind of difficult.”

While the cell phone ban gives students several benefits in learn ing and focus, it has received many mixed opinions from students. Her ring personally views the matter as a disadvantage to students.

“Honestly, I feel like you should be able to have your phone…just having it at lunch would be good; lunch and hallways,” Herring said.

Mattie Williams (12) is the 2025-2026 cabinet social media and promotions commissioner. Her job on cabinet is to promote upcoming events, post on the Glendale social media accounts, and send students and staff information about Glendale. She describes the cell phone ban and its effects on her job in

the student-run government.

“I think [the cell phone ban is] good, it’s improving students’ learning,” Williams said. “It only makes it more difficult for classes such as The Quill and yearbook, and cabinet, or marketing, where we need our phones and our personal devices.”

There are some obstacles for certain classes, which oftentimes require personal devices, but students have been doing quite well, making adjustments to the new ban. Every student had a different experience with the phone ban; Williams described her experience positively.

“I think it’s helped improve my concentration because I’m not checking my notifications and I’m not getting distracted by my phone,” Williams said.

A Fresh Perspective

How freshmen and senior students are approaching the school year differently.

For many students, the first day of school is a monumental day, stirring up feelings of nervousness, anticipation, and excitement in equal measure.

One such student is Makiya Huntington (9).

“I was really scared because it’s a lot bigger than my middle school,” Huntington said. “On the first day, I walked into the wrong classroom.”

Another student, Jaxson Bobbitt (9), shared these nerves.

“I thought it was going to be a lot worse than middle school,” Bobbitt said.

Despite these initial feelings, however, both freshmen ended up with positive first impressions.

“It was very welcoming, everyone was very nice,” Bobbitt said. “I thought it was going to be like, ‘everyone hates everyone’...but it was nothing like that at all.”

“It’s been a lot better than middle school, I’d say. It’s a lot more friendly and welcoming,” Huntington said.

For those stepping into their final year before adulthood, however, the feelings were slightly different.

Ethan Garard (12) described the first day of senior year as something that came with a lot of expectations.

“You hear about it from a lot of people... but it doesn’t quite hit you until you walk in yourself,” Garard said.

Zeke Roberts (12) felt similarly.

“It’s a little bit surreal,” Roberts said.

As Vice President of the Glendale student body, as well as President of Falcon Friends, Garard found that stepping into these positions was a strange adjustment.

“I feel like I’m a freshman, I really still do. It’s hard to kind of grasp that,” Garard said.

Within these positions, Garard plans to make the most of this last year by doing as much as possible.

“There’s so much opportunity thrown at you as a Senior that you just want to take it all in,” Garard said.

As for Roberts, enjoying the freedom of senior year is the top priority.

“I just want to do what’s fun for me this year. Now that I’ve gotten all of my main important classes out of the way, it’s kind of like a time to do extracurriculars, have fun, prepare myself for college, and all that,” Roberts said.

On the opposite end of the school hierarchy, Bobbitt is planning to approach the next few years a little differently from middle school, mostly to keep his grades up.

“This year I want to actually try,” Bobbitt said.

Huntington, on the other hand, is looking forward to getting more involved in the student body.

Story by Lyla Miller

Design by Lyla Miller

“I’m excited to go to more football games,” Huntington said. “In middle school, you know the people in your

school, so once you get to high school, it’s kind of a culture shock with how many people there are now.”

As seniors Zeke Roberts and Ethan Garard move into their final year of preparation before college and adulthood, they leave behind some parting advice for this generation of underclassmen.

“Try not to be scared of everything,” Roberts said. “I know it’s difficult not to be scared because it’s all new stuff, but once you get out of your comfort zone and get out of your shell, you discover a whole new bunch of things and opportunities that high school has for you.”

“Be okay with being embarrassed… If you don’t own it, then it’s going to own you,” Garard said.

Winter Sports Schedule

Boys Basketball

11/20 - Glendale Jamboree with Rogersville and Republic

12/3-6 - Willard Basketball Classic

12/16 - Joplin

12/22 - Hilcrest

12/26-30 - Blue and Gold Tournament

1/1-3 - Tipton Lathem Bank Shootout

1/6 - Parkview

1/9 - @ Carthage

1/22-24 - Shawnee Mission

West Tournament

1/27 - @ Neosho

1/30 - Webb City

2/3 - @ Republic

2/6 - Willard

2/10 - @ Central (Springfield)

2/13 - @ Ozark

2/17 - Nixa

2/20 - @ Waynesville

2/24 - Kickapoo

2/27 - Lebanon

Girls Basketball:

11/19 - Preseason Jamboree

11/24 - @ Norwood

12/ 1-5 - Fair Grove Invitational Tournament

12/8 - @ Mt. Vernon

12/11 - West Plains

12/27-31 - Pink and White

1/5 - Parkview

1/9 - @ Carthage

1/12 - @ Marchfield

1/15 - @ Hillcrest

1/19 - Joplin

1/26 - @ Neosho

1/29 - Webb City

2/2 - @ Republic

2/5 - Willard

2/9 - @ Central (Springfield)

2/12 - @ Ozark

2/16 - Nixa

2/19 - @ Waynesville

2/23 - Kickapoo

2/25 - @ Strafford

2/26 - Lebanon

Swimming and Diving Girls:

12/4 - All Relays @ Natatorium

12/5 - Swim competition @ Natatorium

12/19 - All-City Meet @ Natatorium

1/6 - Competition @ Natatorium

1/9 - Competition @ Natatorium

1/ 16-17 - Kirkwood Invitational

1/20 - Competition @ Natatorium

1/23 - Central Ozark Conference @ Natatorium

1/30 - Competition @ Natatorium

2/ 5-7 - SWMO @ Natatorium: Diving - Swimming

-2/6-7

2/10 - Last Chance @ Natatorium

Wrestling Boys:

12/2 - Joplin

12/12-13 - Truman Tournament

12/16 - at Logan-Rogersville

12/19-20 - Lee’s Summit Tournament

1/ 2-3 - Kinloch Tournament

1/8 - McDonald County, Webb City, and Parkview @ Glendale

1/14 - Central (Springfield)

1/17 - Republic Tournament

1/ 22 - at Kickapoo

1/27 - Rolla

1/31 - COC Varsity Tournament

Wrestling Girls:

12/2 - Joplin

12/5 - Bolivar Tournament

12/12-13 - Truman Tournament

12/13 - Nixa Girls Invitational

12/16 - at Logan-Rogersville

12/ 19-20 - Lee’s Summit Tournament

12/30-31 - Lady Viking Classic

1/8 - McDonald County, Webb City, and Parkview @ Glendale

1/14 - Central (Springfield)

1/17 - Republic Tournament

1/22 - at Kickapoo

1/27 - Rolla And Carthage

1/30 - COC Varsity Tournament

Swimming to Success

Glendale’s boys swim team works hard for a successful season.

