Vol 71 Issue 6

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H iss ue 6 H 9 February 2012

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the dart

Photo by Erin Sellers

From feminine supply closets to hiding tampons on the way to the bathroom, STA discusses all things menstrual during its sixth annual pad and tampon drive.

See pgs. 8 -9

2 | news | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | February 9, 2012

DART

people and policies Eric Thomas............................................................advisor Katie Hyde................................................editor-in-chief print Hannnah Wolf.....................managing editor of print Allison Fitts....................................................copy editor Mary O’Leary................................................news editor Lucia Maschler........................................opinion editor Katie McCombs..............................................a&e editor Kate Rohr........................................centerspread editor Lane Maguire............................sports & health editor Christina Barton.....................................features editor Rowan O’Brien-Williams....................lifestyles editor Sara Meurer.........................................in the mix editor Emily McCann........................................last look editor Caitlin Fletcher...............................................staff writer Sara-Jessica Dilks...........................................staff writer Lauren Langdon............................................staff writer Adrianna Ohmes...........................................staff writer Mickey Redlingshafer..................................staff writer photography Celia O’Flaherty..........................................photo editor Sarah Godfrey................................staff photographer Rosie Hutchison............................staff photographer Meghan Lewis................................staff photographer Shaeffer Smith...............................staff photographer

letters policy The Dart encourages letters to the editor. Letters can be sent in the following ways: in person to Eric Thomas in D204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, attn: Eric Thomas, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; or by email to ethomas@stteresasacademy.org. Letters should be limited to 250 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. They are not intended to be documentary photos of real moments. corrections policy The Dart will print corrections as soon as possible after the error is discovered.

dartnewsonline.com

After failing to meet three out of 14 state standards, the Kansas City public school district lost accreditation Lincoln College Prepatory Academy

Troost Ave.

by Chelsea Birchmier cbirchmier@dartnewsonline.com

East 31st St.

East High School Kauffman Stadium

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KC

After the Kansas City Public Schools district in Missouri lost its accreditation Jan. 1, school and community leaders started to ask themselves what they could do for the district.

At STA, leaders are asking “What can we do as a private Catholic school to act as the dear neighbor to the students in the unaccredited district?”

Meanwhile, the leaders of Kansas City are asking “What can we do as a community to save the district for the well-being of the city?”

But right now, no one seems to have any clear answers.

What happened to the district?

According to the Missouri commissioner’s district report card (an analysis of each school’s test scores), schools in the district have not met Missouri Assessment Program standards in communication arts or math for the past four years. Last year, they met just three out of 14 state standards. The graduation rate dropped to 57.3 percent last year, compared to Missouri’s overall rate of 86.7 percent. And composite ACT scores from 2010 for high schools in the district did not exceed 16, with the exception of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy’s average of 22.4.

Because of these scores and a lack of focus on student achievement, Ms. Chris Nicastro, Missouri’s commissioner of education, along with the Missouri Board of Education, decided in September to strip the district of its accreditation. The district now has two years to find a system that works before the state takes it over.

At a Board meeting in December, Nicastro cited a letter from 10 years ago, in which district leaders promised they would improve the system if they had more time.

Nicastro responded to that letter by saying that time had run out for the district to turn itself around on its own.

“We are talking about the future of the 17,000 children in the Kansas City schools today,” Nicastro said at the December meeting. “The District has been dysfunctional and underperforming for decades. This systemic failure cannot be allowed to continue.”

How will STA respond?

After serving as a public school teacher for many years, STA’s president Nan Bone sympathizes with students and administrators from the district. She also believes having an unaccredited district poses a risk for the entire city.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation for the Kansas City school district,” Bone said.

“But oh boy do we need to solve it because it actually hurts us too. If someone was being hired and moving here, they might choose to move to the Kansas side, which hurts businesses, the economy. It’s really just a domino effect.”

While some argue that a failing district may increase enrollment at STA, Bone does not believe this is the best method for receiving new students.

“Some people say it affects [STA] positively because the Kansas City school district is not solid,” Bone said. “Parents don’t want to send their daughters to a school that’s not going to educate them well. So what they’ll do is send them to some of our Catholic feeder schools which then feed into us.”

Central High School

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St. Teresa’s Academy

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editorial policy The Dart is subject to prior review by the St. Teresa’s Academy administration in circumstances that concern student safety and illegal behavior by students. Otherwise, the policies above will guide the Dart. The Dart intends to be a public forum for voices regardless of diverse ages, sexes, races, cultures, religions or beliefs. Signed columns reflect the opinions of the individual, not necessarily the newspaper staff or the school community.

Kansas City school district loses accreditation

Kansas City Zoo

Swope Park

Southwest Early College Campus

vd.

Wornall Rd.

policies ownership and sponsership The Dart is created by the student newspaper staff and is published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church, whether on a diocesan or worldwide level.

complied by ERIN SELLERS

State Line Road

web Cara McClain........................managing editor of web Chelsea Birchmier........................................copy editor Nikki Rodriguez.....................multimedia web editor Erin Sellers..................................................photo poster Emily Bresette......................................daily web editor Emily Wemhoff....................................daily web editor Abby Uche............................................daily web editor Natalie Fitts........................social media & circulation Emma Wheatley.......................................videographer Anna Leach................................................videographer Katie Parkinson................................standing features

Bl Gregory Center

Map of KansasHigh City Missouri showing major landmarks and some schools in the School KC school district. graphic by SARA-JESSICA DILKS But Bone believes gaining students this way may not be best for the school. She thinks students should come to a school because they want to.

“In every school, every business, you don’t want to become lax,” Bone said. “You don’t want somebody to just feed you students because [the district is] not good. If you are always at your best at whatever you do in life, you’re going to draw people to you. You keep everybody competitive that way.”

However, even if students in the district wanted to come to STA, many of them do not have the option of attending a private school like STA because of costs. In every high school in the district, the percentage of students on the National School Lunch Program, a program that provides low-cost or free lunches to children with financial need, is at least 60 percent. At one district school, Southwest Early College, 78 percent of students are on the lunch program.

STA’s principal for academic affairs Barbara McCormick says that it’s difficult for STA to support these students financially because it cannot increase the amount of money given in scholarships.

“The doors are open and welcoming, and [students from the district] can come in through the admission process,” McCormick said. “But the amount [we give in scholarships] is not changing. In these hard economic times, our current families are struggling. It’s a grave challenge.” H

February 9, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | news | 3

Windmoor Center completed, dedicated

STA to offer three different classes over the summer for incoming freshmen, returning students

by LAUREN LANGDON llangdon@dartnewsonline.com

TA-DAAH STA president Nan Bone poses infront of the newly completed Windmoor Center and Chapel of St. Joseph. “Everything about it exceeds my expectations,” Bone said. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

AlleliuaH Inside the Chapel of St. Joseph shortly after the dedication by Bishop Finn took place Feb. 2. photo by MARY O’LEARY

Windmoor Center and Chapel of St. Joseph was completed in January and was dedicated last Thursday

by EMILY MCCANN emccann@dartnewsonline.com The completion of the Windmoor Center marks the end of a process that began 2 years ago. However, it also marks the end of a project in campus construction that began more than a century ago.

In 1909 the M&A Building finished construction. In 1941 the Donnelly Building was added as the second building on the Windmoor Campus. In 1982 the Goppert Center was completed as a place to promote STA athletics. And finally, February 2, 2012 the Windmoor Center was dedicated by Bishop Robert Finn as the fourth and final building on campus.

Gould Evans architecture firm began designing almost a year before construction began March 23, 2011. The original plans placed the chapel south of the Donnelly building, where the sophomore parking lot is currently located. According to STA president Nan Bone, finding the ideal location took time.

“The design team continued to move the location around,” Bone said. “We kept going back to what students and teachers said they wanted. They said feminine, brick and rounded without harsh lines that wouldn’t block the view of the campus.”

The final blueprint depicted a building that drew

Chatter H Deacon Ralph Wehner, from left, Bishop Robert Finn and STA president Nan Bone discuss historical artifacts inside the cases at the Windmoor Center. photo by MARY O’LEARY

light me up H The Windmoor Center and Chapel of St. Joseph following the dedication by Bishop Finn Feb. 2. photo by MARY O’LEARY

inspiration from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

The metal lace, manufactured by A. Zahner Company, that surrounds the chapel was inspired by a piece of lace the sisters gave to Bone in 2007. According to Bone, the lace design was originally treated with skeptism.

“The idea for the lace came from the only female architect on the design team,” Bone said. “She brought it to the team, and they presented it to us. We were skeptical at first, but after seeing mock-ups and samples, we were on board.”

Groundbreaking for the Windmoor Center took place March 23, 2011, even though funding for the building wasn’t complete. According to Bone, the school has not yet raised all the money to pay for the chapel.

“We have to borrow money off the pledges we receive,” Bone said. “We have made the last payment to the construction company, but the bottom line is we are still a little short on pledges. [The administration] will be meeting with donors soon to discuss naming rights and other fundraising opportunities.”

Construction began promptly after the groundbreaking, beginning with the dismantling of the grotto April 7 and continued through the summer and fall of 2011. Next, the construction team drilled geothermic wells, an alternative to air conditioning. While initially more expensive, the wells were worth the cost, according to Bone.

“There are 21 geothermal wells dug 450 feet deep into the earth,” Bone said. “The depth allows the wells to heat and cool the [Windmoor Center.] [Geothermal

wells] cost more up front, but within 10 years they will pay us back completely.”

