the St. Teresa’s Academy Kansas City, Missouri
SCHOOL OF THE LIVING DEAD How the causes of sleep deprivation leave students brain dead
Book censorship in freshmen English classes ›› pg. 4 | KC jazz remains in full swing›› pg. 15 | Royals: 1985 to now ›› pg. 28
CONTENTS
the Dart
vol. 74
14 November 2014
issue 3
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restricted reading | Freshman Kate Jones poses with "Wild" in the library Oct. 31. The book was removed from the freshmen English classes due to reports of it being inappropriate for the students. photo by MADDY MEDINA
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seriously sweet | Carrie Parker and her son, Silas, decorate sugar skulls during the NelsonAtkins Museum of Art Day of the Dead celebration Nov. 2. Parker is an employee at Oracle, a local shop that sells taxidermied animals, framed insects, and other curiosities. photo by SIOBHAN MILLER
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missing out | The Pembroke Hill varsity field hockey team runs downfield after scoring at their home game Oct. 27. The Pembroke Hill Raiders defeated the Sion Storm 1-0. photo by ANNA HAFNER
news 4 // Admin. censors book in freshman class
star spotlight
8 // STA junior embarks on medical mission trip
reviews
10 // American Horror Story: instant cult classic
features
12 // Science teacher has roots in the Navy
cover story
18 // Students suffer from sleep deprivation
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a&e 23 // KC celebrates Day of the Dead at the Nelson
perspectives
24 // It's not always fun looking young
sports
27 // STA lacks a field hockey team
community
28 // Blue October sweeps over KC
last look
30 // Match students and their costumes
From the
Editors
Last year, former web editor Anna Leach suggested covering “stress culture” at STA. She claimed students’ sleep deprivation and constant preoccupation with schoolwork had become social constructs. No one pursued the story. When the Dart editors met to plan the paper’s second issue, another staffer proposed an article on teenagers’ lack of sleep. However, others claimed the topic was not newsworthy. In this cover story, the Dart recognizes a health issue that has become an STA norm, as the previous examples confirm. Particularly, writers Mary Hilliard and Katherine Green relate the conflict to students’ ceaseless opportunities to participate in the community. Varsity sports, AP classes and after-school jobs compete for students’ attention. To avoid the guilt of not challenging themselves, many students sample a large amount of activities. Ironically, our cover story encourages easier lifestyles by introducing another
requirement for students: 8 to 10 hours of nightly sleep. As with any guideline, slip ups will occur. Perhaps a student decides to stay up until 2 a.m. at a friend’s house or set her alarm for 4:30 a.m. to finish a semester-long project. Above all, instances of sleep deprivation will arise naturally in students’ lives, not occur daily out of pressure to be perfect. Enjoy the issue!
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Staff List
Editors-in-Chief Libby Hyde, Siobhan Miller, Emma Willibey Adviser Brad Lewis
CORRECTION: In the Dart Volume 74, Issue 2, the story ”Rockhurst Improv Club admits STA students for first time” by staff writer Alexandra Frisch misidentified senior Marie Green as “Hailey Greene.” The Dart regrets the error.
Copy
Opinion Editor Torie Richardson Sports Editor Leigh Campbell Features Editor Mary Hilliard News Editor Anna Bauman
Projects Coordinator MaryMichael Hough Cultural Correspondent Emma Willibey Breaking Local News Editor Meredith Mulhern Graphics Illustrator Mackenzie O’Guin Page Designers Mary Hilliard, Gloria Cowdin, Anna Bauman, Bridget Jones, MaryMichael Hough, Maggie Knox, Maria Donnelly, Mackenzie O’Guin, Christina Elias, Torie Richardson, Amy O’Leary, Siobhan Miller Staff Writers Linden O’Brien-Williams, Alexandria Davis, Alexandra Frisch, Elsa Feigenbaum, Molly Bird, Helen Wheatley, Clare Kenney, Anna Hafner
Photography Web Editor Hannah Bredar Print Editor Jessie Culver Journalism Projects Editor Arinna Hoffine Staff Photographers Lauren Zastrow, Meg Thompson, Maddy Medina, Katherine Mediavilla
Web
Copy Editors Audrey Carroll, Madi Winfield Social Media Manager Katherine Green
Monthly
Question by ALEXANDRIA DAVIS adavis17@stastars.org
What is one weird talent that you have? “I can pull my leg over my head.” Gina Ptacek, senior “I am really good at Tetris. I can get to level 40.” Maureen Havey, junior “I can flip my tongue over completely in my mouth.” Skye Hewitt, sophomore “People have told me that I am really good at growing plants.” Matthew Bertalott, teacher
the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 14 November 2014 page design by Gloria Cowdin, cover design by Mary Hilliard
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news
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DartNewsOnline and the Dart are created by the student newspaper staff and are maintained and published by general operating fundsofSt.Teresa’sAcademy,aCatholicinstitutionsponsoredbytheSistersofSt.Josephof Carondelet. DartNewsOnline and the Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic church, whether on a diocesan or world-wide level.
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DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage the community to post comments on the website. Letters to the editors can be sent in the following ways: in person to Brad Lewis in Donnelly room 204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, Attn: Brad Lewis, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; by email to blewis@stteresasacademy.org or to dartpaper@gmail.com. DartNewsOnline and the Dart staff reserve the right to edit or shorten letters for publication.
Administration bans novel for freshmen Administration deemed a book inappropriate for freshmen after parents complained. by HELEN WHEATLEY hwheatley17@stastars.org
The book "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" by Cheryl Strayed has been removed from freshmen English classes at STA. "Wild" is a memoir detailing Strayed’s experiences hiking the 1,100 mile Pacific Crest Trail, containing flashbacks to her life prior to the journey. Released in 2012, the memoir has been placed on the New York Times Best Seller List, Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 and has been consistently praised by critics. However, according to STA president Nan Bone, administration decided the book contained material that was too mature for a freshmen audience. According to Bone, it was “a tough decision to make.” “When I make decisions, I always base it on what's best for students,” Bone said. “We just felt like if it had been a junior or senior book it would have been perfect.” The students in English teacher Carrie Jacquin’s English 1 and Advanced English 1 classes began reading the
first chapter of the book at the beginning of the school year. After receiving parent complaints, the administration decided to remove the memoir from the curriculum. According to Jacquin, there is some explicit language and mature content. However, she believes it could have taught important values. “It deals with realities that some of our students, even as freshmen, have experienced in different ways: loss, grief, divorce, substance issues,” Jacquin said. “Ultimately it's a story about redemption and finding religion for yourself.” Jacquin went on to say that she was “absolutely amazed at the ability of [her] freshmen girls to talk about difficult issues with grace, insight and intelligence.” Some students, like freshmen Grace Langdon, really enjoyed what the class read of the novel. “As soon as I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down,” Langdon said. “I was so mad [that we stopped reading the novel] because I really enjoyed all the class activities and discussions we had done so far.” Langdon said there was a lot to be learned through "Wild," and believes the class should have continued read-
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book abandonment | The books above are just a few examples of novels that have been challenged by parents or administration for mature content. Many of the novels challenged include classics such as "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." photo by MADDY MEDINA
into the wild| Freshman Kate Jones reads "Wild" in the library Oct. 31. The book was removed from the freshmen English classes due to reports of it being inappropriate for the students. photo by MADDY MEDINA
ing the book. “I believe the content was fine for my age group,” Langdon said. “We are in high school and eventually we are going to be exposed to this stuff.” “I’m very upset and confused why the administration had to stop us from reading a great book,” Langdon said. “I do think there was a little harsh language, but nothing that a high schooler can’t read.” After developing a new curriculum over the summer, Jacquin wants her classes to focus on the idea of women creating their own stories. Although "Wild" illustrates this concept, Jacquin and Bone are both excited for "Kindred" by Octavia Butler, the novel students will be reading second semester. While Jacquin said there will be themes of female independence in "Kindred," she also believes some of the lessons taught in "Wild" will be lost. “I think what is lost is the exposure to a real life female epic hero,” Jacquin said. “She goes through all the ele-
