The 800 News: The Wildcat Roar - Issue 4 December 2019

THE THE WILDCAT ROAR

JANUARY 2020

PREPARING FOR SCHOOL SHOOTINGS: THE NEW NORMAL PG. 18-211

1 Westminster Christian Academy

STAFF

THE 800

MANAGING EDITOR IN CHIEF ISABELLA FRANCOIS,

SENIOR

CONTENT EDITOR IN CHIEF AVA BIDNER, SENIOR

SPORTING WCA EDITOR TOMMY BRINER, SENIOR

DESIGN EDITOR LEA DESPOTIS, SENIOR

MEDIA EDITOR NATALIE FORD , SENIOR

NEWS EDITOR GRACE SKILJAN, SENIOR 2 STAFF

STUDENTS SERVING STUDENTS

0 STAFF

FEATURE EDITOR REBEKAH SEMS, SENIOR

OPINION EDITOR AVA HOLLMANN, SENIOR

800 SPORTING ONLINE EDITOR & PODCAST HOST BENNIE ANDERSON , SENIOR 800 SPORTING VISUAL EFFECTS EDITOR PEARSON GEORGES, SENIOR

800 SPORTING STAFF WRITER & PODCAST HOST KOBY SCHMER, SENIOR

THE 800 STAFF WRITERS MARTY BRINER • EMMA HARRIS • BROOKE HIGHMARK • MAGGIE LINDSTROM • JACK MARTIN • CALEB MOELLENHOFF • AIDAN PENBERTHY • LAURYN RHODES STAFF 3

CONTENTS

NEWS

AUSTRALIA FIRES PG. 6 THESPIAN SOCIETY PG. 7

4 CONTENTS

FEATURES

GAP YEARS PG. 8 TEACHERS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE THE LONGEST PG. 9 MORNING MEETING PG. 10 MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS PG. 11

OPINION/ IN-DEPTH EAR PIERCINGS PG. 13 WHY TEENS REBEL PG. 14 CURIOSITY PG. 16-17 SCHOOL SHOOTINGS PG. 18-21 HOSPICE PG. 22-23

SPORTS BOYS’ BASKETBALL PG. 26 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PG. 27 SWIM PG. 28 WRESTLING PG. 29 DISTANCE RUNNING PG. 30-31 BRENNAN ORF’S GRANDMOTHER PG. 32 SPIRIT WEEK PG. 33 VISITATION TOURNAMENT PG. 34-35

CONTENTS

STAFF ED

STAFF ED

BY AVA BIDNER

WELCOMING DISCOURSE

Proverbs 18:15 — “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” As you flip through this issue of The Wildcat Roar and read the stories written by our staff, you will likely notice that this issue contains several serious, complex, and even controversial topics. From school shootings to hospice to grades to concerns relating to a lack of respect in a small section of our community, this issue is full of themes that should certainly not be taken lightly. At 800 News, we do not believe in shying away from these issues in fear of the discourse, controversy, and dialogue that may come. On the contrary, we believe that it is through exploring these essential subjects (that are authentic concerns and realities in our culture today) that we are able to learn, grow, and better understand the world we are soon to encounter. As a senior, I, as well as my fellow classmates, am about to embark upon the next significant chapter in my life; as I step into this independence, I believe it is essential for me to be prepared to understand matters like these and to be able to defend my opinion in a respectful and humble manner. Surrounded by Christian mentors and teachers, I believe Westminster is an excellent environment for exploring these themes, as we are free to do so in the context of a community of believers who are not only knowledgeable about their subject matter, but also about its connection to our current culture and Christianity. We hope that you enjoy this issue and relate to the stories included, and we encourage you to come alongside us as we explore the events and concerns of our world, pursue the truth, and welcome discourse, with the knowledge that respect, humility, truthfulness, and obedience to the Lord are our objectives through our work.

STAFF ED 5

AUSTRALIA IN ASHES Australia suffers from one of the biggest forest fires the world has ever seen

GRACE SKILJAN News Editor

Every year the Australian fire season rolls around during their summer caused by the hot, dry weather. This season has always been dangerous, and history shows that large forest fires are not uncommon during this arid time. In 2009, A groove of eucalyptus trees burning in Australia. Photo by: Regnans blogspot 173 people were killed in a bushfire disaster, and just last Dec., a fire traveled more than 12.4 miles in only five hours. and then he burns,” said Graeme Jackson, a New South Wales resident who has experience raising orphaned wombats. Many factors contribute to fires in Australia, including lightning and droughts, but this time there is another reason. Other animals that live in niche environments and have smaller Over 183 people have been charged with starting or conpopulations may have been wiped out entirely, such as the tributing to the fires. They have covered almost 12.1 million eastern bristlebird, the mountain pygmy possum, and the corroboree frog. The biggest issue concerning the animals is the fact that not only are the habitats imperative for wildlife, but the animals are necessary for the habitats. The Australian ecosystem depends on both to support each other. The worry is that even after the fires are stopped, the animals will no longer have a place to live. Or, with the diminishing populations, the original habitat will never be able to recover. Currently, Australian authorities are doing their best to help the stranded animals by providing veterinary help to those who can recover and using helicopters to drop food to the animals. This crisis is not only affecting Australia and its wildlife, but it is also affecting America’s people. Three Americans died in a This is a space view of Victoria, Australia showing the firefighting plane crash in New South Whales. This bushfire is moving bushfires as they spread over the continent. Photo making an impact far beyond the borders of Australia. by: NASA acres and has caused 24 deaths so far. One of the biggest concerns of these wildfires is the destruction of Australian animals and their habitats. It is estimated that around one billion animals have died so far, and scientists are concerned that undiscovered species are being wiped out before they can be discovered. The most wellknown Australian animals, including koalas and kangaroos, are not in danger of going extinct because they are spread out across the country, but the population of both is in danger. Wombats are also suffering from these fires. “It’s just horrendous. A wombat can run 30 kilometers (per hour/18.6 mph), he can run that fast (for) short distances --

6 NEWS

To donate towards this crisis, there are numerous charities and foundations that are helping: Australian Red Cross, Australian Salvation Army, Nature Conservancy Australia, St. Vincent de Paul Society in Australia, and World Wildlife Fund Australia. There are also American charities and foundation working towards putting out the fires: American Red Cross (a BBB Accredited Charity), Direct Relief (a BBB Accredited Charity), Global Giving (a BBB Accredited Charity), International Fund for Animal Welfare (a BBB Accredited Charity), and Save the Children (a BBB Accredited Charity).

MEMBERS OF THE NEWLY FORMED WCA THESPIAN SOCIETY TRAVEL TO KANSAS CITY FOR A CONFERENCE ISABELLA FRANCOIS

Over the weekend of Jan. 17, when most WCA students were enjoying their long weekend due to a snow day on Friday, WCA theatre students were traveling to Kansas City, MO, for a theatre convention put on by the International Thespians Society.

[competitions] which you could register for and perform. Elizabeth, Michael, Hannah, and I all got superiors (the highest rating) on our respective events. After the workshops, we would all meet together to eat dinner, and at the end of each day we would all go see a schools’s play that had been nominated for awards in the state,” explained Ella Polski, another senior and member of the society.”

“Thespians is somewhat equivalent to something like the National Honour Society for Theatre people. It is meant to connect anyone who has a love and passion for the Theatre,

The Superior award results were released on Monday, Jan. 20, and many members of the society received superior marks for their performances in many different categories.

Managing Editor-in-Chief

“This year we competed in several categories: Solo Musical Performance (Elizabeth Nolting), Independent Film (Matteo Zavaglia), Solo Monologue (Michael Lee), and Duet Scene (Ella Polski and Hannah Stevenson). Each category is adjudicated by a panel of Theatre Educators who rate the student’s performance on a scale of 1 (Fair) to 4 (Superior). Our students almost exclusively were awarded Superior ratings in every category. For our first year I couldn’t be happier with those results and more proud of our student’s achievements,” said Butz.

Michael Lee, Matthew Culligan, Alyssa Pritchett, and Hannah Stevenson particpate in a Hamilton dance workshopPhoto by: Isabella Francois both technical and performance. Thespians unites teachers and students from all over the country to foster community and encourage excellence in the Arts,” explained Jim Butz, upper school drama teacher. The 2019-2020 school year has been a foundational year for the Thespian Society at Westminster. “This year was the first year that we really got into it. We held meetings and decided that we really wanted to go to the State Conference. Mr. Butz talked to Mr. Schwamb and Mr. Gall and the preparations for the trip began,” said Hannah Stevenson, senior and member of the society. At the conference, students were able to learn about theatre in a variety of different ways. They were able to attend workshops, participate in competitions, and watch other schools perform. “Each day, right after breakfast, we would all branch out and do workshops pretty much all day. There were a ton of different [workshops] offered from dancing to Shakespeare to juggling. During the workshops, there were also individual

In addition to their success in competition, the students also learned about character and success from professionals in the field. “At the very beginning of the trip, an actress from Broadway gave a speech to commence the weekend. One of the things she talked about in her speech was the fact that the people who are the most successful and the best to work with are always the kindest, more selfless people,” explained Polski. The Thespian Society is a fantastic way for theatre students to get involved with the broader theatre community as well to learn about their craft. Being a part of the Thespian Society is more than just a club; it is a community that emphasizes the importance of arts education. “Being a part of Thespians matters because Arts Education matters. It changes lives. Study after study tells us that students who are committed to the arts and receive a proper education, flourish in almost every area of their lives as a result. Arts Education increases creativity, empathy, communication, literacy, the list goes on and on. It is not a cute add-on or afterthought in the formation of well rounded human beings. Arts Education is indispensable. Especially as Christians, we need to be seriously committed to the arts as we seek to engage and influence the culture around us. Retreat is not an option and excellence is the goal. The International Thespian Society helps us toward that end,” concluded Butz.

