26-27 Columns: Cassie Hallier, Kennedi Fritz and Lily Remer
28 A&E Highlights
29 Community: LIFTing our Community
30-31 Last look: Pops of Personality
On the DNO
The Perks of A Good Movie by Cassie Hallier
Field Hockey Gallery by Maya Tule
STAr Girls Dance Team Gallery by Molly Sonnenberg
The Gilmore Get Up by Kennedi Fritz
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the first Dart issue of the year! We couldn’t be more excited to share this with you all, and it’s full of fall flavor, campus updates and a dash of emotional insight.
Take a look back on this year’s Teresian on pages 4 and 5, with photos taken by Jo and Lily, where the Stars illuminated the dance floor.
Lock your cars, STA students! On pages 6 and 7, Chloe and Santina give you the low-down on local crime.
If you can, catch Ella Messner, our rising cross country Star, on pages 10 and 11. There, you can learn more about her with Savannah’s Star Spotlight.
Hope you aren’t stuck on the past summer trends, because Lauren is here to keep you up-to-date on the hottest fall frenzies on page 12.
We’ve all seen that new Donnelly entrance, and Odelia is here with all the deets plus more campus updates on page 13.
Trying to save some money, but can’t get enough of pumpkin spice? Fear not: Molly’s got you covered on page 14 with café vs at-home coffee reviews.
And speaking of trendy…a hot new bombshell entered the villa with Wynnie’s review of “Love Island” on page 15.
On a more expansive topic, cinema over the summer sparked lots of conversations about mental health on film, so Stella and Marcella are here to give you some insight on pages 16, 17 and 18. Be sure to check out page 19 to read the staff’s opinions on this topic.
Rebecca has the details on freshmen and senior feels for this year on pages 20 and 21.
Is math red or blue? Julia will let you know on page 22, where she explores the interesting connections we make to color. Anna gets fetch on page 23, where on Wednesday, we wear pink for this year’s “Mean Girls” production.
There’s a new sport on the block…or should we say the stick? Maya’s got field hockey covered on pages 24 and 25.
Don’t forget to check out columns by Cassie, Kennedi and Lily on pages 26 and 27, followed with a focus on A&E and a new STA organization, LIFT, on pages 28-29.
And finally, Cassie’s last look on 30-31 explores how we can all add pops of personality to the daily STA uniform.
Happy fall, but most importantly, happy reading!
NG i ht tarry
Students danced their hearts out on the field during Teresian, September 14th.
Photos by Lily Remer | Staff Writer and Jo Marshall | Social Media Editor
The
Juniors Caden Hardy, Penelope Lofland-De La Paz and Ashlyn Haverty
Junior Margot Stuckey throws her arm up and dances to the music.
Juniors Ava Fugate and Ava Haskins pose for a picture.
Seniors all group up during Teresian, hosted on the field.
Seniors Lucy Filing and Piper Brandmeyer hug for the photo.
DART | Photo Essay | designed by Molly Sonnenberg
smile for the camera.
What’s your...
fall
Forte?
The STA student body was surveyed on what their favorite fall songs and albums are. The results show that the artists Taylor Swift and Zach Bryan are the top two most favored singers. Stars’ favorite songs are “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” by Taylor Swift and “Sweater Weather” by the Neighbourhood. Along with the Albums, “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan and “Evermore”
Scan this spotify code to acces STA fall playlist.
Taylor Swift Noah Kahan Zach Bryan Girl in Red The Cranberries
Other
BROOKSIDE Businesses
Brookside has been buzzing with all kinds of excitement for the new acai bowl restaurant Everbowl and kinder cafe Hümanette
| Staff writer
Everbowl is a new açai restaurant where the focus is to make a delicious treat while also keeping it healthy. Crafting superfoods is Everbowl’s superpower: with many different choices of açai bowls and smoothies, Everbowl’s mission is to give the Brookside community a boost of flavor and a new experience. Everbowl offers many different choices between their everbowls, smoothies and limited-time-only avocado toast.
Besides all of the signature bowls and smoothies, the customer can choose to build a “Whatever Bowl”,which depending on sizing can have a variety of bases, fruits and superfoods. For smoothies, Everbowl offers their signature smoothies along with the “Whatever Smoothie” which has the same concept as the “Whatever bowl”. Everbowl offers nutritional supplements in their smoothies, such as protein powder, maca, beetroot and more!
These supplements are great to have before or after a good workout. Students are already Everbowl fans as well as employees.
“Everbowl is everything you could wish for in a job. We get to hang out with our friends and make cute açai bowls,” junior Parker Landes said
“It’s literally the best açai I’ve ever had,” sophomore Ava Smith said.
Hümanette is a kinder cafe with a unique aspect: it is for children. Inside, Hümanette is designed with an indoor infant space for babies and young infants to enjoy with their caregivers. As for the children seven and up, they are free to enjoy the lounge that offers games, art supplies and comfortable seating for all. Hümanette offers supervised play sessions, which allows for parents and caregivers to relax and have a coffee.
Hümanette is hoping to make a positive impact on parents and the Brookside community. A common misconception of Hümanette is that it is solely just for children, Hümanette offers a full-service cafe, with a bar and seating outside of the infant space for anyone wanting to get work done, study or enjoy some of the many beverages offered. Hümanette principally just wants a comfortable environment for everyone.
“Hümanette is a really cute cafe with a great vibe, the workers are all super sweet and it’s a calm and great place to study, the food and drinks drinks are really good as well,” sophomore Marie Bainbridge said “Hümanette was super awesome, loved the interior design and they had a variety of healthy food and drinks along with a kind staff,” sophomore Lucy Hathaway said.
Everbowl restaurant in Brookside, photo by Lily Remer
Story by Lily Remer
Hümanette Cafe in Brookside, photo by Lily Remer
Area Crime
Causes Concern
In recent months, members of the STA community have perceived a spike in area crime. The Dart examines the issue and provides tips on staying safe.
Story by Chloe Denk | Editor-in-Chief and Santina Bonino | Staff Writer
In late August, the Brookside community was rocked by the fatal shooting of Shaun Brady, co-owner of local restaurant Brady & Fox, as he was taking out the trash behind his restaurant. His death brought concerns about local safety front of mind for many residents.
According to Freedom for All Americans, Kansas City is only safer than one percent of other U.S. cities, and is one of the 100 most dangerous cities in the country. Our murder rate is the 7th highest in the nation. There have been 7,553 violent crimes and 24,623 property crimes reported so far in 2024.
For years, Kansas City’s crime rates have far outpaced many other major cities, but in recent months many residents have perceived a spike in crimes. Many of these incidents have been reported through platforms such as Nextdoor.
STA students have certainly not been deaf to the chatter, although their immediate concerns tend to focus more on property crime.
