The Miegian Newspaper: March 2022

THE MIEGIAN

Vol. 65, Issue 3 | March 2022 Bishop Miege High School Roeland Park, KS 66205

INSIDE Page 8

Three junior boys formed a band to express themselves.

Page 14

Read about how students face the struggles of burnout throughout the school year.

Page 26

Girls have a new spring sport option with the addition of the lacrosse team.

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content overview

HANDS UP Cheering on the Bohaty herd, sophomore Dory Latenser stands out from her herd members. Bohaty girls went on to place second and Bohaty boys placed fourth in knockout. “It was a really fun moment and someone got a good basket,” Latenser said. “I was going crazy.” | NATALIE MARTINEZ

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS

04 News Briefs 05 New Classes

Learn about the classes making an introduction next year.

FEATURE

06 Winter Play 07 Robotics 08 Student Band

Take a look at a group of junior students and their passion for music.

10 Alumni Teachers 12 Cryptocurrency 14 Academic Blues

OPINION

18 Microtrends 19 Seasonal Depression

PHOTOS

20 Perspectives

FAITH 22 Faith Trips

ATHLETICS

24 Sports Briefs 25 Boys Swim 26 Lacrosse COVER PHOTO DESIGN | EMMA LAZARCZYK & MARYKATHRYN WERT

letter

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STAFF MEMBERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Isabel Copeland

PHOTO EDITOR Emma Lazarczyk

DESIGN EDITOR

Mary-Kathryn Wert

COPY EDITOR Ava Belchez

FEATURES EDITOR Alena Gillespie

STAFF WRITERS Colin Batliner A’myrah Cheadle Delaney Johnson Maria Nguyen Natalie Martinez Kate Moores Julian Gallegos Caleb Oblepias Kellan O’Connell

DEAR READERS,

The Miegian and Bishop Miege Press are published by the newspaper staff of Bishop Miege High School. They are a 2020 All-Kansas award winning student-produced newspaper. The editorial board decides the content of each issue. Opinions expressed are the views of the writer and are signed. The Miegian welcomes material (letters, guest columns, feedback) from faculty, administrators, students, parents and community members.

This material will be reviewed by the editorial board and published based on the publication’s letters policy criteria. Materials can be dropped off in the journalism room, emailed to newspaper@bishopmiege.com or mailed to the newspaper in care of Bishop Miege High School. All letters and columns must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for length, language or potential libel, and to refuse any articles or advertising submitted. All opinion pieces submitted should contain an address/email address and a phone number where the writer can be contacted because the staff will confirm all letters.

Want to stay updated on all the latest Miegian news?

Follow us on twitter, instagram, and our website.

Instagram: @bishopmiegepress Twitter: @b_miege_press

Web: bmpress.org

5041 Reinhardt Drive, Roeland Park, KS

I am pleased to present to you the third issue of the Miegian. Since the beginning of the second semester, our staff has been working hard to make sure this issue covers a variety of different topics and interests that make our school a special place. As in every issue, our goal is for there to be something that connects to each reader.

Over the past two months, staff members have put in multiple hours outside of class to make this issue the absolute best. While working on these stories, the staff has also been competing in writing and visual contests for the Kansas Scholastic Press Association’s regional contest.

I am very proud of each person for balancing the task of completing each assignment and putting forth their best effort to showcase Miege.

I would like to thank the photographers for making time to attend our school’s events and sports competitions during school, after school and on the weekend. I thank the design team for creating graphics to enhance multiple spreads.

Finally, I would like to thank each writer for the interviews and edits that they made to make their story the best.

In this issue, you will learn about some of the current faculty members that attended high school here, the ways students have experienced burnout and the return of faith trips. I hope you enjoy it.

ALENA GILLESPIE FEATURES EDITOR

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news

NEWS BRIEFS

LOCAL

LOCAL

STAR TEACHER

Engineering department chair J.C. Clark was presented the KAIRS teacher of the year award on Jan. 27. Also during the assembly, choir director Robin Christie received KMEA’s teacher of the year award, and the administration started the St. Angela Merici awards, which seven teachers received.

PHOTO | A’MYRAH CHEADLE

STATE

For the remainder of the school year, learn-at-home days will take place with inclement weather.

Students will attend 45-minute classes via Zoom or Google Meet.

PHOTO | MARY-KATHRYN WERT

NATIONAL

IN DESPERATE TIMES

EVOLUTION OF TESTING

Due to a sub shortage, the Kansas State Board of Education adjusted the requirements to gain a substitute teaching license on Jan.12. Subs must be 18, but they no longer need 60 college credit hours.

PHOTO | NATALIE MARTINEZ

The SAT will go fully digital in the U.S. by 2024. In testing centers, students will be able to take the test on their tablets or laptops. In other countries, the change will happen in 2023.

PHOTO | NATALIE MARTINEZ

UPCOMING EVENTS

ATHLETICS March 22

BASEBALL

ACADEMICS March 11

SPRING BREAK

Varsity baseball has an away game vs.

St. Thomas Aquinas at 4:30 p.m.

Spring break begins and lasts until March 21.

SOCCER

SERVICE DAY

March 24

Varsity girls soccer has a home game vs.

Blue Valley Northwest at 6:30 p.m.

March 28

All herds will participate in serving their community.

FORENSICS

The forensics team will have a home competition on April 1.

| EMMA LAZARCZYK

FACETS

The deadline to submit art to facets is on Mar. 10.

Students are able to submit at facets@ bishopmiege.com

April 1

March 29

Varsity track has the Leavenworth Invitational.

There will be a special schedule for the MARTINEZ students while the juniors are testing.

TRACK

SNOW DAY

ACT

| NATALIE

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DESIGN | NATALIE MARTINEZ

New classes allow students to further interests NATALIE MARTINEZ

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STAFF WRITER

tudents will have the opportunity to take eight new courses next year.

Principles of Biomedical Science

According to science teacher Mary Beth Summers, she had to wait to introduce Principles of Biomedical Science due to it being project-based. This class will be a new course for the Project Lead the Way track.

“I actually knew about this class when I first started here at Miege and I was really interested in getting it started here, but of course it takes some time to talk to all the right people and we had to talk about funding because it costs quite a bit of money just for supplies and materials because it’s way more hands-on,” Summers said.

Personal Finance

Personal Finance will teach students skills to achieve financial success.

“Personal Finance is kind of preparing students for the adult world, everything from banking to bill paying to budgeting to investing,” computer science teacher Lori Dowd said. “I really thought Personal Finance would be a great addition to the curriculum.”

Personal Law

Along with Personal Finance, Dowd will be teaching Personal Law. The class is designed to teach students about the legal system.

“I’ve been interested in forensics and forensics science,” freshman Taylor Cooper Balandron said. “I’ve been debating being a lawyer, and we haven’t been taught law at school.”

Social Media Marketing

Theater director Elizabeth Nelson initially proposed Social Media Marketing in 2019. According to Nelson, the class was pushed back due to COVID-19.

