2022 November Issue

The Redbird Word
Volume 95 Issue 3

Are Finals Necessary?
By: Taylor Lawson
Since 1902, Alton High School has had a semester final exam. A
semester exam consists of a summary assessment of everything
students have learned throughout the semester.
The Editorial Staff feels that finals provide no benefit to student
learning and are a significant source of stress and anxiety for
many students. These feelings can even lead to larger issues like
insomnia, depression, and a fear of not succeeding.
Finals seem to be an inadequate measure of students' actual
learning. Many students cram with a teacher-provided study
guide the week of finals just to pass the exam, then don't retain
the knowledge once it's over.
The Editorial Staff feels that administrators should change the
finals policy to a less comprehensive test, making the end of the
semester less stressful for the students. Also, they should
consider no longer making finals worth 20% of students' overall
grades.
Reporters
Terrick Thorpe
Michael Fellion
Sha'nya Stennis
Caitlyn Neely
Chase Chilton
Katie Rich
Rhyann Reed
Editorial policy: The Redbird
Word and The Daily Bird
operate as a public forum of
expression. Readers can email
letters to the editor at
the.redbird.word@gmail.com.
Expressions made in these
student-led publications are
in no way an expression of the
district or the school board.
Editorial Staff
E d i t o r - In - C h i e f
T a y l o r L a w s o n
M a n a g i n g E d i t o r
A v e r y C l o s e
S o c i a l M e di a M a n a g e r
A l l i s o n C o o k e
A s s i s t a n t S o c i a l M e d i a M a n a g e r
A d r i a n na P a y n i c
B r o a d c a s
t E d i t o r
T y S u l l i v a n
A s s i s t a n t B r o a d c a s t E d i t o r
J a m e s H u l l
N e w s E
d i t o r
A u b r i e H
a n c o c k
A s s i s t a n t N e w s E d i t o r
K a t i e S t a r k
F e a t u r e s E d i t o r
L e l a H o w a r d
S p o r t s E d i t o r
E v a n D u g g e r
A s s i s t a n t S p o r t s E d i t o r
C h l o e P l o u g h
E n t e r t a i n m e n t E d i t o r
C o l e T a r r a n t
A s s i s t a n t E n t e r t a i n m e n t
A u d r e y W a t e r s
P h o t o / A r t E d i t o r
M i l e s W r i s c h n i k
D e s i g n E d i t o r
E d e n F i n g e r
A s s i s t a n t D e s i g n E d i t o r
G r a c e P h e l p s
A s s i s t a n t D e s i g n E d i t o r
C a l e i g h P l o u g h
C o p y E d i t o r
T a y l o r P r o u g h
W e b D e s i g n E d i t o r
P a r i s T h o m a s
B u s i n e s s M a n a g e r
B r a n d o n B r o w n
H o n o r a r y E d i t o r
B r a d e n L i t t l e
A d v i s e r
A p r i l G r a y
1

Students Prepare for State Testing
By: Rhyann Reed
As the fall semester comes to an end, 2023 comes right behind with end-of-the-year testing for Alton High
School. It has been almost three years since the pandemic outbreak not only created hazards and stops for
companies and businesses, but also for the school districts.
With all the changes, students may struggle with the new environments of school and different learning.
An article published on Chalkbeat Chicago by Samantha Smile gave students a short glimpse into the eyes
of other students that take Illinois state testing. Many schools were in the middle of learning new
information and getting prepared to take the PSAT, SAT and ACT. That all came to a stop in a matter of
hours when schools closed their doors in March of 2020.
In the article, Smiles said, “The state board of education says 20% fewer Illinois students met or exceeded
grade-level standards in reading and math in 2022 compared to 2019 before the pandemic shuttered schools
and suspended learning.”
“...In my case, and as well as I think everybody else that has been a junior has said that PSATs are just
neutral because this was kind of our first time,” junior Breanna Clay said. With the return to in-person
school last year, students also returned to taking the PSAT and SAT.
“I think that the pandemic impacted how we do state testing currently, and I think that the tests stressed me
out during Covid- but now I’m not so intimidated by them,” Nadia Sakar said.
Here are some tips to prepare for SATs. First, don't stress before the test. Take moments in between your
free time and study. If you don't like to study, try to find ways to make it fun to learn. Second, keep calm
and don't worry about the test too much. You have time to prepare, no worries. Third, get sleep. It's always
important to sleep before a test, especially the PSAT or SAT.
Club Spotlight.... Physics Club
By: Terrick Thorpe
Physics Club is an after-school activity where students challenge themselves. Each project
is designed to be difficult enough to struggle with but easy enough to figure out on your
own.
AP Physics Teacher, Andrew Spainhour said, “Students should struggle for 10 minutes, but
never more than 20.”
Students who already take physics as a class, are required to do at least one project per
semester. Just recently, the students built catapults and trebuchets to launch pumpkins as
far as possible across the practice football field. Next, they will be working on building cars
powered by mouse traps that have to move forwards and backward on their own. Come to
B351 after school for information. 2

