U. City High School 7401 Balson Ave. University City, MO 63130

NEWS MAGAZINE

U. City works to retain athletes in every fall sportBy William MitchellSports Editor& Antone HayesStaff Writer

Competing in sports at U. City can include participat-ing in the football program with nearly 40 players or swimming on the boys’ team with a total of two swim-mers. A closer look shows a vast disparity between the numbers of athletes on each team and the lack of ability to attract and keep students playing a sport.

Over the years, the numbers in particular sports has dwindled significantly. The number of players has be-come a major factor, which affects whether U. City can compete on the freshman and junior varsity levels in addition to the varsity teams. Interim Athletic Director Coach Oligschlager, also known as Coach O., is work-ing closely with the primary and middle school levels to boost the number of student athletes.

“It’s a numbers game,” said Coach O.The veteran U. City wrestling coach has seen the

consequences to the athletic program that come with the fluctuating numbers of student athletes. In addition to fewer teams, sometimes games must be forfeited for lack of players.

This season has brought a few new faces to the football team along with the returning players. The new head coach, Carl Reed, with his prior knowledge and experience in the sport, has a gravitational pull on upcoming and aspiring football players.See “Sports teams...” on page 7

By Caroline MartinezEditor-in-Chief

A number of changes are reshap-ing the landscape of U. City this year to become a more academi-cally focused school.

Ms. Burgdorf has taken charge as interim principal; Mr. Collier remains an assistant principal; and Mr. Carter and Ms. Nevils were both named interim assistant principals. In addition, Ms. DuBose filled a new position, instructional facilitator. She helps give teachers feedback

on how to improve their classroom. The major goal of the new staff is

to gain more accreditation points, and thus improve students’ per-formance. Many efforts are being put forth to increase students’ ACT scores, which will help U. City gain more accreditation points and have a better Annual Performance Re-port, commonly known as APR.

Teachers are joining the effort and have taken extra measures to motivate students. For example, Mr. Kelton, math teacher, gives extra

credit for those who earn above a 21 on their ACT composite score.

Some faculty members will also be trained by the Princeton Review to increase students’ scores even more.

Teachers have already had one session of professional develop-ment on the ACT.

“We will be using release items regularly in our World Lit class,” said Ms. Gibbons, English teacher.

Related stories on pages 3

Students represent some of the diverse sports offerings at U. City. From left: Soccer mid-fielder Fran Stuart, sophomore, field hockey forward Molly Paterson, sophomore, and volleyball player Raiven Williams, senior, who plays in the middle.

Uniform Editorials

Judge Mablean’s Message

Principal’s Advisory Council

Lunch and Seminar Changes

Homecoming

Mr. Calloway

Inside this issue...

U-TimesOctober 2011

Volume 24Issue 1

New administration seeks to increaserequired points to retain accreditation

U-TimesOctober 2011

2011-2012U-Times Staff

Editor in ChiefCaroline MartínezWeb EditorCarl SechristSports EditorWilliam MitchellPhoto EditorJulian JohnsonStaff Writers/PhotographersLeah BookerGabrielle DavisAntone HayesMichael JohnsonAlexander PhillipsAdviserMrs. Mary Williams

PhilosophyThe newspaper’s primary obligation is to inform its readers about events in the school and community and of the issues of national or international importance which directly or indi-rectly affect the school population. The newspaper, while serving as a training ground for future journalists as part of the school curriculum, rec-ognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment. While establishing U-Times as a public forum, student editors will apply professional standards and ethics for decision making as they take on the responsibility for content and production of the newspaper. Inas-much as the student staff encourages constructive criticism of any part of the newspaper, authority for content rests in the hands of the student members of the newspaper staff. Students will not publish material considered to be legally unprotected speech, or libel, obscenity, mate-rial disruption of the educational process, copyright infringement, or unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Contact UsWe are located in Room 346 at Uni-versity City High School, 7401 Balson Ave., University City, MO 63130. Our email address is marywilliams@u-city.k12.mo.us.

