Volume 80 Issue 3

DART THE

ST. TERESA’S ACADEMY KANSAS CITY MO VOLUME 80 ISSUE 3

THE

PERFECT

STORM

Between the COVID-19 pandemic, circadian rhythms being disrupted by winter and general mental health issues, depression and other mental disorders are predicted to rise this winter. pg. 16

2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

DEAR READER, We’ve reached our last print issue of the semester, and there is lots to talk about. Since our last publication, Joe Biden has been elected as the next President of the United States and the aftermath has been as eventful as the election itself. To hear more, check out Josie Fox’s election podcast on DartNewsOnline.

As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, seasonal depression is intensified by mental health challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more on why and what to do about it, read Sophia Rall and Caroline Hinkebein’s centerspread on page 16.

With COVID-19 rapidly transmitting, many holiday traditions have been reimagined, as the rest of the year has been. Kyra Fieger covered how the Kansas City ballet is not only going virtual but has transitioned from their traditional “Nutcracker” production to a “holiday show.” Carmon Baker dove into how different places of worship plan to tackle the height of the holidays with the pandemic. Finally, if you’re looking to give family members candles as a holiday gift, maybe rethink that as Mara Callahan covers the potential health risks that come with the fun-smelling presents.

The closest holiday, Thanksgiving, brings people together, including the Dart staff! Check out DartTube for Sydney Allen’s video on how the Dart staff celebrate together. The Thanksgiving pride at STA doesn’t stop at our staff, however, check out Rachel Robinson’s compiled gallery on DartNewsOnline displaying pictures you all sent in from different advisories coming together for the holiday. But it’s always important to remind ourselves of the history of the holidays we choose to celebrate, which Claire Smith talks about in her column, specifically Thanksgiving.

Speaking of holidays, Kansas City celebrated the Day of the Dead with virtual and socially distanced celebrations Nov. 1 and 2. For her A&E story, Rachel Robinson sat down with the organizers of these festivities to learn more about what the holiday means to them and how the cultural significance of it has changed in the pandemic.

Thanksgiving break is a great time to take your mind off school and relax with a good book. Grace Ashley will be taking this to the extreme and reading seven books in the seven days we have off. Be sure to check out her video about that on DartTube after the break. Good luck, Grace!

This will be our last print issue of the semester, so we want to thank our staff for all the hard work they have put in thus far. But our holiday issue won’t go unrecognized! Be sure to check DartNewsOnline and our social media throughout December for some amazing holiday content. Stay safe this Thanksgiving, and be sure to take time for yourself and your family during this upcoming Winter season. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a photo together, so enjoy each of us with our respective large orange cat below!

Love,

DESIGNED BY CLAIRE SMITH

04 06 08 09 10 12 14 16

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3

A Virtual Kansas City Ballet Star Spotlight: Ella Tomasic

Bits & Pieces Dia de los Muertos “Stranger Things” Makes Music Health Risks & Holiday Candles

4

Holiday Worship During a Pandemic Seasonal Mental Health & COVID-19

14 The Raw Hisotry of Thanksgiving The Bar is Too Low for Men Learning through Experiencing Basketball’s New Look The Importance of Food Banks What Thanksgiving Food Are You? Photo Essay: A Glance into “Grunge”

21 22 23 24 26 28 30

24 COVER BY GRACE ASHLEY

4 NEWS FEATURE

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Kansas City Ballet’s COVID-19 Holiday Special

N

Amidst a pandemic, the Kansas City Ballet has found a way to still bring the warmth of the holidays with this year’s altered production.

Story by Kyra Fieger | Social Media Team

W

ith Covid-19 in the mix of things, the Kansas City Ballet has had to change their plans drastically in order to perform this year’s holiday production. Founded in 1957, The Kansas City Ballet is established by viewers as being one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet companies in the country. Every year thousands of people buy tickets to go see their holiday production of the Nutcracker.

By prioritizing the safety of their dancers and faculty, social distancing standards and mask requirements have been implemented strongly.

“Everybody backstage is always so organized and calm, so I feel as though this year’s production will run smoothly even with the huge changes,” regular dancer Maggie O’Sullivan said.

Along with the normal guidelines, seating capacity has been minimized from 180 to 50 seats maximum per showing.

Seating is to be cleaned rigorously and efficiently by having faculty members disinfect each seat and providing sanitation to all. Dancers will be taking their temperatures at home and COVID tests weekly. They have even gone to such lengths as to create their own app for the dancers to check temps periodically throughout the day.

“Although our company has yet to release what production we will be doing this year, I doubt it will be The Nutcracker,” O’Sullivan said.

She says the production would be too long for them to do in under an hour, as this year’s shows are intended to be. The Kansas City Ballet stresses that amidst a pandemic, the changes being made are very serious to make sure they can obtain maximum safety

Freshman Maggie O’Sullivan poses for one of her solo professional dancing pictures Nov. 9. O’Sullivan is a current dancer at the Kansas City Ballet and performs in their rendition of The Nutcracker. photo courtesy of Maggie O’Sullivan

for all. Their main goal is to bring spirits up and feel the warmth of the holidays, while still being mindful of the dire situation.

O’Sullivan addresses the fact that their yearly production has become something dancers and viewers alike have come to look forward to.

“It’s hard for me to not be able to participate this year because of the current situation our country is in,” O’Sullivan said. “Ballet is such a stress reliever for me and not being able to dance has been a huge let down and a build up of stress.”

O’Sullivan said she wouldn’t be performing at this year’s holiday shows because due to the smaller showings, the cast will be cut down to just company dancers.The Kansas City Ballet will most likely not host tryouts of any form to include student dancers in this year’s production.

“I’m almost grateful that this year has been the one season I can’t participate in,” O’Sullivan said. “Becoming a freshman this year is such a stressful transition and it’s nice to not be as overwhelmed as if I were to have school and The Nutcracker on my plate.”

The main issue with having a smaller production is not being able to include student dancers in this year’s showing.

She eases some of the tension by looking on the bright side of things. With change comes new opportunities and O’Sullivan says that many of her fellow dancers have come up with new ways to keep busy.

“We are all taking extra classes whether it be for ballet or focusing on our academics,” she said. “We are also

spending more time together outside of the studio which has made us all closer. By going with the flow of things many dancers, including myself, have been able to take these new skills of patience and optimism and add them in the way we dance.”

O’Sullivan adds that she knows many who see this change in pace as a disaster.

She encourages her fellow dancers to continue to work towards their goals during this strange time.

“I am the one who pushes me the most and I think that during this pandemic a lot of people normally in the production may not stay active or will lose their motivation,” she said. “To help, I just remind myself of the beauty of it all and how I could never see myself not dancing.”

O’Sullivan expressed that she is proud of the changes The Kansas City Ballet has made in order to fulfill both parties’ concerns, whether it be not seeing the show or getting COVID. These decisions have been a crucial part of the holiday productions success this year and ticket prices rise as seats sell out. O’Sullivan conveys how much she can’t wait to see their performance.

“Although this show will be very demanding with all the new rules I think the production will go really well and that everyone will stay in protocol,” she said.

“All the dancers are so motivated and know their stuff. I encourage everyone to go check it out because it’s such a cool and new experience I think people will like.

The production truly shows what ballet is about.” B

DESIGNED BY RACHEL ROBINSON

NATIONAL NEWS

5

NATIONAL NEWS UPDATES Complied by Lauren Brackney | Social Media Team

COLORADO

Colorado is set to open three new In-NOut Burger restaurants across the state in Colorado Springs, Lone Tree, and Aurora. (information courtesy of CBS Denver)

OKLAHOMA

Sequoyah State Park and Nature Center in Oklahoma welcomes two new animal ambassadors to their education program Nov. 1, a 7-month old beaver, Bixby Youngblood, and a 5-month old otter pup, Harry Presley Otter. The animal ambassadors receive food, veterinary care and a safe home from the center. (information courtesy of TulsaWorld)

NEW JERSEY

Atlantic City’s casinos have regained 81% of gambling revenue back since closures that occurred previously in the year, as of Nov. 15 (information courtesy of Register Guard)

LOUISIANA

Louisiana author John M. Barry received the 21 annual Louisiana Writer Award Oct. 31. He has written about the 1918 flu pandemic and the 1927 Mississippi River flood. (information courtesy of OpelikaAuburn News)

NEW YORK

New York City’s 50 year old Dangerfield’s comedy club is set to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic Oct. 20. New York City’s entertainment businesses have been affected by the massive loss in tourism. (information courtesy of AM Metro New York).

TENNESSEE

Country Music Awards were held live, in-person Nov. 11 in Nashville. Several performers recieved backlash for not wearing masks nor practicing social distancing. (information courtesy of Vulture)

6 STAR SPOTLIGHT

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

classic.age

ELLA TOMASIC “Keeping the memories alive” reads the bio of the Instagram account @classic.age, with over 50K followers. Ella Tomasic is the proud owner of this account that acts as a museum of the classic Hollywood era in the early 20th century. The account features a variety of films and famous figures from the time, and the account has potentially helped shape the trajectory of Tomasic’s aspirations.

