Volume 80 Issue 8 by DartNewsOnline

DART THE

ST. TERESA’S ACADEMY KANSAS CITY MO VOLUME 80 ISSUE 8

CHANGING SENIORS The Dart honors the class of 2021 covering the challenges they overcame with the uncertainty of the pandemic and their future decisions for college. pg 8

photos courtesey of Maggie McInerny photo

2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

May 7, 2020

DEAR READER, Once again, it is time for seniors to don caps and gowns, attend graduation parties and celebrate the “lasts” of high school. Graduation season and other senior traditions have definitely looked different this year, with social distancing, mask-wearing and other changes. Nevertheless, Dart wants to honor and celebrate the Class of 2021 with the senior issue. On page 4, check out Lucy Doerflinger’s story about seniors earning their STEM/STEAM Certification. Page 5 commemorates some Friday theme days, compiled by Kyra Fieger. If you are wondering where the class of 2021 is heading in the fall, check out the college map on page 8-9 created by Lauren Brackney. On page 10-11, you can find some information about teachers that are departing from STA and their favorite memories at STA. Sydney Allen wrote a letter to her parents, and Josie Fox wrote about her favorite,most memorable room at STA: M306. Check out other seniors’ columns on DartNewsOnline! Bistro cookies or star cookies? M&A or Donnelly? Check out the seniors’ favorites on page 14-15, compiled by Mara Callahan. To the 2021 senior class, thank you for all your

EIC PHOTO

contributions to the STA community. It is amazing how you have all made the best out of the crazy, volatile year that was 2020. Your leadership and optimism during this time has not gone unnoticed. To the 2020-2021 Dart seniors, thank you! This year has been so special, and we have worked so hard to overcome so many challenges to produce the best issues possible. It was definitely an unforgettable experience with a wonderful group of seniors. To Claire and Rachel, thank you for being the most amazing editors-in-chief. Your passion and dedication to Dart inspired us all. Thank you for your commitment to Dart — from work nights, pub nights, teams calls, bonding and everything else.

Love,

04 06 08 10 12 13 14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STEM/ STEAM Certificate

EDITORIAL POLICIES Ownership and Sponsorship DartNewsOnline and the Dart are created by the student newpaper staff and are maintained and published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution frounded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. DartNewsOnline and the Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic church, whether on a diocesan or world-wide level.

Star Spotlight: Kate Gibson

College Map

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

Teachers leaving STA

Letters & Reader Interaction Policy DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage the community to post comments on the website. Letters to the editors can be sent in the following ways: in person to Riley Cowing in Goppert room G106; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, Attn: Riley Cowing, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; by email to rcowing@sttersasacademy.org or to dartpaper@gmail.com. DartNewsOnline and the Dart reserve the right to edit or shorten letters for publication.

Letter to my Parents

Room 306

Comment Policy DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage readers to comment on all posts. However, DartNewsOnline and the Dart reserve the right to monitor and edit all comments on DartNewsOnline. Comments that disagree with the editorial policy will not be published.

Senior Polls

Photo Use Policy Photo illustrations are conceptual photos that combine drawing and photography. All photos on the website are free for public use. If a reader is interested in high-quality copies of photos, please email DartNewsOnline at dartpaper@gmail.com. Corrections policy DartNewsOnline and the Dart will publish corrections as soon as possible after the error is discovered.

THE DART STAFF 2020-2021

ADVISOR Riley Cowing EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Claire Smith, Rachel Robinson

6 COVER DESIGNED BY: Rebecca Speier

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

COPY FEATURES EDITOR Sophia Rall

WEB WEB EDITOR Carmon Baker

OPINION EDITORS Josie Fox, Lily Sage

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Grace Ashley

LIFESTYLES EDITOR Mara Callahan SPORTS EDITORS Katie Massman, Caroline Hinkebein STAFF WRITERS Ellie Buttell

BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Lucy Doerflinger SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM Ali Madden, Lauren Brackney, Kyra Fieger

4 NEWS FEATURE

MAY 7, 2021

Seniors received their honor cords for completing the STEM/STEAM Certificate April 12. There were 15 recepients this year. photo courtesy of @sta.stars Instagram account

