From canine companions to STA sisters, this issue of The Dart celebrates the season of love. ll
2022-23
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Dianne Hirner
Editors-In-Chief
Charlotte Malone
Kaylee Lary
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Ellie Buttell
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Anna Stout
Annie McShane
COVER DESIGN BY
Anna Stout | Design Editor
Ownership and Sponsorship
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Ellie McManamy
Dianne Haake
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Tierney Flavin
Caroline Hinkebein
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Lina Kilgore
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Katelyn Buckley
Jasmine Cervantes
Isabel Glover
Maya Tule
Sarah Schwaller
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Hugs and kisses and Happy Valentine’s Day from The Dart staff to you! We love you all so much that instead of getting you a boring old box of chocolates and flowers to celebrate the day, we decided to bring you the first issue of 2023!
Starting off strong, we have a photo essay on page 5 by photographer-extraordinaire Kaylee Lary capturing the best moments from STA’s recent “green-out” game and fundraiser for Liesel Anderson.
Feeling out of the loop? Having trouble keeping up with the news? On pages 6-7, Tierney Flavin has your back with an update of important events taking place around the globe.
If hard-core news isn’t your thing, check out pages 10-11 for a Star Spotlight on Allison Buckley The sophomore is an upand-coming thespian who’ll be starring in STA’s Spring musical, “Abigail, For Now.”
Flip to page 12 to get your recommendations for the best romcoms, written by Annie McShane.
Then on page 13, Caroline Hinkebein reviews brunch options around Kansas City. Read this to find the best place to get your next eggs, bacon and biscuits.
On pages 14 and 15, Chloe Denk takes a dive into the history of The Dart. Read all about how our school publication, started in the early 1940s, has chronicled events on our STA campus for generations.
Another STA tradtion: the Academy pulls girls from all over the Kansas City area. From Gladstone to Overland Park, some girls drive up to 40 minutes just to get to school. On pages 16-17,
Sarah Schwaller talks to a few STA students about how their zip codes have impacted their high school experiences.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner and new romcoms on the “coming soon to you” tag on Netflix, the topic of love, romance and dating is in the air. On pages 18-21, Mara Callahan, Kyra Fieger and Maya Tule investigate teenage relationships and the impact the media has on expectations for dating in high school.
This issue is packed full of amazing opinion pieces by our wonderful staffers. Anna Massman takes a look at consumerism and how it has impacted the way we view material goods on page 24. Isabel Glover details her love for chai on page 25.
Early in January, Damar Hamlin shocked the world when he went into cardiac arrest in the middle of a Bills game . This recent injury brings to light the many questions surrounding athletes and the physical strain sports can have on their health. Isabel Glover takes a look at how society treats athletes and their injuries on pages 26-27.
If you love Girl Scout Cookies as much as we do, check out Ellie Buttell’s story about STA girls in Scouting on page 29.
We all show our love in different ways; some people like to give hugs, while others would rather spend a day with a loved one in the park. If you’ve ever been curious about what your love language is, check out Megan Turley’s Last Look on pages 30-31.
We are so excited to share this new issue with you all! We sincerely hope you have a Valentine’s Day full of love and happiness. Happy reading – and GO, Chiefs!
National News: Updates Around the World
[Word]
Star Spotlight: Allison Buckley
Review: Best Rom-Coms
Review: Best Brunch in KC
Feature: History of The Dart
Feature: Zip Codes of STA
Centerspread: Crush Culture
Perspective: A Culture of Consumerism
Perspective: Chai and I
Sports: Mind Over Matter
Community: Girl Scouts
Last Look: Love Language Quiz
On Jan. 27, the theme for the basketball games against St. Pius X was “Green Out” in honor of Liesel Anderson. There was a bake sale and a 50/50 raffle to raise money for her memorial garden and foundation.
Protests in Peru persist as demonstrators fight against the new President Dina Boluarte. These outbursts follow the arrest of President Pedro Castillo in December 2022 for attempting to dissolve Peru’s Congress and evade impeachment.
In recent days these protests have become increasingly violent: the death toll climbing to 55, according to USA Today. These protests are centered in the region of Ayacucho, which welcomes thousands of tourists each year. Despite its large tourist population, Ayacucho’s citizens struggle to stay afloat in its post-COVID-19 economy. Castillo spent much of his presidency serving this community.
The protests have since expanded into other parts of Peru. This includes areas of economic and social significance like Machu Picchu, which has been closed indefinitely despite its status “as one of the most important heritage sites in the world,” according to Machupicchu.org.
The morning of Feb. 2, groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. For New York City, though, it seemed winter had just begun a day prior. The city recorded its “first measurable snowfall” in 328 days on Feb. 1. And as the “Polar Vortex” begins to dip toward the Equator, the Northeast region of the United States experienced frigid wind chills and blizzard-like snowfall last weekend. Across the country, in California, storms persisted throughout the month of January causing atmospheric rivers. The state experienced power outages, deadly flooding and extremely strong winds as the new year rang in.
Conditions outside of the US are similar The same “Polar Vortex” has brought temperatures in China to unprecedentedly low numbers. In Turkey, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Monday—the strongest earthquake to strike the country since 1939. Emergency rescue teams continue to measure the death toll as it surpassed 7,000 as of press time and over 24,000 more were injured, according to CNN
Similar extreme weather events are predicted to persist throughout 2023, according to climate experts at Virginia Tech.
After Republicans took the House majority in the recent midterm elections, the House needed a new Speaker. Republican Kevin McCarthy eventually took the position, but not until after the fifth-longest Speaker vote in history at 15 ballots.
The Majority leader was faced with a split within his own party — just over a dozen Republican members holding out against McCarthy. The floor became unruly over the course of the four-day election process. Former President Donald Trump called for unity within the Republican party.
On Saturday, Jan 7, around 1 a.m., a 15th and final round of ballots were cast. McCarthy took a four-vote lead and became the Speaker of the current House of Representatives.
Memphis police initially pulled 29-year-old Tyre Nichols over for “reckless driving” on Jan 7. Three days later, Nichols passed away in the hospital from injuries sustained after he was beaten by five police officers who pulled him over. The officers have since been charged with multiple felonies — including seconddegree murder — and at least six more first responders have been placed on leave in connection with Nichols’s death. Body cam footage of Nichols’s fatal encounter was released on the evening of Jan 28.
The footage was met with public outrage and protests against ongoing instances of police brutality. Nichols’s family has asked for the protests to remain peaceful.
Pope Benedict XVI passed away Dec 31, 2022 in Vatican City at 95.
Benedict stepped down from his papacy in 2013, citing old age as the main factor. He became the first Pope to step down in nearly 600 years.
Benedict’s time as Pope was surrounded by controversy regarding the Church’s sexual abuse allegations. In a final letter published by the Vatican following Benedict’s death, he wrote, “I can only express to all the victims of sexual abuse my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness.”
Benedict’s funeral took place Jan. 5 and was presided over by current Pope Francis.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine nears its one year mark, the US is poised to send 31 tanks to aid the Ukrainian fronts. President Biden met with German leaders Jan. 20 after weeks of “intense” conversations. The two nations ultimately agreed to both send tanks to Ukraine. Biden was previously reluctant to send the tanks due to possible Russian retaliation.
The US Pentagon is working on developing a program to train Ukrainian soldiers to operate the machinery. The government is not sure how long it will take to get the tanks up and running on Ukrainian fronts. It could take “months,” according to the Associated Press
“My favorite Valentine’s Day tradition is getting my mom roses, a teddy bear and chocolates.”
