the
DART
the official student news source of st. teresa's academy | kansas city, mo
150 YEARS in In THE MAKING
The Dart Explores the past, embraces the present and looks to the future of STA in celebration of st. teresa's academy's 150th anniversary. story on page 18 sly james comes to STA | page 6 Day at the nelson-atkins | page 28
2015-2016
DART STAFF
Adviser Brad Lewis Co-Editors-in-Chief Mary Hilliard Maggie Knox Torie Richardson
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Managing Editor Audrey Carroll Sheduling Editor Madi Winfield Copy Editor Alex Davis Photography/Multimedia Editor Kat Mediavilla Social Media Manager Bridget Jones Social Media Editors Zoe Butler, Lily Manning
Design Editor Mackenzie Nicole O'Guin Visual Illustrator Eleanor Grever Photography Editor Maddy Medina Page Designers Maggie Knox, Alex Frisch, Anna Hafner, Katherine Green, Clare Kenney, Bridget Jones, Christina Kirk, Violet Cowdin, Mackenzie Nicole O'Guin, Linden O'Brien-Williams, Helen Wheatley, Meg Thompson, MaryMichael Hough, Torie Richardson, Madi Winfield
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Managing Editor MaryMichael Hough Opinion Editor Helen Wheatley Sports Editor Elsa Feigenbaum Features Editor Linden O'Brien-Williams News Editor Katherine Green
Staff Photographers Kate Scofield, Cassie Hayes, Libby Hutchison, Paige Powell Staff Writers Meredith Mulhern, Katie Donnellan, Jeannie O'Flaherty, Victoria Cahoon, Claire Molloy
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LETTER FROM
THE EDITORS
Dear Readers, As we were determining content for our first issue of the new year, it seemed obvious to the Dart staff what needed to be covered: St. Teresa’s Academy’s 150th anniversary. This year, 2016, marks the 150th year since a few Sisters of St. Joseph decided to start a school for educating young women in Kansas City, Mo. Since 1866, the Academy has endured and become a Kansas City institution, now both the oldest school and women’s organization in the city. In this issue of the Dart, we explore our school’s rich history with interviews from alumnae from five decades to decipher which characteristics and traditions have evolved and which have remained constant. We also trace the origin of some of STA’s most prominent people, places and customs, while incorporating the opinions of current students. We celebrate our school’s present with a compiled calendar of the many exciting, commemorative events for the year and provide background on the planning of the 150th. Lastly, we look to the future of St. Teresa’s as we prepare for another 150 years of educating young women. In addition to our centerspread, on our News pages, you can find coverage from Mayor Sly James’ visit to STA Monday to declare the 2016 Kansas City’s Year of the Young Woman. Also, be
the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
sure to check out the podcast interview with the mayor on DartNewsOnline. While highlighting our school’s history, we also cover stories important and relevant to current students, such as STA’s sex education program and administration’s new limits on printer paper. Continue to visit DartNewsOnline for coverage about the 150th anniversary as the celebration progresses for the rest of 2016. As always, we love to hear your feedback. Enjoy the issue!
CORRECTION In the Dart Volume 75, Issue 4, the Star Spotlight feature on sophomore Isabel Fitzpatrick incorrectly spelled Fitzpatrick’s name as Fitzpatric. In addition, the Monthly Question incorrectly spelled teacher Stephen Himes’ name as Steven. The Dart regrets these errors.
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The Dart vol. 75
Table of
Contents ISSUE 5
5 February 2016
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4 30 | last look | 2016 presidential candidates
26 | sports | STA divers to go to state
24 | perspectives| Students should be aware of mental health
23 | a&e | All in the Timing: one sophomore's transfer story
18 | cover story | 150 years of sta
15 | features | Teachers with jobs outside of sta
10 | reviews | A berry good juicery
8 | Star spotlight | Jewell allen: T-shirt designer
6 | Local news | mayor sly james comes to sta
4 | news | STa to go paperless
26 30 26 Monthly Question
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What is your go-to karaoke or shower song and why?
'Bohemian Rhapsody' by queen because it’s got a lot of different vibes in it and I really like how it’s rock and also a ballad and I love Freddie Mercury Andie Round, senior 'Sorry' by Justin Bieber because I just love that song maya hamilton, freshman 'A whole new world' because I rock both parts Kate absher, ENGLISH teacher Probably 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked because it’s really fun to belt and I love musicals hayley burgess, senior compiled by CLAIRE MOLLOY | staff writer
cover designed by Maggie Knox | page designed by Alex Frisch
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NEWS
Editorial Policies
Administration refines paperless policy
Ownership and Sponsorship
DartNewsOnline and the Dart are created by the student newspaper staff and are maintained and published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. DartNewsOnline and the Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic church, whether on a diocesan or world-wide level.
Editorial Policy
The staff of DartNewsOnline and the Dart are subject to prior review by the St. Teresa’s Academy administrative team in circumstances that concern Catholic doctrine, student safety or illegal behavior. DartNewsOnline and the Dart will not publish reviews of student work or performances. Personal columns reflect the opinions of the writer, not necessarily the staff or school.
Letters & Reader Interaction Policy
DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage the community to post comments on the website. Letters to the editors can be sent in the following ways: in person to Brad Lewis in Donnelly room 204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, Attn: Brad Lewis, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; by email to blewis@stteresasacademy.org or to dartpaper@gmail.com. DartNewsOnline and the Dart staff reserve the right to edit or shorten letters for publication.
Comment Policy
DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage readers to comment on all posts. However, DartNewsOnline and the Dart reserve the right to monitor and edit all comments on DartNewsOnline. Comments that disagree with the editorial policy will not be published.
Photo Use Policy
Photo illustrations are conceptual photos that combine drawing and photography. All photos on the website are free for public use. If a reader is interested in high-quality copies of photos, please email DartNewsOnline at dartpaper@ gmail.com.
Corrections Policy
DartNewsOnline and the Dart will publish corrections as soon as possible after the error is discovered.
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printer mayhem | Papers scatter all over the table in front of the only student printer on campus. It is located on the third floor of Donnelly. photo by PAIGE POWELL
STA makes an effort to increase productivity and decrease waste. by MACKENZIE O'GUIN | design editor
Administration is currently revising a printer policy requiring teachers “reconsider what they are requiring students to print” according to principal of academic affairs Barbara McCormick. A staff-wide email informing teachers of the policy was prompted when parents and students alike reported difficulty in printing documents, according to McCormick, who added that minimizing unnecessary printing also aids in STA’s environmental conservation. “[Limiting printing] is an environmentally friendly direction to go based on the mission of the sisters,” McCormick said. “Let’s leave an environmentally sound footprint behind… Part of that is asking, can we save a few more trees?” According to McCormick, the email and policy were not prompted by “faculty meeting or discussion,” and has created some concern from teachers and students regarding what being paperless looks like for STA. “There have been studies that prove writing makes you learn better,” senior Sarah Wunder said. “If you’re a visual learner, you’re staring at a screen all day, which is bad for you. If you're a
the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2015
tactile learner, you need to write to learn. That’s hindering two types of learners right there.” Spanish teacher Julia Gargallo considers the foreign language department “pioneers” of the paperless initiative, as the first department to use online textbooks. Gargallo is not concerned about the effect going paperless might have on her classroom. However, she does believe the degree of technology exercised in the classroom should be left to teacher discretion. “I think [use of technology in the classroom] is totally personal,” Gargallo said. “Each teacher should have the freedom to decide. I like my electronic books, but every teacher is different.” McCormick agreed with Gargallo, referencing both technological and traditional learning resources as tools provided to teachers. “I fully respect teachers using their autonomy to choose which utilities are best for their curriculum and their lessons,” McCormick said. “It is still left in that teacher’s hand to determine what’s going to be best.” Administration is in the process of planning a faculty meeting for open discussion on refining the printer policy and how the school will proceed with its paperless initiative. H
STA holds first ever elective fair STA's new elective fair helps students learn about new or lesser known courses. by ALEX FRISCH | page designer
This year, STA held its first elective fair in the Windmoor Center where teachers could present their electives to students. According to principal of academic affairs Barbara McCormick, the idea for the elective fair came from both the student leadership team and from teachers. “Some teachers were offering new courses and they wanted to speak to students,” McCormick said. “They did that last year but they took up class time, so we wanted to find another way and invite all teachers who offer electives to be able to do it.” Another objective of the fair, according to McCormick, was to help students learn about the electives directly from teachers. “We’re hoping that students were able to get a feel for what the courses look like because on paper or on the website it’s hard to tell, even with a description, what the course is really about,” McCormick said. According to Maura Lammers, a part time teacher at STA, the fair helped her reach out to students she hadn’t met yet. Her new elective for next year is women, society and self a course that will focus on discussing historical and current events directly affecting women. “[The fair] let students approach me and ask me questions that expanded on the course description that I had already posted online,” Lammers said. “I’ve only taught juniors and seniors so it was a good way for me to approach the underclassmen and give them a chance to get to know me better.” Some courses, even though they were not new, may still have been unknown to some students according to McCormick. “Robotics has been offered for two years but there were still girls who didn’t even know it was offered,”McCormick said. “If you haven’t
