The Dart Volume 89, Issue 2, Nov. 15 2024 by DartNewsOnline

dart the

St. Teresa’s Academy Kansas City, MO Volume 89

November 15, 2024

Issue 2

UNCOMMITTED

b 2024

1115

Liked by theeditors and others

thedart Following the House v. NCAA lawsuit, major changes were made to the college recruitment process for high school athletes. See pages 16-19 to read more.

The DART | November 15, 2024

In This Issue

4-5 Photo Essay: Trifold, Trickery & Treats 6-7 Student Stats + Current Events 8 News: So, Trump Won the Election. What Happens Now? 9 News: Fateful Fall: Florida and Southern U.S. Experience Extreme Weather 10-11 Star Spotlight 12-13 Features: Forefronting Fitness, Aritzia’s Arrival + The Plaza’s Possibilities

14-15 Reviews: Having a Great Gameday, How the Cookie Crumbls 16-18 Centerspread: Changing the Game 19 Editorial: Right on Target 20-21: Stars Beyond Borders 22-23: Humans of STA 24 Sports: Stars at State 26-27 Columns: Savannah Taylor, Marcella Buckley and Paloma Greim 28-29: A&E Highlights+Community 30-31 Last Look: Fall Foods

On the DNO

An Educated Earth by Savannah Taylor

Mean Girls Gallery by Maya Tule

Savor the Seasons by Marcella Buckley

The DART | Letter from the Editors | designed by Marcella Buckley

Dear Reader,

A wise woman once said, “Please don’t kill me, Mr. Ghostface, I want to be in The Dart!” That’s how it went, right? Luckily for you, this cycle is filled with more treats than tricks for all the ghouls and goblins. Take a spooky peek into a hot new item at STA this year: trifolds! Lily and Santina are here to give you the best view of Halloween at STA with their photo essay on pages 4-5. Need an outfit for your next outing? Feeling festive? On pages 6 and 7, Julia has fall fashion and events to get you prepped for the holiday season. Want to get caught up on the news without opening up The New York Times? Flip to pages 8 and 9, where Chloe and Anna give you all the deets on both our new president and the destructive weather sweeping the country this fall. On pages 10 and 11, Maya reveals the unique story of one of our very own: Rue Khasai! Learn more about her journey to STA in this issue’s Star Spotlight. If you’re on the hunt for a good workout, some shopping or both (after all, you deserve it) look no further than pages 12 and 13 where Molly and Wynnie have got you covered. Maybe while you’re out shopping, you can pick up some game day gear and use Cassie’s guide to gameday to put it to use. Check it out on page 14, then looky looky on over to page 15 for Isa’s take on Crumbl Cookie: is the cookie going to crumble their way? If you’re a student athlete, listen up, because this year has

brought some changes in college athletics. On pages 16-18, Jo, Isa and Wynnie tell all. Then pop over to page 19, where Lily gives you our staffers’ opinion. Wonder what it’s like to live in another country? Well, Odelia’s here to help on pages 20 and 21, with a story on this year’s exchange students. Girl, I’m gonna miss the Menendez brothers era, but don’t fret, because Kennedi is here to get us our true crime fix on page 22. As the holidays approach, religion is on our minds. Learn about different faiths practiced at STA with Julia’s feature on page 23. Let’s hear a cheer for Rebecca and Santina as they give us the low-down on sports both at state and in the city. Look it up on pages 24 and 25. On pages 26 and 27, our columnists Savannah, Marcella and Paloma cover a wide range of topics. From climate change, to seasonal pies, to the symphony, we’ve got it all. Stella will help you get into the Thanksgiving mood and listen to rockin’ music on page 28, then take a look at some of our stellar campus interns on page 29. Last, but certainly not least, is Lauren’s ultimate guide to fall foods on pages 30 and 31. Maybe you can make yourself something while reading The Dart! Signing off until our next issue, Chloe, Molly, and Rebecca

The DART | Photo Essay | November 15, 2024

Trifolds,, Trickery & Treats Trifolds Students dressed up and created trifold entries to mark Halloween. Beware if you dare! Photos by Lily Remer | Staff Writer and Santina Bonino | Staff Writer

Junior Francie Brewster and senior Miller Wacht design their trifold for their advisory.

Senior Gabriella Campbell throws up a peace sign in he r lorax costume.

Junio rs P Walli arker Land s pos e for es and M a the c amer rin a.

Junior S am M&A b i Goodman s uilding tands in to re fron from “T create the ico t of the n he Not ebook” ic scene .

The DART | Photo Essay | designed by Santina Bonino

. Hic and Mr s. a b u D ottie treat Junior L ir Halloween get the

ne d Caroli n a y r r Cu hoto. en Izzy Freshm ll pose for a p Powe

Sophomores Alajah Clay and Hailey Burgin clown around after finishing their trifolds.

Sophomore Natalie Beshoner dresses as Justin Bieber

Senio r Madd Gabriella Sa ox He its po ge and fr es se costu in their t hman astef mes. ul

Senio junio r Eve Szy r Julia l nna F leyko help sw al Hallo lons’ make ith ween up fo . r

The DART | Student Stats | November 15, 2024

UGGs

Other

Sweatpants/Sweatshirts

Puffers

Chilly

Knits/Sweaters

What are STA’s favorite cold weather fashion trends?

FASHION FAVORITES

What is STA’s favorite coat brand?

The North Face

Other

Patagonia

Aritzia

None

Costco

CURRENT

The DART | Current Events | designed by Julia Schwaller

Story by Julia Schwaller | Staff Writer and Photos Courtesy of VisitKC.com

Chiefs vs. Bills

Billie Eilish Concert 11/16

11/17

Chiefs vs. Panthers 11/24

Thanksgiving Break 11/25-12/1

Plaza Lighting Ceremony 11/28

Black Friday 11/29

Cyber Monday 12/2

EVENTS 7

The DART | News | November 15, 2024

Economy

• Cut taxes and implement tariffs • Not cut Social Security or Medicare benefits • National reshoring plan to decrease reliance on China for medical and national security goods • Ban Chinese ownership of critical infrastructure in U.S.

Immigration

• Plans to implement merit-based immigration system • Deport undocumented immigrants • Use local law enforcement and National Guard to remove some immigrants in cooperative states

What

happens now?

