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St. Teresa’s Academy Kansas City, MO Volume 86 Issue 5

Go Green; Make STA Clean

While St. Teresa’s Academy has made efforts to be more environmentally friendly over the years, COVID-19 interrupted many important green programs. What can STA do as a community to get back on track? page 16

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Letter from the Editors

Dear reader, Although the wacky Midwest weather may indicate otherwise, spring is nearly upon us! Welcome to the fifth issue of The Dart this year. You may notice the new format and look of the paper. We are so excited to share this issue with you, and hope that you enjoy reading and appreciating the amazing photos and graphics.

If you want to know what the “Wordle on the street” is, check out Lina Kilgore’s story on p. 4. If you need an Olympics recap, peruse Caroline Hinkebein’s story, also on p.

4.

If you are looking to diversify your Spotify playlists, check out Lauren Brackney’s review of Beach House’s new album “Once Twice Melody.”

Choo, choo! If you would like your food delivered to you on a train, check out Japanese Sakura Sushi. Megan Turley reviewed the unique restaurant on p. 11.

STA is home to many talented painters, sculptors and other artists . Mara Callahan writes about the winners of the Scholastic Art Competition on p. 12-13. Read on to learn more about the competition and the immensely talented artists and even

appreciate some of their artwork on the page. You can also follow the link on the page to see even more.

P.14-15 dives into the magical world of Hogwarts. Annie McShane explores the enduring legacy of the Harry Potter series, over 20 years since the release of the first novel.

This issue’s centerspread investigates the steps STA has taken to be more environmentally friendly. Anna Massman, Kaylee Lary and Ellie Buttell write about how the COVID-19 pandemic basically halted environmental efforts on campus, especially those pertaining to plastic recycling, composting and waste reduction. Although STA has significant amounts of waste, there are actions that can be taken to remedy these wrongs. The story explores what these steps can be.

Log onto p. 24-25 to learn about a totally different sport at STA: E-sports. Tierney Flavin explored the exciting new sport and talked to some of the athletes.

If you are looking for a way to support small, local artists and businesses, swing on over to p. 26! Lily Sage writes about the Strawberry Swing, a pop-up where vendors

sell anything from earrings to hot chocolate bombs to purses. Be sure to check out the next Strawberry Swing on March 14!

As spring starts to bloom, you may be influenced to buy a plant or start gardening.

Turn to p. 28-29 to learn what plant you should buy, designed and written by Sydney Waldron. The warm weather may also influence you to get outside and explore the city. Lauren Brackney did just that — flip to p. 30 to see the pictures she took of downtown Kansas City’s many murals.

Happy reading!

the DART|designed by Anna Massman

Table of Contents

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04 05 06 08 10 11 12 14 16 21 22 24 26 27 28 30

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news feature: Wordle & Olympics news feature: Robotics star spotlight: Grace Uecker bits & pieces review: Beach House review: Sushi Train feature: Scholastic Competition feature: Harry Potter centerspread: Going Back to Green feature: Opening up the Table perspectives: Music & Encanto sports: E-sports community: Strawberry Swing humans of STA: Jamie Case, Sanai Kintchen, and Rani Shukurani last look: Plant Selection guide photo essay: Art Town KC Cover design by Kaylee Lary | Photo Editor and Anna Stout | Staff Writer

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the DART|March 10, 2022

News Feature

Starbots: Robotics at STA The Robotics team at STA is not a new extracurricular and has been run by Physics teacher Matthew Lewis since its inception. The team can be stressful but participants learn many lessons along the way.

Story and photos by Taylor Hayes | Staff Writer is a 30-second autonomous period where only obotics has been available at STA since the 2016-17 school year, and coding is used. During the rest of the time, a teacher and robotics coach Matthew driver from the team controls the robot.

Lewis has been coaching robotics since 2017.

As a coach, Lewis finds it stressful to balance “I think it gives a place for students to see teaching and allowing the students to learn for connections to a lot of different subjects, themselves. honestly not just science and math, but “It’s [hard to] see what they should be doing, marketing and how we go about trying to [and] letting them do the actual learning,” showcase our team,” Lewis said.

Lewis said. “It’s not my robot, it’s their robot.”

For the students participating, the most Junior Maley Wenzel is grateful to have difficult part is having to rethink their work. found robotics at STA. “[The hardest part about robotics is] “For the most part robotics is a peaceful before-and-after-school activity that I get to be learning when to quit and having to start over,” Wenzel said. “There is also a lot of taking apart a part of,” Wenzel said. “Because of robotics, the robot and putting it back together. There is I’ve met new people who I’ve become friends also a lot of trial and error in it too.” with.”

Lewis says the students experienced much Robotics is a competition, “round-robin,” of this early on in the season. tournament-style activity. There are two types “We completely redesigned the robot in of competition: meets and tournaments. [two months],” Lewis said. “If it were a car, A meet involves 12-20 teams. When team we would’ve completely stripped out the “11457,” or the StarBots arrive, the students and the team’s robot are inspected by an electronics and most of the machinery and then left most of the frame and then put official, then move on to the match section of everything back together in two months.” the meet. Meets are half-day events, so they Wenzel has learned many lessons through play six matches of two and a half minutes. robotics and has come up with some advice.

Each team is paired with another team at “If you’re spending too much time trying random. Teams are given the objective, via the to make one part work, then you may need to group’s robot, to move certain game pieces, rethink your situation,” Wenzel said. “What like a duck, to the other side of the ring. There

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Junior Lucy Fanning and robotics coach Matthew Lewis works on the “head” of the robot Feb. 23. Lewis shows her where to put different parts.

works better — a new, more efficient way or continuing to fix a faulty method?”

Wenzel says that preparing for competitions can be extremely nervewracking.

“When there is a competition coming up and [the team] is not prepared for it, it can be stressful,” Wenzel said. “[Or] going into a meet when we still have stuff to work on [with] our robot and it still doesn’t fit the [guidelines].”

Even with all of the stress that may come with robotics, Wenzel has learned about communication and growth both personally and as a team.

“Communication is key and you can’t get much done without it,” Wenzel said. “Taking a step back and taking a breather [is important]; you aren’t as helpful when you’re agitated.”

Overall, the best and most valuable part of robotics is the people, according to Wenzel.

“Everyone is so kind and helpful even to the other teams,” Wenzel said. “If you are struggling with something or need help someone will be there to lend a hand.” B

controversy

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics has been deemed the most controversial Olympics ever.

Story by Caroline Hinkebein | Sports Editor Doping Accusations controversy which has littered the social media feeds of many involves the disqualification of athletes found guilty of the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs. American Sha’Carri Richardson was not allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for marijuana, a banned yet not performance-enhancing drug. The initial upheaval over her was reignited when Russian figure skater Kamilia Valieva was allowed to compete in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics even after testing positive for trimetazidine, a performance-enhancing heart medication that is banned for athletes. Information compiled from The Washington Post.

Climate Change Neglect Climate change is an issue which has taken the forefront of the minds of many. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games are the first fully reliant on man-made snow. This has caused concern about environmental damages and questions about the future of the Winter Olympic Games.

The overexploitation of groundwater due to the games has led to a severe water shortage in Beijing. Olympic organizers have praised the National Alpine Ski Center in mountainous Yanqing for its reliance on wind and solar power, ignoring that its construction required the partial destruction of a nature reserve famous for its diverse flora and fauna. US cross country skier Caitlin Perterson acknowledges this concern and its effects on athletes. “It’s certainly on our minds as skiers, seeing less and less of real winter and more of manufactured winter,” Peterson said. “We definitely need to act as a world.”

Information compiled from Sports Illustrated.

Diminished Viewership The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics were officially the leastwatched Olympic games on primetime on NBC in the US. According to NBC, the two-week event averaged 10.7 million viewers per night on television, although that number rose slightly to 11.4 million if all other viewing platforms were also included. There were many reasons speculated for the lowered viewership, chief among them being concerns surrounding China’s human rights abuses against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang. This led to the United States, Australia, Canada and Britain adopting a diplomatic boycott of the Games. This was not the only reason for diminished viewership.

Junior Zoë Hoss didn’t watch the Olympics because of the time difference.

“I work until 9 pm, then I have three hours of homework; I don’t have time to watch the Olympics until 1 am,” Hoss said.

Academic counselor and English teacher Katie Dolan, on the other hand, has been obsessed with the Olympics.