Senior Lucy Filing has experienced car break-ins six times, at both of her parents’ houses in the Brookside area.
“My car just kept getting broken into,” Filing said. “I’d walk out in the morning, sometimes even later in the evening, and I would find that someone had been in my car. It’s such a scary feeling knowing that someone besides yourself has been [there].”
The first break-in occurred last fall, which Filing discovered on her way to morning volleyball practice. Most recently, her car was broken into at the end of last summer.
“[I’m] heading out to work out with my mom, and I walk out and see in my passenger side…[that] just all the
papers in my glove box are thrown out,” Filing said. “My lights are still on in my car because the door was left open. And [I’m] like, ‘What the heck?’ so I go get my mom. We walk around the car [and] make sure no one’s there. And then I just start making sure that they didn’t take any of my papers and everything.”
Because she doesn’t keep valuable items in her car, Filing reported no missing items, save one.
“Luckily, there was nothing in my car to
start with, besides my $5 sunglasses,” Filing said. “They did end up taking those, but [the] joke’s on them; they were $5 at Target.” Filing also reported other cases of vehicle theft and break-ins in her neighborhood. She advises students to be vigilant.
“It’s not so much car break-in[s] [that are] dangerous, but if you run into the person, that can be,” Filing said. “So [be] aware of your surroundings and know when to just stay back.”
Government teacher Robert Flynn has
Police tape crosses a scene. Photo courtesy of wikiimages.com
The DART | News | designed by Chloe Denk also heard the chatter about crime in the area. In particular, his students have raised concerns.
“That first week of class, so many hands shot up of people whose cars have been broken into [and stolen] in the Brookside-Waldo area,” Flynn said.
He attributes the rise in crime to multiple factors, among them the structure of the police department.
“They’re not really accountable to us: the citizens or residents or taxpayers of Kansas City, Missouri,” Flynn said. “They’re accountable mostly to the governor, who’s accountable to the whole state.”
The Kansas City Star echoes his statement: “Kansas City is the only city in Missouri that does not directly control its police force,” the newspaper points out in a September 6th article.
“A five-member board of police commissioners oversees the department. The governor appoints four while Mayor Quinton Lucas fills the remaining spot.”
The department is also understaffed, as highlighted by recent discussion over a decision to send 30 officers to Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention.
According to The Kansas City Star, “Some activists question why the department chose to assist the political convention when the department is down about 300 officers.”
“There aren’t the people to do the jobs,” Flynn said. “It’s a really big problem.”
The STA campus has made its own adaptations to security concerns.
“I know we’ve had a lot of new security measures, like trying to put the gate up [and]
have a new parking lot to increase campus security,” Flynn said. “Just like more security guards, things like that.”
As always, common sense prevails: students are encouraged to lock their cars, not leave valuables inside vehicles (especially in plain sight), and pay attention to their surroundings.B
A map portrays crime in the area surrounding STA. Yellow icons represent property crime while red icons represent assault. Photo courtesy of City Protect
STAR SPOTLIGHT:
Ella Messner is a freshman varsity cross-country runner at STA who was recently ranked as the fourth fastest eighth-grader in the country.
Story by Savannah Taylor |Staff Writer
ELLA MESSNER
Messner, who attended Academie Lafayette, is a determined multi-sport athlete. She started off playing club soccer for Legends and then made her decision to start doing cross country to improve her speed. Now her main focus is cross country and to continue getting faster, then to eventually run track and field in college to compete in events.
Q: Tell us about your family:
A: My family is awesome! I have one little sister, a dog named Paul and a weird snake named Kinky.
Q:You’ve said you’d like to go toStanford. For what type of degree program?
Q: What is your dream job?
A: My dream job would be running or becoming a pediatrician or a dermatologist.
A: I’m not sure what kind of degree program I want to do yet, but in college I hope to have competed in the NCAA track and field championships.
Q: If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
A: I would like to meet Parker Valby because she is an amazing runner who is very inspiring. She’s a track runner at the University of Florida who finished second in the 10,000-meter race in the Olympics last summer. b
Q:Describe 3-4 things you like to do outside of running and soccer:
A: I like to hang out with friends because it is lots of fun and I love to listen to music. I also enjoy school--not always--but it’s usually pretty fun.
UPDATES @ STA
Liz Baker, principal for student affairs, lays out all the details of the new additions and changes at STA this year
Story by Odelia Colvin | Staff Writer
THE CHIME:
“We got new [Microsoft] Teams phones so we can call people via Teams…You just press [the phone], and you can pick somebody. It goes to their Team. It can go on their phone or their computer. Part of that [change] was the bell system. We also felt like the bells we had were really, really old and very loud and very obnoxious sometimes: kind of disturbing. We felt like it would be better to have a kind of chime or a less invasive sound for changing [classes].”
DONNELLY OFFICES:
“It’s a good addition. It makes that building more of an administrative building. People can figure out where to go, especially if they’re a parent and need to go to the Business Office or Development. The work crews are almost done. They’re finishing up painting and what we call a punch list. So they’re just little things like, ‘oh, I need an electrical outlet here’, or ‘I need something here.’ So it’s just a list of wants and needs now.”
AI POLICIES:
“We did a lot of meeting over the summer. We talked about [the AI policies] in our last few days being in school, and we did lots of article reading. People went to conferences [and] seminars just to try to make sure that we had a policy that was good for our students, good for teaching and learning and easy to understand. We gathered some information together and thought this is the best-case scenario that we can see: the red light, green light, yellow light. It was the easiest way to remember for all of us, and it helps teachers to formulate what’s acceptable or not.”
RSVP SYSTEM:
“We wasted a lot of paper doing accountability sheets. Part of the Sisters’ mission is being a good steward of the earth, and having good stewardship…The other reason is we feel like you guys are really responsible and can figure out a system, and it’s been really good. [The other side of this is] if there is a crisis, then we know where people are. When there were open rooms, it was just a written out sheet of paper. We had to rely on that particular moderator bringing that paper if there was a fire drill or tornado drill. This is a much better system to say, ‘Here’s your roster.’”
NEW FENCE:
“We had to wait for the city to do an approval on contracts and licenses for the construction crew. We always have to get certificates to make sure that we can move forward on that.
We just finished that process…Then the first semester, once [the fence] is up, we’ll probably have it open for a while, and then just kind of talk through what the parameters of it are. The fence isn’t locked necessarily. It’s a kind of release system using your fob.”
SPORTS + PERFORMANCE
SWEATERS:
“We had a new athletic director [Kat Williams] last year, and it took the year to kind of figure out what’s going on, and we did some surveys and took to heart what is it that our athletic department needs. Kat just wanted to elevate it. She rebranded the logo…part of that rebranding was, what can we do to highlight people who are playing? So it’s a performance sweater that students can wear on game day. We call it performance sweater, because students get letters in choir and in theater too. Anything that has a letter, we want people to be able to say, ‘Hey, I’m performing today.’” B
A LOOK BACK AT SUMMER
PICKLEBALL took over this summer and became a fan favorite pasttime.