“I love making mini love letters with pick-up lines for my friends.”
“My Valentine’s Day tradition is spending the whole day with my grandma, eating ice cream and eating all types of gummy bears that she likes.”
“My friends and I missed doing our secret santa so now we are doing a Valentine’s Day gift exchange.”
1. What meal did Caroline Hinkebein review? (Found on page 13)
2. What genre of movie is popular around this time of year? (Found on page 12)
3. What organization sells cookies and highlights their traditions? (Found on page 29)
4. What topic does Dart tackle in relation to relationships? (Found on page 18)
at is your favor ite thing about spr ing?
What is your favorite thing about spring?
32.8% said outdoor fun
53.4% said spring break
6.1% said spring holidays
Sophomore Allison Buckley was recently cast as the lead role in STA’s upcoming production, “Abigail, For Now.” Buckley walks us through the rehearsal process, as well as what the play is about and why students should come see it.
How did you initially become involved in theater?
“Last year for “Freaky Friday” my friends were all signing up for crew, and then I decided to as well, and I got put on running crew. It was just such a fun experience being involved in that. So then, I auditioned for the play and it was just so fun.”
What is the upcoming play, “Abigail, For Now” about?
“It is about this 15-year-old girl named Abigail who is found in the woods trying to go home. Her home is in outer space, and she believes she is an alien. She gets put into a mental hospital and she learns a lot about the human experience and mental health and that is what the play mostly focuses on. It touches on a lot of tough topics surrounding mental health. I play Abigail.”
What has been your experience so far exploring the role of Abigail?
“It has been a little bit challenging actually, because her whole thing is that she studies humans and she’s experiencing all these emotions for the first time. It is kind of hard to experience an emotion I maybe personally have never felt [before]. I have been learning from watching others, and kind of seeing how others react by observing.”
Could you please tell me a bit about the rehearsal process? What does a typical rehearsal look like?
“[In] rehearsals, we might run Act 1 one day, or just go through a part of it. And then, the other cast (since it’s double cast) will go into another room and work [on] that, and they can ask each other questions and get feedback. And then, we will work with Ms. Prentiss who is the director and she will give us points and we will work on staging.”
What is your favorite part about being in the play?
“Probably all the experiences and the jokes that everyone has behind the scenes. It is just like a lot of memories and everyone is really nice and fun.”
What is the main reason people should come see this play?
“It touches on a lot of tough topics and I feel like a lot of people have experienced those or know someone who has experienced them. It is like a new perspective on [that] and I feel like a lot of people can learn a lot, just like Abigail who is learning about the human experience.”
How has the cast bonded over this play? Have there been difficult moments you have had to work through and overcome?
“All of us, cast and crew, are working really hard to
make sure this production goes smoothly, but during times when we’re not practicing, we always find time to joke around with each other and we have tons of inside jokes. Spending everyday after school together kind of forces everyone to be friends, which is a really good thing. Everyone is super talented and puts a lot into this show. Mental health can be a really hard thing to portray and, as a cast, we’ve had to work on getting more comfortable, but I think it’s so much easier because we are all doing it together and have each other’s support.”
What are you most excited for when it comes to performing this play?
“I’m definitely most excited to share this show with my friends and family. I have been talking about this show a whole lot to anyone and everyone, so hopefully they are also excited. Another thing I think is so cool is that this show is double cast, which means that there are two people cast in each role and we take turns performing. Everyone has someone else they can go to and ask questions or opinions.”
What made you want to do this play, especially considering that it touches on tough topics?
“I wanted to do this play because I really do enjoy every aspect of it. I love going to rehearsals (even really long tech rehearsals), I love working on my lines, I love getting to wear costumes and I love every single person involved. I think “Abigail, for Now” is such an important show and because the topics are so difficult that is exactly why we need to talk about them. Mental health is something widely stigmatized and a lot more people than you’d think struggle with or know someone who has struggled with mental health. I think everyone can learn something from this show, because I definitely am everyday.”
How do you hope that the play will inspire others?
“I hope it shows people that it is okay to feel these things. If someone is struggling, chances are that someone else is struggling with the same thing. You can talk to others, and you can learn from others and you are not alone.” B
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it is the perfect time to grab some popcorn and spend some time with the best movie genre: Romantic Comedies. With the perfect combination of love and laughter, a great rom-com is the perfect movie choice for everyone. The only problem: there are so many great rom-coms it’s nearly impossible to choose which one to watch. Thankfully, I am here as a self-proclaimed rom-com connoisseur to tell you which ones are worth the watch based on your favorite classic rom-com.
If you are a fan of “10 Things I Hate About You,” you should watch “She’s The Man.” Beloved by many, “10 Things I Hate About You” tells the story of Patrick Verona attempting to charm Kat Stratford into dating him so that Cameron James can date her younger sister Bianca. What many people don’t know about this movie is that it is based on Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew,” which tells the story of Petruccio marrying Katherine so that Lucentio can court Bianca. Similarly, “She’s The Man” is also a modern Shakespeare retelling. “She’s The Man” recounts the story of Viola Hastings, who is pretending to be her brother Sebastian at boarding school. Viola falls in love with her roommate Duke Orsino, who is in love with Olivia Lennox, who is in love with Sebastian, who is actually Viola. The movie’s inspiration Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” tells the story of Viola pretending to be a boy named Cesario and working for, as well as falling in love, with the Duke Orsino. However, Orsino is in love with the Countess Olivia, and sends
Cesario to court her for him, but Olivia falls in love with Cesario, who is actually Viola. Along with both movies being modern Shakespearean adaptations, they are both stories of teen love that provide a good laugh for anyone who watches.
If you are a fan of “When Harry Met Sally,” you should watch “Love Rosie.” “When Harry Met Sally” tells the story of the relationship of Harry Burns and Sally Albright over a 12 year period. Starting off as enemies arguing about whether or not men and women can have a platonic relationship, they eventually become friends and attempt to maintain this
relationship. If you love the “Will they? Won’t they?” of “When Harry Met Sally,” you will surely enjoy “Love Rosie,” which is the story of best friends Alex and Rosie, who each harbor secret feelings for the other. The movie follows the many miscommunications between the two over the course of their lives, much like the story of Harry and Sally.
My third and final recommendation is for fans of “Love Actually” to watch the movie “Valentine’s Day.” For those of you who haven’t seen “Love Actually,” it tells nine intertwined love stories during Christmas time. In the same fashion, “Valentine’s Day” also tells nine different intertwined love stories, but instead of taking place at Christmas time, it happens on Valentine’s Day. With the holiday approaching, “Valentine’s Day” is the perfect watch for anyone who loves a multi-story rom-com. B
February is the perfect time to binge some great rom-coms; here are some new ones to try out based on your favorite classics.
My first stop was Dagwood’s Cafe, a popular breakfast and lunch spot on Southwest Boulevard whose website advertises itself as a “Kansas City, Kansas landmark diner since 1938.” Upon entering the diner, it’s clear that this statement rings true. With sections of black and white checkered floors and walls, a colorful Marilyn Monroe art piece on the wall and more than a few old-timey posters and Kansas City-themed art pieces, this diner is straight out of the movies. Staff that make you feel at home give this restaurant the perfect hometown vibe. An employee was wearing a Mike Moustakas Royals jersey and our waiter was happy to answer all of my grandparents’ questions about the history of the restaurant for 10-plus minutes. Despite being a seemingly busy eatery on a Saturday morning at 9 a.m., they sat us almost immediately.
