Le Journal February 2019 by Alison Long

PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO RIGHT NOW PG. 25

LE JOURNAL

MEET THE NEW SECURITY TEAM ON CAMPUS PG. 18

THE BORDER WALL: OPPOSING OPINIONS PG. 12

NOTRE DAME DE SION HIGH SCHOOL | FEBRUARY 2019 | VOLUME 37

Genetics

DECODING DNA TESTING Looking at direct-to-consumer ancestry testing pg. 14

CONTENTS PHOTO OF THE ISSUE

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WHAT’S ONLINE

ON THE COVER

Students attend first school sponsored trip to March for Life in D.C. Daily schedule changes for next school year

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Junior Maya Scott embraces diversity at Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey Meet the new security guards from TAPSKC Senior Safa Khan creates art in a unique way

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Law enforcement should not be allowed to access our DNA Beauty pageants negatively affect participants Trump’s crisis at the border

Junior Caroline Knopke Prepares for the State Dive Meet Swim and dive dual meet against St. Teresa’s Academy

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“The Bachelor” Review “Escape Room” movie review Tips on how to keep your New Year’s resolutions

Whiskers Cafe Review

Direct-toconsumer DNA testing raises privacy questions

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A&E

SPORTS

Read about the longest government shutdown in U.S. history

LEJOURNALLIVE.COM

OPINIONS

NEWS

FEATURES

Competing at the Gladstone Invitational swim meet, junior Anna Switzer comes up for a breath during the 100 meter butterfly at the Gladstone Community Center Jan. 18. (Photo by Molly Conway)

@lejournalsion @lejournalsion www.lejournallive.com Junior Peyton Wade Pursues Passion for Performing

Unpopular Opinion Podcast: YouTube vs. Netflix

AFC Championship Game Experience

Review of The Urban Grill and Poke

@lejournallive

EDITOR’S INK OUR TIPS Valentine’s Day Adventures 1. SELF LOVE Cook yourself something good, get the face masks ready and the nail polish out, because before you love anyone else you have got to love yourself. No matter how you practice self love, practice it well and often. 2. GIVE BACK You may not love them all the time, but whether it be your parents or your teachers, they genuinely want the best for you. So make sure to recognize the adults in your life whether it be with a kind shout-out in the halls for your teachers or a simple thank you to your parents, they want to hear it and you need to say it. 3. GALENTINE’S DAY Gal pals are life pals. Giving at least one day to honor the friendships with your friends is the least you can do. Whether it be a night on the town or a night in, the only thing that matters is the people that you spend it with. 4. LOVE THE EARTH Just like the other things you should love, it should not be limited to just one day a year, we need to show the Earth we love her every single day. Do this by having an eco-friendly Valentine’s Day, and aiming for an eco-friendly everyday. 5. HALF-PRICED CHOCOLATES Arguably the day after Valentine’s Day is a holiday in its own right with all that chocolatey goodness discounted in the days after cupid’s arrow has hit its mark Feb. 14.

Out with the old and in with the new. 2019 kicked off with a decidedly odd start with the longest government shutdown in American history (pg. 5). But on the home front we have started the year off strong with the musical “Into the Woods” performed Jan. 25-27 (pg. 28). To get to know the magic that goes on behind the scenes, check out the hard work that the stage crew does to prepare for the performances (pg. 7). And it’s time to get ready for the next fine arts production in the spring (pg. 4). The basketball team also started their new year off with a barrage of games and tournaments (pg. 21), and then came out and won their first home game (pg. 20). With Valentine’s Day just around the corner do not forget to sign up for the annual blood drive put on by the National Honor Society Feb. 14. To show some more Valentine’s Day inspired love, specifically a love for all things animals, feel free to cuddle and play with a cute cat as you enjoy a coffee at the new Whiskers Cat Cafe (pg. 24). And if you need a furry friend of your very own then consider adopting one from a shelter, (pg. 11) and not buying one from a breeder. Leaving last year in the past sounds hard, but instead of mourning for the loss of 2018, remember that with the new year comes the return of some shows that we just love to hate, like

WOLF SLAYER Freshman Olivia Mancina belts out “I Know Things Now” at the musical “Into the Woods” during the first act at Avila University Jan. 26. (Photo by Kennedy Wade)

“The Bachelor” (pg. 24). But if soppy television reality sagas aren’t your thing, catching up on and discovering new podcasts (pg. 25) is never a waste of time, although watching “The Escape Room” movie (pg. 25) might be. Before saying hello to some of the new faces of the new security team on campus, get to know them a little more (pg. 18-19) and learn their best safety tips for students. Although their talents are put to good work and are well known, many students have talents a little less outspoken like senior Safa Khan and her mission to draw on the biggest canvas she has available to her—her bedroom walls (pg. 2223). Artistic expression is far from limited on campus, with junior Maya Scott expressing herself through dance at the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. With the new year comes some old truths, like that by the time the next issue comes out we have all already given up on our new year’s resolutions. But it doesn’t have to be like that (pg. 26-27). With all that in mind, let 2019 be your year. Let’s make sure that the year of the Pig be an unforgettable one.

Sincerely, Cecilia & Ava

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FEBRUARY 2019

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PREVIEW Respecting Diversity club plans to have weekly themes in February to honor Black History month. In addition, they will highlight Black leaders such as Michelle Obama, Aretha Franklin and Ruby Bridges. During block lunches there will be music playing, and with the “Lift Every Voice” event they plan to have a spoken word table discussion to promote a diverse dialog. Pictured is the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. monument in Washington D.C. “Lift Every Voice,” is definitely my favorite,” Vice President of Diversity Club junior Inaya Khan said. “It ties the whole month together and recognizes that we’re all human.” (Photo by Taylor Pitzl)

LUNCH BASKETS The Green Team Club introduced Lunch Baskets as a new way to decrease food waste around campus after noticing a lot of uneaten fruits in good condition being thrown away. Lunch Baskets are located in the cafeteria and Grande Salle for students to place uneaten fruits and packaged snacks for others to eat after school. They brainstormed the idea during a discussion with the NourishKC President/CEO Beau Heyen. “I am really passionate about the environment and I feel like baby steps are better than nothing. Everyone starts somewhere,” Green Team President senior Sarah White said. (Photo by Ava Rawson)

Jan. 28 Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

NEWS IN BRIEF

Jan. 29 Pads and tampons drive supporting Project Period

Jan. 30 Pita bread and hummus in the cafeteria and a walk to support GirlUp

Feb. 1 Lunch with women in ministry in the cafeteria

(Illustrations by Ava Rawson, Taylor Pitzl and Kaitlin Lyman)

Auditions for the spring play “Love Loss and What I Wore” were Thursday Jan. 31. The play, written by Delia Ephron, Ilene Beckerman and Nora Ephron is based on the book by the same name, written in 1995 by Beckerman. Compared to last year’s play “The Odd Couple,” which was a majority dialogue, this year it will be more contemporary. “It’s a very different style,” Visual and Performing Arts teacher Elizabeth Mulkey said. “It’s about a community being a community of women and that’s my theme for the year.” Pictured is sophomore Mattie Mills. (Photo by Kaitlin Lyman)

CRÊPE SALE The National French Honors Society will hold a crêpe sale Feb. 6 during all block period lunches. The money raised will benefit Maison de Naissance, a women’s center in Haiti. This is the first service initiative by the NFHS in its first year as a chapter at Sion, although the French department has worked to raise money for Maison de Naissance before. “I’m really excited about the sale,” NFHS President junior Phoebe Mullen said. “A lot of people love crêpes and it’s for a good cause.” Pictured are alumnae Marie Orrick and Katia Hauptmann making crepes for their senior service project that benefited Maison de Naissance. (Photo by Clare Kimmis)

WORLDWIDE

SPRING PLAY AUDITIONS BRAZIL DAM COLLAPSE Hundreds of people are missing and at least 65 are dead in Southeastern Brazil after a dam collapsed Jan. 25. The break occurred near an iron ore mine and a sea of mud that buried people, according to BBC News. Surrounding farms and the neighborhood where dam workers live and their homes were destroyed by the sludge. There are reports that the alarm system failed at the time of the accident.

VENEZUELA CRISIS Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been given an ultimatum by European leaders to call the elections after his rival Juan Guaidó declared himself the legitimate, acting president Jan. 23, according to BBC News. Political tensions have been rising since Venezuela’s election last year. The opposition has been trying to unseat the socialist president.

NORTH MACEDONIA The Greek Parliament voted to recognize North Macedonia as a nation Jan. 25 after they changed their name from Macedonia. Greece previously refused to recognize the country over controversy over the use of the name Macedonia. They argued it was appropriating Greek culture, according to The New York Times. This decision will allow North Macedonia to possibly join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Bloc.

UPCOMING AND LOCAL FEB 2

PANIC! AT THE DISCO CONCERT SPRINT CENTER

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FEB 10

FATHER DAUGHTER DINNER DANCE SHERATON OVERLAND PARK HOTEL

FEB 14

NHS BLOOD DRIVE NOTRE DAME DE SION HIGH SCHOOL

NEWS

Shutdown Results Ripple Across Country Congress now has until Feb. 15 to find a budget solution. BY MOLLY CONWAY PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

The effects of the government shutdown rippled across the country during the longest government shutdown in history, as it officially lasted 35 days. President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach an agreement regarding funding for building a wall at the U.S.Mexico border. So as the clock struck midnight on Dec. 21, the government officially shut down. During the shutdown, Trump continued to push for funding from Congress to build the wall, as it was a key promise of his presidential campaign, but members of the Democratic Party in the Congress are firmly opposed. While Trump and Congress negotiated to reach a deal during the 35 day shutdown, 800,000 federal workers were impacted by the partial government shutdown, according to the Guardian. “Pay for the first four weeks of the shutdown will be one payment deposited no later than Jan. 31 and some banks my post the deposit earlier as a courtesy,” Contract Specialist for the Department of Agriculture Wendy Borgmeyer, mother of sophomore Hannah Bormeyer, said. “I’m a little worried about what problems will come up while we were off.” During the government

Feast Day Celebrates

Day of the Girl

Students participate in founders’ day activities and celebrate women around the world. BY EMMA HUTCHIN REPORTER

Government buildings were closed for the duration of the shutdown. The National Gallery of Art, among other museums, hasn’t been open for weeks. (Photo by Cecilia Mohácsi)

shut down, all federal agencies were required to stop all operations and services that were deemed non-essential while essential functions continued. Workers that were considered essential, such as airport security and law enforcement, continued to work without pay. But federal employees of the other nine federal departments deemed nonessential were furloughed, meaning that they were sent home without pay. “Some employees pulled up their pay stubs to see the $0, and I haven’t done that because I think that it would upset me,” Borgmeyer said. “It’s just frustrating because I feel like we are being used as leverage in this argument and I feel like we have jobs to do and I want to do them.” Transportation Security Administration workers were expected to continue work without pay but were calling in sick in unprecedented numbers which created long airport backups, according to the New York Times. “We are in daily contact with the TSA and remain confident in their staffing plans at the airports we serve,” Southwest Airlines Taneka Henderson said in an e-mail. “As always, we recommend you arrive at least two hours prior to departure.” Not only were several key governmental services such as the Food and Drug Administration inspecting facilities and issuing food recalls halted during the

shutdown, but several popular tourist attractions across the country were temporarily closed. The Smithsonian Museums, National Zoo, National Gallery of Art and World War I (or Truman museum) Museum were just a few on the extensive list of closures. “When we were planning our trip to Washington D.C. for the March for Life 2019, we realized that the government shutdown caused all of the Smithsonian’s to close too,” sophomore Olivia Overlease said. “This affected our planning because a lot of the museums we planned on visiting were Smithsonians. But, of course, I was disappointed.” Trump signed a bill passed by the House and Senate to reopen the government Jan. 25 and it officially reopened temporarily beginning Jan. 26. Trump and Congress have until Feb. 15 to reach a deal regarding national security or another shut down will ensue. “I was glad to be back to work, it was great to see my coworkers because they are really a second family,” Borgmeyer said. “Knowing another shutdown could happen in 3 weeks is discouraging so we are scrambling to get caught up and to be as ready as possible, no one wants to be furloughed again.” CHECK LE JOURNAL LIVE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE SHUTDOWN

