The Dart, Vol. 88, Issue 1, Sept. 29, 2023

DART The

After the release of the “Barbie” movie and Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” students reflect on girlhood at STA and their perspectives on feminity, see pages 16-18.

St. Teresa’s Academy Kansas City, MO Volume 83

4-5 Photo Essay: Look Back at Teresian

7 Current Events Calendar

8-9 Weather Around the World

10-11 Star Spotlight: Mike Foster

12 Feature: Many Make Pilgramage to See Incorrupt Nun

13 Feature: May-Washington's expierences through traveling

14 Review: Drive-in Theaters

15 Review: True Crime Podcasts

16 Cover Story: Beyonce, Barbies and Beyond

20 Feature: Senior Pictures

22 Feature: Sustainable Transportation

23 HofSTA: Affinity Leaders

24 Sports: Across the Generations

25 Sports: School Spirit

26 Columns: Lina Kilgore and Olivia Cooper

29 Community: BooktoberFest

30 Last Look: Fall Vibes

Why I Love Volleyball by Isa Glover

Club Fair gallery by Maya Tule

Girlhood by Jo Marshall

Passing of the Legacy Gallery by Molly Sonnenberg and Maya Tule

Dear Reader,

The Dart is so excited to bring you our first issue of the 2023-24 school year! In this issue, we recap some of the events that have transpired since we last wrote to you in May.

On pages four and five, Jasmine Cervantes and Maya Tule show off our beautiful students in their Teresian pictures.

Chloe Denk covers the most recent weather disasters from the past few months on pages eight and nine. Catch security officer Mike Foster’s interview with Olivia Cooper on pages 10-11. Hear Foster’s take on parking lot peril (shoutout to the time Tierney’s wheel fell off of her car in the junior lot!).

On page 12, read Annie McShane coverage of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster’s perfect preservation in Gower, MO. Right beside that, you’ll find a feature about STA’s president Siabhan May-Washington’s travel adventures during her tenure at our school.

If you’re looking for something scary to listen to this October, check out Molly Sonnenberg’s True Crime podcast review. Or, on the less scary side of the fall, hear all about Rebecca McGannon’s experience at the B&B drive-in theater.

For this cycle’s cover story, Katelyn Buckley, Tierney Flavin and Wynnie Sprague write about how female empowerment and STA crossover. Have a look at our very own “Barbie World” special feature on pages 16-18, and on page 19, have a look at The Dart staff’s take on this topic.

On pages 20-21, Stella Baska covers the process of taking senior photos, featuring interviews from professional photographer Trisha Baska (yes, that’s her mom!) and student photographer Lilly Reynolds-Andrews.

Anna Massman details students’ sustainable modes of transportation on page 22. And on the next page, you’ll hear from STA’s affinity group leaders.

On pages 24-25, Cassie Hallier covers the history of the STA cross country team, which was started by Mike Egner over 30 years ago.

On page 26-27 hear from staffers Lina Kilgore about her tap dancing experience and Olivia Cooper’s love for old movies.

Finally, check out Anna Stout’s Last Look with your fall essentials. Hope you “fall” in love with this issue! That’s all for now. Happy reading!

Dancing the Night Away STA students and their dates attended held in the gym due

Seniors Students and their dates dance the night away.

Photos by Jasmine Cervantes | Photo Editor

Juniors Eve Szylleyko and Kamryn Harris pose for a picture before entering the dance.

Seniors Saylor Pickard, Madie Roney and Jane Pointer pose during Teresian.

Seniors Izzy Salinardi, Isabella Black and MK Glynn dance at Teresian.

Away at a Garden Party attended the 2023 Teresian, which was due to the weather.

Seniors Charlotte Saxe and MK Glynn pose for their final homecoming dance at St. Teresa’s.

Sophomore Madison Hardley dances at her first Teresian.

Juniors Campbell Jones, Molly Monroe, Joelle Bollier and Sophie Trainor take a break from dancing to pose.

Editor and Maya Tule | Associate Photo Editor

Seniors Mackenzie Egan, Evan Burdick and Lee’s Summit West senior Cora Westbrook dance at their final Teresian.

What does “girlhood” mean to you?

STA students share their definitions of girlhood and its presence in their lives. For more about girlhood, see pages 16-19

Story by Dianne Haake | Web Editor

“Girlhood is a period of time from which your parents choose your clothes every day until you graduate high school. In that period of time, however, there are changes. You learn to become independent and figure out who you want to be once you leave for college, or whatever you plan to do. You learn what you want to do to benefit the world or your community. You experience the things that one day you’ll be telling a story about to whoever wants to listen. It can be a magical time, but never without its downsides.”

AvajuniorReyes, “I’ve always believed girlhood to be the connection between every girl. We can all relate to certain experiences of being a girl, so it’s best to stick together! Even before I went to an all-girls school, I always had an all-girls friend group because we could bond over lots of things. And then when I got older, I thought it wasn’t cool to be girly: liking pink, listening to girly music, etc. Now though, after coming to STA, I’ve actually become proud of being a girl and I think it’s super fun despite all the struggles!”

Akon Akuei, freshman

“Growing up with the struggles around being a girl, and the stereotypes around being a girl. This has affected me especially on stereotypes on what a girl should be and what she should dress up as.”

Ana Klein, senior

“Girlhood is the difference between living with grace and living without. Anyone can join or be in girlhood as long as they have a deeper understanding of a universal unity. This has had a presence in how I treat people, how I see myself and how I interact with people and the world daily as well as my life goals.”

Evelyn Brungardt, junior “Girlhood is not only having friends but having a home. I never really felt like I belonged at a school, but now I am in a school where we can be whoever we want to be, where not knowing everything is okay. Now that I am a part of a community that is super supportive, I feel like I found my home. When I walk in the quad with shoes or clothes or a new bag or even just out there, someone is so happy to see me it makes my heart melt. I was scared as a transfer last year that I wouldn’t belong or that I would be out of place. No matter where I walk on campus, everyone is happy to see each other! Everyone is interested and focused. We have so much fun. If I were to explain to someone about girlhood, I could not tell them it is my home, I would tell them it is heaven on earth. The main reason I think is that sisterhood is important because we share so many memories. I love all the girls in my class. It is a true blessing being able to come to a school like the one I go to right now.”

Paloma Greim, sophomore

“My definition of ‘girlhood’ was forever changed when I entered freshman year at STA. The word cannot be conveyed with any singular statement, and its true meaning is better captured with the question, “Why not?” Why not be unfailingly vulnerable, and share your love so freely with others that they are inspired to do the same? Remembering the community that STA has given me access to has given me courage to pursue my academic goals knowing that I will be supported. Girlhood enables me to appreciate the people and causes I love, and makes me always want to be a better listener and friend. To be grateful and positive is one thing, but to be aware that there is always a way to become kinder-- that is ‘girlhood.’”

Gennie Stasi, senior

“I personally think that ‘girlhood’ in all its forms is about learning and experiencing. It’s where you begin to understand your likes, what you dislike, you learn how to be yourself and act around others. I think it’s a point in every girl’s life where you begin to feel out of place in your own skin. Which can be bad, yes, but it gives you a chance to figure out what makes you feel comfortable and how you react to certain things in your life. It’s an important time for any girl and I think it needs to be valued for the importance it carries.”

Maja Bird, junior

“To me, girlhood is the unspoken bond between all girls, no matter their level of friendship. Whenever I’m around all girls, I feel more comfortable and at ease. Whenever I get ready in the morning by doing my makeup, figuring out my outfit, and doing my hair, I’m reminded of the women around the world doing the same. It brings me a sense of unity that brightens my day!”

Sophie Wilson, senior

“My personal definition of girlhood would be ‘the perfect mixture of grief and glory.’ Girlhood is a universal experience all of us girls go through. It is kind of like an unspoken language that is understood only by girls. That is the glory. The grief is that boys will never get it. Not that we want them to get it. They just see the world a little bit differently than us. I think that is why we girls tend to hold on so tightly to our girlhood. Girlhood connects all of us girls no matter the age.”

Ava Haskins, sophomore

“Girlhood to me is wanting to feel cozy 24/7 and having self-care rituals and loving clothes. I think just recently, I’ve been obsessing over being a girl and feeling my true teenage girl mindset and I love it. I love blaming my mistakes on being ‘just a girl’ and I love my pink drinks with cold foam, I love shopping, I love the color pink and I love having my night care rituals and always wearing comfy clothes.”

“For me, girlhood is the belief that you can be whatever you want, whether that’s a princess, the president or an astronaut. I think as girls, we get told over and over that we’re not good enough, and we see men dominate the fields we want to go into and lose that belief. ‘Girl’ gets a negative connotation because it’s often used for younger women, but I think it’s okay for women to still identify with the word ‘girl’ and continue to dream big and shoot for the stars.”