“I think the class will be fun and I like trying new things,” sophomore Diego Mejia said. “I’m a person who likes interesting things, and I’m on social media a lot.”

AP Physics

After hearing requests from students, AP Physics will be offered to seniors.

Engineering teacher Matt Peterie, who is new this year, said his certification to teach the class is what made it happen.

“I’ve taught AP Physics for about 10 years and college physics previously,” Peterie said. “When I came here to Miege, people mentioned interest in being able to get AP credit for an advanced physics class.”

Editorial Leadership

Offered to those in publications, editorial leadership will deepen the students understanding of being an editor.

“Because students on publications work so hard we wanted to give an opportunity for editors to receive honors credit, especially because they’re doing so many hours on nights and weekends,” fine arts teacher Sarah McCambridge said.

Honors French Literature

Offered as an independent study for one student this year, Honors French Literature has now expanded to become a course in the catalog, focusing on the vocabulary of the 17th, 18th or 19th century. According to French teacher Leigh-Ann Haggerty, a new class had to be added for underclassmen in French II to take French all four years.

Zero-hour Athletic Strength Training

While the other classes will be offered during school, Athletic Strength Training will be offered in the mornings as a zero hour. Physical education teacher John Darrow said he wanted something for the students who couldn’t take it during their regular schedule.

IN MOTION Rotational classes make a return Honors Civil Engineering and Architecture

In rotation with Aerospace Engineering, Honors Civil Engineering and Architecture is another step in the PLTW track.

Honors Engineering Design and Development

Also in rotation, Honors Engineering Design and Development will be the third class of PLTW next year. The first rotation the class had was three years ago.

“It’s meant to be the capstone class of the engineering line of classes,” PLTW teacher Scott Anderson said.

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PLAYING THEIR OWN WAY

Theater program fosters creative team experience She eloquently delivers her lines as the audience watches her full of emotion.

STAFF WRITER Both of these students are in the limelight of their own production. Hours he sound of a dribbling basketball of practice went into this moment, and echoes through a packed gym, the they play their parts perfectly. Players on crowd silent, yet filling the space with anticipation. A 3-pointer hangs in the the bench and actors behind the curtains support them all the way. balance of a star basketball player — all However, the winter play offered a eyes are on him. different kind of team bond.

In the middle of a dark stage, According to seniors Clare O’Brien and another Paul Ruf, the theater program nurtures student unique connections among students of is in the spotlight. any kind.

“You’re spending more time with people during rehearsals, and you end up connecting with new people in ways that may not be possible during a normal sports practice,” Ruf said, who played Matthew Cuthbert in the play, “Anne of Green Gables.” “It goes beyond having rehearsals every day; you have to work on characterization, memorizing lines and blocking with your crew.”

For the students in theater, each week is different.

Depending on their role and how close it is to the show, practice could go until 6 p.m. each day after school and some weekend days.

The students have to work closely with each other to ensure their characters are working together how they need to in order to create a solid production.

“Each show is so intricate; every individual plays an essential part in making it happen.” said STANDING OVATION In the lead role of O’Brien, who played Marilla Anne, freshman Tess Sollars took on her second Miege Cuthbert. According to those production after starring in “Mary Poppins” in the fall. As a involved in the play, every practice freshman, having the lead role could be intimidating, but Sollars was not worried about her ability to perform. “There is a mental exercise. was a lot of pressure to be good, but I was confident in In addition to having their lines what,I could do,” Sollars said. | NATALIE MARTINEZ memorized and blocking perfected,

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each cast member has to decide what emotions they need to put into a scene so they play their parts well.

“When a character is outside of your usual behavior and actions it can honestly get pretty draining,” O’Brien said. “I really have to dig deeper to place myself into a different mindset.”

“ Any student can join and play an important role.

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KATE MOORES

SENIOR CLARE O’BRIEN While a character may require certain feelings to be displayed, it is also necessary that they work well with others on the stage. According to Ruf, a new character takes personal experience to portray.

“To get my character down, I like to relate all of my lines to something in my life that I can connect to,” Ruf said. “This makes it easier to be one with my character and enhance the characterization.”

A production goes beyond those in the spotlight.

The theater program offers a wide array of opportunities to get involved in a meaningful way.

“We wouldn’t be able to do the show without the tech people — they are vital,” Ruf said. “There are many roles that need to be filled for Anne of Green Gables, which allows for so many students to get involved.”

The theater program serves as a host for a variety of creative expressions. From performers to painters, the tech-savvy to directors, students collaborate to bring a production to life.

“There is so much variety in who participates in the play,” O’Brien said. “Any student can join and play an important role.”

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ROBOTI C RESILIE NCE

LOCKED IN Disassembling last year’s robot, junior Rex Daugherty collects parts for the chassis of this year’s robot. The parts will be used by a robot competing in an event comprised of different challenges that include climbing and shooting balls. | CALEB OBLEPIAS

Team prepares design for upcoming tournament JULIAN GALLEGOS

he aggressive whirring of a power drill fills the robotics room during a dark afternoon senior Nicholas Randant prepares the team robot for a series of skill challenges in the competition.

Each season, the competition has varying parameters that determine the design concept and abilities of the robot.

This year’s competition consists of picking up balls and shooting them into baskets in order to gain points for the team.

“I am very excited to have our robot compete in the basketball game because so far it has been working great,” senior designer and fabricator, Nicholas Randant, said. “Even if the robot does not function as planned, it can still be used to block the opponents from shooting their baskets.”

After that round, the team robot has to climb a series of monkey bars, each bar getting progressively harder. These parameters have led the team to create their main design of this year’s robot including a ball grabber, ball shooter and a climbing

“ The robot will be able to pull itself up on the bars and drain baskets.

SENIOR NICHOLAS RANDANT

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STAFF WRITER

mechanism.

“There are a lot of ways you can complete these challenges,” Randant said. “The design we have right now kind of looks like a scorpion. It has two sets of arms and a tail, so it will be able to pull itself up on the bars and drain baskets with ease.”

For senior team member William Watson, robotics has introduced him to a variety of applicable sciences that are being used in the world as technology grows rapidly.

“I feel that being on the robotics team has furthered my love and knowledge for programming and the engineering field,” Watson said. “It is definitely going to help me in the future with all the skills it taught me.”

The extracurricular activity requires many different roles to be executed correctly to have a functioning robot at the end

of the season. Watson’s position as head programmer entails that he designs the code that goes into the robot to make it move and work.

“Design makes and creates the robot, programming makes it move, marketing gets us sponsors and promotes us, and fabrication builds our practice field and chassis,” Watson said.

According to team members, this year’s robot design has also brought in new experiences and challenges as the team attempts to build onto a new type of drivetrain. A drivetrain is the system in a motor machine that connects to the wheels delivering them power.

“This year is definitely different because we have completely changed up our drive system,” Randant said. “That has given us some new things to face like figuring out a new drivetrain and then finally building up the robot from scratch.”

