The Dart: Vol 72 Issue 5

dart

VOLUME 72 ISSUE 5 JANUARY 31, 2013 ST. TERESA’S ACADEMY KANSAS CITY, MO WWW.DARTNEWSONLINE.COM

helping hands

the

From volunteering at soup kitchens to working at a local blood bank, St. Teresa’s students get involved around the city. Why is service so important at STA? Turn to pages 10-11 to see more.

photo by EMMA WHEATLEY

2 | news | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013

dart the

people and policies

Mr. Eric Thomas....................................................advisor Emily McCann.................managing editor of design Anna Leach..........................managing editor of web Natalie Fitts......................managing editor of stories Emma Wheatley............managing editor of photos print Mickey Redlingshafer................................news editor Caitlin Fletcher.......................................features editor Emily Wemhoff.......................................features editor Shaeffer Smith........................................opinion editor Sara Jessica Dilks.........................centerspread editor Rosie Hutchison..........................sports/health editor Sara Meurer............................................lifestyles editor Katie Parkinson...............................................a&e editor Emma Willibey....................................in the mix editor Jordan Berardi........................................last look editor Maddie Knopke............................................copy editor Lindsey Valdiviez.........................................copy editor Emma Willibey.............................................copy editor Leigh Campbell.............................................staff writer Siobhan Miller................................................staff writer Grace Sly...........................................................staff writer Christina Elias.................................................staff writer Jordan Allen...................................staff photographer Grace Hodes...................................staff photographer Kathleen Keaveny.........................staff photographer Maggie Rellihan............................staff photographer web Lauren Langdon...........................................daily editor Adrianna Ohmes..........................................daily editor Lane Maguire................................................daily editor Meghan Lewis..................................web photo editor Menley Brennan..................................facebook editor Sabrina Redlingshafer............................twitter editor Madeline Best......................standing features editor Hannah Bredar...........................................school liason Taylor Steen................................................school liason Libby Hyde...................................................blogs editor Jordan Berardi..........................................videographer Caroline Fiss..............................................videographer Cecilia Butler..............................breaking news editor policies ownership and sponsership The Dart is created by the student newspaper staff and is published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church, whether on a diocesan or worldwide level. editorial policy The Dart is subject to prior review by the St. Teresa’s Academy administration in circumstances that concern student safety and illegal behavior by students. Otherwise, the policies above will guide the Dart. The Dart intends to be a public forum for voices regardless of diverse ages, sexes, races, cultures, religions or beliefs. Signed columns reflect the opinions of the individual, not necessarily the newspaper staff or the school community. letters policy The Dart encourages letters to the editor. Letters can be sent in the following ways: in person to Eric Thomas in D204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, attn: Eric Thomas, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; or by email to ethomas@stteresasacademy.org. Letters should be limited to 250 words.

The Dart staff reserves the right to edit or shorten letters for publication. photo illustrations Photo illustrations are conceptual photos that combine the limitless possibility of the drawing with the realism of the photograph. They are not intended to be documentary photos of real moments. corrections policy The Dart will print corrections as soon as possible after the error is discovered.

safety first H After the building was secure for students to leave, state police personnel lead children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14. STA has responded to this shooting by implementing new safety precautions, including a lockdown plan. photo by MCT CAMPUS

STA formalizes security plans STA administration sets new safety rules including a lockdown plan

by LINDSEY VALDIVIEZ lvaldiviez@dartnewsonline.com

After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in which 20 first graders and six adults were fatally shot with three semiautomatic firearms, the STA administration decided to immediately carry out their formal lockdown drill plan. According to principal of student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker, the administration formulated the plan this past summer, but executing the drill had been postponed due to tight scheduling.

“We were going to do a lockdown drill this year anyway,” Hoecker said. “We would have done it the first week of school, but the tornado and the fire drills Hoecker took up time.”

Hoecker said that though STA has always had a crisis plan, the administration has begun to look for other ways to make STA more secure during school hours since Sandy Hook.

President Nan Bone said that faculty and staff will have safety training with Homeland Security in February. Coded keypads will be placed on the north door of Donnelly Hall and on the door in the back of the M&A Building.

Any and all visitors will be required to wear a nametag obtained from Ms. Kelly Drummond and Ms. Julia Berardi’s front offices.

“I think [nametag identification is] a good thing for other people to recognize that they’re actual visitors and that they’re not just roaming the halls,” Berardi said. “It’s hard, you can’t always see everybody that goes by especially if I’m on the phone or if I have kids in here.”

The administration is also investigating convenient and updated locks for each indi-

vidual classroom. All doors, including classroom doors and doors on the outsides of the buildings, will no longer be propped open.

“We have just decided we don’t want to prop doors anymore,” Hoecker said. “We will give delivery persons key codes for these doors for a short window of time. The Sandy Hook shooting has made us look at what more we could do.”

However, on Jan. 29 during Period 3, 28 of 43 total classroom doors were propped open, not including office room doors. Hoecker had no comment on this fact.

Though STA had its first formal lockdown drill Jan. 4, according to Hoecker, lock-down drills do not yet have scheduled dates. Rather, the administration plans on notifying students the week a drill will take place. Hoecker believes that having drills at various times of days will be beneficial because it will test students instincts in different situations and locations.

In lockdown drills or in a legitimate situation, the administration encourages students to be quiet and abstain from using cell phones. If every student at STA used their cell phone at once, “they could take down the tower”, meaning a cellular tower would stop working and the police might not be contacted in time. “[Students] can’t use their cellphones because if 600 girls were on their phones, they could take down the tower, which is what Homeland Security told us,” Hoecker said.

“And we don’t want mass chaos from students anyways, and we don’t want students to think they can flee.”

Bone said that during the day, Mr. Rafael Ramirez, Mr. Gil Mont and Mr. John Palacio watch over everything that happens. At night, Mr. Bob Wessling waits until every person leaves the school grounds. “[Ramirez, Mont and Palacio] will also approach people and are a way to watch for us too,” Bone said. “We also have security at night until the last student or teacher leaves, and that will always continue.”

In addition to a formal lockdown plan, Hoecker said the administration has an evacuation plan. Hoecker says this would only happen if the administration were to declare evacuation of the school grounds as the best option in a particular situation.

“We’ve contacted various places around the area for a situation in which the students would have to evacuate the school,” Hoecker said. “We just want students to follow the directive of the adults.”

Hoecker says that ultimately, the administration will assess any and every crisis situation and decide which plan of action would be most suitable for student’s safety.

“There is no perfect safety plan,” Hoecker said. “I guess as perfect as you can get is to make the best decision at the time with what is going on.” H

Safety Changes at STA

2009: STA put in keypads on the front doors of M&A, Donnelly and Goppert; video cameras placed on all three of the buildings 2011: Video cameras on all four buildings updated, keypads placed on the two main doors of the Windmoor Center; keypad and video camera placed on the back side of Goppert upon completion of the track 2013: Keypads to be put on the backside of M&A and the north door of Donnelly H

January 31, 2013| the dart | dartnewsonline.com | news | 3

Administration limits what male teachers can, can’t do Administration prohibits male teachers from doing certain things female teachers are allowed to do

by KATIE PARKINSON kparkinson@dartnewsonline.com

Principal of academic affairs Barbara McCormick bent down as she placed one end of a plastic ruler at a student’s knee. Then she looked at the hymn of the skirt to make sure the distance was no more than three inches.

Nodding her head in satisfaction, she gestured for the next student to come forward.

This ordinary skirt check is just one thing that male teachers cannot do, according to principal of student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker.

“Women have done [the skirt checks] for all the male teachers because we just didn’t want [anyone] to be uncomfortable,” Hoecker said. “We thought it was more appropriate that women measure.”

According to music teacher Greg Monsma, this boundary with uniforms extends to remarks as well. For example, commenting on a skirt that is too short.

“We’re pretty much taught in college not to comment on [uniforms] anymore just because the day and age is kind of that way,” Monsma said.

According to Hoecker, male teachers are also forbidden to do are bathroom and changing room checks. Another thing they cannot do is take student trips without female chaperones.

According to senior Elaine Schmidt, male teachers are also generally more conservative than their female counterparts when it comes to joking, and how they interact with students.

“I would say female teachers are able to joke more with students,” Schmidt said.

“There’s also a difference with female teachers.

pointin’ out the facts H Mr. Pat Sirridge poses for a photo while he instructs students Peyton Gajan, from left, and Carlisle Sutton during his AP United States government class Jan. 24. photo by MEGHAN LEWIS

I could go up to any of my female teachers and hug them, and it wouldn’t be weird, but there’s definitely a boundary for male teachers, and they just have to be more careful about how they phrase things.”

According to social studies teacher Pat Sirridge, he also feels that sometimes female teachers are better suited to dealing with students’ personal problems.

“I think there are maybe emotional times where female teachers are more appropriate type counselors for students on certain issues than male teachers would be,” Sirridge said.

“But, I think almost all the disciplines that are taught here could easily be taught by a male or female.”

Teaching aside, according to Schmidt, students especially love when male teachers participate in school events such as Dancing with the Stars. Another example, Coin Wars, encourages students to donate their change in order to determine which male teacher they

would most want to see wearing a toga.

“I think with female teachers, usually, they’re more apt to embarrass themselves and have people laughing with them, so they do it more easily and it’s more commonplace,” Schmidt said. “Whereas when male teachers do it, it’s so uncommon because they really want students to respect them and to keep that boundary with students because they are males and this is an all-female school. So when they do something ridiculous, it’s hilarious, and we all love it.”

According to Monsma, he feels that if a fundraiser such as Coin Wars were to take place at a co-ed school, teacher participation would be more evenly split between males and females.

“I think that male teachers, particularly younger male teachers, do get a lot of attention, and that’s just understandable when they’re kind of a minority and [an] exception to the regular person around St. Teresa’s,” Sirridge said. H

daily.

“I chose Chicago because it is a great city to get a taste of service,” Absher said. “Also, as I just recently moved from Chicago last June, I know the area, can navigate the city, and have a lot of connections through my former school.”

Every day, students will serve at The Peace Corner on the westside of Chicago, a place for teens and pre-teens to reside after school so they are not tempted to join gangs or deal drugs. Volunteers will also work with H.O.M.E (Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly) where they will play games and crafts with the elderly. According to homeseniors.org, H.O.M.E ”helps low-income seniors in Chicago maintain their independence by providing home upkeep and repair, a shopping bus and three affordable, intergenerational buildings.”

In addition, volunteers will be working at the Learning Center, an educational center for adult education, specifically Mexican immigrants. Every day, students will be working at soup kitchens as well.

“I was always jealous that my siblings got to go on mission trips,” sophomore Gracie

Fleming said. “I was originally going to go on one with [Bishop] Miege [High School].

So when I heard that St. Teresa’s was going to go on one, I was really excited because one, I just wanted to do it with St. Teresa’s and Fleming I also really love Chicago.”

Fleming said that she won’t mind missing her spring break since this is a good opportunity to see what Chicago is like and they “are going to be doing a lot of work” but also “have time to do other things like explore the city.”