Feast Day and International Day of the Girl celebrations featured a movie, the Sion cookie, walking for Girl Up and learning about Project Period Wednesday, Jan.16 in the gym. Students first flocked to the Grande Salle dressed in civvies and received a small journal for writing responses to the stories presented in the film “Girl Rising.” But first, Assistant Principal for Curriculum Ellen Carmody shared a few reasons why it’s important to celebrate international women, while also embracing what it means to be Sion. “We decided to combine it because of the importance of education and women, and the Sion mission fits in really well with that,” Carmody said. “It’s kind of what we do. So we thought it’d be a great tie in around the world.” Next, Mission Director Annie Riggs described her trip to Jerusalem and its connection to Sion’s founders. “Sion’s Feast Day is a day when all those in the family of Sion gather to celebrate and give thanks for the gift of the charism that was placed in the hearts of founders Theodore and Alphonse Ratisbonne,” Riggs said. “We remember Alphonse’s great hope, his great heart and the work of his hands in service to others.” This year, Feast Day was tied in with International Day of the Girl, which is actually Oct. 11. But due to Open House, celebrations were moved. It was decided that the event would be connected to the mission and charism of the school. As does “Girl Rising,” a film about providing education and equality to all girls around the world. It was meant to show this social issue to students, according to Riggs. “As we thought about how our students might migrate the charism, we liked the idea of learning more about the challenges and barriers that other girls around the world have to overcome to receive an education,” Riggs said. Another challenge is why Project Period was created. Launched here by sophomore Alyssandra Heefner, she plans to help women in the Kansas City area obtain feminine products. Heefner and her friends are collecting donations of pads to give to homeless and impoverished women. “Women have to resort to other methods to control their periods, which can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome and other infections,” Heefner said. “Women often have to choose between food and pads.” To close out the assembly, students downloaded the app Charity Miles on their phones, which donates money to a charity of the user’s choice for each step they take. Originally, the walk was to take place outside, but due to inclement weather everyone walked a lap inside the school instead. Students were asked to select Girl Sophomore Ana Up as the charity for that morning’s Colliton walk so that the money generated sings “And They’ll would be donated to them. Girl Up is an Know We are Sion,” led by Campus organization that supports Minister education for all girls, all across the Stephanie Pinoworld. Dressman on Feast “For a long time women have just Day. (Photo by Molly been underrepresented and not seen as Conway) worthy enough to deserve an education, and I think developing countries have figured it out,” Carmody said. “They help push a future forward. Because when women succeed, everybody succeeds.” FEBRUARY 2019

NEWS

Students March for Life in D.C. The first school sponsored trip Jan. 18 includes 16 students and three chaperones in the nation’s capital. BY CECILIA MOHÁCSI PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sixteen students and three chaperones traveled to Washington D.C. for three days for the annual national March for Life Jan. 18. This is the first year a school sponsored trip has been organized for the event. “I’m pro-life and I thought it would be a really good experience to come,” freshman Sophia Aguayo said. “There were a lot more people than I thought there would be.” The trip was coordinated by Alive for All Life Club with the help of club sponsor and College Counselor Erin Stein. Stein planned the trip along with seniors and Alive for All Life Club presidents Taylor Pitzl and Cecilia Mohácsi. The group left Jan. 17 and returned Jan. 19. “I could not have asked for this trip to go any better than it did,” Stein said. “I am proud of all of our girls for the way they represented Sion, as well as the sacrifice they made to attend the march.” The national March for Life is the largest prolife demonstration in the world where hundreds of thousands of marchers joined together to march down Constitution Ave towards the Supreme Court. The theme chosen to represent this year’s

march was “Unique from Day One: Pro-Life is Pro-Science.” Every year a rally precedes the March on the National Mall that features several speakers, many of whom focused their speeches on the theme. “To hear from a stage full of individuals speaking about the unified cause of protecting the unborn was inspiring. There were faith leaders to politicians on both sides of party lines to a former medical director of Planned Parenthood,” Stein said. “Ultimately, the focus of the rally was not solely political or overly religious. Being pro-life is not limited to religious or political affiliation, but is rooted in science.” Speakers at the rally included Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and Chairman of the Pro-life Activities Committee Joseph Naumann, founder of And Then There Were None Abby Johnson and conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro, who recorded an episode of his podcast live at the rally. “It was really interesting. He said some things I agreed with, said some things I didn’t necessarily agree with, but I enjoyed getting to hear someone else’s viewpoint,” senior Victoria Farrington said. “It was interesting to me too hearing the people around me react to what he said.” One speaker arrived to the rally as a surprise. March for Life President Jeanne Mancini announced to the crowd that not even the staff knew about this speaker as Vice President of the

Students United States Mike Pence walked pose with on stage joined by his wife Karen signs for a Pence. Pence had called into Shapiro’s photo taken show just an hour before his live by a reporter appearance. from The “From what I’ve heard from past Leaven years, you had to go through lots of during the extra security when he was there, so I rally for the March for really wasn’t expecting anything like Life on the that,” Farrington said. National Several of the students had never Mall Jan. been to D.C. or the March before. 18. (Photo This experience allowed them to see a by Cecilia new part of the country. Mohácsi) “I decided to go on the March because I wanted to experience something I hadn’t before and go somewhere with a school group,” junior Brie Bowes said. While in D.C. the group also had time to sightsee around the city including visiting Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, walking to the monuments and seeing the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. However, with the government shutdown, students were unable to visit Smithsonian museums and other D.C. attractions. But Stein is hopeful that the trip will continue in years to come. “I’d love to see a new group of seniors rise to the challenge of coordinating this trip as their senior service project,” Stein said.

New Schedule Change for 2019-2020 School Year Class times for next school year have been changed with the hope that students will sleep more. BY EMMA HUTCHIN REPORTER

A new schedule change will be put into place next year, with school starting at 8:45 a.m. and ending at 3:45 p.m. in order to give students an opportunity to sleep more. “In our study, we found patterns of benefit for the health of teens with a later start time,” High School Principal Natalie McDonough said. An email was sent to students and their parents announcing the change Jan. 21 with attached articles that were referenced when deciding what the new schedule would look like. The new changes

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are being put into place in order to coincide with the natural wake-up times of adolescents, according to McDonough. “We have been researching schedules for the past two years, and later start times work best with adolescent needs,” McDonough said. “During puberty, the adolescent circadian system naturally delays the onset of sleep to a later time.” The school building will still open at 7:00 a.m. in case parents need to drop off students early, and a math lab will be open for anyone needing extra help. The math lab will be staffed with math teachers and students can either drop in or set an appointment to ask for help. Rather than classes beginning at 8:00 a.m., they will begin at 8:45 a.m. and last until 3:45 p.m. Each period will last

a total of 48 minutes instead of the normal 50. “I prefer the new schedule because I get to sleep in longer and the school day is a bit shorter,” junior Caroline Ehren said. “The new schedule works out great for me.” For students with after-school jobs or activities, a “case by case” 7th-hour work study hall can be set up, according to McDonough. Girls will be able to leave campus by 3:10 p.m., but need signatures from their parents, counselor and employer. Athletic practices will be set back 15 minutes and games will be scheduled to miss as little class time possible. “We have students coming from all over the city during rush hour, and pushing the start time back saves students time and danger in heavy traffic conditions,” McDonough

said. “We will pilot it next year and keep data on several different items to see how effective the late start is in helping students achieve, get the rest they need and improve mental health.” Although the changes are in the best interest of students, some are upset with the new plan and believe it will interfere with their extracurriculars. With a later start time, dismissal is pushed back in order to have a full school day. Late starts and activity time will now be built into the daily schedule as well. “I don’t like the late ending because it makes everything go later,” sophomore Madeline Hammett said. “But, give a little take a little, and I’m willing to give 35 minutes at the end of the day if I am able to take 45 minutes at the beginning.”

NEWS

Behind the Curtain More goes on behind the scenes than meets the eye. BY KENNEDY WADE REPORTER

Clad entirely in black, the crew of the theatre department practices light cues, moving props and fixing mics. Their countless hours of work were showcased on the Avila stage during the production of “Into the Woods” Jan. 25-27. “This was a particularly crewheavy show,” junior and sound manager Nora Weir said. “So we were working non-stop whether it be changing lights, doing sound effects or moving the scenery throughout the show.” Dubbed “The Panthers,” the crew was responsible for creating the set and the atmosphere for the productions. They began their preparations as soon as the cast list came out, looking over the script for the show and beginning to put together a list of the special effects and props needed. At rehearsals, sound and light cues were figured out and they arrange the set as close as they can to the actual stage. “We record all of the blocking for every scene, every dance and any extra annotations that the director gives us,” junior and assistant stage manager Hannah Sue Kennish said. “We also record what sound and light effects we’re going to use for all of the scenes.” For last year’s show, the crew struggled with moving from the Avila stage to the Rockhurst Rose theatre. This year, the show was back in the Avila theatre: a more familiar setting for the crew. “I was happy to be back at Avila

because I am in love with their sound system,” Weir said. “We have a lot of new stuff that we integrated into the show. I think the part with the Giant’s voice coming from offstage was awesome because we put tons of effects into it to give the audience the feeling that there was an actual giant in the theatre.” Each member of crew had a specific job to do for the show. They worked on either the stage, the light system or the sound system. “Crew duties can vary depending on what section you’re in,” senior and stage manager Grace Hopewell said.” There is a lot of preparation that goes into crew, specifically with set building and management of actors and crew.” Managing the movements of an entire cast of people, as well as making sure the environment around them is immersive and engaging, was a high stress and demanding job, according to Kennish. Crew members were expected to have intimate knowledge of the stage, as well as the planned movements and dances of characters. “We had to know exactly where a certain character was at any given time so that we could know how to plan the stage and when to use the effects,” Kennish said. The night the curtain finally went up, the crew could finally see all of the things they worked so hard on come to life on the stage. “With this being such a big show there was a lot of space for things to go wrong,” Weir said. “So we had to be extra prepared and it took a lot of energy out of the cast, crew, pit and directors. In the end, though, all of our hard work paid off.” At dress rehearsal of “Into the Woods,” junior Nora Weir works at the sound board throughout the show. (Photo by Kennedy Wade)

Project @project.period.kc

@project-period-kc Sophomore Alyssandra Heefner collects pads and tampons for Project Period to benefit women in need. BY ANA PENDERGAST MANAGING EDITOR WEB