NEWS 7

DON’T GO TO COLLEGE! Gap years after high school are actually very beneficial for students and increase their focus, confidence, and life experience

REBEKAH SEMS Feature Editor

The beginning of the second semester can be surreal for seniors in high school as the reality of graduation sets in. This can be overwhelming and exciting for several reasons, and while plenty of seniors are thrilled about moving on to their dream colleges and starting their new life, others are confused and lost about where to go or what to study next. Due to the stress and expectation of high school seniors having to go to college right after graduation, some students end up settling for a university that they don’t enjoy, like, or want to be at. However, there are plenty of benefits to not going to college right after high school that can help students feel more confident in themselves and have a better idea of what they want to do next. A gap year is beneficial for many reasons and can increase a student’s focus, confidence, and experience. In fact, each year, more and more students are considering taking a gap year in order to work, travel, or participate in invaluable internships that they couldn’t experience while at college. “Now, more than 35 percent of high school students are thinking of taking a gap year, according to a recent survey by TD Ameritrade,” wrote Jessica Dickler, on May 19, 2017 for CNBC.com. This rise in taking a year off between high school and college is actually a positive trend for young adults these days. In The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, and Jonathan Haidt, a professor at New York University Stern School of Business, they write that young people are growing up slower than the generation before them and reaching adult responsibilities later in life than their parents did. They use this logic to advocate for gap years: “There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with delaying adulthood, but if that’s happening, then shouldn’t we consider delaying the start of college, too?” and they go on to write, “We propose that Americans consider adopting a new national norm: taking a year off after high school...high school graduates can spend a year working and learning away from their parents, exploring their interests, developing interpersonal skills, and generally maturing before arriving on campus.”

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Lukianoff and Haidt argue that gap years are beneficial since kids are less prepared than the generations before them to head off to college. Not to say that all seniors in high school aren’t mature or responsible enough to leave for college, but that overall they are less prepared than the generations before them simply due to the fact that adulthood has been delayed in our society. Taking a gap year after high school is generally frowned upon because it is not the traditional road to take. However, the traditional way of learning is always changing. In fact, an article on Forbes written Jan. 1, 2020 by Jabez LeBret titled “Four Bold Predictions In K12 Education For The Next Decade” details the innovations occurring in education.

An infographic showing the two common paths for students after high school: college or a gap year. Photo by: Rebekah Sems For example, LeBret writes, “No longer will students be confined to memorizing facts but rather learning how to solve complex problems. We will see less focus on testing and ranking cohorts and more attention to individual contribution. Students will leave high school with a firm understanding of the unique contribution they can make in the world.” This new way of learning is untraditional yet similar to what students can experience during a gap year. Instead of a conventional way of learning, gap years allow for students to have hands-on work experience and increase their problem-solving skills so that when they do return to a traditional classroom setting at college, they will have more life experiences and abilities to tackle their assignments and projects. In fact, “students who take a gap year tend to be more academically focused,” said Danny Ruderman, a college counselor quoted in Dickler’s article on CNBC. While taking a gap year may sound a bit “taboo” to most high school seniors, the time off between high school and college is nothing to be ashamed of. So, if you’re freaking out about what college to go to next year, consider the possibility of not going and taking a gap year instead.

A MAN OF MANY TALENTS: MR. HUGHES A inside look into the crazy journey that led Mr. Hughes to Westminster MAGGIE LINDSTROM Staff Writer

Without a doubt, every teacher at Westminster cares deeply about all their students. Westminster is known for having a wide variety of long-lasting teachers, and most teachers here have a comprehensive understanding of multiple different subjects. I spoke to a few teachers here about their teaching careers at WCA. Larry Hughes, sophomore and junior Bible teacher, was the first teacher I had the opportunity to interview. Hughes has been teaching for 20 years in the classroom and has remained at Westminster for his entire teaching career. He began teaching freshman English and biblical ethics and has now moved to just teaching biblical ethics and Bible as literature. Hughes started teaching because it was something he always wanted to do. He is especially passionate about English, which he had the privilege of teaching for several years.

“I prayed about being a teacher, and Westminster came to me in a time of need which showed God’s great faith in providing.” Hughes has a very diverse resume. He began his journey through the job world as a juvenile probation officer. He then got married and changed jobs so he could start raising a family. After they were married, both he and his wife began to work at General Motors in the factory. They saved all their money and moved to Europe and studied in Switzerland for about three months, then had the joy of jumping around Europe for another three months. When they returned to the United States, they began to look at seminaries because both of them wanted to further their biblical knowledge. Then after getting his degree in three years from Covenant Seminary, he worked in a church for about a year and a half. After working at the University of Washington School of Medicine doing research and getting further education in English, he found himself here at Westminster.

Hughes poses for a picture in his classroom. Photo by: Maggie Lindstrom

“I have loved being at Westminster for my fellow teachers and my students, and it has been such an enjoyable experience.” One of the most significant changes that has taken place since Hughes started teaching at Westminster is the move from a smaller campus to an incredibly big campus. Hughes explained that one of the harder changes was trying to keep the aspect of community in the larger space since everyone seemed to be farther away or in parts of the building that he did not go often. Hughes has been an amazing blessing to the Westminster community and helped make it the place it is today. Thank you to Mr. Hughes for working with me.

FEATURE 9

NOT JUST A WORD

Why the n-word is hurtful, and ways the WCA community can learn more about it

“That word was used by white people for hundreds of years to subjugate and denigrate blacks,” said Layton.

LAURYN RHODES

“Through that one word it was communicated to African Americans that they could be beaten, sold, disrespected, and Staff Writer even killed, and it wouldn’t matter because they were seen as We hear it in our music, in the words of our friends, out of the less than whites,” Layton said as he gave me a brief explanamouths of the celebrities we idolize, and see it over and over tion on the roots of the word. “If you use the n-word you are again throughout today’s pop culture. In a number of ways, this going to be called into question, whether you are racist or not, dangerous word has been normalized and even deemed as okay. because of the word’s history.” What’s more, rather than calling out use of the word, we also hear a number of excuses as to why it should be acceptable to say, further perpetuating a terrible cycle of letting racism slide. Finding support from family and friends is one of the three primary coping skills therapists recommend during the holidays. Another one of the ways that they recommend is to plan for While it is unfortunate that this slur, the n-word, has made its situations that may be stressful or triggering. way into the Westminster community, it has created the opportunity to have an open dialogue about this controversial issue Layton added that there are a number of ways for students to that many lack education in. Aaron Layton, coordinator for minority community development and inclusion, is one of the learn more about this topic, and similar issues, here at Westmany faculty members at Westminster who is eager and open to minster. having conversations with students about this topic. Following the morning meeting Chris Pederson gave to upper school students on Jan. 7, Layton hosted a discussion addressing “five essential questions” about the n-word (what does it mean, where did it come from, why is it offensive, the difference in endings, and why is it okay for black people to use it and not white people). This assembly was recorded as to give student the chance to access it whenever they would like. Layton also helps to run Unity Club, where things like racial stability, gender, sexuality, politics, and more are talked about regularly. Another option for students is Layton’s Race and Culture class, where he covers race and culture, Christianity and race, science and race, culture and race, and a final unit, “a voice for the voiceless.”

Aaron Layton posing with his favorite Black Panther action figure. Photo by: Lauryn Rhodes “I felt very disappointed and sad for the African American students,” said Layton. “It made me very emotional because my first experience with school had to do with the n-word, and knowing that students here would have to deal with that was very hard for me.” Layton believes that one of the many ways to fight against normalizing such an offensive word is by enlightening people on its hurtful meaning and history. Through this, he also hopes to make it clear that use of the word is unacceptable, and in no way can be, or should be, justified.

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“We try to prepare WCA students for the world they are about to go into. There are things about a diverse, multicultural world that you just need to know before you leave Westminster,” said Layton. As Layton suggests, we should take the time to learn more about the world around us and the people within it so that we can foster not only understanding and mutual respect for one another, but also create deeper human connections built upon the foundations of trust, kindness, and ultimately, love.

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THE PROS (AND CONS) OF PIERCINGS

Getting their ears pierced has become a rite of passage for young girls today

MAGGIE LINDSTROM Staff Writer

When I was younger, my mom said I had to wait until my twelfth birthday to get my ears pierced, which seemed like an eternity as a ten-year-old. My sister got her ears pierced when I was four and she was twelve and then she got her doubles when I was ten. My sister has always been someone I looked up to, so I really wanted to be like her. Even when I got my ears pierced, I wanted more because I really love jewelry, and earrings are an easy way for me to express myself and my personality. I currently have my doubles piercing and a bottom of the helix piercing. And I am excited to get more. Ear piercings are most popular on the earlobe, which is where most girls first get their ears pierced, and the upper helix (more commonly called the cartilage) has also become a popular place for piercings. Generally, earlobes are pierced by ear piercing guns, which tend to hurt less than needle piercings. However, there are several dangers associated with these piercing guns. Sam Escobar, a journalist for Good Housekeeping, explores these dangers. “Even if a piercing gun is wiped off with an antiseptic wipe, there’s still a risk of spreading diseases (think hepatitis and staph infections) after multiple uses, according to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP),” said Escobar. Needles tend to be much safer, not just when piercing the earlobe, but also when piercing other parts of the ear. Roxanne Adamiyatt, a writer for InStyle, explains the benefits of using a needle over a piercing gun. “By [using a needle], sensitivity to nickel allergy and allergic reaction are decreased, as is the risk of a bacterial infection,” said Adamiyatt. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement that 10 to 20 percent of the world population is allergic to nickel. For some context, nickel is one of the most used metals in earrings. When one gets a piercing done with a needle, it

Earrings do have risk, but they add so much to the uniform of everyday. Photo By: Maggie Lindstrom will typically be a at a tattoo parlor. Unfortunately, many of these places require certification to pierce any clients’ ears. Some pediatricians will pierce ears with a needle, but you’ll have to call and check in advance as well as bring your own jewelry. This can reduce the cost and keep you out of risk of any kind of infections. Earrings today come in every shape and size and can be pierced anywhere in the ear. The most painful type of piercing is the industrial ear piercing or the bar. This piercing comes from the head of the ear to the base of the helix. An earring that is the shape of a bar is run through both holes. Because of the complexity of the earring, people normally experience tremendous amounts of pain upon penetration, and thus, this piercing is only performed by professionals since it has a much higher risk of infection. Personally, I have not had problems with my ear piercings. Even though there are pros and cons of getting ear piercings, they really are worth it if they are done safely. Overall, although it can be painful and even risky in the beginning, I recommend getting their ears pierced to anyone for a fun experience in the long-term.

