The Wildcat Roar » News

Poli Sci Team Makes Ninth in the Nation

jakegrimes — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:38:22 +0000

The political science team of Westminster Christian Academy received ninth place in the nation. This is a very prestigious accomplishment since in the eleven consecutive years Westminster has made it to nationals this is only the third team to make top ten.
“Top ten is a huge deal. It is a goal of every team at nationals to make top ten. There is really no other competition like this, and it is great to finally prove to the Westminster community what hard work we do,” said Molly Anderson, senior.
“A lot of people think we just goof off since we don’t seem to put their classes first on our priorities. The thing is, when you have an opportunity to wow some of the greatest political thinkers when you’re in D.C., it’s really worth so much more than a couple of homework or test grades,” said Sarah Johnson, senior.
The group of seniors in this class left on April twenty-third. They competed on the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth. Sunday night was the night when they would find out if they would compete on the following day. Excitement was running high at the mall party that was held Sunday night. Students from the fifty states, District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands were dancing and letting loose after a grueling two days of competition. However this good comradery ended at nine o’clock when the top ten finalists were announced. The dance floor became silent, and the announcer started proclaiming the names of schools that would be competing the following day where the students would then field eleven-minute sections of follow-up questions about their assigned subject. New Jersey, Virginia, and California were called. In no time only one spot remained. The Westminster students hung their heads in defeat thinking that they had not accomplished the possible.
“I honestly didn’t think we were going to get top ten at that point,” said Ken Boesch, political science coach.
“When they announced our name I could see everyone from my peripheral vision jump up at once. It was awesome,” said Nick Arnold, senior.
“This was the best possible way to find out that we made top ten. It made it so much sweeter,” said Matt Schwartz, senior.
They quickly rushed out of the mall and raced to their hotel a mile away shouting and laughing the whole time. They fervently studied throughout the night, and the following morning competed at the senate office building in the room where every federal judge goes to be questioned by the senate. From nine until one in the afternoon the students competed and did “excellently” as Boesch stated to the watching parents. That evening the banquet was held where the Westminster students found out what place they received.
“I was just thrilled to be in the top ten, and once we were in the top ten our only goal was not to be the tenth,” said Alex Lindstrom, senior.
Along with the hard work that was done there was still time for play. The Westminster students visited the commodore’s house, saw the changing of the guards at Arlington Cemetery, and had the privilege of meeting with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Dead Body Demo

jakegrimes — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:32:40 +0000

A row of white sheet-covered students lined up in a row on Wednesday during middle and upper school lunch to illustrate the amount of people that die each year in Missouri due to tobacco and cigarettes.
The SWAT team’s, Students Working Against Tobacco, goal is to educate their peers and make a difference regarding tobacco in schools and the community.
“I wanted to be a part of this demonstration because I remembered it from last year and realized how many people died each day,” said Ellie Straub, freshman SWAT member.
SWAT team members were encouraged to bring a friend outside of SWAT to be a part of the demonstration.
“I came with a SWAT person, because I wanted to make a statement about smoking,” said Katherine Hickman, junior.
Sherry Blough, SWAT advisor, initiated the idea of the dead body demonstration.
“I think it has a definite message. It’s a reminder that smoking and breathing second-hand smoke can cause death and disease,” said Blough.
This demonstration kicked off three days of tobacco awareness. Beginning on Wednesday, the SWAT team put numbers and statistics relating to tobacco at strategic locations on the floor around the school.
Everyone in the school was encouraged to guess what each statistic meant and give their answer in the Guidance Department. Megan Galvin, 7th grader, guessed correctly on Wednesday and received a $10 dollar Bread Co. gift card. The winners for Thursday and Friday will be announced at the end of the each day along with a Biblical message from a SWAT team member.