Per the waiter’s suggestion, I ordered Dagwood Cafe’s most popular dish: The Dagwood, a breakfast sandwich with crispy bacon, a sunny side-up egg, cheddar cheese and finally hash browns — the key factor that makes this their most popular dish — all on perfectly toasted texas toast. I dipped the sandwich in a side of the famous turkey gravy, which further heightened my experience. My bottomless coffee was never less than half full, with highly attentive waiters constantly asking if I wanted more. The serving sizes are perfect and for the quality you get, the price point is superb — nothing on the menu is over $15. I would absolutely recommend any breakfast connoisseur who is looking for a new spot to head to Dagwood’s Cafe immediately.
OurHouseKC is that friend’s house you never want to leave” is this 39th Street restaurant’s message which appears on their website. Our House is a KC-centered foodie haven with a classic feel: brick walls and wooden furniture. But they have a unique attribute that makes this restaurant a must-try: their dome. In the colder months they insulate their rooftop in a clear plastic dome with heaters and themed decorations for each season. This season’s specialty: the love nest. Beautifully decorated with all things pink, red, hearts, birds, flamingos and Valentine’s Day, this is the perfect place to take your bae or the gals this love season. After ordering at the register, I headed up to the love nest and sat on a couch in the corner; the atmosphere was lovely. Our House often has live music but this morning there was a speaker providing the tunes. The wait staff was
mmediately when entering Homegrown in Brookside, you can feel the name. A large quote spans the wall encouraging patrons to “cultivate kindness,” honeycomb light fixtures hang from the ceiling and there are cute little plants at every table, creating an earthy and fresh feeling. I went on a Sunday, their busiest day, but as long as you join the waitlist on Yelp with ample time beforehand, getting seated is a not an issue.
The atmosphere was fairly noisy but not enough to prevent conversation. Also, almost every table was a booth, which I loved. Throughout the brunch, the wait staff was very kind and attentive, and chill background music added to the cozy vibe. I appreciated the creative menu, with items like “friends with benedicts,” “it takes the cake,” “gimme the meats!” and “the ironman.”
I started with a vanilla latte and a Homegrown favorite, the coffee cake. It was delectable. A smooth buttery cake with cinnamon crunchiness on top, you drizzle it with caramel sauce yourself and it is perfect. Hands down it was the best coffee cake I’ve ever had. For my main dish I chose the biscuits and gravy, which came with a side of two eggs your way (I got over easy) and breakfast potatoes. The eggs were cooked to perfection and the breakfast potatoes were some of the best I’ve ever had. They were seasoned just right, shaped into perfect little cubes; dipping them in ketchup was the cherry on top. The gravy was really
They weren’t bad necessarily, just a personal
hasn’t yet tried it. But despite the incredible breakfast potatoes and inviting atmosphere,
I went to a bunch of KC brunch spots so you don’t have to.
This story contains information from the following websites: Our Lady of Mercy Lay Carmelites; the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; the Aleteia; the Speakroom; and the autobiography of St. Teresa, entitled “The Book of Her Life.”.
People looked forward to getting it and seeing what was in it and talked about
news magazine of St. Teresa’s Academy: The Dart, and it’s been a defining feature of STA for many years.
The Dart is believed to have been STA’s source for news since 1941, but the origin of its name begins long before that. In 1559, St. Teresa of Avila’s transverberation, or piercing through, took place.
According to her journal, “The Book of Her Life,” an angel pierced St. Teresa’s heart with a dart.
“I saw in his [the angel’s] hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron’s point there seemed to be a little fire,” Teresa wrote. “He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of God.”
St. Teresa described the spiritual pain as being so pleasant that she “could not wish to be rid of it” and called it a “caressing of love so sweet which now takes place between the soul and God”.
St. John of the Cross elaborated on the event.
St. Teresa’s Academy’s newspaper, The Dart, has been the school’s publication for over 80 years, and has touched many students’ lives in that time.
“Our Lord was pleased that I should have at times a vision of this kind: I saw an angel close by me, on my left side, in bodily form. This I am not accustomed to see, unless very rarely. Though I have visions of angels frequently, yet I see them only by an intellectual vision, such as I have spoken of before. It was our Lord’s will that in this vision I should see the angel in this wise. He was not large, but small of stature, and most beautiful—his face burning, as if he were one of the highest angels, who seem to be all of fire: they must be those whom we call cherubim. Their names they never tell me; but I see very well that there is in heaven so great a difference between one angel and another, and between these and the others, that I cannot explain it. I saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron’s point there seemed to be a little fire. He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of God. The pain was so great, that it made me moan; and yet so surpassing was the sweetness of this excessive pain,
“It will happen that while the soul is inflamed with the Love of God, it will feel that a seraph is assailing it by means of an arrow or
dart which is all afire with love,” John wrote. “And the seraph pierces and in an instant cauterizes this soul, which, like a red-hot coal, or better a flame, is already enkindled. The soul is converted into an immense fire of Love.”
After St. Teresa’s death in 1582, her heart was removed, and a wound from the angel’s dart is still visible in the perfectly preserved organ, which is located in Alba de Tormes in Spain, to this day.
In honor of this miracle, the name The Dart was allegedly coined by St. Teresa’s Academy’s newspaper in 1941. The paper’s current logo is that same dart (minus the heart) and different variations of it have existed over the years. Throughout the long history of the paper, many staff members have come and gone, and the paper has evolved, influencing students along the way.
Francis Schilling, editor-in-chief of The Dart for the 1955-56 school year, reflected on the publication during her time on the paper, highlighting both differences and similarities between The Dart of the ‘50s and the current publication. The Dart at the time wasn’t a class, but an extracurricular activity, worked on after school instead of during the school day, and subscription cost one
that I could not wish to be rid of it. The soul is satisfied now with nothing less than God. The pain is not bodily, but spiritual; though the body has its share in it, even a large one. It is a caressing of love so sweet which now takes place between the soul and God, that I pray God of His goodness to make him experience it who may think that I am lying. During the days that this lasted, I went about as if beside myself. I wished to see, or speak with, no one, but only to cherish my pain, which was to me a greater bliss than all created things could give me. I was in this state from time to time, whenever it was our Lord’s pleasure to throw me into those deep trances, which I could not prevent even when I was in the company of others, and which, to my deep vexation, came to be publicly known. Since then, I do not feel that pain so much, but only that which I spoke of before—I do not remember the chapter —which is in many ways very different from it, and of greater worth. On the other hand, when this pain, of which I am now speaking, begins, our Lord seems to lay hold of the soul, and to throw it into a trance, so that there is no time for me to have any sense of pain or suffering, because fruition ensues at once. May He be blessed for ever, who hath bestowed such great graces on one who has responded so ill to blessings so great!” -St. Teresa of Avila, The Book of Her Life, Chapter XXIX
Story and Alternative Coverage by Chloe Denk | Web Editor Photos by Katelyn Buckley | Staff Writerdollar, as opposed to the free distribution of current day.
“It was a big deal when the paper came out. I had newspapers from when I was a freshman, sophomore, junior [and] senior,” Shilling said.
While the paper currently has three editors-in-chief, during Schilling’s time on staff it only had one, leaving her with several important duties.