“I don’t know why I love the Olympics so much but I have a countdown; I have a door hanger that I hang on the outside of my house that’s the Olympic rings that I painted,” Dolan said.

“I love the Summer and Winter Olympics. I anxiously await them. I can’t believe I have to wait this long now until the next summer Olympics. I’m just obsessed and I don’t know what it is that I love about them. I like to see all these different people excelling in their various sports. I don’t know what it is but I absolutely love the Olympics. And I always have.”

Information compiled from NBC News. B

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ON THE STREET

In October 2021, Josh Wardle created a web-based word game that has taken over the world, including the STA community.

Story and photos by Lina Kilgore | Staff Writer veryone is obsessed with Wordle,” Sophomore Mille Lee said.

Lee first discovered Wordle on an ordinary day in January during her math class. At the time, Lee had never heard of Wordle, but now it has become an obsession that has taken over the world.

In October 2021, Josh Wardle released a web-based word game in which “players have six attempts to guess a five-letter word.”

Wordle utilizes critical thinking to encourage the player to make use of and extend their vocabulary in a competitive way. Now in March 2022, Wordle has captivated schools all over, Sophomore Madie Roney plays Wordle including the STA community. during her first period March 4.

“I think that it’s popular because it’s Wordle was created by Josh Wardle a game but it also makes you think,” in October 2021.

Lee said. “It is tricky. It makes you created by social studies teacher Nic think harder and I think that that’s Shump, who emails the Wordle to the what makes it such a fun game.” school community each morning. To celebrate Black History Month, Juniors It is tricky. It makes Rose Olsen, Clare Harrington and Bella you think harder and I Stockwood created a Wordle that think that that’s what focuses on important people within the black community. This has been makes it such a fun sent out every week of February and game. encourages students to engage as a part of their history project.

Sophomore Millie Lee “We had to do something for Black History Month,” Stockwood said.

The popularity of Wordle has “Wordle has just been like the new and skyrocketed to a point that multiple upcoming thing so we thought it would versions covering various topics be a fun way to get the whole school have been created. An example involved.” includes Taylordle, which focuses on Despite all the various versions of everything relating to Taylor Swift, Wordle, it cannot be denied the and Hogwordle, which is Harry Potter world-wide appeal of the classic based. There are also many different Wordle.

From Britain and India all the Wordles that are school-focused, such way to right here at STA, this game as French wordle, Latin Wordle and that challenges the mind and appeals Worldle, which covers different history to the spirit has become a part of topics. everyday life.

Lee especially finds this “It gives you more than one to do game as a necessary addition to the a day and so it’s more fun,” Lee said. day.

“It also has to do with a certain topic, “You should absolutely play it if you which makes it easier to find.” don’t,” Lee said. B Members of the STA community

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Olympic

the DART|designed by Tierney Flavin

have even created their own versions of Wordle. These custom Wordles include a general STA-themed Wordle

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Star Spotlight

PEACE OUT

GRACE UECKER Senior Grace Uecker utilizes her artistic talent to help fulfill her passion for graphic design.

Story by Anna Stout | Writer Graphics courtesy of Grace Uecker

Senior Grace Uecker poses with her computer March 7.

Uecker is planning to continue her art at Northeastern University. photo by Becca Speier

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the DART|designed by Becca Speier

ow did you get into graphic design?

It really started junior year in Graphic Design I. I really enjoyed some of the projects that we were doing, and I really wanted to do more of it because I thought that this could be a good potential career. I was also interested and passionate about it, and my mom had some logo opportunities. My mom then told Mrs. Earl about these opportunities, and she made them into assignments. They ended up being like competitions.

So it was really fun, learning how to work with graphic design and getting creative with it.

What was the first logo you designed?

Let’s see what was the first? The first logo that I did was for DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion.

That was for an STA thing, and I really enjoyed doing that one. After that, I did the Christmas shirt. I won that competition, so that was really the beginning of it. After doing graphic design in class for a bit, I realized I really liked it and decided to submit something for it. Then, when I won it, I felt like I could keep pursuing it.

What inspired you to get into graphic design?

I really like to be creative, and I like drawing or just any form of art. It’s also kind of fun for me.

Do you want to do graphic design in college? What are you thinking about majoring in?

Yes, I’m majoring in computer science and design, and I’m focusing more on graphic design. I really want to become a user experience designer, which is the more tech side of graphic design. It has a lot to do with looking at how a consumer views a product, and also the aesthetic.

How do you use graphic design? Are you doing projects, or are you using it for practice to improve?

Right now I’m building my portfolio, and doing projects.

I’m actually working with Himes currently. I’m helping him build his new business, Knowledge Travels, and we created a color palette and fonts based on what themes that he wants to go with, and his values as a company.

So really, just learning how to communicate with clients has been really helpful. It’s been really good getting new experience and learning how to know my way around.

What are some of your goals with your graphic design?

My goals with graphic design would be to continue to be

Scan this QR code to visit Grace Uecker’s portfolio and see more of her work.

creative with it because sometimes it gets repetitive. For example, this one color palette always works, it always looks good, so I think to only use that palette, but I want to continue to come up with new ideas that are more innovative and interesting.

How much time does it typically take for you to do a project?

So, I start by sketching about three to four ideas out, depending on what the project is. That normally takes about 30 minutes. Then I decide what fonts and if I need a color palette or if it’s more logo style, then I choose what kind of art style I want to include. Then actually putting the graphic into Illustrator would take a maximum of an hour, if I did it all at once. So [it’s] not horribly long, but sometimes it can take longer if I don’t end up liking it, or the person I’m making it for doesn’t like it. B

This art is just two of Uecker’s many creations.

Her art consists of passion projects, class assignments and promotional designs.

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Bits & Pieces

MY LIFE

SUCKS!

“Someone backed into my parked car in my driveway a few days ago. They left a massive scratch and broke my tail light.”

- junior Samantha Balling

MY LIFE

ROCKS!

“I have a first and last period free everyday. Having a last period free makes it very quick and easy to get out of the parking lot!”

- senior Isabella Neuberger

(Word) Search Through The Dart

Aternate Coverage by Mara Callahan | Features Editor

To participate in next issue’s poll, go to dartnewsonline.com to cast your vote.

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the DART|designed by Charlotte Malone

the Reading Nook

DART STAFF music picks ‘jackie and Wilson’ by Hoizer “It is such a happy and upbeat song that makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs while driving with the windows down. It makes me feel so nostalgic and excited for summer!”

- Lina Kilgore

‘Before I knew it’ by Mason Ramsey

”It makes me feel so soulful and in love. If I’m having a bad day I just turn it on and know everything is going to be okay.”

- Katie Massman

‘Led Zepplin IV’ by Led Zepplin

“It’s my favorite album right now because it reminds me of summer and I listen to it in the car with my friends a lot!”

For issue five of the Dart, junior and senior history teacher Anne Papineau shared her current book of choice: “Veritas: A Harvard Professor, a Con Man and the gospl of Jesus’s Wife.”

Story by Miriam Parsa | Social Media Team

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y current favorite book is Veritas,” Papineau said. “It’s full title is ‘Veritas: A Harvard Professor, a Con Man and the Gospel of Jesus’s Wife.’ It’s so fascinating, it reads like a mystery novel and it has the most wild

terms in it.”

A nonfiction story, this book follows an award-winning investigative reporter who shows that a supposedly lost “Gospel,” claiming to show that Jesus had a wife, is a forgery created by a con man.

“It’s about this Harvard professor who was given this scrap of parchment that was supposedly showing evidence of Jesus having a wife. It’s like a Dead Sea Scrolls kind of thing.”

The reason this is Papineau’s favorite book is due to the fact that it is a nonfiction novel which nonfiction which reads like a mystery novel.

“The journalist is investigating the whole thing, trying to figure out the validity of it all while the Harvard professor is claiming it’s 100% real.” she said. “I hope they make a movie of it soon because it’s the strangest, most interesting case.”

Papineau gives it 5/5 stars!

- Kyra Fieger

Across 3. Senior Sanai Kintchen takes care of these insects (found on page 27).

5. This plant helps purify airpollution (found on page 29).

Across 1. This sport has their first JV and varsity games on March 23 (found on page 24).

2. This is an extracurricular that STA used to have that worked toward making STA more environmentally friendly (found on page 17).