Katherine Bowling, freshman

“Girlhood is when girls start to see the world for how it really is with its limitations and society’s rules of how girls should look and act. But it can have a positive effect because it joins girls together as sisters. This has affected my life because all I seem to hear is how girls should be and I have found a sisterhood here at STA.”

EllajuniorJanssen, “My definition of girlhood is being there for each other. Like if someone needs a pad, even if they’re your worst enemy, you still give them it. Sharing tips on caring for ourselves is also important. Just this sense of community that I feel like girlhood has given me. It’s affected how I view myself in the workplace and how I make sure I have things on hand to help other people. It is why I am who I am.”

Catherine Carr, freshman

Erin Turley, freshman

ctober Festivities ctober Festivities

ADMIT ONE Beyoncé

BEYONCE RENNAISANCE TOUR

OCT. 1 - ARROWHEAD

TRAVIS SCOTT

UTOPIA TOUR

OCT. 20 - T-MOBILE CENTER

THE 1975

STILL AT THEIR VERY BEST TOUR

OCT. 25 - TMOBILE CENTER

OCT. 6-7 at Crown Center

CHIEFS HOME GAMES

OCT. 12 & 22

OCT. 6

FIRST FRIDAYS AT THE CROSSROADS ART DISTRICT

P!NK TRUSTFALL TOUR

OCT 27-28 - TMOBILE CENTER

OCT. 28

BOO AT THE KANSAS CITY ZOO

OCT. 15-28

WORLDS OF FUN

HALLOWEEN HAUNT

OCT. 31

HALLOWEEN

Weather Around the World

by

Unprecedented wildfires, devastating earthquakes, extreme flooding, unforgiving droughts, intense heat, destructive tropical storms. Over the summer, the world has been inundated with headlines of extreme climate events, all spelling out one message: the effects of the climate crisis are here.

For the people of Lahaina, that meant devastating wildfires which ravaged the west Maui community on August 8th, leaving at least 97 people dead and thousands more without homes. A drought that had swept Hawaii, as well as Hurricane Dora in the Pacific, created dry and windy conditions that aided the blaze on its path of destruction.

“Climate chaos wreaking havoc on ecosystems everywhere is the new norm,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley, of the Hawaiian fires.

Sen. Dick Durbin commented on the event as well, saying that the fires were a “devastating view of our planet as we fail to adequately address the climate crisis.”

In Morocco, the climate crisis took the form of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that shook Marrakech in early September, killing at least 2,901 people and injuring at least 5,530 more. Buildings crumbled, trapping many of their inhabitants underneath the rubble and leading to wide scale search efforts for survivors. An estimated 300,000 Moroccan citizens were affected by the tragedy, losing homes and family members in one fell swoop.

That same week, Libyans mourned the loss of loved ones after heavy rains from Storm Daniel caused two dams to be breached, unleashing flooding that left over 5,000 people dead and another 10,000 missing. The floodwaters raced through the Wadi Derna valley, washing residents out to sea. Although officials had released warnings about the approaching storm, the country did not anticipate the breakage of the dams, and so were not prepared for its devastating effects.

The beginning of August brought extensive flooding in Alaska, as the Mendenhall Glacier, which acts as a dam

for the Mendenhall river, burst, sending floodwaters rushing down into Juneau. Suicide Basin, a side basin of Mendenhall Glacier, is fed by melt from Suicide Glacier, which then rushes out from under Mendenhall. This year, however, the water fled the basin at an unprecedented rate, causing the banks of the river to swell. In the past, Suicide Basin was covered by its glacier, contributing ice to the Mendenhall Glacier. Human-caused temperature change is causing the melting of glaciers at extreme rates, and the lack of ice contribution from Suicide Glacier contributed to the scale of the flooding.

This past year, wildfires in Canada have raged, adding 410 megatons of carbon to the atmosphere, the highest amount of carbon emissions from a wildfire season on record, and burning over 42 million acres of land. Thousands of Canadians were forced to evacuate, and dangerous air quality swept Canada and the United States. Climate change contributes to the dry conditions and

A Maui County firefighter uses a hose line to extinguish a fire near homes during the upcountry Maui wildfires in Kula, Hawaii, on Aug. 13.

Photo by Patrick T. Fallon, courtesy Getty Images

Story

Chloe Denk | Design Editor

After a summer of record-setting temperature highs, extreme climate events influenced by anthropogenic climate change are more in the spotlight than ever: The Dart breaks it down.

drying of organic matter that allow wildfires to spread. According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, “Wildfire risk depends on a number of factors, including temperature, soil moisture, and the presence of trees, shrubs, and other potential fuel. All these factors have strong direct or indirect ties to climate variability and climate change.”

Globally, record-setting heat shocked the world this past summer as areas like Phoenix set extreme records, such as 31 consecutive days at temperature above 110 degrees fahrenheit. The extreme temperatures impacted the oceans as well, heating the waters off the coast of Florida to hot tub temperatures and triggering coral bleaching.

Although the annual climate pattern of El Nino contributed to the rise of temperatures worldwide, the extreme heat was simply a symptom of global temperature change, and not actually out of the ordinary.

“This summer is most concerning to me personally and professionally not because it indicates an acceleration of climate change, more that it suggests we are somewhat inured to it,” UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swaim said.

Extreme climate events across the globe are spiking, and climate scientists suggest that they will only continue to increase as climate change progresses. “I don’t think anybody can deny the impact of the climate crisis any more,” President Joe Biden said, “Folks, do we really want to pretend these things are normal?”B

Buildings in Midtown Manhattan are shrouded in smoke from Canadian wildfires on June 7 in New York. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/TNS)

A woman sits amongst the rubble of her village that was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake on Sept. 11, in Douzrou, Morocco.

Photo by Carl Court, courtesy Getty Images

The tips of this staghorn coral show signs of bleaching as Florida’s barrier reef is in distress from high water temperatures. Photo by Carolyn Cole, courtesy the Los Angeles Times

STAR SPOTLIGHT: STAR SPOTLIGHT:

MIKE FOSTER B

Mike Foster works in security here at STA. The Dart asked him all about his role and experience working in an all-girls environment.

Story by Olivia Cooper | Web and Lifestyles Editor

What is your role at STA?

The big role is to protect you guys. That is our number one more than anything, but we do a lot of other things on the side. You know, I try to make sure your cars are safe, we handle fobs and security to the entrances and the exits of games and things like. Anytime there’s an event I have to provide security or be one of the security people there. I’m checking parking. Overall, it’s just the security of the campus and all the girls on it and the faculty and staff.”

How long have you been here and why did you decide to come?

“It was September the 18th, [2018], I had just retired from the Police Department. The other security person that works here, he’s named Robert [Wynne], was hired first and then they needed another part time person and he called me up. We used to work in a tactical unit in the police department together years ago, and that’s how we’ve always been. [We’ve] been friends since the 90s. I had just retired from the Police Department after 30 years, and I just needed a part time job.”

What was your job before coming to STA?

“ I worked 30 years in the Police Department. I started off as a regular officer. Then I went into drugs and worked in a drug tactical unit. And then I went from there to a SWAT team. I did investigations for half of my career in the police department and then when it was getting close to retirement, this job came up just through Robert. It was a perfect fit for me. The people here are great; the kids are great. I just really lucked out to get here.”

Do you have a favorite memory or funny story since you started working here?

“Are you kidding me? I’ve had cars where the wheels came off in the parking lot. One girl I had, she thought she’d lost her phone. And so she pinged it and it was pinging outside off the campus. So I went off the campus looking for a phone. But I went like four blocks. I walked all the way over there and she had given me her password. And I was trying to find it. I was pinging the phone everywhere I went. And I’m like, ‘it shows it’s right on this block. it should be somewhere on the ground.’ I thought someone took it or something like that. So I was about to knock on doors, people’s doors, asking them if they had found a phone. And by the time I get back to campus. Some teacher goes ‘someone keeps pinging this phone, it keeps pinging loudly.’ She had it just in the classroom but it was sending me blocks away.”

Do you enjoy the all-girls environment?

“I have some [daughters] myself. You guys can be difficult at times. But actually, I mean, the girls here are great. good work ethic. I mean, some of them are trying to get away with things. But all in all, it’s just good. And all the girls are nice and friendly. When I first left the police department, it was difficult because I thought I missed a lot about that.