STATEMENT JEWELRY was IN this summer. From coastal earrings to custom charm necklaces, jewelry became a staple.
CUCUMBER SALADS were the perfect summer snack, becoming viral for the many delicious TikTok recipes.
TOP TRENDS
LEOPARD PRINT is back, and it’s better than ever. From jeans to tops to nails, it’s impossible to go wrong with this print.
RED, RED AND MORE RED is the color for fall. Try pops of it in outfits or a lip stain.
UGGS are a fall classic that will never not be trending. They are the perfect cute and cozy everyday footwear.
Loving Love I s l a n d ?
As a “Love Island super fan,” I can confidently say that "Love Island USA" Season Six was the best season yet!
Story by Wynnie Sprague | Opinions Editor
Ahot new bombshell has entered the villa," is a line I feel like we all heard a thousand times this summer. "Love Island USA" blew up after last summer's sixth season, but is it really worth the watch? I am going to rate three different categories of the show to give you my honest review: the overall casting, the relationships and the drama.
I have been watching "Love Island" since the first US season aired and I have even watched other countries' versions, like the United Kingdom’s version and Australia’s version. Up until this summer, I had never been impressed by "Love Island USA" because I felt like I never truly got interested in the plot of the show, the characters or their relationships.
This summer, however, "Love Island USA" made the jump from being on the CBS network to being streamed on Peacock, which I think made a big difference in why the show blew up so much. In my opinion, the show has been casted with more characters who have strong personalities and people who are naturally more confrontational. In the past seasons, there were only a few islanders who showed their true personalities and weren’t afraid to be vulnerable, but this season, almost every character on the island shows those two qualities. Overall, I would give the casting a 4/5.
Another thing that contributes to the success of "Love Island" is how the producers show the evolution of not only the romantic relationships formed, but also the friendships that were made. I became obsessed with Leah, Serena and JaNa’s trio because everyone always talks about “how trios never work out." So for them to all find each other and have a successful friendship with so many personalities was so fun to see! Through their friendships, I felt like I could relate to them and I was so excited to watch them on my screen every night.
Another friendship I loved watching evolve was Aaron's and Rob’s; they instantly become best friends and it is really sweet to see how much they care for each other.
They are each other's biggest cheerleaders, which some of the other characters on the show think is “weird,” but I liked how they aren't afraid to show their true friendship and emotions.
I also loved how the producers show Kendall’s friendship with all of the girls. At times when he messes up and hurts the girls, I could see how bad he feels and it is cool to see him vulnerable with girls when he apologizes to them. Viewers can see how genuine he is, and how all of the islanders care deeply about each other. Overall, I would give the friendships a 5/5.
As for the relationship aspect of the show, I became obsessed with Leah and Rob’s relationship, from how they go from being America’s favorite couple to hating each other to just being friends. To me, it really shows how they are being their authentic selves, not trying to pursue a relationship to stay in the villa. They are honest with each other and they are definitely not afraid to fight, which brings interesting drama.
Serena and Kordell’s relationship is the most special for me to watch because they don't have an immediate connection and instead become really good friends in the beginning of the episodes. The evolution of becoming really good friends to realizing they could potentially be more than friends shows a more realistic side of a relationship and how they aren't faking anything to stay on the show.
Lastly, Kaylor and Aaron’s rollercoaster of a relationship provides some entertaining drama, to say the least. To me, it seems like they are constantly fighting and they don’t know what to do if they aren't doing so. They drive each other crazy! They both wear their hearts on their sleeves, which in their case is good and bad. Overall, I would rate the relationships a 5/5.
So in my honest opinion, I would 100% recommend watching the show if you are wanting an easy stream with lots of drama. b
The Price of Pumpkin: Cafe vs At-Home
As a self-proclaimed pumpkin aficionado, I tested popular coffee chains versus at-home coffee to determine which is worth your money.
Story and Photos by Molly Sonnenberg | Editor-in-Chief
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin': Pumpkin Spice Latte: $6.54: A homecoming tradition turned regular, Dunkin' became a staple in my morning routines after going the morning of my junior year Teresian. The rewards program, flavors, and bang-for-your-buck is what kept me driving past two different Starbucks locations to go there. So when the fall flavors arrived, I was elated to put aside my usual iced vanilla latte. On a chilly Saturday morning, I made my way over to Dunkin' and ordered the “Signature Pumpkin Spice Latte.” Disappointment is an understatement. Personally, I got no hints of pumpkin or fall feels, and the vanilla plus the pumpkin syrup was way too sweet. If you are looking for a headache and an upset stomach, this Dunkin' drink is for you.
Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros: Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Breve: $6.41: With new fall flavors at every corner, I decided to take the road less traveled and try Dutch Bros instead of my usual Starbucks. In the two times I’ve tried, Dutch Bros has yet to fail me, so naturally I had high hopes for their fall line. The “Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Breve” stuck out to me the most; however, what’s a breve, you may ask? Not sure, but to me it just tasted like a normal latte. It featured a delectable soft top (their version of cold foam) and raw sugar sprinkles that added a suprising yet delightful crunch. The latte was wonderfully flavored with tastes of sweet caramel, however, not as much pumpkin. While the latte was perfectly sweet and comforting, and I would order again, I had to desperately search for even the slightest hint of pumpkin. Overall, I recommend this drink if you prefer caramel vibes instead of pumpkin.
Dutch Bros worker tirelessly making my order as I wait in anticipation.
At Home: $4.26/12 fl oz. Ahh...the comfort of at-home coffee. I am no stranger to this process as I am a fan of buying iced premade coffee in stores and having the ease of Starbucks in my kitchen. I figured Target would be the best for this mission, and there I found all it took to create the perfect pumpkin spice latte: Stok Pumpkin Cold Brew Coffee, Delight Pumpkin Cold Foam Creamer and Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Creamer. All together the total was around $17, and the Stok cold brew equates to four 12 fl oz servings. However, the creamer and the cold foam have over 40 servings, resulting in two months worth of at-home lattes. The latte was very quick to come together, and all three products couldn’t have been more perfect together. This latte, perfectly customized to my kind of sweetness, made the perfect pumpkin spice latte. The Stok cold brew was perfectly pumpkin and the creamer and cold foam practically made me want to jump into a bushel of red and orange leaves. In conclusion, there’s no place like at-home latte. b
Seniors Dossi Brender and Grace Renz trying the fall drinks at Dunkin'.
The cold foam, cold brew, and creamer used to create the perfect at-home latte.