Despite the new drivetrain impediment, the robotics team continues to prepare for the upcoming competition in March.

“So far, it’s been going well,” Watson said. “Hopefully, we continue to do well to dominate the competition.”

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ROCKIN’ BAND, ROLLIN’ BOND ON AN ORIGINAL NOTE Jamming in his garage-studio with his bandmates, junior Robert Allmon strums on his guitar next to junior Ryder Cahill.

The band, named Zero Below, plans on continuing to make music together after they are all out of high school. “Our goal is to make it through college, at least,” Allmon said. | EMMA LAZARCZYK

Junior boys perform their music at local venues AVA BELCHEZ

n the night of the talent show at St. Elizabeth’s grade school, a group of eighth grade boys stepped up to put their musical talent on display.

Their rendition of “Sixteen Saltines” would be the first of many times the boys performed together.

“When we all came together as a band, we were really big fans of The White Stripes along with other Jack White projects, so it made ‘Sixteen Saltines’ an easy choice,” junior Robert Allmon said.

Allmon and junior Ryder Cahill have been playing music together since they started the band in eighthgrade. Junior Luke Crawford joined more recently, after Allmon and Cahill encouraged him to try out the drums. The band currently goes by Zero Below.

“It’s fun having people

to bounce stuff off back and forth and coming up with your own stuff.

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COPY EDITOR

The boys practice in Allmon’s garage attic for their upcoming performances. At his house, the band has access to a drum set, guitars, amplifiers and microphones.

JUNIOR RYDER CAHILL Allmon, who plays the guitar, said they enjoyed playing in the talent show together, so they decided to keep the music going.

With inspiration from bands such as Wilco, Weezer and the Cars, the boys play

mostly alternative rock music, which they write themselves.

“Me and Robert usually write the songs,” Cahill said. “We’ll start out with a guitar part we like, or we hear a drum part, play something according to it and then try to make up a melody.”

Allmon said he enjoys the improvisation of song-writing, working with his friends and making music.

“I wouldn’t say there’s a song-writing process other than it is a flood of ideas all at once,” Allmon said. “We all write songs on our own, and we will call the others with ideas or questions for their instruments on the song. Lyrics are always the hardest and last part, though.”

Cahill plays guitar and sings, while Crawford plays the drums and a boy from Rockhurst plays bass. As a more recent member of the band, Crawford said he noticed a difference as he increased his experience on the drums.

“Once I started trying a lot harder to

make it sound good, it was a whole different thing,” Crawford said. “We got to play more complicated stuff.”

The band plays at local venues in the KCMO area. One of their most recent performances was at Smoking ‘n Waldo, a barbeque competition at the grade school where the band first began.

“That was really cool, just going back,” Crawford said. “And because we knew most of the people in the audience, it was just really fun.”

The crowd is usually made up of the band’s parents and friends.

According to Cahill, he enjoys getting up on stage and doing the band's thing, but the worst part about performing is setting up beforehand.

Nerves are another obstacle the boys face, but according to Allmon, the experience is worth it.

“I get nervous right before the show, but once you’re up there you can’t leave, so you just try to do your best once you’re out there and have fun doing it,” Allmon said. “My favorite place we’ve played at is probably Governor Stumpy’s because that was the most time we were allowed to play and the turnout was really good.”

Arranging time to practice around school and the boys’ work schedules presents somewhat of a challenge for the band, Crawford said. Despite this, the band is typically able to practice one to two times a week outside of school limits.

“I feel like a lot of extracurricular activities are directed by a teacher or some kind of instructor, so it’s nice when we can just play whatever we want,” Crawford said. “It’s just completely up to us.”

The boys use their independence as a group to create original music, using their song-writing skills and inspiration from one another.

“It’s fun having people to bounce stuff off back and forth and coming up with your own stuff,” Cahill said. “When you finally get something you’re proud of, it’s cool.”

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DRUMMING UP THE COURAGE Junior Luke Crawford looks to junior Ryder Cahill to keep the rhythm together as he plays the drums. When Crawford first became a band member, he didn’t have any instrument experience. “I was friends with them so I wanted to join but didn’t have any way to,” Crawford said. “So one day ... I came over and they were just like ‘Play drums.’” | EMMA LAZARCZYK

BANDS THAT MET IN SCHOOL

The Beatles - 1960

At 16, guitarist John Lennon performed for bassist Paul McCartney, 15, at a church garden party.

The Rolling Stones - 1962

Singer Mick Jagger met bass guitarist Keith Richards at Dartford Grammar School, and later on had a random encounter at a train station that resulted in the band.

Green Day - 1987

Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt met in grade school and bonded over a love for punk music.

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Blink-182 - 1992

Guitarist Tom DeLonge entered a Battle of the Bands competition and met drummer Scott Raynor.

Maroon 5 - 1994

The band met in 1994 during high school, and self-released their first album called “We Like Digging?” before they graduated.

The Strokes - 1998

Singer Julian Casablancas and bassist Nikolai Fraiture met at 6 in the French school Le Lycee.

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Once a Stag...

Alumni return to a place they call home ISABEL COPELAND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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or the 15 alumni who have returned to teach or work on staff, many things have changed, but some things remain the same.

“The community, the spirit, the enthusiasm of all things Stags – Miege just has a really strong history of people

5%

of faculty & staff have graduated from Miege

that go here love it here and the friendships they build,” guidance counselor Elaine Schmidtberger said.

Memories made have stayed with the alumni as they are back working at their high school, something that many of them did not think they would

‘67 Bookkeeper Barbara Allen

‘00-’10

What were you involved with at school?

Pep band, choir, student council and newspaper What things are different now from when you went here?

School schedules were different, which resulted in sharing a locker with my sibling.

What was your favorite part about high school?

Meeting all the teachers and kids. Miege was so big.

There was so much to do.

decade with the most amount of teachers who graduated

| COURTESY PHOTOS OF THE HART YEARBOOK

‘76 Guidance Counselor Elaine Schmidtberger

What were you involved with at school?

Choir, theater, student council and cheerleading What things are different now from when you went here?

During freshman year, there were only 5 hours.

The campus in general was different.

What was your favorite part about high school?

Friends, cheerleading, athletics, singing, StuCo, but my most favorite part was knowing that my whole family went here and my dad built the school.

‘87 Guidance Counselor Amy Carman

What were you involved with at school?

Drill team and yearbook What things are different now from when you went here?

Students used to be able to leave for lunch, seniors had an hour for lunch and there were about 1,100 students.

What does Miege mean to you?

A supportive environment that I look forward to coming to every day and a place I wanted my kids to go.

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GUESS WHO? 3.

2.

‘99 Social Studies teacher Amy Lukert

What were you involved with at school?

Debate, forensics, tennis and softball for a few years Is there anything in high school that you did that you would like to bring back?

Donkey ball What was your favorite part about high school?

