Le Journal December 2019

LE JOURNAL NOTRE DAME DE SION HIGH SCHOOL | DECEMBER 2019 | VOLUME 38

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STUDENTS AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH STORIES PAGE 8

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DESTRUCTIVE SELF DIAGNOSING PAGE 11

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SOPHOMORE TYRA FRAZIER: LOVE OF THE ARTS PAGE 18-19

Grappling with

COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES A look at how stress, stigma, anxiety and depression play a large role in the lives of Generation Z teens page 14-17

CONTENTS NEWS

OPINIONS

05

Leawood named best small city in America

10

06

FBLA travels to Denver for first convention

Do schools use enough of their resources to combat mental health?

07

All Hands in KC hosts event at Chicken n’ Pickle

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Why selfdiagnosing mental illness is destructive

12

Model minority and how it affects admissions into selective schools

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New ACT changes will be better for students

ON THE COVER

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Mental health illnesses and disorders in Generation Z are at epidemic proportions (photo illustration by Madeline Hammett)

FEATURES

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A closer look behind the numbers of mental health

18

Sophomore Tyra Frazier expresses her creativity in many different ways

22

Senior Zoey Jensen finds her passion through equestrian sports

SPORTS

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New assistant swim coach is a 2013 alumna

21

How the swim team gets ready before meets

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Disney+ is worth the cost “Frozen 2” is melting hearts again

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02 LE JOURNAL

(Photo by Sela Kincaid) (Photo by Maggie McKinney)

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25 WHAT’S ONLINE

LEJOURNALLIVE.COM

www.lejournallive.com

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Taking a look back on this past decade

Students were encouraged to create watercolor paintings at Her Majesty’s Theatre. (Photo by Grace Hills)

@lejournalsion

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A&E

26

@lejournalsion

(Photo by Kennedy Wade)

Her Majesty’s Theatre (Photo by Catherine Crayon)

Making Connections (Photo submitted by Alison Riley)

(Photo by Callie Cameron)

Winter Pep Assembly (Photo by Avery Brundige)

Considering College (Photo by Madeline Hammett)

EDITOR’S INK T OUR TIPS

Crushing Finals 1. Get Organized Getting all your old tests, quizzes and helpful worksheets together before finals week starts will make studying much easier.

2. Make A Schedule Keep your studying on track by making a schedule of when and how long you will study each subject the week before. That way you won’t be cramming the night before.

3. Stay Focused Keep your phone in a separate room while you study so you won’t be tempted by social media or games.

4. Find the Way you Study Best Figuring out if you study best alone, with friends, out loud or with flashcards will help you get the most out of your study sessions.

5. Get Some Sleep Getting enough sleep is essential for acing finals week. Aim for at least 7 hours the night before your tests.

he Holiday season is almost here.

Though the first snow fell in late October, there are still many winter festivities to look forward to. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, Christmas music can be blasted through your cars with no shame while enjoying a sugary cup of hot cocoa (or just stick to the iced coffee). Once, of course, finals have passed.

We know that just the mention of finals can trigger stress and anxiety which is why your mental health should be the center of your attention.

Check out statistics about mental health, some hotlines and resources that can be used to help you or someone you know combat those challenges (pg. 8-9).

Anxiety, depression and stress play a pivotal role in mental health of teens which is why placing stigmas around those who struggle with these issues can be detrimental to fighting the epidemic (pg. 14-17).

Learn about the growth of sophomore Tyra Frazier’s skills from writing children’s books in her adolescence, to writing plays for high school productions (pg.18-19). Also check out how senior Zoey Jensen’s love for equestrian sports was inspired by her mom’s passion for all things equestrian as well (pg. 22-23).

Over the break, invest in a Disney+ account to reminisce on some of your favorite shows and movies like “Iron Man,” or series like “Wizards of Waverly Place” or any of the other 12,500 options to choose from (pg. 24).

For some, gift shopping is the highlight of winter break, while for others it only brings frustration waiting for packages. Instead of waiting by your doorstep hoping all your gifts will arrive before Christmas, shop local and rest easy knowing all of your friends and family are accounted for (pg. 11).

In between family gatherings and gift shopping, make time to visit Banksia, an Australian restaurant and cafe in downtown Kansas City. Be on the lookout for their new locations coming soon that will be located in the Country Club Plaza and Town Center (pg. 25).

As winter sports begin their regular seasons check out the new coaching staff of the basketball team and how members of the swim and dive team prepare themselves for meets (pg. 21).

Not only are we going into a new year, but we are also going into a new decade. Travel back in time and relive some of the highlights of this past decade (pg. 26-27).

Happy Holidays, Ava & Kamryn

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE ABOVE PAR Junior Megan Propeck accepted the Kenneth Smith Golf Award Dec. 3, annually presented to the top golfer in the Kansas City Metro area. (Photo by Grace Hills)

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REPORTERS

FEATURES EDITOR

KATE CONWAY GRACE HILLS MAGGIE MCKINNEY KEELY SCHIEFFER ABBIE SINOW PAULA SWEENY KATE VANKEIRSBILCK

AVERY BRUNDIGE

SPORTS EDITOR KAITLIN LYMAN

DECEMBER 2019

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NEW ACT RULES

Starting September 2020, the ACT will be able to be retaken in individual sections rather than retaking the whole test. The test will be super scored with the best score from each section counting toward the composite. The ACT is also now available to take online on national test dates.

This is to provide more choices and a faster result.

“I think the super scoring is a good idea and it gives people good opportunities and a better way to improve,” sophomore Lydia Poe said.(Photo by Keely Schieffer)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Food for Thought came to an end after two weeks of collecting cans and non-perishable food items for Redemptorist Social Services. The goal of 10 tons was crushed with students collecting 13.5 tons. The Senior Class collected the most cans this year with over seven tons. “I think we did a great job beating our goal, and I am happy with the amount the school brought in,” senior and SAC member Brie Bowes said. “I can’t wait to see how it benefits Redemptorist.” Stuco created new ways to raise money for Food for Thought with various fundraisers such as Chipotle Night and 913 Week.

Pictured is junior Ruby Wright who helped count cans. (Photo by Keely Schieffer)

TIPS TO STAY GERM-FREE

NEWS IN BRIEF

Phones collect germs from surfaces and hands and these germs get on the user’s face during phone calls. Keeping them clean prevents sickness.

Carry around hand sanitizer By having hand sanitizer readily available, it allows you to always keep your hands clean.

Don’t Share Drinks Not sharing drinks is a way to stay away from sharing germs and preventing sharing illness with your peers.

Wash Your Hands Frequently By having hand sanitizer readily available, it allows you to always keep your hands clean.

(Illustrations by Keely Schieffer) (facts from WikiHow)

WORLDWIDE

ROBOTICS TEAM WINS

The robotics team placed second at their meet Dec. 6. They won five of their matches. Next they will attend two State qualifiers. “I was really proud of our team,” junior Mattie Mills said. “I was worried at first, but we pulled it together in the end.” Pictured left, junior Ana Colliton adjusts the robot the team constructed before a match to make sure it could compete effectively.

(Photo by Kate Conway)

Trump Impeachment President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry is still moving forward. House Democrats are moving towards writing articles of impeachment. There has been a total of five public hearings in the Houses’ Impeachment Inquiry. (Photo by MCT Campus)

Yellow Vest Protest

EXCHANGE STUDENTS

The Australian and Costa Rican exchange students will soon make their way to Kansas City. The Australians arrive Dec. 28 with 10 girls staying for four weeks. Nine Costa Ricans arrive in Kansas City Jan. 8. There are five girls and four boys who will be staying for three weeks. The boys will attend Rockhurst High School, but the entire group will attend excursions such as visiting Crown Center and the Jazz Museum. “I am super excited for the Australians to come. I have a lot of stuff planned to do with her like going to a Chiefs game since she really likes football and taking a trip together,” junior Averi Myrick said. Pictured at the Phillips Island Wildlife Park are senior Samantha Shively with Australian Angie Tomasi last summer. (Photo submitted by Sam Shively)

Keep Your Phone Clean

The ‘Yellow Vest’ protests have now continued for a year. Citizens in France began protesting President Macron’s fuel tax and the high cost of living. Protesters recently blocked the streets of busy boulevards and vandalized stores and public landmarks. (Photo by MCT Campus)

California Wildfires Pacific Gas & Electric Company has settled with Northern California wildfire victims for $13.5 billion. They will be covering individual claims from 2017-2018. The wild fire that ravaged and destroyed Paradise, California is just one of many that were reportedly caused by faulty equipment and electrical transmission lines owned by PG&E. (Photo by MCT Campus)

UPCOMING AND LOCAL DEC 15

THE NUTCRACKER Performances at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts Dec. 5-24 (Photo

by MCT Campus)

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DEC. 20-JAN 6 WINTER BREAK Sophomore Sophia McClure skates at Park Place Rink (Photo by Molly Conway)

JAN. 17

‘LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS” Pictured is sophomore Olivia Mancina from last year’s musical “Into the Woods.”

(Photo by Kennedy Wade)

NEWS

Fighting for All Lives Sister Helen Prejean spoke about the death penalty Nov. 7.

BY KATE VANKEIRSBILCK REPORTER

SMILES IN THE SUN At Geezer Park, ranked first on Yelp’s best 10 playgrounds in Leawood, juniors Emma Grojean and Mason Lewis eat Kansas City Joes’s barbeque, ranked 11th on Yelp’s best restaurant in Leawood. (Photo by Kate Vankeirsbilck)

All is Good in Leawood Local Municipality wins Best Small City in America.

BY KATE VANKEIRSBILCK REPORTER

Leawood, Kansas was awarded the Best Small City in America for the second year in a row by WalletHub in October.

The grading scale that decides the best city consists of five components: affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life and safety. Each are scaled on a 100 point scale and ranked on how they score in each category.

Cities are weighted differently for each category according to the population of the city. Leawood has a population of about 35,000 people according to a 2017 census. A small city is defined as having a population between 25,000 and 100,000 people, and there were 1,268 cities in that category.

“I feel like everybody who lives here is very nice because everyone knows each other and wants to keep the community clean since it is a very family friendly neighborhood,” Leawood resident sophomore Elise Stringer said.

Leawood was ranked in the second percentile for affordability. Affordability was measured by the cost of living, household income and home ownership. In economic health based on population growth, unemployment rate and credit score, Leawood scored in the 68th percentile.

“I have seen younger families move into neighborhoods, creating an increasing value of homes,” Leawood resident junior Lindsey Dougherty said.

In education and health, Leawood ranked 41st which is based on high school graduation rates, access to healthy foods and amount of people with insurance. In the quality of life category, Leawood ranked 722nd which covered the average commute, bike rental facilities per person in the city and the amount of department stores in the area. Then, a safety component was involved consisting of violent-crime rate, property-crime rate and motor vehicle crash deaths per capita, and Leawood ranked 191st. Overall, Leawood was in the 99th percentile, or the top 1 percent.

