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From dancer to artist, from runner to actor, the Dart tracked down seven incoming freshman from various backgrounds and asked them about what makes them stand out. see pages 4 & 5

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2 | news | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | August 18, 2011

DART

people and policies

STA construction continues

Eric Thomas............................................................advisor Katie Hyde................................................editor-in-chief print Hannnah Wolf.....................managing editor of print Allison Fitts....................................................copy editor Mary O’Leary................................................news editor Lucia Maschler........................................opinion editor Katie McCombs..............................................a&e editor Kate Rohr........................................centerspread editor Lane Maguire............................sports & health editor Christina Barton.....................................features editor Rowan O’Brien-Williams....................lifestyles editor Sara Meurer.........................................in the mix editor Emily McCann........................................last look editor Caitlin Fletcher...............................................staff writer Sara-Jessica Dilks...........................................staff writer Lauren Langdon............................................staff writer Adrianna Ohmes...........................................staff writer Mickey Redlingshafer..................................staff writer photography Celia O’Flaherty..........................................photo editor Sarah Godfrey................................staff photographer Rosie Hutchison............................staff photographer Meghan Lewis................................staff photographer Shaeffer Smith...............................staff photographer web Cara McClain........................managing editor of web Chelsea Birchmier........................................copy editor Nikki Rodriguez.....................multimedia web editor Erin Sellers..................................................photo poster Emily Bresette......................................daily web editor Emily Wemhoff....................................daily web editor Abby Uche............................................daily web editor Natalie Fitts........................social media & circulation Emma Wheatley.......................................videographer Anna Leach................................................videographer Katie Parkinson................................standing features policies ownership and sponsership The Dart is created by the student newspaper staff and is published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church, whether on a diocesan or worldwide level. editorial policy The Dart is subject to prior review by the St. Teresa’s Academy administration in circumstances that concern student safety and illegal behavior by students. Otherwise, the policies above will guide the Dart. The Dart intends to be a public forum for voices regardless of diverse ages, sexes, races, cultures, religions or beliefs. Signed columns reflect the opinions of the individual, not necessarily the newspaper staff or the school community. letters policy The Dart encourages letters to the editor. Letters can be sent in the following ways: in person to Eric Thomas in D204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, attn: Eric Thomas, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; or by email to ethomas@stteresasacademy.org. Letters should be limited to 250 words.

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

dartnewsonline.com

bob the builder H Construction workers build a stone wall around the track and field during the summer months. The new track and field is expected to be completed in late October. Photo by ALLISON FITTS

Workers spend their days building new track and field, Chapel of St. Joseph and Windmoor Center

by KATE ROHR krohr@dartnewsonline.com

Track

Updates: • In accordance with city requirements, a sidewalk will be built along the edge of the north field.

• A black steel fence will surround the north field.

• Parents can purchase gold stars with their daughter’s name and years as an STA athlete engraved on them. These stars will be placed on the fence around the north field. The money raised from these stars will help fund the construction of the track.

• The field on the west side of campus is being leveled to improve practices held there.

• A javelin pit is being constructed on the west side of campus.

• UMKC will rent the new athletic facilities once completed. They will practice during school hours so as not to conflict with STA sports teams. This is one way STA is subsidizing the cost of the fields.

• The track is scheduled to be finished in late October.

Chapel of St. Joseph & Windmoor Center

Updates: • According to president Nan Bone, the chapel will be completed in late December and will be available for moving in after the Christmas break.

• The chapel will be featured in the environmental magazine Greenability because of the geothermal wells around the chapel.

• The lace exterior surrounding the chapel will be installed in October.

• STA administration is consulting SKC, a communications technology company, to help decide what technology will be used in the classrooms of the Windmoor Center.

• STA is close to reaching its fundraising goal.

Summary

Construction on the Chapel of St. Joseph and Windmoor Center began March 23 after a groundbreaking ceremony and blessing of the site. The chapel will be used for class or alumnae masses and meditations, and the Windmoor Center will be used for some class sessions.