“Probably what I did the most was proofreading,” Schilling said. “We made up a dummy paper on big sheets of paper, and when we got it all the way we wanted it and everything fit, I would drive this to the printer.”
Burns-Bucklew, editor-in-chief of The Dart in 1972, also remembered getting issues of the publication printed.
“We used the Westport printer company which was over on 43rd and Broadway. They had these big machines and [the issues] would literally come rolling out and smell
paper as possible.
“We had some good writers. There was a gossip column for instance, and that was a good way to get people’s names in,” Schilling said.
Burns-Bucklew recalled a similar goal.
“One of our challenges that Sister Marie gave us was to try to mention everyone in our class at least once in our senior year,” Burns-Bucklew said.
Burns-Bucklew’s stint on The Dart contained unique challenges due to the Vietnam War. The paper during her time wrote about student activism surrounding the war, which went against the school dress code, as some student protests involved wearing black armbands.
“It was a time of great social unrest,” Burns-Bucklew said. “There were a lot of protests against the Vietnam War. I believe it was that spring that people were wearing black armbands.”
headlines separately. That was one of the things I really liked doing was writing headlines.”
Schilling’s stint as editor-in-chief taught her lessons that she carried into both her career as a teacher and larger life, such as attention to detail.
“When you go on to college and get a job [and] your boss wants you to do X, and you pay attention to detail and do it correctly, it works better,” Schilling said. “It sounds like a little thing, but I found that to be very important in my life.”
Burns-Bucklew used writing skills acquired from The Dart in student journalism after STA and her career as an attorney.
“In college I worked on the student newspaper at Penn Valley. After I left, I went to Rockhurst College for a semester and wrote a couple of articles for [that] paper. Then I got an internship in Public Relations at Midwest Research Institute,” Burns-Bucklew said. “I was writing for their
like ink,” Burns-Bucklew said.
Burns-Bucklew also recalled an alternate task, issued by the moderator at the time, Sister Marie Tucker.
“The one thing that I remember most was having to sell advertising. Sister Marie Tucker made us sell advertising and it was mortifying,” Burns-Bucklew said. “I was really shy.”
Aside from Schilling’s editor role, other staff positions during her time on The Dart included business manager, features editor, circulation manager, make-up, and reporters, each coming with their own tasks.
“Our reporters gathered information, but we were not allowed to talk in the halls… so we did all of that after school and maybe call[ed] people on the phone to talk to them and get information,” Schilling said.
Another role was typists, a job now rendered unnecessary due to the use of computers for stories and layouts.
“We had typists,” Schilling said. “That was one of the jobs, people who typed it up.”
Of course, the role of writing remains central to any publication, and things were no different during Schilling’s time at the school. Both then and now, writers have worked to represent as many students in the
Of course, Burns-Bucklew and her peers covered lighter topics as well. She marked writing movie reviews as one of her favorite tasks.
“There was a movie called ‘“Friends”’ about teen love and then of course, there was the Franco Zeffirelli ‘“Romeo and Juliet”’ that came out that year,” Burns-Bucklew said.
Schilling recalled the environment of her time on The Dart, remarking fondly on meeting with her peers.
“When we would have meetings, there was a lot of laughter, a lot of kidding, a lot of jousting back and forth, except we really got it done,” Schilling said.
Burns-Bucklew also remembered the process of putting the paper together, remarking on particularly loving writing headlines.
“In between deadlines, we were constantly working on it. The printing process was called offset printing. Of course we didn’t have any kind of electronic technology, so it would be printed in long columns just like the columns you would see in the newspaper, and then we cut them to size and laid them out for each page,” Burns-Bucklew said. “Then we did the
internal newsletter and then learned a little bit about public relations and writing. And writing skills are important in my work now. Sometimes [I] have to track down information and research things.”
She also remarked on the effect of The Dart on students in general, commenting on an improved understanding of politics.
“I think that [being on The Dart] starts a habit of being attentive and being aware of important issues around you. Student publications can help people understand politics,” Burns-Bucklew said. “[In] a small school like St. Teresa’s, I think it’s an important communication tool.”
This attitude continues in the present, as The Dart shapes student life at STA. The paper has impacted students at St. Teresa’s Academy for over 80 years, and will continue to do so for many more.
Nothing could have summarized The Dart’s importance better than the 1970 Teresian: “High school newspapers are usually received with polite indifference by anyone outside the school circle. St. Teresa’s
has a proud exception in The Dart The Dart would be a credit to any school large or small.”B
St. Teresa’s is committed to diversity; students live near and far from STA and this can impact many aspects of their lives.
Story by Sarah Schwaller | Staff Writer Photos by Olivia Cooper | Staff WriterEach and every student at St. Teresa’s Academy comes from a different background, including geographically. This aligns with STA’s diversity statement: “Diversity has been a key component of the STA philosophy since our founding in 1866. STA values and embraces a racially, culturally, ethnically, geographically and economically diverse student body and school community.” However, a student’s physical distance from school can greatly impact their routines and relationships.
Junior Jane Pointer lives between Brookside and The Plaza and communtes only three minutes to school each way. Before she could drive to school, she would walk alone. She feels that living near school has greatly contributed to her independence. Living in such close proximity to school also can make establishing routines and cultivating friendships much easier for her.
Pointer’s daily routine isn’t drastically affected by her distance from school.
“I wake up at 7:20, I get ready and then I leave at 7:50,” Pointer said.
Pointer enjoys living close to school for social purposes as well and understands that for some classmates, it may be harder to attend school events such as sports games. For her, living closer makes these types of experiences so much more accessible. In addition, she is able to visit with her friends more often. According to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, residential proximity is one of the greatest factors in creating close relationships. This is true for Pointer, as she believes living close to STA has made her friendships stronger.
“I think [living close] positively impacts my friendships because all of my friends live around the STA area and we take turns going to each other’s houses,” Pointer said. “It’s not too much of a hassle to go out far.”
On the contrary, freshman Odelia Colvin lives much further away from STA, in Lawrence, Kansas. Her commute each day is between 45 minutes and an hour. This greatly affects her routine; Colvin wakes up at 6:15 a.m. and she leaves her house for school by 7 a.m. every day. This new regimen was a large adjustment from her previous school routine.
“It’s crazy! I used to wake up at 8:00 to go to school because it was so close and now I wake up at 6 a.m.; a two-hour difference,” Colvin said.
Colvin’s dad works in Kansas City, so he drives her to school and back with him every day. Colvin often gets ready at STA in order to arrive on time at her dance practice, which occurs directly after school. Colvin frequently takes advantage of the long commute to complete her homework.
Her relationships with her STA friends are considerably impacted due to this commute. She says that the distance from school is isolating for her in certain ways.
“If I want to do anything here [STA campus] with people I know here, I have to drive a whole hour and it’s not really worth it,” Colvin said. “I don’t really want to force them to come all the way to Lawrence. But, I do know a load of people in Lawrence that I’m friends with so that’s nice.”
In addition to the friendships component, there are aspects of the new city and urban life that were an adjustment. For example, Colvin was unfamiliar with Crumbl Cookies prior to regularly coming to Kansas City for school. She mentioned that she is also working on getting the lay of the land.
“When I got here I had to figure some things out, and I don’t really know where anything is [in Kansas City], so I have to pull up Google Maps anytime I want to walk anywhere,” Colvin said.
Colvin is thankful to STA for bringing a geographically diverse group of students together and hopes to be able to navigate herself to the nearest Kansas City Crumbl Cookies without the use of Google Maps as soon as possible.
