The news site of Marquette High School

Marquette Messenger
The news site of Marquette High School

Marquette Messenger
The news site of Marquette High School

Marquette Messenger
Ben Hughes

Ben Hughes, Executive Producer, Production Editor

Ben Hughes (he/him), senior, is the Production Editor and Executive Producer for the Messenger and MHSNews. In his free time he plays golf, snowboards, skateboards, mountain bikes, and hikes. He also likes to travel, take photos, and spend time with his friends and family.

All content by Ben Hughes

MHSNews | St. Louis City Foundry Offers New Perspectives

Jack Huster, Shyam Punnachalil, and Ben Hughes
May 29, 2022

[Video] MHSNews | Local Bike Shop Promotes Love of Cycling

Ben Hughes, Executive Producer
May 19, 2022
Audra Yoder, junior, catches the ball during a varsity lacrosse practice. Yoder is committed to play collegiate lacrosse at Rockhurst University, and has faced pressure from the recruiting process.

[Photo] Time to Stress or to Decompress?

Aarushi Bute, Co-Associate Editor
May 5, 2022
Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is participating in a national Day of Silence to protest the abuse, mistreatment and erasure of LGBTQ+ students. Organized by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), students are given a yellow card explaining their protest and providing statistics about the mistreatment of LGBTQ+ students in schools.

GSA Participates in National Day of Silence

Ben Hughes, Production Editor, Executive Producer
April 21, 2022

[Video] MHSNews | Gas Station Serves World Class BBQ

Ben Hughes, Executive Producer
March 2, 2022

[Video] Principal Carl Hudson Memorial Vigil

Ben Hughes, Executive Producer
January 14, 2022

Growing Up Football

Ben Hughes (he/him) and Marin Ellington (she/her)
December 25, 2021
Sophomore, Bradley Odman, defenseman, shoots the puck from distance through multiple CBC defenders. The mustangs fell to the Cadets 3-0 on Monday, Nov. 8.

[Photo] Mustang Hockey Gets Results in Three Consecutive Games

Carter Van Buskirk (he/him), Staff Reporter
November 30, 2021
In the U.S., baseball is the preferred bat-and-ball game. However, cricket is gaining popularity in the US. “With new initiatives, cricket is at the path to grow,” Ajay Jhamb, founder of American Cricket Academy & Club (ACAC) said.

[Photo] Cricket Gains Popularity in the U.S.

Aleena Shaik (she/her), Staff Reporter
November 30, 2021

[Video] MHSNews | Rockwood Composite Mountain Bike Team Gets Students Active

Ben Hughes, Executive Producer
November 22, 2021
Students at MHS who are involved in the Special School District (SSD) have begun working at the Wake Up MHS Coffee Shop, selling coffee to students and staff in the morning.

[Photo] In-Depth: Students, Staff Celebrate Disability Inclusion

Arpitha Sistla (she/her), Co-Online Editor
October 24, 2021
Members of the community attend the Thursday, Oct. 7, Board of Education (BOE) meeting at Lafayette to communicate their positions on the mask mandate, vaccinations and the harassment of staff in RSD.

[Photo] RSD Encourages Civil Discourse At Board Meetings

Aarushi Bute (she/her), Co-Associate Editor
October 24, 2021
Captain Kenzie Petch, senior, dribbles through two Pioneer defenders to make a break for the goal. Petch has committed to play at Maryville University, an NCAA Division II school, next year. “I’ve had my friends' support, family’s support, and a big part of it was my effort,” she said.

Varsity Field Hockey Celebrates Senior Night

Ben Hughes, Executive Producer & Production Editor
October 2, 2021

[Video] MHSNews | MHS Library Reopens

Ben Hughes, Executive Producer
September 27, 2021
Multiple boys' bathrooms at MHS have been vandalized by students wanting to participate in the 'devious lick' challenge. A “lick” is the act of successfully stealing or damaging something that belongs to someone else. The more damaging and destructive the prank is, the more devious it is deemed.

[Photo] ‘It’s A Shame’: MHS Admin React to ‘Devious Lick’ Challenge

Arpitha Sistla (she/her), Co-Online Editor
September 17, 2021
Kayla Santucci, junior, looks to defend an Ursuline in bounds play in the Mustangs game Wednesday September 8. The Mustangs advanced to 3-2 on the season after their win over the Bears.

Photo Gallery: Varsity Field Hockey Defeats Ursuline Academy

Ben Hughes, Executive Producer & Production Editor
September 13, 2021
Businesses located near the intersection of Clarkson and Highway 40 put out signs to help bring in workers during the on going labor shortage. Teens are often the ones occupying the food and retail service workers that businesses are looking for now.

Teens Deserve Better Employment Benefits

Ben Hughes (he/him), Production Editor & Executive Producer
September 13, 2021

[Video] MHSNews | Local Farm Grows Sustainable Flowers

Ben Hughes, Co- Executive Producer
June 3, 2021
The Mustangs celebrate after midfielder Patrick Kirwan, senior, scores the game winning goal with 6 seconds left in the game. The Mustangs will face off against the Lindbergh Flyers at 7 p.m. on Friday May 21.

