The Dart: Vol 72 Issue 3

Ob see to am pa a s a r ge e e 2 f co -e or n le mo d c re i t te nfo er d rm m a

VOLUME 72 ISSUE 3 NOVEMBER 7, 2012 ST. TERESA’S ACADEMY KANSAS CITY, MO WWW.DARTNEWSONLINE.COM

tio

n

eyes half open.

the

dart

can blind dating exist in high school, as students rely more heavily on social media?

2 | news | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

dart OBAMA RE-ELECTED the

people and policies

Eric Thomas............................................................advisor

Emily McCann.................managing editor of design Anna Leach..........................managing editor of web Natalie Fitts......................managing editor of stories Emma Wheatley............managing editor of photos print Mickey Redlingshafer................................news editor Caitlin Fletcher.......................................features editor Emily Wemhoff.......................................features editor Shaeffer Smith........................................opinion editor Sara Jessica Dilks.........................centerspread editor Rosie Hutchison..........................sports/health editor Sara Meurer............................................lifestyles editor Katie Parkinson...............................................a&e editor Emma Willibey....................................in the mix editor Jordan Berardi........................................last look editor Maddie Knopke............................................copy editor Lindsey Valdiviez.........................................copy editor Emma Willibey.............................................copy editor Leigh Campbell.............................................staff writer Siobhan Miller................................................staff writer Grace Sly...........................................................staff writer Christina Elias.................................................staff writer Jordan Allen...................................staff photographer Grace Hodes...................................staff photographer Kathleen Keaveny.........................staff photographer Maggie Rellihan............................staff photographer web Lauren Langdon...........................................daily editor Adrianna Ohmes..........................................daily editor Lane Maguire................................................daily editor Meghan Lewis..................................web photo editor Menley Brennan..................................facebook editor Sabrina Redlingshafer............................twitter editor Madeline Best......................standing features editor Hannah Bredar...........................................school liason Taylor Steen................................................school liason Libby Hyde...................................................blogs editor Jordan Berardi..........................................videographer Caroline Fiss..............................................videographer Cecilia Butler..............................breaking news editor policies ownership and sponsership The Dart is created by the student newspaper staff and is published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church, whether on a diocesan or worldwide level. editorial policy The Dart is subject to prior review by the St. Teresa’s Academy administration in circumstances that concern student safety and illegal behavior by students. Otherwise, the policies above will guide the Dart. The Dart intends to be a public forum for voices regardless of diverse ages, sexes, races, cultures, religions or beliefs. Signed columns reflect the opinions of the individual, not necessarily the newspaper staff or the school community. letters policy The Dart encourages letters to the editor. Letters can be sent in the following ways: in person to Eric Thomas in D204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, attn: Eric Thomas, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; or by email to ethomas@stteresasacademy.org. Letters should be limited to 250 words.

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

FORWARD H President Barack Obama comes on stage to deliver his speech to the crowd gathered at Nationwide Arena on Monday, Nov. 5 in Columbus, Ohio. photo

by MCT CAMPUS

2012 Election Results McCaskill defeats Akin in controversial Senate race

Senator Claire McCaskill defeated Republican candidate Todd Akin in the Missouri Senate election Nov. 6, 2012. This will be McCaskill’s second consecutive term in office as Missouri Senator.

McCaskill was originally elected in 2006 as the first female Senator in Missouri.

Some officials believe the comments made

by McCaskill’s opponent, Todd Akin, about women’s health hurt his campaign and chances of election. McCaskill will resume her duties in the senate until the next election in 2018.

Close call in Presidential race

President Barack Obama was re-elected Nov. 6. Obama pulled ahead in his campaign by winning electoral votes in battleground states over his opponent, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

The state of Missouri supported Romney over Obama, 56 percent to 43 percent.

Kansas voted heavily for Romney with the majority of 59 percent.

The results differ from STA’s student election in which Romney won with 243 votes out of 361 ballots cast. This will be Obama’s second and final term.

Obama will be sworn in January 21, 2012.

