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Kirkwood
The Kirkwood High School 801 W. Essex Sept. 17, 2008 Issue 2 Vol. 91
Drumline competition
p.3
Call
The
problem
growing water
bottle
Before After
As plastic water bottles become
They are readily available and
are a convenient container for a
quick caffeine fix. They cost $1.25
in the vending machines. They are
hurting the environment.
On a regular basis students
purchase water and soda from the
vending machines that line the
hallways. But when it comes to
recycling, students are not always
willing to find a place to recycle
their bottles.
According to Linda Dubis, biology
teacher and the sponsor of the
recycling oriented LEAF club, students
vary when it comes to recycling.
“Most students don’t think about
what they throw away,” Dubis said.
“There are a group of students that
are really good about [recycling]
and there are other students that
really don’t care about it.”
In the United States, only 31
percent of the plastic bottles used
are recycled. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), this is a sign of growth from
previous years.
The City of St. Louis no longer
buys plastic water bottles for their
employees. According to Tim Embree,
assistant to the St. Louis city
Mayor Francis Slay, not buying
plastic water bottles saves money.
“Not using plastic water bottles
saves around $25,000 tax dollars
per year,” Embree said.
Along with saving money, the
use of St. Louis tap water has rewards
as it will encourage a wider
use of tap water around the area,
Embree said.
“Last year the U.S. council of
mayors voted that St. Louis water
was the best tasting water,” Embree
said. “It is also extremely
good for you.”
Discouraging the use of plastic
bottles, is a more certain way to
help lower waste.
“[St. Louis] does have a recycling
program, but not a lot of people
recycle,” Embree said.
Plastic is harmful to the environment
because it is not biodegradable.
This means that plastic
cannot decay through the action of
a living organism.
According to the U.S. Commission
on Ocean Policy, plastic
materials that accumulate in the
ocean are slowly breaking down
into smaller particles. One twoliter
soda bottle could break down
into enough particles to leave one
per every mile of coast. These particles
can release toxic chemicals
which are ingested by animals and
humans.
According to Betty Montano,
Kirkwood city clerk, Kirkwood
City Council is not discussing a
ban on plastic water bottles at the
current time.
However, there are groups of
citizens and business owners attempting
to get Kirkwood resi-
Do you recycle?
72% 28%
KHS Players preview
p.10
dents into thinking more green. An
example is the availability of burlap
sacks as opposed to plastic bags,
Montano said.
“City Council is supportive of
getting information out to our citizens
for different things they can
do [to help the environment],”
Montano said.
If Kirkwood residents want
to help they can bring their recyclables
to the Kirkwood Recycling
Depository located on South Taylor.
According to Montano, the
recycling center is open to anyone
that wants to use it.
If a student wants to get involved
at KHS they can join LEAF.
They help not only by recycling,
but making the school a cleaner
place, Dubis said.
“More students should get
involved with LEAF because we
could always use more help,”
Dubis said. “But students can also
just pay attention to what they
throw away.”
YES NO
(186/257) (71/257)
Transfer students may face eligibility issues
The recruiting process, which controls one’s opportunity
to take their game to college, is among the more complex obstacles
any high school athlete will encounter. According to
the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), there are
about 1 million high school football players and 500,000 high
school basketball players across the country. Of those numbers,
only 150 make it to the NFL and about 50 make the NBA.
Due to the vast amount of high school athletes today, restrictions
have been set up to prevent athletes from transferring to
different high schools in hopes of improving these odds.
There have been an unusually high number of transfer
students to KHS this year, according to Brad Sutter, assistant
athletics director, and of those, some are ineligible to
more widely used, their affect on
the environment becomes evident
play a varsity sport. Under the Missouri State High School
Activities Association (MSHAA), a student transferring from
one high school to another can
be ineligible to play a sport at the
varsity level if he or she has not
met certain requirements.
“The rule was set up to protect
high schools from recruiting
athletes,” Jim Velten, athletics
director, said. “It wouldn’t be
fair if a school like CBC was able
to transfer all of our star soccer
players over to their team.”
MSHAA eligibility standards
“ ”
It wouldn’t be fair if a
school like CBC was
able to transfer all of our
star soccer players over
to their team.
state that any student will be ineligible if they are influenced
by a person or persons to attend a school, or transfer, based
Jim Velten
head athletics director
-INSIDE THIS ISSUE-
* Top five free places
to go in St Louis
- page 10
* See changes made
in the KHS athletic
facilities
- page 16
* Yes/no on concealing
firearms at school
- page 5
* In-depth look at
drop-outs
- page 12, 13
Mike Swoboda
1938 - 2008
After a short stay at St.
Anthony’s Medical Center,
Former Kirkwood Mayor
Mike Swoboda passed
Sept. 6.
Swoboda served four
terms as Mayor of Kirkwood,
beginning when he
was first elected in 2000.
On April 17 he returned
to City Hall for his last
city council meeting as
mayor, after the City Hall
shootings Feb. 7. Swoboda
recovered after receiving
two gunshot wounds
in those shootings.
In his time as mayor,
his supporters believed
Swoboda truly made the
City of Kirkwood a better
place. Flags have
been lowered to half mast
across Kirkwood to honor
him. Swoboda will be
greatly missed.
The Kirkwood Call extends
our thoughts and
prayers to the Swoboda
family.
information attributed to
stltoday.com
solely on athletic purposes. This works both ways for public
and private schools. Even if an athlete does not transfer
for athletic purposes, they still could be ineligible
to play based on their current residence,
Velten said.
In winter 2008, Vashon High School head
basketball coach Floyd Irons was accused
of recruiting players for his basketball team.
Irons admitted he paid to house, clothe and
feed Bobby and Johnny Hill, two brothers
from Illinois. As a result, the brothers (now
graduated) could have been banned from
playing college basketball. Documents
See ‘transfer students’ p.14

2 Kirkwood
KHS drumline competes with a bang
For as long as they have played their instruments, KHS drumline
members have preformed in front of people they did not
know. When the drumline students played at the Mozingo
Marching Band Percussion Competition Sept. 6 at Francis
Howell High School, the opinions of the unknown listeners
meant a lot more.
Having competed in the competition last year, drumline section
leader Brian Walton, senior, who has played the snare drums for
seven years, was eager for the competition.
“We had a great time last year when we competed,” Walton said.
“We’ve practiced a lot so I [was] excited to see how we compared
this year.”
Although the Kirkwood drumline did not place in the Mozingo
competition, Kirkwood’s overall score increased from last year.
The three winners of this year’s competition were Fort Zumwalt
South in first place, Hazelwood West in second and Granite City
in third.
Not only KHS drumline members attend the competition, Meg
Florent, junior and flute player in the KHS Marching Band, attended
the competition last year to support the drumline.
“It was really interesting to watch our drumline perform and
then compare them to drumlines from other schools,” Florent said.
“I am not a drum fanatic or anything, but [our drumline] sounded
really good.”
The reason the drumline sounded so good, according to Walton
and Jason Rekittke, instrumental music director, was because of the
amount of time the drumline students spent practicing.
“Our drumline had summer camp, where we practiced the competition
music,” Walton said. “We also have practices after school
until 5:30 p.m. and then we are supposed to practice individually
as well.”
Rekittke decided to enter the drumline students into competition
because he believes the competition helps his students increase
their abilities.
“A lot of our kids have never been to competition,” Rekittke said.
“So at last year’s competition, we wanted to expose them to what
else is out there and what other schools are doing.”
Rekittke was anxious for the Mozingo Competition this year but
was not worried about placing.
“For me it [was] not important if [the students] won or placed,”
Rekittke said. “I just want them to continue to get better and have a
good experience.”
14
21
28
News
Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sunday
Gino Austwick, sophomore, on the cymbals and Taylor Smith and Ely Thayer, juniors, play the snare drums, Aug. 12. “About a
week after school let out, they began practicing for [the Mozingo] competition,” Jason Rekittki, instrumental music director, said.
3-on-3 basketball tournament
The roar of the crowd. The squeaking
of shoes on the court. The feeling of
accomplishment of scoring, for this is
not only the game point, but a slam dunk for
a good cause.