Film Feelings on
Several movies recently featured on the big screen focus on mental health awareness, connecting them to some of STA’s important
Story by Stella Baska | Features Editor and Marcella Buckley | Staff Writer
Do you ever look at someone and wonder, what is going on inside their head?” This summer’s movies had everyone wondering that same thing. “Inside Out 2,” “Twisters” and “It Ends with Us” all portray mental health issues in some shape or form.
“Inside Out 2”
Perhaps the most successful movie of the summer was Disney’s “Inside Out 2,” earning around $1.46 billion in the box office. Following Riley, the main character of the first movie “Inside Out,” the sequel highlights how different emotions evolve through her transition into high school, introducing new emotions, such as Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui.
Because the movie touches on Riley’s difficult emotions, it can provide awareness to viewers on mental health issues. The film also shows how difficult high school can be when someone struggles with anxiety or any other tough feeling.
Sophomore Claudia Wilson, who played Riley in STA’s orientation videos, relates to this message.
“’Inside Out 2’ does a really good job of explaining social pressures and how you feel when you go into high school,” Wilson said. “It represents how anxious and insecure you can feel in a new environment.”
STA’s school counselor Amanda Johnson agrees with the sentiment of strong emotions increasing as one gets older.
“I thought that [the movie] was good because emotions get bigger, stronger and more intense as we get a little bit older,” Johnson said. “We start to realize more things, so we feel more things.”
Not only does “Inside Out 2” spread awareness of new emotions, but it also gives advice to all ages on how to navigate them.
“Movies like ‘Inside Out’ really focus on emotional intelligence, being aware of what our emotions are and how we feel,” Johnson said. “When we learn to understand our emotions and what our body, our mind and our brains are feeling, we can manage it and deal with it differently.”
Navigating emotions is an important skill to have in high school especially, according to Wilson. Understanding how emotions work can help people understand each other’s experience.
“[Inside Out 2] even taught me things when I saw it over the summer,” Wilson said. “I saw my experience and the experience of people around me while going into high school through the movie and I think it’s really great.”
While “Inside Out 2” appeals to these everyday emotions of STA students, movies like “Twisters” touch on more traumatic mental struggles, like post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
“Twisters”
The movie begins with Kate Carter, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, chasing a tornado with her high school friends in Oklahoma. Tragedy ensues when several of the students are killed during the chase; Carter is shattered by the event and deals with the long-term repercussions. Years later, Carter is convinced to chase one more tornado, but the movie highlights her struggles with flashbacks and PTSD.
This movie showcases the needs of PTSD victims and valuing one’s mental state over peer pressure. For example, Carter decides to put herself first when her friends decide to go storm chasing. Experiencing a flashback, she backs away from chasing the storm.
Junior Ava Haskins, who absolutely loves “Twisters,” witnessed how PTSD can manifest in different ways when she saw the film.
“[The movie] shows that PTSD can look like many different things,” Haskins said.
When watching “Twisters” this summer, Haskins noticed how STA helps students with similar mental health issues.
“We in the STA community have to stick together and always be there for each other with the sisterhood that we create in our four years at STA,” Haskins said.
Haskins also sees movies in general as an escape from our small screens.
“As humans we see enough of the fake life on social media and we need movies and TV shows that pull us away from all of that,” Haskins said.
Though movies can be a destraction from social media, filmmakers also can use social media to advertise. One movie that gained popularity primarily through social media is “It Ends with Us.”
“It Ends with Us”
Based on the book by Colleen Hoover, “It Ends with Us” is about Lily Bloom, an eccentric florist, and her struggle with generational domestic violence.
After reading the book, junior Julianna Vesey went to see “It Ends with Us” in theaters, and connected to it.
“I like the storyline and the characters,” Vesey said. “It’s a romance, but also spreads awareness.”
Like “Inside Out 2” and “Twisters,” “It Ends with Us” shows viewers how conflicting different emotions and situations can be.
“You can see the internal conflict between Lily deciding if she should stay with her husband or not,” Vesey said. “Then you can also see at the end, or towards the end, when she realizes everything, and knows that it’s a bad situation.”
Vesey also understands the importance of mental health representation in all movies, just as “It Ends with Us” does.
“Movies can help people be more open about things if they’ve experienced similar situations or if they’re just scared to talk about mental health or anything that they’re going through,” Vesey said.
Vesey relates to this movie not in the domestic violence aspect, but in how strong friendships are prevalent in a person’s life.
“I think ‘It Ends with Us’ does [connect to my life at STA] a little bit just in the friendship aspect between Lily and Ryle’s sister,” Vesey said. “They’re really good friends throughout the movie and right off the bat, too.”
TBEHIND T H E COLORS
Life at STA connects to all these movies because mental health awareness is important to students. To Johnson, mental health must be made a priority at STA because so many people deal with it.
“One in five young women struggle with some type of mental health issue like anxiety or depression,” Johnson said. “So we need to make sure that our students and our community have resources available to make sure everyone feels supported.”
One way Johnson has made sure that everyone has felt support at STA is through Sources of Strength, an extracurricular based on a universal program preventing mental health crises and highlighting people’s support systems.
“At STA, we have a really great Sources of Strength program,” Johnson said. “Sources is about promoting a message of hope, healing and strength, rather than sadness, despair, loneliness and crisis.”
Sources of Strength offers a number of campaigns to remind students that they are not alone.
“We’ll do different things around campus, like Post-It notes on the cars or the mirrors in the bathrooms, just to give people positivity.” Johnson said.
“I think one of the most important things is to know who we can talk to,” Johnson said. “In crisis we should know, ‘Let’s call 988, let’s go see Miss Johnson. Let’s go see Mrs. Gajewski. Let’s go check in with our advisor.’”
With the popularity of this summer’s movies and STA’s advocacy practices, this feeling of openness about mental health is contagious to students, which Vesey has noticed.
“Our counselors are just very open and are very comforting if you ever need anything,” Vesey said. “The energy the community gives off is just helpful. You can talk to anyone, and you won’t be judged.”b
Mental Health Metrics
33.7% of 18-25 year olds experience mental illness
The energy the community gives off is just helpful. You can talk to anyone, and you won’t be judged,
Julianna Vesey “ “
In addition to sources of strength, another way for students to get involved in mental health advocacy at STA is to know who to contact when someone is in crisis.
17% of 12-17 year olds experience a major depressive episode
45.2% of adults s aid Covid-19 negatively impacted their mental health statistics provided by University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Right on Target
Editorial by Jo Marshal | Social Media Editor
The Dart staff debates as to whether or not new films are improving young audiences’ understanding of mental health.
Last summer, many new movies hit the big screen:
“Twisters” highlights the turbulent hobby of storm-chasing, grappling with topics of grief and PTSD.
