February 2017 Le Journal

le LE JOURNAL

ISSUE 4 VOLUME 35 FEBRUARY 2017

A Cyber Diet

pages 14-17

LE JOURNAL FEBRUARY COVER STORY

16

The New Digital Diet A look at society’s growing cyber addiction and its effects on physical, social and psychological health.

FEATURES Holmes 20 Polly New religion teacher rediscovers her call through adventure and service.

Ramsey 22 Taylor Senior’s inspiration for singing and acting.

SECTIONS NEWS

OPINION

The Inauguration 5 Stuco Switches 5 Sion Shoppe Volunteer 6 Poetry Competition 6 New Spanish Class 7 American Heart Association Assembly 7

Valentine’s Day is Dead 9 Media’s Effect On The Masses 9 KC Bookstores 10

SPORTS

A&E

Sports Spotlight: Olivia Townsend 13 Dance Team Regionals 14 Robotics in St. Louis 15 Night of Rivalry 15

Freezing Moo’s 24 Hidden Figures 24 Hamilton Hits Home 25 This Is Us 26 Stargazing in KC 27

Senior Taylor Ramsey sings “Take Me To Heaven” in the school musical “Sister Act.” She portrayed Deloris Van Carter, a Reno lounge singer who is on the run after witnessing a mobster killing. See Ramsey’s feature on page 22. (Photo by Tara Jungden)

2 LE JOURNAL February 2017

Online This Month

Wellness Blog Connects Students To Healthy Living “Wellness by Sion” offers practical advice and different perspectives to create healthy lifestyles.

“Ace” Gone But Not Forgotten Starting Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura’s death is memorialized throughout the day by many fans outside Kauffman Stadium.

Multiple Faiths Represented at Women in Ministry Lunch Women share their vocation stories at lunch during Catholic Schools Week

EDITOR’S INK M

an, how the time flies. It seems just like yesterday I walked into Sion for the first time. My brand new Sperrys put some pep in my step, while my Vera Bradley tote clung to my shoulder in fear of separation.

My freshly brushed hair (Yes, I know what you’re thinking “Who brushes their hair before school?” I did, okay?) and happy smile gave it away. I was a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed freshman. Flash forward a few years and here I am, lucky if I even washed my hair.

I have come to the realization that I am a Second Semester Senior. I have begun to make my final lap. My last hurrah. Many of my senior peers have chosen their future colleges, and if you aren’t one of them that’s completely okay (at least that’s what I tell myself). Many important decisions will be made and, meanwhile, so many new opportunities will surface.

In the meantime, make note of a few upcoming events. Get ready for Sion Olympics Feb. 17. Find your best gear and country flags and help support your grade. Stuco officer sign ups begin Feb. 24, so don’t miss the chance to lead the change you want to see in the school. Spring sports begin soon as well with tryouts starting Feb. 27.

Finally, the long anticipated spring break is right around the corner March 10-20, providing a much needed break from school. While some students attempt new diets and juice cleanses to prep for vacations, others try fitness activities to boost their confidence and get in shape. Check out #WorkoutGoals on page 14 to see students’ workout plans. As for myself, I attempted a weekly Tuesday morning yoga class offered instead of Storm Fit, the new strength and conditioning class offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 a.m. (Check out Le Journal Live for the story!)

With this new year comes a new president. Donald Trump was sworn in as the nation’s 45th President on Jan. 20, and several students were in attendance (page 5). Regardless of your opinion on our new president, it’s important to participate in this historic event. For more coverage on this topic look at page 11.

Some exciting new events and classes are starting this semester. Student Council is participating in a new exchange program with various private schools around the metro area (page 5), while the Sion Shoppe is giving students the opportunity to volunteer and expand the shop hours (page 6). A new class taught by Señora Gomez, Medical Spanish, began this semester in hopes to combine culture and potential careers (page 7).

Several events, like the March for Life and the Women’s March (page 12), are striving to raise awareness for important issues in our country, and creating dialogue in classes and social media. The negative effects of social media are shown on page 8, while the overall effects of technology, and what it does to us physically, socially and psychologically are shown on pages 16-19.

Do you have Valentine’s Day plans? If you’re solo (like me) check out some fun Valentine’s Day activities you don’t need a partner for on page 25. Treat yourself and go see “Hidden Figures” (review on page 24), or look to the skies with some stargazing tips on page 27. The cold winter months are almost over. We can do this. Hang in there, Sion.

Sincerely,

LE JOURNAL 2016-2017 “Sister Act” Photo and Video Gallery Photos and video highlighting the Sion musical at Avila’s Goppert Theatre Jan. 20-22.

Lejournallive.com @LeJournalSion @LeJournalSion @LeJournalLive

Le Journal is the official student publication of Notre Dame de Sion High School 10631 Wornall Road Kansas City, Missouri 64114 PRINT CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Megan Ostrander Abby Smith PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Tara Jungden NEWS EDITOR Phylicia Barner-Lewis EDITORIAL EDITOR Lanie Jones A&E EDITOR Lucy Stofer SPORTS EDITOR Catherine Frerker FEATURE EDITOR Anna Tomka LAYOUT EDITOR Meg Schwartz

WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lily Coit WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR Kate Noble VIDEO CONTENT EDITOR Kelly Nugent PHOTO EDITOR Clare Kimmis BREAKING NEWS Maddie Young

MEMBER Missouri Interscholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association International Quill and Scroll Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City Missouri Jounralism Education Association

REPORTERS Reagan Amato McKenna Heegn Ellie Chaffee Ellie Magsamen Olivia Dopheide Toni Mathis Lauren Graves Emma Miller Madisen Hane Paige Ritter Meg Travis Sydney San Agustin

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Le Journal accepts letters to the Editors in response to published articles. Letters must be signed, verified and no longer than 200 words. Letters may be edited for length, grammar, spelling and content. Letters will not be printed if content is obscene, invasive, encouraging disruption of school and/or is libelous.

LE JOURNAL February 2017

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March For Life//

Four students traveled to Washington D.C. Jan. 27 for the March For Life event. Senior Erin Quinn and sophomore Cecilia Mohácsi (pictured, left) are members of the Alive for All Life club which focuses on pro-life topics, like abortion. Senior Anna Oliphant and sophomore Taylor Pitzl (pictured, right) also attended the march. “It was so uplifting and inspiring to see the thousands of people who showed up to respect life,” Pitzl said.

(Photo submitted by Taylor Pitzl)

New York Times Contest//

Nine juniors were recognized for their submission to the second annual New York Times Student Review contest. Morgan Hickman was one of the top 10 winners. Emma Miller and Meg Schwartz were two of the 24 runner-ups and Lauren Ismert, Sydney Crawford, Ally Crumb, Catherine Dehaemers, Moriana Jaco and Paige Ritter were six of the 28 honorable mentions. “It’s was very surprising that nine Sion girls got recognized considering it was nationwide, but it’s Sion so what do you expect,” Ismert said. FOX 4 News interviewed English teacher Casey Engel and students to celebrate their success. Pictured from top left are Crawford, Dehaemers, Crumb, Schwartz, Miller, Jaco, Ritter and Ismert. Hickman not pictured. (Photo

by Olivia Dopheide)

Exchange Students//

The exchange program kicked off with Australian and Costa Rican students who arrived Dec. 27 and Jan. 6 respectively. In addition, the headmaster of the Our Lady of Sion College in Australia and two of the teachers from Colegio Nuestra Señora de Sion stayed with host families. There were 11 Australians and eight Costa Ricans in the program. Students from Rockhurst hosted three Costa Ricans since the Costa Rican school is co-ed. “I had heaps of fun, it was really good to be able to experience America as an exchange student rather than a tourist,” Australian Alisha Centrone said. Pictured are Australian students Centrone and Charlotte Adams. (Photo by Anna Tomka)

“Ace” Forever//

Royals pitcher Yordano “Ace” Ventura died Sunday, Jan. 22 in a car accident in the Dominican Republic.

Ventura was originally from the Dominican Republic and was a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals at the time of death. Many of his teammates paid their respects on social media and at the memorial that was constructed outside of Kauffman Stadium.

Ventura’s funeral was Tuesday, Jan. 25 in the Dominican Republic. “He made watching the Royals entertaining because of his passion and spirit,” senior Kameron Koppers said. Pictured is the memorial outside Kauffman Stadium. (Photo submitted

by Kameron Koppers)

4 LE JOURNAL February 2017

WORLD WORLD Brexit delayed after Supreme Court decision

----------The United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that Parliament needs to approve Brexit before the process can continue.

Eastern Mosul freed from ISIS

----------Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reported that Iraqi forces drove ISIS out of the city.

Rescuers discontinue search for avalanche survivors ----------The final death toll is 29, with 11 rescued at the Hotel Rigopiano, 85 miles northeast of Rome, Italy.

FRESH FEATURES // iOS10 ADDITIONS

NEWS IN BRIEF

TIME TO LEAVE

This feature alerts you the best time to leave based on traffic.

MAGNIFYING GLASS This feature lets you freeze a frame of the picture and zoom in on fine print.

LYRICS WITH MUSIC

This feature provides lyrics under the album picture when a song is played.

HANDWRITTEN TEXTS This feature allows one to hand write a note on the screen and send it as a message.

UPCOMING

& local

*Feb 17

Sion Olympics

*Feb 24

during school

NHS Blood Drive

*March 10 Spring Break begins

March 10-March 20 *March 11 Sporting KC Season Opener

vs. FC Dallas; Tickets $35-$77

*March 11 Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run

Early Registration Deadline March 9; $30

*March 24 MORP

$5 and a student I.D. in the gym

NEWS

Students Participate in Inauguration President Donald Trump was drew roughly 1.8 million people, sworn in amid demonstrators according to Newsweek.

“Being inside the inauguration, and spectators.

BY MEG TRAVIS REPORTER

Juniors Moriana Jaco and Lucy Steyer, among others, attended the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington D.C. Jan. 20.

“You could definitely feel the tension in the air on the Thursday before the inauguration,” Jaco said.

“Protesters were out marching, police were on high alert and there were very politically charged conversations on the street.”

Significant safety preparation took place prior to the actual day.

Roughly $100 million was spent on personnel, including law enforcement officers, according to The Washington Post.

“There definitely was a sense of heightened security. Not just on that Friday, but throughout the whole week police were present at every turn and every corner,” Jaco said. “It gave me a sense of security, but also a sense of worry, because there was such a need for so much police presence.”

Although no precise headcount for the attendance at Trump’s inauguration has been calculated, numbers of those who attended the actual ceremony have been estimated to be smaller than that of Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, which

“I think everyone has a right to protest, it’s a right that America has.

But when people are trashing the streets and getting violent, that is not what America needs to be doing,” Edgar said. “There is a difference between peaceful protesting and

said. “If you have [that much] of the population who views you unfavorably, then it doesn’t take that the crowds were nothing like they many people to get millions on the described. It wasn’t packed to full street.” capacity, it was more spacious for The protests were noticed but me than the Royals parade was,” did not halt the day’s proceedings, and the inauguration was able to proceed according to plan. Trump was sworn in on his choice of a family bible, the same one that Abraham Lincoln had used years ago. He spoke in his 16-minute speech of his plan to prioritze America and its people, according to the Boston Globe.

“Trump is our president and no matter who you are, I think we all need to respect him,” Edgar said.

“He just took office and people need to have patience and just give him a chance.”

One significant change that has come with Trump’s assumption of the oval office and the end of election season is the dominance that the President Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president Jan. 20 alongside his Republican party will now hold in the wife Melania Trump and son Barron Trump. (Photo by MCT Campus) legislative and executive branches of Steyer said. “Heightened security was violent protesting.” government. definitely evident [though], the streets “Because a shift in political As for ratings, Trump entered the were crammed with police officers parties has occurred, it is obvious position of chief executive with the everywhere you looked.” highest unpopularity rating in nearly that the Republican agenda will be Outside of the inauguration, pushed,” Jaco said. “I’m not sure 40 years, according to a Washington crowds gathered for protests, most how drastically things will change.

Post-ABC News poll. of which were fairly peaceful. Some, But I think, especially now, that “He’s coming in with relatively however, escalated to levels of it is important to pay attention to high negative reviews, and so I vandalism and violence, according Washington, because these laws will guess it’s not surprising that there to The Washington Post. This type of is some outpouring of an objection be impacting us [as] young adults behavior was shocking to freshman directly in the next 4 years.” to his presidency,” history and AP Emma Edgar.

Government teacher Mary Murphy

Student Councils Switch Schools

Students from Catholic high schools in the Kansas City area will participate in the first student council exchange.

BY KATE NOBLE WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR

Student council members from Sion, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, St. James Academy and St. Teresa’s Academy will switch schools throughout the week of Feb. 13.