My Fair Musical

jakegrimes — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:13:46 +0000

Faint strains of “Wouldn’t It be Loverly” and quaint cockney accents can be heard filtering down the halls of Westminster in the afternoons. Lingering musical notes may intrigue a few wandering students and cause them to peer into the windows of the Little Theatre after school and witness a host of students transforming an ordinary theatre into the rainy streets of London from the musical My Fair Lady.
A committee of teachers, parents, and students choose the musical each year. Once the musical is chosen the audition process can begin.
“It’s the hardest part of the musical,” said Allen Schwamb, musical director.
Three significant contenders auditioned for the male and female lead and showed their shining talent on the stage.
“It was the longest deciding process I’ve ever seen,” said Forrest Hughes who plays the part of Alfred Doolittle.
The intense audition process takes place over a week with a set of callbacks.
“It was pretty brutal. I’m a junior, and I was up against seniors for the role. It was kind of really intense,” said Maggie Johnson, who plays Eliza Doolittle.
According to Hughes, the cast works well together during practices.
“I think there is a good vibe. There isn’t anyone new, so everyone has been together before,” said Hughes.
Veteran actors and their past experience performing together greatly benefit rehearsal time.
“They seem to work really well together. We have a good cast and chorus,” said Schwamb.
Practices are held at Westminster, although the final performances are at DeSsmet High School’s theatre. The change of location can be difficult to adjust to, but Schwamb is confident that it will not be a problem.
“I can map out the stage pretty well here [WCA]. There’s always some readjustment,” said Schwamb.
Westminster’s spring musical, My Fair Lady, debuts Thursday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. as well as Friday and Saturday at DeSmet Jesuit High School Theatre.

Giddy Up: Turnabout

amandawiele — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:47 +0000

Westminster was overrun with cowboys and cowgirls last Friday during the Spring Event. Girls asked guys to accompany them to Turnabout which consisted of square and line dancing, crazy costumes, and great decorations. A professional caller was hired to teach students the finer points of square dancing.
“Everything pretty much went as planned, it was really fun.” Said Emily Horak, freshman.
Although much of the night was spent with a specific date there was plenty of opportunity to meet new people. Mrs. Pike even danced with many of the visitors.
“I met so many people, I had a great time.” Said Elise Hearne, freshman

WCA Choir’s Continuing Crescendo

amandawiele — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:09:53 +0000

On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, WCA’s concert and chamber choirs traveled to Parkway North High School to compete in the MSHSSA State Choir Festival. The choirs performed pieces that were debuted in their concert last Thursday evening at Missouri Baptist University. The competition encompasses schools from across the St. Louis area, including public and private institutions. The event’s nature is analogous to a more traditional, concert style American Idol. There are three judges with varying personalities who determine marks for the choir basses upon a predetermined grading rubric—including musical elements, such as dictions, balance and blend, and intonation. Each group of singers is given a number score from five, being classified as poor, to one, which is considered superior. The competition is broken up into two parts, performance and sight singing, which tests the raw talent and skill of the group’s ability to read music without the assistance of the director or the piano.
In the past, Westminster’s groups have done exceeding well.
“Overall I think we did extraordinarily well. And even though it wasn’t as good as last year, we still did great!” said Rachel Bates, junior.
The 2009-2010 concert and chamber choirs received scores of two plus this year. That mark is respectable, but proves to be a disappointment to the group – factoring in all the hard work the ensemble of 55 students put in.
“The altos dominated the sight singing in my opinion…I honestly thought we deserved a 1 based off of our part,” said, Katie Haverstick, senior.
Christian Dohr, senior chamber choir accompanist, said, “It was fun because I got to sit there and watch all the other choirs perform, including our choir. There were tones of schools there, and while I may be biased, WCA stood out because they were just up there having fun! It was cool because they sang pieces sharing the message of God’s word – they were literally praising him with joy in front of a bunch of other schools and that made it awesome. The judges were harsh; they sounded beautiful. I am so proud of them.”
Following the same train of thought, Mr. Allen Schwamb, WCA Choir Director, said, “I think we all were a little disappointed not to get a 1 – a superior rating, but 2 is very good. In fact, it’s ‘excellent.’ I heard from another teacher that the judges were very tough this year, which means that everyone probably felt it in some way; and for us, it was getting a 2 rather than a 1. But this number assignment does not negate the work we’ve done all season. These choirs make some really beautiful music, and have come a long way from where they started. I am very happy with their work, and with the sound that they make.”
Excitement is fuming out of WCA concert and chamber choir as they await their departure to Chicago this week for tour. They will be sharing their talent and hard work in concerts across the city.