PoliciesOpinions expressed on the editorial page do not reflect the viewpoints of the school administration. All editorials (unsigned) represent a ma-jority opinion of the Editorial Board. Signed editorials, columns, editorial cartoons, and reviews reflect the views of the author and not neces-sarily those of the U-Times Editorial Board. Letters should be limited to 300 words. The U-Times reserves the right to reject, edit, or shorten letters. Submit letters to Mrs. Mary Williams in Room 346, or to any U-Times staff member, or to marywilliams@ucityschools.org.

opinionShould the District mandate uniforms?

By Michael JohnsonEditorial Writer

The looming threat of school uniforms has reared its ugly head at U. City. What crisis is this visible display of conformity supposed to solve? The empiri-cal evidence does not support the delusion that uniforms accomplish anything positive. In addition, the institution of uniforms in public schools has brought legal challenges across the country. Don’t we have better ways to spend taxpay-ers’ money than in the courts defending uniforms?

Proponents of uniforms claim that standardized dress will limit distractions in the classroom, reduce disruptions, and im-prove academic performance. What are the facts? According to David Brunsma and Kerry Rockquemore in The Journal of Education Research, “student uniforms have no direct effect on substance use, behavioral problems or attendance.” They also showed that students who were forced to wear uniforms ac-tually performed several points lower on standardized tests. Stu-dents need to feel comfortable to be at their best to learn.

What about the cost? Some argue that students spend too much on designer clothes and believe uniforms will reduce expenses. Let’s be realistic. Stu-dents would tear their uniforms off within minutes after the end-ing bell. They still would need a set of clothes to wear outside of school, where there is no use for uniforms. Rather than level the playing field, uniforms would add a burdensome expense to poor families unable to afford a double wardrobe. According to the group Asserting Parental Rights-It’s Our Duty, uniforms infringe on the right to a free public education.

Some argue that wearing a uniform is good training for later employment. What well-paying jobs that don’t involve flying a plane or wielding a weapon call for uniforms?

Uniforms hinder creative ex-pression, strip individuality and

ensure conformity. As uniforms may be ugly or unflattering, they may damage a student’s self-image, whereas expressing creativity and individuality can enhance self-esteem. By limiting a student’s freedom to choose, uniforms, in my opinion, convey a negative institutional image suggesting that students require constant control. On the con-trary, the experience of choos-ing what to wear lets teenagers continue on a path to responsi-bility. Forced to wear uniforms, students would need to find other, perhaps inappropriate, ways to exercise choice and self-expression.

The most important reason to reject uniforms centers on our core educational values. At U. City, we accept, and in many ways, celebrate the diversity of people and ideas. The very nature of uniforms runs counter to our philosophy of freedom of expression. The choice of dress is one component of a person’s identity and, within boundaries of a reasonable dress-code, can be viewed as a constitutionally protected right to free speech. The history of repressive so-cieties teaches us that leaders who embrace uniforms reject personal freedom. The students at U. City would be right to rebel against such restriction.

Student uniforms should not be implemented at our school. My opinion does not stand alone. None of the students I interviewed wanted school uniforms (a single maybe). Even the mission statement of our school district supports the arguments against uniforms: It calls for students to “value creativity, respect diversity and make responsible life choices.” The message rings clear: YES to diversity, NO to uniforms!

AGAINST: Limits free expression FOR: Keep focus on academics By Caroline MartinezEditor-in-Chief

Uniforms are not created as a quintessential solution for all school problems, but they do help create a better environ-ment where there can be more pride in schools and a tendency toward appreciating people as multi-faceted individuals instead of focusing only on their outer appearance. We live in a mate-rialistic world where schools sometimes become a fashion show, instead of the relaxed learning centers they should be.

Although uniforms are many times seen as a symbol of conformity, they can actually represent quite the opposite in today’s world. By not paying so much attention to the clothes we wear, we are actually show-ing that we are independent of society’s views. No one should be judged by the clothes she or he wears. Actions determine a person, not external appearance. We show that we are different by what we do and say, not by the clothes we have on. Having uniforms would promote the concept that a person’s clothes are not as important as the per-son wearing the clothes.

Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to get up in the morning and not have to think about what we’re going to wear to school that day?

The dress code that is cur-rently in place has been an issue of hot debate. The rules we now have are often ignored because the truth is that different clothes fit different body types differ-ently, and not everyone will be happy with regulations which dictate how long a skirt should be or how low is too low-cut.

However, students have been bullied in the past in U. City because of the simple fact that someone in school didn’t like the way they were dressed. Although uniforms will not elimi-nate bullying, at least they will remove one reason to bully.

In addition to causing tension

among students, clothes often are used as status symbols to show how much money someone has (often resulting in bad feelings for those who have less). This way of show-ing who has more and who has less money makes labeling take place even more than it normal-ly would in an environment that should be focused on learning and on creating lasting friend-ships. If the way we dress shows what social class we belong to, and people categorize because of this, are we all really treated the same and treating others the same? Uniforms can be a univer-sal equalizer.

It is true that clothes are a venue for self-expression, but they are not the only venue. Every school has art, music, dance, literature, sports. The opportunities for expression are infinite, and many times people become too obsessed with the idea that clothes are the only or the best way to express their in-dividuality. This idea is stifling and limiting.

Although I am aware I am part of a minority when express-ing this opinion, if our school should choose to have uniforms, I would not be amongst those who oppose it. I love wearing vintage skirts to school and bright colored shirts, but I can-not make myself care for that as much as I care for other things in my life. I just don’t consider the way I look to be as important as my other priorities in life.

As Mohammed Moham-med said regarding uniforms, “I wouldn’t mind having a uniform as long as it’d be a stylish one.”

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Cast your vote about wearing uniforms in our poll at utimesonline.com

U-TimesOctober 2011

3News By Caroline MartinezEditor-in-Chief

“‘Those U. City kids.’ That’s what I want to get rid of,” said Ms. Burgdorf, interim principal who has worked at U. City for ten years.

Ms. Burgdorf plans on having much more student participation and has created the Principal’s Ad-visory Council as a venue to reach this objective. This panel, which has already met, discusses many issues affecting students, such as accreditation and classes.

“She really listened to all of us,” senior Leah Booker said after leav-ing the first meeting.

“I know what I want to change, and I want to know what the stu-dents want,” said Ms. Burgdorf.

Challenges abound for our new administrative team and for the all the student population, but there are new ideas and changes already

taking place. Only 60 percent of freshmen are currently reading at their grade level so U. City teachers have had extensive meetings about this and have already begun focus-ing more on reading and analysis this year.

Although U. City is fully accred-ited, the district currently only has 8 points out of 14, with a recent increase from 7 to 8 points. When schools receive very few points, in some cases, they can be forced to close.

Ms. Burgdorf’s major goals are to increase U. City’s accreditation points and to make our school more enjoyable. “This is the best job I’ve ever had,” she said.

One way U. City can gain more accreditation points is by increas-ing its attendance rate from 90 percent to 93 percent, which Ms. Burgdorf and our faculty are greatly promoting.

Other changes that will improve U. City, such as making AP courses weighted to increase students’ GPA and adding volunteer work as a high school requirement, are still being discussed. Other issues to be addressed are the possibility of creating an open space outdoors for lunch hour and allowing seniors to attend only a half day of school.

“Students need options. I know high school is not for everyone,” Ms. Burgdorf said.

Stricter rules have also been placed for those who are involved in fights; counselors have had intensive training to help prepare students; seminar and lunch have changed to increase students’ productivity; and the dress code is being strictly reinforced.

“Not doing what I can do for this school is my biggest fear,” said Ms. Burgdorf.

