Volume 78 Issue 7

LIVING THROUGH C L I M A T E:

the EFFECTS OF WEATHER ON THE MIDWEST

Recent weather has affected citizens of the Midwest in a variety of ways.

Some think it points to the larger issue of climate change.

St. Teresa's Academy | Kansas City, MO| Volume 78, Issue 7

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table of

contents

News

2

April 29, 2019

4. Endorsing Quinton Lucas

Star Spotlight

16

Centerspread 16. Living through

climate change

Perspectives

9. Student Productions: from playing to producing

21. Chick-fil-A’s antiLGBTQ donations cannot be ignored 22. Dear Mom and Dad, 23. You do not need to detox

Reviews

Sports Feature

6. Natalie Rovello

A&E

10. On My Block 11. Drugstore prices makeup for quality

Features

12. Scholarships shape St. Teresa’s 14. Director of Operations: Holly Long Cover designed by Gabby Staker

24. A club of their own

Community

26. CBD: revolutionizing remedies

Last Look

28. Concert Calendar

Photo Story

30. STA Parking Lot

the staff 2018-2019

letter

from the editors Dear Readers, Welcome to Spring! Take an allergy pill, lounge in the Quad and enjoy this newest (and final) issue of Volume 78 of the Dart.

April began with the primary election for KC Mayor and narrowed down the candidates to Jolie Justus and Quinton Lucas. Flip to page 4 for a staff endorsement of Lucas written by Beatrice Curry, and be sure to vote and make your voice heard on June 18, no matter who you support.

Flood waters have risen over fields and highways in the Midwest, and Ella Norton set out to document this symptom of climate change and investigate the further implications of climate change in the Midwest. For her story and the photos that Amy Schaffer drove five hours to take, turn to page 16.

Don’t miss Anna Ronan’s story on page 24, as she delves into the background of high school sports and the commitments required of athletes in the off-season. She

interviews several players from the Varsity soccer team about the relationship between club and school sports.

As summer descends on Kansas City, so will performers ranging from Jojo Siwa at the Arvest Bank Theater at the Midland to Khalid at the Sprint Center. Flip to the Last Look pages to see more artists from a wide range of genres playing across KC venues.

We set out this year with a very clear mission statement — the Dart seeks to create content about, for and by young women to help better the STA community. We would like to thank our readers for sharing their ideas with us and sharing our pieces on social media. Being on the Dart has been one of the best parts of high school, and we are forever grateful that we could work on such an amazing staff in such an amazing environment.

Signed, for the last time,

Editors-In-Chief Julia Kerrigan Margaux Renee Gabby Staker

WEB

Web Editor Lily Hart Social Media Editor Katie Gregory Social Media Team Maggie Hart, Tess Jones, Rachel Robinson Breaking News Editors Sophia Durone, Mary Massman Multimedia Editor Aspen Cherrito

PRINT

Design Editor Anna Ronan Photo Editors Amy Schaffer, Maddie Loehr Page Designers Anna Ronan, Gabby Staker, Julia Kerrigan, Margaux Renee, Claire Smith, Ella Norton, Amy Schaffer, Maddie Loehr, Lily Hart, Katie Gregory, Olivia Powell, Mckenzie Heffron, Rachel Robinson, Tess Jones, Faith Andrews O'Neal

COPY

Features Editor Ella Norton News Editor Annabelle Meloy Lifestyles Editor Kendall Lanier Opinion Editor Faith Andrews O'Neal Sports Editor Claudia Benge Staff Photographers Maggie Hart, Grace Fiorella Staff Writers Carmon Baker, McKenzie Heffron, Beatrice Curry, Olivia Powell, Olivia Wirtz Adviser Riley Cowing designed by Tess Jones

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NEWS Editorial Policies

Ownership and Sponsorship

DartNewsOnline and the Dart are created by the student newpaper staff and are maintained and published by general operating funds of St. Teresa's Academy, a Catholic institution frounded by the Stisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

DartNewsOnline and 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 Staff of DartNewsOnline and the Dart are subject to prior review by the St. Teresa's Academy administrative team in circumstances that concern Catholic doctrine, student safety or illegal behavior. DartNewsOnline and the Dart will not publish reviews of sudent work or performances. Personal columns reflect the opinions of the writer, not necessarily the staff or school.

Letters & Reader Interaction Policy

DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage the community to post comments on the website. Letters to the editors can be sent in the following ways: in person to Riley Cowing in Goppert room G106; by mail to St. Teresa's Academy, Attn: Riley Cowing, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; by email to rcowing@sttersasacademy.org or to dartpaper@gmail.com. DartNewsOnline and the Dart reserve the right to edit or shorten letters for publication.

Comment Policy

DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage readers to comment on all posts.

However, DartNewsOnline and the Dart reserve the right to monitor and edit all comments on DartNewsOnline.

Comments that disagree with the editorial policy will not be published.

Photo Use Policy

Photo illustrations are conceptual photos that combine drawing and photography.

All photos on the website are free for public use. If a reader is interested in high-quality copies of photos, please email DartNewsOnline at dartpaper@gmail.com.

Corrections policy

DartNewsOnline and the Dart will publish corrections as soon as possible after the error is discovered.

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April 29, 2019

Endorsing Quinton Lucas The Kansas City mayoral candidate has local perspective and productive goals.

T

he primary election for KC mayor took place April 6 and narrowed the race down to City Councilman Quinton Lucas and City Councilwoman Jolie Justus. Justus received the most votes in the primary with 12,630, closely followed by Lucas with 10,287. While the candidates are running on similar platforms, Lucas lays out his plans in a way that are more firm and coherent. His campaign doesn’t shy away from the most prevalent economic and racial issues facing Kansas City, despite the opposition he might face from this.

His plans to address education, criminal justice and community development stem from his experience growing up facing poverty in the city. Raised in

Kansas City’s “urban core,” he was one of four boys raised by a single mother and often faced homelessness as a child.

He did not let this stop him from pursuing a good education. Lucas attended the Barstow School followed by Washington University and Cornell Law school fully on scholarship. Lucas went on to be one of the youngest professors to be tenured at KU, where he teaches constitutional law.

Lucas has a dedication to helping everyone in Kansas City regardless of background.

“I am from this community. I have struggled in this community.

I know Kansas City will reach its full potential if momentum and progress are shared throughout our city. That’s why I’ve proposed a sweeping set of reforms to address inequality, often on racial and socioeconomic lines, we see too often in Kansas City” Lucas said in a press release.

Lucas has already made several strides forward during his four terms on Kansas City’s city council served on Kansas City’s City Council. During his first year in office, he met with leaders from every one of the school districts in KC. He spoke with them about how tax breaks to developers affect their ability to educate our children. He has led the city council on issues such as raising the minimum wage and affordable housing.

Transparency at City Hall is also something that Lucas has emphasized. He believes that “You shouldn’t have to have a full-time job at City Hall to understand what your local government is doing.”

This is why he is determined to increase communication between Kansas Citians and public officials.

While both candidates are prioritizing education, Lucas seems to have a clearer stance on how he will make a good education available for all. He plans to “work with local school districts and educators to build community-

wide support for early childhood education, particularly for our city’s poorest children.”

Lucas also places a strong emphasis on preventing the diversion of youth into the criminal justice system by reducing arrests for low-level misdemeanors. Lowlevel misdemeanors account mostly for inability to pay fines, lack of insurance and small theft.

Arrests and fines for these unfairly target Kansas City’s poorer populations.

Justus’ stance on education is similar in that she wants to make it widely accessible. However, she has not clearly stated how she plans on doing this. Her campaign website provides a vague statement, saying, “Learning should be a lifelong experience. From three months old to post-retirement, it’s never too early or too late to add to

Lucas has a dedication to helping everyone in Kansas City regardless of background. your education. A strong city with strong communities ensures that everyone has access to educational opportunities.”

While these are certainly good intentions, they don’t quite compare to Lucas’ more specific ideas. Lucas’s clarity of purpose makes him more trustworthy as a candidate. He tells you exactly what to expect if he were elected.

Lucas has also demonstrated his dedication to Kansas City’s public schools by working in inner city schools and organizations, such as Operation Breakthrough and De LaSalle Academy.

Lucas’ plans for education include providing literacy and English language learning services for Kansas Citians of all ages. This is

not his only initiative that is helpful towards Kansas City’s immigrant population. He also plans to offer a KCMO Municipal ID Card which will provide residents identification regardless of immigration status.