ments that we talk about with the male character Odysseus, but she goes through them in a real life sort of way.” Langdon agreed with Jacquin, believing it was a more realistic way to understand the concepts presented in classic literature, and will continue to read the book on her own time. “It was nothing like I had ever read before; it was a great change from reading the Odyssey," Langdon said."It was interesting and pulled me in. I believe that 'Wild' had a lot of information and a great story that you couldn’t find in any other book.” Jacquin explains that although the material may not have been suitable for the freshmen age group, there are still lessons to be taught. “Almost everything we teach has been challenged somewhere at some point, but the mark of good literature is making people think, and sometimes that means making them a little uncomfortable,” Jacquin said.H
Risky reading
The Dart compiled the 10 most commonly banned books in America. compiled by GLORIA COWDIN gcowdin15@stastars.org
1. "1984" by George Orwell 2. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain 3. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger 4. "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker 5. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald 6. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou 7. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding 8. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck 9. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey 10. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
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news
Students excel in KC Metro choirs
16 students,” Monsma explains. “They Eleven STA students earned roles in the KC Metro Women's get scored on sight reading and a solo. The highest 120 scores make it into AllChoir and All-District Choir. District Choir. After those slots are filled by MADI WINFIELD mwinfield17@stastars.org
“How long have you been singing?” “Since I can remember.” “What about public singing?” “Since third grade.” Nine years later, senior Hillary Talken, along with 15 other STA students, auditioned for KC Metro choirs Oct. 4. Six students earned a role in the KC Metro Women’s Choir, while five, including Talken, are a part of AllDistrict Choir. Those five girls auditioned for Missouri All-State Choir, the most selective of the KC Metro choirs, Oct. 25. Only eight students - six members and two alternates - are chosen from each district for each vocal part: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Each district performs in their own separate festival, then comes together as a full state choir at the MMEA Conference. This is held annually at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in the Lake of the Ozarks Jan. 28 - 31. This year, Talken was chosen as one of six altos in the choir, while seniors Micah Welch and Maggie Hutchison were named All-State Choir alternates. “All-District Choir is SATB - soprano, alto, tenor, bass - and obviously we don’t have tenors and basses here, except for Varsity Singers,” Talken said. Actually, Varsity Singers has six people in [All-District Choir,] which is something that can’t be said throughout the whole state.” Eight students also earned roles in the KC Metro 9-10 Honor Choir. To qualify for this choir, students auditioned for STA choir director Greg Monsma, who can only send eight freshmen and sophomores to participate. “Each school in the district submits
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up, the next 100 top-ranked scores are
KC Metro Choir Senior Annie Huber Senior Micah Welch Senior Maggie Hutchison Senior Monica Stanley Senior Hillary Talken KC Metro Women's Choir Senior Alexia Arrieta Junior Lily Walsh Junior Hayley Burgess Junior Lily Cosgrove Junior Connor Hodes Sophomore Libby Terril KC Metro 9-10 Honor Choir Sophomore Emma Swinney Sophomore Mary LePique Sophomore Olivia Jackson Sophomore Gina Bissaca Sophomore Lizy Hagan Freshman Courtney Talken Freshman Kate Willnauer included into the Women’s Choir.” According to the Kansas City District Choirs website, the All-District Choir audition process consists of a solo audition, key signature identification and sightreading tests. Even so, it is pretty “laid-back,” according to senior Monica Stanley, a member of All-District Choir. “I think that’s why a lot of the girls from STA prosper so well in District Choir,” Stanley said. “They don’t really see [auditions] as a life-or-death situation; they’re just going to do what they love, and I think that really works out well for a lot of people.” Junior Connor Hodes, a member of the Women’s Choir, agrees that the choirs require dedication. “It’s a really unique experience,” Hodes said. “You meet so many differ-
ent people that have the same passion as you, that are there because they sing and because they love to sing.” All KC Metro Choirs - All-District, Women’s, and 9-10 Honor Choir - as well as All-State Choir spend a full day together learning their performance pieces and preparing for their concert that night. All-District and Women’s Choirs have one supplementary rehearsal before Jan. 17, the day of the festival, while All-State Choir has four. “It’s a lot of fun,” Stanley said. “We do get a lot of free time, but during that free time we’re still looking over our words and practicing even when we don’t have to.” “How did you find out you were chosen for All-State?” “I was cleaning my room with my little six-year-old sister and refreshing the page over and over again. It came up and I scrolled and saw my name and I screamed really loudly. That really freaked Kaitlyn out because she’s six years old and didn’t know what was happening.” According to Talken, she is looking forward to Tan-Tar-A the most. Both the All-State Choir and the STA Singers Choir will attend the MMEA Conference this year. “I’ll get to participate in all kinds of things down there [at the conference],” Talken said. “It’s an experience that I’ve never had before.” Freshman Kate Willnauer, a member of 9-10 Honor Choir, is excited to experience a different conductor. “I mean, I love Mr. Monsma, but I think being taught by someone else would be kind of interesting,” Willnauer said. “Just to see how other people teach differently.” “What do you like most about choirs?” “They’re nice because I get to sing in front of people and perform really fun music, but it’s not like all the pressure’s on me.” H
triple threat| STA juniors Connor Hodes, from left, and Lily Cosgrove and senior Madalyn Schulte rehearse a song at Varsity Singers practice Nov. 10. Hodes and Cosgrove were selected for the KC Metro Women's Choir.
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hearing it out|STA seniors Hillary Talken, Alexia Arrieta and Maggie Hutchison listen to advice from STA music teacher Greg Monsma. Talken and Hutchison were selected for All-District Choir, while Arrieta was selected for KC Women's Choir.
the NEWS FEED in the world The Ebola virus has killed nearly 5,000 people worldwide. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 9,000 people have contracted the virus in West Africa alone. According to the Wall Street Journal, President Barack Obama plans to boost the U.S. effort to control the Ebola outbreak, including more involvement of the U.S. military.
singing seniors | Seniors Monica Stanley, from left, Maggie Hutchison, Annie Huber, Hillary Talken and Micah Welch pose for a photo during Varsity singers practive Nov. 10. These seniors were selected for the All-District Choir. photos by MAGGIE KNOX
Each issue, the Dart highlights groundbreaking events in the world, US, Missouri and KC.
by LEIGH CAMPBELL lcampbell15@stastars.org
in the u.s.
in missouri
in kansas city
Alleged police killer Matthew Eric Frein was captured Oct. 30 by authorities after 48 days on the run. According to police, Frein ambushed two state troopers outside the Blooming Grove Barrack in Blooming Grove, PA., killing one and wounding another Sept. 12. Since then, Frein spent weeks evading police before his capture.
Missouri voters elected six Republicans to the House of Representatives and two Democrats Nov. 4. Missouri’s election mirrors the rest of the country’s choices Republicans retained control of the House and overtook control in the Senate. In a news conference, President Barack Obama said he wanted to let Americans know that he “heard them” in their election choices.
The Kansas City Royals baseball team lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants 4-3 Oct. 29 at Kauffman Stadium. This was the first time the Royals made it to the playoffs in 29 years. Three players were awarded Golden Glove awards for their performances throughout the season: catcher Salvador Perez, first baseman Eric Hosmer, and left fielder Alex Gordon.
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star spotlight / bits & pieces
STA junior Colleen DeRuyter went on a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic for a week Oct. 4. by LEIGH CAMPBELL lcampbell15@stastars.org photo by HANNAH BREDAR hbredar15@stastars.org
COLLEEN
DERUYTER What did you do on your mission trip? "Basically, it was a ENAT (ear, nose and throat) mission trip. So the doctors and nurses did tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies. I got to play with the children before and after they went into surgery. I also helped get the operating room ready and scheduled every day. The team performed 165 tonsillectomies, which is is more than they do in a whole year in Santiago."
What was your favorite part about the trip?
"My favorite part was seeing the children and playing with them because they were all really scared for surgery. But then I played with them and got their mind off of it. And so it was fun getting to know the children before they went in for surgery."
Was it difficult missing school?