The Dart informs you on President-elect Donald Trump’s stances on topics. Story by Chloe Denk | Editor-In-Chief Information gathered from The New York Times and donaldjtrump.com

Climate

• Oppose Green New Deal • Exit Paris Climate Accords • Remove barriers to oil and natural gas projects

Foreign Policy

• Eliminate economic dependence on China • Tariffs of Chinese products • Reevaluate NATO’s purpose and mission • Support Israel in face of confrontation with Iran

Reproductive Rights

• Would not sign federal abortion ban • States allowed to enact restrictions

Gun Control

• Protect 2nd amendment right • Oppose new gun restrictions

STA Students Cast Ballots

Senior Keira Prior points to her “I voted today” sticker on Nov. 4th. Photo courtesy of Lucy Filing

Senior Lucy Filing and her mother smile outside of a voting center on Nov. 4th. Photo courtesy of Lucy Filing

Fateful Fall: The DART | News | designed by Chloe Denk

Florida and Southern U.S. Experience Extreme Weather

Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked havoc across the Southern United States. Their impact, as well as the effects of other extreme weather, reaches into the STA community.

ore than 1200 evacuated. Over 300 lives lost . $50 billion in damage. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused drastic damage across the Southern United States and impacted many lives when they made land in late September and early October. Residents are still dealing with the aftereffects. The hurricane season begins on June 1st and ends November 30th, so it will be over by the end of this month. However, this season has been highly irregular. According to experts, there was a 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season. And while these storms were geographically distant from Kansas City, the hurricanes hit close to home for some STA students and teachers. Steve Perry, director of choirs, shared his own family’s experience with the recent hurricanes. “My cousin Ellaine and her husband Pete live on the side of the mountain about 10 miles from Burnsville,” Perry said. “They got out with their lives, and think their house is okay because it is up on a mountain, but the road at the bottom of their drive that went down the mountain to the main road was gone by the time they got down there. They had to wade through mud up to their

Story by Anna Salinardi | Staff Writer

Brooke Curtis, back, and her daughter wait for more loads to salvage. The Curtis family home in Zephyrhills was one of 50 homes drenched with waist-high water. Photo courtesy of Dave Decker/ZUMA Press Wire

waists because the river had washed away the road, carrying their cat in a cat carrier above their heads. They went about 10 miles before they ran into someone who had a big four wheeler and they took them into town, but they can’t get back to their house and they don’t know when they will be able to. Their county was ground zero for the hurricane. They got 29 inches of rain in two

Over 11,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen assist with the recovery of Hurricane Helene and the ensuing Hurricane Milton. In Zephyrhills a coalition of Air Force National Guard, Army National Guard and Florida State Guard conduct disaster relief operations. Photo courtesy of Dave Decker/ZUMA Press

days, so it’s just very devastating.” The tragedies have touched the lives of STA students through their family members. “My grandma was affected by the hurricane in Florida, and she did not evacuate, but she is all OK,” sophomore Delaney Metz said. “The only damage that was done was a tree falling on her house, the power went out and there is a lot of water damage, but that’s really all thankfully.” While the hurricanes were a month ago, the devastation is still being felt by those who were affected. Many lost loved ones, their homes, all their belongings and so much more. Scan the QR code to donate to those impacted by the hurricanes. This story contains information from the following source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.B Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm at the time of this photograph, is pictured in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Yucatan Peninsula from the International Space Station as it orbited 257 miles above. Background photo courtesy of NASA/Wikimedia Commons

The DART | Star Spotlight | November 15, 2024

Freshman Rue Khasai shares her long and unique journey from Kenya to the halls of STA. Story and photo by Maya Tule | Photography Editor

u R

h K as e

The DART | Star Spotlight | designed by Maya Tule Q: Where did you grow up? A: I was in Kenya until I was about six and then that’s when my mom was like, “Okay, let’s go to America, because I want you guys to be educated.” So we just packed our things and we came over here. I didn’t go anywhere else other than Missouri, straight to Kansas City. Q: How long have you been here? A: Since 2015, so about nine years. Q: Do you live in this area? A: Kind of. I live 20 minutes away from the school. Q: Why did you come to STA? A: Education. That is kind of an obvious answer, but I saw how rigorous the academic performance was here and I was like “Okay.” I like the classes and also the clubs and opportunities they provide. Q: Was it just you and your mom who moved here? A: No, my eight siblings and me. Well, nine of us including me. I’m number eight. I have a younger sibling in eighth grade and the rest are older. Q: How’s your lifestyle different here? A: Over there, not all my siblings, nor me, or even my parents got the chance to go to school. Even though school is over there, they never really had the opportunity to go. My mom was more focused on feeding us more than focused on school, so we never really got the chance to go to school. I only remember running around and playing and stuff like that. So it was very different, coming over here and having to go to school I was like “What’s school? What do you mean you have to be somewhere for eight hours a day?” Q:Did you go anywhere before STA? A: Yes, I went to Kansas City International Academy. They have a lot of people with similar backgrounds as me, you know, like they came to Missouri from a different country. But I went there K - eighth grade. I went straight to the International Academy, and then graduated from there. Q: Do you feel going straight into school, you understood the education? A: It was definitely overwhelming at first. Because just imagine yourself being six and I was just put in. I was a little behind everybody, because they were all used to pre-school and all that. I didn’t have any of that. So it was kind of like, “Okay, kid, I’m going to throw you in here. You either sink

or swim.” It was definitely a lot of work, but the school really helped. I mean, they helped me stay after school, do a lot of extra stuff to catch me up, and it really did pay off. Q: As a Muslim, how does it feel to be going to a Catholic school? A: Honestly, at first my mom was a little bit nervous because she was like “Oh, at a Catholic school, everybody’s going to be Catholic. Are you okay with, you know, being the different one out?” Especially given that I wear something that represents my religion. But honestly, I’m going in with the mindset that at least I’m going to graduate with a good education and have knowledge on a different religion that isn’t mine. Best of both worlds, I think. Q: Do you actively practice your religion? A: Yes. Kind of similar to church, but it’s called a mosque, and I attend and do prayers and stuff like that about my day. Q: What have been some of your favorite classes? A: Journalism. I love creative writing. This class really allows you to be creative and stuff like that. And it definitely has pushed me to learn new things. And I feel like this class is fun and this is the class where I can just chill back and just be creative. Q: What is something you want to work towards in the four years? A: I’m going to be honest. I’m uncertain about what I want to do. But I’m narrowing down the stuff that I like, and I’m realizing, okay, I really enjoy English class, and I really enjoy journalism. Maybe I’ll look into that sort of path, but as of right now, I’m very undecided. Q: Do you play any sports? A: No, I am the complete opposite of that. I can’t kick, or do anything with a ball, but I can sit down and debate. Q: What’s your favorite thing about living in America? A: Can I say what I don’t like? Growing up in Kenya, everybody knew each other, because I grew up in an apartment complex, but everybody knew each other. It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid, everybody knew each other. Coming from Kenya to over here, it was kind of like nobody knew each other. Everybody kind of keeps to themselves. So, it was so weird. It was so weird not seeing all of the faces that I was used to, and all of the people I was surrounded with. And it was also, I don’t know if this is like a universal experience, it probably isn’t, but

when my mom would cook something for dinner, she would give me the food, and I would go pass it over to the neighbor, but then the neighbor would return something and she would give her kid something and we would all run into each other, passing food around and we would just die laughing because it was like, “Dude, it’s been going on for an hour, and we just keep getting sent back food.” And then when I go back home, it’s a whole buffet, it’s food that everybody cooked, and we’re all just eating together. Q: How did you end up here at STA? A: All of the other schools around me didn’t really catch my eye, then when I came over here, the education was the main thing but also I would say the community here as well. When I shadowed at Lincoln and other schools, they didn’t feel as welcoming as St. Teresa’s did, so I was like, “Okay, I want to go here because the community is so good.” Q: What’s your favorite food? A: I’m kind of a sucker for the traditional food that my mom still cooks. I really love the snacks here, though. I love the snacks. Q: What does your mom cook? A: My mom cooks just like the traditional stuff we cook, traditional rice and basta and stuff like that. Q: Did she find places to shop here? Or have you found a good restaurant? A: There are Somali malls everywhere we live, because believe it or not, where we live there’s a lot of other Somalis also with similar background, and we just connected with them, but there’s Somali malls that we always go shopping at. Sometimes my mom doesn’t want to cook, so she’ll go to the Somali mall, and there’s a restaurant in there and we order traditional Somali food. Q: Do you ever see yourself going back to Kenya? A: To visit, yes. I already told my mom this because we’ve had conversations where she’s like, “Okay, I’m going to go and get you back to Kenya to see your father and your grandma.” and I was like, “Okay, cool.” It’s definitely going to be over the summer, definitely. I already kind of told her it’s either over the summer or never, because I don’t want to go back to Kenya going into my junior year, because that’s when I’m busy studying for the ACT and SAT, prepping for that. So maybe over the summer. B