The chapel will seat 150 to 175 people and the Windmoor Center will be a room that can be converted into one to four different sections.

The building is scheduled to be completed in late December.

A renovation of the soccer field on the north side of campus and the addition of a track began June 1 and is scheduled to be completed in late October. The renovation will improve and enlarge the current soccer field and softball diamond as well as adding a track and batting cages.

For more information on the chapel and track contstruction visit www.dartnewsonline.com.

uprooted H The scoreboard lies on the ground as construction of the track continues. Workers removed the softball field, bleachers, and benches as well. Photo by ALLISON FITTS

goin' to the chapel H Workers have made progress in the construction of the chapel throughout the summer. The Chapel of St. Joseph and Windmoor Center are expected to be completed after Christmas break.

Photo by ALLISON FITTS

August 18, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | editorial | 3

Don’t let anyone sit alone at lunch today

Graphic by SARA-JESSICA DILKS

Dear Freshmen,

Imagine for a moment that you take your first steps into the cafeteria today. Around you swarms a cacophony of unfamiliar voices, a bustle of unfamiliar bodies, a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Where do you sit?

You see the girl you went to summer camp with two years ago, the girls in your advisory, the girl who sat next to you in math this morning, the girl you shake hands with every Sunday at church.

You know somewhere among this group of girls is your best friend. You know that underneath your vulnerable freshman skin resides a confident student, one who isn’t afraid of going to lunch. You know four years from now, choosing where to sit will be subconcious. But today, it’s the biggest decision of your life.

You lug your backpack to a lone table and pretend you’re working on your world geography homework, wishing you were anywhere else.

You are completely, utterly, chillingly alone as

RIGHT ON

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

Here’s what they said:

by ADRIANNA OHMES

you watch the girls that are supposed to be your sisters laughing together over an inside joke.

You see a group of girls sharing a birthday cake together. You watch as two girls walk arm-in-arm to grab a candy bar at the vending machines.

But you remain alone.

A freshman’s experience in the lunchroom her first day of school can build her up or tear her down. It’s defining. It’s the moment between acceptance and rejection, between laughter and tears. It is the place, the moment, of the most widespread hurt feelings in a student’s four years at STA. And you, every single one of you, has the power to build up or destroy a classmate in the lunchroom today.

Your casual chatter, your feigned ignorance of her, sitting alone two tables over, your blatant disregard of her fragile, freshman feelings—it all will destroy her.

And you likely won’t notice.

Conversely, your casual, “hey,” your simple invitation to your table, one smile, one moment of recognition and acceptance, will define what might have been one of the worst days of her

high school experience.

Our solution: don’t allow anyone to sit alone today. Don’t allow any student’s first impression of STA to be one of rejection, of isolation, of fear. Don’t allow her opinion of your class to be marred by your insensitivity on your first day.

You have the opportunity to make a classmate’s day today: take it. You have the power to make a girl smile today: sieze it. You have the ability to make every single girl of the class of 2015 feel welcome here at STA: embrace it.

Imagine for a moment that you take your first steps into the cafeteria today. Around you swarms a cacophony of unfamiliar voices, a bustle of unfamiliar bodies, a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Where do you sit?

Just as you’re about to sit down at an abandoned table, heart sinking beneath your sneakers, you hear, “Hey. Do you want to come sit with us?” from a girl sitting happily amongst her friends.

Whew.

Be that girl. H

TOP FIVE: reasons to be friendly at lunch today In the chaos of the first day, often we forget to be our nicest selves.

Here’s why you should remember

by KATIE HYDE

1. Who knows? The girl sitting beside you might be your best friend three years from now.

2. Girls will remember if you hurt their feelings on their first day, especially if it’s intentional.

3. Conversely, girls will remember a kind word, a smile or an invitation to a lunch table.

4. Despite what you might think, it’s not nerdy to be nice your first day. It’s just nice.

5. It feels good. You will be spending the next four years with these girls. Start it off right.

What is some advice you would give to a freshman on how to make friends her first day of school?

