Volume 79 Issue 4 by DartNewsOnline

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THE

ST. TERESAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ACADEMY|KANSAS CITY, MO VOLUME 79, ISSUE 4

Christmas puppies are not as problematic as they appear In recent years, animal shelters have seen a decrease in controversies surrounding pets given as Christmas presents. Some local shelters encourage it and have plans in place to ensure that the adopters and animals are a good fit. p. 10

2 LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

DECEMBER 13, 2019

DEAR READER, Hello readers! As the holiday season approaches, so does holiday shopping with students making lists for what they would like. For some, this may include dogs. In Carmon Baker’s feature, she explores what this looks like for shelters and adoption centers. Sources such as the chief communications officer for KC Pet Project, Tori Fugate, give advice to families interested in buying pets and discuss the long term responsibility of owning a pet. To read more, turn to page 10. Another popular Christmas gift idea is DNA kits, a trend that saw a spike in 2017. In Cara Barone’s online feature, students Alaina Durone and Emma Peck discuss their experiences with DNA kits as a holiday gift. The story also touches on how local resident Kate Riffel was able to find her half-brother as well as her ancestral origins. Barone also explores how the rise of DNA kits has had an affect on the market, such as the growth of DNA heritage travel. To find out more, go to DartNewsOnline. For more gift ideas, you can also check out Tess Jones’ video on DIY gifts. As well as receiving gifts, it’s also

during this time that students give gifts to their families, friends and for some, significant others. Faith Andrews-O’Neal explores the idea of “couples season” in her feature, which looks at the pressure some girls feel to be in a relationship during the colder months. Personal counselor Amanda Whitcomb comments on what she’s seen at STA and how the gift giving season may play a role. For more information, turn to page 8. However, the Dart recognizes that not all students celebrate the holiday season the same way. On Snapchat this cycle, you can follow Claire Smith’s Hanukkah Takeover, where she shows how her family celebrates Hanukkah. On DNO, you’ll find Sophia Rall’s video of how exchange students celebrate Christmas and view American Christmas. She interviewed Manon Jarque from France and Denisia Pintilie from Romania so make sure you listen to the podcast to hear about their different experiences. This cycle we have a variety of galleries that are uploaded to DNO. Sophia Durone captures the many emotions of finals week in her first ever gallery. Beatrice

Curry took on the photo essay, which was moved online for the holiday issue, and took photos of Messenger Coffee, a coffee shop downtown that embraces the holiday spirit. Rachel Robinson and Claire Smith attended a climate change walk out and photographed the passionate advocates for change. To see how advisories celebrated Christmas this year, check out Katie Massman’s gallery. From all of us here on the Dart staff, we want to wish you happy holidays and hope you have a relaxing winter break. As always, make sure you stay up to day with all of our socials, which can be found on the back cover, and check out our online content on DartNewsOnline. Love,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

04 06 08 10 12 13 14 16

News Feature: Free bus fare

Star Spotlight: Emma Marsh Feature: Couples season Feature: Christmas puppies

Perspective: Media fixates on black pain Perspective: Global warming endangers birds Last Look: Family recipes What’s New On the DNO

THE DART/DNO STAFF 2019-2020

Editors-in-Chief

Ella Norton, Lily Hart

Adviser

Riley Cowing

Design Editors

Anna Ronan, Claire Smith

Photo Editors

Amy Schaffer, Rebecca Speier

Page Designers

Cara Barone, Lauren Brackney, Sophia Rall, Lilly Frisch

COPY

WEB

Sophia Durone

Carmon Baker

Features Editor Opinion Editors

Faith Andrews-O’Neal, Rachel Robinson

Lifestyles Editor Olivia Powell

Sports Editor

Claudia Benge

Staff Writers

Iris Roddy, Lily Sage, Beatrice Curry

Cover design by Lilly Frisch and Sophia Rall Back cover by Carmon Baker

Web Editor

Multimedia Editor Aspen Cherrito

Breaking News Editor Mary Massman

Social Media Editor Tess Jones

Social Media Team

Sydney Waldron, Katie Massman

DECEMBER 13, 2019

4 NEWS FEATURE EDITORIAL POLICIES Ownership and Sponsorship

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Zero Fare Buses becomes a

City Council passed a resolution for a funding request in the next fiscal year budget to make fixed route public transportation fare free within Kansas City MO. Dec. 5. Kansas City will be one of 27 cities in the nation to have free bus fare. Story and Alternative Coverge by Sydney Waldron | Facebook and Snapchat Editor