Immigrants and other vulnerable populations are often unable to get a governmentissued photo ID card. Because of this, they face several significant challenges. For example, they may face difficulty in cashing a check, registering their children for school, picking their children up from school, getting a prescription filled or visiting a doctor.

Without an ID, immigrants, homeless individuals, foster youth, senior citizens, transgender individuals and others cannot show where they live. Providing a KCMO Municipal ID Card would make Kansas City a safer and more welcoming place for immigrants, which is a priority considering our status as a sanctuary city.

Lucas’ ideas for municipal justice reforms are specific and get straight to the root of many of the problems facing Kansas City’s justice system. He wants to decriminalize mental health and addiction by creating and fully funding alternatives to incarceration for those suffering from dependency and addiction.

Lucas will also try to pardon all stand-alone municipal marijuana convictions and eliminate jail time for the majority of municipal offenses. Many of these municipal offenses punish people for simply not being able to pay for civil fines and penalties. The current rules surrounding municipal offenses unfairly target the poorer people of Kansas City.

Lucas’s propositions for municipal criminal justice reforms would provide more equal treatment for all of Kansas City.

21/24 staffers endorsed Lucas

designed by Faith Andrews-O'Neal

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STAR SPOTLIGHT

Sophomore Natalie Rovello describes the creative process of her artwork and poetry. Artistry has been a key point within her life and how she perceives the world. Her work has received a Scholastic gold key amongst others.

Story and Photo by Claire Smith - Writer

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April 29, 2019

W

hat mediums of art do you specialize in and what do you do within those mediums?

In physical art, I’m most comfortable in markers or just like a pencil or charcoal. Recently I’ve been getting into painting a lot. In writing, I normally write poetry because it comes easiest.

But I do write a short story every once in a while for kicks.This is writing as well.

Over time, how did you find yourself first becoming more serious and developed within your art?

Probably the biggest breakthrough I’ve ever had in physical art is a couple of years ago, the Nelson had this exhibit where they had the works of Picasso alongside his African art collection. When I went in it just absolutely blew my mind. I sort of developed a more abstract style because of that.

Have you won any awards or competitions with your work?

Yes, last year my art was the cover for the Fine Arts Showcase here. This year, I won one honorable mention in art. But in writing, I got an honorable mention, two silver keys, and a gold key in the Scholastic competition.

This year I’m in KC Storytellers.

KC Storytellers is a bunch of writing teachers from Kansas City, and it’s three separate workshops. It’s students from all around the Kansas City area.

You have to write something that means a lot to you, something that happened in your personal life, or a feeling that you have.

At the end, you present it for two hundred people.

Have you seen KC Storytellers enhancing your writing?

When I was a kid I was really shy, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten out of that. I think KC Storytellers, in an audience of two hundred people, it’s cool that that doesn’t frighten

me anymore. I like talking, I like sharing, I like doing that now. It does enhance my work because this isn’t just for me now, to a point, its for somebody else.

How would you compare your artistic approach from creating drawings versus poetry and stories? Is it a similar process for both?

When writing I’m more patient with myself because I know I can go back and I can re-do this. But with art, in the process of actually creating it, I always want to look for the most immediate thing to get it down on paper. Part of art for me is the feeling of it, and actually having that marker go down the paper or mixing the paint. It’s a very tactile thing as well as mental.

Writing is not so much, I can type a poem, I can write a poem, I can do whatever. So I’m a lot pickier with my art I would say.

What does that experience feel like at the moment with you writing versus drawing? How do you feel while you’re creating?

Writing I feel like I’m a lot more self-aware, and I do think of myself in front of an audience and speaking. Art I normally zone out, it’s very ‘I am in the moment, I am not thinking about anything else’, just that marker hitting the paper or that paint hitting the paper. I don’t often step back and look at the whole thing until it’s done.

What is your favorite piece you’ve created and why does it stick out above the others?

My favorite writing piece that I’ve ever done is probably this poem called “Making Maps”. It’s what won the gold key in Scholastic this year. I really love that poem because it is very political and it’s also very personal. I talk about my family and my family history, but then how my personal history intersects with the political

and social history that is being created right now. I think “Making Maps” is a really good tie of all of those feelings. I feel like all the stars aligned for that poem.

Where do you see your writing and your drawing overlapping?

A lot of themes are the same, but I think it’s a lot easier to illustrate a poem then it is to write about a piece of art. They sort of come from the same source, and when you look at them there’s a similar idea.

Even if they are two different things, they’re linked by my personal style and that’s cool to see. It’s like a fingerprint, my art and poetry are not the same as somebody else’s, but even if it’s two different mediums it’s the same theme.

Do you find a pertaining theme within your work?

I think that’s changed as I’ve gotten older and it has continued to change. Right now I’m really thinking that I’m kind of a good writer. I’m feeling very confident in my art. It goes through ups and down but the pertaining theme through all of it is figuring out who I am. I am trying to understand myself, trying to understand my surroundings through the lens that comes naturally to me.

Is that what you want people to take away from your art: your story?

I think art and writing are really overlooked, but that’s the thing that is vital. I feel like art is part of the human condition.

I think the one thing to take away is something about me, and hopefully something about themselves, and hopefully getting the courage to do what they feel like they want to do.

To read Natalie’s poems, visit dartnewsonline.com designed by Claire Smith

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BITS AND PIECES

Junior Elianna Lee dances with her friends at the Junior Ring dance April 13. The Junior Ring dance is held every year to celebrate the juniors getting their class ring.

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE The Dart chooses a staffer’s photo to be featured each month.

Photo by Maddie Loehr|Photo Editor

“At soccer practice “I really wanted to go to the last Tuesday, we were Conan Gray concert, but it was scrimmaging and the all sold out. My friend Audrey goalie punted the ball Wood sold me tickets for super at me. The ball flew cheap the day before. I got to in my face, my nose go and it was bled, I ruined my white super fun!” shirt, and this all happened in - Ailis Reavey front of my crush.” sophomore - Lia Siro, senior Compiled by Gabby Staker Editor-in-Chief

my life sucks in the news: local national Compiled by Claudia Benge|Sports Editor

A franchise, 1-800-Got-Junk, helped Kansas City celebrate Earth Day by hosting their annual e-waste drive. Locals could drop off electronics at 4500 Shawnee Mission Parkway free of charge.

The recycled waste will be collected and separated into recyclable pieces.

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designed by Katie Gregory

Students and chaperones on board an American Airlines flight to Boston were evacuated from the plane after falling ill after they reportedly “ate the same thing” the night before. A total of 13 patients were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Boston EMS responded to the call, but only minor symptoms were reported.

my life rocks

global Blasts in the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa look place on April 22. The attacks left 290 people killed and hundreds more injured, with the death toll expected to rise. Investigators know there were six suicide bombers and eight explosions throughout churches and hotels.

A&E

STUDENT PRODUCTIONS: from performing to producing

Seven seniors direct five oneact shows for this year’s Student Productions, known as Stupros. They are held annually to allow seniors to try directing their own shows.

Story by Tess Jones Writer

W

hile seniors get ready for their last few months of high school, seven seniors prepare to direct and produce their own show for Student Productions, known as Stupros. They are held annually for seniors to write their Stupro Directors Lauren Daugherty and Grace Marshall critique the actors in their small own 10 minute play or cast at rehearsal April 9 at Brookside park. Their Stupro is called “A Day in Pompeii.” musical. This year there photo by Kendall Lanier are five different shows written by seven seniors. are going smoothly. Then all of is a historically dramatized story The productions vary that tells the life story of Emma a sudden weird things start to from drama, suspense, historical, happen, and things take a turn.”

Goldman, an anarchist in the early comedy — there’s even a musical.

Nicole Ficklin 1900s.

Lauren Daugherty and Grace Ficklin was inspired to write her “Emma Goldman’s amazing Marshall story while driving and listening story inspired me then and Daugherty and Marshall to the radio, when she imagined continues to now,” Malone said. started to write their Stupro back being confronted through the Emma Goldman’s story when they were sophomores, by radio. That’s when she came up inspired Malone to inform the STA combining many different stories community about this revolutionary with an idea for her show. It is from the Latin one textbook. about a woman who is confronted woman and social activist.