“Don’t be afraid to talk to random girls. Just talk to them, get to know them. You’re all still new to this.”

“You’re not alone, everyone’s nervous.

Be yourself, and don’t be afraid to talk to someone.”

Cristina Dezeeuw sophomore

“Incoming freshmen: do sports. Challange yourself. Get involved with people who you don’t know so you can meet new people.”

Caroline Connor senior

Dezeeuw

Lizzy Luallian sophomore

Connor

Luallian

4

nnew

centerspread As school begins, the Dart interviews seven freshmen from the class of 2015 about their identity and the gifts that they can bring to the campus of St. Teresa’s Academy

by HANNAH WOLF and SARA JESSICA DILKS

With the

Fee Pauwels

Grade School: Academie Lafayette Advisory: Amick

Q: What is something cool about you?

A: I was born in Belgium, and I lived there until I

was two. I go back there pretty often, since my entire [extended] family lives there. I also speak three languages: English, French and Flemish.

Q: What would be your

Fiola

ideal lunch to eat at STA? A: Just a lot of food in general. I eat everything and anything. I couldn’t

Hayden Lee Grade School: St. Peter’s Advisory: Good

Q: Why did you choose STA? A: I know a lot of people that graduated [who]

loved the school. It’s a good school in the neighborhood.

Q: What made you try out for cross country?

A: My brother also does cross country and it’s a good way to stay in shape.

Q: What has been your favorite part about cross country so far?

A: I like running with people and meeting new

last six hours without eating because I swim [for Blazers, a competitive year-long swim team] five days a week and two and a half hours a day.

people.

Q: What crazy rumors have you heard about STA? A: That you will gain a lot of weight and that the fourth floor is haunted.

Q: Have you ever met any celebrities?

A: I recently met Cee Lo Green at a random hot dog

Q: What is something weird about you?

A: When I was little, my brother and I caught our

stand in Chicago.

kitchen on fire by putting my pull-ups in the oven. My brother liked to cook, so he put my pull-ups on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven.

Q: What was your favorite thing when you shad-

owed here?

A: I liked the advisories, and the fact that it’s pretty laid back. It seems like some teachers don’t even care if you talk [during class].

Q: What is your dream date?

A: Walking along the beach, going to a fancy

restaurant and he proposes to me...but then I say no.

5

Q: If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life what would it be?

A: Cake…chocolate with vanilla icing. run for it H Freshman Hayden Lee runs on the cross country team. photo by ERIN SELLERS

Q: What are you looking forward to the most here?

A: [That it is] an all girls school and meeting a lot

of new people.

Q: What are you most nervous about?

A: The homework. I know there will be a lot.

Q: What other things do you do in your free time?

A: Run, hang out with friends, sleep.

Q: What is your opinion of the STA/Sion rivalry?

A: I think its fun that you have a competitor and I’ll cheer for STA.

Q: What class are you looking forward to the most?

A: This year, Drawing 1, but I want to do ceramics when I’m older.

Q: If you could star in one TV show what would it be?

A: Modern Family.

Q: If you could change one thing about our uniforms what would it be?

A: You don’t have to tuck in your shirt.

Q: Is twinks a boy or girl?

A: Girl.

Q: What class are you dreading taking?

A: Algebra.

Q: What would be your ideal lunch here?

A: Waldo pizza.

the call of nature H Freshman Fallon Mitchell enjoys drawing at her desk next to a window where she can look outside. She lists nature as one of her inspirations. photo by ERIN SELLERS

Fallon Mitchell Grade School: Indian Hills Advisory: Sirridge

Q: How long have you been drawing?

A: A while... but I sit down and draw at least once a week. [The inspiration for my drawings] is usually nature.