“It Ends With Us” follows the life of a young woman who falls victim to domestic violence.
“Inside Out 2” frames emotions and stress in a way that is palatable for young children.
What do all of these films have in common? Their portrayal of mental health issues. This poses the question: Have recent films improved young audiences’ understanding of mental health issues?
The Dart staff members unanimously answered “yes,” but their reasoning varied.
Many agreed that “Inside Out 2” does a wonderful job of simplifying complex issues like anxiety for young viewers. One staffer noted that children are now using words like “stressed” and “anxious” to describe their feelings, which was uncommon for children in previous generations.
“Twisters” made headlines for its impressive cast. Boasting household names like Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos and Glen Powell, viewers had high hopes for the film. Many viewers went for one actor in particular, up-and-coming heartthrob Powell.
However, a few staffers noted that the excitement around his involvement in the movie overshadowed the themes of PTSD, and distracted viewers from the point of the movie. Other staffers argued that Hollywood cannot
control how viewers respond to films once they are released.
“It Ends With Us” shines a light on domestic violence. Some staffers felt that the movie goes beyond just drawing awareness to the serious matter, but ends up normalizing and glorifying abusive relationships.
The plot highlights moments where the victim doesn’t realize she is being abused, or attempts to see her abuser in a different light. Many staffers agreed that this was easily misconstrued as the movie glamorizing the abuse rather than providing a look into the victim’s point of view.
This introduces a key issue in Hollywood’s involvement in the portrayal of mental health issues and sensitive topics: How can one toe the line between drawing healthy awareness versus normalizing such serious issues? Will the portrayal of these issues resonate with people who have had such experiences in their lives? There are many nuances that make these questions difficult to answer.
These movies certainly do increase young audiences’ understanding of mental health issues, but do they improve them? The Dart staff agrees that although it is difficult to accomplish, these three movies portray mental health struggles in a sensitive and productive way, which is decidedly beneficial to young viewers.b
Freshmen Feels & Freshmen Feels
As the school year continues, freshmen acclimate
Story by Rebecca McGannon | Editor-in-Chief
It’s the first day of school, and everyone’s new shoes are squeaking against the floor tiles while they rush to find their new classes. The seniors might be strolling down the hallway stopping to say hi to all the friends they’ve missed over the summer. The juniors could be found with a heavy workload filling their backpacks and the sophomores are close behind. However, it’s always clear which girls are the newbies, the rookies, or the freshmen.
Every girl at STA knows what this feels like. All students remember the nerves of freshmen year and the excitement of it: the overwhelming feeling of being at a new school with new people while also having so many exciting, fun experiences.
Freshmen Katherine Campbell and Mckinley Krantz voice how they are feeling with adjusting to high school. “It was definitely a little overwhelming at first because it seemed like everyone went to Vis and Academie Lafayette,” Krantz said. “But it wasn’t that hard, and everyone here is super friendly.”
Campbell echoed her concerns. “The first few weeks have been pretty overwhelming just getting to know how everything works with new teachers, new buildings and new everything,” Campbell said. “But it’s been easy to navigate because there’s so much like support here and people that are willing to help you. I like it better than my old school.”
Campbell and Krantz also highlighted how their grade school roots have affected their start at STA. “I went to Vis,” Campbell said.” I think Vis has the most amount of girls coming to STA
from all the grade schools. But it’s been nice because some of my classes don’t have a lot of classes from Vis so I get to meet new girls.”
However, Krantz didn’t have the same experience as she came from Barstow School. “I was the only one from my grade school that came to STA,” Krantz said.
Amidst all the chaos of starting high school, there are a variety of tools and resources at STA to help and support students. Krantz joined the cross country team this fall. “It was definitely helpful to go to the summer running before cross country and to get to know people before coming on the first day,” Krantz said. “I really like to run and it’s been really fun. Cross country has definitely made me feel welcome.”
Campbell also joined a fall sport, golf, and the math team, both of which have helped her make connections. “I’m playing golf and I’ve gotten to know people that I never thought I’d be friends with or get to know at all,” Campbell said. “That’s been really great. I’m also on the math team so I get to meet a variety of people there.”
One special opportunity for freshmen to get to know the school and their classmates better is the annual Freshmen Retreat, which was held on September 20th after a half-day schedule. The retreat centered around fostering friendship and familiarity within STA. Freshmen got the opportunity to meet other freshmen within their group as well as upperclassmen group leaders.
Despite these freshmen year jitters, Campbell and Krantz both agreed on how excited they are for their years ahead at STA. “ I really love the sisterhood aspect,” Campbell said. “I just felt really comfortable and at home here. I’m really looking forward to my time at STA." b
Freshman Catherine Fanning and junior Mary Meyers get to know each other at the Freshmen Retreat.
A group of freshmen smile while eating popcorn during a movie at the retreat on Sept. 20.
Senior & Sentiments Senior Sentiments
to STA and senior nostalgia begins to set in. and Photos by Maya Tule | Photo Editor
Every STA student has heard at one time or another something along the lines of, “Cherish your time at STA because it really does go by in a blink of an eye.” Three seniors, Madeline Knox, Callie London and Caroline Koehler, all look back at their time at STA as the last year of their high school experience begins.
As they remember their freshmen, sophomore and junior years, Knox and London reminisce on how they’ve grown. “I think the teachers have really helped me grow,” London said. “Their support has been really helpful and I like knowing that they want every student to succeed.”
Knox echoed those feelings. “I think I’ve grown into a better learner and become more open to opportunities and experiences,” Knox said. “My teachers have also really helped me grow as a person throughout my time at STA.”
Seniors London, Knox and Koehler also begin to feel the sorrows that come with your last year at STA. “I’m really going to miss all my friends and teachers, just the overall community of STA,” Koehler said.
Knox feels similarly. “I will miss hanging out with my friends during the school day, the campus and just all the support I’ve gotten from my teachers,” said Knox.
advice for freshmen:
Madeline Knox
“Be open to talking to as many new people as you can, make connections with the girls in your class and get involved.”
teachers,” Knox said.
In addition, the senior Stars look back at their favorite experiences and memories at STA. Knox’s highlight was her time on the cross country team. “I’ve loved every single moment of being on the cross country team,” Knox said. “Even though running is hard, it’s so fun and I love the team.”
London also cherishes her time on a sports team, this time lacrosse. “I’ve really loved my experience on the lacrosse team,” London said. “I’ve made a lot of friends and memories through it.”
Instead of sports, Koehler looks back on her fond times during the annual Interim week.
“One of my favorite things we do at STA is interim week.,” Koehler said. “I really like how we get take classes beyond our regular ones while also easing back into school after the break.”