Students Take Free Days to Explore Colleges
By: Michael Fellion
At Alton High School, students are able to use college days during junior and senior years in order to go
and check out colleges.
Junior Marvia Lawrence said he has known about being able to use a college day, but never planned on
using it this year. Lawrence said he thinks that if he did actually go on a college day, it would probably be at
the end of the year and far away from Alton. “I think college days are good because they give you a day off
school,” Lawrence added.
Other students, such as Adam Hunter, Brianna Mitchell and Sarah Martin also have their takes on college
days and whether or not they are planning on using them. Amongst students, college days were common
knowledge and were probably going to be taken throughout the year.
In senior Adam Hunter’s case, he said he knew about the college days he was able to take since junior year.
Hunter also said he doesn't plan on taking his college day this year just because he already knew where he
wanted to go instead. “I plan on going to a trade school over trying to go to a college, so I don’t need any
college days,” he added.
On the other hand, junior Sarah Martin said she has also known about being able to take a college day off
and thinks it would be something she may do this year. Martin said she also plans on going to a college
around the Illinois or Alton area for her college day.
Another junior, Kimberlynn Hicks, said she didn’t know that juniors could take college days, but was
planning on taking a college day for herself whenever she got the chance. Hicks thinks that now that she is
able to go and do a college day during her junior year, she plans to check out a college that she heard about
in Oregon.
Overall, some students know, or at least have heard, that they are able to take college days while in their
junior and senior years. Whether or not the students take them is all up to them and if they actually want
to. In the end, taking a college day can be very useful to help students explore their after-high school
options.
3

Students Weigh in on Fall Fashions
By: Katie Rich
When fall arrives, many students and teachers adapt to the changing weather, expressing their style through
clothing choices. Two Alton High School students shared their similar opinions on the fall trends they have
witnessed in the hallways so far this year.
“I think the fall outfit trend I have seen students wearing the most around school are flannel shirts,”
freshman Nathanael Rich said. “I appreciate the way that different people layer flannel shirts. They have
always been a classic and I really enjoy them.”
Freshman Josie Landuyt agreed with the flannel trend. “The most popular articles of clothing I have seen
are different colored sweaters and flannel shirts that girls have been wearing around our school,” Landuyt
said. “They look really cute with almost anything paired with them,” she added.
Although students tend to take after each other in their clothing choices, not all students believe that these
fashion trends are worth wearing. Each student has their favorite, go-to fall clothing.
“The first things I grab when I think of fall fashion are black socks and a pair of reliable Birkenstock
sandals. Not many people like the ‘socks and stocks’ look, but I will never stop wearing it,” Rich said.
“I love a classic hoodie with a pair of jeans. You can never go wrong with a classic that has been in style for
so many years,” Landuyt said. She believes that the basics of fall fashion will never go out of style.
With many popular and interesting fall clothing trends, there are just as many fashion trends that are not as
popular or appealing to students.
Rich believes that the worst part about fall fashion is, “The annoying people who make it their entire
personality for the duration of fall.” He also said he that he “can’t stand the people who come into school
everyday with overly scented pumpkin spice perfume.”
“I agree with Nathanael,” Landuyt said. “Too much of a good thing is never a good thing. Some of the
students here need to tone it down just a little bit.”
sweater
hoodie & jeans
flannel
black socks & birks
4
flannel jacket