Q: What made you want to try out for the tennis team?

A: I’ve played tennis for a really long time and it’s a lot of fun, and I wanted to get to know the other girls on the team.

Q: If you could add one restaurant campus, what would it be?

A: Noodles and Company. Because it’s so delicious.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most here?

A: STA vs. Sion games and the freshman mixers.

Q: If you could star in one TV show what would it be?

A: Criminal Minds

Q: What is something weird about you?

A: I covered my entire body in sharpie when I was three years old.

Leigh and Ann Campbell Grade school: St. Ann’s Advisory: Ann- Blake, Leigh-Himes

Q: Who’s older?

L (Leigh): Ann, by ten minutes.

a skullful actor H Freshman Gracie Fleming plans on trying out for the STA fall musical and spring play. photo by ERIN SELLERS

Q: Do you ever use that as an advantage?

A (Ann): The oldest person in our family always

gets the front seat. I always try to tell Leigh that I’m older but it doesn’t always work.

Gracie Fleming Grade School: Visitation

Q: What benefits are there of being twins?

L: We do homework together, you’re never alone.

Advisory: Prentiss

Q: What things do you want to get involved with

Q: What are your similarities and differences?

A: I can be really loud, Leigh is more quiet.

L: We have the same friends, like the same people.

at STA? A: I want to try out for a musical at Rockhurst or STA. [I will] probably audition for both and see which one I get into.

Q: What is your history with theater?

A: I’ve done Theater at Vis for six years. I just did

it as a summer activity, and the third year I did it I got a really good role. Ever since I got a good role, I’ve loved it and gotten bigger roles.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most at STA?

A: Auditioning for plays, meeting new people and going to an all girls school.

Q: If you could star in one movie, what would it be?

L & A: Mary Kate and Ashley

Sydney Wimes Grade School: St. Peter’s Advisory: Gargallo

Q: What is your dream date?

A: That’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25th.

Q: Why did you choose STA? A: I’ve been wanting to go since [I was in] 4th

Q: If you could pick one play/musical for STA to

Q: How long have you been dancing?

A: This will be my eleventh year doing competi-

Because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.

do, what would it be and what role would you want?

A: “Wicked,” and [play] Elphaba because I have the same range as her.

Q: What things do you have to share?

L: A room, we had to share a cell phone for a while.

bent outta shape H Freshman Sydney Wimes chills in a backbend during practice for Varsity dance team. photo by ERIN SELLERS

grade. I never wanted to go to any other school. tive dance.

Q: What has been your favorite part about dance team so far?

A: Going to Universal Dance Association (UDA)

Q: Do you finish each others sentences?

L & A: Yeah, sometimes.

dance camp in St. Louis with the team.

Q: What do you plan on getting involved in at STA? L: tennis and soccer A: cross country and soccer

Q: What was your favorite thing when you shadowed here?

A: In grade school, the teachers don’t really trust you, but here it just seems like you have more freedom. It seems like you’re treated more like adults.

Q: If you could star in one TV show what would it be?

A: “Jersey Shore.”

Q: What are you most excited for about STA? A: I’m excited about performing [for the dance team] at Rockhurst games, and also [going to] the Blue & White mixer.

seeing double H The Campbell twins, freshmen Leigh, left and Ann say that people don’t always realize they are twins, sometimes for a long time. photo by ERIN SELLERS

6 | sports | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | August 18, 2011

Injury sets back volleyball player’s season

BY THE NUMBERS: Kathleen 2010 • • • • • • • •

Kills: 345 Block Solo: 18 Block Assists: 14 Digs: 307 Aces: 48 149 kills shy of STA all time record Team MVP as a sophomore and junior Has lead team in kills since she was a freshman

source: former varsity volleyball head coach Amy Carlson

down in the dumps H Senior Kathleen Vogel keeps score on the sideline during varsity volleyball practice Aug. 15. Vogel broke her leg in June and will not be able to play for most of the season. Photos by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

After breaking her left fibula and tearing ligaments in her ankle, senior struggles to return to volleyball

by EMILY BRESETTE ebresette@dartnewsonline.com Leaving a friend’s house late June 20, the sky was pouring rain. In order to avoid getting wet, senior Kathleen Vogel and Rockhurst senior Logan Slattery started running, while she was in flip-flops. Halfway to her car, she slipped on a brick and her feet went out from under her; Vogel landed hard on her left leg.