According to Absher, she met with the administration a few times to discuss priorities of mission trips at STA before getting the first trip approved. Other chaperones have not been decided.

“It was important to go outside of our own community, but to slowly build the trips so that each year we go to new and different locations and hopefully different countries in the future,” Absher said.. H

Students to embark on mission trip Service coordinator Kate Absher has planned STA’s first mission trip to Chicago over spring break 2013

by LEIGH CAMPBELL lcampbell@dartnewsonline.com

Service coordinator Kate Absher plans to take nine students on St. Teresa’s first mission trip to Chicago over spring break. The trip will mark STA’s first ever school-sponsored mission trip. Volunteers will pay $530 to cover expenses.

“I think it’s important to realize how many people in many different locations need help,” Absher said. “We wanted to start mission trips at STA to give the girls not only an alternative to typical spring break trips, but also to take the opportunity to see the needs of communities outside of our own.”

According to Absher, volunteering students will stay at Su Casa Catholic Worker House, where they will serve residents staying there. Volunteers will be doing an “urban plunge,” which consists of doing different types of service work throughout the city

Former athletic director dies, leaves legacy

Former STA athletic director Pauline Reardon passed away Dec. 12. According to her obituary in the Kansas City Star, Reardon was 101 years old and served the STA community for 45 years as a physical education teacher.

According to former STA physical education teacher Ann Bode Rodriguez, Reardon retired from STA in the early 80s.

By that time, she had been a coach, a PE teacher and the athletic director. In addition, Reardon began intramural games and the Athletic Club at STA. Bode Rodriguez credits the size of the athletic program at STA to Reardon’s work.

“When she was at STA, the four sports we had were tennis, volleyball, basketball and track and field,” Bode Rodriguez said.

“The athletic program has really really grown thanks to Pauline Reardon. She encouraged girls and all of our students to become active in athletics and pushed for different programs.”

Class of 1971 alumna Mary Cosgrove remembers Reardon as an advocate for girls athletics prior to the passing of Title IX, which eliminated gender based discrimination in education, sports and other activities. “[Reardon] was the head of the pack and she encouraged people to think differently about sports and being active,” Cosgrove said. “I think she was way ahead of her time.”

Nominees for Academy Woman announced

President Nan Bone announced the nominees for Academy Woman during announcements Monday. This year’s nominees are Jane Evans, Holly Fielder and Elaine Schmidt. Every year, STA’s faculty and senior class nominate students who exemplify the qualities of an Academy Woman.

Evans The award is based on moral character, leadership, sense of responsibility, loyalty to STA, school spirit, service to others, sportsmanship, cooperation, helpfulness and ability to command Fielder respect.

“I’m just so honored to be nominated in the first place,” Fielder said. “I think that Academy Woman in the years past has seemed like being the embodiSchmidt ment of what STA is. I think Jane and Elaine both are just wonderful and are totally worthy of it.”

The winner of the honor will be announced at an awards ceremony April 23.

Briefs by LINDSEY VALDIVIEZ and SARA MEURER

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Jan. 3 was not only the beginning of a new semester at Rockhurst High School, but also the day the administration spoke to the student body about a drug testing plan, which will be implemented in August of 2013.

Students were called into the gym as soon as the school day started. In front of them stood principal Greg Harkness and assistant vice principal and student government leader Chris Bosco, along with other members of the administration. “[Harkness] went into a good amount of detail [about the drug testing],” junior Shea McEnerney said. “There’s only so much detail you can give in 30-45 minutes. It was more of an introduction into what was going to be going on come August.”

Before the announcement Jan. 3, however, there was talk among students about administration possibly implementing a drug testing plan.

McEnerney, who is part of a junior advisory committee and knew the announcement was coming, said the idea was discussed within that group, but not heavily.

“It was more of a rumor going around that they might be drug testing,” McEnerney said.

“Whether it would be put in place this year, next year, we had no clue.”

According to Harkness, mandatory testing conversations date back to before he arrived as principal at Rockhurst in 2010.

“Our conversation began as a conversation from parents who are growing concerned about the rising availability of drugs and the outside or societal factors pushing teenagers to use illegal or dangerous substances,” Harkness said.

The Rockhurst Board of Trustees voted to institute the policy at Rockhurst High School during a meeting Dec. 5.

The facts According to the Rockhurst Drug and Alcohol Policy found on their website, a group of students chosen at random will be tested for alcohol and substance abuse during each round of testing, which is approximately every 90 days, but especially after breaks. However, students should expect to be tested at random at least once during the school year.

The first time a student tests positive, no disciplinary action will be taken. However, their

parents will be notified and they will be about it before, this discussion was the first referred to a school counselor and psycholoin which they talked about their views in full gist. detail.

If a student tests positive a second time, With one against the policy, and one in at any point during their time at Rockhurst, favor, both see benefits and disadvantages. their parents will, again, be notified. However, The viewpoint: against students and parents will then have a meeting Livers feels the new policy breaks the trustwith the dean of students and disciplinary acworthy relationship between administration tions will be decided. as well as oversteps the boundaries a school If a student tests positive at any time, they should have. are automatically put into the pool for testing “The whole ‘you are guilty until your test at the next date. proves you innocent’ approach is only telling A single piece of hair will be removed and us they don’t trust us, and in return, we won’t will search for signs of binge drinking and drug trust them,” Livers said. use. The only drugs not tested will be synthetic Livers also believes Rockhurst’s approach drugs, steroids and Attention Deficit Disorder hinders their ability to become strong men medications like Adderall. when turning down drugs or alcohol.

Since the announcement, the administra“A real man can stand up for himself and tion has held meetings during activity periods make the right decision and not use the armor about twice a week of ‘I don’t do this because where students can I go to Rockhurst,’” Livers voice any concerns or said. “I feel like when I When it comes down to it, we are a Jesuit ask questions. graduate, I want to be college preparatory school and these are The most frecompletely prepared the values meant to be upheld in this quently raised question kind of school. for what life has to offer pertains to the acShea McEnerney and not be raised in a tual definition of binge Rockhurst High School junior sheltered environment drinking, according to where [alcohol consumpMcEnerney. tion and drug use] quite The Center for frankly doesn’t exist Disease Control defines binge drinking as when it will exist after I graduate.” consuming more than five drinks in two hours.

Aside from Livers feeling the administration However, it is impossible to know for certain is failing to let students make their own decithe amount of times a person must participate sions, he feels the choice to drug test should be in binge drinking for it to show up in a hair test. left up to parents.

The students were told, for some, it might “The school is trying to play a role [my paronly take one night of binge drinking for it to ents] worked so hard to play themselves for the show up on a test, for another, it might take past three years,” Livers said. “My parents and I three nights in a month of binge drinking for it have had a trusting relationship the past three to show up. years and this oversteps that. I believe parents An all-boys private school in Saint Louis, can recognize habitual drug and alcohol probChristian Brothers College High School, added lems better than a hair test can.” a nearly identical drug testing program six Livers, however, is not bitter because he years ago. The only difference from Rockhurst’s believes the administration has the right intenprogram is the entire school of CBC is tested tion but are just going about it in the wrong on each date, instead of random amounts of way. people from each grade. According to president “I respect it, but I’m a little embarrassed of of CBC, Mike English, in an article published the measures [Rockhurst] took,” Livers said. in the Kansas City Star, this year, more than 99 The viewpoint: in favor percent of drug tests were negative at CBC. Unlike Livers, McEnerney feels the plan The meeting will be a huge help to students and will in turn McEnerney and his best friend, Rockhurst solidify the ideals they should represent. junior Jack Livers have opposing viewpoints “When it comes down to it, we are a Jesuit when it comes to the new drug testing policy.

Catholic college preparatory school and these Both boys met to discuss the policy, and are the values meant to be upheld in this kind while there had been small talk between them of school,” McEnerney said. “This whole thing

fact or fiction?

“

kind of emphasizes the fact that there are the values we regard here at this school and if you don’t care to follow them, you don’t deserve to be here.”

McEnerney sees the benefit for students willing to drop unhealthy drug and alcohol habits, but know some will continue to use illegal substances regardless of Rockhurst implementing drug testing.

“I know a lot of kids who have said they’re not stopping,” McEnerney said. “They smoke, they pop stuff, and that’s their lifestyle and that’s what they want to do. Those people were the ones who were most angry at the school.”

As stated during the initial announcement to students, a large part of Rockhurst’s intention with the testing is to keep their students healthy. McEnerney believes the push toward a healthier lifestyle is beneficial for the school.

“Getting crazy drunk every weekend isn’t healthy,” McEnerney said. “At this stage in our life, our brain isn’t done developing, therefore all of those habits are wildly unhealthy.”

A consensus Though McEnerney is in favor of the drug testing at Rockhurst, he said there are still “gray areas.”

“I would not consider myself wholeheartedly in agreement with the institution itself, but I am in no way against it,” McEnerney said.

Giving a slight nod, Livers added, “Yeah, and I’m not wholeheartedly in disagreement either.

I think they’re trying to do the right thing.”

Livers brought up an alternative plan he believes would help with drug and alcohol problems, but would uphold boundaries he feels should be kept.

“I think it should be that if there’s a problem, the school should offer an optional test,” Livers said. “That way, they are giving parents an option to sign their kids up if they want to instead of forcing it.”

McEnerney agreed, saying, “That actually would be a good idea if they made it optional and the parents had to say yes or no.”

As the two stood after the discussion they both sighed and McEnerney jokingly uttered the phrase, “Just so you know, Jack and I aren’t friends anymore.”

After taking part in their first discussion as two best friends with opposing views on a policy which will change their high school career, they walked out of Panera together leaving the conversation and conflict on the table. After all, they are best friends and a debate about the meaning of a strand of hair can’t change that. H

THREE OUT OF FIVE

• St. Teresa’s will implement this drug testing program.

FICTION

“

by JORDAN BERARDI jberardi@dartnewsonline.com

According to STA president Nan Bone, St. Teresa’s is not planning on implementing this program. Plans to improve health and wellness are being pursued. However, future drug testing is not completely out of the question.

• This policy was implemented as a direct result from a particular incident. FICTION According to Rockhurst High School principal Greg Harkness, the new policy was not a direct result of any incident. “The request was to begin a conversation about the way the school could assist parents in their efforts to keep their sons drug/ alcohol free,” Harkness said.

• The drug test will pick up on binge drinking, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, opiates and methamphetamine. FACT According to Harkness, these substances are not necessarily a problem for Rockhurst students, but they are the standard substances picked up in a drug test. In addition the drug test will only pick up on excessive drinking, not a glass of wine at a family dinner or wine at mass.

alt. coverage by JORDAN BERARDI

The students polled are not pictured below.

GET OUT OF MY HAIR

January 31, 2013 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | features | 5

The Rockhurst High School administration announced a new drug testing plan effective August 2013. Two juniors at Rockhurst, with opposing viewpoints about the testing, explain their beliefs by discussing reasons they are either for or against it.

of 79 randomly polled Rockhurst High School students say they would be nervous if the drug test were tomorrow. photo illustration by ROSIE HUTCHISON AND MENLEY BRENNAN

6 | features | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013

to evolve in o t m r o if .