Story and photos by Claire Smith | Editor-in-Chief

7

DESIGNED BY CLAIRE SMITH

When did classic movies first come into your life?

My grandparents have always been big on trying to introduce some of their favorite movies since I’ve, since I was little. Some of my earliest memories are watching the “Wizard of Oz” with my grandparents, “The Sound of Music”, “Mary Poppins”, that kind of thing. And so they’ve been around for a very long time in my life.

What did that look like? As you got older, was the presence of these movies consistent, or was it something that kind of came back to you as you grew up?

It definitely came back when I got into high school, they were there as children’s movies when I was little. Then there’s a span like 10 years where I didn’t even go anywhere near a classic movie. And then, probably about freshman, sophomore year of high school, I watched the two movies. I watched “Singing in the Rain” and “Casablanca”, and those really just kind of absolutely catapulted me into my love for classic movies.

So this Instagram account, when did you make it and what compelled you to make it?

I made it in April of my sophomore year, so that would have been April of 2019. I made it also after watching “Casablanca”. So that is also how it holds some special ties.

But I remember watching “Casablanca” and being like, “I need to share this with people let me just and so I put it out there.” And I was like, Damn, first post, and then other people started liking it. And other people were like, oh, follow, follow, follow, and just kind of grew.

This Instagram account has grown rapidly! How has that affected your relationship with these classic movies?

I started the account when I had very little knowledge of classic movies. Every time I watch a movie I posted, you know, and that’s kind of how it snowballed. I’ve seen so many movies, and it’s probably an unhealthy amount. But I think that the more I wanted to post, I was like, “Oh, I want to watch this movie, I want to watch this movie, I want to watch this movie,” and it kind of grew from there. Your relationship

with classic movies grows and becomes a lot stronger the more you watch.

Did I hear about a book deal that came from this account?

It was July, when the Simon and Schuster publishing company reached out, and they’re like, “Hey, we’re going to be releasing a biography on Cary Grant. Would you like a free copy?” And I didn’t see that until early October. And I was like, oh my god, it’s too late. I’m not gonna get it— the book is coming out this month! And I emailed, “Hey, if you’re still willing to give me a copy, I would love one. And I’d love to promote it. You know, like, I love Cary Grant. I’d love to, you know, get this out to

age influenced any direction for your college career?

Absolutely. Well, freshmen and sophomore year before I made the account, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for college. I was like, oh, like, maybe I could be a veterinarian, but I don’t have the grades to be a veterinarian. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do. And then when I started this account, and started learning more about film and about classic movies, I was like, “I want to do like Film Studies — film and television. Everything.” So after I found this love of movies, I was like “I’m gonna study film in college.” So hopefully, I’ll be going to college to study film. Definitely had a big change.

What do you hope to do with that?

Would you hope to be in the Hollywood scene someday?

My dream job would be like directing movies, and just getting to create things and because there’s so much inspiration that comes from the old Hollywood era. I’d love to make movies about that or incorporate that. If I don’t end up in New York or Los Angeles making movies, the Turner Classic Movies Film Studio introducing films on TV would be my next choice. Yes, but I’d love to end up in Hollywood or New York or wherever, then making the movies.

Actress AUDREY HEPBURN, compiled from Creative Commons

more people.” And they’re like, “Okay, for sure, what’s your address?” They sent me a book, it was great! So my first like, PR, you could say.

Where do you see the future of this account growing? Because it’s going it’s it’s growing at a pretty exponential rate at this point.

As of right now. I’m gaining 100 new followers every day — I wake up with 100 new ones. I hope to keep doing it, and I know I’m gonna keep it up all through college, and however long I’d like to, because it’s something I love doing. I just hope I can reach as many people as I can, because it’s something I love so much, and I just want to share it with as many people.

Speaking of college, has this love of this

How do you feel about the recognition of these movies with our generation? Do you think there should be more of an emphasis?

I don’t know any other girls that St. Teresa’s — maybe one — that have the same kind of knowledge and love that I have. I think that it mostly comes naturally.

Obviously, social media is a big vehicle for getting stuff out to people. But when it comes to like getting more girls involved, I don’t know how you’d go about that. I think probably social media might be the best use of sharing movies because no one really watches television anymore, like tunes in every night to watch this stuff. Movies are all streamed online, and they don’t put an emphasis on going to the theater, or the movie companies online don’t show old movies. They’re wanting the new stuff. So I think that social media is probably the best way to get more people involved with it, especially the younger generations. B

8 BITS AND PIECES

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

58% MASHED POTATOES

Alternative Coverage by Sophia Rall | Features Editor

TURKEY

MASHED POTATOES PUMPKIN PIE

58%

6%

STUFFING

11%

17% CRANBERRY SAUCE

8%

TURKEY STUFFING

11%

17%

Out of 36 votes

CRANBERRY SAUCE

My life rocks8%

My life sucks

RIYAN JONES

KATHERINE JUDGE

“One great thing that’s happened to me this week was being able to join a panel of amazing leaders to encourage Gen Z and Millennials to vote.”

“A friend and I went to go get lunch because we had a free and then my car battery died.

We didn’t know what to do then my other friend’s dad had to come jump my car.”

DESIGNED BY RACHEL ROBINSON

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrating the Day of the Dead in a year of grief

9

Community organizations in Kansas City have celebrated the Day of the Dead in past years with elaborate altars and cultural activities, but their festivities have changed shape

Story by Rachel Robinson | Editor-in-Chief

T

ypically, in the weeks leading up to Nov. 1, Mattie Rhodes Art Center cultural arts director Jenny Mendez is planning the art center’s biggest event of the year: the Day of the Dead festival.

The festival is smaller this year, with five outdoor altars instead of the typical 20 and virtual events to replace the usual community parade and art gallery put on

by Mattie Rhodes. However, although the festivities may be less extravagant, Mendez believes that celebrating the Day of the Dead is more important than ever.

The Day of the Dead is a holiday honoring and remembering the dead that occurs over two days, Nov. 1 and 2.

It is celebrated mainly in Mexico, and in Mexican American communities in the United States, but also in some other places in Latin America. Its roots are in preColumbian Mesoamerican culture, but the modern holiday also includes elements of the Catholic All Saints Day, also celebrated Nov. 1. In a time of international mourning for the victims of COVID-19, it has taken on a new meaning.

“What this celebration really signifies, you know, it gives hope because it talks about death and brings so much more positivity in it,” Mendez said. “We need all the positivity we can have right now with so many people losing their lives to COVID, but then also just the normalcy of death during this time period.”

Many families who have lost relatives to COVID-19 have not been able to hold funerals, leaving them with no space to celebrate their loved ones’ lives. Mendez and her colleagues hoped to provide that space by allowing five local families to create traditional altars honoring their deceased family members. In one case, the

Many murals, along with Mexican Tissue Flowers, line the walls of M&A (date). These murals and flowers were made by students to show their respect. Photo courtesy of Maria Laura Lopez gonzales

patriarch of a very large family passed away early in the pandemic and because only 10 people were allowed at the service, his daughter felt that most of the family did not get to remember him properly.

“You can hear the pain in her voice that she hopes that they still can celebrate him because so many people knew him and so many people wouldn’t want to celebrate his life, you know, in those last moments,” Mendez said. “This gave her an opportunity to at least celebrate him in a way here at Mattie Rhodes so that some people would be able to see and be able to connect with it.

So definitely, you know, this is a time when I think it’s most needed.”

The Nelson-Atkins Museum also put on their own virtual Day of the Dead festival, in collaboration with Mattie Rhodes and other community partners. Sara Hyde Schmiedeler, of the Nelson’s education department, is the driving force behind this event. She has helped to plan the festival for several years now, and although the pandemic has impacted her plans for it this year, she has enjoyed finding creative ways to get festivities transferred into a virtual space.

The Nelson’s virtual programming includes videos made in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate of Kansas City, Telemundo KC and Mattie Rhodes Art Center, along with a gallery of the famous altars on display at the museum in past years.

“Our [festival] is entirely online in that there’s no in person program whatsoever,” Schmiedeler said. “And that’s due to our budget limitations and just the COVID concerns about gatherings. Other organizations came up with other really

creative ways to approach it, and there’s going to be a Central Avenue drive-thru event coming up and then the Kansas City Museum had free, but timed ticketing to see their outdoor altar. So anyway, we really coordinate with our community partners on everything that we do, and this was part of that.”

Maria Laura Lopez Gonzales is a Spanish teacher and moderator for World Cultures Club and the Hispanic Affinity Group.

