Le Journal Issue Three by Alison Long

Journal

A Publication of Notre Dame de Sion* 10631 Wornall Road*Kansas City, MO 64114 Volume 30, Issue 3 December2011

The Backbone of Sion page 10

Behind the Occupy Wall Street Movement page 6

Meet the 2012 Election Hopefuls page 7

How- To Survive Finals Guide page 15

What’s Inside 10

A Look at the Men of the Maintenance Staff

Should we still have zoos and animal-themed parks?

Decision made: Missouri leaving the Big 12 and moving to the SEC.

Freshmen bring a fresh start for the upcoming basketball season.

IN EACH ISSUE

Christmas songs, festive recipes, and a holiday gift guide.

A Look Into the Life of Our Very Own Dee Cooks.

what’s inside

THE EDITOR’S INK

STAFF EDITORIAL

Now playing

MY LIFE IS AWKWARD

A LAST LOOK

LAYOUT BY: SARAH HOLLAND PHOTOS BY: DELANEY BATES, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, MEG COWAN, AND SARAH HOLLAND

ON THE COVER COVER PHOTO: EMMA EVELD COVER INSET PHOTOS BY: MCT CAMPUS AND VICTORIA KENNER

Welcome to the Most Wonderful Season of Year

BY ALI SWEE Editor-in-Chief

“T

family that brags children’s every accomplishment, the awkward family in oddly-artificial looking snow and, my personal favorite, the “do we even know these people?” (relive the rest of the awkward moments on page 20) But in all seriousness, the holiday season is warmly welcomed by families across the world. For some reason a shimmering evergreen tree and a simple story of a baby in a manager is enough to bring a family together

Through the changes, come new traditions. My sister and I choose our own Christmas outfits now. This year will be my new puppy’s first Christmas and we’ll write his first Christmas letter. And on Christmas day, we’ll bring Christmas to my grandparents. Sometimes, as hard as it is, life is about accepting change, rather than fighting it. It’s about embracing the past, smiling through the present and hoping for the future. Life moves fast, so it’s the simple moments, like a family photo or a Christmas dinner that truly count. So ‘tis the season to embrace the awkward family Christmas card photos, overload on cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, and rock that Spanish final (for more tips see page 15). ‘Tis the season to pick out the perfect gift for your best friends (see our holiday gift guide on page 16), indulge on Christmas cookies and sip hot chocolate by the fireside. And ‘tis the season to never lose that Christmas spirit, the enduring hope that produces miracles and those magical white Christmases.

“Life moves fast, so it’s the simple moments, like a family photo or a Christmas dinner that truly count.”

is the season to cram for finals, pray for snow days and relive the dysfunctional family get-togethers. If you haven’t been blasting Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” since its October 17th release, the rest of us would like to officially welcome you to the holiday season. Break out the matching Christmas sweaters, snap a picture and preset your radio to Kansas City’s newest Christmas music stations (94.1 KFKF and 99.7 The Point). Every year, we look forward to everything about the holiday season, from the Christmas dinner to the first Christmas cards of the season. We have the ones featuring the

Christmas Eve, we go out to dinner and always go through Longview’s Christmas in the Park light show. Always. Regardless of whether there is a huge snow storm or not, the tradition prevails. When we get home, my sister and I write Christmas letters. We set out the cookies, hang the stockings and lay out all three letters. One from myself, one from my little sister and one from our dog, complete with a messy paw print signature. The night

and evoke smiles from even the most coldhearted of souls. We celebrate all those in our lives who have blessed us throughout the year (We are thankful for our superheroes of Sion...for more see page 10). We rejoice in the idea that even with the frosty chill winter brings, our hearts are warmed. We look forward to traditions, which may border upon juvenile any other day of the year. Every year, the more my family seems to change and grow up, Christmas stays eerily the same.

ends with reading “The Night Before Christmas.” Then the lights turn off as visions of sugarplums dance through our heads. However, over the years, life has evolved. No longer do my sister and I don matching Christmas pajamas. Through the years, we’ve written letters for three dogs, all three now gone. And my grandma, who used to sit upon the fireplace reading “the Night before Christmas” to us, now spends Christmas in the nursing home with my grandpa, hundreds of miles away.

Letters to the Editor

CONTEST!

Download a free QR scanner app, scan this page and head to to LeJournalLive.com. Vote for your favorite Christmas recipe and be entered in the running for a $10 Starbucks gift card.

Le Journal welcomes letters submitted by readers. The staff reserves the right to edit length and minor grammatical errors, but the letter’s message will not be altered. The staff reserves the right to review letters and edit material that is inappropriate. Libelous, slanderous, or obscene letters will not be printed. Letters must be signed.

leJournal Le Journal

is the official publication of Notre Dame de Sion High School 10631 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114. Member

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ali Swee FEATURES EDITOR Maura Eveld A&E EDITOR Delaney Bates

MANAGING EDITOR Taylor Escher

LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR EDITORIAL/NEWS EDITOR Emma Eveld Elizabeth Gianino SPORTS EDITOR Audrey Saracini

PHOTO EDITOR Lucy Gasal

Missouri Interscholastic Press Assoc. National Scholastic Press Assoc. Columbia Scholastic Press Assoc. International Quill and Scroll

PUBLICATIONS BOARD Michelle Olson Kay Walkup

ADVISER Alison Long

WEB-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Katie Mahoney

Ali Swee Taylor Escher

Melissa Wilcox Penny Selle

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Emily DeCoursey REPORTERS Emma Grojean, Laura Travis, Victoria Kenner, Sarah Holland, Meg Cowan , Shannon Laird

Jane McCormack Carole Wall-Simmons

editorials

Vaccine for All

Boys Should Receive HPV Vaccine that is Now Recommended for Both Genders BY MAURA EVELD Features Editor

The opportunity to prevent life-threatening cancers and diseases. The opportunity to stop the spread of these illnesses to the opposite sex. How could anyone turn this down? Well, nobody should. You agree? Tell it to the boys. Human papillomavirus is a virus usually spread by sexual contact. About 6 million new genital HPV infections occur each year in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. Many girls already have received the Gardasil vaccine, which protects against four types of HPV. It has been recommended for girls since 2006. But the vaccine for boys only recently changed status from “permissible”, meaning that boys could get it, to “recommended”, meaning boys should get it, pediatrician Mary Tyson, mother of senior Lauren Tyson, said. Now parents should definitely consider vaccinating the young men of the family. No boy should pass up a chance to protect himself from this virus. HPV causes 90 percent of genital warts cases in males and females, according to Merck and Company, producer of the Gardasil vaccine. It is also thought to contribute to throat, head and neck cancers in men especially, Tyson said. “As a pediatrician, I do not want anyone’s son, brother or future husband to suffer from infection and potential pathology,” pediatrician Ellen Glotzbach, mother of sophomore Emma Allegri, said. I think we all could agree. Another plus of the vaccine: If boys receive the vaccine, girls benefit, too. HPV can’t spread to females if the males never had the virus in the first place. So, vaccinate the males, and girls have a lesser chance of developing serious cancers. HPV causes about 75 percent of cervical cancer cases in females. About 10,000 women in the