Photo Gallery: Boys Lacrosse Defeats Lafayette to Advance to Second Round of Playoffs

Ben Hughes, Photography Editor, Online Publisher
May 20, 2021

[Video] Social Media Editor’s Podcast, Episode 2: Social Media and Teen Fashion

Ben Hughes
May 17, 2021
The senior parade will be an event this year in which teacher line up in the parking lot with signs and fun poster like Brittany Sharitz, librarian, and Kevin Sharitz, technology teacher, did last year.

[Photo] Senior Activities Continue to be Prioritized

Lajja Patel, Co-Features Editor
April 21, 2021
After arriving at the customer’s home, Hill puts the order by the front door and takes a photo of the order to notify the customer it has been delivered. To keep both drivers and customers safe deliveries are done “contactless” where food is left on customer’s doorsteps rather than being delivered face to face.

[Photo] Photo Gallery: Students Drive for DoorDash

April 1, 2021
Larson Hill, senior poses with his car, warming bag and mask, all required for his job delivering food for DoorDash. Recently, DoorDash has become a popular employer for MHS students due to it’s easy sign up, flexibility and high pay.

Students Work for Food Delivery Service DoorDash

Ben Hughes, Photography Editor, Online Publisher
April 1, 2021
After the order is prepared, Hill carries it to his car to be driven to the customer’s home. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic food delivery apps like DoorDash, UberEats and Postmates have increased in popularity as people are staying in more.

After arriving at the customer’s home, Hill puts the order by the front door and takes a photo of the order to notify the customer it has been delivered. To keep both drivers and customers safe deliveries are done “contactless” where food is left on customer’s doorsteps rather than being delivered face to face.

Hill loads the order into a DoorDash issued warming bag to keep the food hot while it is delivered. DoorDash has it’s tip amount defaulted to 15% on orders allowing drivers to make an average of $15-$20 an hour.

Hill opens the door to McAlister's Deli in Ballwin after receiving an order through the DoorDash app. Nationally, DoorDash delivers food from around 390,000 restaurants

Hill logs into the DoorDash app before a busy afternoon of food deliveries. Hill said some of the most popular restaurants in the area are Chic Fil A, McDonalds and Chipotle.

Larson Hill, senior poses with his car, warming bag and mask, all required for his job delivering food for DoorDash. Recently, DoorDash has become a popular employer for MHS students due to it’s easy sign up, flexibility and high pay.

[Video] MHSNews | Local Alternative Band Gains Social Media Following

Ben Hughes
March 30, 2021
Sophomores Ginny Pisoni and Madeline Bowen repeat a sign during ASL class.

[Photo] Mask Usage Leads to Difficulty Understanding Emotion

Mason Kellerman, Illustrator
February 28, 2021

[Video] MHSNews | Seniors Write Thank You Notes to Rockwood Teachers

Ben Hughes, Photography Editor, Online Publisher
December 9, 2020
The return to in-school learning has new created concerns for teachers.

[Photo] Teachers Show Health Concerns for School Reopening

Lajja Patel, Staff Reporter
November 18, 2020
The Mustangs celebrate with the District championship plaque after sweeping the Francis Howell Knights three sets to none. This was their first district championship win since 2013.

Girls Volleyball Wins First District Championship Since 2013

Ben Hughes, Photography Editor, Online Publisher
October 29, 2020
For the first few months of quarantine, MHS was relatively empty with the only traffic being staff picking up or dropping materials. Over the past three months, the reopening phases and county-approved sports practices have allowed MHS to once again be busy with activity, now following social distancing guidelines. Principal Dr. Steve Hankins awaits the reentry of students. “Until kids get in the MHS building [and in classrooms], we don’t feel settled,” he said.

[Photo] RSD Announces Plans to Reopen Secondary Schools

Waha Siddiqui, Editor-In-Chief
October 20, 2020
St. Louis County athletes and parents protest at the Let Them Play rally against County Executive Sam Page’s decision to cancel high school sports games.

[Photo] STL County High School Athletes and Parents Petition Against Cancellation of Fall Sports Competitions

Annie McGinnis, Co-Sports Editor
September 23, 2020
Lee Mitchell, librarian, has helped build the MHS library department for twenty two years. She has contributed to the library’s renovations, technology, and book collections.

[Photo] After twenty two years at MHS, librarian Lee Mitchell retires

Carter Van Buskirk, Features Editor
September 23, 2020
Creve Coeur police officers stand guard at the entrance of County Executive Dr. Sam Page’s neighborhood as protesters begin to gather. Police were on site to keep protesters from advancing farther up the street to Dr. Page’s home.

Photo Gallery: Let Them Play Ralley

Ben Hughes, Photography Editor, Online Publisher
September 18, 2020

MHSNews | AFJROTC stocks MHS food pantry

Ben Hughes, Photography Editor, Online Publisher
September 18, 2020
Caps and gown packages are delivered to senior’s car windows by MHS staff members wearing masks and gloves.

Photo Gallery: Senior Cap and Gown Handout

Ben Hughes, Equipment Manager
May 16, 2020
Schnucks employee slices meat wearing a mask and gloves.

Photo Gallery: COVID-19

Ben Hughes and Carter Van Buskirk
April 8, 2020
The Hoosier Gym was the set for the famous 19866 film "Hoosiers," directed by David Anspaugh.

Basketball Teams Travel to Famous Hoosier Gym

Ben Hughes
January 31, 2020
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