Story by Aubree Bohannon Design by Adelyn Letterman

For the members of the Glendale Boys Swim Team, success is an expectation, driven by hard work and dedication. Steve Boyce has been coaching swim for 31 years. As the head swim coach, his experience has benefited the team this season.

“I’ve got a lot of experience,” Boyce said. “I think the boys respond to that well.”

As the team has gone through the season, hard work and dedication have been very important to its success. The team has worked on various skills and techniques to make their success possible.

“We’ve had some really successful meets, and we’ve had a couple of really good races,” Boyce said. “We have a lot of good looks for where we’re going.”

Assistant coach Robert Muench has

been a support to the team throughout the years. As the team’s culture developed into what it is today, he has supported Boyce and the team’s goals.

“His goals are my goals,” Muench said. “This could be anything from developing practice methods to individual support of our swimmers.”

Though the culture has changed throughout the years, the support from coaches to swimmers is important to the values of the team; it has helped to build up the team.

“We’ve had a pretty steady culture over the past decade. It’s one that is incorporating a lot of hard work, but hard work in which the kids find value in,” Muench said. “The culture that we walked into is very different than the culture that we have right now.”

From the perspective of the athletes, the closeness of the team plays a

vital role in its success. Through long meets Ethan Earls (12) has spent a lot of time getting to know his teammates.

“Everyone on the team is close, we all try to help each other out,” Earls said. “That shows up during meets.”

When it comes to helping athletes reach their goals, coaches emphasize balance within the program.

“Obviously, hard work is not 100% enjoyable,” Muench said. “Knowing that there is a balance and trying to keep appropriate balance helps the kids to move forward in their goals.”

This balance benefits the athletes on the team, as it encourages them to set goals that they work hard to meet. Earls has worked hard with the goal of making it to the state tournament.

“I always want to improve, even if it’s the slightest amount of time,” Earls said.

Bears Move to FBS

Story by Bowen Nelson Design by Jaxon Parrish

On Sept. 13, Missouri State had its first home football game versus Southern Methodist University. The game ended in a 2810 loss, but the matchup was the start of a new era for the Bears. In the past, Missouri State was in the Football Championship Subdivision or FCS, but this year the Bears have been moved to the Football Bowl Subdivision or the FBS.

Frank Tristan, Glendale’s head football coach, is thrilled about Missouri State’s new move.

“[The FBS] is the top-tier football; there’s no bigger level of football in college,” Tristan said.

With the competition level increasing, Missouri State’s exposure as a whole is increasing.

“There was a study with Abilene Christian that when your football program gets more exposure, your enrollment goes up,” Tristan said.

Not only is Missouri State benefiting from the move and exposure, but so is the Springfield area in general.

“By hosting SMU, more people are going to stay in hotels, more people are going to eat at restaurants, more people are coming into Springfield, so that’s the trickle effect,” Tristan said.

Although the decision to bump up to FBS football has a lot of positives, there are still setbacks and growing pains to the transition.

Tristan focused on the travel

Tracking Missouri State’s move from FCS football to FBS and the impacts it has on the college and Springfield.

issues factored into a bigger conference. If students are traveling half of the week, in-person classes are missed, and classwork can pile up quickly.

Another issue Tristan proposed for the Bears dealt with facilities.

“Does our facility handle those [FBS] teams? In general, parking and all the logistics that go with gameday, when we bring in a bigtime team, they travel more than Illinois State did,” Tristan said.

Cash Newberry (12), Glendale’s quarterback, agrees with Tristan, adding on to what he said about the competition.

“They’re playing in a better conference with better competition,

so as a result, they are going to get better athletes coming in,” Newberry said.

Newberry claims that the Bears’ recruiting and transfer portal acquisitions will increase proportionally to Missouri State’s exposure.

“A lot of people are transferring into Missouri State since they’ve moved to FBS; it’s not just kids straight out of high school, but you might see some fifth-year seniors… come in who have already played years and years in college,” Newberry said.

Moreover, along with an increased footprint, more exposure, and recruitment, the Bears will also bring in more revenue.

“They’re trying to expand the program and bring in more money for the program; they want to be in a bigger conference and bring in more fans,” Newberry said.

As far as Newberry’s concerns go, he highlighted the elevated level of play.

“They’re going to play better competition, so it may be hard to win some games at first, Newberry said.

Walker Ransdell (12), the son of Missouri State’s Athletic Director Patrick Ransdell, believes the move is a shining opportunity for the team.

“Win or lose [the SMU game] was a huge game for us because that was our first FBS home game, and the crowd showed out. It was a really cool experience to see all the students and fans come together in

Springfield,” Ransdell said. Additionally, the regional footprint of the Bears is significantly increasing outside of Springfield and into other parts of Missouri.

“Many more people will come in from Kansas City and St. Louis to come watch us play, and that’s big for us, to expand through Missouri,” Ransdell said.

The concerns about the stadium and parking space are prevalent, but Ransdell mentioned renovations on the way, with facilities as well as the stadium seeing future improvements.

Despite the loss in the home open er, Missouri State’s FBS home debut was a step in the right direction. As the season progresses, local and national exposure will increase, as well as excitement.