At the first Principal’s Advisory Council meeting, several students waited their turn to speak. From left: senior Caroline Martinez, ju-nior Andreielle Hawkins, sophomore Keonna Burns, junor Merinda Morley, junior Asia Garrison, and junior Allie Hines.PHOTO BY ABBY SHEA

Burgdorf takes over as interim principal

Burgdorf forms Principal’s Advisory CouncilBy Claire Hulett

Guest Contributor

U. City’s new Instructional Facili-tator, Mrs. Shenelle DuBose, never expected to be chosen for her 2011-2012 position.

On the day Dr. Cobb, Assistant Superintendent-Human Resources, called Mrs. DuBose to the office to give her the news, she said, “I remember my first thought was ‘What had I done to get myself in trouble?’”

Previously teaching ACT Prep and Academic Literacy courses for several years, Mrs. DuBose faced an adjustment when she left her

classroom students, but loves to tackle the daily obstacles with her new job.

“The only thing I miss is having me to worry about,” she said, refer-ring to her years as high school teacher. “I used to only have to check with myself, now I have 75 classes to manage.”

Although acquiring an Instruc-tional Facilitator position at the start of the year was not in Mrs. DuBose’s plan, she has risen to the occasion and hopes to make im-provements for both the students and staff.

“As of right now, I am setting up computer classes called E2020 for

students in need of extra credits to graduate,” said Mrs. DuBose. “Instead of only receiving one-fourth of a credit for each year of seminar, students will soon be able to utilize that designated time to obtain one full credit in a specific subject area.”

Mrs. DuBose left behind a group of supportive students, apprecia-tive for her years of teaching.

“Mrs. DuBose helped students individually and always kept it real,” said former student Radaziah Whittington, junior. “We are proud of her for climbing up the ladder of success.”

By Julian JohnsonPhoto Editor

The principal’s advisory council met for the second time on October 12 with eleven juniors and seniors in attendance. The goal of having the advisory council is to create an open relationship with the administrators and the students. The selected students meet with the prin-cipal once a month and discuss problems and concerns, such as accreditation, graduation rates, and APR points. This month, the advisory team learned about how the district is focusing on raising the APR points in algebra, ACT, and graduation rates.

“So far, I find the advisory council to be headed in a positive and constructive direction,” said senior Chris-tina Thompson.

Ms. Burgdorf wants to stay connected to her students and learn what they need in a learning environment. The advisory council is going to help her obtain this goal for the upcoming school year.

“I am very excited about the implementation of the Principal’s Advisory Council and I am looking forward to getting closer to my students,” said Ms. Burgdorf.

In the meeting, the students enjoy pizza as they dis-cuss important matters, such as data about the student test scores, attendance, renovations to the school. Rumor control is also a focus of the discussions.

“I like being involved and knowing about the choices and decisions in the school,” said junior Andreielle Hawkins.

ALL NEW DESIGN FOR 2011-2012

More news, more photos, more fun!

See boys soccer highlights on video!

Cast your vote in our poll about graduation

Check out Homecoming photos

DuBose’s new role focuses on improving instruction

Utimesonline.com

Homecoming Week 20114

“I thought I had a good chance of winning because I am very outgoing and know a lot of people,” says homecoming queen, Joi Miller (chair to the right next to king Jeff Mcghee). Her sis-ter, Daja Miller (far left corner with Kadarryl Polk), made sophomore court. “It was very fun to run along side my sister and I’m glad that we were both able to share that experience,”says Daja. Junior Cameron Ballard and Breana Conner and freshman Kanesha Jenkins were also chosen to be part of the homecoming court.

By Gabrielle DavisStaff Writer

Homecoming Week started off with a “Blast from the Past” where students dressed up in clothing from past de-cades, such as the 1980’s. Every day added more spirit to the tradition, building up to the long-awaited pep rally and homecoming day activities, which created a fun, yet often stressful atmosphere.

Sensational Spirit

The field hockey team has won the float competition for several consecu-tive years and this year was no exception. The team had help from Mr. Coley, father of a former field hockey player, and had a colorful float decorated with a lion with rastas.