lthough the resolution passed recently, CEO of Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Robbie Makinen states that it wasn’t something that happened overnight. It is something they have been testing out in different groups. “The city has been methodically and strategically been testing this out with veterans, school kids and safety net providers, and because of that we feel as if we are ready to take the next step,” Makinen said. According to Makinen, Kansas City has provided 2.3 million free rides for veterans in Kansas City. Makinen believes that free bus fare provides people with better access to opportunities and services in Kansas City. "You can talk about affordable housing, job training and all these other services, but if you can’t get

there, then what’s the point," he said. Makinen also suggests that free bus fare will increase productivity and save people time. “Right now, if you go down to the bus station, it would take five to ten minutes to get everybody on the bus and loaded because people have to find their money and their pass,” Makinen said. “Without that we can open both doors and people can just get on. It will make our system more efficient.”

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You can talk about affordable housing, job training and all these other services, but if you can’t get there, then what’s the point? Robbie Makinen

“

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

However, one concern of Zero Fare is people taking advantage of the free fare system, but Makinen says that there will be rules in place to prevent this from happening. “Just like at the end of the streetcar, when you reach the end of the line you have to get off, so there are not going to be people just getting on the bus and riding it all day,” Makinen said. Another concern is that since there is no fare, people will ask for handouts on the bus rather than on the street. If this is the

RideKC’s 35 in Westport Kansas City. RideKc is the organsioation that controls all public transportation in Kansas City. Photo courtesy of RideKC Facebook

Reality For Kansas City case, critics worry that it could compromise the safety of the system. Makinen argues that this will not be a problem. “We have one of the safest public transit programs in the nation,” Makinen said. “Less than 1% of over 15-16 million rides an incident happens, and 90% of anytime anything happens on the bus it is because of a fare dispute. So eliminate the fare, eliminate the dispute.” Senior Murphy O’Dell took the city bus four times a week during freshman and sophomore year, and agrees with Makinen that the majority of disputes she witnessed were fare related. “When people would come up to you they would ask you, ‘do you have any money for the next bus’ and I would be like no I just spent all my money on this bus so I don’t know what to tell you,” O’Dell said. The biggest issue for Zero Bus Fare Service is funding. According to chair of the finance committee Katheryn Shields, Kansas City is expected to have a $65 million shortfall over the next five years. The Zero Fare program is expected to cost around $8 million, something that Shields argues the city may not afford without affecting other services like street resurfacing. “One of the reasons the city

has no money is because we keep saying, ‘Oh, this is a good idea, let’s do this,’” Shields said. Makinen argues that Zero Bus Fare will save the citizens of Kansas City money and help the local economy. “I’ll argue that a $1.50 goes a lot outside our fare box than in it," Makinen said. "What I mean by that is if you pay that $1.50 to us what we are going to do is buy more posted notes and the burencrys but if you don’t pay for it and it stays in your pocket then you have an extra 1,500 or 2,000 dollars every year and that can mak a huge diffrence. That

money is not going to leave the state it is going to flow right back into the local economy. Buying bread a pair of shoes a uniform and therefore generates sales tax for the city and the state which we get a piece of anyway.” Makinen also believes that it is unfair for citizens to pay the $1.50 bus fare. “I believe that by paying $1.50 to ride public transit you are getting taxed twice,” Makinen said. “You pay taxes, but then if you have to get on the bus and pay another $1.50 then you are getting taxed twice.” Despite the cost of Zero Fare, Makinen believes that it will be well worth Kansas City’s money. “Our mission is to connect people of Americans have no access to opportunity.” to public transportation. Makinen said “Something that I In 2018, Americans took billion often say is talent has no zip code, billion trips on public transportation but opportunity is meaning you have to be million times each weekday, able to get talented folks to people board public transportation the opportunities.” B