The DART | Feature | November 15, 2024

Forefronting Fitness

From weight machines to the yoga mat, students find ways to stay active while also having fun. Story by Molly Sonnenberg | Editor-In-Chief

*Information about each gym was taken from their respective websites*

t Crunch: There’s so many different things Senior Piper Bednarczyk’s favorite thing abou and free training! you can do: free cycling classes, pilates classes ing beds, Crunch Fitness is the perfect gym From group fitness classes to machines to tann classes vary from cycling, yoga, dance and for anyone on their fitness journey. Their fitness e for everyone. However, if a solo workout much more, offering a fun and engaging experienc hines and equipment to personalize your is more your forte, Crunch Fitness has all the mac use Crunch Fitness has it all! workout. Break a sweat then get your tan on, beca

Spanish Teacher Ani Haroia n’s favorite thing about Ora nge Theory: The thing I love community I have built there. most about it is the I always find someone to tal k to during the workout, which motivates me to keep going! Combination is the name of the game for Orange Theory : specifically designed for you strength and cardio training. , it combines A heart-rate monitor is used to track your progress, letting level of intensity on what the you adjust the monitor declares, complete with five heart rate training zon in percentages of your person es, each varying alized maximum heart rate. Whether you are on the trea using weights, Orange Theory dmill, rower, or provides an exceptional and functional workout.

Fitness because it’s owned by ut Fusion Fitness: I love Fusion abo ng thi e orit fav n’s Zin sl that it’s all-female, Senior Lie support her business! I love my friend’s mom, so I love to g. so it’s just really empowerin variety of Fusion Fitness offers a wide r, nde Bre ssi Do ior sen n ow y ver ’s get re are classes designed to tar Founded by the mother of STA all-women environment. The eat eat upb upb and g The s. erin sse pow cla em ling an classes in ining, and even cyc tra h ngt stre , dio car , ing ton h passionate different muscle groups throug time. Led by engaging, fun and ry eve ss cla nt ere diff a e vid pro l level! music and amplifying moves perfect for any and every skil instructors, Fusion Fitness is

Junior Zoe Reda’s favorite thi ng about Mojo: Mojo always plays really good music, and energy is so good which makes the me loo k for wa rd to go work out there! Community and cycling are the two main goals of Mojo Cycling . The upscale fitness studio provides bikes in an upbeat and challenging environment, per fect from the beginner to the expertise level. Cycling to the beats, music is a driving factor of these classes. The dim ligh offers a break from the outsid ting e world, and you control the resistance on the bike to ma your workout. Mojo Cycling is xim ize perfect for bikers everywher e.B

The DART | Feature | designed by Molly Sonnenberg

Story by Wynnie Sprague | Opinions Editor

here have been many positive changes in Kansas City’s retail scene this year, from the Aritzia opening in Town Center, to the new plans for the Country Club Plaza released. Aritzia, which first opened in Canada in 1984, came to Town Center on November 9th, in the same space that L.L Bean used to occupy. Since the first store opened in the United States in 2006 Aritizia has included many exclusive brands that have added to its success. “Aritzia is one of the shops that I have to go to when I go out of town, so I am so excited to have one here,” junior Libby Scanlon said. Aritzia is coming at the perfect time, just before the holidays, and I will definitely be adding some Aritzia items to my list.” Another bonus of getting an Aritzia store in KC is that buying and returning items of clothing will be much easier. Ordering online and shipping the clothing items back will not be a hassle anymore. “I am really excited that we are getting an Aritzia

ARITZIA’S ARRIVAL + THE PLAZA’S POSSIBILITIES

store because sometimes it is hard to order sizes online, not knowing if they are going to fit me, especially if I am relying on what I ordered to wear to an event or something,” sophomore Naomi Randall said. Aritzia neighbors Aerie, Madewell, Anthropologie, Sephora and many other trending stores for women to shop in. “Something I love about Aritzia is the quality of clothing for a very reasonable price,” freshman Avery Duff said. “It will be a convenient stop because I am already shopping in Town Center pretty frequently. I think it will be the perfect addition to Town Center, and I can’t wait to shop.” On the other side of Kansas City, The Country Club Plaza is under contract to be bought by new owners Ray Washburne and HP Village Partners, who own Highland Park Village in Dallas. Highland Park has a similar Spanish-style architecture to The Plaza, so the plans are to keep the same charm, but revitalize it with new stores, restaurants and green

spaces. “I really hope The Plaza can be restored to what it used to be,” sophomore Charlotte Kuechler said. “I think it already has so much charm, but it needs a lot of updates. Hopefully this revamp will also help reduce the amount of crime.” Another exciting part of the new plans is the addition of wider sidewalks and outdoor dining, which is being added to hopefully attract more people to eat and shop on The Plaza. “I love when I go out of town and there are restaurants where you can sit

“

I really hope The Plaza can be restored to what it used to be. I think it already has so much charm, but it needs a lot of updates. Charlotte Kuechler

“

Within the past year, Kansas City has received a few shopping upgrades, on both the Kansas and Missouri sides.

outside and observe the city,” senior Madeline Sallee said. “I hope that The Plaza will have that same feel, where you can feel the charm of Kansas City.”B

The DART | Review | November 15, 2024

Having a Great

G MED Y

As the Kansas City Chiefs continue to go undefeated and our very own STA seniors travel from state to state in search of the perfect college (and college football team), I'm here to give you all the gameday do's and dont's.