In his second year serving as drum major, senior Terrence Childs leads the band down Delmar near City Hall. “Being drum major is my life, it even gained me a full scholarship to UAPB (Univer-sity of Arkansas--Pine Bluff),” says Childs.

Junior Daphne Pastard arrived at homecoming with her own customized dress. “I’ve been doing dresses since I was little,” says Pastard.

5Homecoming Week 2011

1. “‘Through the Decades’ was my favorite day because I got to embrace my favorite decade, which is the 70’s,” says senior Brennan Jones with juniors Aleasia Dickerson and Sydney Johnson.2. “Since this is my senior year I wanted to make sure that this would be the best spirit week I ever had,” says Kierra Battle with Tony Newman, and Armani Cross in their wildest attire. 3. “Since my mom is a construction worker I just went snooping in her closet to create my outfit,” says junior Ursula Monaghan as she shows her inner construc-tion woman.4. “It feels so good to finally be a senior and wearing all black was just a way to show my seniority,” says senior Kacey Mullen as she shares her school spirit with her fellow classmates Ruby Ficklen, Claire Hullet, Valeria Toles and Maya Bowling.5. Seniors Markus Ashford, Addison Mishecux, Nelson Atkins, Corey Johnson, and Emmanuael Price go out with a bang on the last day of spirt week. “Black and Gold Day was a lot of fun until I had to go home and try to remove the paint from my face,” senior Corey Johnson says.

3 4

5

“I thought I had a good chance of winning because I am very outgoing and know a lot of people,” says homecoming queen, Joi Miller (chair to the right next to king Jeff Mcghee). Her sis-ter, Daja Miller (far left corner with Kadarryl Polk), made sophomore court. “It was very fun to run along side my sister and I’m glad that we were both able to share that experience,”says Daja. Junior Cameron Ballard and Breana Conner and freshman Kanesha Jenkins were also chosen to be part of the homecoming court.

In his second year serving as drum major, senior Terrence Childs leads the band down Delmar near City Hall. “Being drum major is my life, it even gained me a full scholarship to UAPB (Univer-sity of Arkansas--Pine Bluff),” says Childs.

When I Grow Up

Wacky Tacky

Color Wars

Black & Gold

1 2

Through the Decades

U-TimesOctober 2011

Features 6

Lunch shifts reduced to two Seminar concentrates on improving academicsAlexander Phillips

Staff Writer The loss of a lunch shift from three to only

two this year is the result of a decision by interim principal Dayle Burgdorf. Many factors went into this decision, the most important being the idea of removing the split lunch.

“The students need to be in class uninterrupt-ed,” said Burgdorf. She also went on to say that her decision was “solely academic” and that it is easier on teachers to not have to start, stop and then restart class.

Eric Morgan, wrestling coach, and other faculty and administrators agree that two lunches are bet-

ter than three. Morgan said that the two lunches are more controlled and also that the students are cleaning up because the stickers on each table remind them to throw away their trash and “hopes the good behavior continues.”

“The kids are more responsible and older students are starting to mature and maybe the ad-dition of a microwave would be a good idea,” said Morgan.

From the administrative side, assistant principal Ernest Carter believes the reduction in lunches serves multiple purposes.

“I love two lunches,” said Carter. “Two lunches is less taxing on staff, the amount of referrals is-

sued for class cuts has dramatically decreased and it gives time for café workers to clean up after lunch”.

Although faculty and staff support the new lunch schedule, students do not necessarily approve.

Senior Briyanya Cooley said she thinks lunch is too crowded and only having two lunches is a bad idea, but is happy about the new school hours.

“Even though we only have two lunches get-ting out at 2:20 is great,” said Cooley.

Senior Justin Corn agreed that there are not enough seats or tables at lunch and it takes too long to get lunch.

“The new lunch shift is too distinguished from last year which sucks and I wish they kept the schedule with three lunches,” said Corn.