45%

9.9

Information Compiled from American Public Transportation Association

6 STAR SPOTLIGHT

DECEMBER 13, 2019

EMMA

Senior Emma Marsh finds the unique qualities of ice skating as a new opportunity to spend time with her friends and have fun. Marsh has been drawn to the ice since she was 4 years old and she continues to enjoy skating inside a rink. Story by Becca Speier | Photo Editor

Senior Emma Marsh warms up on the ice skating rink before her practice begins Nov. 19. Marsh grew up in an ice skating family and she has been skating since she was four. photo by Claudia Benge

MARSH

o you ice-skate competitively? Yes, I do individual and synchronized skating. So I compete with an ice-skating team. Can you say a little more about your synchronized skating team? On my team, there are 15 other girls. We are the intermediate team of competitions. We go to Michigan a lot and other places like Minnesota. We just compete and have the same program every year. How often do you practice? I practice five days a week right after school. Also, I practice Sunday mornings. Why do you ice-skate, specifically what has made you continue to practice for all these years? I skate because I mean, I just really love it. I love how I just get to be myself all the time and when I’m on the ice I feel I can just do what I want. I mean like I said, it would be hard just dropping something that I love so much and something that truly makes me, me. Are there any special things about ice skating that has kept you dedicated to the sport? Not really. My friends are a really big part of it for me. It wasn’t hard to make friends, and I consider them really close to me because I see them all the time. Are there any specific life skills or lessons that ice skating has taught you? I think skating has taught me many life lessons just over the years. I mean

first off, that it’s ok to not be the best but as long as you enjoy what you’re doing, that’s all that matters. Also I think I just learned how close your friends are to you from skating. I mean I am very close with my friends and just from skating, those connections are so strong. Are there a lot of small technical details when ice skating? Some small things are the placement of my head and placement of arms. For example, if you’re skating with a team you obviously have to be synchronized. So making sure the skater’s heads are inline. The smaller things make it come out in the end. Have you ever thought about quitting? Yes, two years ago I was just not feeling the love for it. I switched up my coaching and stuff, and that changed a lot for me. I just took a little break…and then I got back into it. Do you have a good support system when it comes to skating? Yes, my parents are really supportive. Especially my grandma — she is my biggest support. How is your grandma the biggest supporter of your skating, can you elaborate on this? My grandma has always supported me through my skating career. She has been a big role model also in my skating. Just from coming to all my competitions and taking me to the rink every day she truly has been there with me through it all. She also

has taught me many things along with my skating that are important to me. What is the music like when ice skating? Personally, I do more like upbeat songs not really slow, sad songs. Music with words makes it fun for me. Other skaters do slow, sad songs. What is the hardest move when skating on the ice? For me, it would be jumping. I am not a big fan of jumps and it makes it harder because I’m really tall too, so it makes it hard to get up into the air. Have you mastered some jumps? I’ve mastered a couple of jumps, but it is something you need to keep working at. How long does the preparation before you skate take? (hair, makeup, costume etc.) We have about two hours to get ready because everyone has to do each other’s hair and makeup. So one person will do all the makeup and the other will do all the hair. What is the most fun aspect of ice skating that you do? I would have to say just doing all the cool moves that skaters get to do. It’s really fun perfecting them and getting really good at them because it feels like a big accomplishment. B

Check out the full photo gallery on DNO

FEATURE

DECEMBER 13, 2019

Tis the Season:

How relationships work at sta The term couples season exemplifies the association between this time of year and beginning relationships. The Dart explored what this season looks like for STA students.

Story by Faith Andrews O'Neal | Opinion Editor

ophomore Sofia Stockwood has been dating her boyfriend Tommy for more than a year. In late fall and early winter, they spend time together making popcorn and watching movies. For some, this time of year means either sharing these moments, or aspiring to find a romantic partner. The time between late fall and early winter, is often associated with the beginning of the holidays. However, in recent history, it has been associated with relationships; the joys of being in one or the pressure to enter into one. For Stockwood, this season is romantically connoted with presents. She and her boyfriend exchange Christmas gifts, and it is one aspect of this season that Stockwood enjoys. “You can really see if someone knows you, like depending on what they get you,” Stockwood said. “I think it’s fun picking gifts for people.” For Stockwood, this reason is a time for bonding with her boyfriend. It also involves