“I’m excited for the move, I think it was long overdue,” Tristan said.

Bases Loaded

A look into the 2025 Glendale softball season.

What’s the secret to a winning culture? For the members of the Glendale Softball team, the answer lies in the drive and determination to play as a team.

Shoring up the middle infield at shortstop, Peyton Lindstrom (11) is optimistic about the season.

“I think we have a good team. I think we’re better than we have been before, and we have more determination,” Lindstrom said.

Lindstrom shared that the team is also buying into the vision of the coaching staff.

“We have a fresh coaching staff, and I think it was good for us to have a change,” Lindstrom said.

Varsity pitcher Piper VanZant (10) said this is reflected in the motto the team plays by.

“It’s ‘Hold the Rope’ so that we are all a part of the team and doing our own parts,” VanZant said.

Turner Jackson, the team’s new head coach, plans to approach the season with a few goals to maintain this idea.

“Be as competitive as we can, and [make] sure we are developing a family camaraderie around the

team,” Jackson said. “Compared to previous years, obviously we have less numbers, but I would say that’s allowed the team to get closer as teammates and as people.”

“I love being able to cheer on my teammates,” Vanzant said. “I love bringing up the energy and having a good time.”

Lindstrom started playing baseball at age three, but switched to softball when she was 13.

“It kind of ran in the family,” Lindstrom said. “I really like to compete and win, and it’s just fun being able to play in the dirt.”

For VanZant, it was watching the sport that spurred her passion for it.

“I love the sport,” VanZant said. “I think my parents pushed me to play because they like the sport too, they like watching it.”

Leading up to the game, mental preparation is key for the Glendale players.

“I definitely like to pray,” Lindstrom said. “I just like to get in a good headspace and not be distracted.”

For VanZant, the routine depends on where the team is playing.

“If it’s an away game, I usually listen to Christian music and then pray before we go on the field,” VanZant said.

However when it’s a home game, the team’s pre-game ritual includes a tradition from their mentorship program, Big Sis, Little Sis.

“I’m an underclassman right now, I’m a sophomore, and I get a Big Sis who is an upperclassman,” VanZant said. “We make presents for each

other for home games, just to kind of get a more personal relationship with someone.”

For Coach Jackson, the preparation extends beyond himself.

“I prepare [by] going over what I know about the other team,” Jackson said. “But more importantly, my job is to then prepare the girls for whatever game that is… whether that’s what kind of pitching we’re going to see, all the way down to making sure we’re mentally prepared.”

According to the coach and players, if there is one thing not to underestimate about softball, it’s the speed.

“People think it’s slow, but I think it’s a lot faster than baseball,” Lindstrom said.

“Whereas a baseball game will take two hours, for us to get through all of our game, it might take us an hour and twenty minutes,” Jackson said.

As the team finishes out their season, they are doing so with the confidence that whatever the game throws their way, unity and determination will keep driving them forward.

“The school’s been really great to us, so just keep supporting the team,” Jackson said.

O L L E Y B A L L

Falcons soar for victory

Lady Falcons strive for a winning season

The Glendale Falcon volleyball team is bringing success this season with their determination, team spirit, and overall goal of a winning season. They are guided by their head coach, Iceley Stieb, to help lead them to victory.

Head coach Stieb has been coaching volleyball at Glendale for around seven years.

“I believe the team is off to a great start. The girls put in extra time over the summer, so I feel like they are very dedicated and determined to change the culture and atmosphere of our team, and as Falcons,” Stieb said.

This year, Stieb has a new assistant coach joining her, Maddie Tate.

“It’s really exciting coaching for Glendale for the first year, and nerve-wracking at the same time,” Tate said. “Especially since I grew up playing volleyball my whole life and in college. When this opportunity arose, I was really excited and just went for it.”

Having three coaches on this year’s volleyball team brings even more support to the Falcons, as well as the leadership they have on the court, led by the captains.

Klaire Miner (12) is a captain of the varsity team who wants to end on a high note.

“I’ve been playing volleyball since 3rd grade, so this being my last season is a little sad since I’ve been playing for so long. My

Story by Maddy Lawrence

Design by James Gibson

by James Gibson

main goal for this season is to have fun and win as much as we can,” Miner said.

With several seniors playing their final games on this year’s team, there are also multiple young players stepping onto the court to have fun and achieve their goals.

Airah Petr (9) is one of Glendale’s newest freshmen on varsity.

“With this being my first year, I really enjoy playing for Glendale, and I love the team so much. They all support me, and it’s fun to build a connection with others and support each other. My goal for this season is to get better overall and to enjoy it as much as I can,” Petr said.

With seniors finishing their final seasons and new players beginning theirs, the Falcons strive to make this a season to remember. In addition to all of their hard work and dedication, the girls believe they will win and can accomplish anything they put their minds to.

“I feel like motivation comes from within, and it’s important that I encourage them to be good leaders and good players on the court. Each player is different, so you just have to encourage them to develop into the confident player they are,” Tate said.

A HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

Taking a look at all of the behind-the-scenes action and work it takes to create a gameday atmosphere

It’s a brisk Friday night at Lowe Stadium. The rain has been falling for well over an hour, and the stadium lights have been turned on, illuminating the glistening field. As the players prepare for their first home game of the season, a warm welcome erupts from the student section. If Willard thought the rain and cool weather were going to keep The Flock away, they thought wrong. Packed from end to end and top to bottom, Glendale’s students fill up a large majority of the stadium seating. No matter the weather, the rowdy student section is always there to pester away teams and lift the spirits of the Falcons.

As the crowd roars on and the stadium pulse rises to a crescendo, the Falcons’ offense drives down the field for yet another

touchdown. Instantly, Addison Lee (11) and Rocco Macchi (12) rush onto the track, school flags in hand, hyping up the crowd until the roar is deafening.

“It literally feels like you’re playing with them because you’re celebrating everything [the team] is celebrating, and you’re booing everything they’re booing. Everything they feel you feel,”

Lee said.