Although it was painful, Vogel wanted to get home. Slattery helped her to her car and stayed with her as she drove home. On the way home, Vogel passed out multiple times, while driving, so Slattery took over. When Vogel finally made it home, he helped her inside and she called her parents in. They automatically knew Vogel was badly hurt and made a trip to the emergency room.

“The second [my parents] saw me they knew something was wrong,” Vogel said. “They both felt so bad for me because they saw how upset I was about [the injury].”

Four hours later, after undergoing x-rays, Vogel found out she had broken her fibula and had a fiberglass cast put on her leg to keep the bone in place.

Later in the week, Vogel had an MRI and found out she had torn two ligaments in her ankle as well. Just days later, Vogel had surgery to put her bone back in place and repair the two torn ligaments. Although Vogel will recover, it may not be in time to play with the STA varsity volleyball team.

“I know I can’t jump until October, if that,” Vogel said. “It depends on how therapy goes and how my

bones heal and how my ligaments heal.”

The first person Vogel called was fellow senior and varsity volleyball player Taylor Migliazzo. Migliazzo believes that even though Vogel may be out for a majority of the volleyball season, the team will not suffer.

“We are using this as a way to motivate our other players that are going to step up to the plate this year,” Migliazzo said. “We are not going to let this injury bring us down, but instead motivate us to be just as successful, if not more.”

According to Vogel, when she first found out her diagnosis, she was very upset.

“I’ve twisted my ankle tons of times playing volleyball,” Vogel said. “But it’s never been anything nearly this serious.”

Migliazzo said she did not originally know just how bad Vogel’s injury was.

“My initial reaction when [Vogel] called was that it was only a mild injury and she would be ready in a week or two,” Migliazzo said. “Then [Vogel] kept explaining the depth of the injury and I realized this is a much bigger deal then I first imagined.”

Rehab and therapy According to Vogel, she started physical therapy Monday at Serc Physical Therapy.

“I’m going to try and start gaining back some of the muscle that I lost,” Vogel said. “My leg is so weak because I haven’t walked on it. I’ll have to do training and conditioning once I can walk.”

According to physical therapist Mindy Nikoomanesh, who practices at St. Luke’s Hospital and is not Vogel’s physical therapist, if Vogel can do all her therapy exercises, she can return to volleyball right where she left off.

“There is a very good chance she can play volley-

ball at that same competitive level she once competed at,” Nikoomanesh said. “However, there is always a chance she may not get all her range of motion back in her knee and ankle, but she will be able to play volleyball.”

Nikoomanesh also said that Vogel needs to take therapy seriously and complete all her exercises, or her leg could stay weak.

“There would be a chance of future ankle and knee sprains on the injured leg,” Nikoomanesh said.

“If there are issues with weakness or stability, there is a higher chance of re-injury.”

Although Vogel does want to get back to volleyball as soon as she can, she should be cautious as there is always chance of re-injury to the leg, according to Nikoomanesh.

“If [Vogel] were to re-injure her leg, it would most likely not be in the same spot,” Nikoomanesh said. “If the bone heals properly, re-injury in the same spot would be difficult.”

However, even though re-injury is always possible, Nikoomanesh said that Vogel controls her own destiny. “[Recovery and possible re-injury] can all depend on the attitude of [Vogel],” Nikoomanesh said. “Hopefully with the right attitude and determination, she won’t have another bad accident like this again.”

