Dart Vol 67 Iss 1 Sept 27 2007

Volume 67 H Issue 1 H September 27, 2007

The Dart St. Teresa’s Academy

closing the door Department adjusts Language Lab policies to lower paper costs, eliminate disruption

see page 2

from the front

2 Costs compel Lab to alter rules

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Listening in H Senior Jessica Fahey works on her French Language Lab assignment Monday. The Lab recently changed its rules, no longer allowing students to come to the Lab for their free periods. Photo by Claire McInerney

Students desire new location to use computers, printer; some suggest creating computer lab in M&A Building

by KATE RAINEY Co-Editor-in-Chief

The days of spending frees in the Language Lab are over.

Students now can enter the Language Lab only during assigned times, not frees, and can only use the computers for language assignments, thanks to changes made by the Curriculum Council to the rules of the Language Lab last year.

One reason for this change was overcrowding. Because students were assigned to be in the Language Lab at certain times, there wasn’t enough room for extra students. According to foreign language department head Alice Amick, unassigned students were often disruptive and created an unprofessional atmosphere.

“Too many students were just using [the Language Lab] for a free, so it was too hard

to keep them working,” Language Lab moderator Stacie O’Rear said. “It’s a much quieter working environment [now].”

According to O’Rear, the main reason for change was misuse of the computers and printer. Students often visited unapproved websites and printed multiple copies of large files, O’Rear said.

“We were paying for reams and reams of paper,” Amick said. “Our language lab moderator kept track of all the nonlanguage paper that was used and it was very disproportionate. So we made a fiscal adjustment.”

According to Amick, the Language Lab is meant to act as a resource for foreign language students only, not the entire student body. “[The foreign language department] was never told it had to be a resource for the whole school,” Amick said. “We

had allowed students to come in, but…we could no longer [afford] to have an opendoor policy.”

Principal of academic affairs Nancy Hand believes students frequented the Language Lab because it was open consistently.

“I really think it is because the foreign Language Lab is open all day long and…students know it’s open,” Hand said.

“They know they can go and get a paper printed. They don’t know right off the top of their heads if the ERC is open.”

Moderators allowed students to use Language Lab computers to try to compensate for the lack of computers in the M&A Building, Amick said.

“As an accommodation, we were trying to let people in…[but] found out it wasn’t working,” Amick said. “We would like to see a computer lab available in [M&A] for students. Even with different funding, I don’t know if [the Language Lab computers] would solve the issue.”

Senior Lily Hough thinks a computer lab in M&A is a “fabulous idea.”

“This year, I tried to make my frees productive, but I feel like it’s so hard for me to be productive…,” Hough said. “[I] can’t get anything done because everything calls for a computer. If teachers are going to base a lot of their activities on computers, they need to make them available to us.”

Senior Michelle Samborski agreed. “[We] need somewhere in M&A where it’s always open and computers are always available,” Samborski said.

“There’s no place where you can always go and always use a computer.”

Hand does not think M&A needs a computer lab because it would be too expensive.

“It’s all about convenience,” Hand said. “Is it a necessity? I don’t think so.

Your families pay a tremendous amount of money…to send their daughters here.

Our job is to give you a fine quality education and not empty the pockets of your parents.” H For staff opinions on the resource centers, see page 8

inside out Bull’s-eye: Six new faculty members and teachers join STA community. Each shares why he or she came to the school.

See Pages 12-13

Front page..........................1 From the front.....................2 Campus News...................3 Local News........................4 World News.......................5 Opinion..........................6&7 Open Forum.......................8 Academics.........................9 Student Life......................10

Health..............................11 Bull’s-eye...............12&13 Sports........................14-16 Fine Arts...........................17 Entertainment..................18 Reviews...........................19 Features....................20&21 In the Mix...................22&23 The Last Look..................24

Fine Arts: The Bloch Building at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art opened last summer. Teachers and students enjoy artwork.

See Page 17

New PA system relieves old issues

Kate Rainey

Co-Editor-in-Chief Dear Ms. Bone, I heard you plan to hold focus groups of teachers, students, parents, etc. to help you create a strategic plan for the next few years. Since then, I’ve been contemplating what I would change.

I would focus on our Catholicity. We are a Catholic high school, yet Catholicism plays a minor role in school. Like Campus Ministry, our Catholicity is a small office on the second floor of our priorities; it hovers like a fog, instead of shining a substantial light on our lives.

In my spirituality class, Ms. Good told the class we should focus not on “owning a famous theologian,” but “owning ourselves.” She wanted us to explore our own spirituality. But I’ve never been exposed to famous theologians. I haven’t explored the Bible, the Catechism, the great Catholic thinkers.

I need a base on which I can build an understanding of my own spirituality.

Once I have learned about Catholicism, then I can decide whether I align with the teaching or define my beliefs a different way. But I still need to start outside myself.

Students learn about themselves by “owning” other people, especially when it comes to something as complicated as faith. I don’t know how to vocalize my beliefs to myself or other people.

But reading C.S. Lewis, St. Thomas Aquinas and other Christian philosophers helps me realize it. They were meditating on faith long before I came into existence. They have a better grasp on faith and have put their insights into words. Their words and ideas help me get closer to my understanding of faith.

I can’t do it on my own.

High school students are too young to decide their own religious beliefs. So much of what a person believes comes from experience and time spent in consideration. Twelve years of school is not long enough – for meditation or experience. We need direction and guidance from people with more years behind them, from teachers and famous theologians.

Exploring one’s spirituality is important. But one can’t do that without understanding what spirituality and faith are. The theology classes should focus more on teaching us about Christianity and Catholicism. They should incorporate the Catechism, great Catholic philosophers, like St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine, and the history of Catholicism and Popes. This would provide students with a firm grounding in Catholicism. Establishing this foundation would prepare students for classes which require them to apply their knowledge of faith or look within themselves at their own beliefs. Until then, students are not ready for classes like social concerns and spirituality.

STA offers girls a good Catholic education. Parents enroll their children with that in mind. We are Catholic, by name, history, association, and most of the students are Catholic. Embracing Catholicism does not mean shunning diversity. It means giving students a deeper understanding of faith, so eventually they will have enough knowledge to “own themselves.” H

Please excuse this interuption H STA principal for academic affairs Nancy Hand speaks with STA administrative assistant Marion Chartier during midday announcements in the Donnelly Hall Office Sept. 14. The school installed a new PA and phone system this year to replace an outdated, 60 year old intercom system. Photo by Jaime Henry-White

School installs updated equipment which now features in-class phones

by Paige KuhlmanN Staff Writer

Last year, as STA students hurried into their advisories at midday, needing to hear about an upcoming meeting or listening for the theme of the next rival game, the public announcement system was barely audible, even in the most silent classrooms. Now, tens of thousands of dollars later, the announcements are clearer thanks to the new PA and phone system that was installed by a local audio-visual company into all three STA buildings from May to June this past summer. “[The new system] was expensive, but definitely worth it to the school,” business manager Judy Merriman said.

Although Merriman would not comment on the exact price of the new system, estimates from last year predicted it would cost anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000.

She confirmed the final price was within

this range. However, the new system was necessary because the old system failed in serving the school community’s needs.

“It was 60 years old,” Merriman said.

“It was either too loud or people had to crowd around the speaker to hear the announcements. The new system, besides being able to hear it, has many new features that help out the faculty and staff.”

These features include an urgent call button, which gives teachers a direct connection to the office in case of an emergency. Receptionists are now able to page an individual room, rather than the whole school. In order to learn how to use these features, teachers had to go through a training session in August.

“The teachers spent a day learning how to use all of the new equipment,” Merriman said. “They all seem to love it as far as I can tell, especially the phones.”

Art teacher Lisa Dibble agrees with Merriman.

“I’ve never had a phone in my room before,” Dibble said. “I’ve always had to use my cell phone for personal calls, but now the new phones allow [calls from inside and outside of the school] to come directly to my room…It’s definitely a positive for

[STA].”

Despite general teacher approval, there were some minor problems with the installation.

“The installation didn’t affect [me doing my job] this summer…but only one speaker was installed in [the room that the Dibble and Wallerstedt advisories share],” Dibble said.

Dibble’s advisory now has to go to the ceramics room at midday advisory because it was difficult for both advisories to hear the announcements.

“At first, some of my advisees were upset,” Dibble said. “Any kind of change does that, but I’m sure the problem will be addressed sometime soon.”

Although the new system impacts the teachers, Merriman believes it impacts the receptionists even more. “[The new system] is the biggest help to our secretarial staff,” Merriman said.

Receptionist Julia Berardi believes the new system is much more efficient and a great addition to STA. “I have more access to teachers and it’s easier to get messages to them,” Berardi said. “I don’t have to run down the hall to give them a message.” H

The Dart Newspaper wins prestigous award

Sister Harriet returns to STA after prolonged illness

News H Briefs Juniors recover from car accident injuries Juniors Meghan Penland and Jessica Bales were rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital after a serious car accident July 28.

Penland suffered a broken neck, minor lumbar fractions, a broken pelvis on her right side and a broken right ankle. Penland has to wear her neck brace for a few more weeks, making it three months total. Her doctors believe all of her injuries should be healed within one year. Bales was released after one night with minor back and hip pain.

The accident happened at 56th and Ward Parkway when a vehicle crashed into the side of Bales’s car. Both were wearing seat belts.

“On a day-to-day basis, the accident helps my attitude so much,” Penland said.

“I’m really positive about life. I’ve realized life is so much shorter than you think, now I look forward to everyday.” H

The National Scholastic Press Association announced The Dart as a finalist for ther annual Pacemaker Award Sept. 10.

Of the 348 schools who submitted entries 50 were chosen as finalists. Winners will be announced Nov. 9 at a conference in Philadelphia.

Judges select finalists based on, “coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, evidence of in-depth reporting, design, photography, art and graphics,” according to the NSPA website.

Teresian staff was represented by senior Kellyn Smith who was won an honorable mention for feature photography.

“This has been a goal of mine since I got here,” publications adviser Mr. Eric Thomas said. “Last year’s editors, Alison and Nicole, this was explicitly their goal all year.” H

Sister Harriet Koutsoumpas, who left in early May of last year, returned last week after four visits to the hospital.

Koutsoumpas was given a pacemaker on her first visit. She had to go back three more times after being given the wrong medication. She still visits up to five doctors every week.

While she still has trouble getting up stairs, she is feeling much better and doing exercises a couple times a day to rebuild strength.

Koutsoumpas, who has been teaching here since 1979, said she missed the people at STA the most while she was gone.

“The support was unreal from the faculty and staff,” she said. “Even now they are bringing me to school until I am able to drive again.” H

3

campus news

STA: consider embracing your Catholic roots

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

local news

4 Fans embrace Tour of Missouri

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Kansas City hosts first stage of 562-mile bike race across the state

by EMILY BECKER Co-Editor-in-Chief

The first stage of the inaugural Tour of Missouri pedaled off in Kansas City Sept. 13. One hundred sixteen riders participated in the ride, including 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador. Cyclist George Hincapie won the 562-mile, 6 stage race, which drew crowds from all over the state.

“I came down through the crowd to get to the grandstand and all I heard was enthusiastic comments,” Mayor Mark Funkhouser said. “It was a bigger hit than we even thought it would be…They really are absolutely sold.”

Forty thousand people came out for the event in Kansas City, many because of the caliber of participants in the race. In team cycling, the group of riders usually collaborates to help the team captain win the race. The 15 teams of eight riders that registered for the event included the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, whose roster has consisted of Contador, Hincapie and seven time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.

“It was so cool to see 40,000 people excited about something I love so much,” junior Emily Schapker said.

“These guys genuinely are the best in the world.”

This is the last domestic race for the Discovery Team, which will disband due to lack of a sponsor. Besides this fact, much of the motivation for the riders came from the fans.

“The whole week the crowds have been super enthusiastic,” Hincapie said.

“They’re telling us thanks for coming to Missouri, and the guys aren’t really used to that. So, it’s been a really special race for us.”

Governor Matt Blunt and Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder have been organizing the Tour of Missouri for the past 2 years. The race was sanctioned by the International Cycling Union and USA Cycling. The original idea came from an avid cycling fan in Missouri.

Strong finish H Mr. Ivan Dominguez celebrates his success just prior to crossing the finish line of the first stage of the Tour of Missouri Sept. 11. He went on to win the St. Louis stage of the 600-mile tour which ended Sept. 16. Photo by Claire McInerney

“A friend of mine…had been to see the Tour de Georgia and some of the events around it and he sent a letter to me right after I was elected,” Blunt said.

“Pretty quickly we decided that this was something we wanted to embrace.”

This embrace was met with some questioning of whether Missouri would be able to support such a race.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Schapker said. “I remember thinking ‘Missouri?

Why Missouri?’”

Numerous sponsors supported the event across the state, including the Missouri Department of Tourism, which financed $1 million. These sponsors and the wide reception of the Tour across the

state have generated high hopes it will become an annual event.

“It’s a pretty exciting inaugural race and hopefully, we can come back next year and many years to come,” second place finisher Will Frischkorn said.

From the crowds to the courses, the riders in the Tour of Missouri were generally impressed with the race. It was ranked the third most professional and elite race in North America and according to Kinder, the ride is being compared to the best races in Europe.

“I think everyday has been a big surprise for all of us,” Frischkorn said.