Lee and Macchi are Glendale’s Spirit Leaders this year. At Glendale, Spirit Leaders exist to hype up The Flock during all of the sporting events.

The Spirit Leaders said that The Flock is as close as a family. When you spend every day with people for four years, you start to bond. You start to feel like a team.

Lee and Macchi’s approach to lead

ing The Flock is simple: they lead by example.

“It’s kind of like a ripple effect, you start [cheering] and then the people around you feel comfortable to do it,

and then that gives a fun environment for the student section and that also makes the players… feel better and perform better,” Macchi said.

The clock keeps churning as the third quarter comes to an end. Frank Tristan, Glendale’s head football coach, paces the sideline, looks at the play sheet, and dials up a play. From the stands to the field, the general attitude is consistent. Tristan has embraced the Falcon culture.

“It’s always great to have student involvement and student engagement, it really supports our players,” Tristan said. “It gives the players more energy; they feed off of that, there’s such a thing as positive energy.”

cool like The Flock, it makes students want to stay in the school environment,” Tristan said.

As the play is dialed up, the crowd roaring in the background, Glendale’s

us with the game too.”

Not only does Rover enjoy the Lowe Stadium welcome, but he also loves to give the fans something to cheer for.

“Give the crowd some energy; it always translates onto the field,” Rover said.

Tristan emphasized that high school is a shared experience and the memories students make stick wwith them throughout their lives.

“I can learn a lot of stuff online. We see that increase in LAUNCH, Homeschooling, and OTC, but when you create an atmosphere that’s really

wide receiver core lines up on the field. The ball is snapped, and the receivers slash this way and that. Joell Rover (11) beats his guy, and the ball finds him in the endzone for a touchdown. Rover enjoys the welcome he gets at home games.

“The energy… anywhere else it’s not the same energy,” Rover said, “It’s support from the crowd… They help

Amid the bustle of the game, a pop-up store sits on the corner of the track. The store is selling Glendale swag, from sweatshirts to overalls. One niche of The Flock is Glendale’s student-run apparel store, The Nest. Hunter Gann (12), the current leader of The Nest, helps plan and run the store throughout the week and at games.

“We sell our school merch to get everyone involved in school spirit,” Gann said.

The Nest is a way to put marketing students in a store-like environment while also helping gear Glendale students for all sporting events.

“It’s nice to see a friendly business,” Gann said. “We sell inexpensive items to help people get into the games more.”

Throughout the

game, the cheerleaders stay active. Whether it’s celebrating a touchdown or riling the crowd up, the cheer team is there for the football team.

“It’s so much fun to see everybody get involved with us because when we are cheering together, it just feels like one big family,” Jett said.

Riley Jett (12) is a cheerleader at Glendale and loves the home atmosphere at Lowe Stadium.

Jett agrees that without cheerleaders, a key piece of The Flock would vanish.

“I think everybody needs a little encouragement every once in a while,” Jett said. “We really get the crowd going and the crowd involved, which in all boosts team morale.”

When the players are going over game plans for the second half, and the fans are restless for more football, Glendale’s dance team hits the floor. With flips and leaps, the two-minute performance gets the crowd on its feet as the energy levels start to rise once

more.

Jaidyn Kirkpatrick (12), a dancer for the Crimson Girls, said that the girls do dances before the game, at the quarter, and at half.

“Cheer is more interactive with the student section, and dance is more of an entertainment aspect,” Kirkpatrick said.

Being able to incorporate both cheer and dance at the games not only creates a more well-rounded experience, but it also increases the overall energy in The Flock. Having a hyper student section, in turn, boosts the confidence of the dance team as well.

“You don’t want to dance or cheer for a dead crowd,” Kitrkpatrick said. “So when the student section is poppin, it feels nice to have that support.”

It’s a critical third down, and the roar is already deafening. Suddenly, the din gets even louder because Lou Luxton (12) and the brass have arrived. The away team is disconcerted, and communication is lost. The play

takes place under center, but it’s a bad read, and the team is forced to punt.

At football games, one of the most common things you’ll hear is music. Whether it’s pump up music or intense music, it’s almost always in the background.

“The songs we play are meant to boost your adrenaline, make your heart beat faster, make you go,” Luxton said. “Faster tempos get you hyper, and the slower tempos calm you down.”

The pace of the band sets the mood for the game. If the band is loud and lively, the home atmosphere gains a lot from it, and so does the student section. Just like the players feed off the fans, the fans feed off the sounds that play around them.

The Flock is the students, but it also includes aspects like Glendale’s student-run store, the cheerleaders, the dance team, Spirit Leaders, and the Falcons’ marching band. It’s a multifaceted group of students who strive to make game day what it is today.

“The Flock is a family,” Luxton said. “We are a community, and we work together to get things done and cheer each other on.”

Senior Spotlight

After enduring three years of high school and beginning a fourth, our seniors at Glendale deserve a chance to shine in the light. Amelia Scranton (12) is one of those people. Her work in art and music has brought students together.

Scranton plays Upright Bass and the Electric bass. She is involved in Orchestra, Jazz Band, a multitude of art classes, Springfield Youth Symphony, the pit for musicals, and many other outside gigs. She is the president of the National Art Honors Society and is involved in Tri M, the National Music Honors Society.

Amelia Scranton is a creative per son and enjoys creating characters and stories.

Scranton’s cartoon character Dooby is his own species, who has been an inspiration to stu dents around Glendale.

“Dooby is a prankster and a philosopher. He follows me around, whether it’s on my friend’s T-shirts or the three-foot cardboard

An inside look at Glendales senior talents.

Story

by Madi Ashlock

Design by Madi Ashlock

Photos by Madi Ashlock

cutout

I made of him.”

Scranton is also a huge fan of jazz music.

“I plan on going to college for Jazz Studies, and I want to go with the flow after college. Maybe I will teach. I want to have years of experience in the actual field before settling down on a career,” Scranton said.

Scranton also has a dream of traveling and playing music with new people.

“I want to hear the music, and I want to play it with them.”

She enjoys music because it is so “undefined” Scranton said.