Effect on volleyball Before her accident, Vogel was supposed to travel to Atlanta, Georgia to play in the 17-1 Nationals with her club volleyball team, the Mavs. This became impossible after she injured her leg and ankle.

“We were supposed to do really, really well,” Vogel said. “Then I found out I couldn’t play. I spent the whole week just completely devastated.”

The Mavs ended up placing 26 out of 31 teams.

Vogel believes the team would have played better with her in more ways than one.

“I think that [me playing] would have helped because we had gone through the whole season with a good flow,” Vogel said. “I think the fact that everybody had to change positions to compromise for me not playing affected them mentally and physically.”

According to Vogel, her injury was not just a setback to her team, but to her chances of getting a college scholarship as well. “[The injury] is definitely a setback because playing at Nationals is one of the biggest recruiting places you can be,” Vogel said. “The division that I was in this past year is the prime time to get a scholarship and have coaches watch you.”

However, even though Vogel missed out on playing and a scholarship this summer, she is hopeful she will recover in time for the next club season this winter in order to get a scholarship.

“At this point, I might have to walk on to play in college just because I haven’t gotten the exposure needed.”

Although Vogel may be forced to walk on at the collegiate level, Migliazzo said she should not give up hope to play during college.

“My advice to her would be to keep your head up, stay strong and don’t think that this injury can keep you from playing in college,” Migliazzo said.

Even though Vogel did not get to play at nationals and get a scholarship, she refuses to give up on playing volleyball again.

“I’ve realized in this experience just how much I seriously love playing volleyball and how disappointed I would be if I had to quit,” Vogel said. “It’s motivating me to rehab quickly and get back into it to play again. I know how much I’ll regret my decision to give up and completely stop trying.” H

August 18, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | in the mix | 7

Like father, like daughter The Dart spoke with Ms. Kim Sirridge, who is joining her father at STA as a new math teacher

by EMILY WEMHOFF ewemhoff@dartnewsonline.com What classes are you teaching? Algebra I and Geometry What schools have you taught at? Schlagle High School in Kansas, North Kansas City High School What are you looking forward to most about working at STA? The students here are motivated, not just in their schoolwork, but they are active in their community and really care about the world around them. I’m very excited to work with those kinds of people.

During frees, do you want a quiet or loud environment? A moderate environment.

Definitely not a prison, but I have to accommodate the math students’ needs.

Do you have a favorite object in your classroom? A big, almost life size picture of my very cute dog. I’m very excited Sirridge to put that up.

If you weren’t a teacher what would you be? A camp counselor, year-round.

If you could be an animal, what would you be and why? A squirrel because they’re so ridiculous and they have so many talents. They can jump everywhere. [Squirrels] are just very comical and entertaining.

What are you looking forward to most about working with your dad? He’s been so happy working at STA for all these years and I’m very excited to see him in his teaching element. I’m looking forward to seeing a different side of him.

How did you spend your summer vacation? I went up to Minnesota with my family. We relaxed and water-skied. I also had a lot of fun being a camp counselor.

Favorite high school memory? It’s so hard to pick just one, but I remember going to this big dance to celebrate the new millennium. Everyone was freaking out about it being the year 2000 so we went all out. We all wore glittery, sparkly clothes and I remember thinking we were so hip. Now when I look back, that was pretty embarrassing.

Why did you choose STA? This school has such a good community and reputation for being so welcoming. Students here care so much about the world. I like to integrate activism in my classroom and I thought the girls here would be open to that. H

Seven lessons I learned this summer while working

by NATALIE FITTS nfitts@dartnewsonline.com

deck the halls H Math teacher Kim Sirridge decorates her room Aug. 15. Sirridge’s room is dotted with feather boas and Christmas lights to liven the atmosphere. photo by ERIN SELLERS

My summer sucked From tripping down stairs to walking into the men’s bathroom, STA students recall the unfortunate moments in their lives.