The idea for the exchange arose after Rockhurst High School Senior Class President Bernie O’Boyle was inspired by a two for two swap between Rockhurst and St. Teresa’s in 2011. He then discussed the idea for a new exchange with Rockhurst’s student government. O’Boyle and

Rockhurst Student Body President their academic schedule, Rockhurst senior Ryan Chandler reached out to won’t participate in the week-long the leaders of other Catholic schools’ exchange. However, the goal is still student governments to attempt to to gather information and ideas from each school, according to O’Boyle. get the exchange approved by their administrations.

“It will help establish a line of “I think it is communication between Catholic always a valuable “It is always a valuable experience for students [to] high schools in experience Kansas City,” for students, see how other educational teachers and O’Boyle said. institutions are working.” administrators to -High School Division Head Eight seniors and two juniors look outside their Natalie McDonough from Stuco will own individual attend other schools throughout experiences and see how other educational institutions are working,” the week, and students from other schools will be attending Sion on High School Division Head Natalie McDonough said. “It’s a great way Friday of that week. Juniors were included in the exchange to give to expand your knowledge and experience.” them preparation to lead their grade Because they had conflicts next year as seniors, according to Senior Class President Zoé Trouvé. on the dates of the exchange with

“We are doing our master planning right now, so if the girls see anything they specifically like at a school, we could maybe incorporate it into our planning,” Trouvé said.

St. Teresa’s Academy Senior Class President Gabby Ayala believes that the exchange will not only benefit STA’s relationship with all of the participating schools, but specifically their relationship with Sion by observing what the other school is truly like during day to day life.

“We make comments about the other school even though we don’t actually know what goes on in the other school,” Ayala said. “By doing the exchange I think it can make our schools closer and have a better relationship that empowers each other.”

LE JOURNAL February 2017

5

NEWS

Sophomore Wins Poetry Competiton Regionals, win the state competition in Jefferson City, Missouri and then advance to the national competition in Washington D.C. April 25-26.

Seven students competed including freshman Nia Austin,

BY SYDNEY SAN AGUSTIN Maya Scott, Maleah Downton, REPORTER Inaya Khan, sophomores Tempest Malone, Anissa McGinnie and Tempest Malone won the junior Joileeah Worley.

Poetry Out Loud Competition “We were so impressed by every for the second year in a row and participant’s courage and spirit,” advances to Regionals at the Lucile Engel said. “They brought poetry to Bluford Branch of the Kansas City life for sure.”

Public Library with her win. The Each competitor was graded competition was held in the library on their physical presence, on Jan. 19. voice and articulation, dramatic “The English department appropriateness, evidence of lives for this understanding competition every and overall year just because performance. it’s the essence of There were five what we aim to judges including do, which is to English teachers infuse life into Engel, Shawn words,” English Watts, Melissa English Teacher Casey Engel teacher Casey Wilcox, Jeri Engel said. “It is Willard and retired wonderful to see English teacher students respond to that and perform Sally Frederick. so beautifully.”

“We were so impressed by every The goal of the English participant’s courage and spirit,” department is to get a student to the Engel said. “They brought poetry to national competition. To achieve life for sure.” that goal, the student must win As a three time competitor in

Poetry competition allows students to showcase their voices and one advances to regional competition.

“We were so impressed by every participant’s courage and spirit.”

Poetry Out Loud, Worley wasn’t nervous going into the competition.

She regularly competes in poetry competitions on a team and hopes to have her own poetry club next year.

“This competition just helps me with my stage presence, so participating was more for stage presentation and execution,” Worley said.

Austin was the opposite of Worley. Because this was her first time competing she said she was nervous before reciting her poems.

She performed two poems: “The Chimney Sweeper” and “A Little Black Thing Among the Snow.”

“I competed in the competition because my teacher Mrs. Willard suggested I should,” Austin said. “She thought my poem performance was really good in class.”

After a tie in the first round, Malone and Khan competed again on Jan. 24, with Malone winning.

Alumna Alyssa Moncure made it to State three years in a row, from 2013 to 2015. Malone made it to Regionals last year.

“Tempest Malone, who is a sophomore, advanced to Regionals last year and just delivered soulful authentic performances of her poems,” Engel said.

(Far Above) Junior Joileeah Worley performs the poem “Break, Break, Break” in the library during the Poetry Out Loud competition Jan. 19. (Photo by Sydney San Agustin) (Above) Judges Casey Engel, Jeri Willard, Sally Frederick, Melissa Wilcox and Shawn Watts take notes while students perform during the competition. (Photo

by Sydney San Agustin)

Students Volunteer at Sion Shoppe Students are now getting the chance to work at the Sion Shoppe during lunch and study hall.

BY CLARE KIMMIS PHOTO EDITOR

The Sion Shoppe has been a part of Sion since 1999 when it was originally founded by the Mother’s Club. Since the shoppe’s beginning, volunteers from the Mother’s Club have worked and dedicated countless hours volunteering. But hours were limited.

Thus the new Sion Shoppe Club was born, according to club sponsor Emily Taylor.

Now, through the club, students are getting the opportunity to work at

the Sion Shoppe during school hours.

“I think that working in the Sion Shoppe will benefit students by teaching them basic business skills. And overall I don’t think that having the Sion Shoppe open more hours can hurt anything,” junior Sion Shoppe Club member Melissa Hamilton said.

The store has only been open before and after school for the past 18 years due to parents’ conflicting schedules. Now the shop will be open for lunch and study hall with the help of student volunteers.

“I approached the team of volunteers who currently coordinate the Shoppe about students volunteering beginning this semester, and they were all excited with the idea of students being more directly

Junior Melissa Hamilton

“I decided to work in the Sion Shoppe because I wanted it opened during the school day. A lot of my classmates thought the same thing, so I decided to do something about it and got it approved. I think many students could benefit from working the shoppe because they could learn valuable business skills.”

6 LE JOURNAL February 2017

involved,” Taylor said. “The students requested that the shoppe be open during the lunch-study hall time and that is not possible with parent volunteers.”

The Sion Shoppe Club will soon be put into action with junior Bailey Runchey as club president.

“We haven’t had any official meetings yet but once we get things going, I think more people will want to volunteer,” Runchey said.

The idea of student participation began with a small group of students.

They reached out to High School Division Head Natalie McDonough and High School Division Head for Curriculum and Instruction Ellen Carmody asking if students could be more involved with the shoppe itself.

Some benefits of the Sion

Shoppe club volunteers include expanded store hours, gaining important work experience and getting 20 percent off any purchase.

To work at the shoppe, first an application must be filled out.

Applications can be found outside the Sion Shoppe and on the high school home page. The rolling admission of applications is available for all grades.

The application consists of a list of the responsibilities of a Sion Shoppe volunteer, which include opening and closing the store, entering sales into the point-of-sale system and contributing content for the Shoppe’s social media accounts.

“The moms loved how I worked the iPads and knew all the tech stuff so they made me keep coming back to the shoppe to work,” Runchey said.

Junior Bailey Runchey

“My plans for the shoppe is to have it open and provide the students with more opportunities to buy spirit wear and food, because I don’t like seeing people without food at lunch so now they have a opportunity to have it. The benefit is the fact that we will have more leadership and business skills and the 20 percent discount we get when working there.”

NEWS

Combining Passions Creates New Elective

Incorporating her experience as a doctor in Mexico into the high school classroom, Spanish teacher Alicia Gomez has created a new semesterlong elective.

BY KELLY NUGENT VIDEO CONTENT MANAGER

Medical Spanish, a new class introduced this semester, is geared towards the students seeking any career opportunity in the medical field for college and beyond.

Although the class is not exclusively for future medical students, the material and lessons taught are designed for students that are, according to Spanish teacher Alicia Gomez.

Spanish teacher Leah LaFaver saw a need for interperters last summer and brought it to Gomez’s attention. Gomez thought this course could assist with this skill. The course will offer lessons in interviewing skills, as well as culture in dominant Spanish-speaking countries and Hispanic or Latino-dominant cities, Gomez said.

“We focus more on interviewing a patient and their beliefs to make them feel more comfortable to gain [doctor and patient] trust,” Gomez said.

Labeled as an elective course, Medical Spanish is offered to anyone who has taken at least two years of previous Spanish courses.

Everything that is learned through culture the end of the semester, students hope to be able and body language in the class is different than an to go to a local Spanish-speaking area and set up average Spanish class, according to junior Maria a clinic that would allow the students to assist Rojas. doctors in treating patients in the Kansas City “We learn important vocabulary and how to Metro area. Medical Spanish aims to incorporate treat a whole range of people,” Rojas said. “Some education into important life lessons such as patients don’t have a lot of education, so you have human interaction and volunteerism, Gomez said. to find a way to simplify complicated medical terms.”

During class, students spend the majority of their time out of their seats to physically interact with one another and take on the roles of doctors and patients. Medical Spanish allows students to be cognizant of daily lives in a different culture, according to sophomore Savana Mayer.

“I really want to be a doctor and I heard a lot about how [by] immersing yourself culturally, you learn a lot,” Mayer said.

Gomez and her students are thinking big Juniors Sarah Totta and Bridget Roudebush practice taking each other’s pulse and for a final project. Towards blood pressure while conversing in Spanish. (Photo by Clare Kimmis)

Learning How to Overcome Heart Disease American Heart Association Representative Jenna Bell speaks about her struggle with heart disease.

BY TONI MATHIS REPORTER

A heart disease transplant survivor and representative from the American Heart Association, Jenna Bell, spoke to the student body in an assembly Jan. 12 to encourage a healthy lifestyle for heart disease prevention.

“My grandpa had it,” senior Samantha Johnson said. “I’ve heard of [heart disease] but don’t know much about it.”

The assembly started off with a video about Bell’s struggle with heart disease as a young woman. After, Bell came in front of the school to answer questions and to go into more detail about what happened.

“I have to take about 20 to 40 pills a day just to be here,” Bell said.

Bell was only 31 years old when she found that her heart was failing. She said it all started when her heart began beating rapidly at random times as if she just finished running a marathon. Although these episodes typically lasted only three seconds, worried, Bell went to her regular doctor to check it out. After the examination, she was told to see a

67,000

Women’s Lives Saved in 10 years

432,000

cardiac specialist.

At first, the specialist thought Bell was fine.

She was young and not overweight. Despite this, results came back with Bell at risk for sudden cardiac death. She was given medication and sent home.

“Heart disease is the number one killer of women,” Bell said. “More than one in three women are living with heart disease.”

Stress may affect factors that can increase the risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. The amount of stress one experiences and how one reacts to it can really affect an individual’s health.

Bell said she was under American Heart a lot of stress at the time. She Associatinon was a teacher for a special Representative education program, working Jenna Bell speaks to on her masters and had a part time job. Bell needed to take a students about her struggle break and manage her stress to with heart help her heart. disease.(Photos To prevent heart disease

by Clare Bell told students to keep Kimmis) a healthy diet, exercise regularly and maintain proper weight. This is exactly what

Women over 20 die each year from Cardiovasuclar disease

90%

Of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease

Bell did to help her heart, and soon her heart was pushing up to 40 percent of blood.

Having children was something Bell and her husband, Don, always wanted. Bell and her doctors worked to get her heart to a point where this was possible. But giving birth to her baby girl, Marianne, ended up taking a huge toll on Bell’s heart.

“My cardiac specialist told me: Jenna, it’s time for a transplant. Your heart isn’t working anymore,” Bell said. “Your heart is only pushing out 10 percent of blood.”

Bell was immediately sent to St. Luke’s Hospital. A healthy heart should be the size of a fist. Bell’s was double the size.

Finally, after 37 days at St. Luke’s, Bell was going to start her transplant. At 1 p.m. on Feb. 15 2015, her new heart made its first beat.

Today, Bell is a representative for the American Heart Association, doing everything she can to make sure women survive heart disease.

There are 1.2 million people, including Bell, standing to end heart disease.

“My heart will only last 12 years,” Bell said. “Lots more research needs to happen.”

LE JOURNAL February 2017

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OPINION

(Illustration by Megan Ostrander)

Desensitization By Social Media THIS EDITORIAL REFLECTS THE VIEW OF THE LE JOURNAL STAFF. TWENTY- THREE OUT OF 26 VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THIS VIEW. Social media has negative effects on the spread of crime and society’s reaction to it.

From the moment the day starts, technology dominates life. Phones are used as alarm clocks, calendars and reminders for the day. Texts, missed calls, e-mails, Snapchats and other endless social media notifications lay on the screen, untouched from the night before.

On the radio, people talk about last night’s current events. “Did you see that one video?” “That one from Facebook Live?” “That Snapchat Story from that one shooting?” “Did you see it?”

Which one are they talking about?

There have been many caught on video. At that church. That school. That airport. That movie theater. Ft. Lauderdale. Orlando. San Bernardino. Charleston. Aleppo. France.