OPINION 13

BLACK LEATHER JACKETS & CIGARETTE SMOKE The top causes of teenage rebellion EMMA HARRIS STAFF WRITER

We all know of the classic, perpetuated stereotype: a rebellious teen who sneaks out at three a.m., makes the most irresponsible decisions you could possibly think of, and constantly clashes with any authority figure without even the slightest regard for rules. And while it’s unfair to match this stereotype to every teen you meet, the rumors aren’t exactly falsehoods; a fairly significant amount of teens rebel, each in their own ways. The question that should be asked, and is desperately trying to be answered by their parents, is why? What psychological factors cultivate the “I don’t care” attitude rebellious teens hold? As most would guess, one common cause of rebellion is too many rules. It’s natural that if any person, no matter his or her age, feels suffocated and frustrated by their lack of freedom, they’ll push back on the restrictions. This is actually why most teens who were previously sweet and docile start to rebel they’re tired of trying to be perfect and of being constricted, in need of freedom. “Too many rules and expectations, stress, or even just a strong family culture, can make teens rebel in order to gain freedom and explore their own identity,” Life Coaching for Parents’ website reads. Trying on new identities is a normal part of being a teenager, and sometimes, in order to find these identities, teens rebel.

Teen rebellion may be common, but it is caused by many different things. Photo by: Emma Harris

ever, this negative attention just isn’t as satisfying as positive Amy Budrow, PhD, a clinical psychologist and professor in the attention would be, which is why teens will continue to captiChild Study Center at New York University School of Medicine vate it; it may be bad, but at least it’s something. in Manhattan says to “make sure you communicate with your child when you’re proud, when he did a good job. It’s important The most common causation of teenage rebellion, however, has a lot to do with the brain, which is beginning to develop to balance that out,” in an article on WebMD. If a child has a lack of positive feedback in their life, they too will tend to spi- the ability to “synthesize information into ideas” during the teenage years, according to David Elkin, PhD, a professor of ral down the path of rebellion. This is for two reasons. One is because if their hard work is never appreciated, they will enter child development at Tufts University School of Medicine. This age is the time where the prefrontal cortex, the part of the the mentality of “They don’t care anyway, so why even try?” This very natural response makes sense; if no good comes out brain that forms opinions, starts to develop, so teens have the of them trying their hardest, there’s no motivation to work. This ability to argue their points. “It may seem that they argue for situation is worsened if they get exclusively negative feedback, the sake of arguing. But really, they’re practicing their new for their responsibilities become associated with “nagging” and abilities,” Elkin says. therefore manifest from more than a point of frustration. Teen rebellion isn’t present everywhere, but it still exists, each kind looking a little different. The important thing to remember Additionally, if a teen starts to feel like no matter what they is to love your child no matter what and make sure to show that do, something is lacking or wrong, they start feeding into this stereotype, thinking “If they see me as irresponsible no matter love. Too frequently parents not only forget about the literal brain development occurring in their teenagers’ brains, but also what I do, I might as well just be irresponsible.” Another forget that, while being a parent is hard, so is being a teen. reason, the reason often portrayed in TV shows or movies, is that teens act out of a desire for attention. As an article for Shepherd’s Hill Academy says, if a teen is desperate enough, negative attention can become a way to satisfy this need. How-

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kicking off Spirit Week: January 27 15

DON’T GET GOOD GRADES Why the methods of pre-college education are ineffective, and the basic solution to fix them AVA HOLLMANN Opinions Editor

For much of my educational career, I, like many students, have held the expectation that good grades = good college = good career. Even as a preteen, I would drive past campuses like WashU and Mizzou with this equation in mind. But even more than this, I loved to learn and challenge myself. So, upon entering high school, I used

varies in each student, as well as the rigor of the class schedule, it seems to be that grades are the end-all-be-all. But in a college application culture where impressive transcripts and high standardized test scores are increasingly common, being a stand-out is more difficult than ever. By the time they arrive at college, a place of higher

Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel, various learning pitfalls and solutions are discussed. One of these is the “errorless learning” method, which they believe to be the culprit of inactive schooling. “The theory of errorless learning gave rise to instructional techniques in which learners were spoonfed new material in small bites and immediately quizzed on them while they still remained on the tongue, so to speak, fresh in shortterm memory and easily spit out onto the test form… since those days we’ve come to understand that retrieval from short-term memory is an ineffective learning strategy and that errors are an integral part of striving to increase one’s mastery over new material,” said Brown, Roediger III, and McDaniel. While a system of spoon feeding for the purpose of good grades is beneficial for the bolstering of one’s profile, it limits the student’s resiliency.

A quote from Make It Stick about the keys to successful learning. Photo By: Ava Hollmann three specific things to attempt to accomplish these goals: a 4.0 unweighted GPA, a high ACT score, and an extensive list of AP classes on my transcript. But as time went on, and my workload increased, my ability to pay attention in class, retain information, and have a general motivation to actually care about what I was learning decreased. I quickly realized that the pursuit of these numbers was making me lose my love for challenges and discovery of new things; I wanted easy grades in classes that were not designed for such ease. While this same passion for learning

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learning where they are encouraged to study whatever fascinates them, it’s very possible that the new freshmen will be burnt out. So, at a place like Westminster, where it seems like the sheer entrance into college, and a good one, too, is the final goal, will students even be ready for the structure and rigor of college? And, more pressingly, is curiosity being cultivated now for that time?

“In our western culture, where achievement is seen as an indicator of ability, many learners view errors as failure and what they can to avoid committing them. The aversion to failure may be reinforced by instructors who labor under the belief that when learners are allowed to make errors it’s the errors that they will learn,” said Brown, Roediger III, and McDaniel. In the classroom, tests are supposed to be the ultimate evaluation of one’s knowledge. However, the approach of the student during the test is not nearly as proactive as it should be.

“Students who have a high fear of making errors when taking tests may actually do worse on tests because of their anxiety. Why? It seems that a significant portion of their working memory capacity is expended to monitor their performance…, leaving less working memory capacity available Even if a student does not consider to solve problems posed by the test. themselves an avid learner or high ‘Working memory’ refers to the amount achiever, the school still has the responof information you can hold in mind sibility to stretch him. In Make It Stick: while working through a problem, The Science of Successful Learning by

said Brown, Roediger III, and especially in the face of distraction,” said professional path. McDaniel. Brown, Roediger III, and McDaniel. “Overall, the best and brightest ended Even more than simply failIn an article by THNK School of Creup well-adjusted, successful adults ure, though, the effort to push ative Leadership, the flaws in a gradewith professional careers. But none based educational system are further were categorized as visionaries or trail through it is what marks breakthroughs. expressed. blazers. Many of the valedictorians admitted they weren’t the smartest “Grades, ideally intended as an effective students. Instead, they described them- “It’s not the failure that’s desirable, it’s the dauntless effort despite the risks, the discovery means to learn, have transformed into a selves as the hardest workers who gave the teachers what they wanted, of what works and what doesn’t that sometimes goal in itself. Grades force students to memorize those details necessary to pass rather than exploring the material on only failure can reveal. It’s trusting that trying a deeper level and taking risks,” said to solve a puzzle serves us better than being a test, often disregarding true compreThe Atlantic. spoon-fed the solution, even if we fall short in hension of the subject matter. In this our first attempts at an answer,” said Brown, process, the student’s personal developRoediger III, and McDaniel. ment is becoming a footnote, overshad- If the top students basically deowed by the imperative significance of scribed themselves as mindless cogs grades,” said THNK. in the GPA system and were simTony Wagner, a leader in effective education, ply “well-adjusted” as a result, the studied education at Harvard, taught K-8, With grades as non-holistic measures of means by which high school prepares worked at Harvard for two decades, and is curstudents needs to be challenged. rently a senior research fellow at the Learning a student’s success, student’s development is not being properly strengthened Especially when companies say that Policy Institute. Wagner’s experience has led him to much the same for the long-term. conclusions as Brown, THNK claims that Roediger III, and Mcstudents will enDaniel as far as what is counter quite a difactually critical to develop ferent environment in students. in the workforce. “The capacity to inno“Interestingly, the vate- the ability to solve importance we place problems creatively or on grades within bring new possibilities to the perimeter of edlife- and skills like critical ucational facilities thinking, communication, does not coincide and collaboration are far with the importance more important than acacompanies place demic knowledge,” said Tony Wagner’s view of the essential skills to be gained from education. on grades. GooWagner. gle’s former Senior Photo By: Ava Hollmann Vice President of GPA does “not predict anything,” People Operations, Laszlo Bock, says, In all, while it is clear that grades do not really there must be a better way. In Make ‘GPA scores are worthless as a criteria determine long-term success, and genuine cufor hiring, they do not predict anything.’ It Stick, once the authors have stated riosity and failure along the way are important, Perhaps society’s structural dependence that risk-averse behavior is harmful, there is still much research being done to figure on grades has led to an inflated level of the obvious solution is to embrace out how this can be carried out. At Westminster, importance that may lead us to develop the challenges in learning for a richer methods such as problems-based math classeducation. suboptimal skills that do not translate es, socratics, and essays, yes, even essays, are directly to the workspace,” said THNK. some ways in which critical thinking, correc“Failure underlies the scientific meth- tive, and communication skills are being adminod, which has advanced our underistered. I would still petition, however, that our A study to more closely examine the standing of the world we inhabit. The administration and teaching staff continue to correlation between grades and career qualities of persistence and resiliency, research and implement new ways of learning success was presented in an Atlantic where failure is seen as useful inforthat will not just boost the school’s graduation video titled “Do Perfect Grades Matter?” mation, underlie successful innovation rate or average ACT score, but set a precedent Conducted by Boston College, the study in every sphere and lie at the core for curious thinkers in the pursuit of exploring followed over eighty high school valeof nearly all successful learning,” God’s amazing creation. dictorians for 14 years to follow their