See RACE, page 22

Champagne champions H The Slipstream Powered by Chipotle team celebrates after winning the team leader prize for the Tour of Missouri Sept. 16.

Photo by Claire McInerney

Youth Court system tries nonviolent minors Interests in law, philanthropy lead local students to participate in national juvenile peer court system

by ROSIE HODES Staff Writer

If you are asleep and someone slips marijuana into your backpack, or so you might claim, you may need to think of a better excuse to get past the judge in court.

You’s have to think of an even better excuse to get past a schoolmate. In the Kansas City Youth Court system, these two people are one in the same.

The Kansas City Youth Court met in the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School courtroom Sept. 18 for their first of two monthly meetings. KCYC is a juvenile delinquency court system in which 15 to 20 high school students from the Kansas City area participate in trials for minors and decide their penalties. The program began nationally in 1990 as a diversion from regular court proceedings. Commissioner Mildred Watson established it in Kansas City. “[Defendants] see me and I’m their age and they think ‘Who is this girl to tell me what to do?’” senior China Rusch said.

“But sometimes they know I can see eye to eye with them and give them more fair punishments.”

Peer attorneys and judges deal with first-time nonviolent offenses, including

possession of marijuana less than 5 grams, stealing under $750, trespassing or disturbing the peace. Punishments include apology letters, community service hours or papers on the lessons they’ve learned.

KCYC urges kids to pay restitution for what they stole, according to legal director Mary Kay O’Malley.

“People get confused and think it’s all for fun and fake,” Rusch said. “There is a process to what we do.”

Members of KCYC fill out an application once a year, including a recommendation from a teacher. Students must also maintain a 2.5 average GPA. Then, the applicants go through a two-week training and pass an exam before becoming a prosecuting attorney, defense attorney or judge.

O’Malley said the formalities are the same as regular juvenile trials, and defendants go through a process too.

“They have to tell us exactly what happened so we know the crime occurred, we believe they were guilty and we understand why they committed the crime so they know how to act next time,” Mary Kay said.

Junior Casey O’Malley says these punishments make the minors learn more than if they went to jail, and they usually do not commit the crimes again. Also, minors

Serving justice H Junior Mary Lee Ptacek, from left, senior China Rusch and junior Casey O’Malley are members of the Kansas City Youth Court. The court consists of high school students who prosecute minors. Photo Illustration by Jaime Henry-White

who KCYC tries don’t have their offenses on their permanent records.

Some students get involved in KCYC if they are interested in law, others just like the experience.

“I just really like to help the kids,” Casey said.

The coordinators of KCYC hope “the

understanding and positive example of our hard working peer attorneys can help the defendants turn their lives around.” While that might be the hope, KCYC members joke about cases they have heard.

“I read an apology letter once about how bad marijuana was,” Mary Kay said. “I swear the thing smelled like marijuana.” H

WorldHView by

Book reveals faith struggles

Taylor Brown

world news

Sept. 5: Toy recall

The world’s largest toy company, Mattel, recalled 800,000 more Chinese-made toys with a possibility of lead paint coating or small magnets that could be swallowed. This is Mattel’s third recall, following those of 1.5 million toys Aug. 2 and 9 million Aug. 14. Since 2003, at least one child has died and 19 others needed surgery due to lead paint and small magnetic pieces. With more than 80 percent of the world’s toys created in China, toy companies are worried “shoppers will shy away from their products in this year’s holiday season,” according to The Kansas City Star.

Sept. 10: Petraeus report

The top US commander met with Congress to deliver a report on the current policy in Iraq. Gen. David Petraeus stated that changing anything significantly in the Iraq situation would endanger security and stability, and advised Bush not to make any decisions until March 2008. The first pullback of troops will begin this month with the removal of 2,000 Marines. Petraeus also suggested a withdrawal of 30,000 US forces from Iraq by mid-July 2008, which would leave 130,000 troops in Iraq.

Motherly memoir H Mother Teresa smiles during a 1984 interview in Norristown, Penn., where she dedicated a new convent for her Missionaries of Charity Order. The Roman Catholic nun died of a massive heart attack, in 1997. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

‘Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light’ expresses feelings of doubt, anguish through personal letters be one of darkness and she would be absent from Heaven, restoring light in the lives of those who live in darkness.

Dressed in sandals and her signature Even as a saint, Mother Teresa would blue-bordered sari, Blessed Mother fight through her internal struggles and Teresa accepted the Nobel Peace prize work to bring happiness to the poor as in 1979 for her work to overcome she did during her lifetime. distress and poverty throughout the Father Greg Hammes, associate world. As an icon of compassion, she pastor at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, always smiled and often spoke of God’s recently referenced this book in a abundant love. homily.

What the world didn’t know, “[The book] shows that faith is not however, was that underneath this a feeling, but a choice,” Hammes said. exterior lie a tormented soul filled with “When we don’t feel God’s presence, spiritual doubts and anguish. we are filled with doubt, then our faith “There is no God in me,” Mother is purified and it becomes an act of will, Teresa wrote in a recently published our choice to remain faithful to God. series of letters. “When the pain of Yet, God is still present and His grace longing is so great, still is working I just long and in us even if we long for God…the don’t feel it.” torture and pain I Mother Teresa he book shows can’t explain.” wanted these Responsible letters to be that faith is not a for collecting destroyed, but feeling, but a choice.” s u p p o r t i n g they were kept materials and and published in Father Greg Hammes petitioning for her support for her sainthood, Father canonization.

Brian Kolodiejchuk “On one hand, published these we should respect letters Sept. 5 in a book titled “Mother Mother Teresa’s wishes, and certainly Teresa: Come Be My Light.” These she did not wish for this publicity,” writings confess her innermost feelings Hammes said.

“She was always about Jesus and attempts to communicate humble. But, on the other hand, I think with Him. these letters are a great treasure for us “When I try to raise my thoughts left behind.” to Heaven, there is such convicting People throughout the world and of emptiness that those very thoughts all religions find comfort in Mother return like sharp knives and hurt my Teresa’s words. very soul,” Mother Teresa wrote. “I am “In my opinion, she has become more told God loves me, and yet the reality of attractive because I can relate to her darkness and coldness and emptiness is lack of feelings,” said theology teacher so great that nothing touches my soul.”

Matthew Bertalott. “It is for the greater Mother Teresa compares the situation good to show her own struggles.” to Hell, and describes the feeling of Bertalott said teenagers often ask darkness that drove her to doubt the questions such as, “I don’t feel anything existence of God. She preached that so why should I pray?” and can easily the greatest poverty was feeling unloved relate to her feelings of loneliness and and neglected.

The book reveals self doubt. her similar feelings. Mother Teresa “It goes to show that prayer identified with the poor, lonely and sometimes can be difficult,” Bertalott rejected through this internal conflict. said. “You don’t expect that from such She said if she became a saint, it would a person you consider holy.” H

by MICHELLE REICHMEIER Staff Writer

Under pressure H Army General David Petraeus, the top commander of US forces in Iraq, delivers his testimony to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the state of the war in Iraq on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept.

11. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

Sept. 24: Controversial visit

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad talked to the students and faculty of Columbia University Monday. The controversial visit was marked by student protests and muffled booing. Ahmadinejad defended his government’s human rights record, criticized Israel and rejected US efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear program. Columbia University president Lee Bollinger, who has been scrutinized for allowing the presentation, referred to Ahmadinejad as a “petty and cruel dictator.” Bollinger denounced the Iranian government’s persecution of the Bahai religious minority, its support for the destruction of Israel and its pursuit of a “proxy war” against US forces in Iraq.

Determined demonstations H Demonstrations take place at Columbia University hours before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gives a speech at Columbia University Sept. 24 in New York. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

5

“T

s

te o n ide Just

a

What do Mother Teresa’s writings say about her faith?

The book is a collection of letters and diary entries written

by Blessed Mother Teresa. It is dedicated to the poor, so that they can glean “consolation and encouragement” from her experience. The following are excerpts from “Mother Teresa: Come be My Light.”

I want to be only all for Jesus...

Many times this goes upsidedown, so my most reverend “I” get the most important place. page 25 If only one little unhappy child is made happy with the love of Jesus...will it not be worth... giving all for that? page 54

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

opinion

6

Using our resources?

New policies in the Language Lab have sparked debate among students. Is their purpose practical and should students use them only for that purpose? Two of the three managing editors and the co-editors-in chief of The Dart discuss STA’s resource centers. The following should help you decide where you stand.

Emily Becker

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

The main purpose of the resource centers on campus is for a student to receive help for a specific subject or to have access to a computer. With the closing of the Language Lab to all students during free periods and the implementation of a rule which states computers in the Language Lab may only be used for Language Lab work, students are loosing this valuable resource.

STA prides itself on being a college preparatory institution and the assignment of many papers comes with the territory. We are also taught to have time management skills. How are we supposed to use our time wisely by working on our homework when we need a computer to do so?

The class sizes at STA are consistently growing and many times, locations for frees fill quickly. There are less than 10 students in some assigned Language Lab times. There are definitely open computers and room for others to spend their frees in the lab.

The stated reason for these new policies is that the foreign language department had to pay for the paper for the documents printed in the lab. This is an understandable argument, however, a new policy could be that students are not allowed to print anything unless it is for a foreign language.

This could have been implemented instead of the harsher rules now in place. As long as students understand they are to work quietly and use the computers for school work, as are the rules in other resource centers, they should be allowed to maximize the free time they have at school.

The new policies of the Language Lab are unnecessary and a hindrance to all who have homework to finish. H

Sarah Cooper STA’s resource centers are great in theory, but they do not function to their potential.

The required attendance and assignments in the resource centers make students view those locations in a negative light, and associate them only with cumbersome activities. Students do not turn to the resource centers as places to focus on, or get help in, a specific subject, but typically use them as another silent study area.

To truly serve as resource centers, the locations should offer help from teachers or qualified upperclassmen. They also should be more welcoming to group work, as collaboration is often the most effective resource.

STA lacks an open computer lab where students can work on any school assignment. The Language Lab used to unofficially serve this purpose, but now students have very limited access to computers. The computer lab is often occupied by classes, and the library’s few computers are snatched up quickly. Oftentimes students have assignments which require the use of a computer, but cannot complete them at school, and so they cannot effectively use their frees. Also, many students need a place to quickly print off finished assignments.

The resource centers at STA would be more useful to students if they offered different services and access to computers. H

Elizabeth Nelson The resource centers at STA are supposed to provide students with additional help in a specified subject. The fact is, most students are not using the resource centers for their intended purposes.

If the Language Lab or other resource centers are struggling because of this outside use, it is a problem. The funding for the Language Lab comes from the foreign language department, but because it was the only readily available “computer lab” in the M&A Building, students used it to print assignments for other classes, taking a toll on the budget for the Lab. The administration and specific departments must ask, if a student needs to go somewhere to work on homework, why are there not more spaces available? Most classes, including math and science, generally have assignments which require computer use.

In addition, most students have experienced being in a full silent study where students are turned away. Where are those students expected to go? Silent study is the largest group study area available, and many times students turn to it as a last resort. So now, not only will they not get any homework done, they might get an SBR as well for not having a stamp or being unsupervised. If we are expected to use the resource centers for their specified purpose only, more group study areas, and areas with readily available computers, need to be created. H

Kate Rainey There has been a lot of buzz around campus about changes made to the Language Lab; it no longer allows students to print or go in for frees.

I don’t understand the panic and the outrage. People truly feel upset about these changes. The only reason students stayed in the Language Lab during unstructured mods was to abuse the rules. It was easy to sneak to the back row of computers, log onto the internet and print out the paper due next period, or even check one’s Facebook. Many students raced through their Language Lab assignments to work on homework, finagling a free out of their Language Lab time.

While the rules might seem ridiculous or unfair, not that much has changed. The foreign language department has adapted.

They discovered how students were bending the rules and created less malleable ones.

There are other options. What’s wrong with the library? Or the computer lab? Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Hershewe are nice.

They let students in, let them print papers, even let them log into their e-mail accounts – if it is school related.

Trek over to the library. Enjoy the studious atmosphere during unstructured mods.

One can get plenty of work done among the book-clad wooden shelves and flat-screened computer monitors.

Use the Language Lab for “ancillary work,” as Ms. Marquis would say. It’s an opportunity to learn on one’s own, which is the best way to learn. H

the dart staff Editors-in-Chief: Emily Becker & Kate Rainey Managing Editor of Design: Elizabeth Nelson Managing Editor of News: Sarah Cooper

Center Spread Editor: Breanne Sigler Fine Arts & Entertainment Editor: Maddy McGannon

Lifestyles Editor: Rachel Schwartz Managing Editor of Visuals: News/Features Editor: Sarah Smith Breanne Sigler Opinion Editor: Elizabeth Nelson Copy Editor: Caroline Quinn Sports Editor: Linny Kaufman Graphics Editor: Aly Brownlee Staff Photographers: Photo Editor: Claire McInerney Jamie Henry-Whitre & Allison Pointer Writers & Photographers: Rachel Flattery Kayla Loosen Taylor Brown Nicole Gravino Michelle Reichmeier Tracy Burns-Yocum Rosie Hodes Julia Stapinski Carlie Campbell Kylie Hornbeck Haley Vondemkamp Bianca Dang Paige Kuhlmann Elizabeth Wilson Sydney Deatherage

Ownership and sponsorship: The Dart is created by student members of the newspaper staff and is published with funds from the St. Teresa’s Academy general operating fund and advertising revenue. St. Teresa’s Academy is a Catholic, independent college preparatory school, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Editorial Policy: The administration of St. Teresa’s Academy reserves the right to restrain news and editorial content based on Catholic values and respect for the educational environment. Signed columns reflect the opinions of the individual, not necessarily the staff or school community.