It’s hard to transition from being something you felt important to, to coming in here and just being like a security guard, but it is important. The girls were all nice to me. I can come across intimidating. So the first few years no one really knew me and as time went on, I think like the [class of 2023] was a class I came in with, who’ve known me since they were freshmen. So then [class of 2024] were right behind them. So anyway, it’s good. I really enjoy the school. It’s a lot of good people that work here too.” B

Foster poses with his family on a vacation to Walt Disney World. photo courtesy of Mike Foster

A Miracle in Missouri

Sister Wilhemina Lancaster was found incorrupt and has made history in both her life and death Story by

Annie McShane | Editor-in-Chief

Graphics

by Lauren Rando | Staff Writer

Sister Mary Wilhelmina Lancaster died on May 29, 2019. On April 28, 2023, she was exhumed and her body was found incorrupt (had not decomposed at all). This miracle is extraordinary for many reasons, but one of the most significant is that Sister Wilhelmina is the first African American nun to be found incorrupt in the Catholic Church.

Sister Wilhelmina was born Mary Elizabeth Lancaster in St. Louis on Palm Sunday in 1924. She knew from early on in her life that she wanted to be a nun, writing to the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore when she was only 13 years old. Before she entered into the convent, Sister Wilhelmina was a member of the first graduating class of the first Black Catholic high school west of the Mississippi River, which was founded by her family. After graduating, she joined the Oblate Sisters of Providence, where she remained until 1995.

In 1995, Sister Wilhelmina founded her own order, the Benedictines of Mary in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 2006, the order joined the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph and moved to Gower, Missouri, where they still reside today.

STA math teacher Lisa Anielak made the pilgrimage that many others have made to visit Sister Wilhelmina. She was there a few days after Sister Wilhelmina was exhumed and was amazed by her condition.

“She looks like she’s asleep,” Anielak said. “Like she just fell asleep today, not four years ago. I have no idea what’s supposed to happen, but I know skeletons don’t look like that.”

This visit was Anielak’s first time seeing the body of an incorrupt saint, and she was surprised by how accessible Sister Wilhelmina was.

“I’ve been to churches that have had saint relics but I’ve never seen a whole body,” Anielak said. “It seems like in most churches they’re under a stone and you can’t see them, but [Sister Wilhelmina] was laying on a table with nothing over her and you could touch her. Some people were kissing her face and her hands.”

STA alumna Louise Meyers (‘82) visited Sister Wilhelmina on the final day before she was encased and moved into the Abbey church. Meyers did not know much about Sister Wilhelmina before her visit and was anxious to learn more about her.

“I have to admit that I was initially curious to see the

state of her body, but curiosity completely dissipated when I was instructed to her side,” Meyers said. “She was in a state of preservation that science and logic would defy.”

During her visit, Meyers was able to witness the veneration of Sister Wilhelmina. She shared that what they witnessed was a tender and genuine demonstration of love.

“The respect, and adoration for her was palpable and literally a gentle love that we could all only hope to experience when we ourselves leave this world,” Meyers said.

There have been immense amounts of people coming to Gower to visit Sister Wilhelmina. Anielak shared that she has received newsletters from the convent about whether or not these visitors are disruptive to them.

“[The sisters] say that it’s not disruptive at all to them because there are so many volunteers there to help them,” Anielak said. “They can just keep living and praying and it doesn’t bother them that people are there. They’re very gracious about all of it.”

Since visiting Sister Wilhelmina, Meyers has experienced two “mini miracles,” as she calls them. The first was her phone background mysteriously changing from a picture of her and her husband to a photo of Sister Wilhelmina. Meyers emailed the sisters of the Benedictines of Mary about her experience and they agreed with her belief that it was a sign from Sister Wilhelmina.

“That sounds like [Sister Wilhelmina],” Sister Missouria Cordia said. “She was full of mirth, joy and was a bit mischievous!”

The second miracle Meyers experienced was during a visit with one of her friends who is sick and living in an assisted living home.

“I prayed the Rosary at her bedside with a special prayer to Sister Wilhelmina to protect her mind and spirit,” Meyers said. “When I arrived a few days later she was wearing the Rosary as a necklace and still won’t take it off.”

Meyers shared that visiting Sister Wilhelmina left her with a new sense of gratitude, humility and grace. Since experiencing two small miracles after her visit, she believes that there are signs of God’s love everywhere.

“There are signs of “mini miracles” of God’s abundant presence in everyday life if we are paying attention,” Meyers said.B

Sisters of the Benedictines of Mary gather around Sister Wilhemina’s body to pray.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Anielak

AROUNDTHE WO RLD

May-Washington

Story

Sarah Schwaller | Opinion Editor

Writer

In the past year, St. Teresa’s Academy president Siabhan MayWashington has embarked on trips to five different countries and has visited a multitude of cities within them. Throughout her travels, she noted that she has learned many valuable lessons that have shaped her even as an adult.

During her five-year tenure at STA, May-Washington has taken trips to Paris, Greece, Turkey, New York City, Los Angeles and Italy. Her first trip was with the STA choir to Italy in 2022. She partook in the “shadow tour” of this travel experience, which meant that she spent a lot of meaningful time with the parents of STA students, learning about their viewpoints as well as the history and culture of Italy.

This past summer, she embarked on the STA trip to Greece and Turkey. The tour included visits to Athens, Delphi, the Greek islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini, Kusadasi and Istanbul. With 39 students, and time spent on a cruise ship, she found that there were many opportunities to connect with others. In regards to visiting mosques in Turkey and having the opportunity to immerse herself in the culture, MayWashington felt that she could live out the mission of STA outside of connections with students.

“Our mission is ‘To love the dear neighbor without distinction,’ and what better way to love the dear neighbor than to go to other sites of diverse neighbors? And so we can do that locally, but how amazing is it that we can do that internationally.” May-Washington said.

Additionally, MayWashington has utilized the time on the alumnae trips to New York City, Los Angeles and Paris to reconnect with the past graduating classes and get them re-involved with the STA community.

An example of this was the proposal of the Paris trip that May-Washington has experienced twice, one this past August and the August of 2022.

“The reason this trip [to France] started was because of alumna Rozanne Stringer, who I believe is class of 1971,” May-Washington said. “She was on the quad attending the homecoming alumnae reunion and she came up with the bright idea of taking some of her STA sisters to travel, because that is the work that she did…she was a former Rick Steves tour guide, and she wanted to show some of her alumnae sisters what kind of work that she does. She talked to our alumnae director Paula Holmquist, and then they came to my office, and I was like ‘great idea!’”

Incorporating the ideas of past STA students has strengthened the school community and has encouraged participation among previous graduating classes; May-Washington noted that STA has one of the highest return rates of alumnae compared to other high schools in the Kansas City area.

“We want people to know that sisterhood isn’t just when you are a student at STA, we want them to know that it’s forever.” May-Washington said. “And I think that it’s important that those who have graduated know that I and we still care about them, and that they are needed.”

Through all of her travels, May-Washington has learned some important lessons revolving around the acceptance of other cultures and traditions, as well as the sustaining of relationships with people. She has found that spending meaningful time with people in the context of a relaxing vacation opens up deeper connections through conversation, and she finds that that is the most important part of a trip for her.

“It’s hard for me to pick which trip was my favorite, because they were all amazing,” May-Washington said.

“Every single trip I felt as if I have gotten closer to the community, either alums of STA, students, or parents, so it really has helped me to enhance my relationship with everyone at STA.” B

BAGGAGE

Photos: Siabhan May-Washington poses with STA students and faculty in multiple spots around the world.

Photos courtesy of Siabhan May-Washington

by

Graohics by Lauren Rando | Staff

STA president Siabhan

details her recent travels, and the lessons that she has learned through exposure to different cultures, as well as spending time around members of the STA community.

D a y s t T h e a D r i v e - I n

The stars, the sky, the cars, the oldies and the magic of the drive-in movie. As the fall air breezes by and the leaves crunch under cars, people flood into the drive-in movies every Friday and Saturday night around 8:30 pm. The sun sets, and viewers pull out snacks and blankets and hunker down for a film.

Believe it or not, before a few Fridays ago I had never been to a drive-in movie before. The whole vintage outdoor cinema had always appealed to me but never quite enough that I would drag all my friends to one mediocre movie in the middle of nowhere. Well, until now.

One weekend I recently visited B&B Twin Drive-In for a double feature of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” and “Haunted Mansion.” Even though these definitely aren’t my preferred movies to watch on a Friday night, it’s the experience that drew me to the drivein.

We drove all the way out to Liberty, about a 40-minute drive from the Brookside area, to the B&B Drive-In. Although there is a closer option of Boulevard Drive-In, we didn’t go there because we weren’t interested in the movies they were playing that weekend. The price at the drive-in per car is around $20, which I don’t think is too bad when you split it with friends.