The chapel was completed in early January after 300 days of construction. The Windmoor Center features four high-tech classrooms with audio and video conferencing capabilities, wall to wall magnetic dry erase boards and a study space for students.

“We had lots of focus meetings to determine what people wanted in the chapel,” Bone said. “Students can conference with students from halfway around the world. That’s pretty neat.”

The campus ministry team also has plans for the new chapel space. Besides weekly class masses, Ms. Lynn O’Leary will lead prayer and meditation during activity period every Tuesday and Thursday.

Theology department head Robin Good’s spirituality class will also use the chapel for meditation on Wednesdays. According to Bone, the chapel could also be used for alumnae masses, receptions and parent gatherings. Bone believes the chapel can be a nice getaway for students. “[Students] are so stressed during the day,” Bone said. “Spending time in the chapel will help refresh student’s mind, soul and body.”

Overall, Bone believes the construction project was a success. “[This building] really represents St. Teresa’s”, Bone said. “It’s very special to us, no other school could have a chapel that speaks this much about our heritage. I love that it’s dedicated to our founders. Everything about it exceeded my expectations.” H

For the first time in STA’s history, in an effort to open up some students’ schedules the administration is offering three courses over the summer for a half credit each. Teachers will instruct the following courses: • physical education and health for incoming freshmen • technology and media literacy for incoming freshmen • speech and debate class for for any student who hasn’t taken the course Each class has a minimum enrollment of 15 students and will cost $300. All three courses will take place from June 4 to June 29. Both speech and PE will be Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Technology will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. If a student misses more then two classes they will not receive credit.

“Right now, we have summer courses for incoming freshman that need a little help in math and English,” principal for academic affairs Barbra McCormick said. “We have been trying to find courses that actually are for enhancement of learning.”

According to McCormick the classes will be demanding because they will take up most of June. If a student wanted more flexibility in their schedule they could attend one of the summer classes to add some free time. Then, they could possibly take an additional class the following year. McCormick said she hopes this will help students involved in sports or theater.

“I would like to take another class,” freshman Haley Sirokman said. “I really liked drama this year, so maybe a class like that.

However, some students have other plans during June and won’t be able to attend the courses.

Paige Drummond is one of nearly 10 students who were not able to take speech sophomore year. According to Drummond, several students who have not taken speech are going on the Latin trip to Italy or the Spanish trip to Spain. The trips’ dates overlap with the summer classes. “[The students who haven’t taken speech as a sophomore] are the people whose whole high school career is going to get messed up,” Drummond said. “I don’t think it’s fair [that] incoming sophomores have this option. I wish we had this option before because I couldn’t fit it into my schedule. I won’t be able to take an elective next year, and there are so many classes that I won’t be able to take advantage of at STA.” There are several differences between the summer PE and technology courses and those classes during the typical school year. One difference is the course teachers. Ms. Kayla Leatherman, a former student teacher at STA, will instruct the technology course. Ms. Tyler Stewart will continue teaching speech in the summer. Ms. Abbie Lane returns to STA after coaching volleyball to teach the summer PE class.

In the PE class Lane has divided the class’s hours into specific times for physical activities and another time for health on each of the days the class meets. Leatherman is taking a different approach to the technology and media literacy course as compared to Ms. Kathy McCarthy’s course.

“For the technology and media literacy course we are looking into doing blended learning,” McCormick said. “Some of the hours will be spent face-to-face which means that you will be in class in a chair. Some of it will be online time.”

McCormick hopes that the program will allow students to enrich their lives and take courses that they had not considered taking.

“It will be great to broaden the opportunities for young women who want to continue to grow and learn academically over the summer,” McCormick said.

To register for summer courses, go to http://www.stteresasacademy.org. H

4 | features | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | February 9, 2012

photos submitted

February 9, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | features | 5

Two seniors traveled to Mali, Africa with local organization Medical Missions to provide medical care

by CARA MCCLAIN cmcclain@dartnewsonline.com Stepping out of the plane, there was no airconditioned gate to transition slowly into the 90 degree African winter weather. Seniors Katie Beirne and Katie Hyde descended the stairs and took their first steps on Malian soil on the tarmac of the runway. Their travel companions were not with them, so they were not sure where to go.

Amid shouts in a mysterious language, a man told the girls in French to get on the bus a few feet away. Beirne and Hyde, eventually understanding what he meant, climbed on the bus which took them to their gate.

“It was instantly warm, sticky and smelly,” Beirne said. “Africa smells. It smells like a lot of people living in a small space.”

Beirne traveled with her mother Dr. Tammy Neblock-Beirne, Hyde and a group of doctors, nurses and volunteers to Mali for ten days on a mission trip organized by Medical Missions Foundation. The organization provides surgical and medical aid to people in economically depressed countries.

Caring across seas

Neblock-Beirne has been involved with Medical Missions for eight years, and this trip was her sixth to Mali and her twenty-first with the organization overall. She travels with Medical Missions two or three times a year to perform surgeries or provide other medical care for one to three weeks at a time.

“Every country that you go to has a different need,” Neblock-Beirne said.

The most common surgery she and the two other surgeons performed was on the thyroid.

Because of a lack of iodide in their salt, many people in Mali develop large goiters, benign growths on their thyroid. Neblock-Beirne said sometimes their thyroid can grow as large as their head.

In addition to the goiters, the three surgeons performed many hysterectomies and removed hernias and other tumors, adding up to a total of 96 surgeries in five days.

Neblock-Beirne began performing surgeries at eight in the morning and continue until eight or 11 at night. She said that is what she is there to do, care for the many people that travel to the clinic, where she and the STA students worked.

“Their word of mouth is better than our Facebook,” Neblock-Beirne said. “People come from miles, and we already have a list of people [for next year].”

According to Neblock-Beirne, out of the 1,500 patients in the clinic the most common medical issues the staff saw were malaria, typhoid and parasites.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Dr. Tammy Neblock-Beirne shares about the work the Medical Missions team performed in Mali

96 3

surgeries performed in the week long trip to Mali in January

surgeons who came with the Medical Missions team from Kansas City to Mali

AFRICA

The Medical Missions team was prepared to deal with other kinds of medical issues as well. Hyde said a girl came to the clinic because she was incontinent, meaning she lacked control of her bladder. Those organizing the trip recruited a urologist specifically to help this girl.

As well as providing surgeries, the team of volunteers conducted a hand-washing campaign, visiting seventeen schools to teach about the importance of keeping hands clean.

“We like to get involved in the community in other ways like in the schools and villages,” Neblock-Beirne said. “We want to provide them with something sustainable.”

According to Hyde, the children she encountered loved to hold her hand.

“They wipe with their left hand,” Hyde said. “You would hold someone’s hands and be like ‘That’s a left hand.’ I wore so much Purell, but it didn’t do much.”

Adjusting to Mali

noticed a man watching her as she walked past him.

He stopped her and began speaking in Bambara, Mali’s unofficial language. She apologized and said she could not speak it.

“He kept talking and kept talking, and then he stopped and said ‘I love you,’” Hyde said. “I was like ‘bye’ because there was nothing I could say to that.”

Another day, a girl had skipped lunch to come tell Beirne that she loved her. Unsure what prompted this, Beirne said she had only asked the girl what her name before she professed her love.

“I said it in Bambara and that’s all we know: hello and how are you?” Beirne said.

Beirne and Hyde made a point to learn as much of Bambara as they could to communicate with the people they met.

“When [Malians] speak its like a low mumble,” Beirne said. “When we speak it, because we have a terrible accent, they would laugh so hard at us.”

One of the words Beirne and Hyde used with the children was “ta” meaning “go.”

“Sometimes the kids would follow us to the bathroom so we’d be like, ‘Seriously, ta,’” Hyde said.

Bambara does not have commands like in English, so Beirne and Hyde were not being rude telling the children to leave.

Mali, located in the northwestern portion of the African continent, is home to approximately 14 million people, of whom 90 percent are Muslim.

Hyde said the call to morning prayers woke them up sometimes, and when they were in the capital city Bamako, speakers projected the sound of Another chapter in “Boi’s Story” chanting in Arabic at the five times for prayer each Mali is listed as one of the 10 poorest nations. day.

According to Neblock-Beirne, the average income is Mali’s literacy rate is 26 percent, and the about $2000 a year. majority of the “There’s no way to population make their explain the poverty,” living as farmers, often Neblock-Beirne said. growing cotton or Because of this, few We like to get involved in the commupeanuts. people can afford health nity in other ways like in the schools and One night, Beirne care. villages. We want to provide them with and Hyde sat down to “In the capital city something sustainable. speak with a couple they have hospitals that of peanut farmers, have advanced state of Tammy Neblock-Beirne learning how to make the art types of care,” Medical Missions volunteer tea.

Neblock-Beirne said.

“We were asking “They are all allowed to them about peanut have access to that care farmers and life in but have to have some general,” Beirne said. “All of sudden they asked, ‘Are means to pay for it.” you married? What are the steps to marry one of In 2008, Neblock-Beirne met a young boy named you?’ We were like, ‘What?’ We explained to them Boi (pronounced Boo-waa) with a large tumor on his that you had to date first.” face. Understanding the complex surgery he needed, Hyde explained that, to the men, approaching she brought him back to the United States with her a man for a conversation appeared forward. Then to have his tumor removed. again, asking for their hands in marriage was According to Neblock-Beirne, because of the forward to the STA and Notre Dame de Sion students health care system in Mali, many Malians still practice voodoo to cure their illnesses. on the trip, but not uncommon in Mali.