Scan this QR to visit DNO for more election coverage

Hand defeats Himes for school board position

Mr. Gunnar Hand defeated STA teacher Stephen Himes in the election to fill a vacant seat of the Kansas City, Missouri School Board last night.

According to Hand’s website, Hand is “dedicated to the service of [the] community as a Board member and city liaison for the Armour Hills Homes Association, an elected representative of the KCMO Neighborhood Advisory Council, and most recently a Board member of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance.”

In an interview with KC Education Enterprise, Hand discussed the Board’s responsibilities.

“The Board creates a vision for the District and the Administration implements that vision,” Hand said. “The Board must set a clearly defined vision of the District and constantly reassess its long-term goals.”

In the interview, Hand said the most immediate challenge facing the district is the accreditation system with the state of Missouri. briefs by: LIBBY HYDE, GRACE SLY, MADELINE BEST

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | news | 3

Sporting KC scores new fans Kansas City’s men’s soccer team is in first place in their conference, in the playoffs this week.

by MICKEY REDLINGSHAFER mredlingshafer@dartnewsonline.com

Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City’s soccer team is currently number one in the Eastern Conference of the MLS. Sporting KC’s record is 18- 7, making them the only Kansas City sports team with a winning record this year. According to their website, Sporting KC has attracted fans, and at their game on Sept. 28, there was a record crowd of 21,000 people at the Livestrong Sporting Park. This week, Sporting KC is participating in the MLS playoffs.

Friday Sept. 28th, Sporting KC beat the Chicago fire 2-0 at the home to secure a spot in the playoffs in the MLS. Sporting KC was the first team in the Eastern Conference to score a spot.

According to SportingKC.com, Graham Zusi scored both of Sporting KC’s goals.

According to senior Morgan Trees, who attended the game, the atmosphere was intense.

“It was awesome, like the best game I have ever been to,” Trees said. “The whole crowd was very into it, doing all the cheers.”

According junior Cristina DeZeeuw, the game was “full of emotion.”

“I watched [the game on TV],” DeZeeuw said. “You could tell how bad all the players wanted [to win] and how passionate they were.

[Jimmy] Nielsen, the keeper, had some amazing saves.”

According senior Courtney Coppinger, her

GOOOOOOAL! H Sporting KC midfielder Jacob Peterson (37) and forward C.J. Sapong celebrate after Peterson’s goal against Philadelphia Union defender Carlos Valdes (2) on Oct. 24. photo by MCT CAMPUS

two favorite players are Zusi and Nielsen.

“My favorite player is probably Graham Zusi or Jimmy Nielsen,” Coppinger said. “[I like] Zusi because he is an awesome player who also plays for the US men's team. I love Jimmy because he never lets the team down as goalie.”

According to Trees, she has followed Kansas City soccer for a while, but once Sporting KC started, she got more into it.

“I am just excited Kansas City has a sports team that is good at something,” Trees said.

“When I was younger, my family followed the Wizards and went to some games. Once we changed to Sporting KC, I was kind of mad. I didn’t understand the name, but now I love it.

My dad gets tickets all the time.”

According to Trees, it is nice to have a successful sports team in Kansas city.

“It seems like this year, the Chiefs and the Royals are not getting any better,” Trees said.

“But Sporting is just getting started. They keep getting better. Livestrong Stadium is always filled with committed fans, it truly is ‘The Blue Hell.’”

Coppinger agrees that Livestrong Stadium’s atmosphere makes the Sporting KC games “When you go to a [Sporting KC] game, you know how important soccer is to everyone there and it's an awesome feeling,” Coppinger said. H

Students partake in Community 360

STA, Southwest students come together to discuss racial, economic, sexual diversity.

by KATIE PARKINSON kparkinson@dartnewsonline.com

STA held an overnight retreat called Community 360 Oct. 19 through Oct. 20 in the Windmoor Center. Formerly known as Unitown, this retreat is a leadership development experience, according to Community 360 facilitator and member of the Board of Directors of the Kansas City Missouri School District, Airick Leonard West.

This retreat was open to all STA and Southwest High School students. According to Spanish teacher and Community 360 moderator Carolyn Hollstein, 33 STA students and 15 Southwest students signed up. In the past, the retreat has been cancelled due to weather issues and a lack of interest. However, this year Hollstein was hopeful about the retreat’s prospects.