A’s un med polo ars for ST e le y b 7 m 4 e 1 d n e skirt an It has tak tan plaid r a t r ia il the fam ON N LANGD m

by LAURE artnewsonline.co @d llangdon

r doll u o y p e Ke ttire by a A T S in out the g n i t t u c s! uniform

illustrations by TESSA SMITH and NATALIE FITTS

January 31, 2013 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | features | 7

Beep. Beep.

At 6:20 a.m., an alarm clock wakes a sleeping girl.

She hits the snooze button and 15 minutes later, she races around her room. She throws on her white polo shirt with the St. Teresa’s Academy emblem, zips up her unwashed tartan plaid skirt

Jumpers and shoes

and stuffs her feet into her Uggs.

After she looks in the mirror, she runs out the door, mindlessly finishing the daily routine of changing into her STA uniform. However, that STA uniform is rooted in 147 years of history.

From knee length jumpers to different plaid skirts, STA’s uniform has changed since its founding in 1866. The common theme throughout all of the changes is a coordination between administration and students.

When Egelhoff attended STA from 1957 to 1961, the uniform did not include a tartan skirt. The options for her were a burgundy, light blue, gold or dark green jumper that covered the knees with a matching belt. “[The jumper] was all right,” Egelhoff said. “In those days, we didn’t ask. We did whatever we were supposed to do.”

Although Egelhoff did not mind the jumper, the black and white Saddle Oxfords were inconvenient because students’ shoes had to be polished and have clean shoe strings.

“They had to be polished, and if they weren’t, we got a warning,” Egelhoff said.

Instead of dressing out of uniform on Fridays, STA seniors were allowed to wear black loafers. There were many drastic changes during the 1960s, including a switch from jumpers to red and blue plaid skirts with green, gold, blue or red woolen blazers.

Later, in the 1980s, students had four different styles of plaids, including tartan plaid, black plaid, red-and-white plaid and brown plaid.

“It was very strict,” Egelhoff said. “We didn’t get any options like you kids do as far as wearing a sweatshirt or something like that.

We never got to do that.”

Hair

The only pieces of jewelry 1961 alumna and development and special events coordinator Terri Egelhoff was allowed to wear were class rings, small religious relics without stones and pins or medals, if awarded by STA. The 1966 handbook stated that no jewelry, even crosses, were allowed with the exception of a wrist-watch, chain or medal. The only acceptable earrings were gold or silver studs in the 1960s.

According to science teacher Mary Montag, when she attended STA from 1977-1980 students did not wear as much jewelry.

“At that time, big piercings and hoops weren’t as popular, so there weren’t as much rules,” Montag said.

1965

Restrictions on students’ hair is not new at STA. A 1961 Dart article states that students were only allowed to wear barrettes to keep hair out of their face.

In 1966, the hair guidelines became looser when the handbook said all ribbons and barrettes were allowed, but “no extreme hair-dos are permitted.”

Future handbooks elaborated on permitted hairstyles.

“Students should arrange their hair becomingly, and should not wear hairstyles that are distracting and extreme,” according to a 1969-1970 handbook.

A 1982-1983 roster cited more items students were prohibited to wear, like hats, visors, scarves, bandanas and headbands. The current uniform code, according to the 2012-2013 handbook, bans hats, visors, sunglasses, scarves or any distracting accessories.

Looking to the future

1985

Jewelry

In recent years, STA has made multiple additions to the uniform, including a fleece jacket and a cardigan. According to principal of student affairs Mary Ann Hoecker, some students want to add a blazer to the uniform. While it may be expensive, Hoecker says the administration will look into it. “[Blazers] can make a nice looking uniform, but they are more formal,” Hoecker said. “A blazer, I think, is harder to keep clean [because] I think you’d have to have those dry cleaned, whereas your sweaters are very washable.”

A major change of the uniform—like a change in plaid—is possible but unlikely due to demand and cost, according to Hoecker.

now and then

1986

In 1986, the Teresian yearbook conducted an anonymous fashion survey. The Teresian asked students, “What are your feelings regarding the present uniform at St. Teresa’s?

Are there any areas where you see a problem?”

The yearbook staff decided to black out the students’ eyes because “The problem I see is that people care too the girl on the left is extremely out much...about the wrong things. Should Sister of uniform and the other girl is in Sally worry about Petunia wearing off-white socks or Petunia passing her class?” uniform.

—quote from the 1986 yearbook

1977

“Would we change out of plaid?” Hoecker said. “It’s possible, but usually you need students, parents [and] everybody on board with then. I don’t hear anybody saying they want to change the plaid at this point.”

Other possible changes include eliminating the white polo in favor of the black polo, which some people think ages better.

“There’s been some talk that white eventually gets dirty, yellows and all that, whereas there’s the thinking that black might stay a little cleaner...and you could get more use out of it for a longer period of time,” Hoecker said.

Despite numerous changes to STA’s uniform, people associate the tartan plaid skirt with STA students. According to Hoecker, when people recognize the skirt, they call STA to talk about interactions, both positive and negative, they have had with the students.

“The uniform identifies us and the behavior of the student is either a plus or a minus to the public,” Hoecker said.

2013

In 2013, the Dart recreated the survey with junior Katie Daniels and sophomore Meghan Daniels.

The Dart asked the same questions.

Katie, left, is out of uniform because of her scarf, jacket, hat and untucked shirt. Meghan is shown perfectly in uniform.

“I would change the color of the skirts. I wish they were a plain solid color instead of plaid.”

—junior Katie Daniels

photo by MENLEY BRENNAN

8 | opinion | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013

after

cartoon by MENLEY BRENNAN

before

Service week allows students self-discovery our help, maybe a friend who is struggling with family issues or a The little boy was a frequent visitor to the Child Protection Center in midtown Kansas City. He was quiet and didn’t talk much. When sibling who needs homework help. We help them if we can and if we have time. However, service week is a time we dedicate to doing STA alumnae Christie Fletcher began working at the Child Protection nothing but helping those who need us. For Fletcher, the little boy Center for her senior service project, her job was to be in the front of needed help to feel safe and comfortable and loved. In nursing home the building, playing with kids and getting them ready to speak to a psychologist. and hospice houses, those elderly will need help from you in the “The Child Protection Center is a psychology firm that specializes form of attention and patience and a listening ear. But the general idea of what is being asked of us is the same everywhere. We are in kids that have been abused,” Fletcher said. “When they witness a there to show respect and love and to selflessly serve the people at crime or something like that, they are taken there instead of to the our agencies. police station so that they feel more comfortable.”

As students, we may even learn more and receive more than we The little boy who was scared and didn’t talk much became attached to Fletcher. ever expected from people to who we are “Every time he came in to be interviewed, supposed to be administering the help.

The staff editorial represents the In Fletcher’s case, some of the women at her he asked for me,” Fletcher said. “He would views of the Dart editorial board: agency went to the same college she did and talk to me and want me to read to him.” helped her with her course selection and to This was one of many inspiring experiences for Fletcher, who is now a freshman at find internships.

5 out of 5 editors voted in support Missouri State University, and it has continOther students have found their callings of this editorial in many different fields and some have based ued to affect her life. their careers off of a single service week “My major is psychology with a focus on experience. adolescence,” Fletcher said. “I’d wanted to STA has an incredible opportunity to make an impact on the comdo this, and [my experience] was my way to realize I was passionate about it.” munity and people in our city that have so much less than we do.

While Fletcher’s experience is a unique one, service week, 5 According to The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 47 percent of high school students nationwide days of volunteering at an agency for juniors and seniors, is a time volunteer in the community. One hundred percent of STA students when many people find something they’re passionate about and volunteer at least 90 hours in the community. As students of the Acadmake connections with people that they never would have met otherwise. emy, it is our responsibility to show love, respect, caring, understanding and nurturing during our service weeks. H As students at STA, we sometimes interact with people who need

RIGHT ON

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

Here’s what they said: compiled by SABRINA REDLINGSHAFER

How do you feel volunteering impacts you?

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something that actually matters. Like I’m actually impacting someone else.”

“It gives me a broader view on life. It makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something because I’m helping other people.”

“Volunteering is a much better use of your time, much more productive than sitting on your couch and mindlessly staring at your TV.”

Madalyn Schulte sophomore

Emma Allen junior

Claire McHugh freshman

Schulte

Allen

McHugh

January 31, 2013 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | opinion | 9

A plea for more sleep: seniors should be able to skip first period frees

Living in the shadows of an older sister

by EMMA WHEATLEY ewheatley@dartnewsonline.com

As a senior, I have thoroughly enjoyed the many privileges I have been granted.

I am particularly fond of the Friday dress down day because coming to school in my pajamas is extremely convenient. Another wonderful privilege, which my schedule has somehow prevented me from experiencing both semesters, is the privilege that allows a senior to leave early if she has a last period free.

Although I have never been able to enjoy this privilege, I can only imagine how liberating it must feel to waltz out of the school at 2:15 p.m. while everyone else is still in class. This privilege makes a lot of sense. There is no need for a person to stay at school if their classes have ended, unless they have some other commitment.

The only thing that troubles me about this is why it does not work the other way around. Why can a senior leave early if she has a last period free, but not come in late if she has a first period free?

My week would be considerably better if I was able to sleep an extra hour on my first period free days. I would be getting more sleep three nights out of the week, I would have time to make myself a real breakfast instead of rushing to throw some cereal in a plastic bag and sprinting out the front door (so as not to be late for my free) and I would be in an all-around better mood on these particular days. I know all of you STA girls can relate to that well-rested, energized feeling you have during the day on late start days. So what is the problem?

Is STA worried that sleeping in will turn me into a slacker? Because on the contrary, my attention span is much longer on the days when I feel well-rested.

And what is the point of coming into school at 7:45 a.m. if my classes don’t start until 8:30 a.m.? I usually just sit in my free, staring off into space or discreetly trying to sleep even though Sister Joan keeps coming over and telling me to do something productive.

It’s not that I don’t use my frees to do work. I know that the purpose of frees is to get ahead on school work, but at 7:45 a.m. in the morning, no work has been assigned to me yet. I have done my homework the night before, so there is absolutely nothing to do.

I know that making this appeal will not benefit me, since I will be graduating within the next five months and if administration were to consider this, they would not put it into effect until next year. So I am doing this for all of you underclassmen. When you are seniors, you will feel the same pain as I do when your alarm goes off at 6:50 a.m. in the morning, and you know that if only the privileges were a little more thorough, you could still be sleeping. H

by KATHLEEN KEAVENY kkeaveny@dartnewsonline.com

As I sat by the Brookside trail and stretched with fellow freshmen I barely knew, I heard seniors and juniors that knew my older sister talking about me in their stretching circle.

“Did you see that Keaves’s sister is here?”

“I can’t wait to see her run. I bet she is really fast too.”

“I wonder if Elizabeth helped her train this summer.”