Spotlight on Poverty

amandawiele — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:16:23 +0000

When thinking of worthy causes to get involved in, many tend to look towards third world countries. Seeing the innocent faces of impoverished children plays on emotions. Although helping others in such countries is wonderful. Americans have become blind to the broken lives struggling in their own country.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau report in 2008, 40 million people live in poverty, which is over 13% of Americans.
Child poverty costs our nation around 500 billion dollars. Children who grow up in impoverished homes often times become adults who cannot contribute economically to society. However, the hurting people are the focus rather than the potential they have. Everyone can rise above their situation if they are given the opportunity. According to Spotlight on Poverty, an organization fighting to eliminate poverty, reducing poverty is not only a moral imperative; it is vital to our nation’s well-being.
According UNICEF, the existence of children engulfed in poverty within wealthy countries diminishes both equality and opportunity display commonality of values. Therefore, it addresses the industrialize world with an assessment of both its ideals and capacity to mend many of its most difficult social issues.
Spotlight on Poverty is a foundation-led, non-partisan initiative aimed at ensuring that political leaders take significant actions to help rejuvenate The United States. With the cushy life style that a number of Americans have the privilege to enjoy, they do not realize the poverty in their own nation. It focuses also on opening the eyes of Americans to take action and change the nation.
Therefore, Americans are beginning to tap into the issue and take the initiative to help their own people. However, it boils down to the fact that they remain in their comfortable life styles and situations on a day-to-day basis. When everything is seemingly going well the urge to help others simply doesn’t show. It is not always easy to step out of one’s comfort zone. Regardless, nothing in this nation would have ever got done if people were afraid and compromise their happiness.
It becomes difficult to decipher how to help from a Biblical perspective. On one hand, Christians are commanded to give to the less fortunate, yet the Bible states that there will always be people who live in poverty. Nevertheless, Americans can help the situation of the struggling. Wiping out poverty completely is simply not realistic, but making the effort to improve the lives is the ideal goal.
“When I went to Mexico I saw how much people needed our help, regardless if we can completely solve the issue it is what we are called to do” said Lauren DeRousse, junior.
One way Americans are taking a stand is through the global movement called End Poverty 2015. This group of people demand that their government honor their commitments to achieve the MDG’s by 2015. The MDG, Millennium Development Goals, was signed at the 2,000 UN Millennium Summit.
The MDG proved its sense of urgency, in its mission statement, which is, “to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty, to which more than a billion of them are currently subjected.”
Locally in St. Louis, people are volunteering their time and money to mend broken lives. Someone Cares Mission, a subsidiary of Christian Service Center, Inc., supplies fresh and nutritious brown-bag lunches, personal hygiene products, and blankets for homeless and impoverished individuals and families five days a week.