Bangladesh. The list grows longer every single day.

There were 476 mass shootings in the United States in 2016, according to massshootingtracker.org. This number doesn’t account for the numerous shootings that were undocumented or ignored by many media outlets or even those that don’t qualify as “mass shootings.”

With easier access to technology, there are more opportunities for discussion on these mass shootings to be shared, tweeted or posted on Snapchat stories. Although this does provide a faster spread of news, social media has a major negative influence on issues related to crime and how it is delivered to the public.

Facebook Live has provided a new platform for social media since January 2016.

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW...

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81%

There have been many positives to come out of this live feature like livestream videos from the White House, live childbirths and live press conferences.

However, there are many negatives that outweigh the positives. A disabled 18-year-old was beaten by four people while they streamed it on Facebook Live Jan. 3, according to CNN. The amount of crime and the everincreasing social media presence in the world is causing viewers to become desensitized to crime, violence and horrific events.

After the shooting at Ft. Lauderdale’s Hollywood International Airport, a Snapchat story was posted about the events. This story was available to any Snapchat user and consisted of various videos and pictures from that day. To think about what those victims and their families went through only to have it plastered all over social media really shows the lack of empathy in this country.

The purpose of Snapchat is to provide an easy and lighthearted way to share pictures and talk to friends. By showing videos of shootings and crimes, Snapchat is doing just the opposite of this. It creates an odd combination of fun and serious images that don’t quite correlate with one another.

Exposure to violent imagery on social media can even cause symptoms that are similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, according to The New York Times. By watching videos from a witness’s point of view, a person can feel like they are actually there in real-life.

Not only could viewing crime on social media give viewers PTSD-like symptoms, it could also increase levels of anxiety. Viewers may fear attacks and feel paranoid after viewing it or hearing about it in the media.

Part of the problem is encapsulated in the newsroom cliché ‘if it bleeds, it leads.’ Much of the media, and even social media, follows this.

Images such as the haunting killer standing over the assassinated Russian ambassador, or

of Internetinitated crimes involve social media sites.

78%

of burglars admit to using social media to seek out their victims.

even videos of victims from Aleppo receive numerous retweets and “favorites” on Twitter.

Although social media was originally meant to share funny sayings and short thoughts, more recently it is filled with political statements containing serious undertones sparking debate and controversy. Complicated, ongoing stories are seen as much less newsworthy, according to the British Psychological Society.

By constantly showing graphic images and videos from crime scenes, the media has successfully normalized crime in society. It is one thing to report the news. But it is another thing to feed visual appetites just to increase ratings. Although people need to be informed, these mediums are increasingly becoming salacious, voyeuristic and dehumanizing.

In the end, the media is giving criminals the fame and attention they may have been seeking. Their names are shown, their purpose is revealed and they become famous, garnering likes and retweets along the way.

The prevalence of crimes has even risen in relation to this coverage as social media sites tend to glorify the shooters and downplay the victims, according to the American Psychological Association. And by giving criminals this little piece of fame, others may get ideas and take action themselves.

Although, originally created for entertainment and communication, social media has turned into a sharing platform for tragic and violent events.

We must stop this exposure.

It is safe to say that the usage of technology won’t slow down anytime soon. In order for our world to heal, social media should be used to rally people together for peace.

So log out of social media. Disconnect from the world and take a step back. Realize if this desenstization and normalization of crime doesn’t stop, our world will be a shell of what it once was.

98%

of pediatricians in one study expressed personal belief that media violence affects children’s aggression.

OPINION

The Problem With the Media’s Influence on the Masses With recent scandals surrounding “false news” in the media, the problem of the media’s extensive influence over citizens is troubling.

BY REAGAN AMATO REPORTER Googling the name Donald Trump pulls up hundreds of millions of results. Within the first 10 links are articles titled “Donald Trump: The Ugly American” on Vanity Fair, and “Donald Trump: TIME Person of the Year 2016” on TIME. Which story do readers believe? The split in the media is encouraging a direct split in the population.

Most people have a favorite news source. CNN, FOX News, NPR, NBC, even Buzzfeed News are a few.

What happens when these networks are so biased that the news they print is no longer true? Recently this “news,” which is really no more than glorified opinion, is being twisted into stories that don’t accurately explain what is happening. These stories spread through the population like wildfire, easily swaying uneducated Americans.

Buzzfeed News is the most recent media platform facing an ethics scandal related to false or unverified news. They released an unverified document that claimed Russian support for Trump, prostitution and even blackmail. At the time of release, the information included in the file was unverified with nothing to confirm the assertions, according to the New York Times.

In the realm of journalistic ethics, Buzzfeed had no right to publish the dossier.

After Buzzfeed’s release, other news sites jumped to either copy or condemn Buzzfeed for their lack of journalistic professionalism. It is unacceptable to publish anything that does not have any verification or factual base, especially for larger networks with more influence.

When news networks abuse their power and publish sensational stories, they are failing the public.

Society has been trained to trust what the media is telling them and do not know any better. The people count on their news sources to provide them with sound and reliable information. For a news source to violate the trust of the masses by publishing unverified news is just plain wrong, especially if they publish a story that could have harmful repercussions.

Enter Pizzagate. On Dec. 4, 28-year-old Edgar Welch from Salisbury, North Carolina, entered Comet Ping Pong Pizza Parlor in Washington, D.C. and opened fire. His mission was to save children allegedly being held within the pizzeria for a non-existent child sex trafficking ring. The most unbelievable part of the story was the claim that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was leading the trafficking ring.

Thankfully no one was injured, but the story serves to show the true repercussions of the media spreading false news.

The story Welch heard originated on 4chan, then proceeded to spread on Twitter and Reddit.

The scandal, now known as “Pizzagate,” serves as an example of just how badly spreading fake news can turn out. It also serves to show the true power of the

media over the citizens of our country.

The media either remains oblivious or doesn’t care about how much influence they have over the public opinion. The efficient spreading of news allows the American people to form their opinions within hours of an event happening. Unfortunately, depending on which news source is being used, different opinions are going to be formed. These different opinions lead to a divided America, one whose people don’t see themselves as citizens of the same country, but instead identify as members of their political and social views.

So, how will the public make sure that they are truly being educated on world affairs and not just being fed sensational stories?

The public needs to educate themselves. They need to be aware of what is news and what is not. They need to check what news outlet they are reading and watching. Blogs are probably not the most reliable sources. For that matter, Twitter isn’t either.

And it would be nice if the entirety of the media could be held to a golden standard when it comes to publishing the truth. Unfortunately, that just is not a possibility. To remedy the problem of how the media affects the masses, the masses need to realize what networks are trustworthy and how to spot fake news.

After this last election, the United States has been split. The addition of false news has done nothing but deepen the rifts in American society. But if citizens become better consumers of solid, dependable news sources, then there will be better news outlets in the end vying for viewership from news savvy citizens.

Valentine’s Day Is Dead; And We Have Killed It The barrage of relatably cynical Valentine’s day jokes, tweets and memes have destroyed the once innocent celebration of love.

BY TARA JUNGDEN PRINT MANAGING EDITOR An onslaught of pessimism is what I annually face on the 14th of February. For the average American teenager, this is a purely pathetic day of self pity; an opportunity to vocalize the crippling loneliness that haunts these poor souls each and every day of the year. Whether it be through social media, or the face-to-face jokes of my peers throughout the school day, I am bombarded with proclamations of “forever alone” and “playful” quips about spending the night eating pizza, crying and watching romantic movies solo. Let it be known, this thin layer of humor does not blind me to the true desperation and loneliness that is spurring these “jokingly” cynical comments.

To be truly unbothered by one’s loneliness would equate to a complete indifference of Valentine’s Day. A true acceptance of singularity should leave the single person with nothing but well wishes for others that do have a significant other on this holiday. Longing for a nonexistent Valentine will only stir bitterness within oneself and an external air of desperation. This desperation and inability to comfortably be alone

understandably makes Valentine’s Day an intimidating it is acceptable for them to be openly lovey dovey and event. However, fear of the day does not justify the obnoxious, and try to take note of the indifference overcompensation of self-aimed jokes and jabs that or sometimes even optimism that a select few single are made to mask the self-consciousness that so many people are able to maintain on the holiday. seem to feel in regards to being single on the 14th of The innocent intentions of the holiday, romance February. and recognition of love, have been obscured by the My personal abundance of Valentine’s Day spirit egotism of those without a Valentine. Having to has been ever present, despite the stigma surrounding complain about the once great holiday on account of singularity on the day. Even in the darkest days of one’s own bitterness is selfish and inexcusable. Not grade school, when my best friend received two more enjoying the holiday is fine, even understandable, but Pirates of the Caribbean themed Valentine’s Day the vocalization of hate for the day is unnecessary. The cards than me, I was still able to maintain my joyful day meant for love has somehow been turned into a enthusiasm for the venerable Saint Valentine’s Day. day of bitterness and cynicism. Congratulations Satan, Many individuals not in relationships argue you have won. that the only people able to properly enjoy Valentine’s Day are those who are in relationships.

Meanwhile, those who are not in relationships make their disdain (we all know it’s truly jealousy) for couples very clear. I’m sorry, but no one wants to hear it! Take your pity parties elsewhere please! Stuff your sadness in a sack! Let couples bask in the one day of the year when “Day of Desperation,” Valentine’s Day illustration by Anna Tomka.

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OPINION

(Photos by Madisen Hane)

Exploring Independent Kansas City Bookstores Two independent KC bookstores prove they are unique finds.

BY MADISEN HANE REPORTER

In the ever-evolving Internet era we live in, it seems like people just don’t read like they used to. Kindles, Nooks and iBooks make our favorite novels much easier to access, but take away some of the charm of actually having to leave the couch to go get a book. Yet, the vast majority of bookstores that haven’t closed down take shape in characterless corporate chains like Barnes and Noble.

Even a cultured city like Kansas City has fallen prey to the digital age. Only a handful of independent bookstores remain open across the entire metro area.

In visiting two of these

bookstores, I realized why these stores prove the theory of survival of the fittest and I found hope in the impact they have on the communities they sell their books to.

My first stop, Rainy Day Books, has been a Fairway, Kansas staple since it first opened in 1975. Its prominent location sees a lot of traffic in the quaint colonial-style Fairway shops on the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Belinder Road.

When I visited the shop on a Tuesday afternoon, the majority of customers were women over the age of 60, fitting the sometimes true stereotype that reading is a pastime enjoyed more by older people.

However, I soon noticed Rainy Day Books offered a wide range of books intended for all audiences, from children’s books to non-fiction, to autobiographies and cookbooks.

Although this book selection probably wasn’t anything that

couldn’t be found at the nearest Barnes and Noble, Rainy Day Books is set apart by its frequent author events and book signings- and by its ability to thrive as a small business in Kansas City for over 40 years.

Although Prospero’s Books has only been open for 15 years rather than 40, the 120-year-old building it sells from makes it feel as though it might as well have been open for decades.

Located on popular 39th street in Kansas City, Missouri, Prospero’s can be found in between KU Medical Center and some of the trendiest Kansas City original restaurants.

With art by local artists covering the exposed brick walls and bookshelves with movable ladders required to reach the highest shelves, Prospero’s was clearly a well-used, well-loved local favorite.

Ten-foot-tall shelves, haphazardly stocked to the brim with everything from books about

yoga, women’s studies, philosophy and cult favorites formed narrow canyons throughout the entire store.

All three floors of this hidden gem were packed with CDs, novels and records, many of them one of a kind, making it feel like someone’s private collection rather than a bookstore.

One of the best parts: all the books are discounted, especially compared to how expensive Barnes and Noble’s books are. Prospero’s is definitely best described as eclectic and eccentric.

Although both Kansas City independent bookstores seemed to be opposites of one another in their looks, the fact that they have been selling to their communities in their corners of the city for years proved to me that Kansas Citians still recognize the importance of owning tangible books.

As alternatives to shopping at Barnes and Noble, shopping at these bookstores is definitely a unique experience.

Time to Get Rid of Obstacles Preventing Real Change Knowledge and education need to decide the gun control debate rather than emotion and influence.

BY PAIGE RITTER REPORTER

The New York Times began 2017 with seven gun control editorials in the first 14 days of the year. The same argument in favor of gun control is consistently used while no significant actions take place. Too many Americans lose their lives to guns. However, that and loose facts regarding current background check loopholes and illegal sales need to stop being used as the argument. It is failing.

The National Rifle Association spent roughly $6 million in lobbying in just two years and was ranked the eighth most influential lobbyist group in the 2016 election cycle, according to the lobbying research group Opensecrets.