“I think we have a beautiful city along with beautiful neighborhoods and outstanding schools,” Mayor of Leawood Peggy Dunn said. “We also have residents who continually try to improve their quality of life volunteering and offering their help.”

Sister Helen Prejean, a well-known Roman Catholic nun and death penalty abolitionist, spoke about the death penalty and encouraged students to get involved with Missourians for Alternatives to Death Penalty Nov. 7.

Sr. Prejean just released her third book in August titled, “River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey,” and she is currently on a book tour talking about her experiences writing about and walking with those on death row.

“I have been on the road for 10 days straight for this stretch, but soon I get to go home and then I am off to go to Connecticut,” Sr. Prejean said.

Seniors in Faith-Filled Life have been studying her first novel “Dead Man Walking” which follows a man on death row and was made into an Academy Award-winning movie.

“When Sr. Prejean came and spoke it really correlated with what we were learning in Faith Filled, and it reinforced my thoughts on capital punishment,” senior Anna Switzer said.

Senior Rachel McRae heard about a case through twitter of a man in Texas on death row named Rodney Reed who was convicted of murder. People of Texas believe that Reed has been wrongfully convicted. For Reed, he is one of many who are believed to be innocent that are on death row and there have been celebrities advocating for his release such as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian West and Beyoncè. McRae has gotten involved by signing the petition and encouraging others to do the same,

posting on social media and calling the Texas Governor Greg Abbott to request leniency on the sentence.

“Sometimes I feel so small and incapable,” McRae said. “But having a real life angel like Sr. Helen tell me that I can do it reassures me that one small act of protest can inspire others.”

Theology teachers Polly Holmes and Bonnie Haghirian ate dinner with Sr. Prejean at Journey to New Life House, a restaurant that is also a place where women coming out of prison can live and work. They were

“Sometimes I feel so small and incapable. But having a real life angel like Sr. Helen tell me that I can do it reassures me that one small act of protest can inspire others.”

-senior Rachel McRae with Sr. Prejean, Brother Louis, Sisters of St. Joseph and Sr. Rose who founded the restaurant. Conversation consisted of each person telling their personal trial and arrest stories due to protesting to everyday things according to Holmes.

“I loved it that there is this touring celebrity sitting with ex-felons and nuns, and she was in her element,” Holmes said.

Sr. Prejean also spoke at Rockhurst University, and has been coast to coast and everywhere in between. The tour started in her home state of Louisiana and took her to California all the way to Massachusetts.

Students went to hear her talk at both schools.

Senior Elizabeth Finn, who listened to her at Rockhurst, thought it was very interesting because she went more in depth about her upbringing and her experiences on death row with the inmates.

According to Sr. Prejean she is motivated to help others because she knows they are human beings and don’t deserve death as their punishment.

She got involved with defending those on the death penalty in 1980s when she started as a pen pal to Patrick Sonnier, a man on death row for murder and rape, and has continued spreading her message for equality for all life.

“I’ve been so seared by watching people being strapped down and killed,” Sr. Prejean said. “I know what my mission is to get my story out, and the tours give me even more opportunity.”

PREJEAN’S PASSION Sister Helen Prejean talks to the school Nov. 7 about her new book “River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey” and her mission to end the death penalty. (Photo by Kate

Vankeirsbilck)

DECEMBER 2019

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NEWS

Magic & Mayhem

Business (Not) as Usual

BY GRACE HILLS REPORTER

Takes the Stage

Business Club ventured all the way to Future Business Leaders of America Conference in Denver, Colorado Nov. 15- 16 for the first time.

BY GRACE HILLS REPORTER

Ranging from melancholy vocals to a professional yo-yo demonstration, the annual Her Majesty’s Theatre showcased many different talents Nov. 19.

Her Majesty’s Theatre was an immersive experience this year for the attendees. From the moment they walked in, student’s art was showcased throughout the building, and there was a live Poi performance by theater tech teacher Maggie Killian. There were also two, 10 minute intermissions filled with opportunities to combine paint and salt and attempt yo-yo tricks along side yo-yo professional Blake Freeman.

“I’ve seen him do his yo-yo tricks before,” Killian said. “I decided that feels like magic to me.”

The theme for this year’s performance was Magic and Mayhem, which encouraged the girls of Petite and Grand Choeurs to choose songs inspired by the two categories. The magic section included songs like “The Magic of Winter” by Sally K. Alberchet while the mayhem section showcased songs like “Double Trouble” by John Williams, which can be recognized from the Harry Potter soundtrack.

“We really stepped out of our comfort zone with the pieces we chose,” senior Grand Choeur member Avery Kuhls said. “They were more difficult than last year.”

From the difficult songs, to the drumline performances and the immersive painting experiences, this year’s Her Majesty’s Theatre showcased all types of talents the school contains. “[Her Majesty’s Theatre] has become one of my most favorite events,” Director Elizabeth Mulkey said. “The songs were more challenging than usual, and they just rose to the occasion and did a phenomenal job.”

FINAL SONG (above) At her last performance for Her Majesty’s Theater, senior Avery Kuhls sings for Grand Choeur alongside sophomore Grand Choeur member Kate Lovick (left) Nov. 19. (Photo by Catherine Crayon)

“

Now that I’m a senior, it’s almost bittersweet because it’s my last fall concert and I try to take it all in as much as possible.

”

- senior grand choeur member Avery Kuhls

THEME BREAKDOWN

Since their show was focused around magic and mayhem, the songs performed were primarily focused around those themes. “Magic transforms and permeates the soul,” senior Ceresa Munjak-Khoury said before the last song. “It is a power felt, but difficult to explain. Literally, creative magic.”

MAGIC SONG (left) While singing one of the “magic” themed songs, senior Cara Hiatt preforms for Grand Choeur Nov. 19. (Photo by Catherine Crayon)

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Business Club spent the weekend going to various entrepreneurial workshops where they learned how to run a business and what it takes to be a leader. They also made time for some fun and walked around Denver going shopping and out to eat. The conference concluded with a mixer of all the participants.

The club is focused around creating future business leaders by hosting guest speakers during their bi-weekly club time. This conference got the girls out of the classroom and helped them connect with entrepreneurs from all around the country.

“Our trip was beneficial because we learned a lot more from keynote speakers and such than we could have in the club itself,” junior Abby DeLong said. “We also got to meet a lot of new contacts.”

The club meetings leading up to the event were filled with lots of planning for the trip. The girls had to decide between hundreds of potential conferences, but eventually decided on Future Business Leaders of America.

“It’s a major organization for preparing students who want to go into business,” club sponsor Erika Ellwanger said.

After many years of being an established club, this is the first trip they have all gone on. This in part is due to senior and Business Club President Caroline Boessen, who helped organize the trip in hopes to expand the girls horizons.

“This conference gave us more opportunities,” Boessen said. “We were able to learn get advice from professionals all over the country.”

DISCOVERING DENVER (above) The business club got to take selfies at an interactive bus stop Nov. 16. (Photo by Kaitlin Lyman) CLASS ACT (left) Senior and Business Club President Caroline Boessen and senior member Anna Switzer discuss possible classes to take at the Future Business Leaders of America Conference Nov. 16. (Photo

by Kaitlin Lyman)

NEWS

Helping Hands for Mental Health

HUG IT OUT Seniors Emily Rine, Munachi Okuagu and Reilly Jackoboice embrace senior Helen Willis as she enters the fundraiser Nov. 3 at Chicken N Pickle.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT Seniors Phoebe Mullen, Helen Willis and Caroline Ehren chat in line while they wait to purchase a ticket for All Hands in KC.

Local high school students raised thousands of dollars for better services in schools after seeing a need for change.

illness. They discussed the stigma regarding mental health, and various ways to not only help others who may be struggling but to help oneself in the event of a mental health crisis.

BY MAGGIE MCKINNEY “At the event they talked about how just breathing slowly, talking to REPORTER therapists, talking to an adult, just making sure a person knows they are not alone,” senior Reilly Jackoboice said. “It is so important and I think everyone Students, educators, and mental health advocates alike all gathered needs to know that.”

Nov. 3 for the All Hands In KC fundraiser at Chicken N Pickle and raised The event had 400 attendees and raised $55,000 dollars in total, over $55,000 for local nonprofits that provide schools with mental health according to All Hands In KC founder Christian Taylor. Taylor, a senior at resources.

Rockhurst High School, organized the event after he saw the effect of teenage The event’s goal was to address the stigma surrounding depression and suicide on his community and realized that something anxiety in adolescents and to connect teenagers and needed to be done. their parents to 25 local therapists and other resources.

FROM THE EVENT: “This was an issue that I felt wasn’t being addressed Focusing on the need to combat teenage suicide rates, correctly and wasn’t being addressed enough,” Taylor said. all money raised went toward charities that are based 400 attended the event “So I wanted to step in, as a teen, and make a difference.” around providing mental health programming for Twenty-eight student representatives from 15 schools high schools in the area, including Zero Reasons Why, $55,000 in the Kansas City area, including Rockhurst High School, The Harrison Rupp Foundation, and Speak Up KC. raised for mental health St. Teresa’s Academy, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, “This is a topic that is notorious for being swept and The Pembroke Hill School, volunteered with All under the rug,” senior Munachi Okuagu said. “And it Hands In KC, including Okuagu and Jackoboice. was time for change and for people to speak up about this problem.”

“Having kids from 15 different high schools just really made me sit One ticket cost $10 and pickleball teams could sign up for $50, with the back and realize how big of a problem suicide is and how we as a group can proceeds going directly to the charity of their choice. Attendees were given a do something about it,” Jackoboice said. “That was very special to me.” ticket to participate in a raffle of their choice, with items such as a Patagonia The organizers and event as a whole emphasized the need to make a jacket, an all-expense paid trip to Colorado, and two tickets to the Truman positive change in the Kansas City community that would last, according to Amphitheatre for any show. Guests also had the opportunity to have a meal, Jackoboice. The speakers, student representatives, and attendees left the event play yard games, and talk to various organizations about resources regarding with resources and tools to better address mental health and teenage suicide teenage suicide prevention and mental health. and make an impact in their schools.

“There were various guest speakers and experts on the topic of mental “I think this event was the first step of many,” Okuagu said. “Now that the illness,” Okuagu said, “to give students and parents advice on how to deal with glass ceiling has finally been shattered and people are starting to speak up, I it and how to recognize it early on.” know it won’t stop here.”

The speakers included therapists and parents affected by teenage mental

Senior Phoebe Mullen “One of the speakers emphasized that going to a therapist was important, but there are other steps that you can take before that.”

Senior Caroline Ehren “So many people came out to support. A speaker even mentioned that she had never seen so much support at an event like this before.”

Senior Reilly Jackoboice “Hearing from the speakers and getting their tips was great. I think it’s really important to be talking about this.

Especially now.”

DECEMBER 2019

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m;nd

OVER

“

“

FEATURES

matter

Understanding the numbers behind mental health can prevent the spreading of the stigma surrounding the topic.