United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. And about 4,000 die from it, Tyson said. So, as young women concerned for our own health, we too should advocate that boys receive the HPV vaccine. However, some disapprove of the vaccine for fear it will promote sexual activity in young men and women. Yes, HPV is spread through sexual contact. But receiving the vaccine does not imply that a person will become sexually active immediately. It’s important that young people are vaccinated and become fully protected well before they are sexually active so that serious infections and cancers won’t surface in the future. “For those who believe the HPV vaccine promotes promiscuity...I encourage the patient or family to at least educate themselves about the infection and prevention,” Glotzbach said. “Then I encourage them to reconsider and return if they change their minds.” The Gardasil vaccine costs $450 for the three injections. Currently for boys it is not covered by most insurance companies, but it absolutely should be. Reminder: this is potential cancer prevention. “I believe with financial backing the country would be able to vaccinate the majority, contain the spread of infection and save lives,” Glotzbach said. Vaccines prevent disease, and that not only reduces suffering but also reduces health care costs. For example, almost 60,000 polio cases occurred in 1952, but thanks to the polio vaccine, the disease was eliminated from the United States by 1979, according to kidshealth.org. Here is a chance to prevent a dangerous virus from entering not only your brother’s body, but your own body. The HPV vaccine provides protection for the whole family. Vaccinate boys, and not only will they benefit, but young women will also be that much safer.

By the numbers...

women diagnosed with cervical cancer every day

million people in the United States are already affected by HPV

From the

student body...

injections of the HPV vaccine are given over a period of six months

51% do not know if their brothers have received the HPV vaccine 25% do not have a brother

18% have brothers who have not received the HPV vaccine 6% have brothers who have recieved the HPV vaccine

types of HPV passed on through sexual contact

-Information from the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention editorials

Lions, Tigers, and Bears

Should Zoos and Animal Theme Parks be Kept Around for Future Generations? zoos. This November, the Kansas City Zoo launched a campaign to improve their facilities and provide more educational opportunities. On November 8, the vote passed by 70 percent in favor of updating the zoo. The Kansas City Zoo has interactive boards, zookeeper chats, overnights, and shows to teach children about these animals and what they can do to protect them. SeaWorld parks and Busch Gardens around the

seeing all of those exotic animals? It’s certainly more exciting than seeing another movie. Zoos are excitManaging Editor ing, educational, and they’re outdoors. On a beautiful Little kids are scampering around dressed up Saturday in September there is nothing better than in their Halloween gear. Running, jumping, shoutspending the day at the zoo. ing. They zoom to and fro as you try to bob and Finally, zoos spur the economy. Hundreds of thouweave around them. Their little noses press against sands of people are employed by zoos worldwide. If the glass and the chorus of oohs and ahhs can be SeaWorld were shut down because of PETA’s lawsuit, heard from yards away. thousands of people would lose their The giggles commence again as you jobs. With millions of people visiting try to sneak your way through the parzoos and animal theme parks every year, ents taking pictures. Finally, you arrived these are huge stimulators to the econoat the first exhibit. The polar bear. He is my. Millions of dollars are spent on park continuously doing back flips over and admission and the money is spent in over again. Isn’t he dizzy? You find anways to encourage future generations to other opening in the crowd and plunge respect animals. through. Still awed by the animals and Zoos are great resources and tools the kid’s reactions you move on to anthat we are privileged to have. Most are other exhibit. there to provide educational opportuni Zoos became a huge news topic these ties and teach people to respect nature. past few months. This October, People However, the Terry Thompson scanfor the Ethical Treatment of Animals dal in Zanesville, Ohio doesn’t shed a sued SeaWorld parks for enslaving five good light on zookeepers, but this was orca whales. In the case of SeaWorld, an isolated case. These events rarely, if PETA based their argument on the ever, occur. We need to make sure zoos 13th amendment stating the orcas were are being responsible for their animals. Killer whales are the stars of the show in Shamu Stadium at SeaWorld in San Diego, taken from their habitats against their But usually zoos do all they can to proCalifornia. (Photo from MCT Campus) will and are treated like slaves, accordtect their animals and without them we ing to peta.org. On the other side of the country, United States provide camps, field trips, and other would be at a loss. Terry Thompson, private zoo owner from Ohio, let opportunities to teach kids about animals. According So as you round off your day with a ride on the his animals out from their cages before committing to dickersonparkzoo.org, Dickerson Park Zoo in new African sky safari at the Kansas City Zoo, a smile suicide. The animals were hunted down and all but Springfield, Miss. is one of many zoos that back- spreads across your face. You are proud that the zoo is three were killed. Many people wanted to outlaw ground check their zookeepers and interns. Zoos care planning to expand their facilities and provide more private zoos after this event, but this would be a loss about their animals and take many precautions to space and better care for their animals. keep them safe. They are here to educate, not to abuse. While driving away, back to the humdrum of evfor our society. Zoos are there to educate, entertain, and to Zoos are also important as entertainment facili- eryday life, you realize what a shame it would be to provide employment opportunities. For example, ties. The Kansas City Zoo has over 600,000 visitors lose such a precious place. You recount the dozens of the mission of the Kansas City Zoo, according to per year. Other parks like SeaWorld have thousands times you dragged your parents around the zoo just kansacityzoo.org, is to conserve and provide access more. According to www.park-world.com, SeaWorld to look at the cheetahs one more time and the dozto wildlife to entertain and educate our visitors in Orlando was ranked 14 on the top 25 amusement ens of pictures you took that came out looking like parks and had 5,740,000 visitors in 2006. As a kid, smears. Nostalgia hits as you hope your kids will have order to instill a respect for nature. Education. This is the primary purpose of many what was better than spending the day at the zoo and some of the same memories.

BY TAYLOR ESCHER

Kansas City Zoo’s ‘One Zoo for All’ Proposal What is happening? Vote passed on November 8 for a 1/8th increase on retail sales tax

Who will be affected? Residents of Clay and Jackson Counties

Why is this happening? To build and update: Penguin Exhibit Predator Canyon/Tiger Exhibit, Kid’s Wet Play Zone, Gorilla/Ape Exhibit, Sea Lion Cove & more! *Facts from www.onezooforall.com

Sumatran tigers will benefit from the Friends of the Zoo ‘One Zoo for All’ project will build a new Tiger Exhibit. (Photo from Kansas City Zoo)

editorials

Movement on the Move

Occupy Wall Street Draws Mixed Opinions BY LAURA TRAVIS

is unfocused because some protesters have moved away from the original intent of the protest. Occupy Wall Street is a protest by people “Well, if you look at what they’ve been telling against major banks, large corporations, and the in the media, they don’t know why they’re there, they’re just mad,” government for allegedly Georgia Congressman causing many of the finanPaul Broun said in cial and economic problems an interview on ABC for the ‘99 percent’, the name news. the movement uses for the In general, the people majority of Americans who of Occupy Wall Street are not included in the top are frustrated with the percent of the wealthiest economic situation people in the country. in America today and Occupy Wall Street has feel the government spread quickly since beginning in September in New College students take part in an Occupy Wall Steet pro- has not worked hard York City. Since then, it has test in Philidephia on Nov. 17. (Photo by MCT Campus) enough to help or to make things better for spread to many other cities in the United States and to other countries around everyone. “What they’re protesting is such a big thing, the world. “People are frustrated and hurting all over equality, that it seems like they are unorganized or and many aren’t able to get to Wall Street. Once unfocused. They are frustrated with how easy it is a platform was created, they felt more comfort- for the rich to get richer these days, while it’s nearly able standing up and speaking their mind,” Sarah impossible for young people to get jobs,” Crawford Crawford, New York resident and friend of teacher said. The people who support the movement believe Lesa Childers, said. The issue that the movement protests connects that the government is doing nothing to help the many types of people of different ages, races, and majority of Americans and rich people are the only ones benefiting. However, the government has chalsocioeconomic backgrounds. “They have the homeless, college students, lenged that belief saying they are trying to work so families, employed, underemployed and unem- that there is a better situation for all. ployed,” Alicia Dressman, daughter of Stephanie On ABC News when President Barack Obama Pino-Dressman, said. She has visited several was interviewed about Occupy Wall Street, he said that the government is trying to let people know Occupy Wall Street protests. Although Occupy Wall Street is popular, not they are on the side of the people and understand everyone supports it. Many believe the movement the trouble they are going through.