The Beck Foundation, an organization
striving for equal opportunities for everyone,
is running a 3-on-3 basketball tournament
at Concordia Lutheran Church-Kirkwood,
Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. The tournament is
geared at raising money for families with
special needs in the Kirkwood community.
Carl Lumley, coordinator, is in charge of
Kirkwood High School Events for September
22
29
12th Grade Parent
Coffee 7 p.m.
College Speaker Night
7pm
23
30
NHS Blood Drive
24
Kirkwood Call
Distributed
25
11th Grade Parent
Coffee 7pm
9th Grade Parent
Coffee 7pm
Varisty Football Game
vs. Lafayette
@ Kirkwood
26
the event.
“We were looking for ways to raise funds
and raise public awareness,” Lumley said.
The basketball tournament will consist of
up to four players, 15-years-old or older, per
team. The teams will be bracketed according
to age. This means the older players will not
play the younger players until later rounds.
The cost is $25 per player with all proceeds
going to The Beck Foundation. The
deadline for entries is Sept. 20.
For more information about the tournament
contact Carl Lumley at (314)725-8788,
or to find out more about the Beck Foundation
go to the Beck Foundation’s website at
www.beckfoundation.org.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
15
16
17
18
19 Half Day 20
Varisty Football Game
vs. Mehlville
@ Mehlville
01 02 03 04
27

News 3
Kirkwood Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Attention sophomores and freshmen:
It is not too early to start planning for college and looking for the right scholarship. The A+ Program
is geared at helping students with a 2.5 G.P.A. or above finance their education after leaving KHS.
Do you want free money for college? How
about a free college education for two years?
Kirkwood High School now has a program
that students can enroll in that can help the
student get what they need.
College comes with a price tag that some can
afford while others struggle to pay. Sometimes the
scholarships offered by the schools are not enough
to help those who find it difficult
to scrounge up enough
money to pay $50,000 a year
for school.
Help is on the way for those
looking for financial aid and it
is the A+ Program.
The way this new program
works is the student must be
currently attending a participating
A+ school. KHS submitted
its A+ application last
year and it was accepted.
In order to be part of the A+ program a student
must attend the school for three years starting from
when the school becomes an A+ school.
“The sophomore and freshman classes will be
the first classes eligible,” Miller said.
“It sounds like a really cool program,” Lucy Schneider,
sophomore, said. “Now-a-days it’s not as easy
to get money for college from the actual college and
people are constantly looking for other scholarships
that are offered.”
The A+ Program is a Missouri program created
to give financial aid to students. Originally, the program
was only for students going to a two-year college
providing money for tuition and other fees. Now
some four-year schools are involved in the program.
“There is currently legislation to expand this to
four years of support,” Ramona Miller, activities director,
said.
The program was originally started in 1993 at the
state level and since then some school districts in
St. Louis have become a part of the program, like
Mehlville and Pattonville.
Kirkwood sent in its application based on the
class of 2007, and the students in that class who went
to two year colleges after high school.
“I wish we would have become an A+ school more
recently because I would
have applied for it,” Paige
Rosenberg, senior, said.
“ ”
“Now the seniors and juniors
don’t have the same
opportunity.”
Some of the four year
colleges that are participating
in the A+ program
now include Central Missouri
State and South East
Missouri State.
The scholarship is
open for anyone to apply. The only restriction is that
not all four year colleges participate in the program.
Students who are interested in finding out more
about the A+ Program can contact Miller in the Activities
Office. She will also be presenting the program
at each of the parent coffees and handing out
a brochure containing all of the information about
the program.
“They should definitely become part of the program
because you never know what’s going to happen
that senior year,” Miller said. “You may pick a
four-year school that has a program or you may decide
to go to a two-year school so you really want to
go ahead and participate and sign up.”
Now-a-days it’s not
as easy to get money for
college from the actual
college
Lucy Schneider,
sophomore
What will you be paying for college?
$
University of Missouri- Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
In-state Tuition:
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Out-of-State Tuition:
$20,550
$30,313
The cost of the highest attended colleges for
the class of 2008
Truman State University
In-state Tuition:
Saint Louis University
$17,775
$46,141
Information courtesy of www.collegeboard.com
Prices include tuition, room and board, books and supplies, estimated personal expenses and transportation
Campaigns Adjust Their
Pace to Meet Short
Season
September 9, 2008
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4 Kirkwood
Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
-CALL EDITORIAL-
Plastic: The miracle product that is poisoning the Earth
As science progresses, it is becoming known that plastic, an extremley common product, is an environmental hazard. It is the opinion of the
Kirkwood Call staff, which voted 24-11, that plastic products should begin to be replaced with more environmentally friendly, products.
There is nothing more satisfying than twisting
open the cap on a chilled bottle of water, confident
that you are consuming something pure, clean and
much healthier for your body rather than the frightening
water found in the tap. Or not.
Despite the lovely pictures of crystal-clear springs
on the label, both the water and your conscience are
not as clean as you think they are.
Last year, Aquafina and Dasani, two of America’s
most popular brands of bottled water, were forced to
disclose that their water comes from local sources.
The city of St. Louis actually sells tap water to
a nearby Aquafina facility
in north St. Louis, a facility
which then turns around to
sell individual bottles for ridiculous
prices. According to
the Sierra Club, an organization
that seeks to promote
environmental awareness,
most Americans pay $.002
per gallon for tap water.
Bottled water can cost more
than $10 per gallon. That’s more than double the
price of a gallon of gas., and no one seems to be
upset about that.
To add insult to injury, the higher price does
not guarantee cleaner water. Bottled water is regulated
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
which has much weaker regulations than the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) does for tap
water. Tests have found traces of arsenic, microbes,
toxins and other pollutants in various brands of
bottled water. The federal government requires
frequent monitoring of municipal drinking water, a
requirement where the FDA slacks off. In fact, the
FDA regulates only 30 to 40% of bottled water sold.
The thought of all bottled water being 100% percent
“ est crayon in the tool box.
-VERBATIM-
-Ebony Jenkins, junior
who clearly has no place
to judge the intelligence of
another person.
“
“Hello, the Kirkwood School
District is closed today because
it’s just freakin’ awesome outside.
Have a good day.
-Randy Kriewall, math teacher
imitating a phone call demonstrating
the ideal use of unused
snow days after winter.
“
“Are there any confirmed
sightings of Zac Merriwether
in the building?
-Tim Harig, history teacher
taking attendance during class.
“
“Why can’t them Yankees talk
straight like us. They say “Missouri”
but it’s really “Mizzur-uh.”
-Steve Platte, history teacher
in a southern accent, pretending
to be a colonist.
pure is a marketing myth.
As shocking as that idea might be, something
commonly known and still ignored is the fact that
the plastic bottles containing the water are a menace
to the environment. The majority of small plastic
bottles are made from a material called polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) which generates more than
100 times more toxic emissions than an equivalent
amount of glass.
The amount of energy needed to produce the
bottle is equivalent to filling that same bottle one
quarter full of oil. The production of plastic bottles in
the United States requires
about 17.6 million barrels
of oil a year. With gas pric-
“ ”
The city of St. Louis
actually sells tap water
to a nearby Aquafina
facility.
es steadily on the rise, the
goal should be to conserve
oil, not waste it on useless,
environmentally-unfriendly
plastic bottles.
According to the Sierra
Club, 28 billion bottles of
water were sold in 2005, primarily
in PET containers. About 86 percent of empty
plastic water bottles in the United States land in the
garbage instead of the recycling bin. Plastic does not
decompose. Every piece of plastic ever made still exists
on this earth.
In a world where one can find restaurants with
menus dedicated entirely to elite, imported bottled
water, it seems like a lost cause to call for a ban. In
some instances, bottled water provides a safe source
of hydration in areas where tap water may be unsafe,
and water is always a better choice than other lesshealthy
beverages. A total ban is overkill, but discouraging
the world’s unshakable reliance on bottled
water is necessary. Water is a public resource and a
human necessity, not a commercial venture.
“You know, he’s not the smart-
At KHS...
One World, One Dream.
The problem with the 2008 Beijing
Olympic motto is that the People’s
Republic of China does not share the
dream. Lopez Lomong’s, a U.S.A. track
and field athlete, dream was fulfilled
when he entered the Bird’s Nest carrying
the U.S. flag. However, the Chinese
dream of power and greed have led to
torture and death.