Preparing Students for a Future in STEAM The STEAM program at STA allows students interested in those fields (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) to pursue opportunities that will prepare them for a future in STEAM and get more involved in the STEAM community.

n 2016, the STEM/STEAM certificate program was established at St. Teresa’s Academy. The program is designed to provide experiences in the STEM field both in, and beyond, the typical classroom. These opportunities include shadowing professionals in different STEM fields, from aerospace to fashion design, STEAM electives and E-mentoring. The program is run by the director of STEAM projects and education Mandi Sonnenberg. She is working to grow the STEAM program at STA and get more students involved. “I work with [students] on developing new clubs and experiencing STEAM,” Sonnenberg said. “I noticed not a lot of students use the MakerSpace, so we started bringing in students and teaching them how to use some of the things in the MakerSpace. The goal is by the end of 2021, the students will be running the makerspace under my supervision.” Educating students about STEAM and getting them interested is the first step for Sonnenberg. Then she works on finding out what the students are passionate about within STEAM and giving them more information about careers in those fields that they may or may not have considered. One resource she utilizes is the extracurricular Full Steam Ahead. “It’s bringing in a speaker every month that talks about all different careers in

Story by Lucy Doerflinger | News/BNS Editor

STEAM,” Sonnenberg said. “I just ask the group, what do you want to hear more about and then try to bring in someone who can express a new career in STEAM that they maybe hadn’t thought of.” The goal of these extracurriculars and events is for the students to eventually get their STEAM or STEM certificates. The certificate is given senior year to students who were able to complete all the requirements. The certificate requires four credits in math, four credits in science, two STEAM electives, one year of E-mentoring, nine hours of job shadowing and 10 STEAM-related, volunteer service hours. Despite the many requirements, Sonnenberg sees the program as so much more. “The STEAM certificate is actually an experience,” Sonnenberg said. “There are some requirements, but when you get down to the experiences, that’s where you really get to choose. If there is something you are really interested in, a shadow, a workshop, it is my job to make sure that you get that opportunity.” Sophomore Teresa Elfrink is currently working toward getting her STEM certificate. She wants to go into a STEMfocused career, and this certificate gives her a lot of experiences and opportunities within the field, before actually getting a job. “I feel like it has given me some

connections to actual places,” Elfrink said. “I know that this will help me a lot with connections whenever I get into the professional world and am applying for jobs and internships.” Along with giving personal and professional connections, the program also pushes students to pursue opportunities they may not otherwise have. This is something senior Jeanne Eckles enjoyed about it. “As I look back, it did take a lot of time,” Eckles said. “However, the things I did outside of STA were stretched over a threeyear period so they never really felt stressful to me, and they were things I looked forward to and enjoyed. The E-mentor aspect connected me to a practicing architect who gave me really valuable advice that I will carry into the future.” One of the best things about the program as a whole for Eckles was the STEAM/STEM community and all the support she received while working on the certificate. “I think that [the STEAM program] is a great opportunity for students to realize their potential within the STEAM/STEM field,” Eckles said. “I felt so supported by the community and probably would not have pursued the certificate without their encouragement.” B

musical artists

Musical artist theme day is this week’s theme. Singers Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and Stevie Nicks were some of the artists the senior class dressed as.

Gold out Seniors Maggie McInerney, Claire Faulkner and Elise Johnson dress for gold out oct 7.

Senior Theme Days Compiled by Kyra Fieger | Social Media Team Photos courtesy of Elise Johnson and @twinksofavila Instagram Account

Men in Black Men in Black theme by seniors Meredith O’Donnell, Elise Johnson and Elizabeth Torrey. These seniors are decked out in their suits and ties.

frat boys The boys are back in town and these ladies are serving looks. Senior theme day boys was executed over the top.

Christmas

Christmas in the Fall? Seniors Lauren Halverson and Laura Cowen give a big thumbs up for a Christmas Theme day.