Reporter

Rewinding 100 years in honor of Sion’s 100th Birthday

7 December 2011

Leslie J. Stuarts musical “Betsy,” premieres in New York City.

10 December 1911

Calbraith Rogers completes the first crossing of the United States by airplane

14 December 1911

The South Pole was first reached by Norwegian Roald Amundsen.

16 December 2011

An earthquake in Guerrero, Mexico that reached a 5.7 magnitude.

1 January 2012

The Republic of China is established.

Dissecting the Dead

Anatomy Classes Go to See Cadavers BY AUDREY SARACINI Sports Editor

The famous movie saying from The Sixth Sense “I see dead people” has never been so literal for students until now. For just $30, senior anatomy and biology students have the opportunity to study dissected cadavers on November 30 at the Rockhurst University anatomy lab. “The purpose of this field trip is to show the students that the diagrams in our textbooks are just generalized representations of the human anatomy,” Anatomy teacher Marilyn Stewart said. “It is also much harder to identify muscles, nerves and tendons when they aren’t color coded like our books.” To prepare for this unusual ex-

news

perience Stewart has described the staunch smell of formaldehyde, introduced the appearance of a cadaver, and focused her teaching on musculature and nerves. “I am really excited to see what the inside of the cadaver actually looks like,” senior Madison Cowherd said. “I just hope that I don’t get grossed out and have to leave the room like some people have had to do before.” Stewart said that the cadaver lab offers a wonderful teaching opportunity that is not forced upon the students. She also said that there is no shame in declining the offer to attend the field trip for any reason. Those who step out of their comfort zones and attend the field trip will get the chance to learn more about the human body, but also respect for the human life.

November is...

American Diabetes & Month

with...

Jessica Tierney How does Type 1 Diabetes affect your daily routine?

“Every day I check my blood sugar numbers before every meal, after school, and before bed. I also check it when I don’t feel good, like if I have a headache or I feel dizzy. When my blood sugar is high, I give myself insulin from my insulin pump and correct it, and if my blood sugar is low I eat a snack. Also, before I eat I have to put in the amount of carbs I am eating into my insulin pump.”

How does your family participate in diabetes awareness and research?

“Every year my family usually does the JDRF [Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation] Walk to Cure Diabetes and we try to raise a lot of money for that.” (Photo and Interview by Maura Eveld)

The Push for Adderall

Drug Shortage Affects Many Students BY SHANNON LAIRD Reporter

(Photo from Reebok.com)

Tough Run for Reebok Athletic Company Suffers Lawsuit BY LUCY GASAL

Photography Editor

Reebok is settling for 25 million dollars in order to resolve the EasyTone lawsuit. The Federal Trade Commissions lawsuit charges that the company’s “toning” shoes do not help tone customers’ bodies as advertised. However, Reebok has continued defending the technology behind their shoes. According to the Global Post, Reebok does not agree with the Federal Trade Commissions allegations. They said they have received positive feedback from thousands of EasyTone shoe owners. Reebok advertisements claim that EasyTone shoes lead to 28 percent more strength in the buttock muscles and 11 percent more strength in hamstring and calf muscles over regular walking shoes. “I wore them a lot last year and I did feel sore the day following

my wearing of them. Did I notice a change in my body? Not really,” English teacher Casey McCabe said. Although Reebok has made it clear that they do not agree with the Federal Trade Commission, they have agreed to settle with the them. “We think this is a real victory for consumers,” Federal Trade Commission attorney Dana Barragate said according to the Global Post. As part of settling with the Federal Trade Commission, Reebok is refunding some of their shoes that they have claimed help tone costumers’ bodies. The refund will be given for purchases dating back to December 5, 2008 through October 12, 2011 according ABC Action News. “Reebok EasyTone shoes do not help tone your body at all. I stopped wearing them,” junior Michaela Bukaty said.

Difficulty paying attention. Easily distracted. Severe procrastination. Failure to complete tasks. Constant fidgeting. According to webmd.com, these are just a few of the symptoms experienced by people with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The solution? Millions of people are prescribed the pill Adderall XR. The only problem is that pharmacies are running out of the drug fast. “We are completely out of the ten and twenty milligram pills already,” Blue Ridge CVS pharmacy staff member Jasmine Storey said. “And there is no new release date for us to restock.” Despite the severity of the issue, it is no wonder drug agencies aren’t able to keep up with demand. The Center for Disease Control, CDC, reports 5.4 million children between four and 17 are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD ev-

ery year. That alone could cause mass shortages. “My mom and I both take Adderall,” freshman Gigi Falioni said. “When we received a new prescription, it took forever to find a pharmacy that had it in stock.” But to top it off, the Federal Drug Administration announced that a Canadian drug regulatory agency suspended all sale of Adderall XR. This was due to reports of sudden deaths of pediatric patients from use of the drug. Regardless of whether the shortage continues, the increase in the number of children prescribed every year makes keeping up with demand difficult. The FDA continues to say that distribution of Adderall is uneven and pharmacies continue to run out day to day. In the meantime, there is not much for patients to do but wait the shortage out.

(Photo from MCT Campus)

Meet the Candidates

Get to Know Some of the Republican Frontrunners in the 2012 Presidental Race

RNewt Gingrich R

Experience: Former House speaker, political consultant and author Pros: Seen as an “intellectual heavyweight.” Skilled grassroots organizer. Cons: Messy personal life. While Gingrich served on the legislative side he’s never had any background in the executive branch of government.

RMitt Romney R

Experience: Former governor of Massachusetts Pros: Strong name identifiction. Successful businessman. Cons: Many Conservatives have disagreed with the Massachusetts health care law enacted while he was governor. His religion (Mormonism) may be an impediment to many socially-conservative voters.