let's talk | At the first annual STA elective fair on Jan. 12 digital media teacher Kelly Scott explains the courses she offers to junior Katya Blair, such as graphic design and computer illustration and design. photo by KATE SCOFIELD
had Conner... [a student] might not even know that course was there or what it looks like.” According to STA science teacher Terry Conner, because few students have taken Robotics yet, it wasn’t as well known across campus as her other courses. “When students just have to look through that course catalog they tend to just gravitate to what their friends have taken,” Conner said. “If I’ve had seven students take the class last year and nine take it this year...many girls don’t have an idea what the course is about.” The fair was also a way of gauging student interest in the offered courses, according to McCormick. “I think it’s really important for us to always have that relationship with students, because although we look at what colleges are expecting and we should be offering we also want to know what student interests are,” McCormick said. Another part of the reason teachers want to promote their courses is that, unless a minimum amount of students
interested in a course, STA is no longer able to offer that course. The minimum student requirement varies depending on the course. “Robotics is a pretty hands on course so if we get anywhere from five to ten students… we’ll hold the course,” McCormick said. “I really expect 10-15 for a course, for instance I can’t hold a summer course without at least 15 students or else we can’t even afford the teacher.” According to Lammers the elective fair helped her gauge approximately how many students may be interested in her course. “I won’t know for sure until March whether or not the course will be finalized,” Lammers said. “I may even only teach one section but from the number of students who said they were interested I feel like we could easily have 2 sections for the class with about 20 students each.” According to McCormick the administration will gather feedback from students about the fair that will help determine whether or not the fair is held again next year. H
page designed by Anna Hafner
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NEWS
sly guy | Mayor Sly James talks to STA about the Year of the Young Women. Before the assembly, James met with students taking science classes and their teachers. photo by PAIGE POWELL
Mayor Sly James makes declaration at STA Kansas City Mayor proclaimed 2016 the Year of the Young Woman Feb. 1. by HELEN WHEATLEY | opinion copy editor
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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
Mayor Sly James visited STA Feb. 1 to declare 2016 the Year of the Young Woman. His visit included a tour of the science department and a ceremony where he gave the official proclamation. As the school is currently celebrating its 150th anniversary, Mayor James emphasized the importance of a quality education for young women. In his speech, Mayor James constantly returned to the idea of women supporting each other. He recounted his initial years as mayor as he worked to partner with and hire more women on his staff and in his initiatives. “It is absolutely vital that you recognize the need to be there for each other,” James said. “The glass ceiling is not broken yet, it’s not even really cracked yet. If you want to get through it, you’re gonna all have to bump your heads on it simultaneously.” Mayor James continued to focus his attention on the opportunity young women at St. Teresa’s have to create profound change in the city. “Your involvement should be not only honored but sought,” James said. “What I see here at St. Teresa’s is a tremendous success story in women’s leadership... There is no better place for women to learn women’s leadership than in a place where they can hold all the leadership positions.” The idea to have the Mayor visit STA for the declaration came during planning for the school’s 150th anniversary. As the oldest women’s organization
in Kansas City, STA president Nan Bone worked with the planning committee to secure the mayor’s declaration. “We thought gosh, being the oldest school in Kansas City, we should have the mayor here,” Bone said. “It was kind of a stretch, to see if he would declare 2016 the year of the young woman.” For senior class treasurer Claire Jefferson, graduating from STA during the Year of the Young Woman and the 150th anniversary means deserved recognition for STA students. “It's pretty tough to find a student who isn't an extremely hard worker on our campus,” Jefferson said. “STA girls are so driven and set their goals so high, this will be even more empowering for us.” Mayor James has been involved with helping young women succeed ever since his election in 2011. His Women’s Empowerment Initiative aims to help the city government work better with and for women. However, his speech didn’t underline his past work with women’s leadership, but instead focused on what’s still to come. “It makes me excited to think about the future of our city, thinking about how incredible leaders are being developed right here at St. Teresa’s Academy,” James said. “Here we are 150 years later, in one of the best schools in this entire region. It is only right that 2016 is the year of the young woman.” H
Q&A with Sly James The Dart interviews Mayor James about the Year of the Woman. To hear the rest of the Q&A, check it out on DNO. by AUDREY CARROLL managing editor of web
Q: What do you hope to accomplish for women in the city this coming year? A: The first thing we’re going to do is continue what we’ve been doing with our Women’s Empowerment program. We’ve worked with a number of organizations dedicated to women’s issues in order to include them in governmental issues, to look at the things that affect their life and their ability outside the home. If that’s what they want to do, to provide them with information that shows them that the skills that they have, even as women who have been inside the home, are still leadership traits, are still valuable. They still can translate into government or into economic development, or whatever the case may be. Q: So what can female high school students do to help make that battle a little bit easier?
say cheese | Students pose behind Mayor Sly James as he snaps a selfie after speaking at the Year of the Young Women assembly Feb. 1. photo by PAIGE POWELL
A: Well, I think that they can simply do what you're trying to do right here and right now, is to be the best that you can be and to have enough confidence in yourself so that you’re never held back by your own thoughts. And also to be assertive enough so that you don’t let somebody else’s thoughts hold you back. The best thing I think that young high school students can do is to support each other as they’re going through these processes so that you never feel like you’re alone. H
page designed by Katherine Green
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Jewell Allen Star spotlight
story by KATIE DONNELLAN | staff writer photo by KAT MEDIAVILLA | staff photographer
Senior Jewell Allen talks about her t-shirt business.
When did you start making t-shirts and what influenced you?
“My sister and I have been wanting to start a business for a while. In my graphic design class I just started drawing and making designs. I came up with the “Kansas City local” design as a shirt for just Kansas City people that live here and have grown up here. I was just kinda sketching the design and that was a couple months ago. Immediately after that, we started screen printing the shirts and started selling them.”
Can you describe the t-shirt making process?
“I make the design and then my sister and I go out and buy t shirts from thrift stores because we really like to use recycled shirts. Then that way, every shirt is unique and every shirt is different. We try to keep the shirts more neutral colored to keep the same aesthetic. We screen print the shirts ourselves. We make the screens at school and then I put paint on the shirt and screen it. We do all of the work ourselves.”
What are your plans for your business and the future?
“My sister is the business side and I am more of the design side of the business. We have contacted a couple places and we are waiting to hear back from them, like Westside Storey. And [for] this next order I am going to be going to our favorite coffee shops and just giving them to the baristas there and telling them ‘Here’s a gift, wear it if you want,’ to get more of the word out.
How are your instagram and business connected?
“We [use our Instagram] to create a market for ourselves and show ourselves on the account. We use it to kinda boost it. Our Instagram account is “emandj”. Our etsy account, which is where we sell our shirts is “emandjewell.” We will have more shirts up there this week because our first order sold out.”
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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
BITS & PIECES Instagrams OF THE ISSUE Each issue, the Dart highlights students’ Instagrams. This month’s theme: WINTER compiled by BRIDGET JONES social media manager
PHOTO OF THE ISSUE leader of the flock | Senior Gabby Keller yells a cheer with the STA student section at the varsity basketball game at Notre Dame de Sion High School Jan. 29. Keller is vice president of Spirit Club. photo by KAT MEDIAVILLA
My life sucks // My life rocks compiled by TORIE RICHARDSON | editor-in-chief
“I realized last week that I have a college [dance] audition next weekend. I had completely forgotten about it and I should have been preparing for the last couple of months. I don't have time to prepare this week either because I have three tests this week, I'm working four days and I have three dance classes at night, so I'm winging it." - Amber Brownlee, senior
That’s what
she said
Each issue, the Dart shares entertaining student tweets. complied by BRIDGET JONES social media editor
PHOTO BY SENIOR JAMIE THOLEN @JTHOLEN
“Last weekend, my dad and I went to the Iowa caucuses, which we do every eight years. We went to see Hillary [Clinton] and it was amazing and afterwards we got a personal wave as she was walking to her SUV. And then we went to the Bernie [Sanders] rally, which was also amazing and we actually got to shake his hand on his way to his bus because he didn’t have security. -Grace Girardeau, senior
PHOTO BY SENIOR ALLY MOORE @ALLYLMOORE
SENIOR SOPHIA CUSUMANO @SOPHIA CUSUMANO WHEN YOU HONESTLY COULD HAVE DONATED YOUR LEG HAIR TO BEAUTIFUL LENGTHS BC ITS SO LONG :/ JUNIOR GRETCHEN GLEASON @GRETCHGLEASON I ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE LIKE J.K. ROWLING SENIOR SARA STUBBENDIECK @SSTUBBENDIECK WATCHED ALL 3 HIGHSCHOOL MUSICALS THIS WEEKEND. I'D SAY IT WAS A PRETTY SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND.