“I had to translate the entire by her own mortality by voices on Ally Terry Latin one book before we could the radio. She has been a part Terry has been writing her show write anything,” Marshall said. of STA theater since she was a since she was sophomore. She Daugherty and Marshall chose freshman, she thought that it would is basing the production off an to make their show a musical, be a full circle moment if she wrote encounter with a uncomfortable Daugherty wrote all of the music her last show at STA, instead of man. She took this event, herself, and was inspired by other performing in it. dramatized it, by making it musicals during the writing process.

Ficklin explained that she creepier and a psychological “For the barber shop scene I spent a lot of time letting the idea thriller. Terry hopes that her was inspired by Hamilton’s Farmer develop in her head before she creepiness and darkness will give Refuted,” Daugherty said. wrote anything down. her production an edge.

Elise Malone “I spent three crazy days and “This woman, her name is Malone’s show was inspired by nights trying to get the specific Katrina, and she goes on this date her AP U.S. History class, when she words and dialogue down on with this guy,” Terry said. “They was assigned Emma Goldman as paper,” Ficklin said. get along really well and things part of a class activity. Her show designed by Anna Ronan

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REVIEWS

“ON MY BLOCK” BROADCASTS OVERLOOKED VOICES

The Netflix original series’ season two solidifies the show as a teen classic while highlighting stories that so often go untold

Story by Margaux Renee Editor-in-Chief

I

f you’re like me, you’ve been counting the days since March 16th, 2018 — the day Netflix’s “On My Block” first dropped. The show’s pilot season debuted a year ago, blessing its viewers with ten 30 minute episodes about a group of childhood friends beginning their first year of high school with a pact to stick together.

Ruby (Jason Genao), Monse (Sierra Capri), Jamal (Brett Gray) and Cesar (Diego Tinoco) make up the fiery crew of fourteen year old best friends — a group attending their first high school dances, finding themselves in love triangles and embarking on mysterious adventures. If this doesn’t sound too different from any other tweeny-bopper show, it’s because it’s really not, safe for one aspect: “On My Block” is unapologetically about teenagers of color.

The main cast, made up entirely of black and Latinx actors, immerses its viewers in the world of Freeridge, Los Angeles — a fictional neighborhood where you’re either a Prophet or a Santo — the two gangs that dominate the community. In short, the

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April 29, 2019

Los Angeles Times describes the Netflix original series as “16 Candles” with a modern day ‘hood makeover. But with this makeover comes a world of substance, pain, rawness and a whole lot more to remember, especially in the series’ season two, which debuted March 29th, 2019.

To recap (here is where the spoilers come in): season one ends tragically after a gang dispute leads to an act of ruthless violence. Ruby’s family hosts a quince for Olivia, a family friend staying in Freeridge after her parents’ deportation. On the night of the big party, a member of the rival gang, Latrelle, shows up to settle the dispute by killing Cesar, a member of the Santos.

Instead, he shoots Olivia and Ruby. We’re then left with a massive cliffhanger and over a year of waiting for season two.

When the first scene of season two opens, it’s clear the tone is different. One continuous shot shows Freeridge in the implied aftermath of a brutal gang war— one that took so many lives that the rival Santos and Prophets organized a truce. “Glitter” by 070 Shake rings out, a song that grapples with death, friendship, wealth—all themes that are prevalent in this new, heavier season. In season two, we see a version of “On My Block” that deals less with the lighthearted dynamic of a teenage friend group and more with the reality of gun violence.

We return to the show

about a month after Ruby was shot, but he claims he’s doing fine. As the main characters ring in the new year together, fireworks pop softly outside but as the camera pans to Ruby, the audience quickly learns that all he hears is gunshots in their place. Time slows and Ruby’s friends’ and family’s cheers around him are interspersed with desperate shrill, screams, likely ones he’s replaying from the night he and Olivia were shot.

The gunshots continue as we’re able to glimpse the perspective of someone suffering a traumainduced panic attack. Gasping for air, Ruby runs outside and begins sobbing uncontrollably.

My only critique of this show has more to do with Netflix, rather than the show itself. Netflix gave “On My Block” an allotment of ten, 30 minute episodes per season. This window does not nearly provide enough time for a reserved, steady plot pacing.

Nearly every aspect of the series feels rushed and forced, and I believe this is largely because of the time constraints the writers are forced to work under. If Netflix was truly committed to giving this demographic a voice, it would afford this show more episodes and increased episode length.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed season one, season two is captivating, poignant and undoubtedly memorable. No other show has succeeded in highlighting the reality of teen gun violence without romanticizing or trivializing its effects. No other show has captured our generation’s sense of humor and taste in music without it feeling forced. Most importantly, no other show has unapologetically put teenagers of color in the spotlight without playing into harmful stereotypes and movie tropes. Simply put, there is no other show out there like “On My Block.”

Drugstore prices

MAKE UP for their quality

I did a full face of makeup with drugstore products under $11 and found that when it comes to makeup, splurging on expensive products just isn’t worth it. Drugstore brands are easily accessible and can be made to seem high-end.d.

Story by Lily Hart Web Editor

I

’ve been on the search for high quality makeup for cheap ever since my first job gave me some perspective. I realized that I could only afford some products by working two shifts— that wasn’t going to cut it. So, I took a trip to CVS. I did a full face of products from L’Oreal Paris and Revlon’s line to see which of these inexpensive products would give me the best look.

I started with foundations.

L’Oreal’s had to withstand the ultimate test of time: a full school day followed by a four-hour shift in retail. Despite my inexpertise, which resulted in me buying the wrong shade, I got many compliments on my skin looking smooth and clear. However, I got home from work and went to examine the wear and tear on this allegedly “24 hour foundation.” In a nutshell: crusty but intact.

This foundation was matte all day as promised, I never looked shiny but it sucked all the moisture out of my face. By the end of the day my skin looked like the deserts of Arizona and it made me hope that everyone who saw me did not have 20/20 vision.

Revlon’s foundation (which I thankfully bought in the right shade) hardly budged

throughout the day. I was told it looked more natural because the coverage was less full. It dried out my skin a bit but much less than L’Oreal. My skin tone looked even and from far away I looked well-rested. Basically, I still would not have appreciated HD photos being taken of me, but in dimmer lighting, I could have pulled it off.

Initial takeaway: the place to splurge a little (or a lot) is foundation. It is displayed on the biggest canvas so I give it the most attention.

I also tried a liquid lip color from each of the brands. I got L’Oreal’s lip paint in the shade ‘Spicy Blush’ and it was perfectly adequate. I can’t word it more interestingly because for the $10.49 I payed for it, I got smooth lasting color that smelled great and had good pigment. When I took a drink, this lip paint passed my cup test with a B-. There wasn’t much residue left when I drank but it’s good that you can afford to reup on it throughout the day or event.

The matte lip color from Revlon gave me fancy vibes because its of its packaging. It made me feel like I could buy makeup anywhere except CVS. The application was near smooth and it was in fact, matte. It was true to its color (a bare minimum have if you dare sell makeup under $10). It passed the cup test with a C- (more residue than

L’Oreal). Cs get degrees but does it get you to the top? No. I would not recommend spending anywhere above $20 for a lip color. From my experiences, do not splurge on lip colors. They are less noticeable, cheap and easier to dupe.

With L’Oreal’s eye palette I purchased at $10.49, I got four shimmery shades with the mini double-tipped sponge applicator that sent me back to the first time I tried makeup in the late 2000s. Disregarding the nostalgia factor, these shades were sparkly, shimmery and buildable. With talent superior to mine this is a great way to ball on a budget (although I do not recommend actually using the applicator unless you want a good laugh like me).

Revlon’s eye palette at $10.99 was buildable and blendable but looked cheaper. It couldn’t decide if it was sparkly or matte and the pigment was mediocre.

I’m sure a beauty guru or professional makeup artist would gag at this product (as well as my poor attempt at a smokey eye). Even on a budget, I would not recommend this particular palette even though you get twice the colors as L’Oreal. I see now there’s a reason L’Oreal got the gig with Project Runway.

So here is what I leave you with, as I sit surrounded by makeup and sponges, with spicy blush lips and eyes with two different variations of the same poor technique: L’Oreal Paris’ line with 4 stars came out on top in this face-off of drugstore makeups. Although Revlon’s foundation was superior, the line overall gets 3 stars. There is no reason to splurge because you can make any look good with talent. That being said, catch me spending minimal money, and looking minimally classy. designed by Maddie Loehr

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FEATURES

ADVANCEMENTS IN AID: Scholarships and how they shape STA

As STA expands its educational opportunities, scholarships grow along with them.

