Prep News “If nothing else, value the truth” Volume LXXXV, Issue XII St. Louis University High School | Friday, December 16, 2020 sluh.org/prep-news Despite After months of Faculty reflects on cherished Pandemic, waiting, SLUH’s full Christmas memories Adopt-a-family return becomes reality Sleepy-eyed and nearly ready drive is success for bed, we were nevertheless BY Carter J. Fortman many of whom are currently definitely game for one last Editor in Chief taking fully virtual and will still Christmas Eve gift. We were BY Peter James ollowing a delay from the have that option. So in the end, very young; all of us under reporter Foriginally-planned date of I think that the social distanc- ten, but attentively watching espite the obstacles and Nov. 30 because of November’s ing is really the most important the front door mesmerized Dchanges brought about Covid spike, St. Louis U. High for the adults in the building.” by the mystery. What could by Covid, SLUH’s Adopt-A- will return to full capacity be- The decision to come back it be? Apparently my dad Family Drive continued its ginning Monday, Jan. 11. was made because of the very helped my uncle into posi- annual success. Students will be distanced low numbers of students and tion with the tree outside SLUH partnered with St. anywhere from three to six feet faculty that are either in quar- our closed front door, and Francis Community Services apart at all times, a reduction antine or fighting the virus just then my uncle retreated to Southside Adopt-A-Family from the current six feet dis- two weeks after Thanksgiving. the base of the tree down Program to help families in tance. The change was brought School leaders were surprised photo | Lynne Casey the front porch steps and need and to bring the spirit about after the school observed to find that Thanksgiving, A young Lynne Casey (left) and her sister visit Santa out of sight. Suddenly the of Christmas. The Adopt-A- other schools being able to while it produced many quar- BY Sam Tarter pocket! door flung open, with our Family Drive allows students safely return to full capac- antines, did not result in a large Features Editor That year, we did not dad grinning mischievously and their parents to “adopt” ity with three feet of distance. spike in cases. According to s the Christmas holi- have a tree yet, and it was in the doorway. St. Francis families and Teachers will still be required Carruthers, the school is confi- Aday approaches, and Christmas Eve. After an “I have a special surprise families in the SLUH com- to maintain six feet of distance dent that their safety measures as the 2020 year comes to a evening late lunch of deli for you,” he intoned. munity by providing them between each other. are working. close, the Prep News wanted meats and crackers at our He looked down, and with clothing, coats, toys, “The risks for high school In order to put some time to share some positive and Grandma Julia’s house fol- with a magician’s flair, household essentials like students are very, very low,” in between potential exposures heartwarming stories about lowed by a gift exchange, reached into his coat pocket. toilet paper, and gift cards said President Alan Carruthers. and the return to campus, the the teachers at SLUH, and and after the excitement of a We peered, squinted, and ca- for groceries, gas, and de- “And it really affects those with school announced that classes their favorite Christmas full holiday table spread, late reened our necks to see what partment stores. The drive’s complicated immune systems, continued on page 11 memories. dinner, and raucous mayhem might be in his pocket. What collection lasted from Mon- with our cousins in the base- was it??!! day Dec. 7 to Friday Dec. 11. John Kavanaugh ment at my Great Aunt Kay Then, miraculously, the “It was very successful One Christmas, my dad Connally’s house, our par- very tip of a massive tree be- considering all of the chang- Tom Kavanaugh (SLUH ’68) ents brought us kids home gan to emerge, it would ap- es we made for this year and and uncle John Kavanaugh around 9 or 10 p.m. pear, from beneath his arm, considering the great needs SJ (SLUH ’59) conspired to Uncle John had hidden out of his pocket! He began that families are in,” said amaze me and my siblings himself and the tree some- pulling (the base of the tree Campus Minister Simonie (younger sister Jenny and where (perhaps stowed in being held and thrust for- Anzalone. “We just had so younger brother Tommy) the side yard). Our mom, in ward by Uncle John unbe- many generous folks par- by making it appear that our on the fun, sat us