Letters Policy: The Dart encourages letters to the editor about topics covered by the paper or other issues. Letters can be sent in the following ways: In person to Mr. Eric Thomas in Music & Arts 205; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, Attn: Eric Thomas, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; or by e-mail to ethomas@ stteresasacademy.org or to dart_letters@yahoo.com. Letters should be limited to 300 words. The Dart staff reserves the right to edit or shorten letters for publication.

Photo Illustrations: Photo illustrations are conceptual photos that combine the limitless possibility of the drawing with the realism of the photograph.

Grin and wear it: STA uniform code is unpredictable Kayla Loosen

opinion

Staff Writer It was only my first week of school at St. Teresa’s Academy as a measly, unknowing freshman when I received my first SBR. I recall strolling through the third floor of the M&A Building, fresh out of a free in Mr. Mark Fudemberg’s room with an untucked shirt and a gray undershirt. Having survived a mod in Fudemberg’s room without a warning, I assumed I was home free the rest of the day.

Obviously I didn’t know the lay of the land.

Ms. Mary Montag brought that assumption to a screeching halt the following mod by issuing me a Level 1 SBR and a 45-minute after school detention.

Blind-sided by her lovable personality, I never guessed that inside she was a hardhitting uniform advocate.

The uniform policy at STA has become inconsistent from teacher to teacher.

I envy the students who have schedules filled with teachers who are lenient with the uniform policy. Unlike them, my schedule consists of the harshest teachers with the most severe punishments.

Through experience, I have found the inconsistency of the teachers can be divided into three categories.

First is the All-Talk-No-Action in-

Cartoon by Sarah Smith

structor. This is the teacher who dedicates lectures and a portion of his or hers yearly syllabus to frighten you into following the uniform policy. But when it comes down to the day you wear a green pair of socks, he or she is the one to offer you a warning and an unforgiving glare.

Although, be on guard, occasionally these teachers may stick you with an SBR. Second is the No-Talk-No-Action instructor. With this teacher you could be wearing a prom dress with a non-uniform sweater and he or she is still too busy to

notice. The unluckiest of students leave these classrooms with only a friendly warning.

Last is the All-Talk-All-Action instructor. Here we have our uniform fanatics.

These are the teachers who can spot a shirt tail from their classroom window as you tear across the quad. If spotted, expect a Level 1 SBR and an after-school detention. Plead all you want, but they’ve heard all of the lines and played all of the games. Beware, they shed no mercy.

The contradicting uniform policies

among teachers often create confusion.

How are students supposed to behave when each teacher has an unpredictable opinion on the way he or she handles uniform violations?

You can hope for the best like I did my first week of freshman year, but always expect the worst. In the meantime, fellow uniform violators, dodge those uniform extremists and their cronies unless your uniforms are in pristine condition, keep those shirt tails in, and play the uniform policy by the book. H

General Petraeus gives one-sided account of Iraq War

War Report H General David Petraeus, left, and US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, testify to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the state of the Iraq War, Sept. 11.

Petraeus has received mixed responses to his comments. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

Bianca Dang

Staff Writer General of the Multinational Force in Iraq David Petraeus testified to Congress Sept. 10 about military progress in the Iraq War. In his testimony, known as the Petraeus Report, he discussed the success in recent weeks concerning reduced violence. He shaded the American public from parts of real events of the war by showing only encouraging information.

He said the number of security incidents has declined, significant blows to Al Qa-

7

eda-Iraq have occurred, Shia military extremists have been disrupted, ethno-sectarian violence is lower and overall civilian death has declined. All facts are true, but all are positive.

Petraeus stressed that the militaristic goals of the January troop surge of around 20,000 soldiers have been met, saying it was necessary for the success of Iraq. He also made recommendation to withdraw about 30,000 troops by next summer.

This number seems large, but Petraeus did not mention that after the withdrawal, over 130,000 soldiers will still be in Iraq.

This is because, according to US analysts, the military could not maintain 160,000 troops by next summer. The real reason for troops being withdrawn is clear; the US will not be able to retain the current number of soldiers and keep them in war.

The removal of soldiers is not to aid the public’s request, it’s to keep government budgets intact.

The declines in religiously fueled deaths

and violence, car bombings and suicide attacks are very uplifting, but nowhere in the report does Petraeus discuss the casualty rate of American troops. Over 3,798 US troops have lost their lives since the beginning of the war in April 2004 and the death toll continues to rise. Petraeus recognized that soldiers and civilians are still dying, but by avoiding many actual figures, he was able to make the statistics more positive. His main point was to convince Congress that victory is near and did this through careful withholding of harmful facts.

The number of deaths and violence has been significantly lower in comparison to December 2006, but Petraeus’s account is deceptive. Because December was one of the most deathly and violent months in the history of the war, relating September’s statistics to December’s is not showing the overall progression compared to the entire war, misleading the public.

During a question-and-answer session

after Petraeus’s report, Senator Barack Obama pointed out that the report was taking place on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11. Having the report on Sept. 11 not only brings to mind the terrorist attacks in 2001, but also the association between the war and the attacks. This is a false message. The US government has said that Iraq did not have a role in the Sept. 11 attacks. The scheduling of the report is aimed at boosting America’s support by creating the illusion of reasoning for the Iraq War. Many Americans are looking for a change in the course of the war. Both political figures and much of the public are starting to question America’s reasoning for the Iraq War. According to a July USA Today/Gallup news poll, over 62 percent of Americans believe that sending troops to Iraq was a mistake. Many believe the government is making progress in Iraq, but not enough progress to erase the loss that had stemmed from the war. H

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

open forum

8

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Cambodian chaos: cows, cars, sense of comfort Sarah Smith

Section Editor I wasn’t allowed to ride on motorbikes in Cambodia. The closest reliable hospital required a flight to Bangkok and while my insurance covered accidental dismemberment, motorbike accidents weren’t on the list. After a game of charades to explain this to my Cambodian friends, they finally understood and said, “OK! So we will take a motor cart!” A few minutes later a motorbike with a decrepit plywood cart attached to the back by a few ropes came sputtering down the red dirt road. The rules didn’t say anything about motorcarts, so I hopped on.

Traffic in Phnom Penh almost defies laws of physics. A floral pajama clad grandmother and her four grandchildren all pile onto a one-person bike. They join the dense herds of coughing and grumbling vehicles morphing around the occasional pedestrian, or elephant. They then go twice the posted speed limit the wrong direction around a roundabout. Horns are blaring, thick smog is rising and tourists watch their life flash before their eyes.

To an American, these driving conditions are beyond road-rage worthy; it is pure chaos. But, this messy order is exactly what the Cambodia culture values. Individuality isn’t valued nearly as much as making sure the whole community is getting what they need.

Americans think “my lane,” “my green light,” “me, me, me.” However, in Cambodia, a Confucian way of thinking is in place. A greater sense of harmony is much more important than following every rule of an autocratic government.

It may seem like a stretch that this lawless driving permeates all the way to core cultural values. I attended plenty of culture classes, I learned how to sit with my legs folded to the side and to bow to elders. I went in thinking different isn’t wrong but I kept finding myself judging them – why can’t they just stay on their own side of the road? The answer would probably be quite simple: their side of the road had a cow grazing on it, so they went around.

The first night in with my homestay family I was in the mindset of an individualistic American. I sat in my mosquito net shrouded bed on the verge of tears as five elderly women laughed at the size of my feet and spoke to me in guttural tones. But this was just curiosity – my feet were bigger than theirs. They weren’t concerned with the cultural faux pas I was making or my t-shirt that was far too tight for their standards. But there I was, noticing things like the huge gaps in the floorboards and the holes worn in their ankle length skirts. My discomfort led me to a feeling of American supremacy, exactly what I had tried to prepare against.

I wanted to fit in, I wanted to laugh too, but this is how deep cultural habits run, I was just being me.

The part that I hadn’t accepted about their communal lifestyle was letting myself be part of the community. It was harder than I had imagined shedding some of my western biases but once I did and kept chanting the mantra “different is not bad” it was easier to adapt and enjoy myself.

Becoming aware of my “Americanisms” made me more conscious of my actions. I was the first American that some of these people had ever met. It was important to acknowledge that what I did was the basis for all of their future judgments. It was comforting to know they weren’t judging too harshly.

While I won’t be applying for my Cambodia driver’s license anytime soon, I now see the practicality of the occasional fender bender. People are bound to crash every now and then but this is well worth the effects of having a real community.

Cultural encounter H East West Center’s Partnership for Youth Coordinator Rosita Macdonald learns traditional Khmer Dance at the Krousar Thmey Street Children Center in Siem Reap, Cambodia in July. Over the summer 20 students from across the US travelled to Cambodia for a journalism based program. Photo by Sarah Smith

Voice Off

What response should the President take to the war in Iraq after the September report to Congress?

Troops should remain in the Middle East until significant political progress is made: 21 percent At least 30,000 troops should be withdrawn from Iraq by next summer, as recommended: 34 percent compiled by Julia Stapinski All troops should be withdrawn from Iraq as soon as possible: 32 percent 100 students polled No action should be taken until the election of a new president in 2008: 13 percent

30 seconds with Ms. Nan Bone

compiled by Julia Stapinski

After serving as principal of St. Peter’s Catholic School for three years, Ms. Nan Bone has returned to STA, her alma mater, to serve as president. Bone’s strong belief in single-sex education as well as her memories of being a student at STA have given her insight and wisdom that will help her to lead the school.

Q: What do you like most about STA and why?

A: “The girls. I like meeting all of you. It confirms what I believe about [STA]. You are all so articulate, smart and caring. To encourage you to use those skills in the world is a great honor.”

Q: What is your favorite memory as a student here?

A: “All my memories revolve around friends. [High school] is all about building relationships. Your friends here are your friends for life.”

Q: As a student here, did you ever see yourself as future president of the school?

A: “No. I really think in life you’ll find that things happen for a reason. Even as principal at [St. Peter’s], I didn’t expect to return to the Academy as president.”

Q: Why do you think single-sex education is important for girls?

A: “I believe in it, I went through it. I am sitting here today...because of what this school has given me. You can wake up in the morning and put your hair in a ponytail and not worry about the boy sitting behind you, but you still get to see boys on the weekend.

[Single-sex education] really is the best of both worlds.” H

Photo Poll

compiled by Julia Stapinski

This year, the foreign language department chose to ban students from using the Language Lab for nonlanguage assignments.

The Language Lab, and other resource centers at STA, are frequently used by students for different subjects.

The choice to change the Language Lab policy has sparked debate among many students.

Check out the Main Editorial on page 6 and the news story on page 2 for more information.

How do you use the resource centers at STA and why?

“I go [to the MSRC] when I need help in geometry and my teacher helps me out or a teacher from another class will help me.”

– Kathleen Hough, freshman “I use the ERC because I’m required to, but it’s a great place to do homework on the computers, and also it’s quiet.”

– Elaina Brownlee, sophomore “I mainly use the labs for computers, I don’t go in there just to...meet friends. My friends don’t go there.”

– Kit Landwehr, junior “The MSRC is [good] because you can actually talk there if you want to. You can use the computers without the [moderator] going, ‘You can only use the computer for foreign language.”

– Amy Hymer, senior

Sophomores develop speech 9

academics

Administration creates required class to improve students’ public speaking

by RACHEL FLATTERY Staff Writer

A perceived lack of oral presentation skills among STA students prompted the administration to add speech to their curriculum this year. Teachers and parents throughout the years have noticed many STA graduates lack oral presentation skills.

“When we heard students giving speeches, we heard a lack of oral skills,” Ms. Nancy Hand, principal of academic affairs said. “The decision was made by the curriculum council with discussion with fine arts that there was one area that we felt students needed additional help, and that was speech.”

Ms. Ann Heid, the new speech and debate teacher, said her class will teach girls how to prepare a speech and recite it with assurance in front of people.

“Most college students take a semester at least of speech,” said Heid. “This [class] equips students with speech before college.”

Speech is a semester course available both first and second semester. Students become used to talking in front of the class and learn to get over stage fright.

“I’m a nervous public speaker,” sophomore Ellen Gude said. “I want to be more comfortable in front of a crowd.”

Students also memorize speeches and the techniques involved in making speech, like pausing, intonation and citation. Such skills include making eye contact, organizing their points and delivering their message in a clear and direct manner.

“More important is that [the students] have confidence in the process and in themselves,” Heid said.

Heid has taught speech and debate in various schools, but this is her first year at STA. Heid also helped students compete in the Woodman Speech Contest,

Speaking up H Ms. Ann Heid, top left, teaches the required speech class last Friday. The students took notes over the differences between listening and hearing something in order to learn about being better speakers. Photo by Claire McInerney

where students from schools around the city write a speech about the United States.

Along with sophomores, juniors and seniors are also welcome to join the class to prepare for college.

“I like having multiple grades in class,” sophomore Mary Warwick said.

“It can help at times and they set an example.”

According to Heid, class is not just about writing speeches and reciting them. Speech also focuses on becoming an overall better writer and becoming more confident in oneself to get opinions

and ideas heard, she said.