Story by Rachel Robinson Writer Graphic Illustration by Maddie Loehr|Photo Editor Alternative Coverage by Faith Andrews-O’Neal Opinion Editor

N

ear the end of Maureen Burns, Audrey Giersch and Liv Davison’s junior year, they walked into President Nan Bone’s office with a plan.

With the help of Burns’s mom, they had made a presentation outlining a possible new scholarship that would pay in full for one girl to attend STA. The presentation covered everything from how the tuition would be paid to how the student would get to school every morning.

Although Burns believes that the financial aid currently provided by the school is beneficial to many, she wanted to give an opportunity to someone who would require all expenses to be paid in order to attend STA. Burns, Giersch and Davison first got the idea for this scholarship a couple of months before they presented it to the administration.

“It was one of those days where we just felt super fortunate to be able to go here,” Burns said. “We wanted to acknowledge the fact that it is impossible for some people to even dream about going to

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April 29, 2019

a school like this. Our goal was to target the scholarship for someone with that background where even if she were to get a $5,000 scholarship, she still could not afford it.”

Unfortunately, Burns’s scholarship did not work out due to a lack of time and communication. She still believes that a scholarship similar to the one she tried to establish should be provided.

“I think as many people as we can get should be able to come here,” Burns said. “There’s no denying that this is a fantastic education and we have opportunities some people don’t even dream of.”

Principal of student affairs Liz Baker is responsible for gathering scholarship applications from students and determining who is eligible for which scholarships. As someone who is crucial in the process of distributing scholarships and aid, Baker helps provide the opportunities that Burns talked about.

“Based on our annual report, we give almost 50% of the students in the school some kind of a scholarship or financial aid,” Baker said. “So there’s obviously need. I think the benefit of scholarships is that it affords people who may not otherwise choose St. Teresa’s — it gives them the opportunity to be a part of the student body.”

Baker is known by many as the person to talk to about

emergencies with scholarships and financial aid. She thinks of herself as a student advocate for students in these circumstances.

“You know, there are always things that happen that are emergencies, and we try to be compassionate and accommodating for that as well,” Baker said.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 91% of American students attend public schools where scholarships are not necessary. Because of this, scholarships and aid at the high school level are not as recognized or well funded as they are in colleges.

According to Baker, as the school continues to grow and more donations are received, scholarships become larger.

“Probably from the time [Nan Bone] has gotten here, it has grown from 50 scholarships to 225,” Baker said. “So it’s grown a lot because of her mission and vision and the school board and the administration saying, ‘We need to grow the endowment so that more kids are able to come.’”

According to Baker, another factor limiting the funding of scholarships at the school is STA graduates are all female. Many of them feel unable to donate to their school due to social stigma around women donating to their places of education.

“Women are not used to making donations,” Baker said.

“That’s something that we really work on. And we do have wonderful women donors, but I think there is still a stigma about, you know, that when you’re in a family, you donate to the man’s university instead of the woman’s.”

Advancement director Vanessa Herring works with a team of fundraisers to raise money for STA, a large portion of which goes towards scholarships and financial aid. She previously worked in fundraising at the University of Missouri-Columbia, but found it easier at the high school level as STA alumnae often have a stronger affinity to their high school.

“Our class of 1950, those women still get together every Tuesday for coffee,” Herring said.

“They’ve had 50 years of other life experiences and it’s their STA class that means the most to them. And I can say that that certainly is not true when you go to a university.”

Herring thinks this makes them more inclined to give money to St. Teresa’s in order to give someone the same good experience they had.

“People I think, have very fond memories,” Herring said. “I think they realize what St. Teresa’s did in high school to prep them for college and beyond. I think as you get further and further away from St. Teresa’s, as a graduate, the more you come to realize how your St. Teresa’s education and connections and sisterhood set you apart from other people.”

Both Baker and Herring believe that STA’s scholarships and financial aid have room for improvement.

“We’re always thinking, with strategic planning, ‘What are better ways of generating income? What are ways of finding people with need that would benefit from a college prep education too?’” Baker said. “So we’re working on that.

I think that’s the next on the horizon.”

Herring thinks that bigger scholarships like the one Burns tried to establish are especially important.

“I think that [full ride scholarships] are an area we could really improve in,” Herring said. “Donors and alumni, alumni especially say ‘Gosh, I loved my time at STA. I want every girl to have it.’ And the only way we can make every girl have it is if we have more funds available.

money matters Scan this QR code for a video breakdown of STA’s scholarship distribution process.

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designed by Margaux Renee

FEATURES

Long manages her email in the 5th Congressional District Office April 8. When Congressman Cleaver is out of town, she spends her time coordinating events and meetings.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS STA 2003 alumna Holly Long has spent the past 14 years working for the Missouri 5th Congressional District Office using her skills in Organizational Management.

Story and photos by Julia Kerrigan | Editor-in-Chief

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n the spring of 2004, Holly Jenkins took the D.C. Metro from Howard University’s campus to the U.S. Capitol for her first day as an intern for the newly elected Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. Jenkins, who has since married and now goes

by Long, had graduated from St. Teresa’s just one year before.

Long recalls feeling slightly intimidated and overwhelmed as she walked among the tourists, Capitol Police and congressional staff members bustling through through the centuries old U.S. Capitol. She spent the day answering calls from constituents and writing letters among Capitol Hill veterans and newbies alike.

“You had people who were

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younger and newer to the Hill who are acting or like they’re big stuff because they have an internship in Senator Such-andSuch’s office or Congressman Such-and-Such’s office,” Long said. “Who cares? We’re all here at the same time trying to get the same thing.”

Long heard about the position from her father, a long-time friend of Emanuel Cleaver’s. He had run into him at the airport and mentioned that his daughter was just starting out at Howard. Long interviewed and was hired as intern to begin that spring.

When she came home for the summers during her college years, Long worked in Cleaver’s Kansas City offices at 31st and

Main St. and returned to the Hill offices during the school year.

During high school and in those initial years of college, Long thought she wanted to become an entertainment lawyer, after growing up with magazines like Jet and Ebony around the house.

However, by the time Long was ready to graduate with a major in Political Science and minor in Legal Communication, she was unsure that law was the path she wanted to take. She ended up attending law school for one year before leaving.

“I had always been very academic driven,” Long said.

“But I was tired.”

It wasn’t an easy path to step off of, however, as Long’s father

Long’s senior picture from the 2003 Teresian.

Her senior quote was, “Things and events happen for certain reasons.

We might not ever understand why, but it’s how you deal with the matter that counts.”

The Seal of the U.S. House of Representatives greets visitors to the 5th Congressional District Office at 31st and Main April 9. Beyond the glass is Holly Long’s office.

was an attorney and had always wanted her to litigate, and Long herself had dreamt of one career for so long. The first person she told about her decision to leave was Congressman Cleaver.

Instead of telling her parents, Cleaver told Long a story from Genesis where Jacob wrestles with an angel and demands to be blessed.

“He was saying you have been wrestling with these dreams of yours and your visions and things that you want to do,” Long said. “Don’t leave until you figure out what you want to do.”

Long ended up going to work full time on the Hill, and stayed in D.C. until 2010. Still, a sense of obligation to the path of law called to her. When she moved back to Kansas City, she planned on attending University of Missouri - Kansas City Law to obtain a law degree.

“All of my life, everyone had told me, this is what you’re going to do,” Long said.

She eventually realized a law degree she had no intention of using was not worth the student loans, so Long continued to work full time at Cleaver’s office.

When she saw the description of a Organizational Leadership program at Baker University, she knew it was exactly what she had been working toward.

The course taught leadership styles, organizational structure, organizational development, coaching and office atmosphere development skills.

“That’s so me, you know?”

Long said. “Encouraging people, and helping them learn their own strength, and helping them find what works for them and what doesn’t.”

Long attributes her love of organization and structure to her education, especially the opportunity to manage her unstructured periods at St. Teresa’s.

“It taught me time management,” Long said. “It taught me ‘let’s not waste this precious time on something I could knock out now.”

Long completed her Master’s in Organizational Development in 2013, all while working full time.