(All photos from MCT Campus. Information from: ABC News and BootNewt.com)

RMichele BachmannR Experience: United States Representative from Minnesota Pros: Strong Tea Party support. Cons: Often seen as polarizing figure. As a woman in a predominately male-dominated world, Bachmann has faced many challenges as did Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton in 2008.

news

Tigers Make

University of Missouri moves from the Big 12

BY SHANNON LAIRD

Universities, MU and A&M will join Florida and Vanderbilt to give the SEC four members of the prestigious association, according to Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, DeArmond. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, “I am a little saddened by the move,” Tex… no. Wait, not A&M, it’s West Virginia. English teacher and MU alumna Sally Frederick Texas, Texas Tech, Missouri. No, hang on…. said. “The University of Missouri will no longer Texas Christian. Confusing right? be Kansas City’s hometown team with KU and Let me help. K-State competing so much closer to home.” Division I football is divided into eleven With all this said, many fans carry hope conferences: the Big 12, the Big 10, the Big East, that the MU/KU Border Wars will continue at the Atlantic Coast Conference, Conference Arrowhead Stadium every year as a non-conUSA, the Mid-American Conference, ference competition. the Mountain West, the Pacific-12, the As quoted by DeArmond, University of Southeastern Conference, the Sun Belt and the Missouri Athletic Director Mike Alden wants Western Athletic Conference. to keep up the century old rivalry. Originally, colleges and universities were “We have indicated publicly, and have put into these conferences regionally. Today, communicated to Kansas numerous times that it’s a completely different story. The schools The University of Missouri against the University of Kansas on Nowe want to find a way to continue to play in that comprise each conference changes almost vember 3, 2008. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons) every sport,” MU Assistant Athletic Director, every year. And this year is no different as the According to Kansas City Star reporter Mike Chad Moller said. “Kansas has made public indicaUniversity of Missouri moves to the SEC. DeArmond, many critics of the move believe tions that they are no longer interested. We under “This move would be advantageous for Missouri is neither a competitive nor a cultural fit stand it’s an emotional topic, and we’re hopeful that Missouri,” counselor and MU alumna Nancy to the SEC. Despite this, he also said Missouri and they will change their stance eventually and help Stevens said, “academically as well as athletically.” fellow new member Texas A&M will drastically ensure that young generations of Tiger and Jayhawk Missouri will compete in the SEC East Division with Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Georgia, improve the SEC’s academic record. As two of the fans will grow up with the MU-KU rivalry, just as only 61 members of the American Association of their parents and grandparents did.” South Carolina and Florida.

Reporter

Tiger Stats

39%

of students are MU fans

47%

know next to nothing about MU’s move to the SEC

34%

do NOT approve of the move

sports

Sink or Swim

Le Journal Staffer Attempts to Join Swim Team BY EMILY DECOURSEY Multimedia Editor

The purple parka pack. It’s an exclusive group that saunters the halls. A group that spends more time swimming than an average student spends studying for a double-Mid test. They put more energy into their workouts than can be described with words; and for three days I entered their world. Sunday night. Fear was the only feeling pulsing through my body. How was I, the obnoxious child who barely passed the third level of swim lessons going to survive a crash course in athleticism? However, I was ready to brave the murky waters of the Red Bridge YMCA and tryout for the team. 4:13 Monday afternoon. Text to Editor-InChief Ali Swee, “I hate you.” She was the mastermind behind this “experiment” and was eagerly waiting by the phone for news. 4:30 arrives, as the team casually meanders onto the pool deck, the smell of chlorine invades my whole body. Time for introductions and stretches. In between toe touches and windmills, I learn that they are not called a “swim team.” They are known as Winkeler Aquatics and they are a family, complete with their own hand signs.

Finally, the moment I had been dreading. The plunge. By the time I came up for my first breath, the majority of the team was already at the wall. Lap after lap, 25 yard after 25 yard. “Just keep swimming” took an entirely new meaning. I struggled to pull one arm in front of the other, convinced the giant clock was not moving. I glanced over at the other lanes during one of my 300 breaks and was mesmerized by how effortlessly the others moved. 7:00 p.m. finally arrived as I crawled out of the pool, thankful that day one was in the books. I still wonder where the swimmers find the energy to do their homework after what seemed to be the most grueling two hours of my life. 4:23 a.m. I was jolted awake by the beautiful beeping of my alarm clock. The paper hadn’t even arrived yet. I debated if this was even legal to be up at this hour. When I stumbled into the Y, I felt beyond out of my league. But I was dying to know the experience of working every muscle in my body before the rest of Kansas City even opened their eyes. I struggled all through the practice. All the other swimmers transformed into fish darting through the ocean. They cut through the water like scissors through paper. I, on the other hand, was convinced the water was butter and this was a cruel joke. But at 7 a.m., I hit the wall, literally. I was done. I was no longer a member of the purple parka pack.

The Leap

Storm Spotlight:

to the Southeastern Conference

However, the comaraderie has not been returned. The University of Kansas chancellor, Bernadette Gray-Little implied that the Big 12 would be better without Missouri in a statement on Sunday, November 3. “I am worried that the MU/KU football game will not happen after this year,” senior and future MU student Sabrina Kowalik said. “It is always my favorite game.” The situation doesn’t look to help Kansas City out either. With the possible loss of both the Border Wars at Arrowhead and the Sprint Center, the city will lose a lot of revenue. According to MU alumna Michelle Schlitzer, losing the games will seriously hurt Kansas City’s economy. “Keeping Big 12 competition in or near Kansas City makes sense — for you, your fans and the state of Missouri,” Kansas City Mayor Sylvester James said in an open letter to Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton. “The Big 12 Basketball Championships at Sprint Center and Municipal Auditorium are prime examples. The Championship is an important economic engine for our region, generating more than $14 million a year, and scheduled to remain in this state through 2014. It is imperative that money should remain in the Show-Me State.”

Future Missouri students, Laura Hense, Jane McCormack and Kowalik all support Mizzou’s decision and still look forward to going there next year. Kowalik believes the SEC will offer better competition for Mizzou. Hense’s family loves that Mizzou will play more southern schools with more athletic and academic challenge. “There are advantages and disadvantages in Mizzou leaving the Big 12,” McCormack said. “The SEC is a more secure conference than the Big 12 and Mizzou will receive more money and TV time. However, Mizzou is losing some traditions and the games won’t be as close to home for the fans to travel to.” Nothing in college sports, especially football, is ever what it appears. Just like in professional sports. There are ulterior motives and agendas to every decision and weeks of thought put into every finalized contract. Missouri’s move is no different, along with Texas A&M, West Virginia, TCU, Nebraska and Colorado. So while you sit and watch the collegiate battles this coming Saturday, remember that these are not simply team versus team or school versus school, but revenue versus revenue. “It’s the politics of it that is disheartening,” Frederick said. “This isn’t what college sports is supposed to be about.”

(Photo by Meg Cowan)

Jessica Diaz What’s your favorite memory on the team?