Being with friends every day, being a part of the debate and forensics team and doing tournaments on the weekends and coming up to home games just to hang out with my friends.

‘01 Athletics Assistant Nate Huppe

4.

What were you involved with at school?

Soccer, track, football, spirit club and SADD What things are different now from when you went here?

The commons were different, and there was no media center. The library used to be where the guidance office is.

What was your favorite part about high school?

The friends I made, and I’m still friends with some of them today.

6.

5.

8.

7.

9.

1. Mary Beth Summers 2. Sara Strayhall 3. Mallorie Hurlbert 4. Jon Holmes 5. Jessica Switzer 6. Jeff English 7. Katie Jo Kirk 8. Teresa Rodriguez 9. Bill Creach

1.

‘11 Social Studies/ English teacher Maggie Verschelden

What were you involved with at school?

National Honors Society, choir, CMT, cross country and soccer What things are different now from when you went here?

There were seven classes every day, and the school start time was 7:50 a.m.

What was your favorite part about high school?

Playing soccer and my APUSH teacher, Mrs. Sullivan, who helped me realize how much I enjoy history.

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e z a r C o Crypt

Cryptocurrency provides funds for two senior boys COLIN BATLINER

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STAFF WRITER

he day of his 18th birthday senior Tony Velez knew exactly what he was going to do: download the CoinBase app and start investing his money into cryptocurrency.

The instability of the economy during the pandemic has led Velez and senior James Sutherland to decide to invest their money in something that 53% of students said they have limited or no knowledge about: cryptocurrency.

“You should know what you’re getting into,” Velez said. “Don’t just burn your money because it’s really easy to just put in 10 bucks and then maybe the next day it’s all gone.”

Cryptocurrency can still be an unstable source of income. To Velez, the ups and downs of trading comes as something that has to be accepted and accounted for, but he said the struggles are worth it.

“I probably cried over [cryptocurrency]

a couple times, I’ve lost a good amount, but I’ve also gained that amount back,” Velez said. “The gains aren’t crazy. That’s why I just put my money in there and let it do its thing. I know it’s going to increase over time.”

Not having knowledge on cryptocurrency can be very detrimental to someone who wants to get involved because of the volatility of the market and the ability to lose money at any given moment with a bad investment.

“If you don’t have good money or spare money just to experiment with, it’s not a good idea just to put in everything you have,” Velez said. “Have some money set aside and then try to keep everything long term.”

The first cryptocurrency students on the survey said they think about is Bitcoin because it was the first to be created and had the highest peak value at about $67,000.

The creator of the coin is unknown, but the intention was to create an alternate

currency that couldn’t be controlled by the government, Sutherland said this is why he invests.

“I share the fears of the people who don’t like the fact that the U.S. dollar can be inflated like crazy,” Sutherland said. “I noticed the trends of crypto where people are dumping their money into it without even knowing what it is and that sort of blind faith is what I like because it will really boost share prices, and it will also contribute to volatility but I would rather honestly be in a volatile market.”

Sutherland said he didn’t understand why he would keep his money in U.S. dollars when he could put it in something to make it grow steadily, which is why he originally got into the stock market before moving some of his money into cryptocurrencies.

“When I was receiving a paycheck, I would put 100% of it in the stock market and cryptocurrency, 50-50,” Sutherland said. “If I need money for gas, food, etc., I’ll just pull out from one of my

stock investments, which are paying me dividends.”

Sutherland also said he has done extensive research on the subject of cryptocurrency to be able to know that he is putting his money in the right things at the right time. He predominantly reads books about investing, but said there are good YouTube videos too.

“You can find anything online, so just look it up and make sure it’s not biased information,” he said.

by the numbers

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number of students who have invested into crypto

17%

of students are open to putting money into crypto according to an online survey of 164 students Another thing that Sutherland thinks will be a major part of the future is NFTs, a picture that is, in theory, owned by only one person and its authenticity can be verified through a specialized code. NFTs are not replicable because of the way they are coded. Sutherland said this is how he believes people will be identified in the future.

“They’re an asset,” Sutherland said. “For instance, in the future, all IDs, just like your driver’s license will probably be an entity.

So you’ll have a singular NFT that only you have under a certain code.”

A willingness to lose money is what Sutherland said investors need to have when getting into cryptocurrency or anything similar because they’re going to need firsthand experience, outside of a video or book, with the market before they can really understand it.

“My advice would be to only put in what you’re willing to lose because it’s not a guaranteed investment,” Sutherland said. “Nothing is guaranteed in the market, whether it’s the stock market or the crypto market, so only invest what you’re willing to lose and don’t just blindly invest your money.”

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Word Bank Blockchain- A decentralized database that stores transactions from bitcoin and cryptocurrency.

Coinbase- Created to be an open financial system for cryptocurrency, Coinbase is the leading secure internet platform for exchange, buying and selling. It is viewed as one of crypto’s first ventures into the mainstream marketplace.

Cryptocurrency- A digital monetary system that uses Blockchain and other decentralized systems to exchange coins or tokens.

Mining - Through high-powered computers, bitcoins are mined from new blocks on the blockchain. This process comes from the computers solving complex mathemtical puzzles, which then allow new bitcoin to enter circulation.

NFT- “Non-fungible tokens” are unique pieces of digital content that can be used to buy and sell artwork. These one-of-a-kind assets are linked to the blockchain.

According to CNN’s “A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto Lingo” DESIGN & ILLUSTRATIONS | DELANEY JOHNSON

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UNDER PRESSURE Students face burnout returning to second semester workload EMMA LAZARCZYK, KELLAN O’CONNELL & MARY-KATHRYN WERT STAFF WRITERS

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he change in students’ mental health after Christmas is clear, according to school counselor Elaine Schmidtberger, especially in the months of January and February.

“Third quarter I notice is always the worst grades because [students] are getting ready for spring break, they got off Christmas break and they are just kind of in the ‘bleh,’” Schmidtberger said.

Common symptoms of burnout among students are lack of interest in classes, increased loneliness, avoidance of extracurriculars and a decline in academic performance, according to Miege students in a recent survey.

According to the optional survey of 162 students, 65%, said they struggle with the effects of burnout in and out of the classroom.

Senior Pearl Romine, who plays volleyball outside of school, said it has been a challenge this year especially to push through and want to go to practice.

Romine descriebed the feeling of being burnout as when someone is stressed out to the point where they cannot continue doing things they would do regularly.

“I feel like after COVID-19 and being in lockdown it’s more difficult to get yourself back in the mindset of wanting to go out and do things,” Romine said.

For Romine, her day-to-day struggle with burnout begins before the school day even starts.

“It’s really hard for me to get up in the morning,” Romine said. “Every morning before school, I debate telling my mom that I’m sick because I just don’t want to do the work. I don’t want to put in the effort, but I know that I have to, especially with going to college next year … it’s just hard.”