"St. Teresa’s and my teachers were very accommodating. I was able to get most of my assignments turned in the week before the trip and then some after. They helped me make it work so that I could miss the week without coming back to school loaded with homework I had to make up."
What was your daily routine? "We woke up at 6 a.m. and surgeries started at 7 a.m.. We did 30 surgeries a day. Basically, we did that starting around 7 a.m. and ending around 5 p.m.. And then we had dinner. Some nights we went out to the villages. We stayed at the ILAC center; someone through Creighton started [the center]. It is really nice."
Did the mission trip affect you in any way at all?
“It is cool seeing how they are so happy and thankful for everything they have even though they don’t have all the material items we have. And the families are all so close to each other. So it’s just really cool seeing that. It just made me realize how fortunate I am."
Can you recall a specific moment that impacted you the most?
"There was not any specific moment that stood out because the whole time we were there was amazing and all the kids were so cute. I would just say that being there with the kids before they went into surgery was really cool because although they were all scared I was able to calm them down by playing with them and just being there with them. This experience was so amazing and I can’t wait to go back in the future."
Are you planning on going on any future mission trips?
"Yes. I have already been to Peru twice. This was my third mission trip. Hopefully, I will definitely go back to the Dominican next year with my dad."
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Instagrams OF THE ISSUE Each issue, the Dart highlights students’ Instagrams. This month’s theme: friends. by HELEN WHEATLEY hwheatley17@stastars.org
PHOTO OF THE ISSUE moose on the loose| Royals fan Craig Rookstool poses in a bush at Kauffman Stadium Oct. 30 sporting moose antlers. Rookstool took them to the World Series games in support for Mike Moustakas, the Royals third baseman. photo by MARIA DONNELLY
My life sucks // My life rocks Here, a student shares a moment that really made her cringe.
Here, a student shares an especially exciting experience.
by LINDEN O'BRIEN-WILLIAMS lobrienwilliams17@stastars.org
by LINDEN O'BRIEN-WILLIAMS lobrienwilliams17@stastars.org
My life sucks "I just got my car in the end of August and I was driving out of school and rearended [junior] Kenzie Grimaldi's car because I dropped a safety pin. Ihad to drive around with a crashed car then I couldn't drive my car for two days." -Kayton Froeschl, sophomore
That’s what
she said
Each issue, the Dart shares entertaining student tweets. by BRIDGET JONES bjones16@stastars.org
Photo by sophomore Isabella Patterson @ispatt09
My life rocks “My close friend has connections to the Uptown Theater, so we got in 10 minutes before doors opened for the rest of the crowd at The 1975 concert. I stood front row the whole time and it was great because the band means a lot to me.” -Megan Lewer, sophomore
Photo by senior Ceci Ismert @ceciismert
Junior Delaney Meyer @meyeronfire13 Won’t ever be able to go to Panda Express again without feeling like I’m stabbing my city in the back Freshman Mamie Murphy @mamie_murphy we have hosmer and you have pence who really won am i right ladies Sophomore Gretchen Gleason @greatchGleason KC needs a group hug
Photo by junior Emily Laird @emilyy214
Next theme:
holiday
#dartnewsonline
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reviews
'American Horror Story': HHHHH
"American Horror Story: Freakshow" keeps audience on the edge of their seats with terror.
Twisted, Creepy, Intriguing
by BRIDGET JONES bjones16@stastars.org
6.127 million. That’s how many viewers tuned into the season premiere of "American Horror Story: Freakshow." Obviously, from these numbers, the show’s creators, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, seem to know what they’re doing. Since the show's premiere in 2011, there have been three seasons and it is currently on its fourth. For those not familiar with the show, each season is completely different from the last; some of the actors in each season are the same, but they also bring in new people. Jessica Lange, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters, who many people call the “Fantastic Four,” are the only four actors who have been in all four seasons. Warning: "American Horror Story" is not for the faint of heart. Many, if not all, of the episodes include gore, death and sexually explicit scenes, so I wouldn’t watch it with your dad on the couch next to you - unless you really want some awkward tension. Murder House, Asylum and Coven were the first three seasons and each one was stranger, creepier and more twisted than the last. "Freakshow" is right on point with all of them. "Freakshow" is based in the typical southern small town of Jupiter, Fla. There
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have been many murders and kidnappings and as society usually does, the citizens and police blame it on the people of the town who aren’t “normal.” In this case,
these people are literal freaks. Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange) runs a freakshow that includes various “freaks” such as a two-headed woman (Sarah Paulson), a bearded lady (Kathy Bates) and Lobster Boy, or Jimmy Darling, played by my personal ultimate Man Crush Monday, Evan Peters. Each episode goes in-depth with the backstories and history of each character, truly giving the audience strong feelings towards each character. "Freakshow" is truly one of a kind. Each episode is simultaneously terrifying and thought-provoking. The show proves that sometimes the people who are different are not the true freaks; it is the seemingly normal next door neighbor or the pretty girl who seems to have her whole life together who is the true twisted maniac. "American Horror Story: Freakshow" truly makes the audience think. What is the definition of “normal?” Is everyone a freak in their own way? Why do we as a society exploit people who look or act different than us? What is it about freakshows and freaks that make us so interested and drawn into them? What are we willing to do to fit in or be normal? Think about all of these questions next time you watch "American Horror Story: Freakshow." H
'How to Get Away with Murder' HHHH Show succeeds because of its dramatic content and diverse cast. by AUDREY CARROLL acarroll16@stastars.org
ABC premiered its new show "How to Get Away with Murder" Sept. 25. The show follows Criminal Law professor Annalise Keating and a small group of her law students as they become involved in a murder that will “rock the entire university,” according to ABC. Keating teaches her students the craft of being a defense attorney. When I first heard about this new show, I was a little skeptical because I wasn’t really familiar with any of the cast members, aside from Matthew McGorry ("Orange Is the New Black") and Viola Davis ("The Help"). Little did I know, this would become one of the show’s greatest strong points.
The main thing that makes the show so great is its diverse, outspoken characters played by an amazing, yet fairly unknown, cast. The students chosen to work with Annalise at her law firm are the other main characters of the show. I didn’t really realize it until I took time to think about the cast, but it is a group filled with minorities you don’t typically see represented on screen as main characters. Two of the leaders of the group of students, Wes and Michaela, are black. Another member of the group, Connor, is gay. It was great to see these characters in a powerful, influential position on this show. The show almost always has a different case per episode that the group works on winning, while following one big primary case throughout all the
episodes so far. As if a new case each episode wasn’t enough to put me on the edge of my seat, the huge case only reveals little parts of itself throughout the episodes. Every time I sit down to watch the show, I pay close attention to piece the case together myself. The intensity and suspense of the show make it really enjoyable. However, some viewers of the show would disagree and say that there are many legal inaccuracies in "How to Get Away with Murder." Even though there are a few inaccuracies in the show, it adds to the drama the writers are trying to create. "How to Get Away with Murder" has the highest viewership out of all of ABC’s shows right now, according to the Wall Street Journal. The cast and the subject matter leave audiences coming back for more each week. H
No way Gerard can redeem himself
HH Former My Chemical Romance vocalist Gerard Way disappoints with solo album, "Hesitant Alien." by MACKENZIE O'GUIN moguin17@stastars.org
March 22, 2013. I am 13 years old. My mother finds me curled in the fetal position on my closet floor, sobbing hysterically. “Oh my god, what happened?” she rushes to my side. “My Chemical Romance,” I stammer dramatically between wails, “they broke up, mother. MY LIFE IS OVER.” I stay in that position for an hour and a half, an old MCR playlist blaring yet nearly inaudible under my obnoxiously loud crying. As I wallow in misery, I reflect on the era that has just ended before my eyes. Twelve years of pop punk history down the drain, tunes like Sing and Teenagers were the essentials of every mid2000s emo teen’s iPod. My poor mother finally coaxes me out of my misery with an offering of soup. When I first heard former MCR
vocalist GerardWay was releasing a solo album, I was absolutely ecstatic to hear his voice on some new tracks- in the last year and a half, I had yet to find a vocalist with the same cynical edginess of Way. When I first listened to Hesitant Alien, I was terrified. What if it sucked? What if Way’s talent was solely dependent on MCR? What if it didn’t? What if the other members of the band had simply been dead weight, prompting the breakup? Finally, I pressed play. After the first three songs, I was already extremely dissatisfied. The lyrical artistry and stunning subject matter MCR boasted had completely disappeared. In place of iconically striking anthems like MCR’s Welcome to the Black Parade, I was bombarded with fragmented mashes of sound like track one, The Bureau. In addition to being aesthetically displeasing, Way’s new music also completely denies basic understanding of music. You would think that the instrumentalists had never actually collaborated with each other or Way. Every component sounded like several solo tracks layered over one
another. Each song had the same basic sound- Way’s nearly inaudible voice, mediocre guitar, maybe some base, perhaps a drum here or there. Not once was there a dramatic change in volume or pace. There's a fine line between album continuity and monotony, and considering I had to check to see when one song ended and another began, Way definitely exercised the latter. Unfortunately, the entirety of the album was an incoherent stream of sameness. Never did I find myself gaping at lyrical sophistication, nor did my heart catch in my throat like it would have for a true MCR album. Should I be grateful to at least have Way, if not the band itself? Perhaps. But, after hearing the product of Way as a solo artist, I concluded a mediocre Way isn’t really a Way at all. With that I made a ghastly realization-- the Gerard Way I knew and loved died with MCR, and that is that. H Read more on DartNewsOnline
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features
NAVY STA
FROM THE TO
front and center | Science teacher Terry Conner, front row, third from left, poses with her Military Sealift Command Unit at Pusan, South Korea. photo courtesy of TERRY CONNER
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U.S. MILITARY QUICK FACTS compiled by CLARE KENNEY ckenney16@stastars.org
The United States Navy was founded Oct. 13, 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Navy is part of the U.S. Armed Forces, which also include the Army, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard and the Air Force. This information was taken from the websites of the United States Military and US Navy.