A Fresh Start

Basketball Team Anticipates Season with Freshman BY MEG COWAN

The intimidation really stepped up a notch for the freshman who advanced onto the JV and varsity Girls of all grades lace up their purple and tryouts. One of the freshman who moved on said it white Air Jordans and hit the courts. Fans enter the was much more intimidating and harder than the gym to feel the thick warm air and hear the exag- freshman tryouts. gerated shrieks of victory from the student section. “I was really intimidated at first, but the upperclassmen were always encouraging whenever It’s basketball season. I missed a shot” Anna Romano, Fans know all the typical players that storm the “Basketball ...it’s about freshman, said. court every game: Grace having fun and loving When it comes to advice from the upperclassmen, they all Keane, Jessica Diaz, Rachel the game.” seemed to say the same thing. Fenimore. But what about the players we don’t know? -junior Grace Keane “I want to tell them to relax and have fun. Basketball isn’t about What about the players of what team you make or what your coach thinks the future? This year, eighteen freshman attended tryouts. about you, it’s about having fun and loving the Aside from the freshman team, six freshman were game. So, overall, I want to tell them to love the game.” Grace Keane, junior, said. called back to continue tryouts for JV and varsity. Coach Pitts runs tryouts just like practice. Even the coach, Jared Pitts, wants the old and Everyday they work on drills, such as defensive new players alike to enjoy the game, and fight for a shuffling, passing and working on lay-ups. The successful season. team also runs, conditions, and scrimmages. The “We always want the girls to work hard, to perscrimmaging is a mix of every grade, which can be fect what we are teaching them, and most importantly to have an enjoyable experience” Pitts said. intimidating for underclassmen. “Scrimmaging was a little scary because it was Every year, around this time, faculty and stubetween all age groups,” Maddie Kroll, freshman, dents alike file into the roaring gym. The scream said. “I thought the upperclassmen were sweet, but team belts out encouraging chants to all the girls at the same time, all of them are good at basketball, who put aside the stress of school, and live for the game. so obviously I was a little intimidated.”

Reporter

Who is your basketball idol?

Describe your team in three words...

“When we beat St. Joseph’s Academy, that game was awesome because they are nationally ranked.”

“Skylar Diggins, she plays for Notre Dame. I think she’s a good and young player that was a leader on her team last year.”

“Amazing, hardworking and talented.”

“Work hard at practice because we What advice do have one goal and you have to give to all the underclass- that is to go to State. men on the team? We are a great team and as long as we work hard we know we can do it!”

sports

Taking Care of Business Stories and Layouts by Emma Eveld and Delaney Bates

nlocking the doors. Patroling the streets. Holding open the front door on those cold days. Unjamming lockers. Salting the snow blanketed walkways. Heating and cooling. Setting up stages. Preserving our fields. Fixing doors, fans, and windows. Solving mini disasters everyday. Taking care of business. Andy Sheer, Luis Marin, Chris Spiwak, and Lance Younce look forward to coming to Sion everyday. Many chirp a "hello" to them in the hallway, ask them to help you with a jammed locker, or just chat with them about their day. They fix problems everyday that if unfixed, could be possibly detrimental, either in a big or small way. These men, along with Dee Cooks, are the backbone of our whole school, the foundation that keeps us sane and happy. The answer to those impossible problems that could ruin a perfectly good day. The guys who are always smiling, lending a helping hand.

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Dee's Corner

“I like working with all of the guys. I’ve been here for four years and I really like working here,” said Demetra Cooks, also known as Dee. Cooks describes herself as shy but is known for being sweet to everyone. She’s the only woman on the maintenance staff and here’s what she thinks of the guys.

Andy The man in charge. The leader. His name is Andy Sheer, and he calls the shots. Sheer has been a part of the Sion family for 11 years, and he knows how everything works. “In the morning at the start of the day, I radio to Andy to see what I’m supposed to be doing. He’s in charge,” Lance Younce, a member of the maintenance staff, said. Not only does Sheer take charge at Notre Dame de Sion High School, he also takes care of business at Lower Sion, on the Locust campus. Sheer constantly hops from school to school, fixing problems of all sizes. “Here at the high school it is more demanding,” Sheer said. “You don’t have all the drama over there [Lower Sion].” At Lower Sion, Sheer mostly directs others for solving problems, but he will save the day if any serious situation arises. Sheer has a daughter at Lower Sion which makes working in both places enjoyable.

Chris From chasing vicious geese to jamming out to rock music, Chris Spiwak does it all. He loves being able to help maintain the school and enjoys making the students and faculty happy. “There’s no such thing as a normal day. It’s crazy and exciting, but that’s all part of the fun,” Spiwak, one of Sion’s four maintenance men, said. When Andy Sheer talked to Spiwak three years ago about a job at Sion, he had never heard of the school before. He grew up in the small town of Kingsville, Mo., where he lived until he acquired his job at Sion. Even though he has only been at Sion for three years, he feels close to everyone around him. Sami Ruiz, sophomore, is grateful for the help Spiwak gave her when she was hurt last year and had get around school on a scooter. “Chris even helped me get back on my scooter after I fell off it and into a huge mud puddle,” Ruiz said.

Sheer has the utmost respect for the girls at school and also loves his job, fully immersing himself in the culture. “Working with you girls is the best of both worlds,” Sheer said. “I’ve gotten so used to it here. I treat the students as my daughters.” Sheer does more than just run our school. Some like to call him “superman.” During the week Andy runs between the high school and Lower Sion. He takes calls, directs, sets up for assemblies, college representatives, gatherings, open houses and speakers.

Sheer is involved with the schools on many different levels but he has fun doing unexpected tasks. “I’m so involved in the school,” Sheer said. “I announce sports games. I’m security for dances. I’m always here.” Sheer gets up in the morning and comes to his ‘second home’. The work isn’t just work. He feels as though it’s a hobby and doesn’t think he’d enjoy another job like he does this one. “I like going to work. I wake up and think I wanna go to work,” Sheer said. “I love this place.”

Dee's Corner: “Andy’s the best boss there is.”

Photo from Andy Sheer

“The worst thing I’ve ever had to do at Sion was when I got a last minute call on Christmas Eve,” Sheer said. “The water main broke.” Sheer is dedicated to Sion, and it’s like his second home. On weekends, Sheer spends time at home with his family, playing golf and watching football. “Most of the time, I’m here,” Sheer said. Spiwak loves how everyone is like family at Sion. “Everyone is so nice and says ‘hi’ to each other in the hallways,” Spiwak said. Away from his family at Sion, Spiwak comes home to a family of his own with four children ages 10, 9, 5 and 2. On the weekends he enjoys hanging out with his kids.

(Photo by Emma Eveld)

Even though he loves helping girls everyday, sometimes it can be a little challenging. “Unclogging the toilets is by far the grossest thing I’ve ever had to do here,” Spiwak said, laughing. These gross tasks are worth it though. Spiwak loves Sion’s comfortable atmosphere and likes cracking a joke every once in a while. “Just in case you haven’t noticed, I have a crazy, messed up sense of humor,” Spiwak said.

Dee's Corner: “I work with Chris the most. We’re always together doing the same jobs.”

Photo from Chris Spiwak

Apart from the love of his job, Spiwak enjoys composing rock music. When he has time, he likes to mess around with his home studio equipment and come up with some catchy beats. When he was younger, he was in a Christian rock band called “Empty Tomb”. He sang and played drums.

(Photo by Emma Eveld)

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Lance Dee's Corner: “Lance is good to work with. When we had to do the ‘YMCA’ on stage he said, ‘Dee, you can do it!’ to me.”

Dee's Corner: “Luis has been here for so long. He always knows where things are!”