It was cross country tryouts. I did not want to try out, but my mom and sister convinced me that it would be a good way to make friends freshman year and I might find that I am actually good at it. My mom kept telling me that if my sister who is 5’3” can run fast, then so could I, all 5’8” of me. It’s in the blood, they all say. Well, it turns out that it’s not.

My sister, Elizabeth Keaveny, ran cross country and track for STA and still holds the 5K record. She ran varsity for a Division 1 school in Oregon and married a fellow varsity runner. If you can’t tell already, she likes to run and she is pretty darn good at it.

I knew that I wasn’t fast and I tried to tell people that, but they didn’t listen. They said I was being modest, but I was just being honest. The team only believed me after I threw up about 20 yards before the finish and finished second to last. I didn’t make the team

to say the least.

I’m not my sister. My name is actually Kathleen not, “Elizabeth’s Sister.” I still get asked on a regular basis, “Are you Elizabeth’s sister?” and “Do you run too?” I’m happy that people know and like my sister, but it gets pretty old explaining to people that I can’t run. I have my own interests and talents. I am an individual and I want people to know me for who I am and not who they think I am.

The spring of my junior year, I was convinced to try out for the track team to high jump. Not run, high jump. As I walked up to Coach Hough and the jumping coach to tell him I wanted to high jump, Hough pointed at the back of my swim team sweatshirt which said “Keaveny” on it. He said to the jumping coach, “That name is all over the record boards.” Here we go again. I make my usual explanation and tell him I am not a runner. He responds, “It has got to help. It’s in the blood, isn’t it?”

Going into high school is scary in general, but it was a lot scarier knowing that people have high expectations for me. Expectations that I know I can’t possibly fulfill because they do not involve my interests, talents or abilities. I set goals for myself, but they are not the same goals that my sister had for herself. I am proud of my sister and her accomplishments. I am also proud of my accomplishments.

Coming to STA as a legacy can suck at times, so give those girls a chance to show you their expectations for themselves instead of making assumptions about them.

To all those living in a shadow, it is important to change people’s minds about you.

Don’t settle with people making assumptions about your identity. It can be hard to get that across to people but it just forces you know who you are and develop your own identity.

Now that I am a senior, most people at STA know me for me. There are a lot of girls at STA though who have older sisters and have gone through similar experiences as I have. They are not molds of their older sisters. They are individuals. They have names.

Give them a chance to show you who they really are. H

We will survive the process

by SABRINA REDLINGSHAFER sredlingshafer@dartnewsonline.com

“So, where are you thinking for college?” asks every person once they find out I’m a junior in high school.

“Oh, I’m thinking about it all right. I’m thinking I’ll go. Check back with me in a year and maybe I’ll have my decision,” is what I want to respond to the inevitable question.

In order to come to an answer, we must undergo a process. Yes, I am talking about the college process.

The process can be frightening and eyeopening.

Heck, I’m already worried about whether I should take the ACT or SAT, where to find a tutor for whichever test I decide, which prep course I should take, which cute, yet sophisticated picture of myself to submit online for test registration and most of all: where in the world I want to attend college.

It’s easy to let the stress of standardized testing, maintaining good grades, and constant college researching consume you.

But don’t freak out. I’m here to tell you to take a chill pill as you jump on this roller coaster ride some call the college process.

Don’t lose yourself in year ahead. Don’t let the stress turn you into just another applicant.

Although it may be very deep within us now, the process challenges us to reflect on who we are, what we can contribute and what we want to move toward in our lives.

We each have to ask ourselves what sets

us apart from the thousands of other applicants. Beyond academics, there is a unique kind of wisdom, talent and set of experiences we’ve gained throughout high school that no standardized test could show.

We are more than a manila file folder in some college admission office. We are not defined by our ACT or SAT scores. We are not our GPAs. We, as individuals, are far more than what numbers can indicate.

Rather than feeling scared, angry and overwhelmed by all the information and requirements, I encourage you to be able to step back and appreciate the process. Take it on with the support of our wonderful school counselors, your parents and the rest of your sisters in the junior class.

Go into this next year with an open mind and be confident that you will get through this. You will survive. You can find yourself in the midst of all the stress. Yes, my fellow juniors, we can do this. H

SERVING NEIGHBOR 10 | centerspread | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013

January 31, 2013 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | centerspread | 11

the dear

While the administration requires 90 service hours for students to graduate, some students volunteer on their own time. The Dart reveals service’s significance for three juniors, who work with children, homeless and blood donors. story by MADDIE KNOPKE and CECILIA BUTLER by the

NUMBERS: STA SERVICE

The Dart surveyed 100 students about service.

41% yearly 40% monthly 23% weekly

How often do you serve the community?

3% daily

the top five...

SERVICE AGENCIES among STA students

1) HARVESTER’S 2) THE UPPER ROOM 3) OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH 4) ST. MARY’S 5) WAYSIDE WAIFS

What type of service are you typically involved with? the poor and hungry

41%

18% the elderly 12% 11% animals other 10% environment 8% education

OUTSIDE OF STA

the service hours that other Kansas City-area high schools require for graduation

Rockhurst High School: 25 hours per year; additionally two weeks of service during senior year

Shawnee Mission East High School: no service requirements

Bishop Miege High School: 80 hours over four years Notre Dame de Sion High School: 100 hours over four years

Southwest High School: no service requirements

“Okay Georgie…what’s the answer?” junior Emma Allen asks to one of her students at Urban Scholastic Center.

Georgie, dressed in a striped shirt and red Nikes, is toying with his paper airplane. He looks up at Allen, confused.

“Is the answer 130, Georgie?” Allen repeats.

His confusion becomes more evident.

“Um…130…?” Georgie responds quietly.

The room erupts in cheer and buzzes with gospel hip-hop as Georgie bounces over to join the line of his peers who had also given correct answers.

It is the 7:30 p.m. bible class at Urban Scholastic Center, one Allen has been helping to lead every Wednesday since freshman year along with general tutoring on Mondays and reading tutoring on Tuesdays. These are the same classes Allen attended herself seven years ago as an elementary student.

Allen explained that most of the children attending the Urban Scholastic Center classes are living in poverty-stricken areas.

“They’ve definitely broadened my perspective,” Allen said. “Just seeing how they handle things.

Seeing how they’re so young. I think if I was in that situation, I would be freaking out.”

She glances around at the 40-some screaming children.

“I don’t feel like this is something that is an option for me to do,” Allen said. “I feel like this is something I need to be doing. This is my community and I need to be doing something to help it.”

While Allen volunteers with children in education and bible study, other STA students are serving their own communities as well. On the weekends and after school, many students volunteer regularly from three times a week to just a few hours each month. From poverty-stricken areas to church parishes, from handing out granola bars to leading bible trivia, service plays a role in the lives of many STA students.

Regardless of the form of service, STA encourages students to follow the Sisters of St. Joseph’s statement: “move always towards profound love of God and love of dear neighbor without distinction”.

STA junior Anja Browning has been volunteering at the Community Blood Center since September of this school year. She waits with the donors after they have given blood and provides them with snacks and water.

Standing in the donor recovery room, voices from a video drown out the noises surrounding her, she hears the

emotional words of blood recipients and donors repeating through her head.

Browning stares across the hall from the recovery room to the darkened windows of the donation area. She watches the donors sitting patiently in the booths.

“I want to donate, but...I don’t think I’m 115 pounds yet,” Browning said.

With hundreds of pints of blood surrounding her during each shift, Anja hopes to be the one sitting in the donation booth soon.

“For now, I’m here to make sure the donors are stable,” Browning said. “But I also make small talk...it lightens the mood, ya know?”

A middle-aged man steps into what Browning calls her “pocket,” the recovery room for donors. His right arm has bandages from the donation needle.

“Can I get you a bottle of water, maybe?” Browning asks.

Browning and Allen find ways to serve only a few blocks from their homes, while junior Mary Gibson steps into an unfamiliar neighborhood. Gibson volunteers at St. James Place, a food kitchen at 39th Street and Troost Avenue.

“Will you marry me?” she hears as she -- Emma Allen, junior looks up from the pile of dirty trays she was collecting from the table.

“I can take you on my helicopter. We will go away together.”

These words came from an older man who was a regular at the food kitchen with a long gray beard, about five feet tall.

And yes, he was asking for her hand in marriage.

“Yes,” Gibson said, as her mom hurried over and shooed the man away.

Six years ago, Gibson stepped inside St. James Place with her fifth grade Girl Scout troop for the first time. Since then, she has been volunteering a couple times each month.

Portraits of the people being served line the walls, and volunteers walk throughout the cafeteria interacting as friends rather than simply food servers.

“It’s like person-to-person,” Gibson explained. “They just kinda feel like a friend is helping them out.”

Gibson expressed that her service isn’t just the action itself but the relationships she forms with those she serves. This is something many STA students recognize as a central instrument in volunteering.

“I mean, yeah their lives are completely different than mine but when I’m there, it’s not like that,” Gibson said. “I’m their friend even if it’s just during their dinner.” H

“This is my community and I need to be doing something to help it.”

Junior Anja Browning sits with a patient in the recovery area of Georgie, a student at the Urban Scholastic Center, participates the Community Blood Center in downtown Kansas City Jan. 27. in a game of trivia Jan. 23.

Ms. Mary Meader of Visitation Parish serves food at the St. James Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen Jan. 24.

Jennifer, left, and Joceline, both students at the Urban Scholastic Center, play with junior Emma Allen Jan. 23. Allen was the recipient of the 2012 Mother Evelyn O’Neill service award, and volunteers several times a week. photo by EMMA WHEATLEY

mission week jan. 28 - feb. 1 WHO: The entire STA community WHEN: Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 WHERE: St. Teresa’s Academy WHAT: A week dedicated to celebrating service at STA. Activities include trivia, a teacher auction table, musical chairs and after school service opportunities.

For the price of one dollar, students can dress down in casual clothes or dress up for the various planned themes.

WHY: “We are having mission week as a fun way to celebrate all that we are at STA. Who doesn’t love wearing jammies or dressing up in silly themes and all of it to remember how awesome we are and to give back to two local agencies (Sherwood Center and Upper Room)?” -- Ms. Kate Absher, service director

service week feb. 25 - march 1 WHO: STA juniors and seniors WHEN: Feb. 25 to March 1 WHAT: A week for upperclassmen to complete 30 hours of service in partnership with various service agencies in the Kansas City area. Upperclassmen are excused from school for the week while they volunteer.

WHERE: After attending STA’s annual “Service Fair” to learn about the participating agencies, juniors and seniors contact several agencies and schedule interviews. They then choose one of the agencies that has accepted them and complete service with them for one week.

WHY: To provide students with a rewarding experience in serving the community and creating relationships with those who are different than themselves.

Q&A: MS. KATE ABSHER The Dart asked Ms. Kate Absher, St. Teresa Academy’s new service director, about her opinions and goals in regards to serving and volunteering for others.

What is your mission?

To get people to stretch what is beyond what is comfortable for them.

Why do you think taking the time to serve and care for others is so important?

Because we get a chance to discover more about ourselves while attempting to help others.