6 STAR SPOTLIGHT

K AT

MAY 7, 2021

E G

SO N IB Senior Kate Gibson blocks off a St. James player during her game May 1. Gibson usually plays outside forward. photo by Ellie Buttell

TRIPLE THREAT

Senior Kate Gibson has been captain of three sports at STA over her last four years here. Gibson looks back on her years at STA, and gives advice for underclassmen. Story by | Ellie Buttell | Staff Writer

What sports have you played at STA, do you have a favorite? I played softball, and then basketball in the winter. And then in the spring, I play soccer. And I love them all, but soccer is definitely my favorite. I play club, too.I’m playing soccer year round.

thought on where I’m going because of soccer. I love their program and the conference in the Big East Conference. They have all the majors I like and I like the cold weather. And it kind of just fit. But I mean, I hold myself to a high standard for sports, and they have what I want with that in mind.

Was it hard to balance school and sports? It definitely has its highs and lows. I’d say it’s harder in the Fall and Winter, because I’m playing club soccer as well as high school sports. And then homework. Springs a little easier, because I’m just playing high school soccer. But it definitely has its moments. This year was pretty hard with basketball because we had some early practices. And it just made it really hard because I had to go to bed early. But I’d have practice till 5:30. And I’d have a lot of homework but then I would have to go to bed early. So I just had to really work on my time management. So it definitely had its challenges.

Did you always plan on playing sports in college? I’ve always loved soccer, so I always had that in the back of my head, that’s what I wanted to do. No one else in my family played sports in college, so this is a first for me and for my parents. But I’ve always had that in mind. Every now and then I’d be like, well, there’s these interests in college, but like, I want to do this, but I want to do this, but soccer has always been on that idea of what I want to do.

Did being the captain of three teams allow you to develop leadership skills? Yeah, so for softball, especially, I was one of the few seniors, we had a manager as well. I don’t have a problem with leading groups. I’ve found it to be pretty easy, just because I played sports for so long. And I’m just a naturally competitive person, which is a good and bad thing. But yeah, I’ve had to learn a lot just about working with people, because you’re not a good leader if you’re just telling people what to do. You don’t get anything from that. So working with people and not talking down to underclassmen Where are you going to college and why did you select that college? I’m going to Marquette University next year, and I’m playing soccer there. I kind of put a lot of

What’s the most influential thing that came from your decision to play soccer? I think the most influential thing was probably just figuring it out and planning my future. I don’t plan things very often, I’m kind of chaotic, but I think that thinking about my future and setting it aside. I had to make this decision earlier than most seniors when deciding where they’re going to college. So I kind of had to plan a little bit earlier than a person who wasn’t playing sports. So just like processing my future and really thinking about what I want to do. I really had to, not that someone who isn’t playing sports doesn’t, but I just had to think about myself and where I see myself, which is sometimes tough. Is it going to be hard to say goodbye to the sports you’ve played throughout highschool? Definitely. I had a love/hate relationship with basketball just because I was always so busy with soccer. It was just hard on my body in early practices

this year. But I’ll definitely miss it. I love playing basketball, softball as well. I think softball is just so fun and not under appreciated, but a lot of people just don’t know about it. I think it’s just the most fun thing to do. It’s pretty laid back. Every time we played, it was just so much fun. So I’ll definitely miss all of that. And that environment. So yeah, 100%. What has been your favorite class here at STA? Oh, that’s easy. Last year, I took AP Environmental Science with Watts. And I love that class. That’s sort of what I want to major in. But I love that class and Ms. Watts. I think she’s a great teacher and I’m sad to see her go. But definitely, that’s an easy choice. If you could give any advice to students at STA, what would it be? If you’re not sure, try it. I mean you only have so long. I didn’t play basketball my freshman year, because I was like, “Oh, I’m too busy soccer and I don’t really know how to play”. And then I totally regretted it and played it all the rest of high school. I’ve heard a lot of seniors this year saying, “Oh, I should have done this club, or I wish I played a sport or I wish I did something in theater.” If you can do it, I’d say do it. And you never know. b

CHECK OUT full story on DART NEWS ONLINE

MAY 7, 2021

FEATURE

Class of 2021 College Map The class of 2021 made their final college decisions May 1 for where they will attend school in the fall with 64 colleges in the United States and one outside the country. Compiled by Lauren Brackney | Social Media Team