The Chinese government contributed
to the genocide in Sudan, which started
in 2003, by supplying the Sudanese government with weapons,
which left nearly 200,000 dead and 2.5 million displaced.
Last year, the Chinese executed an estimated 6,000 people,
according to the “Dui Hua Foundation,” which based the estimates
on reports from Chinese officials.
However, the United States did not take a stand in the
past Games. They stood by allowing the death and torture to
continue because they wanted to avoid the controversy.
I was proud to see Lomong carry the flag for the United
States. That was a statement. Lomong, a refugee of the war
stricken land of Sudan, represented the struggle his brothers
and sisters faced. Other members of Team Darfur, a
group that travels trying to raise awareness of the ethnic
cleansing that happened in Darfur, Sudan, joined Lomong
at the Olympics. Former Olympian Joey Cheek was actually
Recently, St. Louis City Hall and some local restaurants vowed to stop selling
bottled water in support of a program called Take Back the Tap. According
to a 2007 nation-wide competition, St. Louis is home to the best tap water
in the country, and the city sought to take advantage of that by educating the
area in the ways they can support tap water.
Imagine what could happen
if only a few more businesses
made the switch. And
they should.
Thousands of dollars could
be saved by eliminating the
cost of manufacturing, shipping
and refrigerating the
bottles. Individuals could stay
healthier and simultaneously
protect the environment. Asking
a local restaurant to join
in the fight is easy and helps
reduce the carbon footprint of
the community.
Worrying about taste or
purity of tap water is easily
solved by the purchase of a
filter, which removes contaminants
at a fraction of the
cost of buying bottled water.
Refillable containers made of
stainless steel or glass eliminate
the need for those flimsy,
clear bottles.
If only a few more local
businesses, restaurants and
individuals would shift from
bottled to tap, plastic could be
kept out of landfills and dangerous
chemicals kept out of
our bodies. And nothing would
be more satisfying than that.
LEAF Club is responsible for the recycling of
plastic bottles and aluminum cans. When you re-
cycle, you can help LEAF and the planet by...
-Taking off plastic bottle caps
-Emptying the liquid content
-Not putting trash, food or non-recyclables in the bins
-Recycling in the white plastic bins
-FROM THE SEAT OF PETE-
Opinions
Americans deserve to know the truth
banned from entering the country because the Chinese government
would not allow him to enter and spread his message
of torture and death in Darfur.
Besides these two strong-willed individuals, no other athletes
took a stand against the hatred and injustice endorsed
by the Chinese government. LeBron James refused to take
a side when asked by reporters. He refused to sign a letter
written by Cleveland Cavalier teammate, Ira Newble, which
criticized the Chinese government. “King” James showed
his youth and was not mature enough to face controversy.
He was probably scared he may offend the NBA’s largest
market or was he scared Nike may choose to sponsor someone
else with their $90 million contract.
James and his fellow Olympians spent two weeks in Beijing
and refused to stand up for what they know is right
even as Chinese civilians were being arrested and sent
away to labor camps for peaceful protests. They must have
forgotten what our fore fathers fought for a couple hundred
years ago: liberty.
It is estimated the Chinese spent $40 billion on the Olympic
Games. Too bad they couldn’t distribute that wealth to
some of their citizens starving instead of sugar coating two
weeks of events and hiding their ill-treatment.
I was ecstatic to see our athletes continue to bring home
medal after medal. They had accomplished their dreams. But
what about the athletes that were not as lucky as Lomong to
escape the war and hatred in Sudan. What was their dream?

Opinions
Should the school police officer conceal his firearm?
Yes: Lend a hand, don’t show a gun No: Intimidation prevents problems
We don’t come to school to be intimidated.
Why then, must we see the harsh glint of an exposed firearm hanging off an officer’s
belt in our place of learning?
The Kirkwood Police Department requires officers to carry
a firearm while “in police capacity,” Chad Walton, new school
resource officer, said. And as recent history has shown, the escalation
of school-related violence has made this policy, unfortunately,
necessary. So, we can take comfort in knowing that an
armed officer is available as a final line of defense in case of any
dire situations. The firearm is an essential form of protection, but
some things are better left unseen.
Officer Walton said that possessing a firearm does bring with
it slight shyness, and even tension, among student passersby.
This is not the kind of environment where any sort of tension
should be present.
Some may say the firearm needs to be kept out in the open to
discourage thoughts of violence, but it doesn’t necessarily translate
into stopping people considering that extreme of an option. Intimidation
by authority figures, who should be there to comfort and
care for these troubled students, will not prevent, only provoke further
action. The goal is not to provide reason to retaliate, but more
so an outlet in which to channel these worrisome feelings.
Former Kirkwood school resource officer and current head of
district security, Officer Mike Bales, said that in his time at KHS,
he made it his main goal to establish positive relationships with all
students. Officer Walton hopes to achieve the same thing, but the
presence of an exposed and threatening firearm turns a helpful officer,
like Bales or Walton, into a menacing figure. This is not the
way it should go.
There are options to keep the firearm out-of-sight and out-ofmind,
and we should take advantage of them. Kirkwood School
District policy allows for its resource officer to wear “soft-clothes.”
The choice of soft-clothes would entail a business like attire, completed with slacks or dress
pants, in which a fully equipped utility belt would not be necessary. In other words the firearm
could be concealed. This is a more reasonable option which would help to promote the
welcoming of communication between officers and the student body.
Students don’t want to feel a heavy sense of unease every time they walk by the cafeteria
hallway and see their school officer. So please, keep the firearm concealed, we no longer
want to be intimidated.
The St. Louis music scene is slowly dying,
and although that is a pessimistic way to look
at it, sometimes the truth is morbid.
There are several
reasons for the
slow decline of St.
Louis music, but it
is not because there
is a shortage of local
bands. In fact, it’s
quite the opposite.
St. Louis has plenty
of musical acts, but
only a select few
are worth the price
of admission. I cannot
count how many times I’ve walked into a
smaller concert venue, anticipating the local
band to walk on the stage and blow me away.
Unfortunately, that has happened maybe
twice in my life. One of the bands moved to
Atlanta to continue to be a local band there,
and the other band is now doing Weezer cover
sets. Every other time, my hopes have been
shattered when a band walks on stage with
tight pants and whiny, love-struck lyrics with
their parents standing at the bar recording the
performance with their handy cam.
The horrible bands also have nowhere to
share their misery because most of them are
15 or 16 years old and cannot get into 18 and
over venues, which is pretty much all that
is left after the tragic closing of the original
Creepy Crawl.
I could complain about the closing being
an injustice, but I guess it makes sense. The
old Creepy Crawl was closed because it did
not pass health inspection. This makes sense
if one was to remember the bathrooms. Not
only was the bathroom coed, but there were
-SWEET AND SAUER-
Rest in peace, music scene
no stalls, just two toilets next to each other,
both were covered in stickers and probably
10 diseases.
If you were brave or stupid enough to sit on
the seat, you would probably catch a disease
on contact. So while this was a sad day for me
and for the local scene, nothing compared to
the day the new Creepy Crawl opened. Although
it was cleaner and bigger, fans still
somehow missed the old cramped, diseaseridden
Creepy Crawl. Not only that, they had
new management and staff.
Rumors flew that the new management
was not paying bands, as well as their staff.
This didn’t fly with anyone, and the bands just
stopped playing. This left them and the music
scene with few options.
Two new venues opened, The Blue Bird and
Two Cents Plain. The Blue Bird is almost always
18 and over, so that pretty much restricts
the younger bands from playing there. Two
Cents Plain has also adopted the same policy,
and on top of that, they have so few shows.
This leaves basically one option, and
that’s Off Broadway. While this quaint venue
sometimes hosts wonderful shows (mewithoutYou
and Maps and Atlases), most of the
time the only people that play there are my
mom’s age (sorry mom) and the audience
isn’t much different.
At last year’s Skaliday (Ska music plus
Holiday equals Skaliday), the audience was
unfortunately like a group of Barry Manilow
fans (or Fanilows).