“I like speech because everyone is capable of being a dynamic speaker,” Heid said. “People come in one way and change into something else. You get people who don’t want to take [speech] and when they buckle down to it, they blossom and get better in skills and in confidence.”

Confidence starts this year, but does not end there.

“Speech is a skill you need to be able to have throughout your life,” Warwick said. “I hope to be a better speech writer and public speaker.” H

Speech Tips STA’s Ms. Ann Heid and professor Weslynn Martin of Rockhurst University offer some pointers to help students when writing a speech.

Use PREP method P = State point of view R = Give reasons for point of view E = Offer examples to support reasons P = Restate point of view

National Merit recognizes five STA students Seniors chosen as semifinalists for high test scores; distinction enhances prospects during college process

by BREANNE SIGLER Managing Editor of Design

The five National Merit Semifinalists, the largest group in many years, were announced Sept. 12 to the STA student body.

Seniors Elizabeth Nelson, Meredith Pavicic, Kellyn Smith, Sarah Smith and Erin Vogel were recognized by the National Merit Corporation as receiving among the highest PSAT scores in the state of Missouri.

Last year STA had two semifinalists and in the two years prior there were three in each class.

“This [senior] class is very top heavy academically,” college counselor Steph Hart said. “They all scored pretty high [on the PSAT] so I guessed that we would have more National Merit Semifinalists than before.”

Seniors Sarah Cooper, Maureen McMahon, Kate Rainey, Bailey Lynch, Molly Campbell and Ashtin Bryde were commended by the National Merit Corporation. Two-thirds of the 50,000 high scorers were recognized for their outstanding performance on the PSAT. This reflects well on the senior class and shows that they are academically talented, according to Hart.

“It shows through their test scores,

their GPAs and their school involvement,” Hart said. “STA will take a hit when they leave.”

This year’s group of semifinalists includes girls from The Dart staff, The Teresian staff, the volleyball team and the cross-country team.

“We’re a really diverse group,” Vogel said. “It’s hard to balance athletics and other activities with school, so I think that it’s cool that all these girls won this award.”

Kellyn was excited when she found out she had qualified to be a semifinalist.

“Whenever you’re an underclassman you get to see [the seniors] find out [if they qualified as semifinalists] and that’s really exciting,” Kellyn said.

Kellyn has begun the process of filling out the application to become a finalist, which includes a standard application, an essay about her interests and goals and a recommendation. Although there are many benefits that come from being a semifinalist, Kellyn does not think receiving this award will affect her future plans.

“You can get some scholarship money, which is helpful and highly appreciated,” Kellyn said. “I don’t think it will affect my college decision, though.”

Vogel does not think it will affect her college decision either, though she does say that it will look good on her college

Hanging tough H Seniors Meredith Pavicic, from left, Erin Vogel, Elizabeth Nelson, Sarah Smith and Kellyn Smith qualify to be National Merit Semifinalists after taking the PSAT last fall. The five girls will receive notification of National Merit Finalists standings next February. Photo by Allison Pointer

applications. She also said that writing the essay to apply to be a finalist is helping her gather ideas for her college admission essays.

The five STA semifinalists will find out in February whether or not they are one of the 15,000 students who are finalists. Hart has high hopes for this batch of semifinal-

ists, as well as for the potential semifinalists in the classes ahead.

“Grade schools are preparing kids better [for standardized tests],” Hart said.

“Girls are pushing the envelope academically and in rigorous classes. It says a lot for teachers [at STA].” H

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

student life

10 Teens dubbed ‘hook-up generation’

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Students, parents attempt to define hooking up, discuss effects uncommitted relationships have on young adults description of hooking up depends on age.

“For high school, I think a lot of the Dinner-and-a-movie nights are time it’s just making out with someone,” scarce. Double dates are nowhere to be Cieszykowski said. “As you get older found. Front porch kisses on the cheek and go into college, it’s more about may be a thing of the past. sex.”

Welcome to the hook-up generation.

There is a generation gap when it Many people say comes to detoday’s teenagers fining hooking partake in random up. Ms. Nancy physical activity, Cieszykowsrather than exclusive ki, mother relationships. This of Jeannette a three-part series alleged abandonCieszykowski, ment of committed says she does This generation of teenagers has relationships has not make a conbeen called the “hook up generaearned teens the title nection between tion.” The next three issues of of the “hook-up genhooking up and The Dart will explore what this eration.” sexual behavior. means and how this affects students What does that “I’m thinkat STA. mean? ing hooking up Part One: Issue 1 Sept. 27 “It seems like means you’re a What is “hooking up?” now you’re either couple or you’re in a relationship or dating someone,” Part Two: Issue 2 Oct. 25 you’ll make out with Nancy said. “I How does hooking up affect a few people or ‘get don’t think girls teenage girls? on’ random people would us the term or maybe the same loosely if it meant Part Three: Issue 3 Nov. 29 person, but it’s still something more What are the dating alternatives to not dating,” senior serious. I can’t “hooking up?”

Elizabeth Warwick imagine girls said. “So I think walking around we’ve almost lost saying it casually that sort of date if it did.” night thing where Ms. Lauren you just go on dates with someone Brian, a University of Kansas graduate you’re kind of interested in and maybe student, tried to tackle the difficult quesit progresses.” tions surrounding random sexual activiThere is debate over what it means ties in her honors undergraduate thesis, to hook-up. Students and adults alike “The Heterogeneity of Hooking Up.” feel a cloud of confusion surrounds this In her thesis, Brian classifies four types phrase. Many students struggle to de- of hook-ups. She says the first type, one fine it without using other euphemisms, night stands, are typically riskier than like “making out.” the other types of hook-ups because they Warwick’s explanation of hooking up more commonly lead to depression, neghas changed as the phrase becomes more ative emotions and lower self-esteem. popularized.

The next category, the serial hook-up, “Hooking up, to me, always meant involves uncommitted sexual activity bethat person had sex,” Warwick said. tween two people multiple times. Brian “Then, all of a sudden, it’s sort of taken describes the third kind as the “oops” on this connotation of maybe it doesn’t hook-up because it refers to sexual mean that. Maybe it means they just behavior with an ex-partner or close made out.” friend, closely followed by the realizaSenior Sarah Coleman thinks most tion it was a mistake. Lastly, a friends people would “flat out say ‘I had sex,’ with benefits hook-up entails sexual inrather than say ‘I hooked up with some- timacy between two people in a fairly one.’” close friendship with no expectation of Warwick, Coleman and junior Jean- future obligation, but rather a continued nette Cieszykowski agree a person’s cycle of hooking up.

by CAROLINE QUINN Copy Editor

Hooking Up

Meeting mates H University of Kansas graduate student Lauren Brian researched the “hooking-up generation.” In her thesis, she attempted to define “hooking up” and understand the causes and effects of such behavior. Photo by Claire McInerney

While these four types of behaviors outline the meaning of hooking up, “hook-up” will always remain an ambiguous term, Brian said.

The effects hooking up can have on young women may be more certain.

“Some girls are somehow able to sep-

arate hooking up from their emotions,” Brian said. “If you can do that, then you may be able to feel like you’re in control. But in more cases, hooking up can have lasting effects on self-esteem.”

It is those effects which worry many students, parents and educators. H

School implements SASI, an updated attendance tracker SASI helps STA with campus communication, keeps students on time for class throughout each school day

by KYLIE HORNBECK Staff Writer

Walking down the hallway, carrying a slip of paper, Ms. Renee Blake was like many STA teachers last year. She would make the trek to the office most mornings to report the attendance check-in of advisees. This year, Blake sits at her desk waiting for advisees. With the ring of the bell and the click of her mouse, she sends the morning’s attendance.

According to Blake, the new attendance system, Schools Administrative Student Information (SASI) is more effective and holds students accountable for their arrival to class on time.

SASI allows for access to student records, enrollment, scheduling and attendance information and is being used in

over 16,000 schools nationwide, according to the company’s website.

Through SASI, teachers are able to turn in attendance for advisory check-in and check-out and for each class during that period on the computer. This is an improvement to last year’s system where teachers physically transported their attendance to the office later in the day.

Two different types of SASI programs are used at STA: SASI XP by the administration and SASI ClassXP by the teachers. Another program, Integrade allows teachers to keep a grade log and e-mail it to students and teachers. “[The system] is an efficient way to communicate in a campus that’s so spread out,” Blake said.

Before STA could begin using SASI, Ms. Julia Berardi and Ms. Kathy Wal-

ters, SASI administrators, had to install the system over the summer.

Walters does not feel any teachers will want to return to the “paper method,” and that, so far, the system is running well.

“I don’t really see any [disadvantages] right now,” Walters said. “But, one thing is that [ClassXP] is time consuming; teachers have to take attendance every period. And at times, some teachers forget.”

To Berardi, the new system is an improvement. She feels it’s more efficient and it allows the school to better keep track of students’ whereabouts.

Berardi also believes SASI ClassXP is hard for some teachers to use because it takes a while to boot up, but it gives more timely information.

“I think the system’s a good thing,” Berardi said. “I know it’s a change for teachers, but it’s a good system and I think they’ll really like it after they get used to it.” H

SASI System H Secretary Julia Berardi controls STA’s new electronic attendance system in the M&A office Monday.

Photo by Maddy McGannon

STA counselor Karen Sinco holds weekly senior meetings focused on stress reduction techniques she describes as “open-forum,” meaning students are encouraged to ask questions and freely discuss as a group. Because of this, Sinco stresses confidentiality.

When senior Mary Clara Hutchison Also, participants perform exercises ponders her final year at STA, college involving visualization, breathing techdecisions, prom, class day and the senior niques and meditation. She gives speprank may come to mind. What may go cial attention to each individual and their unforeseen, however, are stresses that situation. She points to classes, relaaccompany these senior privileges. STA tionships, sports, finding independence personal counbefore leaving selor Karen Sinco home and colformed a support lege applications t let me know I group in response as shared stressto the stress she beinflictors among wasn’t the only lieves seniors face. most seniors.

“In the first two Hutchison, student stressed.” weeks, already we one of the group’s Lauren Michael, senior had a lot of seniors first participants, stressed out and was hesitant at anxious,” Sinco first but found the said. “They have group helpful. a lot more on their plates than [under“[Sinco] helps us to categorize the classmen].” ways that we react to stress,” HutchiThe stress relief support group will son said. “Fight, flight and freeze. I meet Mondays during lunch activity in freeze. Its when you just kind of ignore Sinco’s office for the remainder of the [the stress] and go to bed.” school year. According to Sinco, the Senior Lauren Michael also found sessions are aimed toward individual Sinco’s stress group accommodating. stress reduction and are another resource “I felt more relieved,” Michael said. for seniors. Students are welcome at any “Also, it let me know I wasn’t the only point in the year, whenever they find it student stressed. I just felt better.” necessary to attend.

Michael, along with Sinco and “Not everyone will want to come to Hutchinson, named the college applicaevery single meeting,” Sinco said. “It’s tion process as a major contributor to not about getting the most students as you the high stress levels of many seniors. can, but getting the students who need Sinco said this is the prime reason stress [the stress relief] and will utilize it.” relief sessions are open to only to the Sinco leads the sessions in a style senior class. H

by HALEY VONDEMKAMP Staff Writer

“I

Guidance Department Student-led services Peer Helpers Organization When? Peer Helpers operates throughout the year, but nominations and applications are released in April.

Where? Peer Helpers meet in Verheyen What is it? Peer helpers mediate conflict resolution and offer services during finals week to reduce stress among students.

Academic Tutoring When? Anytime the students and tutor have a shared free periods.

Where? Tutoring sessions can take place in the Language Lab, Math/Science Resource Center or the Tutoring Room.

What is it? Students struggling in a subject can work with and ask questions of students who accel in that subject area.

Tutors are usually set up through the specific department a student needs help in or through Ms. Colby, the Academic Counselor.

Decisions, Decisions Who?

What?

VMI designed a comprehensive nutrition guideline program for vending. This program, called “The Right Choice...for a Healthier You!,” focuses on the avaliability of nutritious choices in vending machines, and promoting nutrition education.

Who’s our affiliate?

Treat America Food Services is a metropolitan area company that provides 45 full service vending routes, 30 cafeterias, and two restaurants. They currently employ more than 300 people in Kansas City.

Blueberry Pop-Tarts

Calories: 400 Calories from Fat: 90 Serving Size: 2 pastries (104 grams) While Pop-Tarts may seem like a healthy morning breakfast, many ingredients are manufctured, rather than being found in nature. Instead of munching on these, try a banana or a some whole wheat toast.

Freshmen Seminar When? Scheduled day during Activity Where? Auditorium What is it? Freshmen learn about life as an STA students and high school in general.

Senior Stress Relief When? Mondays during Activity Where? Ms. Sinco’s office What is it? Sessions moderated by Ms. Sinco to help seniors prioritize and deal efficiently with the stresses of their last year of high school.

Personal Counseling When? Meetings take place during a student’s free period.

Where? In a counselor’s office What is it? Meetings can take place per student or teacher request.

Students meet with a guidance counselor to discuss personal problems and dilemnas. STA’s personal counselors are Ms. Karen Sinco and Ms. Peg Marland.

Source: STA Guidance Department Graphic by: Carlie Campbell

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

This year additions to the vending machines provide healthier options for students. The heart sticker underneath the snack indicates a more nutritious alternative.

Vend Marketing Institute, LLC (VMI) of 12 affiliated vending companies. Currently they have nearly 50000 vending machines in over 10000 businesses and industries all over the country.