4. This teacher is the moderator of the Harry Potter Club and creator of the STA-themed Wordle (found on pages 5 and 14).

Coming Up...

March st. patr 17th ick’s da parade y

march big 12 9-13th ba champ sketball ionsh ips

March 26th Relay for life @ sta march 24th nhs induction

March 29th girl in red @ the truman

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Reviews

the DART|March 10, 2022

Beach House’s

“Once Twice Melody”

After slowly releasing their new album for months, Beach House’s ninth album, “Once Twice Melody” is finally fully released with 18 new songs. After their performance in Kansas City Feb. 22, I feel a stronger connection to the band and this album.

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Story and Graphics by Lauren Brackney | Design Editor f there is one thing for certain in this The next chapter is called “New Now I was ready for the concert. It world, it is that Beach House will forever Romance,” and as the name suggests, this took place Feb. 22 at the Arvest Theater be a staple on all of my Spotify playlists chapter is full love and budding romance. at the Midland. It was the first concert at and my yearly Spotify Wrapped. When I saw It seems hopeful and yet naive with the the Midland and I was impressed by how that they would be releasing a new album signature Beach House dreamy feel to it. beautiful the theater is. I was not alone I was overjoyed. I listened to the first four My favorite tracks on this chapter are either in this sentiment as Victoria Legrand said songs on repeat, thinking that it was the “ESP” or “Runaway.” There are absolutely no during her performance that this was one entirety of the new album. Then a month skips. of the most beautiful places that they had goes by and I see that they have yet again Chapter three is where the album, or the performed. released four more songs! This would be the romance, seems to take a turn. Nicknamed I was not sure what to expect from the beginning of the slow release of their ninth the “Masquerade” chapter, this set of songs performance or the crowd going into it. As full length album, “Once Twice Melody.” is full of conflict and it seems as though the one man standing next to me put it, “they The release of 18 new songs was already mask of perfect love has fallen. Beach House deserve so much more dancing than they enough but then they announced their tour, is notorious for hiding depressing lyrics and are getting.” And while I agreed that their which included a live performance in Kansas themes behind their cheery instrumentals music is full of energy and passion that City. As an avid listener of their earlier and this chapter is the perfect encapsulation deserves so much love and energy back, I albums, “Depression Cherry” and “Bloom,” of this. I don’t think that this is my favorite was glad that there wasn’t any distracting I knew that I would have to go. The date chapter but I have grown to love “Only You moshing or yelling from the crowd, which of the concert would be three days after Know” and “Another Round.” normally distracts me from the musicians the concluding chapter of the album was The final chapter was released days before and their performance. released. the concert. When it was released it felt With that being said, I do not think that Since the album was released in small, like the end of an era, so even though I was I have ever swayed so much at once in my four-song chapters, my review will be of excited to listen to the album all together, life. I walked out of the theater feeling each of the four chapters to break up the I would miss looking forward to new music triumphant. I had just heard “Silver Soul,” long album into easily digestible pieces. every month. I might be biased, since I had “Wildflower,” “PPP” and “Space Song” When I first attempted to listen to all 80 been anticipating the final chapter for such performed live. Whether you are a Beach minutes of the album in its entirety for my a long time, but it is one of the best chapters House fan or not, hearing those songs review, I immediately lost the storyline and in the album. “Finale” is just the perfect performed live in concert will change you all of the songs started to blend together for finale and “Many Nights” might be my and as a fan, I feel like I live a little bit lighter. me. So the best way to listen to this album, favorite song on the whole album.

When I reviewed the setlist later, I realized in my opinion, is to break it up the way that they had only played six songs off Beach House intended it to be listened to “Once Twice Melody” and not a single one chapter at a time. song from Chapter four was featured.

Chapter one, which has been I absolutely loved the setlist but I can’t nicknamed “Pink Funeral,” consists of help thinking about how I may never four songs. This album I am most familiar hear “The Bells” or “Many Nights” with and have been listening to ever performed live in concert. since it was first released in November. I Overall, I loved this album to pieces. think that overall it sets up the tone for I can see more artists utilizing the slow the rest of the album. This was the only release in the future, especially for longer chapter that was played in its entirety at albums like this one. I definitely love a lot of the concert, which might be one of the these songs as stand-alone pieces and I have reasons it is my favorite chapter. “Once already added a majority of them to my Twice Melody” has to be one of the most personal library. But as the song “Over and well-known songs on the album. Not a Over” suggests, I am ready to listen to this single skip for this chapter. album on repeat.

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Victoria Alex Legrand Scally

the DART|designed by Sophia Rall

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You Had Me At

Unagi

Recently a new sushi trend has come to the midwest: sushi train restaurants, where sushi is delivered to you on a constantlyrotating track! I review one of these restaurants and tell you if the hype lives up to expectations.

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Story and photos by Megan Turley | Social Media Team Graphics by Sophia Rall | Editor-in-Chief

y first-ever sushi eating experience transpired when I was 8 years old and in Buffalo, New York to visit my aunt for my birthday. We had gotten the sushi from a small, locally-owned shop, and the platter we had ordered was mostly made up of California rolls.

As an 8 year old, I was deeply skeptical of the raw fish, and after tasting the specific tang of it for the first time, I decided that I wasn’t a fan and resolved to eat the rice surrounding it instead.

Now, seven years later, calling me a sushi enthusiast is an understatement. I love sushi. I firmly believe that I have immaculate sushi taste and that all those around me should accept all of my sushi wisdom. My favorite sushi is any kind with spicy ingredients, and so, when I looked upon the Japanese Sakura Sushi Restaurant’s menu and saw not only a multitude of spicy rolls, but a myriad of spicy rolls that would be delivered to me on a model train? I had to try it.

Upon arriving at Japanese Sakura, I immediately noticed the decor. It was extremely cute and made up of a hodgepodge of traditional Japanese decor and what I assume is whatever the owners found cute. The wait to be seated was about 10 minutes, though the restaurant was pretty empty, and the waiting area was small, but not bad.

Once I was seated, it took some time for me to figure out how to order from the train. The menu given to us was different than the

An

atomy of the

mpura Roll e T

cucumber smelt roe fried shrimp

actual food options. The system for the train wasn’t clear either; I eventually had to flag down one of the three staff working at the time to ask for an explanation, which we eventually got.

The sushi, once it finally arrived, was delicious. It was made right in front of us, fresh off of the cutting board and absolutely loaded with flavor. I had the California and Tempura rolls and they were honestly amazing.

The California roll is a great introductory food for those who may not like sushi or haven’t tried it before. I had four of them and I enjoyed every single one. They were gone in minutes and paired with the on-the-house wasabi and ginger, they were a masterpiece of basicness.

The Tempura roll was equally delicious, thought much larger, with a delightful mix of ingredients. The shrimp, fish eggs, and avocado was truly a satisfying end to my meal at Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant.

Overall, I rate the restaurant as a 3/5 stars; the atmosphere and lack of menu clarity took away two stars, but the food itself made up for the disappointment. B Sakura Japanese Restaurant’s sushi train moves around the central counter Feb. 19. The central counter is outfitted with seating all around it and a cooking area inside for the sushi chef.

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Feature

Why Art?

STA fine arts students had a strong showing at the 2021 Scholastic Art Awards, receiving three Gold Keys, three Silver Keys and nine Honorable Mentions. Sophomore Lucia Thomas and junior Georgia Kerrigan both received Gold Keys and share their opinions on why they believe celebrating art is important.

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y the time junior Georgia Kerrigan submitted her pottery piece to the 2022 Scholastic Art Awards, she had been working on it for close to a year. Kerrigan made it an obligation to visit the art studio between her packed schedule to work on her pot titled “Under the Sea-Pot.” The amount of time and effort Kerrigan puts into her artwork is separate from the energy required for her schoolwork.

Art allows Kerrigan time to step away from her busy schedule and into a state of meditation, something her ceramics teacher Lisa Dibble describes as being “nurturing for the soul.”

“Art for me is a creative outlet and a de-stressor because I feel like I am so busy all the time and art is the one thing that doesn’t feel like it’s a commitment

Story by Mara Callahan l Features Editor

or something I have to do,” Kerrigan said. “It’s something I choose to do for fun.”

Sophomore Lucia Thomas upholds Kerrigan’s belief that art should be separate from schoolwork. Thomas has been creating art for as long as she can remember, starting with drawing cats in preschool. Since then, art has been a constant in Thomas’s life, and something she and her drawing teacher Jazzmin Earl both turn to as a form of expression.