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In the 2015 failed senate vote on ManchinToomey, a bipartisan compromise amendment to implement more universal background checks, the NRA lobbied just over $600,000 to prevent its passing. However, 74 percent of NRA member households are in favor of more universal background checks, according to Pew Research. The NRA’s misrepresentation of their member’s grievances is preventing the most basic of compromises from passing.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found in a study that 85 percent of gun dealers had no illegal firearms traced to them. In the same study, the ATF found that 1 percent of dealers accounted for 60 percent of all gun crimes.

The “Tiahrt Amendments” to a U.S. Department of Justice Bill makes it illegal for the ATF to share trace data, leaving the one percent of dealers unknown. The amendments also prohibit the ATF from releasing dealer sales and require the FBI to destroy all approved gun purchase records after 24 hours. The repealing of

these amendments would enable the enforcement of current laws.

After the Center for Disease Control released a study showing a threefold increase of death by firearms kept at home in 1996, the “Dickey Amendment” passed. It prevented CDC researching what might “advocate or promote gun control” as well as stripping the research’s cost from funding.

Following the Sandy Hook shooting, former President Barack Obama gave an executive order for $10 million of research funding to the CDC, which Congress prevented. Until research begins there will be no knowledge on effects of conceal and carry or a reliable mass-shooting definition.

The emotions that have led the gun control debate can no longer carry the argument. It is time to justify America’s arguments and decisions. Once, if ever, the overreaching political influence of the NRA is removed, the Tiahrt Amendments repealed and research is supported by the government, can this happen. It will not and will never satisfy all Americans, but all will be rightfully protected by knowledge rather than emotion.

OPINION

Trump’s First Week in Office

“The Bachelor” Takes Dedication to a Whole New Level The new Bachelor Fantasy League is a gamechanger for super-fans.

BY LANIE JONES EDITORIAL EDITOR

Illustration by Anna Tomka

Inauguration Education President Donald Trump’s official swearing-in ceremony was presided over with bias from educators.

BY ELLIE MAGSAMEN REPORTER

More than ever before, young people need to get involved in politics.

While educating themselves on how democracy works, they can form their own opinions. So watching a candidate’s campaign from start to finish is an important part of the education process for millennials and all generations.

The political campaigns of President Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were full of rancor and bitterness. It wasn’t pretty. But regardless of who won, on Jan. 20 everybody should’ve came together to witness the historical passing from one president to the next, and one party to the next.

Political bias is always present in election seasons. But this year, it affected students around the country who wanted to watch the Inauguration.

From Michigan to Georgia, high schools and school districts altogether opted out of showing the inauguration, according to Forbes. Since Trump is unpredictable,

school districts obviously worried what he might say.

But some local public schools, such as the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission school districts, opted to make viewing optional and put it on in some rooms, but not in others. At Sion, the New Grande Salle was used for optional viewing.

All schools should follow this lead in order to help eliminate such prominent political bias.

A proper education in politics and government is the best start to more clear and defined minds of the American youth. Complete censorship disrupts the served purpose of keeping people of the country, young and old, educated and informed on national events.

For schools that did make the viewing of the Inauguration optional, they showed their students that no matter who they support, it is important to acknowledge this historical day.

Real-world and political education are vital to ensure that after high school, students are well rounded, and prepared to participate in their civic duties.

No matter how offensive Trump can be, the Inauguration helps our nation move forward in how we will deal with this new president. Watching it instills a kind of identity in this country and marks a turning point in American history.

There’s no denying that the premise of ABC’s “The Bachelor” franchise is unusual, to be put in the simplest terms.

Thirty people competitively vying for one another in an attempt to find love isn’t the typical route most take in finding a life partner. If the spark isn’t there, tough luck, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. It’s a harsh reality to face, not to mention the countless incidents of confrontation between contestants each season.

As if the shows aren’t dramatic enough, much of it at the hands of producers, the stakes have now been raised. A new fantasy league is bringing “Bachelor” lovers together while simultaneously driving them apart. This is cutthroat competition, folks. For those competitive “Bachelor” addicts, ABC has teamed up with ESPN to create a fantasy league similar to those in the NFL or March Madness for college basketball.

Each week, a series of questions are released about the upcoming episode on the ABC website in which participants must enter their predictions before the episode airs. Viewers can join a group of friends and play against them each week, creating a leaderboard using a point-based system. Questions pertain to things about what the contestants do in the episode, what’s written on date cards and who earns the rose for that week. Think of it as fantasy football meets Trivia Crack.

My “Bachelor” obsession has been slow in development.

The first season I actually followed closely was Iowa farmer Chris Soules’ mainly because I had a “Bachelor-loving” friend from Iowa staying with me, so they had a common thread. We sprawled out on the couch with a box of pizza, some CapriSuns and open minds fueled by judgmental first impressions.

As the season continued, a two-hour block each week was dedicated to our passive aggressive comments and cheering for our favorites. Needless to say, I was quickly engulfed in the staged, occasionally natural drama of the “reality” series.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say addicted, but I was definitely invested. For that reason, the fantasy league has been right up my alley.

My competitive nature has absolutely come out in the fantasy league. It requires me to think about the “Bachelor” way more often than I should, so much so that I set an alarm on my phone to remind me to answer the questions each week.

Embarrassing? Maybe, but I prefer to think of it as a showcase of dedication. All you super-fans out there, keep showcasing your dedication; this “Bachelor” fantasy league is serious business.

Nick Viall is this season’s bachelor.

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OPINION Women marched through Washington D.C. to advocate for women’s rights.

(Photo by Clare Kimmis)

A Day of Protest and Solidarity Women’s marches took place in cities all around the world Jan. 21.

BY CLARE KIMMIS PHOTO EDITOR

I woke up at 7 in the morning Saturday Jan. 21 and got ready for the cold and long day ahead. As I was getting dressed, my mother handed me a sharpie and told me to write my name, age and my father’s phone number on my arm.

Excitement had been coursing through me up until this point and now there was an inkling of fear at this precaution. I knew anything could go wrong at the Women’s March on Washington in Washington D.C. My group and I ubered to the metro station. The line to get into the metro was so long it wound around the entire parking lot four times. We waited in that line for an hour before we made it onto the train.

We walked out onto the streets filled with people at 10:30 a.m.

I had never seen a sight like it.

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People filled the streets wearing pink hats and carrying clever signs such as “Melania, blink twice if you need help” and “Putin is not my president.” On the march’s official website, 400,000 people had registered. However, these numbers weren’t even close to the 1.2 million that showed up, according to the New York Times.

It felt as if I could barely wiggle through the crowd. Yet my group and I ended up close to the front of the rally where the leaders of the march and celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Janelle Monae spoke to a very exuberant crowd.

After an hour or so of speakers, the crowd grew restless and started shouting “We want to march! We want to march!” The people who organized the march didn’t expect the turnout so we couldn’t march on the original route. Everyone started moving in different directions. “Just march towards the White House,” people yelled. It didn’t matter where you went, a massive swarm of people was with you. My voice grew more and more hoarse throughout the day from screaming.

Many of the people who participated in the Women’s March on Washington believe that President Donald Trump has crossed a line. I believe he has instilled a fear in the American people like no other president in our country’s history. The people who participated in the march have a goal to stop sexism, racism, homophobia and other issues Trump does not seem to support.

I can’t quite put into words how this experience made me feel. It was so moving to see all these people of different genders, races, sexualities, ages and origins come together in one of the biggest and most peaceful protests of all time. We were there to protest Trump, but we were also there to stand up for our rights and to give hope to the hopeless.

There were marches all over the world that day in places such as Amsterdam, London, Kansas City, Chicago, New York and Boston.

These acts of unity were meant to show that we will stand together in the days ahead. We made history and we definitely got our point across while doing it.

Protesters participated in a chant during the Women’s March in Washington D.C. (Photo by Clare Kimmis)

A woman participating in the march, held a homemade sign and marched past the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. (Photo by Clare Kimmis)

A protester waited in line for the Metro during the Women’s March. (Photo by Clare Kimmis)

TOWNSEND TIARAS

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Freshman Olivia Townsend competed in a national pageant and was crowned Miss Pre-Teen Kansas 2014.

BY LUCY STOFER A&E EDITOR

Dance team just returned from nationals, but this wasn’t freshman Olivia Townsend’s first time competing on a stage with hundreds of eyes on her.

Townsend competed in the Miss Pre-Teen United States pageant hosted in Washington, D.C. when she was 12 years old.

With her hair perfectly curled and the rhinestones on her gown sparkling under the bright lights, the adrenaline was pumping through her veins but she kept the larger than life smile on her face. It was her very first pageant, and she was competing against girls that weren’t as new to the pageant world.

Despite her lack of experience, she ended up taking the title of Miss Pre-teen Kansas 2014.

It all started on a whim when Townsend’s parents were asked by a friend of theirs if she would be interested in participating in the pageant and Townsend agreed. While visions of flippers, fake tans and hairspray pop into most people’s heads when they think of young girls in beauty pageants, Townsend said that her pageant experience was far from that reality.

“It’s actually nothing like ‘Toddlers & Tiaras.’ I guess, in a way, the pageant part of it is but the fake teeth and stuff isn’t,” Townsend said.

As the pageant began, each girl in the Pre-Teen category was paired with a girl from the Little Miss category who were 8-9 years old. Then Miss United States made an appearance and introduced everyone, according to Townsend.

One portion of the pageant involved the girls modeling evening gowns but it was mostly focused on the girls’ answers to the questions asked and their level of confidence. On stage, the girls were asked questions about who their role models are and how they want to change the world and influence other girls.

“Other than confidence, dancing helped me with poise and grace. It gave me a comfort level of being in front of a lot of people and performing with many watching,” Townsend said. “Dance helped me to prepare for competing in any type of environment.”

The top 10 girls from the age category would be crowned “Miss Pre-Teen” of their state, according to Townsend. Then the top girl would win Miss Pre-Teen United States.

A friend of Townsend’s aunt, Celine Hobbs, had some experience and helped her prepare for the pageant along with the regional director, Lisa Forbes.

“All I really had to do was practice talking without stuttering

and saying ‘um’ and stuff like that,” Townsend said. “Making eye contact with a bunch of people and just being confident was one of the main points that I was told.”

All of the girls would interact from activities between rehearsals and Townsend’s favorite part of the whole experience was getting the opportunity to meet people from all across the country. One of the girls that Townsend met through the pageant was Haven Wolfe who ended up winning Miss PreTeen Kentucky 2014.

“I thought she looked like a super nice person and I introduced myself to her. I thought that she had a great personality and was super funny and I enjoyed being around her,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe is just one of the many friends that Townsend has met through the pageant. Townsend’s parents Kris and Jason Townsend enjoyed being a part of the pageant experience with her.

“After Olivia won the honor of being named Miss Pre-Teen Kansas, she was busy making appearances and prearranged commitments,” Kris said. “She had to quickly prepare for her national pageant trip, which was held over the 4th of July in Washington D.C.” While Townsend had fun and thought it was a rewarding experience, she probably won’t be competing in any more pageants because she is more interested in other activities going on in her life. Townsend is busy trying to balance school work, friends, dance team and the swim team in which she recently qualified for State.

“I just have other things that I’m more interested in than this,” Townsend said. “Dancing, swim and being with friends and family. Those things are more important to me.”

Townsend is dedicated to anything she sets her mind to, according to Kris. Though another pageant is not out of the question, Townsend is sure to do many other exciting things in her life and being Miss Pre-Teen Kansas 2014 is just one part of her, with much more to discover.

“The best thing was the opportunity to meet many girls from across the country, in Washington D.C. It was also a way to expand my own horizons and my own comfort levels to see if I can find more in myself,” Townsend said “I didn’t seek this out but was asked to do this and I embraced the opportunity.”

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Focused on Finish

SPORTS IN BRIEF

Dance Team placed fourth nationally for high kick routine.

BY ANNA TOMKA FEATURE EDITOR

Cheer Team //

The Storm placed second in pom at cheer nationals in Dallas Jan. 21-22. The team also placed fourth in fight song, fifth in halftime cheer and 14th in game time performance. “Though we had long days, we performed to the best of our abilities,” co-captain and junior Courtney Hiatt said. “We practiced a ton, focusing more on ourselves than our competitors.”

Pictured is junior Gabi Atchity practicing her routine at nationals. (Photo by Courtney Hiatt)

Player of the Week //

Junior guard Amaya Adams was selected on Jan. 23 as the HyVee 41 Five-Star Athlete of the Week. “It feels like my hard work is finally starting to pay off,” Adams said. “This has always been something I’ve wanted to achieve.” Adams has dedicated her time to improving her skills by focusing on what she struggles with most. “I’m really proud of her and there isn’t anyone else who deserves it more,” junior teammate Meghan Frerking said. Pictured is Adams going up for a layup during the St. Teresa’s Academy game. (Photo by Paige Ritter)

Swim & Dive State //

Swim and Dive will conclude their season at State Feb. 17 in St. Louis. With only two seniors on the team, younger teammates have stepped up to lead and encourage the team through the last four weeks of long practices, according to junior Ann Huff. “For me, State is more about making memories with my teammates,” sophomore Emma Cruciani said. “State really brings the team together no matter what the scoreboard says.”