PHOTO BY SOPHOMORE KATE JONES @_KATEGIS_
#dartnewsonline
page designed by Clare Kenney
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REVIEWS
Fresh, healthy shops offer unique smoothie experience by MEREDITH MULHERN staff writer
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ENERGIZING MISSION On the morning of Friday Jan. 15, I
woke up early to make the long drive out to Energizing Mission, a nutrition club located on Johnson Drive in Mission, Kan. I arrived at the shop around seven a.m., and it wasn’t crowded at all. The shop, which many STA students refer to as “Energizing,” was small but cozy; there are chairs set up around a countertop, couches and tables towards the back. We were greeted by the owner of Energizing Mission, Alexis Pelfrey-Cook, with a cheery greeting and a smile. My initial impression of Energizing was a positive one, and I was excited to try their products. The way Energizing serves their product is unique. First, you are served a shot of aloe, and then comes a serving of tea and your choice of shake. The aloe is given to aid in digestion. It tasted a little bit like peaches, but it also tasted exactly like what you would think aloe would taste like. Overall, the aloe wasn’t bad. After the aloe comes the tea. According to junior Sarah Cozad, who came with me to the shop, the tea is meant to keep you energized through natural caffeine, meaning you won’t suffer through a “crash” later. I ordered the raspberry tea, which was delicious. It wasn’t overloaded with sugar and I loved the natural hint of raspberry in the tea. The tea also held up to its promise - I felt awake and alert for the whole entire morning. Finally, you order your shake. Energizing has many options, ranging from peanut butter oreo to Orange Julius. I chose the blueberry muffin shake, which actually did taste like a blueberry muffin, except it was very sweet. At first I didn’t mind the sweetness, but after a while I was kind of sick of it. However, the shake was very filling and kept me full until lunch. My sister ordered the peanut butter oreo shake, which was even better than mine. Both shakes
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reminded me of drinking a milkshake, but the great thing was is that I felt like I was splurging on something unhealthy but in reality, most of the shakes at energizing are 220 calories or less. Besides being low calorie and full of protein, the shakes also contain tons of vitamins and minerals. Overall, I can’t find much wrong with the quality of product at Energizing. Who doesn’t love a healthy breakfast that tastes like an unhealthy dessert? Energizing is also affordable. I paid a little over six dollars for my shake, tea, and aloe shot combined. You get a lot of product for your dollar, which is perfect for high school students on a budget. Energizing is a great way to fill up before school or before you start your day on your days off. However, be sure to call in your order so you don’t end up waiting for half an hour or more.
Ruby Jean's Juicery My first impression of Ruby Jean’s
Juicery was definitely positive. Upon walking in, I absolutely loved the little juice shop. The walls and decor are colorful, bright and cheery. There are tables and chairs set up at the back of the store, a sectional at the front, and an extremely cute courtyard in the back where you can enjoy your juice or smoothie in warmer weather. Ruby Jean’s has an extensive menu with items ranging from their signature juices to smoothies and protein-filled snacks. Another unique aspect of Ruby Jean’s is that you can do juice cleanses through them. You order your juice for a certain amount of days and pick it up the day you start your cleanse. So, if you’re looking to do a quick cleanse before spring break, Ruby Jean’s is the place to go. Despite the promising array of juices, I ordered a No Crust PB&J smoothie. My smoothie consisted of strawberries, blueberries, peanut butter, greek yogurt, and agave. It was very refreshing, smooth, and definitely tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This flavor might sound a
the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
little weird, but the flavors were present just enough to make it faintly taste like a peanut butter jelly sandwich. My sister ordered the Butter Crunch smoothie, which was made with dark chocolate, greek yogurt, bananas, almond milk, vanilla, peanut butter, and gluten free pretzels. I expected her smoothie to be extremely sweet, and honestly, kind of unhealthy, but it wasn’t. It tasted just as smooth and refreshing as mine. The peanut butter and chocolate didn’t overpower it at all, and all of the ingredients balanced each other out. Another reason to go to Ruby Jean’s is their use of all natural ingredients. All of their ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, so you know exactly what you’re drinking or eating. There’s no additives in their snacks and baked goods, which range from sweet potato brownies to protein pops. It seemed to me that Ruby Jean’s sets out to make customers feel healthy and happy by encouraging drinking and eating food that really is good for you. According to their website, juicing is a great way to retain vitamins and nutrients we need from fruits and vegetables. However, my one problem I had with Ruby Jean’s is that it’s pretty pricy. I paid almost fifteen dollars for my both my smoothie and my sister’s smoothie. However, although it is expensive, I understand the need for the high prices since all of their ingredients are natural. If you try Ruby Jean’s and love it, I would definitely say go once every week or couple weeks so you don’t break the bank. H
ILLUSTRATION BY ELLIE GREVER visual illustrator
the bent up world of wall street leaves you appalled and curious by ZOE BUTLER social media editor
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The bent up world of Wall Street leaves you appalled and curious An amusing twist on the real experts of the housing crash The Big Short perfectly plays with your emotions Remember that one time when no one worried about the housing market crashing, because its prices had never before dropped, but then in 2008 they did, and we went into a recession. Yeah, me neither, because I was 8. But then one Sunday afternoon, my mom picked me up with my siblings already in the car and told us that we’re going to see a movie called “The Big Short.” I didn’t even relatively know what the movie was about on that Sunday afternoon, all I knew was that my beloved Steve Carell from “The Office” was in it. Director Adam McKay, who also directed “Step Brothers” and “Anchorman,” does a brilliant job bringing life into what could easily be a bunch of men in stiff suits sipping their black coffee while discussing numbers. This fast paced movie jumps from scene
to scene, going through the events of what happened to real people leading up to and following the crash. As expected, the amount of business jargon and long acronyms is overwhelming, but right when you think that the director has forgotten about you while you are buried deep in this foreign language, a celebrity interrupts the scene to break down, in human terms, what is happening. This is a creative way to add flavor as well as simplify things that would otherwise just be confusing. Because of scenes like these, my emotions were heightened throughout the whole film, from the comical lines thrown out by the beautifully casted characters, to the underlying anger that remained with me even after I exited the theater. These energetic scenes made the whole experience that much more enjoyable. Someone could easily get lost in how many characters there are, but each one of them is interconnected to the plot of this story. They each are reliving the real stories of people who had significant involvement with this. Christian Bale’s character, Dr. Michael Burry, played my personal favorite
character, but the others were not far behind. He is introduced wearing a t-shirt with no shoes in a traditionally suit and tie office, while listening to rock music on the highest volume. Right away it is obvious this guy isn’t normal. His character continues to develop as a socially awkward man, but when it comes down to it, he knows how to read numbers. This man ended up being one of the few that saw what was going on years in advance, while the big banks, government and media didn’t even see it coming. The entire time I was in the theater it felt like the audience was being told a secret that was in such plain sight. But the worst part is that this actually happened. The big men on Wall Street were actually causing all of these problems while living the high life, and watching the poor pay for it. This movie makes you question everything, and it’s that curiosity and anger that drove me to see the movie again two days later, maybe to confirm that it wasn’t a dream, or maybe to confirm that people are actually capable of pulling that scheme off.H
hollywood cheapens yet another excellent dystopian novel by ELSA FEIGENBAUM sports copy editor
H Thank you the 5th Wave movie, for turning my favorite book into yet another Hollywood dystopian flop. Let it first be known that I am a die-hard “teenagers fighting the laws of post apocalyptic society” fan. I can spend hours in the Barnes and Noble Teen Sci-Fi section pouring over a stack of books. Through this I have developed an ability to sense which plotlines are just too cheesy, and which books will succeed when they are inevitably turned into movies. I have known since the fateful day of its announcement that this movie would be a piece of trash. To be fair, the 5th Wave stood no chance. The entire beauty of the book lies in the reader’s ability to create their own image of the chaos. While the reader gets to imagine their
own personal apocalyptic world, the watcher sits through two hours of bad movie effects. Embracing my new position as a watcher, I decided that my time would be best spent making a list of everything that betrayed this amazing book. The primary offender, it is the apocalypse, yet apparently everyone still takes great care to wear mascara and have perfectly filled in eyebrows. The first wave of destruction may have taken out all our power and we might be stranded in the wilderness, but amazingly Cassie Sullivan is still able to have her hair perfectly curled everyday. And don’t worry Ringer, you may be in intense army training, but you still have time to put on your super duper intimidating eyeliner everyday. Most importantly, the majority of the people in this movie are teenagers. I am quite jealous that taking part in the apocalypse excludes you from having acne.