“With Boi, when we first met his family, they had One day while in the village, a man approached spent all of their money, which was $200, on some one of the Sion seniors and asked her, “How do we black magic trying to get rid of his tumor,” Neblockmarry you?”

Beirne said.

Confused, they explained to him that in America Boi’s surgeons at the KU Medical Center people date each other before marriage, leaving him operated on his tumor and facial reconstruction for confused.

23 hours April 16, 2008. Boi remained in Kansas Both Beirne and Hyde incited the love of a couple City recovering, meeting weatherman Gary Lezak, of Malians. riding the Boomerang at World’s of Fun and visiting When she was working in the hospital, Hyde

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LIST OF HEALTH TERMS

Medical Missions volunteers who went on the trip to Mali

patients in the medical clinic in Mali

days performing surgeries in Mali on the Medical Missions trip compiled by CARA MCCLAIN

compiled by CARA MCCLAIN • thyroid: A large ductless gland in the neck that secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism • goiter: A swelling of the neck resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland • hysterectomy: A surgical operation to remove all or part of the uterus • hernia: A condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it source: WebMD

without distinction schools, until July of 2008.

Neblock-Beirne, her friend Ms. Abigal Hayo and other contributors compiled a book chronicling Boi’s surgery and recovery called “Boi’s Story.” With photos and daily descriptions of Boi’s activities, this book comprehensively covers his three-month journey.

Since that initial summer, Boi has traveled back to Kansas City to stay with Beirne’s family during the summers. This time around, Beirne stayed in Boi’s village of Daganbougou to see what his life is like when he is not with them.

Neblock-Beirne said one of the main reasons she continues to travel to Mali is because of Boi. “We’ve fallen in love with him and bring him back every year,” she said.

Leaving Mali

Beirne and Hyde had become accustomed to assisting people daily and felt the satisfaction of serving others. They were accustomed to performing any task assigned to them in the clinic.

They were accustomed to having a different child holding onto every one of their fingers. They were accustomed to the ring of red dirt around their ankles and hands, no matter how much Purell they used. They were even accustomed to sleeping, swathed in mosquito netting, on the dirt floor of their hut.

Once back in Kansas City, both Beirne and Hyde longed to return to Mali.

As she lay on her bed, in her room four times larger than the huts she saw families living in, Hyde cried herself to sleep.

“I don’t care that it’s a dirt floor,” Hyde said. “I wanted to be back [in Mali]. I would have given anything at that moment to be back.”

When she returned to school, she found herself impatient with other girls and herself.

“Just hearing girls complaining about little things, it’s just like now the experiences in Africa are still in the back of my mind,” Hyde said. “Every time I’m about to complain that there’s no toilet paper or soap that smells bad in the bathroom I’m just like, ‘There are people that have so much less than I do.’”

Beirne experienced a similarly difficult readjustment upon returning to school.

“Everyday that I was [in Mali,] we did something productive,” Beirne said. “Now when I’m back at school, I feel like I could be doing something so much better with my time. Everyone asks me [about Mali], and I’m like, ‘It’s amazing and I would go back tomorrow.’ I would live there if I could.”

Hyde said they made a pact to return to Mali next year.

“We’ll meet in Paris for a day for a coffee and a croissant, and then we’ll go to Bamako,” Hyde said. “I think we’ll keep [the promise].”

Beirne now understands why her mother loves traveling to Mali. “[Mali is] such a big part of me now that if I hadn’t gone, I would be totally different,” Beirne said.

“It’s something I want to keep doing.”H

LEARN MORE ABOUT MEDICAL MISSIONS

Scan the QR code below to visit the Medical Mission Foundation’s website to contribute.

6 | main ed | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | February 9, 2012

by Mary Grace Maschler guest cartoonist

Donate feminine products, change lives Believe it or not, there are women, some even the male teachers are prepared to help.

But what if every time you got your period, you even in our own community, that do not have were unprepared and never got the supplies access to feminine hygiene products.

According to UNICEF’s sanitation you needed? What if you had to use your child’s initiatives in select African countries, some dirty diaper instead of a pad or tampon? women are so poor There are some women in the world that they must that feel like that clean their feminine The staff editorial represents the hygiene products every single month, and not just women and reuse them. views of the Dart editorial board: in Africa. There are While we have access to clean tampons women in India, 7 out of 7 editors voted in support Haiti and even here and pads, some unfortunate women in Kansas City who of this editorial simply cannot afford must use cloths and feminine hygiene newspapers.

According to products or do not have access to them whatsoever.

UNICEF, one in ten girls in some African countries do not attend school on a monthly These women don’t have the time, money or means of transportation to get feminine basis because of the lack of sanitation. If they hygiene products. We subconsciously believe had the kinds of products that we do, they would be much safer, happier and healthier. that these products are a right, but clean feminine hygiene products are actually a Getting any type of feminine hygiene product is easy at a school full of girls— privilege; a privilege too many women do not have.

RIGHT ON

TARGET Each issue, the Dart asks three people their opinions of the issue discussed in the main editorial.

Here’s what they said: compiled by KATIE McCOMBS

Now is the time for each one of us to think about the women who do not have access like we do and give to the CSJ camp-sponsored feminine hygiene drive to aid them.

Take a moment. Consider what your life would be like without supplies. Consider what an impact one box of pads or tampons can make on a woman’s life. Women around the world feel helpless and unclean every time they get their period. Luckily, with your help, we can begin to change that. If you would not want to suffer through a period without supplies, why should any other woman?

There is still a week left of the feminine hygiene drive, and we encourage every student to give at least one box of tampons or pads. Nobody understands the struggles of the menstrual cycle like a girl, and we need to help our fellow women.

Use the $5 you have been saving for JoJo’s to buy a box of tampons for a woman who has never had any. It takes just a few minutes at CVS to make one woman’s life that much easier and healthier. H

WHY WOMEN NEED HELP The Dart compiled the top five reasons women in the KC area need feminine hygiene products compiled by LUCIA MASCHLER 1. Often when impoverished women are on their periods and do not have the necessary supplies, they skip school or work.

2. Homemade solutions (newspaper, rags, dirty diapers, old clothes, etc.) are often not absorbent or sanitary.

3. These women often lack the necessary undergarments to be comfortable or to hold the hygiene product in place.

4. Some women do not have access to water facilities at work or school to clean themselves.

5. Some places have no toilet facilities at work or school, or the facilities are dangerous. source: www.donatepads.org

How can STA girls help impoverished women in the Kansas City community get necessary feminine hygiene products?

“Women who don’t have the proper materials for their periods often don’t have the proper undergarments as well, so students should think about donating those items, like underwear.”

“It would be nice if we could donate medication such as Midol. Having cramps can be very painful, and I can’t imagine how it would feel to not have painkillers.”

“Girls could organize a fundraiser and use the money they raise to purchase feminine hygiene items and donate them to a battered women’s shelter.”

Alice Green junior

Marina Vianello sophomore

Vianello

Marianna Messerli senior

Green

Messerli

Februrary 9, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | opinion | 7

Go with the flow: benefits of a period

KC community’s voice matters

by SHAEFFER SMITH ssmith@dartnewsonline.com

by CHELSEA BIRCHMIER cbirchmier@dartnewsonline.com

Shark Week. Mother Nature’s Revenge. The Painters Are In. Aunt Flow. Communists in the Funhouse. Little Miss Strawberry. That Time of the Month. Whatever you call it, every girl gets it: our period. Our moms tell us to track our cycle (whatever that means) and keep tampons in our cars and purses. Frankly, getting your period once a month is an unwelcome pain in the tartan plaid skirt. However, we often overlook the very few things that are really great about our periods.

First, due to the raging hormones in our bodies for that one week, we crave comfort food.

What is a better excuse to eat three Swiss Rolls and a bag of popcorn than “I’m on my period”? We can eat guilt free knowing “My body needs this, it’s my time of the month.”

On your period, you always feel tired. Usually, this would be a bad thing, but if you could harness this iron deficiency, you could catch up on that necessary sleep. There is no better feeling than laying in your bed and just being able to fall asleep.

If you have had your period, you know that your emotional state is close to a psychotic breakdown. A good laugh and a good cry both cleanse the soul, so there is no shame in breaking down in tears! Everyone needs a good cry here and there, and being on your period is the perfect way to get out all of your emotions. Thank you, Mother Nature, for giving us a natural vent session.

Cramps. UGH. The best part about them is that you get to lay in the sick room for a while. Second best part is that since you’re so full of painkillers, you feel absolutely invincible! Did your arm hurt?

Not anymore. Leg? Forget it! Ibuprofen has your back.

The best part of having your period is bloating!

Okay, wait, that didn’t come out right. The best part about having your period is the week after when you’re NOT bloated anymore! The five days your water weight stuck around were nervewracking for you: you were scared you were getting fat. It happens to us all. But a few days later, you’ll look at yourself in the mirror and admire how slim you are. Hello, ego boost! Once all that water weight is gone, you’re in tip-top-justthe-way-you-were-before-your-period condition!