OPINION 17

THE NEW NORMAL

school shooting, an enormous tragedy has occurred, which is why Westminster, along with other schools, has taken several precautions to protect its students, teachers, and staff.

“The first notable precaution (or security enhancement) is our armed security presence. Town & Country Police officers and I are present during Westminster’s busiest hours to provide Content Editor-in-Chief an immediate armed response to any situation or condition which affects the “BEEEEEEP, BEEEEEEP. A DISData from the US Naval Postgraduate safety and security of others. Also, our TURBANCE HAS BEEN DETECTSchool showed that 94 school gun multi-layered defensive strategy proED IN THE BUILDING. PLEASE violence incidents occurred in 2018 gressively limits vulnerabilities from TAKE NOTE OF YOUR SURalone, and as German Lopez explains the outside-in. The outermost layer, ROUNDINGS AND PREPARE TO in a Vox article, this is “a record high Westminster’s campus grounds, are DEFEND YOURSELF IF NECESsince 1970, which is as far back as the closed to the public. The next layer is SARY.” data goes, and 59 percent higher than our building’s exterior walls and doors, the previous record of 59 in 2006.” which are locked. Within the building, guests must sign in and all adults As blinds are pulled on classroom windows, doors are securely locked, All that being said, “mass shootings are are required to wear identification,” lights are turned off, and students hud- statistically rare events,” as Officer Tim explained DeWitt. dle in the corners of their classrooms, DeWitt explained, despite what the data this announcement sounds over the may seem to show. Although school ho- Beyond these precautions that undoubtloudspeaker. Students fall silent, micides have certainly become “more edly make Westminster a place where knowing what to do in this situation, common and more deadly” as a Los students should feel safe and protected as the teachers respond quickly, jump- Angeles Times article’s headline claims, at all times, knowing there are people ing into action to ensure the security the probability of a student being inon campus with the sole job of deof their students and classrooms. volved or killed in a school shooting is fending our school, Westminster also extremely rare. institutes drills and training that engage the students and educate them about At Westminster, we practice these this real issue. “intruder drills” about once a month with the goal of preparing the entire student body and all faculty and staff “The innermost layer of defense commembers for the unlikely event of an bines physical elements with readiarmed intruder entering the building. ness techniques. Classroom doors are Of course, Westminster is not alone always locked to provide an immediate in these efforts to equip students for safe haven for students should an this situation; elementary, middle, and emergency arise. If an emergency does high schools, both public and private, arise, faculty and staff are equipped to all over the country regularly perform simultaneously sound the alarm and these drills. notify law enforcement within seconds through the use of strategically placed panic buttons and the use of In recent years, school shootings have But while the odds may be fortunately the SchoolGuard app. Additionally, become an increasingly prominent low, this, of course, does not negate students, faculty, and staff attend safety and real concern in the United States. the tragedies that have occurred and According to Elizabeth Wolfe and the lives that have been lost. As Sandy lessons throughout the school year. This empowers everyone as critical Christina Walker in an article from Hook Promise states on their website, players in our emergency prevention, CNN, in 46 weeks in 2019, 45 school “Every number you see below reppreparedness, and response. And shootings occurred, which translates resents a person, often a child, with throughout the school year, we design to an average of nearly one school hopes, dreams, potential, and loved and execute various emergency drills shooting each week. Unfortunately, ones who cherished them.” In reality, not only to safely practice, evaluate, 2018 was also a year in which school the statistics do not necessarily tell and refine our strategies but also to shootings took place at a record high. the story — if even one life is lost in a reinforce every student’s confidence

Discussing school gun violence, safety at WCA, and what YOU can do AVA BIDNER

According to The Washington Post, “the statistical likelihood of any given public school student being killed by a gun, in school, on any given day since 1999 was roughly 1 in 614,000,000.”

18 IN-DEPTH

that Westminster is a safe place,” said DeWitt.

and likely have more information about or people group,” explained the emergency than students. However, DeWitt. According to Campus in the event that students are not under Safety Magazine, out of the approximately 1,300 school the direct supervision of a teacher or shooting incidents since 1970 staff member when an armed intrud(not including data from 2019 er is present, students should use the ‘Run - Hide - Fight’ response model to or 2020), “the shooter was a current student at help determine how to react. Keep in the school” in 691 incidents. mind, the situation will dictate which response is most appropriate. For ex- With outsider threats, the main method of ample, the student’s location relative to protection is adequate preparation, but regarda lethal threat may make it best to first ing insider threats, there is more that we can hide behind a locked door (then prepare do to combat these threats before they become to fight or escape) rather than attempt- incidents — or even before problems become ing to escape through a distant exit.” threats.

As DeWitt stated, students at Westminster should feel assured that their safety is not only of the utmost importance, but also that precautions have not been taken lightly. Students may occasionally feel as if they are not given enough freedom, but ultimately, it is essential that every member in the WCA community understands that these limits are for the safety and protection of the students. As an educational institution, Westminster’s responsibility is to provide a safe place for students to learn, grow, discover, and form relationships, and some limits must In addition to preparing for these situ- According to a 2015 study by the Nationbe established in order to fulfill this aim. ations, attempting to uncover the root al Council for Behavioral Health Board of of the problem by understanding some Directors and the Medical Director Institute of the causes of school shootings could (MDI), “While perpetrators of mass violence “Although the odds of such an attack occurring at Westminster are low, we are be the difference between life and death can be categorized with respect to motivation, — between a student body that works the characteristics of individual perpetrators cut positioned well to prevent and defend against them. Safety is a top priority at to support, uphold, and respect one an- across demographic, sociologic, cultural and other and a student body that is divided, occupational groups. The characteristics that Westminster. We assume a preventive and adaptive security posture so our stu- broken, and corrupted by tension and most frequently occur are males, often hopeless and harboring grievances that are frequently redents may enjoy a comfortable learning conflict. lated to work, school, finances or interpersonal environment free of undue safety conrelationships; feeling victimized and sympathizcerns. Steered by yours truly, we run our ing with others who they perceive to be simistandard daily rhythms as well as unique larly mistreated; indifference to life; and often events through a risk management prosubsequently dying by suicide. They frequently cess model. These perpetual evaluations plan and prepare for their attack and often share of our security strategies assess and adinformation about the attack with others, though dress potential threats and vulnerabilities often not with the intended victims.” and evolve into safety enhancements,” confirmed DeWitt. Therefore, despite popular belief, mental illness is not usually the cause behind school gun Although school gun violence is statisviolence. In fact, according to Sandy Hook tically unlikely, one of the best methods Promise and data from the same study menfor preparation for students is to develtioned above, “The majority of individuals op a game plan and to be aware of the with diagnosed mental illness do not engage in steps to take if such a situation were to violence against others.” arise. Of course, there is simply no way in which to prepare for every scenario, but merely providing students with a reAlthough mental illness may not be the origin sponse model and helping them to feel as of most school gun violence incidents, mental if they are experienced and educated in health can certainly play a substantial role in this area of self-defense can be immensemotivating a perpetrator or preventing them ly helpful. In general, threats can be organized into from taking action. And, this is an area where we do have some control in impeding insider two categories: insider and outsider. DeWitt explained how students should “With insider threats, the attacker has threats. As recently discussed in chapel and grade level meetings, cultivating respectful respond during such an event: “Because an established relationship with the and healthy relationships founded upon love, every situation is different, there are no school and is most often a current or humility, and grace is essential to preserving absolutes when it comes to responding to former student. Outside threats are a beneficial and nourishing environment at an armed intruder. First, students should just the opposite and typically result Westminster. follow their teacher’s instructions. from an extreme ideology and haTeachers receive more in-depth training tred towards a certain demographic

“School shootings and the events that transpire before them are very complex. So too are the situations, lives, and circumstances of the attacker, making it difficult at best to pinpoint the root causes. When discussing the reason for school shootings, it’s important to identify the attacker’s relationship with the school,” said Officer Tim DeWitt.