by ALEXANDRIA DAVIS adavis17@stastars.org
H
ere at STA, we are a blend of many different backgrounds. Both teachers and students alike have their own stories to tell, and science teacher Terry Conner is no exception. Before coming to STA, Conner worked in the Navy for 31 years. “I joined the Navy during my junior and senior years in college,” Conner said. “I was looking for what jobs were available, and I happened to see a poster in the engineering building that said ‘Earn $500 dollars a month your senior year.’” So, Conner applied for the program. After numerous tests and interviews, she got the job. “[The program] was to teach at the Navy’s nuclear power school,” Conner said. “My major in college was nuclear science and engineering, so [my job] was to teach at the Navy’s nuclear power once [I] graduated college. “ During her time in the Navy, Conner
had many different jobs. She taught physics and nuclear reaction operations at the nuclear power school, worked in the headquarters office and oversaw policy for nuclear-powered submarines and suffer ships. Later, she was transferred to work in nuclear weapons. Then, Conner and her family moved, and she began working in communications of a high-level staff for an admiral, communicating war directions during wartime. Next, she worked in logistics and
“
[The program] was to teach at the Navy's nuclear power school
— Terry Conner, STA science teacher
“
Science teacher Terry Conner was in the Navy before coming to STA.
on the lookout | Science teacher Terry Conner poses at the periscope of submarine USS Scranton. photo courtesy of TERRY CONNER
was in one of the units that managed ship cargo that included personal property of those in the military as well as weapons and airplanes. Finally, Conner moved on and began to work as a state liaison officer for emergency preparedness. When Conner was a liaison officer, she helped the military coordinate their efforts after Hurricane Katrina to help rescue people, establish temporary
homes for them and hand out necessities. She arrived the day Hurricane Katrina hit and stayed for a month, handing out MREs (individual meals that are ready-to-eat), water and helping set up places for people to stay for the time being. Conner explains some of the things that she misses and doesn’t miss about being in the Navy. “What I miss are the people,” Conner said. “At school, I love my colleagues, but we see each other during the day, and it’s not life or death. If I give someone a 60% on a test its not going to kill anyone. But if I screw up in something that I do in the military, I could end up killing someone. The level of dependency on your peers is very different because you know that your life could depend on what they do. I’m not worried about what Mrs. Blake does as to whether I’m going to live or die. What I don’t miss is that if life or death, then it depends on your decisions [and] it is stressful.” Conner recalls a particular stressful situation that was also one of her first exercises in dependency. “By the time I was getting out of the military, I was responsible for units of
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features
1.
3.
2. 1. suited up | Science teacher Terry Conner, far left, poses with her squad ready to begin a stealth night navigation exercise. 2. family love | Conner, second from left, poses with her family. Her daughter, Kim, far left, is in the US Air Force. 3. workin' hard | Conner works at a pre-war game exercise conference. photos courtesy of TERRY CONNER 40 or 50 people,” Conner said. “I was the commanding officer for that unit. One of my very first experiences as a commanding officer of a new unit, it was my very first time being with them, was a field exercise. We did a midnight navigation.” The exercise that Conner and her unit did involve them being dropped off in the middle of the woods a couple miles outside of their base. The unit had to find their way back to base using compass navigation, while also looking out for pretend snipers. Conner stressed that the level of dependency during this particular exercise was extremely high. “I had never really done anything like that [and] I had to really depend on the people who were in my unit that knew what they were doing,” Conner said. “But on the other hand, I was the one in charge. So if things went wrong, ultimately it would come back to me. It
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was a crazy exercise in dependence of each other.“ After 31 years of service in the Navy, Conner retired. “You can only be in [the military] for a certain amount of time once you reach a certain rank,” Conner said. “I had maxed out the time I could be in for the rank I had achieved, [which] was a captain in the Navy.” When Conner retired, she began looking for a job, knowing that she was good at teaching physics and technical subjects. “I looked around at the time when all the schools in the area that were looking for physics teachers,” Conner said. “STA happened to be looking for exactly what I had to offer, so I sent in my resume and the rest is history.” But after all of her experience in the Navy, would Conner ever want go back? “Not really,” Conner said. “I loved being in the military, [but] I think you get
to a point where you know you’ve done your job and you’ve done your job to the best of your ability.” Fellow science teacher Renee Blake is glad that Conner can share her life accomplishments and sees them as a great way to motivate students. “When I first learned that Conner was in the Navy, it just totally blew me away,” Blake said. “I never would have guessed that of her. And when she told me what she did in the Navy as her job and how it linked to physics I thought, ‘What a great role model for our students.’” For Conner, she is happy to have the experiences she does and believes that the military is a good career field, especially for women. “Just about five years ago, [the military] has opened up [more positions for women],” Conner said. “There’s really nothing women can’t do in the military, and it’s a great opportunity and a great place to prove what you can do.” H
Jazzy city Kansas City reinvented jazz in the 1920s, and today's artists continue updating the genre.
by EMMA WILLIBEY ewillibey15@stastars.org
the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 14 November 2014 pages designed by Maggie Knox and Maria Donnelly
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features
KC jazz remains in full s w
g in
all that jazz| Pianist Andrew Oullette, left, accompanies musician Laura Chalk at the Broadway Jazz Club Oct. 26. The Broadway Jazz Club hosts a Sunday Jazz Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each week.