I do have to give director J Blakeson some credit. Unlike most movie casts, this one actually has a teenage main character played by a teenager. However, Chloë Grace Moretz was in no way shape or form the right actress to play Cassie Sullivan. Sure she brought some much needed publicity to the film, but putting some dirt on her face does not change the fact that Cassie does not look like a Hollywood celebrity. Instead of the socially awkward high schooler becoming a self-confident survivor, that one perfect popular girl got to survive the apocalypse, a completely unfair move to her character. To a watcher, this movie was probably decent due to the book’s intricate plotline. To those of us who had the of reading the book before Columbia Pictures exploited it, get ready to watch everything that gave the 5th Wave its spark die.H
page designed by Bridget Jones
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features
Professors WITH OTHER Professions Some STA teachers do more than grade papers once school is out. The Dart takes a look at what those teachers are doing in their not-so-free time. story by LINDEN O'BRIEN WILLIAMS | features copy editor
books to bags | STA teacher Maura Lammers bags an item for a customer at her second job, Anthropologie. photo by CASSIE HAYES
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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
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t’s a Thursday. Mr. Fast and bring valuable new perspectives to the Mr. Sanem make their way to a table. The two each spend around five room full of expectant students. to seven hours per week preparing They’ve met up before class to prepare materials for the hour and a half long discussion questions. They’ve closely class. read and examined the section of Although STA students have never the book they’re about to teach their signed up for the course, Fast says students. But the students aren’t there is some crossover in the curricusitting on the third floor of M&A. The lum from his Village University course students aren’t wearing tartan skirts to the STA content he teaches. Addior untucked polo shirts with “STA” tionally, his Village University students embroidered on. These students are bring valuable new perspectives to the actually a group of women, ranging content that would otherwise not be from their forties to their nineties, takexplored. ing a “Great Books” sort of course from “Many of the books I teach [at Viltheology teacher Michael Sanem and lage University], I teach in my AP class,” English teacher Kelly Fast. Fast said. “...There were also things Fast and Sanem aren’t the only that they, as older people, said about teachers engaging in employment the book that maybe students didn’t outside of STA. In addition to teaching think about or I didn’t think about, sophomores at STA, English teacher since I teach younger students most of Stephen Himes runs his own real the time.” estate practice For Himes, the and works in the It is work, it reuires time crossover from his fields of educareal estate and law and effort to plan it tion and desegrepractice to his time and read, but it's regation law. After in the classroom ally enjoyable. English teacher falls not so much Maura Lammers in the content, but — English teacher Kelly Fast grades papers at more in the critiSTA, she might just go spend another cal thinking they both require. When few hours working at Anthropologie, a Himes is presenting at conferences clothing store located on the Country or gathering clients for his “boutique Club Plaza. real estate practice,” he finds that his For Sanem and Fast, their “Great main strength is his ability to “take the Books” class is both an extra source of complicated thing and make it underincome and a fulfilling time for discusstandable.” sion. As far as his background in law, “I mean, I love literature so it’s a Himes attended law school at the Unireally nice thing to do outside of work,” versity of Kansas, but discovered there Fast said. “It is work, it requires time was a huge lack of jobs in the law field and effort to plan it and read, but it's due to the 2007 recession. really enjoyable. It’s worth it once you “This is how bad it got: I was a get the reading done, but the reading bar-certified attorney with six years of is worth it too.” experience as a high school gifted proSanem agrees that the time he puts gram coordinator that had won statein is worth it, grateful to have enriching wide awards, substitute teaching in a conversations and challenging reading. school district because I couldn’t find a Fast and Sanem meet with a core job,” Himes said. “And there were a lot group of eight to ten women involved of us that were in that boat. “ in the arts in Kansas City once a week Although finding a job in the field for periods of six weeks, three times of law was challenging, Himes still had per year. Fast began teaching the his background in education to fall course about ten years ago, when back on. A few years later, he discovVillage University invited him. Sanem ered a loophole in Missouri law that joined about a year ago, when Fast facilitated the process of getting a real approached him, thinking he could estate broker’s license for bar-certified
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stats compiled by HELEN WHEATLEY opinion copy editor
HIMES REAL ESTATE BROKER Working for 9 years 1-5 hours per week
FAST and SANEM LITERATURE TEACHERS Fast: Working for
10 years
Sanem: 1 year 5-7 hours per week
LAMMERS
ANTHROPOLOGIE EMPLOYEE Working for 1 year 5-15 hours per week
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features lawyers. When he was looking to buy a house, he simply took the test to make the process more convenient, then learned about the different facets of the business and stuck with it, still teaching full time. For Himes, real estate “used to be an extra job,” but he now enjoys the many different facets of it. However, a main reason for his outside employment is financial. “I only do a few transactions a year because I have my other job that I’m still doing,” Himes said. “So the money that I make off [real estate] I use to pay down student loans, for a little bit of vacation money, that kind of thing... I’m not so prepared to do it full time.” While modern technology has facilitated both Himes’ real estate broker and agent duties, allowing him to complete transactions and interact with customers even from different time zones, he “only has so much time.” “At a certain point, you have to kind of decide who you are, because I have about nine different ideas in my head of what I would like to do, but I know I can’t do it all,” Himes said. Although he spends substantial amounts of time outside the classroom on other projects and employment, teaching remains Himes’ forte. “I feel like even when I’m in law world and real estate world, I primarily see myself as a classroom practitioner,” Himes said. “I don’t know that I’ll ever fully be able to get away from that.” Just like Himes can never fully get away from teaching, Lammers can never fully escape STA at her job at Anthropologie. Lammers has frequent run-ins with both students and teachers at her retail job. Over the summer, she even met a student who would later end up in her advisory for the majority of a semester. Like Himes, Fast and Sanem, Lammers’ primary motivation for having an outside job is for financial purposes, but she feels lucky that she enjoys the atmosphere at her work. “It just gives me a peace of mind, not just to work here, but to have another job where I can count on getting extra hours, where it’s an hourly wage, but it’s a job that I like,” Lammers said. “Ideally,
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it would be nice to not have to have this job for the next couple of years, but luckily, I enjoy it, so it’s not something where I feel like I’m wasting my time.” While having an extra job is at times a challenge for Lammers, taking away her free time and making it more challenging to plan ahead for teaching, she says the community at Anthropologie makes up for some of those challenges. “Last semester, I was so busy with teaching and working at [Anthropologie] that I didn’t really get to spend a lot of time with my family or with my other friends, so I was really grateful about my Anthropologie team,” Lammers said. “They were my friends and I got to talk to them about my stress and things that were bothering me or that I was worried about. I really like the environment there, it’s not just people selling clothes, it’s kind of a support system for me.” Lammers, Himes, Fast and Sanem are four teachers who have stories to tell about their jobs outside of STA. However, according to Sanem, more teachers than one might assume engage in outside employment. Because of the prominence, Sanem believes that the topic of teachers’ outside jobs is not only relevant, but an important topic to address "because I know that a lot of teachers, by necessity, have to do this,” Sanem said. H
the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
1. English teacher Maura Lammers organizes items at Plaza store Anthropologie, her second job. Lammers works at Anthropologie weekends and after school. 2. English teacher Steve Himes stops for a picture in English teacher Carrie Jacquin's room. Himes started his law profession as a prosecuting attorney. 3. English teacher Kelly Fast and theology teacher Mike Sanem pose for a picture on the third floor of the M&A building. Fast and Sanem co-teach a religion class at a local church. photos by CASSIE HAYES
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Catholic teaching &
Sex Ed
Sexual education continues to be a sensitive issue because STA must teach within the Catholic Teachings. by KATHERINE GREEN | news copy editor
Walking into PE class during her second semester of freshman year, sophomore Julia Mantel got a nervous feeling. This semester was exploring the health portion of the class and students would have to discuss different STDs and drugs. Although Mantel felt awkward about the different STDs she was being taught, she and her friends figured it would be less uncomfortable if they could laugh about the different subjects and not take them as seriously. According to Mantel, almost all the students in class would quietly giggle as different STDs and drugs were presented individually by each freshman. Although Mantel goofed off during health class freshman year, she feels that a class like that now would be much more relevant to her life. “As a freshman, I never thought about any of that stuff happening to me,” Mantel said. “But being older, it would be more helpful because we can be put in these kind of situations more than as a freshman.” Students at STA must take the required General Physical Education and Health class as freshmen. In this class, teacher Stacie O’Rear begins first semester with various games and sports including eclipse ball and ultimate frisbee. During the second semester, O’Rear teaches her students about different topics involving sexual and drug education. “I took summer PE, so we only went over the health part in like a week,” senior Darby Pedersen said. “But [the health section] sufficiently scared the hell out of me.” The topics taught during the health section include women’s sexuality, women’s anatomy, drugs and nutrition, according to O’Rear. This freshman year course is the only course