The whole biological purpose of getting your period once a month is to get your little ovarian eggs movin’ around in your body, letting you know you are physically capable of having babies. This may seem like a total waste of time (and blood) as a teenager, seeing as our priorities are not starting a family, but isn’t it kind of cool to know that you are able to have children? Just think, your body is pretty much telling you “You are a woman and you will one day reproduce beautiful children who will be baby models and on ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos.’” It’s quite an honor, really.

We often overlook the benefits of our periods. If you think about all the amazing things you can do while on you’re period, there is no reason to dread it! But, still, there is no denying the best part about your period: is being done with it. H

When I attended the emergency meeting for the Kansas City Public Schools district Jan. 19, I half-expected to see a room full of angry parents shouting complaints “Parks and Recreation” style to a disorganized group of Board members sitting at the front of the room.

To my surprise, I found a cooperative, organized group of parents, teachers and community members working together to form a plan to help the failing district.

The District Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from schools in the district, presided over the meeting, which began with a presentation and ended in questions and suggestions. Leaders discussed possible methods of governance for the district and included examples of districts similar to Kansas City’s that had working governance structures.

The committee had previously completed various surveys asking community members what they wanted to see happen in the district. Based on

The final say Have a happy period.

those surveys, they presented a plan, which they continuously update as they receive more feedback, representing the views of the community.

The plan includes a grassroots governing structure, in which most of the power lies in the community. The current elected school board would remain but share collaborative leadership with teachers, principals, parents and students. They also emphasized the importance of stakeholder ownership, parent engagement and especially student achievement.

Recently, though, Missouri senator Jane Cunningham proposed a bill that would dissolve the district within six months and allow neighboring districts to decide what to do with the schools. Her plan also includes giving students governmentfunded scholarships that would allow them to attend private schools.

Parts of Cunningham’s plan make sense. Offering government vouchers to students in the district would allow hard-working, qualified students to afford private schools like STA; that way, no student would lose the right to a good education simply because he or she couldn’t afford it. For this reason, Mr. Dan Peters, superintendent for Catholic schools in the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese, backs Cunningham’s proposed bill.

On the other hand, dissolving the district seems like it should be a last resort instead of the immediate measure Cunningham wants it to be. Currently, the district has two years before the state takes over, but this bill would take effect immediately.

The problem I see with this option is that it does not address the root causes of the district’s failure; Missouri’s commissioner of education Chris Nicastro

put it best at the December Board meeting: “It’s hard to imagine a viable metropolitan community without a school district,” she said. “While many of the children might well be served in neighboring districts, the challenges associated with educating the urban core--poverty, socio-economic factors, family dysfunction and so forth—will not be addressed simply by dispersing the children.”

But even if I did fully support the bill, what about the Kansas City citizens who don’t? The major problem with this solution is that the community has no say. What happens is the district affects the entire city, including those of us in surrounding schools.

At the emergency district meeting, I got an idea of what the Kansas City community wants, and Cunningham’s bill does not reflect that. Maybe the people will change their minds, but right now they seem to have a different plan for the future of the district.

The Kansas City community cares about its schools, and more importantly, about its children.

The people of Kansas City are working just as hard as legislators to find a way to fix the district—the state needs to give them the vote they deserve before they pass a bill dissolving the district. H For more information on this topic, see page 2 “Kansas City school district loses accreditation.”

The final say The Kansas City community deserves a say in the future of the school district.

It’s okay to be single on Valentine’s Day What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day?

by ADRIANNA OHMES aohmes@dartnewsonline.com It’s coming...

The dreaded day...

VALENTINE’S DAY. Now you may ask why I hate this holiday so much.

The simple reason is that I’m always single. All I ever see this time of year is happy couples who are holding hands or kissing a little too passionately. And in all honesty, it makes me feel inadequate that I don’t have a boyfriend.

Teenage girls sometimes go a little overboard with the whole being “in a relationship” thing around this time of year. Couples will start “dating” after only hanging out once even though they barely know each other. Just because you have 100 mutual friends on Facebook doesn’t mean you two are compatible.

I would appreciate it tremendously if couples stopped acting like Valentine’s Day was the most important day of the year. It is just another day. Your whole relationship should not be based on the events that happen in one day.

Rushing into a relationship just for Valentine’s Day isn’t the best thing to do, but I understand that it sometimes happens. Society places tons of weight on teenage girl’s shoulders to be in a serious relationship.

On TV shows, there’s always dramatic teen couples that are so hopelessly in love, but that’s not real life. That’s note even anywhere close to real life. Therefore, girls should not be expected to treat their boyfriends as if they’re their “everything”. And Valentine’s Day shouldn’t change how single girls act around guys at all.

1

61%

2

The Dart surveyed 308 students, and this was their response:

18%

3

1. I don’t mind it, it’s just another day.

21%

A girl does not need a man to meet the worlds’ approval. As we are taught at STA, being independent and unique is what empowers women to be themselves and change the world. We don’t have to fit into the mold that society says we should fill, we can be our own people. And this is nothing against the girls that have boyfriends, but just remember, you don’t have to treat him like he’s your everything. You’re still young, and you can still be your own person.

While I can’t stand Valentine’s Day because I feel everything is too candy coated and artificial, there are other girls, like sophomore Christi Backer, who really like Valentine’s Day. She believes that it’s the one day that you can be really cheesy about the person you like, and it’s not considered weird.

But Backer doesn’t mind being single on the Feb. 14 because she doesn’t like being tied down. She also believes that some couples take it too far.

“It’s annoying when they take it so seriously,”

2. It’s a stupid holiday. It’s a cheesy concept created by card companies to make money.

3. I love it! It’s one of my favorite holidays. compiled by: Lucia Maschler and Anna Leach Backer said. “[Valentine’s Day] is not supposed to be serious.”

I won’t be taking Valentine’s Day too serious because I’ll probably end up celebrating on my couch with a box of chocolates watching “The Notebook”. But while I sit and mope around just the tiniest bit, a lot of single girls go out with their friends.

“Most people think it’s a day you have to spend with one person,” Backer said. “But I think it’s a day you can celebrate not being tied down. You realize you’re open to everyone’s love.”

Whether you’re with your friends or by yourself, it’s okay to spend Valentine’s Day without a significant other. H

The final say Being single on Valentine’s Day isn’t always a bad thing.

8 | centerspread | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | February 9, 2012

February 9, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | centerspread | 9

we’re all girls here, so let’s talk about our

PERIODS

PERIODS

Every STA student will have their period during high school, yet many are uncomfortable about showing it

STA community provides local women in need with feminine hygiene products, and use the opportunity to consider their own attitudes

by KATE ROHR krohr@dartnewsonline.com It was period four as freshman Sinead McGonagle set her backpack and netbook down in Ms. Sirridge’s classroom. Students filled the room when she realized that she needed to go to the bathroom.

Putting her body between her backpack and the rest of the class, she quickly grabbed a pad from one of the backpack’s innermost pockets and stuffed it up her sleeve. She turned around and rushed out, breathing a little sigh of relief once she got into the bathroom.

No one saw.

This secrecy about periods occurs daily among STA students. Many students take complicated/ intricate/extensive/choreographed measures to ensure that no one knows when they are on their period; but these students are not alone.

According to a 2003 survey by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, 43 percent of women “feel they have to make adjustments to their lives when they have their period.” And those “adjustments” come with some embarrassment.

Along with McGonagle, freshmen Gretchen Dudley, Quinn Kernell and Gina Ptacek all acknowledge that they have hidden their feminine hygiene products at STA. “It’s embarrassing, I guess, to be on your time of the month,”

How do you feel about your period?

63 students felt annoyed 14 students felt indifferent 7 students felt proud 7 students felt disgusted 3 students felt embarrassed 3 students felt happy indifferent

Who do you tell when you are on your period?

54 students tell their close friends 27 students tell their parents 22 students tell nobody 19 students tell all girls 13 students tell nobody

disgusted

40 students used their sleeve 34 students used their pocket 9 students used their skirt 8 students used their boot 7 students used their sports bra

It’s that time of the year

EL

LE

RS

Where do you most commonly hide your pad or tampon?

McGonagle said.

“There are [male teachers], so it could be awkward if a guy saw you walking down the hall with a pad in your hand,” Kernell added.

Theology teacher and feminine hygiene products drive leader Betsy Hansbrough explains students’ reactions to their periods as a “cultural embarrassment.”

“I would say there’s just an embarrassment about it as a young girl that you lose as you get older,” Hansbrough said. “There’s an embarrassment probably about even letting your father and brothers know about having your period.”

Hansbrough believes this embarrassment comes from far-reaching historical and even Biblical roots.

“If you look at the Scriptures, a woman who was having her period had to separate herself from the culture,” Hansbrough said. “There were very specific rules. [Women on their period] were dirty.”

While she believes that this mentality about menstruation has broken down over the generations, Hansbrough believes that a less extreme and better version exists today.

“I think there’s a certain modesty about your body that you want to maintain and a certain privacy,” Hansbrough said. “You don’t want to embarrass other people. Other people might not be at the level that you’re at, especially 15 or 16-year-old boys.”

However, history teacher Craig Whitney keeps pads and tampons in the closet in his classroom for students to use freely. When asked why he felt comfortable doing this, Whitney laughed.

“I just never really think about it,” Whitney said.

“It just seems like another part of life.”