Kansas City's jazz scene, sparked during Prohibition, still thrives.
toot your own horn | A painting of jazz trumpeter Buck Clayton adorns one wall of the Broadway Jazz Club. Clayton performed with Count Basie, a bandleader who frequented Kansas City’s clubs in the 1920s and ‘30s. photos by EMMA WILLIBEY
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7 p.m. The band enters amid shouts and clinking glasses. Music envelops the room, the rebellious mood swells and, in an hour, the performers have packed their instruments. Stepping outside, they stroll past houses until locating the next club. 8 p.m. The band’s rich sounds invigorate another crowd. 9 p.m., midnight, 2 a.m. “[The clubs] were operating 24 hours a day or close,” American Jazz Museum
education manager Bill McKemy said. “[There] wouldn’t always be music, but there were drinks and gambling.” According to McKemy, jazz “grew up” in Kansas City. The city’s 1925-1939 jazz age matched the term of political boss Tom Pendergast, whose dismissal of Prohibition fueled Kansas City’s lawless reputation. National interest in rock and pop, while reducing the amount of recognition Kansas City’s jazz receives, has also tightened the jazz community, McKemy said. “Now, we can look around and at least say jazz is not at the top of the pop charts,” McKemy said. “Now,
it’s taken its form as an art music.” O’Clock Jump,’” McKemy said. mains strong, public knowledge of the Jazz developed in New Orleans, La., When Pendergast’s tax-evasion genre has narrowed since the 1930s. in the early 1900s, with many musicharges forced his term to end, KanJazz musician Laura Chalk, who grew cians frequenting a prostitution-strick- sas City’s vibrancy faded, according up in Kansas City, said she did not en neighborhood called Storyville, to McKemy. Forced into reform, the become familiar with the area’s jazz McKemy said. When the department city left musicians few opportunities history until her 20s. According to of the Navy prepared to station troops to earn revenue. Thus, jazz musicians Chalk, Kansas City’s Prohibition-era in New Orleans, the city closed Stosought radio jobs in other cities. jazz scene deserves every resident’s ryville to pre“The musicians that attention. Now, we can look vent the men were able to go to New “If we had programs that taught around and at least from partying. York and get on NBC [jazz history] in schools … I think that In ending or whatever, that was there would be a lot of kids, young say jazz is not at jazz performuch higher potential people tuned in to what was going the top of the pop mances, the than playing clubs anyon,” Chalk said. charts. shutdown where,” McKemy said. According to Green Lady Lounge — Bill McKemy, American destroyed The residential owner John Scott, Kansas City’s jazz Jazz Museum education musicians’ stronghold on 18th and venues serve as educational tools. manager financial Vine deteriorated with Even those who enter Green Lady framework. jazz culture, as amendLounge without jazz knowledge will be “[A] huge number [of performers] ments to segregation allowed Africanhard-pressed not to love the material, left New Orleans [and] went to ChiAmericans in other KC areas, McKemy Scott said. cago, Kansas City and New York City,” said. “[Jazz is] not popular music of the McKemy said. “[Storyville’s shutdown] “All of sudden everyone can go day, and it hasn’t been for a while—it’s set in motion the dispersion of the to the Sears and Macy’s downtown,” been a niche genre,” Scott said. “But it New Orleans sound.” McKemy said. “The neighborhood kept is always ... quality music.” The sound settled in Kansas City’s dwindling.” However, encouraging “quality mu18th and Vine, an African-American Recently, housing projects and sic” does not mean booking musicians community. institutions such as the American Jazz who imitate the greats, Scott said. “It was a city within a city,” McKemy Museum have sparked interest in “Kansas City is … full of fantastic said. “Whatever types of professional 18th and Vine, but McKemy said remusicians,” Scott said. “That’s the services, whatever people needed to development easy part [of booking have, if they were African-American, is “a work in performers]. Then, I Now, [jazz has] they were shopping here.” progress.” didn’t want these bands taken its form as an In this creative hub, Kansas City’s “Things to play traditional jazz. jazz style formed. According to McKseem to be I wanted to move the art music. emy, a quick pace characterized early going in a genre forward with origi— Bill McKemy, Amerijazz material like Louis Armstrong’s sustainable nal compositions.” can Jazz Museum edu“Hot Fives & Sevens.” In Kansas City, and healthy McKemy cited trumcation manager musicians distinguished themselves direction peter Hermon Mehari as by integrating the blues into New currently,” an innovator in Kansas Orleans' jazz. McKemy said. City jazz. Like his predecessors, Me“The Kansas City musicians were The jazz scene, however, has hari cannot cultivate his sound in one generally playing the material [with a] never lost its followers. According to place, and he will travel to Australia as slower, more relaxed feel,” McKemy McKemy, the genre’s community has a semifinalist of the Thelonius Monk said. spread throughout the city, with noInstitute of Jazz’s 2014 Trumpet ComWhen frequent KC performer table venues ranging from Midtown’s petition. But, also like his predecesCount Basie played on a national Broadway Jazz Club to Take Five Cofsors, Mehari remembers to honor the radio broadcast, jazz musicians across fee + Bar at 135th Street and Metcalf Kansas City community. the country adopted the swing style, Avenue. “When [Mehari is] in town, you can McKemy said. “A Johnson County establishment see him for free almost any night of “[Count Basie] changed the feel of is vastly different than [venues of] the the week,” McKemy said. H the music from [dance phenomenon] heyday,” McKemy said. ‘The Charleston’ to the [bluesy] ‘One But, while jazz’s community re-
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cover story
BRAIN
DEAD Students aren't getting the amount of sleep they need to stay focused. by MARY HILLIARD and KATHERINE GREEN mhilliard16@stastars.org | kgreen16@stastars.org
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SLEEP ON IT Teens aren't receiving the amount of sleep they should be at their age. compiled by CHRISTINA ELIAS celias15@stastars.org
33% The average person spends 33 percent of their life asleep.
31% Only 31 percent of high school students report getting eight or more hours of sleep each night.
24% Studies show teenagers who go to bed after midnight are 24 percent more likely to be depressed.
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sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Better Sleep Council, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2010 "Sleep" journal study
After cross country practice, dinner, “[Students] have a full load of work and a drive home through traffic, things to do and not quite enough junior Hallie Ryan sits down to start time to get them in,” Sirridge said. her homework at 9:30 p.m. “Then if you add that on to the social I’m completely exhausted, but I still media time that teenagers seem to have three hours of homework. love, whether it’s computer or texting Entering high school means a lot of or doing other kinds of things with different things to different students. Twitter, that has caused an extra However, according to the Center for amount of time to be used instead Advancing Health, 92 percent of the of sleep. So . . . [students] have too United States’ high-school students much to do, yet their own sorts of share something in common: sleep habits and behaviors now are also deprivation. causing a loss of sleep.” At STA, sleep deprivation can be I can’t get distracted; I have so much caused by a number of different homework to finish. things. Since students have the opporAccording to Psychology Today, tunity to take advanced classes, play electronics are not just a distraction; sports and be a part of other extracur- they can actually prevent or delay riculars, stress is added to complete sleep because the light from a screen each task. can suppress melatonin, the hormone “Sleep deprivation, in other words in the brain that signals sleep. not getting enough Few students sleep to function are aware that at a high level . . . is lack of sleep [Students] have a full a chronic problem has other side load of things to do for teenagers,” effects than and not quite enough psychology teacher just being tired time to get them in. Pat Sirridge said. throughout the — Pat Sirridge, I’m going to be so day. According psychology teacher tired tomorrow. to the National Studies show Sleep Founthat high schooldation, sleep ers need nine hours of sleep to be deprivation can “limit your ability to fully rested. But according to a poll by learn, listen, concentrate and solve the National Sleep Foundation, less problems.” It can also cause forgetfulthan 20 percent of students reported ness of names or dates. Lack of sleep getting that much sleep on a school can also contribute to acne or other night. skin problems. According to the HuffI guess I’ll do the easy homework first; ington Post, long-term effects include at least I can get the satisfaction of cross- increased stroke risk, obesity, memory ing those assignments out in my planner. loss and bone damage. “I think that many of the students I probably wouldn’t be as stressed choose to study, and they also want to out if there wasn’t so much pressure to be social,” social studies teacher Ray be a well-rounded student, enrolled in Hain said. “So, they’re going to choose challenging classes, involved in sports [social time] and study over sleep, and extracurriculars, and keeping a job and so that creates sleep deprivation. to earn my own money. There’ll be a few [students] who don’t “I can see St. Teresa’s as a college care, and they’ll give up the study part. preparatory is a high-stress academic But most here, with the stress level to environment [and doing well in school do [well] academically, [will] stay up is] a higher priority than sleep and it later rather than flunk a test and still has to be a balance,” Hain said. have social time.” Ryan looks at her phone. 1:00 a.m. On top of students having extracurMaybe it’s time to call it a night. riculars to attend as well as homework She shuts down her netbook, to do, Sirridge says distractions in the stacks her notes and books, turns off bedroom can lead to sleep deprivation the light and sets her alarm for 6:15 also. a.m. Another day over. H
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cover story
poor work/school performance poor concentration decreased memory retention attention deficiency
impaired judgement
heart disease
slower reactions
depression obesity anger illness
irritability
BRAIN POWER
relationship problems
chronic fatigue syndrome
mood swings frustration
migraines
behavioral problems
headaches
migraines and headaches
unstable emotions increased production of stress hormones
SLEEP LIKE THE DEAD Age is one of the deciding factors in how much sleep a person requires. How much sleep do we need?