For the moment, there is nothing I can do
to save the music scene, except take my business
elsewhere (or some would argue, the
middle of nowhere), like Belleville, IL, which
has an abundance of musical venues and
bands that put ours to shame.
This should be a wake up call, St. Louisians.
If Belleville, IL, has a better music scene than
us, it’s time for a change.
Kirkwood Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Harmful crime in schools is a constant threat for schools around the world. Here at KHS, a police officer is required to wear a
firearm when on duty. However, the officer has a choice of whether or not to conceal his firearm. Should he?
5
Imagine more than half of your grade level gone.
It’s hard to imagine half of the people who you have gone to school with since you
were 7-years-old to be gone. Unfortunately, a similar number has
been calculated by the National School Safety and Security Services:
262. This is the cumulative number of lives lost in a school
associated violent death in the past eight years.
In the age where students around the country and world are
getting control of guns and causing chaos, it’s understandable that
school security be tightened to counter the horrors.
The Kirkwood Police Department policies require that Officer
Chad Walton, the new KHS Kirkwood Police Department school
resource officer, carry a firearm when in uniform. However, the
policies of the Kirkwood School District give the school resource
officer the option of wearing his firearm in full uniform, or in “soft
clothes,” which consists of business attire that conceals the firearm
the officer carries.
Officer Walton is trained to respond to any security threat, from
an intruder or a student with the potential to threaten the safety of
others. In some unfortunate situations, Officer Walton may have to
use his firearm.
However, there is another way his firearm could be used to
prevent a situation: intimidation.
An officer in uniform, with several devices, such as mace, that
can be used to respond to a situation, can be an intimidating sight.
If an individual were intending to cause serious harm to others at
KHS, and saw such devices, they could very well be discouraged to
do so, or react differently in a way that was easier to stop.
If Officer Walton worked in his “soft clothes,” threatening
individuals may not think there is an immediate threat on their
own person.
This hypothetical person would still be able to be stopped just
the same if Officer Walton was in uniform. However, if they are not
intimidated by Officer Walton’s firearm or other devices, they would only be stopped once
they have acted.
Having been a police officer for nine years, Officer Walton is trained to make sure his
firearm is not taken from him and how to use it responsibly. The sight of a new face in a
uniform with a firearm may spur an uneasy feeling, but Officer Walton is here to protect
everyone at KHS.
Plus, that uneasy feeling may be keeping 262 from rising even more.
-POINT OF VIEW-
The recent ban of plastic water bottles for employees of St. Louis City inside City Hall has spurred
thoughts throughout surrounding communities about how far this ban will go. Does Kirkwood
really need to take this step when it already has one of the best recycling programs in the area?

6 Kirkwood
Opinions
Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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1415
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-A MacDONALD’S BERGER-
Not only a necessary evil
Jordan Berger
Asst. Business Manager
Abby MacDonald
Business Manager
“Money isn’t everything” is a common expression used in
our society. However, in the newspaper world, money is the
backbone to producing a colorful and
creative paper. Most of The Call staff
dreads the monthly ad selling almost
as much as the beginning of the new
school year.
“It’s a necessary evil,” Mitch Eden,
The Call adviser, said jokingly. However,
to the business staff it’s not a
laughing matter. We are passionate
about our job because we know it is
an important part of making a paper
thrive and succeed.
Most of the students do not understand the work of the
business staff, believing we are only a group of kids attending
class only for the brownie points on our college application.
But our job is more than that. It’s comprised of details
that keep us busy for a good part of the school year.
During each newspaper cycle
(the three-week period it takes
How to help us to put out each edition of the
paper), our minds are purely focused
on making the deadline
-Feel free to contact us... and assigning ads to their corresponding
page. We are capable
-Call us at 213-6100 ex. 1415 of doing several jobs at once so
we easily maintain good relations
with the rest of the staff,
- Write us at 801 W. Essex as well as make sure our job is
done to the best of our abilities.
David Danaher................Editor-in-Chief
Pete Krusing....................Copy Editor
Spencher Michelson
Carra Hansen..................Managing Editor
Pat McHugh....................Design Editor
Ryan Schuessler..............Opinions Editor
Aubrey Beltran................Opinions Writer
Devan Coggan
Sam Sauer.......................Entertainment Editor
Anna Burkart...................Features Editor
Corinne Eschenroeder.....In Depth/Web Editor
Alex Berry.......................Ent./Feat./In Depth Writer
Emilee Graham
Maggie Hallam
Lauren Hummel
Deja Turner
Keenan Priestley..............News Editor
Amber Taylor...................News Writer
-EDITORIAL CARTOON-
The Kirkwood Call 2008-2009 Staff
Our dedication keeps our paper strong. What you
may not realize is that without the money and effort the
business staff contributes, The Call would not be able to
send the paper to the printer.
“Without you, we wouldn’t have a paper,” Alex Berry,
senior, said.
We provide the money needed
to create, print and distribute the
paper. On a day-to-day basis, our
jobs are filled with phone calls,
faxes and battles with the page designers
for ad spots in the upcoming
paper. We exercise patience
throughout the frustration. Patience
is key to being a fine business
staffer.
Though our work is stressful,
we do truly enjoy what we do. Our main goal is to have
fun and keep the stress level low. We are lucky if there is
even a minute that we can sit down and enjoy a conversation
with other staffers.
Sitting around and doing nothing is definitely not
part of the business staffer job description. However,
we do always find time to build good relationships with
the other students on staff.
The purpose for this column was to raise awareness.
As a business staff, it is our duty to keep the paper going
strong, which in turn, makes readers happy. So when you
receive the next issue of the The Call, check out the bottom
of the pages or the ads page, where the ads are located,
and look at them. It may contain a useful coupon.
And hey, while you’re at it, stop by the Journalism
room and buy an ad! Or at the least, help keep the paper
free by becoming a friend of The Call and donate.
Rachel Visnovske...........News Writer
Bess Wilhelms
Travis Ribley..................Sports Editor
Katie Just.......................Sports Writer
Sean McWay
Mike Killeen..................Art Editor
Michael Burch...............Artist
Jayvn Solomon
Katie Linsley..................Photography Editor
Haydon Dillon..............Senior Photographer
Bobby Watson
Alaina Hinkle................Photographer
Lydia Mitchener
Carly Wooldridge
Abby MacDonald..........Business Manager
Jordan Berger.................Asst. Business Manager
Wes Farris......................Business Staffer
Holly Burns

Entertainment 7
Kirkwood Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Old to them, new to you Upcoming Concerts
Scholarshop
8221 Clayton Road
6.9 miles from Kirkwood
One of the more familiar thrift stores to many St. Louisains,
the Clayton Scholarshop is located directly across
from the Galleria Mall. While this thrift store carries clothes
for children and adults, clothing for a high school student is
sometimes hard to find in the racks of mink coats and onesies.
But all experienced thrifters know that half the fun of
buying used clothes is the search for the perfect find. So
with a little digging one can discover designer duds at a
small price.
Rag-O-Rama
Delmar Blvd.
10.4 miles from Kirkwood
Located in the trendy Delmar Loop, Rag-O-Rama stands
out with it’s vibrant storefront showcasing the eclectic selection
of clothing. With stores in Ohio, Georgia and Indiana,
the St. Louis location has become a hot spot for bargain shoppers
and fashionistas alike. A T-shirt runs about $6 and there
are clothing racks from wall to wall. Along with its selection,
Rag-O-Rama will buy clothes that no longer fit, or clothes you
no longer want. But you might find yourself spending the
money you received on your old clothes on some of Rag-O
-Rama’s selection.
Back on the Rack
2535 South Brentwood
4.8 miles from Kirkwood
Awarded “Best Used Clothing Store” by Riverfront Times
in 2007, Back on the Rack’s win was well deserved. The display
window filled with clothes your grandma would wear might
throw many shoppers off, but don’t let it fool you. The store
has bundles of clothes for high school students as well. Unlike
most thrift stores, a lot of searching does not need to be done
because one is bound to find something eye catching from just
one glance around. After one visit, you’ll be as hooked as the
rest of St. Louis.