True Crime Spotlight.....
By: Cole Tarrant
Many Killers Born in November
November isn’t only about Thanksgiving, but also the
birthdays of several serial killers. Up to 17 of the most
dangerous serial killers were born in November. Some of the
worst including Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Dennis Nilson
and Rosemary West.
Ted Bundy was an American serial killer in the late 1970s and
early 80s. He was intelligent and very social allowing him to
have a successful college career. Through college, Bundy
developed many relationships with women.
Bundy was far from stable and assaulted and murdered at
least 28 young women across the United States. Due to his
crimes, Bundy was sentenced to death by the electric chair.
Some people, however, believe Bundy is guilty of hundreds
of murders. Bundy’s case would draw national media
attention and inspire popular novels and films.
Dennis Nilson was a serial killer who murdered 12 people
during his 1978 to 1983 murder spree. Nilson would lure male
victims to his apartment and strangle or drown them. He
would then bathe the bodies, dressing them up in new
clothes.
Mugshot of Charles Manson
Mugshot of Dennis Nilson
Nilson kept the bodies around for some time before
chopping them up and discarding them in a bonfire and
flushing the small pieces down the toilet. Nilson was given
the nickname, “The British Jeffrey Dahmer,” due to how he
discarded his victims.
Nilson was later caught due to complaints of plumbing
problems. A drain cover beside his house was opened up, and
the human flesh of his victims was found packed into it.
Rosemary West was a housewife who tortured and killed at
least ten women, including her 8-year-old stepdaughter
Charmaine West and her 16-year-old daughter Heather West.
Rosemary (Auntie Rose) West
Images courtesy of Google Images
West would be caught and sentenced to life in prison. While
awaiting trial in 1995, West’s husband and partner in crime
would commit suicide. West is still locked up to this day.
“She should have gotten …… lethal injection or the death
penalty [for her crimes]” said Nicholas Dipaolo. “It is weird
that a serial killer .. [as] dangerous [as Rosemary West] is still
alive [to this day].”
5

'Bleach' Makes a Comeback after a 10-Year Hiatus
By: Braden Little
Finally, on Oct. 11, TV Tokyo released “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War” the sequel to the 18-year-old
anime that people have waited 10 years to see new episodes.
It has had its ups and downs throughout the years of its production. Most people love anime and everything
that comes along with it. The series "Bleach" has been a huge success as being known as one of the best and
one of the big three in Japan alongside "Naruto" and "One Piece".
Though it took 10 years to make new episodes, the ending of the "Bleach" arc is now coming to a close, but
there are some people who didn't mind how long it took to come out with the new episodes. “Ten years is an
eternity when it comes to artistic style and personality for a show. Bringing in a new team, who realistically
grew up watching the show, adds a whole new level of life to the show,” English teacher Ian Martin said.
Even with the time it took, people still also love the new additions to the anime as well. The new arc along
with the same old characters also sit well with people as they did when the beginning episodes first aired. “I
love the animation and the story so far, but I love the older animation and story. Story and animation wise,
they both have their own qualities and traits,” senior Nickoli Jarrett said.
But with every positive, there are still negatives, especially when it comes to the overall time length in how
long it took for the series. “I feel that it took way too long to make only two new episodes. In the time they
had, they could’ve almost created a whole new series,” senior John Ditterline said.
6

Food Fanfare
Sharing food with friends and family during special holidays has been a long-standing tradition in American
culture. Our staff created a survey to see which Thanksgiving foods are the most popular with staff and
students. The survey was shared, and 216 people responded. Check out the results!
Pecan, Pumpkin, or Apple Pie?
Ham, Turkey, Other?
Sweet Treats
Design Editor Caleigh Plough shares a couple of
her favorite recipes to create tasty treats.
Ingredients:
(For the pie)
1 14-ounce package refrigerated
pie dough (2 crusts)
1 large apple, peeled and diced
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. honey
(For the topping)
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. salted butter, cut into
small pieces
Mini Apple Pies
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375˚. For the pies: Roll out 1 piece
of pie dough into a 12-inch round. Using a 3-inch
cutter, cut out 12 small rounds. Repeat with the other
piece of pie dough to make 12 more rounds. Press each
round into a hole of a 24-cup mini muffin tin, pressing
the dough evenly up the sides. Place in the refrigerator.
2. Toss the apple, granulated sugar, flour, and honey in a
medium bowl to combine.
3. For the topping: Whisk the flour, brown sugar,
granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a separate medium
bowl. Using a fork or pastry cutter, cut the butter into the
flour mixture, a few pieces at a time, until evenly mixed.
4. Place 1 teaspoon of the apple mixture in each muffin
cup; top with 1 teaspoon of the topping. Bake until golden,
about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then
remove to a rack to cool completely.
7