Story by Cassie Hallier | Co-Design Editor

s Thanksgiving approaches, football season is at its peak. In my opinion, everybody who can should attend at least one game this fall. Everything worth doing is worth doing right, so allow me to be your guide to everything gameday. Wearing the perfect gameday outfit is something every fashion-forward football fan fantasizes about. There is nothing like slipping your feet into your favorite pair of cowboy boots and pinning on a button referencing your favorite team. My gameday essentials include a warm sweater, preferably one in team colors. My personal favorite is the Brandy Melville Brianna sweater. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, giving every fan a chance to showcase their team colors. The tightly knit sweater is sure to keep you warm no matter where you choose to watch the game. When it comes to seating, nothing beats the 50-yard line. Putting you right in the middle of the action, a seat on the 50-yard line provides a perfect view of both end zones, allowing you to watch your team score no matter the quarter. While there's nothing like being in the stadium, there is no better way to spend a weekend then curled up on the couch with a cozy blanket, watching your favorite team score and snacking on classic tailgate food. I prefer to stick to a strict gameday diet of chips, dip and Dr. Pepper, but that could vary from person to person. If you don't know your perfect tailgate snacks yet, I have some recommendations. For chips, stick to what's classic. Nothing beats a plain Ruffle or a Tostito's scoop. With the Ruffles, I recommend the Lay's French Onion dip, a gameday staple; you're sure to find at least 100 jars in any stadium parking lot. For your Tostito's, I recommend a seven-layer dip. The Allrecipes recipe is brilliant

and will have you snacking on chips all day. Gameday traditions are as abundant as the aforementioned Lay's French Onion Dip, particularly in Kansas City. It is impossible to leave your house on a Friday during football season and not have your vision flooded by a sea of red. Kansas Citians take their Red Fridays very seriously. Red Friday began in 1992, when the Chiefs were at a low point, and a morale boost was desperately needed. Lamar Hunt, accompanied by a group of volunteers, took to the streets to sell a special Chiefs edition of a newspaper, intended to benefit charities. The distribution of the newspapers was accompanied by a celebration in Westport, featuring some of the Chiefs players. Red is not splashed across Kansas City only by people's clothing. Union Station, as well as the Kauffman Center and the Marriott Downtown, are lined with LED lights that cast a red glow across the skyline. Our love for Kansas City football is so prominent it can be seen from the sky. So, how do you have a great gameday? Well, as a selfproclaimed gameday expert, I'll leave you with two final notes. First, participation is key. You will never enjoy gameday to the fullest if you don't wear your team colors and blast Red Kingdom by TechN9ne on the way to the stadium. Second, it's not all about winning. Allow yourself to keep an open mind and have fun regardless of if your team wins or loses. I have discovered through personal experience that basing your mood off of the results of a game, no matter the sport, never bodes well for anyone. The Dart wishes the best of luck to all your favorite teams this season, but one in particular: go, Chiefs! b

The DART | Review | designed by Cassie Hallier

How the Cookie

I tried the famous Crumbl cookies of the week. Read to find out if Crumbl deserves the craze. Story by Isa Glover | Sports and News Editor

f you are on TikTok or any form of social media, you have probably seen one cookie brand everywhere: Crumbl. From taste tests to reviews, Crumbl has gained popularity and has become America's fastest-growing dessert brand. I'm here to give you the low-down on Crumbl and see if it deserves the hype it has been receiving.

What's on the Menu? Crumbl cookies for the week of November 11th.

I made my way to Crumbl to try the cookies of the week for October 21-October 26. When I walked in, I was engulfed in the sweet smell of baked cookies. I decided to get the four-pack including Confetti Milkshake, Banana Upside Down Cake, Kentucky Butter Cake and Pink Velvet. The total was $19.76, averaging to about $5 per cookie.

Confetti Milkshake: 2/5

I was excited to try this cookie because I typically love funfetti flavored baked goods and ice cream. The cookie looked appetizing but I was let down by the taste. The cookie was extremely sweet. The texture was super dense and the small piece that I ate was very filling. Overall, the cookie had a nice flavor but was way too sweet.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Pumpkin Roll

Banana Upside Down Cake: 4/5

I enjoyed this cake. It had a rich flavor of banana and a light texture. The cake was topped with a caramel glaze that paired well with the cake. It was also topped with whipped cream rather than their traditional frosting, which cut down the sweetness. The cake included walnuts, which provided some contrast.

Kentucky Butter Cake: 2/5

Pink Doughnut

Chocolate Cupcake

I wasn't impressed by the Kentucky Butter Cake. It definitely wasn't the consistency of cake and had little to no flavor. The cookie had a good texture: crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The cookie dough tasted the same as the Confetti Milkshake, and I wasn't getting the ooey Kentucky Butter flavor. The cookie didn't have any frosting and was more on the plain side.

Pink Velvet: 1/5

This cookie is deserving of the 1/5 stars: it was extremely sweet and the frosting was even sweeter. The ratio of cookie to frosting was off, with too much frosting. The texture was fluffy but the sweetness made it overbearing. If you want a cavity or stomachache, this is the cookie for you.

Lemon Crinkle

Snickerdoodle

So is Crumbl crumbling? I would say yes. The cookies were all very sweet, and each is too big to eat. The presentation looks promising but you are let down with the taste. In my opinion, paying $5 per Crumbl cookie is not worth your buck.b

photos courtesy of crumblcookies.com

The DART | Centerspread | November 15, 2024

CHANGING The recent House v. NCAA lawsuit caused major changes to the recruitment process and college sports as a whole.

he recent ruling in the House v. NCAA lawsuit sent shockwaves through the world of college athletics, fundamentally altering how high school athletes approach the recruiting process. With the NCAA and Power 5 conferences now accepting a settlement from House v. NCAA and multiple other antitrust cases, college sports have changed dramatically. Junior Wynn Generally, a forward for Sporting Blue Valley’s 2008 ECNL team, recently committed to the University of South Carolina for soccer. She notes that although these rule changes are impacting high school athletes, the recruitment process is never linear. “I think it’s important to understand that everybody’s recruitment process looks different,” Generally said. “It really depends on who you are, what sport you play and what your goals and aspirations are.” Muriel Gamble, an STA junior and one of Generally’s teammates, notes that a major consequence of the lawsuit is roster capping. “Many high school seniors in the class of 2025 are having their offers revoked because of the roster limits that were changed,” Gamble said. “Let’s say a school recruited about nine women’s soccer players from the class of 2025. While this would have been fine last year, it isn’t this year because the new roster cap for that sport is 28. For women’s soccer, schools are now looking for about seven girls per class, so they’re having to revoke certain athletes’ offers to make sure they

are meeting that limit.” Student-athletes who have de-committed or gotten their offer revoked are needing to find a new college at the last minute. “I’ve seen on the social media platform X that there are lots of soccer players from the class of 2025 posting things that kind of say, ‘Hey, My name is blank and I play this position. My offer has been revoked. I’m looking to find a new home,’” Gamble said. “Coaches might even comment on their posts saying things like, ‘Hey, we’re still looking for 2025s’, which helps athletes in their search for a new school.” The influx of athletes who are de-committing is impacting younger classes who are beginning the recruitment process. “I feel like right now everyone is kind of rushing to commit,” Gamble said. “As of last year, athletes would be committing as late as the end of the school year. Most people my age don’t know what they want to do for their career. While I have a good idea of what I’d like to do, I feel like it’s still so early to decide. If you want to go to a school that has a good program for what you want to do, rushing to commit can really limit your options.” STA’s athletic director, Kat Williams, noted that another major impact of the lawsuit were changes to NIL, a policy that allows student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness. “Future student-athletes will have more flexibility when it comes to recruiting and their ability to make money off of NIL,” Williams said. Prior to the lawsuit, student-athletes were not able to make money off of their NIL without putting

The DART | Centerspread | designed by Jo Marshall

THE GAME? Story by Wynnie Sprague | Opinions Editor

their scholarships in jeopardy. Now, there are looser policies in terms of the sponsorships and endorsements student-athletes can accept and be paid for while keeping their spot on the team. Under the new system, scholarships are no longer a concern. Quite possibly the biggest change caused by the lawsuit is the shift from scholarships to direct payment. Student-athletes are now being paid as employees, and are able to handle their own money. Junior Libby Scanlon, an outside hitter for STA’s Varsity volleyball team, is excited at the prospect of being able to manage the income she might make in college. “I think paying student-athletes like they are working a job is a great idea,” Scanlon said. “They put in lots of work, and their sport might prevent them from being able to have a job outside of it. I think paying them directly works well, because they can decide where they put that money, whether it’s to school, housing, food, etc.” Along with paying student-athletes comes the expectations of a real job. They are paid and employed on a semester-to-semester basis. If a student-athlete is unhappy with their situation, or they get removed from their team, they have the opportunity to enter the transfer portal. According to 247 Sports, the transfer portal is a NCAA database in which players who have opted to transfer are listed. Those with access to the portal are coaches, athletic administrators and compliance officials. The database can be sorted by year, division and sport.