Sleep is vital to mental, physical and emotion health. compiled by CHRISTINA ELIAS celias15@stastars.org
INFANTS
CHILDREN
TEENAGERS
ADULTS
ELDERLY
=
2 hours of sleep
Being awake for 18 hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content of .05, which is just under the legal limit of .08. After 24 hours, it increases to .10.
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cartoon by MEREDITH MULHERN
main ed / A&E
Students ignore lack of sleep's damaging effects Students should place a higher priority on getting the necessary amount of sleep.
Dear Past Me, I get it. Now that I’ve graduated from STA, I’ve realized that high school is really difficult. Between balancing hours of homework AND extracurriculars, sleeping has become a luxury for you. You sweep it to the side until you’re either done with homework or you’re too exhausted to think clearly. But you don’t realize how important sleep is, and how your lack of sleep affects me. You can’t focus as well in school and don’t have as much energy after school either. I’m proud of you for making homework a priority in your life, but you can’t continue to deny your need for sleep. I can just hear you now: “I don’t have time!” But, why do you make time to post on Instagram and watch hours of Netflix? Even when you actually do finish your homework at a decent time, you stay up anyway! Maybe it’s because of the culture at STA: all of your friends are
right on
TARGET
sleep-deprived, so why should you come to school well-rested? But you’re better than that. You are responsible for your own health, and even though getting five hours may seem like the norm, you need eight hours of sleep every night.
[
I’m begging you to prioritize. Sleep is just as important as eating or working. When you study until 3 a.m. for that test you forgot about, it hurts you more than if you would have just gone to sleep at a decent hour, because after sleeping you’ll actually be able to focus on the test. Don’t worry, getting more sleep won’t ruin your social life. Getting sleep means
How does sleep deprivation affect high schoolers?
The Dart asked students their opinion of the main editorial. compiled by ANNA BAUMAN abauman15@stastars.org
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]
5 of 5 editors voted in support of this editorial
you’re more productive, so you’ll end up having more free time anyway. Besides, is staying up to text people you’ll see this weekend really worth putting yourself at a higher risk for depression, loss of memory and tons more health problems? I don’t think so. Girl, it’s time to open your eyes. Literally. You can’t stop pretending that lack of sleep doesn’t affect you. So, please, determine the time you need to go to sleep in order to be well-rested (it doesn’t take a math genius). Shut your phone off when you’re doing homework (because, let’s be honest, it probably prolongs your studying for at least an hour). Budget your time when you know you have a lot to do later in a week (you know you never actually study for a test anytime before the day of). Do whatever works for you, but please, get some sleep. Trust me, you’ll be happy that you did. Sincerely, Your Future Self H
Caroline Angles senior
“It ruins your life and causes poor performance in school. Sleeping pills have no effect on you once you use them enough.”
Quinn Kernell senior
“Sleep deprivation is a detrimental but inevitable problem that all high school students face because we have too much homework and too much to do after school.”
“It affects my listening in class because if I don’t get enough sleep, I tend to Lauren McCann doze off.” sophomore
Day of the Dead: A hit with the living Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art hosts annual festival celebrating Hispanic holiday. by GLORIA COWDIN gcowdin15@stastars.org
For many STA students, the days following Halloween are a time to sit back, relax and eat an excess of candy. For some, however, Nov. 1 and 2 mark a special holiday: Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. STA sophomore Isabela Solorio knows the festivities surrounding this holiday firsthand. The Day of the Dead is an especially busy time for Solorio’s Mexican folkloric dance troupe, El Grupo Atotonilco. The company performed at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for the Día de los Muertos festivities Nov. 2. Every year, the Nelson holds a public celebration for Día de los Muertos in collaboration with Mattie Rhodes Center, an agency that “enriches the lives of individuals, families and communities in a respectful, multicultural environment” according to their website. The celebration provides free arts and crafts, musical performances, dance routines and more. According to Nelson volunteer Jessica Manco, this function is “a great community event where people can come together and think about our lost loved ones and celebrate and learn about a different culture.” The Day of the Dead is a two- to three-day Mexican holiday which celebrates the lives of passed loved ones. The festivities may start Oct. 31 but traditionally begin Nov. 1, when dead children are remembered. Nov. 2 marks a time to commemorate deceased adults. To respect loved ones who have passed, many families build altars that are decorated with the deceased’s favorite foods, drinks and objects. Other customs include making sugar skulls, cleaning grave sites and decorating the house
with marigolds. Although the holiday is traditionally Hispanic, it resonates with people of many different cultures. Children, adolescents and adults of all racial backgrounds participated in the Nelson’s activities, and many people arrived with complete face paint and costumes. One such attendee was Jane Gold, a Kansas City resident who has found a personal connection with Día de los Muertos. Gold said she has traded Halloween festivities for the Día de los Muertos celebration. “I’ve gone to different places in Mexico, like Oaxaca, during Day of the Dead to see how different communities do it,” Gold said. Along with the festive side of Día de los Muertos, Gold also observes the somber truth behind the holiday. “I’ve had a lot of people die in my family, starting when I was very young,” Gold said. “I have one relative left that’s still alive, so I just thought [the Day of the Dead] was great. It’s like our Memorial Day, but the way it should be done.” Día de los Muertos is not the only celebration the Nelson puts on pro bono; in fact, it is part of an entire event series headed by the Nelson’s family educator, Sarah Schmiedeler. These events include the Thanksgiving Weekend Luminary Walk, Chinese New Year Celebration, Passport to India Festival, Mother’s Day Celebration and the Sculpture Park Annual Celebration. According to Schmiedeler, these events are planned months in advance to collaborate with community partners and bring together Kansas Citians of every background. “[This event series is] one of the ways that the museum reaches out to Kansas City and to various communities in Kansas City to welcome them to the museum,” Schmiedeler said. However, Schmiedeler said the event
like mother, like son | Carrie Parker and son, Silas, decorate sugar skulls during Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Day of the Dead celebration Nov. 2. Parker works at Oracle, a shop dowtown that sells taxidermied animals, framed insects and other curiousities. photo by SIOBHAN MILLER
is a two-way street, relying on the donations of museum-goers to support the many activities the Nelson provides for free. “It’s really amazing that Kansas City has such a strong support for the arts,” Schmiedeler said. “The Nelson-Atkins is a private museum and relies on donations… So, [this event] is just our testament to what a great town Kansas City is to support the museum.” H
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perspectives
never growing up Here's to literally
by MEREDITH MULHERN mmulhern16@stastars.org
Picture this: It’s a cold winter day, and I am sitting in the waiting room of Littlefield Eye Associates in Waldo. A middle-aged receptionist sorts through files at her seat behind the desk, because, surprise-surprise, my mom has managed to mix up the insurance. AGAIN. But that’s for another column. Anyway, the receptionist calls my name. I smooth out my STA skirt and walk up to the desk. “How old are you, sweetheart?” she asks innocently. “Sixteen,” I respond. This is when things get weird. “OH MY GOSH, seriously?! I definitely would not have guessed that! I can’t believe you’re sixteen, that is amazing!” I smile sheepishly in response to her overreaction and say my go-to line in these situations: “Thanks….? I get that a lot.” And that is true - I do get that a lot. Throughout my high school and middle school career, adults have been shocked about the correlation between my age and appearance. For example, when I was in eighth grade, I found myself at Littlefield once again (they’re really bad about age, obviously). I was sitting in the little machine chair thing that’s on the cover of Justin Timberlake’s latest album, and I kid you not, my eye doctor actually asked if I was in fourth grade. News flash, bud, I was fourteen.