Staff-led services (besides college counseling)

health

New group tackles stress 11

Garden Salsa Sun Chips Calories: 210 Calories from Fat: 80 Serving Size: 1 package

Sun Chips contain 30 percent less fat than regular potato chips.

They also have 18 grams of whole grains per serving, as well as zero grams of trans fats and cholesterol. Diets rich in whole grains and low in cholesterol are proven to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Nature Valley Oats ‘N Honey Granola Bar

Calories: 180 Calories from Fat: 50 Serving Size: 2 bars (42 grams) This Nature Valley bar provides 16 out of the recommended 48 grams of whole grain per day. It also contains all natural ingredients and no cholesterol. If you really need a pick me up, Oats ’N Honey has 29 grams of carbohydrates, which provide you with an energy boost that lasts.

Sources: Nutritional information from food found in the vending machines and www.vendmi.com Graphic by Aly Brownlee

bull’s-eye

12

r a e Y e h t f o s e i Rook

27 september 2007 ★ The D

Six new teachers and one new president joined the STA team for the 2007 season. The new staff hopes to brings fresh ideas and perspectives to the school players and contribute to a home run year.

Bone

Position: president Training: Northwest Missouri State Strikes: slow drivers in the left lane Major: elementary education

Ms. Nan Bone Coach

“[I like] the girls, the students: I’ve gotten to know so many of them on a personal level and I think it’sMs. Ann Heid about relationships. It makes usThird a Baseman strong community.”

Ms. Courtney Jianas Shortstop

Carlson Position: biology, ecology, anatomy, physiology, varsity volleyball coach Training: Emporia State Strikes: “Debby downers” Major: biology Teaching experience: 5 years

Ms. Amy Carlson Left field

“I really love the all girls environment and the STA community.

STA has such a strong community and support both academically and athletically.”

Jianas Position: Spanish I and II Training: Notre Dame Major: Spanish, psychology Strikes: talking when others are talking, leaving a mess, whining Teaching experience: 3 years “The best thing about STA is the community... It was a nice place to be a student and it is a nice place to be a teacher.”

bull’s-eye

13

Dart ★St. Teresa’s Academy

Harris Position: essentials, algebra I, geometry Training: LeMoyne College Strikes: side conversations, negative attitude, “I can’t” Teaching experience experience: 13 years; taught at all boys school in St. Louis (”It’s more tame and quiet [here]!”)

Shrock

Mr. Richard Shrock Center field Ms. Nan Bone Coach

Position world geography, Position: world history Training: Grinnell College, North Carolina at Chapel Hill Strikes: shouting out answers Strikes Teaching experience experience: 6 years; taught in prisons helping convicts earn college credit “I have a community sense about [STA]. We’re all, from teachers to students, so heavily invested in what we do here.”

“I am just thoroughly enjoying teaching my students. They’re great!”

Ms. Barbara Harris Pitcher

Conner

Ms. Terry Conner Catcher

Position: general and honors physics Training: Virginia Tech Teaching experience: taught physics 6 years in the Navy; Maranatha Academy for 6 yrs.

“The students are very enthusiastic. Everyone always comes into class with an open mind and ready to learn.”

Heid

Ms. Ann Heid Right field

Position speech, debate Position: Training: Clarion University Strikes Strikes: people that take easy way out, complainers Previous jobs: US Air flight attendent for 14 years (”I put away my pencils and took my wings.”)

“I feel like I belong...They are going to have to drag me out of here because I love it so much”

sports

14 Varsity softball

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

stars hit their stride

Class of 2011 rescues teams Linny Kaufman

Team improves statistics from last year’s record, aims for District win

by Tracy Burns-Yocum Staff Writer

The STA softball team this season has an improved record of 9-9, one of the best in the past few years. This record surpasses the outcome of last year’s 6-15 final tally.

“We have very much improved in the last few years,” senior second baseman Kristin Belfonte said. “We are trying to beat the varsity record from my freshman year, which was 14 wins.”

Sophomore catcher Megan Bryde, who is a regular starter on varsity this year, says the team is doing so well because of their enhanced defense. The Stars improved batting and a more competitive edge helped.

Varsity coach Don Lang, who has been coaching softball for 28 years and for 5 years at STA, says this is the second best season he’s had here. He credits the team’s eight seniors, pitchers who have improved tremendously and Bryde who could easily be one of the best catchers in the Kansas City area by her senior year. Lang also believes summer ball helped the team develop.

Senior third baseman Amy Hymer agrees with Lang.

“Because we have eight seniors and we have been playing together we know each other’s game well,” Hymer said.

The large number of freshmen that tried out and made the team this year has contributed to the improved record.

Twelve made JV and two made varsity.

Freshmen Katie Pautler and Ally Franken join a varsity team of two sophomores, three juniors and eight seniors.

Pautler did not expect to make varsity this year, but enjoys the challenge.

“Softball’s such a mind game,” Pautler said. “It takes ability to play at a higher level and you have to think logically to play smart.”

Lang believes the freshmen are truly making a difference.

“There is a big understanding from the upperclassmen as to how the freshmen have contributed to this ball club,” Lang said.

Pautler and Franken, who are regular varsity starters, feel the acceptance from

Star Sports Spot

Swing away H Junior Alexandra Heule swings and hits the ball Monday, Sept. 10 at the home game against St. Joseph Benton High School. The varsity team won with a score of 8-7. Photo by Allison Pointer

the older players has helped their team bond and play together. They feel they are helping their varsity team do better, with Franken batting around .300 and Pautler close to .270. “[Franken] contributes a lot,” Pautler said. “I get a lot of plays and make outs and we’re both hitting strong.”

In addition, Franken’s teammates

agree she has been doing a great job coming in as a freshman pitcher.

“She comes in and is prepared for every pitch,” Bryde said. “It takes a lot of guts to be pitching your freshman year.”

With the STA softball team winning and improving, they hope to bring home a district banner to hang in the gym.H

Serve’s up!

Lofting lungeH STA senior Katie Jackson lunges for the ball during a game against a Bishop Miege High School opponent on the Country Club Plaza tennis courts Monday. Jackson won the match 8-0. The varsity team defeated Miege, winning two doubles and five singles matches and bringing their record to 8-2. The team will begin competing in Districts Oct. 4.

Photo by Jaime Henry-White

I remember almost every detail of my freshman year on the volleyball team, from pulling an allnighter during our first team bonding at the Monsees’ house to giving Haley’s number to that cute guy behind our bus. But what I can’t seem to remember is anything involving our actual games. Did we ever play volleyball?

My team was far from playing for hundreds of screaming fans, and no one in our freshman class had to deal with the pressures of the varsity court. But this year, things are different.

Every setter in the volleyball program is a freshman this year, and two freshmen are starting on varsity. The varsity softball team also includes two freshmen who are both regular starters. Freshman Cassie Redlingshafer ranks number 6 in varsity tennis, and freshmen make up seven of the 17 members on this year’s dance team.

Not only is the freshmen class athletically talented, but these Stars have also proven they can handle a significant amount of pressure. I watched as our freshman middle hitter Grace Whitley, who was playing her first match ever at STA Sept. 6, dominated the Notre Dame de Sion High School game. Despite the deafening roar of the STA Spartans as they chanted “Ahooh!

Ahooh!” in agreement to senior Mary McCue’s cries of “We will fight for glory’s sake! For honor’s sake! For duty’s sake!” and “Spartans! Prepare to fight!,” Grace led our team in blocks and shut down Sion’s top hitters.

As for dance team, there is no question of whether the freshman class is important; new members make up over half of this year’s group. While this means the team is extraordinarily young, the underclassmen are already learning to take initiative. With five seniors looking to graduate and no juniors to fill their shoes, these freshmen have arrived at just the right time to prepare to step up and help fulfill these roles.

This year’s freshmen class could not have come to STA at a better time. As the prodigy Class of ‘08 enters its senior year, STA sports teams are in dire need of new faces and talent. Freshmen athletes are here just in time to begin training for their challenge of picking up where athletes like Erin Vogel and Elizabeth Keaveny will leave their teams off at the end of this season.

Many fall sports programs would be in trouble this year were it not for the Class of ’11 stepping up to not only answer the call for talent, but to handle the pressure thrown their way at every game, match and/or meet. We’re lucky they came to save and refresh our teams right when we needed it.H

sports features

Student heads out early 15

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Kickin’ it up H Lee Summit West High School senior Danielle Martens, left, practices soccer tricks with her brother Alex Martens in her backyard last Thursday. Danielle transferred from STA to Lee Summit West her senior year so that she could graduate early and play soccer for Marquette University in the spring. Photo by Jaime Henry-White

Senior forward Danielle Martens transferred to Lee’s Summit West High School for her senior year to graduate early, train at Marquette second semester

by LINNY KAUFMAN Section Editor

On her first day of classes at Lee’s Summit West High School, senior Danielle Martens wakes up at 6:30 a.m., realizing that today she won’t have to make the 30 minute drive to school she made her past three years at STA. Martens then faces the decision of which jeans, top, shoes and accessories to wear to school, a problem she encounters for the first time since junior high.

Finally, Martens chooses an outfit and eats breakfast, reminding herself she is about to enter a building with 1500 students, not 500, each of whom will be clad in Hollister jeans Martens and tops from Express, not ancient plaid tartan skirts, who will be talking about school football games against Lee’s Summit High School, not volleyball games against Notre Dame de Sion High School, and who, without a doubt, will not all be female.

“Even a couple weeks into the school year, I still feel weird arriving in the morning,” Martens said. “I feel like I’m not even at school. When I’m walking through the halls, there are always a ton of people…

you’re never alone. And there are guys.

It’s totally different having to wake up in the morning and actually choose clothes to wear instead of just putting on my uniform.”

Martens made the decision to transfer from STA to Lee’s Summit West for the fall semester of her senior year in mid-July.

She will graduate after first semester and begin soccer training and classes at Marquette University for spring semester 2008. Martens, who has received a full-ride scholarship to play forward on Marquette’s soccer team, was named the 2006 Missouri “Player of the Year” and is a member of the 2006 NSCAA/ADIDAS All-America Team. She plays on the 2007 Olympic Development Program Region II Team and helped lead STA varsity soccer to their two state championship titles in 2005 and 2006. Martens sees significant advantages in arriving at Marquette a semester early.

“I’ll probably be the only freshman on [Marquette’s] soccer team who will be going up to train a semester early,” Martens said.

“I’ll be a step ahead of everyone else, and I think it will be the easiest transition for me in going away to school. Instead of leaving in the summer to train, I’ll be able to adjust and meet my future teammates at a less hectic time. I’ll actually be living with older players from my team for the first semester.”

Martens says her family, friends and coaches played a major role in her decision making process. Former STA teammate

senior Ellen Jantsch says she is happy for her choice to leave so I support her decision.

Martens, although the team will miss her on It isn’t like she left to go have a better time at the soccer field this season.

[Lee’s Summit West]. She just had to make “It’s upsetting that she transferred be- the choice that would be best for her future cause we were friends,” Jantsch said. “It’s at Marquette.” weird not seeing her in the hallways, and Martens, who will not be able to play it’s definitely soccer her senior year going to be a of high school, says loss for soccer she believes schools at STA. No might need to move ven if I can’t one is mad at soccer to be a fall actually graduate her though. If sport because more graduating earand more athletes are [from STA], I will still ly is ultimately beginning to graduate what’s going to early. consider STA my almabe best for her She says Ms. Nanmater.” career, then cy Hand expressed she made the sadness at the news of Danielle Martens, right decision her transfer, but told Lee’s Summit West High and I’m happy Martens that she is a School senior for her.” good role model for Martens student athletes besays she misscause of how she has es the environgrown and developed ment and people at STA, but still considers as an athlete and person while still maintainherself a part of the community. ing her grades and school spirit.

“My dad is extremely supportive, but Martens says she would recommend my mom is sad that I can’t graduate from graduating early because in the end, the benSTA,” Martens said. “But the thing is, efits will outweigh the consequences. even if I can’t actually graduate I will still “I would tell any athletes who are conconsider STA my alma-mater. I think all of sidering graduating early to first make sure my friends are happy for me and are mature it’s something they can handle physically, enough to understand why I made the deci- emotionally and mentally,” Martens said. sion to transfer.”

“There are a ton of advantages to training Senior Jessica Nouri says that although early with the team, but you have to be preshe would have made the decision to stay at pared to handle the hardships on your own.

STA if she were in Martens’ shoes, she is I am extremely lucky that I’ve grown up proud of Martens. with people who have helped me develop “I miss [Martens] a lot,” Nouri said. “I to the point where I’m ready for the experiwish she was still at STA, but I know it was ence.” H

“E

sports shorts

16 College athletes squeeze truth from sports myths

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Alumnae struggle to balance classes, social life with college sports

by ELIZABETH WILSON Staff Writer

After a long weekend of soccer in Santa Clara, Calif., University of Notre Dame freshman Lauren Fowlkes worked on homework for three hours on the flight back to South Bend, Ind. Arriving at 3:30 a.m., five hours before classes started that morning, Fowlkes called this a typical sacrifice student athletes have to be willing to make.

“You have to be a good time manager,” Fowlkes said of learning to deal with a small amount of free time.