She attends the Nelson’s Day of the Dead celebrations every year, including the virtual festival this year. Lopez Gonzales has also been a part of the World Language department’s efforts to celebrate the holiday at STA and, like Mendez, they have found ways to honor the tragic losses of this past year.

“Spanish teachers and students have always built an altar with all of the traditional elements such as candles, pictures of loved ones, flowers etc,” Lopez Gonzales said.

“The specific change for this year was the addition of George Floyd and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Additionally, we incorporated a book of remembrance in collaboration with Campus Ministry.”

In a year of such unprecedented loss and mourning, Lopez Gonzales hopes that celebrating the Day of the Dead provides a sense of peace and community.

“Overall, I believe this year has been difficult and challenging for all of us,” Lopez Gonzales said. “Aside from helping us remember our loved ones, this altar allows us to reflect on the trials we have faced this year and I believe this type of activity brings us together.” B

10 REVIEWS

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

To the new season of

you are the reason I can’t sleep at night What started out as background noise for cleaning my room led to me staring at my ceiling questioning the atrocities of mankind at 2 a.m. It was worth it.

Story by Grace Ashley | Multimedia Editor

I

would like to start this review off by saying that I am not a “crime junkie.” I do not constantly seek out true crime podcasts or shows or videos in my free time, apart from the occasional “Buzzfeed Unsolved” episode — even then, I rarely turn to the true crime episodes over the supernatural mysteries. However, when the first season of “Unsolved Mysteries” dropped on Netflix, I consumed it in one sitting. I repeat. One. Sitting. I had originally just wanted it on for background noise, but I ended up captivated and haunted by the atrocities explored. I couldn’t look away. When I heard that the second season was going to be released, I knew that I had to watch it at any costs.

So, after curling up in bed, I pulled the show up and pressed play; I was not disappointed. The episodes of this season were just as strange and disturbing as the last, if not more so in some cases, and I was left with countless questions and theories as to what really happened. When I got to episode four, “Tsunami Spirits,” I was even more excited because they went so far as to include an episode dedicated to the mysteries of the supernatural, which is something that I have always really enjoyed.

It was a truly unique and powerful addition to the show, and it gave the season a much more diverse feeling content-wise.

That is not to say that the episodes are all so similar, however. In fact, they all displayed uniquely distinct cases. I

definitely enjoyed some episodes more than others, with my favorite probably being the second episode, “A Death in Oslo.” This specific episode was incredible because the case that was explored is wholly unsolved, so much so that even the victim is unnamed. Nothing is known about the woman who was found dead, including her name and nationality. She is simply a ghost.

This, of course, made the case instantly alluring. To make matters worse, all of the evidence was disposed of when the case was initially ruled as a cold case, which only adds to the difficulty of solving it.

Through all of this, even her cause of death was a mystery. Some claim it was suicide, other claim murder. Personally, I lean more towards the latter considering everything that unfolded with the case. I couldn’t look away as it all unfolded, and my mind whirled with all of the possibilities. Was she a spy from another country? It would explain how she was seemingly non-existent on government records. Was she raised in some kind of off-the-grid society bent on taking down organized government and sent on a mission that led to her death? Is that going too far? Who’s to say.

Other episodes were more disturbing to me than interesting, such as the third episode “Death Row Fugitive.” As someone who is constantly looking over their shoulder in public, this case made me feel cold inside. It follows the case of an escaped murderer and sexual predator who still

has not been found. He had initially been convicted after killing a young girl, but he charmed the prison guards and personnel until they allowed him on a field trip to a mall, where he simply vanished.

What disturbed me so much about this case was the fact that he was able to basically talk his way out of a life sentence and remain missing. No one knows where he is or who else he has potentially hurt.

He seems like the average, run-of-the-mill neighbor, and nothing freaked me out more than knowing that he could be anyone. I can readily say that this was a mystery that I could have gone without, but I am grateful that the information about the case is out there if only to bring in possible tips.

Collectively, this season was chilling. The point of the show is to introduce these cases to the masses for the possibility of getting the information needed to solve them, and I genuinely hope that this happens for the cases presented. The endings for each episode left me with my brows furrowed in anxiety and my tongue heavy with unanswerable questions directed at my screen. It is because of this that I would recommend watching this season of “Unsolved Mysteries.” You won’t regret it.

Or maybe you will. B A A A A A

DESIGNED BY SYDNEY ALLEN

“Stranger Things” in MusIC

11

As you wait for another season of Stranger Things, enjoy the music from the casts members.

I

t was October 2017 the second season of Stranger Things had just aired, and I loved every second of it. As a lover of all things spooky, this TV series has long held a special place in my heart. If you are one of the few people that hasn’t seen the show, it is set in the 1980s and explores the mysteries of Hawkins, a small town in Indiana. Many of these mysteries are unraveled by a group of dorky middle schoolers. As my Stranger Things obsession continued into highschool I was pleasantly surprised to find out that some of the cast members have music.

The first cast member’s music that I listened to was Finn Wolfard’s. Wolfhard plays the character Mike in the series; a nerdy boy who befriends a strange girl with a supernatural power. Wolfhard is a member of the indie band Calpurina.

As much as I love Wolfard, and am simply obsessed with videos of him singing, Calpurnia is an indie band that missed their mark.

The indie genre is one that is growing, and becoming more and more popular especially among teenagers, with the popularity of bands like Wallows and Clairo. This genre is based around small artists who independently produce their own music. Oftentimes this gives the music a raw and angsty feel.

I feel as if Calpurina knew all these things and tried so desperately hard to become it, but just missed. They tried to

Story and Graphics by Sydney Waldron | Design Editor

create a rough feel of their music with different acoustic instruments, but the rifts and lyrics were sloppy laid upon each other for a disconnected feel. As I listen to their music it is not bad per say, and there are a lot of good individual things about the songs but they just don’t flow well together.

While I really enjoy Wolfard’s voice, and the rough uniqueness that it holds,it’s hard for me to not despise his mouth for the shallow empty lyrics it spits out.

The lyrics for the song “Blame” remind me of an angsty teen movie that was clearly written by out of touch adults. Believe me when I say there is nothing a teenager wants to watch or listen to less.

The main lyric of this song is “She’ll never be the same, and I’m the one to blame.”This boring cliche shows how Calpurnia fails in the indie genre. The whole point of an indie song is to have a personal and rugged feel that their songs just didn’t have.

There however was one exception to this, the song “Greyhound.” This song has an amazing guitar riff that made me sit back, close my eyes and get lost within the song.

These lyrics, unlike the rest of Calpurina’s songs, told a personal story.

In this song Wolfhard sings about the first time he went on a date with someone that he is now broken up with. He traveled to Seattle to see a concert at the Neptune with this person. This melancholy song tells about missing the bliss of the beginning

of a relationship, and makes me feel as if I am actually driving through rainy Seattle to meet someone.

The second cast member’s music I listened to was Joe Keery. In Stranger Things Keery plays the popular jock, and now he records music under the name Djo. It surprised me quite a bit because I hadn’t seen Keery promote his music on his social platforms, and even on Djo albums covers he is barely recognizable. It seems that Keery wanted to keep his music separate from his well known character in Stranger Things.

Keery need not to connect the two because Djo’s Twenty-Twenty album deserves to stand on it’s on. This music feels as though it has been filtered through a kaleidoscope. For fans of Tame Impala, this is one album and artist that you will very much enjoy because of the psychedelic feel.

My absolute favorite song from Djo has to be “Mortal Projects.”This song stays consistent with it’s beautiful psychedelic melody. The thing that sets this song apart from the rest of the songs on the album is it’s dream-like lyrics. B

Check out the full story on the DNO!

12

FEATURE

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

not so nice

pumpkin spice Along the colorful wall of candles, Porto glances to the side, searching for her favorite one Nov. 5. The color ranging wall offers new scents and color choices for Porto to choose from.

Certain chemicals that are frequently used in scented candles are proven to be health risks, but other alternatives to candle burning exists. Diffusers are a safe and healthy way to use scents as a way to stay focused, calm, and motivated. t’s been four years since finance designer Helen Kuo and her family last burned a candle in their home. The reason — petroleum byproduct. Kuo’s daughter, senior Simone Kuo first noticed her head aching after she had been burning a holiday scented candle from Bath and Bodyworks.

The cause of these aches can be traced back to the synthetic chemicals and fragrances found in paraffin wax candles.

“We used to burn candles all the time,” Kuo said. “When I started learning about the toxins in the environment and what they can do to our body, I just found it was something I wanted to move away from and do whatever I could to support my family and ensure we weren’t increasing those toxins in ways that I wasn’t aware of. So we try to do as much as we can from a natural perspective. And we do that by not using candles, not using synthetic plugins, and looking to diffuse in our house with just water. We only use a few drops of natural oil or a blend of the one for the scent, or

Photos by Ellie Buttell | Writer

an emotional or health benefit that we’re looking to achieve.”