A nationwide survey of teens and adults conducted online by the American Psychological Association in 2014 revealed that teens’ stress levels during the school year topped adults’ average stress level, with teens having an average of 5.8 on a 10 scale vs. 5.1 on a 10 scale for adults.

Approximately 31% of teens reported feeling overwhelmed, 30% reported feeling depressed and more than a third, or 36%, reported feeling tired.

These numbers have only gotten worse in recent years, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic.

A survey conducted by Michigan Health of 977 teenagers in 2021 reported one in three girls and one in five boys experienced new or worsening anxiety.

Not only were teens experiencing anxiety, but sleep issues and agressive behaviors as well.

Teenagers are expected to return to school with 100% effort; however, for some students, the feeling of being burnt out stifles their work ethic.

According to Romine and freshman Helen Miroslaw, outside factors play a major role in causing students to feel burnout.

“Because I remember school without COVID-19, it definitely feels a little different,” Miroslaw said. “It feels a little more isolated, and I’m not as close with

feature

everybody as I could be.”

While COVID-19 still majorly affects students’ mindsets today, there are more subtle outside influences to mental health that have been present since before the pandemic.

“I think pressure from your parents, school, and people around you just like when you get really stressed and everyone is telling you to do something, it makes you tired of doing it eventually,” Romine said.

Out of 162 students, 46% of Miege students attributed their lack of motivation to an overabundance of school work and academic pressure, and 22% of students struggle with mental challenges outside of the classroom as well.

In contrast to previous school years, this year is the first “normal” school year without an alternative schedule. Whether it was online, hybrid or no school at all,

students had a flexible schedule allocating more free time for students during the day.

Teachers have noticed a change in their students as well, and some such as math teacher Lori Voss have tried to alter their teaching methods to help students with their mental struggles.

One way Voss helps her students is by giving time in class for students who are falling behind.

“I am a big proponent of mental health as far as making sure everyone is taking care of themselves,” Voss said. “Making sure that you are getting enough sleep is a mental and physical health thing at the same time.”

Following repeated absences due to sickness and injury, Miroslaw was overwhelmed by the amount of course work to make up and struggled to understand assignment details through Google Classroom.

“It’s really hard for me to get up in the morning ... I debate telling my mom that I’m sick because I just don’t want to do the work.

SENIOR PEARL ROMINE

“

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by the numbers

78%

of students have seen a difference in their mental health after returning to school

64%

of students have been able to overcome burnout

36%

of students have not been able to overcome burnout

according to an online survey of 146 students According to Miroslaw, some teachers do not seem to fully understand how burnout works for students in their classrooms.

This begs the question: how can students overcome the burnout they are facing? While 64% of Miege students said they have overcome burnout, 36%

feature ILLUSTRATION | MARY-KATHRYN WERT

of the 138 surveyed said they are still struggling to regain motivation in their lives.

While students overcome their burnout, students such as freshman Elier Perez still suffer from their battle with burnout.

“I definitely think after any burnout that happens with me,” Perez said. “My mental health and mental space is a lot worse than it was before.”

Senior Emily Lynn is an upperclassmen acquainted with burnout.

According to Lynn,

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finding motivation is key to successfully battling burnout. Managing time spent on homework and fun activities can help students keep their lives in control.

“I may not have the motivation to do [homework] sometimes,” Lynn said. “But I recognize that it is important to get it done and try to do it during school.”

With the bursts of cold weather, it is easy to begin feeling stressed which, according to Miroslaw, makes it important to find the little things in day-to-day life.

“Some days I wake up more motivated than others, I’m not sure why,” Miroslaw said. “I think it may be the classes I have that day and what my favorite classes are and who I get to eat lunch with.”

KEEPING UP Listening to math teacher Lori Voss during class, freshman Elier Perez takes notes. According to Voss, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected student engagement and teaching style. “Because I’ve been doing this long enough, I may say we need a day to work on things and just catch up,” Voss said. | MARY-KATHRYN WERT

ADVICE ON BURNOUT

“I stay motivated by considering “After school activities help a lot ... my future. I always have to stay they keep me from putting all of busy, and I try to find things that my attention on school.” are more challenging.”

JUNIOR GAVIN MANNEBACH SOPHOMORE ANDREA CEJA

“Try and stay in the habit of getting stuff done because it is easy to fall out of a routine.”

SENIOR EMILY LYNN PHOTOS | MARY-KATHRYN WERT

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opinion

TikTok clothing “micro-trends” add to fast-fashion problem for teenagers

T

STAFF WRITER

here is very little that is more satisfying to me than cutting the tags off of a brand new piece of clothing.

From the methodical process of finding the perfect top to planning a specific outfit around a fresh purchase, the entire shopping process is fun.

This pleasure is short-lived, however, when the trendy item I bought is suddenly irrelevant and unwearable one month later.

Sweater vests are crowded into the corner of my closet now, and chunky necklaces rust while entangled in a dusty box. These were pieces I loved just months before. Now I look back on pictures from last January and can’t help but judge my outfit: a tennis skirt and chunky boots, what was I thinking?

I didn’t come up with that completely on my own. After seeing famous TikTok girls styling knee-high socks with athletic skirts, and looking stylish doing it, myself and thousands of other girls did the same. The difference between us and an influencer, however, is the source: the TikTok girl can buy designer boots, while I look to Zara or H&M for my own affordable take.

Those stores built their business model upon the idea that people like me want to look like those who get the most attention — the model in a magazine, a celebrity and the most prevalent: an influencer. The stores take trending styles and mass produce them at a lower price so everyone can look like their favorite star.

Soon, everyone has the same pieces, which causes an issue for influencers who depend on standing out. How does one have a unique style in the midst of social media?

The way that most of these influencers

have solved this issue is through niche styles that gain popularity quickly and die out even faster. Since the dawn of TikTok, many of these styles are still notable even after they became outdated: E-girls, Cottagecore, VSCO style. Each of these lasted for a year, give or take, and are now considered basic and unappealing. These styles reach a wide audience, yet fizzle out into unpopularity quickly.

are “ atMicro-trends the core of the

sustainability problem in the fashion industry.

“

KATE MOORES

This goes back to the aforementioned brands, and more: Forever 21, Missguided, Shein, Urban Outfitters, etc. These clothing stores are in on the secrets of social media style; they take these subcultures that result from popular trends and mass-produce affordable clothing that appeals to those that consume it.

Take the resurgence of the ‘70s style for example. Designer brands took inspiration from vintage subcultures, which celebrities bought and began to sport. As a result, people began paying attention and searching for a way to twin with their favorite cultural influencer. Fast fashion brands presented consumers with the only available solutions: brightly-colored halter crop tops, flare pants with a funky pattern and chunky sunglasses for cheap. Once just about everyone owned pieces of this style, it was then considered “basic” and nose-dived from popular to “cheugy.”

This may sound like the typical trend pattern, but what’s “in” comes and goes at a faster rate than ever before.