Audrey Coppinger, a junior at STA who plays with Generally and Gamble, is also going through the recruiting process. Coppinger’s older sister, Grace Coppinger, who graduated STA in 2022, plays soccer at Texas Christian University. With women’s soccer being heavily impacted by the transfer portal, both sisters have valuable insight on what it looks like now. “Colleges will look through that player’s film, stats, grades and various other factors when considering picking up an athlete from the transfer portal,” Coppinger said. “Now, they also have to consider how much money they have to pay that athlete. If the college really wants that person, they are going to have to offer more potential money than the other colleges in hopes for the athlete to commit to their school.” With all these changes, it can be hard for student-athletes to navigate what school is best and where they will find the most success. “This is coming from my friend, because she’s in compliance with the NCAA, and I totally agree with what she said,” Williams said. “Her advice during the recruiting process is to do research and to pick the school that fits you and not one that has the most popular name. Make sure the school has the major you desire and the coaching staff that cares about you. Pick a school you feel comfortable with, and would be willing to stay at if something happens and you can no longer play the sport that you went to that particular college to play.” b

The DART | Centerspread | November 15, 2024

THE ROSTERS: SPORT

CURRENT

NEW

INCREASE

Golf (W)

Basketball (W)

Cross Country (W)

Field Hockey (W)

Track (W)

Lacrosse (W)

Soccer (W)

Softball (W)

Swim (W)

Tennis (W)

Volleyball (W)

Ice Hockey (W)

Gymnastics (W)

Rowing (W)

Wrestling (W)

*Please note that roster limit changes have been to many other sports, and not exclusively womens sports. The sports listed were chosen due to their relevance to STA students.

Data provided by NCSA College Recruiting.

The DART | Editorial | designed by Jo Marshall

RIGHT ON TARGET

The Dart staff debates the positive and negative impacts of the changes following the House v. NCAA lawsuit.

n 2021, student-athletes challenged their ability to be paid for the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) and ultimately won that right. Earlier this year, and for the first time ever, the NCAA and Power Five were granted the ability to directly pay athletes, revolutionizing not only how studentathletes are compensated, but also greatly changing the recruitment and retention process for thousands of young men and women. Members of The Dart staff agree that these changes will be monumental but had varying opinions of the pros and cons of the modifications. On the positive side, staffers felt that the hardworking athletes deserve compensation for their time and passion; moreover, negotiating contracts at this level can help to better prepare students for entry into the professional sports world, where multi-million dollar contracts are commonplace. Staffers also pointed out these payments can help to alleviate the high costs of a college degree, leveraging school attendance for those who would not be able to go with partial scholarships. Additionally, direct payments to students could draw a wider range of athletes and perhaps lead to the funding of lowerprofile sports. However, there were a number of concerns

Editorial by Lily Remer | Staff Writer

expressed by the staffers as well, ranging from questions about whether the new system will favor big schools, certain programs and male athletes. Additionally, some wondered whether paying student-athletes directly will take away the focus on academics and change the college culture, perhaps even pulling funding from other programs. There were also concerns expressed about these huge financial incentives being offered to athletes: could these lead to the collegiate athletes prioritizing sports to the degree that their mental health is impacted? Would students who are paid the big bucks start emphasizing sports over classes or even their own personal needs? Furthermore, it seems these changes only lead to more questions: Where does all this funding come from? How might this affect non-athletes on campus? How will the money be fairly disbursed? What happens to students who were a part of the old recruitment process, and now find themselves negatively impacted? With so much at stake, and many changes looming on the horizon of college athletics, these questions and concerns are legitimate. The staff members of The Dart all agree that the sweeping alterations to athletics in higher education will bring profound changes to college sports as we know them. b

Photos courtesy of Wynn Generally, Libby Scanlon, Muriel Gamble, Audrey Coppinger and Wynnie Sprague.

The DART | Feature | November 15, 2024

Stars Beyond Borders Carlota Marron Gallego and Salma Attia share the ups and downs of traveling abroad. Story by Odelia Colvin | Staff Writer

hen junior Salma Attia decided to become an exchange student at the start of this year, she had one goal in mind: to learn more about the world around her. “I wanted to know another world, a lot of cultures, and try to be on my own, and to find out who I am away from my family and friends,” Attia said. “I wanted to feel independence.” Attending STA definitely brought the new opportunities Attia had been searching for, but not in the way she was expecting. School at STA is drastically different from school in Tunisia, Attia’s home country. “The school day is different [in Tunisia], because you start at eight, then you finish at noon,” Attia said. “You have a two-hour break. You can go home and do whatever, but you come back from two to six, it’s four hours in the morning and then four hours in the afternoon. I feel like school there was much harder.” However, for sophomore exchange student Calota Marron Gallego, the school day at STA is a familiar environment.

“I went to a private British school, so similar to STA,” Marron Gallego said. “We had uniforms. It was kind of the same...It wasn’t an all-girls school, that’s the biggest difference, but the rest is similar.” However, the general environment of the USA was a definite change for Marron Gallego. “It’s very different [in Spain],” Marron Gallego said. “It’s very crowded and hot.” Marron Gallego decided to become an exchange student along with her brother, who is currently

“I actually planned it with all my cousins and my brother; we all decided to talk to my parents and aunt and uncle,” said Marron Gallego. “I thought it was a cool new experience.” On the flip side, being so far away from family and friends presented its own set of challenges for Marron Gallego. “I’m a bit homesick,” Marron Gallego said. “During Christmas, I think I’m going to be more homesick because it’s the time for family.”

The DART | Feature | designed by Odelia Colvin

One of the things Marron Gallego noticed after coming to the US were the differences in food, especially compared to what she was used to in Spain. “I bought food because I’m trying to be healthy, and it goes bad in two days,” Marron Gallego said. “I tried to make my lunch, and bring salads to school. Then I just gave up because I bought salad, and then it just got bad in two days….tacos; I’m eating a lot of that here. And I tried biscuits, eggs and gravy. It was so good.” The difference in food was noticed by Attia as well. “It’s really different because most of the food in my country is mostly homemade,” Attia said. “Here in America, a lot of people prefer fast food. Most of [the food in Tunisia] is homemade; my mom or dad can cook, three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We use a lot of spices, and it’s a little bit spicy. I love it.” Another difference for Attia was moving from the hot beaches and deserts in Tunisia to the climate of Kansas City. “Summer break [in Tunisia] starts June 1 and then ends September 15; it’s so hot during that period of time that we can’t go to school.” The trip from Tunisia to the USA and STA itself was difficult for Attia. “It took me two planes,” Attia said. “I first flew to Frankfurt and then to here. From Germany to here, it was nine hours. I really couldn’t sleep on the plane because it was so loud. I slept maybe 13 hours when I arrived because the jet lag was too much.”