“

we do diffuse, and I strictly diffuse Pure essential oils that are more from a natural perspective Helen Kuo

“

I

Story by Mara Callahan | Lifestyles Editor

After learning about the health risks that burning candles can cause, Kuo began to grow her knowledge of what candles can do to the body’s systems from a toxic perspective.

“There are a lot of chemicals that you can actually smell when burning candles, and they smell good, but nine times out of ten that product has some sort of a synthetic fat fragrance that can have negative impacts on

your body,” Kuo said. “Synthetic chemicals and fragrances that are in perfumes or candles are not required to be disclosed on their product labels, they’re secret ingredients that aren’t listed. It’s not a regulated industry. Many times those secret substances are linked to allergic reactions that can cause head discomfort, hormone, or respiratory issues.”

Incorporating more non-toxic and healthy options has led Kuo to begin experimenting with different products and fragrances that offer the same mental benefits as candles minus the harm.

Essential oils that can be diffused into rooms offer healthy ways for people to cope with stress. When Kuo took the step away from candles, she leaped into the world of diffusers.

“To use a diffuser, you’ll just plug it in, put your water in and add your drops of oil depending on what blend you like, and then turn it on,” Kuo said. “Mist will come into the air which will then pick up drops of the

How often do students burn candles?

13

Alternative Coverage by Ellie Buttell | Writer

66%

OF PEOPLE

Burn a candle on a daily basis

34%

something the owner of CornerCandle shop Lori Woods can agree with, but she isn’t worried about candles causing detrimental health issues. CornerCandle Shop works towards finding the best and healthiest blends to use by experimenting with waxes such as coconut and apricot blends.

“I heard someone explain candles really smartly once; anything that you’re burning is going to result in smoke, it’s a fire,” Woods said. “It comes down to what materials you’re using as far as candles go. I know there’s always a big controversy about whether paraffin is good or bad because it’s a petroleum-based product, but I feel like the level of chemicals released by each type of candle is well below the amount that would cause human health problems. The reason people usually put paraffin in their candles is to increase the scents, meaning

Don’t

Information from Dart Instagram poll

you’re going to have a stronger smelling candle if it has paraffin added to it. I think as long as you’ve got the appropriate wick you’ll be fine.”

Despite where a person may fall in their opinion of candles, Simone Kuo encourages them to give diffusing and essential oils a try.

“Look it up,” Simone Kuo said. “Go onto oil companies’ sites and inform yourself about the pros and cons. Make sure all your sources are credible. Try oils. Experiment.

See if you can find different ways to create the smells or blends you’re looking for. It’s impossible to avoid everything, but we can try to do what we can to keep out some of those toxins from our bodies.”

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DESIGNED BY LAUREN BRACKNEY essential oil you added and you can begin to smell and take that in from your olfactory system within your body. The main reason why students may like to burn candles while studying is because of the effects certain scents have, but there are so many ways and so many benefits to diffusing. If you’re diffusing a natural therapeutic grade oil, you can purify the air and use others to calm down and make you feel better. You could diffuse lavender if you want a restful environment or lemon for something uplifting. There are blends that can help you from the inside out.”

Kuo’s knowledge of essential oils has also rubbed off on her family members. Not burning candles in the house is normal for Simone Kuo and she has found she prefers the effect of diffusers and incorporates them into her daily studying routine.

“I’ve found that some candles are very strong and can be overpowering which would give me headaches often,” Simone Kuo said. “Diffusers don’t give me headaches, they’re more subtle. It depends on what you put in them, but you can control how strong they smell. You can mix different scents too. During the SAT I put different scents on my wrists to help me stay focused. I think they definitely have a benefit and I do find when I use them I tend to be less stressed.”

The mental benefits of scents are

Sophomore Rosemary Porto observes the natural ingredient Zum soap bar provided at The Corner Candleshop Nov. 5.

Along with the various assortments of candles, they offer soaps with similar scents.

14 FEATURE

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Adjusting adoration Due to COVID-19, many places of worship have had to adjust their practices for safety. This has come with pros and cons.

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t the beginning of November, STA theology teacher Jennifer Greene signed up for Masses for the month at her church, Visitation.

Every Sunday, she puts on her mask and goes to worship with her family. Due to COVID-19, places of worship have adapted their faith practices. Some, like Visitation, have reopened after instituting safety protocols.

“I have no problem going back,” Greene said. “I think [Visitation has] done everything that they need to do. I think they’re being vigilant about trying to keep people safe and comfortable and abiding by the things that have been asked of them by the diocese and the city with masks, cleaning, social distancing, all of those things.”

According to Greene, she is concerned that she has gotten out of the habit of going to church due to COVID-19. Because of this, she wants to continue to attend church in person, as long as she has the resources to do so.

“I find that has affected my faith life and that’s troublesome,” Greene said.

“We got used to being at home and then we weren’t going [to church] as a family and it kind of snowballs. I think that was more concerning to me, that

Story by Carmon Baker | Web Editor Photos by Ali Madden | Instagram Editor

we just haven’t been attentive to our faith, as a family, and worshiping.”

However, while Visitation feels comfortable with in-person Masses, other churches have gone virtual. According to director of communications at Country Club Christian Church Lara Schopp, they have not resumed in-person worship due to safety concerns.

“When we decided to go to online only services back in March, we named three criteria that were important to us in all of our decision making during the pandemic,” Schopp said. “We wanted to keep people safe. We wanted to protect the vulnerable among our congregation.

And we wanted to continue to provide opportunities for community, especially for folks who would feel isolated with being stuck at home and that kind of thing.”

In order to achieve these goals, Country Club only holds virtual services, with the exception of some funerals and weddings. Services are recorded the week before and then streamed through the church’s website and Facebook.

“They’re available on Sunday morning,” Schopp said. “The elements of our service are similar to when we

are worshiping live. We have hymns, we have a sermon, we have prayers, we have a moment for children, we have communion. And all of it is done within our sanctuary, so people are seeing familiar imagery. And it feels as much like being there as it can.”

Other church events have also had to adapt to COVID-19. According to Schopp, Bible classes are now offered over Zoom, and Country Club is focused on enhancing their electronic communication, including an electronic newsletter and a daily prayer line.

STA Campus Ministry has also changed their worship practices due to COVID-19. According to director of ministry and service Andrea Arredondo, they are trying to come up with creative alternatives to traditional Masses. So far, this year, there has been a prayer service for St. Teresa of Avila’s Founders Day. Arredondo is also planning another prayer service for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8.

“All of that is based on the idea of, we can still pray, and we can still be united as a community,” Arredondo said. “We can still feel God working in our hearts and through one another, even if we can’t sit next to each other.”

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“It would all be outdoors, so that would the flexibility of it.” require permission from the diocese and However, Arredondo misses certain really beautiful days weather-wise. So aspects of attending Mass in-person, it’s not a guarantee that it will happen. generating mixed feelings about But I’d love to consider doing something attending Mass virtually.

Arredondo believes that while STA like that in the spring semester. We’ll “What I miss is just being at Mass faith practices have changed physically, also do a retreat for our juniors and our with other people,” Arredondo said. they have not changed spiritually. sophomores next semester.”

“I miss going to our church. I love the “We’re just limited by what we can do Personally, Arredondo has been ritual of every Sunday morning being physically,” Arredondo said. “But what to two in-person Masses during the at our church and praying with other we can do spiritually doesn’t change. pandemic, which were both private people and seeing other people. I love We can pray together, even if [we’re] all to her family. Every other week, that it’s with just my family, but I also in separate advisory spaces, or even if Arredondo watches Mass virtually and miss going to church with other people. we are all standing on the perimeter of has seen some positives come out of the And I love the flexibility, but I miss the campus. The idea is that we need experience. the consistency. So it’s a double-edged to channel the idea that we can all be “Church feels really intimate,” sword.” spiritually connected, even if we’re Arredondo said. “It feels like something Looking toward upcoming holidays, separate physically.” that, you know, my family as a unit is Greene thinks that Thanksgiving will In addition to the new prayer experiencing together. So my husband, be an important time to reflect on services, STA has also changed daily and I will have conversations after Mass gratitude. She also believes that Advent prayer rituals for this year, showing a about what Mass was about. Also, I love will hold an important significance in video to students each morning instead her own faith this year. of giving them over the intercom during “I think Advent is going to be very advisory. Arredondo thinks this has symbolic and literal at the same time,” been a positive change and hopes to Greene said. “It’s a time of preparation continue it after this year. and waiting and a time of patience and “What I have heard is that students a time of darkness, waiting like [the videos] a lot more than just Alternative Coverage by Mara Callahan Lifestyles Editor for that light. I’m looking hearing it on the PA because it’s forward to [prayer and visual, and it’s auditory,” Arredondo reflection]. I have already said. “You can see it and experience signed up with something— it more closely than when we just our church is providing some did a 30 second prayer over the PA.” spiritual direction through “I love writing down Greene has also used technology that and some extra prayer for the question of the to practice her faith during [Advent].” day because it makes COVID-19, including listening In the end, Arredondo me more aware of how to a podcast from Jacob’s Well encourages students to I feel and what my Church. She also enjoys the new continue practicing their thoughts are." form of prayer and appreciates the faith, even if it looks different opportunity it gives students to due to COVID-19. get involved with Campus -Junior Isabella Neuburger “God is working through Ministry. this situation, and I really While there have been trust in that,” Arredondo said. no traditional Masses so far “Even if it’s uncomfortable at STA this year, Arredondo to go to Mass right now, hopes to create a safe plan for keep praying and [do] not students to experience a Mass stop having a prayer life just next semester. because one piece of our “One thing I would love prayer life can’t happen right to do is either have a series of now. We can still connect class Masses where each class spiritually, even though a can go to Mass together once Mass might not be a safe or do advisory Masses like we space to be.” B did last year,” Arredondo said.