You can see him smiling, zipping by on a John Deere four-wheeler. Lance Younce is the newest member of the maintenance crew at Sion, but don’t be quick to judge, because he knows what he is doing. If you ever need a locker to be opened, a door to be fixed, something heavy to be lifted, he is your man. Younce is a man of the outdoors. Around Sion, he does most of the landscaping, mowing, and many other outdoor tasks. Younce especially loves working the scoreboard for the softball games in the spring. Younce has some indoor tasks, too. “Lance has always helped me and has gotten on a few of the freshman for not cleaning the tables well enough after lunch,” Natalie Caruso, freshman, said. Younce has had to do his share of gross tasks at Sion, but there was one he called, “really embarrassing.” “Dancing to the YMCA was pretty embarrassing, but, I definitely want someone who videotaped it to give me a copy of it,” he said with a grin. Although Lance is the newbie, he knows exactly how most things work around Sion. When he doesn’t, he goes to his boss: Andy Sheer.

Luis The comfort of always having a place to call home brings Luis Marin back to work every morning. While working in an environment without his native tongue, Marin takes care of business by keeping our school operating as well as keeping our stress from dangerously high levels. From opening the front doors on snowy, chilled mornings, to squeezing into the depths of the school’s crawl space, Marin has done it all. Marin has been a maintenance staff member since 2002, so he knows the routine. “Too early” is not a term that Marin says too often. He is the first person to school every morning. Marin opens all of the doors, turns on the lights, and checks each and every hallway and the many classrooms. Marin makes sure everything is operating correctly for the day to begin. “Everyday is normal for me,” Marin said. Setbacks such as a jammed locker, spilled coffee or a broken fan are ordinary for Marin. “It’s not hard to work here,” Marin said. “I like the environment and people I work with.” Marin wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.

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Younce doesn’t mind the all-girls environment. To him, it’s different and entertaining because he went to a co-ed high school. Sometimes it can get a little awkward, though.

(Photo from Lance Younce)

“It’s (the all-girls atmosphere) fine for me, maybe too comfortable for you girls,” he said, laughing. When not tending to Sion’s everyday needs, Younce loves to play softball. In the summer, he plays softball in a men’s league every weekend. He also enjoys spending time with his family, which includes a 9-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter. Before coming to Sion, Younce worked for a construction company for eight years. Whether it’s dancing to the YMCA or mowing the many feet of grass on Sion’s campus, Younce is a reliable worker who get tasks accomplished. “I see what I need to do, and I do it,” Younce said. He feels happy because he wants to retire here alongside his 400 “daughters”. He loves that he feels comfortable with the students. Originally from Quito, Ecuador, Marin still has family back home, including several grand children that he loves to visit when he can. But he wouldn’t change a thing. “I like it 100 percent,” Marin said through his translator Maggie Adler, Spanish teacher. “We occasionally talk, but we always speak in Spanish,” Adler said. “He is very helpful.” Tony Brown, a former facilities manager at Sion, hired Marin. Ten years later, Marin is thankful about his decision to work here. “The whole maintenance staff is fabulous, they go above and beyond,” Adler said. “They do a lot to make our lives easier here.”

(Photo from Luis Marin)

the man in charge

Andy Sheer Family: Daughter at the Sion Grade School and two sons Hobbies: Golfing, watching football, “Work is my hobby.”

the rookie

Lance Younce Family: A son and a daughter Hobbies: Playing softball, men’s league

Car: Jeep

Car: Blue GMC Pickup

Weekend: Spending time with family, going back home to Illinois, spending time at Sion

Weekend: Softball tournaments in the summer, hanging with his kids, yardwork, fishing, lake

High School: Rock Island High School, Rock Island, Ill.

High School: Kingsville High School, Kingsville, Mo.

things you didn’t know about

YOUR MAINTENANCE MEN

A quick profile of the men who keep everything together

the comedian

Chris Spiwak Family: Four children, ages 10, 9, 5, and 2 Hobbies: Playing the drums, used to sing in a band Car: ‘99 Buic LeSabre “I dig the hail damage” Weekend: Watching football, hanging with his kids, composing music High School: Holden High School, Holden, Mo.

the veteran

Luis Marin Family: 4 children, 6 grandchildren Hobbies: riding bikes, running, watching TV in the winter Car: Mazda Weekend: Spending time with his family High School: Colegio, MejiaQuito, Ecuador

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What’s Happening in

KansasCity? The Christmas Carol at KC Rep 11/19-12/26 Longview’s Christmas in the Park 11/24-12/31 Plaza Christmas Lighting 11/24-12/31 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 11/25 The Nutcracker at the Kauffman Center 12/3-12/24 Father’s Club Night at Chipotle on State Line 12/5

Now Playing: Twilight Breaking Dawn

Emotional, Exciting, Provocative, Breaking Dawn Has it All

Finally, the moment has arrived for the premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 1 of the Twilight series. I settle into BY TAYLOR ESCHER my seat surrounded Managing Editor by a bunch of other Twilight fanatics all decked out in their Team Edward and Team Jacob gear. The movie turned out to be much better than I anticipated. It was emotional and intense but it was somewhat awkward. A heads up: Don’t take the kids you babysit to see this movie. In this portion of the Twilight saga, Bella, played by Kristen Stewart and Edward, played by Robert Pattinson, tie the knot. The wedding scene is beautiful. It’s set in the woods right outside of the Cullen mansion. Elaborately carved wooden benches and rose petals are the only furnishings in the unexpected forest scene. Plus, you can’t help and smile at the ungraceful but cute relationship between Bella and her dad as he holds her up while she wobbles down the aisle. For all of you Jacob/Taylor Lautner fans, you get a peek of him

right away and he returns for the post- vampires and werewolves. wedding ceremony. Cue the drama. Oh, let’s discuss the werewolves Then, the new Mr. and Mrs. for a minute. The graphics were great Cullen head off on their honeymoon most of the time, but one scene was and things get steamy. Really steamy. ridiculous. The whole pack meets up The audience got the point after 10 to discuss the baby issue and they are minutes of this, but it kept going and talking as wolves. Talking wolves? going. Once the steaminess is fin- This is the part where the director, Bill ished, the real drama begins. Condon, lost me. Bella gets a little surprise and is All in all, this movie was excitrushed home as her body is engulfed ing. It was provocative, emotional and by this half-vampire, half-human fe- intense. Sometimes I felt uncomforttus. For a romantic movie, it gets pret- able or wanted to roll my eyes, but in ty dark. Her body becomes so skinny general it was an improvement upon you can see every bone. The gore es- the previous movies. Now, I won’t tell calates as Bella gets closer and closer you where it ends. It wasn’t where I to her delivery. When the moment thought it would be, but I will say, stay is at hand, you actually see Bella’s after the movie is over. It’s not over. bones breaking and Edward cutting her stomach open and stabbing needles into her flesh. A little too up close and personal for me. The somewhat violent nature of the film juxtaposed with the snappy dialogue made the plot somewhat disjointed. There was the usual Jacob/Edward Bella Swan, Kristen Stewart, and Edward Cullen, Robert Patdrama and the tinson, share a sweet moment before they embark on their honfight between eymoon to Esme Island. (Photo from Summit Entertainment)

Food for Thought

Perishable Potatoes Push Juniors to Top

Mother/ Grandmother Mass 12/8

Juniors Tons: 17

Seniors Tons: 11

Winter Finals 12/13-12/16

Student Council hosts the annual canned food drive competition to benefit the Redemptorist Food Pantry.