BY PAULA SWEENY REPORTER AND JENNA BARACKMAN MANAGING WEB EDITOR

JUNIOR VIOLET TUMLIN

I would define mental health as a person’s mental and emotional well-being. I think it’s super important to make others aware about mental health, so I am involved with a student alliance with Rockhurst, Sion and St. Teresa’s Academy students called RSS United. We are a new group that meets monthly at Rockhurst to discuss and promote positive mental health.

SOPHOMORE SOPHIA TOTTA Mental health needs to be taken care of like our physical health. I’m involved through social media. I run an Instagram account to document my recovery from my eating disorder, depression and anxiety.

I am very open about everything I have gone through because I don’t want people to feel that they are alone because I know what it feels like to be lonely

and scared.

“

SENIOR CHLOE MEISEL

Mental health to me is being aware of your own personal needs and doing your best to meet them in a healthy way, keeping track of what is good for you and working on what is not.

I’m involved by joining Fiona’s Mental Health Awareness club to try to learn more about mental health and how to support people around me who are struggling, whether it is from a mental illness or not.

(Photos by Sela Kincaid)

HOW TO KEEP A POSITIVE MINDSET

01

02

03

TALK ABOUT WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE DAILY.

Talking to a mental health professional or a trusted friend can help relieve pentup feelings that contribute to stress. If talking to someone seems daunting, there are many other ways to express feelings and to avoid bottling them up such as writing, working out, expressing yourself through music or art or practicing regular meditation.

When life gets hard, it’s nice to have a good, consistent support system around you to help you when you get down. Who you surround yourself with also affects your attitude toward yourself- choose friends who can offer constructive criticism and offer their support. Cut out people who cause you more harm than good.

Gratefulness is clinically proven to help increase happiness according to a series of studies by psychologists Dr. Robert A. Emmons and Dr. Michael E. McCullough. Similar studies by the University of Pennsylvania have shown that practicing gratitude can improve work ethic, inspire physical health and generally feel more satisfied in their lives than the average person.

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FEATURES

Suicide is the

25% of women are treated for depression

2ND LEADING CAUSE of death in 10 to 24 year olds

ZAYN MALIK 10% of men are be treated for depression

37.4%

People with mental illnesses are

OVER 10 TIMES MORE LIKELY

of LGBT adults have a mental illness

to be victims of violent crimes

ONE IN FIVE TEENS suffer from at least one mental health disorder

70.4%

of adolescents in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosed mental illness

HOW TO HELP IN AN EMOTIONAL CRISIS: 1. Give them the opportunity to talk and open up, but don’t press 2. Be a good listener; make sure to be non-judgmental 3. Be respectful, compassionate and empathetic to their feelings 4. Encourage appropriate professional help

In the United States,

ALMOST HALF of adults will be diagnosed with a mental illness

MEN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN WOMEN to struggle with addiction

CELEBRITIES ON MENTAL ILLNESS

;

“I’m gonna tell them the truth, I don’t want to say I’m sick. I want to tell people what’s going on, and I’m not gonna be ashamed of what’s happening.”

BRITTANY SNOW “In my 30s, I can confidently say that it’s almost like another life that I look back and [say], ‘Wow, I was so anxious and scared,’ and now I’m just not.”

JONATHAN VAN NESS “We can realize that these things don’t make us unlovable and don’t make our future dark and dreary. Actually, we have a really gorgeous future and we deserve love and safety.”

LIZZO

LESS THAN 20% of children with diagnosable mental illnesses will receive treatment

SEM; COLONS

are used as symbols of solidarity against mental health issues

Statistics according to the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, MentalHealth.gov, Recovery Access Across Mental Health and Mental Health First Aid.

NEED HELP? REACH OUT.

“I look in the mirror and say, ‘I love you. You’re beautiful. You can do anything.’ Tell yourself that on your happy days so that you have the strength to tell yourself that on your darker days.”

LADY GAGA “The kindness that’s shown to me by doctors as well as my family, and my friends, it’s really saved my life.”

(Photos by MCT Campus)

suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255

grief/loss hotline: 1-800-395-5755

mental illness hotline: 1-800-950-6264

local crisis helpline: mentalhealth.gov

suicide prevention: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

emotional support chat: vibrant.org

DECEMBER 2019

09

STAFF EDITORIAL

Why Can’t You See Me? Students across the country aren’t getting sufficient mental health care due to a lack of education and awareness programs in schools.

Lockers slam. Bells ring. Shoes squeak against polished floors. The daily routine. One more class. One more essay. High school. These days, students are carrying a heavier weight than just the textbooks in their backpacks.

They are tackling not only the stress of high school, but the stigma around mental health.

Nearly 20% of America’s youth suffers from a mental illness, according to TeenMentalHealth.org. Of that 20%, many students across the country are suffering in silence due to the extreme lack of mental health education and insignificant government funding. Rather than fend for themselves, students need proper support to aid in their pain. They can’t do it alone.

An untreated disorder results in life-damaging effects, yet in 2017 only $183 billion of the $3.5 trillion National Health budget was used for Residential and Personal Care resources, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That’s about five percent. That minuscule amount is divided among schools, community centers, places of business, substance abuse facilities and even ambulance providers. Five percent.

Nearly 80% of the 5 million public school students affected by some form of social or mental disorder don’t receive any sort of counseling or medication, according to National Public Radio. Without proper treatment, students become hopeless and focusing in class becomes impossible.

Teachers are not trained to recognize all types of illnesses and have full classrooms of kids to teach. Although larger public schools and smaller private schools have similar class sizes in general, the student body as a whole is much larger in public schools. This results in teachers interacting with hundreds of students every day, making it harder to recognize a change in one student, especially if they aren’t speaking up in class or interacting with others.

Per capita, schools with over 1,000 students lack sufficient mental health resources such as counselors and psychiatrists. Each counselor can be responsible for hundreds of students, making it increasingly difficult to spot a change in behavior in one student. This causes the child to have to reach out for help on their own, when many of which may find it extremely difficult to admit they don’t feel okay. Without proper counseling kids won’t realize that it’s okay to not be okay.

During the school week, in many cases, a student spends more time at school interacting with their peers and teachers than with their parents at home. This makes it crucial that the ratio between counselors to students is high enough to properly sustain equal access to help. Although it is currently recommended for schools to pair 250 students to one counselor, it’s nearly impossible to notice a change in one student’s behavior when they are in charge of hundreds. In Kansas, the state mandates that school counselors are not required and in Missouri the ratio must be at least one to 500, according to American School Counselor Association. Therefore, teachers should be taught to recognize sudden changes in grades, mood and performance and alert a counselor. From there, depending on the case, students can get proper care and treatment. They should never be left to suffer alone.

Despite the lack of proper mental health programs in many schools, students have taken it upon themselves to lead the way for change. By introducing clubs that discuss healthy habits and raising money to support further research, high schoolers have taken the initiative into their own hands. The best way to support a friend in their journey through mental illness is to open one’s heart and ears, according to Classroom Mental Health.

By listening and getting rid of the stigma behind a “disorder,” students can educate one another and be the change society needs.

Rather than preach a message of “we care” without any backing, action actually needs to be taken. Speaking to parents about recognizing signs at home and how to respond when their child reaches out would rid the fear behind possible disorders.

But it can’t stop there. Mental Health Awareness Month happens in May, but the fight to end the stigma surrounding it needs to carry on all year.

Schools should bring in speakers to educate their students about reaching out for help and about the dangers of undiagnosed illnesses like pediatricians or psychiatrists. Our school focuses on direct communication with its students.

And by introducing lunch and learns to the student body, the stigma behind mental health has been reduced. Sion is open about caring for those struggling with mental health, even without a government issued budget.

But as the number of people suffering from mental illness increases, so should the amount of money funneling into research and education. The most common illnesses among adolescents are anxiety, depression, ADHD and eating disorders, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. If the government would enlarge the National Health budget surrounding funding for mental health in schools, kids could have access to necessary assistance.

At this point, students are the ones carrying the burden of helping themselves. The fight to end the stigma surrounding mental health can’t end with them. Parents need to recognize sudden changes in their child’s behavior and work directly with counselors to get proper help. The federal government needs to recognize the increase of illnesses among the youth of America and expand the funding for mental health education and awareness rather than brush it off with a simple “feel better.”

This editorial reflects the views of the Le Journal Staff. Twenty out of 20 members voted in favor of this editorial.

NATIONAL HEALTH BUDGET BREAKDOWN (according to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2017 report)

(Illustrations by Emma Hutchin)

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HOSPITAL CARE $1.1 trillion 33% share

PERSONAL CARE $183 billion 5% share

HOME HEALTH $97 billion 3% share

OPINION

A Few Local Shops for Buying Christmas Gifts...

NORMAL HUMAN

MADE IN KC MARKETPLACE 306 W 47th St. Kansas City, MO 64112 Mon-Thurs. 8AM9PM Fri.-Sat. 8a.m.-10p.m.

Sun. 10a.m.-6p.m.

1815 McGee St. Kansas City, MO 64108 Friday and Saturday 11a.m.-7p.m.

WESTSIDE STOREY

1701 Summit St., Kansas City, MO 64108 Thurs.-Sat. 10a.m.-7p.m.

Sun. 10a.m.3p.m.

Closed Monday

(Photos by Catherine Crayon)

Keep Your Shopping Local Shopping locally brings a personalized touch to your Christmas gifts.

BY CATHERINE CRAYON NEWS EDITOR

Amazon made $72.4 billion last Christmas.

That’s billions on sending gifts around the world for people of all ages to receive. Has online shopping through mass corporation websites like Amazon taken the joy out of gift giving?

With the rise of Prime delivery drivers, those numbers are only projected to rise according to past revenue reports. These reports show a significant jump in revenue during the holiday season. The holiday season is just around the corner and gift giving is becoming a popular topic of conversation. Alongside those conversations, is the rise of massive money corporations, like Amazon, that take the joy out of gift giving.

Local businesses are struggling to stay open

while Amazon makes around $640 million a day. Despite the simplicity of online shopping, supporting local businesses gives power to the person and puts more thought into the gift.

Big businesses are also exposed to a greater amount of opportunities for advertising. Due to the mass marketing teams put together by these big money businesses, their outreach and advertisements are more professionally done and released on a broader spectrum.

Supporting the people and businesses that prosper in your city adds to your local economy.

When you buy local, 48% of the profits go straight back into the community rather than the 13.6% that goes back from chain retailers, according to a study conducted by The American Independent Business Eligible. So when you shop locally it will go straight back to your community keep it thriving and healthy.

Putting thought into your gift and personalizing it for whoever is receiving it makes

giving it even more special. Due to the mass marketing teams put together by these big money businesses, their outreach and advertisements are more professionally done and released on a broader spectrum.

There are so many places to shop and support around Kansas City that will in turn support your community. Made in KC Marketplace provides local artists to display and sell their works. Normal Human is an apparel and stationary store in downtown Kansas City with cute and affordable KC-inspired clothes. Westside Storey is the perfect place to buy your unconventional game day apparel. There are many different types of places so you can find something that fits with the personalities of each of your loved ones.