“For me, art is definitely an emotional outlet and another way to experience someone’s narrative,” Earl said. “It’s storytelling; I do that through my own photography and paintings. My paintings are full of layers of stories that I’ve had so it’s a way of getting all those experiences out there.”

This past January, the winners of Gold and Silver Keys as well as honorable mentions were announced for the 2022 Scholastic Art Awards. Thomas and Kerrigan both received Gold awards and have now moved onto the National competition. At first, Kerrigan was skeptical of the idea of submitting her artwork to be judged. When the time finally came around, Kerrigan talked to Dibble about the prospect of winning and the criteria that go into judging pieces of art.

“It was weird because I talked to Ms. Dibble so much about the awards and we were talking about who the judges could be and she showed me all these pieces that hadn’t won but were super good,” Kerrigan said.

the DART|designed by Mara Callahan

STA Scholastic Award Winners

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STA Fine Arts Department submitted various art pieces to the 2021 Scholastic Arts Awards. The following students received various awards in the following categories.

Alternative Coverage by Mara Callahan l Features Editor

Gold Key Winners Lucia Thomas (24) Painting “Taming the Horse” Georgia Kerrigan (23) Ceramics and Glass “Under the Sea-pot” Lucia Thomas (24) Painting - “Courtyard in Color”

Silver Key Winners

Honorable Mention

Izzy Salinardi (24) Painting - “Pink Yourself”

Emma Vontz (22) Mixed Media - “Summer Day”

Kate Uecker (24) Digital Art - “Beautiful Space”

Emma Vontz (22) Mixed Media - “My House”

Lucia Thomas (24) Painting - “Catching Skinks”

Olivia Oakman (24) Drawing and Illustration - “Wonderland” Lucia Thomas (24) Painting “Purple Portrait”

“She told me it was so subjective. It’s all personal “I think the Scholastic awards are really important opinion and if [the judges] don’t like this type of art, then in recognizing the talent of the youth and encouraging you might not get anything. I’d been working on my piece them to keep creating art,” Thomas said. “I also think it’s for a year by the time I submitted it and I was just really important for colleges to recognize this stuff, and I think hoping something would come out of it. So it was kind of Scholastic really encourages that.” B scary thinking it could come down to a judge’s opinion.”

Earl likes to think of Art Awards and the judging that goes into them in parallel to sports. Earl believes spending time in an art studio creating is similar to spending time on a practice field, and therefore an art competition is just like a basketball championship or track meet.

“Lucia basically won the Super Bowl, the championship game,” Earl said.

“She would be like an MVP player.

That’s how art is to artists, how it would be for people in sports. Imagine if you were an actor and booked a big movie: that’s exactly what it’s like for an artist to have a piece selected to be shown in an exhibition.”

Only a sophomore, Thomas plans on continuing to create and submit art to future Scholastic Awards as well as other competitions that present themselves. Thomas believes that art is all around us and requires a great deal of work and dedication; therefore, recognizing someone’s artwork in the Sophomore Lucia Thomas holds her art that is on display in the form of an awards competition is vital Goppert Center Feb. 23. She has won a Gold Award through her to celebrating creativity. hard work. photo by Kathryn Hart.

14| The Lasting Legacy of the the DART|March 10, 2022

Feature

The Harry Potter franchise has just celebrated its 20-year anniversary, and members of the STA community reflect on the impact that the series has made on their lives.

Story by Annie McShane | Copy Editor

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he “Harry Potter” book series has sold more than 500 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 60 languages. In the 25 years since the first book was released, this series has spread world-wide and created quite a name for itself.

For social studies teacher Nic Shump, Harry Potter was something that brought his family together. He was introduced to the book by his kids and one of his favorite things to do with them was read the books.

“It’s the thing that my entire family would do,” Shump said. “I would be that dad that would go and get the books at midnight at Barnes and Noble right when they came out and then I would get home and [my kids] would be up and want to start reading them.”

His kids’ interest in reading these books was one of Shump’s biggest draws to the series. As a teacher, he was also excited about the fact that younger children were so interested in reading more advanced books.

“I liked the fact that even kids in elementary school were reading 300-400 page books,” Shump said. “I thought that was really cool, that people were so excited to read books of that length and then be really passionate about them.”

Senior Iris Kline and junior Ava Juliana

Saggars were among the many kids who took an interest in Harry Potter. Kline was first introduced to the series in second grade and picked it up as a recommendation. “ I had always loved reading, so my mom was like, ‘Of course you should read Harry Potter,’” Kline said.

Saggars had heard of the series and seen parts of the movies because her brother was a fan.

“I mostly decided to read it because I was wanting to get into reading,” Saggars said. “I was like, ‘Oh, Harry Potter is a very popular series. I should start with that.’”

After reading the series, the characters that stuck out to both Saggars and Shump were the outcasts. Saggars identifies with both Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom because she relates to their quirks and finds comfort in the fact that they don’t always seem to fit in.

“Luna is my favorite character because she’s just so fine with being different, and she has very much stuck out to me because she’s always able to say what’s on her mind,” Saggars said. “I also relate to Neville, because he’s just a very awkward person, and I’m a very awkward person.”

Although Shump doesn’t relate to his favorite character, Sirius Black, Shump also finds the fact that Black doesn’t fit in to be one of his most interesting character traits.

“I think [Sirius Black] is an interesting character, the way that Shump reaches for a golden snitch March 3. Shump has been he’s kind of an outcast from his the extracurricular’s moderater family, and the way he’s originally since the fall of 2021. photo by presented to us,” Shump said. “He’s Katie Massman originally this murderous villain and

the DART|designed by Annie McShane then he becomes this sympathetic character, so I really like him a lot.”

Kline thinks that Harry Potter’s loveable characters are part of what makes the series so memorable. She identifies with Hermione Granger.

“My personality is based off of Hermione, and I feel like I’m just really similar to her,” Kline said.

Both Shump and Kline are members of the Gryffindor house. Shump has always been content with his house, because he likes the fact that Gryffindors typically try to be fair and just. Kline, however, has not always been happy with hers.

“I really wanted to be a Ravenclaw for a long time, because I just wanted to be smart, but I am a Gryffindor,” Kline said.

Saggars had a similar experience of discontent with her house, Hufflepuff, until she looked into what being a Hufflepuff really meant.

“When I first took the test, I was like, ‘Oh Hufflepuff. Great,’ and then I actually learned about the house, and now I see that it’s very much me,” Saggars said.

Over this past winter, Saggars was involved in the St. Teresa’s Academy production of the play “Puffs,” which expresses similar feelings about the house that Saggars had. “Puffs” is a story about Wayne, a Hufflepuff who attends school at the same time as Harry Potter. “[Wayne] thought he was destined to be this person who would change the world and then everything just got foiled by Harry being there,” Saggars said. “But, the story is also about the “Puffs” coming to realize that they’re not just there and that they actually have other qualities that allow them to be good people.”

Along with “Puffs,” another way that Harry Potter is represented on STA’s campus is through the Harry Potter Club. Kline is one of the presidents of the extracurricular, which she started with her co-presidents after a possible interim week class about Harry Potter fell through. Kline thinks that the extracurricular is a great way for students to bond over their love for the series.

“It’s a good way for kids of all grade levels to connect, because we all have this in common, and if you like Harry Potter, you really like Harry Potter,” Kline said.

Both Saggars and Kline shared that they interact with Harry Potter-related content on TikTok, which has become increasingly popular in the past few years. Another form of Harry Potter-related media that has recently regained attention is a fan-written book about Harry Potter’s parents and their friends called “All the Young Dudes.”

Kline shared about the difference between the general Harry Potter story and the “Marauders” story.

“The Marauders are way more fun because we have the Harry Potter books that say some things about them, but then ‘All the Young Dudes’ gets so much more into detail and I feel like you really love them more, and just get more attached to them because then they all die,” Kline said.

“It’s more heartbreaking, so I feel more connected to them.”

The impact that Harry Potter and its related media has made on society is large, and Shump feels that it has been so impactful because of the storytelling.

“It’s good storytelling, and really hard to create a world that people are going to get so invested in,” Shump said. “In the end, I think the characters are really good

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characters and it’s just a really well created fictional world.”

Saggars believes that the intricately crafted world and its ability to be enjoyed by people of various ages is what has made the series last so long.