A common STA myth is that collegiate student athletes are in constant battle with demanding challenges. Fowlkes and Ohio University freshman volleyball player Michelle Jantsch back up some of the myths while disproving others. Former student athlete at Emporia State University and coach for Baker and Avila University Amy Carlson also contributes some of her experiences to verify the truth of STA myths.

Myth #1: Once you commit to playing a sport in college, your coach has complete control over your free time.

“It’s different for different levels,” Carlson said. “Division one and division two have to put in around 20 hours a week.

If [the school] gives you any money, they own you.”

Myth #2: College sports require a great deal of social sacrifices.

“I think it depends on the person,” Fowlkes said. “For me, it’s not that bad because I’m really social. I can handle not partying, but some get really frustrated with it.”

One of these sacrifices was missing the first Notre Dame home football game.

Fowlkes also said she can’t get as involved in extra activities because there just isn’t enough time.

Apart from the social sacrifices, Carlson said one of the major things you have to sacrifice as a student athlete is study time.

“At Baker I saw many pre-med students who went off in different directions from their intended major because they always had conflicts,” Carlson said. “Students who wanted to study abroad couldn’t travel because their commitment to their sport was so intense that they couldn’t even leave during the off season.”

Myth #3: It will be impossible to juggle both school and college sports.

“It’s very time consuming,” Jantsch said. “Sports always seemed like an extra curricular during high school but in college you have to treat your sport as a job. It’s hard, but there are tutors available if you fall behind with your school work.”

According to Carlson, being devoted to

a sport while trying to live a college life makes student athletes more focused.

“There is no time to waste so they get things done whenever they have time,” Carlson said of student athletes. “There’s

no time for anything else. When they’re on trips, they have their books out on the bus and even when they stop to eat at restaurants, just to squeeze in some studying.” H

Varsity Tennis (8-2)

Varsity Softball (9-9)

JV Softball (7-0-1)

Aug. 24 Aug. 27 Aug. 30 Sept. 4 Sept. 6 Sept. 11 Sept. 14 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 Sept. 17 Sept. 19 Sept. 24

St. Thomas Aquinas L Park Hill W Blue Springs W Pembroke Hill W Notre Dame de Sion L Barstow W Guilfoil Tournament 2nd Blue Valley West W Pembroke Hill 5th St. Joe Central W St. James Academy W Bishop Miege W

H Junior Jenny McLiney and freshman Cassie Redlingshafer won 1st place in their doubles division at the Pembroke Hill Tournament Sept. 15.

HScoreboardH Cross Country Sept. 1

Liberty Invitational (2.1 miles) Varsity 2nd (of 7) Junior Varsity 4th (of 7) Sept. 8 Blue Springs Varsity (5K) 1st (of 11) Junior Varsity (5K) 2nd (of 12) C Team (2.6 miles) 3rd (of 9) Sept. 15 Hazelwood Central (5K) Varsity 5th (of 32) Sept. 22 KC Metro (5K) Varsity 2nd Junior Varsity 2nd H In the Blue Springs Invitational, senior Elizabeth Keaveny, sophomore Caroline Thompson and senior Emily Thompson finished the race in the top 10, leading their team to a 1st place victory. In the JV division at Blue Springs, freshman Cate Castleman won 3rd place and freshman Addie Thompson finished 4th, adding to their team’s overall finish of 2nd place.

Varsity Volleyball (12-4) Aug. 27 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 8

A shining star H Former STA senior Lauren Fowlkes (above) fights past two Lee’s Summit North High School defenders Apr. 9 towards the goal. Fowlkes now plays soccer for the University of Notre Dame. Photo by Mary Kate Bird

Park Hill W Oak Park W Notre Dame de Sion W Lee’s Summit West 4th Tournament Sept. 12 Archbishop O’Hara W Sept. 15 Lee’s Summit North 3rd Tournament Sept. 18 Park Hill South W Sept. 21 Incarnate Word L H Varsity volleyball welcomes two new freshman starters to the team after losing last year’s senior All-American setter Michelle Jantsch.

The defending state championship team will compete in Districts Oct. 22 and in Sectionals Oct. 27.

JV Volleyball (16-2) Aug. 27 Aug. 30 Sept. 4 Sept. 6 Sept. 8

Sept. 12 Sept. 18 Sept. 21 Sept. 22

Park Hill W Oak Park W Mill Valley W Notre Dame de Sion W Park Hill South 2nd Tournament O’Hara W Park Hill South 2nd Incarnate Word W Miege Tournament 3rd

H The JV team welcomes two new coaches this year, former STA Spanish teacher Heather Macintosh and Ms. Sylvia Smith. The team defeated a leading all-girls St. Louis school, Incarnate Word, in three games Friday and holds a record of 16-2.

Varsity Golf Taking a breather H Former STA senior Michelle Jantsch rests between points at the volleyball State Championship match against St. Joe Academy Oct. 4, 2006. Jantsch is now playing for Ohio University on scholarship. Photo by Mary Kate Bird

Aug. 20 William Chrisman Tournament Aug. 28 Grain Valley Aug. 29 Mid Buchanan Aug. 30 Park Hill Sept. 6 Notre Dame de Sion Sept. 8 Winnetonka Tournament Sept. 10 Benton Sept. 11 O’Hara Sept. 12 Hickman Mills Sept. 20 Smithville HS Sept. 24 Notre Dame de Sion

1W 4L W W W W 1W 3L W L W L W

H The team has already surpassed last year’s total of 6 wins, adding two new freshmen to the mix. They hope to win Districts which will take place Thursday, Oct. 4.

Aug. 20 Lee’ Summit Aug. 28 Grain Valley Aug. 30 Park Hill Sept. 6 Notre Dame de Sion Sept. 10 Benton Sept. 11 O’Hara Sept. 18 Lafeyette HS Sept. 19 O’Hara Sept. 20 Smithville HS Sept. 24 Notre Dame de Sion

W W W W W W Rescheduled Rescheduled W Tie

H The JV softball team is undefeated with one tie, welcoming twelve freshmen to their team. They will play Rock Bridge High School at home today and will take on Platte County High School at home Oct. 1.

Aug. 21 Aug. 23 Sept. 5 Sept. 11 Sept. 12 Sept. 18 Sept. 20

Notre Dame de Sion Liberty Richmond Tournament Blue Springs Warrensburg Sion Tournament Lee’s Summit North

L W 3rd W W 5th W

HAlthough the varsity golf team graduated their State champion senior Mary Kate Bird last year, their aim this year is to finish in the top four at State, earning a banner in the gym. Districts will take place Oct. 2 at Swope Park.

Freshman Volleyball Sept. 8

Sept. 12 Sept. 13 Sept. 15 Sept. 17 Sept. 19

St. Thomas Aquinas L Tournament Archbishop O’Hara W Notre Dame de Sion W Lee’s Summit West 2nd Tournament Pembroke Hill W St. James Quad W

HThe freshman volleyball team, made up of 12 players, has achieved a winning record this year. They will face Notre Dame de Sion at home Oct. 10.

Father, daughter connect through art

fine arts

A family’s passion for art reflected in friendship, accomplishments

by NICOLE GRAVINO Staff Writer

Huge cans of gorilla glue, paint and brushes of varying sizes fill the garage.

Empty and paint splattered canvases are crammed into every available space.

This is the workplace of local artist John Marak, father of STA senior Jessica Marak.

Granddaughter of the founders of the Kansas City Art Coalition and daughter of a featured painter in the Kansas City area, Jessica Marak has a family with artistic talent. Her father opened his third art show Sept. 7 at the Hilliard Gallery at 18th and Oak Street. He studied graphic design at the University of Kansas and has worked at Hallmark for 20 years designing greeting cards. Raising his three children kept him from pursuing his art until the past three years when he began building up his collection and converted the family garage into his workshop.

“He just transformed the garage into a studio,” Jessica said. “It’s kind of a mad house.”

Three months before his gallery opened, he buckled down to polish the pieces soon to be on display, spending late nights working away in the garage.

He describes his style of art as mixed media, nonrepresentational and abstract.

“It’s definitely different,” Jessica said. “It’s kind of modern and abstract.

He gets his inspiration from old materials like rust and old buildings. He tries to recreate things that he sees around the city. If he sees an old building, he likes to go and see all the colors and patterns.”

Throughout the creative process John consults Jessica for her opinion on a particular piece. Her opinion means a lot to him and she willingly offers it up whenever he asks.

“They get along very well,” Diane Marak, Jessica’s mother, said. “She is always honest with him about what she thinks and he would always take the criti-

Painting away H Senior Jessica Marak touches up a painting at home Sept. 16. Marak plans on applying for art school for next fall and enjoys painting pictures of childhood photos. Photo by Maddy McGannon

cism.”

Jessica has been working this year on her portfolio to apply to art school. She hopes to be accepted to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia.

“She does like to show me what she has been working on,” John said. “I certainly comment and encourage her but basically I let her do what she wants, like my dad did for me. It wasn’t like he was really teaching me anything. He never tried to influence me. If you are an artist you do what you do.”

Having an artistic ability runs in the Marak family. Jessica’s grandparents, Lou Marak and Philomene Bennet, known for founding the Kansas City Art Coali-

tion, are also well known artists in Kansas City. John and Jessica share some talents that allow them to work with each other, but they have their differences as well.

“Jessica sees what I see,” John said.

“What she has going for her that I don’t is the natural ability to draw. My ability is much more conceptual while she has both the conceptual ability and the drawing ability which comes from her grandfather.”

Coming from an artistic family, choosing to follow a similar career has its advantages and disadvantages.

“Now that I have officially decided and said it out loud there is pressure on

me to be good,” Jessica said. “I’m nervous about what my dad and grandparents will say because they are so amazing. It’s a big advantage to have my family behind me because if I ever do want to become big, [other people] will recognize me because of my family.”

Diane said in the past two years Jessica has really pushed herself to prepare a portfolio and move toward the ultimate goal of acceptance to art school.

“It’s more than a hobby and you can tell,” Diane said. “It has to be. You can’t spend so many hours working without having a passion for your work. I think she will go on one day to do something really big.” H

Art piece burns, audience applauds WaterFire mesmerizes thousands with display on Brush Creek

by BIANCA DANG Staff Writer

Dozens of unlit bonfires floated in the water. Thousands of spectators stared down the banks while crowds pushed toward food tents or a superior viewing spot. As dusk hit the water, performers with torches danced with the fire and led an audience procession toward wooden boats. The dozens of bonfires were lit and the smoky scent of burning wood filed the air, initiating a burst of applause. On Sept. 9 at Brush Creek, Waterfire came to Kansas City.

“It was kind of funny because Brush Creek never looks pretty, ever, and it’s the most disgusting body of water,” STA junior Mollie Caffey said. “But at night, it didn’t look like Brush Creek at all. With the fire, it kind of looked like it was out of a movie.”

Originally, Waterfire began in Providence, R.I. in 1994 by artist Barnaby Evans.

With tens of thousands of onlookers, the first shows enticed many people to the recently uncovered rivers in downtown Providence.

It has continued to attract both tourists and locals to the newly revitalized area every summer since. Ms. Karen Holland, volun-

17

Burning Brush H WaterFire Kansas City burns brightly on the Brush Creek at Country Club Plaza Sept. 9. The event began at sundown and continued through the night until midnight. Photo by Claire McInerney

teer chair of Kansas City’s Waterfire, contacted Evans in 2004 and convinced him to bring the environmental art piece to Kansas City, hoping for the same type of experience.

“Barnaby spent weeks examining Brush Creek to determine where each and every [bonfire] would be placed,“ Holland said.

“He was very particular in his work. It’s his passion. He wants it to be right.”

Many different groups in Kansas City helped create Waterfire. Local unions and organizations supported the art piece through donating the majority of supplies and labor. Other Kansas City foundations and business also helped fund the event.

Holland hired entertainment from local acts such as the Quixotic Performance Art Tribe,

Kansas City Lyric Opera, and Vesuvius Fire Dancers. The performers entertained through fire eating, acrobatics, live opera singers and dancing on the streets surrounding Brush Creek.

“The diversity and different types of entertainment were the best part,” Anthony Magliano, organizer of Quixotic, said.

“You had everything from fire to dance to live music. The diversity is unique in Kansas City. It was a relaxing night, a good night to take the family out.”

People of all ages attended Waterfire.

Many did not know what was happening and wandered towards the creek from the nearby Plaza. Food tents from Plaza restaurants and Balsano’s Gelato Shop were packed with audience members. Brush Creek transformed

into a fire lit spectacle and drew viewers to the unique art piece.

Another Waterfire show will take place Oct. 13 from 7 p.m. to midnight. There is more entertainment planned, including additional performers from Quixotic and possibly a live orchestra.

Holland expects many more people to watch the second show because of the success of the first. Holland attributes the success of the first show to the curiosity of the community. Organizers are trying to find funding to continue the spectacle next summer to extend the Waterfire experience. “[Waterfire] was the more the merrier,” Holland said. “To see volunteers and people who worked on it there with their families, it felt like everyone was connected.” H

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

entertainment

18

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Adventure starts to find places off beaten path Emily Becker

No Directions Home

Some of the most interesting places that you will ever find are off the beaten path. The tastiest restaurants, the most unique knickknacks, the nicest people are all away from the mesh of interstate highways and byways. In an effort to save these establishments, I am embarking on an adventure. In each upcoming issue of the Dart, I vow to find you a restaurant or store in Kansas City that offers something different than what any other establishment in the city offers. But before anyone can start any adventures, some ground rules must be put into place.