Despite the massive hype around online shopping, it’s important not to forget the local shops that will not only offer a unique and thoughtful Christmas gift, but will also support your local community.

Destructive Self-Diagnosing Using the Internet to selfdiagnose mental health can lead patients down the wrong path.

BY KAITLIN LYMAN SPORTS EDITOR

It seems like every day when swiping through your social media you see a caption “I have so much homework I want to die” or “I hate my life.” While this may be a way to vent, mental health is more than just how you feel at the moment.

An umbrella of stigma has been lingering overhead for so long that society now believes they know the warning signs of mental illnesses.

For many, it seems that finding time to meet with a doctor can be difficult due to limited availability or high costs. The practicality of finding a therapist who takes your specific insurance or has practical

rates can be nearly impossible if you’re on a budget. Not to mention if you can find a therapist, chances are they don’t take new patients or there is a waiting list. Due to the circumstances, patients are tempted to take matters into their own hands, which builds towards the destructive decision of self-diagnosis.

Self-Diagnosing is the act of evaluating and diagnosing one’s physical or mental health based on information found online or past experiences. This can be dangerous for patients who surmise their illness and miss the fine distinction.

That high fever, cough and congestion most likely suggest a cold or flu that can be treated with overthe-counter drugs. But what about those constant mood swings, lack of energy and feelings of sadness?

That calls for anti-depressants, right?

Wrong. Patients must keep in mind that everyone’s mental health is different and is not just categorized

by a few symptoms. For example, bipolar disorder, a chronic mental disorder has a wide range for every patient. One’s “up” period may last longer than another’s “down” period and vice versa. However, mood swings are not subjected to bipolar disorder, they are a part of other scenarios such as depression or borderline personality disorder.

Self-Diagnosis can also be dangerous when people gather up enough information online to the point where they’ve convinced themselves that their illness is real.

This is a result of the placebo effect, anything that seems to be real but isn’t. With the placebo effect comes the danger of self-medication.

As headaches can be treated with ibuprofen, psychiatric treatment is much more serious and in some instances, life-threatening if pursued without guidance from a trained psychologist. It can also be hurtful towards others who are actually

suffering from an illness as patients can come off as naive or attention seekers.

Don’t jump to conclusions and self-diagnose because the Internet gave convincing evidence. If you are really concerned with your symptoms schedule time to consult with a medical professional who can safely provide accurate information and guidance towards treatment. Searching for information can be helpful and informative but for the best possible outcome, it’s important to consult with a medical professional before pursuing a treatment.

I’ve had such a hard day, I think I’m depressed.

Same, I couldn’t stop bouncing my leg. I’m pretty sure it’s ADHD. I cleaned my room for two hours today, I’m so OCD. DECEMBER 2019

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OPINION

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

(Illustration by Maggie McKinney

Modeling Discrimination in Minority Admissions Asian Americans being stereotyped as the “model minority” unfairly hurts their chances for admission into selective schools.

BY MAGGIE MCKINNEY REPORTER

The Ivy League colleges have an average of 6.7% acceptance rate, according to the admission percentage of all eight universities. Schools such as Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth are hailed for their opportunity for intellectual greatness for anyone with enough promise. Unless they are Asian American.

Known as the “model minority” in America, Asian Americans are applauded for seemingly achieving a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the population average. Asian Americans are seen as being productive workers with high paying jobs in tech or accounting (but never as the manager or leader). But this stereotype is not reflected in elite college admission rates. Asian Americans have been consistently admitted to the Ivy League schools at the same relatively low rates for decades. With the pressures that come with the “model minority” label and the increasing competition to get into these elite schools, Asian Americans have an incredibly unfair disadvantage when it comes to the admissions process.

Harvard University has recently won a legal battle with Students for Fair Admissions, a nonprofit group composed of “20,000 students, parents, and others who believe that racial classifications and preferences in college admissions are unfair, unnecessary, and unconstitutional,” according to the group’s website.

SFFA alleged that Harvard’s “race-conscious” admissions process actually works to fulfill racial quotas for the student body, which is illegal.

Harvard denied using racial quotas and argued that taking into account an applicant’s race is merely a part of their “holistic” approach

to the admissions process. The federal court ruled that Harvard’s race-conscious admissions process is fair and that it does not discriminate against Asian-Americans on a surface level. However, it can be argued that racial stereotyping and discrimination against the “model minority” is so deeply rooted in college admissions that it is no longer seen as discrimination.

The “model minority” label, although seemingly positive, brings increasing hardships for Asian American applicants. The expectation for Asian Americans to be high achieving, well rounded, outstanding citizens with genius-level intellect proves to be a near-impossible standard for high schoolers to meet, let alone exceed. This stereotype has resulted in Asian Americans to have to play a game of catch up to applicants of other ethnicities in regards to standing out to the admissions committee.

A study done by the National Study of College Experience found that students who self-identify as Asian overall need 140 more SAT points than white applicants, 320 more than Hispanics and 450 more than African Americans in order to be equitably considered in terms of academics. The same study also found that among applicants with the highest SAT ranges (14001600), an average of 77% of African Americans are admitted into selective colleges, 48% of Hispanics, 40% of whites but only 30% of Asian Americans.

This expectation also disproportionately affects Asian-Americans who do have the resources to obtain these benchmark accomplishments, such as economically disadvantaged teens who cannot afford tutors, standardized test prep or private education.

Even if these students do obtain high academic achievement, the admissions officers are still likely to take points off for Asian-Americans’ “personality”; the stereotypical personality being bland, academically focused, and rigid. In the “holistic review” method Harvard so eagerly boasts, applicants are not only rated by academic achievement and general merit, but also by personality traits. Harvard states that “integrity,

maturity, strength of character, and concern for others play a significant role in our evaluations,” according to their website.

Asian-Americans consistently receive low marks on the personality categories, according to SFFA v. Harvard. The group alleges that if the discriminatory “personality” and race considerations were eliminated, Asian-Americans would be admitted at a much higher rate; that claim can be backed up by other colleges. The California Institute of Technology does not consider an applicant’s race or “personality” and bases admissions almost entirely on academic merit, and their student body was almost 40% Asian-American in 2016, which tops Harvard’s 25.3% Asian-American admittance for the class of 2023.

Asian-Americans have been discriminated against over and over in American society throughout history, with Japanese-American internment camps during World War II all the way up to the 1960s, when Asian-Americans finally gained the right to vote. Attempting to make up for the series of injustices through labeling all Asian-Americans as a “model minority” is simply not beneficial to the advancement of social equity, and is a stereotype that ends up harming them as a whole. Admissions offices need to commit to being “race neutral” when it comes to applicants or applicants of color will never have the chance of a fair shot at acceptance. It should be illegal for students to be asked to indicate their race or ethnicity on the application, no matter what the college is. If the Ivy League schools are to continue to be the “pinnacle” of American education, then they must disregard race and emphasize achievement in their admissions process.

A protest in Boston’s Copley Square Oct. 14, 2018 to support the lawsuit from Students for Fair Admissions against Harvard (Photo by Wikimedia Commons)

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OPINION

ACT Aims for Achievement Starting in September 2020, students will be able to take the ACT by individual sections as well as online, making it easier to raise scores and more accessible to all students.

BY MORGAN HERRIOTT EDITORIAL EDITOR

Over 2 million students per year study for weeks or even months on end in order to get that perfect score they’ve always dreamed of. They gather to take the infamous American College Testing, according to edweek.org. With recent changes to the ACT, these 2 million students will now have a better chance at raising their composite scores and serve as a way for students to escape test anxiety and college pressures.

The ACT is used as one factor to determine admission to most colleges.

The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants, according to The Princeton Review. Currently, testtakers take the test in its entirety, a lengthy two hours and 55 minutes, with minimal breaks in between each section. However, ACT. Inc. announced that those who wish to take the ACT would not have to take the entire ACT exam to boost their scores.

Instead, starting in September of 2020, students will be able to take individual sections at a time. These sections include English, Math, Reading, and Science. The option of taking the ACT online on national test dates will also be open to students. These changes will result in many benefits for students and their test-taking experience.

Students will now have the option to take specific sections of the ACT individually, as long as they previously have taken the ACT in its entirety in order to truly show their knowledge of the subject and will help students focus their studies on the areas where they wish to see improvement, according to ACT’s website. This new policy allows for students to try to improve their scores on particular sections of the test that they might not have done as well on, benefitting students who may be lacking in one specific subject. Students can use these individual section tests as part of the superscoring process, which can greatly increase scores for students that choose to focus specifically on each certain section at a time. Their scores will overall look more impressive on college applications, which can be of substantial importance for some students choosing to apply to more highly selective schools.

A higher composite score is a more accurate representation of a student’s abilities, especially those who experience test anxiety. If a student has more time to prepare for a specific subject, it has the possibility to lessen the stress

level of the student. The new division of subject gives students an opportunity to better show their knowledge and provides the ability to have a higher composite score through superscoring.

Students will also have the choice to take the ACT online on each national testing date. This will provide more accessibility, as well as more opportunities for students with test anxiety to remove themselves from stressful surroundings that come with taking the ACT at school in a classroom. Online ACT testing will allow ACT’s testing experience to better coordinate with how a student prefers to learn and the mode they prefer for testing. If a student feels more stressed taking the test on paper in a classroom setting, it could be beneficial for that student to take the test online in a more stress-free environment.

Those who choose the option of online testing will also get their results faster than those who take it on paper. This makes taking the ACT much more convenient, especially for students who may be rushing to get their college applications sent in. The option of online testing will overall allow for a more convenient testing experience for students.

Even with the great benefits, the new ACT policies do still have some flaws. The ACT needs to make reforms to the test in order to increase access and equity for all students. Students who do not have access to tutors, more rigorous test prep and advanced classes will not be put on the same level of playing field in regards to the chance of getting a higher numerical score. A student who has had more in-depth preparation is much more likely to score better on individual sections than one with less practice. Similarly, those who rely on free ACT tests provided by the school may not have the ability to raise their composite score, unlike those who have the opportunity to retake the test multiple times.

The new policy would allow students who can afford it to retake the test multiple times to get better scores, while less privileged students will not be able to take it so many times, giving them a considerable disadvantage.

Although the new policy changes do have great benefits, there needs to be reforms so the ACT as a whole is accessible to all students, no matter their circumstances.

But on whole, the new changes to the ACT allow for a more beneficial testing experience. It allows students to have the best test-taking mindset and can use these new changes to their advantage. Students can focus on a certain section they feel poorly about or can take the test online to escape the stressful classroom test mentality. These new changes should be praised because they allow the best possible outcome for the most amount of students.

New ACT Policies: Are the Changes Positive or Negative? (Photos by Morgan Herriott)

Senior Sam Shively “I don’t think it’s fair because the new ACT changes give an unfair disadvantage to students that had to pay to take the entire test over and over just to get the score they wanted.”

Sophomore Paige Dernier “I think the ACT changes are overall a good idea because they will make test taking much less stressful for all students due to the opportunity for them to be able to separate the tests and focus on each section.”