Overall, as seniors’ times at STA begin to wrap up, students start to feel the chaotic emotions that go along with it. With everything from nostalgia to excitement to sadness, the class of 2025 begins to think about their next chapters. b
Callie London
“Smile at people you don’t know in the hallway because you can make someone’s day.”
Caroline Koehler
“Be open to new experiences. You really get out what you put into high school. So just get involved and try new things. “
Colorconnections
Students share their opinions on the color associations of school subjects.
Story by Julia Schwaller | Staff Writer
Is math blue or red? Is history yellow? One of the most intriguing debates among today’s students is which color is associated with which subject.
Colors are often paired with a feeling—blue is sadness, joy is yellow, and red is anger. Students associate those colors with how school subjects make them feel.
Junior Ava Haskins said, “Red is such an angry color and math makes me angry.”
Some students don’t have a precise reason for associating a color with a subject.
“I have no reason [why math goes with red],” freshman Raegan Tarwater said, “It just feels right.”
Sophomore Myra Hicks agrees: “There is no explanation,” Hicks said. “[Math] is just red.”
A survey was sent to the students at STA to get their opinions on these color connections. 41% of students think purple goes with religion. The most agreed upon color pairing goes to science with a whopping 76% associating it with green. Nature is commonly connected with green, making this an easy call for most students. The closest race for color associations occurs in history and English. For history, 28% of students think it is orange and 25% think it is yellow. English carries the same percentages with 28% of students believing it is yellow and 25% believing it is blue. However, almost half of the STA students surveyed think math is red.
According to Mental Health America’s website, “Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing and calming.” Students may associate colors of these types with certain subjects because of students’ feelings during those classes. B
41% associate purple with religion
76% associate green with science
28% associate yellow with English
Could color psychology have something to do with so many students agreeing on this topic? The website of the London Image Institute says, “Color psychology has become a popular area of color theory that assigns emotional and psychological connotations between colors and emotions.”
Often, a person’s feelings about color can have something to do with a childhood memory.
“For all of the colors I got school supplies given to me and it was just those colors that I answered with,” senior Amelia Searle said.
28% associate orange with history
49% associate red with math
COME SIT WITH US!
What to expect in STA’s upcoming production of “Mean Girls” this fall.
Story by Anna Salinardi | Staff Writer
That’s so fetch!
Wear your pink and prepare to watch a production of “Mean Girls”, coming to STA Nov. 6-9.
Shana Prentiss, theater teacher and director of STA Shooting Stars Theater, talked about why she chose to do this iconic musical.
“I am obsessed with ‘Mean Girls!’ I just think there are so many important messages in this musical,” Prentiss said. “Women battle against so many things and I think this musical beauti-fully addresses all of that, so when I had the opportunity to bring it to STA, I was imme-diately like ‘let’s do it.’ It is so important that we do it and fortunately our administration was so incredibly supportive.”
This is the first time “Mean Girls” has been brought to STA and in a unique twist, five of the main characters in the musical are double cast and a number of other students are playing multiple roles.
Students throughout all grades are eagerly anticipating the production.
“I think it’s going to be great,” freshman Eleanor Reisch said. “I am so excited because I have grown up watching that movie,” sophomore Carly Lewellen said.
Other students are looking forward to seeing their peers on the stage.
“I can’t wait to watch my classmates,” junior Lydia Anielak said. B
The role of Regina George was double cast and both actresses were asked how they plan to put their own twist into the character.
“I put my twist on Regina George because I think with every different person, everyone has their input and authentication on that specific character and how you play it, and I hope to put an Andie Bradley spin on Regina George.”
-Andie Bradley
“I plan to put my own twist on Regina George by just putting a little bit of humanity into the character. I’m going to try to put a little bit of myself into the character and find ways to make her seem more human and relatable.”
-Miller Wacht
WHEN: November 6-9 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Shooting Stars Theater in the STA Auditorium
TICKETS: Be on the lookout for a link from Ms. Prentiss in the coming weeks!
STArt Legacy of a
I feel great about the team this year. It’s really not about our Win-Loss record. It’s 100% about what we’re building towards and this year is about recognizing the hard work that we’re putting in, not what those numbers on the board say.
Taylor Bacon Schmidt
Field hockey coach Taylor Bacon Schmidt and varsity captain Dossi Brender share their insight on the first season of field hockey at St. Teresa’s Academy.
Story and Photos by Maya Tule | Photography Editor
St.Teresa’s Academy has adopted a new club sports team, field hockey. With 54 girls having tried out the week before school, field hockey starts its season with three teams. The Stars have been practicing at Pembroke Hill Lower School and the STA field.
As they keep persevering through the season, players are also working towards making it a permanent part of the STA athletic program. To some of the girls, it already feels like a “real” STA team.
“It feels just like a STA team,” senior captain Dossi Brender said. “I play other sports here, and this feels like such a good, supportive community. We all love each other; we’re like sisters.”
Brender, wanting to get more involved in the STA community and build connections with underclassmen, began playing field hockey for the first time this year. She is optimistic about the season and the team.
“I feel like we are better than we all thought that we would be,” Brender said. “We have lots of good talent and I feel like we all have potential to be better leaders to come.”
The team’s coach, Taylor Bacon Schmidt, has coached field hockey for six years and is passionate about growing the sport.
“I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to help start field hockey at STA,” Schmidt said. “When I played in high school, Pembroke and Sion were the only two teams, and we always wished we had other teams to play.”
Schmidt loves coaching and claims she would continue to do so at STA if field hockey becomes a permanent part of the athletic program.
“What I like most about coaching is watching the sense of accomplishment
that girls have once they’ve mastered a skill, once they’ve worked really hard to get better at something, because I can only do so much,” Schmidt said. “I can show them how to get better, but they have to want to do it. I love helping instill that fire and that drive to get better. I think what I enjoy most is watching them make that progress, especially from freshmen to seniors, watching them grow and mature as young women, and it’s so much more than just the sport.”
The team continues to grow and get stronger while working towards something bigger than winning and losing games.
“One of the things that I talk about with the girls a lot is about the legacy that they’re building right now,” Schmidt said. “I’m so proud that these girls know that they’re not just playing for themselves. They’re playing for the future generations that are going to go through St. Teresa’s Academy one day; their daughters could play field hockey, and they can say to themselves, or they can say to their daughters, ‘I’m part of the reason you have the opportunity to do that.’ I was lucky enough to be part of the inaugural season, and now part of my legacy is that I gave young women at St. Teresa’s an opportunity to play another sport. Because there’s no downside to having more sports to play, right? So if I can be part of that legacy here helping create opportunities for young women to find confidence and success in a new sport, I would never pass up that opportunity.”
Schmidt expresses how she loves working with teams and is hopeful about the season.