Pictured is freshman Ally Wolfe practicing her butterfly stroke.

(Photo by Ellie Chaffee)

Heart Awareness //

The Heart Awareness Basketball Game is Feb. 16 against RaymorePeculiar High School and all proceeds from the game will be donated to the American Heart Association. February is American Heart Month, according to the Centers for Disease Control. “It’s always a good feeling knowing we are raising awareness,” Assistant coach Kate Pilgreen said. “With our school being an all girls school, I think it’s a great cause to support since it’s the number one cause of death in women.”

Pictured are juniors Sarah Totta and Maddie Young defending the basket during the St. Teresa’s Academy game. (Photo by Lanie Jones)

The lights blinded any view of the audience as the dancers assembled on the floor of ESPN Wide World of Sports’ Milkhouse Stadium. Smiles were fixed on the dancers’ faces, while the sound of hearts pounding anxiously filled their ears as they waited for the familiar song, “Hazy Shade of Winter” by The Bangles.

Ultimately, the routine they rehearsed countless times before proved to be a success as the dance team placed fourth in high kick at Universal Dance Association’s National competition in Orlando, Florida Feb. 2-6.

Just a month prior, the dance team placed fourth in pom and second in kick in Chicago at UDA’s regional competition known as Chicagoland.

The dance team lost many former competitors this year when a new competition was created.

According to junior officer Livy Wood, UDA had fewer available spots for teams to place in, making it more difficult for teams to be recognized.

“Our whole team honestly put their hearts and souls into the dances at Chicagoland,” sophomore Megan Broomfield said.

“It was a tough competition overall, but we have worked to make our routines even stronger for Nationals.”

The team used the Chicago competition to focus on improving before Nationals. Seminole High School and Main South High School were among their greatest rivals, according to Broomfield.

Main South placed first in high kick.

“When preparing for Nationals, we work extremely hard mentally and physically,” sophomore Caroline Hunter said.

“Adjustments are given to make our dances the best they can be and extra practices are added if needed. We typically practice three times a week for two to three hours.”

Co-captain junior Mary Evans felt they competed better than she anticipated in Chicago, but thought the team significantly improved overall at Nationals.

“Our goal for Nationals was that we perform each routine to the best of our ability and be proud of what we did,” Evans said. “Placing fourth in kick proved to us that our hard work and determination paid off.”

Senior Jessica Cloughley made her return to the team after breaking her neck in a car accident over the summer which nearly caused paralysis.

Cloughley was confident she would dance again, despite doctors telling her otherwise.

“Since it’s my last year, I was really looking forward to having fun with the team and performing on the national stage one last time,” Cloughley said.

#WORKOUTGOALS Senior

Junior

Sophomore

Freshman

“I like working out with my friends and my sister. I run on the track after school and condition for soccer.” -Zoé Trouvé

“I go to a Crossfit gym called Bootcamp Fitness five days a week.

Conditioning makes me feel strong and it’s always fun with a partner. ” -Kathleen Tushaus

“I try to go to a hot yoga class every week. I also run and do ab workouts.

I usually get some form of excersise every day.

-Gretta Allen

“Dance is my major form of daily excersise. I’ve been dancing since I was five and it makes me feel powerful.” -Brie Bowes

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SPORTS

Seniors Elizabeth Jackoboice, Angela Neunuebel and Maddie Marquardt cheer on the basketball team in their camouflage-themed outfits. (Photo by Lanie Jones); Junior Afton Fennewald shoots from the free throw line while teammates junior Amaya Adams and senior Madeline Dercher look on. (Photo by Paige Ritter); Freshman Caroline Knopke qualified for State after putting in hard work at the meet Jan. 24. (Photo by Catherine Frerker); Junior Lexi Smith dives into the water to swim the 200 free event.

(Photo by Catherine Frerker)

Double Defeat on Night of Rivalry In a single evening, basketball, swim and dive teams faced off against St. Teresa’s Academy.

BY CATHERINE FRERKER SPORTS EDITOR

The basketball team played St. Teresa’s Academy Jan. 24 at St. Teresa’s Academy while half an hour away, at Longview Recreation Center, the swim and dive teams also competed against the rival all-girls school.

While STA came out on top in both events, both teams found success in other ways on the court and in the pool: State qualifications for dive, personal best swim times and abundant school spirit.

“It was good hearing the crowd cheering us on even when we were down, which helped us fight to the end,” junior basketball player Amaya Adams said.

The varsity basketball team lost 44-49 as hopes that the team would get revenge for last year’s loss were dashed. However, Feb. 23 will offer another opportunity for the team to finally triumph over STA in the Irish Cup game at home.

“We [were] hoping to grow as a team,” Adams said. “This game will help us come together and finish the rest of our games strong.”

Students attended the basketball game dressed in camouflage, and the team had a countdown in the locker room beforehand, according to Adams and junior Sarah Totta.

Competing against STA was

also important for the swim team because it was their first meet in two weeks after some were cancelled due to bad weather, according to swim coach Kelly Timson. Many of the swimmers got closer to State qualifying times in both individual and relay events.

“We didn’t win the meet but we did have a lot of best times,” Timson said. “Overall I would say it was a success.”

The team took first in the 200 yard medley relay, 200 yard free, 100 yard fly and 100 yard breast.

Additionally, freshman Caroline Knopke took third in the dive meet with a total of 259.85 points, which qualified her for State. Junior Sammie Nesslein finished in first with 266.25 points.

“The Sion-STA dive meet was

super fun this year because of the exciting outcome and the buildup of anticipation surrounding it,” Nesslein said. “However, it was kind of weird competing against them because we have the same coach, so we practice together every day after school.”

The dive team practiced every day after school to ensure that no one would fail a dive, according to Nesslein. The swim team had worked hard at practices in preparation for the meet, according to freshman swimmer Avery Jones.

“Even though STA and Sion have been such competitive rivals for such a long time, we always remember to be respectful and supportive teammates to each other,” Jones said.

“Even though we always give 110 percent at meets, we always try our best to have fun as well.”

Robotics Team Rediscovers Success with 7095 The robotics team clinches a fifth place ranking in districts after their St. Louis competition finish.

BY ELLIE CHAFFEE REPORTER

The robotics team is now ranked fifth in their district and has advanced to the Northwest Conference qualifier on Feb. 18, according to Intro to Engineering teacher Ron Cosner.

The team rose to this ranking after their performance in the St. Louis competition Jan. 7.

Coached by Cosner, Geometry, Anatomy and Intro to Engineering teacher Marilyn Stewart, as well as Physics teacher Kathleen Teel, the Sion Techies on Robotics Missions– or “S.T.O.R.M.”– entered their robot number “7095” into the competition.

Coming into the qualifier they were ranked eighth out of 36 teams which gave them the opportunity to qualify

for the semifinals, according to Stewart. The team qualified, scored well and made it to semifinals.

They ended up tying for third, Cosner said, and missed first place by just a few points.

“Going in I wasn’t expecting much from the team and was sure we would be out in the very beginning,” senior Mia Tebbe said. “What seemed like a simple and lacking robot actually ended up getting us to the semifinals, which was something I would’ve never imagined to have happened.”

Each year in September, the national program known as the First Tech Challenge reveals a game across the country for building a robot that can perform certain activities.

This year, one function necessary is building a robot that can lift an exercise ball in the air. There are also many restrictions including that the robot has to be no greater than 18 by 18 inches. This challenge was only done within the first semester, and according to Stewart, the girls were

set on putting their minds together to come up with the making of the robot by themselves.

“The focus is more on building a robot [and] using the engineering design process,” Stewart said.

Intro to Engineering is a new class to Sion this year. Taught predominately by new teacher Cosner, and also Stewart and Teel, the class’s main focus is educating students on the engineering design process. Design and Discovery, a class to educate students on different engineering skills and techniques, is not offered anymore.

So students now can take the new Intro to Engineering class which contains all of the people who are also on the robotics team. They used this class time to work together to build their robot for the first semester, and for the rest of second semester to continue learning and using engineering design skills.

“I really enjoy the engineering aspect of the class,” Tebbe said. “It allows me to have more insight on

possible majors for college and gives me an opportunity to expand my knowledge.”

While they will still be competing, the class will also be exploring more topics in their Intro to Engineering class, according to Stewart. The team will expand their knowledge of the design process along with discovering how to work and use the tools together as a team.

“I am most excited now to finish off the season with a meet that we place first or second in because I know we can,” sophomore Sam Wilson said.

The robotics team with their robot “7095” in St. Louis Jan. 7. (Photo submitted by Mia Tebbe) LE JOURNAL February 2017

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HE T L I T

COVER STORY

STORY AND DESIGN BY PRINT CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF ABBY SMITH, DESIGN EDITOR MEG SCHWARTZ AND REPORTER LAUREN GRAVES

I

n an age marked by instant communication through texts, e-mails and social media forms, the not-so-distant past of solely face-to-face communication can seem archaic. For millennials growing up within this seismic shift in correspondence and the resulting addiction and dependency, technology’s potential effects on development have been pushed to the side as its grip on society grows stronger by the day. Most recently, doctors have noticed a significant rise in the changing structures of back and necks, as heads are constantly tilted downwards towards screens. While this new “digital diet” has revolutionized the world in countless valuable ways, its constant presence is rapidly changing the mind and body, along with the relationships we share with one another.

PHYSICAL HEALTH

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ne of the most apparent effects that have appeared in the last five or so years is the damage to kids’ and young adults’ necks and backs, commonly known as “tech neck.” The neck is supposed to have a reversed C-shape curvature, and natural posture should stem from the head looking straight forward, according to Dr. Dallis Rogers of Body Basics Chiropractic.

“What’s happening is since everybody is always looking down at their devices all the time, it is causing us all to lose that curvature,” Rogers said. “When we lose the proper

curvature of the neck, that’s when issues such as arthritis, neck pain, pain in the shoulder blades and arm numbness develop.”

While these and other similar symptoms have always been found in people of older age, Rogers has begun to notice a drastic rise of the exact same problems in kids and teenagers.

“Over five years ago, people thought of their phones mostly as a means to call or send an occasional text. We didn’t always have such easy access to Facebook and other social media,” Rogers said. “Because of this, my concern is that we’re going to start commonly seeing arthritis in the lower cervical spine at a much younger age.”

...Continued on page 18

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COVER STORY Continued from page 17...

When an individual looks down at a screen changing the way our eyes focus,” Dr. Jason for any length of time, it puts pressure on the Rogers said. “This results in fatigue and eye neck muscles, nerves and vertebrae, according strain from that element, and then our blink to a KCTV5 segment featuring Rogers. rates even drop off causing dry eyes.”

For every inch the neck cranes forward,

While screen monitors have continually it adds an extra 10 pounds of pressure on the improved in resolution over the years, little neck. As this issue continues to spread, Rogers progress has been made in terms of eye is concerned about growing health costs in protection. The dryness will have effects over addition to the basic pain and headaches that time, according to Dr. Jason Rogers. The are a direct result. Since all nerves - including more dry the surface of the eye gets, the more the spinal cord - connect to the brain, constant inflammation that occurs, which leads to stretching of the neck and spinal cord irritate further dryness and so on. This can especially the nerves connected compromise contact to the brain, resulting lens wear, and also lead “When we lose the proper in headaches. Rogers to visual discomfort in curvature of the neck, stresses the importance general. of the first step in “I got my that’s when issues such as counteracting this literal glasses in December pain in the neck, which is arthritis, neck pain, pain in before Christmas break simply awareness. because after looking at the shoulder blades, and

“Do everything you my computer screen then arm numbness develop.” can to avoid looking up at the board, it took my -Dr. Dallis Rogers down at your laptops. Try eyes a while to focus back to get your laptop, iPad on whatever was in front or iPhone elevated. Don’t of me,” junior Amaya sit on your bed and look down at your laptop.

Adams said.