ILLINOIS

Olivia Baker Ange Dickson Grace Farkas Josie Fox Mckenzie Heffron Nora Lee Katherine McCarthy Maggie McInerney Lauren Peters Rachel Robinson Ella Tomasic Grace Wilson Adelina Zahner

Natalie Stubbers Grace Swanson Elizabeth Torrey Abby Vossen

MARYLAND Ange Dickson Bailey Bright Massachusetts

MASSACHUSETTS The Spirit of America

Isabella Bryars Abby Farmer Lauren Halverson

MONTANA Treasure State

Lauren Kasyjanski NEBRASKA

NEBRASKA 1867

2021

Maeve Burns Abby Fellows Elizabeth Hayes Katherine O’Sullivan Erin Scanlon Haley Sparks Yalei Wilcox Megan Williams

Michigan

MICHIGAN Elie Roddy Carmon Baker KANSAS

KANSAS ARIZONA

Arizona Ellen Colombo Zoey Ford

ARKANSAS Lily Beck Marie Bruck Ava Fitzgerald Ellie Fuemmeler Tess Jones Morgan Mos

CALIFORNIA The Golden State

Olivia Akers Sam Amey Kelly Ann Greene Claire Smith

KANSAS

COLORADO KANSAS COLORADO

Juliet Barnett Olivia Collet Claire Faulkner Jacki Flower-Carrothers Elise Johnson Daisy Oxler

FLO RIDA SUNSHINE STATE

Eleanor Hatley Audrey Wood GEORGIA

GEORGIA Emma Bessenbacher

Cara Barone Isabel Brandmeyer Joanna Cascone Isabel Coleman Beatrice Curry Will Dodderidge Jeanne Eckles Simone Kuo Alana Lamley Allison Madden Kennedy Maher Isabel McMahon Sydney Melland Alisha Mulvaney Jude Patenaude Katherine Perkins Lael Rixson Ella Root Katie Schudy Pheobe Schulte

Evelyn Diamond MISSOURI

MISSOURI Marisa Araujo Lauren Boxx Laura Cowan Grace Effertz Madeline Gentry Abbi Hennessy Katherine Koenig Ava Larson Emily Majors Erin Manning Molly O’Kane Elizabeth Parra Katie Riffle Madison Smith Ella Sowle Olivia Steffano Lydia Stiles Katie Sullivan Lia Uhlenhuth

TENNESSEE

TENNESSEE Anna Albritton Molly Hirner

B TEXAS

TEXAS the lone star state

Brynne Kelley Isabel Mayer Hayley Melland Ailis Reavey Victoria Scheuer Georgia Winfield

WISCONSIN

WISCONSIN America’s Dairyland

Grace Ashley Darcie Hingula OHIO

OHIO Anna Bichelmeyer Erin Graham Lucy Sturr PENNSYLVANIA

PENNSYLVANIA Mary Katherine Gallagher Morgan Saxe

SOUTH CAROLINA SOUTH CAROLINA

Charlotte Baker Ella Masek Margot Naber Merideth O’Donnell

Sydney Allen Eileen Harrington Adelle Quick Olivia Sopyla Sally Swinney District of Columbia Isabella Dougherty Lauren North Leah North Ontario, Canada Xiaoyu Miao Gap Year Bridget Gonzalez Undecided Allyson Fox Mara Kugler Jannely Montagner Madison Mudd Irene Nguyen-Do Savannah Nixon Micah Quinn Kelsey Raymer Emmie Simms Avery Spooner

Bye Bye STA!