Theology teacher Paul Kramschuster “I am not a fan of the ACT. The test certainly doesn’t have any predictive value of college readiness or success. It is a big business.”

DECEMBER 2019

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COVER STORY

GEN

(Photo Illustration by Ava Stoltz)

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COVER STORY

N Z wrestles with Multiple layers of Mental health Mental illness and suicide is increasing in Generation Z partly due to the increased stress the Generation feels. But there has also been an increase in willingness to go to professionals for help, chipping away at the stigma.

STORY AND DESIGN BY AVA STOLTZ PRINT COEDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND MADELINE HAMMETT COPY EDITOR

The numbers are staggering. Mental illness diagnoses have increased over 50% in Generation Z, according to Pew Research Center. The number of teenagers who have experienced depression increasing 59% between 2007 and 2017. The suicide rate has increased in the United States over the past 10 years and in Generation Z specifically, there has also been a steady increase, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“Many adults today are coming to terms with this notion of mental health as something like a physical injury or traditional physical illness,” Assistant Director for Student Life at Rockhurst High School Chris Bosco said. “It needs to be addressed in a specific manner, and you don’t try to hide it.”

Even with all these diagnoses and stats, it’s important to keep in mind that the mentality around mental health has also changed. More teenagers are reaching out for therapy than any other generation, according to the American Psychological Association, and the stigma around mental health is slowly fading.

“I think that when we see an increase in any mental health issue, it means we have better diagnostic systems,” licensed psychologist in Leawood Dr. Kristin Koetting said. “It’s like saying this person has cancer and died of cancer, whereas 50 years ago, we didn’t know what that was. I think we have to look at both of those pieces.”

Generation Z, defined as people born from 1997 to 2010, has been recently labeled the most stressed generation alive, according to the American Psychological Association. They are more stressed than other generations about topics like mass shootings, growing suicide rates, climate change and widespread sexual assault charges.

According to this study, Generation Z is the most likely generation to report poor mental health, with only 45% of them identifying themselves as having very good or excellent mental health.

“Stress plays a huge role in mental health, especially in high school,” senior and Mental Health Club president Fiona Gowin said. “We are all very stressed out, and if you look at the statistics, stress is now becoming more of a factor in our everyday lives, especially in teens and adolescents. Lots of mental health conditions are triggered by periods of stress, and prolonged stress of any type is bad for anyone.”

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental illnesses in America and in teenagers specifically, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Yet, even with roughly 25% of teens being affected by anxiety, only 40% are getting treatment, and in teens with depression, only 20% are getting treated, according to the ADAA. Anxiety is a general term that encompasses many different types including general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific phobias. Women are twice as likely to be affected by GAD, PD and specific phobias, according to the ADAA. Symptoms of anxiety can include an increased heart rate, feeling nervous or on edge, having trouble sleeping or an impending sense of danger. Anxiety treatment options usually include therapy and medication if needed. Even though anxiety affects millions of Americans, people are still reluctant to get treatment, and less than half affected by mental illness go to some type of doctor or therapist, according to the ADAA. “The first time you start developing a mental illness, the average time between developing that bad depression or bad anxiety and getting treatment is about 11 years,” Psychiatrist at Research Medical Center Dr. Philip Khoury said.

Therapy is the first line of defense for most teenagers with anxiety. For mild to moderate anxiety, medication is normally avoided and therapy alone is enough to help teens and adults conquer their symptoms and live a healthy life, according to the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry. These therapy sessions

normally consist of helping the patients learn different ways to cope with their stress and trigger points while learning how their thoughts can contribute to their anxiety symptoms.

“We recommend people start with therapy first,” Director, Intake Services at St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City Crittenton Children’s Center Amanda Davis, LPC said. “We do know that if it is to the point where they need medication, it is best to have therapy and medication at the same time because that’s where you will get your best outcome and results.”

There are two main types of medicines used to treat anxiety which are Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are the most common medication prescribed for teenagers, and Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

SSRIs include medications like Prozac, Celexa and Zoloft. These medications increase the levels of serotonin in the brain by blocking serotonin in the brain from being reabsorbed by the neurons, and therefore making it more available to the brain.

Both SSRIs and SNRIs affect neurotransmitters in the brain to perform their tasks.

Serotonin in the brain regulates anxiety, happiness and overall mood in an individual which makes it affect anxiety levels in individuals.

Serotonin is also prevalent in the treatment of depression, as low levels of serotonin have been linked to symptoms of depression.

The length of time that the medication is needed for anxiety depends on the individual. The

story continued on page 16

Apps to Help with Mindfulness Calm Helps with sleep, meditation and relaxation complete with music, nature scenes, gentle stretches and guided meditation.

Headspace Teaches you to meditate through guided meditation and helps with contemplation.

Mindfulness Emphasizes meditation for all levels and helping lessen stress and promote stress relief.

DECEMBER 2019

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COVER STORY

length of time spent on medication depends on the symptoms, the effectiveness of therapy and the length of remission.

“In the very beginning, you’re always trying to use medication just as a tool to settle something down,” Dr. Khoury said. “In children, you try not to use medication and use therapy instead.

However, when it gets to have a serious impact on their lives that they can’t function and can’t work or get through school - that’s when you start thinking there needs to be something more and medications are used with therapy.”

Depression is another common mental illness in teenagers. About 3.2 million teenagers experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2017 and one in five girls experienced at least one major depressive episode that year as well, according to the Pew Research Center.

Women and girls are more likely to be affected by depression than their male counterparts, but they are also more likely to seek treatment, with 45% seeking treatment compared to 33% of teenage boys, according to Pew Research Center. “[A major depressive episode] is a technical diagnosis, and it requires that somebody is feeling down for more days than not for a two week time period,” Davis said. “There’s different levels of that it can be a severe, moderate or mild episode, and which type it is depends on how much it interferes with their life.”

The two common forms of depression are Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder, also called dysthymia. Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by the main symptoms of an overwhelming feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in usual activities. Other symptoms include constant fatigue, insomnia and feelings of excessive or inappropriate guilt.

These symptoms last for at least two weeks and is a significant change from the person’s previous functioning.

“Depression is basically a mood disorder that results in a pretty persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interests and normal activities,” Dr. Koetting said. “It can lead to different behavioral and physical symptoms, like, for example, changes in sleep patterns or energy levels.”

Dysthymia is a less common form of depression that lasts over two years. It is characterized by a dark or sad mood that impacts the patient almost daily. The symptoms are not as severe as Major Depressive disorder, but the patient may also experience a major depressive episode during this time.

Like with anxiety, therapy and medicine are the most common ways to treat depression, with therapy being the initial go-to to try to treat the illness without having to use medication.

Depression medicines include Prozac and Lexapro for teen depression.

“The rule of thumb is to treat someone with medication for six months after remission, which means they have almost no symptoms of depression,” Dr. Khoury said. “If you have repeated episodes [of depression], you chances of having them happen again go higher and higher in your life.”

One unique thing about depression is that it is often coupled with anxiety. In fact, nearly 50% of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with some type of anxiety disorder, according to the Pew Research Center.

“One in five people a year are dealing with depression,” Dr. Khoury said. “Those stats show you aren’t alone out there. That’s one of the biggest things about getting help, is getting people to realize that if other people can get better, then so can they.”

Anxiety and depression are so prevalent today, but not everyone has access to, the money for and the willingness to go to therapy. If you can’t go to a therapist, but are struggling dealing with issues in your life and are not at a point of crisis, small changes can make a big difference in your mental health, according to Davis.

“There’s definitely thing people can do before they get to the point of seeking professional help,” Davis said. “Basic things like getting enough sleep, eating well and exercise has an enormous effect on depression and anxiety, and I would recommend that as the very first thing people try if they are noticing that their mood has changed.

Also mindfulness is really accessible and helpful to mental health. There are tons of apps and videos and its something that can be self taught and practiced at home.”

THE STIGMA REIGNS Fifty years ago, people died from unidentified diseases now known as cancer. Now people have diagnosed depression that isn’t circumstantial whereas 15 years ago depression was only “allowed” if you had gone through something horrible and even then it wasn’t tolerated for long, according to Dr. Koetting. The current generation is recognizing depression as a constant, regardless of the circumstances.

“I do talk to parents, unfortunately, still

MENTAL ILLNESS ON THE BRAIN Mental illness causes the brain to be negatively physically affected in different areas. The brains below illustrate the most detrimentally effected area of the brain by the named mental illness.

Anxiety

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Depression

Stress

Senior Maddy Rogers “I think the school can definitely get parents more involved and let them know mental health isn’t their fault.

I think a lot of parents take it personally when their kids are going through hard times.”

Junior Riley Weaver “We need to have more conversations about making sure our friends and the people around us are okay and how to check in on them, not just talking about suicide like it’s very far away from us.”

today, who do feel like not everybody should see a therapist,” Counselor Lara King said.

Stigma is a very key component to why people struggling with mental health may hesitate to reach out for help or never reach out at all.

The stigma around mental health first formed theoretically in the middle of the 20th century and moved on to form empirically in 1970, according to the NCBI. This is why sometimes parents and grandparents don’t look at mental health as what it is, an illness, but instead it can be seen by the older generation as a choice or a circumstantial feeling.

“The main thing we can do to help get rid of the stigma is just education,” King said. “Open dialogue and education is always helpful.”

The reality is that one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Stigma or no stigma, mental health is serious and must be acknowledged as an illness, similar to the flu, as opposed to a feeling.

“Unfortunately, people don’t consider mental health part of their overall well being as much as they should,” King said.

Overtime, society has stereotyped people struggling with mental health as crazy, dangerous and violent. This has led to discrimination and stigma which has a negative effect on the people being stereotyped. Nine out of 10 people with mental health problems say that stigma has negative impacts on their lives, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Even as attitudes towards mental health issues have changed, especially after the Equality Act of 2010, the stigma still remains, specifically in the generations parenting and grandparenting today’s teens.

“Even though we’ve come a long way in terms of mental health parity,” Dr. Koetting said, “There’s still a stigma associated with having mental health challenges.”

Stigma that comes along with mental health problems today can often make strugglers feel as if they are invalid leading to isolation and shame, according to Very Well Mind. The real shift that is happening between the parenting generation and

COVER STORY

Sophomore Abby Thornhill “I think we should have check-ins to make sure everyone is doing okay, and just focusing on everyone individually instead of a big group of people.

Freshman Chloe Reid “I think we should have meditation because it helps kids focus more on themselves because sometimes when kids aren’t focused on themselves, they can’t focus on anything else.”

the parented generation is viewing mental health as circumstantial versus an actual illness. “Even though we have come far, we still have a long way to go,” Dr. Koetting said.

There are two types of stigma, social stigma and self-perceived stigma around mental health problems, according to Psychology Today. Both are very common when it comes to mental health.