Scranton also has strong opinions about different people in the music industry. Her favorite Jazz player is Charles Mingus.

“I can’t put his impact into words. He altered the way bass was perceived in the jazz scene, and has a very distinct sound. He isn’t just a jazz player but also a composer.”

She finds her passion

Scranton said.

“Music is limitless, and I can do whatever I want to with it.”

“National Art Society was a new club that started during my sophomore year. I was devastated when I found out that only juniors and seniors could do it. I think our purpose is strong.”

The National Art Society wants to help the Glendale and Springfield community through art. They work with charities around Springfield, Missouri, to make an impact.

“We worked with the local humane society, we drew pets that were up for adoption in hopes to help them. We placed our drawings around the school. Later on, we decided to help them with a fund-

Amelia Scranton is a hardworking individual who deserves a little extra credit for everything she does for the school.

“I love sharing art and music with my classmates; we have something truly special at Glendale.”

Culture Shock

Foreign exchange students arrive at Glendale.

This year, seven students joined the flock from more than six different countries.

Students like Julia Hofmann (12) and Emilia Tavarnay (12), both from Germany, have expressed that they’ve come here for new experiences.

“I want to experience high school life, just everything that comes with it,” Hofmann said.

Adina Gabdugaliyeva (12), who is from Kazakhstan, shares that she has not had some of the most popular American snacks.

“In my country, we don’t really have grocery stores; it’s more like markets,” Gabdugaliyeva said. “So I haven’t had Mac-N-Cheese before, and I don’t think I’ve had s’mores yet.”

Rafael Tavernard (12), who has come to Springfield from Brazil, said he played soccer back home

and was looking forward to playing for Glendale.

“I am ready to start playing American soccer. I hurt my knee back home, so I haven’t been able to play,” Tavernard said. “I really want to make it to the soccer championship here.”

Laninia Cozza (12), a student from Italy, said one of the biggest experiences with culture shock was the volume of people in America.

“ I think Americans talk too loud, you guys just talk very much, especially when it’s quiet,” Cozza said. “It was very like ‘whoa’ when I first came to Springfield.”

These students have all expressed that they want to try new American things. Song Hyun (11) from South Korea explains that she hadn’t gotten to experience extracurricular activities before coming to America.

“I’m looking forward to trying new things, like choir,” Hyun said. “ My school in Korea doesn’t have engaging or fun classes like that.”

For students in the exchange program, taking a year in America is an opportunity to meet new people and experience life in new surroundings. Siham Grembert (12), a student from France, said she’s excited to live in Springfield.

“I really love America and I really love Springfield, and high school,” Grembert said. “It’s very different. High school is very big, and the classes are cool.”

Before the Books

Story by Jaxon Parrish

Design by Jaxon Parrish

Photos by Jaxon Parrish

How teachers past experinces shape them ino the teachers they are today

Mrs. Franklin, Glendale’s AP US Government and Politics teacher, has been a part of the flock for around 9 years. This may come as a surprise, but this was not Franklin’s origin. Before coming to Glendale, she had a past full of justice; she was a lawyer. Though she thought this was her calling, it soon changed.

“My last legal job, I was able to train people and loved it,” Franklin said.

Once the idea of teaching popped into her head, she knew this was a perfect time to make a career shift. When she came to Glendale, she knew she had found her place. Although she was happier here, she always kept her legal background in mind,

“When I am in charge of a class of students, my responsibility is not only to educate them but also to keep them safe…I am always thinking in terms of ‘am I going to get sued,’” Franklin said.

Being a teacher was never on her radar, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“Being a teacher is hard work no matter what, and I respect teachers no matter where they’re coming from,” said Franklin.

Mrs. Hardison has been here at Glendale for 11 years. Thanks to her, students can learn and understand the intense concepts of chemistry and forensics. Science has been something she has always wanted to pursue, but teaching was not even a thought in her mind. What flipped the switch and made her want to become a teacher were her surroundings.

“I was hearing a lot from my friends’ children that they didn’t feel accepted by teachers in school…it was a us-versus-them sort of culture,” said Hardison.

She thought that it was her duty to do better for these kids and help them be the best they could be.

“I wanted to make a difference in students’ lives and be an advocate for them,” said Hardison.

She tries to connect with all her students and figure out how they learn best.

“The teachers who were more personable were the ones I enjoyed the most,” said Hardison.

She strives to be like her past teachers, hoping that she will be the one that her students enjoy the most.

Dr. Lynch has been at Glendale for 8 years, where he has spent the majority of his time teaching composition and interpersonal workplace communications.

“I didn’t want to be a teacher…I went into education for the wrong reasons,” said Lynch.

Being a teacher was something he thought he would never do. The only reason he even went into the education field was that he needed money.

“Being a teacher doesn’t look hard,” said Lynch.

He is glad he became a teacher, but at the beginning, he was not the best one. He had good test scores, but his relationship with his students was lacking immensely.

“I prioritized building relationships with students less than I did the numbers,” said Lynch.

He realized his ways of teaching were corrupted.

“It wasn’t about the scores, the numbers, but someone who believes in them,” said Lynch.

When he came to Glendale, there was something different about him.

“There was this quality about me that, yes, it is important to know A B and C…but with students it is about being able to relate…this is what you really need to know,” said Lynch.

He loves each and every one of his students.

“This is my ‘reason why I teach’ book, I keep every picture, every letter, everything any student has ever given me…Whenever I’m having a bad day, I bring this out,” said Lynch.

While being a teacher was never his first choice, he doesn’t think he would do anything else.

“I couldn’t see myself being happy the way I am as a teacher in any other field,” said Lynch.

Mrs. Baxley has been here at Glendale for 20 years. Here she teaches Media and Broadcast Journalism. During her time here at Glendale, she has been through many changes, whether that is changes in the school or changes in the way she runs her classroom. The biggest change for her was when she had children.

“I became more empathetic…that is someone’s precious child,” said Baxley.

She cherishes all her students and wishes the best for them.