Photos by Lilly Frisch |Page Designer

Juniors Mady Mudd and Maggie Dodderidge smile at each other as they walk around the Country Club Plaza Dec. 8. Mudd and Dodderidge walk around the plaza to look at the holiday decorations during the Christmas season.

balancing friends, sports (as it’s currently swim season), school and quality time with her boyfriend over at his house. “If I have a swim at 5:45 [p.m.] to 7:30 [p.m.] I’ll go over there right after school until swim, go to swim then do my homework,” Stockwood said. “Then I normally just leave the weekends open for

Juniors Mady Mudd and Maggie Dodderidge stand by a Christmas tree as they look for holiday decorations Dec. 8.

my friends.” STA’s single-sex environment creates a unique high school experience that differs from other schools that house both boys and girls. However, when it comes to relationships, personal counselor Amanda Whitcomb believes that for most students the interest is equivalent to our coeducational peers. “Whether you were in a single-sex [or] coed school, you would enter into a relationship regardless,” Whitcomb said. “That’s typical adolescent behavior: to start being curious and interested in dating and being with romantic partners.” When asked about what this time of year implies about relationships, Whitcomb’s first thoughts centered around the giving and receiving of presents. “I’ve heard it described as a season where people connect to get presents, like, let’s be in a relationship so I can get a Christmas present and a

moreso the summer months. “When you’re in a relationship with However, Hodes notes that she yourself, you have time to work sees relationships more frequently through your own situation.” as she spends time around family Without the time spent with a members during the holidays. partner, Quinn spends her time “All my family members have doing what she loves, and pursuing girlfriends, boyfriends,” Hodes said. passions that interest her “They make it look so easy. outside of being in a So I’m like why don’t I just relationship. go for it?” “I love to dance,” Although seeing Quinn said. “That’s couples may urge where I put a lot of people into my energy, in relationships, that building myself is not the case for and being the all. According to person I want to ChildTrends.org, be.” over the past 40 Quinn believes Junior Micah Quinn stands by Christmas lights years, the share of at STA Dec. 9. Quinn is single during couple that before she students in the 12th enters a relationship, season and celebrates the holidays grade who report dating with her friends and family. her time as a single frequently — more than once person will help her achieve a week — has declined from emotional independence. 33% in 1976 to 14% in 2017. For “I won’t say depend on myself, junior Micah-Mishal Quinn, being because everybody needs single means a chance for someone to depend on,” Quinn independence and self-discovery. said. “Hopefully, my self-esteem will “A lot of times in your be even better than it is now, and relationship you share difficult I’ll be even more confident in my things with each other, so you’re skin and in myself.” also helping to carry whatever they have to carry,” Quinn said.

Valentine’s present,” Whitcomb said. According to Whitcomb, the desire to join in a relationship is tied to people’s want for real-life human connection, especially when idyllic displays of affection are shown throughout social media. She believes it is important to ensure that connection is authentic in reality as well. “That relationship is displayed and splashed all over social media,” Whitcomb said. “We find deep connections with people in person. Really, making sure that the friendships and the people that you’re connected to, you’re connecting with on a personal level, rather than just on social media.” For sophomore Francis Hodes, going to an all-girls school makes that connection more challenging offline. “I can’t really do anything on school days,” Hodes said. “That makes everything more on text and not a lot of face to face contact.” Hodes does not associate this time of year with relationships,

The Dart polled students about their own experience with couples season. Answers are based on 200 responses. Compiled by Amy Schaffer|Photo Editor