Sophomores Alyssandra Heefner, Rajitha Velakaturi, Grace J. Riley and Genevieve Klobe organized Project Period, a collection of pads and tampons for those in need, during Catholic Schools Week. After visiting Micah Ministries on an after-school service trip, sophomore Heefner saw a problem and found a solution, Project Period. Heefner was volunteering when she noticed many women asking for pads and tampons. “When I was filling clothing orders a lot of people were asking for tampons and then that’s when I really realized it was a problem,” Heefner said. Since there wasn’t enough supplies to go around, Heefner, along with Velakaturi, Riley and Klobe decided to help by raising money and collecting items at school. Heefner gathered fellow classmates to help organize the project. Velakaturi went with Heefner to Micah Minsirites. Together they enlisted Riley and Klobe. “When I wanted to start it I knew I needed help so I asked my friends,” Heefner said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.” Together the four met with Campus Minister Stephanie Pino-Dressman during their lunches and study halls to prepare for the event. For Riley, the best part was helping those in need and knowing that her best friend started it. Heefner raised over $1,500 during the Day of the Girl celebration. Students were able to wear civvies for a day if they brought $5 to support Project Period. Heefner also explained the goal of her project, bringing pads and tampons to women in need since many women don’t have access to these feminine products, causing them to miss school and work. “[Pads and tampons] are one of their biggest needs,” Theology teacher Polly Holmes, who led the service trip to Micah Ministries said. “And it’s really embarrassing for women to have to ask for that too.” The project was first announced at the Feast Day and Day of the Girl celebration. Since women throughout the world suffer from a lack of feminine products, Heefner thought this time of solidarity would be good to announce their project. “They wanted to wait until Catholic Schools Week and the Day of the Girl to bring it up,” Holmes said. “They thought it would be a good time to explain it to the whole school.” Not only will bringing in pads and tampons help those in need, but it will also earn Maison points, by turning items into either the purple or white collection boxes. Purple Maisons turned products into the collection box in the commons, while White Maisons collection box was in the Grande Salle. Tuesday, Jan. 29, was the recommended day to bring pads and tampons, but the boxes were up until the end of the week for donations. “I think it’s an important cause because we don’t realize in our day to day life the need that many women have,” Velakaturi, who helped organize the event said. “Not just in Kansas City, but the whole world.” FEBRUARY 2019

FEATURES

DIVERSITY IN

DANCE S

tanding on stage at the Gem Theater dressed in her black unitard, junior Maya Scott waited for her cue. As the African song “Roforofo Fight” began, Scott’s body flowed in sync with the rhythmic sounds bursting through the speakers. After weeks of intricate practice, Scott, along with her fellow dancers at the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, performed a Kwanzaa routine both elegantly and meticulously, never missing a beat. “Once you learn a routine it is never really done,” Scott said. “Our teachers are always switching things up, trying to make things a little bit more challenging. We’re always working on perfecting our pieces.” As a level three dancer, the highest tier at Alvin Ailey, this Kwanzaa performance is one of the many culturally diverse performances that Scott partakes in. At KCFAA, exposure to other styles of dance with an emphasis on diversity is at the center of their youth dance program. “Not only do we have a lesson in dance but we also have a lesson in embracing and acknowledging diversity within the community,” Scott said. “They make an emphasis on making connections.” Historically, KCFAA has held deep roots within Kansas City. Located in the 18th and Vine district, KCFAA has been the hub for dance in the urban community. Choreographer and activist Alvin Ailey, who revolutionized African-American participation in dance, founded KCFAA in 1984. Since then, KCFAA continues his legacy as they unite a diverse community in a shared art. “It’s like another home,” Scott said. “Even though we have so many different backgrounds and come from so many different homes and schools we are all coming together.” Many instructors at KCFAA “Not only do we come from the professional dance have a lesson in world. Some previously taken on dance, but we also the honor of dancing with the Alvin Ailey company in New York. have a lesson in “A lot of our teachers will come down from New York to embracing and teach us,” Scott said. “My first year acknowledging at Ailey, one of my first teachers diversity within danced in the ‘Broadway Lion King.’ It was really cool to learn the community.” from him.” - Junior Maya Scott Scott initially started at KCFAA in her freshman year of high school. Dance is something that has always come naturally to Scott. Growing up, she watched as her older sisters followed the same path as their mother; the same path that she soon grew to fall in love with. “Maya’s been dancing since she was three years old,” Scott’s oldest sister Erin Scott said. “It’s something that has always been innate for her.” From a very young age, Scott was encouraged to explore different aspects of life. Her older sister and alumna Nia Scott feels this emphasis on exploration has contributed to Maya’s growth. “Our parents wanted to expose of to different parts of our culture and different experiences,” Nia Scott said. “In everything that we did our parents always tell us to go with your best foot

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Junior Maya Scott embraces diversity as a dancer at Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey. BY MALEAH DOWNTON EDITORIAL EDITOR

forward whether you win or lose.” For Scott, dance is a meditative activity. With her tightly knit schedule, Scott views dance practice as a time to step back. From fast-paced junior year and the ongoing anticipation of college applications, the hour and a half of dance practice twice a week serves as Scott’s own form of therapy. “It’s a time for me to get away from the stresses of school and all the other stuff that’s going around outside and in the world,” Scott said. “A lot of the times I’m just going, going, going and dance is a way for me to step back, relax and reflect on my day and what I’ve been doing.” Throughout Scott’s journey with her love for dance, she had substantial help to guide her along the way. Looking back at these past few years, Scott said she is immensely grateful for those who cheered her on. “My teachers are always pushing me to be better,” Scott said, “And my family is always trying to be at my performances and trying to be there to support me. They’re always giving me positive affirmations even when I try to put myself down.” Scott takes their support and uses it to drive her in following her passions. Along with her love for dance, Scott serves as secretary for Respect Diversity Club. With this position, Scott considers herself an advocate for minorities in society. When it comes to the dance industry, Scott hopes for more improvements for women of color. “Society is making a lot of changes for women of color in the dance industry,” Scott said, “but, they’re still trying to make their mark.” Scott gathers a great amount of her inspiration as a dancer from women of color in the industry. She has a special admiration for the award-winning choreographer, dancer, director, producer and actress Debbie Allen. Scott was able to meet her role model during a visit in which Allen received an award at KCFAA last year. “She has a staple for people of color in the dance community,” Scott said, “especially in L.A. She has her own studio where she’s always working to broaden and help grow students into beautiful professional dancers.” Dance has left a lasting impact on Scott. Being in an environment in which diversity stands at the forefront, this emphasis for change encouraged a personal reflection upon herself. This unique experience caused a personal growth and revelation for Scott that she credits for who she is today. “It definitely gives me a more open mindset than many people have today,” Scott said. “It makes me more accepting and helps me remember that there are different perspectives on life and everybody has a different view of the situation and how you need to be aware of that.” From her fondness of dance, her desire to evoke change for minorities and her dream of becoming a medical engineer, Scott works every day in pursuing these passions and in breaking barriers. Dance, Scott said, just opens the door for it all. “Everything I am in goes hand in hand and allows me to use one thing to help with another,” Scott said. “I saw things I wanted to change in the community and that encouraged me to get more involved to be in a position to where I can make these changes.”

FEATURES

STRIKE A POSE (main) Junior Maya Scott struts in perfect posture while practicing a routine learned at Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey. (Photo by Maleah Downton) QUICK KICK (left) Junior Maya Scott performs on stage aside fellow Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey dancers at a performance. (Photo submitted by Maya Scott) STRAIGHT AND TALL (right) Pausing in first position while performing, junior Maya Scott dances with the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey dance studio. (Photo submitted by Maya Scott)

FEBRUARY 2019

STAFF EDITORIAL

The Fault in Our Genes

(Illustration by Ava Rawson)

People’s private genetic information needs to be protected from use by law enforcement and the judicial system.

welve women’s lives taken. Fifty women violated. Countless more affected. The socalled ‘Golden State Killer’ traumatized the California community for years. It seemed like the perpetrator of the crimes would get away scotfree, until last year when detectives identified a suspect. The detectives used DNA found at a crime scene and ran it through a public DNA database, GEDmatch. While it is undeniably beneficial that he was apprehended, the method by which he was identified raises a pressing ethical issue. People’s private genetic information should not be utilized by law enforcement to identify potential suspects, and should even be protected from subpoenas and court orders. The Golden State Killer Joseph James DeAngelo was apprehended using a public DNA database. His relatives willingly uploaded their genetic information and made it open to the public. Detectives were able to upload the DNA from the crime scene which connected them with DeAngelo’s relatives. DNA testing companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com state in their privacy policies that they will resist all requests from law enforcement, including subpoenas and court orders. In both companies transparency

reports, they disclose that they have never provided genetic information to law enforcement. Ancestry did not receive any requests for genetic information in 2017, and as of October, 23andMe has received five requests overall. While neither company has provided information yet, it is concerning that this is a possibility at all. Some may argue that people willingly upload their DNA to the site and agree to the possibility of their DNA implicating them in crimes. However, the DNA of one individual can be used to identify distant relatives and generations before and after them, causing repercussions to ripple through the ages. Sixty percent of Americans with European ancestry can be identified from DNA currently collected in databases, according to a study published in the journal Science. The majority of those people have not taken a DNA test or may not even know one of their relatives have taken the test. These people have no idea their private genetic information, which holds info about their health, genealogy and race, could be available to law enforcement. Though possible suspects may be identified by comparing DNA profiles, it is highly unlikely they’ll find an exact match. As in the Golden State Killer case, the detectives matched the DNA found at the crime scene to distant relatives of DeAngelo.

However, before their identification of DeAngelo, the detectives subpoenaed another public database, Gene-byGene, to identify an unnamed 73-year-old Oregon man as a suspect, according to CBS. After obtaining a court order to collect DNA from the man and questioning his family, he and his family were cleared of any suspicion. This case of misidentification sets a dangerous precedent for the future. As detectives rely more heavily on DNA matching to identify suspects, so will the misidentifications, implicating innocent people and subjecting their genetic information to government oversight. Regardless of the benefits, law enforcement should not have access or have the ability to gain access to people’s personal genetic information. Not only can people be falsely identified or connected to crimes, but they can also be identified without ever consenting or knowing their genetic information is available. As these tests become ever more popular, so will the unjustified probes into these databases by law enforcement. Protections must be put into place now to protect the American people from the egregious breach of privacy. This editorial reflects the views of the Le Journal staff. Eleven out of 20 members voted in favor of this editorial.

Compare and Contrast 23andMe Offers health screening services Can test mithochondiral DNA, which is passed down solely through the maternal side Can test yDNA in males which is passed solely through the paternal side (Illustrations by Taylor Pitzl)

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Both Collect DNA samples and personal information such as name and e-mail address. Will not share data with law enforcement unless required by law Will provide information to research companies if the client gives consent.

Ancestry.com Traces possible ancestral migrations from Europe Only tests autosomal DNA, which is a mix of paternal and maternal DNA Has a larger pool to compare the DNA against in order to discover client’s relatives

OPINION

Tiara TERROR Toddlers in beauty pageants are competing at a very young age, affecting their mental health and early age development. BY STEPHANIE VINCE REPORTER

From “Toddlers and Tiaras” to “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” young female participants are taught to auction themselves off to judges based on attractiveness. Although the kids may look cute dressed up at such a young age, they are exposing themselves to unrealistic standards and are being shown off as objects. Beauty pageants are damaging children’s psyche by the way they are causing kids to be self-conscious about personal appearance and how they are sexualizing girls at a young age. One major downfall of child beauty pageants is the constant need to look too mature for the young one’s age. They are trained to have a full face of makeup to be competition ready, transforming their 7-year-old appearance to a 17-year-old’s. In addition to their full face of makeup, the

contestants also dress in revealing, provocative clothing too mature for their age. The way these children are sexualized makes them put forth extensive effort on how they look, which is altering their focus to only care about their outer appearance. This viewpoint forced onto children in pageants makes them believe that their worth is only through looks rather than their personality. These kids are growing up taught that the only way to win the pageant is to be attractive, therefore believing this is the only way to be socially acceptable. All the focus put onto the girls to win and look beautiful is resulting in immense pressures. Around six percent of girls partaking in beauty pageants suffer from depression, according to Occupy Theory. This percentage is very high for young girls needlessly exposed to pageant rigors. Girls sexualization can also factor into eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression according to the American Psychological Association. The idea of the girls needing to look “perfect” leads them to be dissatisfied with their body, which is hindering their emotional development. Girls should not be dieting or thinking they are “too fat” at such a young age. This way of thinking can stay with them as they

7 GOING ON 17 Child beauty pageant contestant Eden Wood competes in show “Toddlers and Tiaras” dressed up in extravagant clothing and a full face of makeup. (Photo by MCT Campus)

mature into adulthood, which can be detrimental to their mental health and their self-esteem in the future. Not only do beauty pageants affect the young contestants, but through these pageants’ it is seen as okay to look at these girls for their sex appeal rather than them as an individual. To end this tiara terror we should end beauty pageants altogether. But if they can’t be lived without, they can be modified so the main idea and focus is on encouraging young girls for more than their superficial looks.

