Dart Volume 71 Issue 7

ue 7 H 8 February 2012

morality

H iss

love

STDs

l u m e7 1

abstinence

parents

vo

information

responsibility

health class

chastity

sex ed the dart

family planning

teens

school

marriage

the talk

cad em yH

birth control

ere t. t

Hs

the Church sa ’s a

the birds and the bees As the freshmen finished their studies on women’s health, the Dart decided to evaluate the two main sources of sex education for STA students: school and parents.

See pages 8-9

2 | news | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | March 8, 2012

DART

people and policies

Health care bill causes controversy

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 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 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. 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. 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

obamacare H U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the crowd as he visits the University of Miami on Feb. 23, in Coral Gables, Florida. (Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/ MCT) photo submitted by MCT CAMPUS

Due to protest from conservatives Insurance companies, non religious institutions will pay for contraceptives

by KATIE PARKINSON kparkinsonf@dartnewsonline.com After protest from religious institutions, the Obama administration changed its policy requiring employers to include free contraceptive health care. These changes were part of President Barack Obama’s comprehensive health care reform passed in 2009, commonly called ObamaCare.

Under the changed policy, insurance companies, not the institutions themselves, would be required to offer contraceptive coverage for free.

The original decision requiring free contraceptive care, announced last month, angered many in the Catholic community. They were upset that religious institutions were required to pay for contraception, which violated their beliefs.

According to sophomore Beth Mitchell, because the Church is a private institution, it should be able to do what it wants within reason as long as it supports itself.

“I don’t agree with the way the administration is going about [the issue],” Mitchell said. “I do believe every insurance plan should have the option to make contraception available, but that you cannot force employers to buy this extra privilege.”

The backlash from conservatives, including the Catholic community was so great the Obama administration decided to change its rule.

In an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program, White House adviser David Axelrod said, “We certainly don’t want to abridge anyone’s religious freedoms, so we’re going to look for a way to move forward that both provides women with the preventative care that they need and respects the perogatives of religious institutions.”

Among the contraceptives covered, the policy includes free access to the Plan B pill, birth control pills and coverage of sterilization procedures for women,

according to The New York Times.

“I think [Obama] could have fought more strenuously for the contraception model,” speech and debate teacher Tyler Stewart said. “This is a case of standing up for women’s rights. [The United States] in a sense represents the voice of the world, all those many hundreds and thousands of women that don’t have a voice. [Obama] represents how far we’ve come, and he owes it to those women who don’t have a voice.”

As part of the original plan, the administration agreed to give church-affiliated organizations until Aug. 1, 2013 to comply with the policy, rather than the Aug. 1, 2012 deadline for all other institutions.

Despite the extended deadline, once the policy was to become part of ObamaCare, Catholics and other conservatives protested. Archbishop of Kansas City, Kan., Joseph Naumann, wrote in a letter to The Kansas City Star, “Unless this rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to either violate our consciences or drop health care coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so).”

Other Catholic leaders agree.

“This shouldn’t happen in a land where free exercise of religion rank first in the Bill of Rights,” said president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy Dolan in a video posted on their website.

Many other Catholics agreed, and 147 bishops in the nation’s 195 dioceses wrote personal letters on religious freedom, according to The New York Times.

However, after the administration rescinded its initial policy, some were still upset.

In a statement on its website, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said the compromise was unacceptable because it still required Catholics to violate their consciences. They said they would fight for a way to ensure that employees of Catholic institutions were able to receive free contraceptives without direct involvement or financing from the institutions themselves.

Currently, employees at STA are not provided with free contraceptives as part of their health care plans, according to an email from STA’s insurance broker Polly Thomas of CBIZ.

“It’s tricky for all institutions because when you employ a large group of people, many of them can be Catholic,” president Nan Bone said. “Many of [STA’s] staff and faculty is Catholic, so we’d have to look at our individual policy.”

According to Thomas, as of Jan. 1, 2013, STA’s insurance plans must include these services: • Annual well-women care visits, including preconception and prenatal care • Gestational diabetes screening for certain high-risk pregnant women • DNA test screening every 3 years, beginning at age 30 • Annual counseling for sexually transmitted infections • Annual counseling and screening for human immune-deficiency virus • Coverage for prescribed FDA-approved contraceptive methods and sterilization procedures Since not everyone at STA is Catholic, there are different viewpoints on the controversy.

Sophomore Anja Browning agrees with the Obama administration’s stance that contraceptives should be offered under health care for free either by the insurance companies or the institutions themselves.

“Basically all the Obama administration is trying to do is just say that insurance should pay for contraceptives, not force people to use them,” Browning said. “Everyone should be given the opportunity to use [contraceptives]. If they don’t want to, then they shouldn’t worry about it. But it’s extremely important that women have access to contraceptives because they can protect from STDs, unwanted pregnancies, etc. Everyone should have that chance.”

Despite all the controversy, according to the New York Times, studies have shown that 98 percent of Catholic women have used contraception at some time in their lives.

“I think in the future [Catholic institutions] will have to get over it and say ‘We are willing to let [free contraception] be provided by the insurance companies,” Browning said. H

March 8, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | news | 3

Candidates chosen for GOP nominations With the Republican National Convention approaching in August and state primaries being held, the Dart reviews the four main candidates.

by EMILY MCCANN emccann@dartnewsonline.com

Rick Santorum: Background: Santorum is a former US Senator from Pennsylvania. He is also considered a rising star in the Republican party and is a favorite among social conservatives. He has a very conservative voting records. His lack of recognition outside his region is considered a challenge for Santorum.

Abortion: Santorum says that abortion should be illegal even in cases of rape and incest and that he believes doctors who perform abortions should be prosecuted.

Taxes and Spending: Would cut corporate taxes in half and lock in place the current capital gains and dividends rates.

Immigration: Santorum believes the fence should be finished but does not support mass deportations.

Ron Paul

Background: Paul is a US Representative for the state of Texas. Paul is an established critic of American foreign and monetary policy. He is also widely known for his strong libertarian views. Although a strong presence

in the Tea Party movement, not all members

support Paul’s view on scaling back the

military.

Abortion: Paul opposes abortion but also says that only states should enforce anti abortion laws.

Taxes and Spending: Paul wants to get rid of income tax and the IRS and make drastic cuts in federal spending, especially military.

Immigration: Paul opposes a border fence but instead calls overseas troops to be employed patrolling the border.

Newt Gingrich:

Background: Former House Speaker from McLean, Va. Gingrich is known as favorite of the Tea Party movement and is known as one of the creative thinkers of the Republican Party. Ethics battles led to his resignation of the Speaker position in 1998. Some controversies surrounding Gingrich include his extramarital affair with his now wife and his

two divorces.

Abortion: Gingrich hopes to end financing for Planned Parenthood and signed the pledge ensuring key officials are anti abortion.

Taxes and Spending: Gingrich believes the Bush tax cuts should be permanent. He has also said the country should move towards an optional 15 percent flat tax.

Immigration: Gingrich wants the border controlled by the national guard but also says that he does not believe that we can just deport 11 million people.

Mitt Romney

Background: Romney is the former governor of Massachusetts and the son of the former governor of Michigan. He has a strong background as a businessman and uses that platform to promote himself as the most qualified candidate to restore the nation’s economy. Some are critical of his religion, Mormonism.

Conservatives are concerned by his moderate stance on gay rights and abortion.

Abortion: Supported abortion rights before becoming governor and refused to sign a pledge that would ensure key appointed federal officials were anti-abortion.

Taxes and Spending: Opposes the Fair Tax because it lowers taxes for lower and upper class and increases taxes for middle class. Romney also hopes to eliminate all taxes on capital gains, dividends and interest.

Immigration: Romney is against Rick Perry’s tuition cuts for illegal immigrants in Texas. He is also pro fence and says that we cannot give amnesty to illegal immigrants.

Photos submitted by MCT CAMPUS

St. Mary’s, O’Hara to merge into new school A new Catholic high school will open in Southeastern Jackson County in 2015. The school will combine students from Archbishop O’Hara and St. Mary’s

by LINDSEY VALDIVIEZ Journalism Student The Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph plans to open a new Catholic high school in Lee’s Summit in the fall of 2015. Currently operating schools Archbishop O’Hara High School in Kansas City and St. Mary’s High School in Independence will close in order for this eastern Jackson County high school to open.

Since the school will not be ready for use until the 2015-2016 school-year, it will not have an impact on students currently enrolled in St. Mary’s and O’Hara.

According to a statement made by Bishop Robert Finn on the Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools, schools within the diocese have closed from a decline in enrollment and financial struggles. For the same reasons, O’Hara and St. Mary’s will close.

“We looked at how population of the Kansas City Diocese was heading towards Lee’s Summit,” St. Mary’s principal Jeff Lynch said. “Lee’s Summit is a growing area and we thought it would be an ideal location.”

According to the Insider Letter, a newsletter distributed to those within the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph, 80 acres of land has been acquired bordering the Lee’s Summit Airport and Lee’s Summit Road that will be the site of the school.

“We have made an investment in our young people for their future and demonstrated our community’s commitment to the visible presence of our faith,” director of strategic planning Steve Hilliard wrote in the Insider.

In Lynch’s view, the new high school should accommodate the needs of the diocese by encouraging greater enrollment and providing opportunities for students.