10 FEATURES

DECEMBER 13, 2019

are not as problematic as they appear In recent years, animal shelters have seen a decrease in controversies surrounding pets given as Christmas presents. Some local shelters encourage it and have plans in place to ensure that the adopters and animals are a good fit. Story by Carmon Baker Web Editor Photos by Claire Smith Design Editor

reshman Ellie Braun’s parents have been planning on adopting a dog for around a month. This November, as an early Christmas gift, her family adopted a 13 week old puppy. “My brother really wanted one for Christmas,” Braun said. “We had one and then he died a long time ago, so we were like, maybe we should just get one because

we loved having a dog.” Since adopting a puppy, Braun has noticed changes in her everyday lifestyle. “I’ve had to take her out a lot,” Braun said. “I’ve had to clean up pee inside because she’s still not potty trained. I’ve had to watch her constantly, and she’s become a big responsibility in my life because she just takes up so much time and energy because she’s so little.” Braun thinks that animals, especially dogs, are good holiday presents. “I think it’s really cool because it’s something that a lot of kids like, and a lot of kids like getting Christmas presents, so it’s kind of perfect,” Braun said. However, according to chief communications officer for KC Pet Project, Tori Fugate, giving pets as holiday presents has been controversial in the past. “I’ve been working for the shelter for almost eight years, and I’ve seen public opinion sway

Natasha, an American Pit Bull Terrier mix, sits forlornly in her kennel at Kansas City Pet Project on Dec. 9. Natasha is marked as a “shy/scared” dog, but it is unknown what she’s afraid of.

on this over the years,” Fugate said. “When I first started, it was, ‘Absolutely not, no. Pets should not be given as gifts.’ And then, over the years, we have started to see that really evolve.” The presence of pets who are given as gifts in a family can take a negative turn, based on an article from Pet Rescue. The atmosphere on Christmas morning can frighten the puppies and prevent them from connecting with the family. Fugate agrees that this issue made the idea of animals as Christmas presents controversial in the past. “They’re hoping that everybody has that emotion connection immediately with the animal,” Fugate said. “If you’re receiving a pet as a gift, you haven’t had that first connection that you would in the shelter. I think that that’s kind of a fear.”

Despite this, KC Pet Project still thinks that giving animals as holiday presents is acceptable. In fact, they often encourage it in order to help animals find a better living environment for the holiday season and beyond. “What we always say is, ‘it’s okay to give pets as gifts, you just need to make sure that the person you’re gifting the pet to is onboard with receiving one,’” Fugate said. “We get a lot of parents that come in this time of year wanting to get pets as gifts for their kids and things like that, which is totally fine.” Wayside Waifs communications and annual giving manager Casey Waugh agrees that giving animals as holiday presents can be a good idea. “We know that, while there is a stigma about giving animals as pets, we also recognize that that negative stigma is really just a myth,” Waugh said. Wayside Waifs focuses on making sure that the families who adopt new animals around Christmas time are prepared for the responsibility that comes with owning animals to avoid any future complications. “Here at Wayside, a lot of the

reason we don’t see [a lot of adoption process. returned animals] is because of “Instead of having the fun, our approach in the beginning,” wonderful surprise gift Christmas Waugh said. “As long as these morning of a cute puppy, the families or individuals who come in, better thing to do is to give a they are properly educated, not gift certificate to your [children], only do they want a pet in their life, saying, ‘we are going to go adopt in their family, but they’re prepared a puppy as a family,” Waugh said. for what that responsibility brings, “Then come in in January, and then it’s something that’s going to they’re part of the whole process. last forever.” Fugate and KC Pet Project According to Fugate, while KC encourage individuals to adopt Pet Project does see some animals animals around the holidays. In that are surrendered after the fact, they hold events each year holiday season, it is usually not an to help get animals adopted issue for the shelter. at this time, such as “Kittens for “Usually we get a heads up Christmas,” an event held on from adopter that the pet is Christmas Eve where adopters coming back, and we just make can come to adopt kittens. This sure that we are ready for it on our year, they are also hosting another end,” Fugate said. “We see it often adoption event. where people get a kitten and “We are going to be doing an then, all of a sudden, they find out adoption special for the holidays,” that one of the kids is allergic and Fugate said. “It’s going to be Dec. they can’t have a kitten anymore. 13 through [Dec. 24]. It’s going to It’s totally fine.” be ‘A New Home for the Holidays,’ Because of the long-lasting and it’s sponsored by the Petco responsibilities that come with Foundation. It’s a clear-the-shelter owning a pet, Waugh believes that adoption event, as we work to surprising people with puppies is move as many animals out of our Human not a good idea. For example, she shelter because we’re Humancurrent suggests that, when giving pets getting ready Preparation to move to our new Lifestyle as gifts to children, it is better for one.”B Human them to be actively involved in the

Housing Issues

The top five reasons why people give dogs back to shelters.