Whitney acquired the products last year when an organization donated many of them to STA, and they were left at the front desk. He took some back to his room and let his advisory

ph

ot

os

by

I ER

N

S

CSJ campers hold sixth annual pad, tampon drive to promote dignity of abused Metro women in need

by CHRISTINA BARTON cbarton@dartnewsonline.com

annoyed

proud

Source: survey of 92 STA students

embarrassed happy

The annual tampon drive began Jan. 30 and continues through Feb. 13. According to theology teacher and drive leader Betsy Hansbrough, the drive is held during Catholic Schools week to remember to be of service to our dear neighbor. “[We hold the drive during Catholic Schools week] to remind us that we really are service-oriented,” Hansbrough said.

According to Hansbrough, the drive has been held for about six years. The drive, run by the CSJ campers, began after they visited the Sheffield Place, a long term shelter for women who have been domestically abused. Megan Tallman, who used to work at Sheffield Place, told the campers that feminine hygiene products are not something that abused women buy.

“[The campers] decided that would be a terrific dignity of women project,” Hansbrough said.

According to junior and CSJ camper Ellie Nachbor, who is leading the drive, the feminine hygiene products went to domestic abuse shelters in the Kansas City area and places associated with Catholic Charities.

According to Hansbrough, the first year they had the drive, they collected 18,000 feminine hygiene items.

Although the campers almost gave up the drive last year after having a bad drive the year before, the number of items they collected encouraged them to continue the drive. Last year, the items went to five different shelters.

According to Hansbrough, this drive is important for students to promote the dignity of women.

“It never occurs to us that there would be people who couldn’t go to work or school because of lack of supplies,” Hansbrough said. “It’s a sort of thing that a girl’s school understands the importance of having feminine hygiene products and the indiginity of not having them.” H

know that they were there.

“I get where teenagers would likely feel awkward,” Whitney said. “I think that’s probably the reason why I have told [the advisory] that you just help yourself. You pick the moment in time when you want to raid the closet, and just help yourself. It’s kind of like going to the bathroom. You don’t need to make a big production. It’s a natural human function.”

Whitney feels that students should not worry so much about what others think.

“You don’t need to be secretive about it, necessarily,” Whitney said. “If you’re comfortable with it, then I think that’s alright, that’s enough. You shouldn’t worry about it. I wouldn’t get too concerned about how anybody else feels about it.”

While students admit to hiding their feminine hygiene products when going to the bathroom, they talk about it openly among each other.

“The day I shadowed, someone asked me for a tampon,” Ptacek said. “I feel like it’s not as big of a deal than at grade school.”

“People are a lot more open about it here than grade school was,” Dudley added. “In grade school I like wouldn’t talk about it. I would talk about it with my best friend, but then I didn’t talk about it to anyone else. And now when I’m on my period, I’m like ‘I am on my period. Leave me alone.’”

“I actually remember you saying that,” Ptacek responded.

“I feel like everyone talks about it here,” McGonagle said. “It’s not just a few people that are weird because they talk about it.”

“If I’m in Blessen’s class, I’ll just be like ‘Does anybody have a tampon?’” Kernell said.

“Everyone goes through it, and I think we make it out to be more than it is,” McGonagle said. “Embrace the period.”H

10 | sports | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | February 9, 2012

POWER

PLAYER

Basketball team tries to find stability

Every issue, the Dart highlights an exceptional athletic achievement accomplished by an STA student

by LANE MAGUIRE

Maggie Rellihan varsity basketball

What: Rellihan was awarded All-Tournament Team at the Penn Valley Tournament.

When: December Where: Penn Valley Community College Why: All-Tournament Team is awarded to players who show a high level of performance. Rellihan was given the award for being the high-scorer on her team for most of the games in the tournament.

How: Rellihan said that she was not initially aware of the recognition.

“My uncle said that he was at the finals of one of the games and they announced it at the end,” Rellihan said.

According to Rellihan, her coach announced her recognition as AllTournament to the rest of the basketball team before practice the following week.

“It was kind of awkward because the team kind of just sat there,” Rellihan said.

However, Rellihan said her team was happy for her, and she accredits much of her success in the tournament to her team.

“I was kind of shocked that I got [the award],” Rellihan said. “I would have never expected that. I would give a lot of kudos to my team because they are the ones that help me score, and they work just as hard as I do.”

What her teammates say: “MJ really deserved this award,” varsity player Megan Lankford said. “She had a great tournament, and most everything she shot went in. I am pretty sure she was our lead scorer the whole tournament.”

Fellow varsity player and senior Megan Lewis agrees. “[Maggie] is always working hard to help the team be successful,” Lewis said. photo by ERIN SELLERS

eyes on the prize H STA’s new varsity basketball coach Chance Stephen is athletic director Mark Hough’s hope at finding the right fit for St. Teresa’s basketball program. photo by SHAEFFER SMITH

After another coaching change, this year’s varsity basketball team works to improve, find stability

by EMILY BRESETTE ebresette@dartnewsonline.com

STA athletic director Mark Hough believes the varsity basketball team is on the road to becoming a better team, despite having four head coaches in the past three years. With a record of 11-10, Hough has watched the team play to one of their best starts in the last five years.

Over the past five years, the basketball team has a record of 51-74, in addition to being lead by six coaches in nine years.

According to Hough, the team has been playing better under the direction of first-year head coach Chance Stephen, particularly at the free throw line. Hough has seen players become more aggressive and dive for more loose balls. The team is winning their games by more points and losing by less points than last season.

The Dart attempted to contact Coach Stephen for comment but did not receive answers.

According to Hough, each coach has resigned for his or her own reasons.

“When personal issues come up [the coaches] just resign,” Hough said. “They just hand me a letter of resignation. They don’t put reasons in there, they just resign. I would hate to speak on their behalf.”

Hough said that last year’s assistant coach Dianna Krull was poised to take over the program, until her daughter, who was a freshman at STA during 2010-2011, decided to transfer to a public school on the other side of town. After former head coach Doug Nelson resigned mid-season, Krull took over the team for the remainder of the games. Krull then interviewed for the head coach position, along with Stephen.

Krull was selected as the head coach with

Stephen as her assistant. However, Krull knew she would not coach at STA after her daughter graduated, recognizing Stephen would become her successor. Contrary to her original plan, Krull informed Hough in early October that she would not be able to coach due to her other childrens’ schedules. As a result, Stephen took over the team just three weeks before the season started.

Because Krull coached only half a season, Hough considers Krull an interim coach.

According to senior varsity basketball player Megan Lewis, the coaching changes have helped the team improve their win-loss record.

“I think it’s just that [previous coaches’] style of coaching hasn’t really worked in the past few years,” Lewis said. “Our winning record has shown that, and I really feel the athletic department is just trying to get it where the basketball team is successful again like it was a long time ago­.”

Lewis believes Coach Stephen has played a major role in the team’s improvement.

“He definitely pushes us more than other coaches have,” Lewis said. “Before, if we did something wrong, we wouldn’t work on it. ­Now, we go back and fix [our mistakes].”

Hough agrees with Lewis.

“I think [Coach Stephen] really does a good job of coaching the girls he has here,” Hough said. “[Coach Stephen] came in and worked with the talent he had. I think it’s a combination of the girls playing harder [and Stephen’s coaching].”

This combination has shown in the team’s record. At this time last year, the team was 4-13.

The team is also winning their games by a margin of 15.08 points and losing by a margin of 9.4 points, in comparison to last season when the team had a winning margin of 12.4 points and a losing margin of 24.6 points. They have also played seven games within six points and had one overtime game and one double-overtime game.

Although Hough said that the team has improved, it can still be hard to have so many different coaching changes. “[The players] have to get used to different

coaching styles,” Hough said. “They have to learn what different coaches are demanding, what kind of philosophies they have, what kind of offenses and defenses they run.”

While Lewis agrees with Hough, she believes the team is accustomed to a new coach almost every year.

“Since we’ve had four coaches in four years, I feel like we’re kind of used to [changing coaches],” Lewis said.

Despite all the changes, Hough said his priority is finding the best coach for STA. “My number one goal is finding the right fit for St. Teresa’s Academy,” Hough said. “I look for coaches that will help provide a positive experience through athletics for the students.” H

COACHING CHANGES:

Below is a record of coaching changes and the basketball team’s records for the past seven years

by EMILY BRESETTE 2004-2005: 4-22: coach Rich Wilson 2005-2006: 10-17: coach Rich Wilson 2006-2007: 11-13: coach Rich Wilson 2007-2008: 14-13: coach Jamie Collins 2008-2009: 7-19: coach Jamie Collins 2009-2010: 10-16: coach Doug Nelson 2010-2011: 9-16: coaches Doug Nelson and Dianna Krull 2011-2012: 11-10: coach Chance Stephen

source: Mark Hough athletic director

AMS

by ROWAN O’BRIEN-WILLI sonline.com ew artn s@d laim robrienwil

Senior Alex Radtke sits down to dinner, a plate of vegetables and chicken in front of her. In preparation for spring break in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Radtke has been trying to eat healthier at meals. This new lifestyle is Radtke’s pliet.

“Pliet” is a new term frequently heard in the halls of STA. Girls combine the words “Playa” and “diet,” thus creating the word “pliet.” Playa refers to Playa del Carmen, a popular spring break destination in Mexico for STA seniors. Diet refers to the diets that girls go on in order to look fit at the beach. For some girls, looking fit at the beach is synonymous with looking good in swimsuits. Many girls are concerned about their looks, not just during spring break, but other times as well. For this reason, some girls are planning to continue their diets even after spring break passes.