“With the current enrollment number it would be about 500 students com-

school’s out H St. Mary’s High School wil combine with Arch Bishop O’Hara High School in 2015. photo by ADRIANNA OHMES ing together to attend the new school,” Lynch said. “We hope for another 100 [students] from the surrounding area.”

According to principal of academic affairs Barbara McCormick, the newness of the school could also make it more attractive to potential students. “[The school] will be more competitive with its new vibrant energy,” McCormick said. “But it is hard to predict whether our enrollment will decrease since our clients are really looking for a gender-based, faith-based education.”

In Lynch’s opinion, it will be sad when the older schools close, but the proposed school will have a positive affect on the community.

“In one aspect, being around since 1853, it will be sad to see the facilities close,” Lynch said. “But when you look at what attracts high school students, the new high school will be the best way to capture that audience.” H

State of the school address

President Nan Bone gave the State of the School Address March 7 at 8 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Joseph and Windmoor Center. The address was an opportunity for Bone to meet with parents and others to share the school’s strategic plan.

According to Bone, every four years the school board develops a new plan for the academic direction of STA. This year’s address focused on the changes at STA from now until the school’s 150th anniversary.

Although the address was mainly for the parents’ benefit, both teachers and students are welcome to come as well. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and make comments, according to Bone.

“The address is a way for me to get input,” Bone said. “Lots of times I hear, ‘I wish you would do this’ or ‘What about this idea?’”

According to Bone she started the annual State of the School Address three years ago so parents could have an opportunity to really know the school’s strategic plan, and so they could hear first hand what would be happening with their daughter’s education.

“I don’t think our parents get enough opportunities to really know STA’s plan,” Bone said. “[The address] is a way to communicate and be very open on the direction of the school.”

Coffee will be served, and attendants are encouraged to participate in the open forum discussion near the end.

In the past the school address has taken place in the Commons. However, with the Windmoor Center’s completion the address was moved to the new conference rooms.

The State of the School Address lasted for around two hours, depending on the number of questions and comments received.

Mother Evelyn O’Neil award

For the 2012 award, the STA administration decided to give a current student as well as an adult this distinguished honor in the STA community. Ms. Dorothy Curry and Ms. Sue Jarvis were the adult co-recipients.They were chosen to receive the award based on their service and dedication that laid the groundwork for Gordon Parks Elementary, a school that helps to provide services to at-risk youth to help them reach their full potential. For the student award, seven finalists were then chosen by the Mission Effectiveness Committee of the Board based on their applications. Sophomore Emma Allen was chosen to receive the student honor.

According to member of the board junior Holly Fielder, president Nan Bone and other members of the board saw that students do so much for others.

Fielder, a member of the Community Service Club and frequent Allen volunteer at the Kansas City Youth Court, was also a nominee for the award and spoke at the assembly about her service endeavors.

“I feel like it’s my responsibility to go forth and share what I have with others who don’t have those same opportunities,” Fielder said.

Allen is a mentor for the Urban Scholastic Center and volunteers about four hours each week. She has also visited eight countries for mission trips.

“I am more excited that because of [the honor] I can help get the word out about service agencies that I work with,”Allen said. “This process isn’t about me, but about the ministry that has given me the chance to be involved more in my community.”

Allen received $250 dollars to donate to the Urban Scholastic Center.

“Giving them this money is an amazing opportunity to thank them for all that they do in the lives of inner city students,” Allen said.

Complied by KATIE PARKINSON, EMILY WEMHOFF

4 | features | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | March 8, 2012

Family of actors STA students, teachers participate in local musical theather program, share their experiences with Musical Theater for Young People

by CHRISTINA BARTON cbarton@dartnewsonline.com

belt it out H MTYP performers, including sophomore Katherine Viviano, senior Mayme Marshall and sophomore Marina Vianello, perform in the show ‘Happy Days: the Musical’ in 2011.

The girls rehearsed for the show for 5 days, 12 hours a day over spring break last year. photo submitted by Marina Vianello “Be the Sun.” These words are heard in the musical “Free to Be You and Me,” a Musical Theater for Young People (MTYP) production.

It’s seen on the colorful shirts of the MTYP participants.

It’s in the back of the minds of the participants as they audition, rehearse and perform a musical in one week.

It’s a defining feature of MTYP and its mission.

According to sophomore and MTYP participant Katherine Viviano, the motto “Be the Sun” encourages the participants to be their own light for others.

“Once you do an MTYP show, you learn to be yourself and you don’t need to be anyone else in order for people to like you,” Viviano said. “Don’t depend on someone else’s light or someone else’s influence to make you you.”

Getting Involved

When MTYP director Cary Danielson-Pandzik moved to Kansas City from Wichita and wanted to start up MTYP in Kansas City, she did not know anybody in theater. According to STA dance teacher Andrea Skowronek, Danielson-Pandzik did not know any choreographers so she asked a friend of hers who was also in theater for a recommendation. The friend recommended Skowronek for the job.

“I got the job really just through recommendation and word of mouth,” Skowronek said. “But we hit it off because I love working with kids and so we started doing shows together every summer.”

Skowronek has been working with MTYP for 20 years now. Today, her daughter, sophomore Marina Vianello, also participates in MTYP shows. According to Vianello, she has been participating in MTYP shows since she was 7.

“I just started because [my mom] got to do it and I knew the director,” Vianello said.

Viviano also began performing with MTYP at a

young age.

“I started when I was 8 with day camp, which is the little kid show they do,” Viviano said. “I’ve done theater and dancing since I was like 2 and my mom was just looking around for theater programs to get involved with and [MTYP] was one of the first one’s and a couple of my friends were involved.”

Senior Mayme Marshall began performing 8 years ago after a friend she danced with introduced her to MTYP. Unlike Marshall, Vianello and Viviano, sophomore Christi Backer only began performing with MTYP last summer.

“My brother’s girlfriend did it, so he would do it,” Backer said. “Once he graduated, I decided to do it when I knew Marina and Katherine Viviano did it too.”

Non-Stop Musical

According to Marshall, the MTYP shows are unlike any high school shows due to their structure.

BY THE NUMBERS:

MTYP participants share the hours of dedication they have spent with the company

20 5

years STA dance teacher Andrea Skowronek has choreographed MTYP shows

days the MTYP participants rehearse for each show; rehearsals last for 12 hours each day

“When I do shows with MTYP, they are only a week,” Marshall said. “We usually start on a Sunday and then work through Friday. Then Saturday afternoon, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, we have performances, so basically a show is assembled in 5 days.”

According to Backer, auditioning for each season’s show differs.

“The summer shows, you go on a Sunday and you audition and you find out that night,” Backer explained.

According to Viviano, everyone is in a big room and each person goes on stage and sings in front of everyone for their audition. After the singing audition, there is a group dance audition and then callbacks for the main roles. While some people get really nervous, Viviano says she tries to remain calm and help calm down those who are nervous.

“We don’t judge people,” Viviano explained. “Some

11 17 12

shows sophomore Katherine Viviano has performed in with MTYP

shows sophomore Marina Vianello has performed in with MTYP

shows senior Mayme Marshall has performed in with MTYP compiled by CHRISTINA BARTON

people screw up so bad it’s not even funny, but no one remembers in the end.”

According to Viviano, the auditions for the annual winter and spring shows are prior to the rehearsal and performance week.

“Auditions are like a week or sometimes more before so then you have extra time to learn your lines, but the show is still put together in a week,” Viviano said. “You just go in and there are usually three or four [directors] and you give your song to the accompanist, they play it and you sing.”

Because the show is rehearsed and performed in a week, rehearsals are long. According to Viviano, rehearsals last from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. the week leading up to the show. The performers rehearse vocals from 9 a.m. to noon, have lunch and then begin blocking or acting out who’s going to go where on the stage and choreography.

According to Viviano, blocking and choreography practice lasts from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. for the first couple of days. After the first couple of days, they start running the show after dinner.

According to Skowronek, due to the long rehearsal hours, the performers have little down time.

“You only take a break when you are eating breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Skowronek explained.

“It’s very ‘go, go, go’ and there is no time to just sit in your room.”

According to Viviano, because the program is very intense, you have to be dedicated.

“You really have to be dedicated to it and that’s why the shows always come together because everyone really loves it and everyone’s determined to put out a really professional show,” Viviano said.

Preparing for the Show

While the performers only prepare during that week, as choreographer, Skowronek has to prepare the dances before the Broadway at Baker camp, a week-long residential drama camp during the

March 8, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | features | 5

Jump into actionH Sophomore Katherine Viviano, right, jumps in the air during a scene of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” This show was Viviano’s eleventh MTYP production. photo submitted by Katherine Viviano strike a pose H Sophomores Christi Backer, top, and Katherine Viviano, bottom, pose for a picture with senior Mayme Marshall before their performance of “Urinetown.” This show was Backer’s first MTYP show. photo submitted by Christi Backer

Splitting into character H Sophomore Katherine Viviano, bottom right, does the splits in a scene of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” The show was the annual winter production over Christmas break. photo submitted by Katherine Viviano summer.

“It usually takes me a good two weeks before the camp [to choreograph the show], because I look at videos of the show or maybe things that I have done before that might apply to kind of get ideas,” Skowronek explained. “I read through the script, I listen to the music over and over and take notes. Then it takes me a couple hours for each dance to go to the studio and dance things out.”

Although she plans out the dances ahead of time, Skowronek said some changes will be made.