In the fashion world, trends used to follow a 20-year cycle: what was trending two decades ago resurges in the present, like Y2K styles regaining popularity.

However, micro-trends are shortening the gap in this cycle. A micro-trend is a style of clothing that booms for about a year and then becomes unappealing, making customer consumption move at a rapid pace.

Micro-trends are at the core of the sustainability problem in the fashion industry. Clothing is used up at a faster and faster rate (from it either falling apart or going out of style), and it ends up in a landfill to slowly decompose. Wastefulness from over-consumption is a leading problem in the battle to take better care of the planet. The obvious solution is to stop buying unnecessary amounts of clothing, yet it seems impossible to do.

It’s so difficult to ignore micro-trends, especially as a teenager because of social media. One TikTok will tell you that you have to buy this pair of jeans, and the next will insist that they are overdone and boring. However, it’s usually too late. In the attempt to stay stylish and relevant, most of us will buy a garment that is quickly deemed unworthy, just to end up in a Goodwill and eventually a dump.

Social media is a business in itself. It sponsors content that insists upon the idea that matching a certain style or taking on a persona will make you cool and happy.

Our wallets and planet are suffering at the hands of fast-fashion companies that peddle out new styles every day, taking on the latest trend for the teenagers to buy and soon hate. It’s difficult to maintain your own style in this culture of consumption.

opinion

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SECOND-SEMESTER SLUMP Seasonal depression causes lack of student motivation MIEGIAN EDITORS

A

STAFF EDITORIAL

s the weather grows colder and the nights become shorter, seasonal depression increases in students. Stress grows and motivation lessens as students return to school in the months following Christmas break.

Seasonal depression arises and affects students during the winter months that some teachers do not fully understand.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 10-20% of people may have mild seasonal depression.

Seasonal depression is four times more common in women than in men.

Seasonal depression affects multiple students and hinders their learning experience due to a harsh lack of motivation and disinterest in daily aspects of life.

Teachers place higher expectations on students to reach their higher second-

semester standards. However, these expectations can create more anxiety for students.

Teachers should not baby their students; however, it is crucial for teachers to be flexible with those who are struggling to engage in class. But for them to do so, students, we need to speak up. Talk to your teachers to discuss what you can do.

Having a trusting relationship with a teacher on a personal level can make a difference. Knowing that there is an adult in the building who is supporting us has a positive effect on our mental health, so we must reach out to them.

Our grades may decline during this time of the year. Instead of seeing this as unsatisfactory, teachers should make it a priority to use positive reinforcement to help students want to do better in school.

Organization in the classroom helps students suffering with seasonal depression. A set agenda eases students

from worrying about what is going to happen next.

Students, if you are feeling overwhelmed, take time to go outside, get a good amount of sleep and spend time with friends. Make sure to find an extracurricular activity you’re passionate about. And for all of this, set your phone aside. The break will re-energize you.

Parents, if you notice a difference in your child’s behavior and mindset, offer help in creating a set-time schedule for when they can do homework as well as self-care. Having an adult create a healthy balance between school and work may help some students take initiative for themselves.

Seasonal depression is a serious topic that affects many teens and should be brought into greater focus by students, families, teachers and administration.

We should always be looking out for our peers because we never know what they are going through.

STAG THOUGHTS

If you could add a new sport to Miege, what would it be?

“Darts because I feel it’s a very underrated sport, and I feel like more people should get into it.”

JUNIOR ALI OLSON

“Boys lacrosse because I think we’d get a lot more people who would normally go to East or Rockhurst.”

SENIOR JOAQUIN BARRERA

“Ping pong because I think it’d be fun.”

FRESHMAN COOPER CAHALAN

“Hockey because it would be fun to have another sport where we could compete against Rockhurst.”

SOPHOMORE EMMA VOGT

DESIGN | COLIN BATLINER

PHOTOS | KELLAN O’CONNELL

perspectives

STAG PERSPECTIVES

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SCREAM AND SHOUT With eyes set on the court, the Martina herd shows their investment in the junior boy knockout competition. Following their defeat, junior John Swaney took the win for Perrini. | NATALIE MARTINEZ

VIVA MIEGE Bringing a close to Mass, Campus Ministry director Bill Creach leads the students in the traditional Viva chants. The chants ended the first all-school Mass of the second semester. | KELLAN O’CONNELL JUMP START Starting off the first round of hand ball, senior Joaquin Barrera and junior Jack Elder tip off for possession of the ball. Lucas took the win against Tylicki. | A’MYRAH CHEADLE

GOING FOR THE GOAL Jumping to the basket, senior Matthew Mohler participates in the four-on-four basketball competition. Mohler and his Perrini teammates ended up winning first place. | KELLAN O’CONNELL

perspectives

21

DOING THE DONATION While donating blood, junior Vincent Lopez rests in the gym.

Juniors and seniors who were eligible to donate for the spring blood drive signed up for time slots during the school day. A total of 83 people volunteered, 34 of which were first time donors.

At the end of the day, 82 units of blood were donated. | CALEB OBLEPIAS

ALL SMILES After receiving one of the St. Angela Merici awards, engineering teacher Scott Anderson shows his appreciation. Anderson was one of seven teachers to recieve an award, which were inspired by core values of St. Angela Merici. | CALEB OBLEPIAS

FINDING SOLUTIONS While learning to observe the conductivity of different solutions, sophomore Hampton Thompson cleans off the conductivity meter with a bottle of distilled water. In the chemistry lab, Thompson categorized solutions by testing for electrolytes, non-electrolytes and strong electrolytes with help from science teacher Angela Lueckenotto. “In everyday life, we have different solutions that are around us, and we should be able to know how to identify those things to help us use these solutions,” Lueckenotto said. | A’MYRAH CHEADLE

DESIGN | DELANEY JOHNSON

22

faith

THE MISSION OF MINISTRY Faith trips offered to students give memorable experiences

T

STAFF WRITER

ens of thousands of people packed onto the street in the bitter cold.

A blur of voices talking, singing, praying and chanting, with the crowd slowly moving as one. Signs everywhere in the flood of people, and among them, a tiny Miege flag raised above a huddle of 30 students.

The National March for Life, an annual pro-life gathering in Washington, D.C., takes place on Jan. 22, the anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade. It also serves as a mission trip opportunity for Miege students, although it has not been offered for the past two years because of COVID-19.

“Just looking around, the numbers were not as big as usual,” campus minister Bill Creach said. “However, it was still a good turnout and just the fact that we’re coming back to it was good.”

Despite the trip cancellations from the past two years, this mission trip had still been a Miege tradition for at least 20 years. Along with the West Virginia trip, the March was one of the

“ The two trips are

meaningful and significant in serving the community that I want to be a part of.

JUNIOR ALLISON QUINN

and what they were thinking.”

Along with Baehr, theology teacher Ross Dessert, development associate

“

MARIA NGUYEN

largest opportunities for service offered, especially because of the additional traveling. This year, a group of 30 students and four chaperones traveled to the city for the event.