“People of all ages can be a part of it, because it’s not just a children’s story,” Saggars said. “It has so many deep layers to it.”

Kline feels that the lasting legacy of the series is due to it being a timeless and continually relatable story. “[Harry Potter] is always going to be relatable to teenagers, even though it’s obviously a completely different world,” Kline said. “It’s fun to have characters to love, and it’s really easy to love them and Hogwarts and everything about it.”B

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Centerspread

GOING BACK TO GREEN While STA has made efforts to be more environmentally friendly over the years, COVID-19 interrupted many important programs that never returned to campus.

Story by Anna Massman | Outreach Editor, Kaylee Lary | Photo Editor & Ellie Buttell | Opinion Editor Photos by Kaylee Lary | Photo Editor Graphics by Lauren Brackney | Design Editor

A

s junior Tessa Stevenson walks into the cafeteria for lunch, she braces herself to see the waste STA generates on a daily basis. She knows that the hundreds of styrofoam plates, plastic forks and paper napkins that are used by students every day all end up in landfills, where they’ll contribute vast amounts of methane to our atmosphere.

After acknowledging this reality, it becomes painfully obvious how big our community’s impact is on the environment, and how little we’re doing to help.

According to most teachers and students at STA, the greatest threat the environment currently faces is global warming.

The current concentration of carbon dioxide ​​​​​​​in our atmosphere, as of July 2021, is the highest it’s ever been in human history. As this concentration climbs higher, as it’s predicted to, the warming of our atmosphere will continue to grow hotter and hotter, and its disastrous effects worse and worse (National Geographic).

The sun shines on a plant on a window ledge Feb. 28. Plants are helpful to many households because they can filter the air in any room.

Plants sit on a windowsill in Sarah Holmes’ classroom. Holmes has a wide variety of plants in her classroom.

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the DART|designed by Lauren Brackney

“

SARAH HOLMES.

“[The Green Team] had more rallies and protests. It wasn’t at school, but they took people to protests,” Reese said. “They had implemented things like recycling trash and composting in the lunchroom, but they don’t do that anymore.”

One proponent that multiple students believe ended green initiatives at the school is COVID-19. With the outbreak of the virus disturbing the school year, it also disrupted numerous programs at the school. As inperson learning continued, many green initiative programs did not make a return to campus with the rest of the community.

With the complications of COVID-19 risks taking the main focus of attention, the environment simply wasn’t as big of a priority as before.

Biology teacher Sarah Stranz believes STA’s action towards being environmentally

G

“One of the things that they do is this program called Missouri Green Schools and it’s a program that recognizes and celebrates environmental sustainability,” Holmes said.

To become labeled a green-ribbon school, STA would need to achieve: reduced environmental impacts and costs; improved health and wellness of schools, students

If the Earth fails, then we’re failing, so having a sense of unity and advocating for the earth and getting other people to care for it too, because if I cared for it but was silent, it would be like what’s the point?

SARAH STRANZ.

“

TESSA STEVENSON.

“

“

Environmentallyfriendly people always look at recycling but there is so much more to it.

conscious has stayed somewhat in place throughout the past years with COVID-19.

“I don’t know if I would call it a decline, but more so, a stand still.” Stranz said.

Stevenson believes the shift from environmental to virus awareness during the first months back on campus was more wasteful than necessary.

“I feel like with COVID-19 going on it was like almost an excuse that we need to focus on masking up, and sanitation is important but there are definitely better ways to do it,” Stevenson said.

Along with disposable face masks, plastic barriers, food containers and gloves were all also common in STA classrooms during the 2021-2021 school year.

AP Environmental Science teacher Sarah Holmes volunteers at the Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA), and believes that one of their programs could be perfect for STA to get back on track sustainability-wise.

“

Every action starts with education. You have to be aware, informed and trained.

It must be put into practice and then it becomes automatic.

and staff; and effective environmental and sustainability education.

Stranz believes the educational aspect of the program would be the most important tactic to changing climate issues.

“Every action starts with education,” Stranz said. “You first have to be aware, informed, and trained. It must be put into practice and then it becomes automatic.”

After being informed on environmental issues, making conscientious changes is equally as important as the education itself.

When considering personal actions one can take to reduce their negative impact on the environment, science teacher Vickie Albritton encourages students to rethink their daily impact on the environment.

“Notice your habits,” Abritton said. “What

EEN, STA R G O STA

“

In previous years, STA students have supported environmental initiatives within the school as well as around our community.

However, many of these initiatives simply don’t exist at the school anymore.

Senior Madi Reese recalls some of the initiatives that STA’s “Green Team,” an old extracurricular, supported during the school year in 2019.

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Centerspread do you put into the trash? Are you able to reuse things? Are you able to reduce the amount of containers that you bring home?”

Holmes also stresses to students how

“

You yourself probably aren’t making that many emissions but these giant companies are. That’s why it’s so important to send a message to them, whether it’s directly, or through policy-makers, or just not supporting them.

A plant sits on the window as it soaks in the sun. Holmes has many plants in her room. “I love critters and plants and things,” Holmes said.

“

MADI REESE.

important their individual choice of consumerism is.

“Do the small things and begin to be aware of how you use your energy, where you put your money,” Holmes said.

“Everything you put in your mouth is a vote; it’s an action that you are doing that is impacting whether this company gets money or that company gets money.”

Through her capstone research on climate change, Reese has found the vast majority

of humans’ carbon emissions comes from mass-producing companies.

“You yourself probably aren’t making that many emissions but these giant companies are,” Reese said. “That’s why it’s so important to send a message to them, whether it’s directly, or through policymakers, or just not supporting them.”

Holmes thinks that it would be a positive shift in culture if consumers learned that they don’t need to buy something just because others have it.

“I think that is a huge problem because it’s like ‘Oh I want this here because someone else has it,’” Holmes said. “I mean you get into that shopping groove and you’re getting things you don’t need.”

Many students aim to be more sustainable in their consumerism through supporting sustainable brands. Reese uses products from many of these brands, but one clothing brand in particular stands out for her.

“Patagonia is my favorite brand ever,” Reese said. “Not only are they sustainable, but they’re eco-conscious. It’s cute. It’s also ethical. And I just bought some shorts from there yesterday that are all 100% made of recycled fishing nets.”

Both students and teachers at STA have powerful motivators to keep working for a

Junior Emma Bridges recycles a Celsius during her lunch Feb 28. Every minute an average of 123,097 of aluminum cans are recycled.

the DART|designed by Lauren Brackney

cleaner planet. Senior Ellie Bolch, a former member of Green Team, considers the impact climate change will have on others who don’t have as much power to enact change.

“We’re fortunate that we do have shelter, and if you think about people who are less fortunate, that are living outside, this is affecting them more than us,” Bolch said.

“And if it’s not for them, we should want it [a healthy environment] to be there for our

“

It feels good to be a human who understands that we are all connected and if Earth fails then we are failing.

I think others should care because this is our Earth, it is ours, it’s not just one country’s, or one person’s.

“

TESSA STEVENSON.

Pollution Points

children and future generations.”

Stevenson is moved to care for the Earth when she sees the reality of climate change, such as dying animals and poor air quality.

She believes that everyone should care for the Earth, because what affects one part of it affects the rest of us.

“It feels good to be a human who understands that we are all connected and if Earth fails then we are failing,” Stevenson said. “I think others should care because this is our Earth, like it is ours, it’s not just one country’s, one person’s.”

Although eco-conscious minds are typical at STA, collective action still appears to be missing. Holmes believes the key to making big changes at the school begins by assembling those who care the most about these issues.

“There are so many facets to it, but I think the first thing you do is get a group of people together that are passionate and interested and take a look and see where we are,” Holmes said.

According to Holmes, showing students the power they have to change our world is integral to a STA education. Empowering young women now will prepare the next generation of environmental activists, engineers, scientists, and business leaders.

“If there is one thing that I believe wholeheartedly, it is that I want students to understand that they can make a change in their school, so that when they leave they can make a change in the world.” B

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Plastic pollution has become a major factor contributing to a rise in climate change.

Alternative Coverage by Becca Speier | Editor-in-Chief

1 in 3

4 billion

sea turtles have ingested plastic in their life

plastic Starbucks cups produced each year

12. 7

million tons of plastic enter oceans each year

5 trillion

pieces of plastic in our ocean that can circle the Earth over 400 times

A plant hangs from the ceiling. There are over 300,000 identified plant species in the world.