Nevertheless, traveling abroad presented an amazing opportunity for Attia to utilize her communication skills. “I feel like I’ve watched movies and shows in English since I was young,” Attia said. “Speaking English just feels easy because I speak Arabic, French, English and Turkish. When you learn a lot of languages you find it easy to learn more. English is by far the easiest one of them all. I feel like I know English more than I know my own native language. Sometimes I won’t really find words in Arabic, but I will find them in English because all of the social media being in English helps a lot.” Despite Attia’s mastery of English, she has struggled to find people in KCMO who speak her native language, Arabic. “Since being here in America, I’ve only met two people who spoke Arabic,” Attia said. “As an American your native language is English, so you don’t need to learn other languages, because people learn your language. So, you guys can communicate with most people already when you speak English.” Marron Gallego has no regrets about coming to STA. “My friends are really nice; I like my classes,” Marron Gallego said. “It’s really cool.” b

MURDER The DART | Short Feature | November 15, 2024

In The Media

True Crime is the ultimate mystery but is it thrilling or informative? Read more to find out.

rom the viral Gypsy Rose case to the possible revival of the Menendez trial, a new generation of true crime viewers are not shy about sharing their opinions on the subject. Real true crime stories remain relevant today but a question remains: are these stories accurately portrayed by Hollywood? Hollywood has had a history of sugar-coating or glamorizing both sensitive and serious subjects, but what is the response when shows and movies sensationalize real-life stories and events? The overnight sensation “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” has skyrocketed viewership in the true crime genre. Its popularity and attention on TikTok has caused people to rediscover the original trail from the 90s. People can’t help but feel for the brothers and ultimately question if locking them up was the correct thing to do. While the show has a positive impact, the backlash is also evident. According to “Rolling Stone,” Erik Menendez wrote a statement criticizing the portrayal of his brother in the show.

Story by Kennedi Fritz | Staff Writer “I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle; [but] creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies is rampant in the show,” Erik wrote. “I can only believe they were done so on purpose. It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.” Murphy was also behind “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” and that alone got a fair amount of backlash for its false and insensitive portrayals of those tragedies. Adaptations such as these can forge and sway the minds of young viewers, including STA students. How does the true crime genre affect STA? STA students voiced their opinions. Fellow Dart staff member sophomore Julia Schwaller shared her love for the true crime genre. “I love the true crime genre,” Schwaller said. “It’s so interesting!” Freshman Illy Dyer-Beale talked about crime cases in the media. “I think it is important to represent real crime cases in the media so if anything happens like it in the future, we know how to handle it,” Dyer-Beale said. Senior Poppy Robertson also spoke about the genre. “I watch true crime to learn about it,” Robertson said. “I like learning about the psychological aspects of it.” Sophomore Erin Turley commented as well. “I watch true crime for both entertainment and information,” Turley said. “I like learning about it (it’s kind of grim curiosity) but I also like when the bad guy is brought to justice. Not only that, but looking at these real cases shows the extreme flaws in our legal justice system.” Schwaller expanded on her reasoning. “I think it is important to tell these cases because victims deserve to have their stories told,” Schwaller said.

Sophomore Sholeh Porras also discussed her opinions. “I think it’s important to share real crime cases in the media because it alerts people and makes them more cautious and safe,” Porras said. According to the student sources and other true crime viewers, the genre is viewed as both entertaining and informative. With that in mind, be thoughtful of the shows and movies being produced and the real lives behind the stories. It is important to separate fact from fiction and maintain a healthy balance of media consumption. The determination if stories are accurately portrayed by Hollywood simply depend on the facts and narrative of the project.

Kennedi’s Perspective As a new true crime viewer, I recently watched the Menendez show and I believe it is a tasteful and suspenseful thriller. It does a great job of showcasing attention to detail, from the wardrobe and mannerisms of the characters to the dialogue and research on the family. From first glance, it’s obvious a lot of care and dedication went into this project but I felt like there were a lot unnecessary elements as well. For example, when Lyle tells Erik his ideas for escaping from prison, there is montage of the brothers acting out the plan, which is a good visual but is clearly used as entertainment. Some viewers believe that after episode five or six, the show loses its sense of self and primarily focuses on the entertainment side of storytelling. B

The DART | Humans of STA | designed by Julia Schwaller

Bridging Beliefs: Faces of Faith

Not all students at STA are Catholic. Junior Sami Goodman shares her experiences as a young Jewish woman. Story by Julia Schwaller | Staff Writer

unior Sami Goodman describes her experiences as a young Jewish woman inside and outside school. “One of the favorite parts of my religion is how I can express it to others and introduce and teach them my faith journey,” Goodman said. She is an advocate for her faith and the struggles Jewish people face day to day. “This year, I have been placed in LFT, which is a Jewish youth group leaders federation,” Goodman said. “We get to travel to Washington, D.C., and speak to higher-up people about all the hardships we face day to day and how we can attempt to fix it all.” Goodman enjoys so much about her faith, from rites of passage to holidays. “When I was 13 (it was during COVID) I had my bat mitzvah, which wasn’t a traditionally normal one, but I read my sections of the Torah and then wrote a speech and interviewed an important woman I look up to in life,” Goodman said. “I shared the speech in front of family and friends and left many in tears.” In addition to her bat mitzvah ceremony, Goodman very much enjoys celebrating the annual holidays that are part of the Jewish faith. “I participate in most of the

Jewish holidays,” Goodman said. “Hanukkah, Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah. I usually have big celebrations with family and friends from Passover and Hanukkah and invite my non-practicing friends so they can have an understanding of my home life.” B

STA’s Interfaith Alliance is an extracurricular run by social studies teacher Sarah Henson. In its meetings, the Interfaith Alliance learns about other faiths and the traditions members participate in.

The DART | Sports | November 15, 2024

St ar s @ St ate

Fall sports, including tennis, golf and cross country, went to state for their 2024 season.

Story by Rebecca McGannon | Editor-In-Chief and Photos by Jo Marshall | Social Media Editor

he tennis team wrapped up their season on October 15 with three athletes competing in Springfield at the state level. “My doubles partner Peyton Kuechler and I won one of our matches, which was really exciting, “ junior Lucy Schibig said. “There was a lot of good competition. It’s fun to compete at that level.” Schibig and Kuelcher made it to the second round of state doubles matches. Senior Eva Farmer finished in the top 16 in the state. Schibig reflected on the 2024 tennis season as a good rebuilding year. “I think we all learned how to cooperate and play tennis as a team and not just for ourselves,” Schibig said. Both teams ended the season with a winning record. Varsity wrapped up with a 10-4 record, and junior varsity ended with a 6-4 record.

State tennis stars, Lucy Schibig, Peyton Kuechler and Eva Farmer, pose together during their state send off.