“The most memorable part for me was at the end of each day getting together with the group and hearing how they were impacted by the March,” one of the chaperones, theology teacher Alicia Baehr, said. “I loved hearing how much the students took away from the March

Katie Jo Kirk and chaplain Father Anthony Mersmann traveled as chaperones to D.C. For Baehr, it was her 12th time attending the March.

“It’s amazing seeing the sheer number of people that are there and realizing that this is a cause that is on the hearts of students all across the nation, and not just in Kansas City,” Baehr said. “It’s a nationwide thing, and it’s good to know that we’re not alone in supporting life.”

The revival of the trip provided many students the opportunity to go on a mission trip with Miege. For some students like senior Jenna Dorsett, the trip was special in more ways than one.

“I have been wanting to be a part of the March since eighth grade, and finally getting to go as a senior was so special to me so I could cherish it even more,” Dorsett said. “I’m also grateful that I got to go with other students and teachers from Miege and share that experience with so many amazing people.”

With the pandemic canceling the two mission trips the past two years, students like Dorsett took the opportunity to attend either trip. According to Creach and campus ministry assistant Nancy Miller, who is a veteran chaperone for

MARCH LIFE MARCH LIFE FOR FOR

FOLLOWING THE CROWD As the herd of protestors walks up a hill leading to the Capitol building, the amount of people ahead and multiple signs become visible. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the nation participated in the March for Life.

STEADY SENIORS Striding together, seniors Jake Whitmore, Olivia Griggs and Matthew Mohler pass by the Capitol. A total of nine seniors went on the March.

faith the West Virginia mission trip, both are similarly impactful for students. However, West Virginia is a little different compared to the March.

“The easiest I can describe it is ‘faith in action,’” Miller said. “The kids literally build, not just construction, but also a relationship with the family that we’re working with. We encourage them to do that, and at the end of the day, we do just a small reflection with everyone.”

For the past few months, openings for this mission trip have been available to students and those who attend over spring break will be doing more than 50 service hours. Additionally, the faith-filled trip gives students the opportunity for spiritual growth in their work and new physical experiences.

“One of my favorite things about West Virginia on top of all this stuff is that the kids get to see a finished product,” Creach said. “That is huge because they see what they did, it’s better for the family, and it’s an awesome practical accomplishment.”

Some students, like junior Allison Quinn, attended the March and plan to participate in the West Virginia trip also.

“I want to go on the March for Life and West Virginia trips because I want to branch out and immerse myself in new opportunities,” Quinn said. “I’m also excited to go on a road trip with my friends.”

According to Creach, involvement in these trips is a powerful experience and helps students get involved in a different type of service that requires more commitment, but with results that are worth it.

“It’s amazing with the kids making connections with the

23

families and then coming back,” Creach said. “I haven’t had a single person go and come back having regretted it.”

These types of experiences have had a lasting impact on Quinn as a Miege student, and the traveling aspect of these trips also provided a fresh perspective and outlook on life in different parts of the country.

“In West Virginia, I hope I can challenge my skills and find a deeper connection with God,” Quinn said. “I think this trip will impact me in a way I can’t even describe.”

FLYING COLORS Walking under the school flag, the Miege students participate in the approach towards the Capitol building.

The overall March took about two hours to complete.

RALLY TOGETHER Posing for a picture, senior Zoran Rodriguez, junior Jack Elder and freshmen Aryanna Rodriguez, Rose Lopez and Sammy Jo Kirk wait for the March to begin. A rally took place before the March, which included a concert and several speakers.

BEARING THE FLAG Leading the group of students, Father Anthony Mersmann carries the flag with the Miege emblem. Father Mersmann was one of the four chaperones for the trip.

PHOTOS | MARIA NGUYEN

24

athletics

RACE TO ESCAPE Following the referee’s whistle, junior Griffin Loehr tries to escape from the bottom position.

On Jan. 26, Loehr won his match at the Rockhurst Dual by pinning his opponent in the second period. “Fifteen minutes before the match, you’ve got to really find what makes you mad,” Loehr said. | KELLAN O’CONNELL

Sports Highlights Bowling

Wrestling

What does a typical match look like?

Regionals places:

“Most of my matches lasted about 30 seconds, and I ended up pinning most of my kids,” sophomore state qualifier Baker North said. ”In my finals match, I gave my kid 6 points by takedowns, and I had to fight my way back up.”

Girls:

Boys:

2nd place as a team

9th place as a team

So. Olivia Fonseca-1st place Fr. Jackson Sopinski-10th place

How do you think the team competed at regionals?

How do you prepare for a meet?

“Each person showed great improvement, a lot of people had their best match, and personally I think each wrestler did great, even though it might not show on record,” junior Griffin Loehr said.

According to junior Cassidy Reno, she listens to music and tries to relax. “Clearing my head is important because there will be an astronomical amount of meets after that one,” Reno said.

Boys Basketball

What are your pregame rituals?

Before the games, the team goes to Chick-fil-A, senior Jack Noblitt said, and after a home game win the team will go down into the locker room and listen to music.

Girls Basketball

Top 3 score averages this season: Kirston Verhulst

14

Gabriella Henderson-Artis

13

Allie Burns

11

DESIGN | A’MYRAH CHEADLE & DELANEY JOHNSON

What was your favorite moment?

According to senior Jack Noblitt, his favorite moment came against Rockhurst: “I got in and scored a layup, then everyone stormed the court and picked me up and I waved goodbye to the Rockhurst student section,” Noblitt said.

What game has stood out the most?

According to sophomore Livi Shull, the game that stood out the most was the second time the girls played Saint Thomas Aquinas and won 52-39. “Everyone worked leading up to the game after a tough loss the last time,” Shull said.

LAYING IT UP Running down the court towards the hoop preparing for a layup, senior Gabriella Henderson-Artis shoots for her team. On Jan. 7, the varsity team competed against St. James with a score of 79-59. “I was excited to play because I knew a lot of people would come out, so I was just eager to win,” Henderson-Artis said.

athletics

25

UNDERWATER TEAMWORK

Strong bonds resulted in added swim dinners, effort

KATE MOORES STAFF WRITER

O

n the surface, swim may seem like a singular sport. Competitors stay in their own lane, rely only on themselves, and merely compete against the clock.

However, the boys swim team claims otherwise.

“Most people think that swim is an individual sport, but it is a team sport,” senior swimmer Blake Allen. “It’s so important to have a good connection with your teammates.”

As the season progresses, it has become more vital for the team to develop strong relationships with one another to succeed.

“We’ve all had better times this year at our first meet than we did at state last year,” Allen said.

Veteran swimmers like Allen have witnessed the team growing stronger compared from this year to last.

According to him and others, the key has been closer bonds among swimmers.

For sophomore swimmer Ruben Hernandez, his friendships with the fellow swimmers have grown in just traveling with the team. From carpooling to

practice to long drives for meets, getting food and discussing goals connects him with his teammates.