Once we had found a good spot and parked, we took out a few stadium chairs and blankets. We set them up near the trunk and headed to the concessions. I bought a large popcorn and my friends and I went to the bathroom before the movie started. I was surprised they had a bathroom and a lot of food because it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. However it was much appreciated. I have to say the popcorn was below average and I think it would have been best if we stopped by somewhere like Trader Joe’s for much tastier snacks. (I would personally recommend their Chili and Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips and some vanilla mochi!)

The movie began and I don’t think there were any previews. I can’t be sure because we were a little late to the movie, which began on a huge screen that may have even been bigger than the standard theater screen.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was being able to chat with my friends without bothering anyone throughout the movie. The cars were well spaced out enough that people can talk even if you are outside the car. However, I think we might have talked more than watched the movies because we did have trouble hearing it. But I am a subtitle lover, so I may be biased. I also would have been more annoyed about this if it was a movie I was really interested in.

My favorite thing about the whole drive-in experience was the atmosphere. I loved the cooler weather with the bright stars and moon above us. It was great being outdoors with my friends but still being able to do a chill activity. I’ll definitely be cruising down to the drive-in again this fall.B

With drive-in movies regaining popularity, it’s hard to know if it’s better than the classic movie theater. I am here to point you in the right direction.

Story by Rebecca McGannon | Staff Writer

A true-crime fanatic’s expertise on the best-of-the-best true crime podcasts.

Story by Molly Sonnenberg | Staff Writer

Whether you are on a run, in the comfort of your home or maybe looking for a place to conceal a dead body, there’s no better pastime than listening to a good true crime podcast. As someone who’s binged every episode of “Criminal Minds,” watched plenty of true-crime Netflix documentaries and listened to hours of true-crime podcasts, I guess you could call me an expert. Over the past month, I listened to some of the best podcasts to give readers my ultimate review on the most hair-rising, blood-curdling podcasts there are.

Serial Killers:

“Serial Killers” is hosted by Greg Polcyn and Vanessa Richardson, which at first listen, I thought was two AI-generated voices because of how robotic they sound. They are very active, releasing two new episodes each week. After listening to a few episodes, I was hooked. I loved the enticing storytelling of each episode and the eerie vibe. Each story has a part one and a part two, the second part explaining the outcome of the killer. The first part explains their early life and some psychology, which I thought was very interesting. The podcast is more informational and factual rather than opinionated or conversational, which I prefer. Overall, unless you want to sleep at night, this podcast earned a 5-star rating from me. (5 stars)

Crime Junkie:

When you think of true-crime podcasts, you think of “Crime Junkie,” a cult-classic, well-known podcast hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. On browsing their Spotify account, I noticed they have different types of episodes: updates on missing people, murders, serial killers, and “mysterious deaths.” I liked this because they have something for everyone or for any crime mood you are in. After listening to a few episodes, I gathered that they are more conversational and casual. Honestly, I had a bit of a bias at first against this podcast. Because it is so popular, part of me wanted not to like it. And I didn’t. While I didn’t necessarily hate it, and I could understand it being some true crime lovers’ favorite, I didn’t like the boring storytelling, and was disappointed at the fact of how quickly it took me to become distracted. (2 1/2 stars)

My Favorite Murder:

“My Favorite Murder” is hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, taking a comedic approach on the darkness of true crime. These two not only share their favorite, infamous crimes, but also unknown, quirky hometown stories. After listening to a few episodes, I noticed that this podcast had a true podcast feel; it was extremely conversational, casual and obviously did not have much of a script. This is perfect for the people who are podcast lovers and who are just getting into true crime. It’s not heavy or gory due to its comedic approach; it’s the kind of podcast you can put on in the car and not be scared that a serial killer might be in your trunk. From episodes ranging from five minutes to an hour and a half, this podcast has something for everyone. (3.75 stars) B

Barbie, Beyonce and Beyond

Barbie, Beyonce and Beyond

Story by Katelyn Buckley | Opinion Editor, Tierney Flavin | Editor-in-Chief, and Wynnie Sprague | Staff Writer Graphics by Annie McShane | Editor-in-Chief

SSophomore Savanna Love prepared herself for the Junior Teen Miss Missouri 2020 pageant in her room. It was the height of the pandemic and the pageant was on Zoom, but she still managed to connect with her fellow contestants. Having competed in the pageant sphere since 2017, Love is familiar with the dynamics that come with the competitions.

Despite stereotypes and assumptions, Love enjoys her time in pageants and believes that she has been able to develop self-confidence and respect for her peers.

“Most of the time [pageants] empower you and you don’t win because you’re prettier than the next person,” Love said. “Usually it’s because of what they see inside of you and your potential…So if you’re doing service, [the judges] are looking at the impact that you’re actually going to make instead of just being prettier than the next person or wearing a better dress.”

After being crowned Miss Missouri in that 2020 pageant, Love was exposed to different types of women, and observed how they choose to support each other. Throughout her time at STA, she has noticed similarities between both female-centered environments.

“[Pageants] definitely remind me of [STA],” Love said. “It’s always everyone talking positively about each other. [The two are]

really parallel because there’s things that we can connect with that you won’t necessarily be able to connect with other people through that girl-on-girl connection. It’s really similar.”

As an all-girls high school, STA values an environment for young women to grow per its mission statement: “...empowering [young women] to change the world.”

STA students attest to this mission by highlighting the school’s diverse course

“We are surrounded by girls every single day and you never see a man doing something better than a woman because women are doing it all here. It helps me feel like I can do anything.”

offerings from classes such as Pottery, Broadcasting & Production, and Ballet Fundamentals to App & Game Development and Accounting, along with an array of STEM-based classes.

“I really like how [STA] offers courses that fuel any kind of interest,” junior Gretchen Nessinger said. “They have [classes] for STEM like engineering and science. I’m interested in the arts and psychology, and I

know we have classes for that. I feel like STA just offers courses that inspire women to go into fields that maybe they didn’t think they could.”

This array of class options allows for students to find themselves through the school environment, according to junior Ella Janssen. She attributes her interest in STEM to science teacher Mary Montag. Janssen said that she has also considered becoming a teacher in order to serve students as Montag has done.

“I would say just being at STA at all has taught me to be proud to be a woman,” Janssen said. “I came from a co-ed school, so just seeing the community that women tend to have here is amazing. Wherever I go, I know that if I need help with anything, there are so many people that are willing to come to my aid and so many other people’s aid. That just makes me really proud.”

In conjunction with the institution’s mission, STA’s administrative team is allfemale. Women hold high-ranking positions throughout STA; the school librarian, STEM coordinator and athletic director are all women. Additionally, students can find strong female role models not only in the administrative team, but with their peers.

“We are surrounded by girls every single day and you never see a man doing something better than a woman because women are doing it all here,” sophomore

“ “

Sophomore Ava Haskins

In Greta Gerwig’s recent film “Barbie,” women found themselves in charge of “Barbie World” and were shocked at the male-dominated “Real World.” Similarly, The Dart explored how STA’s all-girls environment may provide a different experience than a co-ed high school.

Ava Haskins said. “It helps me feel like I can do anything.”

Student resources at STA are also led by students. From the Math Hub to the STEAM-oriented Maker’s Space to student government, students have many opportunities in extra-curricular activities to see their peers in leadership roles or hold these jobs themselves.

“I feel like it’s just very [much] women supporting women,” Nessinger said. “It just feels like a very strong, empowered place for girls and students like me. I feel very supported and like I know that I can do anything I set my mind to.”

As a man in this female-dominated environment, English teacher Dr. Jarrod Roark has experienced STA with a different lens than female teachers have. He details the “reductive” and “bias[ed]” questions that male friends have asked him in response to his position at an all-girls school and how his daily experiences combat these stereotypes.

“It’s possible that exploring ideas with women in the classroom, and working for administrators who are women, has shown me that women in my life have probably offered me more patience and grace than most men have,” Roark said.

Roark also recognizes a supportive environment unique to STA. He praises the grace students have when they fail and how STA guides them to success.

“I also think that an institution can provide opportunities and a culture that invites students to try, to fail, to succeed, to risk and to be supported,” Roark said. “I feel that at STA, a student likely feels that in even more profound ways.”

Outside of STA’s single-sex environment, students find other ways to feel acceptance. Various forms of media impact how young women view themselves. Students highlight the importance of an empowering environment at home.

“I think I grew up in a pretty positive environment,” Nessinger said. “My parents have always been pushing me to go outside my comfort zone by telling me that women can do anything a man can do…my parents used the media to influence me and show me that I had no limits.”

On the other hand, students say that social media can promote harmful stereotypes such as ideas that women should be soft-spoken, women who stand up for themselves are “bossy” and women should look a certain way. Freshman Charlotte Becker recognizes how each stereotype blurs her views of herself and other women.