The STA golf team had a successful season with four individuals, juniors Lydia Anielak and Lily Vaeth, sophomore Peyton Strupp and freshman Meg Rottinghouse, qualifying for individual state. “Overall, we did pretty good this season,” Anielak said. “We got second or third in most of our team tournaments. Then districts went really good, obviously, because four of us went to state. We could participate at state as a team in Cape Girardeau because we needed only four people to do that.” One highlight of their time in Cape Girardeau for state was Strupp making a hole in one. “Overall, state went really great,” Anielak said. “We were all really excited when Peyton Strupp had a hole in one!” b

The golf state qualifiers, Lydia Anielak, Lily Vaeth, Meg Rottinghaus and Peyton Strupp smile before they head off to state.

The 2024 cross country Stars excelled this season. “I think we have definitely progressed a lot from last year,” junior Ava Fugate said. “We got a lot of good freshmen, so I think they added and contributed a lot this year. We just kept getting better and better and doing harder workouts.” The team’s progress showed at districts and state this year. The girls placed 1st at districts, beating out the second place team at state last year. On Oct. 8th on the Gans Creek Course in Colombia the team continued to do well at the state level. “At state we got fourth,” Fugate said. “It was super close. Third, fourth and fifth were all really close. We did a lot better this year. Last year we got ninth or something.” Even with the team’s great season, the runners also had to work through lots of injuries. “We had lots of injuries this year,” Fugate said. “In cross country you start in the summer to get ready for the season, but I think a lot of freshmen and girls who didn’t do summer running were really injury prone.” Despite this obstacle, the cross country team was still able to succeed at state and have an overall great season.

The varisty cross country team poses with their first place plaque at districts Oct. 26.

The DART | Sports | designed by Rebecca McGannon

The Rise of Kansas City Sports With Kansas City sports on the up and coming, it’s a good day to be from KC! Story by Santina Bonino | Staff Writer and Photo by Maya Tule | Photo Editor

t’s no secret that Kansas City sports fans have been spoiled recently. Whether you’re talking about baseball, football or soccer, those of us who live in the Heartland have a reason to celebrate. Our community is very passionate about sports, as we can see through small business decorations, the hearts around the city or the huge crowds at all the games. Some highlights of our Kansas City teams are the Royals, who made it to the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade, and the Chiefs, who have won three Super Bowls in the past five years and currently are 9-0. Of course, that is not even including our great women’s soccer team, the KC Current, who play in the first stadium specifically built for women’s sports. Rumors have also circulated surrounding the establishment of a WNBA team in Kansas City. According to the daily newsletter KCtoday, citing a source from “The Kansas City Business Journal,” “Talks are already underway between KC Current owners, Angie and Chris Long and Brittany and Patrick Mahomes, and the WNBA about owning an expansion team that would call T-Mobile Center home. This makes Kansas City one of 15 legitimate bidders for a new franchise.” Having a WNBA team will bring our crowd out to celebrate more women’s sports. Speaking of women’s sports, Kansas City is also expected to get a pro volleyball team in the next few years. The team was originally supposed to come in 2025, but there has been a delay. While there’s much to currently, celebrate for Kansas City sports fans, the future also holds excitement and promise when six FIFA 2026 World Cup matches will be played here. Kansas City will be the site of six of these games, including a quarterfinal, from June 16 through July 11, 2026. All of the games are set to take place at Arrowhead Stadium. The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by three countries for the first time ever: Canada, Mexico and the United States; U.S. games will be set in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and the Bay Area, and Kansas City is the only Midwestern site for matches. b

2015: Royals win the World Series

2020: KC Current was founded

2020: Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years

2023: Chiefs win the Super Bowl

2024: Chiefs win the Super Bowl

2024: Royals make MLB Postseason

2026: World Cup hosted at Arrowhead Stadium

The DART | Columns | November 15, 2024

Saving the Symphony

Classical music is a beautiful art that needs to be saved.

Column by Paloma Greim | Guest Columnist

ymphony Music is going to die out. Once a month, I attend a classical music performance by the Kansas City Symphony. A sea of gray heads bob around the lobby, and a few outlier parents tote young children around. This is the scene I witness time and time again as I prepare to enter the concert halls to experience the music I love so dearly–the same music that is slowly and steadily becoming a lost and outdated art. When the pandemic hit in 2020, orchestras suffered severe losses in revenue and attendance. In San Antonio, orchestral directors were forced to cut annual salaries by nearly a third. While this drop was sudden, orchestral music has been in a steady decline for a long time. Being a pianist and a musician, it is no longer a surprise for me to hear a fellow musician in my youth symphony remark on their disinterest in classical music. Yet it is no coincidence that classical music as a whole is slipping away from young people. It has everything to do with the narratives we choose to share with one another. Everybody is familiar with certain stigmas about classical music: it is for old people; it is an elitist art. With an average audience that consists of less than 30 percent of people that are under age 40, more steps need to be taken to attract a wider audience. Obviously, orchestras need to focus on younger

audiences. We can continue to include modern and experimental composers, and offer student discounts and special shows. But the more important and more difficult thing that must occur is a shifting of viewpoints. People view classical music in a different way than other genres. When “pop” and “indie” took on different meanings than they initially had, people allowed the transformation to take place. “Classical,” on the other hand, continues to carry the same connotation it has always had: boring and untouchable. Some argue that in order to modernize and save orchestral music, it must undergo a complete transformation. They say that if people aren’t listening to Mozart and Mendelssohn anymore, we have to change the music. However, I have to disagree. We have to change the way we listen. Art is meant to be a release from societal standards; we have no need to complicate it with ageism or elitism. All music is incredibly valuable and relevant to our society, and it must remain one of the things we do not need to come to with any special knowledge or skills. In a complex world where we are constantly bombarded with messages and information, we forget about the most precious and important things. Simply being present is a rare thing and can take us far, and bring classical music where it needs to go: forward.B

Savor the Seasons Fall has arrived which means one thing: seasonal pies. Column by Marcella Buckley | Staff Writer

Read Here

The DART | Columns | designed by Isa Glover

An Educated Earth

Climate change is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed.

Column by Savannah Taylor | Staff Writer

he majority of the time when we hear the term “global warming” or “climate change,” we think of it as a future problem. Yet the effects of our irreversible actions have already started taking a toll on Earth. One of the most recent examples of global warming directly impacting us is Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Kirk, which have already done immense damage to the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas. These storms weren’t just early-coming hurricanes, they have become the standard for tropical storms. Hurricane Milton’s wind speed intensified from 60 mph to more than 180 mph in 24 hours. How did these hurricanes become so dangerous so quickly? The hotter the temperature of the air, the stronger the intensity of the storm. Our emissions of greenhouse gasses are the catalysts for the heating up of our atmosphere. When industrialization started impacting the atmosphere back in the 1800s, scientists discovered that when we burn fossil fuels and overuse coal, it releases mass amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Even if all human emissions of greenhouse gasses were halted immediately, Earth’s temperature would