With students coming from 77 zip codes, our school’s community truly reflects all parts of the Kansas City metropolitan area, and does so while creating a fun and loving sisterhood.
Regardless of how far away you live, you will always find a home at St. Teresa’s. B
Alternative coverage by Kaylee Lary
| Editorin
Chief4.5% live 40+ minutes
10.9% live 30 minutes
Students drive from all over to get to school. A poll was sent to students to see how far their ride is and which side of state line they live on.
26.4% live 20 minutes
33.6% live 5 minutes
24.5% live 10 minutes
80% of respondents live in Missouri
20% of respondents live in Kansas *out of 110
17.
I think [living close] positively impacts my friendships because all of my friends live around the STA area and we take turns going to each other’s houses
Jane Pointer
Walking through her boyfriend’s apartment in Lawrence, Kansas, 2017 alumna Marin Brown stops short to pick up a picture frame—a throwback from her senior prom. Brown and her current boyfriend met through an “accidental” prom set-up: Brown had just gone through a breakup and her now-boyfriend had spent the week serving as a leader on his school’s Kairos retreat.
Looking back on the photo with new-found relationship knowledge led Brown to reflect on the role teenage romance plays in our society and question the impacts media has on meeting people in 2023.
“Social media has affected kids trying to meet people now,” Brown said. “I have a lot of sympathy for teens nowadays because it’s hard to meet someone organically. I have friends who are my age and want to date but feel like they have run out of options. We live in Kansas; 2 million people live here. There has to be someone you haven’t met before but they feel the only way people are looking for relationships is at bars or online.”
Bishop Meige senior Stella Cahalan began her first and current relationship the summer before her junior year of high school. Cahalan was introduced to her boyfriend by mutual friends after he had caught her eye freshman year. Being in a long-term relationship offers Cahalan a new perspective specifically on the way teenage relationships have evolved with the ever-changing times.
“There have been changes in the way people view teenage relationships over time,” Cahalan said. “Social media brings a new aspect into it all, especially in terms of getting to know people. I feel like there’s either a lot of this ‘friend of a friend’ — which was the scenario I was in — or meeting someone online. There are pros and cons to that because there have been positive relationships that have come out of online dating or meeting online, but it’s also harder to find someone you genuinely like because it poses the question, ‘Do you actually know them?’”
One student at Rockhurst High School hasn’t been in any serious relationships during his time there but is exposed to many different perspectives from his peers. Almost all of his closest friends have had partners long-term, giving him a different insight into high school dating.
“It can be pressuring to be in a relationship at times because of social media’s modern presence nowadays,” he said. “I think that dating in high school can be beneficial because it gives people experience for more serious relationships down the road, yet I also think people sometimes take high school relationships too seriously. They tend to focus too much on their relationship and miss the best portions of their own high school experiences.”
The influence of social media in today’s society has increased astronomically, affecting the ways people meet each other. For the Rockhurst High School student, it has created an easier way to communicate with others from different schools, opening up doors to opportunities and creating new relationships.
“It is definitely easier to meet people because of social media,” he said. “I think going to an all-boys school can be difficult when trying to form relationships with anyone who I don’t see every day at Rockhurst.”
Society’s view of teenage relationships has evolved and been influenced by the rapidly changing times. The media has altered the way teenagers meet and interact, impacting the experience of high school dating and
I think that dating in high school can be beneficial because it gives people experience for more serious relationships down the road.
Anonymous Rockhurst Senior
“ “
Dating in high school can also have some added pressure, especially when it comes to seeing most of your peers being in relationships. STA sophomore Olivia Bohon believes that the expectations of high school dating are more paramount than their realities.
“I feel like dating in high school isn’t as big of a deal as you think it will be when you’re younger,” Bohon said. “Everyone’s more lowkey and people tend to worry more about themselves than you think they will.”
In addition to the impact social media has played on teenagers meeting people, Cahalan believes the media gives young people false expectations for who and how they should be dating.
“You get this expectation or sort of ‘bar’ to measure your relationship to those you see online and in the movies or even just relationships you see around you,” Cahalan said. “I’ve felt those expectations and seeing that bar has helped me realize the importance of knowing it’s there, but also knowing that every relationship is so different, and comparing your relationship to another relationship is one of the most toxic things you can do because everyone is genuinely so different. The media and movies portray teenage relationships more dramatically.”
Bohon and fellow STA sophomore Mia Pachardo believe social media hurts the expectations young people have for themselves regarding high school dating.
“Social media is fake,” Bohon said. “When you’re little [teenage movies and television shows] feel like a dream and when you grow up it’s upsetting that it doesn’t come true. High school is not the same as “High School Musical” and it’s disappointing.”
“I think social media just shows the best part of high school and it doesn’t really prepare you,” said Pachardo.
Social media presence wasn’t as monumental when Brown was in high school and figuring out how to navigate the world of dating, but movies and books acted as the equivalent of setting the teen relationship bar too high. When reflecting on her time in high school, Brown appreciates the media that helps foster a positive outlook on dating between younger generations.
“I think of “Juno” as being the most honest portrayal of high school relationships because [Paulie] just stops talking to [Juno] and it feels so true,” Brown said, “That felt so honest. Teenagers — and I hope the readers are not offended by this — you don’t know a lot of what’s going on so you make rash decisions and do things that don’t always make sense later down the road but they are also things that you probably need to do. You need to cry to your pillow and scream and create good stories for your friends to make fun of you for years later. When Evan broke up with me I did some crazy stuff and my friends even tease me about it now.”
Pachardo agrees with Brown’s sentiment that though most media portrayals of teen relationships can be false and glamorized, the movies that honestly demonstrate high school romance foster a healthy outlook when it comes to dating.
“ I think “To All the Boys I’ve Loved” is an accurate portrayal of high school romance,” Pachardo said. “The movie itself can be cringy but the [way Peter and Lara Jean] started ‘fake dating’ feels realistic to what might happen in real life. In the third movie, they have a big struggle when they go to college,which I know is very accurate to what happens when teenagers are like, ‘Oh, you’re going to college, I’m going to college, we’re going to different places.’ I feel like parts of that are realistic.”
Parchardo’s understanding that dating in high school is messy and not linear concurs with the Rockhurst high school senior’s belief that teenage relationships often take trial and error—high schoolers are young and just starting to figure out their emotions and what their goals in life are.
“I don’t think dating in high school is necessary by any
means,” he said. “Especially if your partner is from another school and you begin to worry about what they are doing all the time. While I do think it can be beneficial to get experience, in the end, not dating can save you from a lot of stress and drama. To each their own; if you meet the right person, dating in high school can be exactly what is meant for you, [but] everyone is just on their own path.”
Brown often found that while dating in high school, she took her relationships far too seriously and encourages others to take a more light-hearted approach.
“I think teenage relationships are funny and lighthearted and that’s what they should be,” Brown said. “I wasn’t always the best practitioner of that lightheartedness so I encourage it even more now. Everyone wants a serious relationship but if it is a person forever, you have forever to be intense. Dating is not your vocation, so keep your vocation as being a student and a daughter and a sister and classmate before the vocation of being a girlfriend.” B
A poll was sent out to the STA student body asking what movie or television shows portray the most accurate teenage relationships or experience of dating. Out of the 22 responses, the most common answers were “Juno,” “Normal People” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
Alternative Coverage by Maya Tule l Staff Writer
In this day and age, technology is easily accessible and quite often influences our lives, whether we realize it or not. Scrolling through your Instagram feed or watching a cheesy rom-com may seem like an innocent activity, but it can be impactful. It can be easy to want what others have, such as relationships, especially when they seem so perfect in the media. This raises the question: do we really want these things, or are we only looking for them because we feel as though we “need” them to fit in?