Social stigma is characterized by prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behavior towards people with mental health problems as a result of the psychiatric label that they have been given, according to Psychology Today. Self-perceived stigma is the internalizing by the mental health sufferer of their perceptions of discrimination, and that perceived stigma can significantly affect feelings of shame and lead to poorer treatment and outcomes, according to Psychology Today.

“People having very open conversations is really helping reduce that stigma,” Dr. Koetting said. “I think that, in some cases, stigma does stop people from reaching out for help.”

While the stigma around mental health is stronger in the older generations, teenagers today still need to be careful. In 2010, 62% of adolescents received stigma from their peers which led to gossip and friendship losses according to a study done by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The stigma circulating mental health problems causes sufferers to be less likely to reach out for help, more likely to feel ashamed and more likely to only get worse according to Very Well Mind.

“We can always advocate for more knowledge,” King said. “And that’s everywhere, across the board.”

Luckily, the stigma is going away. More teens are reaching out for help than ever before. This is good considering more teens are also struggling with mental health more than ever before, according to the APA. The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides several key ways to fight the stigma. Talking openly about mental health with parents, friends, counselors and in schools while educating oneself and others on what mental health truly is, not the stereotype, is important.

“Unfortunately, there is still a stigma,” King said. “But because of social media and all the news outlets that are focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, I think that stigma is subsiding.”

Being conscious of what language one is using when discussing mental health issues as well as encouraging and advocating for equality between physical and mental illnesses is important to fight the stigma. Being honest about treatment and showing compassion while also choosing empowerment of shame for those struggling also helps to fight the stigma. Lastly, not harboring self-stigma not only helps oneself, but also shares the right message with those around, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

“I feel like girls at Sion are pretty unique in that they’ve always come to the counselors for help,” King said. “The girls have a place that they can go, whether they choose to talk to a counselor or not.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP Struggling with mental health is never something that someone should have to deal with alone. Confide in someone, whether that be a parent, teacher, another trusted adult or even a close friend. The first step in healing is telling someone what is going on. Reach out for help.

Psychologists, therapists and school counselors are put in place specifically to help teenagers struggling with mental health, so reach out for help. Explain to those you love. Help people who love you understand what you are going through, if they are hesitant, try explaining mental health in comparison to a broken bone or the flu.

“If you had a broken bone, of course we wouldn’t say ‘oh, you’ll get over it’, you’d go to the doctor,” King said. “But people still think, anxiety, it’ll pass, depression, it’ll pass, you’ll get over it rather than seeking help.”

To those who are confided in, remember that the life of a friend is more important than keeping a promise. Tell a trusted adult and a school counselor if a concern for a life arises. Defeating the stigma and fighting the mental health epidemic running rampant across the country is something that requires all hands on deck. Don’t be afraid to speak out, ask for help and advocate for more resources.

“Yes you are a student, you are a daughter,” Kidd said. “But you are also a person and you have to take care of you.”

Story continued on LeJournallive.com

POSTERS FOR CHANGE Seniors Chloe Meisel and Fiona Gowin work on posters before school that raise awareness about how to help friends who are struggling with mental illness or stress.

Mental Health Awareness Club President: senior Fiona Gowin Sponsors: Counselors Lara King and Karen Phillips Mental Health Awareness club was started this year by senior Fiona Gowin after she saw the need for more mental health help that was done by the students. The club’s main focuses have been to bring awareness to mental illness in the school and work towards erasing stigma around mental illness. They are currently putting together a resources tile on the resources page on Oncampus that will have links to different websites pertaining to mental illness. “I got the idea because I think there is a huge audience that would like to learn about mental health and the issues surrounding it,” Gowin said. “There’s a need for the club because we need more awareness around mental health issues and more education.”

(Illustrations by Emma Hutchin, Madeline Hammett, Ava Stoltz and Paula Sweeny)

Mental Health Survey (based on a poll of 157 students)

94.9%

think stress plays a role in their mental health

98.1%

know someone with anxiety

78.3%

agree that most of their stress comes from school and homework

88.5%

know someone with depression

65.6%

believe mental health issues are on the rise in Generation Z

52.2%

know someone who has taken their own life

DECEMBER 2019

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FEATURES

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FEATURES

J A C K of All Trades, Master of MA N Y Sophomore Tyra Frazier expresses her creative passions through her acting, songwriting, poetry, music, art and creative writing.

BY WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MALEAH DOWNTON INFJ: CREATIVE Sophomore Tyra Frazier said that her creative endeavors are charged by her Myers-Briggs INFJ personality type—introverted, intuitive, feeling and judging.

(Photo/photo illustration by Maleah Downton) TYRA’S ART INSTAGRAM

@strawberry_flair

W

ith Lorde’s “Melodrama” album on blast, sophomore Tyra Frazier takes a seat at her walnut-colored desk and enters her space of tranquility. Tuning out the world’s noise, she focuses on her craft. Frazier alternates between her pen, guitar and sketchpad as creative juice flows through her veins and bleeds itself beautifully into majestic works of art. As a writer, poet, actress, guitarist, ukulelist, songwriter and artist, Frazier is indeed a jack of all trades.

“I feel like as a person I need creative things,” Frazier said.

“I’m an INFJ [Introverted, intuitive, feeling and judging], it’s a part of me. Me without art is just not Tyra at all.”

Frazier’s passion for creativity has been apart of her since early adolescence. Frazier already began her creative endeavors as she wrote and illustrated a children’s book at only 5 years old.

“In kindergarten, I used to write children’s books,” Frazier said. “One was called ‘Tim the Bluebird.’ I would draw the little pictures and write the story.”

Upon entering into her sophomore year of high school, Frazier has graduated from children’s books to songs, plays, short stories and poetry. Frazier’s song “Beautiful Destruction” was sung by senior Peyton Wade at last year’s Fine Arts Showcase and her play “Lemondrops and Teardrops” served as the only student written-play at this year’s Night of One Acts.

“She’s involved in a completely unique way,” Wade said. “She’s doing stuff that people haven’t done before.”

In addition to Frazier’s growth in writing, her skills in art have flourished as well. Sparking a special interest in portraiture only a year ago, Frazier started an Instagram dedicated to her art. She combined strawberry, which is the French translation of “fraisier,” and flair, used from a name generator program, and adopted her art Instagram’s name—@strawberry_flair.

“In the beginning of freshman year, a friend of mine said that I should start an Instagram account, so I made one,” Frazier said. “I just create art and

put it out there. If it says something or inspires someone to do something, then it reached its goal.”

Along with art, Frazier began playing the guitar two years ago. After taking lessons and mastering the guitar, she then proceeded to teach herself how to play the ukulele. Her ukulele accompanied Wade last year during the performance of “Beautiful Destruction.” Music, according to Frazier, coincides and links all of Frazier’s creative ambitions.

“I do these things randomly,” Frazier said. “Sometimes I’m writing, sometimes I’m making music, sometimes I’m drawing. It just flips flops.”

With role models like Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh, Sylvia Plath and James Baldwin, Frazier said she feels supported by their legacies and work. As Frazier works to leave her own legacy, these creative inspirations hover over her on the various posters hanging above her desk.

“Sometimes you feel like you’re a weirdo, but then I look at these people like Frida Kahlo,” Frazier said. “I think, maybe I’m not so weird. I just really look up to them.”

Though her many talents speak for themselves, Frazier said she struggled with maintaining confidence in her endeavors.

Frazier turned to family and friends in these times for support.

When Frazier considered stopping art, junior Mattie Mills encouraged and pushed her to continue, even recommending she advance to using sketchbooks.

“I don’t think she had that confidence in herself or really saw that,” Mills said. “Tyra has a lot of talent—not only in performing arts, but visual as well. She’s good at it.”

Continuing along with her creative passions, Frazier intends to uphold her artistic works. As her skills grow day by day, Frazier continues to master her various trades. Her creative passions have left her friends and family, including her sister Alexis Frazier, with no other feeling than pride.

“It makes me feel so proud as her sister. It’s just so satisfying,” Alexis said. “She’s going to continue to improve as she soars for higher limits and pushes her own personal boundaries.”

“I need creative things.

Me without art is just not Tyra at all.”

- Sophomore Tyra Frazier

1. FLOWER BOY Pencil drawing by sophomore Tyra Frazier 2. DAVID BOWIE Canvas drawing by sophomore Tyra Frazier 3. CHERRY ON TOP Pencil drawing by sophomore Tyra Frazier (Photos by Maleah Downton)

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DECEMBER 2019

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SPORTS IN BRIEF Cheer performed at State, held at Lindenwood University in Saint Louis, Missouri, Nov.16 -17. Performing their dance routine on Saturday, cheer was able to place 8th in their 3A division. The following day, cheer performed their sideline cheer, earning 9th place in the group A division. “I think we really tried our best,” senior Captain Brooke McKee said. “We learned it so quickly and for how we placed, I’m proud.” (Photo by Kaitlin Lyman)

NEW SWIM COACH Swim has a new assistant coach, Laura Klover, who started Nov. 13. “I hope we have a good season, that we work hard,” Klover said, “that we train our best and no matter the outcome we have a good time.” Klover is an alumna who graduated in 2013 and went to State and earned 2nd place her senior year. She has been swimming since she was 3 and has swam competitively for about 15 years. Head Coach Kelly Timson said she is happy to see her again. “I’m really excited to have her come back to Sion as a coach,” Timson said. “Can’t wait to start the season.” (Photo by Jenna Barackman)

CHIEFS UPDATE

The Chiefs clinched the AFC West Division with their 26-13 win over the New England Patriots. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who injured his knee during the Broncos game earlier in the season, now hurt his hand, but it is reported as only bruised. Their next game up is against the Broncos with a noon kick-off. “I love the Chiefs because of the hard work they put into every game no matter how tough it is,” junior and season ticket holder Laila Foy said.

(Photo from MCT Campus)

FALL SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Tennis: Junior Addison Vance and senior Logan Dixon played their way to seventh place at State Golf: 2nd as a team at State; Megan Propeck won 2nd individually overall Softball: Won first round of Districts, but lost to #1 seed Odessa High School in second round Volleyball: Won first match at Districts, but lost to St. Micheal’s the Archangel in second round Field Hockey: Won second place at the Gateway Classic High School Tournament Cross Country: Won 15th in State. Team placed second at Districts; senior Rose Orrick placed 8th, senior Lily Henkle placed 11th (Photo by Abbie Sinow)

ST

and likes that she can customize her classes. She connects well with her students and enjoys working

BY ABBY SINOW with them, REPORTER according to Misemer.

She walked in the “Paxton has a really doctor’s office May of 2016 strong ability to engage with intense wrist pain students and keep their after years of competitive interest,” Eagles Gymnastics gymnastics. Her hope was coach Haley Strobel said. that there wasn’t a link between the two. Her doctor “She makes learning fun for required an X-ray and an MRI the students.”

Misemer teaches a to find the cause of the pain.

She went back for a follow-up basic gymnastics class, an advanced tumbling appointment, nervous about class and a cheerleading the news she could receive. class. Teaching is difficult And it wasn’t good. The sometimes because of doctor said she had cartilage complaints from parents, damage in her wrist and along with disobedient that she wouldn’t be able to students, but she said it participate in gymnastics is worth it when she has anymore.