IN-DEPTH 19

“Combine the MDI’s conclusion on the characteristics of individual perpetrators with Scripture’s call for us to love our neighbor, and it becomes pretty clear what we can do corporately to prevent a lethal insider threat. Westminster’s faculty and staff are committed to coming alongside students to foster an environment of love and respect and challenge anything contrary. Our cultural norms need to include words and actions that lift others up,” explained DeWitt. Indeed, it is our duty as students, parents, teachers, faculty, and ultimately, Christians to create a culture in which every individual feels treasured, valuable, and loved. Our words, actions, and jokes can all result in extensive consequences that can cause ripples throughout our relationships, mental health, and safety. DeWitt offered his thoughts on how we can approach this: “The problem is, our tendency is to underestimate the impact we have on each other’s lives and take our interactions at face-value. However, that face value estimation is most often inaccurate. So those who see or hear anything that makes them or others uncomfortable should say something. Those who are not comfortable with challenging destructive behavior on the spot, consider other possibilities. Talk and pray with a friend, teacher, or other trusted adult to evaluate the next best step. Maybe talk with the victim. Or, use Westminster’s anonymous tip line to report the situation. But above all, love your neighbor as yourself.” I do not write this article and share these facts and statistics to scare you because “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). No, I’m writing this because I believe it is a real concern in our current society and because each one of us has the ability to be a force for change in our community by radically transforming the way in which we interact and treat one another. I hope that through

20 IN-DEPTH

this article, you have confidence that Westminster has created a safe and secure environment and that it is now our duty to ensure the environment inside these walls radiates love, peace, patience, and kindness (Galatians 5:22). As a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the wall outside the Academic Hub reads, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” If you have any questions or concerns about this serious topic, Officer DeWitt is “always willing to have conversations with students and parents about school safety. Everyone should feel free to contact [him] in the Grand Entry or via email.” Also, remember that the Westminster tipline can be found at https://wcastl.org/community-life/school-safety/. According to DeWitt, “It is an anonymous tip reporting tool that gives our students and parents a mechanism to do the right thing and alert the school about something concerning they see or hear in an anonymous and safe way. In addition to physical threats, this reporting tool may be used to report a variety of concerns including bullying, abuse, and mental health concerns. All tips are taken seriously and passed on to the appropriate administrator. Any tips regarding a potential threat to the safety of our community will be turned over to law enforcement.”

RESPONSE MODEL

1

RUN

Trying to get yourself out of harm’s way needs to be your number one priority. If there is an escape path, attempt to evacuate. Evacuate whether others agree to or not. Leave your belongings behind, and try to get out safely. Once you are in a safe place, try to stop others from walking into the danger zone. And call 911.

2

HIDE If you can’t get out safely, you need to find a place to hide. Act quickly and quietly. Try to secure your hiding place as best you can. Turn out all lights. Silence your ringer and vibration mode on your phone. And if you can’t find a safe room to take shelter, try to conceal yourself behind large objects that may protect you.

3

FIGHT And as a last resort, when it is not possible to escape or hide, fight. Attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Act with physical aggression. Improvise weapons. Commit to your actions. Then, be prepared to run and escape. Whatever you do, don’t get stuck in the freeze response!

IN-DEPTH 21

WHEN A MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR “DEATH” INDUSTRY CAPTURES THE LIVING Behind the bright promise of an end-of-life industry, hospice care masks a darker truth leading you to question whether it’s truly worth the risk

LEA DESPOTIS Design Editor

In a gripping anecdote published in the New York Times, reporter Karen Brown exposed the heartbreaking account of her father’s death: the story of how a supposed painless exit was countered by a devastating reality. Stricken with terminal pancreatic cancer, Brown’s father sought in earnest a “good death”—a peaceful, humane passing surrounded by loved ones and caring professionals—that trained experts in hospice care promised.

than compassionate, attentive care rather than a sterile hospital room under the impersonal watch of shift employees?

the discovery of further gross negligence and patient abuse contaminating hospice centers across the country. In recent news, the hospice crisis garnered attention as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ inspector general released two scathing reports in August 2019, specifying the “significant vulnerabilities” and “deficiencies” that “jeopardize safety” of patients in hospice care.

Horror stories abound, including instances of finding maggots in While the hospice philosophy appears laudable at surface level, deeply embedded stomach feeding tubes, failing to clean in the layers rests a grim actuality. Near the wounds resulting in leg amputation, end of life, one’s fateful departure undoubt- and providing inaccurate treatment that edly precludes the guarantee of a straight- led to multiple hospital visits. In fact, forward outcome. But at the very least, a the HHS study found that a shocking kind-hearted, tender-minded, person-cen- 87% percent of hospices showed at tered hospice industry assures the compan- least one deficiency with 18% holding ionship of palliative nurses by their side. a “serious” and “severe” deficiency, But as the patient confronted a sudden suggesting the need for immediate spike in pain, hospice failed to live up to that promise in the moments that counted Yet, there were none to be found—for the intervention. In these cases, hospice the most. At 7 p.m. on the first night, Kar- Brown family and countless others. Hor- declined to comment. en Brown anxiously awaited unanswered rifying reports reveal hospice employees calls, only to receive one later cavalierly abandoning patients at their deathbed, met But the organization cloaked in mismanagement, inadequate assessments, with delays, no-shows, and unanswered stating that doctors were unavailable. poor quality control, and marginal staff voicemails, according to a 2017 Kaiser By midnight a hospice nurse finally vetting offer only a glimpse into the Health News investigation. The KHN arrived, without painkillers to alleviate report uncovered a total of 3,200 substanti- larger, systemic problem. Sadly, it gets the protracted suffering. Next in line, a “crisis nurse” was scheduled to arrive at 8 ated complaints against hospice in a 5-year much worse. a.m. the next morning. The hours 12 p.m., span. Furthermore, a national Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and As for-profit hospice providers invaded 1 p.m., 3 p.m. passed without a nurse Systems (CAHPS) hospice survey indicates the originally intended-nonprofit agenin sight. It was not until 4 p.m. that aid appeared, but by that time, there was little these instances remain relatively common, cies in the 1980s, the death industry burgeoned into a lucrative business, left to do. Brown died an hour later—in with 1 in 5 respondents claiming their pain, turmoil, and utter disappointment. hospice caregivers failed to arrive. From receiving nearly 18 billion federal labored breathing, severe dehydration, and dollars annually. Now, the 4,000 cerunexpected seizures, patients and families tified hospices exist within the larger As an aging society, most people carry an awareness of this “innovative” type of all too often find themselves facing death’s healthcare framework of Medicare, collecting a flat daily rate of taxpayer assisted death that enrolls over 1.4 million door alone. money regardless of treatment or time patients each year. As the refined model spent with patients. However, accountability for such inferior for terminally-ill candidates, hospice service remains negligible. Little—if any— offers home-based, palliative focus as As history demonstrates, big business opposed to aggressive treatments, largely of the cases provided recourse for the irreparable harm. Once again, hospice failed inevitably foreshadows behind-thethe byproduct of the push against the to deliver, forcing some to grapple with the scenes corruption—and hospice has over-medicalization of death. It places sobering reality of placing their loved ones become one of them. great emphasis on the family, pledging in questionable hands. around-the-clock service to tend to patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual Wielding pressure to keep profit mardistress. What more can someone ask for Alarming reports such as these spawned gins high, hospice salesmen actively

22 IN-DEPTH

hunt customers from doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted-living facilities according to a Washington Post investigation in 2014. In fact, whistleblower testimonies from legal court records expose the flagrant use of bonus incentives designed for recruiters to meet new patient goals. In the growing end-of-life movement, we assume that hospice operates with the patients’ best interest at heart. But with the stakes high for a billion-dollar industry, this reality is far from the truth. If suffering as a result of incompetency is not disturbing enough, some unsuspecting victims met their fate through intentional deception as well. Because Medicare currently accepts vague definitions of “terminal conditions” including “failure to thrive” and “debility” as qualifications for hospice, a porous threshold opens the door for abuse. In one of the top Huffington Post exposés by Ben Hallman, mounting evidence points to hospice care providers imperiling patients in a drive to boost revenue. The 2014 investigation discovered for-profit hospices pressuring staff to illegally enroll ineligible patients and falsifying health records to acquire more tax dollars. In other words, not all diagnosed hospice patients met the standard 6 months-to-live criteria of hospice. Why? Healthier patients require fewer visits and longer stays, pumping up the monetary rewards for the booming industry. In a series of articles, Washington Post reporter Peter Whorisky uncovered further repulsive evidence pointing to the same culprit. Investigators found patients ingesting lethal doses of sedatives administered by hospice. These patients weren’t even terminally ill, yet faced death from an excessive amount of painkillers. With additional stories of patients prematurely snared into hospice, one can only wonder the extent to which slow homicide under the guise of palliative care is perpetrated. Thankfully, thousands of people share more positive portrayals of hospice and vouch for its value. For these families, the program worked as it should, providing compassionate support to those legitimately on the verge of death. But I speak for those whom it did not. The devastating stories and undeniable facts unmask the inadequacies, fraud, and corruption plagued across hospice centers in recent years.

While noble in its founding mission established in the 1960s, today’s hospice providers have undermined their own goals. Medical experts, plaintiff’s attorneys, and disgruntled families challenge the protocol, proposing viable interventions to rehabilitate a flawed system. With initiatives such as a Hospice Compare website and nonprofit programs, reformers seek avenues to combat abuse and lack of transparency. The Trump administration’s HHS report recommends the next step forward: a tighter oversight of hospice, laws to enforce violations, and a vehicle to publicly report grievances. Yet to hold hospices accountable for their actions, the power ultimately resides in Washington D.C. But in the end, can we truly rely on abstract government policies and detached politicians to ensure the safety and well-being of our loved ones? Probably not. Therefore, it is our civil and ethical duty to demand more of ourselves and others—to ensure that each and every human experience a dignified and “good” death if we possess some semblance of control over one of life’s most uncontrollable circumstances.