Alternative Coverage by Anna Ronan|Design Editor

The top five reasons why people give dogs back to shelters.

Human Housing Issues

Human Lifestyle Alternative Coverage by Human Anna Ronan|Design Editor Housing Issues

Animal Human Behavior Lifestyle (undefined)

Requests Human for Preparation Euthanasia Information from: The Journal of Applied Animal Science, 1998

Human Animal Preparation

Behavior (undefined)

Requests Human for Preparation Euthanasia

Information from: The Journal of Applied Animal Science, 1998

Requests for Euthanasia Information from: The Journal of Applied Animal Science, 1998

In a brief moment of calm, Thumper lays on the ground in the playpen of KC Pet Project Dec. 9. Thumper is a energetic and still waiting to be adopted.

12 PERSPECTIVES

DECEMBER 13, 2019

I don’t need to see black pain When I go to the movie theater, I do not want to view movies only centered around black people’s trauma. Story by Faith Andrews-O’Neal Opinion Editor

know black history. Maybe not as well as I’d like to, but through research of my own and multiple summers spent at Freedom School, a summer program in which black students read and discuss black history, I get the gist. I know the pain and the struggle; the chains, both physical and systemic. I understand my own sense of blackness more than anyone, and our collective pain plays a part in my everyday existence. That pain has to be acknowledged for us to move forward and upward. However, I do not wish to be reminded of that pain every time I want to see a movie featuring people that look like me. Recently, I wrote a review of the movie “Harriet,” a Harriet Tubman biopic. In my critique, I noted the extraneous display of the destruction of black bodies. It seems like in almost every movie I see, blackness is the root of trauma. While that trauma is imperative to understanding black history, it is not all that we are. My blackness is more than just slavery and oppression. It is a symbol of music and dance — of creativity and culture. Black people’s roots are in all aspects of American pop culture as we see it today. We

inspire fashion, create the newest dance trends and mold modern language through slang that emerges from our communities. We have so much to offer through our stories. I was reading a Vox article, and as of early 2016, there have been 10 wwblack actresses nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. Nine of those actresses were portraying homeless women. The one left was a maid. Not a single one has been a business executive or even college educated. From my own research, I saw that there has been one more nominee, Ruth Negga for her work in the movie “Loving” which is centered around an interracial relationship in the mid20th century, dealing with racism and fighting anti-miscegenation laws that deem their marriage invalid. All of these women were incredible in their roles, enough to overcome odds and be nominated for an Academy Award. However, black creatives are only given this level of critical acclaim and rewarded for their work when it centers around struggling black people. Why, then, should we expect black creatives to create stories having to do with our success if mainstream media is so fixated on our pain? Last year, I reviewed the movie “The Hate U Give.” I loved the book, and it’s a story that deserves to be told by a black author. However, I want to see more movies like “Everything Everything,” where a black teenage girl finds love, and her struggle comes from another source than the color

of her skin. I want to see a black woman receive critical acclaim without having to screech in pain as the whip hits her back, or her loved one is shot down by police. I want to experience the magic and escapism my white peers get from the movies. Teach this pain and suffering in history classes with the Revolutionary War, not in every piece of black cinema that critics deem valid works of art. I want to consume media with black protagonists and a happy ending. I want to watch a film without flinching every time a police officer or white man on a horse appears. I want to see cover art with black women in suits and gowns, not maid uniforms and haggard slave clothing. I want to see love stories in futuristic dystopian universes, where their largest adversary is an alien spaceship, not racial oppression. Imagine every time you go to watch a film, the story is reminiscent of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Every scene is tied to your womanhood being degraded and mutilated. The joy of cinema is removed. You get a reprieve with “Captain Marvel” and think things are changing. Then the next movie you watch is based on the force-feeding and imprisonment of suffragettes in the 19th century. It is emotionally exhausting, and that is my reality. My blackness is ever-present. I know this. The world knows this too. I want to see everything I am on screen besides my struggle. B