“At the end of each class, I say be safe, sweet, and make good choices because I have seen some students make such bad choices,” said Baxley. Teaching has changed her for the better, and she hopes she is changing the lives of students as well.

Where Art Meets Autumn

How small businesses flourish at local festivals.

Ona crisp fall weekend, downtown Springfield buzzes with the smell of cider, the sound of live music, and the sight of tents lined with handmade goods. The Cider Days Festival returned to Walnut Street with current and former students working as vendors. Mabel Smallwood (11) is the owner of Made by Marble, a business

where she sells earrings and clay figurines.

“I think it’s really nice because it gives you access to a bunch of people without having to have your own store,” Smallwood said.

“It’s just like a short little market, and you can make a lot of money and get a lot of representation of your stuff.”

Smallwood isn’t alone. Many artists say these festivals provide exposure they couldn’t achieve otherwise. Owner of Four Eyes Fibers, Leslie Berry, had her own experiences to share.

“Big festivals like Cider Days provide a lot of foot traffic for shoppers who most vendors wouldn’t be exposed to,” said Berry. “The orga-

nizers of events like these do all of the hard work when it comes to planning logistics and marketing.”

Berry, who started with hand embroidery as a hobby, now sells items from wall décor to bookmarks. Her work has grown beyond the booths at Artsfest and Cider Days to retail shelves in Springfield shops. She said the connections made through festivals help sustain her as both an artist and teacher.

“It’s important to me to bring joy to people with my business,” Berry said. “I tend to make happy things that can add a little charm to everyday life.”

That reach doesn’t just impact full-time creators- it also opens doors for those finding their own path. Berry’s son, and Glendale graduate, Toby Clary, has contributed to his mother’s booth by adding beaded details to keychains and selling his own creations.

“It’s a way to put myself out there a little more, and collaborate with my mom too,” Clary said. “I hope that people will buy my art and the things that I make, but the upkeep of a small business, honestly, is too much for me to handle.

I’m currently looking at being a teacher of the fine arts.”

Together, artists like Smallwood, Berry, and Clary highlight how local markets fuel community spirit. Festivals not only give small businesses a platform, but they also strengthen Springfield’s economy, creating spaces where art, family, and entrepreneurship intertwine.

Time for Trails

A few things to keep in mind before going out in the fall weather.

Story

by

Adelyn Letterman

Design by Adelyn Letterman

Photos by Adelyn Letterman

Illustrations by Claire Owen

Missouri forests are full of trails that are open to the public. Whether you are biking, hiking, sightseeing, or adventuring, there are tons of unique organisms and environments to explore. However, according to Crystal Wake, a Science teacher at Glendale and head sponsor of the Environmental Club, there are a few important things to keep in mind before stepping onto the trail.

“Number one, always make sure someone knows where you are at and what trails you plan to be going on,” Wake said. “ You can find [a list of trails] on any of the state park websites or conservation websites.”

Wake also mentioned the importance of wearing bug spray.

“The ticks are really bad in our area, and Alpha-Gal [A tick-borne illness] is on the rise,” Wake said Because you may experience different terrains, dressing appropriately could make the experience more enjoyable as well. Indiana Jones (11) is a member of the Environmental Club and has experience being outdoors.

“Anytime you go camping or backpacking, pants are very important,” Jones said. “I am big into backpacking. When it is the fall, I usually just wear a flannel with some jeans, maybe cargo pants, nothing too short.”

When journeying through the forest, adventurers could find anything and be gone for hours. That is one reason for Wake’s next tip.

“Bring water! You can get dehydrated so quickly, especially during the… warm beginning of fall that we have here,” Wake said.

Lastly, when traveling in these ancient forests, be aware of your surroundings.

“Respect the trails,” Wake said. “It is always a good idea to bring a trash bag with you when you are walking the trails because…you should never leave anything behind except for footprints. If you can help clean it up a little bit, you are doing your little part.”

Don’t be afraid to step outside and enjoy the leaves, wildlife, and trails this season.

Tick Trouble

In Springfield, Missouri, tick season doesn’t end when the leaves begin to fall, as the temperatures don’t drop low enough for them to die out. That means more risk for Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), a meat allergy triggered by bites from the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Hours after eating or using anything mammalian- beef, pork, dairy, or lamb- those with AGS can develop hives, stomach pain, or even severe allergic reactions. According to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, the Midwest has reported more AGS cases than anywhere else in the country, and numbers continue to rise. The best defense? Prevention. The CDC states that wearing long sleeves and pants when hiking, using EPA-registered repellents like DEET or picaridin, and doing full-body tick checks after being outdoors can significantly decrease the likelihood of getting bitten. In addition, showering soon after exposure and tossing clothes in a hot dryer can also reduce the risk of tick attachment.

Story by Claire Owen

Design by Adelyn Letterman

Illustrations by Claire Owen

Finding Freddie

Whatever happened to the Glendale mascot, Freddie Falcon?

Story by Adelyn Letterman

Design by Adelyn Letterman

Photos

by

Adelyn Letterman

Locked away in the corridors of Glendale, a dusty bird costume sits abandoned and in disrepair. What was once the uniform of mascot Freddie Falcon is now nothing more than tattered cloth and feathers.

Aundrea Hill, a long-standing teacher at Glendale, recalls a time when Freddie played a significant role in boosting the school’s morale.

“My earliest memories of Freddie Falcon were when I first came to Glendale in 2006,” Hill said. “He was at every home football game and would cheer with the cheerleaders on the track, and would then make special appearances at home boys and girls basketball games. When we had feeder school nights or special events for little kids, Freddie the Falcon would show up and make it a really exciting game atmosphere.”

Hill also recounted the tradition of a secret identity that added to the enjoyment of having a mascot.

“It would change who was the inspiration inside of Freddie the Falcon pretty regularly,” Hill said. “No one ever knew who was inside. It could be a teacher, it could be a parent, it could be a student; it was always a surprise and was always kept secret.”

As much as Freddie has been used throughout Glendale’s history, he managed to fade away.

“The last time I remember Freddie the Falcon being used...was 20182019,” Hill said.