A Second Chance

amandawiele — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:58:25 +0000

AIDS alone has orphaned 15 million children. Around the world there are about 200 million children living on the streets. Approximately 250, 000 children die every week from diseases and malnutrition. There are 20 million children that are refugees or internally displaced in their homeland.
Organizations are formed all over the world with the intent of preventing and destroying these problems. Fundraising, mission trips, and donations are all ways of helping children over seas, as well as in the United States.
Yes, money does help. It buys food, it buys medicine, and it can even buy education—however, this is not enough. Children need food, water, and shelter to survive, but they also need someone to show them love, kindness and compassion. An estimated 133 million children ranging from newborns to age 17 have lost one or both parents. These children need someone who they know cares about them in order to feel worth something and in order to prosper and make something of themselves in this life. They need a chance.
This is exactly what SOS Children’s Villages International is trying to give children all over the world.
Ann Bailey, a sponsor living in Cambridge, sponsored a 5-year-old child named Anni in 1965. Since 1969 she has visited Anni every year with the exception of one year. Anni is no longer a sponsored child. She is married to a lawyer and lives with their four children. Anne Bailey is still very much a part of her life. She has attended the children’s First Communions, school events, and continues to send Christmas presents every year.
Ann Bailey did not fully adopt a child, she was simply a dedicated sponsor who completely immerged herself into one child’s life that is now changed forever because of her. Anne Bailey did not stop there. After sponsoring Anni, she began to sponsor Souad who is not 32, married, and living in Paris.
She now sponsors Martin who is from Peru.
“His Christmas card for me arrived last week! Because I have stayed in SOS Children’s Village I know how it works. I know my sponsorship helps do the very best for all the children,” wrote Bailey of her experiences.
SOS Children’s Village International mission statement says, “We build families for children in need. We help them shape their own future. We share in the development of their communities.” SOS Children’s Villages International is a non-governmental social development organization.
There are more than 2,000 SOS Children’s Villages International facilities and programs that are active in 132 countries and territories around the world, partaking in activities that focus on orphans and children of families in difficult situations.
The SOS Children’s Villages provide youth facilities that allow children to experience “reliable relationships” and love. This attempts to help the children recover from whatever tragedy they might have experienced.
The SOS Children’s Villages International website states, “The basis and aim of our work is to respect, promote, and stand up for children’s rights…and make the public aware of the problems children face and to call for measures that will promote the well-being of children across the world.”

Orphans, Graduations, and Boy Bands

amandawiele — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:23:23 +0000

Nightmares, UFO, and orphans were some of the themes for this year’s Spirit Week. Every class came with a new spin, in sync dance moves, and non-stop energy. The seventh grade rocked the crowd with their Camp Rock theme and the seniors closed the show with their Decades mix. The junior class also stood out as one of the remarkable performances with their rendition of Annie. The costumes from this year’s lip sync ranged from ball ears to rags and dirty faces to barretts and spring-colored tee shirts. The junior and senior classes stood out among the competition and were victorious. The senior class kept their first place reigning title and the juniors performed their way to a sweet second place. The juniors are remembered for their can’t-get-it-out-of-your-head song, “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” Their timing, plethora of props, and cute frowns helped them to give a noteworthy performance. The seniors stood out once again with their Decades mix ranging from the 50s to the present. The mix included classic songs such as “Dancing in the Streets” from the 60s, N’ Sync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye” from the 90s, and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.” All the lip sync performances this year gave us many aahhh and oooh moments and completed the Spirit Week experience.