“I just feel so lucky to get to know these girls,” Schmidt said. “I think St. Teresa’s does an amazing job of fostering a culture of respect, kindness and overall good citizenship. You’re just creating well-rounded human beings, and I’ve witnessed that on the field with them. I’ve watched these girls be respectful of not only their fellow teammates, but the coaches. They
ask thoughtful questions. They are very intentional about the way that they participate in practice. It’s clear that they want to get better, and they’re not just there, just to be there. I think as a coach, I’m so grateful to have a group of young women who make me really happy to be a coach because, if I’m being honest, you don’t get a great group of girls every year. Some years it can be tough.”
Although it is the majority of the girls first time playing field hockey, the student athletes have shown their dedication and commitment to the team. Schmidt expressed that the seniors especially have made a big contribution to the team.
“Wow, did I get lucky with my first group of girls, particularly this group of seniors,” Schmidt said. “I’ve told them multiple times that I’m so glad they’re my seniors and leaders on this team because I can’t imagine what this team would be right now if I didn’t have this group of seniors. But I’m really bummed that they’re seniors. I’d love to work with them for four years.”B
Oct. 9
Field hockey players’ field postions
The Perksof a G ood Movie
The comfort of connection: Why “Perks of Being a Wallflower” resonates with me.
Column
by Cassie Hallier | Design Editior
The familiar click of a typewriter to the opening notes of “Could It Be Another Change” flood out of my computer speakers. A voice speaks, “Dear friend, I am writing to you…” My favorite movie begins.
I have been watching “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” at least once a month since the fall of ninth grade, when a TikTok about it happened across my “For You” page. I was recently off of a “Harry Potter” kick, so another Emma Watson movie was a welcome addition to my life. I was hooked before she even came on the screen.
In order for a movie to be considered one of my favorites, I judge it on three things: First, the soundtrack.
for the first time. In this moment, the main character Charlie describes his emotions poetically saying “I swear we are infinite,” This line summarizes the highs and low of adolescence, which most viewers can’t help but relate to.
Second on my list of good movie qualities is entertainment value.
The soundtrack of “Perks of Being a Wallflower” is exactly what the soundtrack of a coming-of-age movie should be. It opens with light-hearted staccato piano notes and closes with upbeat cymbals and guitar strums. It is a sea of undiscovered songs that anyone who slightly relates to the movie will instantly fall in love with. However, it is also littered with familiar favorites that anyone could sing along to. Each time one of these songs begins to play in the back of a scene, every emotion being felt by the characters on screen is encapsulated. The characters eagerly search for what is dubbed the “tunnel song” (“Heroes” by David Bowie). The tunnel song plays on the radio one night as they drive, and our characters strive to feel the way they felt upon hearing it for the
I, like most Gen Z teenagers, have a very short attention span, and it is increasingly challenging for me to sit still and watch a movie or show for longer than five minutes. The first time I watched “Perks,” I couldn’t look away from the screen. Even now, as I find myself mouthing the lines with the characters, it is impossible for me to glance away for even a second, worried I will miss out on the chance to pick up on a new detail or miss one of my favorite parts.
A good plot keeps a viewer enraptured the entire span of a film. It includes complex characters, wild twists and jaw-dropping lines. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” does an excellent job at each one of these. It is best at making the viewer feel things, though. I often find myself laughing, crying and singing right along with my favorite characters, feeling like part of the movie myself.
The last major box a movie must check for me is character quality.
I think that viewers must be able to deeply connect with at least one character in a movie to be able to enjoy it. As we found in our centerspread, the opportunity to see oneself represented in film allows people to get more in touch with their own feelings.
The numerous traits represented by the core characters in “Perks of Being a Wallflower” allowed me to see a bit of myself showcased and ultimately become more comfortable with my own personality.
So Dart readers, my advice to you is to take some time and watch your favorite movie, and if you don’t have one, you’re welcome to share mine! Reflect on the comfort it brings you - happy watching! b
The Gilmore Get Up
"Gilmore Girls" first aired in the early 2005, and has become a fall staple for a whole new generation of viewers.
Column by Kennedi Fritz | Staff Writer
Lily’s Luxuries
At a school where uniforms are required, I find self expression in other ways.
Column by Lily Remer | Staff Writer
Ilove being a girl.
Getting my hair, lashes and nails done and going shopping are probably some of my favorite things. But you know what’s better than getting all this stuff done? Doing it yourself!
Don’t get me wrong, having these luxuries done professionally is definitely more relaxing, but as a teenage girl in this economy, my wallet is screaming at me. So I made the decision to resort to press-on nails, eyelash extension kits and hair masks/tools.
Let me tell you, these probably were some of the best decisions I could have made. Though the first couple of times I did any of these things were a little tough, it paid off. Not only have I gained new experience by implementing these luxuries for myself, I have saved so much money in the process.
And while it’s always great to save a few bucks, I think there are more notable insights to be gained from my experience. Going to STA, where uniforms are required, it’s especially important to me to find ways to express myself while rocking my STA attire. Even if it’s something as small as painting my nails or doing my hair, doing little things like that makes me look good and feel good, which helps me do even better.
Gilmore Girls” is a global phenomenon, and this beloved show is known by many. From a variety of viral references to the 2016 revival “GilmoreGirls:A YearintheLife,” the show’s fame never ceases.
Personally, I had no idea what the sensation was until I started watching the show last year, and since then, I still pose the question: why is fall the season? Why is “Gilmore Girls” so popular in the fall?
According to RollingStone, “Gilmore Girls” is the ultimate fall classic. Their sources say the creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, based the show off of a small town she visited with her husband during October.
Inspired by the hayrides and pumpkin fields, ShermanPalladino knew she had to incorporate this amazing feeling into the show.
“My husband [Daniel Palladino] and I were coincidentally going away that weekend to see Mark Twain’s house in Connecticut and it was fall, it was around October, and all of that was evident in this small town,” Sherman-Palladino said.
“It was all very beautiful and cute and I said to Dan, ‘It’s like Central Casting came out and created this town. Do people really live like this?’” Sherman-Palladino said. “That was the day that I went back to the inn [we were staying at], I got a little pad that was in the room, and I wrote a bunch of notes on it. That’s sort of where I created the whole show.”
Coming into school and feeling confident is such an energy booster, not only do I radiate positivity but also it helps build more conversation with peers. Feeling good about myself and my appearance honestly allows me to participate and actively engage in school and out-of-school activities.
Going into my freshman year, I felt very intimidated and insecure at times. Learning to accomplish these luxuries helped me get through that time of vulnerability. I found myself feeling more confident and starting to talk to others and branch out. Now, I do my friends’ hair and makeup all the time
What I hope you can take away from this is: self expression and truly being yourself is the best way to overcome moments of insecurity. So do that hobby! Paint your nails! Join that club! Apply to that job! Do whatever it takes to make you feel like you. b
Don’t get me wrong, having these luxuries done professionally is definitely more relaxing, but as a teenage girl in this economy, my wallet is screaming
Fans say the show feels festive, giving viewers a sense of nostalgia against the beautiful autumn colors as they view the fictional town.