down in knownst to us) and pulling ticipate, we know right now dad literally pulled a 7-foot our front room and told us and PULLING!...until the continued on page 11 art | Charlie Bieg balsam spruce tree out of his our dad had a surprise for us. continued on page 6 Admin. rolls out with Commentary: Band performs to virtual audience Exam schedule What are we in two shows BY Luke Duffy and students will be on campus, celebrating? BY Nick Campbell and could come? Who should be al- fortunately, a spike in regional John Posey they will just be taking exams Angad Gothra lowed to be here? and how are Covid cases forced the school to Staff, reporter with members of their own Remember reporters they going to be interacting with reconsider. fter much suspense over cohort. This change has been s the Covid pandemic each other?” “As everything spiked after Awhat the end of the se- implemented to maintain so- Christmas Roots Acontinues to make group At first, Pottinger, Jazz Band Thanksgiving break, several of mester would bring, the exam cial distancing with a greater gathering even more difficult 2 director Joe Koestner, and per- us just felt it was irresponsible to schedule has been released and number of students on cam- Jack Figge to orchestrate, band director cussion lead Micheal Faris were try to bring that many people in presents a few changes from pus. Core Staff Jeff Pottinger and the rest of the hoping to host a scaled-down at once,” recalled Pottinger, who previous years. Semester ex- “It’s not going to be any dif- alking through the SLUH band have found new concert in the Si Commons for then made the decision to stream ams will take place in-person ferent from what we’re doing Wstreets of my neighbor- ways to come together and make parents only, where guests could the event instead. “We chose to on Thursday, Dec. 17; Friday, on a regular school day right hood at night with my dog, I music during the Concert Band’s be seated at a table already par- send out a Zoom link to allow Dec. 18; and Monday, Dec. 21. now,” Becvar said regarding witness the spectacle of Christ- Christmas performance on Dec. titioned with plexiglass. Un- continued on page 11 A detailed exam schedule has social distancing. mas decorations my neighbors 8, as well as the Jazz concert on been emailed to all students Another difference about have put on display. I am always Dec. 15. by Assistant Principal for Aca- this year’s exam schedule is amazed by the creative decora- Unlike past years, where demics Tom Becvar and shows that it contains far fewer class- tions that adorn my neighbor- family, staff, and other students where students will go for their es than in previous years. Giv- hood, from a ten foot Olaf the filled the Schulte Theatre and Si exams based on class, teacher, en the circumstances, many Snowman blow up to flamingos Commons, Pottinger and the period, and cohort. teachers are giving exams decked out in Santa hats. How- rest of the band faculty were When interpreting the ahead of time, whether that’s ever, one common decoration forced to make multiple changes exam schedule, students in the form of a Canvas quiz that I feel I see fewer and fewer in regards to attendance. should keep in mind a few fac- or an essay. It is recommended of is the nativity scene, leading “Our first question was ‘what tors. Firstly, unless an exam is that students clarify what their me to ask myself: Have we lost about the audience?,’” said Pot- given in the Commons, it will exam will be if there is not a the true meaning of Christmas tinger. “There are a lot of things be separated by cohort. All continued on page 11 continued on page 10 to figure out, like how many Students play for a virtual audience photo | Carter J. Fortman The weekly student news Lettter to the Editors Sports INDEX 2020 spread Grande Project Hockey newspaper of 2 News St. Louis University Momentous, life-altering, unprec- In an already stressful time, the Grande Even after being decimated by quar- High School edented, bizarre. Whatever word you Project has become another assignment antines, varsity squad puts up a strong 3 Entertainment to check off, instead, teachers should 4970 Oakland Ave. use to describe it, 2020 will not soon performance, ties Lafayette. Page 7 4-5 2020 End Review St. Louis, MO 63110 be forgotten. The Prep News shares have patience with seniors. (314) 531-0330 ext. 2241 some of the most significant events. Page 10 Sportss 6-7 Sports online at sluh.org/prep-news Page 4-5 Wrestiling: 8 Merry Christmas! [email protected] News Varsity wrestling ultimately falls short after grueling matches against St.