Junior Paxton Misemer a meaningful experience, according to Misemer. realized she couldn’t do the “I have a student thing she loved most. At 14, right now that only speaks she discovered she couldn’t Russian, so it’s really cool participate in gymnastics anymore because of this wrist to be able to communicate in a different way than just injury.

English and through the Misemer had loved gymnastics from the time she movements,” Misemer said. began at age 7, all the way up “I also had a student that to the day she quit. She fell in had a sensory disorder, so it love with the movements and was really meaningful that I could help him through the choreography. his therapy to expand his So Misemer started physical abilities.” coaching gymnastics to Misemer works with students ages 3 to 14 in May other teenagers close to at Eagles Gymnastics when her age and has developed she turned 16. friendships with many of “I went to the owner of them because they work the gym, and she told me I together so often, according couldn’t start coaching until to coworker Lucy Thomas.

I turned 16,” Misemer said.

“Paxton is really fun “I just thought it would be to work with and everyone a really good outlet for me since I couldn’t participate in enjoys her company,” Thomas said. “She’s really passionate it myself.” about gymnastics and Misemer has the passes that passion on to her opportunity of passing her students.” knowledge on to others

RM SCHEDULE DEC 13

20 LE JOURNAL

You can take a gymnast out of gymnastics but you can’t take gymnastics out of a gymnast.

Cheer performs at the St. Michael’s basketball game. Pictured is junior Emily Bukaty.

(Photo by Avery Brundige)

DEC 14

(Photo by Sela Kincaid)

CHEER AT STATE

Teaching to Tumble

Swim & Dive competes at the Independence Invite. Pictured is diver senior Caroline Knopke who won second at State last year. (Photo by Molly Conway)

DEC 19

Basketball faces off against Lee’s Summit West. Pictured is Mia McLey ‘18 in last year’s game.

(Photo by Taylor Pitzl)

SPORTS

Diving Head First Into The Season A quick look at how the swim team prepares for their meets.

Getting In The Zone SENIOR CAPTAIN OLIVIA TOWNSEND “Right before all my races, I close my eyes and imagine myself doing the race and what I want my personal goal to be during that time. After that, I jump up as high as I can three times.”

SENIOR CAPTAIN BRIDGET SCHUMM “I have to dance before my races. It’s a great way for me to loosen up and get my heart rate up. They don’t call me dancing queen for nothing, honey.”

JUNIOR EMMA GROJEAN

BY KATE CONWAY REPORTER

Meet Day 7:00 pm: 7:30pm: 10:00pm: 6:30 am: 7:00am: 8:00am: 9:00: 9:15: 9:30 1:00:

get out of practice dinner bed wake up leave for meet warm-ups meet begins relays start swimmers compete meet ends

Scan this QR code to listen to the teams “hype up” songs.

Snack Packed

“Before I race the 200 IM I always do the shake it out thing, where you shake your arm up and count to eight, then the other, then both legs, then count and do four, two, one shake out.”

SOPHOMORE GRACE TOWNSEND “I like to listen to pump up music and I get a pep talk from my sister Olivia and from my dad before a race.”

1. Power Crunch Protien bar from Target $2.05

2. Salted peanuts from Planters for $12.40

3. Gatorade from WalMart $4.00

4. Yoplait

5. Organic Protein powder from Amazon $26.00

6. ThinkThin

Greek Yogurt with protien from Target $1.05

oatmeal with protien from Price Chopper $2.00

New Basketball Coaches Shoot For Success

BY KATE CONWAY REPORTER

HEAD COACH CHAD LYNN

C TEAM COACH TIM WARIS

JV COACH BECKY BECKER

Coaching before Sion: “Before becoming the varsity coach I was the JV coach and coached Next Level Eclipse AAU Club team.”

Hopes for the upcoming season: “My hopes for the season is to build a culture of sportsmanship, teamwork, positive attitudes and respect.

This with our willingness to work hard every day, will allow us to have a successful regular season, challenge for a district title.”

Biggest excitement for the season: “As a first time varsity coach, there are so many exciting things. To watch the girls develop daily and achieve their goals is exciting and motivating.

Also, the opportunity to surprise people this year is exciting.”

Coaching before Sion: “I have owned my own competitive basketball club for 12 years, named after my late father, The Bill Waris Blue Jays. I was the head coach at Our Lady of the Presentation Grade School for 15 years. I am currently the head basketball coach for the 7th grade boys A team at St. Thomas More Grade School.”

Hopes for the upcoming season: “I hope for my team to play hard, improve their basketball skills each and every practice to get them ready for JV and Varsity.”

Biggest excitement for the season: “I am most excited to watch the girls develop into a better person and watching their skills improve every day.”

Coaching before Sion: “This is my first high school coaching job, but have coached at clubs around the Kansas City area.”

Hopes for the upcoming season: “My hope is for these girls to love the sport more than they already did. And to have a fun, growing, and successful season.”

Biggest excitement for the season: “I’m excited to see how much these girls can grow from the beginning of the season to the end. Not only with their basketball skills but with leadership, teamwork, and selfconfidence on and off the court.”

ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH JOHNNA HANDEL Coaching before Sion: “I have coached multiple basketball teams for the last 15 years in Lee’s Summit, including boys and girls teams.”

Hopes for the upcoming season: “I hope that the girls are able to say when the season is over that they love basketball and spending time with me.”

Biggest excitement for the season: “I am excited to watch the girls grow with their skills and love for basketball.”

DECEMBER 2019

21

FEATURES

The Mane Event

BY KENNEDY WADE MANAGING PRINT EDITOR

Senior Zoey Jensen finds her passion in equestrian sports. s she swings one of her legs over her horse’s back, senior Zoey Jensen mentally prepares herself for the first event of Windermere, a three-day competition at Longview Horse Park. She quickly runs through the sequence of specific movements she will need to execute under the careful eyes of the judges before grabbing the reins and urging her horse out into the arena.

“It’s a huge adrenaline rush,” Jensen said. “I think that’s one of the reasons I like it the most. It’s so satisfying after you’ve finished the competition.”

Jensen’s mother, Vonda Jensen, raised her daughter in the world of equestrian sports. Vonda has owned horses and has been riding her entire life. When Jensen was born, Vonda knew that she wanted her daughter to share that same passion.

“I’ve always ridden. I took a break when I got pregnant, but I kept riding after I had Zoey,” Vonda said. “As soon as she was old enough, we just set her up on a horse and let her do her thing.”

Jensen has been competitively riding horses ever since she was first introduced her to it at the age of 7. She entered her first competition when she was 8 and has been hooked since then.

“I got to know Zoey when we were both getting started with competing,” fellow rider and St. Thomas Aquinas junior Allie Burnitt said. “Zoey can be a very dedicated rider. Once she puts her mind to it, she rides really well and it shows in the ring.”

Jensen spends roughly 15 hours a week at Seven Oaks Ranch, the barn she currently practices at. She squeezes as much practice time as she can after school or on the weekends.

22 LE JOURNAL

Bad weather prevents her from practicing the outdoor portion of eventing, but she still continues to work indoor on what she can far into the winter.

“There’s consistent training throughout the year,” Vonda said.

“Now that the weather is worse, we’ll focus on indoor training.

If we do have a nice day, a lot of barns have practice courses set up

“It’s a huge adrenaline rush. I think it’s one of the reasons I like it the most. It’s so satisfying after you’ve finished a competition.”

-Senior Zoey Jensen we can use.”

Thomas, the horse Jensen rides now, was a surprise gift from her parents for her 15th birthday.

When she first met him, he had been in the pasture for six months, completely unused to competitive riding and training regimens. She test rode him a week beforehand, and, despite not being impressed by his skills, felt a connection. Two years later, he’s the only horse she enters competitions with.

“When I first rode him, I didn’t really like him,” Jensen said.

“But I went to the barn one day, and he was just in a stall for me one day, and I was really excited.

Now here we are, and I really love him.”

Prepping for a competition is no easy feat, according to

Jensen. Before the competition, contestants are given a complex routine of intricate movements and patterns to run through for the first day: dressage. The dressage portion of the event emphasizes technical skills, as well as the demeanor of the horse during the performance.

“You get the list way beforehand, but it’s still hard,” Jensen said. “You have to memorize all of it. It’s the only event I do in the arena, and then at the end of it, the judges give you your score. It’s really nerveracking.”

Day two of competition is cross country. Cross country involves navigating through and over obstacles in a varied terrain, meant to test the agility of the horse, according to the United States Equestrian Federation.

The day of the competition, competitors are given a map of the course and allowed to walk through it.

“Cross country is my favorite part. There’s a set time to get through it all, and it’s in a massive field,” Jensen said. “People are sitting at each of the jumps that are spread out across the field to watch and report to the judges.”

The third and final day of the competition is stadium jumping, which consists of riding the horses over a course of several jumping fences.

“Stadium jumping is what you normally think of when you think about horse-back riding,” Jensen said. “It’s jumping over poles and other obstacles.”

The contestants gain penalty points throughout the event, and at the end, the pair with the lowest score wins. For her final event of the season, Jensen emerged victorious and placed third overall.

“It’s nationally ranked, and it’s the best I’ve won so far,” Jensen said. “I know I want to keep competing. I’m aiming for higher next season.”

HORSIN’ AROUND After riding, senior Zoey Jensen rewards her horse Thomas with a treat in the stables of Seven Oaks Ranch Nov. 17.

RIDE ON (right) Senior Zoey Jensen stops to allow her horse a short break in the outdoor arena at Seven Oaks Ranch Nov. 17.

TAKING THE REINS (far right) Before riding, senior Zoey Jensen slips on Thomas’s bridle and reins at Seven Oaks Ranch Nov. 17.

FEATURES

DECEMBER 2019

23

A&E

(Photo by MCT Campus, Photo illustration by Kamryn Rogers)

“JESUS IS KING,” but Yeezy is not God Kanye West’s new album has some moments of brilliance but they are overshadowed by Kanye himself.

BY KAMRYN ROGERS PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kanye West’s new album “JESUS IS KING” reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, tying Eminem’s record for the most consecutive studio albums to debut at number one. After announcing, then missing his deadlines, the album finally surfaced Oct. 25. And while this might’ve been a marketing scheme, it’s still shorter than most shows, consisting of 27 minutes that could be better used to watch paint dry.

The album starts off with “Every Hour” which is led by West’s Sunday Service Choir. The vibrant and uplifting aura of this song makes you hopeful for the rest of the album. That optimism rapidly diminishes as “Closed on Sunday” starts to play and “you my Chick-fil-a/ hold the selfies, put the ‘Gram away” sounds through the speakers. The natural reaction is to force a laugh for the painful punchline, which is not an emotion that gospel music should inspire.

The few songs that shine through the ashes are “Follow God” and “Use This Gospel” that have catchy verses and simple but intriguing beats.