Quick picks for local thrifts
New Way Thrift Store It’s New To Me Sutter Thrift Shop St. Francis Thrift
702 Lemay Ferry Road 5614 South Grand 3200 Cherokee Street 800 E. Main Street
St. Louis, MO 63125 St. Louis, MO 63111 St. Louis, MO 63118 Belleville, IL 62220
13.8 miles from Kirkwood 16.5 miles from Kirkwood 13.1 miles from Kirkwood 35 miles from Kirkwood
Unique Thrift Store Cornett’s Closet Women’s Closet Jennie’s Junque
9715 St. Charles Rock Road 8943 Manchester Road 11557 Gravois Road 123 E. 1st Street
St. Charles, MO 63114 Brentwood, MO 63144 Sappington, MO 63126 O’Fallon, IL 62269
12.1 miles from Kirkwood 4.4 miles from Kirkwood 4.2 miles from Kirkwood 32 miles from Kirkwood
Alice’s Vintage Fantastic Finds Plato’s Closet Ultimate Trends
6178 Delmar Boulevard 12778 Olive Street 1253 South Kirkwood Road 136 E. St. Louis Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63112 St. Louis, MO 63103 Kirkwood, MO 63122 East Alton, IL 62024
10.9 miles from Kirkwood 13.6 miles from Kirkwood 1.2 miles from Kirkwood 41 miles from Kirkwood
Past ‘n Perfect Resale Literally Like New Wear It Again Sam Shelter Shop
1107 North Grand Boulevard 12939 Olive Street 9460 Lackland Road 19 Bellevue Park
St. Louis, MO 63106 St. Louis, MO 63141 Overland, MO 63114 Belleville, IL 62269
13.3 miles from Kirkwood 11.8 miles from Kirkwood 10.9 miles from Kirkwood 35 miles from Kirkwood
Stuff ‘N More Salvation Army Carita’s Thrift Shop Nice Twice Resale
7327 South Broadway 3949 Forest Park Ave 7500 Natural Bridge Road 116 E. Main Street
St. Louis, MO 63111 St. Louis, MO 63108 St. Louis, MO 63121 Belleville, IL 62269
15.5 miles from Kirkwood 11.8 miles from Kirkwood 14 miles from Kirkwood 35 miles from Kirkwood
The Pageant
September 23 - Hanson with The Veronicas and Everybody
Else
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $25 in advance, $27 at the door
September 25 - Stars with BellX1
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $15
October 16 - Ben Folds with Missy Higgins
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $30
October 24 - Of Montreal with Sikane
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $17 in advance, $20 at the door
October 28 - Sara Bareilees with Marc Broussard and Raining
Jane
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $25
November 3 - Kings of Leon with We Are Scientists and The
Whigs
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Price: $36
November 16 - Rise Against with Alkaline Trio, Thrice and
Gaslight Anthem
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Price: $27.50 in advance, $30 at the door
November 17 - All Time Low with Mayday Parade. The
Maine and Every Avenue
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Price: $15
September 30 - ZZ Top
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $38 - $500
The Fox
October 13 - Death Cab for Cutie with Fleet Foxes
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $33 - $38
November 23 - Jason Mraz with Lisa Hannigan
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Price: $35 - $40
Pop’s
September 19 - New Found Glory with A Day To Remember,
Four Year Strong, International Superheroes and Crime
in Stereo
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $15 in advance, $18 at the door
October 5 - Norma Jean with Haste The Day, The Showdown
and My Children My Bride and Children
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $15 in advance, $17 at the door
October 12 - Bayside with The Matches and Status
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Price: $12.50 in advance, $14 at the door
October 17 - Metro Station with Scwayze, Tyga and Cash
Cass
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Price: $16 in advance, $19 at the door
October 30 - The Academy Is... with We The Kings, Carolina
Liar and Hey Monday
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $18 in advance, $20 at the door
November 2 - Underoath with Saosin, The Devil Wears
Prada and PersonL
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $18 in advance, $20 at the door
December 2 - Gwar with Kingdom of Sorrow
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $18 in advance, $22 at the door
Verizion Ampitheatre
September 27 - Maroon 5 with Counting Crows
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Price: $36 - $144

10 Kirkwood
Features
Call
Wednesday, Septemver 17, 2008
‘08-’09 year brings changes to KH Players
With the new school year underway and
the first set of auditions done, Kelly Schnider,
KHS director of the drama department,
sees her year of ‘specialized’ shows as a
good choice. With a show for girls and a
show for guys on her agenda, she is sure
it will open up more opportunities for the
students. This is Schnider’s third year at
KHS and she is really excited about the
new changes made for KH Players’ upcoming
season.
After a two-day audition for The Women,
Schnider is sure her cast is full of new, exciting
actresses.
“The exciting thing is, there was so much
talent in round one that it’s going be interesting
to see how things develop,” Schnider said.
Other shows for the season include the
freshman-sophomore play, Three One Acts
by Jonathan Rand, Twelve Angry Men, and
the spring musical, Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers. This is the second year the musical
will be in the spring instead of the winter.
The musical will be in the spring from
now on because it takes various types of
preparation and is a better time to do the
show, Schnider said.
“The students are very enthusiastic,”
Schnider said. “This year though, some of
the students who do every show will be
forced to take a break.”
Some Students are worried about not
having the ability to participate in every
show. With the first show being an all women
cast, guys have to wait to start closer
to the winter months. Also, freshman and
Margaret Gender and Katie Thorpe, juniors, rehearse for the first play of the season, The Women.
sophomore guys won’t be able to participate
in a senior play. A student like senior Nick
Johnson who wants to continue his acting
outside of high school, only gets a few more
chances in theater at the high school level.
“Well I was not very excited about it at
first,” Johnson said, “I like to have something
to do year round.” Johnson likes to
keep himself involved in shows.
“However, though my preference is being
on stage, it has actually turned out to be
a great experience because now I’ve joined
the crew for The Women, and I’m learning all
about working behind the scenes which is
something I have never done in high school.”
Although Schnider is excited about the
regular season shows at KHS, the senior
project is the one she is really looking forward
to for the seniors.
“The show is called Loving Lives and it’s
a 1940s radio show,” Schnider said. “It’s entirely
student directed.”
Liz Andrews, senior, and the director of the
show, has been meeting with Schnider during
her I.P. to learn the ins and outs of directing.
“It’s definitely a tremendous on taking,”
Andrews said. “Everyone will be working
on the crew even the actors.”
Even with Schnider and Greg Booth advising
the direction and technical aspects,
as a whole, the task will be great for the
seniors. Andrews may be the director, but
everyone will definitely be taking charge at
one time in the process.
Rock the
VOTE
Voting is a right that gives everday citizens
a voice. If you are 18 or older, you may
seize your opportunity to contribute your
opinion to the 2008 presidential election and
help decide the future of the United States.
Here are a few things to know to help get
you registered to vote:
Requirements
- Must be 17 and a half years old to register
- Must be 18 by voting day, Nov. 4
Ways to register
- Pick up a registration card at any of the locations
listed below and mail it in. The address
is already printed on the card. All that
has to be done is fill out the needed information
and mail it.
- Register with an official registrar. You will
have to take an oath with the registrar and
have them sign your registration card.
- Go online www.rockthevote.org and select
“Register to vote.”
Places to get registered
- See Pamela Hufford in the registrar office
located in the guidence hallway
- The Post Office
- Kirkwood Public Library
Places to go when money is tight
With the overall high cost of living, save some cash and try out The Call’s 5 recommended free
places to spend the day with friends, while avoiding the temptation to break open the piggy bank
2
3
5
4
1
Grant’s Farm: 10501 Gravois Road
1. Clydesdales, anyone? Why not relive memories from childhood with a trip to Grant’s Farm
in South County. While this attraction is free of charge, visitors have to pay a small fee for
parking. However, visitors can avoid this by choosing to ride their bike on Grant’s Trail. After
riding the shuttle through the animal-filled park, visitors can enjoy a variety of shows. The
entertainment consists of elephants, birds and various small animals doing everything from
flapping their ears to roller skating. Feed the baby goats while coming up close and personal
with some of the world’s most beautiful wildlife. Grant’s Farm is sure to be the perfect place
to save money while interacting with some pretty spectacular animals as well.