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Main Ed

Is STA doing enough to get back to green?

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ccording to “The Natural Resources Defense Council,” we only have 20 years left to act on climate change before there’s no turning back. There is no planet B, so we need to focus on fixing planet Earth before it’s too late. You might be asking, what can I do to help?

First, it is important to acknowledge the role that governments as well as big companies play in this issue. To enact real change, it is essential to hold governments and companies accountable for their negative practices that have contributed to putting our world in the vulnerable position it is in today and push them to do better. Secondly, we must look to ourselves and our community — specifically, the STA community. The big question is: is STA doing enough to get back to green?

STA has done much to try to help keep our campus green and protect the environment. We have air dryers in most of our bathrooms to limit paper towel use, automatic water bottle filling stations to encourage reusable water bottles and st udents use computers for the majority of their schoolwork to avoid unnecessary paper waste.

But with the COVID-19 pandemic taking over our lives, staying green has been put on the back burner. Starcups previously used paper straws but have now moved back to plastic. Hundreds of students a day throw away styrofoam plates after lunch. Trash cans line the pit in the lunch room while recycling bins are hidden away in the corner and compost bins are nonexistent. Even STA’s Green Team has shut down because of a lack of leadership.

According to The Nature Conservancy, over 97% of scientists agree that humans cause climate change. If we are the ones who caused it, then we have the ability to fix the issue as well.

STA has the skills to implement a few key simple initiatives to help our environment but it is also up to the students to care enough to push these initiatives. It starts with re-implementing the Green Team to help encourage climate-conscious practices on campus. Next is making the recycling bins as accessible — if not more accessible — than the trash bins and encouraging people to use them more often.

These types of initiatives are so simple yet so important in the fight against climate change.

Another change that could also easily be implemented at STA is a community garden. We could put compost bins back in the cafeteria and use them to contribute to a community garden, rendering our campus a more beautiful space and helping the environment — two birds with one stone. We already have solar panels helping to power one building, so why not take the next step and install solar panels to power them all? Even implementingWe could also implement a used uniform shop like many other schools in our area already have to ensure that when an STA student graduates, her clothes don’t go to waste. We could encourage carpooling and school spirit by making a carpool sign-up sheet and offering service hours for upperclassmen to lend underclassmen a ride to STA events.

Climate change is an issue that every citizen of planet Earth needs to contribute to in order to keep our planet alive and thriving. There is always more that governments, big companies, our community, and ourselves could be doing to help with this environmental crisis. B 22/22 staffers agree

right on target

Sophomore Jullian Cole

“The parking lot is difficult sometimes. There is a lot of idling before school while people are waiting for it to start, and for juniors and seniors after school it takes a while to get out so their cars are on for a long time. There could be a system for leaving the parking lot so there’s not as much air pollution and gas waste.”

Senior Anna Glynn

“I haven’t heard of STA doing anything to protect the environment. There haven’t been any fundraisers that I’ve heard of, but I could just be out of the loop. There hasn’t been anything big in a long time that was targeted towards the environment. Freshman year was the last time I remember being a part of something environmentally-based at STA, which is unfortunate.”

the DART|designed by Charlotte Malone

Feature

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Opening Up the Table

Over the month of February, members of the Black Student Coalition at St. Teresa’s put together many different events to celebrate Black life and culture. While reflecting on the past month, students share how they work to enact change and conversation over important issues in their daily lives.

Story by Charlotte Malone | Photo Editor Alternative Coverage by Tierney Flavin | Social Media Team to them why that’s wrong so that they are able to because of that,” Martinez said. ”Especially embers of the Black Student at St. Teresa’s, most of us here are very Coalition (BSC) spent February learn.”

Martinez prioritizes open-mindedness and privileged. It’s so important to understand sharing Black History Month understanding when trying to educate themselves why we are privileged, where that (BHM) with the staff and students of St. and others in conversations. privilege comes from, and use it in good Teresa’s. Activities consisted of a Black All three students agree that one of the most ways as well as finding out how to further church service, a Greek step show, and a important issues society has to discuss right now dismantle it as we go on in our lives.”

Black fashion and hair show.

Riaz understands the lack of While these events formally marked the is race. Andrews believes in the importance of all people discussing racism. opportunities available for minors to celebration of BHM, student organizers “Definitely Black issues and Black history need enact change, but suggests starting hope discussions around race and equality to be discussed,” Andrews said. “There are a lot of with volunteering in your surrounding will continue throughout the year. Senior and member of the BSC, Victoria Andrews, issues surrounding homophobia and transphobia community. “I’m a big fan of pushing mutual aid, because just being active in mentioned that one way to continue these as well right now.” Riaz seconds this, stating the your community is so important,” Riaz conversations during the year is through a need to discuss segregation in schools due to redlining. said. I volunteer with KC Care which classroom setting.

“Schools right now are still extremely provides healthcare for low-income “I think there are definitely classes segregated based on income,” Riaz said. “We’re a families. Being active in your community that support (curious conversations), like private school, and most people who go here are can be so much help.” Martinez adds that English and history,” Andrews said. “I white, just due to generational wealth. But even one of the most important things that know that the teachers do a good job of in public schools, they’re extremely segregated anyone can do at any age is to always be having books and curriculums based on because of public funding being based on property kind. important topics.” Andrews believes that tax. So lower income neighborhoods that have “I think now, the best thing we can really the more students are able to talk about issues such as racism and homophobia, the been redlined are going to have worse resources in do is to be the best versions of ourselves,” their school leading to a higher dropout rate.”

Martinez said. “Be as kind as we can to greater ability students have to educate Martinez adds to this conversation, bringing to other people, learn as much as we can themselves. light the effects of systemic racism. about other people and other cultures, so Junior Amama Riaz also expressed the “I think that it’s just really important to talk we can appreciate people and lift them need for conversations like these to take about the way our society has systemic racism up.” B place in daily life. embedded into it, and how we all have privilege “I feel like it’s important to avoid ignorance,” Riaz said. “The people who feel Alternate Coverage by Tierney Flavin | Social Media Team uncomfortable having these conversations come from a place of privilege and if you don’t acknowledge it, it leads to so much ignorance and misinformation.”

Riaz feels that one of the best ways Kansas City houses many Black-led businesses and nonprofits, here are three — all to have conversations with others is by specifially promoted by Give Black KC. initiating them yourself. *Information compiled from kcur.org “Don’t be uncomfortable with bringing up a conversation yourself,” Riaz said.

“Sometimes you have to be the one to start it.”

Junior Ava Martinez seconds this, emphasizing the importance of patience in these discussions, as well as compassion.

“As ignorant as someone might be, most of the time if they are trying to take part in these conversations they want to learn,” Life’s Work: The Nia Project KC: “A therapy business that offers Martinez said. “They might have their own “The Nia Project offers culturally-competent counseling to WeCodeKC: biases and preconceived notions that they holistic services and advocacy work Black communities with “[WeCodeKC] gives Black for Black women and girls in Kansas haven’t been able to unpack yet, so even therapists from the same children exposure to computer science.

City.” background as their clients.” if they say really ignorant things, we have Through partnerships with other local organizations, WeCode students can to keep in mind that maybe they were build projects and receive stipends to taught that way, and so we have to explain gain real-world experience.”

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Three Black-led nonprofits located in Kansas City:

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Perspectives

Music that will last (more than) one lifetime What modern musical artists will live on and on for generations?

Story by Anna Stout | Writer Graphics by Lily Sage | Opinion Editor

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or as long as I can remember I’ve been going to countless concerts and have been fully immersed in music. I listen to a plethora of music daily, including pop, alternative and rap. I love listening to music and imagining what artists will stand the test of time.

First, I’ll go into the pop music stars that will be around for ages.

The most obvious and correct choice has got to be Taylor Swift. She has millions and millions of hits, and every time I listen to her music, I belt out every lyric. Her singing is impeccable, but her songwriting is how she will continue to be remembered forever. I believe her lyrics like, “you kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath,” and “but if the story’s over, why am I still writing pages,” will be commemorated for decades as some of the best lyrics of all time.