The majority of The Dart staff believe that the media does create an added pressure to pursue a relationship in high school. It is one thing to see glamorous celebrities in these seemingly-perfect relationships, but seeing your fellow classmates and their significant others plastered on your Instagram is more of a personal wake-up call and social media can make us feel as though we “can’t” do certain activities without a s/o, especially around the holidays.
However, staff members also agree that when we see these relationships in real life, the glitz and glamor can fade away. In person, we realize that these people are just like us, no different. Social media can sometimes make us feel like we need to be in a relationship in order to feel happy and fulfilled, but is that really true? Oftentimes many of us only ask guys to Teresian or Prom not because of a romantic interest, but because our friends may be dating someone and we don’t want to be the awkward ‘“ third wheel.”’
At the end of the day, being in a relationship does not define you. Who you date and when should not be influenced by outside factors. Social media is not an accurate portrayal of others’ lives, and while it may be difficult to do at times, it’s probably in our best interests to try to take it all with a grain of salt.
I do not believe social media adds pressure to engage in a romantic relationship with somebody. For me, I have never had an issue with anything like that, so I do not think so. I am sure other people have, though. Lots of people go all throughout highschool without having a relationship and that’s great!
I think social media does add pressure to pursue relationships in high school because teenagers can often be reliant on validation from media. Other people’s opinions can play a big factor in relationships. I also think people desire relationships in high school because of their peer’s social media posts with their significant others.
The arrival of February signals the beginning of Black History Month, which honors the sacrifices and contributions of Black people who have helped shape our nation. Recognized throughout the country, this month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, obstacles and accomplishments of Black Americans who are an integral part of history.
Black History month was first introduced in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, an American historian, who is often referred to as the “father of Black History.” Woodson originally envisioned a time period that would fall on the second week of February; during this time, Americans could celebrate and educate themselves on Black History. This specific week was purposely chosen as it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, two prominent men in Black history. Lincoln played a major role in the emancipation of slaves and Douglass was a former slave who is recognized as a distinguished leader in the fight to end slavery. However, in the late 1960s, as a direct result of protests around racial injustice and inequality in the U.S., the celebration was extended to the month recognized across the country today.
STA specifically pays homage to this month through various creative and interactive events organized by the Black Student Coalition (BSC). These events allow students to become involved and learn more about the major importance of Black history.
graduated from STA and worked with the Writing Center at STA, so we were excited about that,” Smith said.
More celebratory events are continuing throughout the month, with the next one coming up on Feb. 23.
“Alvin Ailey Dance troupe is coming for an all-school assembly to celebrate dance,” Smith said. “Later that night, Black Student Coalition is showing “Hidden Figures.” Everyone’s invited; there’s going to be food sold before and we are going to sell tickets for that.”
On Feb. 27, STA will be holding a culture night right after school to conclude the month.
“We’re going to have a fashion show from a minority-owned business and a hair show,” Smith said. “We’re going to hope to have members of The Divine Nine, which are the Black Greek organizations, speak about the importance of those organizations to the African-American community.”
Being the organizers behind the scenes of these events was not easy work, the BSC found.
“The Black Student Coalition takes a lot of pride in sharing things that are unique to their culture but also unify the community, showing that even though a group might have a different background, we can still celebrate.
Nicole SmithThe main theme of the month and events is “Firsts.” Nicole Smith, Director of Equity and Inclusive Education and business instructor, further elaborated on this theme.
“The theme for Black History Month is ‘Firsts,’” Smith said. “We’re going to talk about a lot of firsts: STA firsts, firsts in the United States–just a bunch of firsts.”
Some of these events have already been in motion as, on Feb. 3, a Gospel Choir sang at an all-school Mass. Senior Sydne Sylvan, leader of the BSC, expanded on the intention of this addition to Mass.
“A lot of people don’t see what Black church is really like, unless you actually attend,” Sylvan said. “It gave people a different perspective on the different things that go on in Black churches and how Black churches are so important to Black history.”
Another event held to Honor Black History Month occurred on Feb. 8, when Black Student Coalition members attended a play called “Only One Day a Year.” Smith expressed the importance of this event.
“It’s [the play] written by Michelle Johnson, who actually
“The greatest challenge is trying to get it done in the school day because a lot of people don’t want to come back after school,” Sylvan said. “We’ve been trying to make everything easily accessible during the school day so [students]don’t have to leave and then come back.”
Despite all the challenges, the BSC has worked hard to spread awareness and encourage education throughout this month celebrating Black history and culture.
“I want students to make sure that we remember and honor the sacrifices that many African- Americans have made, not only in February, but all year round,” Sylvan said. “Just to make sure that you remember the importance of Black History Month and the achievements that these people made despite the discrimination they face.”
Smith also encourages this remembrance, along with the power of having genuine conversations.
“The Black Student Coalition takes a lot of pride in sharing things that are unique to their culture but also unify the community showing that even though a group might have a different background, we can still celebrate,” Smith said. “There are ways that we can celebrate together to expand awareness and just to give people an opportunity to talk openly about things in a way that’s not uncomfortable.”B
The Dart recently sent out a survey asking students about their celebrity crush. Here are the results.
Story by Anna Stout | Design Editor
“The Rock has always been my favorite actor ever since I was little. We share a birthday, so it makes it even more special to me. He was like the guy I would always watch on tv."
“I have always loved JB. I would jam out to his songs all throughout my childhood. I have dressed up as him for holidays and dances! I went to his concert and it was so fun. I love all of his albums. #Belieber4ever”
“I have A LOT of celebrity crushes. But I have a few favorites: Dylan O’Brien, Kit Connor, Louis Partridge, and Joshua Bassett. I often watch a show and easily get obsessed with an actor from the show/movie: for example, Dylan O’Brien from the “Maze Runner” movies, Kit Connor from “Heartstopper,” etc. I really enjoy being able to bond with other people my age over how in love we are with the same celebrities. For some reason, it is really fun to do.”
“My celebrity crushes are Matt Rife, Henry Cavill and Cillian Murphy. Imagine a date with all three! Matt will have you laughing all night long, Henry will geek out over “The Witcher” and the DC universe, and Cillian will be all mysterious and shy. All three have great personalities, are extremely successful and seem like wonderful people to be around.”
As this past Christmas approached, I found myself in a predicament many privileged teenagers know all too well: I couldn’t think of anything to put on my Christmas list.
I panicked and– as any good teenager does– turned to the internet. Articles upon articles of “The Hottest Gifts of 2022” were immediately at my fingertips, beckoning me into their slideshows full of popular, random and surprisingly alluring goods.
Although none of these picks made it to my list, I was taken aback by how convincing some items were of their necessity in my life: do I need a sunrise light to fix my sleep patterns? Or an ice roller to make myself look less puffy?
These are exactly the questions companies and advertisers want you to, and know you will, ask. But the question at the core of every sales pitch is this: Will this product make me happier?
It might, it might not.
While some things really do have the power to enhance our lives, (I’m looking at you, Lululemon leggings)
| Opinions Editorthere’s a truckload full of reasons not to let yourself be swept up in the constant pursuit of material goods.