St. Louis Science Center: 5050 Oakland Avenue
2. Exercise your body and your brain at the St. Louis Science Center this fall with friends and
family. The Science Center has scientific games, exhibits and shows every day that demonstrate
the diversity and importance of science in our world. The CenterStage Program runs
daily, giving visitors a variety of shows with cool scientific experiments and demonstrations.
Build an arch with your friends, test your strength in the health exhibit, or play the optical
illusion games while having a fun filled day as well.
St. Louis Zoo: 1 Government Drive
3. Come welcome the new baby kangaroo, tiger cubs and giraffe while taking a walk at the
St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park. The St. Louis Zoo is ranked 10th in the United States for its
leadership in zoo education and research, as well as its free admission price. Check out the
chilly penguin exhibit, ride the zooline train or watch the sea lion show. The zoo is an excellent
place to hang out with friends while enjoying the finest animals the world has to offer.
From the most common animals, such as tigers or bears, to the more rare animals, such as
okapi’s and mongooses, the St. Louis Zoo has plenty of opportunities to learn about animals
from every inch of the globe.
Laumeier Sculpture Park: 12580 Rott Road
4. This picture-perfect park is a great place for a fun filled picnic with friends. Enjoy the modern
contemporary art ranging from a modern giant eyeball to more impressionistic sculptures
made with steel, wood or bricks. Also, enjoy a free movie night under the stars at the
park when they screen John Water’s version of Hairspray on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
St. Louis Art Museum: 1 Fine Arts Drive
5. Learn about world culture while looking through art and exhibits at the St. Louis Art
Museum. The Art Museum is a great place to view classic paintings from Europe, Asia,
Germany and America. The Art Museum is also home to a variety of sculptures ranging
from contemporary to the 18th century, as well as a collection of decorative arts and design,
such as furniture, ceramics and architecture. Located on Art Hill, this museum is a perfect
place to learn about art as well as the have the opportunity to take art classes, see exhibits
and watch film from all over the world.

Ads
151 W. Jefferson
314-965-4411
11
Kirkwood Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
150 W. Argonne 965-PUFF

12 Kirkwood
In-Depth
Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The road less traveled:
The Julie Brown way:
dropping out gracefully
Julie Brown had a plan. Before Brown filed the paperwork to drop out of Kirkwood High
School, she researched, planned and presented a 16-page packet to her parents.
The packet detailed her future plans and the benefits of her choice to leave high
school before receiving her diploma. It worked. The paperwork was completed
and 17-year-old Brown is officially a high school drop out before her senior year.
But what Brown has done could hardly be considered dropping out.
“I prefer to call it unenrollment,” Brown said of her decision to leave
KHS for personal reasons. Some students say high school isn’t for
them, but Brown is different: She chose to do something about it.
While she prepares to take the General Educational Development
(GED) test, Brown works part-time at Global Foods.
According to the American Council on Education, GED
tests measure high school level skills and knowledge,
which Brown has plenty of. She has already been accepted
by St. John’s, a liberal arts college in Santa
Fe, NM, and is preparing to apply to other
schools such as Oregon State University.
“I’ll be starting college in January for the
winter term and then I’ll attend through
the summer term to be a sophomore
by the 2009 year,” Brown said.
This would place her ahead
of most of her classmates who
will only be college freshmen,
not sophomores, by 2009.
Brown talked to Emily Berty,
college counselor, for advice
before she made her decision.
“I talked to Ms. Berty to get a perspectiveonhowtogoaboutit,”Brown
said. “But all I really had to do was
get a form signed. People who didn’t
know about my plan tried to talk me
out of it, convince me not to do it.”
Brown wasn’t convinced and
stuck with her decision full force.
“I don’t regret it at all; I’m really
quite glad. I see it as moving ahead;
I’m not suffering from my choice.”
Brown warns other students
who are considering this option
to take a step back and understand
what they are getting into.
“Really think about it, consider
your circumstance,” Brown said.
“Make sure you have a plan and
a logical, viable reason to do it.” Julie Brown pushes grocery carts at her part-time job, Aug. 30. Brown works as a bagger and in the produce section of Global Foods while she waits to take her GED test.
Kirkwood
Dropout
Total Dropouts:
24 students
Rates 2007 Black Dropouts:
12 students
Hispanic Dropouts:
0 students
White Dropouts:
12 students

In-Depth
Dropping out ofhigh
High school counselors weigh in,
suggest considering the options
Not all high school drop outs are the same.
The classic burnout image Judd Nelson
portrays in The Breakfast Club, can
be completely wrong. According to Tom
Gaither-Ganim, KHS guidance counselor
at Kirkwood High School, there are a number
of different reasons why people drop out.
“Usually [students drop out] because they feel overwhelmed
by the school experience, whether that is academic
or just social or a combination,”
Gaither-Ganim said.
Surprisingly enough, Gaither-Ganim
agrees that if dropping
out can help someone stay
safe mentally or physically,
it could be to their benefit.
“You don’t have to be
in school to learn about
life,” Gaither-Ganim said.
But what is life like after
unenrolling? All of a sudden the usual, orderly,
scheduled life changes. Some choose to take the test
to get their General Education Development (GED)
test so they can get a job or even go to college.
According to Emily Berty, college counselor,
the process of obtaining a GED is fairly easy.
Meremec College offers a study class for students
to prepare for the GED exam, which is
overseen by the American Council of Education.
Most colleges accept high school drop outs
Missouri
Dropout
Rates 2007
“ ”
You don’t have to be
in school to learn
about life
“I’d ask why. It could be personal, it
could be the student doesn’t fit in the
traditional school, it could stem from
the environment at home. I would involve
a counselor in the discussion. I
would offer alternative solutions such
as the ATLAS program, a collaborative
school, a modified schedule, last
I would suggest a GED. Dropping out
should be the last choice.”
Christine Lindquist,
sophomore principal
who have taken the steps of receiving their
GED, but without a high school diploma getting
into some schools can be very difficult.
“On paper, schools say that they treat [students
with GEDs] equally, but I can’t say that’s true when
they are actually reviewing applications,” Berty said.
There are a handful of colleges that willingly accept
GEDssuchassmallliberalartscollegeslikeSt.John’sCollege
in Santa Fe, NM and Marlboro College in Vermont.
“Big state schools also [accept GEDs], but they don’t
openly advertise it or draw them in as much,” Berty said.
“I don’t know of any specific colleges that
openly reject GED diplomas,”
Abby Kozeliski,
college counselor, said.
Tom Gaither-Ganim,
Instead of going to college,
others may decide to start applying
for jobs. Yet Gaither-
Ganimjokinglywarnsdropping
out of high school is like committing
“professional suicide.”
counsler
So dropping out is not some
rad fad that people try, it’s a
risky decision that requires a lot of thought before committing
to it. Last year, only 1.4% of high school students
in the Kirkwood School District unenrolled. Encouragement
to stay in school comes from almost everywhere;
guidance counselors, parents and even friends.
“Typically, I try to just talk to [students considering
dropping out] about what their goals are,”
Berty said. “Obviously, the ultimate goal is to
keep them in school. But sometimes for personal
reasons, they need to consider other options.”
Total Dropouts:
11,796 students
Hispanic Dropouts:
569 students
“Don’t give up, it will
be worth it in the end!”
Erica Dyroff,
sophomore
Black Dropouts:
3,954 students
13
Kirkwood Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
-Dropping in, on dropping out-
“You’re throwing away an opportunity.
Because if you aren’t graduating, you’re
most likely not going to college.”
Phil Beckman, senior
“Persevere. If it’s serious and you
need to get help, certainly do,
but you can always come back.
If you’re embarrassed about being
a 20-year-old junior then go
to your local community college.
Just persevere and get on
with your life.”
Sheila Helencamp,
walking counselor
school
What would you say to a student who is
considering unenrollment?
“You’ll regret it when you get older. You
need to get your education, so you can
make a lot of money.”
White Dropouts:
7,095 students
David Johnson, junior
“I would ask how much they had
thought about it. Do you know
the consequences? Do you have
a plan?”
Tolen Oliver, freshman

14 Kirkwood
-IN BRIEF-
Field hockey plays
Webster
Coming off a 10-8 season
last year, the field hockey
team has an 0-3 record
(as of press). The team’s
next game against Webster
Groves, is Sept. 17.