10 FEATURE

MAY 7, 2021

Twelve teachers are leaving at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 academic year. Featured here are ten who tell the Dart about their time at STA Story by Caroline Hinkebein | Sports editor, Photos by Sydney Waldron | Design Editor & Caroline Hinkebein, Alternative Coverage by Becca Speier | Photo Editor

Maddie Watts

At STA: Since 2015 Has taught: AP environmental science, anatomy & physiology Other roles: Spirit Club moderator, senior class moderator, freshman basketball coach Favorite thing about STA: STA empowers our students to be their authentic selves. When you meet a St. Teresa’s student, they are someone that is not afraid to speak their mind, stand up for what they believe in, they’re not afraid to be goofy. That’s my favorite thing about STA, is that we help empower our students to feel that way. Plans after leaving: I have a couple of things in the works but no concrete plans yet.

coach, head swim and dive coach. Favorite thing about STA: The willingness for the students to be comfortable enough to be who they are. Not having to play up to something. The culmination of that is to see, and I’ve seen it with the graduating seniors, the development in how much they’ve changed and grown from when they were freshman until now, and how they’re about to graduate and how strong and independent they’ve become. Plans after leaving: Me and my family are moving to St. Louis. We’re both from there and our families are both there, so we’re doing this to be closer to family. For the time being, I’m going to move outside of education. I’m currently looking for jobs in business, in sales area in particular, so I can continue with the main part of the job being to interact and connect with people. That’s something that I don’t want to give up as a part of what I do.

Amanda Hawley

Kelly Fast

At STA: Since 2018 Has taught: ancient world history, Latin and Greek Other roles: In charge of JCL (Latin Honor Society) Favorite thing about STA: My students, for sure. I’m really lucky because since I’m the only Latin teacher, I get to have my students all of the years that they take Latin, so I get to develop some really strong relationships with them. We have a lot of fun in my class. Plans after leaving: Since I don’t really know where I’m going to end up, I’ll try and find some sort of job in the meantime. But then hopefully, once I figure out where I’m gonna be, I’ll find a different teaching job once I’m in that place. So take a couple years off from teaching and then get back into it probably.

Andrew Meyer At STA: Since 2017 Has taught: sophomore world history, psychology, AP psychology and government Other roles: I’m the world’s best advisor. Shoutout to my advisory. JV lacrosse

At STA: Since 2008 Has taught: senior AP language, junior AP literature, college composition, literature and pilgrimage, artistry and history, and some other English electives Other roles: Experiential education coordinator (helps run things like interim week), co-chair of the English department Favorite thing about STA: The sense of community. It’s a really wonderful school, having great colleagues and a really great administration and just really great students. It’s been an awesome experience. Plans after leaving: I’m going to become the experiential learning director at Sion.

Stephen Himes

At STA: Since 2008 Has taught: honors world literature, world literature Other roles: Sponsor of Cinema Club First day at

STA: It was difficult to understand a man’s role in a women’s institution. What is the point of me here? The answer that I came to is that my job is to model what women should expect from their male colleagues and bosses, so that when they receive toxic behavior later, they can recognize it because he never treated me that way. Favorite memory: I’ve got two. The first one was at the top of the Eiffel Tower with my 2008 study abroad group. Natalie Barber who graduated a couple of years ago kept asking me to do this trip, and then we did it.Our last night we were at the top of the Eiffel Tower, and I went over to her and I said, “Natalie, I just want to thank you for coming into my room every day and pushing me to do something that I wasn’t real sure that I could pull off,” and she just looked at me and she said, “I need you to shut up right now because I’m going to start crying.” The second moment was the 2019 study abroad group after they got on the bus, Carrie Jacquin and Shana Prentiss were there, and it was the three of us, and I was staying behind for the week to plan the next one. I put everybody on the bus that morning in Paris, and everybody waved and left and there were some people that were crying, and I was just standing there, on the street, in the middle of Paris, after they got off. I knew that we had done it. We did the thing. And I knew it, I knew that it worked. But then I was just all of the sudden by myself in Paris. Plans after leaving: Two things. One, my wife used to be the dean of admissions at a highly selectiv private college and she developed a college application coaching business that I am gonna take over that’s based on her methodologies. And I have formed a study abroad company that I’m running that’s about creating a whole study abroad experience across multiple classes at individual schools.