Leah BookerStaff Writer

Seminar used to be on the first class of the day, but this year

it’s scheduled during the third period on “B” days. “I like the changes in seminar because it gives us the

chances to do work from the previous class,” said senior Quartez Couzart. “In the last seminar I didn’t really do work because it was the first class so I would do my work at home and I wouldn’t have anything to do when I got to school.”

Seminar has also been divided into three different catego-ries: Roar, Paws and general.

The Roar Seminar is for students who are failing two or more core classes with possible behavior problems, students who are at risk of being reclassified, and students who have patterns of academic struggles and need small settings. These students are not allowed to travel during seminar.

The next level is a Paws seminar, which is for students who are failing two or more non-core classes, have possible behavior or social problems, family situations, and are in need of individualized attention. These students have limited travel time and are accompanied by an escort teacher or Lion Fever student.

The General seminar mixes freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors who are passing all core classes. These students are allowed to navigate the high school system independently, but still need pre-arranged travel passes.

“I’m disappointed I didn’t get the seminar that I had last year because I had them for so long,” said Ms. Barrale, Alge-bra 1 and ACT Prep teacher. “I do like that seminar will help students get help during school,” she added.

Judge Mablean motivates studentsCaroline MartinezEditor-in-Chief

The star of Fox Television’s “Divorce Court,” Judge Mablean, came to U. City on Sept. 2 for an assembly to motivate students about goal setting and using determi-nation to achieve them. Judge Mablean, the ninth of ten children, is an accomplished lawyer and motivational speaker who decided to become a lawyer when she was 13 and “stuck with the plan until it became a reality.”

“I wanted someone who had some notoriety,” Ms. Burgdorf said about arranging Mablean’s visit.

Mablean brought with her a message about family and friends who can sometimes be detrimental. “All of them won’t see what you see in yourself,” Mablean said.

More importantly, Mablean extorted the value of rely-ing on yourself for success.

“The bottom line is: it’s all up to you.” She called her life method for goal achieving “the four P’s for success: Plan, Prepare, Pursue, and Persevere.”

“What makes you tick?” Judge Mablean asked when explaining the “first P: Plan.” Knowing what you’re pas-sionate about, taking day by day steps, and making an extra effort to get good grades, goes a long way.

Mablean encouraged students to prepare. “Get into the right classes, take the ACT, find out what it takes to do what you want.”

Mablean expanded on the fact that in today’s world we have an infinite number of resources, such as the internet, which can help us get more information on how to accomplish goals and the specifics for any area of interest. “Of excuses, you have none,” said Mablean.

Moving on to the “third P, Pursue,” Mablean gave students encouragement to look for scholarships and feel that if she did it then they can, too. She spoke of her husband who did not believe in her dreams and thought she would give up on them, and how despite work-ing and having a family, she continued on her path to become a lawyer.

Mablean made it clear that determination and hard work pays off. When she was in high school, she many times did her homework while her brothers and friends would be playing or she’d stay up at night with a flash-light doing her homework secretly because her father wouldn’t let her stay up very late. This perseverance and ability to prioritize and go against the current was what set her apart from a young age.

“I like that she was trying to get the job done, because you might miss the opportunity at getting a better educa-tion or job,” senior Keipher Goliday said about Mablean.

Mablean’s decision to be a lawyer was influenced by her mother who was always very involved and taught her to give back. What she enjoys the most about her

job is problem solving and achieving justice. Although Mablean is satisfied with what she’s done in her life, she still feels there’s more to be done.

Judge Mablean shows off her newest book, Judge Mablean’s Life Lessons, with freshmen Precious Foster, seniors Kadeisha Williams and Sham Johnson and freshman Kanesha Jenkins.PHOTO BY KAICEE WOODS

It took awhile for seniors April Taylor and Autumn Jacobs to adjust to the new lunch schedule, but now they are okay with it. PHOTO BY TAYLOR EASLEY

U-TimesOctober 2011

7Features

“Caitllyn is a very happy and hard-working kids who tries and does her best. Plus, she’s short!” said Calloway of Caitllyn Ward who is a student in his sophomore honors Lit and Comp class. PHOTO BY CAROLINE MARTINEZ

Diverse path leads to teaching

Con’t from page one

Reed and his staff of coaches are bring-ing new players to the field and keeping them interested in the sport.

