Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 2-21-18

16 I SCHOOLS I
February 21, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
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By ELLEN LAMPE
Local students lend support to
USA Women’s Sled Hockey team
Thirty-four students from Francis
Howell Central, Francis Howell North,
Clayton, Kirkwood and Richland recently
volunteered their time and talents to create
a new website for the USA Women’s Sled
Hockey Team.
The team dreams of one-day competing
in the Paralympics.
Formed in 2007, the USA Women’s
Sled Hockey roster features para-athletes
from across the country and of all
ages. Sled hockey is similar to any other
hockey game, but with one major difference:
the players are seated on custom
metal sleds and propel themselves forward
with the use of two short hockey
sticks with metal grips on the tips of the
handles. While women are eligible to
play on the USA Paralympic Men’s Sled
Hockey Team, women’s sled hockey is
The USA Women’s Sled Hockey team
[Samantha Cary photo]
not yet an official Paralympic sport.
While the USA Men’s Sled Hockey Team
has multiple sponsors, the women’s team
has far less funding. Members are required
to handle the cost of travel and equipment
on their own. After hearing about the women’s
plight, the students volunteered to
create the website [uswomensledgehockey.
org] in an effort to encourage donations.
Students involved in the project are
[from Howell Central] Chloe Bockhorst,
Connor Crites, Belle Herrera, Zach Jones,
Gracie Kruep, Lanie Sanders and Ethan
Wagman; [from Howell North] Alyssa
Barber, Samantha Cary, Emily Hood,
Jordan Milewczik and Fabian Schwuchow.
The students did their research, attended
four games, interviewed the players and
got to know the athletes on a more personal
level. “We all came together to tell
this amazing story,” said Zach Jones from
Howell Central. “It was awesome to be
able to tell that story and be able to help
them in their journey of hopefully one day
becoming an official Paralympic sport.”
During the interviews, people on both
sides of the camera were in tears. “Just listening
to their stories, they were amazing.
All of these women had a story, and all of
them were incredible,” said Gracie Kruep
from Howell Central. The team ranges in
age from 14 to 35. Some were born with
degenerative diseases and some have lost
limbs during active service in the armed
forces.
“It’s definitely a weekend I won’t forget
for a long time, both for the opportunity,
but also to meet some amazing athletes,
and see our students give the best of themselves
to a group who absolutely needed
help to make their team and cause more
visible,” said Matthew Schott, Howell
Central publications adviser.
“I think the great thing about this project
was that the students got to meet some
incredibly talented athletes and individuals
whose paths they might never have
crossed,” said Aaron Manfull, Howell
North director of student media. “They got
to work closely with high school journalists
from other schools, and they enjoyed
getting to know them.”
These students and their new friends
embody the Olympic spirit – “mutual
understanding with a spirit of friendship,
solidarity and fair play.” With help from
the Francis Howell students listed below,
Local students interview a member of the USA Women’s Sled Hockey team.[Matthew Schott photo]
the website will increase the visibility of
the USA Women’s Sled Hockey Team, and
hopefully, help them achieve their dream
of one day competing in the Paralympics.
Student selected as
National Youth Delegate
Emma Jackson, a student at Fort Zumwalt
East High, has been selected to represent
St. Peters as a National Youth Delegate
at the 2018 Washington Youth Summit on
the Environment at George Mason University,
held from June 24-29.
Jackson joins a select group of 300 student
leaders from across the country at the
prestigious conference where they will participate
in an intensive, week-long study of
leadership in environmental science and
conservation.
Jackson was chosen based on academic
accomplishments and a demonstrated
interest and excellence in leadership in
the sciences and conservation studies.
George Mason University, along with partners
National Geographic and the National
Zoo, are excited to welcome the nation’s
young scholars to Washington, D.C. With
distinguished faculty, guest speakers and
direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, the
Washington Youth Summit on the Environment
offers aspiring environmentalists and
student leaders an unparalleled experience.
The Summit encourages and inspires
young leaders who desire a unique experience
focused on successful careers in this
dynamic industry. For more information,
contact Richard Friesner at (703) 993-5010
or wyse@gmu.edu
8th Annual Teen
Talent Competition
On Saturday, Feb. 17 and Sunday, Feb.
18, high school students from St. Charles
County competed in the preliminary round
of Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation’s
8th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent
Competition. Students were competing for
a chance to perform on The Fabulous Fox
Theatre’s stage on April 28 and win scholarships
and prizes.
From St. Charles County, there were five
schools with a total of 11 students compet-