“I think that stereotypes about women affect my life mainly by what I see on social media,” Becker said. “Both comments and posts show stereotypes in women, and certain

stereotypes build my opinions on who I am or who I want to be. I don’t want to prove that the wrong or hurtful stereotypes of women are correct.”

However, Becker also remarked on a more constructive side that conversation about women in the media has brought about.

“A positive stereotype I want to live up to is about motherhood,” Becker said. “The stereotype about mothers being kind, caring, hardworking, generous and selfless. I really want to live up to that and have my children think about how much they appreciated me as a mother.”

Becker believes that the women in her life have lived up to these standards. She lists her mother and grandmother as some of her biggest role models.

“It’s just good to see a woman that you know has worked hard in life,” Becker said. “My mom always pushes me to be better and helps me and supports me in any way she can. Like for volleyball, she encourages me; she has never pounded me down.”

Similarly, senior Catherine Gyllenborg sees her mother as an inspiration and an important piece in her journey as a woman. Gyllenborg said her mother has shown her how to move past the boundaries that society places on young women.

“My mom truly does empower me,” Gyllenborg said. “She raised four children while pursuing a predominantly male-led career. She has taught me from day one that regardless of gender, ultimately life is about hard work, respecting each other and respecting ourselves.”

As a father of a young daughter, Roark says that having experience teaching young women has allowed him to approach fatherhood with more care and patience. He sees traits of his wife in their young daughter’s fledgling personality and respects the bond of motherhood that they share.

“I can see in [my daughter] my discipline and eccentricities, but I also recognize my wife’s patience and generosity and compassion in her,” Roark said. “She is a creature born of disparate parts like the rest of us. So when I watch her and admire her, some of those parts are because she has a personality and

Feminism Fun Facts

Opinions

D6/10 men say feminism is an empowering movement

DWomen younger than 50 are more likely to say feminism is empowering to them

DApproximately 6/10 women define themselves as feminists

Buckley |

autonomy, yet other parts are because of her young womanhood.”

STA students have found many strong female role models outside of their families whose accomplishments inspire them to challenge cultural norms. A notable figure who confronts issues in society, according to Nessinger and Becker, is Taylor Swift.

“I know that [Swift] writes a lot about her breakups and how they’ve affected her,” Nessinger said. “I feel like [Swift] doing that brings together this whole community by saying ‘you’re not alone.’ She’s a media source that lets people know that other people have gone through what you’re going through. [That community] is just a good way to build good relationships with people.”

Several STA students attended Swift’s $2.2 billion-grossing “The Eras Tour” over the summer. Fans armed themselves with multi-colored glitter, tulle skirts, sequined tops and more. Becker believes that her experience there helped her feel comfortable in her own skin.

“A lot of nice people were there and you could kind of just tell that everyone wanted to have fun and be friendly to each other,” Becker said. “Everyone was just kind of excited to be themselves and to have fun and they didn’t feel like held back by embarrassment or what the crowd would think of them.”

Another highly anticipated event of this past summer was Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” movie starring Margot Robbie. The movie’s release grossed $626 million domestically, ranking it as the highest-grossing film directed by a woman.

STA students took their experience at an all-girls school into the movie, and interpreted “Barbie World” differently than many others did. Haskins saw the importance of middle ground between women and men from the division between “Barbie World” and the “Real World” in the movie.

“In Barbie Land, it was all run by girls and then once the girls went to the real world it was all run by men,” Haskins said. “The women saw that this is really different from what they were used to…I think there was a hidden message that we need to reach an equal standard between women and men running things.”

In creating “Barbie,” Gerwig believed that wit was vital in conveying the battle that women face, she explained in an interview with The New York Times. Nessinger

appreciated Gerwig’s satirical approach — especially in scenes at the Mattel headquarters — while still valuing the film’s overarching message.

“[‘Barbie’ helped], society as a whole realize that misogyny, despite it maybe getting a little bit better and women starting to speak up more about it, is still very present in the world,” Nessinger said. “Especially in big jobs and big corporations, I feel like people still picture a businessman before a business-woman. I feel like “Barbie” did a really good job of showing how women can really do anything, especially anything a man can do.”

Despite loving the movie herself, Becker saw a lot of mixed commentary on the movie through her social media feeds. To Becker, the negative reviews only enforced the message that “Barbie” sought to convey: that for women, navigating a male-centric society is complicated.

than a lot of girls do, so it’s much more competitive for a girl to go into theater, audition and then get a call back; it’s really competitive, whereas a guy can just get a part almost right off the audition.”

Nessinger is not alone in this experience. Becker also deals with things being less enjoyable because of gender. She goes through bouts of embarrassment and shame for being a girl who is enjoying something.

“I think it really depends on the environment you’re put in,” Becker said. “Sometimes I really enjoy being a girl and it’s really fun. And then sometimes you get kind of embarrassed easily and it’s not so fun feeling self-conscious.”

Despite feeling comfortable in the “Barbie World”-esque environment at STA, Nessinger believes that standards for women are extremely prevalent in the real-world. These conventions follow her, no matter how much empowerment she feels within herself.

“I think [the criticism] depends on the person or depends on what sort of media you’re watching,” Becker said. “But if you’re on a feed that’s more supportive to different ideas, it was a little bit better to see women. Then some people really hated [‘Barbie’] and were saying that this is false, like women don’t experience those things. And it was a lot of men mostly saying what women do and don’t experience, which doesn’t really make any sense.”

Some positive feedback of the “Barbie” movie detailed the film’s reflection of realworld challenges that women face in their careers or even hobbies. Nessinger explains how her experience in the arts has echoed this sentiment.

“Theater kind of goes both ways for [empowerment], because it has taught me to be more confident in myself as a woman and embrace my talents,” Nessinger said “But then there’s also the competition as a woman. Because guys get parts a lot easier

“Stereotypes still have a place in my life, even if society has moved past a lot of them,” Nessinger said. “I still see TikToks and Youtube videos; while they are satire, joking about a woman’s place in the world and how they “should stay at home,” and while these videos are meant to be funny, it reminds me that stereotypes are still present in the modern communities. It kind of sucks sometimes seeing how people think it’s funny to make a mockery of the societal clichés women have fought, and are still fighting, very hard to overcome.”

Regardless of the boundaries that many women feel in society, media like “Barbie,” and “The Eras Tour” foster discussion and community between women. At STA, Gyllenborg has witnessed the support of an all-girls environment and feels aptly prepared to face the world after high school. “Growing up in a co-ed school I thought that there were certain things in society that boys can do that girls can’t,” Gyllenborg said. “I used to think of [girlhood] as a weakness, but it is now something that motivates me to, for lack of a better phrase, “fight the power,” and I feel like it has bonded me with a whole group of people just by being a woman.” B

The class of 2023 during their graduation ceremony on May 14. photo by Jasmine Cervantes.

Right on

Target Target

Editorial by Ellie McManamy | Social Media Team

Being in an all-girls academic setting for the first time can be a stark contrast from the coed grade school environment we spent our early years in. It requires a large amount of adaptability and courage, whether it be taking your first advanced class or making an entirely new set of friends. On the positive side, it generates a community of like-minded, unified individuals and offers us the opportunity to evolve in our womanhood, together.

The Dart staff members discussed their thoughts regarding whether or not attending STA has shifted their perspective on female empowerment. The unanimous consensus was an enthusiastic “Yes.”

Attending STA means that the role of every class president, club leader or team captain is invariably filled with a powerful female. Each student is granted the opportunity to lead with courage and mature in a space that prioritizes female empowerment without male judgment.

In addition to an all-female student body, STA’s faculty is predominantly composed of women. Run by three strong women who form the administrative team and established by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, STA is built upon female inclusivity and representation – qualities not always found in an academic setting. Typical male-dominated fields are challenged, as both

athletic directors, the vast majority of coaches and the entirety of the STEM department are directed by women. Through an emphasis on welcoming women into every area of life, STA promotes the central message that femininity holds more meaning than just being female; it means we are deserving of embracing each of our unique identities and sharing our perspective with the world.

This legacy and sisterhood is a part of the fabric of the STA community, which is evident when students encounter alumnae in public or learn from a teacher just how valuable the school is. All members who are a part of STA strive to promote that student voices – along with those of other women – deserve to be heard. We hold the Women’s Symposium, celebrate Women’s History Month and learn about influential historical females in each of our classes. Needless to say, the community at STA is one of empowerment.

The Dart staff members agree that with the recent surge in discussion surrounding feminism, gender norms have begun to neutralize. Men and women no longer diverge from differences, rather, they simply bond and learn from them. Slowly but surely, the world is beginning to shift their focus toward the same lens we have here at STA- one sharply intent on supporting young women. B

Senior

Snapshots

Senior Sunday!” reads yet another Instagram post as high schoolers everywhere are hustling to get pictures done for their big senior year. Two photographers connected to STA recently gave their take on the annual craze.