When have you seen this occur?

I saw teenagers, who were normally shy, [but while serving others], they were really good at communicating with the other people. I think that you can learn a lot about yourself and the importance of the human connection.

Why do you think it is important for STA students to be exposed to communities or individuals who are struggling in life?

I think we so often absolutely take for granted everything we have. I just think there are things that we can’t think about, things that we cannot understand...like witnessing and being apart of [service] is amazing. We need to go out and actually do some more service.

CHICAGO SPRING BREAK SERVICE TRIP The STA mission trip to Chicago, led by Ms. Kate Absher, will take place during 2013 Spring Break and includes sophomores, juniors and seniors. The volunteers on this “Urban Plunge” will discuss and work to improve the Chicago environment, housing, jail, diversity, healthcare and more. The experience incorporates a spiritual perspective and aims to positively affect not only those who they are serving but also the volunteers themselves.

SERVICE STORIES The Dart asked students to recall their most memorable service or volunteering experiences.

“I volunteer at the Children’s Spot for St. Luke’s...one kid has a really hard time communicating with others and is basically mute. [In my last couple days of volunteering there], he started asking some of the kids to share their toys. For him to communicate with his peers and express his interests was a huge accomplishment.”

— SARAH VICKERY, senior “I went on a mission trip with my family to Guatemala the Spring Break of my eighth grade year [with the agency, Eagle’s Nest]. It was really rewarding because we got to work with the most adorable kids and see how a service agency is run.”

— EDEN KREIGHBAUM, sophomore “Two summers ago, while I was serving food at a soup kitchen, I got pantsed by a homeless man. So yeah.”

— CHANDLER ROWLEY, freshman

12 | sports | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013 break away H Senior Becca Lueke rushes down the court after a steal from Lincoln Prep High School. The Stars won the game against Lincoln Prep with a final score of 5827. photo by MENLEY BRENNAN

Basketball wins at Sprint Center

The STA basketball team participated in the Time Warner Showcase at the Sprint Center Jan. 21.

by Cassie Florido cflorido@dartnewsonline.com

Thousands of seats surround the court.

The video board reads “Sprint Center” in bright, yellow lights. Cameras look down on the court, streaming the game live. The dance team and players line up to form a walkway as the announcer’s voice fills the arena as he begins the starting line ups.

“The home team, the St. Teresa’s Stars.”

The STA student section rises to their feet as shouts of “Go Stars” ring out.

Both teams prepare to play on the biggest stage for basketball in the state of Missouri, where NBA exhibition games and the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament are played.

Ten players on the court. The same as at STA. Four quarters. The same as at STA. Two goals. The same as at STA. One ball. The same as at STA. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, STA defeated Lincoln College Preparatory Academy 58-27. The game was one of the eight games featured in the Time Warner Cable Showcase sponsored by Metro Sports.

It was the first time a high school basketball showcase had been held at the Sprint Center since its opening in 2007.

“It’s very impressive to go to a facility like [the Sprint Center],” athletic director Mark Hough said. “I would have to say it’s as cool as playing in the State tournament.”

Hough said that STA was able to get a spot in the tournament because of the close relationship the school has with Metro Sports due to STA being a host school of the Hy-Vee Shootout.

A game that was previously scheduled to

take place at STA on Jan. 28 was moved to Jan. 21 in order for STA to be a part of the showcase.

As the game began, the Stars jumped to a quick lead. The Stars’ offense proved to be too much for the young Lincoln Prep team.

With the sharp shooting of freshmen Eleanor Lueke and Grace Kitts, the Stars gained a 19-0 lead.

The Stars’ defense, forcing 11 turnovers in the first quarter, was able to hold the Tigers scoreless until the 1:57 mark.

At the end of the first quarter, the Stars led 27-3.

The Stars kept the pressure on and only allowed the Tigers to score 2 points in the second quarter, coming from junior Annie Dewberry.

Going into halftime, the Stars had a 33-point lead, leading Lincoln Prep 38-5.

After a slow start in the beginning of the game, the Lincoln Prep team came out of halftime with a 10-0 run.

However, with the efforts of Kitts and senior Becca Lueke, who combined for 10 points in the third quarter, the Stars were able to regain momentum.

As the Stars commanded the game in the fourth quarter, head coach Chance Stephen used the opportunity to give young players the chance to play in the Sprint Center.

“It was a great opportunity for some young kids to play and everyone to get the experience,” Stephen said.

Kitts with 11 points and senior Maggie Jo Rellihan with 10 points led the Stars to victory.

During a press conference after the game, Rellihan and Becca commented on their experience of playing in the Sprint Center.

Becca said that it was an honor having the opportunity to play in such a big stadium. The Sprint Center holds approximately 18,000 people for basketball games, compared to the STA capacity of 999.

eyes on the prize H Senior varsity player Maggie Rellihan stands ready at the free throw line as she focuses in on a free throw during warm ups. photo

by CAROLINE FISS

“I would have never guessed that I would be playing in the Sprint Center in front on tons of people,” Rellihan said.

When asked if it was hard to adjust to the depth perception of the Sprint Center, Rellihan said usually they play with a wall in the background, but after a while, she got used to it.

Going into the game, the team was 4-12 after a tough schedule which included eight of the top ranked teams in Kansas City, according to Hough.

Becca said that playing against these hard teams will get them ready for Districts.

Stephen said after the game that he is

up in the air H Junior Grace Bullington tosses the ball at the net against the Lincoln Prep High School game. photo by MENLEY BRENNAN

happy for the girls after their performance in the Sprint Center.

“We have had some ups and downs this year, but it’s a good opportunity for these kids to come out here and play in the Sprint Center and play on a holiday,” Stephen said. H For more photography

by Menley Brennan and Caroline Fiss, scan the QR code with your smartphone to take you to dartnewsonline.com.

January 31, 2013 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | sports | 13

STA freshman rocks the ice... GO FIGURE Freshman Gabby Clemente preprares for Carriage Club’s annual ice show this February.

routine.

The Carriage Club’s annual ice show marks the culmination of a skating season lasting from November to February. Exactly 135 skaters, ranging in age from 3 to 17 from the Carby Lane Maguire riage Club’s skating program, will perform 25 lmaguire@dartnewsonline.com numbers in the ice show Feb. 22. STA freshman Gabby Clemente is one of the skaters perform“I want to put on my my my my my boogie ing this year. She will perform in two group shoes,” sounds a stereo system to the side of routines. the rink as 19 skaters glide across the ice in a “[The ice show] is why they skate,” Farrell choreographed pattern. “Five, six, seven, eight,” said. “It’s the biggest.” shouts the theater skating class’s instructor Clemente’s teammate, 14-year-old Maggie over the music as 18 girls and one boy cruise Brophy, a year-round competitive ice-skater diagonally across the rink from two single file lines, intersecting at the midline and creating an who has won a total of two golds, one silver and one bronze medal at two National competitions X-shaped pattern. in Omaha, will be perThe skating school forming in her sixth ice and show director, show this February.

Linda Farrell, dressed “I’m so proud of the in purple felt ice skates There are a lot of people just all ice show,” Brophy said. lined with rhinestones around watching you, but when “I always tell all my (which form her you are with your friends, you just friends to come because initials on the back of smile and have a good time. - Gabby we rehearse for months her right skate) and a Clemente and I am just so proud large purple faux fur to be an ice-skater. And coat, stands beside the I feel really connected to instructor. everyone there and so “Put your hands on your hips,” she directs it’s a really big deal to me.” the skaters. After two run-throughs of this porAfter six weeks of rehearsal, the skaters will tion of the routine, she calls the class to take it trade out their Nike Combat leggings, Patagonia “from the beginning.” “Number 19, sweetie,” she jackets, ear warmers and other typical practice says to a parent controlling the stereo system attire for bedazzled leotards, multi-colored on the side of the rink. As KC & the Sunshine tights and bows.

Band’s “Boogie Shoes” begins again, so does the “[The performance] is pretty glitzy because

“

“

our coach is a total ice skating person,” Clemente said. “So sometimes we have really glitzy costumes because she’s a very glitzy person.”

One of Clemente and Brophy’s routines will be with the theater group, which is the biggest number in the show with normally about 28-35 skaters. This year, the group will perform to “Boogie Shoes.”

“You have to be a certain level to get into that [theater] category, so it’s the higher level skaters of the show,” Farrell said.

Clemente began ice-skating at age 3 and skated competitively until age 10. Although Clemente no longer skates competitively, she still skates year-round. She spends about four hours skating each Saturday--two hours of lessons and two hours of skating with friends. Clemente has been competing in Carriage Club’s ice show since age 4.

“There are a lot of people just all around watching you, but when you are with your friends, you just smile and have a good time,” Clemente said. “I really just think about finishing [the ice show] and when it’s cold, I just think about being cold and that’s probably when I mess up, but I’ve never really fallen during a routine.”

Brophy agrees that she generally doesn’t feel very nervous while performing at the ice show.

“Last year at the ice show, I was with Gabby Clemente and she is just hilarious backstage,” Brophy said. “…last year’s ice show was probably the best because it was to ‘Footloose’ and we were just dancing out there the whole time.

It was awesome. I’m more excited than nervous

twirling queen H Freshman Gabby Clemente spins on the ice during practice Jan. 8. She has been skating since age three. photo by HANNAH BREDAR

because everyone is so close up to the ice so I can see everyone perfectly.”

But for now, the stands are empty. Together with the rest of their theater group, Clemente and Brophy continue practice in anticipation of February’s ice show.

“Yeah, that was really good,” Farrell tells the skaters after their third and final run-through of the routine for the day. In Nike Combat leggings, Patagonia jackets and ear warmers, the skaters file off the rink. The music ends. Until next Saturday’s practice. H

Dance team shines in Kansas competition The varsity dance team was awarded many trophies in the Miss Kansas Dance and Drill competition.

by Libby Hyde lhyde@dartnewsonline.com For the first time, STA’s varsity dance team was asked to perform a showcase dance during the Miss Kansas Dance and Drill Competition Jan. 15. STA’s varsity and JV teams competed in the competition.

Varsity received the following awards: • judges award for polish and precision in their mix routine • judges award for showmanship • presentation in their pom routine • judges award for technique in their jazz routine • sweepstakes award for participation • shining star award • best in show award The shining star award of excellence was awarded for competing with three routines and receiving an average score of 250 or more on each one. The best in show award is given by the judges to who they consider the best teams at the competition.

Varsity performed three dances for judging, in categories of jazz, pom and mix routines. They also performed one showcase dance, which is when judges pick their favorite routines to be performed again before the awards ceremony at the end of the competition.

Dance team co-captain Sara Meurer said it was really exciting to be awarded a

5, 6, 7, 8 H Senior Sara Meurer and junior Katie Daniels of STA’s varisty dance team perform at Olathe South high school Jan. 12. photo by EMMA WHEATLEY

showcase dance because they have never been picked for one before. She said it was the best she has seen her team perform all year. Varsity dance team coach Savannah Vose told her team she was very proud of them for performing so well.