Another pop star that I predict will stand the test of time is Lady Gaga, who won’t only be remembered as an outstanding singer, but also as an actress and fashion icon. Gaga has never cared what others think of her, and I believe that is why people are so fascinated by her. She constantly goes above and beyond in all she does, including her Met Gala looks and her Super Bowl halftime show. Gaga continues to defy what anyone thinks of her, and is always striving for what she believes in, as seen in her song, “Born this Way.” Gaga’s multitude of hits like “Bad Romance,” “Million Reasons” and “Poker Face” will forever live on.

Second place goes to the alternative musicians. Many refer to Lana Del Rey as the “Queen of Alternative,” and I have to say that I agree. She has many hits under her alternative title including

“Summertime Sadness” and “Young and Beautiful,” both of which have been on the Billboard Top 100. Del Ray has one of the most iconic sounds and looks in the industry. She has a vintage sixties appeal and a sound like no other.

Additional alternative artists I think could be around for ages are the Lumineers. They are an alternative band, with a folk twist.

The band has had many hits, but has only recently been considered a “big” band. The Lumineers’ most popular album has to go to“Cleopatra.” This album has some of the most well-known songs by the Lumineers like “Ophelia’’ and “Cleopatra.” I have loved this band for years, and I am so happy they are starting to get their time to shine. The Lumineers are currently touring and will be coming to Kansas City this summer, so make sure to buy tickets now!

Lastly, I want to go into detail about the rappers that will live on and on. Kendrick Lamar is my first choice, for obvious reasons.

He is widely regarded as the best rapper ever, and I can’t help but agree. Lamar has dozens of popular songs like, “HUMBLE”, “DNA”and “alright.” Each of these songs are proof why he will always be remembered as the best rapper of all time. Lamar recently performed in the Super Bowl alongside other iconic rappers such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Dr. Dre, and he went all out with his dancers and set.

So, these are the five artists that I think will forever be remembered. I think each and every one of these artists are iconic, and will be unforgettable for generations to come. B

the DART|designed by Lily Sage

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Enchanted by I am in love with Encanto. Here’s why.

Story by Taylor Hayes | Writer Graphics by Lily Sage | Opinion Editor

T

he movie “Encanto” has become an instant classic for me.

I’ve always been big on movies and music, and I’d say this film is pretty impressive.

There’s so many things to love about “Encanto.” The representation, the way it hits home to Hispanic families and traditions and the music. In recent years, as Disney has been dissected more, the public has started to criticize Disney for its racist past and problematic movies. “Encanto” is a game-changer in Disney’s attempts at reparations for its past actions.

One of the biggest and most important topics to me is the representation in this movie. While Hispanics are often shown on television as stereotypical “Ranchero” men, or “Chicana” women, “Encanto’s” representation is phenomenal.

When you break it down, there are four things I loved the most about “Encanto.” One of these is that Luisa, the oldest sister, with the power of strength, isn’t given the typical features of Disney characters from the past. She is illustrated as actually big, strong and broad-shouldered, while still having a feminine frame. The difference between Luisa and the typical feminine Disney character is that Luisa is given the body structure of an actual body builder — not the frame of the thin waist and small features typically portrayed in different Disney princesses like Ariel or Snow White.

The second thing I love is Isabella’s native features. Isabella is the stereotypical feminine character, having the power to grow flowers and plants out of nowhere. Isabella is also forced into the category of the “perfect child,” with every implied meaning from that archetype. She has beautiful hair, perfect skin -— she’s everything feminine is supposed to be, but she does not lose her traditional Colombian features. Isabella has the crooked nose, the black hair and the dark skin that many Columbians have.

I mention the crooked nose because speaking as a Hispanic person, I know a lot of Latinx people feel insecure about this specific characteristic. I loved seeing people break this movie down on TikTok — especially when Columbian and other Latinx/Hispanic people related loving that Isabella was the “pretty” one while not altering her crooked nose.

The third thing I love about this movie is the range of skin tones in one family. For example, Pepa is white passing. Her husband, Felix, has traditionally African American features. While the ethnicity of Columbians is considered Afro-Latino (some consider themselves white), not all Columbians have the same skin tone as what is traditionally thought for Hispanics/Latinx people. I love that Disney really represented different skin tones within one family.

The fourth aspect I want to point out is the amount of relatable content there for Hispanic/Latinx people. While not all families feel like this, I know a lot of “Encanto”-related-content that I’ve seen on TikTok and Instagram has mostly related to the song “Surface Pressure” that Luisa sings. Eldest sisters online have really talked about feeling like they have to keep the family together.

Youngest siblings relate to Mirabel, feeling unseen in their families and believing they have to be just as good as their perfect older siblings. Some really relate to having an extremely traditional family — the grandmother being the matriarchal archetype and feeling like everything has to be perfect for them.

Either way, if you watch “Encanto,” I can guarantee you will find something relatable in the movie. I made all of my friends watch and dissect it with me, and I know they all feel the same way — especially a lot of my friends with first, second, and thirdgeneration immigrant backgrounds. I love the movie “Encanto,” and I think it’s going to be a family favorite for generations to come. B

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Sports

esports arrive at sTA

Sage Garretson accepted the role of coach for the new ESports program at STA, in which students can play video games competitively against other students in their age group and skill level.

Story by Tierney Flavin | Social Media Team Photos by Kyra Fieger | Lifestyles Editor Alternative coverage by Miriam Parsa | Social Media Team

T

uesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, junior Sara Tennyson walks into room 107 after school and begins to warm up in anticipation for the next hour and a half of Rocket League.

Tennyson is a player on STA’s new ESports team.

The team meets three times a week to play Rocket League, a soccer-like video game played through a virtual car.

The ESports team comes together for practices and even for scrimmages against other schools in the Midwest through a high school ESports league called PlayVS. “It’s more than just casual video games; we have a lot of rules and extra guidelines that we play by against other high schools,” ESports coach Sage Garretson said.

“Some people think it’s just playing video games, which is part of it, just not the entire picture.”

The athletic department approached Garretson about starting the team, and he agreed.

“For me, it’s really fun to see students who are interested in video games, because I was really interested in that when I was in high school and it was not as welcoming as it is nowadays,” Garretson said.

“I think it’s really nice for me to give those students a place where they can come and feel welcomed and included.”

Tennyson joined not just to play video games, but for the community as well.

“I like playing video games; that’s the fun part. I also get along with everyone there; there’s no drama,” Tennyson said. “We’re taking it seriously, but not too seriously.”

ESports practice looks similar to that of other sports: students/participants arrive, do warm-ups and learn about different gaming strategies before jumping into some scrimmages against each other, or sometimes even other schools.

Competing in ESports is more than just playing video games at home recreationally.

Sports Highlights

Don’t miss out: march

Dance

23

24

placed 3rd in State

swim

competed in State

first JV and varsity games at St. James Academy

Soccer

march

soccer, lacrosse & track & field held tryouts from Feb. 28 to March 4

Lacrosse

Spring Sport TryoutS

first JV and varsity games at Liberty High School

track & field

what you missed:

april

5

first varsity meet at Grandview High School

the DART|designed by Miriam Parsa “[ESports] is us all together in one room, trying to win, not just messing around,” Tennyson said.

“We also have Sage there as our coach to actually help us when we mess up.”

Garretson sets goals for them as a team, focusing not just on the fun of it all but also on growth as individuals.

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“

We are all in the same sphere of video game interest. That goes a long way for inclusivity.

“

SAGE GARRETSON

“As a coach I try to see what people are struggling with and help them through it,” Garretson said. “It’s pretty easy in online games to get tilted; it’s harder to see your mistakes and what you need to work on and progress on. So we always talk about personal goals and growth, not about winning.”

Tennyson would recommend ESports to anyone who enjoys video games and wants to be in a community of similar people.

As the coach, Garretson also sees this sense of community in the team.

“I’ve noticed that [the students] like to collaborate and talk about the latest games they’ve been playing,” Garretson said. “We are all in the same sphere of video game interest.

That goes a long way for inclusivity.” B

Junior Sara Tennyson smiles while playing Rocket League on March 4.

Rocket League is a virtual-based game where players drive around customized cars and shoot balls into a net, much like soccer.

Junior Lucy Fanning and junior Maley Wenzel warm up before practice. They begin with practice drills to optimize performance.