For one, there’s always something better.
In 2017, guess which iPhone was hot stuff? The iPhone 8. Six years later, guess which iPhone looks like an archaic artifact drudged up from the Roman Ruins? You guessed it, the iPhone 8.
While Apple is one of the most prominent faces of consumerism, the need for newness is present all over our society. Marketing phrases such as “cutting edge” or “innovative” draw people in like moths to an overpriced flame. While exciting, this constant “someone has something better” mindset can wreak havoc on your happiness if you let it. I think the best way to combat this comparative tendency is by practicing gratitude. Be aware of the things you already have, whether it’s your family, house or even your iPhone 8.
Another danger of materialism is its ability to blind you to what would actually improve your life. While that fancy light could make my mornings more peaceful, going to bed at a more reasonable time would probably be much more helpful. Although I could wait for that facial roller to take care of my morning puffiness, maybe I just need to have more confidence in my own skin. When you give material items power over your life, you’re ignoring the real root of your problems and holding yourself back from acting on them. Try considering what problem you’re really trying to solve before making your next unnecessary purchase, and you just might fix it on your own.
The final (and I think most unselfish) reason to avoid excessive consumption is waste. The unsustainable practices of fast-fashion companies, the emissions of online orders and the plastic containers used by coffee shops all contribute to our dirty footprint on the environment.
There are so many ways to avoid this problem, like using reusable products when you can, buying local or resold goods and supporting sustainable companies. Today, it’s easier than ever to find highquality, socially responsible alternatives in clothing, coffees – even phone cases. This is called being a “conscious consumer” and it’s exceedingly simple. By putting thought into when and what you’re buying, you’re improving both your world and ours.
I believe the real solution to our society’s obsession with consumerism is awareness. While some purchases can improve your life, it’s up to you to determine if they truly support your values. You are in control of both identifying the problems you’re trying to fix and utilizing what you already have to solve them. Because although our culture of consumerism tries to convince us otherwise, you have so much more than your purchases could ever give you.B
While gifts and gadgets can make our lives easier, that doesn’t always mean better.
Massman
It’s a chilly winter day as I make my way to my favorite place for chai lattes…Headrush. I walk in and see the familiar cashiers and baristas as I order my usual chai tea latte with oat milk. As I take the first sip, it’s the perfect blend of spices to warm me up. If I get up early enough, I might do school work on the trendy and comfy couches with my chai latte and a scone.
A chai tea latte is the best drink for any time. In cool weather you can get it hot, and in warm weather you can get it iced. If you want to be risque or just need a caffeine boost, you can order a dirty chai with shots of espresso. Chai tea wakes me up in the morning and makes me ready for the school day.
My first time trying chai was on a family trip to Colorado a couple years ago. My mom suggested that I try a chai latte and at first I wasn’t the biggest fan. I don’t think I was expecting all the spices. I tried it again about a year ago and I loved it. Now it’s an obsession. I’ve had chai lattes from many different places and even tried to make one, but I will always return to the locally owned coffee house: Headrush.
If you are looking for an affordable and delicious chai, Headrush is the place. A chai tea latte at Headrush costs $3.50 compared to a $5 Starbucks chai tea latte, which sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Headrush also has a card that you get stamped for every time you buy a drink there, and once you have 10 stamps, you get a free drink. If you are going for the best flavor, Headrush has the most powerful spices in their chai out of all the places I’ve been.
If you are considering the homemade chai route, I would recommend buying the Tazo Classic Chai Latte brand. To prepare it, mix equal parts chai concentrate with
the milk of your choice. Then heat on the stove or microwave, or simply pour over ice.
Chai originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and was used as a healing beverage. By the 1700’s, chai had spread from East Asia to Western Europe, and from there to the Americas. The
original name for chai tea was “masala tea,” because masala means “spiced” in Hindu and chai means tea. So when you are ordering a chai tea, you are really asking for “tea tea.”
The traditional ingredients of chai are black tea mixed with strong spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and black peppercorns. You can make it a latte by adding the milk of your choice, mine being oat milk.
There are many health benefits to chai such as heart health, digestion and controlling blood sugars. Chai tea and the spices in chai are rich in antioxidants. Studies show that chai tea can help to increase alertness and focus. Black tea (the type of tea in chai) is high in vitamins and minerals that are good for your skin.
The next time you are at a coffee shop and see chai on the menu, be sure to give it a try and see why I like chai a latte.B
On January 2, Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety, went into cardiac arrest after a hard-hitting tackle. Following his collapse, Hamlin wasn’t responsive, but after CPR, his heartbeat was revived on the field. He was then transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition. Hamlin is doing better now and is back at his home.
It is not known why Hamlin’s heart stopped but cardiac experts said that the hit to the chest may have sent his heart into arrhythmia. As a direct result of Hamiln’s frightening health scare in the middle of a game, questions and concerns surrounding athlete’s health has become a prevalent topic in the athletic community.
Alexa DeClue, STA athletic trainer, talks about the importance of athlete’s physical health and recovery.
“The main thing is that they [athletes] listen to their body and notice any minor thing that is off,” DeClue said. “It’s warranted to ask a trainer and not let it linger. Also, body stretching, rolling out, all that kind of stuff is really important as well. It’s like maintenance on your machine, which is your body.”
In DeClue’s experience, she has found it is all too common for athletes to compromise their health for the sake of a sport.
“There are a lot of those athletes out there,” DeClue said. “Oftentimes, they won’t come to me and those are the athletes that ‘suffer in silence.’ The athletes that do come in, sometimes warranted, they are listening to their body.”
When it comes to your health, you have to think long-term and not short-term. An athlete’s physical health means more than finishing a sports game.
Alexa DeClueIn order to prevent these major injuries, DeClue has found that it is important to do proper recovery after a game or practice.
“It depends on the activity but staying hydrated and fueling your body
properly helps. Stretching before and after you play prevents injury,” DeClue said.
The phrase “mind over matter” is commonly used to describe the use of willpower to overcome physical problems.
Athletes use this expression to lessen the extremity of an injury. Mind over matter has an effect on athletes’ “need to play.”
“When it comes to your health, you have to think long-term and not short-term,” DeClue said. “An athlete’s physical health means more than finishing a sports game.”
Senior Sophia VanHorn is well acquainted with pain as a direct result of athletics. She broke her foot last year playing soccer.
“I was practicing at my old [boarding] school, and a teammate stepped on my foot,” VanHorn said. “I broke two bones and tore ligaments in my foot.”
As a result of various factors, VanHorn wasn’t initially aware of the severity of her injury.
“I was away from my parents so they couldn’t see how bad I was hurting,” VanHorn said.
“I had to rely on the athletic trainers there and they told me it was just a ‘bruise,’ so I continued to play on it for three months.”
VanHorn felt immense pressure to continue playing and it was hard for her to stop.
“Being one of the older girls on the team, I had a leadership role, and I was the person the younger girls looked up to,” VanHorn said. “I felt like if I stopped playing for having a “bruise” as the athletic trainers called it, that wouldn’t be very fair to the team.”
It is crucial for athletes to get proper recovery when they are injured.
“I’m luckily not in any physical therapy,” VanHorn said. “I’ve had two surgeries and had five-inch long screws put in to stabilize everything and I got the screws taken out Jan.13. I’ve been going to the gym to try and build my strength and stamina back. It’s been awful taking time for my injury. I’ve been playing soccer since I could walk and I’ve never had more than a two-week break.”