Paws-itive Purchasing puppies to be born, or to be able to States. When an animal is adopted, pick them up. Adopters can simply that animal gets a new home, and it walk into their local shelter and have also creates a new space for another a variety of available animals right in animal to be rescued. front of them. Shelters have a wide Not only are animals being age range for people looking either helped by being adopted, but so does for young puppies or older dogs with the owner’s checkbook, as it’s far BY CECILIA MOHACSI more manners such as being trained more affordable to adopt. Bringing a PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF and socialized. new animal into the house will cost Adopting from the shelter can money. Considering vet costs, food The little paws, button noses help rescue multiple and supplies to support a and wagging tails. There are few animals. Because of this dog, it can add up pretty ADOPT LOCAL things in life as cute and irresistible large influx of animals quickly. So why add to UNLEASHED as eight-week-old puppies. But for into shelters each year, that expense by spending PET RESCUE those considering getting a dog, many of them are hundreds of thousands of 5918 Broadmoor St there are other options for finding a filled to capacity and dollars on a puppy from a Mission, KS 66202 four-legged friend than buying from unfortunately not all breeder when going to the WAYSIDE WAIFS a breeder. Shelters and animal rescues shelters can support a shelter costs very little. 3901 Martha Truman Rd have puppies and adult dogs looking no-kill structure. The cost Kansas City, MO 64137 At local shelter Wayside for homes for a fraction of the price and space it requires to Waifs, adoption fees for GREAT PLAINS and hassle a breeder might have. take care of animals for dogs range from $25 to SPCA PET There is not a short supply of long periods of time can $175. These fees help ADOPTION animals in shelters in the United inhibit a shelter’s ability cover the cost of food and CENTER States. In fact, approximately 6.5 to rescue other animals medical expenses such as 5424 Antioch Dr million companion animals enter in need. As a result, some spaying or neutering dogs Merriam, KS 66202 shelters nationwide every year with shelters are forced to at the shelter, something around 3.3 million of these animals euthanize animals that that would come out of being dogs, according to American seem unadoptable to make room for pocket for those buying dogs from Society for the Prevention of Cruelty other animals. Of the 3 million dogs a breeder. Adopting local also saves to Animals. That is an incredible and cats euthanized each year in from the time and hassle of driving number of dogs needing new homes the United States, approximately 80 hours to the breeder or shipping a and that are available at any given percent are healthy and treatable and puppy from further away if necessary. time. Purchasing from breeders could have been adopted, according If your heart is set on a purebred often means buyers need to wait for to The Humane Society of the United dog, consider looking into shelters

When it comes to finding a new family member, people should consider rescuing from a shelter over purchasing from a breeder.

first. About 25 percent of purebred dogs are in shelters, according to The Humane Society of the United States. Due to an array of circumstances, sometimes owners need to surrender their beloved pets and many are purebreds that end up in shelters. If a certain breed isn’t found in a typical brick and mortar shelter, there are independent rescue groups that are dedicated to rescuing and rehoming certain breeds. If the ultimate decision is to purchase a purebred puppy, do some research. Pet stores that sell puppies often get them from puppy mill breeders, which use unethical and inhumane breeding practices to make profit rather than provide healthy animals. These puppies potentially have serious health issues in the future, according to The Humane Society of the United States. Don’t jump on the first puppy you find, but look into the breeder and their reputation so you know what you are buying into and can be sure about the dog’s health. When looking to bring a dog into the home, it’s important to look at all the options. It comes down to personal preference, but the option to adopt should always be considered because of all the benefits for both the owner and animal involved. FEBRUARY 2019

OPINION

The Wall

CON Trump’s wall is not the solution to regulating illegal immigration in the United States. BY JENNA BARACKMAN REPORTER During no other time has that word “immigrant” sparked so much hatred and controversy. Instead of defined simply as a person who settles permanently in a different country, the word has become synonymous with illegal criminals who cross the border to wreak havoc on American citizens: stealing jobs, keeping constant the flow of narcotics across the border and committing violent crimes. The proposed solution? A $21.6 billion wall along the southern border. President Donald Trump and his cabinet have declared the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States a “national security crisis” during his speech addressing the government shutdown Jan. 8. Shortly after that, during a visit to the southern border, he claimed that there had “never been so many border apprehensions”- a statement which could not be farther from the truth. In reality, there have never been so few border apprehensions. Illegal detected and undetected border crossings have declined significantly. In 2000, around 1.6 million illegal immigrants entered through the Southwest border of the United States, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In 2018, less than 400,000 illegal immigrants entered the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security, and in 2017 apprehension numbers reached 310,000, the lowest it had been in decades, according to the United States Border Patrol. Yet despite right-wing claims, including Trump’s claim on June 16, 2015, that Mexican immigrants are “criminals” and “rapists,” undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than legal Americans. A study was done of the illegal immigrant population in Southern Texas by the Cato Institute and it was found that illegal immigrants are 32 percent less likely to commit a crime than a nativeborn American. It would seem that, conversely, “undocumented immigration is associated with a decrease in violent crime,” according to a 25-year study done by researchers Michael Light and Ty Miller who monitored crime rates in border states from 1990-2014. Trump and his administrative team also have created the illusion that thousands of immigrants consistently try to “sneak” past the southern U.S. border to enter the country illegally. Two-thirds of undocumented immigrants arrive not by sneaking in through the border, but by overstaying their visas, according to the Center for Migration Studies. And migrant caravans aren’t trying to sneak across the border, either. The hardly secretive infamous “migrant caravan” from Central America has made headlines everywhere and would probably have a hard time sneaking past the U.S. border with the media coverage. Instead, they were trying to apply for asylum, not to illegally cross the border, according to the Washington Post. Lastly, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders claimed that 4,000 known or suspected terrorists came through the southern border. However, according to the State Department, that is not true. Almost all of these “terrorists” came from points of entry, such as airports, and not through the southern border. The State Department also added to their statement and said that there was “no credible evidence” of any international terrorist groups based in Mexico or involved in Mexican drug cartels. President Trump and his administration use fear tactics in place of facts to rally support for stricter immigration policies—policies which do not back up the facts. Trump’s “national security crisis” ignores hard-hitting statistics and facts, forcing negative stereotypes onto undocumented immigrants in order to fit the political and social agenda of the Republican party.

One of the proposed pieces of the administration is Trump’s long-awaited border wall, which will cost billions of taxpayer dollars, and, despite previous claims from Trump, will not be paid for by the United States Mexico-Canada Agreement Trade Deal which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement. Countries do not technically lose money from trade deficits, so there is no money to earn that would go towards the wall. Most American tariffs are zero or next to nothing since most trade agreements are designed to reduce regulatory hurdles and are not intended for profit, according to Welles Orr who worked on the NAFTA agreement. It will almost certainly be paid for by the American taxpayers by which only 41 percent support, according to a poll Jan. 29 by The Hil.com. Congress, however, is unwilling to give the $5.7 billion Trump is demanding. This has resulted in the longest government shutdown in American history. President Trump said that he will be keeping the government on lockdown until he receives the money to construct the wall while simultaneously withholding thousands of federal employees payments. In other words, his plan appears to bully Congress into granting the necessary funds. Official government websites are shut down and the Food and Drug Administration temporarily ceased food safety inspections for around eight days until some employees decided to continue with inspections even without pay. In his effort to “protect the American people” with the wall, millions of Americans are being hurt by attempting to force Congress to grant him $5.7 billion in taxpayer dollars for a wall that will not be effective. So how is this wall supposed to protect the United States from furthering the mythical “national security crisis?” There are many reasons Trump and his supporters pose the wall as a solution. One reason is the substantial amount of heroin that flows from the southern border into the United States. Though it is true that 90 percent of heroin in the United States does come through the Southern border, almost all of the drugs coming through the border are “smuggled within passenger vehicles or commingled with legitimate goods on tractor trailers,” according to the U.S. Department of State. Most drug shipments are hidden in legal shipments and are not coming from undocumented immigrants. The wall would be useless in stopping the influx of heroin, since the majority of shipments come from legal shipments, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. If the Trump administration wants a real solution, visa reforms should be the first place to look, not at the Southern border where illegal passages are at an all-time low. The wall is a child’s solution to adult problems. The main problems it’s trying to address— illegal immigration, the drug trade and violence—will find no solution with the wall. The billions of dollars proposed to build the useless border wall will not help these problems. The United States should be focusing money on helping the countries of origin from which they emigrated from to America seeking asylum so that migrants would have no need to come to the United States. We should be focusing on reforming the process of visas. The wall will not help the immigration problems, solve the “national crisis” or the United States as a whole; instead, it will waste billions of American tax dollars and will prove to ultimately be wasteful and futile. (Photo by MCT Campus)

WITH THE PROPOSED $5.7 BILLION, WE COULD... $55 MILLION FIX FLINT, MICHIGAN’S WATER CRISIS according to The Guardian

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$92 MILLION FEED HOMELESS VETERANS FOR 9 MONTHS

according to Forbes

$2.7 BILLION SHELTER ALL THE 118,000 HOMELESS IN LA AND NYC

according to New York and California Census

Divides The Trump Administration’s fight for a wall on the United States-Mexico border is necessary in preventing illegal immigration and protecting American citizens. BY LIZ OLTJEN GUEST COMMENTATOR We are in the midst of a crisis. In 2016, nearly 11 million illegal immigrants were reported living on United States soil, according to Pew Research Center. Because this is the most recent study available, who knows how many more illegal immigrants are here now? Meanwhile, our southwestern border remains without an effective physical barrier. President Donald J. Trump is doubling down on the partial government shutdown out of respect for the integrity of our nation’s borders, laws, and responsibility to protect its citizens. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue; this is an American issue. Without a border wall, we don’t know who’s coming into this country or why, and that’s a problem. A sovereign nation cannot be maintained without a secure border. We need a multi-layered approach to border security which involves technology, personnel, and without question, infrastructure. The Trump Administration acknowledges that border enforcement as a mechanism can mean multiple different things; a concrete wall is one option. Trump said that we don’t need to use the word “wall” necessarily, but it has to be something special to do the job. For example, steel slats. Regardless of what we call it, Trump’s position is very clear: any bill that funds the government must include border security. As Americans, we have empathy for anyone crossing the border illegally because we know that this is indeed the greatest country in the world. However, this is also a nation of laws. For those seeking asylum, application for such is available at any of our 330 designated ports of entry along the southwestern border. By following laws and legal processes put in place by the United States to assist asylum seekers, these specific individuals avoid any possibility of family separation or being arrested. Contrary to some sources, secure borders and humane treatment of immigrants are not mutually exclusive. Failing to recognize the severity of border-related crime, and thus a need for infrastructure, is a big mistake. Ninety percent of all fentanyl and heroin in the United States is smuggled across the United States-Mexico border, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug smuggling, however, is only part of a much larger problem. Cartels own the entire southwestern border, as Border Patrol Public Affairs Officer Tekae Michael confirmed. Because of this, the cartels demand payment before granting immigrants permission to cross in their designated areas. This is the harsh reality of border crime that some ignore. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s argument that America fulfills some sort of moral obligation by leaving an open gateway to criminal activity is nonsensical. What Pelosi and other radical Democrats are failing to acknowledge is that the journey to migrate illegally is extremely dangerous, especially for females. In 2010, it was reported that 60 percent of women and girls who crossed the southwestern border illegally were victims of rape or sexual assault, according to Amnesty International. Directors of migrant shelters told Fusion that this is happening to 80 percent of Central American women making the journey. Under these menacing circumstances, 20,000 children are sex trafficked across the southern border every year according to the United States Department of State. In many cases, it’s U.S. border patrol agents themselves who are ensuring