Senior photos are portrait pictures that seniors in high school have taken for their last year of traditional education. Though these photos have always existed, social media has highlighted the prominence of getting them taken in a senior’s life.

“Senior photos are capturing this special time of life where you transition from childhood to adulthood,” photographer Tricia O’Connor Baska said. She is the mother of STA student Stella Baska, owner of Snap Photography and has been taking photos for 15 years.

Lilly Reynolds-Andrews, a senior at St. Teresa’s and a photographer has also been getting experience taking photos through digital photography, newspaper and yearbook.

“I have taken seven people’s senior photos,” Reynolds-Andrews said.

These portraits can be very stressful to seniors for a number of reasons: the social pressures of posting pictures, finding the right outfit, having perfect hair and makeup and finding a beautiful location can all

contribute to the anxiety.

Another stress felt by both seniors and photographers is scheduling.

“Being a senior, it’s really hard because for a lot of photographers, this is their job, but I also am going to school and trying to manage my social and family life,” Reynolds-Andrews said. “So trying to balance everything while also getting photos done is super challenging sometimes.”

For O’Connor Baska, her biggest stress is

Senior photos are capturing this special time of life when you transition from childhood to adulthood.

Where Do Our Seniors Get Their Snaps?

making sure her subject is comfortable.

“Sometimes, when I feel like somebody doesn’t feel pretty or handsome, making sure that I make them really comfortable can be hard,” O’Connor Baska said. “I’ve photographed kids with autism or special needs, and you just want them to feel like you are there for them.”

However, the stresses of taking photos all amount to the best things about being a photographer, according to O’Connor Baska.

“I think that these kids are young, have energy and everybody’s so unique,”

Story by Stella Baska | Staff Writer

Tricia O’Connor Baska

For many students, senior year is characterized by getting the perfect senior photos. The Dart looks farther into the phenomenon.

O’Connor Baska said. “So, finding that serendipity that comes along with their personality is my favorite part.”

Since Reynolds-Andrews is also a student at STA, she gets to meet and know her peers through photography.

“I love meeting new people and it’s a lot of fun when you don’t know them,” Reynolds-Andrews said. “I’ve met so many new friends and so many people.”

The photographers also have advice for those students reading, who might not be prepared for the mania of senior photos.

Coincidentally, they gave very similar guidance.

“Reach out to a photographer that is your vibe,” Reynolds-Andrews said. “As much as I want everyone to come to me, go to somebody that you feel like is good for you. My mom’s a photographer and I didn’t have her do my pictures.”

O’Connor Baska also talked about matching “vibes” with a photographer.

“Go with somebody who makes you feel comfortable,” O’Connor Baska said. “This is about capturing your personality. Whether you’re a super social person or a very shy person, find somebody that makes you feel like yourself.”

Go with someone who makes you feel comfortable. This is about capturing your personality. Whether you’re

There are many ways to reach out to a photographer: via Social Media, phone number, website or email.

O’Connor Baska prefers her website or number for communication.

“I do use some social media but I’m not exactly up to speed with that,” O’Connor Baska said. “They can use my website, which is snapphotography.net, can text me or call me.”

As for Reynolds-Andrews, she uses social media for contact.

“If you have my number you can text me, but if you don’t, usually DM-ing me on my personal or photography Instagram account is the best way,” Reynolds-Andrews said.

Whether Reynolds-Andrews, O’Connor Baska, or another photographer is taking portraits, the most important thing is to make the student in the picture feel confident and proud of how far they’ve come. B

a super social person or a very shy person, find somebody that makes you feel like yourself.

Tricia O’Connor Baska

1.) Hadley Folscroft, class of 2024, poses with a flower in her hair. photo courtesy of Tricia Baska

2.) Liz Connell, class of 2023, shows her class ring for a close up. photo courtesy of Lilly Reynolds-Andrews

3.) Annamarie Hotze, class of 2023, smiles for a picture at the Nelson. photo courtesy of Tricia Baska

4.) Ava Kauten, class of 2023, leans against a mural and poses. photo courtesy of Tricia Baska

A Carbonless Commute

Students and teachers are shifting towards more sustainable ways to get to school, benefitting both them and the planet

Story by Anna Massman | Features Editor Photos by Lina Kilgore | Sports and News Editor

As STA students returned to campus this year, the chaos of the school year pales in comparison to the crowded, crazy conditions that sometimes constitute the St. Teresa’s parking lot. Freshmen drop-offs, new junior drivers and scrambling seniors all coexist in the beloved lot, narrowly escaping accidents on the daily. Yet as much as gas-guzzling vehicles and fresh driver’s licenses dominate the St. Teresa’s campus, there’s a small, growing population changing the status quo: bikers.

Rather than searching for a ride this fall, freshman Dory Hodes began driving her family’s moped to school, a decision she regards with no regret.

“It’s so fun; I get to see people that I know every time I’m driving,” Hodes said. “Getting to and from school is also so much easier, since I don’t have to park in the lot.”

Freshman Evelyn Batz opts out of gas-fueled vehicles entirely for her morning commute, instead relying on her electric bike. Like Hodes, she’s found her commute to be more convenient without a car.

“It actually gets me here earlier than if I was driving, because I know that I have to leave by a certain time or I won’t make it,” Batz said.

Students are not alone in the shift towards more sustainable transportation at STA. Apart from owning an all-electric car, AP environmental science teacher Sarah Holmes chooses to carpool with fellow faculty member Kelly Finn as often as possible.

“I just think that we spend too much time here–” Holmes said, motioning towards her phone– “and I think carpooling is a chance to be present and to really connect with someone. It slows us down a little bit and gives you a chance to recalibrate things. So I think it’s good. On a lot of different levels. You’re never going to miss the two hours you spent on Snapchat,

but you will miss the time that you had or could have had with some friends in the car, on the way to school.”

Junior Liesl Zinn echoes this, as she’s found carpooling to be an effective way to both fuel her environmentalism and connect with underclassmen.

“It’s awesome, getting to know girls I probably wouldn’t if I didn’t see them every day,” Zinn said. “I take two freshmen to school, so it’s also really satisfying knowing that ‘hey, I’m reducing the emissions of our drive from three cars to one.’”

Sustainability on the streets also reflects the school’s recently renewed emphasis on environmentalism.

Holmes, one of the founders of STA’s Green Team, believes STA is in a prominent position to be a leader in sustainability. She considers technology to be a powerful motivator for students, as well.

“There’s this app called Way to Go, and it’s through the Mid America Regional Council,” Holmes said. “You get points for carpooling or biking or taking the train, the bus, whatever. It also tracks and tells you how many miles you saved and how much money you saved. So I can see how many pounds of carbon dioxide are not in the atmosphere because I got to hang out with my best friend.”

The app emphasizes both individual impact and fosters community action, something Zinn believes is crucial to motivating people and making a difference.

“When you feel like you’re a part of something bigger, you feel more accountable, and it also just makes whatever you’re doing more fun and seem like less of a responsibility,” Zinn said.

Batz and Hodes often plan their commutes together for this reason.

“If I’m going to bike, I bike with her,” Batz said. “We just like going together.”

Holmes hopes that students understand their power and the support that’s available to them, through the school’s revamped sustainability efforts.

“We want to make a change,” Holmes said. “It might be slow. It might not be, ‘let’s just do this tomorrow.’ But as long as we can keep moving forward and have some sort of incremental change, that’s what we want to see. I think sometimes it’s an all or nothing mindset that I have to be able to do it all or it doesn’t matter. But really, every little thing adds up and all those things are important.”B

Freshmen Evelyn Batz and Dory Hodes pose on Hodes’s electric moped. She rides this moped to school almost everyday. photo by Lina Kilgore

To Affinity & Beyond

Affinity

Hispanic Affinity

Story by Isa Glover | Associate Sports Editor

Why did you decide that you wanted to be president of Hispanic Affinity?

I was elected. I think it was a great idea to take on the role of president because there’s not many [Hispanic students] and if we didn’t have a leader we would not really have a group. I love to work with the rest of the leaders and we’re really close knit.

Can you tell me about the Hispanic Affinity group?

It’s a group of all the people that identify as Hispanic or Latina. We get together at least once a month and we either put on things like dances or events to try to immerse everyone into our culture. We specifically partake in Hispanic Heritage Month, which started on September 15 and runs until October 15. We set up a display and announce fun facts about Hispanic Heritage Month on TBC.

What are some traditions or activities that you do?

We set up the Ofrenda for Dia de Los Muertos, which is basically a table to honor our dead by putting candies on skulls on it. It is welcome for all students to put a picture of their loved one.