St. Elizabeth students on Wednesdays are required to watch a live stream of school masses (November 11, 2020). They are later posted to YouTube for students to watch if they could not attend.

Reflection during the pandemic

16 CENTERSPREAD

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

DESIGNED BY SOPHIA RALL

17

The perfect storm:

pandemic and winter weather create mental health challenges

Between the COVID-19 pandemic, circadian rhythms being disrupted by winter and general mental health issues, depression and other mental disorders are predicted to rise this winter.

Story by Caroline Hinkebein | Sports Editor & Sophia Rall | Features Editor Photos by Lucy Doerflinger | News Editor

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t the end of August 2019, sophomore Taylor Hayes felt overwhelmed by the change of workload that comes with highschool and juggling her efforts to become more involved at school along with theater, her freshman year. She went to counselor Amanda Whitcomb for help.

“One time specifically I went into Whitcomb’s room just to cry,” Hayes said.

“And she let me. And it was really nice. She didn’t ask any questions, she just let me cry and that’s what I needed in that moment which was really nice.”

Hayes has noticed the effects of mental health around her, especially during the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on her experiences during the winter months in the past, she has come

up with specific coping mechanisms, such as cleaning, baking, and cooking.

Seasonal depression or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year. It happens in climates where there is less sunlight at certain times of the year and affects more than 3 million people in the US per year.

Some symptoms of SAD include fatigue, depression, hopelessness and social withdrawal according to the Mayo Clinic.

Hayes believes that the winter months paired with COVID-19 could be very damaging to many peoples’ mental health. “[I]t’s dark all the time,” Hayes said. “And I know that sunlight already makes you happy — scientifically, sunlight makes you happy.”

According to Time, the brain has higher serotonin levels on sunny days and lower levels on cloudy days. Decreased sunlight in the winter is a major factor in SAD. Whitcomb also recognizes the effects of daylight savings time and less sunlight on mental health. “[When] the sun goes down earlier, our circadian rhythm is affected,” Whitcomb said. “...Recognizing that our behaviors and our mental and emotional well-being is affected by changing the seasons, by weather, by the sun going down earlier, the moon phases and all kinds of different things can affect our behavior, as I understand it, so that would be more of a seasonal depression.”

According to Boston University Today, an estimated 5% of the population suffers

Sophomore Stella Hughes gazes out the window sulking during a cloudy day Nov. 13. Winter weather like this often causes seasonal depression because of the lack of sunlight and the lessened appeal of being outside.

18 CENTERSPREAD from SAD. A recent study found that the prevalence of depression symptoms was more than 3 times higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than before.

Combined with rising COVID-19 case numbers in nearly all metropolises in the United States, some experts predict that general depression rates may rise this winter. Precautions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have proved to be a challenge for Hayes.

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

“I think social distancing might have been the hardest for me,” Hayes said. “It was just hard for me to grasp, for me to be like, this is my life now.”

Senior Izzy Bryars has also been challenged by social distancing and limiting the number of people she sees.

“I was supposed to go to like a Halloween thing on Saturday, and it was too many people,” Bryars said. “I just decided not to go because I’m trying to be conscious of

[social distancing]. It’s for my family, also, like my grandparents and stuff, because my mom sees them a lot.”

While being mostly in-person has benefitted some students, Whitcomb still has seen trends in the deterioration of students’ mental health being linked to pandemic precautions.

“I find students are feeling very isolated, a lot of students I work with who are very social, who enjoy being around their friends are really struggling [being] isolated,” Whitcomb said. “For a small few it’s been helpful, for others, I would say the majority, it’s really tough to be in quarantine.”

With free time during the stay-at-home order, Hayes thinks that social media use has gone up exponentially, and it has also become a negative factor for her mental health.

To combat this, in June, Hayes decided to take a month-long break from social media and found it benefitted her mental health significantly. Hayes would recommend taking a break from social media to everyone and says it helped her find who she was closest too.

“My big thing is friendships because I feel like that’s the only thing that’s been getting me through everything,” Hayes said.“...The people that reached out to me over quarantine when I didn’t have any social media are the people that I’m closest to now.”

Bryars has also noticed a correlation between using social media more and her mental health. Turning “do not disturb” mode on has been her method to reduce screen time and distractions from social media.

STA has many resources for those struggling with seasonal depression such as group counseling, individual counseling with either

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Whitcomb or counseler Mary Gajewski, outside services that come in such as Resolve and Sources of Strength. The counseling department is also happy to provide information about other outside resources such as personal therapy or medical care if that’s what a student needs. Whitcomb says that although a school’s resources can never be completely exhaustive; she tries her best to help

“

The reality is that no one is alone in this pandemic piece, right? We are all in the pandemic together. counseler Amanda Whitcomb

”

students as much as possible.

“My hope is that if a student comes to see me, they have a strong sense of self, just a feeling of comfort when they come in and when they leave,” Whitcomb said.

Whitcomb recognizes that there are many resources and methods to help, so it is important for students to find what works for them.

“If you recognize within yourself that this seasonal piece is really hard for you, set some stuff up in advance, make sure you have some different events that you can attend if you’re someone who needs to be connected, even if it’s a virtual event,” Whitcomb said. “And if you know that you really struggle to be alone, maybe you can schedule a weekly call with a friend.

There’s a lot of different things that you can

do to keep your mind and your body busy.

Exercise is also really important during this time.”

Whitcomb also offered mental health practices that could mitigate the effects of SAD or general sadness and anxiety.

“So, [it’s] really being aware of what you can do within yourself,” Whitcomb said.

“You know, watch a fun series on Netflix, get up and go for a walk, if you can’t go outside and exercise, do a YouTube Zumba video, do something to keep you engaged and active, and then continue to reach out...And so, we as individuals have to find what works for us and if you don’t know what works for you, let’s talk about it. Come and see someone like me to talk about what you have done in the past, what doesn’t work, let’s eliminate those [and] come up with something new.”

Although Bryars has not utilized STA’s counseling or mental health resources, she still believes being on campus at STA has improved her mental health.

“I just really appreciate how much they did to make it possible for us to be open,” Bryars said. “And I think that was like, the best thing they could do for girls, mentally was to, like, put all these

precautionary practices in place, and then, make it possible for us to go because I can only imagine being completely virtual right now.”

With being on campus, some students may still feel isolated or alone. Whitcomb thinks it’s essential to reinforce the importance of connection.

“The reality is that no one is alone in this pandemic piece, right?” Whitcomb said. “We are all in the pandemic together.” B

Sophomore Taylor Hayes discusses things with STA counselor Amanda Whitcomb Nov. 12. She enjoys talking to her whenever she has time.

20 MAIN EDITORIAL

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Seasonal Depression likely to hit harder due to COVID-19 15 / 15 staffers agree

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ccording to the New York Times, about 5% of the population experiences full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder, and three times that experiences a milder version of it.

Commonly known as SAD, or simply seasonal depression, symptoms of this disorder correlate directly with those of clinical depression: laziness, pervasive sadness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, etc. Most people who experience SAD develop symptoms during the fall and continue into the winter months.

However, with the onset of COVID-19 causing an added layer of emotional distress this year, students are concerned if seasonal depression could be even more prevalent this winter.

COVID-19 thrust the vast majority of the population into isolation, cutting off connections between friends, family and overall making many people feel strangely disconnected from society. Along with

constantly changing school schedules, less social events and the overarching feeling of uncertainty during this time—being in a state of constant anxiety is not uncommon.

Polls by The American Psychiatric Association revealed that over one third (36%) of Americans say COVID-19 is having a serious impact on their mental health.

Even students who typically don’t experience anxiety or mental health problems felt unusually restless throughout the past eight months; some reported having panic attacks for the first time, or feeling desensitized to their emotions.

To escape the loneliness attributed to quarantine, many people turned to the outdoors to plan meetups with friends or simply to escape their homes. A picnic in the park or simply walking around the block helped alleviate stress. According to the Missouri Magazine, this is due to the endorphins released in the brain, which stimulate relaxation stimulators.