Today, she works as Director of Operations at the Missouri 5th Congressional District Offices, and has been working for Cleaver for the 14 years he’s been in the House of Representatives. Long has two types of work days — planning periods before her boss comes into town and the weeks or weekends he is in Kansas City.

“My lovely boss is constantly on the move,” Long said. “So those days are crazy bananas.”

Just the week before, Long

drove the Congressman to a lastminute meeting at his old parish, St. James Missionary Baptist Church at 55th and Main St., and then to a commitment at 18th and Baltimore Ave. just 45 minutes later. Long had planned to leave early that day, but she said that a packed schedule is just the nature of Cleaver’s time in Kansas City.

“You just have to learn to be graceful and to flow and to be flexible,” Long said.

She enjoys planning for these jam-packed days, making calls and sending emails to plan commitments and determine which staff member will attend which meeting. Ensuring the office runs smoothly doesn’t always just rely on scheduling, though — Long cites the time she taught the Congressman how to enable the “Do Not Disturb” function on his iPhone and how hard it was to find the phone once it was subsequently misplaced. With 14 years in the office, Long has learned from the people around her.

“This office has taught me flexibility and it has allowed me to sharpen my leadership skills that are already had,” she said. “It just kind of helped me blossom.

All the staff, from former staff to current staff, have taught me that.”

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designed by Julia Kerrigan

CENTERSPREAD

Living through climate: the effects of the weather on the Midwest

Recent weather has affected citizens of the Midwest in a variety of ways. Some think it points to the larger issue of climate change.

Story by Ella Norton | Features Editor Photos by Amy Schaffer | Photo Editor Alternative coverage compiled by Annabelle Meloy | News Editor

Richard Budke’s tractor sits in a field from the wet winter April 19.

The “terraces” to drain rainwater and melted snow out of the field were damaged, costing Budke $15,000 to repair.

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ichard Budke has been a farmer for most of his life.

For 60 years he’s grown soybeans, wheat and raised livestock in Jewell County, Kansas.

He’s enjoyed working for himself, but because of the previous harsh winter and excessive snow, Budke said this is one of the worst seasons he’s ever had.

“You can’t believe how bad this winter really was on everything, you really can’t,” Budke said.

Like every year, Budke's calves arrived around the beginning of February. However, the intense cold affected the calves tremendously, leading Budke to house them in his garage.

“My wife wasn’t really happy, but she didn’t complain and she thought the calves were cute, so we just let them in there and got them warm and took them back to their mommy,” Budke said.

In the end, Budke lost 10 calves, which he estimates to be a loss of about $10,000. Budke said he knew farmers who lost 20 calves, which can cause financial problems.

“If a cow loses a calf, you’ve got two years that you’re not going to have any profit from it,” Budke said. “So what do you do?

Do you sell her? What do you do?”

After the snow and cold came flooding, which washed out Budke’s wheat and creek crossing, taking all the wheat from terraces and breaking a few, creating ditches. Budke said all of this will impact his sales.

“I will have to work more ground,” Budke said. “It won’t be good because the prices are down and I don’t have as [many] calves to sell as I usually do and that affects us the most.”

Other parts of the Midwest are also facing intense floods. Kevin Low, a scientist with the National Weather Service’s Missouri River Basin Forecast Center, told The New York Times that the Midwest

set 30 new records for flooding in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota in the past week. The floods have devastated the farms and led to towns being submerged underwater.

“They’re completely under water there,” Budke said. “A lot of people said they won’t plant any crops up there this year. [There’s a guy who had] 900 hogs and now he only has 13.”

Budke also said the excess rain in the fall made it hard to plant wheat. He ended up having to plant it later, which lead to the land scarring, which could, in turn, make it harder to plant crops in the future.

“How are you going to fix that?” Budke said. “You can’t go over where it was. You have to work that ground over and over again to try and smooth it up. It’s been a hell of a year, let me put it that way.”

According to an article with the New York Times, Mary C. Erickson, deputy director of the National Weather Service, said the flooding was, “only a preview of what we expect through the rest of the spring. In fact, we expect the flooding will get worse, and become more widespread.”

James Walton, a registered engineer for KC Water’s Stormwater Utility, also believes that flood severity will only increase in the future.

“It is clear that there are more flooding problems in the future than in our past,” Walton said.

“Just from real data, this is the case. And you see our spring rain in KCMO can have 16% to 41% more rainfall in the future.”

According to Walton, one of the issues Kansas City faces is outdated sewers.

“KCMO has 58 square miles of combined storm and sanitary sewers in areas of town developed generally long before the 1960s, like 1896 Westport,”

Walton said. “So if you have a consent decree plan built for a particular current rain duration, climate change may create problems for you in the future.”

Walton believes that Kansas City, like most urban cities, was not very good at handling flooding in the past, but should learn from development methods and improve.

“Have they learned?” Walton said. “And if they have not? Who will pay? With money? Or with lives? They did not, initially, know better. But we do. We’ve no excuses with modern technology and capabilities. Floods are a very effective way to display national, regional, federal, state and local mistakes of our past.

And there will always be another flood.”

Carole Mehl is a Kansas City environmentalist who has tried to bring environmental change to Kansas City since she was 13.

In the 1970s, she helped start a women's group called the Citizens Environmental Council, that focused on property issues, such as zoning. In the 1980s, she joined the Solid Waste Management Commision, eventually bringing recycling to Kansas City after investigating what happened to the city’s waste.

Mehl is also currently a member in the 350 chapter of Kansas City. The group was founded by Bill McKibben in 2008, who Mehl describes as "a modern day prophet." The group is based around keeping the planet at 350 parts per million of carbon.

"We are at 402 plus,” Mehl said. “350 [parts per million of carbon] is sustainable and we need to get back to that.

That will be a matter of, as Mr. McKibben would say, collaboration of all types of people across all types of boundaries, faith groups, labor

designed by Lily Hart

17

groups, universities, businesses, government, all putting pressure on the fossil fuel industry."

According to the United Nations, the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere are the highest they’ve been in 3 million years, with carbon dioxide being the most prevalent. The UN states that, “the concentration of GHGs in the earth’s atmosphere is directly linked to the global temperature.” The UN believes the rise of the global temperature has lead to warmer oceans, melted glaciers and rising sea levels.

According to “ClimateLook,” an article by Dan Walker, which focused on the direct effects of climate change on Kansas City, Kansas City is expected to feel similar climate change effects as most of the Midwest region.

Temperatures are expected to rise in all seasons and precipitation will increase.

“Heat waves will become more frequent and summer nights will become hotter,” Walker said.

“These projected changes in temperature and precipitation extremes can be expected to increase demand for summertime cooling, degrade local air quality and place additional stress on water supply systems, wastewater

and stormwater management systems and flood control efforts.”

Walker’s “ClimateLook” states that temperatures in Missouri have already gone up 0.3 degrees Fahrenheit per decade and yearly precipitation has increased from 40.1 inches to 44.5 inches. Walker examined the potential effects climate change could have with moderate emissions and with continued high emissions.

“Kansas City is projected to experience an increase in annual average temperature of 4 degrees Fahrenheit by midcentury (2021-2060) compared to that observed during the last four decades, regardless as to which emissions pathway tends to be more representative of actual emissions,” Walker said. “The increase is projected to be roughly 7 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century if moderate emissions are achieved or as high as 8 degree Fahrenheit if the rate of increase in emissions seen recently continues.”

According to Walker, this would increase heat waves, hot days and hot nights. Cold nights would become milder and the frost-free period would be longer.

Similarly, if the annual precipitation increases as Walker expects, Kansas City will have

2015 — Missouri ranked #5 in cities most affected by climate change.

2018 — Kansas City had its first 100 degree day in 5 years.

In the midwest, heavy rains are occuring twice as often as they did a century ago.

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extreme rainfall amounts and increased days of excess rainfall. “[S]prings overall are expected to be warmer and wetter, suggesting the potential for heat stress — a phenomenon currently associated with summer — will increase in the late spring months,” Walker said. “[S]ummers overall are expected to be hotter and drier, suggesting the potential for summer drought, a phenomenon of concern already, will increase over the rest of the century.”

In 2015, members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, agreed on the Paris Agreement, which according to the UN agreed to, “combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future.” There are 184 countries in the Paris Agreement, however President Donald Trump announced in 2016 that the U.S. would be leaving it.