“Blake Allen and I drive to practice together a lot, and I really think that it has made us closer,” Hernandez said.

Time is the biggest bond that the swimmers share.

“You’re kind of forced to get closer with your teammates,” Allen said. “The tournaments and practices are further away, so you are spending a lot of time with the other swimmers at meets and on car rides.”

Beyond required meets and practices, the team has recently implemented team dinners to strengthen the team’s relationships with one another.

“The dinners are assigned sometimes; we’ve had them at Max Smith’s and Carter Steven’s house,” Hernandez said. “They really help with communication and growing friendships within the team.”

After these dinners started, more success was seen in the pool.

“After Carter Stevens hosted dinner, it seemed like there was better performances from everyone,” Allen said.

According to Hernandez and Allen, the team dinners resulted in a better team bond, which then caused success in

FROM THE POOL SIDE Watching the team swim laps as they strengthen their bodies, head coach Dennis Mueller directs the swimmers. At practice, Mueller had the team start off with 500 yards warmups and had them transition to other drills. “It went pretty good; it was nice to have Coach Mueller back,” senior Max Smith said. “It was fun with him.” | A’MYRAH CHEADLE

meets.

For state this year, nine swimmers total and three relays competed.

“I’m excited to see the progress we made from the beginning of the season to now,” Allen said.

The bonds between swimmers play an integral role in making record times in the pool. Prioritizing the team relationship has created a great season overall, according to Allen and Hernandez.

“We definitely started off a little hesitant to be close to each other, but I can tell that we are really getting along now,” Allen said.

KICKING IT TO STATE While at practice, sophomore Ruben Hernandez uses a kickboard to help with a flutter kicking drill.

“We made a lot of progression throughout the year,” Hernandez said. “We all worked toward the effort of making it to state.” | A’MYRAH CHEADLE

26

STICKING WITH IT

athletics

ON THE COME UP Demonstrating the way to use a lacrosse stick, head coach Ross Dessert shows players tips to practice at the throw around on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30. “I hope to get everyone to fall in love with it.,” Dessert said. | MARY-KATHRYN WERT

Persistence leads to start of girls lacrosse team ALENA GILLESPIE

T

FEATURES EDITOR

he wait is over. After more than a decade of pushing for a girls lacrosse team, the school is starting one in the spring.

As the last Johnson County Catholic high school to start a program, the Stags will join six other Catholic schools in the Kansas City Metro Girls Lacrosse League, including three Missouri parochial schools.

Coaching since he was 16 years old, junior theology teacher and head lacrosse coach Ross Dessert has been pushing for a team since his first year teaching at Miege in the 2012-13 school year.

“There were concerns about whether we

have too many sports and not enough girls, the costs of it for players and other coaches who are worried that athletes might not do this or that,” Dessert said. “That’s legitimate.

You don’t want to harm another sport to bring another one in.”

With a big smile on his face, Dessert said he could not believe it when he heard the news that lacrosse was scheduled for the spring, which he said came about from parents and students interested in the sport.

“I kind of felt it was going to happen but I just don’t count anything until it happens,” Dessert said. “There’s a lot of girls who haven’t quite found their home for spring sports, so this is great for that.”

Since freshman Meara Hellings was 12, she has played on a lacrosse team. Though

How do you play lacrosse?

How do you score?

You need to get the lacrosse ball into the net without it being stopped by the goalie or receiving a penality. The 8-meter arch is where most of the longer shots are taken, but you can be even closer to score.

How many total minutes are in games?

Around 48 minutes

Is the game split up in quarters or halves?

Halves with a halftime

How are points calculated?

One goal is one point.

she did not expect it, Hellings said that she always hoped that Miege would have lacrosse.

“I was really excited,” Hellings said. “I looked forward to meeting new people that also enjoy the sport.”

For the season, Dessert reached out to former Miege graduates and lacrosse players to help coach. Four alumni agreed to coach.

“All these girls who’ve come here have wished that they could have played for Miege, but they had to play for another club, either Shawnee Mission or one of the other ones,” Dessert said. “Who better to help build this than them because they always wanted to have a team here, but it just never quite was able to happen.”

Are there any other basic rules?

You cannot rake the ball into your stick. Raking is when you try to gain possession of a ground ball. according to assistant coach Mary Kathryn Johnson, class of ‘21

Assistant coach Mary Kathryn Johnson, class of ‘21, said she never thought the school would have a team while she was here, especially because only she and one other girl played in her grade.

“I was really excited that there was a new opportunity for girls to come together and grow to be like sisters,” Johnson said. “I always loved the community around lacrosse and it’s nice to see it begin at Miege.”

For the inaugural season, Dessert is expecting enough girls for there to be at least a junior varsity and varsity team.

Practices will be held at the North Campus while games will be played in the stadium.

“I want to get everybody excited about the sport and how much fun it is to play lacrosse,” Dessert said. “If people are having fun, they will want to practice on their own and get better at it.”

Johnson said she hopes to grow relationships with the players, while teaching the fundamentals of lacrosse.

“I want it to be a safe place where we can practice, get frustrated and leave all those emotions on the field,” Johnson said. “I hope to win a few games, but team building means so much more to me.”

As the first season approaches, lacrosse will be a firsttime sport for the majority of students playing. Dessert emphasized that lacrosse is for all girls no matter their abilities.

“Lacrosse is the kind of sport you can be small or big or fast or slow,” Dessert said. “You can find a way to play to your strengths and be successful.”

According to freshman Sophia Craig, she is excited to play lacrosse for her first time. She has watched lacrosse on TV, but never thought of playing it before this season.

“I feel like it’s going to be really fun,” Craig said. “There are a lot of girls doing it, and there is a variation between if they have played or not.”

Dessert said he is excited for the start of the season and hopes it brings inclusion to girls.

“I just think there’s a lot of girls walking around this school that will really like the sport of lacrosse,” Dessert said.

“It’s such a fun sport to have around.”

athletics

Lacrosse Formation

ILLUSTRATION | A’MYRAH CHEADLE

The Origins of Lacrosse

• •

Native Americans in northeast parts of Canada and the U.S. invented the sport in the 1100s.

In the 1600s, Jesuit priest, Jean de Brebeuf, compared the Native Americans’ sticks to what the bishops carry.

In 1877, New York University was the first college in the U.S. to

• • •

add lacrosse as a sport.

The first recorded girls’ lacrosse game took place in 1890 at St. Leonards School in Scotland.

Lacrosse was a sport in the 1904 and 1908 Olympics.

Today, lacrosse is the fastest growing sport among all girls sports.

“ I look forward to

meeting new people that also enjoy the sport.

“

•

27

FRESHMAN MEARA HELLINGS | MARY-KATHRYN WERT

TIME FOR THE LORD After one rescheduling due to a snow day, the student body had the opportunity to celebrate all-school adoration together for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. | MARY-KATHRYN WERT