“When I get there, I always have to change things depending on spacing and sometimes we’ll cut a page of music and dialogue and that will change it,” Skowronek said. “I just have to be open to changing things quickly so I don’t ever fully choreograph it until I am there, but I do have most of it planned out.”

Once at the camp, Skowronek must teach the dances to the performers. According to Skowronek, she must be organized in order to keep the performers busy and focused.

“Usually, we [practice] the big group numbers first and then save a duet small number for later in the week,” Skowronek said. “We don’t always do it in show order, but we usually start with Act 1, do the big Act 1 numbers and then do the big Act 2 numbers.”

When Skowronek is working with a smaller group of performers on a dance, the other performers will go work on costuming with the costume director, run lines or block scenes.

Love for Musical Theater

For both Backer and Viviano, MTYP has proved to be a close-knit group.

Backer likes the way the program is set up.

“I do kind of like the pace of the program, how it’s fast and going and moving,” Backer said. “Since you are with those people and working with them for long hours during the day, you just get close with everyone.”

smile for the camera H Sophomores Marina Vianello, from left, Katherine Viviano and Christi Backer pose for a photo before a performance of “Urinetown.” The show was a 2011 Broadway at Baker show. photo submitted by Christi Backer

According to Viviano, MTYP is a family environment that allows you to get closer to others.

“My closest friends that I think I will ever have have stemmed from MTYP and it’s so cool to have people from St. Teresa’s get more to join and then you just get that much closer to them,” Viviano said. “[Christi Backer and Marina Vianello and I] were acquaintances [before MTYP], but since MTYP and St. Teresa’s, we’ve become such good friends.”

According to Marshall, people who perform with MTYP are different from people who perform in high school shows. Marshall believes MTYP increases one’s passion for musical theater differently than high school musical theater does.

“A lot of people that do musical theater are passionate about it, but there is a difference between school musical theater and outside of school musical theater,” Marshall said. “The people in school, some are like ‘oh I’ll do it because I’m bored and I don’t really have anything else to do,’ but with MTYP, everyone is passionate about it, so it makes you personally more passionate about it and just makes you love it even more because everyone around you

All About MTYP:

According to their website, “Musical Theater for Young People is the Midwest’s premiere professional training program for students in grades 2 through 12.” MTYP originally began in Wichita in 1984 by Cary Danielson-Pandzik, then moved to Kansas City in 1991. Each show is auditioned, cast, rehearsed and performed in a week. MTYP has multiple shows every year: the annual winter show, the annual spring break show, Broadway at Baker, the senior show, middle school camps and day camps. compiled by CHRISTINA BARTON

loves it.”

Musical Theater Future

While Vianello says she will probably not go into musical theater as a profession, performing with MTYP has changed her views about being onstage.

“Musical theater has made me like being on stage more,” Vianello said.

Like Vianello, Backer does not plan on going into musical theater, but still enjoys performing.

“I like to sing, so [MTYP] is a channel for that,” Backer explained.

Unlike Backer and Vianello, both Viviano and Marshall plan on going into musical theater after high school.

According to Viviano, MTYP is great at preparing you in musical theater.

“It’s literally Broadway in Kansas City,” Viviano said. “It trains you so well if musical theater is something you want to go into.”

According to Marshall, because she is going into musical theater as her career, she needs a program that will prepare for what’s to come. Marshall agrees that MTYP does a good job preparing you for professional musical theater and any challenges that might come with that.

“In the professional world, sometimes you are stuck putting a show on in three days,” Marshall explained. “I feel like MTYP really prepares you to learn how to learn a show that quickly and to be able to get that organized and assemble everything in a short amount of time. It’s definitely really helpful for the real world of musical theater outside of high school.”

Marshall attributes her love for musical theater to her work with MTYP. “I don’t know if I would have the same love for musical theater that I have today if I didn’t have MTYP or was never involved with MTYP,” Marshall said. H

Favorite shows: MTYP participants share their favorite shows, characters from the company’s productions compiled by CHRISTINA BARTON Marina Vianello: “Once on This Island” “I was one of the younger kids in the group, so it was kind of like me and these other kids were the kids,” Vianello said. “The show was really cool and deep.”

Katherine Viviano: “Children of Eden” and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” “‘Children of Eden’ is a really powerful, deep, get into, emotional show and it was my first big, not day camp middle school show,” Viviano said. “Roy Lightner, who is a choreographer from New York and originally from Kansas City, came back to choreograph [‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’]. It was so good.”

Mayme Marshall: “Thoroughly Modern Millie” “I played a character named Muzzy Van Hossmere and I usually don’t play those kind of characters so it was nice to play a different role and take a different challenge,” Marshall said. “I am usually stuck to playing the ingénue, which is a young girl. I mean I look older, but I can still play like early 20s and Muzzy was like 50, so it was a big change. Her mannerisms and the way she handled herself was a lot different than a way a character I would normally play does.”

6 | main ed | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | March 8, 2012

by SARA-JESSICA DILKS

STA’s sex education missing key elements the forms of contraception besides vague According to STA’s mission statement, our school is committed to the education of young discussions about using condoms.

If STA is truly committed to preparing women—but only in theory when it comes to sexual education. young women for the STA’s philosophy real world, then our curriculum should (posted on the The staff editorial represents the school’s website provide in-depth information in our and elsewhere) views of the Dart editorial board: states that “women’s one and only health issues” and a “healthy course. Specifically, 6 out of 7 editors voted in support this course should lifestyle” are both “integral parts of a teach girls about of this editorial all forms of birth St. Teresa’s Academy control, not stopping education.” However, in terms of sexual with condoms. education, our school does not live up to this.

We should learn about different types of As freshmen, all students spend one quarter contraceptives, their side effects and how to talk to our parents about our sexual safety. learning about the menstrual cycle, the female Additionally, we should also learn and discuss anatomy and sexually transmitted diseases in health class. In this class, our sexual education the Catholic perspective on these new topics and sex in general. For example, we should at STA does not cover much information about learn about natural family planning, which the birth control. We have learned little about

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

Church advocates.

We have this gap in our otherwise comprehensive general education because STA must uphold and teach Catholic values.

The Church opposes sexual activity outside of marriage, which the use of birth control can facilitate. Birth control prevents conception, and Catholicism opposes all forms of contraception on principle.

We understand that STA is a Catholic institution and that the health class will be taught with a Catholic perspective. However, as young women, we simply need the facts. We need to learn about contraception as well as the Catholic-approved natural family planning.

Informing students of types of birth control is different than advocating sexual activity or the use of contraception.

Currently, our health class does not address the issue of contraception in depth, leaving students at a disadvantage. Ninety-eight percent of Catholic women have used some

form of birth control, according to a study from the National Survey of Family Growth.

According to that statistic, in all likelihood, most of us will use some form of birth control in our lives. If we are going to use it, we should know about it.

Some would argue parents should solely educate their children about sex. However, the more informative conversations young people engage in about sex, the more likely they are to bring up the otherwise intimidating topic of sex to their parents. The more we learn about sex, the better we can make educated and safe decisions.

STA should be realistic. On average, most teens have sex for the first time by 17, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Prepared with information about birth control options, teenagers can make healthy decisions about sex and their bodies.

Our sexual health is important, and we will make safe decisions if we are informed.

How could STA improve our sex education and provide more comprehensive information to students of every grade?

“STA could have a sex ed class every year to remind us about safety and stay protected.”

“[STA] could be more open to the topic and have counselors talk to us during class meetings.”

Claire Zahner freshman

“I think [STA has] done a good job with the quarter of [sex educaiton] freshman year. I felt informed.”

Emmi Shearman junior

Kim Fryer sophomore

Zahner

Fryer

Shearman

March 8, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | opinion | 7

Confessions of a teen sleep-talker

by CELIA O’FLAHERTY coflaherty@dartnewsonline.com Dear Mom, Madalyne Bird and all others who have fallen into the traps of my uncontrollable sleeping patterns, I’m sorry. I can’t help that I like to sleep. I can’t help that my body automatically begins to shut down an hour or so after dinner.

I’m sorry, Mom, for those six years of sleep-walking. Every night, I knocked on your door, dead asleep, and mumbled gibberish to you. I’m especially sorry for that one nightmare-filled night, when I showed up in your room asking if I could keep all of the knives. I have no recollection of this.

I’m sorry, Madalyne Bird, for so many things. I’m sorry for waking up in the middle of a five minute phone conversation, without any clue whom I was talking to or what about. I’m sorry it was 9 p.m. I’m sorry I kept telling you the next morning, “Trust me!

I don’t normally go to bed that early!” I was lying.

However, this sleeping pattern has not been a recent development. I was always the first one to fall asleep at grade school sleepovers. Even today I drift off hours before the rest of the party while my friends watch movies.

I guess one thing that I have learned from all of these embarrassing moments is that they could have been much, much more horrific had those people involved been cruel enough to take advantage of my strange sleeping habits.

Not once did my grade school friends put whipped cream on my hand and tickle my face so that I’d wake up to a mouth full of heavy desert topping, like I have seen in multiple movies. Not once did my mother video tape my unconscious ramblings and post it on YouTube (although I would have been okay with becoming a child video-star if it just didn’t mean ruining my reputation.)

So, Mom, thank you. Thank you for turning me around, night after night, and leading me back to my room—and especially for stopping me before I began rummaging through our kitchen drawers looking for sharp knives.