ome November, the smell of warm, buttery pie crust floats out of ovens, and the sweet taste of fillings comes to mind. This can only mean one thing: pie season has officially begun. The big three must battle it out: apple pie, pumpkin pie and pecan pie. It will be up to me to decide which pie will be the winner. To start us off we will begin with apple pie, which is usually my personal favorite. The warmth of the apple and cinnamon flavor ties together with the blend of the pie crust. The sweetness of the apples sticks out to me and always leaves me satisfied. The crust on top of the pie is crispy and flaky and gives the perfect crunch to the soft inside. Pairing with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream on top pulls everything together. Next up is the good ole’ classic pumpkin pie. The infamous pumpkin pie is a great go-to, especially during the holiday season. The spices emphasize autumn and the cozy fall vibe. The spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger all accent the pumpkin flavor. The filling sits on the buttery flaky crust providing contrast between the creamy pumpkin filling and the thick crust. Pair this pie with a dollop of whipped topping. And finally, pecan pie, which I think is one of the most underrated pies out there, pecan pie is a very rich, sweet caramelized dessert with a nutty topping with a gooey-like filling all in a nice soft crust. Pecan pie is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or a dollop of whipped cream. In conclusion, all pies are delicious and each different from one

continue to rise for several more decades. This ongoing warming would result from ocean currents gradually releasing the excess heat stored in deep ocean layers back into the atmosphere. Experts estimate that additional warming from this “hidden” heat is unlikely to surpass 0.9°F (0.5°C). If human influences stopped, natural processes would gradually begin removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, allowing global temperatures to slowly decline over time. This all happens over an extended period, and results wouldn’t be immediate but are sure to happen eventually. One major renewable resource that could replace the need for fossil fuels are windmills, which can be used to preserve water and generate electricity. Wind energy reduces pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can harm air quality and public health overall.B

another yet somehow so similar. In my opinion, apple pie takes the win with the warm, sweet, cinnamon filling and the flaky crust! In a very close second is the well-known pumpkin pie, the classic nutmeg and cinnamon go so well with autumn as a whole. Last but certainly not least is pecan pie. I am always looking for the rich, caramel flavor of pecan pie during the holiday seasons, but nothing can top the feeling of eating a nice slice of apple pie.B

The DART | A&E Highlights | November 15, 2024

Mara’s Music “T Story by Stella Baska | Features Editor

ake it with the times. Take it with the times.” These lyrics are the chrous in a song called “The Times” written by senior Mara Gary and available on all major streaming platforms. Gary, while balancing the academics and social life of STA, has spent countless hours composing “The Times.” “Some days music will be super busy, and I’ll do about four hours a day,” Gary said. “It’s really not super difficult, unless it gets super busy one night and I do four hours of music and then I have two hours of homework.” This process can be very extensive: from developing a melody to writing lyrics, Gary embraces the challenge. “Writing and figuring out the chords on guitar is fun and a challenge for me, then I go to the lyrics and that is a different challenge,” Gary said. “Then you have to work with a producer, which can be difficult because it’s not just what you want. You have to have teamwork.” All of the work of producing music starts with a simple idea. “I will start with a lyric or chord progression I really like and then kind of go up from there,” Gary said. The idea behind this song, “The Times” comes from Gary’s imagination. “[The song] is about getting over a boyfriend or something else, but it is not about anyone specific,” Gary said. “I just wrote a story that I thought would be cool.” According to Gary, family is a major contributor to her progress. “[When I write a song], I’ll send it to a producer or I will play it for my family,” Gary said. One family member in particular has really helped Gary begin her music career. “My uncle was a country singer for a really long time,” Gary said. “He is not anymore, but that introduced me to music.” Her success not only comes from family but a genuine passion for music. “I really love music,” Gary said. “I really liked playing the guitar and writing songs, so I just kind of got into it.” Gary plans to release another song in the near future. “I have one [song] ready right now that I will probably release in the next two to three months,” Gary said. “I also have another one I will start working on soon.” When it comes to writting songs or dealing with life “The Times” gives advice on how to get through it. “It’s about taking everything one step at a time, not focusing too much on the future and just knowing you’ll get through it,” Gary said.B

Staff Picks: What is your favorite Sophmore Staff Writer, Julia Schwaller’s pick: Sophmore Staff Writer, Julia Schwaller’s pick: Thanksgiving food? Apple Pie

Mashed Potatoes

Junior Design and Social Media Editor, Cassie Hallier’s pick:

Sophomore Staff Writer, Julia Schwaller’s pick:

Turkey

Junior Design Editor, Lauren Rando’s pick:

The DART | Community | designed by Stella Baska

Innovative

INTERNS

There are many internships available at STA, introducing professional environments to students.

rom STEAM to Star Shop, STA’s on campus internships are becoming an essential part the community. Internships are part of a Pathways program at STA. This program, which encourages professional experiences for students outside the classroom, was created by Mandi Sonnenberg, the director of STEAM projects and education at STA. “This innovative program, in partnership with local organizations across a variety of industries and STA staff departments, helps prepare students for college and careers by engaging them in activities beyond their typical studies,” Sonnenberg said. There are 22 departments available for an internship at STA. With so many options to choose from, students can pinpoint their interests and develop relationships with people in that field. Senior Lillian Ralph is a “Finntern,” meaning she interns for Kelly Finn, the director of experiential learning. “I am an Innovation intern,” Ralph said. “So, I help plan marketing for Women’s Symposium and Interim Week, and then I help kind of boost excitement around the events.” There are many benefits to interning: service opportunities, developing professional skills and meeting new people involved in the community. Sonnenberg loves to see the students reap the benefits of internships through working with staff members. “The students get to learn more about a staff member and their career and profession.” Sonnenberg said. “They’re able to support the mission of the school, and they’re able to have experiences that help them earn their service hours, meet different people and more importantly, work on their skill levels, task completion, time management and learn how to communicate effectively.” Ralph’s favorite benefit of internships is her ability to be creative and assertive.

Story by Stella Baska | Features Editor

“Ms. Finn lets me come to her with ideas instead of just assigning things,” Ralph said. “So I get to work on things I enjoy.” However, with all the positives of internships come a few setbacks. Sonnenberg says the hardest things about internships is getting people to reply. “I think the biggest challenge is following back up with your supervisor,” Sonnenberg said. “It’s really important that interns respond within 24 hours, and constantly communicate with their supervisor. I think sometimes that, from what I hear, the biggest challenge is just communication.” As an intern, Ralph experiences the same struggle. “It can be hard to get things done if people don’t respond to my Teams chats,” Ralph said. Besides a lack of communication, the only other challenging aspect of internships can be time commitment. “First semester is pretty slow, but then the week of Interim, it kicks up,” Ralph said. “In second semester it is almost a 30-hour commitment.” The time commitment doesn’t come without reward, though. Along with developing professional skills, service hours are rewarded after 10 required hours. “Ten hours of service is required,” Sonnenberg said. “After that, you may log any extra hours in Helper Helper.” To achieve an internship and receive all the benefits, an application is necessary. The process, outlined by Sonnenberg, includes four steps: application, confirmation, training and feedback. Application for the next school year starts in April and closes in May. Confirmation occurs when placements are confirmed, and training follows the year of the internship. After the internship ends, educators give feedback in a survey. B

I FA S T FA C T S N When? January 7-10 T Who to contact? Finn, director of innovation and E Kelly advanced interdisciplinary education R Why? According to the catalog, Interim I week is “A time of innovation, creation and discovery that students to new ideas, 29 M introduces experiences and environments.”

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The DART | Last Look | November 15, 2024

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The DART | November 15, 2024

2024-25

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