Take Charge of Credit Card Experience

jakegrimes — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:37:34 +0000

The sales clerk mutters, “Cash or credit?” expecting the usual answer followed by the quick swipe of plastic and a clueless teen hustling out the door. Shopping with a credit card has become increasingly popular and preferred by department and chain stores because of the efficiency they provide with each transaction.
According to a survey conducted by the Jumpstart Coalition, which promotes financial literacy, one out of three high school seniors use credit cards and half of those have cards in their own names. A common concern expressed by WCA faculty and staff is that once a teenager has a credit card in his possession, he forgets the true, real-life implications of credit card usage – the bill coming at the end of the month.
“I think it is better to have kids actually have to hand over cash when making a purchase so that they can see that real money changes hands when they buy something, but lots of teenagers can and do make excellent choices,” said Dr. Scott Holley, academic dean.
Teenagers today already have the plastic in their hands; parents trust their children to be discerning with the credit card and take it upon themselves to learn valuable life lessons through the responsibility of having and freedom and convenience of using a credit card. A benefit for teenagers using a credit card in their own name or as an added joint cardholder on their parent’s account is that it establishes a quality credit history so the teen can, when the time comes, qualify for all types of loans from cars to mortgages, as well as qualify for favorable interest rates on these loans. In addition, a quality credit history can help them in the future to rent an apartment, obtain lower auto and homeowner’s insurance premiums, and even receive a job offer – employers are increasingly reviewing credit scores when evaluating a job application.
“I have access to a credit card under my parent’s name. I only use it for gas, but my parents really trust me with it,” said Nathan Benefield, WCA senior.
While there are multiple benefits to learning the ropes of using a credit card in high school under parental guidance, teenagers are still young and can be reckless. It is the parents’ role to determine if the teen is responsible. There are various ways to monitor the teen’s spending; parents could give their teen a credit card with a low credit limit or simply review the bill each month with their teen to evaluate the purchases. Monitoring spending allows parents to capture teachable moments while their kids are still under their watchful eyes. Many parents take this opportunity to discuss not only the multitude of charges, but also the choices made, the implication of those choices, and the obvious and hidden costs of credit with the teen. These discussions between parent and teen teach the student that the convenience of credit comes with accountability. Ultimately, the goal of allowing a teen access to a credit card should be the development of their financial maturity; parents should be educating their teens along the way so they can shop with plastic and exercise the self-control needed to avoid going overboard with elaborate and unnecessary purchases, which is an important skill for adulthood.
“I formally had a prepaid credit card that I maxed out. My mom will take away my cash money because she believes I spend too much money; she thinks I buy too many shoes,” said Ashley Lokey, WCA junior.
Trusting a teen with a credit card can also enable him to learn early in life the ways of credit card companies that increase their profits with little concern for the impact on their consumers. Before heading off to college where they will receive countless special credit card offers, they need to understand the financial impact of the promotional hooks such as free interest periods, rebates, and award points that attempt to increase their purchases beyond what they can afford. They need to be aware of high interest rates, late payment fees, annual fees, and hidden over-the-limit charges tied to the “credit” aspect of the plastic in their wallets.
In reality, credit card irresponsibility comes with hefty consequence. Poor management of a teen’s credit card usage that results in big credit card debt can negatively affect their credit history and future access to the benefits associated with a favorable score. Parents who bail their kids out when they get in over their head with credit are not doing the young person a favor in the end. It is more beneficial to be involved enough with the teen’s credit to be able to prevent potential problems rather than sending the teen the message that if they spend irresponsibly, they can come to mommy and daddy for help and not suffer the consequences.
Many parents reiterate the fact that the best way to stay out of credit troubles is to treat the card in your wallet as a “convenience card”, not a “credit card” by paying the entire bill at the end of every month. This discipline helps teach the key lesson of living within your means.
The bottom line is this: credit cards provide consumers including teens with convenient access to their money, but they are not an extension of their revenue. The goal is for teenagers to learn to use credit cards as a tool, not a crutch.

Improv Takes A Bow

adviser — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:33:12 +0000

So far, Improv has put on 3 shows throughout this year. They plan to take the stage one last time until second semester as their season comes to a close.

Their fourth and final performance will be held today, in the Little Theatre. The show will begin at 7:30. Tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at the door. The money collected will go to funds for Invisible Children.

Shows will not start back up again until second semester in February. Today is the last opportunity to watch Improv perform for the rest of the year.

Maria Gjordini, junior, has never been to an Improv performance and is interested to see how it plays out.

“I’ve never been to Improv before so I’m excited to go and see what it is like,” said Gjordini.

For this performance, the Improv team has had two weeks to prepare due to a play that took up some of the practicing time. Because of the extra practices, they have had additional time to practice the games that would be played and get a good idea of how and what they will do.

Thomas Porter, senior, is on Improv and explains that the opening to Improv shows are one of the most popular traditions, and this time, it will have a different twist to it.

“Our openings have been very theatrical, they have had a lot to do with singing and acting. The openings this time will be different as opposed to previous years,” said Porter.