Meurer said she thought the jazz dance was picked for a showcase dance because it is unique and original.

Vose said she was nervous for the jazz dance. However, it was deemed by judges as deserving of a showcase dance. The jazz dance was awarded second place at a previous dance competition in Liberty.

“We didn’t spend as much time on the jazz number, so I was a little more fearful for it,” Vose said. “It went really well though, better than I’ve ever seen that dance.”

Team co-captain Caroline Fiss said she

stretch it out H Freshman Allie Yancey of the STA JV dance team prepares for her first performance at Olathe South High School Jan. 12. photo by EMMA WHEATLEY

was excited to perform the mix routine because they had been working on it since before school started.

Vose said this competition proves to be more difficult for her team because it takes place in Kansas, competing against a majority of Kansas schools.

“This competition is harder because we are competing against Kansas schools and we don’t compete with them at State, so this is the only competition we go against them,” Vose said.

In this competition, teams received different awards depending on the combined scores of each of their dances. This is different from the competitions the dance team usually competes in. In most competitions, the judges award places to each team and rank them based on their performance in dif-

ferent categories.

Meurer said the difference in awarding process between this competition and the ones that the team usually competes in makes it a different experience for the team.

“We are not here to beat the other teams because these teams aren’t against us at State.

We’re here to get better,” Meurer said. “So I guess that means our biggest competition is ourselves.”

The competition featured a total of 35 schools, combined of JV, varsity and middle school teams.

Between performances, the team sat in a classroom of the school and ate, talked and practiced their dances. Meurer and Fiss gave advice to teammates before the second performance, and Vose drilled certain parts of the dance that she thought needed work.H

14 | lifestyles | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013

funky

FEBRUARY

Did you know each day is a holiday? The Dart explored some unusual holidays in the month of February, so challenge yourself to try to celebrate each one

1

2

Groundhog Day

National Freedom Day

Super Bowl Sunday

3

4 Thank a

Mailman Day

Take time on this holiday to actually give your mailman or mailwoman a thank you letter for their work.

11

10

5

nutella

6 National Frozen 7 Send a Card to 8 Boy Scout Yogurt Day

a Friend Day

World Nutella Day

12

13

froyo 14

Clean Out Your Plum Pudding Day Computer Day Yes, there is a day dedicated entirely to plum

pudding, a popular Chinese and Asian cuisine.

This dish does not actually contain plums, but does contain prunes, which were also called plums in the 16th and 17th centuries. If you’ve never eaten plum pudding, give it a try!

Umbrella Day

17

Random Acts of Kindness Day Put a smile of someone else’s face today by performing a good deed and promoting kindness.

19

18

According to The History Channel’s website, President’s Day become popular “after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.” This day is now popularly dedicated to celebrating all past and present U.S. Presidents.

20

Chip Day

26

Tell a Fairytale Day

21

Love Your Pet Day

27 National

Strawberry Day

Rebecca Webb Carranza invented the tortilla chip in the 1950s. The machine frequently formed misshaped chips, but Carranza refused to throw them away so she cut the misshaped chips into triangles, fried them and sold them for a dime a bag. Celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day by buying a bag of your favorite tortilla chips and complementing them with your favorite dip!

9

Celebrate Boy Scouts of America’s 103rd year of service and support. According to the New York Times, the Boy Scouts has 2.7 million youth members and more than 1 million adult volunteers.

16

15

Singles Awareness Day It’s no coincidence this humorous holiday falls the day after Valentine’s Day. This is a day on which single people celebrate their relationship status and realize they can still appreciate life without romance.

President’s Day

24 National Tortilla 25

Anniversary Day

28 Toothfairy Day

22

Single Tasking Day

23

Take a break from multi-tasking and relax your brain. Challenge yourself to get through a whole day focusing on and finishing one task at a time.

Vikings held superstitious beliefs that children’s teeth had magical powers that would help them in battle. They would pay their children for lost baby teeth and wear their teeth as jewelry. Nowadays, it is an American tradition for kids to place their lost teeth under their pillows and wake up to a visit from the tooth fairy.

graphics by SARA-JESSICA DILKS compiled by SABRINA REDLINGSHAFER

300

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

by NATALIE FITTS

After two and a half hours of singing for foreign diplomats in the White House, and another hour and a half of Christmas carols to go, junior Natalie Rall and 26 other girls in her choir just wanted to relax.

So when it was time for a break, they slipped off their shoes and started eating cookies shaped like Bo, President Obama’s dog.

“Come upstairs right now if you want to meet the President!”

Thus started a frenzy of over two dozen teenage girls fixing their hair, straightening their dresses and finding their shoes. There was barely time to process what was happening.

Three months earlier, when her choir found out they were going to Washington, D.C., none

of them expected to meet the President. It was cool enough to be able to add the White House to the list of places they had sung, which already included St. Peter’s Basilica and Carnegie Hall.

But when she heard Obama’s voice in the Oval Office, seconds before he entered the room, Rall it suddenly became much cooler.

When Barack came into the room, he started making his way down the line of girls, shaking each one’s hand. Michelle followed

with hugs.

Despite having already sung about half of their 30 song setlist, the choir performed a carol for the couple before getting a picture with them.

Overwhelmed with excitement, the girls were almost immediately ushered back to finish their set.

They didn’t have time to discuss the evening’s events until they returned to their hotel.

By 3 a.m., she still couldn’t comprehend what had happened.

It was hard for her to process that just a few hours earlier, the President of the United States had asked her how school was going. And that she had been barefoot in his house. H

January 31, 2013 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | lifestyles | 15

True Life: Addicted to

NETFLIX

TOP FIVE: TV SHOWS The Dart polled the STA community to see which TV shows are most popular to watch on Netflix.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

“Gossip Girl” “How I Met Your Mother” “The Office” “Desperate Housewives” “Grey’s Anatomy”

19%

23%

How long do you watch Netflix in a day?

I don’t watch Netflix every day.

30 minutes - 1 hour More than 1 hour More than 2 hours

24% 34%

This box office hit, released in 2003, stars romcom royalty Matthew McConaughy and Kate Hudson. The two battle it out as a journalist and an advertising executive.

Sisters Beth and Gretchen Dudley and friend Kelly Gardella detail their obsession with Netflix

by SABRINA REDLINGSHAFER sredlingshafer@dartnewsonline.com

They watch it on their smartphones, on their TVs and even on their loaner netbooks.

They watch on the weekends, on the weekdays, at school, in class, once they get home, the timespan before dinner, after dinner and probably even during dinner - if they can.

Meet the Dudley sisters, Gretchen and Beth, and their friend Kelly Gardella. They watch Netflix all the time. And just about any show or movie available on the digital distribution service at that.

These three girls are self-diagnosed Netflix compiled by SABRINA REDLINGSHAFER addicts.

“I am definitely obsessed,” Gretchen, a sophomore, said.

“Netflix is like my best friend,” Gardella, a junior, proclaimed.

The Dart polled the STA “Yeah, well, except for me,” Beth, a junior, jokingly rebutted. community to see which According to its website, “Netflix is the movies were most popular to world’s leading internet subscription service watch on Netflix. for enjoying movies and TV shows.” The service allows over 30 million global members to “watch TV shows & movies anytime, anywhere.”

1. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” Subscribers are given the option to browse the 2. “White Chicks” array of titles and “watch instantly” through 3. “Clueless” on-demand internet streaming or selected DVDs 4. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” that can be shipped flat-rate by mail.

5. “Mean Girls” The Dudley sisters and Gardella spend just about all their downtime utilizing the “instant streaming” on Netflix.

“Sometimes when I could be actually doing 2% something with my life, I go on Netflix and I find 17% I don’t watch Netflix. a really good show and I’m like, ‘Whatever, I 41% How often Once or twice a month. guess I’ll watch it,’” Gardella said. do you So, how far do these girls go with their Once or twice a week. watch obsession? They watch it at school.

Netflix?

Every day.

“Yes, I watch it at school,” the Dudleys and This 2004 smash hit and teen favorite starring Lind40% Gardella unanimously remarked. sey Lohan and Tina Fey is a flick depicting the high “I sat in the back of [Ms. Mary] Montag’s school “in-crowd.” biology class and just watched ‘Gossip Girl’,” Beth confessed.

“Last year when we each had loaner computers, we asked Mr. [Jeff] Zimmerman to make Netflix faster on our computers, and so he did,” Do you watch Gardella revealed. “And we would party-watch 36% Yes Netflix more on my large, big screen. It was really intense.” than you The three teenage girls find it difficult to pick No between Netflix and homework. watch regular “If I spent half as much time studying as I did TV? 64% watching Netflix, I’d have 100 [percent] in each class,” Beth said.

However, the girls accept the fact that they would rather spend their time with eyes glued 58% to a screen full of glamorous shows, eye-opening documentaries and dramatic teen-angst movies.

“Netflix just takes up that empty space of Have you ever Yes time when you don’t wanna be doing homewatched Netflix work,” Gardella explained. “Like when you’re sitNo at school?

42% ting at home like, ‘I should be doing something, but I don’t want to. I could read a book orw I could watch Netflix!’”

Despite the amount of time each girl devotes 38% to Netflix, they do not think it is a severe detriTV shows ment to maintaining desired grades.

What do you “Even if I didn’t have Netflix, I probably Both Equally usually watch wouldn’t be doing my homework anyways,” Movies on Netflix?

Gretchen said.

Desperate Housewives has been a staple of AmeriThe interview wraps up. The three girls can television since its premier in 2004. The show, 56% discuss their plans for the school day ahead. depicting the scandolous suburban lives of four best “I think I’m gonna go home,” Gretchen said.

7% friends, ended in 2012.

“I’ll probably watch Netflix,” she added with a shameless smile. H

TOP FIVE: MOVIES

16 | A&E | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013

director's stare H Director Shana Prentiss, left, laughs at the scene unfolding while stage manager Monica McGraw, center, and actor Emma Mullen go over the script. photo by ADRIANNA OHMES

excuse you H Senior Morgan Trees rehearses her scene on stage. photo by ADRIANNA OHMES

Running Feb. 14 through 16, “Almost, Maine” showcases a series of vignettes about love.

by GRACE SLY gsly@dartnewsonline.com

say what? H Freshman Savaria Goodman, left, and junior Shelby Hawkins rehearse their scene in “Almost, Maine.” Both characters were adapted from male parts to female parts. photo by ADRIANNA OHMES

playful giggles H Senior Ian Von Fange rehearses his scene, “Her Heart.” photo by ADRIANNA OHMES

Drama department presents ‘Maine’ event

ARTIST OF THE

ISSUE

Every issue, the Dart interviews one of STA’s rising artists about her talents and inspirations compiled by MADELINE BEST

of “Almost, Maine,” said the characters will be ‘she’s.”

This is not the first time STA has replaced familiar to the audience. male characters with female leads. STA’s 2011 “These characters are very real people,” winter production “Taming of the Shrew” also Prentiss said. “The stories are very honest. It’s used gender reversal by replacing Shakenot a flowery romantic comedy. There’s nothing perfect about any of these lives.” speare’s original characters with ones of the It is this gritty realism mixed with heart that opposite sex. junior Emmie McCabe said will draw viewers.