“Positive motivation is the key,” said Reed.

Although the number of players has di-minished in recent years, Reed believes by using positive reinforcement he can retain his players on the field and attract new players for next season.

In contrast, the swim team carries only two swimmers. Previously having had a team of at least five swimmers, this year senior Luke Babich and sophomore Carson Brandt are the only ones racing

to the finish line. “We can’t win many meets because we

only have two people,” said Brandt.The swim team is currently search-

ing for anyone that is a good swimmer or looking to learn to swim as well as recruiting at the lower grade levels.

“Swim or die is my state of mind,” said Carson.

A fast up and coming sport is girls’ ten-nis. The sport is having a good season, and numbers have shot up from previ-ous years.

“It’s a good number of people play-ing not to be a sport such as football or basketball, which I feel is overly publi-cized at our school,” said senior Shayla

Jackson. Volleyball has been making great

strides towards winning games. The team is currently working on strengthening relationships between players.

“The size is great because of the closeness we have,” said senior Raven Williams.

With seventeen players, the softball team is one of many teams thrilled about their increasing numbers. Additional time spent with the elementary and middle schools makes a major increase in their numbers year in and year out.

“We would like to have three teams instead of just junior varsity and varsity,” said Assistant Coach Aboussie.

Softball has been making a family of their team, closing the gaps to make the team whole.

“[We have a] good number of fresh-man to carry on the legacy and make it better than it has been,” said senior Christina Thompson.

The softball team includes in their agenda pitching and hitting camps to raise numbers and awareness of the sport to everyone.

At U. City, sports are an enormous portion of students’ lives, whether taking part in the sport, managing or just being a spectator.

Asia GarrisonGuest Writer

One of the hardest jobs on the plan-et is being a teacher. It takes patience, dedication and love for children. Many people are aware of what they want to do when they go to college. For Dennis Calloway, also known as an art major drop out, truck driver, Santa Claus look-alike English teacher, it was not the same story.

Calloway was born in St. Louis and attended Riverview Gardens High School and had a rough time deciding his major.”

“I’ve always enjoyed English; litera-ture was my strongest subject in high school,” said Calloway.

Although Calloway teaches English

now, he was an art major for two years until he decided to take his career elsewhere.

Calloway has been a teacher for 21 years and currently works at U. City. “First year it was uh, frustrating fearful [and I] didn’t know what I was doing,” said Calloway.

Currently, Calloway is the student sponsor for Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). “I think gay population needs…I think gays and straights need to tolerate each other...gays and straights need to come together”.

Outside of teaching, Calloway has two children, Steve, 28, and Jessica, 26; a granddaughter named Emily, four, and grandson, Lucas, three. Calloway has three sisters and enjoys

watching football. His favorite team is the St. Louis Rams.

Calloway has been teaching at U. City for over two decades he’s had to deal with a lot of changes.

“No uniform, I feel kids should be able to express themselves,” said Cal-loway.

Throughout his career, Calloway has consistently advocated for students.

“Calloway is a very interesting man, one of the realest teachers here, said senior Mandy York. “He will tell it like it is.”

In the near future, Calloway wants to retire. He has always been told he looks like Santa, so this Christmas he plans to apply for a job at the local mall as Santa.

Sports teams at U. City often struggle to recruit and keep players

Leah BookerStaff Writer

The director and producers of ”Give A Damn” conducted an exclusive question and answer session on Sept. 26 about their documentary which tracks three St. Louis friends attempting to live on $1.25 a day while hitchhiking on three continents. Approxi-mately 100 students attended.

“The documentary was a life changing experience for a lot of people who watched it,” said senior Terrian Collins.” It changed the way that I look at the economy. I feel that America has it good and in some people’s eyes in differ-ent countries we are spoiled

and now that I know all of this information I can see why they think so.”