available at STA that teaches students a type of sexual education. O’Rear feels that there are some topics she would like to cover, but cannot because of Catholic limitations. “I’ve had students ask me to show them how to use a condom or birth control, and a lot of times [students] need to be talking to [their] doctor and, if [they] will, [their] parents,” O’Rear said. “I can scientifically tell them all kinds of information, but I can’t teach those things [in my class] because it’s not within the confines of the Catholic church.” A “refresher” course going over topics touched on during freshman year would be beneficial to students but a required class for sexual education is not necessary for all students, according to O’Rear. “Some [people] remember a lot [from their freshman year] because they’ve become more active, whether it’s sex or drugs,” O’Rear said. “ Or [students] forgot [topics from the course] because they just don’t deal with those issues. We always need to keep the conversation going, I think, but whether it would take another class, I don’t know.” According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, among U.S. high school students surveyed in 2013, 47 percent were sexually active. As of January 2015, 22 states and the District of Columbia require that public schools teach sex education, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. However, since STA is a Catholic school all teachings in regards to sexual education must be within Catholic teachings, according to O’Rear. Theology of the Body is a required course in some diocesan high schools, such as Bishop
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features Miege High School. This class teaches sexualabout sexual education, such as STDs and the effects of ity through the lens of different Catholic unprotected sex. teachings. Since STA is a private non“[STA could] have a powerful women’s class,” Dunlea diocesan high school, the school has more said. “It could [teach about] self defense, drugs, alcohol, freedom in and women’s topics like abortions and stem cell So to be very counter-culture research. Then the school could incorporate how it strucand really try to understand tures its women and sex, when no is no… and how to be curriculum, stronger as a woman and not get yourself into the beauty of the teaching according of the Catholic Church, that’s situations like that.” to theolStudents at STA took a where our challenge lies. So ogy teacher survey to determine how should we be having Jennifer the different opinions thatdiscussion more? Greene. on how they felt Neverthethe school was Yes, absolutely. less, the teaching them — Jennifer Greene, school is about sexual theology teacher more foeducation. 37.5% cused on building confidence in the students Out of the 275 and aiding students in making better deciresponses to the sions when it comes to sex, according to STA survey, 62 percent 62.5% President Nan Bone. of students Greene also agrees with Bone that there felt they had is no need for a sexual education class. not received “The challenge is that our culture is telling a sufficient us all the time that everyone is having sex sexual all of the time,” Greene said. “So to be very education at counter-culture and really try to understand STA. When the beauty of the teaching of the Catholic asked how Thinks that St. Teresa's does Church, that’s where our challenge lies. So students not even cover the topic should we be having that discussion more? thought Yes, absolutely.” the school While Greene acknowledges that many teaches high schoolers believe they need more sex-ed, 38.2 Thinks that St. Teresa's sexual education because teenagers percent said scares us into not having sex are having sex, she argues that the still STA helps girls and Catholic teachings do not condone understand how premarital sex. Therefore, having a class on to have safe sex, sexual education would be contradictory to 26.5 percent said Believes that St. Teresa's the Catholic Teachings, according to both STA does not cover Greene and Bone. the topic, 23.5 percent helps girls understand “Your parents send you [to St. Teresa’s] said STA scares us into how to have safe sex because it’s a Catholic school,” Bone said. not having sex and 11.8 “I know if you’re [at] a public school, [the percent answered “other.” curriculum is] more open about [sexual “I don’t think we need more education], but here we want to teach you sexual education at STA,” senior to value your body and understand the Maggie Hodes said. “I just think [the ramifications of the [sexually transmitted] school] should maybe change the way diseases.” they approach it.” STA parent and alumnae Molly Dunlea According to Hodes, it would be more realistic for believes that STA should have a class for students if the health class required for freshmen was upperclassmen that focuses more on the moved back to junior or senior year. real world situations that high school and Although some students want a health class when they college women face, instead of a class strictly are older, that is not where the difficulty with the sexual
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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
education class comes from, according to Greene. “The challenge falls in finding the theology and finding the discussion that fits and talks about it and meets kids where they are,” Greene said. According to junior Hannah Zastrow, STA does a good job teaching sexual education during General Physical Education and Health class. She feels that STA doesn’t necessarily need to approach the topic later again in high school. “As a freshman, I think we all had lots of questions about sexuality and sex ed in general,” Zastrow said. “So I think it’s good to be educated on the Believe that they have subject early on in high recieved a sufficient sexual school.” Looking back education from St. Teresa's on it now, senior Gabby Keller says that she wish she had Think they have not learned recieved a sufficient sexual the topics taught in education from St. Teresa's her freshman year PE class as an upperclassmen. “When I took my freshman 26.7% 30% PE class I don’t think I was mature as I am now,” Keller said. 43.3% “[The topics taught freshmen year are] becoming a lot more prevalent with what’s about to go on throughout college and what students are going to face as they get older so I think we should talk about it more,” Keller said. H
That's what they said compiled by KATHERINE GREEN and VIOLET COWDIN news copy editor and page designer
Institutions have unique views on how students should be educated when it comes to sexual health.
What STA says... St. Teresa's focuses mainly on the basic health effects of sex through freshmen year health class while maintaining the Catholic teachings that St. Teresa’s is based on. What the Catholic church says... Focuses less on teaching about sex and more on instilling qualities like modesty, purity, chastity, and morality into youth. This should primarily discussed privately by parents in the home. What the state of Missouri says... Curriculum in schools must be age appropriate and based on peer review. Promote communication with parents and include information on sexual predators, internet safety, domestic violence, and sexual health.
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CENTERSPREAD EXPLORING THE PAST
con •sum •• er ism
CLASS OF
1980
KATHLEEN WEIDEMAN
Tell me your favorite story or moment at STA. "My favorite moments at STA were the skits put on for the dances to introduce the theme and the location of the event. It was all a really big deal. The skits involved teachers and students and they were so funny. We would all gather in the M&A auditorium and the anticipation was very exciting." What was the campus like? Where was the gym? Where did you eat lunch? Etc. "The campus was M&A building and Donnelly building and the parking lot. There was a boiler house down where the softball field is now. That's where Trash n' treasure was held each year. The driveway from the parking lot went through the buildings. People could drive around the campus in a circle. It was so much fun when the Homecoming Parade would go through. It was fun for boys to drive through the campus driveway and honk. The Gym was where you all have lunch presently. I don't think STA could host games at our school because our gym wasn't regulation size. The lunchroom was where the art room is in the basement of Donnelly."
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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
What was your uniform like? We could chose from a blue plaid uniform skirt, brown plaid uniform skirt or a yellow-ish gold uniform skirt and we had to wear these stiff polyester blouses. We had a black sweater with STA monogram on it and for pictures or assemblies we wore blazers to match the skirt. The blazers were the solid colors blue, brown and gold. We had to wear knee high socks or we got written up and had to see Ms. Pauline Reardon and later Sr. Joseph Marie, the disciplinarians. They really enforced the uniforms. For PE we wore an all white jumpsuit that had bloomer, puffy shorts. We had to wear PE uniforms to PE class. What was your favorite part about going to STA? The friends I made and the exceptional role modeling by the faculty and staff at STA. I was surrounded by amazing, upbeat, friendly young women and faculty. The friends you make at STA are your friends for life. Any funny stories? Funny stories...oh yes! Do you have room for all of them? Most of them probably wouldn't be funny if I retold them on paper, they had to be witnessed and experienced. Suffice it to say, it was 4 years of laughter until your jaw hurts. What kind of special traditions did you do during your time at STA? The friends I made and the exceptional role modeling by the faculty and staff at STA. I was surrounded by amazing, upbeat, friendly young women and faculty. The friends you make at STA are your friends for life. Is there anything else that you would want to say about STA and/or your experience in general? I would say I was fortunate to go to St. Teresa's Academy. Going to STA was ‘living the dream.’ We had many dedicated Sisters of St. Joseph as teachers and presidents of the school, we had a strong staff of lay teachers and a beautiful campus --throw in your best friends and their friends and their friends and their friends and you have a family of strong female leaders that have dispersed throughout the country and abroad who share this experience. To that I say, Happy 150th STA. We salute our alma materH
the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
alumnae to highlight our school's rich past and
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he Dart explored the diverse experiences of
defining characteristics, illustrating the evolution of STA through their reflections and our own adventures. by MARYMICHAEL HOUGH | managing editor of copy
CLASS OF
1998
BETSY O'BRIEN
Why did you choose STA? I grew up ‘out south’ at a public grade school and wanted to branch out, meet new people. Most importantly, my parents and I agreed single sex education was important. Did you take any classes that influenced your current profession? Yes and no. I was good at math and a social butterfly at STA. I now sell real estate and definitely continue to make connections through the confidence I gained at STA and my experience meeting so many people with different backgrounds and finding we had more in common than we thought. Is there anything else that you would want to say about STA in general? [Coming to STA was the] best decision of my life. [I am] closer to my STA friends and classmates than any others in my life. I developed friendships, excelled academically, started college with 10 college credit hours, made me confident, driven and grateful. I am excited for my daughter to attend in the future and see all it will do for her. Love the respect STA is given across the area and so proud to be an alum.”
CLASS CLASS OFOF
2010 2011
JORDAN MILLER
Why did you choose STA? I actually wanted to go to [Bishop Miege High School.] I grew up in Shawnee and all my friends from grade school were going to Miege or St. James Academy. I always figured I’d go to school with them, but my mom began to research all-girl high schools and found STA. She was who encouraged me to look at STA and in the end sort of made me go there. I was unhappy about it at the time, but by the end I was incredibly thankful for the opportunity to go to STA. There are so many experiences I had at STA I wouldn’t have had anywhere else. I don’t think it would be possible to replicate the bond our class had at another school.