But the roles in “Almost, Maine” present a “Every story has a piece of magic,” McCabe more modern story. Hawkins wants people to said. “Love isn’t know that, though happy-go-lucky. It’s her scene touches real.” on same-sex relaThe stories are very honest. It’s not McCabe plays tionships, it is ula flower romantic comedy. There’s Macy, a woman with timately not about nothing perfect about any of these lives. marital troubles, gay or straight and said she has felt orientations.

Shana Prentiss the same way her “It’s not a lesbidrama teacher and director character does. an scene,” she said.

“Not being “[The scene is] married, of course,” about a friendship McCabe said. “But many of her emotions I can and how it changes. It’s about two people who relate to.” mean a lot to each other.”

McCabe explains that the play follows the Hawkins said viewers will be able to understand and empathize with many of the stories different and confusing stages of people’s relationships, and for her character, that has in the play. reached an unhappy point.

“The show covers a lot of ground that peoShe recalls talking with her scene partner, ple can connect with,” she said. “I think it will be Rockhurst sophomore Joseph Knopke, for the easy for people to put themselves in the [character’s] shoes because they are so relatable and first time during rehearsal.

“The very first thing I said was ‘I love you,’ the issues so real.” because it was part of an exercise,” she said.

STA drama teacher Shana Prentiss, director

“And he said ‘I hate you.’ So we got off to a good start.”

McCabe, Knopke, Goodman and Hawkins highlight the importance of casting. For all four of them, this is their first STA drama.

Hawkins has done student productions every year and has been on crew for most shows (both musicals and dramas) but, according to her, this is the first time she has performed in any of the productions.

Knopke had heard from friends who had participated in past STA plays that it was fun and after “researching” the script, decided to join.

“I liked how it mixed all the aspects of love into the different scenes,” he said. “Some scenes show the happy side of love; others show the sadder side.”

New performers are always exciting, according to Prentiss.

“I have no idea going into it how it’s going to end up,” she said. “But I love getting new kids into it. Kids I don’t know and who I get to work with are always fun.”

New or returning, the cast of “Almost, Maine” will play out characters whose victories, failings and flaws hope to resonate with many watchers, including students.

“There are a lot of characters who are hesitant about what’s coming next,” Hawkins said.

“We as high schoolers can relate to that.”H

Katie Crow junior

conveys a message. A photo that is powerful speaks to you. It makes you think about things and challenge ideas. Creating a photo that makes you want to create something is my favorite part.

“

Where do you find inspiration for your photos? Anywhere, but usually music or quotes or a story I read. Sometimes I Self-portrait find a line that speaks by Katie Crow to me that I want to illustrate - basically anything that has to do with words or an idea of some sort.

“

I

t is a cold Friday night in the middle of winter in a small, mythical town in northern Maine called Almost, Maine.

A field of stars--a clear, cold, moonless northern night sky--serves as a backdrop...

So begins the script of STA’s winter theater production “Almost, Maine.” The play, written

by John Cariani and divided into 11 sections, chronicles the relationships of couples, friends and strangers in a small town. The lives of the characters indirectly connect and on a single Friday night, love is born, lost, rekindled and ultimately defined.

It is this definition of love that drew freshman Savaria Goodman to audition and eventually act in the play. Goodman felt the story was important and enjoyed exhibiting her passion for theater.

“The play is set up as different relationships shown at different times.” Goodman said. “It’s [composed of] stories within a story that show the different relationships in one community.”

Performing with Goodman is junior Shelby Hawkins who shares the stage with her in a scene called “They Fell.” The two play best friends fed up with the dating world who discover feelings for each other. The scene was originally written for two male performers.

“Rehearsals were crazy,” Goodman said. “We had to go through and change all the ‘he’s to

What is the hardest thing about photography? I think there are two really hard things - inspiration and execution.

Sometimes you will be inspired and just go with it, but other times you cannot be satisfied with a photo to save your life. As for execution, sometimes I look at something and think, “That’s so awesome.” and then I get my camera, and the photo looks nothing like it did.

What is your favorite thing about photography? [I like] creating not only an image that is pleasing to look at, but one that

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers? The camera does not make the photographer. Don’t compare your work to other people’s and realize that there is always room to grow.

Who are your favorite photographers? I love my friend Jillian Nelson’s photography.

She inspires me a lot. H

January 31, 2013 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | A&E | 17

STA’s shining st rs F

or the past three years, much of the student body has flocked to the auditorium to witness a show. This show includes both female and male performers whose ages span from 16 to 75, and whose skill levels are debatable.

On Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m., the fourth annual Dancing with the Stars will take place. Participants include two mystery guests, six STA seniors, one STA faculty member and four Rockhurst seniors.

The four judges are STA faculty members Denise Rueschhoff, Shana Prentiss, Nan Bone and Greg Monsma.

According to Rueschhoff, a former Dancing with the Stars performer, she knew her dancing would not be taken too seriously.

“I knew I was going to make a fool of myself, but you all are very forgiving here,” Rueschhoff said. “I think that the goal for each team is to have fun.”

Although Rueschhoff knows the dances are comical, she believes people do not attend Dancing with the Stars to make fun of the dancers.

“I think [people who attend Dancing with the Stars] want to come to see how talented students are,” Rueschhoff said. “And to support the [senior class] fundraiser.” H

Senior Maggie Rellihan & Rockhurst senior Jonny Mayer Why did you decide to do Dancing with the Stars?

“I figured that doing Dancing with the Stars is the fastest way for me to become famous,” Mayer said. “I’m sure at least a couple million people will tune in, so I’m mainly just trying to get my name out to the dancing scouts.”

What dance move should people be expecting?

“That’s for us to know, and you to find out,” Rellihan said.

What is the most embarrassing part?

“Definitely being on stage with Maggie,”

What dance moves should we expect?

“That would give it away,” Lewis said.

“But definitely some salsa, swing, ballet and maybe a little bit of droppin’ it like it’s hot.”

Why do people come to Dancing with the Stars?

“People definitely come to laugh,” Lewis said. “It’s hilarious seeing people you know try to choreograph something considered a solid routine. Also, I’m just a really funny person, so everyone laughs at everything I do.”

by MICKEY REDLINGSHAFER mredlingshafer@dartnewsonline.com

Mayer said. “At first when she asked me, I was going to say no because I would be embarrassed to be seen in public with her, but then I realized she’ll just make me look better, and that’s all that matters.”

Does it make it easier that you two are friends?

“It definitely makes it easier because we have both been best friends since kindergarten and have planned Dancing with the Stars since freshman year,” Rellihan said. “It’s easy for us to try to be funny because we both know each other’s humor so well.”

Is there anything else we should be prepared for watching your dance?

“Get your glasses on because we are gonna shine,” Mayer said.

Senior Meghan Lewis & Rockhurst senior Will Walton What is the most exciting part of your dance?

“If I had to choose a part, which is ridiculously difficult to do, I would choose our ballet and dubstep sequence,” Lewis said.

The Dart talked with participants of Dancing with the Stars who will perform Feb. 21 at STA.

Senior Ema Brzon & Rockhurst senior Hunter Seabaugh

Senior Sarah Kostoryz & STA teacher Kate Absher What do you think Dancing with the Stars role is at STA? “At STA, we live by the phrase ‘Are you weird enough?’” Kostoryz said. “I think Dancing with the Stars shows that.

Yeah, we are a college-prep school, but we really are all just a bunch of goofballs, teachers and students alike. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Plus I think it shows the close bond between students and faculty.”

Do you think you have an advantage being the only group with a teacher?

“Definitely,” Kostoryz said. “No offense to the STA/Rockhurst couples, but I think the underclassmen are more excited about seeing teachers dance.

[Absher’s] the perfect partner. Plus I feel like everyone is obsessed with her and our guest star, if we get him, so I think just their presence on stage will create a lot of cheers.”

Why did you decide to do Dancing with the Stars?

“Ema threatened and blackmailed me into doing it,” Seabaugh said.

What is the most exciting part of your dance?

“After performing the iron lotus, when Hunter shoots fire out of his fingers,” Brzon said. “To any of you ‘Blades of Glory Fans.’”

What dance moves should we expect?

“Only the best dance moves. Our hips don’t lie,” Brzon said.

Why should your group win?

“Because we’re both devilishly attractive and disarmingly charming.” Seabaugh said. “We can’t dance though.”

Are you nervous?

“I am very nervous because I am awkward and uncoordinated, and I have no idea how to dance, and I’ve never talked to a girl before,” Seabaugh said.

Will you make a fool of yourself?

“I will,” Brzon said. “Not as much as Hunter though.”

Senior Dana Bailey & Surprise Guest What is the most embarrassing part of the dance?

“Easily my partner,” Bailey said. “He is a horrible dancer. And I have convinced him to do some really feminine moves which I anticipate will stun the judges.

In addition, I have some stunts that could cripple me if failed.”

What is the most exciting part of your dance?

“My partner,” Bailey said. “I don’t think it’s really that big of a secret. By no means have I convinced Himes or Bertalott, although I did try very hard with Bertalott. My partner is just another average-Joe.”

photos by Kathleen Keaveny

18 | health | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013

As Monster’s sales increase, so do concerns Greater popularity has equaled negative publicity for the former “natural” beverage corporation.

The company changed its name from Hansen Natural Corporation to Monster Beverage Corporation in January 2012.

2012 was also the year Monster found its company under increasing scrutiny due to “health concerns and claims of false advertising,” according to Benzinga.com, a news site specializing in economic analysis.

In October, the FDA investigated several deaths that may be linked to Monster Energy drinks. According to WebMD, the FDA has reported 40 illnesses and five deaths linked to Monster Energy. However, it is difficult to prove that it was actually the product that caused the harm and not an outside factor or underlying medical condition. Senators, Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), also recently publicized their concerns about the energy drink industry in general.

Benzinga.com wrote that the battle against Monster and U.S. regulatory authorities could escalate into 2013. A press release representative from Monster Beverage Corp. would not

STA senior Menley Brennan said that she drinks Monster when she feels stressed or needs to focus. The majority of students polled said they drank energy drinks to have more energy; the second most common reason that students cited was to stay awake. Brennan limits herself to two 16 ounce cans per day, although she does not drink Monster on a regular basis.

“It wakes you up and I like the taste,” Brennan said. “It’s like drinking soda but you have to be more careful with it because it’s more dangerous. And I like the adrenaline rush.”

Monster energy drink was created by Hansen Natural Corporation in 2002. Before creating Monster, Hansen, located in Corona, Calif., was known for Hansen’s Natural Soda, Hansen’s Natural Coconut Water and other natural beverages “free of preservatives and without artificial flavors or colors,” according to Hansen’s webpage. The webpage reads, “For Hansen’s there is only one way: the natural way.”

Now, Monster Energy brand drinks account for the vast majority of the company’s sales.

comment on the recent publicity.