When you’re on your phone, consciously hold

There are now lenses that have a pigment it up in front of your eyes,” Roger said. “There’s that absorbs blue light to help shield the volume even some apps out there right now that can tell that one’s eyes are taking in, according to Dr. if you are looking down at your phone, and will Jason Rogers. Senior Maddi McMaster recently send you a little alert telling you to look up.” got glasses as well that protect her eyes from too

Two more serious and spreading effects much exposure. stem from the lesser-known source of blue

“There’s all sorts of studies that show that light. Blue light is a type of light emitting short too much time on technology can damage your wavelengths of high energy that penetrates deep vision, but as a student, it’s really hard to keep into the eyes, according to thevisioncouncil.org. that screen time down considering the amount The sun, fluorescent lighting and digital screens of homework, research and studying students are an individual’s most common source of do online,” McMaster said. “Technology daily blue light exposure. While this wavelength makes it a lot easier to do those things, but it’s can be beneficial during the day causing definitely harder on your eyes.” boosted attention rates, reaction times and

When it comes to protecting the eye from mood, over-exposure combined with night-time blue light and other eye conditions, lenses are usage can result in damage. only one solution. The American Optometric

“The exposure is increasing as a lot of us Association recommends that one practice stare at screens all day long and then we go the 20-20-20 rule, in which patients take a home and stare at some more,” local optometrist 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at Dr. Jason Rogers said. “Blue light is necessary something 20 feet away. Positioning oneself at to a certain extent for cortical function, but too arm’s distance away from the screen for proper much of it starts to manipulate our melatonin viewing distance when at a computer, and production.” keeping the brightness somewhat low can help

As the sun goes down, our bodies naturally as well. As for anyone with an iPhone, Dr. Jason begin to produce more melatonin. However, Rogers also recommends taking advantage of exposure to blue light before bed prolongs the the night shift setting designed to mimic natural time it takes to fall asleep, delays the circadian exposure of blue light. clock, suppresses levels of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, reduces the amount of REM sleep, and reduces alertness the following morning, according to American Optometric Association.

In addition to affecting sleep cycles,

Without the necessity of seeing someone exposure may also result in damage to the retina in person to communicate, modern technology and other long-term visual problems such as opens doors to a world of fully instant and macular degeneration and cataracts, according unlimited conversation with any person at any to thevisioncouncil.org. Dr. Jason Rogers has time from anywhere. With such an immense noticed a significant spike in the last 10 years of amount of unfiltered information being passed visual symptoms in younger kids. back and forth, many worry about the quality

“Our eyes have to work a little harder when of these conversations declining. However, we are looking at screens in general and when according to Leawood psychologist Dr. Kristin there is light being pushed toward the eye, it’s

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

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Koetting, this is not the case.

“There’s a perception that especially for teenagers that the communication that they have via technology is negative, it’s harmful and it’s all bad,” Koetting said. “But the truth is that the research shows that the quality of the conversations that happen between teenagers on technology often mimic the conversations that they have in real life. Most of the content is positive and neutral.”

With the ability to communicate instantaneously we expect an immediate response. However, that doesn’t always happen.

When it comes to delaying and avoiding responses over technology, apprehension and assumption can wreck havoc on the nerves of the sender.

“We’ve grown to rely on technology so much that we expect immediate responses and when we don’t get that, we assume something is wrong,” Koetting said. “It definitely brings another level of complication to communication.”

When a conversation occurs face-to-face, it takes obvious intent to completely ignore what is being said. However, the technology-induced ability to “ghost” others has thrown a wrench in communication and has become an easy way to avoid difficult situations.

“I think it shows how the other person is scared to respond if they are ignoring [your text]. Texting isn’t your voice, it’s hiding behind a screen,” freshman Riley Heit said.

Studies estimate that about 40 percent of communication is expressed through nonverbal, physical cues, according to Koetting.

Whether it’s not being able to catch on to sarcasm, hear an inflection or tell if someone is being serious, this lack of physical cues in screen-to-screen communication can create tension-causing misunderstandings in the workplace, at home and in the classroom.

“I think in a way [communication in the classroom] suffers a little bit [because] I think sometimes we assume that if we’ve written something out and posted it on the Internet

How has technology impacted the quality of your conversations?

18% 26%

283 students polled

56%

Decreased quality

No impact

Increased Quality

COVER STORY

that everybody should be able to completely understand it and that’s not always the case,” history and debate teacher Kristin Pennock said. “Nothing really replaces face-to-face for true understanding,”

Because of our digital addiction, the amount of digital communication accounts for much of communication in general. As a result, these miscommunications rack up pretty quickly, potentially taking a toll on mental health as a whole.

the mind and one’s Out of 283 students polled, students reported being affected by these phone if taken too symptoms, possibly related to excessive technology use. far. The excess of 163 technology usage begins to invade valuable time meant for refueling and 112 110 refreshing the mind 98 as technology is 97 95 prioritized over necessary sleep and personal time.

“It’s great in some ways in that they can always get information for

Within every generation there seems to be Poor Posture iPhone Pinky Neck/back pain Blurry Vision Headaches Difficulty school work and a new and improved version of communication falling asleep such,” Koetting said. coming to life. Today, social media and “But also a lot of text messages and news feeds have become technology are at their peak and seem to be adolescents report that they don’t want to miss such a crucial part of the daily process that, enhancing daily. Look around. Everywhere out on any important communication, so they without the multitasking and constant physical the vast majority of people are stuck gazing will take texts in the middle of the night which connection, individuals can begin to feel into their phones or laptops. Whether it be to definitely interferes with sleep and ultimately withdrawals. catch up on the latest news or to respond to a overall health.”

“We see that people who are already Snapchat as quickly as possible, it is becoming

This “recharge time” can be minimal, even depressed, when they are looking on Facebook apparent to doctors and specialists that our just 10 minutes. But when individuals don’t or Instagram feeling this way, can have those society’s current obsession with technology may reach the necessary space the mind needs from feelings amplified,” Koetting said. cause more harm than good. distancing itself from technology, it can become

Admitted or not, the possibilities

“There is so much value for both our damaging. The brain over-functioning during and opportunities that come with the physical and mental health being physically the day causes insomnia flourishing of technology are accompanied with other people,” and distress when night by similarly impactful detriments. With a Koetting said. “If you say rolls around according “Overusing technology rapidly growing dependency on immediate something over text for to Psychology Today. responses from Google, YouTube and text example, that’s funny, evokes excessive mental Overusing messages comes the possibility of a variety of somebody might send activity so much so that technology evokes consequences impacting physical, mental and you the laugh out loud excessive mental activity communicational development. our brains are abuzz all emoticon or acronym but so much so that our

After reporting on the ‘tech neck’ segment it’s not the same as real day long. The brain needs brains are abuzz all day with Rogers on KCTV5, news anchor Alexis Del laughter, which we know long. The brain needs periodic resetting.”

Cid has made some adjustments in her own life. is so beneficial for our -exerpt from “The Distracted periodic resetting Rosen “After I did the report, I’ve started to health.” said in an except from change how I sit and notice my posture when

The overwhelming Mind” by Dr. Larry Rosen “The Distracted Mind.” looking down at my phone,” Del Cid said. “I am presence of technology

Another issue more mindful about monitoring how often my in our everyday lives is seen in today’s use of child is looking down.” becoming so drastic that technology is the narcissism associated with

The presence of technology in society professionals are noticing consequential mental it. The constant connection—social media will inevitably continue to grow as the years health issues in kids and young adults. An being a prominent example—is an outlet for a progress. However, experts say there are ways “iDisorder” is a psychiatric disorder becoming “me-centered” mentality. Constantly attempting to protect yourself and your relationships by more present amongst teenagers, according to keep up with what followers see and think remaining aware of the effects this screen world California State University Dr. Larry Rosen’s when looking on one’s page makes some begin may deliver. website. to act in egotistical ways that seek out support

Their advice: don’t be afraid to be bored for

The iDisorder changes the brain’s ability from friends without return, according to once. Set aside some alone time each day to let to process information and the ability to relate Rosen’s website. With all the apps that showcase your mind and body rest with no technology to the world due to excessive daily use of media ideologies of self promotion and glorification, to distract or occupy your thoughts. Focus on and technology. This results in signs and small critiques and critical comments can be building relationships in person rather than symptoms of psychological disorders, according blown out of proportion. through messages. Take a moment and detach to Rosen’s website.

“When somebody goes on Facebook, from the “digital diet” to get back in touch with

Just like ADHD, narcissism or even OCD, or Instagram for example, we see all these the non-virtual aspects of reality. the addiction is manifested through the overuse pictures,” Koetting said. “And nobody posts bad of technology, according to Rosen’s website. The pictures, pictures of them having a bad time. iDisorder is affecting the way minds operate Everybody portrays their best and is ultimately affecting the human psyche. image and that’s just the norm,

Recent studies from Psychology Today that’s how it is.” show that out of over 1,000 Americans, more

Research from the than half of teenagers and young adults born New York Times shows that in the 1980s and in the 1990s state that they the excessive daily usage become anxious if they are unable to check of technology is physically their text messages all day long. This separation rewiring users’ brains. E-mails, anxiety can create an unhealthy bond between

MENTAL HEALTH

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FEATURES

TO FALL BACK ON Theology Instructor and Service Learning Co-Coordinator Polly Holmes rediscovers her call to religion through adventure and service.

BY MADDIE YOUNG BREAKING NEWS EDITOR

H

er journey to find faith was far from ordinary. It was intricate and filled with deeply contemplated questions. Her journey was one of adventures that worked to expand her horizons, giving her new perspectives on how the world works. It was one of service and one of learning. Theology Instructor and Service Learning Co-Coordinator Polly Holmes’ journey to rediscover her faith was not immediate, but rather a very gradual process with an unforgettable impact. Holmes says that her journey was a lot like Theodore Ratisbonne’s: slow and continuous.

“In college I studied every Asian religion there was so I did not have to study Christian scripture,” Holmes said. “I studied a lot of different things and I still like to study a lot of different kinds of religions. I am more like Theodore in that I am always searching.”

Holmes grew up attending Atchison Catholic Elementary School, known today as Saint Benedict Catholic School. She then went on to Mount Saint Scholastica Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school in Atchison, Kansas. Throughout this time, she felt as though a piece of her religious puzzle was missing. This missing piece and the lack of complete clarity caused her to question her faith.

“In middle school and high school I saw a lot of double standards, and as a young person I wanted it to be black and white,” Holmes said. “I didn’t understand that there would be grey areas.

People are human, they make mistakes. I said if the Church is not perfect, I do not want it.”

Holmes continued on to Benedictine College,

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studying business, and was not actively practicing her faith. While in college, she married her husband, Mark Holmes, who played professional basketball overseas. After college, Holmes spent the next chapter of her life living overseas with her husband who played first in Argentina, then in Iceland and finally in Norway. As far as her faith was concerned, Holmes was impacted through the new experiences she was greeted with, especially during her stay in Argentina.

“It was while I was living in Argentina that I saw real poverty for the first time,” Holmes said.

“I remember flying in and seeing sheep on the runway and the tops of shacks where the people were living. However, I also remember the people that I encountered, all of whom were so poor yet so hospitable and kind.”

Her adventures and new experiences accumulated. And after returning to Atchison, Kansas from Oslo, Norway with two twin sons, Nicholas and Caleb, Holmes felt compelled to find a way to actively practice her faith again.

After looking at other denominations and finding that none of them felt like “home,” Holmes took a class about rejoining the Catholic church.

Finding this class interesting, she decided to take more classes about this topic through the religious institute at Benedictine. Holmes was later asked to teach an eighth grade confirmation class at Prince of Peace parish, introducing her to the art of teaching.

The next major step on Holmes’ journey to redefine her faith was through the many mission trips that she participated in as a youth group leader within the United States.

She took part on these trips

throughout the 13 years she spent as the Director of Religious Education at Prince of Peace.

“I took a lot of kids on different mission trips,” Holmes said. “So that is kind of where I found my faith, through service and though people of different cultures.”

The mission trips that she took to El Paso, Texas and to the Winnebago reservation were two of the most impactful trips that she was involved with, according to Holmes. In El Paso, she worked in ghettos in the desert where the inhabitants formed their own communities in close proximity with each other.

FEATURES

MISSION TRIP MEMORIES

Holmes and her mission group introduce themselves to the El Paso Community. The community was very poor but rich in spirit, according to Holmes. She remembers feeling inspired by their hospitality and happiness.

(Photo submitted by Polly Holmes)

While in El Paso, Texas Holmes and her mission group worked in poor areas near the desert borders. There they helped the community co-ops dig water lines, paint houses and clean up their community. (Photo submitted by Polly Holmes)

Holmes poses with fellow mission group members, Braden Decker (left) and Rob Breeden (right) during her mission trip to Lafayette, Louisiana. On this trip, Holmes and her group organized a thrift store and bought clothes from it to wear for the dance that they put on for the community. (Photo submitted by Polly Holmes)

Holmes assisted in painting houses, digging and installing water lines that would provide running water to the houses, cleaning and by simply talking to and forming relationships with the poor but incredibly happy people that lived on the land.

On the trip to El Paso with Holmes was Former Youth Group Member Monica Kuckelman, who found Holmes to be very good at connecting with students, building lasting relationships and modeling what a faithful Catholic adult looks like. Kuckelman specifically remembers one experience that she had on the trip in which a group of women offered to cook her and her group an authentic Mexican meal.