Foodie Facts
1. Americans buy 365 million pounds of turkey the week of
Thanksgiving, usually whole turkeys.
2. About 77 million pounds of ham are bought for
Thanksgiving.
3. About 250 million pounds of potatoes become a
Thanksgiving side dish.
4. Sweet potatoes aren't actually potatoes.
www.aghires.com
Sweet Potatoes or Mashed Potatoes?
Pumpkin Snickerdoodle
Directions:
1. For the cookie dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together
the butter, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and vanilla
until well combined.
2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour,
pumpkin pie spice, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and
baking powder.
3. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and stir
until all the dry ingredients are well mixed. Cover the bowl
and refrigerate until the dough is firm, at least 4 hours or
overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with
parchment paper.
5. For the spiced sugar: Stir the granulated sugar and
pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl.
6. Scoop the dough into balls, about 2 tablespoons each. Roll
each ball in the spiced sugar until well coated and arrange at
least 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake until the cookies are puffed, set around the edges
and begin to crack on top, 11 to 13 minutes. Let the cookies
cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire
rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
8
Ingredients:
(For the cookie dough)
1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted
3/4 c. light brown sugar
1/3 c. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. cream of tartar
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
(For the spiced sugar)
3 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Fall Sports Wrap-Up
Head Girls Tennis Coach Jesse Macias
discusses strategy with the number one
doubles team, Lydia Taul and Chloe Plough.
Photo by Caleigh Plough
Charlie Coy
takes a swing on
the golf course.
Photo courtesy
of The Tatler
Boys Cross Country bounce off the sound of
the gun.
Photo courtesy of The Tatler
Boys soccer lines up to take the field.
Photo by Caleigh Plough
Senior Keith Gilchrese dodges the opposing
team.
Photo courtesy of The Tatler
Varsity girls volleyball huddles for a game
plan.
Photo courtesy of The Tatler
9

Cheer Returns for the Next Sports' Season
By: Caitlyn Neely
Members of the competition cheer team pose during their routine.
Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Neely
The Alton High School cheerleading team has two different seasons - a football season where the
cheerleading team drills down on their skills and a competition season where the team works on their
routine and competes against other teams in their division. The varsity competition cheer team competes in
the co-ed division.
There are many different divisions throughout Illinois High School Association cheerleading. Some of these
divisions include small varsity, medium varsity, large varsity and co-ed. Throughout IHSA, all cheer teams
compete ranging from teams in Chicago to teams in Jonesboro and beyond.
All of these divisions are very hard in their ways, but one thing that makes the co-ed division stand out is the
boys. To qualify for this division, the team must have at least two boys on the team. As one can imagine, this
can be quite difficult sometimes to even have two boys tryout for the team.
Since the varsity cheer team is in this division, they need to work very hard to succeed. “I think the season
will go mostly well,” Jada Bruce, a junior on the varsity team said. “But I think there will be struggles with
personal issues that will slow down our progress. As long as everyone pushes themselves and realizes cheer is
an all-team sport where if something happens to one person it affects everyone, then we should have a
successful season.”
Cheerleading is a team sport that can be an even harder sport than others since everyone needs to work on
the same page.
The first day after the team is announced, these cheerleaders have practice and have to drill down on their
routine to make it the best that they can for competitions. The cheerleading team's first competition is being
held in the main gymnasium on Nov. 27.
10

Boys' Basketball Hopes for Successful Season
By: Sha'nya Stennis
Boys' basketball kicks off in November and some team members said it’s going to be a much better season
than last year. “I think this year is going to be great,” sophomore Kobe Taylor said. The boys have been
getting up and working out at about 6 a.m. every morning plus after-school practices.
The ones that don't get up and go to the early practices make sure they stay in the gym or do workouts on
their own. “I’ve done a lot of out-of-school training sessions with my overseas trainer, and I also have been
at every morning practice and haven't missed one yet,” senior Tyrius Jones said. Everyone contributes and
tries to keep the team on track in and out of school.
Members of the team said that Byron Stampley is a very skilled player and he plays a good leadership role.
“Byron plays the leadership role well. He can create shots for himself, he knows how to create an offense
and has a great defense,” sophomore Taylor said. “Stampley is a great student and has a great personality
overall,” senior Jones said.
There are many things the boys do as a team inside and outside of school that bring them closer together
like a family. “We do more than just play basketball,” sophomore Ka’Nye Lacey said. “We do team bonding
and community service activities,” senior Jones said.
There are many really good teams in the division like East St. Louis, but members of the Alton team feel
they can do much better this year against them. “They have very good players. We lose to them in every
sport, but they are beatable,” Lacey said. This year's boys' basketball team looks forward to a better outcome
than last year, and they're going to work as hard as they can to get it.
11
Members of the basketball team work
together and practice skills for their
upcoming season.
Photos by Miles Wrischnik