Thank you, Madalyne, for not rubbing that embarrassing moment in my face the next morning. Oh, and for humoring me as I tried to convince you that “I don’t normally go to bed that early.” I hope you believed me.

I’m sure I have plenty of other people I need to apologize to and thank, but it is nearing my bedtime (time stamp: 8:30 p.m.), so I would just like to apologize to everyone else I have contacted, affected or interacted with in any way while sleeping—even though I probably don’t remember it, I am very, very sorry.

Sweet dreams, Celia H

The final say I am sorry to all those I have unconsciously interacted with while sleeping.

These halls are made for walking

by ROWAN O’BRIEN-WILLIAMS robrienwilliams@dartnewsonline.com

Here’s the deal: the hallways at STA are too crammed. Hallways are passageways.

Unlike a classroom, which is meant for sitting, a hallway is meant for people in motion— for getting to class.

However, at STA, students not only walk through these hallways—they sleep, congregate, stall and, yes, even jump on each other in them. How can a student get to class on time if she has to navigate an obstacle course just to get there?

Multi-tasking is the key here. You want to talk with your friends, right? Well, do it while you walk. There’s no need to stop while chatting with someone. News flash: your legs and your mouth can work at the same time.

If you find it absolutely necessary to speak with someone, move to the side. It’s kind of like driving a car. You would never stop in the middle of the road to answer the phone, would you?

Adhere to hallway etiquette. If you’re going down the stairs, stay on the right side.

If you’re going up the stairs, stay on the right side as well. Don’t abruptly stop in the middle of the hallway to yell at your friend three flights down the stairs. There are people behind you who prefer not to face-plant into your backpack.

Remember where you are. The hallway is not your bedroom. It’s all right to lean on the walls of the hallway off to the side, but don’t sprawl out in the middle of the floor.

And while you’re at it, don’t block lockers and drinking fountains. People actually need to use those things during the school day. Go figure.

The hallway isn’t a jungle gym either.

Yeah, it may be fun to tackle your friends, but not one foot away from 20 other people. Your friend may think getting tackled is funny, but everyone else probably doesn’t.

Keep STA students happy. When I arrive to school around 7:30 am, sleep-deprived and cranky, I don’t like to not only have to climb three flights of stairs but also navigate through multiple bodies just to reach my

advisory. I also don’t like it when people who aren’t even in my advisory block the doorway from the hall so that I can’t get in.

People, pay attention to where you are in the mornings. If you’re blocking someone, don’t just stand there, MOVE. Yes, you’re tired, but so is everyone else.

Pay attention to what you’re doing and you’ll make the people around you that much happier.

It makes sense. De-congesting the hallways benefits all STA students. Think about it. We only have a five minute passing period. That time constraint doesn’t leave much wiggle room, or should I say talking room.

Getting to class on time makes students and teachers much more content. Students don’t have to sprint up countless flights of stairs because they’re late to class, and teachers can actually start class on time. And most girls want to keep their teachers as happy as possible.

So keep walking girls. We would all appreciate it. H

The final say Keep it moving, ladies.

Don’t judge my guilty pleasure shows What is your your favorite “guilty pleasure” TV show?

by KATE ROHR krohr@dartnewsonline.com I like “The Vampire Diaries.”

No, let me be honest—I love “The Vampire Diaries.”

For those of you who don’t know, “The Vampire Diaries” is a TV show, and yes, it’s about vampires. And yes, it is really, really good. I physically cannot stop watching it.

My nearly every thought revolves around watching more.

I sneak down to the basement late at night after the rest of my family has gone to sleep to watch more episodes without being interrupted. I hide the issue of Entertainment Weekly with “The Vampire Diaries” cover inside a New Yorker so I can read it without judgment during my breaks at work.

At this point, I’m not far from the craziness of those people on “My Strange Addiction.”

My immediate impulse upon telling people of my love is to defend it, saying “No, really, the only reason I watch it is because there are two really hot guys on it!” But that’s only partially the truth. I don’t just watch it for the fine-looking men; I am deeply invested in the story lines, and I gasp and scream when the plot gets even the slightest bit crazy.

But really, I shouldn’t have to defend one of my favorite TV shows. And neither should any of you. I completely admit that I am often one of those people who groans whenever someone mentions “Jersey Shore.”

And in the past, yes, I was totally judging you when you mentioned that you stayed up really late to watch “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” last night.

2

15%

1

45%

3

25%

4

The Dart surveyed 176 students, and this was their response: 1. Jersey Shore 2. American Idol

15%

And I know that when I jump on my friend to talk about that amazing episode of “Downton Abbey” that premiered Sunday, ‘nerd’ flashes in front of you like it’s on a billboard in Times Square.

Look, I’m not asking anyone to accept every TV show as good or even worthy of watching. “Jersey Shore” and I are just never going to have that kind of relationship. But if you love watching some incredibly stupid people do incredibly stupid things, go for it!

And while that last sentence would usually reek of sarcasm, I honestly mean it now! I promise I do.

Let’s just do away with this whole notion of a guilty pleasure—why should any of us feel guilty? Is it because your favorite show is not a sophisticated artistic expression of the human soul? Or because it seems like everyone on the same TV show is pregnant at the same time?

Or because you’re watching a period drama where people speak funny? Or because your parents enjoy your latest favorite show as much as you do?

3. Vampire Diaries 4. Secret Life of the American Teenager

Well, that embarrassment is just stupid.

We all just want to enjoy our TV in peace, so let’s make that possible. I know that the world would be a much better place if everyone would stop judging each other, period, but that’s a much larger issue.

Let’s just take it one step at a time. I know this change probably won’t happen overnight. I know this will take some real effort for some of us.

But, as most of us do on any given school night when a mound of homework sits beside us, waiting to be started, let’s take care of television first. H

The final say TV is one of the greatest joys in a high schooler’s life, so we should stop judging each other about our viewing choices.

8 | centerspread | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | March 8

Whose respons

As freshmen finish up their unit on women’s health, the Dart evaluates how students receive sex education

by HANNAH WOLF hwolf@dartnewsonline.com

BY THE NUMBERS:

by HANNAH WOLF

40 87

percent of teens say they have not had a single conversation about sex with their parents, according to “Theology of the Body.” percent of teens think that it would be easier to be abstinent if they could discuss the topic of sexuality with their parents, according to “Theology of the Body.”

T

year in health class.

Students learn about STDs, the female reproductive system and the female menstrual cycle. Because of the Catholic beliefs of the school, the teachers may feel restricted from teaching anything more.

In turn, girls must rely on other outlets to learn more, whether it be their friends, the media, or perhaps most importantly, their parents. At home, girls learn the values and morals their parents instill regarding topics of sex. Parents may set rules and standards while educating their daughters. At home, girls receive a more personalized approach to sex education.

In the end, who’s responsibility is it to educate STA girls?

wo weeks ago, at the end of the third quarter, the class of 2015 finished their studies on women’s health as part of the health course at STA. One hundred Health class and fifty two STA girls have completed, ending According to principal for academic affairs what may be for many of them their formal sex Barbara McCormick, a large percentage of sex education. education in the STA curriculum comes from the Within the Catholic community, there remains health class all freshmen are required to take. debate on whose responsibility it is to teach Here, McCormick said, the students talk about students about sex. As teens continue to face sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the tough decisions regarding sexual activity, where consequences that occur from sex. are they getting their information, and what are In fact, health teacher Stacie O’Rear said “sex they learning? education” is not a part of her health class.

Whether it’s in health class, on “Jersey Shore”, “I do not teach ‘sex education’,” O’Rear wrote in a Lil’ Wayne song, or from that awkward birdsin an email to the Dart. “My women’s health and-the-bees talk we may have had with our section contains information on a parents, we all learn about sex at some point. The woman’s reproductive Dart evaluated what Catholic experts believe are system and the two main sources of STA students sex education: school and parents.

At school, STA students receive sex education primarily their freshmen photos by Shaeffer Smith

the menstrual cycle.”

Freshman Amy O’Leary, a student of O’Rear’s health class, describes what sex education she has received at STA. “In health class we learn about STDs and how the female body works,” Amy said. “But we never really talk about anything besides STDs you can get and what can happen to you.”

With the current approach, Amy believes that STA is taking the necessary steps as a school.

“They are just telling us more about the effects and diseases of what could happen and allowing us to talk and make our own decisions on when we choose to have sex,” Amy said.

However, Amy’s mother, Lynn O’Leary, while admitting that she doesn’t fully know what her daughter has been taught regarding sex education at STA, questions if this is the best approach.

“By teaching someone about STDs, you’re not getting the full picture,” Lynn said. “That’s teaching fear, not love. It’s not teaching them the whole picture of what it truly means to give of yourself and to love the way God wants us to love.”

According to “Theology of the Body,” a Catholic book promoted as a parent’s guide for teens by Jason Evert, teenagers will not make decisions based on fear of STDs. “If teens can see the beauty of God’s plan for human love, they will desire it,” Evert writes.

March 8 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | centerspread | 9

sibility is sex education?

“They will not choose His ways out of fear of pregnancy or STDs, but rather because God’s plan for love is everything that the human heart longs for.”

Catholic beliefs

So why is STA taking this current approach to sex education?

One reason, according to O’Rear, is because STA is restricted by Catholic beliefs.