There are 129 girls in the senior class. Of 60 senior girls polled, 23 are currently on a short term diet for spring break, 32 are not on a short term diet and 4 are on a short term diet, but not for spring break.

STA guidance counselor Amanda Johnson said dieting, especially pliets, is about a lifestyle choice.

“I think the thing is that if you’re dieting for a specific purpose it’s most likely not gonna be something that’s gonna last,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on a pliet.

It’s about a lifestyle choice. You have to choose different ways of eating otherwise [your diet is] not gonna matter.”

For girls who want to look fit in a bikini, Children’s Mercy Hospital nutritionist Lindsey Vaughn recommends an overall healthy diet. Vaughn cautions against completely cutting certain food groups, such as carbs out of your diet.

“If you want to lose weight, skip junk food, fast food and sugary drinks like regular soda,” Vaughn said. “I would not recommend skipping meals especially breakfast or cutting out a food group like carbs.”

According to science teacher Mary Montag, cutting carbs totally out of your diet can cause malnutrition which manifests in many different ways. Every cell in the human body consists of fats, carbs and proteins and if you cut any of those in an extreme way from your diet you create an imbalance in the body.

Radtke said her “pliet” is about eating healthy. She wants to be active and feel good about herself, partly so she will feel good about herself in Playa. She says she plans to continue her healthy eating habits into college.

“If I want some chocolate, I’m gonna eat some

Slim fast

eak r tropical Spring Br fo es di bo e ar ep pr o Seniors diet, de Carmen , Mexic a ay Pl as ch su , locations

February 9, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | health | 11

chocolate but I’m not gonna go overboard and eat three candy bars,” Radtke said.

Radtke said she wanted to change some things about her body that she is not totally satisfied with when going to Playa.

“I don’t like certain thing about myself and I know I can do things to change it,” Radtke said. “Like I have really athletic The Dart sent out a poll to the legs and I want them to be toned. Looking good is feeling comfortable with how I look. I know I’m never gonna be stick senior class to find out how thin. I’m confident with myself and that’s good for me.” many girls are on a Pliet However, Radtke also notices girls at STA who diet in unhealthy fashions in preparation for Playa.

by ROWAN O’BRIEN WILLIAMS “I have seen some girls try the whole not eating thing for their diet and it is bad,” Radtke said. “You can tell they the number of seniors who do not look healthy and they always complain about how participated in this spring hungry they are.” break dieting poll Senior Trish Smith is also on a diet for spring break at Playa. Smith started this diet at the beginning of January. She uses a juicer to juice fruits and vegetables for dinner. During a typical day, Smith eats egg whites with the number of seniors that say they cheese and vegetables for breakfast, a veggie burger with are on a short term diet, but not for almonds, string cheese and a banana for lunch and for a spring break snack hummus with carrots or almonds and yogurt or peanut butter.

“I’m mainly doing this diet because, let’s be honest, I’m the number of seniors polled going to be in my swimsuit all day,” Smith said. “I went into that are currently on a short [my diet] thinking that I just wanted to do it before Playa, term diet for spring break but basically I’ve just been eating a lot healthier, so I think I’ll just try to eat the same after Playa but I won’t stress about [my diet] as much.”

Smith feels like the many dieters within the senior class the total number of girls encourage each other to stick to their diets. that are in the senior “I think everyone just wants to feel comfortable walking class of 2012 around in a swimsuit for a whole week,” Smith said. “But there are a lot of girls on pliets, so it kind of makes it a little easier if you’re working as a group.”

Vaughn warns that dieting short term, such as dieting for the number of seniors polled Playa, will not have the long-term effect of maintaining weight that are not on any form of a loss. short term diet “If you cut out calories for short term, a week or two, you may lose a few pounds but you will likely gain it back when you start eating like you normally do,” Vaughn said. “If you [diet] once you will not likely have long term effects, but if you fast for weeks at a time then go back to eating it can have very bad effects on your health.” H

BY THE NUMBERS:

60 4 23 129 32

c by

hi grap

HEALTHY

HABITS Each issue, the Dart provides suggestions for changes in daily habits to increase the well-being of the mind, body and soul.

by MICKEY REDLINGSHAFER

ILKS

ICA D

-JESS SARA

MIND

BODY

SOUL

According to collegeboard.com, group study improves students’ understandings in course material. In group study students benefit from sharing ideas, also talking aloud and listening to others talk helps students remember information for tests.

According to senior Ariana Goode, group study is the best way to prepare for tests.

“I like studying with people,” Goode said. “ [It is helpful] because you can test each other and studying [alone] can get boring.”

According to WebMD, daily exercise, like walking or running, helps your immune system fight off both small infections like the common cold, and more serious diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer.

Substitute teacher Ed Chronister strongly believes in the power of exercise. Chronister has experienced heart issues and ever since has exercised daily to stay healthy.

“I walk five days a week and I walk about thirty minutes each day to try to stay in some kind of condition,” Chronister said. “ I also lift weights and I have done that for 25 years since I have had a heart attack.”

According to an article in the Camera, a newspaper in Boulder, Colorado, silence brings good thoughts to the soul. Silence and meditation can help someone connect with their inner wisdom and can lower stress.

Religion teacher Robin Good enjoys silence to relax and think.

“Simply being quiet turning everything off [is a good thing to do to better your soul],” Good said. “[It takes] 15 to 30 minutes minimum to bring calmness to my world, that is pretty crazy. Silence rejuvenates my soul and my world.”

12 | A&E | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | February 9, 2012

Most influential women of 2011 STA students and teachers voted for the most influential woman at STA of this past year. They nominated 25 different women for the honor. The Dart sat down with four of the top vote-getting women to talk about these results.

by NATALIE FITTS nfitts@dartnewsonline.com

Ms. Tyler Stewart Speech teacher 1st year at STA

Reason for nomination: ability to help students come out of their shells Reason for choosing job: “I’m a feminist. I really want to encourage the young women at St. Teresa’s to have the strongest and most competitive voice that they can. I have a deep love for all of my students, and I just want them to be incredible.”

Teaching method “I’m really hard on myself as a teacher. I’m constantly focusing on the things I need to do better. I don’t ever really give myself a break, so when I have students coming in saying ‘thank you,’ it’s a really wonderful feeling.”

Future goals: “I hope we can have a liaison with UMKC speech and debate. I want to build a super strong debate program. I want to have an awesome

speech contest that has a scholarship attached to it so that the winner of the contest can get money to go to school.”

Quote from sophomore Abby Dearth: “She is her own person. Her teaching style is really different and sometimes confusing, but it challenges you to think in a different way and see people around you with a new perspective. She has so much insight about basically everything and she is so easy to talk to.” H

Ms. Kim Sirridge

Ms. Nan Bone

Math teacher

President

1st year at STA

Reason for nomination: sense of humor and encouraging outlook Reason for teaching: “I’m really sensitive to being the type of person that I would want to have as a teacher since I’m so close to being a student. I’ve been a high school student in the last 15 years, so I know what affects me when I’m interacting with teachers.”

Teaching method: “I just do what comes naturally to me. As I go along, I realize things I can do better. I get input from other people on things I can do better.”

Favorite aspect of STA: “So many people do so many things so well here. I don’t just know a student in my class. I also know that she’s on the soccer team and in the Praise Band. I know [my students] as wellrounded individuals.”

Quote from sophomore Mattie O’Boyle: “[Ms.

5th year at STA

Sirridge] teaches her math classes in a way in which we can relate to and have fun. Usually when I think of any math class, I automatically have a bad attitude about it. I have dreaded [math] all through grade school and even into my freshman year here at STA. When I got to Ms. Sirridge’s class this year, I knew my attitude would be different. I actually look forward to geometry now.” H

Ms. Jo Weller Math teacher 12th year at STA

Reason for nomination: dedication to math and students Reason for teaching: “Someone once told me that if you’re going to be doing something for the rest of your life, it needs to be something you love. When I really thought about it, what I really love is math and teaching math.”

Teaching method: “I really try to break math down into parts that all of my students can understand. My job is to make math manageable. I try to be able to explain things in multiple ways because I don’t think one method works for every student out there.”

Hope for students: “One thing I wish is that my students have a bit more confidence. I think that the students here at St. Teresa’s just have such amazing abilities, and I don’t think they’re quite aware of that sometimes. I want them to have the confidence level to try something, even if it’s not in their comfort zone .“

Favorite aspect of STA: “The students. I think there are a lot of great qualities about STA, but it’s the students that make me sign that contract every year.”

Quote from senior Grace Crowe: “Coming into [Ms. Weller’s] class sophomore year, I knew I was good at math and liked it, but by the end I knew that I really loved the subject. This year I have learned that I want to spend my career in math, as well. She has shown me that it is okay to like math and given me an example of how to put that love to good use.” H

photos by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

Reason for nomination: spearheading construction of the of the Windmoor Center and the athletic field Reaction toward nomination: “I’m just one person on a wonderful team that helped us create such an awesome campus. Even though I’m getting this award, it should really go to the board members and all the people that had that same vision [of the building of the chapel]. I’m just so excited. This will be my favorite award I’ve ever received.”

Ideas for projects: “It came about through some strategic planning. From all the surveys and interviews [of teachers, parents, students and alumnae], we received feedback that we needed to increase the technology. At the same time, we wanted a larger space for worship. It was kind of a little dream that kept growing.”