OPINION

PRO the safe return of endangered migrants to their homes and families. When it comes to illegal immigration, American security is not the only factor at stake. This is a humanitarian issue. To better protect the safety of both American and immigrant lives, the southwestern border needs stronger regulation. Trump’s wall plays a critical role in addressing this problem. For those who claim such barriers are ineffective, San Diego Sector Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Roy Villarreal argues otherwise. After 30 years in working in border enforcement, Villarreal attests to the fact that border walls do work. He credits existing fences for bringing control to the border. Although such barriers currently assist U.S. Border Patrol agents in controlling the perpetual flood of illegal immigrants, Trump’s plan for a wall, by massive structure and durability, is far more appropriate for effectively combating the issue of illegal immigration. If Villareal’s statement isn’t convincing enough, consider the 60 plus countries that rely on border walls or barriers. For example, Morocco, who built a 1,700 mile long wall in 1975 to stop Algerian-sponsored terrorists, resulted in a cease-fire and ended the Western Sahara War. Or Cyprus’s wall, built by the United Nations, successfully ended the fighting between Turkish and Greek combatants in 1974. A more recent example, is Israel, who announced the completion of their West Bank border wall in 2017. With that, not one illegal immigrant made it through Israel’s southern border in 2017 according to former mayor of Shiloh, Israel David Rubin. The proof is concrete—border walls do in fact work. The wall may cost $5.7 billion, but the cost of illegal immigration is over $200 billion per year according to the Trump Administration. In 2014, 63 percent of non-citizen headed households reported they used at least one welfare program, compared to 35 percent of native headed households, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. Census Bureau data shows that of non-citizens, roughly half are in the country illegally. It is not the responsibility of law-abiding American taxpayers to provide for those who have no right to our nation’s benefits in the first place. Our systems, intended to aid vulnerable Americans, are being taken advantage of, and it’s time we put this injustice to a halt by supporting Trump’s plan for a border wall. In addition, the safety of United States Law Enforcement is also threatened. This is a highly concerning issue for American citizens, as it should be, and has been for years. In 2014, for example, illegal immigrant Luis Enriquez Bracamontes killed two Northern California sheriff ’s deputies, injured a third deputy, and left one civilian wounded. Bracamontes explicitly told the court that he wished he had killed more police officers. He declared that he would break out again and kill anyone who got in front of him. Bracamontes then said that there was no need for a trial. Easily, repeatedly, and illegally, Bracamontes crossed the United StatesMexico border. Sadly, Bracamontes’ case is not an isolated incident. Just last month, Newman California Police Officer Ronil Singh was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant during a traffic stop, according to Stanislaus County Sheriff ’s Department. To sit idly by while these senseless tragedies occur is to fail the United States police force. We owe it to our nation’s law enforcement officers to take every measure possible that would better ensure their safety, as they do the same for us every day. This starts with Trump’s wall or a similar sort of barricade on the border. Just like the wall surrounding Pelosi’s San Francisco mansion, a border wall is necessary for the protection of Americans in their homeland. As citizens of this great nation, it’s our duty to step up, take responsibility and combat the pressing illegal immigration issue by placing an effective physical barrier on our border with Mexico. I don’t lock my doors at night out of hate for the people outside. I do it because I love the people inside. In the United States, the safety and security of American lives comes first.

FEBRUARY 2019

COVER STORY

DECODING bloodline STORY AND DESIGN BY FEATURES EDITOR KAMRYN ROGERS AND NEWS & SPORTS EDITOR AVA STOLTZ ILLUSTRATIONS BY REPORTER KENNEDY WADE

People are using direct-to-consumer DNA tests more than ever, raising questions about the pros and cons of each service and their privacy policies.

IN A COUNTRY FULL OF IMMIGRANTS, people are in search of who they are and where they’ve come from. One of the most popular ways used to try and find that identity is through genetic DNA tests. Whether it be for health, cultural or ancestry reasons, there’s no doubt that the popularity and accuracy of testing kits has grown since the first direct-to-consumer now nonexistent, GeneTree. And as the popularity of these tests has grown, so has the variety of companies that offer their different services through these genealogy DNA tests. But all these different options raise the question of which one is best for each individual.

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Though each company produces testing kits, the results don’t normally show the same data. Experts warn that there is a wide variety in the suitability and legitimacy of these tests. Some are more focused on family trees and tracing your geographic ancestry, while others are better for health screening. According to junior Caroline Ehren, her parents bought 23andMe kits for her and her sister because they thought that they might want to learn more about their ancestry. “I was adopted from Hubei, China, and my sister Lia was adopted from Hunan,” Ehren said. “My results were exactly what I expected. I turned out to be 98 percent Chinese.”

COVER STORY

G es THE THREE tests

Over 12 million adults in America have tried the new trend of DNA testing in the United States, which has more than doubled since the beginning of 2017. DNA testing takes a sample of the participant’s DNA, many popular kits use either a cheek swab or spit, and uses that data to determine the ancestry and bloodlines and, if offered, any vulnerabilities caused by genetic traits to diseases for the participant. In DNA testing there are three different types of tests that are most common. The Standard or Autosomal test which comes with every DNA kit. This test takes information from the 22 autosomal chromosomes, which is all the numbered chromosomes and excludes the X and Y chromosomes. The information gained from these will tell the participant about their lineage and break down the different types of ethnicities in the participants DNA. It can also give information about genetic traits that can lead to genetic diseases. “I would suggest DNA tests to people, especially if you have no idea of your heritage,”

Genealogist volunteer at the Kansas City Irish Center Barbara Scanlon said. The other two types of DNA testing deal specifically with the X and Y chromosomes and not all kits offer these types of testing. Both 23andMe and FamilyTree offer this type of testing, but Ancestry does not. MtDNA testing tracks the mother’s lineage while Y-DNA testing tracks the paternal line. Only males can participate in Y-DNA testing since the test is examimong the Y chromosome that only males have. It is able to distinguish which ethnicities and traits the participant gets from each specific side of their family, while the autosomal test just gives an overview and is not able to differentiate. “The Y-DNA test is only for males and it tests up to the taker’s great-great grandfather,” Scanlon said. “The MtDNA test is for males and females, and it will do up to the taker’s great grandmother. That’s a much harder test to use because the names changes every generation.”

“I would suggest DNA tests to people, especially if you have no idea of your heritage.” -Genealogist volunteer for Kansas City Irish Center Barbara Scanlon

Story continued on Page 16...

FEBRUARY 2019

COVER STORY

...Continued from Page 15

“I was really surprised how much information, especially about my health, that it gave me.” - junior Maggie Duncan

TOP TESTS

23andMe is a privately held personal genomics and biotechnology center. They offer two testing options. For $99, one of the cheaper options, there’s an ancestry report that includes ancestry composition, your DNA family, neanderthal a-ncestry, and maternal and paternal haplogroups. Paternal haplogroups are defined by sets of genetic variants on the Y chromosome. Although women inherit roughly 50% of their DNA from their fathers, they do not inherit Y chromosomes and as a result, do not have paternal haplogroups. Maternal haplogroups help you trace your ancestry through your mother’s mother but not through your mother’s father. This is because maternal -Genealogist haplogroups volunteer for are based on Kansas City Irish mitochondrial DNA, which Center Barbara is passed Scanlon exclusively from mothers to their offspring, generation after generation, according to 23andMe’s website. The other option is $199 and claims to offer more in depth health reports. It can show anything from being lactose intolerant to being a carrier of Sickle Cell Anemia. 23andMe examines about 690,000 predetermined single nucleotide polmorphisms. It may sound like a lot, but it’s only 0.01 percent of the 6 billion DNA letters

“With DNA, the results can be altered. As more people test, their databases become more accurate.”

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in the human genome, according to Science News Magazine. Since they only report a small subset of all potential SNPs, if test results show “variants not detected,” it doesn’t mean the customer didn’t have any variants related to a particular medical condition. It only means they didn’t have the ones tested for. But one of the pros of 23andMe is that there website is fairly easy to navigate and they provide clear explanations, according to sophomore Mary Elizabeth Amiri. “It was pretty easy and it didn’t take that long,” Amiri said. “I wanted to get test because I’m adopted, and it was a good experience.” Ancestry is a popular company for both DNA testing and for mapping out family trees using their online databases. The test is $99, and it has the most people who have

“I found out that I was related to Abraham Lincoln. On my grandma’s side, he’s our infinity great grandpa.” -sophomore Violet Tumlin used DNA testing kits in their database which allows the site to match customers to family members at a better rate than other sites. However, this company does not provide much information about ancient ancestry, unlike some of the other testing kits. Ancestry is also best for pinpointing geographical location from where the customer came from and is known for being up to two times more accurate than other companies. “Ancestry just updated their database on their regions,” Scanlon said. “They used to have around 28 regions that they were identifying with DNA and within the past four or five months it’s now like 200 regions. So they are getting a lot more specific and it all has to do with how many people they have tested in each area.” Since the website has a family tree and genealogy portion, the customer is able to combine their DNA results with their family tree to get a more in depth report. History and Government teacher Mary Murphy has used Ancestry to test her DNA and to track her genealogy for a few years. Her favorite part of the experience was connecting her family tree to her DNA results and finding more about her origins and immigrant stories, according to

Murphy. “I wasn’t as interested in the percentages,” Murphy said. “What I wanted, and what Ancestry DNA does, is let you connect with and zero in on origin. I wanted the origin story and the immigrant stories since that’s what I’m - senior Hope Locke interested in.” FamilyTree is one of the lesser known DNA testing kits, yet it is one of the most in depth kits on the market. It is a cheaper option, coming in at $79 for the autosomal test, which is cheaper than both 23andMe and Ancestry. It is the best company for serious genealogy and offers options for autosomal testing, YDNA and mtDNA tests. The YDNA and mtDNA tests are more expensive, but they give specific details based on either the paternal or maternal side of the customer. However, this company has been known for having a hard to navigate website and explaining results in a confusing way.

“I don’t plan on killing anyone or committing any murders, so I don’t mind if the government has my DNA.”

“AncestryDNA told me that I was 92%Asian and 8% Polynesian. Now they’re saying I’m 100% Asian. My DNA doesn’t change, but for some reason their results did.” -senior Sarah White Junior Dana Kalt used FamilyTree a few years ago when her parents wanted to test their DNA together. The company’s testing results were very informative and surprising, according to Kalt. “I thought it was interesting to learn where my ancestors came from,” Kalt said. “I learned I was part English and Spanish.”