Right on Target

Senior Elise Johnson “I think that during COVID-19, as a whole, anxiety and depression has increased.

I think that that’s because the normalcy of our lives was very much shattered. We can’t do things that we’d become so used to doing and those things we took for granted we can’t experience anymore.”

Yet with winter looming ahead, and the days getting shorter and colder, outdoor activities are less accessible. Furthermore, holidays, a typical source of joy during dismal winter months, may have to take on a whole new look this year as families may not be able to see each other. As students become accustomed to this reality, another worry arises; how will they keep themselves occupied so they don’t spiral into complete delirium during the winter months?

Especially with the extended winter break in this year’s schedule, many people feel the need to plan ahead so that if boredom or loneliness sets in, they will be able to entertain themselves accordingly.

The main objective is to keep things easy and simplistic—setting easy and attainable goals, making lists of ideas to do, and sticking to a routine all help to create a sense of normalcy in a world that is truly anything but. B

Sophomore Ava Martinez

“I do think that seasonal depression and anxiety will get worse among high schoolers because of COVID-19.

Where we would usually have social interaction — hang out with friends — we can’t do that anymore really because of COVID-19. I think that not having that social interaction and those breaks between studying can really cause people to kind of get in a rut and really stress them out.”

DESIGNED BY JOSIE FOX

PERSPECTIVES

21

Don’t be thankful for Thanksgiving American history is known to be swept under the rug, and as Thanksgiving comes to the forefront of the holiday season, it is important to pull out it’s true history.

By Claire Smith | Editor-in-Chief

I

n first grade, I sat in class as my teacher laid out the Thanksgiving play we were going to put on for our parents. The students would be split up into two groups: pilgrims and “Indians,” with costumes and headpieces to match the respective persona.

I remember I desperately wanted to be an ‘Indian’ because of the colorful feathers that adorned their headbands, rather than the ugly black and white of the pilgrim hats. Alas, I was a pilgrim, and the whole first grade class acted out the prosperous relationship between the pilgrims and “Indians” at the first Thanksgiving in 1621.

The first mistake in my first grade education is that the native people we were portraying aren’t actually ‘Indians,’ they are Native Americans. Christopher Columbus incorrectly attributed the natives in the New World as “Indians,” and the association has been upheld to this day despite Native Americans having nothing to do with India.

Columbus falsely believed he had landed in East Asia upon first arriving in the New World in 1492, therefore the misconception of “Indians” occurred.

Second, the relationship between the Anglo-Saxon pilgrims and Native Americans was far from prosperous. The New York Times reported on the accurate portrayal of this seemingly patriotic story.

The Wampanoag tribe — the tribe in the Thanksigivng story, rarely named — edured “a string of bloody episodes since 1524 in which European explorers seized coastal Wampanoags to be sold into overseas slavery or to be trained as interpreters and guides.” The reality of the heart-warming

story that I acted out in first grade is that the Wampanoags helped the pilgrims out of fear of being slaughtered if they did otherwise.

The trend of white-washing the history of American holidays sadly does not end with Thanksgiving. Many have campaigned to transform “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in response to the horrible violence that Indigenous people endured because of Columbus.

History.com outlined the harsh reality of how Columbus perceived the Native Americans as obstacles to his goal of wealth and power. On his first day in the New World, he “ordered six of the natives to be seized, writing in his journal that he believed they would be good servants. Throughout his years in the New World, Columbus enacted policies of forced labor in which natives were put to work for the sake of profits.” Columbus spent most of his time “exploring’” the New World murdering those who called it home, and does not deserve to be recognized on the federal calendar for those endeavors.

What is taught to children shapes their worldview. The classroom narrative surrounding Anglo-saxon superiority in history needs to come sooner than taking an AP U.S. History class in high school. I believe that shielding children from the realities of our history as Americans does nothing but harm them in the future. I wish I had not been plagued by the ignorance of being patriotic to a man such as Columbus, or upholding the childish story of pilgrims and “Indians.” Eliminating white-washing from textbooks should be elementary, yet it has taken over 200 years.

As we collectively head into this Thanksgiving holiday season, let’s remember the raw parts of it’s history. Let’s sit at the dinner table and discuss the realities of colonization that too many white Americans are eager to sweep under the rug, rather than glorifying the triumphs of the pilgrims and colonizers that came before them. B

22 PERSPECTIVES

NOVEMBER23, 23,2020 2020 NOVEMBER Novem

Men are socially designed to suppress women There’s a double standard when it comes to men and women. While women are told how to do everything in order to conform with societal standards, men are congratulated for doing the bare minimum.

By Ali Madden | Social Media Editor

I

’m sure it’s not just me, but I’ve noticed a really intriguing trend: the bar for men is too low. Now allow me to be clear, this is not to knock down men, in the words of Cher “I love men, I think men are the coolest,” but whether men know it or not, the bar they are expected to meet is the bare minimum. It seems as though that all they have to do is the bare minimum in order to impress women. It is the bare minimum that is used to suppress women. When I say “bare minimum” I mean treating women like human beings. They don’t look at us as objects, they respect our choices, and they don’t find every opportunity to bring us down. That is the bare minimum.

Why am I even talking about this? Why do I care?

I know I’m not alone when I tell you that the amount of men who have talked or explained things to me like I’m dumb, is countless. I’ve been catcalled, called words I’d rather not repeat, been told how to look, how to act, who to be attracted to, by guys I’m friends with and guys I barely know. So, when I meet a male who actually treats me like a human being, I’m surprised. But isn’t that sad, that the bar for men is so low that all they have to do is the bare minimum and they’re showered with love and support?

Not only is the bar for men so low, but as women we still make excuses for their horrible behavior. Systematically and socially, men are designed to be more aggressive, and to suppress women. I think that men are encouraged socially to be aggressive and to mess around, and women are what they take their agressions and

Columns on the

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desires out on.

It’s almost as if from birth men and women are conditioned to think and act certain ways. Growing up, I recall being told to be “ladylike”, which entails being told how to act, dress, and look. I remember my mom and grandma telling me I need to be polite even when someone is rude to me, and to not to show if I’m experiencing any negative emotion. I was confused because then my male counterparts would get aggressive, and over small things too, like losing a game of kickball at recess.

Their aggressive and seemingly immature reactions were always met with “that’s just how boys are”, and I never thought twice about it. These gender roles that society has placed on us as children excuse inappropriate male behavior, and suppress female emotional expression.

When a man can’t get what he wants out of a woman, he’s encouraged to lie and/ or manipulate for it. But then there’s this double standard, because a woman can never get aggressive and mess around. If she does, she is shamed for it. She is told that she is disgusting and horrible.

The bar is so low, it’s practically in the ground, and yet men still trip over it and blame women for their own issues.

So I’m sure now you can understand why when I meet a man who respects me as a person, it’s astonishing. “Like wow, you believe that I should be allowed to wear what I want without being objectified?

Crazy!”. I wish that the bare minimum didn’t impress me, I wish I could raise my standards for men. But of course we run

into another problem. Whenever women talk about what they look for in a man (personality, looks, style, etc.), it’s always met with men claiming that we’re asking too much from them when we really aren’t.

So here we are left with the bare minimum, and even that feels unattainable sometimes.

I say as women, we need to start raising our standards for men. We simply cannot accept the bare minimum, it’s not enough.

We need to hold them accountable for their poor actions and decisions. And men, if you just so happen to be reading, do better. B

We need to noramlize diversity and representation in media

By Carmon Baker | Web Editor

DESIGNED BY JOSIE FOX

Traveling is the best way to learn

23

Travel has always been a part of my life and memories I make while traveling are some of my happiest ones. I believe that if everyone traveled, they would be so much happier and the world would be such a better place.

By Lucy Doerflinger | News Editor

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ravel has always been a huge part of my life and something I love.

My most treasured life experiences have come from going to new places, experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. Some of my earliest and most vivid travel memories come from a trip to Scotland when I was about 10. This was my first trip abroad and it was one of the first times I really got to experience another culture and way of life.

One of my favorite memories from this trip was when we went to a small town and visited some relatives. I stood on their back patio looking out with this overwhelming feeling of not knowing much, and not having seen much, but the ability to change that. I had just met family members who I had not known until this trip and was looking out at places and ruins that had existed since before times I could comprehend. Each day on this trip was chalked full of excursions to castles, reservations at local restaurants, and hours of driving. Every single thing we did taught me something new or enriched my life in some way.

I always come back from any trip I take having learned something. Sometimes this lesson is more serious, like having a native Hawaiian islander draw our attention to the horrible effects on local people and the land caused by huge resorts and hotels.

Other times this lesson is something more light-hearted, such as that French fries are called chips, and chips are called crisps in Scotland.