Currently, Senator Ed Markey and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are pushing for the Green New Deal, which was announced Feb. 7, 2019.

According to National Public Radio, they see it as a “massive policy package that would remake the U.S. economy and, they hope, eliminate all U.S. carbon emissions.”

Mehl said she tries to be environmentally conscious as much as she can. She watches how much meat she eats to reduce methane production from feedlots, drives a semi-electric car and buys furniture and clothes second-hand.

"What would be ideal would be to have solar panels on my garage and have an all electric car plug in," Mehl said. "Plain and simple, anything we plug in is using coal and it's the worst, along with methane. But it's a fossil fuel and it's a dirty one. Even when we clean up the ash, we still have

The carcass of a dead cow lies rotting as other cattle graze nearby April 19. Farmer Richard Budke lost 10 cattle over the winter.

Richard Budke poses for a profile photograph April 19. Budke has been working his self-made farm for decades.

the vapors."

Mehl said she recognized that it's hard to see the effects of climate change when you live in a privileged area as there’s going to be more industry in poorer areas.

"They don't put landfills over here by St. Teresa's, it's going to the peripheries,” Mehl said. “With 350, McKibbin makes a huge issue of climate justice. If you don't want it here, don't put it in someone else's backyard."

“How are you going to fix that? You can’t go over where it was. You have to work that ground over and over again to try and smooth it up. It’s been a hell of a year, let me put it that way.”

- Richard Budke Mehl says she wants to inspire young activists to get involved.

“Advocate at your place of worship, your school, your business, your parent's business,” Mehl said.

“Letter writing. Political activism.

Litigate, litigate, litigate. It’s your world we are trying to persevere.” designed by Lily Hart

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MAIN ED

Should the city government of Kansas City be implementing measures to combat climate change?

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his past winter, Kansas Citians experienced some of the city’s most extreme weather in the past decade. This weather consisted of elevated precipitation levels and cold temperatures, including the lowest recorded temperature since the beginning of the century according to the National Weather Service. The extreme weather resulted in a number of issues for Kansas City, including potholes and flooding that compromised the city’s drinking water. In the midst of it, mayor Sly James has promised to address these issues. However, with his mayoral term coming to a close, Kansas City must look to candidates Jolie Justus and Quinton Lucas for new ideas on how to combat climate change.

Kansas City, some may argue, is not as affected by climate change as other cities may be due to its position in the center of the country. For that reason, it may be further argued that it is not entirely necessary that Kansas City

implements measures to combat climate change. However, Kansas City has more influence than some may think. As the largest and most populous city in Missouri, it is in the position to lead by example within the state.

In the past, Kansas City has implemented measures as part of KC Green. KC Green is a “volunteer effort of KCMO departments and employees” according to the Kansas City government website. The initiative is made up of four teams, one that focuses on education and outreach, one that identifies and encourages green infrastructure within the city, one that encourages focused polices and regulations and one that helps to reduce the consumption of resources.

Despite the efforts of KC Green, neither mayoral candidate has made environmentally friendly measures a focal point of their campaign. In fact, neither candidate has mentioned intent to implement green measures

RIGHT ON TARGET Natalie Barber, senior

“The city government of KC should definitely implement measures to combat climate change. It’s essential to the future of our city that we take the proper steps towards saving and preserving our environment.”

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throughout their campaigns.

Both Justus and Lucas, as council members, have both historically voted to promote green initiatives.

However, since their campaigns for mayor have begun, neither candidate has made mention of whether or not they will make environmentally friendly initiatives a focus should they win the position of mayor.

If Kansas City were to implement measures such as placing a charge on plastic bags, making recycling more accessible or expanding public transportation, this could not only greatly improve the environmental footprint of the city but encourage other cities in Missouri to do the same. Kansas City, as a major financial and population hub of Missouri, has the influence necessary to encourage other cities around Missouri to make themselves more eco-friendly and should be implementing measures to do so.

25/25 staffers agree

AIlis reavey, sophomore

“I think that the government of Kansas City should definitely be implementing measures to combat climate change because we’re already seeing effects of climate change and anything we can do to slow it down is progress.”

Chick-fil-A’s antiLGBTQ donations cannot be ignored Story by Sophia Durone Breaking News Editor Standing against Chick-filA’s annual contributions to discriminatory foundations is more important than being able to enjoy their chicken nuggets.

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or the past seven years, there has been only one fast food chain I would break my vow of pescetarianism for: Chickfil-A. Only a three-minute drive away from my house, Chick-fil-A’s delicious chicken nuggets and fries have been all too accessible to deny. I have notoriously managed to work a Chick-fil-A run into even the most undeserving of days, including multiple times when my family has ordered from another fast food chain for dinner. Chickfil-A was something I thought I could never live without. Until I made the decision to align my spendings with my values and stop ignoring the corporation’s annual million-dollar donations to anti-LGBTQ foundations.

In 2012, Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Casey stated he was “guilty as charged” of supporting the “biblical definition of the family” in an interview with Baptist Press. Shortly after, the public discovered that the corporation donated over $1.9 million to historically antiLGBTQ organizations in 2010.

PERSPECTIVES

One foundation financially new discriminatory corporations supported by Chick-fil-A was to take root. Choosing to act Exodus International, which on this realization allows me claimed to “serve people to remain politically consistent affected by homosexuality” throughout my life. How am I to by using conversion therapy speak out against homophobia before it was terminated in only to support an anti-LGBTQ 2013. However, after facing foundation the next time I have backlash, Chick-fil-A later a french fry craving? declared they would “leave the The good news is that there policy debate over same-sex are just about 247,191 fast marriage to the government food establishments in the and the political arena.” Yet, U.S., so there is no reason to according to the corporation’s cling to one that is extremely 2017 tax filings, they donated discriminatory. Wanting upwards of $1.8 million to something salty? Head over to another set of anti-LGBTQ McDonald’s for a hash brown foundations despite their public to help them maintain their apology five years prior. $38 million annual donations to Part of me still wishes I families coping with childhood could enjoy an eight-piece illness. What about something nugget as if I were not sweet? Starbucks consistently aware of the company’s contributes almost $7 million immorality. However, I believe to supporting underprivileged that knowledge is power youth and access to clean when it comes to a business’ water. Unfortunately, I cannot ethics. Chick-fil-A cannot provide you with a substitute be an exception because for Chick-fil-A’s perfectly crispy they arguably have the best chicken nuggets, so hopefully signature dipping sauce in the their outright homophobic country. We must think beyond donations will be enough for contentment from immediate you to swallow next time you’re transactions to recognize the craving their food. practices we fund.

Please don’t take this as a This matter goes beyond personal attack on anyone who financial support. While I has walked through the quad would not typically go to the with a Chick-fil-A lemonade. I extreme of labeling a lunch aim to stress the importance of outing a political stance, I holding yourself accountable believe that it is nothing less for conflicting ideologies and than such in Chick-fil-A’s case. actions. After all, speaking out By supporting the corporation against LGBTQ discrimination despite their values, we not only in our community but failing to broadcast that discrimination proceed in the same manner is acceptable for a business in when it comes down to chicken 2019, but also make room for is not activism. designed by Mary Massman

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PERSPECTIVES

Dear Mom and Dad, Story by Kendall Lanier Lifestyles Editor An open letter to my biggest role models as I prepare to leave for college across the country.

Dear Mom & Dad, know I won’t ever be able to find the words to show how thankful I am for you both, but I will try. I will start by saying how lost I will feel when I go to college miles away from you guys across the country. Not just because I will have to do my laundry and will be missing out on your gourmet meals, but because I’ll be losing a part of myself.

You do the basic tasks that a parent is expected to do, like provide for me, make sure I am okay and give me access to several opportunities. But, you are more than average parents who just do what they are supposed to do.

Mom, everywhere I go, someone tells me how much alike we are. How we laugh, talk and how we carry ourselves. I love being like you. Hearing that is one of my favorite compliments because I know how amazing you are, so it makes me feel like I could one day be just like you. I know it sounds cliche but you have always been the perfect role model for me. In my eyes you can do no wrong.

You have taught me that

I

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happiness comes from within and you cannot rely on anyone else for it. You are so graceful and carry yourself with such confidence which I will always admire.

Dad, since day one I was always told I look just like you.

I used to get mad because I didn’t want to look like a boy.