IN-DEPTH 23

“

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“

Isabella Francois, 2018-20 Co-Editor-inChief

24

WHAT DO I DO NOW? - Email 800news@wcastl.org with your first and last name, grade, and interest. - Find application in your email in the coming weeks and fill it out. - Check out our content at thewildcatroar.com and social media to see examples of what you could be participating in!

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25

BRENNAN ORF MR. 1000

The boys’ basketball team experienced a tough loss in the MICDS Tip-Off tournament last Friday

KOBY SCHMER Staff Writer

“Bring in the freshman.” A tall, buff freshman with curly blonde hair steps in and makes his varsity high school basketball debut in 2017 playoffs. Nobody knew his name, and nobody knew where he came from, but they knew he was going to do some damage in his later high school years. Who knew that this same kid would grow up and score 1,000 points, accomplishing a huge milestone for a high school basketball player and joining an elite group of Westminster basketball players. In case you haven’t caught on, this tall, curly-haired kid is senior forward Brennan Orf, who hit the milestone in the Lindbergh tournament semifinal game against Riverview Gardens High School on Jan.16. Orf was 18 points away from 1000 going into that game, and, based on his 16.7 points per game average, achieving this goal seemed more than feasible. Orf did not get much time in the first half of the game due to the fact that the Wildcats were beating the team by more than 20 points. However, in the third quarter, Orf got his time, and he ended up going into the fourth quarter just one point shy of the accomplishment. In the fourth quarter, Orf had a chance to do it at the free throw line after being fouled in the paint. As the crowd all stood on their feet to celebrate, Orf missed both shots, and headed back on defense with a huge smile on his face. Just a few possessions later, the Wildcats took control on a fast break. Casen Lawrence had the ball and threw a perfect pass right to Orf on

Brennan Orf drives the ball in transition. On this play, he would score his 1000th career point. Photo by: Pearson Georges

the left side with an open court directly in front of him. As he drove, he laid it in and was fouled on the way up. The crowd exploded. “Casen took it out of bounds and passed it up to me, and I had an open layup, one on one, and I got the layup,” commented Orf during a postgame interview, “It was everything that I dreamed of.” After seeing his first minutes late in his freshman year, Orf stole the spotlight as a sophomore. It wasn’t looking like he’d get a ton of minutes headed into the season, but after an injury took down senior Michael Thoenen, Orf was thrust onto the big stage. After spending a few games adjusting to the size and speed of the varsity game, he found his groove. He’d go on to average 11.5 points per game as a sophomore. It wasn’t until his junior year that you might start to call Brennan Orf a dominant player. After dropping 21 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists in the 2018 season opener, it was officially the Brennan Orf show. His 16.8 points per game average were good enough to give him first team All-Metro league honors for the second straight year. This year, Orf is the centerpiece of what has the potential to be the best team he’s played on in his four years. Although it probably hasn’t crossed his mind, with his 16.7 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game, Brennan is the pretty obvious frontrunner for a different Metro League award: Player of the Year. Back at Westminster, the most recent entries to the 1,000 point club at include Steve Webb, Cliff DeGroot, and SIU stud Aaron Cook. After hitting this milestone, Orf will surely go down with these legends and be considered one of the best basketball players Westminster has ever seen.

Brennan Orf received his own special graphic from 800 Sporting after crossing a milestone. Photo by: Pearson Georges

26 SPORTING

With plenty of season left to play, Orf is on pace to be the third player in the last twenty years to score 500 points in a season. It will truly be amazing for the fans, coaches, and teammates to watch Brennan Orf continue to leave his legacy at Westminster.

AFTER EARLY-SEASON SUCCESS, GIRLS BASKETBALL LOOKS FORWARD TO A TOUGHER TEST After big wins against Lutheran North and Parkway Central, the Wildcats now face a tougher test.

TOMMY BRINER Sports Editor

The girls basketball team carried a 10-4 record into perhaps their biggest regular season week of the year. On Tuesday, the Wildcats obliterated Carnahan by a score of 80-17. Brooke Highmark led all scorers with 21 points, but senior Macey Lottmann contributed 20 of her own, a career high. On Wednesday, the team defeated Parkway Central by a score of 68-60. The Colts focused on guarding the Wildcats’ two leading scorers, Brooke Highmark and Reilly Brophy. In turn, Westminster’s two seniors came alive. Macey Lottmann topped her career high from the day before with 23 points, and Carsyn Beachy contributed 19 of her own. A game like this shows just how balanced and versatile the Wildcats are; every one of them can shoot the three and they’re all capable of scoring big points on any given night. The Wildcats are now 12-4 as they head to Parkway North on Friday night to face the team that knocked them out of the

Julia Coleman runs in transition during a game against Duchesne in the first round of the Wildcat New Year Shootout. Photo by: Tommy Briner

playoffs last year. In the District Championship, the Wildcats fell to the Vikings by a score of 56-52. In that game, then-freshman Brooke Highmark scored a team high 14 points. This year, the Vikings have a record of 9-4, including a marquee 18-point victory over perennial power Incarnate Word Academy. However, the Vikings fell to Edwardsville by 28 points while the Wildcats lost by just eight. This game, like the Parkway Central one, is another test of the Wildcats’ progress. On the season, the Wildcats are playing the best basketball that the program has played in years. Sophomore standout Brooke Highmark is averaging almost 15 points per game. Her sidekick, Reilly Brophy, averages almost ten, and is shooting 45 percent from three-point range. Sixth man and freshman Julia Coleman has been an impressive addition to the team so far this year. Her size and speed is going to be a terrifying combination in the coming years. She averages more than six points per game off the bench. Seniors Macey Lottmann and Carsyn Beachy are averaging seven and five points, respectively. Their contributions defensively don’t go unnoticed, either.

Brooke Highmark drives for a contested layup during a game against Oakville in the Wildcat New Year Shootout. Photo by: Tommy Briner

More than halfway through their season, it’s clear that the Wildcats have the firepower to win their District. In their seven-team district, the Wildcats will be vying for the number one seed, but they’ll have to get through the likes of Rockwood Summit and Borgia if they want to capture that elusive District Championship that they haven’t won since 2012.

SPORTING 27

GIRLS’ SWIM & DIVE TEAM HEADED TOWARD ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON

The combination of experienced veterans and talented underclassman gives the Cats a leg-up on the competition

KOBY SCHMER Staff Writer

Thus far in the season, the girls’ swimming and diving team have picked up right where last year’s team left off. The dominant team is already picking up better times than last season and is looking to only get better as the season progresses. This team, like every year, is quite senior-heavy. The senior class is led by veterans Camryn McMurry, Grace Skiljan, and Lauren Zone. All three of these seniors made state runs last

Senior Hope Burkey swims the butterfly. Photo by Coach Snyder

pace to tie or even pass them. In the 200 freestyle, they are one second behind, and in the 400 freestyle, they are about four seconds behind. When looking at the young talent that this team has, two names stick out far more than anyone else: Sara Schloss and Samantha Lee. Schloss is a freshman diver who has been absolutely crushing it. At this point in the season, she is ranked sixteenth amongst divers in the area with six dives for a score of 170.80. Schloss is one of the reasons that the Westminster diving team has become one of the best there have been in program history, adding to the talented duo of Margo O’Meara and Kyleigh Peer. The other freshman is Samantha Lee, who will easily be a top-five distance racer in the future. At this point in the season, Lee has raced in the 500 freestyle, where she managed to get the ninth-best time in the area (5:16.57), and the 200 freestyle, where she holds the fourteenth-best time (2:01.27). On her club team, Lee races in the mile, but since that particular race is not held in high school athletics, she has been forced to step out of her comfort zone to compete in other events.

Margo O’Meara, junior, dives into to pool with exceptional form and ease. Photo by Coach Snyder

year, and they aim to go just as far, if not further, this season. This season, McMurry has specialized in the 50 free and the 100 free, where she holds the 15th best time (25.63) and the eighth-best time (55.22). Lauren Zone has a top time in the 50 free this season, right behind McMurry, with a 26.45 time. For Grace Skiljan, she continues to dominate in the 100 free this season, holding onto the 21st best time in the area (57.4). The relays this year have been one of the team’s most impressive features. The team is placed eighth in the area for the 200 freestyle relay (1:43.83), 13th for the 400 freestyle relay (3:51.46), and 10th in the 200 medley relay (1:57.16). When comparing these relay times to last year, they are just about on

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The diving sensation Margo O’Meara is off to a hot start, as usual. The junior Duke commit has already grabbed the number one spot in St. Louis for diving both 11 dives and six dives. For 11 dives, she has 606.55 points, and for six dives, she has 384.75. In her most recent endeavor, she claimed first place at the Invitational in Columbia, Missouri, beating the second place diver by over 200 points. O’Meara will surely make an appearance at state this season and look to win herself another state championship. As the season reaches the halfway point in the season, the team is only continuing to improve. As their relay times shorten and individual racers begin to make state cuts, they will be sure to have an amazing end to the season while making a huge run in the state tournament.

WRESTLING TEAM HOT; PRIMED FOR A RUN AT STATE IN MULTIPLE WEIGHT CLASSES

The wrestling team has shown its resiliency by winning the Metro League Tournament after losing one of their most promising wrestlers

JACK MARTIN Staff Writer

With the departure of state-qualifier Patrick Andrews, many did not know what to expect from the wrestling team this season. However, the program has seen significant improvement from last year. The program is now mainly in the hands of four key junior wrestlers: Brett St. John, Kirk Briden, Ben Van Zee, and Mark Stump. The big four are a combined 34-16 in matches this season and played a key role in taking home the victory in the Metro League Tournament. The team has also beaten Maplewood Richmond Heights, U City, Ritenour, and Lutheran St. Charles. Despite all of these great accomplishments, the team has more in their sights.