Kayla Leatherman At STA: Full-time since 2013 Has taught: entrepreneurship, digital marketing, personal finance and online personal finance. Other roles: New teacher mentor, second year teacher mentor, ran new student orientation Favorite memory: Right before I had my twins, a group of students held a baby shower and it was very nice. It was a group that came into my room every

DESIGNED BY CAROLINE HINKEBEIN day for a free for two years, so I got to know them really well. Plans after leaving: I’ll be teaching in Chillicothe, which is my husband and I’s hometown, and my parents and Daniel’s mom is still there, and I’m teaching business.

Rebecca Hare

At STA: Since 2018 Has taught: Algebra I, Advanced Algebra I, Algebra II Other roles: Taught the morning 8th grade advanced algebra 1 class, frosh start, and the HSPT course Favorite thing about STA: Definitely the community and the people here. I have really enjoyed my coworkers and getting to know them. They’ve been great mentors for a young professional. I’ve also really enjoyed my students and the relationships I’ve formed with them. Plans after leaving: I have a new job. I’m going to work for this company called Smart Warehousing, and I’m going to be a data analyst.

Riley Cowing

At STA: Since 2018 Has taught: introduction to journalism, digital photography, yearbook, and newspaper Other roles: moderator for yearbook and newspaper First day at STA: It was like I turned around and it was over. It was so chaotic and energetic and pretty fun. Everybody was so excited to be back on campus after the summer. As a new teacher there was so much to get used to, like taking attendance and everybody’s name. I remember it being one of those things where at the end of the day, everybody was gone and it felt like it all settled and I

was like, “whoa that was a lot.” But it was really fun. Favorite thing about STA: It has to do with my love for creativity in general, and what I appreciate so much about publications here, not only because I was a student and did publications myself, but just the space it makes for y’all to explore your voice and to share your voice. The fact that we have that opportunity is so special and unique, and I think that giving young angels a place to share, develop, explore their voice is so important and was [important] to me as a student and is to me now. Favorite memory: When we send off pieces of the publication. So with newspaper, I would say any of those first or last issues with my EIC’s over the last three years, and same thing with finishing up and sending the yearbook at the end of the year with those EIC’s. It’s such a special moment. PreCOVID-19, I would let the angels press submit with my mouse on the computer, and it’s so fun to see them get to see the fruit of their labor out in the world. Plans after leaving: This summer I’m instructing a government, law and ethics class with the school of the New York Times. Beyond that, uncertain, but we’ll figure it out.

Julia Gargallo

At STA: Since 2006 Has taught: Spanish I, II, III and IV Other roles: senior class moderator, Spanish club moderator, Hispanic Honors Society moderator Favorite thing about STA: The students. That was my favorite thing the first day 15 years ago, and I will be leaving and the best thing at the school are the students. I’m going to miss STA, I love STA , I will always keep the school in my heart. These 15 years the school felt like an extension of my house. This is like home for me. Plans after leaving: Once COVID-19 is over I will be able to travel to Barcelona. We have a house in Barcelona, so hopefully I will be spending more time there. My son is in Chicago and my daughter is in Dallas so I will be able to visit them more often. I am retiring.

Kate Absher

At STA: Since 2012 Has taught: American literature Other roles: debate cocoach Favorite thing about sta: I love the girls. You guys drive me bonkers, but I love the girls. It’s a unique place with all women. It’s just the vibe of being a strong woman who’s proud to talk about female things, being able to talk about it without any embarrassment, without any blushing or explanation. We talk about female issues so easily, and I love that. Favorite memory: My second or third year here, I was part of helping with Catholic schools week and trying to get that more spirit driven. We did a life-sized version of Hungry Hungry Hippos, and it was one of the funniest memories ever because we made these gigantic hippos out of cardboard boxes and we painted them, the students and I did, and we went and borrowed gym scooters from [Visitation], and the kids competed against each other’s classes, but then faculty did it too. One person laid on the scooter on their belly with their legs up, and the girl on the scooter had to hold the hippo’s head which was heavy because it was a big Amazon box, and they had to get the balls that were bouncing. I was really nervous it wasn’t gonna work, it was in front of the whole school, and it was some of the most joy I’ve ever experienced watching the first time because it was so hilarious. That’s probably one of my favorite memories, even though it was so long ago and it has nothing to do with English. Plans after leaving: I am going to teach at the Academie Lafayette High School. B