“This is a Catholic institution, and we teach in accordance with its teachings,” O’Rear wrote.

McCormick also said that teachers are not allowed to teach anything in disagreement with Catholic beliefs. The Dart also is governed by an editorial policy that limits opinions that contradict Catholic teachings.

“Their contract binds them to the social Catholic teachings,” McCormick said.

However, McCormick doesn’t believe this is a problem.

“It’s not that there is a problem of what we can teach and what we can’t teach,” McCormick said.

“I understand that health and wellness is very important, and we do a good job of having it woven into some classes.”

What more is there?

According to the Catechism, sexuality “concerns the capacity to love and to procreate, and in a more general way the aptitude for forming bonds of communion with others.”

Catholicism also holds steadfast views on chastity and abstinence before marriage. The Catechism states that “the chaste person maintains the integrity of the powers of life and love placed in him.”

And according to catholiceducation.org, Catholic sex education is primarily “education on chastity.”

Lynn believes that for teens to understand the “true purpose of chastity,” they need to be taught more than just abstinence, but about “formation of conscience” and “what love really means” as well in order to understand the “whole picture.”

“There could be so much more,” Lynn said, who also helps lead meditations in the Chapel every Tuesday and Thursday at STA. “It’s not what [the school] is doing is bad, there is just so much more they could be doing to complete the whole picture, to help our students understand.”

So how could STA go about teaching sex education more thoroughly?

“I think it is the responsibility of the Catholic schools to teach a more thorough program on sexuality and love and getting into materials like theology of the body,” Lynn said.

McCormick understands this concern.

“Is there always room for improvement?”

McCormick said. “Sure. But I think we have made good steps in the right direction.”

Lynn believes improvement here could benefit students.

“I think hearing [a more comprehensive] plan presented to them at school would be very

beneficial,” Lynn said. “People may not be hearing it at home. I think the students have the right to receive this information and the parent might not be equipped to teach it, so to educate them at school is very important.”

Parents’ role

According to catholiceducation.org, the Catholic Church’s traditional teaching about sex education is that it should be “primarily a matter for the parents to impart privately in the home.”

McCormick recognizes the parents’ responsibility to educate their children.

“I think they are a vital role in educating their children,” McCormick said. “Parents are always the first educator of the child.”

O’Rear has kept this in mind while teaching her health class.

“I inform the parents about my women’s health curriculum at Back to School Night and we encourage them to let me know if they have any questions or concerns,” O’Rear wrote. “I encourage them to talk with their daughters and ask them questions, thus hopefully opening up their discussions with each other.”

Amy believes this is a good thing because she would be “more influenced by her parents rather than a teacher.”

“It would be more effective with what my parents would tell me,” Amy said. “I don’t get a lot of talks about it from my teachers, so I have no standards to live up to with them.”

Amy believes she has received “plenty” of education from her parents at home.

“My mom likes to just let me know random facts whenever she feels like I need them,” Amy said. “My mom talks to me when we’re in the car, at home, she’ll just bring up stuff and will ask me how I feel about it.”

Amy said that learning from her parents has been “very effective.”

In fact, research shows that parents are the most influential when it comes to sex education.

According to a survey by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, when asked “What is the number one factor that shapes the decisions teens make about their sexuality?” most parents suspected that it was teenagers’ friends. However, teenagers said that the most influential person was their parents.

Lynn and her husband Terry O’Leary believe they are an important role in educating their children on this.

“Ultimately, it is the parents’ responsibility to teach morals and virtues of the Catholic faith,” Lynn said. “I want to teach my children that they are worth the wait. We’ve got to be there to remind them what true love is.”

“We try to talk about values and virtues with everything, whether it is with handling siblings or relationships, it all just rolls into one holistic view of your faith,” Terry said. “It’s hard, and they’re tough topics. You just have to keep talking about it.”

Lynn understands that this is a hard topic for parents to discuss with their teens.

“I think there’s too many parents that don’t want to talk to their children about sex education,” Lynn said. “So if the kids aren’t hearing enough information at home, then it’s a great asset to have the school.”

Joint effort

Lynn believes sex education is a “team effort” between parents and STA. According to catholiceducation.org, the Vatican II Declaration on Education, when discussing where sex education should take place, speaks of the Catholic school as performing its services “as partners of the parents.”

In addition, the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome said in a document, Educational Guidance in Human Love, that on topics of “modesty, purity, chastity, and morality,” that “the Catholic school...[was] called to collaborate with the family.”

Freshman Lily O’Neill believes that sex education is the responsibility of both parents and STA. “We get two different points of view about it,” O’Neill said. “From a family member it is more personal, and from STA it is more informative and states the facts.”

Lynn also thinks that these two point of views are a necessity.

“The parent does their part and constantly tries to read more to inform themselves about how to instruct their children,” Lynn said. “The school can offer additional programs, like a class on theology of the body.”

McCormick believes that educating children is a community effort, even when it comes to sex education.

“I would say that this is a community that embraces the Catholic social teaching on these topics and therefore it’s a shared responsibility between parents and teachers to educate their daughters about sex or relationships,” McCormick said. “It is a joint effort. It is the job of parents, teachers, churches and schools to really help students make the right decision.” H

PARENT POLL: The Dart asked freshman parents their opinions on sex education in schools and at home

by MICKEY REDLINGSHAFER Who is responsible to teach sex education to teenagers and why?

That’s hard. I think the parents are supposed to, but it doesn’t appear to me that we do a very good job!

–Susan Campbell, mother of Jill, Ann and Leigh Campbell I think ultimately parents are responsible for teaching sex education; however, at our grade school they taught it in fifth grade.

–mother Judy Hutchison, mother of Rose and Maggie Hutchison I think that parents are [responsible], and that is because there are a lot of values and morals connected with sex, and it is best to hear from parents when first learning about sex.

–mother Susan Reboulet mother of Emily and Claire Reboulet

10 | sports | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | March 8, 2012

POWER

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

by LANE MAGUIRE

Rose Hutchison varsity swimming

What: Hutchison placed seventh at swimming State meet in both the 200 and 100 yard freestyle, scoring 24 of the team’s 36 total points. Hutchison broke her own school records in both of these events.

She also competed in two relays—the 200 yard freestyle relay and the 400 yard freestyle relay, breaking the school record in the latter.

Other Accomplishments: This past season, Hutchison broke five individual records, all of which were her own. She also helped set one relay record. Hutchison holds a total of six individual records at STA (500 yard free, 100 yard free, 200 yard free, 200 IM, 100 butterfly and the 50 yard free) and three relay records (200 free relay, 200 medley relay and 400 free relay).

Biggest Competitor: Liberty High School freshman Dreya Curnow “She gets on my every nerve,” Hutchison said. “I really want to beat her because I know I work harder than her but she always beats me and all of my friends and we all just want to beat her...[Curnow and I] ended up swimming right next to each other in [100 freestyle] finals, and I was like ‘Are you kidding me? This is like my worst nightmare.’ I was seeded ahead of her by just like a hundredth of a second and she beat me.”

Goals for past season: According to Hutchison, her main goal for the swim season had been to place in the top five at State.

Although Hutchison did not achieve this goal, she is still satisfied with her finishes.

“I was so tired after those races...I did my best so I am not regretting anything.”

Goals for next season: “This year, sometimes I was working so hard that it just wasn’t fun. Next year, I want to be able to balance working hard and fun and be successful all at the same time, which I think I can do.”

What her teammates say: “Rose is a beast, and she led the team at State,” junior Jane Evans said. photo by MEGHAN LEWIS

Basketball team loses in District semifinal

by EMILY WEMHOFF ewemhoff@dartnewsonline.com

Season ends with disappointing finish in District semifinal game for two senior varsity players As the final seconds ticked away in the Stars’ 51-31 District semifinal loss to Lee’s Summit High School, the two senior varsity players realized this was their last basketball game in a STA uniform.

Seniors Megan Lankford and Megan Lewis did not end the season the way they wanted with a loss to the Tigers Feb. 22.

“As the game was nearing the end, and I was looking at the score I felt sad knowing that I would never play basketball again,” Lewis said.

“It was kind of unreal.”

Lankford never doubted her team could pull off a comeback.

“My thought was that it’s not over yet; don’t give up; we still have a chance and just keep pushing through,” Lankford said.

The Lee’s Summit Tigers avenged last season’s memorable buzzer beater shot by junior Peepers Gray with a blowout win. They went on to beat Lee’s Summit West in the District final on Feb. 24.

The Stars, who finished the season with a record of 15-11, had been riding a seven-game winning streak, with notable wins over Notre Dame de Sion High School and Pembroke Hill School. According to Lankford and Lewis, the team’s strategy in the District semifinal was to shut down Lee’s Summit’s tall post player Allie Patterson and outside shooter Breana Washington, but they were unable to do this effectively.

The Tigers shot out to an 11-1 lead in the first quarter, and the Stars never recovered.

“The game was a hard game to end my career at STA with,” Lankford said. “It by far wasn’t the best game we have played.”

Varsity manager senior Shannen Freeman said the team looked “too excited and too nervous” during the game.

“They thought too much about the fact that it was Districts, not just another game,” Freeman said. “They didn’t play like themselves.”

Lee’s Summit, who led 24-6 at halftime, out-rebounded the Stars and had much fewer turnovers. Varsity player sophomore Maggie Herrington said her team believed the entire time they could pull off a comeback.