COVER STORY

PRIVACY POLICIES

DNA kits have recently been on the news a number of times for solving cold cases by finding matching DNA in their databases. In April of 2018, the Golden Gate Killer was found and captured using data from an unnamed DNA testing company. The company had the DNA of a distant relative and from that the police were able to narrow it down and a find the killer. This case in particular brought up the question of privacy with these DNA kits and who has access to them. “I think they are using it for some research,” Murphy said, “but I feel like the waiver the companies are having you sign isn’t particularly forthcoming about what they are doing with that information.” The privacy policies of Ancestry, 23andMe and FamilyTree all mention how dedicated they are to the user’s privacy. All three sites say that the user must give consent before the company can use their DNA in a research study. The sites also says that they will not give out the information to any third party sources. However,

“I wanted to know my ancestry. I found out I’m 79.9% African and about 20.1% European.” -freshman Kamryn McKibben

the site will give the information to the police if there is a legal cause or warrant. “I don’t think it’s creepy to be honest,” senior Hope Locke said. “I don’t plan on killing anyone or committing any murders, so I don’t mind if the government has my DNA. In the end, I gave them my DNA myself so what they do with it is beyond my control.” However, even with all the precautions, there is no guarantee. The customers DNA is still stored in a system that has the potential to be hacked, and if the company gets sold there is no guarantee on the DNA data. The best way to protect the DNA is to read the fine print of the policy before signing it to see if the DNA will be used in research studies or anything you’re not comfortable with. “I worry about how people might misuse this information,” Murphy said. “In retrospect,

“I was adopted from China. I got in touch with a third or sixth cousin that I found on 23andMe. We’re both still looking to see if we can get some answers.” -senior Lilly Concannon I’m not sure about it. I actually talked to my brother and I’m not sure he would be wanting to give over his information so easily.”

ago, DNA will help them find you,” Scanlon said. Then, there’s also the chance that the DNA testing kits won’t work. The results are only as good as the databases they come from. Companies selling these services don’t share their data and their methods have no validation by any independent groups of scientists. Plus there are no agreed-upon standards of accuracy. “With DNA, the results can be altered,” Scanlon said. “As more people test, their databases become more accurate.” All things considered, it depends on the person. Taking into account the risks and the benefits, as well as the pricing, people have to decide for themselves if they want to take the tests.

IS IT WORTH IT?

Considering that most companies ancestry kits range anywhere from $69 to $1,399 and take four to 12 weeks to provide results according to dnatestingchoice.com, there’s reason to ask if DNA testing kits even worth it. But it comes down to what your reasons are for wanting to get tested. The prices at the higher end of the spectrum will provide other forms of DNA testing related to genetic and health disease markers.But the tests are relatively inexpensive for those who want to know where they come from. If one does decide to get tested, interpreting the results isn’t always easy. There’s also the risk of having your DNA samples sold to third party companies that you’ve never heard of. Many companies terms and conditions have broad clauses that allow them to change their terms in the future, often without notifying its customers. There have been many recent examples like the Golden Gate Killer where people’s DNA was used against them by law enforcement and immigration officials. And similar to your social security number, you can’t change your genetic code, so once analyzed and stored it’s highly unlikely to change. “If you’ve committed a crime, a long time

“I was prominently Irish and English and a little bit French.” -sophomore Sophie Henkle

people have done DNA testing

would like to do DNA testing at some point

reason for wanting to test DNA was to find out a family tree and learn about ancestry

#1 company used by students for DNA testing

think that DNA tests are overpriced for what they provide.

FEBRUARY 2019

Say Hello to the New Get to know the new security guards, TAPSKC Private Law Enforcement Officers. BY SELA KINCAID REPORTER

op! A gun fires. Chief Charles S. Bell along with his team search and check the empty classrooms of Sion for evidence of an intruder, listening closely to where they could be hiding. They are careful not to be noisy so that the intruder will be caught off guard. The search ends as the Traffic and Public Safety Private Law Enforcement Officers track down the shooter in their “active shooter” threat assessment scenario. TAPSKC officers are the new security team patrolling the school since Nov. 3. Bell founded TAPSKC and decided that since they are new to Sion, they would hold a threat assessment at school during Christmas Break. All officers participated and created a series of dangerous scenarios that could happen, from an angry parent who needs to be escorted out to an active shooter. These threat assessments are used to make sure all officers know their surroundings and will be able to act in the case of an intruder or threat of any kind. During the “active shooter” scenario, officers tried to find the hypothetical “shooter” in the building by sound. Popguns were used instead of real guns to simulate the sound of a gunshot by releasing carbon dioxide. These activities keep the officers alert and trained so that they are always ready for a threat. “Learn it and then train it so that hopefully you never have to use it,” Bell said, “and you’re well prepared if you do.” Bell has 20 years of experience in the private sector, is a firearm instructor and is a K9 officer. To become a TAPSKC officer there are certain tests and certifications needed. This includes law enforcement training, and a physical agility test. The officers also need 88 hours of state accredited law enforcement training and 12 additional hours of training specialized in active shooter threats. They must be Basic life support certified, have a background check and conduct an oral interview. Now, as of January, every hire has to go through a written aptitude test similar to that of the police and score 80 percent or higher. “One of the benefits of having TAPS is that they also work with Rockhurst,” Principal Natalie McDonough said. “So they know some of the same families.” McDonough points out that since Rockhurst High School is involved in some Sion decisions like snow days and their students are invited to school dances, it is very helpful that they also share the same security team. That way TAPSKC can identify people from both schools and be more informed when at school events. Bell said they want to keep the school safe from danger. “We are professionals,” Bell said. “We are not the ‘anyone can sign up and get hired’ security

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guards.” The five full-time officers besides Chief Bell are: Corporal William Kelly; Corporal Federico Amigoni; Officer Ashley Tedford; Officer Aaron Calovich; and Sergeant Kevin B. McNiese. All of these officers have been trained to the expectations set for TAPSKC Private Law Enforcement Officers. Currently perspective officer candidates Brianna Voyles and Dylan Tharp are in the process. “We do everything an officer does,” Bell said, “except stop traffic and pull people over.” The officers protect the school by looking

SGT. KEVIN B. MCNIESE 0211 Color: Blue Food: Sushi Pet: Not at this time, but did have a Siberian Husky that was his police K-9 in Alabama Movie: “SWAT” Hobbies: Anything outdoors

CPL. WILLIAM KELLY 0202 Color: Blue Food: Cheesecake Pet: A grey cat named Hubble Movie: “A Christmas Story” Hobbies: Painting and sculpture

OFC. AARON CALOVICH 0242 Color: Black Food: Pizza Pet: One dog named Bubba Movie: “Fast and the Furious 5” Hobbies: Working on Cars and skateboarding

CPL. FEDERICO AMIGONI 0234 Color: Blue Food: Lasagna Pet: No pets Movie: “Saving Private Ryan” Hobbies: Archery

OFC. ASHLEY TEDFORD 0232 Color: Blue Food: Steak with Macaroni and Mashed Potatoes Pet: Three cats Movie: “The Aristocats” Hobbies: Basketball, camping and reading

at surveillance cameras, making sure doors are locked, looking for suspicious activity and patrol outside, scheduled and randomly, to make sure that there is nothing strange taking place on school property. “We like to be seen on the outside of the school as a deterrent, versus staying inside,” McNiese said. “Because if anything is going to happen it will come from the outside. If you can catch it in the parking lot that’s a lot better.” It is very important to Bell that all students feel safe when he and his officers are around. Chief Bell is looking forward to when the TAPS will feel at home with both students and teachers. “We want the students to feel comfortable with us here at Sion,” Bell said. “We have had a lot of interactions with the staff, but not the students. I hope that it is just the difference in changing over to new security, that they can get used to us. A fist bump or a ‘Good Morning’ is always welcome. The officers are here for your protection, so you should look at us kind of like your personal bodyguard.”

WATCH OUT Cpl. Federico Amigoni; Ofc. Aaron Calovich; Chief Charles S. Bell; Sgt. Kevin B. McNiese; Ofc Ashley Tedford; and Cpl. William Kelly, with the TAPSKC mascot K9 Rugarthe-Watchdog, are the new safety officers. (All photos by Sela Kincaid)

Sheriffs in Town Some Safety Tips from the Team Take part in women empowerment and self-defense classes

while outside running or walking to your car, to be able to hear your surroundings “Buddy System”—keep in groups to ward off attackers

Know the emergency plans for fire and tornadoes and to practice it before you need it

If you see anything that looks suspicious tell an officer

Always have emergency contacts on you

Own a taser and OC pepper spray Always take keys out before leaving a building and heading to your car and hold them facing out, to be able to use them as a weapon Never have both earphones in

Lock doors when sitting in your car

Look at exits and make a plan when entering a new area

FEBRUARY 2019

SPORTS IN BRIEF CHIEFS PLAYOFFS The Kansas City Chiefs ended a record 12-4 season Jan. 20 with a loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the only player other than Peyton Manning to throw 50 touchdowns and 5,000 yards in a regular season. Following the end of the season, the Chiefs let go Defensive Coordinator Bob Sutton, and have hired a new Defensive Coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo formerly of the New York Giants and more recently, the Los Angeles Rams. “They put up a great fight,” senior Victoria Farrington said. “Although the first half definitely could have gone better, I was happy with how they played in the second half.” (Photo by MCT Campus)

CHEER NATIONALS The cheer team competed at the National Cheerleading Association Nationals in Dallas Jan. 25-Jan. 27. They placed 7th overall in the Medium-Novice category out of 11 teams. Their first performance landed them in last place after using an illegal tuck. The cheer team reworked the part of their routine and were able to finish strong. “We ended up doing pretty well, but my hope for next year is that we hit all our stunts and get zero deductions,” sophomore Jane Oltjen, pictured left, said. (Photo by Lilly Concannon)

SWIM TEAM SPRINGFIELD The 200-meter freestyle relay team swam a State qualifying time of 1:44.30 at the Springfield Invitational at Springfield Natatorium Jan. 26. Senior Katie DeLong started the relay and was followed by sophomore Kate Conway, freshman Grace Townsend and junior Olivia Townsend who finished the relay. DeLong, Conway, Townsend and Olivia all swam 50 freestyle meters in the relay to make it below the State cut. “It was super exciting to finally get the State cut because we have been working really hard all season so we were beyond excited to get it,” Conway said. Read the full story on lejournallive.com (Photo by Molly Conway)

FIRST HOME GAME WIN The basketball team won their first home game of the season against Schlagle High School Jan. 25. The game ended with Sion leading by over 10 at the close of the fourth quarter with a final score of 55 to 46. “It felt great to have the first home court win,” junior Lily Henkle said. “We have been winning more and had a lot of momentum going into the game, so I hope we can keep that going.” (Photo by Ava Rawson)

STORM SCHEDULE FEB 5-6

SWIM AND DIVE TEAM INDEPENDENT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE CENTRAL ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE

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FEB 15-16

SWIM AND DIVE TEAM STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN ST. LOUIS

Diving into State

After years of hard work, junior (Photo by Ava Rawson) Caroline Knopke A key part in her diving prepares herself for experience has been her the State dive meet. brother David Knopke.

BY STEPHANIE VINCE REPORTER

Water droplets covered the board and the fulcrum was adjusted to nine as junior Caroline Knopke stepped onto the diving board. Knopke snapped her body into a reverse twist. Her teammates and family roared as her toes pierced the water’s surface and her body glided into the water. Her reverse twist scored her an eight and a half leading her to a second place finish at the Country Club Swim Association of Kansas City dive championships in July. “I had hard dives to do so I was very nervous, and I felt the pressure there,” Knopke said. “I always have to take deep breaths and take one dive at a time, focusing on each.” Knopke has been diving since she was 6 years old and has consecutively placed in the top three in the CCSAKC dive championships for the last eight years. She continues to dive competitively through Kansas Diving Club, in the summer for Blue Hills Country Club and for high school. “The older you get the harder it gets. There is only a certain point of difficulty you can reach so it is really important to perfect your dives,” Knopke said.