“Follow God” is sampled from Whole Truth’s “Can You Lose by Following God” while “Use This Gospel” found its inspiration from “Costume Party”

by Two Door Cinema Club. Nine out of the 11 songs on “JESUS IS KING” are repleted from not only gospel samples but other genres as well, which helped make the songs more enjoyable and also highlighted West’s talents as a producer.

There’s a way to mix hip hop and gospel and he should know how to do it after winning a Grammy for “Jesus Walks” in 2005. Gospel music intends to uplift, entertain, and preach the Gospel of Jesus, but West chooses “JESUS IS KING” to recognize that all his success is “On God” which differs from “I Am a God,” the claim he made on his album in 2013 “Yeezus.”

West’s album makes just as much sense as West’s love for President Donald Trump. For someone who preaches embracing every individual, his album focuses mostly on his own personal interests instead of trying to appeal to his broader audiences.

This album did not “Rise and Shine” like Kylie Jenner’s one-hit-wonder.

While both offered comedic relief, only one was meant to be funny. His effort to blend his hip hop and his newly found gospel styles were commendable but at times it felt like he got in the way of his own masterpiece. More songs featuring his Sunday Service Choir would’ve allowed for a more authentic gospel album rather than an album that lacked focus. West has already announced that gospel music will be the center of his musical attention from here on out but if West would like to be taken seriously in the Gospel industry, he should focus more on religion and less on himself.

The Wonderful World of Disney+ Disney+ was released to the public Nov. 12 and it offers a wide range of Disney classics, Marvel movies, and National Geographic documentaries.

BY EMMA HUTCHIN PHOTO EDITOR

Disney fans don’t have to wait any longer because Disney+ has finally been released to the public.

Released Nov. 12, Disney’s new streaming service houses tons of classic “golden-age” movies ranging from Disney princesses to “Lion King.” Once logged into an account, users can choose between

Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic media.

At a mere $6.99 per month, the app is affordable and offers a one-week free trial. The slightly more expensive plan, $12.99 per month, gives you access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN. With the large selection of movies and television shows to choose from, the cost is worth it.

As of now, there are 18 Disney+ originals to watch including two scripted series, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian” and “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” There are five non-fiction docuseries and five short shows. Soon, new Marvel episodes will be introduced to the streaming service including “Loki” and “Hawkeye.”

The perfect day-in activity, Disney+ offers

countless blasts to the past, and even includes Disney Channel shows from the early 2000s.

Shows like “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Good Luck Charlie” entice audiences due to them never being available on Netflix streaming services.

After a few issues with the initial launch and problems logging in, the app is back up and running properly. It can be downloaded on mobile phones, Smart TVs, tablets and computers.

As Christmas break approaches, consider getting a Disney+ account to re-watch all your favorites and even find something new to enjoy.

There’s something for the whole family and at a lower cost than rival Netflix, the service was definitely worth the wait.

(Photos by MCT Campus)

Classic Shows

Movies

Disney+ Originals

Hannah Montana (2006) That’s So Raven (2003) Kim Possible (2002) Shake It Up (2010) Boy Meets World (1993)

Cars (2006) The Little Mermaid (1989) Toy Story (1995) Lilo & Stitch (2002) Mary Poppins (1964)

The Mandalorian (2019) High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019) Encore! (2019) Noelle (2019)

24 LE JOURNAL

A&E CHRISTMAS SWEEPER

Top Staff Picks: Holiday Apps

This festive Christmas knock-off version of candy crush is just as addictive as the real thing.

NORAD SANTA TRACKER The military run Santa tracker includes Santa’s location, countdown, games, music and more.

ELF YOURSELF Place a face onto the bodies of elves and watch them dance in this hilarious app.

Frozen 2 Melts Hearts Again After six years, Disney delivered an early Christmas present.

BY CALLIE CAMERON A&E EDITOR

The charming musical Disney sequel “Frozen 2” engages viewers of all ages.

Released Nov. 22, this is a holiday movie everyone must see. After two weekends in theaters, “Frozen 2” is already breaking box office records with a total of $738.6 million.

Directed and written by Jennifer Lee, one hour and 43 minutes of this magical sequel is well worth the cost of a movie ticket.

The plot contains multiple character arcs, special effects, flashbacks and more to keep everyone 4 out of 5 stars entertained. But with so much going on, it might be hard for a preschooler to follow.

The storyline is complex and darker than Disney’s usual happy go lucky experience. When the four elements threaten their kingdom with mysterious natural disasters, Elsa (Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Sven and Olaf (Josh Gad) embark on a journey beyond Arendelle to discover the origin of Elsa’s magical powers to save their kingdom. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,”

PG

she must hope they are enough.

With humor and musical ballets to compensate for deeper scenes, this movie is perfectly balanced. Secondary character sidekicks like Olaf and Kristoff add comical relief. Olaf matures enough to have a hilarious existential crisis that leads into, “When I’m Older.” Kristoff comically struggles to propose to Anna and finally gets his big solo, “Lost in the Woods,” which is presented in the style of an ‘80s power ballad music video and elicits more than a few laughs from Gen X and older parents.

This movie’s soundtrack full of catchy new songs will please young Elsa and Anna fans. The music, co-composed again by spouses Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, doesn’t quite reach the success of “Let It Go,” but “Into the Unknown” features the same emotional crescendo hit.

The contemporary take on female empowerment and character development is a drastic change from Disney’s usual damsel in distress movie. The concepts of family, perseverance and love stand as strong as Elsa’s magic. The animation realistically captures each scene with cool special effects, making it feel more like a real place than a Disney world.

“Frozen 2” is a heartwarming tribute to Elsa and Anna’s promise to protect and defend each other and their kingdom.

DO YOU WANNA BUILD A SNOWMAN? Pictured above, Anna and Elsa approach the enchanted forest.

Left, Anna and Olaf ride a waterfall.

(Photos used with permission from EPK.tv)

Friendly Neighborhood Australian Bakery Expands Australian dive cafe, Banksia, in downtown KC is expanding to South Plaza.

BY CALLIE CAMERON A&E EDITOR

Banksia, a cute hole in the wall Australian restaurant and cafe in downtown Kansas City, is a must try.

A five minute drive from the Sprint Center, the cozy restaurant serves both breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Named after the Australian flower, they incorporate their roots into not only their dishes, but also their colorful local art and photography from Australia. The vibe corresponds with a laid-back, cheerful neighborhood bakery.

Young adults in the area often frequent the cafe, working diligently on their computer or chatting away with a group of friends.

Biting into a freshly baked warm cinnamon banana muffin is a $4 delightful treat for a quick on

the go breakfast choice. Also on the breakfast menu is mini quiches for $6.50, sausage rolls $7.50, avocado toast with sunny side eggs $12, fruit tarts with just the right amount of tart and sweet for $4.50. While it is fairly expensive, it’s worth every bite.

Expect a 10-15 minute wait for all menu items besides coffee.

Currently at 105 W 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64105, Banksia is opening a second location on the Plaza near the Kansas City Public Library. According to the manager, they are unsure of the exact date, but they expect to be open within the next couple months.

In the new location, Banksia will be serving a new dinner menu focusing on shared plates and tapas style dining. Their new mouth watering menu items are shared plates for two, featuring “lazy sushi,” $18 and pizza, $7. They will also serve a range of entrees from grilled Australian lamb cutlets marinated in Greek herbs served on tzatziki for $13-16, to gnocchi for $11, to

Australian pawns for $13-15 to Asian cucumber salads for $7.

Overall, make sure to visit either location. The food is worth the drive.

AUSSIE FAVORITES Pictured above is a mini ham and cheese quiche (top) for $6.50.

The delightful caramel slices with shortcake crust (bottom) are $4.

ONE KC STREET CAR TRIP AWAY Banksia’s store in downtown is accessible with the KC street car at the central business stop. (Photos by Callie Cameron)

DECEMBER 2019

25

2010

2011

20 Justin Beiber’s debut album “My World 2.0” is released.

Nintendo’s 3DS hits the shelves Osama Bin Laden is killed by Seal Team Six Snapchat is released

Silly Bandz gain popularity Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Haiti earthquake devastated Port Au Prince

Game of Thrones Season 1 aired

By Avery Brundige Features editor Kennedy Wade Managing Print Editor

A Decade

2015

The Royals win the World Series “Hotline Bling” tops the charts Same Sex marriage becomes legal Apple Watch is released

26 LE JOURNAL

2016

Vine is shut down One Direction breaks up The Mannequin Challenge is a nationwide trend Trump is elected Leonardo Di Caprio wins his first Oscar

I

2012

10

2013

Sporting KC won the MLS Cup Obama’s second term begins The #blacklivesmatter movement begins “Frozen” is released

iPod touch color is on the top of Christmas lists across America “Gangnam Style” goes viral The Curiosity Rover touches down on Mars

n Review 2018

2014

ALS Ice Bucket challenge goes viral The first case of Ebola was reported in the United States Kim Kardashian “breaks the Internet”

s

Toys R Us files for bankruptcy Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting occurs “Black Panther” racks up awards Tik Tok tops the App Store charts

2017

Club Penguin is shut down The #metoo movement makes headlines FentyBeauty by Rihanna launches First solar eclipse in the 21st century

2019

World Record Egg cracks Kylie Jenner’s record for most liked Instagram photo “Old Town Road” is released U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team won the 4th Women’s World Cup

photos by Wikimedia Commons and MCTCampus DECEMBER 2019

27

1.

The basketball team defeated St. Teresa’s Academy 59-48 Friday, Dec. 6 at St. Teresa’s Academy, starting their season 2-0.

GAME ON 2.

3.

1. WE’VE GOT SPIRIT, YES WE DO Dressed in the theme of “Boys,” senior and Scream Team Co-President Brie Bowes leads the crowd in cheering at the basketball game against St. Teresa’s Academy. “I loved leading the student section,” Bowes said. “Everyone who came was there to cheer on the team. I loved every second of it.” (Photo by Maggie McKinney) 2. FRIDAYS ARE FOR THE BOYS Junior Brynna Dow streams the live video for @nds_scream_team’s Instagram account during the basketball game Dec. 6. “I thought the energy we brought to the game was so fun,” Dow said. “I was so proud of our basketball team and how hard they worked for this win.” (Photo by Maggie McKinney)

4.

3. KEEP CALM AND MAKE FREE THROWS During the game against St. Teresa’s Academy, senior Lily Henkle shot and made both of her free throws to extend the Storm’s lead 52-48.

“Even though we were still losing towards the end of the game, I still had confidence in our team because we were playing really well,” Henkle said. “We wanted to win really bad.”

(Photo by Maggie McKinney) 4. CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES Seniors Rose Orrick, Lily Henkle and Kamryn Rogers and junior Gabby Gaither run towards the student section after winning the basketball game against St. Teresa’s Academy.

“It was the best feeling and definitely one of my favorite memories from high school,” Orrick said. “I immediately ran and hugged everyone, and we all ran to our student section. I even cried a little bit.” (Photo by Maggie McKinney)

28 DECEMBER 2019