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Obviously this is a touchy topic for me because it can be very frustrating. If I’m volunteering somewhere, my age is always questioned and checked. Up until sophomore year, I basically looked like a seventh grader, and high school boys are not into girls that look like they’re in seventh grade -it’s okay, I’m pretty now. I still fit into kids clothes, yet all of my friends have been questioned if they are in college or not. Also, I play competitive soccer, and it’s not hard to knock around a girl that is just over five feet tall. It doesn’t help that I am not intimidating at all either. However, being small and looking young does come in handy. Everyone thinks I’m very quiet and sweet and nice - ask my friends, I definitely do not have any of those qualities - so I can surprise people with my fabulous personality and dazzling sense of humor. That also comes in handy because I’m never suspected of doing something wrong. Adults love me; they trust me with their children, their homes, and their animals. Then again, the only bad thing I do when I babysit is steal packets of Welch’s fruit snacks. Young looks also seem to run in my family. My grandma is almost 90, but she looks the same as she did when she was 60. My aunt is almost 60, but she looks like she’s 40. So maybe when everyone else who looks their age now is old, they’ll look their age when they’re older. However, I’ll still be looking like I’m twenty when everyone else looks like they’re 35. Plastic surgeons will hate me because I won’t need any work. So, overall, the whole young looks thing evens out. I obviously won’t be bitter about looking young when I’m older, so I guess I’ll have to deal with looking like a middle schooler for a little longer. H
Theology class schedule change leaves me confused by JESSIE CULVER jculver15@stastars.org
In years past, students’ theology courses were three days a week. Administration decided to change this to four days a week. With this significant change, students are given half a credit for theology courses instead of the quarter credit given previously. Therefore students should not be required to take a theology course for eight semesters. With such a change, students would have the opportunity to pursue other electives. Theology is a large part of the curriculum at STA, however, so are other areas of study. Being an College Preparatory school, our workload is heavy and rather demanding. Students begin to struggle among what classes are the most important. Grades begin to slip and students are left to dig themselves out of what seems like an endless hole. Administration and teachers alike wish to see students succeed, but the four theology classes a week are actually adding unnecessary workload to already busy students. Students are required to take four theology courses in order to graduate: Theology in Faith, Morality, Social Concerns and World Faiths. Other theology electives were needed to fulfill the necessary credit minimums. The extra theology courses and four dayschedule are detrimental. Administration should either allow students to take one theology course a year, or go back to the three day cycle. From personal finance, foreign language and theology courses, students are only able to take very few classes of their choice. Why take courses that may not benefit students in a future career? When will the administration allow students take control of certain aspects of their curriculum? H
Date rape drug test just
GLOSSES over problem
This is still not enough. The bottom line is that people, especially women, feel they have to protect themselves from date rape by testing their drink every time they take a sip.
Startling Statistics
by LIBBY HYDE lhyde15@stastars.org
From the age of 16, most girls are taught never to leave their drinks unattended when they are in public. Since STA’s freshman PE class, I have heard that is never safe to stop watching your drink, for fear that certain drugs may be put in it, such as date rape drugs. Undergraduate students at North Carolina State University have created a nailpolish that can be used to detect whether or not drinks have been laced with common date rape drugs such as Rohypnol or Xanax. The individual wearing the nail polish simply stirs his or her drink with their finger, and if the drink has been tainted with drugs, the nail polish will change color. This certainly seems like a promising step forward to making it safer for individuals who would normally be susceptible to such crimes.
Blog Spotlight Mackenzie O'Guin "Nobody Puts Kenzie in the Corner"
New post every weekend
Torie Richardson
The following statistics are compiled from Day One, the Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center. compiled by TORIE RICHARDSON vrichardson16@stastars.org
25% of women cite
drugs as a factor in a rape Females aged 16-24 are
4 times more likely to be sexuallly assaulted than any other women
75%
About of all rapes are date or acquaintance rapes Scan these QR codes to visit the Dart's latest blogs on dartnewsonline.com.
This new invention is inherently geared toward women, perpetuating the stigma that is a woman’s responsibility to protect herself from date rape or unsafe situations. Shouldn’t the solution be to combat the problem of rape, rather than solving it by making women feel they have to test their drinks for fear of drugs? Women are often encouraged that they can protect themselves from rape and sexual assault if they refrain from wearing provocative clothes and only ever travel in numbers. Should we be solving the problem at a more basic level? Creating a nail polish that tests for drugs does not solve the problem that drugs are still being used to take away basic human dignity. It merely sustains the fear that women are alone in their efforts to protect themselves from such injustice. H
compiled by TORIE RICHARDSON vrichardson16@stastars.org
Madi Winfield
Amy O'Leary
Katherine Green
Audrey Carroll
Black Girl"
"It's a Mad, Mad, Madi World"
"Humans of STA"
"Life as I see it: a GoPro Blog"
"The Weekly
New post every month
New post every other Friday
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"Confessions of a
What"
New post every Monday
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KC field hockey needs interest Local teams for this emerging sport seek new competitors in order to continue. by LINDEN O'BRIEN-WILLIAMS lobrienwilliams17@stastars.org
STA students and athletic department express interest in creating a field hockey team to compete with area schools. The sport, a combination between lacrosse and soccer, is popular across Europe and the East Coast. According to Notre Dame de Sion High School’s head field hockey coach Gwyn Savage, schools like Sion and The Pembroke Hill School have been involved for around ten years, but the sport has yet to take off. Field hockey is predominantly a female sport around the United States, played in the fall season. Each team is allowed 11 players and the rules are very similar to those of soccer and lacrosse. Field hockey uses hockey sticks and a lacrosse-sized ball. Currently, three schools around the Kansas City area have field hockey teams: Sion, Pembroke Hill and St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Aside from needing to attract interest, the lack of turf fields hinders the spread of field hockey around Kansas City. While schools around Kansas City lack turf fields, another issue is finding willing and qualified coaches, according to Savage. “It's difficult to find someone quali-
stick it to 'em | Pembroke Hill varsity field hockey player looks to pass downfield at Pembroke Hill’s home game against Sion Oct. 27.
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fied with a flexible schedule to coach high school at 3:30 or 4 in the afternoon when people have real jobs,” Savage said. Because of limited local competition, KC field hockey teams have to travel multiple times each season, adding costs. According to Savage, the Sion team travels twice a season just to find competition: once to Tulsa, OK and once to St. Louis, MO. Though there are some difficulties, Savage says that field hockey is an inclusive and popular sport at Sion, with 40 to 50 girls on the team each year. “Most of the girls, even freshmen, are great at lacrosse and soccer because it's the same concepts really,” Savage said. “The girls enjoy the sport.” Sion field hockey players agree that the team is inclusive. “It’s a great sport if you want to try something new in high school,” Sion sophomore and field hockey player Zoe Locke said. “You don’t need to come into it with any experience and you won’t be behind anyone else.” Before a lacrosse team was created, Sion started a field hockey team because a group of Sion girls playing club field hockey were interested. Soon after, some parents went to administration to persuade them to start up a team, according to Savage. “It just takes one or two parents to try to convince the athletic directors, ‘Hey, you’ve got a field sitting there doing nothing,’” Savage said.
STA has been on Sion and other schools’ radars for competition, with Sion specifically coming to STA administration to start a team, according to Savage and STA athletic director, Mark Hough. There are no field hockey players at STA, but there is some interest. STA Sophomore Helen Krause plays lacrosse and says she and others, especially the lacrosse team, would play if there was a team. “I feel like not that many people play it and it would be a cool new addition,” Krause said. “If it really took off, maybe some people who haven’t really played a sport or don’t like other sports would play.” According to Hough, lacrosse began at STA with a group of girls who played on a club team pushing for a school team. The process to start a team included finding qualified coaches for an emerging sport, paying for equipment, finding adequate field space and competition. Hough said this is the same process that would be repeated to establish a field hockey team. For STA, being competitive in a sport is important, according to Hough. Hough proposes a field hockey team at budget meetings annually, but cheerleading and bowling are also on the list. “I think our stance here from the athletics and school is that we want to provide as many opportunities as we realistically can,” Hough said. H
keep calm and hockey on | Sion field hockey player, left, and Pembroke Hill player look to advance the ball either direction as members from both teams and fans look on at the Pembroke Hill Wornall Campus Oct. 27. photos by ANNA HAFNER
STAte of mind
sports
STA golfer Cora Martin competed in the State golf tournament.