CHECK OUT full story on DART NEWS ONLINE

12 PERSPECTIVES

May 7, 2021

One final goodbye

As I leave St. Teresa’s and move on to college, I’m giving one final goodbye to the people who raised me, my parents. Story by Sydney Allen | Photo Editor

arental units, What a time it has been for us! It has been 18 entire years of raising me and now I’m going to college as if no time has passed at all. It feels like only yesterday I wandered away from you at a barbeque full of thousands of people, and you somehow got me back without a scratch on me. Those were exciting times: me being a toddler. Now, I’m here to tell you that as your youngest child, it’s not only time for me to move on from the nest, but you as well. You two won’t have anyone home with you anymore! No kids to take care of and feed, only the dogs to keep you company. It’s not something to be sad about, it means that you did good. I mean, I’m still here so you did something right. You raised three kids that all went to college and were only slightly greedy and stuck up. Okay, I’ll at least try and be somewhat sentimental; you really did a great job raising me. I’m only slightly messed up but that’s natural for our family. You’ve always been there for me and steered me in the right direction. You two have given me everything I need to be a successful, and somewhat functioning, adult. Through the mess that has been my life growing up (throwback to eighth grade), you both have managed to be amazing. I know as the youngest it sucks to see me leave and go to college as the,

as you would put it, “last bird leaving the nest.” It’s hard to put into words how grateful I really am for you. As I’m writing this, you two amazing parents are in Las Vegas having a jolly good time. You being there has made me realize that I, too, can leave my teenagers alone when I’m grown and go take a mini vacation. I’m not dissing you, believe me. You really needed this. We all needed a bit of time away from each other and the dogs. Like you always tell me, I’m kind of the perfect blend of both of you. I have most of mom’s personality, and dad’s looks with a hint of Ingalsbe (mom’s side of course) in there. I don’t really see the similarities between us — considering I have blonde hair and blue eyes unlike the rest of the family. Maybe you found the wrong kid at the barbeque and called it good? Kidding (mostly). To be honest, I know you two will miss me. You claim you’re excited for an empty house, but no parent is ever really ready for their kid to go to college.

You’ve watched me grow and go through some really hard times, and still I’ve come out of them as a stronger person. It’s hard to let that person go. You raised me, you made me who I am. Everything that you have done has been because of me and my siblings. We couldn’t really ask for better parents. You’ve only ever wanted what is best for us, and even though we don’t always show our thanks, we owe everything to the two of you. I owe everything to all of you — even Maggie and Ben. My big sister Magazine, who has gotten me through so much, and my big brother Benajalina, who has a unique way of showing his love toward me. I know I’m annoying, but my family has always been there for me. I could never ask for a better family or a better way to grow up. B

check out the entire column on Dart News Online

My Heaven on Earth: 306

What defined my time at STA can all be boiled down to one room full of a thousand little memories: M306. Story by Josephine Fox | Opinion Editor

eople have often told me that it’s not the place you remember, but the people. While this is very true, I can’t help but believe in a compromise of the two. M306, or room 306 in the Music and Arts Building, is my STA origin story and is that compromise of memory. During my freshman year, M306 was my advisory’s room which was then moderated by Mr. Tonnies — an English and theology teacher. From the moment I stepped into M306 during STAR Night, I knew the room was its own world. The desks were purposefully arranged in a discussion circle — never to be disturbed — and books crowded the shelves on the south wall. The walls were bare except for a “drink coffee or die” poster. Later on in the year we added an advisory bulletin at the back of the room — closest to the windows — and the towering tree outside of M&A (that my advisory named something along the lines of “Richard”). As the school year went on and we continued to wear in the room, a Kurieg and red Solo cups for coffee during class or advisory littered a tin desk dividing the bookshelves. Mr. Tonnies also made a point to introduce STA to phone cubbies by using a hanging shoe organizer as a prison for our phones during class. My advisory begrudgingly wore the phone cubby like a badge of infamy, surrendering our phones to it