“Coach [Chance] Stephen told us that if we thought we were going to lose or thought we had already lost, it was going to be extremely difficult to come back and win,” Herrington said. “He was trying to pump us up and get our heads back in the game. [Coach Stephen] told us that he knew we could do it, and we just needed to play like we wanted to win.”

At halftime, Freeman said they would have to rebound a lot more, make their free throws and attack the basket in order to get back into the game, but the Tigers’ stifling defense shut the Stars down.

Lankford led the way with 10 points, followed by junior Becca Lueke with 8.

According to Herrington, the next season will not be the same without the seniors.

“I think it was a really tough game to end on, especially for our seniors,” Herrington said. “[The seniors] have both worked so hard this year to make us a good team, and I know how much we all wanted to win. [The team and I] are all going to miss playing with them so much.”

For Lankford and Lewis the best part of the season was the team’s great chemistry.

“We played like a team with no selfishness,” Lankford said. “Our team chemistry is probably the best it has been in my four years here.”

Although the season is over, Herrington said the team can look ahead to next year with the hopes of improving.

swoosh H Junior Maggie Rellihan blocks out a Lee’s Summit player as she watches an STA basket go in at Lee’s Summit High School on Feb. 22 for the District semifinals. photo by SARAH GODFREY “Coach Stevens has already helped our team come so far this year, and I know we can do even better next year,” Herrington said. “We believed our team could go so much further, and it was heartbreaking to end the season this early.” H

SCORES BY QUARTER: Below is a record of the scores for each quarter of the Lee’s Summit versus STA basketball game

by EMILY WEMHOFF 1ST QUARTER: 11-1 Lee’s Summit

2ND QUARTER: 24-6 Lee’s Summit

3RD QUARTER: 36-18 Lee’s Summit 4TH QUARTER: 51-31 Lee’s Summit

source: Emily Wemhoff

who's open? H Senior Megan Lankford throws the ball in to her teammates. photo by SARAH GODFREY

March 8, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | health | 11

Poppin’ pills: students take unprescribed adderall Students attempt to focus for exams, improve grades by taking un-prescribed stimulants

by ROWAN O’BRIEN WILLIAMS robrienwiliams@dartnewsonline.com

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

photo illustration by ERIN SELLERS love the people that I’ve bought from—they are thing.” great people just looking for money. One girl in There is another perspective to consider particular never took her own prescription because besides the person taking the drugs: the person she didn’t like how they selling the drugs. made her feel, so she Johnson feels like these kept getting them to people enable the sell them.” abuser’s behavior.

Our generation is more prone to having Counselor Amanda “[People who sell ADD because of all the things that are Johnson is aware of this their medication] are going on with technology. It’s so easy type of prescription allowing [prescription drug abuse, especially drug abuse] to happen,” to be distracted and I see how people in regards to the Johnson said. would turn to Adderall to focus. messages that Senior Brie prescription drug abuse Sandridge has been Brie Sandridge sends. According to prescribed Vyvanse, senior Johnson, just because a drug similar to a certain kind of Adderall. She began medicine comes from a doctor does not mean that using the drug in December of her senior year. it is any less dangerous to take.

Sandridge said she was prescribed the drug “It’s tricky,” Johnson said. “People think it’s because she was having trouble focusing and was okay [to take someone else’s medication] because not getting anything done. it’s a prescription, and it’s not from the street. It “When I was trying to apply to college [online] allows this kind of muddied area where we can get one time and I was just like sitting there and away with things but in reality it is all the same thinking about what I should do and this thing

“

MIND According to quizlet.com, the online flashcard creator was created by a sophomore in high school in 2005 and now has over 200 million flashcards. Many people use it, including junior Menley Brennan. According to Brennan, using online flashcards is helpful and more accessible then using paper flashcards.

“I use Quizlet because it helps me to perfect my studying skills and learn the words that I cannot remember with regular note cards,” Brennan said. “I like how it’s on the Internet so I can access it anytime, on my phone, on my laptop or my netbook. It is just an easier way to study. “

“

While many high school students turn to caffeine or energy drinks to focus while preparing for a test, some students also turn to un-prescribed Adderall and other stimulants. Adderall is prescribed by doctors as a central nervous system stimulant that affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

However, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 10 percent of middle school and high school aged kids are using Adderall without a prescription.

Adderall and other stimulants are used to treat ADD (attention deficit disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

According to webmd.com, ADHD is the most common behavior disorder in childhood. Five percent of teens are diagnosed with ADHD, according to Leawood psychiatrist Scott Jones.

According to the Washington Post, from 2002 to 2005, Adderall sales grew more than 3,100 percent.

However, not all of these drug sales go to people who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. An anonymous STA student is one of many teenagers who takes Adderall without a prescription. She has been taking the drug for two years and uses it mostly before big exams.

“You are so focused,” she said of her experience with the drug. “Especially because I’m not prescribed it, it creates a way for me to zone in on whatever I’m working on.”

She said she only uses Adderall for school work and never for recreational purposes. “[Adderall] helps me focus on a long study guide the night before a test or when I need to be focused at school,” she said.

Jones recognizes that teenagers who are not prescribed Adderall can feel the same benefits as someone who has been prescribed Adderall.

“Some studies show that stimulants can increase focus in people without ADHD,” Jones said.

Although Adderall has benefits, taking someone else’s medication poses health risks, Jones said.

Some of the side effects include increased energy, mood elevation, increased heart rate, appetite suppression, dry mouth, insomnia, anxiousness and restlessness.

In addition, it is illegal to use prescription medication without a physician’s orders.

Despite the illegality, the anonymous source feels like taking someone else’s medication is not a big deal.

“I mean, it’s like buying anything else that you shouldn’t be buying,” the anonymous source said.

“I would never be open about the ‘dealing’ part of it, but I don’t think it should be punishable by law because you wanted extra help studying. I

popped up and said ‘you have been sitting here for 55 minutes’,” Sandridge said.

Although Sandridge began noticing symptoms of ADD around freshman year, she was not treated until recently.

“I made my own doctor’s appointment and went in,” Sandridge said.

Sandridge takes Vyvanse to focus on school work during the week but she also takes it on the weekend to get things like chores done.

“Before [I was on Vyvanse] I wasn’t even motivated to get up and do little things like cleaning my room, now I like to keep my room clean,” Sandridge said.

During the couple years when Brie was not prescribed Vyvanse and was having trouble focusing, she admitted to considering taking Adderall even though it was not prescribed to her.

Brie, however, never did this.

“Our generation is more prone to having ADD because of all the things that are going on with technology,” Sandridge said. “It’s so easy to be distracted and I see how people would turn to Adderall to focus.” H

BODY

SOUL

According to shapeup.org, simple tasks like slow walking or using the stairs instead of elevator can help you stay healthy and burn calories. Next time you’re in the STA parking lot or at the grocery store don’t spend time looking for a close spot. According to science teacher Mary Montag parking far away is a good habit to have.

“You just got to keep moving,” Montag said. “I am the type of person [who] doesn’t hunt for a close parking spot. My car is the one you see at like Target parked way far away.”

According to studies at Georgetown University, 20 to 30 minutes of deep relaxation improves concentration and productivity. This month, spend 30 minutes relaxing or doing something that you love, whether it’s painting or just watching a movie.

According to junior Regan Stiles she likes to relax by taking a bath. “[Taking part in relaxing activities helps] to clear your mind,” Stiles said. “You are more likely to do other things you need to [later] because you are calmed down. When I am stressed, I take a bubble bath and just relax and that helps me.”

12 | A&E | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | March 8, 2012

Fashion

Forward

SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY 6.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY CLASSIC PREPPY BOHO THRIFTY ROCKER INDIE SPORTY 7.

CLASSIC photos by ALLISON FITTS

STA girls ditch the white polo and tartan plaid to reveal their own, unique styles outside of school.

Get a glimpse at the many different trends the Dart scoped out and let them help you be fashion foward.

2. ROCKER Katie Crowe

4. THRIFTY Emma Allen

6. PREPPY Allison Hogan

Outfit: Concert t-shirt, Target black skinny jeans and black combat boots Brand of choice: Hot Topic and some thrift stores Fashion inspiration(s): Sara Jessica Parker and Joji Gray Style in 3 words: Mellow, biker, comforatable Style development: “I just really like skinny jeans and mens’ t-shirts.”

Outfit: Polka dot shirt from London thrift store, Forever 21 grey leggings and red Tom’s Brand of choice: Thrift stores and Forever 21 Fashion inspiration(s): Myself Style in 3 words: Unexpected, cheap, fun Style development: “My experience in thrift stores has inspired my style. When I get dressed, I don’t even think about what other people will say. I just put it on.”

Outfit: Lilly Pulitzer “Marisa” sundress in Hotty Pink Cherry Begonias and Jack Rodgers gold sandals Brand of choice: Lilly Pulitzer, J. Crew and Vineyard Vines Fashion inspiration(s): Blake Lively in Gossip Girl Style in 3 words: Bright, preppy, classy Style development: “My mom has dressed me in this way since I was little, so I’ve sort of [been raised] with this style.”