Sophomores Tons: 2

Christmas Break 12/20-1/2 Cirque du Soleil: Dralion Sprint Center 1/3

entertainment

Freshmen Tons: 1.5

During the Saturday performance of “Anything Goes”, Billy Crocker, played by Thomas Martin, serenades Hope Harcourt, played by Megan Heydon. The song was “All Through the Night.” (Photo by Elizabeth Gianino)

Total Tons: 31.5

(Drawing by Sarah Holland)

MyLifeIs Awkward... Awkward Phrase of the Day: December 25th

“I got a vest from my grandpa that was too big for me and it looked very familiar. Later that night I saw a picture of my grandma wearing that exact vest.” -Emma Allegri, sophomore “A few years ago my aunt crocheted my sisters and I woolen ponchos. She was REALLY proud of them and immediately told us to put them on so she could take a picture. The awkward part was that her dog had peed on them.” -Jennifer Campbell, librarian “The most awkward Christmas present I ever got was a shirt from my uncle that said, ‘I don’t have a boyfriend and I don’t care.’ That was awkward for obvious reasons.” -Olivia Enright, sophomore “A case of toilet paper! My dad was in the paper business and he thought I was living in my first apartment after college.” -Kay Walkup, Academic Dean

“I opened the iPod I had asked for and my parents broke it to me that I had accidentally opened my brothers gift...thanks Mom and Dad.”- Brydie O’Conner, junior

inal Exam Tips

On the Christmas Playlist

Set a schedule. Review a little each day. How much time for each class varies.

Students share their favorite Christmas Songs

Find a study habit that is most beneficial for you. Review and correct all tests: highlight all questions that you may have answered incorrectly. Ask teachers about the format of the test: you may study differently for multiple choice, short answer, and essays. Write down any information that might have been confusing, misunderstood, or ‘downright’ hard to remember, onto a notecard. Pretend it was a cheat sheet: what would you put on it? Take breaks when you study to get the body flowing. On the morning of the final, eat a healthy breakfast full of protein. Protein breaks down slower. Studies have also shown that peppermint and apples have also helped stimulate the brain. Trust what you know.

3 5

“All I want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey because it makes me think about what Christmas is really about.” -Nicole Mangiaracina, junior

“Mistletoe by Justin Bieber because it puts

me in the Christmas spirit.”-Molly McCarthy, freshman

“Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano is my favorite Christmas song because it is Spanish and makes me think of home.”-Señora Gomez, Spanish teacher

“Where Are You Christmas by Faith Hill because I love the movie The Grinch; I watch it every Christmas season.” -Maggie Keenan, sophomore

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

by Andy Williams because it reminds me of when my family would walk around Crown Center when I was younger, and it always puts me in the holiday spirit.”-Jenny Anwander, senior

(Information from the Sion counselors)

entertainment

iPhone 4S $400 Apple Store

Kindle Fire $199 Staples

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2 $13.99 Target

11 of

Christmas

9 Critter Hat $20 Macy’s

Povitica comes from the Slovenian word ‘poviti’, meaning ‘to wrap in’. There are many variations of the povitica recipe, but the most popular is a walnut poviticia. It’s an Eastern European dish. -About.com.

8 7

Philosophy Skin Care $10-32 Beauty Brands

6 Sleeveless Printed Faux Fur $47.99 Macy’s

Ingredients: 6 c. sifted flour ½ lb butter 6 egg yolks ½ cups sugar 2 packages dry yeast, softened in ½ c lukewarm water 2 cups scalded milk, cooled to lukewarm Work butter into flour. Make a well in the flour, adding rest of ingredients, yeast last. Add more flour if necessary and knead. Let rise until double. Prepare filling.

Filling: 1 stick butter 1 cup milk 2 lbs. ground walnuts 3 cups sugar 3 egg whites, beaten stiff 1 teaspoon salt

Directions: Heat butter over low heat, then add the milk. Heat together then add sugar, stirring constantly. Add walnuts, and mix well. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Remove from heat. Roll dough as thinly as possible, then stretch with hand to make thinner. Spread filling over stretched dough. Roll dough into round shape. Place in well greased pan and let rise until double. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour or until crust is golden brown. Makes one very large or two medium size Poviticas.

entertainment

Ugg Australian Women’s Bailey Button Triplet $200 Von Maur

Povitica A Holiday Recipe

Steve Jobs (Hard Cover) $17.88 Barnes and Noble

Gifts

10 Flower Rings $9.97-14.97 Charming Charlie

Just Dance 3 $39.99 Target

Macbook Air $999 Apple Store

Women’s Bahahma Sperrys $75 Sperry Top-Sider

D The Heart of Sion

Dee Cooks Exemplifies Compassion Through Her Smile and Kind Words BY SARAH HOLLAND

Reporter

t’s a Monday afternoon at 12:30. Demetra Cooks, better known to the school as Dee, finds a moment to get away from her duties. The si-

lence in the cafeteria is soothing after the loud chatter of girls at lunch. Cooks is one of Sion’s favorite ladies. Known for her constant smile, friendly “hello”and wave, Dee just has a big heart. “She’s awesome. She always asks me how my day is. She’s like our family,” senior Angela Accurso said. But Cooks had a scary day last spring. After experiencing chest pains

(Photo by Sarah Holland)

she was whisked away by ambulance to St. Joseph Medical Center. Doctors checked to see if her arteries were clogged. She said that she is okay now, but just has a bad heart. “It doesn’t help that I hyperventilate a lot,” she said. Medically, Cook may think her heart isn’t the best, but students and faculty say she has the biggest and kindest heart.

“I love Dee! She is so nice,” sophomore Maggie Keenan said. “She always says ‘hi’ to me.” Growing up in Kansas City, Cooks attended Southeast High School. She raised her family in town, too. And a smile forms upon her face when mentioning her three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. “My kids and grandkids are my family. Then I come to Sion and have my larger family,” she said. “Andy, Chris, Lance, Luis and all the girls in the school are my unbiological family.” Cooks worked maintenance with a night crew until the school’s Facilities Manager Andy Sheer hired her to work at Sion in 2007. And Sion faculty enjoys her as much as the girls. “She’s always extremely helpful and willing to do anything,” science teacher Kathleen Teel said. “She works so hard, even on Sundays because of the Chinese School. She’s always smiling. Last year, the freshmen all chipped in to buy her a gift card when she was sick. She was so thankful.” She said that her favorite aspect of working at Sion are the girls. “I love the all-girls aspect. The girls are fun to be around and talk with,” Cooks said. “They always talk to me, are nice, and well-mannered.” Girls feel similarly about Cooks. At the mention of her, their faces light up and they have nothing but good things to say. Common words to describe her are kind, helpful, positive, friendly, and part of the Sion family. Everyday Cooks comes to her “home away from home” accompanied with a smile. She has a heart for Sion. And she is the heart of Sion. ¶

features

On Pointe with the Professionals Freshman Laura Mann Performs in the Nutcracker at the New Kauffman Center BY ALI SWEE