Black Student Coalition

Why did you decide that you wanted to be president of Black Student Coalition?

I decided that I wanted to be president because in the past, I realized that Black Student Coalition was something that a lot of girls didn’t want to be a part of. I thought that if I became president and incorporated my ideas, it would be a fun place that girls were excited to come to.

Can you tell me about Black Student Coalition?

Black Student Coalition is a space for black students at STA to feel welcome, included and empowered.

What are some traditions or activities that you do?

We have done a fashion show over the past few years that’s really fun. We do a movie night and this year we’re incorporating other schools around the metro area. I’m trying to incorporate something fun into every meeting. Last meeting, we did dances that everyone knows and we may sing songs from our favorite artists. I’m hoping that these activities will happen in future years when I’m no longer here.

Chelley Young

Asian Affinity

Why did you decide that you wanted to be president of Asian Affinity?

Unfortunately, a lot of our Asian population were seniors last year. Ms. Earl asked some of the sophomores and juniors if any of us wanted to lead Asian Affinity and I volunteered.

Can you tell me about Asian Affinity group?

Asian Affinity is a support group for students of Asian descent and allies to come and learn more about Asian cultures and try to dispel some typical stereotypes.

What are traditions or activities that you do?

Typically, we will do a Lunar New Year celebration and then we’ll do activities during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Last year, we did tea tasting, origami and yoga.B

Chelsea Luna

Victoria Zaborny

STA

Presidents share what their groups do.

Across the Generations

Story by Cassie Hallier | Staff Writer

St. Teresa’s Academy is a community full of many long-standing traditions, including the cross country program. Cross country head coach Karen Moran Redlich has been coaching the program for 25 years. However, she was an athlete under coach Mike Egner throughout her school career at STA.

“My four years running cross country at STA were the most important aspect of my high school years,” Moran Redlich said. “I have very fond memories of being a part of the team.”

These fond memories are not the only thing athletes gained during Moran Redlich’s time on the team.

“Our team won two state championships,” Moran Redlich said. “I got to be a part of one of them when I was a junior.”

Moran Redlich and Egner both reflect on her time on the team. Egner is now the assistant coach of the program, and he speaks fondly of all his years coaching.

“[Moran Redlich] was one of my runners when I coached varsity,” Egner said. “She was one of the state championship runners, so a lot of the things she does in practice and the things she believes in are the same things I used to do in practice and believe in too.”

Egner’s values and traditions have helped build up the cross country program since the beginning.

“I started the program at [STA] in 1989,” Egner said. “ It was the first cross country program the school has ever had.”

Not only has Egner helped the program flourish, he helps the athletes shine as well. One of the ways he does this is by encouraging them to always stay optimistic.

“The sport can be very tough and demanding,” Egner said. “You always have to remain positive, do your best and remember you’re part of a team.”

Sophomore Maddie Dwyer thinks having great coaches is extremely beneficial to the sport.

“Cross country has made it easy to build relationships with amazing coaches,” Dwyer said.

Dwyer started running for STA at the beginning of her freshman year and she could not recommend it more to other students.

“Cross country has given me a chance to meet people I probably would not have otherwise,” Dwyer said. “I love the sport because it is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and have fun.”

Moran Redlich echoes Dwyer’s sentiments.

“It sounds very challenging and daunting, but we would not have 40-50 runners on our team every year if we did not make it fun,” Moran Redlich said.

Cross country is more than a sport at STA: it is a community. B

Sophomore Maddie Dwyer poses with coaches, from left to right, Karen Moran Redlich, Mike Egner and Sara Gassman. photo courtesy of Maddie Dwyer

Over the decades, cross country has become an important aspect of St. Teresa’s traditions and students’ experiences.

STAR SPIRIT

They’ve got spirit!All about STA’s most energetic club!

Story by Jo Marshall | Staff Writer

Every school has a spirit club, but at St. Teresa’s Academy, it’s a whole new ball game.

Senior Anne Rinella took on the role of club treasurer this year.

The job of a student in Spirit Club is to “go to all of the mandatory games, dress the theme, and cheer for STA,” Rinella said.

Senior Sara Gibson is the 2023 Spirit Club president.

“I basically just oversee everything, but all of the officers work together so it truly is just a big group effort,” Gibson said.

For students who consider joining Spirit Club, the audition process is (like the club) something you won’t find anywhere else. In fact, Spirit Club is the only club at STA that students must audition to get into, and can be cut from.

“I made a day in the life video… and it was just silly and fun,” Rinella said. Spirit Club adds something unique to STA, and helps define other schools’ views of our student body.

“Spirit Club hypes up the school and adds a lot of charm and character to our school, and we’re so funny,” Rinella said, “When we pull up to people’s schools in our crazy outfits and we look ridiculous, people just know that those STA girls are funny and that they don’t care what other people think.”

At some schools, dressing up could be considered strange. At STA, however, it’s the norm.

“I think the fact that we come up with really creative themes, and get so into them is very different,” Rinella said, “I would venture to say that at some schools people would feel too insecure to wear a full-body morph suit or something like that but at STA you go crazy and it’s fun. Your sisters are there to support you no matter what.”

STA alumna Camille Goodwin (class of ‘18) was in Spirit Club during all four years of her high school career.

“It was really a community, and when we would make pep rally videos or plan for theme days it was always such a fun time and a great bonding experience with so many awesome girls,” Goodwin said.

One thing Spirit Club values above all else is inclusivity.

“I think it just gets everyone included, and you don’t have to be ‘part of it’ to be a part of it,” Gibson said.

Past and current members of Spirit Club agree you will come out of it having gained something, whether it be community, confidence or new friendships.

“I used to be really shy and not very outgoing, but Spirit Club really broke me out of my shell,” Gibson said, “I started going to games and I made a bunch of friends with older girls who I’m still friends with to this day.”

School spirit is a big part of what makes STA such a unique school to attend, and Spirit Club is one reason STA has such zealous students. B

Photos a, c and e courtesy of Anne Rinella.

Photos b and d courtesy of Camille Goodwin.

a)

b)

c) d) e)

A: 2023 Spirit Club officers, from left to right, Lauren Sweeny, Olivia Oades, Sara Gibson, Gabi Vovk and Anne Rinella pose in gold outfits.

B: Twinks gets a crowd’s energy up before a game.

C: Seniors, from left to right, Olivia Oades, Lauren Sweeny and Anne Rinella dress up for Queens Day.

D: Two 2018 spirit club members at a chefthemed volleyball game.

E: Spirit Club officers pose in the quad.

My Tap and Jazz Journey

From ages 6-12, I took part in multiple tap and jazz dance classes that still stick with me to this day.

Story by Lina Kilgore| News and Sports Editor

From ages six to 12, my all-time obsession could be found in a mirrored-filled, polished floor studio that hosted my various dance lessons throughout the years. This obsession was the dance styles of tap and jazz. Every week on Tuesday and Thursday for exactly two hours, my mind was consumed by multiple jazz steps and my ears were happily overwhelmed with the noisy click clack of tap shoes. Although I no longer perform a shuffle ball change, tap step, or a jazz square throughout my week, these dance classes are forever in my brain.

When I first began these dance lessons at the young age of six, I absolutely despised them. Every lesson I greeted my teachers with insistent wails of terror and complete lack of any hint of interest. To me, these lessons were simply a waste of time that took time and energy: both of which were qualities six-year-old me did not want to give away. However, in one lesson everything shifted. My once tears of anger were replaced by exclaimations of excitement and I never looked back. I found a new sense of comfort in the familiarity of my dance studio that I still fondly remember to this day.

For me, dance was simply something I could do that lacked any pressure or anxiety. It was simply fun. Considering this, I am forever grateful for the experiences that I gained in that mirrorfilled, polished floor studio. This careless enjoyment I found in dance is something that I constantly look for in my daily life. Whether it be hanging out with my friends and family or listening to one of our favorite songs, I am constantly reminded that dance and the comfort it brought me can still be found; all I have to do is truly look for it. Although my dance lessons ended over six years ago, I still find remnants of this six-year long activity forever engrained throughout my life.b

Despite this positive shift I was in no means a superstar, I simply enjoyed dancing. Whatever I lacked in skill, I would distract with enthusiasm and hard work. I remember spending my free time practicing different tap steps or going over the choreography for the long awaited recital that occurred at the end of each year. Each lesson I showed up ready to conquer the newest arrangement of leaps and turns, along with embracing the noisy click clack of multiple tap shoes.

“Each lesson I showed up ready to conquer the newest arrangement of leaps and turns, along with embracing the noisy click clack of multiple tap shoes.”