Conwell

“So, over the summer I went to a summer intensive camp for ballet. I stayed in this frat house with a bunch of my friends. I was walking [out of the room] not paying attention and I accidentally opened the fire alarm door in the middle of the night, and the alarm was so loud! There were people running out [of the bathroom] in their towels screaming and little kids crying and everyone else was asleep. Everyone had to get up really early the next morning because it was the first day. Then the police came, and I felt so bad because it was all my fault!”

Lilly Conwell, freshman

My summer rocked Whether a stroke of luck, strange coincidence or small miracle, students recall wonderful experiences.

“I went to an 18-day adventure camp [in Hawaii] and I met Jayden Smith and Rico from ‘Hannah Montana.’ I learned how to surf, kayak and scuba dive in the ocean. I went to Honolulu and Kauai and camped out on the beach. . . and [also did] a little community service..”

Lindsay Fiola, freshman

Fiola

compiled by KATIE MCCOMBS

Nearly every teenager has a summer job at some point during his or her high school career.

I am no exception.

I have learned a lot working at a pool concession stand this summer. And not just how to microwave soft pretzels and count money.

Let me share some of the life lessons my boss paid me $7.25 an hour to learn: 1) I can drink highly excessive amounts of soda.

My record is over four liters in six hours. Pretty amazing, right? The soda machine and I have become very good friends this summer. The pool bathroom and I have also gotten to know each other pretty well.

2) When I sing Lady Gaga as loud as I possibly can, pool patrons and hot male lifeguards can hear me, despite the brick wall between us. Surprisingly, they usually enjoy it.

3) The customer is not always right, and most of the time, not very nice either. So maybe I left your chicken wings in the microwave for 10 extra minutes a few times. Sorry, but chicken wings are not always the first thing on my mind. Having to deal with rude customers has taught me to be a little understanding when someone else messes up my food.

4) Eating gross things will make people think/know you are weird. I have seen a lot of interesting ways to eat nacho cheese--drenching a hot dog in it, drinking it through a straw, and even dipping a Snickers bar in it. Sorry for that visual. I wish I was kidding.

5) People have a wide range of comfort levels when it comes to clothing. I think the girl who decided to swim in a white bra and gym shorts is on the opposite side of the spectrum than I am.

6) Children can be extremely annoying when their parents let them go places alone. Of course, I already knew this, but it was confirmed this summer. Tweens will do everything from paying for everything in pennies to flirting with people three times their age. I will blame these pool children when my kids get mad at me for never letting them go anywhere without me.

7) People are crazy at all ages. Being one of the youngest employees, I was worried about making friends with my co-workers. It worked out perfectly because many of them are just as crazy as I am.

While these may not be vital, life-changing lessons, I am sure I will remember them for a long time.

After all, my mom still knows how to make a perfect Dairy Queen-style ice cream cone from her high school days. Maybe I will still be able to drink four liters of soda 25 years from now.

8 | last look | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | August 18, 2011

Hitting ‘em hard 2.

1.

1.

3.

4.

1. head over heals H Senior Sarah Godfrey takes a tumble while digging for a ball during varsity volleyball practice last Monday. Photo by ROSIE HUTCHISON 2. break a leg H Seniors Meka Kelly, left, and Hannah Reinhart jump over their teammates in drills during cross country practice Aug. 11. Photo by ERIN SELLERS 3. up and away H Junior Sammy Patterson hits a ball during volleyball tryouts at the beginning of this week.

Photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY 4. a leg up H The varsity dance team stretches during warmups in Verheyen. Photo by ERIN SELLERS 5. full focus H Senior Celia O’Flaherty pratices her backhand at tennis tryouts Aug. 11 at the Plaza Tennis Center. Photo by MEGHAN LEWIS 6. catch a breath H Sophomore Miranda Schultz takes her inhaler after a difficult drill during varsity volleyball pratice last Monday. Photo by ROSIE HUTCHISON

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