Climate crisis threatens birds Global warming is the greatest risk to birds in all of human history. I believe it is time for everyone to do their part and fight for our planet. Story by Iris Roddy | Writer

very winter when I was younger, I spent hours looking out the back windows of my house at birds fluttering around our feeder, making a game of identifying the different species. I’d see blue jays carry off peanuts and red-bellied woodpeckers eating bird suet upside down, all while listening to mourning doves coo softly from the power lines. We risk losing all of this. According to an article by CNN, the United States and Canada have lost 2.9 billion birds in the last 50 years. That’s almost 30% of the former population. There are lots of reasons behind this decline — loss of habitat, deforestation, deadly pesticides and roaming cats are a few — but the main culprit is the climate crisis. Global warming is the greatest risk to birds in all of human history. Out of The Guardian’s list of 10 species most at risk from climate change, the top two are birds. And according to the National Audubon Society, two-thirds of all bird species in North America are at risk of extinction due to climate change mainly because temperatures are increasing too rapidly for birds to adapt to them. In order to compensate for warmer temperatures birds

alter their behavioral patterns. Already their migration, breeding, reproduction and nesting schedules have shifted, causing many to be out of sync with their food sources. As global warming escalates this will only grow worse and many species at risk of losing their native habitats will become extinct. Birds and other wildlife are already losing their homes due to wildfires, rising sea levels, floods and more effects of global warming. It’s time for people to start paying attention. Birds are called “indicator species” by many scientists, which means if their ecosystem is suffering, humans will suffer soon as well. It is incredibly important to care about this particular effect of the climate crisis because it will permanently alter our day-today life. Losing two-thirds of North America’s bird species would have a dramatic effect on humans since birds are of great economic use to us; they disperse seeds, pollinate plants, fertilize soil, control pests with potential to devastate crops and more. If pest populations get out of control this could cause massive food shortages of wheat, corn and rice. It’s important for everyone to know about these risks so we can all do our part to help out. So, how can you combat the climate crisis and help protect our feathered friends? Individual actions really do add up. Reduce your emissions by driving less. You can do this by taking public transportation,

biking or walking instead of using your car. Always reuse and recycle goods when possible and buy local produce. If you really want to help out your native bird species, put up feeders during the winter, use native plants and skip on the pesticides to create a bird-friendly habitat in you own backyard. It’s not too late to do your part. Just like canaries warned coal miners of deadly carbon monoxide, birds of all species now sound the alarm for the climate crisis. It’s time to listen up. B

Check out Dart News Online for more columns by Anna Ronan | Design Editor Tess Jones | Social Media Editor Lily Sage | Writer Amy Schaffer | Photo Editor

14 LAST LOOK

DECEMBER 13, 2019

WHICH HOLIDAY DESSERT SHOULD YOU TRY? Story by Olivia Powell|Lifestyles Editor

The Dart compiled studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favorite holiday recipes. Follow the flow chart to find which holiday recipe you should try.

Junior Lauren Boxxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite holiday treat is oreo balls. Oreo balls are a mixture of Oreos and cream cheese rolled into little balls, and then dipped in white chocolate. photo by Lily Sage

What is your favorite holiday activity?

Ice skating

Do you prefer to relax or stay busy during the holidays?

Staying busy

CARAMELS

Scan the QR codes to see the full recipes on DNO

Make some homemade caramels this holiday season! You can enjoy making this yummy treat with some Christmas music as you bake them. Be sure not to rush this recipe, but the final result will be well worth your time!

START

What is your favorite type of weather?

Cold Warm

Watching Christmas movies

Do you prefer classic holiday traditions or trying new ones?

New traditions

Relaxing

OREO BALLS Not just a staple of advisory parties, these oreo balls are great for any event. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a small, simple snack that is sure to please the whole family this holiday season!

Josie Uecker, the mother of sta sophomore Grace, poses for the camera while making the caramels. According to Grace Uecker, her mom and grandma make caramel every year. photo courtesy of Grace Uecker

Classic traditions

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES These chocolate chip cookies are a family take on a classic dessert. This simple recipe is great for all bakers, beginners and experts alike!

ON THE DNO

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