FEB 21

David was a USA Diving national champion and a two time State champion, and he helps coach Knopke to push herself to be the best diver she can be, according to Knopke. “I’ve watched Caroline transform from a timid girl on the board into a fierce confident competitor right when she steps on the pool deck,” David said. Knopke also credits her coach Gabe Downey for her improvements and success over the years. He has been coaching Knopke for four years through Kansas Diving Club. Downey believes Knopke’s confidence has been her biggest improvement as it has allowed her to showcase her ability of inner strength. “Caroline has a great mixture of the key ingredients for diving,” Downey said. “ She is explosive. She has a keen sense for going in the water vertically.” Knopke received automatic State qualification at the dual meet vs. St. Teresa’s Academy Jan. 24 and continues to push herself to ensure that she finishes the season strong, according to Knopke. “I am excited for State this year,” Knopke said. “I feel like I have improved a lot from last year to this year and my goal is to do even better than last year, so hopefully I will be able to win or come in second.”

SION VS ST. TERESA’S ACADEMY IRISH CUP BASKETBALL GAME AND SENIOR NIGHT AT HOME

SPORTS

The Basketball Team Bounces Back The Varsity Basketball team competes in 11 games in 30 days this January. BY ALLIE DIERKS A&E EDITOR

The Storm basketball team ended 2018 with only one win against St. Michaels Archangel Catholic high school. Now at the back half of their season, they have won eight of the 11 games in the span of 32 days from Jan. 4 to Feb. 4. On average, the team played two games a week, according to varsity Head Coach Kate Pilgreen. “Ideally, a season would be made with scheduling two non-tournament games per week,” Pilgreen said. “Two of the weeks in January were tournament weeks.” Though the girls suffered from some soreness and minor injuries, the opportunity to play so many games a week has not only given them experience, but has also gotten them in better shape. Because of all the games, the coaching staff makes the few practices they have shorter and more situational focused. “We go light on practice days because our bodies are usually sore from playing three games a week,” senior captain Molly Wagner said. “The day before a game, we tend to scope out what we’re going to do for that team we will play the next day.” Senior Mia McLey walks out towards senior Gretta Allen as she is announced before the game against Schlagle High School Jan. 25. (Photo by Ava Rawson)

Varsity participated in the Kearney Tournament at Kearney High School Jan. 6-Jan.11 and the Blue Valley North Tournament at Blue Valley North High School Jan.15-Jan.18. The opportunity to face other teams in tournaments and games has helped the team improve as well, according to sophomore Shannon Karlin. “Playing a lot exposes us to other team’s playing styles rather than playing each other during practice,” Karlin said. The players had to manage their time better to make sure their school work got done, according to Karlin. Varsity games are normally after the freshman and JV games, so the team doesn’t have time to get homework done until after games, which usually end after 8:30. Depending on if the game is at home or not, sometimes the team has long drives home, leaving most players studying late into the night. “I try to set a time each night that I should go to bed, so I don’t procrastinate and stay up doing my homework,” Karlin said. The improvement the team has made after every game is impressive and has helped them gain lots of experience. As of Feb. 4, the team is on a six game winning streak. The team’s positivity is produced through themselves and each other. Being together everyday after school has made an overall better team dynamic, which has translated into their games. The coaching staff looks for teachable moments and ways to improve without dwelling on losses or records, according to Pilgreen. “There has not been a single game throughout the course of the season that I have not seen this team improve,” Pilgreen said. “It truly is a remarkable group of women and athletes.” The team’s last regular season home game is Feb. 21 against St. Teresa’s Academy. It’s the game that decides who takes home the Irish Cup and it’s also senior night. Junior starting point guard Lily Henkle hopes the team will keep the Irish Cup from their win last year and encourages the community to come to the rivalry game to support the team. “This will be my first time playing for the Irish Cup,” Henkle said. “I’m excited, but for now, we are just focusing on one game at a time.”

Just Keep Swimming The swim and dive team dual meet against St. Teresa’s Academy celebrated seniors and state qualifying races. BY ANA PENDERGAST WEB MANAGING EDITOR

The swim and dive team hosted senior night, and the annual Saint Teresa’s Academy dual meet at the Red Bridge Y Jan. 24. STA won the meet by 5 points. The meet was senior night for both schools and the team qualified for state in two more events. “It was also really fun to have the pool deck stacked with “I can’t believe that people and sentimental it’s already senior because it’s night and winding my last time down to my last few competing at moments and events Red Bridge,” diver Ellie on the swim team.” senior Gamble said. —senior Sarah Tappan The meet celebrated seven seniors on the team. Gamble joined dive captain Grace Watkins along with swim seniors and captains Emma

Cruciani, Katie DeLong, Sarah Tappan, swim senior Priscillah Gicharu and swim manager Ana Pendergast in the senior celebrations “I can’t believe that it’s already senior night and winding down to my last few moments and events on the swim team,” Tappan said. “Everyone always has positive attitudes and has fun with one another despite the physical exhaustion which always impresses me.” The dive teams also competed against each other in an unofficial relay, a tradition of the meet. The tradition started when the dive teams started practicing together. The STA dive team won the relay by just a little bit, according to Gamble. “My favorite part was when the divers swam the relay,” Gamble said. “I think I was more nervous to swim than I was to dive.” The 200 yard medley relay, including juniors Peyton Wiewel, Olivia Townsend, DeLong and sophomore Kate Conway, swam a statequalifying race. However, since the meet didn’t have automatic timing, the time isn’t accepted. The relay hopes to officially qualify at their Springfield meet or at the Independent League Champion

meet. Junior Caroline Knopke placed first in dive securing a state position score of 263.30, which will stand unlike the relays. Last year Knopke placed third at State. “It was such a relief to get the qualifying score out of the way,” Knopke said. “It was one of my goals this year and being able to accomplish it really was an exciting moment.” The team only has two meets after the STA dual meet, not including the state meet. They competed at the Springfield Invitational Jan. 26 and will compete at their championship meet Feb. 5-6. If the relay requalifies, they will join Townsend, who is swimming the 100 breaststroke during state. “The season has been great, and the seniors are a going but we have strong team,” Tappan said. “so I really think next year will be an amazing year with all of the talent we have been tuning this year.”

Senior Prischillah Gicharu and her mom, Beatrice Gicharu, walk towards her team in the senior night presentation at the Red Bridge YMCA Jan. 24. (Photo by Ava Rawson)

FEBRUARY 2019

FEATURES

WALL TO THE SOUL Senior Safa Khan is surrounded by the art she and her friends have drawn on her bedroom walls. (Photo by Dani Rotert)

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FEATURES

BY DANI ROTERT CO-PHOTO EDITOR

Senior Safa Khan finds innovative ways to express her art without a traditional canvas.

he leans against one of her three white walls as the toxic smell of Sharpie wafts through her room. With the natural light peeking through her large window, senior Safa Khan throws herself into her work as she adds depth to the dark eyes of her most recent art piece, a character from Pan’s Labyrinth. Her growing collection of art is all drawn on the largest canvas she has access to—her bedroom walls. “Her style is very precise yet very fluid,” senior Kendall Rogers said. “Her art is very dark and it scares you a little bit.” Before her switch into dark wall art pieces, Khan focused on characters from her favorite television shows. She first noticed her artistic abilities when she was in kindergarten after comments from classmates, teachers and her family praising her cartoon drawings of Spongebob and other doodles on the margins of her papers. “I can’t remember a time where she wasn’t creative in her drawing,” her sister junior Inaya Khan said. “Sometimes we look back at things she drew in like third grade, and I could never draw as good even now.” Khan credits her elementary school art teacher, Caren Purcell for fostering her love for art. From encouraging comments to extra help after school, Purcell was extremely influential in Khan’s growth as an artist and in the creation of her artistic style. Khan hopes to create an art piece for Purcell

before she graduates as a thank you for all the work that she did to aid in Khan’s art. “I was more into studying core classes like math and science because that’s what my parents wanted me to do but she saw that I was pretty good at art,” Khan said. “She encouraged me a lot

“Art is just another way to express yourself and your feelings.”

-senior Safa Khan

to have my own style and she would take extra time to help me.” While in high school, Khan only had the opportunity to take one Portfolio art class her sophomore year. Although she hasn’t been able to take all the art classes she wanted to while in high school, Khan still focuses on art in whatever free time she can muster up. Some of her most recent work includes drawings on her bedroom walls which were painted white for this specific reason. “If you go to her house, you will see her walls are completely covered in art,” Rogers said. “I’m not gonna lie, some of it is pretty

scary. I will never sleep over there again, but it’s amazing.” With her heavy academic work, Khan has not been able to completely finish her walls so she has begun allowing others to add their own work to her wall. Her walls are covered with everything from a giant giving tree stretching the height of her room, to notes from her dad in his native language, Urdu. “It was initially me with a theme that I was going to do on my wall,” Khan said. “I didn’t have time to fill out three walls with my own art so, my sisters and my friends that come over draw on my wall as well.” Even though Khan does not want a career in art, she definitely wants to keep it up in her free time. From the time that she was a child to recent years, Khan has continually expressed herself through her artwork. “I love art because I am not the best at writing,” Khan said. “Art is just another way to express yourself and your feelings.”

WRITING ON THE WALL Senior Safa Khan works on her most recent addition to her collection of drawings on her wall, a character from Pan’s Labyrinth. (Photo by Dani Rotert) (Headline hand drawn by Erika Sesler)

FEBRUARY 2019

A&E

The Purrfect Cafe New cat cafe in Westport offers a relaxing and energetic time to unwind with cats of all sizes. BY ANA PENDERGAST WEB MANAGING EDITOR

Whiskers Cafe, located in Westport near 37th street on Southwest Trafficway, offers a great way to relax and unwind with adorable furry, little friends. From tiny kittens that will curl up and sit in laps for an hour, like Stella Rose, to fat tabbys that are just looking for a playmate, Whiskers Cafe offers every type of cat. Though the concept seems as if it couldn’t be approved by the Health Department, the cafe was surprisingly clean, with almost no cat hair or stinky litter smells. A set of double sliding doors separate the cats from the cafe itself,

ensuring both that the cats don’t escape into the wonders of Westport and that the cafe stays cat hair free. Customers are allowed to bring their drinks into the cat room as long as they aren’t shared with the cats. Ten dollars pays for an hour with the cats and $2 towards a drink, which is equivalent to a coffee or tea, or the partial cost of an espresso. Though the drinks aren’t the main draw, the menu is a let down. There aren’t many options and the serving sizes are small. However, it’s all worth it to spend time with the cats. After drinks are served and customers enter into the world of cats, it’s almost impossible to pick the first cat to play with. All the cats have been vetted by KC Pet Project and have become well adjusted to spending time with lots of people. Cats are available for adoption through KC Pet Project. The owner

and workers are there to answer any questions about the cats and give their background stories. The whole room is designed for the cats to have fun and cuddle. With low seating, pillows and rugs there is plenty of space to cuddle up with the adorable kittens. The room is designed not only for comfort but also as a jungle gym for the cats. They can climb around everywhere, playing with each other and the guests. The cats are extremely wellbehaved, making the experience all the better. There’s little to no meowing, and though the cats sometimes get feisty with each other, they never misbehave with the guests unless provoked. Whether the cats are cuddling or playing, they melt the hearts of everyone who comes in. Sadly, in order to enjoy the experience reservations must be made ahead of time, and often have long

waits. They are also closed on Monday and Tuesday. However, there is little wait between ordering drinks and going into the cat room. Though once a reservation is made at Whisker’s it is well worth the wait—even for those who aren’t crazy about cats.