She was astonished by the selflessness that these people, who did not have a lot of money, displayed in offering to feed her large group. She described not being able to fully repay these women for their kindness as life changing.

“El Paso was especially impactful because of the people we were able to serve. Our group helped update homes to meet basic living needs,” Kuckelman said. “The community was so thankful for what we were doing, which had a huge impact on us. El Paso ignited a love and passion for service in Mrs. Holmes and myself.”

The other meaningful and memorable mission trip that Holmes took was to the Winnebago reservation north of Omaha. Here she encountered

unimaginable poverty, and the inability of the Native Americans to maintain their sacred pow-wow ground because of their strict focus on trying to provide food for their community to eat.

Holmes also found unique richness in the Native Americans’ character and came back changed.

“The poverty was unbelievable, but I think it was so interesting how they pulled in their Indian culture into the Mass and prayer services,” Holmes said. “Their spirituality in their pow-wows and their pride was unbelievable. And there were some things that happened on that trip that cannot be explained, some spiritual things that were just unbelievable.”

Since the trips, Holmes has found a new home at Sion. She was introduced to Sion while on a retreat in Atchison, Kansas back in 2013 with Assistant High School Division Head for Curriculum and Instruction Ellen Carmody’s mother. When she visited Sion for the first time, she became fixated by the mission and accepted a campus ministry leader position at the grade school campus. She taught fourth through eighth grade religion classes and enjoyed being able to learn and teach more about Judaism and Islam.

She worked at the grade school for two years, and was rehired as a Theology Instructor and Service Learning Co-Coordinator at the beginning of this school year.

“When I came to Sion it kind of opened a whole new world to me because of its mission of being more ecumenical, or open to all faiths,” Holmes said. “It just felt like home because you could be Catholic and open to other faiths.”

Over the past several years, Holmes has found peace in her heart with what she truly believes and what is truly important to her, according to her sister, Micah Lutz. Holmes is incredibly knowledgeable in Catholicism, and continues to grow and learn all the time. However, she is not one to push her beliefs on anyone else, and is very open minded and accepting of all faiths.

“She has such a gift to share her knowledge of the Catholic faith without being intimidating or judgemental,” Lutz said. “She makes me think, and wonder and challenges me to see my own faith in different ways.

Holmes’ journey of faith still continues as she teaches and discovers new things about herself and her religion, but also about the religion of others.

She encourages her students to be questioning and to use their questions as a way to connect more with God, whomever or whatever they might believe in.

“I have always been very questioning and have always wanted to teach people to help others and to have their eyes opened to new experiences as well,” Holmes said. “I always want kids to know that it is okay to question faith because that is how you grow.”

Holmes lifts up her hands and gives thanks while reflecting on her faith journey. (Photo by Maddie Young) LE JOURNAL February 2017

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FEATURES

Glitz and Glamour (above ) Senior Taylor Ramsey stands center stage with the spotlight focused on her as she sings “Fabulous Baby” Reprise. (Photo by Lauren Graves)

#Blessed (above) Senior Taylor Ramsey takes a knee and says a prayer, along side her fellow cast mates, that their performance for the Pope will go smoothly the next day.

(Photo by Lauren Graves)

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Rock N Roll Around music her whole life, senior Taylor Ramsey loved to play with instruments when she was younger —even if they were just toys. (Photo submitted by Mia Ramsey)

FEATURES

This Sister Can Act Senior Taylor Ramsey displays her lifelong love for music in her church choir, in the school musical and at home with her family.

O

BY MCKENNA HEEGN REPORTER

ne. Senior Taylor Ramsey stands backstage, hidden by heavy black curtains, waiting for her queue. Deep breaths in. Deep breaths out.

She reads over her lines for the opening scene one final time in her head before she steps onto the stage. There’s her queue. Her heels click as she walks out in front of the crowd with confidence. Her gold dress shimmers in the lights as she begins singing. The show has begun.

Ramsey has been around music for as long as she can remember.

From the time when she was 4 years old singing in front of her church at a talent show and running off the stage into her mother’s arms, to when her grade school finally introduced a choir program, to her first music instructor introducing her to jazz music, music has always been a huge part of her life.

“I have always had a passion for music and sometimes I just can’t control it, and people aren’t used to that,” Ramsey said.

This love for music came from Ramsey’s mother, Mia Ramsey, who has always had a huge influence on her life since introducing her to music from a young age. Ramsey remembers her mother’s band and getting to listen to them practice always fascinated her. Mia was also the music director at their parish so Taylor would often found herself singing in the church choir.

“She is honestly just my role model in everything I do, in music and in life,” Ramsey said.

Mia has pushed Ramsey to be better in everything she does both from the the standpoint of her mother and her friend.

Mia encouraged Ramsey to audition freshman year for her first musical ever, “Hairspray.”

Ramsey also competed in Kansas City Superstars, which was put on by the Jewish Community Center, where the winners get scholarships for their education. Ramsey’s sophomore year she made it to the finals by singing “I know Where I’ve Been” from the Hairspray musical. Without the encouragement from her mother, Ramsey says she never would have thought she had the talent to do either of these things.

“I didn’t win but I met a lot of incredible people,” Ramsey said. “It was a great opportunity I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.”

There are three important aspects of Ramsey’s life: home, school and church. While home and school take up a big part of her life, she always makes sure there is plenty of time for church. Going to her church, Kingdom World Ministries, and singing in the choir, three out of seven days in the week, gives Ramsey the opportunity to get away from the stress of the day. She can find her zen. Mia raised Ramsey in the church and they found that faith became the driving force in everything the family did. The family

attends Mass together every weekend which helps them to be a good, cohesive family, according to Ramsey.

“Church is just a really big part of my life,” Ramsey said. “It’s what keeps me sane. It’s what keeps me, me.”

Ramsey is now active in her church choir, a teacher in the parish’s summer camps and a mentor with Mia’s organization, Sisters of Substance.

Sisters of Substance is a kindergarten through 12th grade program that helps with tutoring, self esteem and self love. Ramsey acts as an older sister to anyone who just needed to talk and would sometimes encourage them to join her at church.

“She is a giver and finds joy in it,” Mia said. “She is the person that people call when they need someone that’s dependable, trustworthy and caring.”

Two. Ramsey takes a breath as the lights dim and the crew come on stage to change the set. She rushes back stage for a two minute costume change. Her nerves are slowly fading away because she knows she has made it this far. She pulls on her nun habit and adjusts her hair accordingly. She walks slowly back onto the stage into her new position and freezes. The lights turn back on as a new found confidence and calmness washes over her. She begins the next scene.

Managing school work after musical rehearsals and singing with her church choir doesn’t leave a lot of free time, so Ramsey has learned how to better manage her time and take advantage of any spare time in her schedule.

“Literally every second counts when you’re doing work and when I have down time, I use that down time, sometimes to just catch up on sleep.” Ramsey said.

Performing arts and music instructor Elizabeth Mulkey has worked with Ramsey since her freshman year and has seen tremendous growth since then. Mulkey started to notice a new found richness and depth to Ramsey’s voice that seemed to click for her during the Hairspray musical.

“She has a fullness to her sound and she has learned to control it,” Mulkey said. “But yet in that control has learned to let go and that is an important element to singing that is very hard to learn.”

Mulkey pushes Ramsey to do more, to be a stronger singer, teaches her how to control her voice and how to read music. “I honestly feel like I have known her my whole life just because she has been like a second mom for me here,” Ramsey said.

Once Ramsey graduates in May, she wants to study middle school education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and will eventually use that degree to teach children social studies and maybe even work with children with special needs. Musical therapy also interests Ramsey and she wants to be able to use that to help children.

“After working with my church summer camp with children of all different ages, [helping kids] became something that I loved doing,” Ramsey said.

When Ramsey looks back at her time at Sion she will not only remember the late nights staying up doing homework after a rehearsal and singing at all-school mass, but what Sion has taught her as person. Ramsey has learned to love herself and not to worry about what other people say or what other people think of her.

“My eyes have been opened to so many things I wouldn’t have known about if I had gone to a different school,” Ramsey said.

Three. Ramsey belts the final note of the last song into her microphone and beams at the crowd as she takes a bow. She looks back up and sees the crowd standing She no longer feels nervous or is thinking about what comes next, rather she focuses on the sense of empowerment she feels as the crowd claps and cheers for her and her fellow cast members. Ramsey looks out at the crowd one last time and takes the final bow of the night.

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A&E

Hidden Heroes “Hidden Figures” takes audience back in time and shines light on three of America’s hidden heroes.

BY EMMA MILLER REPORTER

“Hidden Figures” is a film that all need to see. Though the movie is primarily about the civil rights movement and how it coincided with NASA’s endeavors, the story of three women who dare to defy stereotypes and segregation encourages all viewers to dream big.

The film follows the stories of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe). All three of these women worked at NASA during the 1950-60’s and made remarkable achievements not only for black women but for the entire United States.

Johnson used her brilliant mind and became indispensable to the computing department at NASA, discovering and implementing mathematical techniques to aid Friendship 7’s orbit around the earth. Vaughn strived to obtain a management position and a worked hard as a leader of her computing office at NASA without the pay or recognition.

Jackson dreamed of becoming an engineer and though she was just as qualified as the other white men engineers, she went to court in order to take night classes at a local high school to become the first black woman engineer at NASA. These three trailblazers faced setbacks and discrimination, but through strength and perseverance, they strived to break boundaries set before them and ultimately help NASA put an American astronaut in space.

Unseen heroes within the film itself include costume and set designers who managed to take the audience back in time, creating a believable 1960’s setting. The production of the movie was breathtaking and really transported the audience into the world of “Hidden Figures.”

The movie was especially believable due to the actresses’ chemistry. It seemed as though they had truly been friends for years and their strong friendship is what helped them persevere and overcome the obstacles in their work and personal lives.

“Hidden Figures” highlights an important time in the history of the United States, as the country was attempting to win the space race.

It sheds light on the civil rights movement that was going on during the same time and the people who were not given credit for the great

Freezing Boo New Thai fried ice cream business is blowing up in Kansas City but isn’t living up to the hype.

BY PHYLICIA BARNER-LEWIS NEWS EDITOR

Freezing Moo is all over Snapchat stories and Twitter timelines. The Instagram explore page is also filled with videos of this unique, rolled ice cream.

Located in Deer Creek Marketplace off of 135th in Overland Park, this establishment has a comfortable and welcoming environment adorned with colorful post it notes from visiting customers.

Names, messages and drawings cover the windows, walls and tables. Songs that are fun to dance and sing along to fill the bright parlor.

Upon entering the door, customers are given the choice of picking one of the 11 flavors off the menu behind the behind the counter: Strawbella, Monkey Business, Key

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Lime Pie, Pink Lady, S’More Please, Green Giant, Mucho Mangos, Whole Latte Love, Mint To Be, Hawaiian Delight and Cookie Monster. A waffle bowl is also available for an extra 91 cents. After taking the order and the name of the customer, about five minutes pass before an employee calls out the name so the buyer can watch the process.

The employees spread out the ingredients on top of milk while it is freezing on the frozen grill, then chop the mixture up and fold it over itself until the sheet becomes smooth and thin enough to scrape the product off. Afterwards through the glass, customers are given the option of picking up to three of the 21 toppings including graham crackers, chocolate teddy grahams, vanilla wafers, spiced gumdrops, cherry, pineapple, Peeps, brownies and other toppings commonly found in ice cream shops.

It is all put into a cup (only one size) with a cute little red spoon with a face on it.

Eating rolled ice cream isn’t the

Monaé, Henson and Spencer dance to celebrate their advancements at work. (Photo by MCT Campus)

contributions to society due to their gender and color of their skin.

Even if one cannot personally relate to “Hidden Figures” because they have never been discriminated against because of race, everyone has obstacles they have had to overcome in life.

“Hidden Figures” displays amazing acting and production to help create empathy for those who have been oppressed and so that injustices happening today can be eradicated.

Film Success: 2 Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Score - Motion Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer.

3 Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer.

Photo by Phylicia Barner-Lewis.

easiest and depending on what gets ordered, the treat might not even have much of a taste to it. Choose wisely on flavorful toppings if the desired taste is to be anything besides milk.

Freezing Moo draws people in with the hype of their unique fried ice cream idea that is extremely entertaining to watch in their interactive setting.

But in the end, the product isn’t all that great for $6. The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

A wall at the entrance of Freezing Moo is decorated with notes and doodles from customers. (Photo by Phylicia Barner Lewis)

A&E

Hamilton Goes Above and Beyond American musical “Hamilton” exceeds expectations in new Chicago venue.

BY OLIVIA DOPHEIDE REPORTER

Broadway’s “Hamilton” is a juxtaposition of rap, wit and a recall of American history. This musical is a New York phenomenon and the hysteria was no different in Chicago. Now showing at the PrivateBank Theatre, with all seats filled, “Hamilton” attracted minds of all ages, wanting to know how hiphop and history could be combined into a sing-along sensation.