Alton’s Hockey Team Kicks
off their Season
By: Caitlyn Neely
Alton's hockey team is a club sport run outside of school. Due to this team
being a club sport and not a high school sport, this team is self-funded, not
school funded. Marquette hockey players are on this team as well as the
youngest players on this team being only in seventh grade.
This team plays in the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association. The
hockey team plays teams as close as East Alton/Wood River and as far as St.
John Vianney High School in Missouri. The Alton High Schools hockey
team’s home rink is the East Alton Ice Arena, located in East Alton, Illinois.
The Redbirds hockey season starts on the first of November, playing
Bellville, and playoffs begin in February. This team had an excellent season
last year and will continue to play their hardest throughout this new season.
The Alton Redbirds Hockey team's captain is Lawson Bell, and the two
assistant captains are Talan Neely and Colton Thompson.
Believe it or not, many goals are scored throughout the season with the
support and energy of the crowd. “I do believe that the student section and
crowd helps us win a lot of our games,” assistant captain Talan Neely said.
“It makes our team play better since there is high energy and support behind
us.” Talan plays forward left-wing and often plays defense when his team
needs it.
Not only does the crowd help win games, but it also helps calm down any
nervousness for some players. “When I go into a game, I am ready to get out
there and try my hardest,” Talan said. “But sometimes it can be a little nerveracking,
especially in playoff games because you do not want to let your team
or the crowd down.”
Members of the hockey team huddle for a game plan.
Photo of Chloe Plough
12
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Upcoming Alton
Varsity Games
H
O
M
E
Monday
11/28/22
vs.Bethalto
7:30 PM
Thursday
12/1/22
vs.FBWTL
7:30 PM
Tuesday
12/6/22
vs.Highland
9:00 PM
Monday
12/12/22
vs.EAWR
7:35 PM
Tuesday
12/13/22
vs.O'Fallon
7:30 PM
Monday
12/19/22
vs.Edwardsville
7:35 PM
Tuesday
12/20/22
vs.Belleville
7:30 PM
Thursday
12/22/22
vs.Columbia
7:30 PM
Monday
12/26/22
vs.Collinsville
6:45 PM
Tuesday
12/27/22
vs.FBWTL
7:30 PM

Wrestling Gets Ready to Hit the Mat
By: Chase Chilton
October is winding down, and so are fall sports. As these sports are winding down, winter sports are kicking
off. Wrestling is starting back up and as a way of spreading the word about this upcoming season, many
signs have been put up around the school.
Shortly before the football season ended, the wrestling coaches spoke with the junior varsity players telling
them about the opportunities wrestling can offer. While many football players are disappointed with the way
the season went, many are also moving on to wrestling. An example of this is freshman Brayden Drew.
Drew had to miss some of the wrestling practices because football was still in season, but now he’s all in for
the season. He mentioned that pre-season had begun with practices every Tuesday and Thursday. Soon
enough, there will be tough practices every day after school in preparation for the first match on Nov. 19.
Drew said that once the pre-season is over and the regular season begins, the toughest challenge is when you
feel weak and sore and don’t want to go to practice, but have to persevere. Wrestling is a sport that
completely relies on the individual and their personal ability to win matches.
Drew thinks that more people should wrestle because, “It can get you in shape, you can meet new friends
and have a good friendly competition.”
Drew is one of the many athletes who uses wrestling as a way to stay in shape. Be sure to check out this sport
at Alton High School if you love competition or to stay in peak condition for other sports.
William Harris watches his opponents movements.
Photo courtesy of William Harris
13

Dr. Lovebird Q&A
Have a question about love? Need relationship advice? Follow us on social media to
submit your questions for the December issue.
Follow us on IG @ the_dailybird
Add us on SnapChat the_dailybird
Q- My brother stole my girl and I found
out that we have the same grandpa.
Q- What do you do if your relationship
keeps going in the same cycle, and you are
being used, but you really love them?
Q- I’m tryna get this girl to even think
of me in a romantic light.
A- Well at least family reunions will be fun
and interesting! BTW I definitely cannot
help you.
A- At the end of the day, having a
conversation about it is great, but
sometimes problems like this are past
fixing. Recurring cycles aren’t healthy for
your mental health, and your dependence
and trust gets ruined in the process. Either
have the conversation or end it now. It
takes strength to go through it, but it takes
way more to end it. You can do it, I
promise.
A- I’m guessing there’s not a lot of
light in the friendzone.
Q- I've been in love with my best friend
for years now, but I know they're not
interested in me. Any advice on how to
heal and move on while still keeping a
friendship with them?
A- Sometimes distance can draw people
closer, and sometimes it tears people
apart. It may be hard to separate
yourself from your best friend, but to
completely move on, many people have
to shut themselves out of situations.
Take time away from your best friend,
and see if it makes any difference.
14

Hand Turkey Contest
For a chance to win a $20 Visa gift card, submit
your very own hand turkey. Get creative! Turn
in submissions to Ms. Gray in room B136 by
Wednesday, Nov. 30.