Over time, I have learned to enjoy hearing that. Whenever I am not with you, people always recognize me. I am always hit with the classic, “Are you Willie’s daughter, you look just like him.” Everyone loves you for always being yourself and making them laugh, so when people see me, they think of all the great traits you possess. If people could think of me that way — I’d want nothing more.

Your big smile and loud laugh is what we share the most. I’ve learned my happy, sense of humor from you and to always put my best foot forward.

These outstanding qualities of you both lead me to to say, who will I be without hearing people tell me these things everywhere I go? I am a part of you guys, and you guys are a part of me. I don’t know who I am without your influence.

Your confidence, kind heart and resilience shines through me each day. I don’t know how I will be able to show those characteristics without you both by my side.

I guess that is a part of growing up. I have been with you for 18 years and have

done what I am told (well, most of the time) so much so I have become a stem of you.

Growing up means learning to be who I am without the guidance of you as my role models every step of the way.

Shaping the way I am going to be for the rest of my life and building my own legacy is solely up to me. While this is one of the scariest parts about going away next year, it is also the most exciting. Finding out who I will become after years of you building me up to be something great, can be so riveting. This is it. I am stepping out into the real world, where I will be faced with many challenges and will have to deal with them somewhat on my own.

Because of you two, I have been given the best childhood.

Of course we were faced with challenges like any other family, but it was about how we moved on and overcame them. It made me realize how blessed I truly am to have parents that love me in every way possible.

Leaving you will be the hardest part of my life so far. But I owe it to you both, my inspiring parents, to say that you’ve prepared me enough to be the person I was raised to be on my own. Although you will not be by my side every second, I know you will always be in my heart.

Love, Kendall

You do not need to detox Story by Olivia Powell Writer Teas or drinks intended to rid the body of toxins can cause physical discomfort while enlarging a societal issue of body shaming.

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hloé Kardashian recently posted a sponsored advertisement on Instagram that promoted a detox tea made by Flat Tummy Co. “The Good Place” actress Jameela Jamil quickly commented in response, explaining the drastically unhealthy effects of the product. She explained how Kardashian’s post ignored other components of healthy living while promoting a laxative.

It’s nothing new in the world of celebrity gossip, but this time it caught my eye. I’d heard people talk about detoxes before but didn’t fully grasp the severity of its impacts. I didn’t realize that the seemingly subtle choice to detox involved physical symptoms, as well as a societal distortion of body image.

Flat Tummy Tea being used to “detox” the body sounds off many alarms in my head. First of all, I stand behind the idea that all food is good in moderation.

Labeling foods as “good” and “bad” creates an expectation for people that simply shouldn’t exist.

If I feel like eating ice cream, I will because I know it will make me happy. If I ate an entire tub of ice cream, then the pain from overeating would most likely override any joy.

Detoxes and cleanses in the form of teas or juices are meant to rid the body of toxins that people may encounter in daily life. An article on the Huffington Post’s blog section explains the benefits of detoxes, followed by a list of symptoms that included “flu-like feeling, nausea, and itchy skin” to name a few. It also claims that, “these symptoms are indicative that your body is eliminating toxins and are a good sign,” comparing the symptoms to those of withdrawal from an addiction.

This connection scares me, considering how hungry I feel after inconsistent meals.

I know that if I prolonged my hunger I would feel horrible, but that doesn’t mean I’d risk “detoxification” for the happiness of eating.

As stated in the article, drawing a link between food and “addictive substances like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine or heroin” starts to build an unhealthy relationship with food. “Food addiction” even seems to counteract the role of food in survival.

Food is not an addiction. It’s a necessity for life.

Despite the growing support for detoxes, other organizations have found negative effects of detoxing. Consumer Reports argued that detox teas were not proven to be very useful in losing weight. The National Center for Complementary or Integrative Health also explained the risks of worsening

kidney conditions and low likelihood of losing weight.

Because I am not a nutritionist, I’ll leave the scientific research up to you.

I’m not discouraging you from fasting on Lent if you are Christian. I’m not telling you what to eat. I simply hope to present my view on why detoxes skew our perception of our bodies and the reality that we are all genetically unique.

Even if a weight-loss or detox tea tells me that my body is toxic, I feel a glimpse of shame.

A part of me says, “I need to be clean and healthy.” But, if the path of being healthy and “detoxed” involves side effects, I don’t want to go there.

I refuse to believe that my body is toxic or that it needs to be cleansed. It is a challenge to combat constant advertisements, whether directly from companies and influencers or filtered down into the beliefs of society. I challenge detoxes when I eat foods that make me happy, then encouraging others to do the same if I hear comments about detoxing.

In the end, we’re bound to get misleading information that tells us we need a detox. The reality is that we don’t. So, the next time you see an influencer post about a detox tea, shake or diet drink, the best thing we can all do is think about why it’s destructive to a body-positive culture.

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SPORTS

A club of their own Making varsity soccer at STA and playing for club teams often go hand-inhand. The Dart investigates this correlation and how playing for a club team and for STA can be different experiences.

Story by Anna Ronan Design Editor Photos by Maggie Hart Photographer Alternative coverage by Gabby Staker Editor-in-chief

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Senior Reece Knudson looks for a teammate to pass to April 11. STA won their game against Staley High School in an overtime 2-1 win.

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enior Paloma Solorio has played club soccer since third grade. When her freshman year rolled around, she felt experienced and ready enough to try out for STA’s soccer program.

“I knew STA’s soccer team was really good so I was really nervous,” Solorio said.

According to a 2013 study done by ESPN, roughly 21.47 million children between the ages of six and seventeen nationwide play a competitive team or club sport.

About 20% of boys and 17% of girls in that 21.47 million play club soccer. At STA, having competitive club experience is integral to playing at a varsity level.

“Everyone [on varsity] has played club at some point,” Solorio said.

Solorio played dual roster between JV and varsity soccer her freshman year and has played exclusively for the varsity team her sophomore, junior and senior

years. Since freshman year, she has spent a total of 8 hours a week practicing and playing for the KC Athletics Everton team.

Junior Lauren Fallis also played dual roster her freshman year and has been on varsity ever since.

Fallis believes that playing for a club gives you the experience needed to play at a high school level.

“I think they’re similar because the level of play is similar,” Fallis said. “If you don’t play club soccer it’s hard to adapt to that level of play [at school].”

Playing for STA was a simple transition for Solorio because of her experience on a club team.

“I think I’m used to it because a lot of the drills we do [at STA] are similar to my club drills,” Solorio said. “I know what to do, it just depends on performing well [during games].”

The level of play that Fallis mentioned is extremely competitive, both at STA and on club teams. Fallis and Solorio both experience stress to play well because of the intensity of varsity soccer, both mentally and physically. The varsity team practices up to six times a week, and playing time is valuable for all members of the team. For Fallis, the competitive nature of the varsity team can lead to high stress.

“I think [being competitive is] a good thing, because we have a whole team that can play at a high level,” Fallis said. “But, it’s also hard because you’re fighting for playing time.”

For Solorio, the stress to play well has stuck with her all four years.

“I think I’ve always felt stress because everyone on the team is super good and competitive,”

Solorio said. “But, at the same time, schools, and you’re only focusing I think that helps push everyone to on soccer.” play better.”

Baker enjoys playing for STA Senior Sydney Baker, who has because she sees all of her been playing for a club since she teammates at school as well as on was 9 years old, doesn’t feel that the field. stress. Baker attributes her lack of “I’ve always loved high school stress to her experience on club soccer,” Baker said. “I think it’s teams. way more fun than club, because “Definitely, we want to win, but I’m with all my friends. I’ve been I don’t really feel stress,” Baker playing with them for a long time said. “I definitely feel like I need to as well, but I’m definitely not as get a bunch of practice in before close with them because at STA the high school season starts and you go to school with them and everything, so that definitely we’re with each other all the helps.” time.”