every day for prayer. One of my favorite things was the dinosaur magnets we used to check in and out of advisory with which were able to outlive my time in M306 and now reside in my new advisor’s office (thanks for keeping tradition alive Ms. Hawley). For the entirety of my freshmen year, M306 was my safe haven; it was my home in many ways. It was the first place I interacted with (what I thought were intimidating) upperclassmen and where I had one of my all time favorite theology classes — Gospels and Christology. I learned about the majesty of the Hubble Telescope and how science and faith intertwine. I memorized the Irish blessing, which quickly became a prayer my advisory claimed for ourselves. It’s also where I shed some of my first STA tears after I failed my first math test. In M306, my advisory carved our last minute, second place winner Halloween pumpkin. I had my first Thanksgiving party, where we finally disrupted the circular order of the desks to make a grand table, cluttered with family dishes and plastic cutlery. I had my first secret Santa celebration around an advisory tree we decorated for Christmas with handmade and store bought ornaments.

check out the entire column on Dart News Online

Unlike the Hubble Telescope picture I first saw in M306, the room was not frozen in time. Despite all of these formative memories I had in M306, I haven’t been in the room since Mr. Tonnies left after my freshman year, and my advisory moved to the second floor of M&A. Now when I pass M306, it’s like passing by a little time pocket. I often catch myself holding my breath that split second that my eyes read the room number and desperately look for any signs of familiarity inside that are long gone — the desks now arranged in socially distanced rows, and Mr. Tonnies desk no longer tucked away in the corner of the room. M306 is my proof that you can remember a place just as much as you remember the people. M306 brought me my first advisory. B

R O I SEN 14 LAST LOOK

this “I liked prom because of the long dresses, I feel like everyone looked very pretty. This year we weren’t allowed to have dates, so it was really fun to just kick it with your grade especially because we didn’t get a junior ring last year. It was like a redo of the junior ring that we never got,” senior Bailey Bright

May 7, 2021

“I like the sweaters better than vests because they’re so comfortable. I’ve just never thought of buying one of the vests,” senior Phoebe Shulte said.

“I like Bistro cookies because I feel like they’re an STA thing, and I think they taste better. I get them with every lunch, even if I bring my own lunch,” senior Alisha Mulvaney said.

“I like Donnelly because it’s more modern and more my style. I spend all my time in the math hub, and I absolutely love it there. I’m a math and science person, so all of my favorite classes are there. My advisory has always been in Donnelly so I feel like it’s just my little, second home,” senior Ella Sowle said.

R that? DESIGNED BY MARA CALLAHAN

The Dart asked the senior class four questions about their preferances. The results from 60 responses were: Prom (85.7%) or Teresian (14.3%)? Star cookies (47.6%) or Bistro cookies (52.4%)? Sweaters (88.9%) or Vests (11.1%)? and Donnelly (44.4%) or M&A (55.6%)?

“I love my sweater vest. No one was really wearing the vests my freshman year, and I had gotten this one from my cousin. She was the one who wanted me to go to STA in the first place. It was so fun to put it on, and I just kept on wearing it,” senior Georgia Winfield said.

“I think Teresian is just so much fun. I’ve done it almost every year, except for the pandemic. I think it’s a fun process where you not only get to dance with your class, but also other grades,” senior Jeanne Eckles said.

“I used to be very Bistro-cookie-side, freshman year I would run up to the counter and buy them and would be so sad when they ran out, but now I like the star cookies better. You know there’s something fun going on at STA if there are star cookies involved,” senior Morgan Saxe said.

“I like M&A because my advisory is in there. It’s always been a competition against the advisories in other buildings. I also think the tiles are cool, and there’s a lot of history in M&A,” senior Ella Masek said.

ON THE DNO Check out online exclusive stories, galleries and more at www.dartnewsonline.com

An impressive transcript isn’t worth the mental burnout by Grace Ashley

Advice for freshman from seniors by Katie Massman

Color Throw Gallery by Lily Sage

A letter to my teachers by Rachel Robinson

@dartnewsonline

@dartpaper

@dartnewsonline @dart_sports

/dartnewsonline