Students’ influence: “The students here really model that ‘can do’ attitude. We can figure it out.

We’re St. Teresa’s Academy. Because of that, we just focused on raising money and making it happen.”

Overall effect of chapel: “I think we’ll be overwhelmed with the possibilities, but that’s a good thing. [The new buildings] say to the greater community that we are the premiere allgirls high school in the Kansas City area. We have history, wonderfully gifted and caring young women and great educators. Now we have the beautiful facilities to match that.”

Quote from executive director of development Mary Beth Compton: “Ms. Bone dedicates herself to the pursuit of excellence on behalf of the students of STA. She has the vision and courage to take on projects that will benefit the students and the school, and in doing so carries on the legacy of our founders and sponsors, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. This year in particular Ms. Bone’s influence can be very clearly seen in the opening of the Windmoor Center and the new track and field facility.” H

February 9, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | A&E | 13

Boyfriend MAKE: mixed CD WHy: This shows just how much you know each other. It’s clear you put time and thought into it, and it is a personalized and unique gift. The CD doesn’t have to be mushy love songs like James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is,” but can be made of songs you both like or that are inside jokes between the two of you. t Go the extra mile: get concert tickets to go along with one of the songs on the CD, like Head and the Heart tickets (March 4, Granada Theater, $15) or Drake tickets (March 1, Sprint Center, $38.75 - $78.75) Don’t GET: a $15 gift card to Target. This shows little to no effort and looks like you grabbed it while you were waiting in the check out line with your mom the day before Valentine’s Day.

Mom

Crush

Buy: small cosmetic bag from Vera Bradley, $22 WHy: This shows you actually went out of the house to buy your mom a gift. It’s affordable, and it’s something she can use longer than a box of chocolate. Whether she uses it at home or on vacation, it’s another way she will think of you and remember how much you love her. t

SET UP: a group date and invite your crush to a movie like “The Vow” or “This Means War,” $10/ticket.

WHy: This may not be a big gift, but personally texting to ask your crush to the movie shows your interest in him. A group setting will help avoid any awkwardness and relieve any pressure to “make a move.” t

Go the extra mile: buy your mom her favorite type of lip gloss or nail polish and place it in the bag.

Don’t GET: chocolate. This looks like you grabbed a box on your way out of Target with a store bought Hallmark card. Make your gift more personalized with a homemade card and a thoughtful gift. She won’t complain that you made her gain weight from a big box of chocolate, and you won’t be tempted to steal any of the gift you gave to her.

Dad Buy: Father of the Bride $10, Target WHy: Kaboose.com says this is the number one movie to watch with your dad. He’ll love Steve Martin, you’ll love a good rom-com, and it might even be a tear jerker when thinking about walking down the aisle. Schedule a night that you will watch the movie with him. It’s a nice way to set up some bonding. t

Go the extra mile: offer to share a bag of popcorn with him, because then you’re obligated to sit by each other, and therefore obligated to touch each other’s hand when reaching into the bag.

Don’t GET: a teddy bear. This may come off as too aggressive or serious, and you aren’t at that stage yet.

Plus, he’s probably too embarrassed to have a cute little teddy bear sitting in his room from a girl he can’t even tell his mom is his girlfriend.

Go the extra mile: wrap up a bag of popcorn and his favorite box of candy to share.

Don’t GET: golf balls. Sure, you may be thinking about a hobby of his and it seems personal, but it’s not a gift you can enjoy with him. That may sound selfish, but your dad would probably rather receive the gift of time with you than wearing tacky plaid pants on a golf course alone all day.

Friend Buy: MAC ‘haute & naughty lash’ mascara, $18, MAC stores WHy: If your friend is always borrowing your mascara when you get ready for a night out together, splurge on Valentine’s Day and show her just how much you care by buying this mascara.

She won’t borrow your mascara any longer, and it shows you took your friend’s needs into account. t Go the extra mile: get her tweezers, an eye lash curler, eyeliner or other cosmetic materials.

Don’t GET: a cheap “BFF” necklace from a place like Claire’s. You’re not exchanging gifts on the playground in kindergarten anymore, so your gift shouldn’t be childish either. This could be taken as a tacky, cheap, last-minute gift and doesn’t necessarily even apply to your unique friendship.

VAL EN T I N E’ S DAY N

ot sure what to buy that special someone for Valentine’s Day? Whether it’s your long-term boyfriend or your best friend, here are some suggestions for the perfect gift to spread your love. If you’re feeling even more loving this year (or have a little bit more cash in your pocket, too) then take our advice and “go the extra mile,” just make sure to avoid some stereotypical, unpersonalized gifts. Remember, Feb. 14 is only five days away! compiled by HANNAH WOLF

Th ird wh

14 | lifestyles | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | February 9, 2012

TWINS AT STA Whereas Frannie and Ed attend different schools, several other sets of twins both attend STA

So p sha hom r sha ing ore t rin , bu win gf tw by rie he s are ew EMIL n ds, n it use em Y W ho E thi com d to ff@ MHO ng da FF r s g es to tne Fra It’s a ws et n o t n y nli at tric ne STA ie an pica .co ha ky ng and d Ed l Frid m T i

Cla Ac re ha c frie ordi ve k ng W ay R h nd ng t now jok ey w out ockh ilkin nigh a n o n d s es atch wit urs son t fo the Cla and h Clar each an ht tH .T rf t re h d y r h an e, th ot h Th i e a g e C g s e s t h g ee he ai er la t Cla ey o to sam gro e S Alexis and Christine Jenkin, juniors al u ch win nal yo re ha each d the out e two r sin r e t u m ve y h ver gir ce be e Mit so sh he sa mov p of f ool re s, sop twin Ali and Gabi Lukens, juniors o i t sd st fr ls be y ch ig h av ie ri ar m s s h Emily and Elizabeth Taylor, sophomores wi atin ht ex en d er a l e go week are v eshm gir frien ell, F e ST e pla s, he ends pecti omo th gy As ot ar tte vel res a l p a e d e r t c f t h a e r n e i a Ed the ey ou Ann and Leigh Campbell, freshmen ien ct ng mo n a d. ry g n ye y nd nni oph s. sam sha , are Ed e as om Fra “Wit and r bes awkw for s re n lot Both ood ar.

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C r nce ,” A rem bo nni eac nd ela .” lar ea ou ea t E e s n t e h J h e ge d t i i ,” n me m w m agr talk ons o pro eve ll go h s he the av as b b a e e e h e e i o r lps tin r s d ble yt e d a ip, e w l r d o i . h d ’ e i ith g n ve s fr t a me “Co ow it,” m, hin frie ou tha bou eac ew s th ien litt tim mi t Cla the g, s nd dif t it t l t n d e s e “ h e o f p he re nI g i I s , w s g e c t e o .” i a d w u i u f as asi a c rls o t the opl p l i Ac said ’ll ta the nd w t n er hal wi age be hin r’s e b s h r com cor . lk t be l c to e is e e tal di cau enge h a gir whe ause k Ed frien ecaus ave a , Fra ve k con som ng to l n d h se , bu e n s h r s a n , ” a t e m . e s nie a he the t Ji t s s a o y c dvan na est to twin cien y ab cau Fran m sa st bo pent bett an tag nce ou tim er pro s vie tifica nie id. y s e h e t s h an u i ser by w o a w n e v m s n r f go an a de es e s er d io ted with derst r i her id s ut sai us r tabl ocia ating ican no them and ho “I’m f you broth he do d s ela ish l do as . t i w h no h n e e h i bro he j tion ing mi- a a g s r ng jus t a ave , b kn e sh th th us to t a yo of the t mo can d llow a tw ut sh ow do u sai er to t wa ip. F e firs m r e e i i a e n wi nger r di r t d n sti ore a t frie aw te m to . th ll b wh t do be ha s her nnie k p d F n i int ran d i wa ne, ate eli eop es o p r eve le bo has a n’t m py an da erest nie a s dat d for ” Fra his f s d beyfr n t d a r i i n g i n n n ien ati ien irlf tter g m d E g t the com ng. i e ng d h s r F b d d s a i e es ran om T sai eir oys id. , bu is f e s b n d Jim heir irst. nd or “ i t i n a “Ed ck ie s ts ste f th I th so t w h p e an m r h a a a e i f . r n c ” s r r a i y Wi d A en kn k it’ eem t he ome om d sh a re e ha ts lk n ow s all barr has s bac his “a e enj sult ve be the inson n tha a b o o in e k l s f e y o ir k se n t , s Cla go an ne s t ed en pl e be ing ids a the Now od fu and doin d I ju time easin re an enty g ” ba g,” o s for com s no two that n.” sic Fra t gig with Ed a d Ed f ta all nn gle Cla fter kn t kno have the t wi ble y i ow wn do e s and re w th he b . esn aid n a eco ins double trouble H STA sophomore Clare Mitchell, from left, Rockhurst High School sophomore Ed Wilkinson rel the ’t a . “H ask h I w “In g at No s “the me m go t a nsw e i im o and STA sophomore Frannie Wilkinson joke around while hanging out Jan. 27. photo by ALLISON FITTS tio go as us rade tre D twin ore diff er, s so n o bu the dne ed to scho ame s” an inde erent shi t it p. ’s ha y wo ss, yo hav ol, it de Si y lon pend high da wit wan alon dat tog spe Fra cau ve en uld u g ing wa on tin h F e F eth nd nn se “Be g s g t c e s t t h low r, a . T we ran er g b ra ie a h u s t s t a e o y a o o h u a frie Acco t, an tom s are che ard er s th hey ols, be Ann oth o nnie. date ll wi nie, , if a muc nd E e a r fo sc b th nd rdi d I’ ati me sa h h F d f E cal twin s bei r me hool y wer re s e ng m eti id s them rann d, sh Ed,” e ha oy w time W n s m v l . a d t e ng y ! he e g e i b o e o e h Jim be nts .” nd he n lo ’” F e li F yo gu nce ad sai tter to wi s, th n the if Ed rann wn ve u rann ke, ‘O cause y f unde b d p l s rie sai ett g l al ey an ie, . A ie s h m nd rstan d i er . “If a et d a tw s ers t w s w ds t’s g “W ays dmi ins h Clar he a on.” STA aid. y t a li et al girl n , I d “Th he how e a e e the ng d ’ n l b o l ng t j C on en tle ng alw oy y s ou rea lar oin diff ’t e k l t o e a i a ke t m ys u g t icu be ch ot etim oget p. will r o a lt i he clo her e n a t ca e ma r s se, ll-g n in ” E ’s com bicke on th irls ds e r p , w aid any but e .H . the eky