Kirk Briden moves into a grappling position to gain an advantage over his opponent. Photo by: Coach Snyder

prove ourselves by sending three or four guys to state, and I think we have the guys to do it,” said St. John. Indeed, the Wildcats do have a legitimate chance at sending three or four of their top wrestlers to the state meet. Last weekend, the team competed in the St. Charles West Invitational. Wrestling against 22 other schools, the Wildcats had two top five finishers. Brett St. John placed fourth in the 145 lbs class and Kirk Briden placed fifth in the 152 lbs class. These are both very impressive finishes for these two, and it’s given them an added boost of confidence in their abilities.

Other wrestlers of note include sophomore Nolan Jones, who’s “I’d like to get some of the guys to state, either this year or next wrestling in the 132 lbs class this year. His record sits at 8-5, and he was able to capture first place in his weight class at the year. It would be very beneficial for the program if we could Metro League Tournament a couple weeks back. On opposite ends of the weight class spectrum, freshman Wesley Rye (106) and Roger Jinkins (195) are gaining valuable experience as young, first-time varsity wrestlers. Their records are 4-9 and 6-10, respectively. Senior Caelleb Crutcher has also gotten some matches in the 195 lbs class. His record is 4-8. The Westminster men’s wrestling team got off to a fast start, and they’re hoping to carry their success into the playoffs, which begin in around a month. Some would call the team’s success this year surprising, but the guys know what they are capable of. Even though they lack an absolutely dominant wrestler, they’re still having an impressive season. Brett St. John holds up his arm after taking a victory in the Metro League Tournament. Photo by: Coach Snyder

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DISTANCE RUNNERS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? We take a look back on the Everett brother’s accomplishments in college and their lives today

CALEB MOELLLENHOFF Staff Writer Throughout the years, many great runners have graduated from Westminster and gone on to compete in cross country and track at the collegiate level. These student athletes were educated and equipped by Westminster to en-

Daniel and David (from left to right) stand on top of the podium at state in 2011 after placing first and second in the 1600. The cherry on top was that it happened to be their birthday. Photo By: MileSplit gage the world and change it for Jesus Christ. However, after they have left, we often never hear back on how their journey through college sports has been. It’s time for that to change. After walking around the halls of Westminster, it is not difficult to realize that the Everett twins--Daniel and David--are the most accomplished distance runners to ever come through Westminster. In their senior year

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(2010-2011), Daniel and David Everett conquered the competition around the state in cross country and track finishing first and third in cross country, first and second in the 1600m, and second and third in the 3200m. They also won state in the 4x800 relay along with Peter Duell and Danny Keith. In addition, Daniel and David Everett competed at various regional and national meets. For instance, they ran at the Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional in the fall and the Festival of Miles in the spring. Daniel, also ran at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional, Dream Mile, and New Balance Nationals.

cross-country, two in indoor and one in outdoor,” said Daniel, “Qualifying individually for a national meet was always something special given that only 16 people per event qualify indoors, and 24 make it outdoors. I ended up making it in the 5k outdoor my sophomore year and indoors when I was a fifth year senior at Iowa State.” Given the small number of runners throughout the country that qualify for nationals in indoor and outdoor, competing at national meets in Division 1 is a very impressive accomplishment that most runners don’t reach. Yet, Daniel beat the odds on multiple occasions and had the opportunity to compete against the best of the best. Sometimes, he even surprised himself by his own performances which is especially unlikely in a sport like distance running where expectations can be easily quantified through times in workouts and previous races.

“I mostly ran the mile my freshman year and ended up moving up in After their impressive senior seasons, distance my sophomore year to the 5k. both Daniel and David went on to run In my first 5k on the track I ended up at Division 1 schools. Going from high running 13:57 and setting the school reschool competition to college is a big cord. This was definitely one of the few step, but the Everett twins worked hard times my expectations were thrown out and were able to overcome the odds. the window and I was surprised at what I was capable of,” said Daniel. “My time running in college definitely exceeded any expectations I had comAchieving success individually defiing in. I was fortunate enough to run nitely speaks to the talent and work for a couple of great coaches and with ethic of a given runner. However, dissome really talented teammates in my tance running is not only an individual time at Columbia University and Iowa sport. A core aspect of the sport is the State University that challenged me and camaraderie among the team as runners helped me develop during my time in work hard for each other and for the college,” said Daniel Everett. good of the team. One of Daniel’s key highlights of his collegiate running caAfter his accomplished high school reer was experiencing this special kind career, Daniel Everett wasn’t finished of brotherhood. putting out fast times. In college, he continued out-racing his competitors as “My junior year, our cross country he improved more and more. team went on to win the Ivy League Cross-Country conference champion“I finished with a personal best time ship. The race was one of the coolest of 4:00.67 in the mile, 3:42.82 in the races I’ve run due to all the history of 1500m, and 13:44.90 in the 5k. I was the conference and school spirit. Comfortunate enough to run in six naing into the meet, Columbia had only tional championship meets: three in won the conference championship three

times previously. We had a really tight knit group of guys my junior year that had been working hard all year towards the goal of winning the conference title so to achieve that together was pretty special,” said Daniel.

high school. Even though I struggled competitively, the ability to have a set group of people to socialize with was great. A lot of my friends to this day were teammates in college,” said David.

Certainly, Daniel experienced a lot of success at the collegiate level. Whether it was going to nationals, setting school records, or winning team championships, he did it all. Yet, he wasn’t the only Everett brother competing in college. David Everett ran at another Division 1 school: Belmont University.

Apart from success, running brings people together and fosters relationships that will last a lifetime. So, no matter how accomplished a runner’s career is, there will always be an inseparable bond between teammates after all of the miles, tough workouts, and races that they have ran together

When asked about his collegiate running career, David said, “Overall, it was a challenge. I struggled to find a balance between school, athletics and essentially working a full-time job.”

After graduating college, both David and Daniel Everett now work for FloSports (a sports media company that covers underserved sports). For instance, FloSports owns more commonly known running-focused sites such as MileSplit and FloTrack.

Being a student-athlete at such a high level is certainly challenging for a variety of reasons, but it is especially difficult to manage so many things in so little time. Only so much can be accomplished in a day, and finding time to always get everything done as a student athlete

“I currently live in El Paso, Texas with my wife who is attending medical school here. Before that, we lived in Austin, Texas for 2.5 years,” said Daniel.

David Everett strides into the turn at the Skippey Keefer Relays in 2010. Photo By: MileSplit their lives. “I still run, but it’s all for fun now. I’ve enjoyed exploring some trails around El Paso and hopping in some more unconventional races. For the last two years I ran Hood to Coast, a 12 person, 200 mile relay race with a group of guys from Austin. It’s a pretty unique and fun (albeit miserable at times) experience,” said Daniel. “I do run most days. I try to run, at a minimum, 20 to 30 miles a week to maintain some level of fitness. I find myself happier when I exercise in the morning, so it works out well,” said David. Running isn’t a sport that stops once a student athlete graduates high school or college. Running can continue to be an outlet for fun, stress release, and fitness for life.

After receiving a diploma from Westminster Christian Academy, Daniel and David Everett have had remarkable journeys through colAfter competing in distance running for lege athletics and adult life. Their names will so long, evidently, the Everett brothers live on as the best in the history of Westminhave not lost their love of the sport. ster distance running. However, there still Even though their mileage and level of remain more runners that have left Westminseriousness is not what it was during ster to run in college. In Part 2, these runners’ high school or college, they still both stories will be told, and we will answer the enjoy running and keep it as a part of question once again: where are they now?

Daniel Everett races for Columbia University. Photo By: MileSplit can often seem impossible. However, even with these challenges David was still able to compete and attain athletic accomplishments. “I did have some flashes of success including being all-region in cross country, but it took a lot more work than

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BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM’S NUMBER-ONE SUPPORTER Brennan Orf’s grandmother has made a large impact on the team with her undying encouragement from day one

cheer me on because I realize maybe not everyone has someone like that in their life,” said Orf. Sophomore basketball player, Casen Lawrence is also appreciative of her support. “She always tells us we played good no matter what. I love seeing her clapping and high fiving people during our games,” said Lawrence.

MARTY BRINER Staff Writer

Lynda Beatty, grandmother of varsity basketball star Brennan Orf, is one of Westminster’s greatest sports fans. She unconditionally supports and encourages Brennan and all his

Brennan Orf and Lynda Beatty stand side by side and smile for a photo. Photo by: April Orf

Senior basketball player Bennie Anderson recalled Beatty encouraging him after a game before he knew who she was. “Brennan’s grandma is the sweetest lady ever,” said Anderson. “I am very grateful! And it does make my heart smile,” she said after hearing how grateful Orf and his teammates are. Brennan, Elizabath, and Logan Orf pose for a picture with their grandma, Lynda Beatty. Photo by: April Orf

teammates in both of his sports.

Tommy Briner, a grade school friend of Orf, recalls the support she’s given him throughout his life.

Since Orf first began playing sports, she has been on the sidelines yelling and cheering.

“She sends me texts and prayers all the time. At the end of last year, she wrote all of us (Orf and his friends) these awesome cards that we were supposed to open monthly. Every time I had a hard day or something went super wrong I would go home and open one of those letters. Not only were the messages great, but it was also just nice to know that you had someone who cared about you enough to do that,” Briner said.

“I try to encourage them after the games, send them notes, and pray for them,” said Beatty.

Grandma Lynda gives credit to everyone else who supports Westminster athletics without fail.

Her encouragement does not go unnoticed. Orf and all the boys are very grateful.

“A big thank you to all the parents in the stands, who come directly from work, to cheer the players on, all creating a beautiful puzzle of support, love, and encouragement,” said Beatty.