Nevertheless, as the year kicks off, so have the rumors surrounding Freddie Falcon’s return. Max Hamilton (12) is a member of StuCo and has high hopes for Freddie’s future, especially at football games.

“The mascot is another tool we can use,” Hamilton said. “We have the flags that we run around with every touchdown that gets people hype, we have our chants that get people hype, a mascot would just add another element to that. That’s really helpful for spirit and school bonding.”

The decision to get a mascot would involve multiple people. Including Steve Spence, Glendale’s athletic director, and Ryan Campbell, the school’s head cheerleading coach

According to Campbell, students may not have to wait much longer.

“We are looking at getting a new Freddie Suit,” Campbell said. “Doing some research, they are about 3-5 grand.”

According to Glendale cheerleader Samantha Harnden (12), using the old Freddie Falcon costume is not an option.

“He is just there,” Harnden said. “I’ve seen the remains in the cheer closet. In my mind, [he is] Frankenstein Freddie. There are bits and pieces of an outfit, but there is not one

full mascot. There are neon blue feet, pants that are grey, and a terrifying head - absolutely terrifying.”

Therefore, a new suit would have to be purchased.

“I want Freddie Falcon to come back,” Harnden said. “Personally, I would love to have a mascot. Bring it back. Give us money and let us revive him.”

Campbell believes that reviving the school mascot will take the whole school’s support.

“The more people we get interested in having Freddie, the easier it is to make a statement, more of a plea, to the administration to get us a new Freddie.”

FRESHMAN

Genesis Kamila Shirt - Holister Pants - Thrifted Shoes - Converse Necklace - Gift

Leah Osorino

Shirt - Holister

Pants - Ameri-

can Eagle

Purse - Coach

Jewlery - Losiva

Shoes - H&M

Glasses - Bass

Pro

FITS

QUILL’S FALL PLAYLIST

Falcon Fun

Some fall themed games to spark student’s festive feelings.

8. ercowrcas: _______________________________________ 9. noteleks: _________________________________________ 10. totrrriecatk (Three words): _________________________ Word Scramble:

1. udrog: __________________________________________ 2. yadnc: ___________________________________________ 3. vseeal: ___________________________________________ 4. dteanuh: _________________________________________ 5. lalf: _____________________________________________ 6. muetsoc: _________________________________________ 7. t-ornealak-cjn: _____________________________________

Story by Jaxon Parrish

Design by Jaxon Parrish

Illustrations by Claire Owen

The Last Treat

At what age does taking candy from strangers get weird? Trick or treating is a holiday tradition many of us have been doing our whole lives. Let’s be honest, who would pass up the opportunity to dress up, hang out with friends or family, and get free candy? Unfortunately, there comes a time when it’s appropriate to hang up the candy bucket for the last time. I think around the age of legal adulthood is

How

old is too old for trick

the time you should start thinking, “Am I too old for this?” At this point in your life, you are breaking free from the chains of adolescence and entering a new chapter of your life. When you are 18, there are a plethora of other things to do, which are not perceived as “childish”. You could go to a party, carve pumpkins, watch a scary movie, or even hand out candy. Sooner or later, there will be a moment when the mask has to

or treating?

come off, and 18 is the perfect time for this to happen. Let the younger generations enjoy this annual experience, and allow yourself to move on to other, more “age-appropriate” Halloween traditions. After outgrowing many costumes and realizing trick or treating is coming to an end, it’s time to teach the youth our tricks and leave the knocking in the past.

Trunk or Treat

Story by James Gibson

Ina world growing increasingly predictable, the rise of Trunk or Treating is more than an alternative to Trick or Treating; it’s a cultural change. It’s a safer and articulated substitute to the chaotic and independent magic of Trick or Treating. But in the pursuit of convenience and control, have we sacrificed the true nature of Halloween? For centuries, the thrill of Trick or Treating wasn’t entirely about the candy, but the independence

A new frontieer for Halloween

it brought. It was a rite of passage as you got older, venturing into the night with friends in search of memories and candy. Trunk or Treating turns the fun and independent spirit of Trick or Treating into a dull, sterile, car-filled event. In a parking lot full of open and decorated trunks, the spontaneity is lost. The thrill of ‘hunting’ for candy is replaced by something very straightforward and lackluster. For families in rural areas with long spaces between

houses, or those more concerned with safety, Trunk or Treating offers a practical solution. On one hand, Trunk or treating creates a contained space where parents can feel safe, but on the other hand, the damage could be collateral. Halloween was a way to engage with communities and feel more connected, but for the sake of convenience, we’ve traded sidewalk adventures for asphalt uniformity.

Haunting Hollywood

Taking a look at different movies to watch this fall

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)

7/10 - Aubree

This silent film paved the way for modern horror movies. I think it is very impressive for its time, as the story, visuals, and music keep you engaged and make it really creepy. Although it’s now over 100 years old, it still remains one of the most iconic horror movies. Overall, the film is not extremely horrifying, but if you are someone who enjoys horror, you definitely should watch it.

Frankenweenie (2012) 9/10 - Aubree

If you’re looking for a weird movie that captures a spooky essence, while still having some funny, lighthearted elements, this is the perfect film for you. It is a great story set in a gothic town, and the black and white stop-motion animation sets it up to be a great watch for a cozy fall night. The film has a lot of charm, with odd characters, an interesting story, and unique staging. Although it wasn’t a box office hit, I think it deserves some recognition.

The Silence of The Lambs (1991)

9/10 - Claire

A landmark in psychological thrillers, “The Silence of the Lambs” delivers both chilling suspense and cultural commentary. While its pacing can feel deliberate, the film’s strength lies in its quiet intensity, weaving themes of feminism through Clarice Starling’s struggle to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field. The buildup to its shocking twists is masterfully executed, cementing its reputation as one of the genre’s most unsettling yet intelligent films.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

7/10 - Claire

Francis Ford Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” may divide audiences, but it stands as a bold, theatrical take on the classic gothic tale. Rich with ornate visuals and baroque performances, the film leans heavily into the novel’s psychosexual horror, crafting a romance as haunting as it is grotesque. Though not universally acclaimed, its influence on ’90s gothic romance cinema is undeniable, leaving behind a legacy as lush and polarizing as Dracula himself.