300

WORDS Modeled after Brady Dennis’s original 300 words, this series captures people and moments in 300 words: no more, no less

by KATIE HYDE

Gone was the home Katy’s father had grown up in. Gone were the videos of Katy and her brother John’s first steps. Gone was the dining room table where the family celebrated countless birthdays.

As her home of eight years went up in flames, sophomore Katy Wonder watched barefoot on the cold grass across the street.

Three weeks after the fire, Katy now lives in a rental house that smells “like old people,” with walls so thin she hears every sound and furniture so monotonous it’s identical in every room.

The night of the fire, while her uncle was repairing the family’s Cadillac, the engine backfired, immediately igniting the insulation in the

garage.

Katy was half asleep in her room when she heard her father’s screams to call 911. She sprinted downstairs and grabbed two of her dogs.

As she found her dad, Wonder she noticed the thick, black smoke pouring into the family room.

By the time Katy, her dad, uncle, brother and two friends had sprinted outside, half of her house was up in flames. In less than an hour, the garage, kitchen, family room, living room and her brother’s room were destroyed.

eel ?

Katy’s mother, Michele, was driving home when she saw the smoke. She immediately knew it was her home. Cars full of curious gawkers and emergency vehicles blocked the entrance to the neighborhood, so she parked her car in the middle of State Line Road, got out and sprinted.

After discovering her family was safe, Michele’s knees buckled as she looked at her destroyed home.

After the flames had died and the firemen had left, Katy slowly walked toward what was left of her home. She fell, exhausted and angry, and grieved. She began to pray.

That was the moment things started to get a little better.

February 9, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | in the mix | 15

Have a question you didn’t get to ask Abby Wambach? Share it with us using this QR code at dartnewsonline.com.

THE FIRST

TIME I...

by HANNAH WOLF hwolf@dartnewsonline.com

giving a handH Soccer player and two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach doles out high fives after speaking at STA Feb. 3 in the Goppert Center. Wambach visited to honor junior Frankie Neunuebel, the winner of the Youth Sportsgirl Award from the Greater Kansas City Sports Association. photo by ERIN SELLERS

MY LIFE

SUCKS

Over Christmas break, I was ice skating at Crown Center and fell backwards and hit my head really hard. I went to the emergency room in an ambulance and was diagnosed with a grade three concussion because I lost consciousCorless ness about three or four times. It has been seven weeks since the accident, and I’m still having fairly constant headaches. I probably won’t be able to run track. My life sucks.

— Molly Corless, sophomore

MY LIFE

ROCKS

I went to The Fray concert in December and made it up to the front row. The lead singer Isaac Slade jumped into the crowd right in front of me, so I hugged him and put my ring in his pocket. At the end of the concert he Nagle ripped the set list off the stage, winked, then handed it to me. My life rocks.

—Lauren Nagle, sophomore compiled by MARY O’LEARY

DAYS OF OUR

THAT’S WHAT SHE

The Dart created a countdown to some of the most anticipated upcoming days of school

The Dart prowled Facebook for the most catchy and intriguing statuses on the social network

LIVES compiled by SARA MEURER

Exactly 3 days until the Father-Daughter Dance.

Approximately 4 days until the next late start.

A speedy 15 days until the end of third quarter.

About 30 days until spring break.

66 days until Mother-

Daughter Luncheon.

Approximately 70 days until senior prom.

Roughly 78 day until Student Productions.

And only 108 days until summer.

SAID compiled by NATALIE FITTS

The first time I got sent to the principal’s office, I was in eighth grade and had just received my first detention.

I was shaking the whole two minutes it took to walk down stairs and around the corner. I was in tears when I opened the door to Ms. Nickel’s office. I thought the world was about to end, that I wouldn’t be allowed to graduate, that I would forever be known as the horrible, trouble-making, eighth-grade girl.

See, our eighth-grade English classroom also functioned as a seventh-grade religion classroom.

I found out that I sat in the same desk as a seventh grade boy named Seth, and I wasn’t hesitant to start up a conversation with him.

My crime: using pencil to write on top of the wooden desk.

I’d wait until my teacher wasn’t looking and quickly write a casual “hey what’s up?” When he sat in the same uncomfortable green chair. Later, he would erase it and reply. We got away with it a few times, but then my English teacher noticed some writing on the desk and blamed me.

She wrote me up a detention for defacing school property. She lectured me for ten minutes on how disrespectful I was and finally sent me downstairs to the principal’s office.

I thought it would just get worse with the principal. I thought she would furiously yell at me, call me a vandal and reduce me to hysterical tears.

But like everyone says, the principal is your “pal.” At least that’s how I learned to spell the word. Ms. Nickel wasn’t mad. She never raised her voice or called me any names, she just explained how my actions weren’t “Christ-like” and how I could better use my “Christskills.” Crisis avoided.

Fast forward to junior year. I got a Moodle message from Ms. McCormick saying that she wanted to see me in her office. Okay, this was a lot more serious than writing on a desk. People only got called to the principal’s office in high school for big problems. I was freaking out. Was my AP literature grade really that bad? Did she think I plagiarized one of my papers? Was I about to get a level three SBR and be expelled from STA? I walked to the left when I entered Donnelly that day so I didn’t have to pass by her office. I considered pretending that I didn’t even get her Moodle message.

But I figured she would track me down somehow, even if it meant calling my name over the announcements during class time. So I decided to face my fears and go into her office.

My hands were shaking, and I couldn’t stop messing with the watch I had on. I couldn’t look Ms. McCormick in the eye, and when I went to speak, nothing came out. I had never been so nervous.

She handed me a copy of a Moodle message conversation I had with Brie Sandridge sophomore year. Now keep in mind, we didn’t even have netbooks then. Brie had asked where I was, and I had responded, “In the ceiling of the third floor Donnelly bathroom.”

Ms. McCormick told me how much of a safety liability it was to be in the ceiling and how dangerous it was to be climbing around. She told me that she had a maintenance man go up to that bathroom with a ladder and check the ceiling. She was confused how I had managed to get in the ceiling.

For one thing, that ceiling is made of cement.

Seriously, go check. For another thing, I would have had to be on a desktop computer up in the ceiling for that to even make sense.

I finally convinced Ms. McCormick that it was all a joke, and I left her office SBR-free and laughing. As for now, I hope I never have to go to back for anything serious. Because I can’t even begin to explain how nervous I was the first time I got sent to the principal’s office. H

16 | last look | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | February 9, 2012

STA’s annual Frosh Fest began with the chalk drawing contest and Big Sister lunch in the quad Aug. 30,with advisory skits the following day in the Goppert Center. The winning skits included the Dolan Chapel and The Dibble “Pretty Little Liars. “

2.

advisories’

rivalries

1.

Sounds of tennis shoes hitting a rubber ball, shouts of students and cheers of advisors echoed throughout the Goppert Center Jan. 20 as two advisories battled for a win. Girls yelled at their advisees as balls were caught, kicked and thrown. This year, the physical education department started a new tradition: advisory kickball. After the competition began between rival advisories, PE teacher Stacie O’Rear scheduled a tournament. Throughout the year advisories will battle for the title of “Kickball Champions.”

1. lend a hand H Literature teacher Stephen Himes helps senior Madison Phillips to her feet after pegging her in the legs with a kickball, causing her to skid across the gym floor.

2. cheer squad H Sophomore Meredith Latenser, from left, and juniors Caitlin Fletcher and Peyton Gajan cheer on the Egner advisory during the advisory kickball game.

3. power kick H Sophomore Erin Farmer kicks the ball pitched by history teacher Mike Egner at the Himes vs. Egner advisory kickball game.

4. got the giggles H Egner advisee Sydney Hunter, left, shares a laugh with freshman Abby Haake from the Himes advisory as she recovers from a wipeout Jan. 20. The Egner and Himes advisories competed against each other during the advisory kickball tournament.

5. team captain H Advisor Stephen Himes catches a ball in his advisory’s game against history teacher Mike Egner’s advisory. The Egner advisory beat the Himes’ advisory. photos by ROSIE HUTCHISON

5.

4.

3.