1. No chains I refuse on many ethical and moral grounds to patron any chain stores.

Usually, stores whose headquarters are located on the other side of the country couldn’t care less whether their merchandise is unique or even a quality product. Also, there is no question that Walmart will remain in business until the end of the world.

For these reasons, chains stores violate everything that I am trying to create with this adventure.

2. No maps The goal of this adventure is spontaneity and maps will eliminate all chances of that happening. I will head out of the STA parking lot and go whatever direction I feel like going. I will turn when I feel like it. I will drive straight when I feel like it.

I will go fast and I will go slowly. I will end up where ever I end up that day.

3. No interstates Interstates have ruined the experience that driving once was. Our palates for the unique and unusual have been ridden bland by miles and miles and miles of rolling pavement. I vow to stick to city streets, where the terrain may be bumpier, but it is always more interesting.

4. I can be accompanied Going anywhere or doing anything is always made more enjoyable by someone else being there. I welcome people to accompany me on this journey, whether it is actually in my backseat, or an adventure of your own. The more of us that are out there looking for those special places, the more of them we can share with others.

5. I can bring my cell phone This rule is mainly to satisfy my parents. There have been times in the past where I have gotten myself so lost and gone around in circles so long that no amount of road knowledge got me back to the interstate.

It is for instances like this that I will bring my cell phone to have one sure way to contact someone who can access a map.

And so, it is with a full tank of gas and an open heart and mind that I set out on this adventure with no directions home. H

building bloch

Addition to Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art opens; STA teacher, class enjoys contemporary artwork

by SYDNEY DEATHERAGE Staff Writer

Winstead’s.

“I think it’s hard for a lot of people because they don’t get that jazzed up about Some have described it as a series of going to art museums and looking at art,” trailers tossed onto the lawn of the Nelson- painting class junior Mollie Caffey said.

Atkins Museum of Art, while some have “I’d recommend STA girls going and seehailed it as a modern ing the inside architectural masbecause it gets a terpiece. However, lot of criticism, when STA art teacher but it’s actually t’s a huge gem for Theresa Wallerstedt really cool.” first experienced the The Bloch the city. For St. new Bloch Building Building, adTeresa’s not to take a week after its June jacent to the 9 opening to the puboriginal Nelsonadvantage of the gem lic, her reaction was Atkins Museum would be a shame.” tears. of Art with an “I was crying; architectural Theresa Wallerstedt, STA art I was totally blown design palette teacher away,” Wallerstedt of curved, geosaid. “I felt like I metric lines, had been hit over the light, and spahead by an art club. ciousness, is And when I went in and saw the Matisse built almost entirely of opaque glass. The exhibit, it just did me in.” creation by architect Stephen Holl showWallerstedt returned to the Bloch Build- cases a contemporary addition to the main ing Sept. 5 to share the Matisse exhibit Nelson. with her art portfolio and painting classes.

“Everywhere you look, you discover A half hour into the venture, some STA there’s a new curve, a series of lines, a students wanted to leave the gallery for swatch of green in the interior…just something new and visually fantastic around every corner,” Wallerstedt said. “It’s like walking into a sculpture.”

Though it’s been called a “butler building” by many members of the media, Wallerstedt decided against falling into the trap of negative press after seeing previously refurbished galleries in the original Nelson-Atkins.

“I decided I wasn’t going to make any judgment on the Bloch until I saw the inside,” Wallerstedt said. “And now, so many people who go into the refurbished Nelson and Bloch Building say, ‘Is this Kansas City? It could be New York, or London.’”

Sophomore Jessica Ann, who frequently volunteered in the Bloch Building over the summer, also fell in love with the building and its contemporary vibe.

“The abstract art of the Bloch makes you kind of think more,” Ann said. “It really opens you up to the art world and how there’s other places besides our STA community.”

Ann, Caffey and Wallerstedt all agree the STA community should take advantage of the Bloch Building and the original Nelson-Atkins and appreciate the galleries as a gift to the community as a whole.

“It’s a huge gem for the city,” Wallerstedt said. “For St. Teresa’s not to take advantage of the gem would be a shame.” H

“I

Modern Art H The new Bloch Building of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art stands tall on the east side of the Nelson’s lawn. The Bloch Building opened to the public this summer.

Photos by Carlie Campbell

Gelato satisfies sweet tooth

19

reviews Mixing it up H Ms. Jeaneane Raab (“Aunt Jean”) makes a chocolate ice cream pie at her ice cream shop Sept. 16. Aunt Jean’s is located at 1120 Johnson Drive and serves homemade gelato, ice cream and a variety of specialty sodas. Photo by Carlie Campbell

Sarah Cooper

Managing Editor of News Aunt Jean’s Ice Cream, ironically, does not serve ice cream.

Instead, the cozy shop serves up 18 flavors of super-sweet homemade gelatos and sorbets, as well as candy and specialty sodas. Aunt Jean’s opened June 30 and has revived its hometown of Shawnee.

The unique flavors, ranging from cappuc-

cino crunch to lemon poppy seed, draw a steady stream of fans to its nondescript storefront.

Aunt Jean herself is a friendly lady of middle age, who learned her craft at the Gelato Institute of America. She explained that gelato is an Italian form of ice cream that is made with half the milk fat and has less air than ice cream, which makes it denser and allows the flavor to come through more sharply. It also is kept at a higher temperature than ice cream, so it is softer and smoother. She does not serve sundaes because the gelato is flavorful enough on its own.

This I understood when I tried “celebration cake,” the most popular gelato, which is comparable to “cake batter” ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery, though with a richer taste. Its flavor was very reminiscent of cake batter, as was its soft

cd

“The Brave One” seemed an unlikely title for a movie that depicted Jodi Foster as a victim turned vigilante. The film progressed to fulfill its name by the time the credits rolled across the screen.

The cinematography in the movie is personal. Camera shots often stay near the face and eyes, or even behind the character, drawing the audience in and making them feel like they are actually a part of the action that’s happening. The story itself is about trust and betrayal, and Foster’s character strikes a heavy chord that rings true about us all: sometimes bravery means just living another day.

-Aly Brownlee

Timbaland’s new CD “Timbaland Presents Shock Value,” features songs by Timbaland and artists including Elton John, Nelly Furtado and Fall Out Boy. All 17 songs are great songs to get up and dance to. On the CD, there are songs that you can blast while driving around with the windows down, while others you can dance with that special someone for hours. Timbaland’s usage of hard hitting beats and soft, flowing rhythms make the CD even more enjoyable. The CD is not just a rap album but also a rock and R&B one. Everyone who likes different kinds of music can enjoy this CD. -Rachel Flattery

entertainment

movie

corner

and creamy texture, which was peppered with sprinkles. It was very sweet, almost too sweet, and I struggled to finish the whopping cone.

In my next trip to Aunt Jean’s, I was tempted to try the ultra-dark chocolate gelato, but I forced myself to break out of my comfort zone and try something more adventurous. The bright pink watermelon sorbet selected by the gaggle of little girls in line ahead of me caught my eye.

The sorbet was candy-sweet, and tasted like a watermelon Blow Pop. Its texture was more solid and icy than the gelato; it was crisp like real watermelon.

The treat was the perfect refreshment for a hot day.

I was impressed with the range of flavors and their preparation; Aunt Jean and her family make new pans of gelato with fresh ingredients daily.

book

“Every Crooked Pot” by Renee Rosen is a vivid novel about the youngest child of an astonishing family. The novel takes you on a journey of the life of a teenage girl who is confused with her inner and outer beauty, friendships, school, boys, family and the longing to be “normal.” Rosen’s her characters are very insightful and easy to relate to. This emotional story brings laughter, tears, sympathy and joy to readers, with its unpredictable events. “Every Crooked Pot” is beautifully written, realistic and highly recommended, especially to teenage girls.

-Taylor Brown

Aunt Jean’s is fairly priced at $3 for one scoop, falling between the prices of McDonald’s and Sheridan’s products.

The shop itself was nothing special.

The interior has minimal seating, but features modern lighting and cheery bright blue walls. The shop has an impersonal aesthetic, but Aunt Jean compensates with her warm character while chattering with old friends.

The shop occupies a space in old town Shawnee, which is a charming street of shops and businesses, though well outside my usual stomping grounds. However, it was easy for me to imagine my friends and me enjoying the cute patio outside the front of the shop.

Aunt Jean’s was a charming shop with delicious cold treats, but probably not special enough to draw STA students to its western location. H

tv show

song

High school drama: boys, parents, school. This is MTV’s new reality show “Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County” in a nutshell.

This knock off of the better “Laguna Beach” is overdramatic compared with a typical teenage girl’s life. Sure, the girls face the same problems: overprotective parents, their crushes liking someone else, a girl stealing their boy. But, one bad night is not a cause for a fight or tears or drama.

In “Newport Harbor,” it is.

The melodrama and exaggeration on this show, no matter how pathetic, are what make it more addicting.

-Rachel Schwartz

Don’t strain yourselves.

“Eh Hee,” a new Dave Matthews Band single actually does not have lyrics that you have to decode. No more making up your own words as you try to sing along to the chorus. “Eh Hee” is not much of a sing along song anyways.

It sounds more like the band’s older music because it has the familiar repetitive nature to it.

However, the modern sounds hint that Dave won’t be going back to his old ways. The slow pace of the song sounds better and less eerie live with Tim Reynolds than the recorded version. “Eh Hee” is better than expected.

-Rosie Hodes

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

features

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27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Abbi Caxton created a Facebook and claimed she was coming to STA as a junior this year. She also created Facebook accounts for many different friends, a cousin, a boyfriend and a sister. Abbi fooled many students with her fabricated stories, causing some to question who they are friends with on Facebook and whether they should be more careful.

by Elizabeth Nelson Managing Editor of Design

Sucked in Abbi Caxton looked like a Barbie.

Skinny, with nice eyes and unnatural, bleached blonde hair, she looked like many high school students. She created an STA Facebook account and told many people she moved to Kansas City from Arkansas and would be attending STA this fall as a junior.

On her profile were hundreds of wall posts and photos, many people communicated with her through Facebook messaging, and she added an indefinite number of area high schoolers to her “Friends List.” Her photos showed no glimpse into the location in which they were taken and they were posted by her

friends from Arkansas. She made pleas for friendship by sending people messages, saying things like she knew no one and was looking for people to have fun with.

Abbi contacted several STA students, including junior Amanda Ottolini. Abbi asked Ottolini to be her Facebook friend and she was fascinated, asking herself who this pretty new girl could be.

Little did she know that Abbi Caxton would soon vanish.

Relationships blossom Ottolini typed a message on Abbi’s wall saying, “Hey, welcome to St. Teresa’s. If you want to hang out sometime with new people, just call me.” Ottolini knew this was strange to do, that it might even look “desperate.” She never gives

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Graphic by Sarah Smith and Elizabeth Nelson

features Fraudulent friends H “Christy Schmidt,” right, is one of many false identities found on Facebook. Schmidt claimed to be attending Blue Valley North High School this year, forming relationships with many students, but never showed up. Photo downloaded from Facebook

out her number to strangers and didn’t really know anything about this Abbi Caxton. But, Abbi sounded lonely.

Ottolini almost felt sorry for her – she didn’t have any friends. Anyone in her shoes would feel pretty left out. Ottolini sent messages to many of her friends telling them they should hang out with Abbi. A lot of the girls were nervous – Abbi was gorgeous, would she come and steal all the male attention they were currently getting? Ottolini even justified this fear with proof.

One girl had a boyfriend who wanted her to become friends with Abbi, was even insistent that his girlfriend form a relationship with her.

Other students became interested in Abbi as well and some consistently wrote back and forth with Abbi.

Rockhurst High School junior Wyatt Mesh started talking to Abbi when she added him as a Facebook friend. According to Mesh, he was “just trying to be nice” and would write back and forth with her.

STA freshman Emily Cox wrote wall posts to Abbi and said Abbi asked her for information about STA. As all of this was going on, most students did not stop to question who Abbi really was. With over 39 million Facebook users, there is a great possibility that some of them are not who they say they are. In fact, many sexual predators have been found using social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace to prey on victims.

Excuses start Eventually, Ottolini asked Abbi for her phone number so they could get together, but Abbi claimed she did not yet have a Kansas number because she still had her phone from Arkansas. Ottolini thought this was odd, but continued the relationship.

Abbi told Mesh she did have a Kansas phone but could not figure out how to use it because it was the new iPhone.

Whether or not anyone had talked to Abbi on the phone, she could still have remained unknown. Telephone communication, like Facebook can be anonymous.

Many students offered to get together with Abbi, but none of them actually followed through. She always responded that she wanted to hang out, but definite plans were never made.

te o n ide Just

Questions begin

Searching for Abbi

Ottolini was uneasy about Abbi’s constant explanations, they just didn’t seem right. She began to question who this girl was.

STA juniors Lee Fryer and Sally Nulton and Rockhurst junior Sean Hodes also had suspicions about Abbi. Nulton “had heard Abbi was coming to STA and saw all of the people commenting on her wall.” She was intrigued when people started suggesting they all hang out with Abbi, but knew something was not right with this girl who could not stop making excuses.

Then one day Abbi told someone she was having a party. She told some students where she lived and described the car she drove. Nulton, Fryer and Hodes decided to “scope out the house,” Nulton said. Abbi described her house as the fifth one on 55th Street at a particular intersection. The trio went to the street and looked for the house, but there was not a fifth house in sight – it did not exist. They then began to search for the car she described, but they could not find that either.