I think that you can learn so much more spending a week in a new place, than you could just sitting at school. While the knowledge you gain at school is important, it can be difficult to recognize how much, or how little, you already know. An easy way to find out is to leave the comfort of your home and go somewhere completely different. One reason I love travel so much is because you are learning so much, and it is all knowledge you pick up in while in the real world, living it for yourself. I believe it is easier to learn the differences in degrees Fahrenheit and celsius when you don’t realize how different they are and dress for the wrong one.

Travel forces you into different cultures and this is a good thing. Staying in the same general place will cause you not to have a very good idea of the diversity of the world. Traveling to a new place, whether it is a huge beach resort, or a tiny B&B in the middle of nowhere, I find to be the most beneficial thing in the world. I believe that the world would be a much better place if people went out and actually experienced it. If people understood another culture or group before judging them, I believe a lot of conflict could be avoided. Going out, encountering the world and learning from it will be an enriching adventure that you will find continues to teach you, even after you have returned home. These experiences you have while traveling can teach you so much in the moment, but they bring you even more joy and knowledge looking back at them years later.

What I’ve learned from my seasonal depression

Journaling is for everyone

By Kyra Fieger | Social Media Team

By Caroline Hinkebein | Sports Editor

My belief that travel leads to a fulfilling life comes from experiencing it so frequently, and now not being able to travel at all. For the first time in my life that I can remember, I haven’t traveled anywhere for almost a year. This has given me, a somewhat unwanted, time to reflect and think about past trips, since I can’t be planning future ones. I have done everything I can, from looking at pictures, to rereading journal entries, to cooking the food I ate, so I could relive these trips.

Through doing that, I have realized how much these trips have actually taught me and impacted my life. I am somehow still learning from these trips even though they occurred years ago. I strongly believe that travel is the best way to learn, experience different cultures, and ultimately, live a fulfilling life. B

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

24 SPORTS FEATURE

Navigating the Unkn

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how basketball looks this year and new varsity leaders have plans to make a difference within the basketball program.

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Story by Lauren Brackney | Twitter Editor Photos by Sydney Allen | Photo Editor

his basketball season will be like no other. Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, there are several coaches that have moved up to lead varsity. Players and coaches will be following additional safety protocols, but even still, many fear the season being cut short. First year head varsity basketball coach Kiera Hardy believes that they can do it all — be safe while building a stronger varsity team.

“A challenge for the season would be just to navigate through the unknown, coming to my first year as a head coach that is one thing that I want to prepare my student athletes for is being okay to go through adversity and face different challenges,” Hardy said.

Hardy played basketball at the University of Nebraska. She also has coached at the college level for NAIA division one junior college. Hardy decided to coach at the high school level because of STA’s unique environment. “[STA] is a family atmosphere, I mean there's so much support that I absolutely love, there's so many resources, the facilities are nice,” Hardy said. “It's just a great environment for the student athletes as people first and then athletes second.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has made a few of the players unsure about playing this year and how the game will look. Senior varsity basketball player Kate Gibson has played for STA since her sophomore year but believes this year will be difficult.

“I mean it's really hard running in [masks], especially in a really hot court,” Gibson said. “But really close contact and like all touching the same ball and sweating, I don't know, I'm curious to see if our season goes on like full, it's hard to say.”

Even though there is so much that is still unknown, Hardy plans to navigate through it and make sure that the students’ safety comes first.

“There are guidelines that we will follow just to ensure that everyone is safe,” Hardy said. “We understand that our student athletes have families. That is our biggest goal is to make sure we follow all the protocols for the state and here at STA, you know, just to make sure that we are able to continue to play this game.”

Hardy wants to make sure that even if

their season is interrupted that she can still be a role model for the players.

“I want to be their role model,” Hardy said. “I have a lot of respect for my players, my players have a lot of respect for me. But I just want to be their leader, I want to lead by example and I want to be able to guide them not just on a basketball court but through life.”

As long as the players are safe, Hardy believes that they should be able to set and accomplish all of their goals for the season.

“Some goals that I have for the season is to create a competitive atmosphere within my program, to build teamwork amongst my team and also just a community within and outside of our basketball program,” Hardy said. “Also I want them to be as productive members of society and evaluate their academics as well.”

Assistant varsity basketball coach Eleanor Lueke looks forward to working with Hardy.

“This is my first year working with her, last year I did every once in a while, you know, she would help out with the sophomore team, I would help out with varsity but this is my first year working closely with her and I'm super excited,” Lueke said.

Lueke has been a part of the athletic department at STA for the past three years, coaching the freshman and sophomore teams. Her experience playing basketball at STA goes beyond that.

“I went to STA, I graduated in 2016 and I just love the school,” Lueke said. “I love basketball and so when I stopped playing basketball in college, I knew that I wanted to come back and coach and be part of the basketball program.”

Lueke has been playing basketball for a majority of her life because of its competitive atmosphere and team work.

“I love basketball because it's a team sport,” Lueke said. “I grew up in a big family so I've always just kind of been a big team player, and I love basketball because it's super competitive. I'm a very competitive person, I love to win and I love working towards a goal as a team.”

Working alongside the competitive varsity players, the coach to player bond becomes strong.

Seniors Kate Gibson, left, and Maddie Gentry go one-on-one to the basket Oct. 5. Gibson joined the varsity team in winter 2019 and often plays the position point guard. photo by Sydney Allen

wn

“I think our biggest goal as coaches is really to work on helping the girls become better people instead of looking at just them as basketball players, it's important we look at them as people first,” Lueke said.

The coaches try to make the players feel like they can succeed and they have already started setting their own goals for this season “As a team, going back to like figuring out who we have,” Gibson said. “I think a team goal is everyone should be able to do something on the court, not like five girls do everything and then bench everyone else. It makes a difference when they are all on the court.”

As for the pandemic, juggling coaching varsity basketball and practicing safety guidelines is a daunting task, but Lueke feels confident that they can work through it.

“I think that's going to be difficult just because there's so much unknown,” Lueke said. “And with quarantining and everything, it's going to be difficult for everybody. So I think what's important is that we stay positive through it all.” B

DESIGNED BY BECCA SPEIER

SPORTS UPDATES

What you missed in sports.....

25

National Sports News Kansas City Chiefs team plan to sign cornerback DeAndre Baker.

The Chiefs plan to sign Baker as a cornerback, who is facing controversy. He is currently accused of four counts of robbery with a firearm in Florida. The Chiefs are looking to sign him to their practice squad. Information courtesy of ESPN Baker recently played for the new york giants Football team. photo courtesy of wikimedia

The Las Vegas Raiders place starting players on COVID-19 list.

The Raiders put defensive end Clelin Ferrell and cornerback Lamarcus Joyner on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Previously, the Raiders put another player on the list, Cory Littleton.

Information courtesy of ESPN The raiders are currently putting major starters on the reserve list with big games coming up, more specifically against the previous Superbowl champs, the chiefs. photo courtesy of espn

New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees diagnosed with collaspsed lung.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is facing a collapsed right lung and multiple other health issues. These issues included multiple fractured ribs. Information courtesy of ESPN Saints' quarterback drew brees is dealing with multiple injuries, possibly stalling his playing time. photo courtesy of deseret news

Athlete of the issue

Coming up DECEMBER

4

DECEMBER

8

DECEMBER

11

Varsity girls basketball game vs. Liberty North High School at Liberty North.

Varsity girls basketball game vs. Saint Thomas Aquinas High School at St. Teresa's Academy

Varisty Swim meet at Gladstone Community Center

G

oing into cross country tryouts, freshman Gracie Jacobs was nervous yet hopeful that she could make the Varsity team. With a mile time of 5:35 and 5k time of 19:24, she was a shoe-in. Despite the athleticism already in her genes, as both her parents were runners, Jacobs trains hard in the winters and summers to beat her best times in both track and cross country. She placed second individually in Districts, helping STA place first overall. Jacobs fell in love with the sport not only because of the peace it gives her, but the team’s atmosphere. “I don't think I'd be able to get this far without my team,” Jacobs said. She thinks the mental aspect is the toughest part, and it’s taught her to be patient. “Once you get past the negative thoughts of ‘this is so hard and I'm going to die’ it's really not that hard,” Jacobs said.

26 26COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

NOVEMBER 23 2020

Serving Stability

Food kitchens remain open throughout the pandemic by adapting to safety guidelines.

Story by Lauren Brackney| Social Media Team

I

’m not gonna lie to you to say that our job is easy every day, but it is very rewarding,” Bishop Sullivan Center’s food operations manager Doug Langner said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty, especially towards health. Food pantries and food kitchens are ensuring that their communities won’t have to worry about where their food comes from during the pandemic, creating a sense of stability. Bishop Sullivan Center has always provided three core services: food, jobs and aid. Their food kitchen, One City Cafe, serves lunch and dinner five days a week to anyone seeking a warm, chef-prepared meal.