SCAREDY CAT (far above) One of the cafe's cats, Lucy, crawls near the ceiling to enter to the cats' private room, a safe space for shy cats. (above) A cat awaits playtime with customers at Whiskers Cafe. (Photos by Ana Pendergast)

No R ses for the Bachelor

have to do what you can to stand out.” These girls are willing to fake an accent to beat the competition in hopes of getting engaged to the man of their dreams which will probably end in divorce. When the girls are introduced, there is a bar that appears underneath BY PAULA SWEENY them on the screen which has their name, occupation, and age. The jobs CO-PHOTO EDITOR range from Speech Pathologist to Never Been Kissed. Yes, this was one of the “occupations” that a girl had under her name. They’re shown as oneThe lust, the “love,” the lessons—it’s all too much. ABC’s “The Bachelor” dimensional characters with no personality. has been on the air for 22 seasons and recently started airing Season 23 Jan. The girls are almost character like, gimmicky and over-attention 7. The idea that someone could find love through a process of competition grabbing. They’re draped over Colton, begging for his approval of them. It’s and elimination doesn’t make any sense. Out of 22 seasons of “The Bachelor,” disheartening to see that only one couple has stayed this is what is found as together. entertainment. It should be The show acts more as a women supporting women; dramatic soap opera than it not women fighting for the does an encompassing true attention and love of a man. “reality.” Every episode is a The hype behind the popularity contest. Looks are show is understandable. the deciding factor of each With the intense and contestant standing. Each exaggerated drama, the girl gets “alone time,” but audience is sucked in. they have to put on a show It’s addicting. There are for the cameras. Who knows definitely the girls that you what is real? Former NFL player, Colton Underwood, attempts to find love among 30 women on the 22nd are rooting for and then In the new season, season of "The Bachelor." (Photo by MCT Campus) there are the girls that make 26-year-old Colton you cringe by their actions Underwood is looking for and words. That’s why the show is so popular because you want the girls you “love.” Underwood is an attractive guy who played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Chargers. He was previously on “The Bachelorette” and fell in love but like to “win” and you want to see the annoying girls kicked off. All these girls just want validation that they’re pretty, funny and smart was rejected and then picked as the new bachelor. enough for a man. It seems like a lot of pressure and isn’t great for the girls’ Underwood is the first virgin bachelor which is a big deal and a major self-confidence (unless they get a rose) or their mental health. “The Bachelor” plot line. One of the contestants showed up in a sloth costume and said to is a misogynistic show where a man can choose from fawning women that are Underwood, “I heard you like to take things slow.” It was quite possibly the draped over him. We shouldn’t be promoting this idea on national television funniest and weirdest thing seen on the show. She later climbed a tree, still in when women are already fighting for equality in day to day life. It gives an the sloth costume. unrealistic version of love that boys and girls believe. Another girl faked an Australian accent and said in an interview, “You

Amid the intense drama of the new season, “The Bachelor” promotes an unrealistic version of love and a need for validation.

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BY AVA RAWSON PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Hardcore History With every episode clocking in anywhere from four to six hours long, these podcasts are dense. But since I finished my history requirement to graduate, any wannabe history buff will agree that they are well worth the time it takes to listen to each of the episodes. The podcasts are made by Dan Carlin, a retired radio host and journalist, and the maker of another podcast called Common Sense, a podcast centered on the modern American political sphere. There are 14 podcasts available for listening to on the Podcast app that comes pre-installed on Apple

The Health Code With 12 episodes so far, this podcast, made by Sarah Stevenson and her boyfriend Kurt, is all about taking the experiences and wisdom they have gained from their lives as content creators, fitness gurus, designers and spilling the tea as to how they got to where they are. Most episodes range around 30 minutes to an hour long, so they easily fit into busy schedules. The name itself is somewhat clever, with the intention being that they were cracking the code to their lives and that the listeners would have their “Codebooks” to take notes while listening. Overall, some of their episodes

StoryCorps “Stories from people of all backgrounds and beliefs.” Every story is different and unique, with every episode about 10 minutes long. It’s 10 minutes of an engaging, and sometimes heart wrenching story that’s always different than the next. There are not many companies that have a mission such as this; “to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world,” and actually live up to it. They are a comprehensive operative that in addition to their podcasts recently won a

products, but there are many more available online on Carlin’s website. The series has generated acclaim ever since its conception and continues to impress audiences today, this listener included. And if a six hour podcast doesn’t sound like it can fit in your schedule anytime soon, then Carlin also created Hardcore History: Addendum, the episodes can be found on his website. The episodes of Hardcore History: Addendum are shorter, about an hour each, and are intentioned to have extra material and interviews that wouldn’t otherwise have made it into the main Hardcore History feed.

aren’t super relevant and can be easily skipped. The not-so-relevant ones are about their personal lives, culminating in a tumult of relationship advice, which can be found just about anywhere. But their tips on fitness and career advice is amazing. What makes their podcast so refreshing is the career centered content. Most people who have jobs like theirs don’t tell their story because its not on brand for them to reveal their secrets. So it is unique to find content creators that are willing to tell people exactly how they got to where they are and the glamorous and not so glamorous aspects of their Instagram worthy lifestyle.

News & Documentary Emmy Award for an animated short called “Traffic Stop.” There are well over 500 episodes to choose from, ranging anywhere from the little known history of the Leesburg Stockade Girls, or the story of a family reuniting. Overall they aren’t my cup of tea, not because of a detriment on their part but mainly because sentimentality isn’t what I devote my free-time to. But respect is easily generated in the hearts of listeners with the sound of a smooth as butter, classically NPR, impassioned voice telling stories that deserve to be told.

Escape From “Escape Room”

Podcasts come in many shapes and sizes, so here is a bundle of three that focus on improving listeners’ health, heads, and hearts.

“Escape Room” is just a worse version of what’s been done before.

Listen and Learn

BY JENNA BARACKMAN REPORTER

A&E

everal strangers united by an unknown purpose are locked in a room. They are then forced to commit unspeakable acts of violence in order to escape before time runs out or die. They must choose between morals and survival while gory deaths lurk around every corner. The man who orchestrates these twisted games has a catchphrase: “let’s play a game.” And, no, this is not the “Saw” franchise. Instead, it’s the vastly duller and significantly worse “Escape Room.” And if the plots look similar, it’s because ultimately they are the same. “Escape Room” can be described in three words: exactly as expected. To be more specific, exactly as grotesquely cliche and terrible as expected. Yet, for as hard as it tries to be a “Saw” movie with elaborate puzzles, death-defying traps and life and death circumstances, it comes off as boring and predictable. The characters are as onedimensional and stereotypical as they could be: there’s the bossy know-it-all, played by Nik Dodani; the lazy and conceited burnout, played by Logan Miller; the evil and egotistical businessman, played by Jay Ellis; the quiet pushover, played by Taylor Russell; and the blissfully ignorant father, played by Tyler Labine. They are so onedimensional that by the time the climax comes and the remaining survivors rise up against the twisted game and its controllers, audience members don’t particularly care who wins. The puzzles are as lazy as they are forgettable and predictable. Every puzzle is solved at the last second with a false sense of panic that audiences can’t quite buy into. Directed by Adam Robitel, it never evokes empathy. The audience does not care about what happens to the characters, so the attempt at creating suspense falls flat on its face. The final scene clearly means to foreshadow future sequels. However, instead of being on the edge of their seat and waiting eagerly for the next film, audiences are left with a disappointing “that’s it?” when it reaches the end. To put it simply, “Escape Room” is a forgettable and unoriginal film. Instead of wasting time and money on this film, save some and rent “Saw” for the better version.

FEBRUARY 2019

A&E

NEW YEAR NEW ME

BY KATIE FITZGERALD REPORTER

START SMALL

(Photo by Katie Fitzgerald)

If the resolution seems distant, far off, or unachievable, start small and work up to the overall goal. If the goal is to run a marathon, begin preparing with only running a few miles a day. With a whole year to do it, procrastination is the worst enemy, don’t get started with a “I’ll do it tomorrow” mentality. Starting small means the goal itself becomes less scary and hard.

(Photo by Katie Fitzgerald)

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When setting a New Years resolution, think about what you want to achieve, the reasons behind it, and set the goal. Be as specific as possible so that it’ll be harder to cheat. For example, if you want to save money, set a specific amount and a time frame. If the goal is too broad it opens itself up for loopholes, which is not something productive to be creating for yourself.

SET A REALISTIC AND ACHIEVABLE GOAL

It’s not too late to make some resolutions for 2019 or to jump back on if you’ve been slacking. Here are some tips to make it a successful year.

BE SPECIFIC

Sometimes it is better to create one specific goal than to create a whole list of overwhelming tasks. Rather than trying to change everything at once, which is usually less productive, focus on one thing that is important to you and make it a priority. Devoting all your energy to one goal will make sure that (Photo by Katie Fitz it is done right.

After making the goal, spell it out, and construct a plan, a method of attacking the goal. It helps to write down your goal and how to achieve it. This makes the plan more concrete and forces you to take it seriously. If it is just floating around in your head, it is less likely to be seen as something real.

DON’T BLAME YOURSELF

6 Don’t expect results immediately. Keep pushing and when it’s tough remember why you started in the first place. It’s important to remember that we’re all human and we all make mistakes. If you mess up once or twice, don’t give up and don’t feel guilty! Sometimes, reward yourself with incentives to keep you going.

(Photo by Katie Fitzgerald)

There are plenty of apps out there that were created to help their users meet their goals. For example, if your resolution if to learn a new language, apps such as Duolingo can help users learn to read, speak, and listen at the same time. For fitness related goals, MyFitnessPal helps to track meals, logs exercise and suggest the optimal calorie intake for users.

(Photo by Ava Rawson)

MAKE A PLAN

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY

zgerald)

A&E

FEBRUARY 2019

Happily Ever After The cast of this year’s musical “Into the Woods” performed at Avila University Jan. 25-27.

1. IT TAKES TWO

4. MYSTERIOUS MOTHER

During the musical number “It Takes Two,” junior Peyton Wade, who played the Baker’s Wife, and Center High School junior Sheridan Mirador, who played the Baker, enjoy a moment together. “My favorite musical number was ‘It Takes Two’ because it was fun to dance with Sheridan,” Wade said. (Photo by Dani Rotert)

As she enters stage right, senior Elizabeth Ericson who played the Mysterious Woman and also choreographed “Into the Woods,” tries to help her son, the baker, without him finding out she is his mother.” (Photo by Kennedy Wade)

2. DAMSEL IN DISTRESS After running around the audience screaming, junior Cara Hiatt who played Rapunzel, expresses her concerns about the problems in her life to her mother. According to Hiatt, putting the Rapunzel wig on was quite a task. “Luckily I cut my hair, so it was easier to get the wig on, but it was still so difficult to stuff my hair into two wig caps, and then squeeze both wigs onto my head,” Hiatt said. “ Lots of help from others and bobby pins were involved.” (Photo by Dani Rotert)

3. BIG BAD WOLF Freshman Olivia Mancina. who played Little Red Riding Hood, is stopped by the Big Bad Wolf on her way to Grannie’s house. “I loved the experience so much,”Mancina said. “I learned so much from it. And I loved being Little Red Riding Hood because it’s been my dream part to get.” (Photo by Dani Rotert)

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5. A MOO-VALOUS NIGHT Junior Avery Jones pouts after her character Milky White was sold to the Baker for five beans. “It was a challenge in terms of acting and very demanding physically being a cow,” Jones said. “But it was a challenge I am so grateful for.” (Photo by Kennedy Wade)

6. STARTLED SISTERS As they were running away from the giant, freshman Tess Tappan, who played Florinda, and freshman Lizzy Hoffman, who played Lucinda, fell as they had been blinded by crows and could not see. “My favorite part of the musical was making new friends from different grades and learning tons of new music,” Hoffman said. (Photo by Dani Rotert)