Athlete of the issue:

Regan Wagstaff

Junior Regan Wagstaff began her second season playing soccer for St. Teresa’s with tryouts starting March 1, after transferring to STA from Shawnee Mission East her sophomore year. Wagstaff was super prepared for tryouts to start after going to the pre-season practices and conditioning with her friends and teammates. “My main goal this year is to win state,” Wagstaff said. “[I’m] super motivated by getting third last year since, although it was a good result, it was somewhat dissatisfying compared to our original goal,” Wagstaff said. Wagstaff is super excited to bring Sebastian back out, a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy that’s been in her soccer bag since the beginning of sophomore year. “[He] is our little friend who is famous,” Wagstaff said. Sebastian started last season as a joke around the team and is now given to players at each game as a good luck charm. B

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the DART|March 10, 2022

g o n n i B w y S Community

The Strawberry Swing is a local pop-up show where many different Kansas City citizens are able to showcase the products they have been creating. These swings help the community understand the importance of supporting small, local businesses.

L

ocated at 3630 Main Street in Kansas City is Shop Local KC. On shoplocalkc.com, they describe themselves as “an online marketplace and creative community homegrown right here in Kansas City,” which means that everything they sell is made and sold locally by creative Kansas City citizens.

Along with the website and the flagship store located on Main Street, the very same people behind Shop Local KC put on many different pop-up shows throughout the year and invite unique makers to showcase their products at what they call ‘The Strawberry Swings.’

“The Strawberry Swing was founded in 2011 [and] we had 52 swings last year during COVID-19,” Katie Mabrey van Dieren said.

Van Dieren is the founder and owner of Shop Local KC and the founder and curator of The Strawberry Swings. Van Dieren started Shop Local KC as a way for people who had been creating and making as a hobby to be able to make their dreams reality. She has been able to see many booths grow into something bigger firsthand.

“There’s some people who started out [with] the tiny little booth at a Strawberry Swing and it got bigger and bigger,” van

Story by Lily Sage | Opinions Editor

Dieren said. “And then they have wholesale clients and now they have their own brick and mortar and a national presence.”

Van Dieren even has a mentoring business where she and @CarlyRaeStudio on Instagram help people who strive in becoming local business owners.

“I realized [Carly and I] had a wealth of knowledge that we’ve garnered from doing this for so long, and people are always asking for advice,” Van Dieren said. “And we were like, we need to do something. So we created Craft Show CEO.” Not only does Van Dieren feel passionately about helping people grow their businesses, she also urges people to shop locally whenever they can; hence the name of her store ‘Shop Local KC.’ “You’re actually promoting less when you shop locally,” Van Dieren said. ”And then you’re helping your community because you’re meeting the owners of the businesses, and so then you become friends, and you forge kind of more of a [relationship].”

At the Valentine’s Day Strawberry Swing on Feb. 12, there were about 10 different local businesses that were occupying a booth, including makers selling cookies, chocolates, drink mixes and even

Shop local KC, a store located on 3630 Main Street, features items created by local Kansas City artists March 3. The storefront is decorated with a colorful mural. photo by Lauren Ford

jewelry. Mandy Slead, owner of Lovely Cup Confections, sells different types of chocolates and has been participating in the Strawberry Swings since late 2021.

“I just needed something to kind of keep my hands busy and to keep me happy,” Slead said. “What I found was that every day I really enjoyed this moment of having my cup of tea and having a sweet and it was a moment of just whimsy and happiness. And I just kind of loved it. And so I was baking with my kids, and we got into making hot chocolate bombs.”

As a small, local business owner, Slead stresses the importance of shopping locally to many of her customers.

“Every person, every maker has their own story and their own unique spin on whatever it is that they are creating, and most of us create with happiness,” Slead said. “It makes us happy to create and happy to share what we’re doing with others…Making is amazing.

If you love it and you create it, other people will love it.”

You can find the Strawberry Swing, Shop Local KC and Lovely Cup Confections all on Instagram. If you’re wondering when the next swing is, do not hesitate to go to thestrawberryswing.com to check out the countdown until the next swing. B

photo courtesy of @strawberryswingkc

the DART|designed by Sophia Rall

Humans of STA

Humans of STA

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STA is home to students with a myriad of special talents, jobs and hobbies.

Story by Sophia Rall | Editor-in-Chief

Jamie Case

What is it like to foster puppies, and what is your favorite part?

It’s really fun because they’re really cute...My favorite part is that I have eight puppies in my house. We let them outside on hot days. We had to make a little pen for them and then we have to clean and make them food. It’s not that hard. If anyone wants a puppy they should contact me.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Case

Sanai Kintchen

What is your job, and what do your duties consist of?

I work as a beekeeper. The duties consist of taking care of the bees, working in nature, and that is about it. We go into the hives and make sure that they are running okay. Since it is winter, we are doing a lot of medicating and giving them sugar water so that they can thrive and make the best honey for the spring.

Hello!

Amakuru! (Kirundi) Habari! (Swahili)

Photo courtesy of Sanai Kintchen

Rani Shukurani

What languages do you speak, and how did you learn them?

I speak Kirundi, Swahili, and English. So for Kirundi, my mom is from Burundi and they speak Kirundi so it just became a language of mine. My dad is from Tanzania, and they speak Swahili, and so my dad will be speaking Swahili and my mom will be speaking Kirundi so [the languages] were just all around the house and that’s how I learned Photo courtesy of Rani Shukurani

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Last Look

What plant is best for you?

Looking to try taking care of plants this spring? Here is The Dart’s guide to what plant is best for your care level, style and expertise. Information from theplantlist.org.

Story and graphics by Sydney Waldron | Editor-in-Chief

moth orchid:

Are you looking for a simple-looking flowering plant? If so, then a moth orchid might be the plant for you. This flowering plant is a simple way to brighten up a room. This plant requires a little bit more attention than some of the other plants as it needs to be watered once a day, fertilized and kept in a clay pot.

peace lily:

Looking for something easy to grow? Looking for a plant with flowers to liven up any space? If you answered yes then the peace lily plant is the one for you. This sturdy white flowering plant is perfect for a beginner to intermediate plant grower. The plant symbolizes purity, prosperity, innocence, peace and sympathy. The plant needs to be watered once a week and kept in sunlight.

succulents: Are you a beginner-level planter looking for

a starter plant? If so, succulents are the plants for you. They are are easy to care for and an adorable addition to any room. These plants need to be kept in the sun and watered once a month.

the DART|designed by Sydney Waldron

marble pathos: Do you want a hanging plant that’s easy

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to care for? Then marble pothos is the plant for you. This heart leaf plant is the perfect addition to any space especially if you don’t have a lot of shelf space. This plant will do well in most sunlight conditions and needs to be watered once a week.

dracaena: Are you looking for a more eccentric-looking plant? This

succulent shrub adds tons of personality to any space. The plant will do well in medium to bright sunlight and should be watered every 10-14 days.

monstera: Are you someone that loves to have a put-

together space? Are you someone who has experience with plants? If yes, then the Monstera or “swiss cheese” plant might be the one for you. Along with being a Pinterest-perfect plant, the Monstrea also helps to purify air pollution. This plant requires five-eight hours in the sun and correct watering.

pilea peperomioides: Looking for a

smaller cute potted plant? The pilea peperomioides or “Chinese money plant” might be the one for you. This small potted plant is a perfect addition to any room, and this plant only needs to be watered once a week.

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the DART|March 10, 2022

Photo Essay

Crossroads is recognized as Kansas City’s art district Feb. 20. Kansas City artists can also display their artwork at the Crossroads’ First Friday events alongside food vendors.

Outside of Josey’s Records is a hidden mural depicting construction workers sitting on a beam. Tourists have popularized visiting these murals to take photographs in front of them.

Kansas City’s downtown area is home to hundreds of murals by local artists. These artworks are what give KC the name Art Town and Art Alley.

Photos by Lauren Brackney | Design Editor

A multicolored mural promoting the destigmatization of diseases like HIV is outside of the 1739 Gallery. The mural reads, “Stigma is a public health crisis; heath is a human right.”

Alleyways in the arts district are full of graffiti artworks. Many artists are able to contribute their artwork with graffiti by sharing the alley rather than one artist.

A mural created by an artist that goes by Scribe, or D. Ross, reads “Love Kansas City.” The mural features notable Kansas City landmarks and inspirational phrases such as “See the light before the color.”

the DART|designed by Lauren Brackney

The 2021-2022

DART STAFF Advisor | Dianne Hirner

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Editors-in-Chief | Sophia Rall, Rebecca Speier, Sydney Waldron

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March 10, 2022

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