STA senior Ann Campbell placed eighth at State with a time of 18:30:19.
by ANNA BAUMAN abauman15@stastars.org
by ALEXANDRA FRISCH afrisch17@stastars.org
STA senior Ann Campbell won 8th place at the cross country State meet with a time of 18:30:19, becoming the first STA student to win All-State honors for the same sport all four years. “I ran a fast race but the competition was tough,” Campbell said. “I fell a few places short of my goal, but I gave it my all.” According to Campbell, she placed 23rd her freshman and sophomore years and 5th as a junior at the State meet. The top 25 finishers receive All-State honors, according to the Missouri State High School Athletic Association’s website. This year, the State championship was held at the Oak Hills golf course in Jefferson City, a course Campbell knows well. “It’s always on the same course,” Campbell said. “I’ve raced there before. Racing is really challenging, especially this course, which is really hilly so it makes it really hard.” However, Campbell feels that the STA cross country team prepared her for this course. “I trained well the whole season preparing for the hilly course,” Campbell said. “I am planning on training hard so I can keep improving in the track season this spring.” As a senior, this was Campbell’s last STA cross country meet, but she plans on continuing the sport in college. “I think as a senior you realize that this is your last time ever racing high school cross country,” Campbell said. “You just kind of want to end it the best way you possibly can and improve because you're not going to have another chance.” H
run, Ann, run! | Cross country runner Ann Campbell finished her race first with a time of 18:30:19 Nov. 1. Campbell advanced to Missouri State Championships for her fourth time. photo courtesy of GREG HALL
state smiles | Sophomore Cora Martin competes in the State golf tournament Oct. 14 in Joplin. Martin was the first STA golfer to advance to State in two years; she placed 67th out of 80 competitors with a score of 102. photo courtesy of ALISON MARTIN
Sophomore Cora Martin competed in the State golf tournament Oct. 13 and 14 in Joplin, MO. Martin placed 67th out of 88 competitors with a score of 102. The first day of the tournament was canceled due to rainy weather, so the golfers played only one set of 18 holes instead of two. According to STA athletic director Mark Hough, the weather was horrible. “[The course] wasn’t actually that hard, but the conditions were awful, it was raining and windy,” Martin said. The previous week, Martin advanced out of Sectionals with the exact cut-off score of 92. According to Hough, he felt good about having a golfer advance to State. “We came out of a very tough District and very tough Sectional,” Hough said. “[Martin] is our fourth golfer, so it was kind of a surprise.” The rest of the Varsity golf team did not advance out of Sectionals. Cora said she felt motivated by her team to do well. “[My team was] so determined to all go to State together so that kind of drove me to try my best because we all really wanted to go,” Martin said. H
the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 14 November 2014 page design by Amy O'Leary
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root for the
community
return to
1985
photos courtesy of AMY O'LEARY aoleary15@stastars.org
1. 2.
sports stars | A Sports Illustrated cover celebrates the Royals' World Series victory in 1985.
tickets for sale | A pair of tickets from game seven of the 1985 World Series.
out with a bang | Firework celebrations commence after the Royals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1985 World Series.
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4.
5.
3.
This fall, the Kansas City Royals made the World Series for the first time in 29 years, losing to the San Francisco Giants. photos by AMY O'LEARY and SIOBHAN MILLER aoleary15@stastars.org | smiller15@stastars.org
“
Kansas City has always supported the Royals for the most part, even when we were not as good. — Stephanie McHugh, Royals fan
7.
“
6.
1. batter up I Royals third baseman Alex Gordon prepares for a hit Oct. 15. 2. time out I The Royals discuss a play during their fourth game against the Baltimore Orioles Oct. 15. 3. pump it up I A Royals fan cheers during the ALCS game Oct. 15. The team advanced to the World Series. 4. hats off I A Royals fan takes off his hat while cheering Oct. 15. 5. legendary view I A statue of Frank White overlooks the Royals game. 6. sweet victory I After storming the field, the Royals huddle excitedly to celebrate their fourth and final win in the ALCS game Oct. 15. 7. day at the K I The Kansas City Royals take on the Baltimore Orioles Oct. 15.
7.
check out the full story on
DNO the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 14 November 2014 page design by Siobhan Miller
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last look
Costume craze at STA by KATHERINE GREEN kgreen16@stastars.org
Every year at STA, students are given the option to dress up in a costume on Halloween. However, this year students were required to bring three canned food items for Food for Thought in order to dress out of uniform. Try to guess the student and their costumes from Oct. 31. 1. playing dress up | A student dresses up for school on Halloween. STA students were allowed to dress out of uniform if they donated at least three cans of food for the Food for Thought can drive. 2. crazy costumes | An STA student sports her costume to school on Oct. 31. Students were seen walking through the hallways in different costumes.
3. 3. spooky fun |A student poses in her outfit on Halloween. Many students had two costumes, one for the school day and one for the night.
2.
4.
5.
4. trick or treat | An STA student shows off her costume on Oct. 31. The students' costumes on Halloween ranged anywhere from teddy bears to clowns.
5. halloween horror | An STA student exhibits her Halloween costume at school. Halloween was the highlight of many students week. photos by ARINNA HOFFINE
ANSWERS: 1.Junior Gillian Cutter as a prisoner 2.Senior Gina Ptacek as Riff Raff 3. Senior Marley Schmidtlein as Wednesday Addams 4. Senior Catherine Whitmer as Elsa from "Frozen" 5. Senior Gretchen Dudleyas a nurse
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1.
sta H lib
Use the craziest words you can think of to filll in this STA-styled mad lib, then tweet a picture to @dartnewsonline using the hashtag #STAlib! by JESSIE CULVER jculver15@stastars.org
Every St. Teresa’s student knows
on the Plaza, buying _____________. STA stuplural noun
_____________. He/she is the _____________ per-
dents attempted to say hello, but _____________
son in the _____________. This teacher is always
just ignored them. The ______________ part
caught_____________ing in the _____________
of seeing a teacher is the fact that you see
STA teacher
superlative adjective
noun
verb
noun
during Activity period.
teacher
superlative adjective
him/her the next week. During a
Many students and parents
class period _____________ asked the
_____________ this teacher.
student how the rest of her night
_____________ was spotted in the
was. It was _____________! After stu-
Brookside area doing some
dents saw him/her, they went to
_____________.
_____________ to eat a _____________.
teacher
verb
teacher
adjective
noun
location
What does _____________ do
noun
The students and teacher
teacher
in his/her free time? He/she
started talking during a free,
enjoys spending time with his/
and _____________ told them
her_____________. Together,
_____________ facts about himself/
they go out to eat at the
herself. Apparently, _____________
_____________ restaurant. His/
collects _____________. This collec-
her favorite dish consists of
tion is kept in their _____________.
_____________ and _____________.
Even with such a(n) _____________
After their dinner they go to
collection, _____________ is still the
teacher
noun
adjective
teacher
adjective
noun
plural noun
noun
noun
adjective
teacher
_____________, their favorite en-
_____________ around. STA teachers
location
superlative adjective
tertainment place. One day they were spotted
are the _____________! H superlative adjective
graphic by HANNAH BREDAR
the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 14 November 2014 page design by Katherine Green
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In the Humans of STA Take a look at the current coverage on DartNewsOnline
Gallery: Undercover talent at STA
Sophomore Lindsey O'Leary is an avid baker, which few people know. In this post, she bakes a family recipe.
Humans of STA blog
Senior Amy O'Leary asks students about their Halloween costumes.
Senior Lizzy Keller "I was a skeleton. I love Halloween so much."
Check out this full gallery and more on DartNewsOnline!
Senior Micah Welch "I was my mom for Halloween."
the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 20 October 2014 page design by Mary Hilliard
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