“It [was] good for students to talk about something they normally don’t get to address with their peers,” Hollstein said. “I think it’s necessary to engage in these kind of conversations, being challenged to think outside of our box, maybe our personal situation, and to step into somebody else’s shoes.”

According to junior and Community 360 leader Kiley O’Toole, the purpose of this retreat is to promote diversity.

“We did a lot of big group discussions about racism, sexism and classism,” O’Toole said.

“Then we broke off into smaller group - I was

talk it out H A Southwest High School student and freshman Grace Girardeau listen to senior Taylor Rees express her feelings at the Community 360 retreat Oct. 19. photo by TAYLOR STEEN

a leader of one - and you’d discuss [each topic] with your group.”

O’Toole also said that activities included exercises like standing up if a person has ever felt a certain way or writing down stereotypes. “[The retreat] did eliminate my stereotypes about Southwest kids, ” junior and student leader Mary Hart said. “I think it was kind of like ‘The Breakfast Club,’ where [the characters] figure out they’re really similar.”

According to O’Toole, she would have liked to have done more community building.

“I probably would have done stuff like getting to know people more,” O’Toole said. “There were so many people there from different economic backgrounds, and different race, and different sex, and different sexual orientation,

so I think it would have been more beneficial to get to know each other and realize that everyone has issues, but deep down we’re all the same kind of people, and we’re all looking for the same thing.”

Hollstein said one of the best parts of the retreat was the idea of challenging one’s own perspectives.

“I think that all of us can be really judgemental, myself included, and we don’t really realize it until we take a look at our perspectives of the world and of the people around us,” Hollstein said.

According to West, it is important to learn that “all of us have a responsibility and a role in creating the world as want it; we needn’t simply accept the world as it is.” H

Senior becomes National Hispanic Scholar

Senior Nikki Rodriguez was recently named a National Hispanic Scholar. This honor is awarded to students who achieve high scores on their junior year PSAT, and who are at least onequarter Hispanic/ Latino, according to the College Board website.

“I found out Rodriguez [I was a National Hispanic Scholar] maybe early this September,” Rodriguez said. “Ms. [Debi] Hudson contacted me and said I might be eligible, and they just needed to certify that my GPA was over a certain point.”

According to College Board, a 3.0 GPA is required to be eligible for this program.

Each year, around 5,000 students are named National Hispanic Scholars out of about 235,000 Hispanic/Latino students who take the PSAT. According to college counselor Hudson, typically one or two STA students are named National Hispanic Scholar per year.

“I was shocked, definitely, [about being named a National Hispanic Scholar],” Rodriguez said. “I was really surprised because it was so long after [I applied] that I really forgot about it, but I was really flattered.”

As a National Hispanic Scholar, there are many scholarships available for colleges.

Rodriguez is applying to Kansas University, University of Dallas, Loyola University New Orleans, Loyola Marymount University, Texas Christian University, Tulane University, Stanford University and University of Southern California.

STA hosts spiritual lecture series

St. Teresa’s Academy hosted its first installment in its new spiritual lecture series, Linger over Breakfast KC, on Saturday, Oct. 27. The lecture series is modeled after the Linger over Breakfast series started by CSJ Marion Renkins, held at the Motherhouse is St. Louis. Renkins is one of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondolet.

The series brings in speakers to talk about spiritual guidance. According to Ms. Kathleen Barry, The speaker series will include two lectures per year, one in the spring and one in the fall.

The first talk, From Trauma to Transformation, took place Oct. 26. The first speaker was CSJ Jean Abbot, founder of The Center For Survivors of Torture and War Trauma.

According to Barry, planning for the lectures went well. “[Linger over Breakfast KC] was open to anyone in the community,” Barry said.

“We had 80 people sign up, so that is pretty good.”