Sophomore Liz Mitchell, a Monster energy drink consumer, cut back on her Monster intake after hearing about some of the negative publicity surrounding the company. Mitchell has also had bad anxiety attacks that she believes are a result of her Monster intake.

Before this year, Mitchell typically drank one 16 ounce Monster per day. Now, she drinks about two per week. Mitchell reports that she feels more relaxed and less anxious as a result of cutting back. “[After hearing about the negative publicity], I worried that I would have bad mental breakdowns or my heart would explode or I would just pass out,” Mitchell said.

Monster Energy denounces the recent attacks against the company, arguing that the attacks are “not supported by the facts or the science” in a recent SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) filing. The company reports that “Monster Energy products are safe.”

Monster Beverage Corporation also states that it is “not aware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its products.”

Monster Energy, unlike Red Bull and Rockstar, does display a warning label on its cans. It reads, “Limit 3 cans per day. Not recommended for children, pregnant women or people

sensitive to caffeine.” What the can does not list is the exact amount of caffeine in the drink.

According to the press release representative from Monster, the company does not list the exact amount of caffeine on the ingredients label because “the law does not require them to.” The ingredients label lists 2500 mg of an “energy blend,” of which one of the ingredients is caffeine.

Caffeine is the main active ingredient in energy drinks such as Monster. A recent test

by Consumer Reports found that Monster energy contains 92 mg of caffeine per serving (serving size is 8 ounce). The Press Release Representative from Monster said that a 16 ounce Monster Energy drinks contains 160 mg of caffeine, which is slightly less than the Consumer Reports found. In comparison, 5-Hour Energy contains 215 mg of caffeine per serving (serving size is 1.93 ounce). An 8-ounce cup of coffee contains around 100 mg of caffeine.

Providence Hospital nutritionist Carol Shimer said that teenagers should take in no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day, which is the equivalent of almost two 16 ounces cans of Monster Energy drink. High doses of caffeine can lead to restlessness, nervousness, insomnia and, in extreme cases, seizures and unstable heart rhythm, according to WebMD. Brennan said that she regularly feels heart palpitations as a result of drinking Monster. Despite these palpitations, she has not considered cutting back her intake.

“I’m kind of one of those risk-takers I guess,” Brennan said.

In place of energy drinks, Shimer recommends a snack with a carbohydrate-protein combination, such as peanut butter crackers, milk and yogurt, for sustained energy.

“It’s not going to give them the hype that the caffeine will, but it will be better for them in the long run and will give them more energy,” Shimer said.

According to the New York Times, ingredients in energy drinks apart from caffeine in energy drinks have “little, if any benefit for consumers.” Yet, energy drink companies attempt to market their drinks as something more – specially engineered blends that can give consumers an edge. For example, Monster claims its energy drink is a “killer energy brew” - an ironic slogan in light of recent health concerns surrounding the drink.

Despite health concerns from recent years and the resulting negative publicity, Monster’s stock is up over 14 percent over the past year, according to Benzinga.com. Energy drink companies and the popularity of their products continue to grow in spite of disquieting investigations, lawsuits and even possible deaths linked to their products. H

Häagen-Dazs ice creams contain only a few simple ingredients. Problem is, those ingredients are heavy cream, egg yolks and sugar, making Häagen-Dazs ice creams the most calorie-dense in the freezer section.

The peanut-butter blast packs an astounding 1,440 calories into every pint-size carton.

Compare it with what Breyers has to offer, for a third of the calories.

Starbucks’ monstrous hot chocolate contains more than a day’s worth of saturated fat and as much sugar as nearly four Hershey’s chocolate bars. The drink also packs 600 calories and over 350 milligrams of sodium. By choosing a venti caramel macchiato, you save 360 calories and 180 milligrams of sodium.

Skip Starbucks altogether to avoid drinking calories that will not fill you up.

Chocolove’s Strong Dark Chocolate is the perfect dessert—dark enough to have cocoa’s benefits, yet sweet enough to enjoy.

Dark chocolate is a source of epicatechin, an antioxidant that studies show may reduce your odds of diabetes. In addition, while dark and milk chocolate have similar amounts of calories, Chocolove’s dark consists of only eight grams of sugar. Hershey’s milk has 23 grams of sugar.

With $2 billion in revenue from the last 12 months, Monster Beverage Corporation’s sales have increased exponentially over the past 10 years. Energy drinks, such as Monster, are now the fastest growing part of the beverage industry, according to the New York Times.

In 2002, Monster Beverage Corporation stock (stock symbol MNST) sold for around 26 cents per share; it currently sells for around $50 per share, according to Yahoo Finance. Yet rising concerns about these drinks, associated with their high caffeine levels, have accompanied these rising stock prices.

Despite the potential risks and concerns, energy drinks, such as Monster, have risen in popularity, especially among teenagers.

The Dart polled 200 STA students and found the following results:

“

graphic by EMMA W

ILLIBEY

• 68 percent of students have had an energy drink before.

• Of that 68 percent, 18 percent regularly consume energy drinks.

• Of that 18 percent: • 40 percent drink less than one per week.

• 24 percent drink one per week.

• 24 percent drink between two and four per week.

• 12 percent drink between five and seven per week.

THIS NOT

THAT:

GUILTY PLEASURES The Dart offers delicious, more wholesome desserts in place of tasty but unhealthy options

by EMILY WEMHOFF ewemhoff@dartnewsonline.com

Breyers All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream, not Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream

I worried that my heart would explode.

—Liz Mitchell, sophomore

“

by LANE MAGUIRE lmaguire@dartnewsonline.com

Starbucks Venti Caramel Macchiato, not Starbucks Venti Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate

Chocolove Strong Premium Dark Chocolate Bar, not Hershey’s Mr. Goodbar

January 31, 2013 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | in the mix | 19

20 QUESTIONS WITH...

GRACE DORAN

by EMILY MCCANN emccann@dartnewsonline.com

1. Most played song on your iPod? I don‘t know how to figure that out, but I guess “Aaron’s Party” by Aaron Carter.

2. Morning person or night owl?

I’m a night owl, like over Christmas break, I stayed up till 12:30 or 1 a.m.

3. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I have no idea. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that question...

4. Waldo Pizza or Chick-fil-A? Waldo Pizza. I really like their pineapple pizza.

5. If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do?

I would probably travel the world. I would go to France and Spain and New Zealand.

6. What is your favorite holiday and why?

I like Thanksgiving because of all the food. I just get together with family.

7. Who was the last person you hugged?

Probably [senior] Sarah Vickery.

8. Best vacation you ever took?

When we went to California with [senior] Meghan [Lewis]’s family the year before 8th grade, in 2008.

9. If you got a day off school to do anything, what would you do?

If it was a nice day, I would have a picnic at Loose Park.

10. Favorite thing about STA? I like the sense of community and the sisterhood.

11. What are two things you can’t live without?

Probably my phone and my friends.

12. What is your dream college?

I would say someplace in California.

13. Scary movies or romantic comedies?

Romantic comedies [like] “(500) Days of Summer” and “The Proposal.”

14. Do you want to live in KC when you grow up?

Yeah probably, preferably around this area.

I want all my siblings to come back here and have family all around.

15. M&A or Donnelly?

Donnelly because my awesome advisory [Brewer] is in here.

16. Cats, dogs or reptiles?

Dogs; I have a labradoodle named Milly.

17. How many siblings?

I have two siblings. Peter is a sophomore at Rockhurst [High School] and Gwen is an 8th grader at Visitation [School]. She just took the HSPT. 18. Dream car?

A red Mini Cooper, preferably with the British flag on top.

19. Your style in one word.

Classic. I would say dark wash jeans, riding boots and an oversized sweater would be a favorite outfit.

20. Which celebrity would you switch places with for a day?

Emily Blunt so that John Krasinski could be my husband. H

heart to heart H Seniors Jackie McGee, left, and Sadie Duffy chat before dissecting a sheep heart in Ms. Amy Carlson’s anatomy II class. This is the anatomy class’ second dissection this year, after dissecting rats last fall. photo by GRACE HODES

STUFF STA GIRLS

LETTER TO THE

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

In response to the Dart, Volume 72, Issue 4 released Dec. 6, 2012:

SAY

compiled by CECILIA BUTLER

Taylor

*spanish accent* “pull it as much as you can, girls. Pull it more, more.” #measuringtheskirts #senoragargallo -Emily Taylor

School < Twitter, Instagram, Texting, Music, Beats, Food, Josh Hutcherson, Animals, Plants, Dirt, Lint, Bacteria... shall I go on? -Fee Pauwels

Kilgore

Pauwels

silently laughing as I write down my math assignment knowing full well that it’s more likely I ride a unicorn tonight than complete it. -Natalie Kilgore

MY LIFE

EDITOR ROCKS

After reading the last issue of our school’s award-winning newspaper, I was extremely disappointed in the choice of articles that were featured.

“Fake Out” and “Smoke on the Water” shed a sad light on what The Dart deems newsworthy. I have been proud to be a teacher at an institution that promotes awareness of worldwide and nationwide issues that are so much more important and appropriate to cover than hookah pipes and underage drinking. Where are the intelligent articles on issues like human sex trafficking, the economic and job crisis in our country or the civil war in Syria? We expect more out of our schools newspaper and its students than the last issue of The Dart.

—Mrs. Denise Rueschhoff, social studies teacher

I went to the Taylor Swift Speak Now concert in 2011 with four of my friends and my older sister, where we sat in the very back row of the floor.

Then all of a sudden, Smith a spotlight comes on in the crowd and we see Taylor Swift coming towards our seats. My friends and I sprinted towards the aisle where she was walking . . .

After she finished singing, she walked down my side of the aisle and I grabbed onto her arm and told her I loved her, and she looked me in the eye and told me she loved me too. My life rocks.

-Taran Smith, sophomore

MY LIFE

SUCKS Dunlea

I broke my ankle in my JV basketball game after only playing five games and I was out for the [rest of the] season! I’m in a cast for two months, with [another] two months of physical therapy . . .

My life sucks.

-Machella Dunlea, freshman compiled by CHRISTINA ELIAS

20 | last look | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | January 31, 2013

fashionably

late The annual freshmen mixer, hosted by the STA Care Club, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 27, took place Jan. 18 in the Goppert Center. The Dart staged a fashion shoot during the mixer and compiled information about each of the models’ outfits. photos by JORDAN ALLEN and SIOBHAN MILLER

Laura Dierks wearing a Nordstrom skirt ($60), a Polo shirt ($75), Target socks ($5), an authentic pearl necklace ($175), glasses ($100), Claire’s pearl earrings ($15) and a J. Crew sweater ($50).

Violet Cowdin wearing an H&M shirt ($25), vans.com shoes ($55) and hand-me-down shorts.

Kailey McNett wearing a Windsor dress ($55).

Eleanor Lueke wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress ($248).

Gabby Keller wearing Dick’s shorts ($16), Target tights ($7), Target socks ($4) and a Cabella’s hat ($17).

Grace Girardeau wearing a Delia’s coat ($35), Target leggings ($10) and holding MICHAEL shoes, which she bedazzled herself ($85).