Are you still friends with people that you went to St. Teresa’s with? "This is another aspect I love about St. Teresa’s. My best friends came from St. Teresa’s. We go on trips together and hang out in Kansas City whenever everyone is in town. Also, if I saw someone from my class, I would be so excited to see her and catch up. I hang out with STA girls in Kansas City, and I actually live with two of my closest friends from my graduating class." Is there anything else that you would want to say about STA in general? "St. Teresa’s was one of the greatest blessings – it brought me so much joy and provided me with several opportunities to help me succeed. St. Teresa’s instilled in me confidence, compassion, leadership, intelligence, and a sense of camaraderie. The young women of St. Teresa’s Academy were taught to go forth living by St. Teresa of Avila’s message, and one of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s mottos: “In this house all must be friends, all must be loved, all must be held dear, all must be helped.” This saying is framed in my room to this day. What an awesome message.
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he Dart detailed all the upcoming functions involved
in STA's Academy 150 celebrations to paint a picture
of the upcoming year. From an all-community Celebration Mass to a summer cruise in France, this year has something for everyone.
How do you hold a birthday party for a school? Pretty secretively, as it turns out. Marketing / public relations employee Diane Wilmot, alongside president Nan Bone, director of development Barbara Cusick, and marketing / public relations employee Megan Schaefer, organized a confidential assembly Jan. 4 to kick off Academy 150 with a birthday party for STA. Students celebrated with a DJ, party hats, 2016 glasses and beloved “star cookies” after the assembly. “We thought [keeping the assembly secret] would be more fun for students,” Wilmot said. “It was easy [to get the teachers involved]. They knew before they left on break to keep quiet.” The assembly, held on the first day of
by MADI WINFIELD | scheduling editor of web
school, was the first of many events to be held this year in conjunction with Academy 150. Currently, these events include a Celebration Mass; a visit from mayor Sly James; an outdoor event, the Quad Fest; a river cruise through France; and an Anniversary Gala. Still, Cusick believes there will be more events throughout the year, whether through the school itself or through clubs and organizations who want to fundraise or hold events associated with the year’s theme. Though many of the events are for adults only, Cusick assures there is something for everyone in these celebrations. “There are two important groups we didn’t want to leave out of the celebration: the sisters and the students,” Cusick said.
SISTER, SISTER photos by ANNA HAFNER page designer The Dart had current students pose to recreate yearbook photos from previous years in honor of the 150 anniversary. Check out DNO for more yearbook recreations.
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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
“The [Celebration Mass] is a great way to honor the sisters, and the birthday party was a great way to honor the students.” These events will be focused in some form around STA’s history and legacy as the oldest school in Kansas City. “When we were putting the [150th anniversary book] together and going through history, [we saw that] the school continued to strive and make it through all the changes in the world,” Cusick said. “You read the [school] newspapers, see what they were talking about, what was important to them - so much of it’s the same. They’re just brilliant young women who want answers, want to explore, want to push themselves to be their bestH”
THE ACADEMY 150 BOOK is available at the Star Shop and online at academy150.org. The website also features a timeline of STA's history from 1839 to 2015, as well as a live gallery of photos, videos, stories and quotes to which one can submit their own memories.
FEBRUARY
JUNE
February 1: Mayor Sly James and the Year of the Young Woman Proclamation “The Mayor’s Proclamation is an opportunity for him to see what we’re doing on our campus with STEAM and… to visit with the student body about the importance of education,” Cusick said. This event was rescheduled from Jan. 14 after James was called upon to argue in opposition to a bill repealing state earnings tax in Missouri. More can be found about this event on page 6 and DartNewsOnline.
June 4: Quad Fest The Quad Fest is a 21+ outdoor event held on campus, “featuring live music, resident artists, great food, and cold beverages,” according to Starbeams. “[The Quad Fest] is a lower price point,” Cusick said. “The [Anniversary] Gala will be a more expensive evening… so [with the Quad Fest], we hope to include anyone who might want to be a part of the celebration but who might not be able to go to the Gala.” June 22-29: River Cruise through France A group of “alums, administration, and friends of the Academy,” according to Starbeams, will journey down the Saône and Rhône Rivers on an eight-day trip of Southern France. “It’s really an event to go back to our roots, to learn about where the Sisters of St. Joseph are from, and just to get a little bit of history,” Cusick said. “Every time we learn more about ..them, we make ourselves better to carry out their mission.” According to alumnae director Kathleen Barry, the cruise will start in Lyon, the mother house of the Sisters of St. Joseph. So far, over 30 people have signed up for the trip, but registration will remain open until March.
plaid politician Mayor Sly James poses with a 3D-printed bowtie gifted to him by STEM Club. photo by PAIGE POWELL
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
October 8: Homecoming Weekend This annual event includes a mass in the Windmoor Center chapel, a short reception, and student-led tours around campus. “The students always crack up because the [alumnae] always have great stories to tell about what they were doing when they were in school,” Cusick said. Though all alumnae are invited, the event focuses on anniversaries in five-year increments; this year, that includes the Classes of 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, and so on.
November 19: Anniversary Gala and Auction “The Mayor’s Proclamation is an opportunity for him to see what we’re doing on our campus with STEAM and… to visit with the student body about the importance of education,” Cusick said. This event was rescheduled from Jan. 14 after James was called upon to argue in opposition to a bill repealing state earnings tax in Missouri. More can be found about this event on page 6 and DartNewsOnline.
cosmetic obsession | An STA student tests makeup at H&M during Black Friday shopping Nov. 27. photo illustration by VIOLET COWDIN
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t. Teresa's plans for a bright future. Administration and faculty hopes to continue educating and inspir-
ing young women for the next 150 years of sisterhood by improving campus environment through upcoming renovations and projects.
St. Teresa’s Academy has many plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary that will continue to bring STA further into the 21 century, according to STA President Nan Bone. Plans include renovations to the Goppert building and the library in the Donnelly building, an arboretum, an endowment program, a STEAM initiative, the building of a reserve to replace equipment when it unexpectedly fails and possibly an outdoor classroom. “There are so many pieces to this campaign, it will almost affect every teacher and student at STA,” Bone said. “Some could happen before, if it doesn’t require a great deal of money, we could
by CLAIRE MOLLOY | staff writer
do some of that renovation while we are still going out and securing additional income.” The Academy 150 campaign works in conjunction with the STEAM initiative to provide students with the best education to be prepared for the work force, according to Principal of Academic Affairs Barbara McCormick. This initiative will start next year with online enrollment, a robotics team set to start in the fall and new course offerings, among other things. “It’s really just opening and broadening the opportunities in courses, and doing some more interdisciplinary courses where a couple fields cross one another,”
THE ACADEMY DICTIONARY The Dart defines STA terms and asks students to do the same.
McCormick said. Next year every student will also be receiving a Surface Pro 4 tablet in place of the netbooks. The cost of the technology fee will go up a small amount because each tablet is approximately $1000 per student, after they add a case similar to the ones used in the army. The administration has decided to lease the tablets because they want to be able to provide students with the newest technology. “We will always continually now update because we’re leasing,” Bone said. “So that allows to get the best and the greatest, and the best tools to really help our girls’ education because it all changes over time.” H compiled by MARY HILLIARD editor-in-chief
See DNO for the full dictionary.