The game will be played
at 4 p.m., at Kirkwood
High School.
Boys’ soccer team
starts undefeated
After a year spent rebuilding
(4-17), the boys’ soccer
team appears to be fighting
hard this season with a
current record of 2-0-1
(as of press). Upcoming
games include a contest at
Vianney at 7 p.m., Sept. 17
and a home game against
Webster Groves Sept. 18,
at 6 p.m.
Girls’ volleyball to
face Northwest
A Pioneer team packed
with sophomores and
juniors has kicked off their
season strongly with a record
of 2-1. The next game
takes place at the new KHS
gymnasium against Northwest,
Sept. 18.
Softball matches up
against Fox
The softball team hopes
to improve their record of
8-18 last year. As of press,
they have a 1-8 record. On
Sept. 17, the team will take
on Fox High School at 4:15
on the KHS diamond.
Girls’ tennis boasts
solid record
After a 5-5 season last year,
the tennis team has lived
up to their reputation of
success this season, starting
off 4-1. The Pioneers play
home matches Sept. 17
against Parkway North and
Sept. 19 against Webster
Groves. Both matches are
scheduled for 4 p.m.
Football looks to
continue success
Year after year, the football
team works toward the
playoffs. This season looks
to be no different, with a
positive start of 1-0 (as of
press). The regular season
schedule is shown below.
Varsity Football
Schedule
-9/19/08 vs. Lafayette
7 p.m.
-9/26/08 @ Mehlville
7 p.m.
-10/3/08 vs. Oakville
7 p.m.
-10/10/08 @ Northwest
7 p.m.
-10/17/08 vs. Parkway
Central 7 p.m.
-10/24/08 vs. Parkway
West 7 p.m.
-10/31/08 @ Parkway
North 7 p.m
-11/27/08 Turkey Day @
Webster Groves
12 p.m.
Sports
Call
Wednesday September 17, 2008
Veteran Pioneers hope to finish strong
Chris Kelly,
Boys’ Diving
Freshman: 4th Place
Sophomore: 3rd Place
Junior: 2nd Place
Senior: ___ Place
It is only natural the last number
should be a one. It is simple counting.
Second grade math. This year,
Chris Kelly, senior, hopes to finally
win the state diving championship
that has escaped his grasp the past
three years.
“My aspirations are to win state,”
Kelly said. “It will be tough because
the defending champion is a junior
and is better than ever, but I have a
real shot this year.”
Kelly has been diving yearround
for the Clayton Diving Alliance
since he was 9 years old. His
start came by complete chance.
‘Transfer students’, from cover
show, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch,
that Irons may have let at least 15 ineligible players
on the basketball team between 1998-2007.
On June 11, 2008, MSHAA stripped Vashon High
School of three state championships in boys’
basketball (2001, 2004, 2006) for recruiting violations
and using ineligible players. They also had
to forfeit five district championships and a 2005
second-place finish.
When transferring, an athlete and his parents
must move residence (at the same time) into
the new school’s district, in order for them to
be eligible for varsity competition according to
Velten. If a student and their family fail to move
into the new district, the student will be ineligible
for 365 days. However, if a student’s parents
already reside in the district in which they wish
to attend, the student will remain eligible.
“[This year] KHS has had about 20 transfer
students who are ineligible to play,” Sutter said.
“Roughly 10 of those are for standard reasons
and the other 10 for hardships which can range
anywhere from financial loss to divorce.”
In a case with hardships, the MSHAA will
review it and determine the eligibility status of
the student. If a student wished to transfer for
seemingly no reason, both the former school
and new school will submit information to the
MSHAA who will in turn, interpret the ruling.
This is one battle where being a senior has no
effect on the outcome.
“An athlete is ineligible only in the sport in
which they most recently played,” Velten said.
The MSHAA eligibility standards also state
that discipline follows a student when transferring
under a suspension to a new school. This will
cause the student to be ineligible for 365 days.
“You should always check with your school
principal to determine your eligibility before you
transfer,” Velten said. “It can be a long process
and there are never guarantees.”
Despite strict regulations, there are excep-
“My dad won a silent auction, and
the prize happened to be a free diving
lesson,” Kelly said. “I really enjoyed
it, and I ended up sticking to it.”
Since his start, Kelly has participated
in the U.S.A. -- Canadian
Challenge, West Junior Nationals
and Junior National Olympics. His
accomplishments at these competitions
include placing in the top
15 in nearly every meet. He has
placed as high as 11th place in
these national meets against the
top divers in the country.
This past summer he attended
an Indiana University sports camp,
where he was instructed by an
Olympic diving coach. This was
not the only time Kelly has felt
Olympic presence. At 13 years old,
Kelly dove in a meet against two
Olympic divers, Thomas Finchum
and David Boudia. As intimidating
as it was then, he is able to laugh
off his experiences now.
“At the time, I didn’t fully understand
the magnitude of these divers,
but I followed Finchum in the tower
dives, and the amount of clapping his
dives received compared to my dives
was hugely different,” Kelly said.
With all this talent and hard
work in diving, one would expect
Kelly to be strictly dedicated to diving.
This is hardly the case. Kelly
is a varsity tennis player, a leader
in band and the STUCO president.
Along with taking three AP classes
and the constant diving practices,
Kelly has a packed schedule.
Kelly is looking to dive at a Division
I school next year. He is particularly
interested in Indiana University,
one of the premier diving schools in
the country, and Northwestern University.
He hopes to sign to a school
early so he can concentrate on the
state tournament in November.
Come Turkey Day, we will all
know if Chris Kelly can pass second
grade math.
-PROFILES-
Coach Ken Finnerty,
Girls’ Cross Country
At the conclusion of the 2008
girls’ cross country season, coach
Ken Finnerty, who has been involved
in numerous aspects of the
Kirkwood School District (KSD)
community for 40 years, will retire
from coaching.
Recognizing 40 consecutive years
working in KSD as a major milestone
in his life, Finnerty decided the time
had come to retire. After coaching
six days a week, spring and fall, for
about 20 years, Finnerty said he is
looking forward to the flexibility retirement
allows.
According to Finnerty, his favorite
part of the sport is how every
athlete gets the experience of
racing every week. Finnerty said
he also loves the interaction with
the athletes, calling the relationship
a “two-way thing.”
“It really comes down to the
individual. It’s a very democratic
sport,” Finnerty said. “The kids
give a lot back, which helps keep
me young at 68.”
Although the future leadership
of the girls’ cross country team is
unsure, senior runner Ali Chastain
appreciated Coach Finnerty’s
dedication and contributions to
the team.
“It’s going to be an emotional
farewell,” Chastain said. “But it
will make the team stronger in the
years to come. What he taught us
was very valuable. I don’t think
any of us would change a thing.”
Coach Finnerty’s affiliation
with KSD began 10 years before
his coaching debut in 1979. From
1968-1974 and 1982-2002, Finnerty
worked as a KHS guidance coun-
tions to this rule. Joe Foerster, junior, transferred
to KHS from CBC this year. He made the varsity
soccer team and is eligible to play this season. In
Foerster’s case, he did not make the CBC soccer
team last year and is therefore eligible to play
this year.
“We do the best we can to gain eligibility.
Whether or not they will help our team isn’t an
issue, we just want everyone to participate,”
Velten said.
selor, working for the eight years
in between as an elementary
school counselor.
Finnerty began coaching KHS
basketball in both roles of head
and assistant positions for varsity
and JV girls’ and the freshman
boys’ teams from 1979-1988. Following
his stint as a basketball
coach, the position for assistant
cross country coach opened in
1988. At the time, the cross country
team was coed but for the fall
of the 1989 season the team was
split into boys’ and girls’ cross
country. In 1992, Finnerty took
over as head coach of the girls’
team and has been at the head
ever since.
As of press, no selection for
a replacement head coach for
the girls’ cross country team has
been made, but Finnerty said his
assistant distance coach for the
girls’ track and field team, Coach
Pam Harris, will take over as head
coach for the team this spring.
You are ineligible if you....