According to Hodes, rumors started going around that Abbi was fake.

Abbi’s Facebook disappeared after her lies were uncovered. The Facebooks of her “friends,” “boyfriend,” “cousin” and “sister” also disappeared. When Facebook was contacted, they responded that they could give no information on Abbi because it would be a violation of the user’s privacy.

Besides Abbi Caxton, there have been reports of other fake Facebook users. A Facebook user claiming to be Christy Schmidt said she was going to Blue Valley North this year. She still has a profile with a different city listed for her network and is frequently online. All of her 23 friends are from Kansas City area schools. Most of her wall posts were from North students weeks ago, who were welcoming her to the area. When she didn’t show up at North, people realized she was fake.

Abbi Caxton or any dishonest users may remain unknown forever, but with the volume of people who are searching and the amount of time and energy being spent on this particular case, “Abbi” may be found. Nulton sums it up by saying, “We will find out who Abbi is.” She and her friends have made it a goal to find out by the end of the school year.

But, whatever becomes of this situation, whether Abbi is identified or not, this fact remains – you can never be sure of the true identity of someone you meet online. H

Conclusion reached After the excursion to Abbi’s nonexistent house, most people knew something was up. Clearly Abbi had planned to lead them on a wild goose chase to a house that didn’t even exist. Clearly her excuses were explained by her inability to show who she truly was someone other than Abbi Caxton. Within days, Abbi’s “cousin” contacted Hodes and gave him Abbi’s number so Mesh could talk on the phone with Abbi. They called the number, and it was someone else named Abbi who attended a Blue Valley high school. She had no idea who they were or what they were talking about. Hodes believes Abbi didn’t make the Facebook “to target anyone in particular, but when people started messaging with her, she just kind of continued it.”

While Abbi may have been a bored or lonely student, there could have been something more sinister at work.

a

s

Second Life offers alternate world for millions on internet Second Life: Your World. Your Imagination. The 3-D virtual website allows people around to globe to create a second identity. Much like The Sims, the world is owned and built by its residents. Members can take vacations on islands, go to the movies, get married and have children. Instead of creating relationships with the computer, Second Life members interact with other humans around the world.

According to the magazine TIME, Second Life’s popularity is impressive, considering the program takes a long time to download and requires a computer with a high-quality graphics card for gaming. Although the membership is free, residents actually buy fake houses and clothing with real money. TIME named Phillip Rosedale, the website’s creator, as one of the world’s 100 most influential people.

National Public Radio states the problem with Second Life is people who get addicted to having a virtual life. Residents use Second Life as a get away and become addicted.

According to Business Week, there are at least 10 million “residents” that bring in over $50 million a year. H

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

frosh fest

in the mix

22

Once upon a Friday, my life fell 12 stories Jaime Henry-White

Talk To You Later

Dear Darla H Senior and big sister Anna Essmann, left, stands as one of “Hansbrough’s Little Rascals” with her big sister sophomore Nina Salazar, and little sisters freshmen Emilia Gatapia and Meredith Koch at the costume contest Sept 6. The winner of the costumes in The Music and Arts Building was Mr. Mark Fudemberg’s ‘Upside-down Family’ and in Donnelly Hall Ms. Theresa Wallerstedt’s dominos. Photo by Allison Pointer

Race: Hincapie grabs first place 27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Continued from page 4

“The roads have been beautiful and the crowds have been huge.”

According to Hincapie, the course was the most surprising. While the terrain is not as mountainous other courses he has ridden, the time trial in Branson was one of the hardest he has ever completed. Hincapie said he still prefers domestic races to

international ones. visited the official “If we could have website. it our way, we’d “We are going he roads have ride 10 of these big to have a world races a year and not class cyclist saying been beautiful have to go to Europe ‘I was standing and the crowds have much,” Hincapie there at the 2007 said.

Tour of Missouri been huge” The Tour has and I got hooked rider Will Frischkorn also received and here I am [at wide reception the finale of the internationally.

A Tour de France] on news feed has been the Champs-Elysées picked up by European news service Reuters in Paris,’” Mr. Sean Petty, Chief Operating and people from over 40 countries have Officer of USA Cycling said. H

“T

Serve’s up!

Game, set, match H Junior JoEllen Redlingshafer plays a tennis match on the Country Club Plaza courts Monday. Redlingshafer won the singles match 8-2 against a Bishop Miege High School opponent. She also played a doubles match with partner senior Katie Jackson, which they lost in a tiebreaker 7-8. Photo by Jaime Henry-White

Editor’s Note: Jaime Henry-White will be doing an interactive column each issue of the The Dart. We welcome you to write your own stories or responses, in 100 words or less, to her column. Drop off your writing in room M205 and your work will be published in The Dart!

Beware: this column is not for the faint of heart. The day was a Friday and everything was going fantastically peachy. After an easy 2 mile pre-race run on the Trolley Trail after school, I gathered up with the rest the EFEA, the Excessive Food Eaters Anonymous, aka my cross country team, to head to our first pasta party of the season.

After venturing all the way from STA to a team member’s plaza apartment for our feast, we decided to soak up the incredible view over the plaza and hang over the balcony of the 12th story apartment.

That’s when it happened. I (gasp!) picked up my cell phone to I hear when my dad called to say he was there to pick me up.

Then, showing my great intelligence that day, I decided to hang onto the railing to look over and brainlessly laugh with everybody else who was spitting over the railing, pouring water or dropping pasta pieces like confetti in a parade, a very ridiculous, but funny, parade.

And on this particularly peachy day, my phone became a little too adventurous and I became a little too careless a caretaker.

I don’t know whether my phone leapt or my hand loosened, but (cue “Jaws” theme song) my cell phone took a free-fall. My very first cell phone, the one I blissfully received on my birthday freshman year, fell past the 11th story, then the 10th story, then the 9th story, all the way down to the cement ground on the bottom floor. Of course, this was all in slow motion. And when I actually understood that it was falling and not coming back to my hands anytime soon, I said very stunned and calmly to everyone, “Umm, I just dropped my cell phone.” They responded in “oh Jaime’s” and laughs. My inner self smirked, “Humph! You idiot.”

But even in the midst of tragedy, I had an epiphany, actually two. Number one, I discovered that gravity still indeed exists and is functioning quite well. Number two, I realized how incredibly reliant I have become on technology to keep me connected to the world. Once my cell phone was completely eliminated from my life, keeping in touch with even my family members, not to mention all of my friends, was incredibly difficult. Today, everyone, especially me, has become so fast-paced and “right now” that we never truly understand how slowed our lives would become without the conveniences of technology. And maybe stepping out of the fast lane isn’t such a bad idea. Sometimes we just need to stop and smell the flowers, and in my case, stop and pick up the pieces after they’ve dropped 12 stories.

As my phone fell, my cellular life flashed before my eyes. I would never remember my contact list nor see all of those random photos I had taken with that wonderfully mediocre camera. I regretted thinking about replacing my poor little phone friend, even though I had to hit it on a table for the screen to light up, when it had just undergone such a tragic end. I’m sorry little buddy, but I guess that was the most exhilarating way to go. You taught me a valuable lesson. Less than an hour later, I bought my next phone on sale. H

‘Faith Club’ aims for diversity, misses target

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in the mix May I have your autograph? H Junior Nnedima Anya, left, speaks with author Priscilla Warner of “The Faith Club” during a book signing after a Faith-in-Action assembly in the M&A Auditorium during activity Tuesday. Photo by Jaime Henry-White

Kate Rainey

Co-Editor-in-Chief After reading the first 100 pages of “The Faith Club,” I slammed the book shut and hurled it out of my room.

This tale of “a Muslim, a Christian and a Jew” tries to prove the three religions represented aren’t so different. They reiterate throughout the book the three religions trace their roots to a common source in Abraham. These women hope through their story, others will become more tolerant of diversity. Look at us, Priscilla, Suzanne and Ranya say, we get along just great despite the different backgrounds from which we come.

The narrative format, with each woman writing her perspective, works well. One woman describes an event, then the other two respond. Each woman writes for a few pages, then the perspective changes. This style gives the reader a sense of the different voices represented, as if the women are having a discussion with the reader.

But the format doesn’t mask the weak message. These women talk about tolerance and diversity, but their actions suggest something else: a desire for sameness.

To truly embrace diversity, these women would bond over being female, New Yorkers, mothers, appreciating these similarities and admiring their differences.

Instead, they force a relationship based on the thing that separates them: religion. In the beginning of the book, their religious differences are obvious. They bicker over who belongs to the proper religion and the stereotypes each harbors about the other.

They fight over who owns victimhood.

Priscilla argues Jews are the most discriminated against. No, Ranya says, Muslims

are the only group which people can judge without retribution. And Suzanne? Well, Christians make up the majority. They can’t be discriminated against.

Any indication of difference becomes a personal attack against their faith. This is especially true of Priscilla. Suzanne says Christianity is the right religion. Priscilla fires back: “Did you just say Christianity was the right faith?” Suzanne calms her with: “I meant it was the right faith for me.”

Of course Suzanne thinks Christianity is the right faith: if she didn’t, she wouldn’t be Christian. If Priscilla didn’t think Judaism was right, she wouldn’t be Jewish. They are so selfconscious that someone who thinks differently is a threat. The aforementioned quibble exposes Priscilla’s narcissism. (Other instances suggest similar tendencies in Ranya and Suzanne.) Everything is about her. When someone says, “Christianity is right,” she hears “Judaism is wrong; you are wrong.”

Here is another example of Priscilla’s hypersensitivity, taken from the end of the book: . . . I turned on the TV for some mindless entertainment. An actress on a talk show was explaining her decision to raise her children with “good Christian values.”

So much for mindless entertainment.

“What about my values?” I wondered.

“What does this woman think about Jewish values?”

I picked up the phone and called Suzanne, told her about the woman’s comment. “What do you make of that?” I asked her. “What do people with good Christian values think about Jewish people’s values?”

“They’re the same!” Suzanne said in her honest, straightforward way. “But I

don’t think everyone recognizes that. They confuse social values with Christian values. Or they see that our religious practices are different, so they assume our moral values are different, too. We should all be taught early on that our religions boil down to one morality: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.”

This passage reveals how these women are narcissistic; they want everyone to believe the same thing. Everything is about them; alternative viewpoints are personal attacks. Their sensitivity and opposition to difference reveal their desire for sameness, and their narcissism.

Their religious views reflect their narcissism as well.

These women try to shape religion to their own ideas rather than allowing religion to shape them.

Priscilla affectionately describes her father as conservative, yet he was “a Jew on his own terms:” he loved pork but read the Talmud, a Jewish holy text. Tradition is an important aspect of religion.

One cannot discard the traditions one dislikes and only embrace the “good” parts and still consider oneself a member.

Another huge aspect of religion these women overlook is submission. When one joins a religion, one submits oneself to the edicts of that religion and agrees to follow it. These women do the complete opposite, redefining religion instead of allowing religion to define them.

In a quest to explore their respective faiths, i.e. their understanding of God, they end up altering their religion into a hodgepodge of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. To solve the conflict between the three religions, and the three of them, they

eliminate the differences. They decide people cannot choose one of the three faiths because that is exclusionary. One cannot follow one religion; one must embrace all three to be tolerant. Unfortunately, trying to believe everything leads to believing in nothing.

These women don’t want diversity.

They want sameness. To them, difference is offensive. The idea all people must be the same is offensive. Openminded people celebrate difference and accept alternative viewpoints without taking personal offense. These women, who describe themselves as open-eyed in a world which is blind, can’t see beyond themselves. H

News H Brief Alumna Suzanne Oliver returned to the STA auditorium Tuesday to promote her book “The Faith Club” with co-authors Ranya Idiby and Priscilla Warner. These three women each come from a different religious backgrounds. Oliver is Christian, Idiby Muslim and Warner Jewish.

The three women met shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 in New York City.

Oliver graduated from STA in 1983 and was a member of the first class Sr. Harriet Koutsoumpas taught. Koutsoumpas, along with Ms. Anita Reznicek, worked to bring the trio before the STA community to reflect the school theme of wisdom in this year’s first Faith in Action series.

They discussed the differences between religion and faith. They also discussed their shared belief in a God and the difference between the sets of traditional beliefs they practiced.

After the presentation, the authors signed books and answered questions from students, faculty and guests.

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

last look

24

STA students don their Spartan gear as they dress in the cafeteria to

Glory Prepare for

27 september 2007 H The Dart H St. Teresa’s Academy

Top: Senior Katie Jackson smears face paint on sophomore Julia Barnett’s face. Above: The victorious Stars circle Sion fans after the game chanting, “This is our house!”

S

Above: Senior Katherine Poppe chants against Sion.

Right: Senior Mary McCue leads the student section in a cheer.

TA students adorned in Spartan gear charged the gymnasium for the volleyball game against Notre Dame de Sion High School Sept. 6. STA’s Spartan theme was inspired by the motion picture “300.”

STA students coated their faces with fake blood and dirt. Pumping their fists and plastic swords in the air, the Stars chanted and cheered as the STA players achieved victory.

STA and Sion have had an ongoing rivalry for decades. By organizing pep rallies, specially made cheers and costume themes, the two schools publicly display this competition. The STA victory motivated both teams to raid the court to congratulate the players.

Photos by Claire McInerney Text by Kayla Loosen