Solorio and Fallis both Fallis believes that while play for separate teams as being on a club team a part of KC Athletics, and helps ensure a chance Baker plays for Puma FC. at varsity, it doesn’t While Fallis and Baker both matter which club. believe playing club is not as The value of the personal as playing for STA, player trumps as everyone who plays the club team on the STA teams see in the eyes each other at school, of the Solorio believes the coaching staff. bond with her club team is “I think that, stronger. not at STA, but some “At STA it’s different grades, so I high schools do don’t know other people as well,” value what specific Solorio said. “On my club team, club team you I’ve known them all for a really play for,” Fallis long time.” said. “Here, I For Fallis, the stress of varsity think it’s good soccer is lessened by the that you are bond between players. judged how “I feel like it’s more you play and fun playing high not who you school because play for.” you all have school and are in the same position with extra curriculars and stuff,” Fallis Senior Sydney Baker runs with said. “On club, the soccer ball April 11. Baker is one of the team’s captains. you all go to different designed by Ella Norton

25

COMMUNITY

Various products and Easter decorations line the window of CBD+ April 6. CBD can be used for such issues as pain, inflammation, anxiety and depression.

revolutionizing remedies Cannabidiol, known as CBD, has been popularized as an alternative to pharmaceutical treatment for pain, anxiety and depression. The possibilities of the industry grow with the substance’s widespread success in Kansas City and beyond.

Story by Sophia Durone|Breaking News Editor Photos by Mary Massman|Breaking News Editor Alternative Coverage by Aspen Cherrito| Multimedia Editor

F

or years, CBD Plus owner Lea Henry struggled with anxiety and depression, finding little to no relief from pharmaceuticals.

She searched for a remedy until she stumbled upon an all-natural solution that would later allow her to stop using medications entirely: CBD. Cannabidiol, known as CBD, has been popularized as a legal, relaxant compound used to provide temporary pain, anxiety and depression relief. The substance can be internalized through oils, tinctures, edible mediums, capsules, vaping or absorbed topically through a cream or lotion according to Health Line. Triggering the endocannabinoid system which helps to regulate movements and feelings, Henry explains that CBD supplements aid a preexisting bodily system.

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April 29, 2019

“You have an endocannabinoid system yourself, anything with a spine does: cats, dogs, humans,” Henry said. “That's why [CBD] almost takes you back to your homeostasis.”

Henry started her business to share the anxiety relief she saw from CBD with others in Kansas City. Her products are primarily derived from hemp rather than marijuana with higher Tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, levels as commonly misconceived. While THC creates a psychoactive reaction shortly after ingestion, CBD does not decrease cognitive awareness according to Medical News Today.

“People think you will become high off of it because most of our products — I would say 80% of our products — do have trace amounts of THC, less than 1% and 3% is the legal amount you can

have in Missouri,” Henry said. “But, they're not [going to] because it's just a very little amount. It helps boost the CBD to act in your body better when you don't extract cannabinoids out which is why they use the hemp plant instead of marijuana.”

Ingested CBD can provide general relaxation among other effects while topicals relieve pain in areas where the cream or lotion is applied. Henry recommends certain products to her customers based on their personal needs.

“When you take [CBD] internally, it's everywhere in your body versus topical which only helps where you put it on,” Henry said. “Topical takes about 15 to 20 minutes to penetrate through the layers of your skin and usually always lasts about three to four hours. An Internal like the tincture or oil is under the tongue and also lasts about three to four hours

depending on the individual. And then there's stuff you can mix with drinks and the capsules,” Sophomore Madeline Gentry has used a CBD Oil Tincture to boost her energy levels since the fall, subsequently enhancing her academic and athletic performance. According to Medium, CBD can improve cognitive abilities such as focus as it creates a “balanced sleepwake cycle” by combating nighttime restlessness.

“It helps me focus throughout the day since I’m really active and play a lot of sports,” Gentry said. “I used to get really tired throughout the day and almost fall asleep during class, but now I feel like I have the energy to get through.”

Gentry believes the stigma behind CBD is primarily derived from the close connection between CBD and THC. “People always think that it is marijuana,” Gentry said. “Even my sister thought it was going to make her high, so she wouldn’t take it.”

Junior Phoebe Burke also

dripping CBD facts

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I n fo

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CBD+ Owner Lea Henry helps a customer find a pain relief product April 6.

Internal products target everywhere in the body, but topical products only help where they are applied.

uses a CBD Oil Tincture and finds it to relieve anxiety in stressful times. She agrees that a harmful misconception about CBD is that it is an illegal drug.

“There is nothing psychedelic to it,” Burke said. “It's nothing illegal — it's purely natural and there's not a reason for it not to be used.”

Burke believes another obstacle facing CBD is widespread doubt of its efficiency due to a 2017 study review conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

The study could not determine whether CBD works effectively in treating anxiety at the time due to a sheer lack of clinical trials with hemp and marijuana plants.

Gentry chooses to rely on personal experience when determining CBD’s efficacy.

“It's something that I’m taking just for the benefits that it will give me, I’m not expecting to get something out of it,” Gentry said.

Henry, however attributes perceived ineffectiveness to an outright misdosage.

“A lot of times when you take something and it doesn't work, you might need a higher milligram,” Henry said.

Despite misconceptions and doubts alike, Henry feels the CBD industry will grow significantly in the near future, particularly in its incorporation into nationwide businesses.

“In Colorado, Walgreens and CVS will start carrying CBD,” Henry said. “A lot of companies are doing it in states where medical and recreational marijuana is already [legal].”

Henry believes further proof of the business’ endless possibilities lies in growing CBD product production for animals. Currently, she sells a full CBD pet line at her store.

“They use it for the exact same reasons humans do,” Henry said.

“You could do the water soluble where they drink it throughout the day so it stays with them if they're in pain, or you could do an oil just before they leave the house if they have separation anxiety.”

Whether for pets or people, Henry feels CBD is a substance that can and will continue to transform the medicinal industry.

“I feel like it has just hit the surface and there is still opportunity to grow,” Henry said.

designed by Olivia Powell

27

LAST LOOK

SUMMER

The best upcoming concerts, curated by the Dart.

APRIL 30 Skating Polly Tour Skating Polly with Jo Passed and Lovergurl RecordBar

MAY 1

Malibu Nights Tour LANY

Khalid

The Midland

MAY 17 Scatter the Rats Tour L7

Cardi B, 21 Savage, Lil Baby, G Herbo, Lil Mosey, YBN Cordae and more

MAY 21

MAY 9

Tour Twin Peaks with Post Animal RecordBar

April 29, 2019

The Midland

The Truman

Providence Medical Center Amphitheater

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Closer to You Tour Hunter Hayes

MAY 4

Flyover 2019

Hozier

MAY 16

Tour Omni with Momma’s Boy and The Whiffs

Uptown Theater

JUNE 2

D.R.E.A.M. Tour Jojo Siwa The Midland

CONCERTS Story and illustrations by Mckenzie Heffron, Staff Writer

JUNE 4 Wasteland, Baby! Tour Hozier

The Midland

JUNE 5 Sounds Relaxing: Renew Kansas City Symphony

The Kauffman Center

JUNE 26 Tour SonReal

Uptown Theater

JULY 19

Shawn Mendes: The Tour Shawn Mendes with Alessia Cara Sprint Center

JUNE 7

JULY 21

Billie Eilish with Denzel Curry

Sprint Center

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? Tour

Silverstein Eye Centers Arena

JUNE 14 Tour Machine Gun Kelly The Midland

Billie Eilish

Free Spirit World Tour Khalid

KEY rock

country

alt/ indie

pop

rap

classical

Cardi B

designed by Mckenzie Heffron

29

PHOTO STORY

the sta parking lot A look into the students’ use of the STA parking lot.

Photos by Olivia Wirtz Seniors Katie Mulhern, left, and Sophia Shugart dance at the senior tailgate and embrace the “tacky prom dress” theme day.

Freshman Francie McCann, left, and senior Camille Begnaud talk to each other through open car windows the morning before school.

Seniors Caroline Armstrong, left, and Emma Smith sit in the trunk of a car while enjoying the senior tailgate tradition before school.

Junior lacrosse players prepare to leave for a game in the morning before school April 4. Many athletes congregate before loading in the vans to leave.

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page design by Amy Schaffer

ON THE

DartTube: Genesis Jefferies, Christian Lunn and Helena Berger

DNO

Video by Olivia Powell

Advisory requires work Gallery: Prom

Column by Katie Gregory

Photos by Beatrice Curry, Tess Jones and Claire Smith

Stargazer: Modeling Gallery: Junior Ring

Podcast by Carmon Baker

Photos by Maggie Hart and Maddie Loehr

@dartnewsonline

/dartnewsonline

@dartpaper

/dartnewsonline

@dartnewsonline @STAsports

@dartnewsonline designed by Rachel Robinson

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