And this holiday season, Mann will dance beside these professionals. Earning the role as a flower and snowflake in the “Corps de Ballet” means that Mann will perform parallel to profes he dark of night has blanketed the sky as the sional company members and select dancers out clock’s small hand nears the looming number sevof the ballet school. en. The audience waits with anticipation. Dancers “Last year, I was an understudy [for the Corps nervously pace in the wings. The music thunders de Ballet], but this year I am one of the five actual from the orchestra pit. The stage is set. people with parts,” Mann said. It’s December 3rd. The opening night of the The upper level roles for the Nutcracker are Kansas City Ballet’s annual performance of The decided by the ballet Master and Mistress, who Nutcracker. Also, it happens to be the night of base their decisions on observations of the variWinter Formal. ous classes at the ballet school. But as freshman Laura Mann knows, dancing “When I was younger, has its sacrifices. the tryouts were more “Ballet really does take intense. There was a a lot of time and devotion. rehearsal for each sepaIf I wasn’t fully devoted, I rate part,” Mann said. probably would not have “It was really intimimade it this far,” Mann dating, especially when said. they were taking notes.” Growing up as the only Despite the numergirl in a family of three ous times Mann graced boys, Mann entered the the stage in the classic world of ballet at age holiday performance, three. she’s never actually per “By the time I came formed as the role of around, I was destined to Clara. be a girly-girl,” Mann said. “I was always told I Born in Minnesota, was too tall to be Clara,” Mann has since moved Mann said. “But my four times. During each move, ballet remained a Freshman Laura Mann performs “Electric Red”, choreo- height actually helps constant within Mann’s graphed by Marcus Otis for the Kansas City Youth Ballet. for the [roles of] flower and snow because you (Photo by Brett Pruitt) life. blend in with the company members.” “[Dancing] has helped me adjust through the Becoming a part of the company for 20 permoves,” Mann said. formances requires long, grueling practices While living in Illinois, Mann performed with for the Nutcracker in addition to the normal the Judith Svalander School of Ballet. Although commitment. smaller than Mann’s current ballet school, The “It really depends from day to day. But I reKansas City Youth Ballet, always put on a perforhearse everyday, seven days a week, for three mance of the Nutcracker. hours,” Mann said. “Pretty much any other free “At my ballet school in Illinois, we used our own time is spent sleeping and studying.” dancers as company members in the show, while The 40 minute commute from Mann’s home in here [in Kansas City], we use professionals,” Mann Loch Lloyd to the ballet studio downtown highsaid.

Editor-in-Chief

In arabesque, Laura Mann performs the Swan Lake pas de trois at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity this fall. (Photo by Renee Andriani)

lights her family’s dedication to her sport. “My family sees it [ballet] as something good that teaches you discipline,” Mann said. Looking to the future, Mann “isn’t really sure” whether she wants to pursue dancing as a career. “My mom always says it has to be an opportunity where they’re knocking on my door,” Mann said, with a smile. “But for now, I’ll see where it takes me.” The applause roars through the densely packed theatre. The lights dim as Mann packs up her long white, glittery tutu and pointe shoes. Outside, the sky glimmers. The stars sparkle against the black backdrop of the night, shimmering like Mann’s snow white tutu. And it’s a perfect ending to a fairytale night.¶

Mann’s Nutcracker History 2005 Soldier

2006 Caroler

First Show - December

features

2007 Mouse and a Chinese Dancer

2008 Party Scene Boy

2009 Mirliton

2010 Flower and Snow Understudy

2011 Flower and Snow Corps Member

Last Show - December Performances this year

Seeing Double

Twin Sisters Share More Than Their Looks BY VICTORIA KENNER

while Lauren’s style is simpler. Though the two are identical, they have small facial differences that help Whether they were traveling the world or solvidentify them. Ariel has a rounder face ing mysteries, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made young girls everywhere want to have a permanent and her nose is shorter and squares off twin best friend. Ever since, many girls wonder lower than Lauren’s. To help others out, what it’s like to actually be a twin. Juniors Lauren Lauren got her left cartilage pierced, and and Ariel O’Bannon and seniors Candra and Cassie Ariel got her right pierced. Cosentino have been blessed with a side kick since They may have different styles, facial differences, and piercings but even birth. their family can’t always tell them apart. “It’s like having a sleepover with one of your “Once our dad was talking to Ariel Lauren and Ariel said people mix them up a lot, and sometimes even best friends every night of the week,” Ariel said. by close friends and family. (Photo by Delaney Bates) Both the O’Bannon sisters agree they could not for 30 minutes straight and he thought it was me the entire time. When he found imagine life without the other. They can stay up for since we are the same size we can wear each other’s out it was Ariel, his face was priceless,” Lauren said. hours and talk which “never gets old,” said Lauren. clothes, but it gets annoying answering the same They may look alike, but the two express them- Similar to Lauren and Ariel, Candra and questions over and over. Like ‘Are you twins?’ or selves and let their different personalities shine Cassie also have slightly different facial and body ‘Who is older’,” Cassie said. through their clothing. Ariel’s style is more Boho, distinctions. “Cassie’s face is more long, oval, and skinny where Both sets of twins grew up wearing matching mine is round.Cassie’s clothes, sharing birthdays and getting the same toys skin tone is also slight- in different colors. Other than sharing a birthday, ly darker than mine, they grew up like any other sibling even though they and I am about half an were twins. inch taller than her,” According to keepkidshealthy.com, 3 percent of pregnancies will result in twins, with a 0.4 percent Candra said. Candra and Cassie chance of being identical twins. The O’Bannon and like being twins, but to Cosentino twins both agree the pros of being a twin a certain extent. They outweigh the cons. both said it has its ups “There’s just something weird about someone and downs. walking around with the exact same face as you,” Candra and Cassie agree that there are many perks to being twins, but say the typical “It’s cool Lauren said. “But I wouldn’t change it for the world.” questions twins get asked have become annoying. (Photo by Meg Cowan)

Reporter

HANNAKUH

Holiday Traditions CHRISTMAS

KWANZAA

December 20 - December 28

December 25

December 26 - January 1

✴ AKA “Feast of Lights” Feast of Dedication” or “Feast of the Maccabees”. ✴ Jewish holiday.

✴ Christians celebrate this day as the birth of Jesus.

✴ A candle on a Menorah is lit each night of the eight days of Hannakuh. ✴ “We light a candle each night of Hannakuh and gather with the family.” - Junior Alexis Wolfe

✴ Holly represents crown of thorns. ✴ The image of Santa Clause was developed by a German cartoonist in 1863. ✴ “Every Christmas we go to my Aunt Tinas and make spaghetti.” -Junior Andrea Santa Maria

✴ The word Kwanzaa comes from the African language Swahili. ✴Each of the seven days are represented by different African principles of unity, selfdetermination, cooperation, support of one another, purpose, creativity and faith in leaders and the community. ✴ Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga features

#thatawkward

Christmas Card It’s inevitable: every year, hundreds of Christmas cards are sent out to family, friends, even those second-cousins in Florida who you haven’t spoken to in five years. Matching Rudolph sweaters, fake snow and screaming children upon Santa’s lap often grace these joyous holiday momentos. Admit it: we’ve all had that one beyond mortifying card, forever eternalizing our awkward stage. And if you’re one of the lucky few who haven’t been blessed with the festive red and green braces or the bright red turtleneck, consider yourself lucky and enjoy this walk down memory-lane.

Broghan McEnerney, senior

Ellie Fritts, junior

Caitlin Allen, senior

Riley Clause, senior last look