“Pain is like a red flag for your body. Athletes need to take proper precautions and stay in tune with their bodies to ensure physical wellbeing,” DeClue said. B
Proper recovery is important to ensure an athlete’s physical health.Senior Sophia VanHorn hopes to return to the soccer field this spring. photo by Lilliana Reynolds-Andrews
February
JV and Varsity vs. Pembroke Hill at Pembroke Hill School
February
JV and Varsity vs. Notre Dame de Sion at St. Teresa’s Academy; Senior Night
February
District Swim Meet at Belton High
February
18 swim
Swim State in St. Louis at the St. Peters Rec-Plex
Senior Allison Baker is a post/center for the STA varsity basketball team. Baker has played on the STA team for four years and also participates in club basketball for KC Shock.
Baker has been playing basketball since the first grade and over the years, she has become stronger and more competitive. Baker remembers she started playing with her dad as her coach.
As an experienced athlete, Baker appreciates the changes that have been made to the STA team over time and considers herself very competitive. She also values the fun environment STA basketball has to offer. Baker’s favorite memories throughout her time on the team are going to St. Louis for the last two years. B
English teacher Alexandria Warner’s recent read is “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt.
Story by Dianne Haake Opinions Editor Graphics by Anna Cucar Photo EditorEnglish Teacher Alexandria Warner’s recent read is a #1 New York Times bestseller titled, “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. The novel is Van Pelt’s debut book, published May 2022.
“A lonely, elderly woman named Tova takes pride in working as a custodian for the local aquarium after the death of her husband and disappearance of her son over three decades ago,” Warner said.” As she begins to have strange encounters with Marcellus, the incredibly intelligent giant Pacific octopus, they build an unlikely friendship. Marcellus makes it his mission to help Tova discover the truths of her son’s disappearance before he dies.”
The story is told from multiple point of views, including Marcellus. It deals with themes of trust, hope and the power of second chances.
Warner recommends this book to STA students looking for an interesting new read.
“This novel is a quick, easy read that deals with the sweetest characters,” Warner said. “And anyone who knows me knows that I love animals/wildlife and that I love strange fiction. Marcellus the octopus is my favorite character of all time now!” B
With Valentine’s Day arriving soon, The Dart staff shares their favorite movie and television couples.
Story by Dianne Haake Staff Writer Graphics by Anna Cucar Photo Editor“My favorite movie couple is Andie Anderson and Ben Berry from “How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days”,” sophomore Isa Glover said. “I like them because Andie is writing a story about how to get a man to leave you in 10 days and Ben thinks he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days. This movie is comical and light-hearted.”
“My favorite couple is Kat and Patrick from “10 Things I Hate About You” because they have really good chemistry,” junior Ellie McManamy said. “They’re super compatible with each other. The movie itself is iconic and a classic of mine.”
“My favorite TV/movie couple is Amy and Laurie from the book/movie “Little Women”,” junior Jasmine Cervantes said. “I love their playful relationship with each other. Also, I love how Amy fell first, but Laurie fell harder in love.”
STA Students Georgia Kerrigan and Gabi Vovk have been participating in Girl Scouts since they were in kindergarten. As cookie season begins, they reflect on their favorite experiences in Girl Scouts.
Storyand Photos by
Ellie Buttell Opinions EditorAs the New Year begins, and new resolutions are made, Girl Scouts all around the world begin the cookie season. These beloved cookies are staple to the Girl Scout organization, but they are not all that Girl Scouts is. Senior Georgia Kerrigan and junior Gabi Vovk are both dedicated Girl Scouts, and they both started at young ages.
Kerrigan has been participating in Girl Scouts since she was five years old, where she started out as a Daisy. Kerrigan’s mom led her troop, Troop #678. While Kerrigan’s troop started out large, she felt numbers dwindling as she got older.
“I think when people get older, the motivation isn’t there because you have to do more work,” Kerrigan said.
As Girl Scouts advance, they have more responsibilities and projects, like the Silver Award, their journeys and the Gold Award.
Kerrigan stayed involved with Girl Scouts because she enjoyed achieving her Silver Award with her partner, and wanted to go on to earn her Gold Award independently.
Vovk has also been involved with Girl Scouts since kindergarten, where she signed up because the other girls in her grade were also participating. Currently, Vovk participates in events like Twilight Camp, and is a member of the Teen Leadership Council, where Vovk raises awareness and plans future Girl Scout Events.
“It was really moving to see someone who was terrified to do something and then wanting to go again,” Vovk said.
Cookie season marks another big tradition for Girl Scouts, beginning in January and continuing through February. This is one of the busiest times of the year for Girl Scouts.
“I think it’s the most busy season, not just because of cookies, but because it’s a New Year and people are planning summer camps and events,” Vovk said.
Cookie season is when most families order boxes of the famous Girl Scout cookies. Each person has their favorite cookie, the STA Girl Scouts included.
“My favorite is Peanut Butter Patties, but Thin Mints are the most popular. My top three are Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel Delights and Thin Mints,” Kerrigan said.
Specific cookies tend to be the most popular, according to Vovk.
“I think there are four most popular: Caramel Delights, Lemonades, obviously Thin Mints and Peanut Butter Patties,” Vovk said.
Regardless of popularity, Vovk has her personal preferences.
“My personal favorite is Lemonades,” Vovk said.
Girl Scout cookies are a staple to the organization; however, Girl Scouts at STA believe the organization has a lot to offer to the community through various ways. B
“I think people don’t realize how much Girl Scouts can benefit you,” Vovk said.
Vovk believes there are many opportunities with Girl Scouts that allow her to get service hours. The work she does within Girl Scouts benefits the community, and is meaningful to her. Vovk fondly recalls when she was able to help one of her campers at Twilight Camp get over her fears.
If you like to give the people you love hugs, squeezes, or just a good reassuring pat, then this is the love language for you! You show your loved ones that you care by giving them a tight squeeze!
People whose love language is Acts of Service most definitely believe in the theory “actions speak louder than words.” If this is you, you want your friends and loved ones to know that you’ll do anything for them!
I feel loved when somebody I’m close with is comfortable being close to me
I’m always the first person to volunteer when somebody needs help!
I always make sure to put extra time into gifts for my friends and family
If you got quality time, then you’re the type of person who values every second with your loved ones, and if you’re with them, any bad day can be turned good! You make everybody feel special just by being around them!
If this is your love language you’re the kind of person who’ll always be there for your friends with comforting words and thoughtful conversations. You love showing your love through your words!
I love including my friends in my holiday traditions
If I see one of my loved one’s favorite snacks while shopping I’ll grab it for them!
Receiving gifts may sound like a superficial love language but it’s just as meaningful as the others! If this is your love language, you pay attention to your friends’ interests and hobbies, and make sure that they know you’re paying attention by giving them proof! Yes!
I really like to volunteer!
My idea of fun on the weekend is hanging out with my friends and just talking
I love giving and receiving hugs when I or somebody I love is upset
A heartfelt card or note is what really makes a gift special to me I know I’m loved when somebody does a chore I hate for me
When I’m feeling down, spending time with my friends is bound to cheer me up.
I like doing favors for my friends
I tell my loved ones how much I appreciate and care for them as much as I can
Getting a thoughtful gift from somebody would absolutely make my day!
I love giving PDA to my friends/ significant other
My “New Girl” Obsession Column by Olivia Cooper