ADVISORIES Dart says: STA’s version of homerooms; students from all grade levels form four-year relationships with their faculty advisors and classmates within their advisories. Students are required to check in and out at the beginning and end of each day. Freshmen Victoria Parsons and Lira Sanford say: Second family MUSIC AND ARTS BUILDING Dart says: Built in 1909, M&A is on the national Register of Historic Places. The nuns who used to teach at STA lived on the fourth floor. Currently, English, theology, world language, and music classes are taught there. Senior Annie Tuttle says: The circle building with all the guy teachers SISTER JOAN TOLLE Dart says: An STA institution, Sister Joan is a sister of St. Joseph who worked at STA since 1984 before retiring in 2013. She is easily recognized by her small stature and parka that likely weighs as much as her. Senior Darby Pedersen says: A magical goddess
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ACADEMY WOMAN Dart says: Each year, the Academy recognizes a senior who exemplifies “the best of the best,” the finest personal qualities and characteristics of an STA student, including religious and moral character, leadership, loyalty, responsibility, and service. The very first award recipient was Martha Becker Head from the Class of 1949. Junior Grace Schloegel says: Someone who shows the sisterhood, carries out the sisterhood, nice to everyone, easy to talk to TWINKS Dart says: Student Council Organization surprised students in 1991 with a Christmas gift, the school’s new mascot, Twinks, a large yellow star. The gender of the school mascot is highly debated. Senior Maddie Summers says: A glamorous icon BISTRO Dart says: STA’s lunch service; local company that prides itself on providing healthy and nutritious lunches with farm fresh ingredients from the surrounding area. Senior Mary Grace Campbell says: Bomb.com, cookies are always hot and fresh out the kitchen
the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
A&E
all in the timing: one sophomore's transfer story to sta
Sophomore Kate Loman was cast in the winter play before she began attending STA second semester. by TORIE RICHARDSON | editor-in-chief
“I remember very vividly the first time I met Kate,” drama teacher Shana Prentiss begins. She sits at her desk in the back of her classroom during a free period, and sophomore Kate Loman sits across the room, working on an essay, sometimes yelling out “how do you spell…” or asking for advice for her personal essay. Loman and Prentiss laugh and joke with each other many times throughout the course of this free period. No one would guess they only met a few months before. “It was at the open house this year,” Prentiss says, “and she walked up to me and, very direct, without her mother...she walked up to me and she said ‘hi, my name is Kate. I’m transferring to St. Teresa’s because I love theater.’” Loman had to clarify, though. She wasn’t transferring the next year like many of the open house attendees Prentiss had met that day. She would be transferring to STA the next semester to continue her sophomore year, which had begun at Lee’s Summit North High School. So, when Loman auditioned for the winter play, she wasn’t technically an STA student. She stood in a semi-circle among girls with plaid skirts wearing jeans and
her striped Ralph Lauren polo. Even though Loman laughed along with the other students who auditioned, she still remembers feeling a bit uneasy among people she didn’t know. “I was nervous to try out because I only knew one person, so it was a little nerve wracking to meet everybody all at once,” Loman said. I was very overwhelmed because I had to work with people I’d never seen or worked with before.” Still, she admits, “it was pretty fun.” Her sole motivation for transferring to STA wasn’t theater, though. She and her mother heavily considered academics, and the more they talked to STA officials, the more they decided it would be best to transfer mid-year. “We decided that would be good for me [to transfer],” Loman said. “Then I was talking to the athletic director about playing lacrosse here and what it took to try out and stuff and he asked me how long I’d been playing.” She answered with “five years.” He replied "'well then you should just transfer at semester, we could use another girl on the team,'" Loman recalled. So, by the time she transferred, Kate Loman was already cast as Mrs. Trotsky in the Variations of Trotsky’s Death. According to Prentiss, Loman has “a lot of talent.” Prentiss decided to cast her because “I just knew that she would be
photo by VIOLET COWDIN
able to do anything she needed to do,” Prentiss said. “Anything” includes portraying the doting wife of an evil dictator named Trotsky who dies eight times throughout the one-act play which airs Feb. 18 to Feb. 20 alongside eight other one-act plays. Loman hopes to continue pursuing fine arts at STA, but her ultimate dream is to be a veterinarian for the Kentucky Derby, and she hopes her career at STA will put her one step closer to fulfilling that dream. “The Kentucky Derby is very prestigious, and it’s very hard to be a vet for anybody if they have multimillion dollar horses,” Loman said. “They want to make sure they’re getting the best of the best, so I want to prove that I am the best of the best.” For now, Loman tries to bring the best to her character and to her academics at STA. Sophomore Anna Campbell, who describes Loman as “outgoing” and “friendly” plays Mr. Trotsky, the husband of Loman’s character. Though Loman differs from her character in many ways, Campbell said Loman is “very good at [portraying] her character.” Prentiss agreed, noting Loman’s acting talent. “It’s about understanding what the character is, and how you can bring it to life and she’s totally capable of that,” Prentiss said.” H
pages designed by Mackenzie O'Guin and Linden O'Brien-Williams
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PERSPECTIVES
students record life to be viewed as "perfect"
by KATIE DONNELAN | staff writer
The pressure mounts as the years of high school pass to build the “ideal” college resume. Many students spend so much time participating in the wrong things that they do not enjoy the journey to the “happiness” of their ideal college. Students need to focus on doing things they enjoy rather than living too far in the future. As I walk the hallways I hear students muttering about parents pushing them to do an internship. I see people attend the first meeting for an extracurricular to write it on their resume. I hear students wail about the possibility of rejection. Colleges are becoming more selective by looking for well-rounded yet unique students. There is a common belief that catering to a school’s “perfect candidate” is how to stand out. Whether this is true or not, the student is missing out on time to spend with family, friends, or simply relaxation. The idea of building a perfect
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resume stresses the future too much. In this day and age we miss out on the present through distractions that are supposed to better our lives. Our happiness is measured in time and events. We are trained to capture the “perfect moment” through social media or writing it down to share with a college. We record the amount of time we spend doing something rather than how much we got out of doing it. For example, we evaluate our service by focusing on the quantity of time we dedicated rather than the quality. We plan things by focusing on their effect on our resume, but if something is truly an enriching moment it most likely cannot be summed up in a few sentences. In this way I see people fit their lives to others expectations. Ironically, some colleges are allowing students to build their class schedule with no restrictions. This allows students to focus their time to classes they value, rather than wasting it with requirements. The emphasis put on the future is overdone. There is no perfect resume or perfect way to prepare for life because everyone’s lives are different. We can not fulfill a checklist to get into college. Life is unpredictable. There is a journey to get there that is different for every person. This journey is unique and should be enjoyed more. Our time is valuable.H
the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
Society needs to stop ignoring mental illness
by MADDY MEDINA print editor of photography
She climbs into bed and shuts her eyes, hoping for at least a few hours of sleep. As she waits for her mind to drift into the sweet comfort of sleep, she is reminded of the shadow that is constant even in the dark. She is flooded with doubt, fear, stress, guilt, hatred, anger and helplessness as her heart knocks at her rib cage and she struggles to take in enough air.
She tires as her racing mind searches desperately for a finish line she may never find. She loses control of herself as she sinks below the surface and lets the murky water cradle her to a familiar restless sleep. The next morning, she musters up as much strength as she can to pull her heavy body out of bed, put on her mask, and walk out the door to begin yet another day with her loyal shadow trailing behind. Mental illness is an extremely prominent factor contributing to many people’s daily lives, yet society continues to ignore it. It is time we recognized mental illness, not hid it or glorified it. It is time we faced the bare truth. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20% of children ages 13-18 struggle with a mental illness and 18.5% (43.8 million) of adults in the U.S. suffer from a mental illness in a given year. Approximately half of the affected population is not given the treatment and services they desperately need due to the lack of availability. As a result, people’s conditions worsen, students drop out of school and many commit
suicide. Services are not readily available due to the stigma and lack of education that exists around the topic of mental illness. We live in an incredibly materialistic society, so when we are presented with such a subject that we cannot concretely grasp, we ignore it or deem it nonexistent. To be cliche, we fear the unknown. Living in such an oblivious society can also lead us to glorify, romanticize and appropriate mental illness, especially through media. When those struggling are consistently left in the dark, the less we truly understand about the suffocating pain they experience and the more is left up to our own assumptions, which often results in mental illness being viewed as a cool trend. It is necessary that we change the way mental illness is regarded today. We need to recognize that just because something is occurring inside our heads, that does not make it any less real. H
CHECK OUT THE OTHER COLUMNS ON DNO! page designed by Helen Wheatley
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SPORTS
Diving into State
divin' in | Senior Sophia Prochnow prepares to dive at a meet during the 2014-2015 season. 2016 is Prochnow's fourth year diving for STA. photo by HELEN WHEATLEY
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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
After a nine-year drought, STA divers are jumping into the water at State. by MAGGIE KNOX | editor-in-chief
Bobbing up out of the water, she feels happy with her performance. She had executed her dives well and had done her best to reach the qualifying score of 356. After 11 separate dives and over 10 years of preparation, she thought she had made the cut for State. And she did, but they wouldn’t let her go. This is how senior Sophia Prochnow felt after her dive meet Jan. 2 at Lee’s Summit High School. When she asked her dad what her score was, he told her that she had made the cut. However, the official scores had yet to be announced. “[I knew that] I either made it, or I was really, really close,” Prochnow said. When the judges announced the State qualifiers, Prochnow felt proud of her teammate freshman Caroline Armstrong who had made the cut off. But Prochnow’s name wasn’t on the list. “They said I had 346,” Prochnow said. “That sound[ed] a lot lower than I thought. I made my brother drive me home, because I didn’t think I could focus enough on driving. I was trying to remember my scores, but I couldn’t really because there’s so many.” Prochnow then decided to relax and wait to receive her score sheet at practice the following Monday, Jan. 4. But after she checked her scores, she noticed something was missing. “I added together everything, and I rechecked all the math,” Prochnow said. “I was like, okay, they’re missing 10 points here. They just carried something wrong. And they’re doing a lot of math--they’re doing this math for 30 divers, so it isn’t extremely rare that that would happen. I immediately called my coach. [I told her that I had] just checked my math four times, and I think I made State.” With her coach Shelly King by her side, she talked to STA athletic director Mark Hough about the problem. They both told Prochnow the same thing: that they would see what they could do about it. After some research, Hough found a rule from the National Federation of State High School Associations, or NFHS, that states ‘clerical errors can