Practical Magic (1998)

8/10 - Claire

“Practical Magic” is a charming blend of whimsy and heart, balancing its magical premise with a sincere focus on sisterhood and family. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman shine as the Owens sisters, whose witchy heritage is both a burden and a gift. With its soft autumnal atmosphere and nostalgic late-’90s aesthetic, the film remains a beloved comfort watch for those drawn to stories of love, resilience and a touch of enchantment.

The positive side of the state phone ban.

The phone ban in Missouri has been a contentious issue throughout the First Quarter.

While I can agree it has its downsides, this phone ban has made me a much more productive student.

During the first week of school, I noticed myself constantly reaching into my pocket, but to my surprise, my phone wasn’t there. This has forced me to refocus and find something to keep me occupied. Now, as the First quarter is coming to an end, I no longer have issues with avoiding my cell. Finding my groove has been much easier without the constant

distraction of our phones. My grades have remained steady, and I have more in-class time to complete assignments and stay ahead on homework. A classroom without phones is a much better learning environment. This phone ban also encourages me to interact more with my classmates. I have made more friends this quarter. This could be attributed to not being able to doomscroll for the entirety of a class period. Arguments can be made for specific classes, such as Yearbook, Magazine, Band, and more, because these classes have programs on their phones that help with

Delivered. Left on Read.

The negitave side of the state phone ban.

Sincethe new state phone law has been put into place, I have found that trying to complete daily tasks, such as communicating with people during school and trying to keep my extracurricular activities organized, has become a challenge. I have a full-time business, and trying to handle people asking me questions and communicating with me all through the school day is really difficult because the law completely takes away our ability to further ourselves outside of education. Similarly, students who have jobs and own businesses seem to struggle with this dilemma as well.

When it comes to extracurricular activities, I am pretty involved; however, when I am scheduled to work but then have a curricular activity that I am also responsible for attending to, not having the ability to access my phone makes planning my schedule more difficult and near impossible.

The state government should be more understanding and open-minded that students don’t just use their phones to scroll on TikTok or send selfies, our phones do help us with our education too, like for accessing websites and videos that we can’t with our school devices, or even ways that help us study for tests. The majority of us

their classes. As we further adapt to the new state law, this won’t be an issue. We can develop new strategies that will work just as well, if not better than, phones in classrooms. Overall, as a student, I appreciate the encouragement from the ban to be a better, more engaged student.

have jobs and responsibilities that can’t be ignored just because we are in school. School should be our priority, but in today’s world, it’s too much to ask for us to put school first.

This school year, I hope our administrators and teachers can acknowledge that the strategies that our governors are using to keep phones out of school are either not working or not going to work for very long.

Before

Work Before Play

Balancing the fun of Senior year and preparing for college.

SStory by Maya Price

Design by Maya Price

Photo by James Gibson

Illustration by Bowen Nelson

enior year is arguably one of the most influential periods of a young adult’s life. It is filled with fun activities, extracurriculars, and last’s. For most, college is only one year away, and balancing college preparation on top of senior year festivities can be difficult. However, there are ways to both have fun and get ready for the future. Start early. A great way to get ahead on college applications is to start early. Utilize the summertime before senior year to finalize your college list, start on your essay, and start applying for scholarships. It can be easy to procrastinate college preparations with the busy senior schedule, but starting early allows room to breathe and focus on other important tasks.

Manage your time. Senior year can be busy, and things can get overwhelming quickly. However, it is important to have a balance between school, work, and fun. Make sure to prioritize school work and maintain good grades, but always leave room for fun activities and making memories. Keep a planner to keep track of deadlines, stay organized, and remember to take breaks when needed.

Set goals. Early on, it is beneficial to set goals for the year. This can include college prep, grades, activities, and overall attitude. These goals should be realistic and reachable, something you want to

accomplish throughout the year. This can be helpful by driving success and staying motivated even when school exhaustion hits.

Prioritize self-care. Amidst your busy schedule, it is important to make time for yourself. Without taking breaks, it can be easy to get burned out early on. Make room for activities that rejuvenate the soul, whatever that may be. When senior year starts to feel overwhelming, it’s okay to take a step back. Always prioritize physical and mental well-being to drive overall success during the biggest year of one’s high school career.

Have fun. Kristi Ditzfeld, a counselor at Glendale, gives a word of advice about enjoying your time during your last year of high school. “Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy it, even the sucky parts. Enjoy it because there is literally never a time like this again in your life,” Ditzfeld said.

“[This] is the only time in your life where you get to experience this, so enjoy it all.”

Best Brews

A look at fall coffee options in Springfield, Mo.

Starbucks- Iced Pumpkin Chai Latte 7/10

I don’t normally go to Starbucks often, but when I do, I always try to get something that’s new. The Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai is good for those who prefer a kick of cinnamon in their drinks. It consists of their regular iced chai latte with pumpkin cold foam on the top. Although not my favorite, it’s still a solid choice for those who don’t like espresso drinks.

The Potters House- Frapple Cider 9/10

This coffee shop I’d never been to before, but when I walked in, the atmosphere was perfect. It was cozy and quiet, perfect for studying and quiet meet-ups with friends. To add, this drink was impeccable. I like my drinks super sweet, and this really hit that bar for me. This drink has apple cider, cinnamon, caramel, and ice cream! It’s perfect for those autumn days that feel a little too hot to be fall, but keep you in that fall spirit. I’d definitely recommend it.

Scooters - Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte 8/10

At the window, the customer service was amazing; they were very kind people who were patient with me while I figured out what I wanted. This drink is adorable. It has marshmallow fluff on the inside and very sweet syrup, along with a little cookie on top of the whipped cream. I would definitely recommend this drink if you love really sweet things – for me, it was a little overly sweet, but that didn’t stop me from loving this drink.