“It means a lot to me that she supports me so much, not just in sports, but anything I do. She will always send me encouraging things or prayers. It’s a blessing to have always had her to

Through her unwavering support, Beatty is such a blessing to the Wildcat basketball community.

“We have two choices, encourage one another and lift them up to their high calling, their God given gift or bring them down. I have chosen encouragement no matter what,” said Beatty.

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SPIRIT WEEK PREVIEW

The best week of the year is just around the corner.

TOMMY BRINER Sports Editor

It’s almost that time of year again. Spirit Week. The week builds community, but it’s centered on all-out competition between every grade. It’s the best school week of the year for many students. When it’s all over, you get feelings of exhaustion as well as nostalgia deep in the pit of your stomach. Each day at 2 PM, there will be an assembly of the entire The Class of 2020 makes noise during the assembly on class color day last school. There will be games, there will be performing, there year. Photo by: Emma Gore will be lots of noise, and there will most certainly be some controversy, too. 800 Sporting, of course, will be there to cover else can you scream and yell when your team pulls someone across a gym floor on a blanket faster than all the other teams? it all. When else are you going to have the opportunity to play “Floor is Lava” like you’re five years old again? Last year, it was Ultimate Chicken that generated all the talk. In the championship match between the juniors and seniors, some questionable calls tilted the game in the seniors’ favor. Although 800 Sporting’s article outlining the missed calls generated more disagreement, it was the fact that the entire school was talking about some high schoolers tossing a stuffed animal around a basketball court that made everything okay. It’s completely trivial, but we all treat it like a turf war. Where

After five days of dress up and assemblies, last-minute Film Project tweaks and dance practices, and Community Night, the week will conclude with Spirit Night. This evening is the Mother of All Westminster Sporting Events. The Blue Crew will be in full force as the girls and boys basketball teams compete before the entire school. Every student is invited to attend the Spirit Night game. The Arena’s Blue Crew section will fill up long before tip-off, and you’ll see the loudest, rowdiest group of blue-and-white-clad teenagers you’ve ever seen. After the game, the top two Lip Sync and Boys Poms performances will be invited to perform their routines one last time as the reality sets in that it’s all finally coming to an end. At the conclusion of the evening, the winner of Spirit Week will be announced before the crowd. And just like that, it’ll be over. The Seniors will never have another Spirit Week. That’s hard to imagine. Underclassmen, savor it. There are a maximum of thirty Spirit Week days in your Westminster career. Each one is unique in some way.

Former Westminster player Luke Linam is introduced before last year’s Spirit Night game. Photo by: Thomas Shultz

Go experience something different. Take part in the TP Wars. Come to the Spirit Night Game. Go help with Art Board in the evening. You’ll love it. It doesn’t matter who you’re with or if any of your friends are there. Because for one week, and even if only for just this one week at the end of January, your grade is one big community.

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GIRLS’ BASKETBALL FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM VISITATION CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT After just one year in the Visitation Christmas Tournament, girls’ basketball was forced to withdraw due to a controversial Westminster policy

MARTY BRINER Staff Writer

Every year, Visitation hosts 16 teams for a highly prestigious invitational girls’ basketball tournament over Christmas break. This year, the girls’ varsity basketball team was invited to the Visitation Christmas Tournament for the first time.

nament. As a result, they were invited back. Proud of their accomplishments and excited for years to come, the girls’ were very upset to hear that for the next two years, the second round of games fall on a Sunday. For most schools, this would not matter, but Westminster does not allow school related events to take place on Sunday.

Riley Brophy, sophomore, dribbles the ball against Nerinx. Photo By: Tommy Briner “The prestige and opportunity to play in this tournament and the respect it brings not only our program but also our academy is very significant. It allows us, as a very talented team, to play some of the best teams in the greater St. Louis Area and gain great experience to prepare us for our postseason goals,” said Kat Martin, girls’ basketball head coach. In the Wildcats’ first year in the tournament, they were seeded 7th and finished in 6th, which proved to the doubters that they belong in the tour-

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“As a school, Westminster decided many years ago that we would not schedule anything on Sundays. This is much more than just an athletics thing in the school,” said Cory Snyder, athletic director.

delight of a follower of Jesus… I don’t think the Sabbath commandment restricts all types of activity… Recreation can give a window into the joy we’ll have in the new heavens and new earth,” said Luke Davis, Westminster Bible teacher. The Sabbath was not created to restrain Christians, but instead Christians are commanded to keep the Sabbath holy for their own good. The right amount of rest is a good thing, and it will end up benefitting Christians in the end. There have been two exceptions to the observing the Sabbath policy in Westminster history: once for a state championship baseball game in 2013 and once for a musical. The state baseball game was scheduled for an earlier date, but due to a tornado and rain, the game postponed. The last day MSHSAA would allow the game to be played was on a Sunday. After being told they couldn’t play in the game, the team called for an emergency board meeting and received permission to play the game after attending church as a team. Similarly, the musical was scheduled for Friday, but due to a power outage, they could not perform. Under those circumstances, they were allowed to reschedule Friday’s performance for Sunday. These are the only exceptions ever made to this school wide policy. “Both of those decisions were made due to factors outside of our control and with limited to no alternatives,” said Snyder.

Coach Kat has made many efforts to make a case that this situation calls for a similar exception, but she is yet to be In order to better understand the dilem- successful. “Because the tournament is not interfering with Sunday mornma, it is important to understand what obeying the Sabbath means. This policy ing service, I believe a game after 12 PM would be appropriate in unique is rooted in the fourth commandment: and special circumstances. My hope “Remember the Sabbath day by keepis to come to a middle ground which ing it holy,” Exodus 20:8. respects both the Sabbath and the significant opportunity being presented to “Briefly put, the fourth commandment our program,” said Martin. about the Sabbath is intended for the

A possible compromise is the idea that Christians can observe the Sabbath on any day, not just Sunday. “I don’t think one has to say one day over another is the Sabbath. One can worship on Saturday, on a Friday night, or on Sunday...the early church was worshipping on Sunday as can be seen in Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-2, but Paul also admonishes the Colossians not to be strict about an exact day of the week. The main thing is that if you are a follower of Jesus, you should be intentional about a Sabbath somewhere in your weekly rhythm,” said Davis.

“Any institution has standards and/or policies that individuals may follow or not follow in their personal lives… It also does not mean that one is right and the other is wrong, it’s just the difference between the corporate and the individual,” said Snyder.

“As individuals, we might have our own practice. As a school, we are also called to show allegiance to Christ that is deliberately, distinctively, and delightfully different from the fast pace 24/7 culture around us. An athletic team represents a school, and if the school has a general policy (written or Davis also notes the difference between unspoken) in place, then the general an individual obeying the Sabbath and an principle is to submit to the policy if it institution obeying the Sabbath. “On the does not conflict with Scripture … This is not to say exceptions don’t arise,” issue of being willing to attend church before the games, I think that is admira- Davis added. ble, but I also think the athletic department is on to something here,” he said. “We are not forcing families to denote

Sunday as their Sabbath but we are providing them an opportunity to have a day in which they know that Westminster will not schedule anything,” said Snyder. For students, academics and athletics are their jobs. “As students engage in their academic and athletic activities connected to school, one can argue that is their ‘labor’, their dominating portion of work for the week, and God wants us to take time to rest from labor for our benefit and enjoyment,” said Davis. Although the fourth commandment is not explicit in its interpretation, as a Christian school, it is important to stand apart from the culture. Davis admires Brigham Young University for keeping Sunday as a Sabbath day by refraining from athletic and academic activities. “They are willing to stand out from the surrounding culture and be distinct, to pursue what they believe God has called them to do because faithfulness matters more than blending in.” “We understand that sometimes living out our faith and convictions as a school requires sacrifices that the general culture might not understand, we also want to protect ourselves from being strictly legalistic. There are certainly times and situations that require us to think about our policies… there are other times when we hold the line against cultural pressures and make sacrifices,” said Snyder. Davis challenges the community with a key question. “The question we need to ask, not just athletically but if one is a follower of Jesus, is this: Do I try to schedule God around the events of my life, or is He the King of the unfolding story of my days? Am I inviting Jesus to speed through life with me, or can I notice Him sitting quietly nearby so I might join Him?”

Carsyn Beachy, senior, handles the ball against Edwardsville. Photo By: Tommy Briner

While there is controversy on what it looks like to obey the Sabbath, Westminster leadership believes that students should not partake in any school activities on Sunday. While it is unfortunate that this policy excludes the girls basketball team from the Visitation Christmas Tournament, as a Christian school, the athletic department believes they must stand firm in their values.

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WINTER SPORTS IN ONE PAGE AIDAN PENBERTHY Staff Writer

Boys’ Basketball The boys’ basketball team is 12-3 after big games against Priory and Confluence. The team plays Lutheran South at home on Friday. The team was ranked fifth in the most recent list posted by STLhighschoolsports. com.

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Girls’ Basketball

Swimming

Wrestling

The girls’ basketball team is on a torrid pace, eyeing the top seed come district play. This week, they defeated a tough Parkway Central team for the second time this season as well as a blowout victory earlier in the week.

After a near perfect season, the swim team competed against Rosati Kain and Incarnate Word in one of their final meets before the Conference meet next week. Although the season will be coming to an end for a majority of the team, a group of four has qualified to race at the state meet. The relay team consists of Camryn McMurray, Lauren Zone, Samantha Lee, and Grace Skiljan.

A top four consisting of Brett St. John, Kirk Briden, Ben Van Zee, and Mark Stump has lead the team on the mats this season, with a combined record of 34-16. After hanging with tough competition at the St. Charles West Invitational, the team has its eyes set on the state tournament.