A Classic Viewing Experience

Story by Olivia Cooper | Staff Writer

It’s Christmas break 2021. My mom and I are snuggled on the couch, hot chocolate in hand and popcorn on the table. We are going through our movie list trying to decide on that night’s film, ultimately choosing the original “Sabrina” starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. I settle in under my fuzzy blanket and am transported to the black-and-white world of old Hollywood films.

For as long as I can remember, my mom and I have watched old films playing on TCM: “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Pillow Talk,” and “Meet Me in St. Louis” to name a few. I have always loved the clothing, music and aesthetics of these films. My mom and I have a curated list of films that we must watch during specific seasons.

For example,“The Wizard of Oz” must be watched at least once in October and Christmastime is dedicated to “White Christmas” (our personal favorite), “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Holiday Inn.” I couldn’t imagine the seasons without them. Each year we also bake amazing peanut butter blossom cookies and while we bake, “The Bishop’s Wife,”is the movie we always make sure to play.

My favorite actress in these types of films has been Audrey Hepburn. That might be a very cliché answer, but I love all the movies I have seen her in, my two favorites being “Roman Holiday” (a rom-com co-starring Gregory Peck) and “Charade” (a who-dunnit mystery co-starring Cary Grant). While these movies are wildly different, they both have a certain flair that makes them special. The clothing, music, romance and storytelling in Audrey Hepburn films are what have made her the icon we know and love.

Nothing compares to a cool night snuggled on the couch watching an old film. There is something special about the storytelling and performances that is hard to re-create. Stars like Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland, Cary Grant and James Stewart are continuously viewed as some of the best of the best and their contributions to film were immense. For example, Humphrey Bogart coined the phrases, ‘Here’s looking at you, kid,’ and ‘We’ll always have Paris.’ Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly became fashion icons, while Marilyn Monroe reigned as a pop culture icon. While the actors were a huge part of what makes old films so special, most forget the technological contributions as well. For example, color films, “talkies,” wide-screen formatting and so many other advances were created at a time when only a few studios were producing films.

Overall, my love for classic films is always growing. I love finding a new movie to watch with my mom and discovering new actors and actresses that I haven’t heard of before. Certain movies hold a special place in my heart and I love getting to talk with others about them. I am so grateful to my mom for introducing these films to me, and I can’t wait to find new movies to watch with her.b

I have always loved watching old movies. Here, I will share some of my top recommendations

STA English teacher Matt Hicks recommends a recent read of his.

Story by Lauren Rando | Staff Writer

English teacher Matt Hicks shares one of his favorite recent reads, “Pilgrim: Finding a New Way On the Camino De Santiago” by Carolyn Gillepsie.

“Pilgrim” is a memoir that follows a women named Kari on her 900-km walk across the Camino De Santiago, an ancient pilgrim trail across Europe. The story is about friendship, overcoming adversity, and transformation. “I think it’s super interesting and I really loved it,” Hicks said.

At the beginning of her journey, Kari is faced with challenges that lead her to begin to doubt herself and her capability to conquer the trail. As she continues her pilgrimage though, she begins to see a new side of herself and the life all around her. She builds incredible friendships and experiences the true joys of nature. These experiences are life changing and transforming. “ I really like the travel narrative of people finding themselves in nature,” Hicks said. B

The Reading Nook Staff Picks: Fall Scents

The Dart staff shares their favorite fall scents for this season.

Story by Lauren Rando | Staff Writer

“My favorite fall scent is Cinnamon Spice,” sophomore Wynnie Sprague said. “It just makes me think of going to the pumpkin patch when I was a little kid. My mom puts it in our house every year so it just brings warm memories to my heart.”

“Pumpkin Apple is my favorite because it combines two of the best scents in the world,” senior Katelyn Buckley said. “Nothing makes me happier.”

“My favorite candle is Autumn Leaves because its earthy tones are not too overbearing,” sophomore Stella Baska said. “It reminds me of the nature aspect of my favorite season.”

Apple Pumpkin

Cinnamon Spice

Autumn Leaves

Photo courtesy of Barnes and Noble

It’s Not October Without BooktoberFest

STA is putting on its first BooktoberFest this month.

Story by Lauren Rando | Staff Writer

Halloween is not the only exciting thing happening this October. STA is putting on STA’s first BooktoberFest in the library.

St. Teresa’s school librarian, Marcia Warwick, discussed what to expect from this new and exciting project.

“BooktoberFest is a month-long Fall Festival, celebrating books and the library,” Warwick said. “It is a great way to enjoy reading and all things literary.”

do some of the things we are incorporating.”

Not only will students be able to celebrate their love for books during this month, but they will also have the opportunity to learn about the creation process of their favorite forms of literature.

“We will also be running a speaker series on ways that artists in different mediums bring stories to life,” Warwick said.

All of these experiences and so much more will be taking place for the next four weeks. Links to the BooktoberFest schedule can be found in many places around the school.

“On the BooktoberFest flyers there will be a QR code that will link to a calendar of events throughout the month,” Warwick said. “For specific events like the speaker series, we will have a reservation form for students to fill out, so they can look for those beginning Oct 1.”

If you have not seen those flyers around, there will be multiple other ways for you to sign up or reserve a spot. “TBC will be broadcasting BooktoberFest and I will send out something in Teams to each of the class pages, as well as our social media, with links,” Warwick said.

BooktoberFest starts on Oct 1, and lasts all month long, ending on Oct 31. Throughout this time, there will be many fun activities for students to participate in. Warwick and members of STA literary clubs/extracurriculars have been looking forward to bringing this event to students of STA.

“This is a project I have been wanting to do for a while,” Warwick said. “A lot of my Book Club and Gateway Readers members have really been wanting to

Be on the lookout for this new event. If you have any questions, feel free to email or Teams chat Warwick. She encourages students to participate in and enjoy BooktoberFest.

“All are welcome to attend these events,” Warwick said. “It’s just a fun way to think about fun books!”B

The Phantom of the Opera Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

“It is a great way to enjoy reading and all things literary.”

Marcia Warwick

A ll Ab ut AUTUMN AUTUMN

This spread covers everything to do with fall. The Dart cannot wait for the cool weather to hit. Read along for some autumn vibes!

Fall Fashion

What’s in:

- neutral colors

- high boots

- wide leg denim

- chunky jewelry

What’s out:

- oversized look

- chelsea boots

- dainty pieces

- flannel print

Cozy Chords

Want to listen to some cozy fall music? Taylor Swift’s “Red,” The Lumineer’s “Cleopatra” and Tame Impala’s “Currents” are the perfect place to start. These albums are the epitome of autumn vibes. They deliver comforting notes that are ideal for a cool fall night. These albums are amazing for studying, driving or picking pumpkins in the patch.

Story and graphics by Anna Stout | Design Editor

Graphics courtesy of Annie McShane|Co- Editor-In-Chief

Fabulous Features

Fall programs are comforting pieces of art that everybody should watch. From horror movies, to rom-coms, there are several amazing movies and shows associated with the autumn season. “Coraline,” “Good Will Hunting” and “Gilmore Girls” are three of the most iconic fall watches. Some more programs include: “Dead Poets Society,” “Gossip Girl” and “Hocus Pocus.”

Autumn Apple

Apple is an underrated fall staple. It is incorporated in baked goods, hot drinks and scents. This autumn, Starbucks has added a couple new apple drinks and treats, including an apple shaken espresso and an apple croissant. To take your home to the next level, Bath and Body Works has a large variety of apple scents to choose from. For a hands-on apple experience, go to an orchard! There are several apple orchards around, like the Cider Hill Family Orchard located in Kansas City, Kansas.

Perfect Pumpkin

Pumpkin is ALWAYS in for fall. From pumpkin patches to pumpkin bread, it doesn’t get more fall than this squash. When pumpkin spice wafts through the air, you are immediately transported to crisp fall weather, with red and orange leaves on the trees. Pumpkin is the most iconic part of autumn and completely captures the essence of the season.

Gilmore girls

Good Will Hunting

2022-23

DART STAFF

Advisor

Dianne Hirner

Editors-In-Chief

Annie McShane

Tierney Flavin

Features Editor

Anna Massman

Design Editors

Anna Stout

Chloe Denk

Opinion Editors

Katelyn Buckley

Sarah Schwaller

Photography Editor

Jasmine Cervantes

Associate Photo Editor

Maya Tule

Sports/News Editor

Lina Kilgore

Associate Sports Editor

Isa Glover

COVER DESIGN BY

Molly Sonnenberg| Staff Writer

Ownership and Sponsorship

Web/Lifestyle Editors

Dianne Haake

Olivia Cooper

Social Media Editor

Ellie McManamy

Staff Writers

Cassie Hallier

Jo Marshall

Lauren Rando

Molly Sonnenberg

Rebecca McGannon

Stella Baska

Winnie Sprague

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