Quinn Kernell

3. CLASSIC

Olivia Scheuler

5. BOHO

7. SPORTY

Outfit: H&M black dress, The Limited navy and white sweater, Banana Republic, tan wedges and tan belt Brand of choice: Urban Outfitters, Lulu’s, thrift stores and Forever 21 Fashion inspiration(s): Zooey Deschanel Style in 3 words: Vintage, indie, classy Style development: “[It developed] from watching Project Runway and by wearing a lot of my mom’s vintage clothes from college.”

Outfit: Nordstrom pink ruffle tank top, Target grey cardigan, Ann Taylor Loft jeans and Express leopard print wedges Brand of choice: Nordstrom and Ann Taylor Loft Fashion inspiration(s): Norstrom magazines Style in 3 words: Sophisticated, trandy, classic Style development: “My sister kind of helped me a lot and I started wearing all her clothes. Then I got my own and she started wearing mine.”

Outfit: Urban Outfitters cardigan and tank top, Forever 21 burnt orange pants, Charlotte Russe sandals Brand of choice: Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 Fashion inspiration(s): Blake Lively and Nicole Richie Style in 3 words: Trendy, diverse, bohemian Style development: “I’m not really sure what led to my sudden interest in style. It has developed more and more as I’ve gotten older.”

Outfit: Nike hot pink running shirt, Nike sports bra, Nike yellow spandex and Lululemon black headband Brand of choice: Nike and Lululemon Fashion inspiration(s): Olympic and professional athletes Style in 3 words: Athletic, comfortable, bright Style development: “My running career became such a big part of my life that it has also formed my style.”

by SARA-JESSICA DILKS sdilks@dartnewsonline.com

1. INDIE

Anna Meyers

Courtney Coppinger

by SARA-JESSICA DILKS

March 8, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | A&E | 13

Gettin’ JIGGY with it F

or many of the patrons at Danny Mann’s pub in Killarney, Ireland, it was just another lively night at the pub, as a local band called The Bill Kennedy Trio played a few Irish dance tunes to a crowded audience. But for STA sophomore and Irish dancer Jillian Gallagher, who was celebrating her 14th birthday in Ireland, the night was anything but ordinary.

Not only did the local band invite Gallagher to dance a spontaneous Irish reel in front of everyone at the pub, but the manager enjoyed her performance so much that he picked up her family’s bill at the end of the night.

“I was somewhat nervous in the beginning,” Gallagher said. “But it was fun just to experience something else. Just everyone watching me in Ireland was pretty cool.”

11 years ago, 5-year-old Gallagher, mesmerized

by Irish dancers at a St. Patrick’s Day parade, begged her mom to sign her up. Her mom signed her up for lessons the following fall, and since then, Gallagher has danced with the O’Riada-McCarty-Manning Academy of Irish Dance (OMM) in Lawrence, Kan; now she is preparing to perform in a St. Patrick’s Day parade herself.

According to Gallagher, Irish dance requires extreme dedication. She dances at least 8 hours a week, practicing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and teaching younger levels on Sundays. Whenever she has a performance or a “feis” (a competition) coming up, Gallagher must devote even more time to dancing.

“All my friends know I do Irish dance because it takes a commitment,” Gallagher said. “Last year, I had to give up my Fridays to dance. I travel all around the nation for competitions probably once a month on a Saturday, so I give up my weekends for that too.

People will be like, ‘Wanna hang out?’ and I’ll be like, ‘No sorry I have a dance competition.’”

Although she has given up countless weekends, missing school dances and other events because of her dancing schedule, Gallagher believes her hard work pays off when it’s time to perform. She has performed with the Celtic band, the Elders, and in three basketball half-time shows at the University of Kansas and has worked with lead roles from Riverdance, an Irish dance company that performs across the world.

Also, last year, Gallagher’s team got 18th place out of 60 teams at Regionals in Chicago, and now, Gallagher hopes to continue on to Nationals.

Ms. Diane Gallagher, Jillian’s mom, said that she is extremely proud of her daughter’s dedication to Irish dance. “[Jillian has] invested so much time and commitment,” Diane said. “She’s experienced both great joy and hard disappointments along the way. We admire her for sticking with this journey.”

OMM instructor and STA alumna Emily McCarty also praises Jillian’s dedication.

“Jillian has always been a very dedicated and hard-working dancer,” McCarty said. “She progressed from the beginner class all the way to our Championship class. She is also a devoted teaching assistant and does a wonderful job helping the newest Irish dancers at OMM.”

At OMM, McCarty teaches several forms of Irish dance. According to McCarty, traditional Irish stepdance is the type of dance one would see at an Irish dance competition. “[In traditional Irish step,] dancers wear traditional pleated dresses with celtic knot embroidery and curly wigs and perform steps with ornate footwork, keeping their arms relaxed at their side,” McCarty said.

Within Irish step dance, there are several other forms of dance which students perform based on their ages and levels. Types of dances include the reel, light jig, single jig, slip jig, treble jig, hornpipe and set dances. Since Jillian is in preliminary championships, she performs reel and hornpipe dances. Dancers wear soft shoes for reel dances and hard shoes for hornpipe dances.

OMM instructors also teach ceili dancing, which is similar to country line dancing. Dancers dance in groups of 4, 8, 16 or more and perform dances which McCarty says were originally arranged by masters of dance in Ireland hundreds of years ago. Finally, OMM hosts several classes which focus on modern Irish step. “[Modern Irish dance classes] incorporate current music, interpretive arm movements and up-to-date costumes all while staying true to what we do best, the crowd-pleasing Irish dance rhythms and footwork,” McCarty said.

And according to McCarty, talented dancers have many options to continue with Irish dance after high school. She says that Jillian could join an Irish dance team at a college like St. Louis University, University of Notre Dame or Boston College. She could also audition for dance company like Riverdance or become a dance instructor.

“Many colleges have Irish dance clubs or groups that are made up of a network of current and past Irish dancers from across the country that all attend the same college,” McCarty said.

Jillian would like to attend a college with an Irish dance team, but she said it will not be a deciding factor. If she does though, $1000 scholarships are available for seniors who are Irish dancers and get good grades.

“I’m not going to stop until senior year,” Jillian said. “If the college that I go to has an Irish dance team, I’ll probably try out for it so that I can keep it with me for as long as I can.”

While her passion for Irish dance makes Jillian want to continue for as long as she can, the close friends she’s made through dancing encourage her to continue as well.

STA freshman Marley Schmidtlein, who dances with Jillian, also appreciates the strong bond between teammates.

“I love the girls I dance with,” Schmidtlein said.

“They are like family. They help me be a better dancer.

We have a lot of fun together, and it’s impossible not to get excited about their accomplishments, dance or otherwise.”

Although she competes against Jillian, Schmidtlein admires Jillian’s enthusiasm for dance, cheering her on just like she would any other friend.

“Jillian stands out because she is hard-working and spirited about dance,” Schmidtlein said. “She wants to do well, so she pushes herself. Jillian and I compete against each other, but we are still teammates, and we want each other to do well. We hope for each other’s success and help each other reach it, as does everyone on the team.”

Like Schmidtlein, Jillian values the friendships she has formed with her fellow dancers, and she hopes they will remain with her even if she doesn’t continue Irish dancing after high school.

“I’m very close with the people I dance with,” Jillian said. “I have friends from all over the nation that I keep seeing at competitions, and we act like normal friends. It’s like a bond you’ll never break.” H

Sophomore commits her time and effort to Irish dancing and considers it for the future

by CHELSEA BIRCHMIER cbirchmier@dartnewsonline.com

take 5 H Sophomore Jillian Gallagher takes a break during Irish dance practice Feb. 28. Gallagher has practiced for 11 years and plans on continuing to dance through senior year, and possibly college. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

twinkle toes H Sophomore Jillian Gallagher practices her Irish dance moves during practice Feb. 28. Gallagher performs reel and hornpipe dances. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

irish jig H Sophomore Jillian Gallagher dances to the music at her Irish dance practice Feb. 28. Gallagher has been involved in Irish dance for the past 11 years. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

stretch it out H Sophomore Jillian Gallagher stretches her ankles after a dance during Irish dance practice Feb. 28. Gallagher practices at least eight hours a week and occasionally teaches younger classes. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

14 | lifestyles | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | March 8, 2012

my

strange addiction

Students share unique obsessions: their interests range from British television shows to Japanese anime

“Full Metal Alchemist,” “Death Note” and “Black Butler” are just a few of freshman Kathleen Nicely’s favorite TV shows. Why have you not heard of them? Probably because they cannot be found in any basic cable Thursday night lineup - they are anime, or Japanese animated cartoons. “[Anime] is pretty much the pop culture of Japan as a whole,” Nicely said. “It’s like TV shows and comics kind of combined together.

It’s sort of everything for teenage Japanese culture, really.”

Nicely first became interested in anime when she bought her first graphic novel in fourth grade. Today, she watches the TV shows, plays the video games, reads the books, called manga and

More STA fanatics: Hittin’ the hockey hard

Fanatical Whovian

Senior Mary Kate Jenks is five foot two with a small frame and delicate features. But ask her what her favorite sport is, and she won’t hesitate to tell you: hockey.

“I think it’s kind of weird,” Jenks said. “It’s kind of a manly sport, so you wouldn’t think that a girl would be so obsessed with it. And being from Kansas City, it’s such a random sport to like."

“I think I really liked how fast the game was,” Jenks explained. “Basketball was cool, but hockey was so physical and really interesting to watch.”