Photos By Lucy Doerflinger| News Editor

Bishop Sullivan Center purchases most of their food for One City Cafe to ensure that the meals are fresh and delicious. They rely on fundraising to pay for food costs.

Luckily, many people want to help.

“I think people want to [volunteer] and help in these extraordinary times and so far, we’ve actually seen an increase in donations, especially monetary donations and that says something about our community of people wanting to help,” Langner said.

In addition to donations, Bishop Sullivan Center relies on volunteers to run their pantry and kitchen systems. However, they have had to restrict the number of volunteers to follow social distancing guidelines.

“Right now we need to go about four volunteers during our dinner service, before, it was 24 [volunteers] a night,” Langner said. “I mean, it’s a huge drop off but to do this right and to do this safe, not only for ourselves, but for the guests we serve and even the volunteers, we want to be a part of the solution with

“

I think people want to [volunteer] and help in these extraordinary times and so far, we’ve actually seen an increase in donations,

“We were kind of under the model of running exactly like a restaurant,” Langner said. “So for people in need, they got a good meal every day on white China plates, full silverware, full service as if you were at a restaurant but, it’s a free meal.”

Doug Langner

“

St. Teresa’s sophomore Marin Smith volunteers at Jewish Family Services Nov. 11. Jewish Family Services distributes food every month to over 400 families. photo courtesy of Jewish Family Services

this unprecedented pandemic, and not a problem in it.”

The volunteers and staff make sure that their guests feel comfortable and safe by prioritizing their health and provide them

A volunteer at the food pantry picks up a bag to carry outside Nov 7. Recipients come wait outside and volunteers bring them each two bags of food. photo by Lucy Doerflinger

with products and services that they might not otherwise have access to.

“So getting them three to four masks or being able to offer that or hand sanitizers and we were able to have a group come in to do testing early on when testing was really difficult to come by,” Langner said. “So we’ve been trying to do some things because we know the population we serve is at higher risk.”

St. Elizabeth’s food pantry has also made changes within their organization to better follow the safety protocols. Their social services director Teresa Medina has helped them with the transition to these changes, and they have not had to turn anyone away since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The people don’t come in the building anymore,” Medina said. “We don’t have the big crowd just sit around visiting anymore.

They come up one at a time so they are separated, you’ve seen the little cart. The hardest thing has been getting donations.”

St. Elizabeth’s pantry has not had to turn away any guests, but they have had to reduce the number of volunteers to follow safety guidelines, creating a surplus of

27

DESIGNED BY SYDNEY WALDRON

circumstance that I happen to be where I am and where they have been, through no fault of their own, which I have discovered.

They’ve just been dumped a different deck of cardsand I just think [service] just

“ when I first Started I thought Wow that Could be me, It’s Just a matter of circumstance that i happen to be where i am teresa medina .

“

volunteer workers.

“The volunteers are dying to come back because [everybody] wants to do something to help right now,” Medina said.

The St. Elizabeth’s food pantry is selfsufficient, meaning they get all of their supplies from donations and collection or drop-off bins.

“People just drop food in [the bins] and that’s kept us up and running, and the Girl Scouts do a little food drive so that’s very helpful,” Medina said. “We usually have three food drives at Hyvee, we’ve had one this year because they didn’t host food drives this year.”

Similarly to Bishop Sullivan Center, the St. Elizabeth’s food pantry helps provide aid to people in need.

“Utility assistance is another big one, kind of the biggest one,” Medina said. “Just being a referral or resource to help them find help, especially during the pandemic. A lot of people have never been in a situation where they need to ask for help and [they] didn’t know where to turn.”

Medina keeps up working with the pantry even though times get stressful. She keeps candy and Christmas decorations in her office to help inspire hope and positivity within herself and the people she serves.

“When I first started it was like ‘that could be me,’” Medina said. “It’s just a matter of

brings us all together as a community.”

COVID-19 has not stopped students from volunteering within the community.

Senior Mary Gallagher regularly volunteers and has taken on leadership roles at STA to further her involvement with service.

This year, she is President of G.I.V.E, assistant event chair for Relay for Life and is on the leadership team for Human Dignity club.

“I can put my all in, and I want to do the

best I can to help whatever organization or club or extracurricular I’m in, so one of the easiest ways you can do that is in a leadership position,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher, along with the Board of Directors of G.I.V.E, are finding new ways to serve this year to better adhere to safety guidelines.

“I really promote with G.I.V.E, especially this year, that it’s not going to be so much projects where you go out and like go to Harvesters where we’re going to be bagging food,” Gallagher said. “What can I donate?

Or what service can I offer that the service agency can utilize? Because if they can’t utilize volunteers in person, what can I do that then they can use themselves or make their job easier?”

Large volunteer opportunities have become scarce but the need for service has not gone away. Gallagher recommends to the people that want to go out to volunteer but are unable to, to look at service from a different perspective.

It’s just anything you can do to make someone else’s life better or easier is service, so I would just say any act can be considered service,” Gallagher said. “And I would just say do as much as you can, whether that’s through little actions or big actions, it doesn’t matter, it’s all catered to the greater good.”

Sophmore at the food pantry picks up a bag to carry outside Nov 7. Recipients come wait outside and volunteers bring them each two bags of food.

What Thanksgiving Food Are

28 LAST LOOK

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

You?

FRIENDSGIVING O TRADITIONAL FAMI THANKSGIVING?

Tr

Friendsgiving

Tha IS THANKSGIVING YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY?

Compiled by Caroline Hinkebein | Sports Editor

Yes

Turkey

You respect Thanksgiving enough to not put up Christmas decorations until it's over and it is your favorite holiday so you deserve the main course, the coveted turkey.

No

Mashed Potatoes

Thanksgiving isn't your favorite holiday but at least you're not one of those terrible people who put up Christmas decorations in November! You are yummy mashed potatoes.

An old fas family Th like best s staple Tha loves.

29

DESIGNED BY CAROLINE HINKEBEIN

DO YOU PUT UP CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS BEFORE OR AFTER THANKSGIVING?

After

Before

OR ILY ?

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF THANKSGIVING?

raditional Family anksgiving

Cozy Sweaters

Food

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?

SHOULD THERE BE MORE THANKSGIVING SONGS LIKE THERE ARE HALLOWEEN AND CHRISTMAS SONGS?

Yes

Rolls

No

Fall

Spring

Pie

Mac & Cheese

Green Beans

shioned, basic, traditional You don't think there should be Thanksgiving songs which is kind hanksgiving is what you of sad but at least you appreciate so you are the rolls, the anksgiving food everyone a good cozy sweater, you are the warm and fuzzy dessert, pie.

Food is what you get the most excited for on this holiday and you can't have Thanksgiving without a good bowl of mac & cheese. Hope you're not lactose intolerant!

Green beans, the food that you always put on your plate but never actually eat. You like food, but your favorite season is spring, and Thanksgiving is in fall not spring so you are green beans.

NOVEMEBER 23 2020

30 PHOTO ESSAY

A look through the grunge movement that shaped the fashion and music of the late 80s and early 90s.

Story and Photos By Sydney Waldron | Design Editor

Brinks smiles as she looks through a cassette tape Nov. 11.

While the grunge movement may have been a fad, it still played an important role in connecting hard rock and punk into the mainstream.

Brinks pulls on her shoe lace Nov 11. As grunge grew in popularity, departments and other clothing stores wanting to capitalize on this movement, they sold grunge clothing, band tees, and bucket hats.

Brinks riffles through a stack of books Nov. 11. While books are not often thought of as part of the grunge movement they played a huge role in preserving the history and legacy of grunge.

Justin Waldron gases at his reflection as he rides through the night Nov. 11. Grunge brought a focus on individualism, and reflecting on one’s identity.

unior Caroline Brinks skateboards through the streets of Kansas City Nov. 11.

While the grunge movement may have originated in music it became known for its fashion, with bagging jeans, flannels and layers.

THE DART STAFF

31

2020-2021

ADVISOR Riley Cowing

COPY

WEB

OPINION EDITORS Josie Fox, Lily Sage

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Grace Ashley

DESIGN EDITOR Sydney Waldron

LIFESTYLES EDITOR Mara Callahan

BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Lucy Doerflinger

PAGE DESIGNERS Rebecca Speier, Sophia Rall, Lauren Brackney, Carmon Baker, Sydney Allen, Grace Ashley, Caroline Hinkebein, Josie Fox, Claire Smith, Rachel Robinson, Sydney Waldron

SPORTS EDITORS Katie Massman, Caroline Hinkebein

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM Ali Madden, Lauren Brackney, Kyra Fieger

FEATURES EDITOR Sophia Rall

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Claire Smith, Rachel Robinson

PRINT

WEB EDITOR Carmon Baker

STAFF WRITERS Ellie Buttell

PHOTO EDITORS Syndey Allen, Rebecca Speier

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