-Were solicited to switch schools
for athletic purposes
-Did not move into the new district
with your parents

Sports
Kirkwood Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
15
Fight Tiger, fight for old Mizzou
The wait is over. Our time has finally come.
Year after year, we Missouri Tiger fans have had to deal
with disappointment. Year after year, we watched our boys
be a doormat for the powerhouses of the Big 12. Year after
year, our boys battled, through stupid
bowl games like the Charmin Ultra-Soft
Toilet Paper Bowl (I can see the ad now,
Hits so soft, it will make your head spin).
But that is all over.
Last year, our Tigers said enough is
enough. They had something to prove,
and did they ever prove it.
The Tigers clawed their way to a 12-2
record, finishing No. 4 in the Associated
Press rankings. They ended the year with a 38-7 rout of the
Arkansas Razorbacks, winning the Cotton Bowl.
I remember the feeling in the air as I rode the Metrolink
toward the Edward Jones Dome before Mizzou kicked off
their first game of the season. I was used to the thought of
“This is a new year, anything can happen.” After all, I kind of
had to think it after the Tigers past dreadful seasons.
I was pumped for the renewal of the Arch Rivalry between
Mizzou and Illinois. I knew beating Illinois would be
no easy task. But after I was done watching Jeremy Maclin
rack up 221 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, I knew
Meet Brad Sutter
The Kirkwood Call recently
talked to the new Assistant
Athletics Director, Brad Sutter,
and here’s what he had to
say about his new job:
What high school did you graduate from?
“St. Vincent Catholic High School in Perryville, Mo.”
Where did you work before coming to KHS?
“I was an athletic director at Notre Dame High School as
well as girls’ head basketball coach.”
What made you decide to take the KHS job?
“For one, I wanted to get back into the public school district.
And Kirkwood was a school that has a lot invested in
their students academically, not just athletically. But from
an athletic stand point, Kirkwood is a school that has a
great sense of tradition and pride, so what a better place to
be.”
What is your favorite sport to watch?
“Baseball, I’m a Cardinals fanatic.”
What was your favorite subject while in school?
“P.E.”
Are you planning on coaching basketball at
Kirkwood?
“The opportunity hasn’t really presented itself yet, but if it
comes along I will look into it.”
What are your expectations for this year?
“To learn how the KHS athletic department runs, learn as
much as I can from Mr. Velten, and just incorporate the
Kirkwood tradition. If I can help with procedure stuff to
make it all run more efficiently, then I think it will be a successful
year.”
Where did you graduate from college?
“UMSL.”
-THE HOUSE THAT DAVE BUILT-
last year’s team had potential to make this season a special
one. I wasn’t sure though, with my Tigers narrowly escaping
the Illini, 40-34.
I remember tailgating in Greek town on the Mizzou
campus, throwing the pigskin around on Stankowski field,
not even knowing what to expect as the Tigers got ready
to line up against the 25th ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers.
What unfolded before 70,049 screaming fans dressed in gold
amazed everyone.
The Tigers thrashed the Cornhuskers, 41-6. Nebraska
never even scored a touchdown. The drive back to Kirkwood
was the most pleasant two hours I had experienced in a long
time.
I remember thinking about how there is no way our Tiger
defense could stop the Texas Tech passing attack. What else
was I supposed to think? Graham Harrell was the most efficient
passer in college football and freshman Michael Crabtree
was putting together an All-American year. I could not
have been more wrong.
Our boys stomped Texas Tech, especially Harrell. The
most efficient passer in the NCAA tossed four interceptions.
And it was almost like Crabtree wasn’t even on the field. After
the 41-10 shalacking of Texas Tech, I started to believe
100 percent.
I wasn’t just saying, “Our Tigers may actually be able to
do it this year.” I was actually believing it.
I remember watching the Kansas game with friends, being
excited about the No. 2, No. 4 match up. Usually, I would
Kriewall’s orner
not even bother mentioning Kansas because, let’s be honest,
they’re really not even worth my time.
Turned out KU was not worth Mizzou’s time either. Our
Tigers lit the scoreboard up like a Christmas tree with 36
points, showing America on national television how big a
joke KU’s No. 2 ranking was. Our boys marched right back
to Columbia with the Mizzou-Kansas drum and the Big 12
North Championship.
Then after a crushing defeat to the Oklahoma Sooners in
the Big 12 Championship game, we headed down to Texas
for the Cotton Bowl. There our Tigers showed Darren Mc-
Fadden and company what was up, and walked out of their
with heads held high.
Last year was amazing, glorious. But that was last year.
Now we have the chip on our shoulder. It’s our turn to be
the team to beat.
This year our Tigers will not crumble in the face of pressure,
as they did against Oklahoma on two occasions last
year. We have an experienced team on both sides of the ball.
We have guys like Chase Daniel and J-Mac, who could both
be Heisman contenders this year. We have guys like William
Moore and Sean Weatherspoon, who will personally see that
no one gets into the end zone.
We have been there. We are winners. This year, there will
be no disappointment. So far, we have had no blemishes pulling
out to a 2-0 record (as of press).
As Martin Rucker said after last year’s domination over
Nebraska, “No one’s laughing anymore, we’re winners now.”
Randy Kriewall is a KHS math teacher and
the former varsity boys’ basketball head
coach. Kriewall regularly attends and photographs
Pioneer athletics. If you would
like to see more of Kriewall’s photos, visit
www.kriewallphotography.com
Above, Robert Cannon (3), senior, breaks away from the group during the Kirkwood
Pioneers 2008 season opener at Oakville High School, Sept. 6. Kirkwood
beat the Marquette Mustangs 38-22.
Left, Mycole Pruitt (80), junior, embraces Brandon Spears (51), senior, in celebration
after a touchdown.
Below, Gracie Moon (27), sophomore, looks to complete the kill against Parkway
South, Sept. 9.

16 Kirkwood
Sports
Call
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Extreme Makeover: Weight room edition
The final step in construction of the Varsity Gym complex has been completed with
the unveiling of the new weight room. Located by the trainer’s office, the weight room will offer
brand new equipment for student use.
Students are able to perform heavy lifting such
as the ‘snatch and grab’ on the various platforms
around the weight room.
From the dance room, to the health
rooms, to the new state-of-the-art weight
room that has doubled in size, Kirkwood
High School students returned to school
to find a number of enhancements. The
new gymnasium has improved in both athletics
and academics.
“The new weight room and facilities
were very important,” Jim Velten, athletics
director, said. “Dr. Damerall(KSD superintendent)
is really committed to fitness and
the health of our kids.”
The construction lasted all summer.
The wrestling room was moved above the
weight room, where the wall that divided
the upstairs into two rooms was knocked
down in order to make one large room. The
photos by
Lydia Mitchener
The weight room boasts machines designated
for student use. The machines can be used anywhere
from pull ups to the inclined bench press.
wrestling team will also have permanent
mats this season, which they never had.
KHS has specific rooms for dance, which
are used by both the poms and cheerleaders.
“The dance studio is great, it allows the
poms to have their own little space, which
has never happened in past years,” Jordan
Napier, freshman, said. “We no longer have
to use the gyms.”
When the students walk into the gym,
the first thing they notice is the huge windows
looking into the weight room. The
new weight room consists of not only
strength training, but also new cardiovascular
machines.
Along with the new cardio machines,
there is new electronic capability. The
treadmills have a docking station for iPod’s,
a touch screen and built in fans. The
Six brand new treadmills with touch screen and
iPod capability sit in a row along the windows.
At $10,000 each, they are a significant asset.
weight room is available to any student
after school until 4:15 p.m., when the first
activity bus leaves.
“The weight room, really encourages
more people to go in there and use it,”
Andrew Perry, senior, said. “It is cool to
be one of the first people in it and to take
advantage of some of the new things, like
the treadmills.”
The old weight room is now two health
rooms. With easy access to the weight
room, the health and fitness classes are
able to take advantage of all the recourses
being in one building. All things having to
do with athletics are now all together rather
then spread throughout the school.
“I really hope all of the students realize that
this is really a very special athletic complex,”
Velten said. “I hope they understand how fortunate
we are. It’s truly one of a kind.”
Weights align the wall of the new weight room.
Like the equipment, the weights themselves are
old and carry over from last year.