While sophomore Shelby Hawkins admits she is obsessed with many British television shows, there is one she loves above all the rest. “‘Doctor Who’ is the one I’ve been a fan of the longest, and I’ve introduced the most people to it,” Hawkins explained.

“Doctor Who” is a British science fiction show that follows the story of the Doctor, an alien who travels around space and time.

“It’s a really fun show,” Hawkins said. “It can be hilarious in the most geeky ways. Like one second you’ve got Shakespeare, the Doctor meets Shakespeare and they’re making jokes about each other. And then the next scene you’re crying because the characters that belong together got separated. It’s just kind of an emotional roller coaster.”

Check out dartnewsonline.com for more STA fanatics!

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

Compiled by Kate Rohr

It would be the last time she stood on the STA stage.

It would the last time at STA she combed her blonde hair back, donned her costume and applied a layer of sweat-proof foundation.

It would be the last time she stood onstage in the darkness, stomach filled with butterflies, waiting for the curtains to open and the blinding, scorching stage lights to shine upon her.

As she walked through the doors of M&A for her final performance with the STA theater program, senior Christie Fletcher tried not to cry. As she pushed open the double doors to Ms. Prentiss’ room to prepare for “Dancing at Lughnasa” for the last time, she reminisced on the six STA shows,

even sketches her own anime characters.

“I’m not really sure what the draw is exactly,” Nicely said. “It’s pretty much just the entire culture developed around [anime.] Just by watching anime, you’re pretty much taking in stuff about Japanese culture, like pop culture.”

By watching anime and reading manga, Nicely has learned a lot about Japanese culture and has even learned a few Japanese words.

“A lot of the jokes in anime usually relate to something in their language, like puns and everything,” Nicely said. “In order to really grasp that, an understanding of their language is somewhat necessary, but also learned quite easily.”

According to Nicely, there are two types of anime TV shows: shonin, meaning ‘boys,’ and shojo, meaning ‘girls.’

“Shojo manga is girl’s manga,” Nicely said. “It’s girly and cute. It is very pink and happy and bright and cute.”

However, Nicely prefers shonin, or boys’ manga.

“I’m not one of those people that likes just the romantic story, everything’s happy,” Nicely said. “Shojo manga manages to have very realistic action scenes and fights, but at the same time it develops the characters and their relationships with each other.”

In addition to reading and watching anime, Nicely draws her own.

I have four or five [sketchbooks] at home,” Nicely said.

“I’ve been trying to teach myself to draw on Microsoft Paint. It’s not easy.”

She explains that manga is a different type of animation than normal cartoons.

“A typical drawing of manga is kind of somewhere in between drawing cartoons and drawing realism,” Nicely said. “You have to have the structure correct, but at the same time anime characters pretty much have the structure of a model, more or less. I mean, they’re perfect.”

Nicely typically draws either characters she makes up on her own or those from a show.

“They have some sort of character with a weird personality quirk, that’s just completely bizarre, but hilarious,” Nicely said. “Never ceases to amaze me.” H

countless rehearsals, hundreds of inside jokes and millions of moments that make the STA stage her “home.”

She put on her “frumpy” red dress covered in small roses Fletcher and a “hole-y” white cardigan and slipped her socked feet into a pair of beat up boots she’d nearly ruined after a week of pacing the stage in her role as Agnes Mundy. She watched as her male costars applied “guyliner,” lipstick and blush, randomly quoting lines from the play and bursting out in spontane-

Graphics by Kathleen Nicely

by KATE ROHR krohr@dartnewsonline.com

ous laughter.

The cast members formed a tight circle, holding hands right over left, trying futilely not to cry. The cast ran through the tried-and-true pre-performance rituals: Prentiss’ emotional congratulations, the “shake down” to avoid jitters, the football-esque cheers and screaming, and, of course, the Banana Bunch Chant.

Christie Fletcher took the stage for the last time.

As she stood behind the curtains, waiting to begin, every moment, every joke, every belly laugh flooded her memory.

Then the curtains swung open, the lights illuminated the characters on stage and Christie Fletcher ceased to exist, replaced by Agnes Mundy. H

March 8, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | in the mix | 15

CAPTIONTHIS

THE FIRST

TIME I...

by HANNAH WOLF hwolf@dartnewsonline.com

Post a caption for this photo to dartnewsonline.com, and vote for your favorites. The winning caption gets a free Dart t-shirt!

Scan this QR code with a smartphone to enter your caption or go to dartnewsonline.com photo by SARAH GODFREY

MY LIFE

SUCKS

I’m driving home from Rockhurst and my car runs out of gas literally five streets away from a gas station. I call my mom, who is very upset, and she brings me a gallon of gas and I finally make it to the gas station, Burton get out of my car and pump my gas. My mom drives away. I walk back to the driver’s side door and it’s locked. I locked my keys in my car. My life sucks.

— Kennedy Burton, senior

MY LIFE

ROCKS Last Thursday over service week was the concert of my dreams: Drake. I had been looking forward to this concert since the summer when I heard he was coming to Kansas City. On the way to the concert I made my Casey friends stop at CVS to buy a poster board and some sharpies, and I made a poster that read: “Marry Me Drake?” Half way through the concert he shouted out to me “girl with the marry me poster... I’ll think about it!” My life rocks.

—Brianna Casey, senior 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

Only 2 days until spring break.

About 14 days until the next pep rally.

38 days until Mother-

Daughter Luncheon.

Only 42 days until senior prom.

43 days until the junior

ring dance.

Approximately 50 days until student productions.

Exactly 75 days until final exams.

And only 80 days until summer.

SAID compiled by NATALIE FITTS

The first time I rode in an ambulance wasn’t for any freak accident. Which is somewhat surprising, considering that I have been an accident waiting to happen all my life.

Considering all of the times I’ve fallen, tripped and injured myself, I’m kind of surprised I didn’t end up in an ambulance sooner.

The first time I narrowly avoided a trip to the hospital I was three years old and at my brothers baseball game. I thought I could do a somersault down the metal bleachers. Let’s just say I fell ten feet onto cement.

I only got more clumsy after that.

I knocked out a tooth when a pogo stick bounced too hard and hit me in the mouth.

I chipped another tooth when I stumbled on a crack in the sidewalk at the zoo.

I wrecked a Segway and narrowly avoided an oncoming car.

I wrecked my bike 10 feet away from Ward Parkway during rush hour.

I fell off the back of a moving boat.

I fell down a whole flight of cement stairs.

I swear I broke my arm on an elliptical machine when I was in sixth grade, but no one believed me, so I never actually went to the hospital and got a cast.

The first time I actually made it to the hospital via ambulance was sophomore year of high school. I don’t really even remember it. I just remember waking up with an IV in my arm and a full bladder.

It was a pretty hot Thursday in the fall, and I had a cross country meet after school that day.

Of course, I left my water bottle at home. I tried to borrow Brie Sandridge’s in advisory, but she wouldn’t let me take her new pink Camelback water bottle (she claims this never happened, but I still blame this whole event on her).

I was coming down the last hill of the Grandview Invitational meet, and I remember yelling to someone on the sidelines that I couldn’t see straight. Things were pretty blurry and I was definitely struggling to stay on the course. I made it to the flags that led to the finish line; I was a good twenty feet away from actually finishing the race. For the next 5 hours, I even thought I did finish.

But that’s when my dehydration kicked in, and I passed out. I gained consciousness again at one point but was still so out of it that I’m not really sure what happened.

When the paramedics came, they ran a bunch of tests and tried to give me some fluids.

Apparently I was freaking out about getting any IVs into my arm and told them I hated needles.

I don’t hate needles.

I was probably the most obnoxious teenage girl that they had to deal with. My mom rode with me in the ambulance and said I continued to yell at the paramedics all the way to the hospital, where I yelled at the nurses every time they hooked me up to a new bag of fluid or tested my heart rate.

All this because I didn’t drink water?

I may not be lucky that I’m clumsy (I blame it on being left handed), and I may not be lucky that I’ve suffered some painful falls.

But I do consider myself lucky that I have never been seriously hurt. I’m lucky that despite all of these incidents, it took a good 15 years for me to even make it to the hospital. I’m lucky that it was only dehydration that landed me my first ride in an ambulance. H

dartnewsonline.com

16 | last look | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | March 8, 2012

1.

Laughter is the best

MEDICINE

There is no shortage of happiness at STA. Girls are frequently seen giggling together in the halls, cracking up in class and belly laughing in the Commons. The Dart captured those little everyday moments of STA joy.

2.

3.

4.

1. got the giggles H Seniors KaiLi McCamman, left, and Christie Fletcher play paper football during a free in history teacher Craig Whitney’s room Feb. 15. The two share a period 6 free every Wednesday. photo by NATALIE FITTS 2. cheer leaders H Seniors Hannah Otto, left, and Kerry Egan cheer on the varsity basketball team during the game against Notre Dame de Sion High School Feb. 14 in the Goppert Center. The theme for the game was Noah’s Ark, and the Stars won the game 60-53. photo by NATALIE FITTS 3. dancing diva H Freshman Caroline Strader practices the routine she learned during the West African Dance Lesson Feb. 21 in the dance studio. The students danced along to live music from a traditional African drum. photo by NATALIE FITTS 4. don’t worry, be happy H Senior Caroline Mendus has a laugh after a meeting March 5. photo by ERIN SELLERS