ON THE COVER

of Politics Politics

of student activism and political involvement.

“We’re old enough to have responsibilities and be able to drive and stay home alone,” Velakaturi said. “Why can’t we take charge of the laws that affect us and which adults are making decisions about us?”

The campaigns she works on heavily rely on youth activism and volunteering, according to Velakaturi. Former Finance Assistant for Davids’ campaign Amanda Sharp views youth engagement as a crucial part of any campaign.

“All of the interns we had for the 2018 election cycle, especially Raj, were hard workers who had diligent work ethic and amazing ambition,” Sharp said. “I think any young person who gets involved in the tumultuous landscape that is our political system right now possess an amazing sense of selflessness and a commitment to public service we can only hope to see mirrored in the generations ahead who are actually holding office right now.” Velakaturi largely attributes her interest in politics to the work she does on campaigns. She enjoys being able to see how a successful campaign functions and how laws and policies are developed.

“I can see firsthand how change and policy and all these decisions on laws are made, and I kind of get to see how the country is shaped,” Velakaturi said. “I hope to get really good experiences and and learn how I can help, and possibly learn how to be a public servant in the future.”

Along with a growing interest in public service, volunteering with campaigns has given Velakaturi a renewed sense of determination and self-assurance.

She cites learning how to talk to people she disagrees with and meeting other young people on campaigns as her reason for her tenacity.

“I think she definitely has gotten more ambition and confidence,” junior Nicole Jackson said. “She’s very more aware about the world and she knows everything that’s going on.” Back in her plastic folding chair, Velakaturi hangs up the phone. She types the name and information of a voter she just convinced to vote for Buttigieg into the computerized system and smiles. She knows she is fighting for change, for a better future, for good. But she knows the work is never finished. She nods, punches in a new number, and lets the dial tone ring once again.

Junior Rajitha Velakaturi phone-banks with Congresswoman Sharice Davids to convince voters to vote for Davids Nov. 3, 2018. “There are a lot of laws or policies that affect us, and if our voices aren’t heard, then those policies could affect us negatively,” Velakaturi said. “But if we speak up, then at least we can say that our voice was heard.” (Photo submitted by Rajitha Velakaturi)

New Soccer Coach The new varsity soccer coach, Doug McLagan, started Jan. 15. McLagan has previously coached for the Sporting Blue Valley Soccer Club and Blue Springs High School. Preparations for the spring soccer season has already began, with the team running pre-season work outs. “I’m so excited to get all the girls together for the first day of tryouts I’m looking forward to working with the girls and continuing the winning tradition at Sion,” McLagan said. (Photo by Ava Stoltz)

Junior Selected for Kearney Classic All-Tournament Team Junior Shannon Karlin was selected for the Kearney Classic All-Tournament team Jan. 20. The award came as a result of her performance while playing in the tournament. “I didn’t enjoy having to drive all the way out to Kearney for the tournament, but I loved talking and listening to music with my teammates on the way there,” Karlin said. “I forgot they had an all tournament team so I was pretty surprised when they announced that I was chosen.” Pictured left is Karlin. (Photo by Ava Stoltz)

Cheer and Dance Nationals Both cheer and dance competed at nationals over the weekend of Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 in Dallas, Texas and Orlando, Florida respectively. “I was excited to go one last time and see our growth,” senior Cheer Team member Rachel McRae said. Cheer placed 10th in the nation, and dance placed 13th in pom. “Nationals is such a great experience because it brings the team closer,” senior Dance Team member Libby Slaymaker, pictured left, said. “It’s by far the best week of the year.” (Photo by Ava Stoltz)

Swim and Dive Senior Night The senior swim and dive team members were honored Jan 28. during their meet against St. Teresa’s Academy at the Red Bridge YMCA. Posters made by the underclassmen were taped up on the wall for each of the seniors. The swim team beat STA 94-92. “I loved having my senior night, it was something special I had looked forward to since being freshman,” senior swim team member Grace Parrott said. “Swimming at Sion has been a massive part of my life for the past four years, and it’s sad to say goodbye, but I’m glad to leave it on a good note.” Pictured left are seniors Bridget Schumm, Caroline Knopke, Reilly Jackoboice and Parrott. (Photo by Kaitlin Lyman)

STORM SCHEDULE

Balance Sophomore Addi Diaz shifts from home school to high school as she begins her first semester.

As she walks through the halls, sophomore Addi Diaz is immersed in a whole new environment. First, she lived in Okinawa, Japan for five years. Then after moving back to the states, Diaz was homeschooled and danced every day.

“I’d wake up at 6:20 and have ballet classes all day and three hour rehearsals at night,” Diaz said.

Even though Diaz did not start ballet young, she progressed quickly and was in the second highest level of ballet only two years later. Diaz danced at Kansas City Ballet for five years. She then decided to switch to a smaller school, Kansas School of Classical Ballet.

“I realized it wasn’t the place for me anymore,” Diaz said. “So that’s why I decided to leave.”

Following a chronic ankle injury and surgery on Sept. 6, Diaz made the tough decision to quit ballet.

“Walking for the first time without the boot, eight weeks after surgery, was so weird,” Diaz said, “The arches in my foot would cramp after five minutes.”

The slow-progressing injury, which occurred in February 2019 and wasn’t found until June 2019, forced Diaz to be bedridden for two BY CATHERINE CRAYON REPORTER

weeks after her surgery. Diaz had os trigonum, an extra bone behind the ankle bone. Her total recovery time was 10 weeks.

Although Diaz only joined the sophomore class at the beginning of second semester, she has found the transition to be very smooth. “The relationships with the teachers definitely made it easier,” Diaz said. “They’re all so nice.”

The commute to school every morning and back home every afternoon is yet another change she has experienced since transferring.

“I miss sleeping the most and being able to pretty much do whatever I wanted all day,” Diaz said. “It’s crazy.”

Although Diaz is no longer dancing, she plans to tryout for the school’s dance team.

“I met Addi during her tour of the school. I’m a Student Ambassador, so I walked her around the school. Turns out we sat next to each other in our first hour,” sophomore Grace Beelman said. “She’s so creative and really sweet.” (Photo by Catherine Crayon)

FEB 14-15 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN ST. LOUIS (Photo by Maggie McKinney, junior Shannon Karlin pictured)

SPRING SPORTS BEGIN (Photo by Dani Rotert, junior Mikayla Gunther pictured) MARCH 2

MARCH 24 FIRST HOME SOCCER GAME (Photo by Dani Rotert, junior Grace A. Riley pictured.)