“Give a Damn” was direct-ed by Dan Parris and pro-duced by David Peterka and Rob Lehr. It was shown as part of the St. Louis film series this summer where it won first prize for documentary.

“I read about the movie in the Post-Dispatch, I felt like poverty was an important and interesting perspective to the students because the filmmak-ers are close in age to high school students,” said Ms. April Pezzola,social studies teacher, and as a result she invited the student body to share the experience.

With a primary focus on poverty, the three friends traveled to Africa and wit-nessed how difficult it is to live on so little every day. By bringing this movie to U. City, students became more aware of what was going on in other countries.

“They were very happy about bringing the documen-tary to a high school no one else had contacted them,” said Ms.Pezzola.

Parris, Peterka and Lehr faced many obstacles while making the documentary, including surviving a plane crash that killed the two pilots. Parris and Lehr had to stop work on the documen-

tary after the crash because of injuries and other health issues, but Peterka continued to finish the filming along with his brother in Africa.

After watching the docu-mentary, senior Ariel Neely wrote a reflection about it. She felt very enlightened about the conditions in Africa. In part, she wrote: “Before, when someone would say there are starving kids in Africa, I would say there are starving kids here, too. This film helps me see a real-ity that I’ve always turned a blind eye to. Thank you for opening my eyes.”

Documentary filmmakers host movie for students

The filmmakers, Dan Parris, David Peterka and Rob Lehr, with senior Andrielle Hawkins. PHOTO BY LEAH BOOKER

U-TimesOctober 2011 Homecoming 8

CELEBRATE!Crowds gather on game day to commemorate centennial

READY TO WIN one of the biggest games of their season. The Lions started the first quarter giving the upper hand to the Seckman Jaguars. In the second quarter, Lions got the crowd pumped for a win with two touchdowns from seniors Deandre Williams and Tony Newman. At half-time, the score was 15-13, with U. City leading. Seckman gained the advantage quickly, though, when they scored in the third quarter. However, the Lions came back with two more touchdowns from seniors Mario Wallace and Deandre Williams. In the final quarter, Seckman once again took the lead and held onto it with two touchdowns. The Lions continued to fight, but were unable to complete the touchdown in the last seconds of the game. The Lions lost 30-34 and strolled to the locker room with the Lions’ pride still on their backs. “I thought our guys played hard, but we came up a little short,” says Head Coach Reed.PHOTOS BY JULIAN JOHNSON & ABBY SHEA

JUST DANCE Ladaisha Mitchell, junior, has been on the Lionettes since freshmen year. “It’s so fun being a dancer beacause I love to dance,” says Miller. “I’ve been doing this since I was a little girl, and now I can put it to good use.”

GOLDEN BOY The only male on the Golden Girl’s dance team, junior Dontel Pattman joined the team because he doesn’t mind being different. “I love being part of the dance team,” says Pattman.

HALF-TIME Alumni band members and dancers joined the half-time show to celebrate the centennial of the University City School District. “They were a joy to be around, and they taught us a lot!”says Charese Jeffries, junior. From left: junior Dontel Pattman, seniors Ciarra Wallace, Semont Lee-Davis and Aun’Yiea Watson.

KEEP THE FAITH Senior Erica Collins, juniors Mia Bowens and Mariah Johnson, seniors Michel Hodge, Khadijah Williams, and Arrianna Carter, and sophomore Aries Sanders keep the crowd hype during the game. “It’s our job to get the crowd pumped and ready for a big win, even if we don’t win!” says Johnson. In addition, U. City’s boys soccer team also showed their annual homecoming tradition by coming to the game with their chests painted in support of the Lions.

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON Homecoming is one of the rare occasions tin which the band wears their formal uniforms. Mostly, the band wears their band T-shirt, black nylon pants and black boots. This year, the band got new T-shirts, which are black instead of gold as it has been in the past. CAPTIONS BY GABRIELLE DAVIS & WILLIAM MITCHELL