What does STA think about the fall classic? Let’s look at what some students say about the subject:
Freshman Illiana Dyer-Beale expressed the need to indulge in this fall trend.
“I watch ‘Gilmore Girls’ in the fall because the show is set in the fall,” Dyer-Beale said. “Everyone drinking coffee with each other just gives fall vibes.”
Other students believe it’s a relatable, feel-good show, embodying a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
So after multiple opinions, I think the answer to “why fall is the season” is obvious: The iconic fall show radiates the season, giving life and comfort to fans of the franchise. With that being said, grab a drink, grab a snack, grab a cozy blanket and dive into the wonderful world of Stars Hollow. b
“
The Reading Nook
Story by Isa Glover | News and Sports Editor
Sophomore Lily Remer shares her favorite recent read: “If He Had Been With Me” by Laura Nowlin. “If He Had Been With Me” is a fictional romance/ coming-of-age novel published on April 2, 2013.
“It [the book] is about two best friends who grew up together and end up drifting apart,” Remer said. “The story is about them slowly falling in love with one another from a distance.”
Remer enjoyed the author’s perspective of teenage love through the character’s Autumn and Finny.
“My favorite character is Finny because I love how he carries himself,” Remer said. “The author’s perspective on teenage years felt more realistic than other teenage stories.”
Remer recommends this book to anyone who likes to read.
“I would recommend this book to anybody that likes romance and sad books,” Remer said. “This is a great book for anyone looking for a good read.”
Staff Picks: Mascara
“My favorite mascara is the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High because I love how thin the brush is,” senior Maya Tule said. “It doesn’t make my eyelashes clumpy. It’s my go-to.”
“My favorite mascara is from Thrive Causemetics and it is called Liquid Lash Extension,” junior Wynnie Sprague said. “I love this because it adds length and volume to my lashes, and it isn’t thick.”
“My favorite mascara is the Ilia brand,” senior Rebecca McGannon said. “I love it because one side of the wand is volumizing and the other is lengthening.”
photo courtesy of Amazon.com
Lifting
Our Community
Juniors Maddie Dwyer and Audrey Peterson began a new extracurricular: Lift. Read on to learn about it.
Story by Isa Glover | News and Sports Editor
With the start of a new school year comes new extracurriculars. Juniors Maddie Dwyer and Audrey Peterson started Lift, an acronym for Living In Fellowship and Truth, to bring a faith-based group to STA.
Dwyer describes Lift as, “a youth group at STA where we can deepen our faith in St. Teresa’s roots and help everyone find a way to connect with others and their faith that they haven’t been able to do at STA before.”
Dwyer and Peterson came up with the idea to start Lift
We started Lift to create a welcoming community of faithful girls at STA. Our goal is to inspire girls to develop their relationship with the Lord while being empowered through the CSJ mission Audrey Peterson “
after returning from a CSJ leadership camp.
“When we came back from the camp, there wasn’t an outlet to continue our faith the way we wanted to, so we decided to create that at STA,” Dwyer said.
“We started Lift to create a welcoming community of faithful girls at STA,” Peterson said. “Our goal is to inspire girls to develop their relationship with the Lord while being empowered through the CSJ mission.”
Dwyer wants Lift to be an extracurricular open to all.
“Lift is for everyone,” Dwyer said. “ You don’t have to be Catholic. It’s a space that you can learn, have fun and become closer with God and other people.”
Dwyer and Peterson both felt inspired to start Lift because of the role religion plays in their own lives.
“Religion is a way to talk about what I’m feeling,” Dwyer said. “It [religion] helps me have a quiet moment to myself or connect with people that I don’t think I shared the same beliefs or ideas with.”
“In my own experience, growing in my faith has benefited every aspect of my life and the relationships I have made along the way are priceless,” Peterson said. “I want to allow STA students the chance to create lifelong relationships rooted in faith.”
Junior Gabby Egan decided to join Lift to grow in her faith and community.
“I really enjoy being a part of a group,” Egan said. “I liked what they [Lift] had to say about bringing people closer together as a community within STA.”
Dwyer and Egan are looking forward to the first Lift meeting.
“We will be doing a lot of crafts and activities,” Dwyer said. “We’ll also be learning different ways to pray and talking about our faith.”
Egan is excited for one activity in particular.
“We’re about to do Tell Me S’mores which I think is really cute, because we’re going to make s’mores and just talk about ourselves and what we enjoy about going to STA and our religion,” Egan said. B
POPS OF PER S ONALIT Y
With their everyday outfits limited to a polo and a plaid skirt, STA students seek every opportunity to express themselves.
Story by Cassie Hallier | Design Editor
a)When looking for clues on a person’s identity, the best place to look is their shoes. Whether it be an old white pair of Converse littered with doodles or a fresh pair of Adidas Gazelles, bright in color and purchased especially for the new school year; shoes provide a welcome window into a person’s soul.
b)Student’s personalities are also showcased by the overflowing pencil cases they keep in their backpacks. While these are wonderful storage spots for the students writing utensils, they also serve as a safe place to store one’s favorite lip balm or perfume for school day touch-ups.
c) Individuality is also abundant when glancing around a classroom at raised hands: bracelets litter student’s wrists. Whether they be shiny and new, jingling with charms, or old and woven, ridden with memories, each bracelet holds both meaning and personality.
d)What teenage girl doesn’t love a manicure? Nails are a perfect place for students to add in pops of their personalities. They can be painted a student’s favorite color or covered in designs that represent her interests!
e) One place you are sure to find a glimpse of an STA student’s personality is their computer. Since the arrival of the new tech last year, girls wasted no time layering their laptops in stickers. One glance at the top of a computer could tell you a girl’s favorite place to travel, favorite brand or favorite song!
The DART | Last Look | designed by Cassie Hallier
2024-25
DART
STAFF
Advisor
Dianne Hirner
Editors-In-Chief
Chloe Denk
Molly Sonnenberg
Rebecca McGannon
Features Editor
Stella Baska
Design Editors
Cassie Hallier
Lauren Rando
Opinions Editor
Wynnie Sprague
Photography Editor
Maya Tule
Sports/News
Editor
Isa Glover
Social Media Editor
Jo Marshall
Staff Writers
Anna Salinardi
Julia Schwaller
Kennedi Fritz
Lily Remer
Marcella Buckley
Odelia Colvin
Santina Bonino
Savannah Taylor
COVER DESIGN BY
Jo Marshall | Social Media Editor
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