be corrected within 48 hours of the completion of the meet.’ “We turned it in Tuesday, when we had to have turned it in Monday,” Prochnow said. “So, [the NFHS] was like, sorry there’s nothing we’ll do about it.” Even with letters to MSHSAA from the athletic director from the school that held the meet, Lee’s Summit, and the official that made the math error, the organizations still said that Prochnow had not qualified. Regardless, Hough still encouraged Prochnow to keep improving on her dives and to try to qualify for State again. “I’m proud of Sophia because it was kind of in her hands after that,” Hough said. “She knew she had it in her head that she could do it. It was just a matter of doing it on the day it counted. It’s an added pressure, definitely, but she knew she could, and she had her head in the right place, and she kept working hard. Instead of folding, she went out there and did what she needed to do.” And so she did it. Prochnow qualified for State for the second time this season at the STA swim and dive team senior night at the Red Bridge Family YMCA Jan. 26. This meet was a six-dive meet, unlike Lee’s Summit’s 11-dive meet; thus, she had less dives to complete, but these six dives became more important. Her score of 239.4 beat the needed qualifying score of 230. “It was a school record too,” Prochnow said. “I had last year’s [record], and
it was 204, so I just shattered it.” In addition, freshman Caroline Armstrong qualified for State, but cannot attend due to a conflict with the State tournament for dance team. Both will be held Feb. 20. “I’m kind of sad that I can’t go to dive State,” Armstrong said. “It’d be cool to go as a freshman. But, I committed to dance State first, so I decided that’d be best [to attend]. It’s a team sport.” Regardless, Armstrong and Prochnow agree that the team has bonded well this season. “[I feel] so much relief,” Prochnow said. “It’s so bittersweet because senior night is my favorite meet every year because it’s just a meet with all of my best friends. But now, I’ll be able to be there at State with them for our last meet.” “It’s been fun to watch,” Hough said. “We’ve had some talented girls. We’ve had some good coaches come through here. We’ve been trying to find [divers] as freshman to stick it through for four years. It’s nice to see them work hard and get better and get to the point of qualifying for State.” Prochnow agrees, knowing she can focus on preparing for State. “I was so worried that I had made it but then wouldn’t be able to go because of a math error,” Prochnow said. “But my hard work paid off. It’s so relieving, because now, I don’t have to worry about any other meets until State. I have time, and I can die happy.” H
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1. Freshman Caroline Armstrong performs an inward dive in the pike position. 2. Prochnow jumps on the board before her dive. Prochnow found the math error, but unfortunately it was found too late and the score couldn't be changed. photos by LIBBY HUTCHINSON
page designed by Meg Thompson
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COMMUNITY
'Van Gogh' to the
Nelson
Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was named the best museum in the country. by JEANIE O'FLAHERTY | staff writer
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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2015
2. 1. 1. Robert Morris' 'Glass Labyrinth' sits outside the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Morris' glass maze was opened in May 2014 and has attracted many visitors. 2. Duane Hanson's sculpture 'Museum Guard' stands on guard at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Attracting many visitors, the realistic statue has stood in the corner of the Nelson's room for contemporary art for many years. 3. The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art contains several outside sculpture parks and gardens outside of the museum. photos by CASSIE HAYES
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Last December, Yelp, an online guide for local restaurants and attractions, evaluated museums using consumer reviews and rankings from museums nationwide, to compile a list of the best museums in the country. First on that list is Kansas City’s very own Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. To make sure you plan a complete visit and don’t miss anything that the Nelson has to offer, follow this simple guide when you plan your visit. 1. Explore all of the collections from around the world You can check out ancient Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain artifacts from South Asia, or the more modern art from India, Thailand, or Cambodia. Next, be sure to spend time with the thousands of works from China, a collection that is one of the finest in the world according to the museum’s website. Once you’ve seen the art from Southeastern Asia, you can make your way to the Japanese collection filled with pieces ranging anywhere from 30,000 years ago up until the 20th century. The African art collection, featuring head dresses and bodily ornaments from more than 30 cultures, is a lively and informative experience that gives insight to how objects are used in African ceremonies and everyday life. After that, you can wander back over to the original building to see paintings and sculptures from Europe. With art spanning from Medieval times all the way through World War II, you’re sure to find something that intrigues you. Don’t forget to look at the American collection with works such as 20th-century Realism and early American modernism. Then, be sure to check out the American Indian art that includes pottery, basketry, quill and beadwork, textiles, painting and sculpture.
2. Attend events that catch your attention. Celebrate. Festivals celebrating a variety of cultures take place every year. Join in on something you’d like to learn about, like the Chinese New Year, or the Day of the Dead. Watch a performance. Each year, the Nelson hosts anywhere from film series to dance performances to visual art. Discover. Attend a talk or presentation to learn more about the museum’s collections and exhibitions. Scholars, art curators, and filmmakers are on the list to present to you what they know. Coming up is TED Live, Teen Battle of the Bands, and weekend family activities exploring the museum’s Pop Art collection. Explore talents. Go to a Friday night open mic. Once a month the Nelson’s Teen Advisory Group hosts an open mic where you can showcase poetry, music, dance, and just about any performance you can think of. Learn. Take a class, whether it be painting, drawing, sculpture, or any of the various classes offered by the Nelson. 3. Take advantage of the beautiful sculpture park Take a picnic and relax in the wide open green, or bring your dog and throw the frisbee. And of course, get a good close up of the massive sculptures of badminton birdies. 4. Celebrate that the best museum in the country is in your city! There are thousands of museums in America, and Kansas City is lucky enough to be home to the best one. Next time you have a free day, make sure the Nelson is on your list.
page designed by MaryMichael Hough
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LAST LOOK
Where do they stand?
Each candidate is narrowing down their views, hoping to become America’s next leader. by LILY MANNING | staff writer photo illustrations by MAGGIE KNOX | editor-in-chief
Hillary Clinton A former secretary of state, senator and first lady, Hillary Clinton is contending for the presidency for the second time. Clinton believes the president should yield deportation for some immigrants, giving undocumented residents a path to citizenship. She would like to see more studies done on marijuana before finalizing a decision on whether or
Bernie Sanders Running as a democrat with socialist views, Bernie Sanders has run in six statewide elections in Vermont and acts as a member of Congress. Sanders has taken a proactive stance against climate change and plans to charge companies for their carbon emissions. Along with reforming student loans, he would grant $18 to state governments, allowing them to cut state tuition by 55 percent. As far as gun control,
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Sanders’ stance is mixed. In the past, he has voted against pro gun control bills but for banning assault weapons. Sanders proposes a healthcare program provided to all Americans by federal and state governments. He believes in offering a path to citizenship for all immigrants and waiving some deportations. Finally, Sanders has plans to raise some taxes on the wealthy and cut taxes for the middle class.
the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 5 February 2016
not to legalize it. Clinton supports lawful citizen’s right to own guns, but would like to "keep guns out of the wrong hands." She supports the Affordable Care Act and plans to strengthen it. Clinton believes in marriage equality and legal access to abortions. Additionally, she plans to close loopholes in corporate taxes and cut taxes for the middle class.
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Ted Cruz Senator and former prosecutor Ted Cruz is the son of a Cuban immigrant and preacher. Cruz supports a single tax rate for all Americans regardless of income and has plans to abolish the IRS. He wants to repeal Obamacare and believes there should be strict limits on abortions. He believes states have the choice to define marriage and that only the states outlined in the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage
ruling should have to follow the law. Cruz strongly supports a citizen’s right to own firearms and is against expanding background checks on gun purchases. Cruz is against any plans to let undocumented immigrants legally remain in the US and has attempted to strengthen border security in the past by tripling border officers and quadrupling their equipment.
Donald Trump Donald Trump is a billionaire businessman. Believing that automatic budget cuts do not go far enough, Trump plans to cut government spending. He believes climate change is a hoax and thinks marriage should be strictly between a man and a woman. Trump calls for limiting abortions and generally opposes gun control but supports the ban of assault weapons and the extension of the waiting period for gun purchase. He urges economic
growth in order to save programs like Social Security and Medicare. He stands against immigration, offering no path to citizenship for undocumented workers but calling for an expansion of legal immigration from Europe and giving legal status to foreign students who complete a degree at an American university. Trump plans to end corporate taxes and lower individual taxes, reducing the national debt with a one-time tax on the wealthy.
Marco Rubio Marco Rubio was first a law student, then a congressional intern, which eventually landed him the title of Florida’s youngest-ever state House speaker. Rubio plans to balance the nation’s budget, prioritizing defense. He believes that climate change is not caused by humans and that any laws passed to combat it will simply "destroy our economy." Rubio believes marriage should be between a man and a woman but says Americans must abide
by the Supreme Court decisions to legalize same-sex marriage. In the past, Rubio has voted against bills that would expand background checks on gun purchases and has proposed bills that would make gun purchases easier. He believes in banning abortions after 20 weeks, with exceptions, and repealing the Affordable Care Act. He plans to cut corporate taxes and simplify the tax codeH
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The Dart Vol. 75
In the DNO Check out the coverage on dartnewsonline
sister school celebrates 175th
interactive joB map
story by zoe butler multimedia by madi winfield
young adults must remain informed
column by linden o'brien-williams
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