The hours of waiting for the pre-sale to start with four computers and two iPads surrounding me finally paid off. My sister got me hooked on this musical months before the sale, but not without apprehension. When she told me to listen to a song about American history, my mind flashed back to the fifth grade when everyone was forced to memorize the Preamble song. But after finally giving in, the “Hamilton” spark was ignited.

Six months later, at the highly anticipated performance, my red velvet seat was at eye level with the stage, creating a unique view capable of seeing every part of the set. This would come in handy when Miguel Cervantes, playing Alexander Hamilton, performed the popular song “My Shot.” As he climbed onto the balcony of the set, I was lucky enough to see from my seat every facial expression and dance move performed by each cast member.

However, if the less-expensive and more accessible obstructed view seats were all that were available, they would have still most certainly proven their worth; the music is amplified throughout the whole theatre, allowing everyone to enjoy the “Hamilton” magic.

As the lights dimmed and the opening chords struck, a familiar feeling resonated, probably from the hours I spent in the car, in my room,

(Photo by MCT Campus)

and admittedly in English class listening to the Original Broadway Cast soundtrack on Spotify in preparation for this moment. While every “Hamilton” fan, including me, probably dreams about seeing creator and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda star as the leading role of Hamilton like he did in the opening performances in New York. But the Chicago cast—without Mirand—portrayed our nation’s history in an extraordinary way, definitely living up to my sky-high expectations.

As the actors rapped and sang their way through the 1700s though, I often caught myself craning my neck around the lady in front of me.

My initial reaction was utter annoyance , but my attention was quickly preoccupied by King George III, played by Alexander Gemignani, serenading the 13 original colonies. During this particular number, “You’ll Be Back,” the entire theatre, plus the cast, broke out into song giving me goosebumps. I couldn’t help but join in.

Despite having to perform it all again tomorrow and every day for weeks after, each cast member exuded their love of performing in the final bow. My half-serious fantasy that Miranda would pop out mid-song and join in with the cast unfortunately did not come true, but my actual dream of seeing “Hamilton” live was better than even imaginable. In fact, I’m already looking at tickets available for next year. Luckily, the Kansas City Music Hall will be home to this historical hit in the 2018-19 season. It’s time to set the countdown to the next performance.

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Le Journal staffers juniors Anna Tomka and Kelly Nugent and seniors Tara Jungden and new member Megan Ostrander try Carpool Karaoke in their latest video.

Inspired by James Corden, the Try Gals pile into a car and listen to songs chosen by other staffers.

Find this video and more on lejournallive.com.

CHECK IT OUT

ONLINE

Confessions of an Awkward Valentine’s Day...

Ayiana Udhe

Sophomore

“On Valentine’s Day in the fourth grade, I heard a boy calling out, ‘Ayiana! Ayiana!’ It was a boy who had a huge crush on me.

He came up to me in front of my mom and handed me this huge box of chocolate fudge. I was so scared that I would get in trouble so I hid from him the rest of the day and never gave him anything back...and still ate the fudge.”

Emilie Connors Junior

“It was freshman year. This kid who was obsessed with me, even though he knew I didn’t like him, texted me and said he was outside my house. I opened the door and he stood there with a rose and chocolates. I never ate the chocolates and I didn’t put the rose in water.”

Go to lejournallive.com to watch the video.

Katie Buhrmeister Senior

“In second grade, I had a huge crush on this kid and on Valentine’s Day, I brought everyone Little Mermaid valentines and he threw it away and didn’t give me one back so I told on him and made him apologize.”

LE JOURNAL February 2017

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A&E

“This is Us” Promising Start Isn’t Enough viewership. Netflix is great, but its effects aren’t. is Us” isn’t typical. While still remaining a relatively As the viewership of “This is Us” is haunted uplifting family drama, it touches on the issues of by the increase of “Netflix only” viewers, its race, drug and alcohol addiction, sexuality, obesity, emotional moments will continue to get more adoption and many more. The reality of many of

BY PAIGE RITTER and more over the top and characters less and less these as real issues for families and individuals add REPORTER relatable as it tries to draw in viewers. So sadly, even more to the show. no matter how great “This is Us” began with its “This is Us” began with memorable endings A single-tear falling from Mandy Moore as troupe of relatable characters and emotional that usually included a final time hop implying she proudly proclaims her character Rebecca’s things to the viewer not yet known to the characters. moments it will never be able to break the rule for emotional state seems to be a very cliche rule network television.

Rebecca’s remarriage becomes apparent in the final for NBC’s “This is Us.” Prejudices against Moore aside, it seems to be the only rule the show follows moments of episode one, leaving many unanswered questions regarding Jack and the as it lives up to its breakout hit claim. past. The show created its own type Fraternal twins Kevin and Kate and adopted of cliffhanger versus the dramatics brother Randall are known as the Pearson normally employed by dramas, Triplets, along with their parents Rebecca and while keeping the same effect. But Jack create the Pearson family or the “Us”. The the more the series progressed, the show’s distinct framing parallels the family’s lives more dramatic the final moments with one another in present day and through ‘80s became with a dead or alive flashbacks.

How “This is Us” really breaks the mold of the cliffhanger concluding the Fall Finale. typical television drama is by having characters This breakout hit, with an and storylines resembling those of its viewers. average viewership of 9 million, is Watching Chrissy Metz’s Kate struggle with her still millions below the average of weight rings true for many. The show’s flashbacks showing Milo Ventimiglia’s character Jack making past breakouts. The time Americans spend watching television each sacrifice after sacrifice for his wife and kids, if week declines steadily, according not relatable for all, are poignant and empathetic moments just the same. These make the “Us” more to the data company Nielsen.

Streaming’s “anywhere, anytime” than just the Pearson’s, but also the viewers.

Sterling K. Brown and Susan Kelechi Watson star as Randall and wife and no commercials, leave no Normally family as a central plot structure Beth Pearson. (Photo by MCT Campus) confines the show for story diversity. Again, “This questions for network’s decline in

CHECK IT OUT ONLINE Ryan Gosling as Sebastian and Emma Stone as Mia in a scene from the movie “La La Land.” (Photo by MCT Campus)

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Go to lejournallive.com for the full story.

– Bethany Barber `13 Creighton University

“

Picking a College Try to relax because everything works out the way it’s supposed to in the end. Get outside your comfort zone and put yourself out there.

–Laney Ulowetz `16 University of Alabama

“

Choosing Roomates Be open to making new friends and branching out.

You’d be surprised where you can find your closest friends. Just be open to new experiences and be kind to everyone, it’ll be a fabulous experience.

–Anna Romano `15 Benedictine College

“

Getting Involved Join something you never thought you would participate in. College is the time and place to allow yourself new interests.

–Mary Horn `14 George Washington University

“

The Golden Globe Awards and numerous genuine reviews inspired me to finally surrender to the hype surrounding the film, “La La Land,” starring heartthrob Ryan Gosling as well as the captivating Emma Stone. I plopped down on the leather couches of Cinetopia with a bucket full of buttered popcorn, my body

“

“

BY ANNA TOMKA FEATURES EDITOR

tingling with excitement and high expectations. As a supporter of the arts, I was mostly looking forward to the musical aspect and choreography of the film.

I was blown away by the opening number, featuring an elaborate dance sequence on a stopped highway.

Bodies were flung across cars and dancers flipped their way through the first song. The vibrant colors and smiling faces left me dazzled, instantly causing my mood to soar.

I was left on the edge of my seat, literally.

Mia, played by Stone, is introduced as an aspiring and unlucky actress living in presentday Los Angeles. She encounters Sebastian, a pianist with a passion for jazz, played by Gosling.

“

Musical proves itself to be a modern-day masterpiece and is sure to be a classic with a record-tying 14 Oscar nominations.

Finishing Senior Year Do everything. Go to every game, dance and event.

Support your friends by showing up because you will not be able to be by their side next year.

“

“La La Land” Leaves Lasting Impression

Alumnae Give// College Advice

NBC’s breakout hit will never break through cable television barriers.

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Beat the winter blues by going skywatching with friends to take a much needed night away from the busy city life.

BY LANIE JONES EDITORIAL EDITOR

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TIP: When going stargazing, use a flashlight with a red light. It will help your eyes stay adjusted to the dark!

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A&E

Where to Go

When to Go The most important astronomical requirement for a successful stargazing night is a clear sky. Look at the forecast before heading out to ensure that stars will be visible. New moon phases are better for stargazing because of the low light pollution. Check out these anticipated events for 2017.

2017 Highlights

Meteor Showers

Total Solar Eclipse: August 21 This is a once-in-a-lifetime event to view from Kansas City. Special eyewear is strongly encouraged while it is not fully eclipsed.

Supermoon: December 3 The moon will be closer to the earth than normal, thus making it appear brighter and larger than usual.

Lyrids: peaks on April 22 Eta Aquarids: peaks on May 6 Delta Aquarids: peaks on July 28 Perseids: peaks on August 12 Orionids: peaks on October 22 Taurids: peaks on November 4 Leonids: peaks on November 17 Geminids: peaks on December 13 Ursids: peaks on December 21

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Full Moons

February 10 March 12 April 11 May 10 June 9 July 9 August 7

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New Moons

February 26 March 28 April 26 May 25 June 24 July 23 August 21

Powell Observatory 26500 Melrose Street Louisburg, KS 66053

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What to Use Unless you want to go old school and use a bi-monthly or monthly star map, check out these apps for your smartphone that walk you through the steps of identifying stars, planets and constellations. (Illustrations by Lanie Jones)

StarWalk 2 Free will tell what you see when you point it toward a planet, star or constellation.

The full version costs $2.99.

Night Sky Lite identifies what is currently in the sky when you point upward.

The full app, Night Sky 4, costs $0.99.

Powell Observatory is only open to the public on Saturday nights in May through October, but the gravel lot on the property is perfect for parking and stargazing on your own.

They occasionally open for special events to give tours and other educational sessions. It is owned and by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City and operated by ASKC volunteers.

Warkoczewski Observatory 800 E 52nd Street UMKC Royall Hall Roof Kansas City, MO 64110 Warkoczewki (“Warko”) Observatory is open to the public on clear Saturday nights in May through October. There are various special events and activities ASKC volunteers put on during the season. It is owned by the University of Missouri-Kansas City and operated by ASKC members.

Shawnee Mission Park 7900 Renner Road Shawnee, KS 66219

Lite Star Chart is an interactive app that will explain what you’re looking at when pointing your phone toward the sky.

These are some of the best places in the Kansas City area for skywatching and stargazing, but don’t underestimate the convenience of your own backyard!

SkyView Free will explain what is in the sky when pointed at something, directing users to the correct celestial body.

Shawnee Mission Park is a 1,600-acre public park located near 79th Street and Renner Road.

The park also features an observation tower, but it is currently closed for repairs. There is not an estimated date for it to be re-opened yet. It also has many park shelters and a lake within it. The park is maintained by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

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Musical Moments & A Night of Rivalry

1. Senior Clare Carey portrays Sister Mary Robert, a reserved nun who shocks her sisters with her newfound love of singing. “This musical meant a lot to me because I got to spend my last time on stage both with the entire cast and in a featured role–something I’ve always wanted to do,” Carey said.

(Photo by Lauren Graves) 2. Senior Maria Arroyo (right) plays Sister Mary Patrick, an outgoing and friendly nun who often catches Deloris Van Cartier (senior Taylor Ramsey, left) off guard. “My favorite part was probably getting so close with the cast this year,” Arroyo said. “I made a lot of new friends.” (Photo by Megan Ostrander) 3. Freshmen Erika Sesler, as Sister Mary Sophia, and Avery Kuhls, as Sister Mary Maria, laugh at Deloris Van Cartier. “I think that the musical was probably the best decision I’ve made freshman year so far besides coming to Sion,” Sesler said. (Photo by Tara Jungden) 4. Theology teacher Paul Kramschuster makes a surprise appearance as the Pope during the musical “Sister Act.” (Photo by Lauren Graves) 5. Seniors Claire Raulston and Alli Hunt, dressed in camouflage for the night’s theme, cheer after the basketball team scores at the St. Teresa’s Academy game Jan. 24. “I love going to the STA games because it’s always so much fun,” Hunt said. “I love cheering on the team and getting loud with all my friends.” (Photo by Paige Ritter) 6. Junior cheerleaders Maddi Clark and Catherine Wilkerson lift sophomore Liz Oltjen, pumping up the crowd. “I love cheering at STA games because we get overwhelming support from the student body, which makes it a lot of fun,” Oltjen said. (Photo by Olivia Dopheide) 7. Junior Meghan Frerking shoots a free throw during the varsity game.

(Photo by Olivia Dopheide)

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