Barry is optimistic about the future of Linger Over Breakfast KC. “So far, it has certainly been well received,” Barry said. “People are hungry for spiritual guidance and we are covering and providing spiritual guidance. Plus it really is fun to Linger over Breakfast.” briefs by KATIE PARKINSON and LEIGH CAMPBELL

4 | features | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

mystery #STAlife

woman. #STAlife

by LINDSEY VALDIVIEZ lvaldiviez@dartnewsonline.com

“So I’m writing this story about the STA Tumblr page, and I don’t really know how to write it...”

“Oh my gosh, that thing is so funny! Do you know who it is?” junior Lauren Nagle says.

“Nope...that’s the problem with the story.”

“Oh...I wish I knew who it was. Can I get on your phone and look at it right now?”

Nagle takes my phone, goes to the internet and types in to the search bar www.stalife. tumblr.com.

What follows is a fit of laughter from Nagle and her friends as they gather around my phone and browse through the posts of “the Tumblr page.”

“What are you guys all laughing about?” junior Savannah Trujillo asks from across the room.

“The Tumblr page,” Nagle replies.

“Oh, lemme pull that up on my phone real quick.”

“OH MY GOD!” Nagle shouts.

“What?” Truijillo asks.

“What is going on Nagle?” junior Madi Kintzle questions.

Nagle shows her friends the phone screen, displaying a video clip of Yzma from “Emperor’s New Groove” stroking her eyelids.

The posts reads “When I ask Ms. Wallerstedt anything, she’s like...” Simply put, Nagle was dying of laughter.

“Oh my God! Ms. Wallerstedt actually does that though,” Nagle says as she continues laughing while her friends peruse the posts on each other’s phones. #STAlife At 10:52 p.m. on Aug. 18, the anonymous blogger of the #STAlife Tumblr page created their first post. By 12:31 a.m. on Aug. 19, ten

other posts had been created. But it was not punching the floor in frustration. until 9:47 p.m. on Aug. 19 that senior Janie “Who is it then?”

Thompson posted a link to www.stalife.tum“Dude, I honestly don’t know.” blr.com to her Facebook page. It got 9 likes.

“Do you think it’s Menley [Brennan]?”

An hour later, senior Menley Brennan shared Mitchell asks.

Thompson’s link to her wall, which received “No it’s not Menley. She is, like, frustrated six likes. Aug. 19 was the day that “the tumblr with it. People keep asking her. And it’s not page” officially surfaced to the STA commuRachel [Tovar] either.” nity.

“Rachel, what do you think about people According to Wikipedia.com, Tumblr is a accusing you?” “microblogging platform and social network“Well, it’s part flattery, and part like, get ing site” that “allows users to post multimeaway from me,” Tovar said. “It’s like getting dia and other content to a short-form blog.” annoying.”

In other words, bloggers can attach either “It could be you.” pictures, animated pictures or videos to the “Really?” Tovar questions. words in their post.

“I mean...”

The #STAlife Tumblr has 74 posts, 58 from “Are you sure it’s not me?”

August, 11 from September and five from What students think October. These 74 posts feature the gamut “Did you see that post on the Tumblr page of laughable and entertaining things at STA. the other day?” a freshman asks while crossFrom capitalizing on ing the Quad. the teacher’s quirks “No, what did it say?” to evaluating the daily I mean whoever it is, they’re like my new her friend replies. happenings at the Acad- favorite person. I just want to tell who“It was like, ‘Whenemy, the popularity of ever my advisor brings ever it is, to not stop posting. Ever. the “Tumblr page” and us food’ and then these it’s posts has caused two people dancing.”

Sarah Kane anyone who has seen it “That page is serisenior ously like the funniest to ponder, “Who is the blogger?” thing I’ve ever seen.

The Suspects Like, I was crying the Everyone’s heard of other day while reading it. Everyone wants to know. Everyone giggles it.” as the pictures come to life on their computer Students have shared it on each other’s screen as they read the witty adjunct note.

Facebook walls. People have reblogged and This is the #STAlife Tumblr page, created and liked the individual posts. Students type in updated by an anonymous user with a knack stalife.tumblr.com into the internet browser for making the little things at STA absolutely on their smart phones to share the sensation hilarious. The key word here being anonyof the posts. Even alumnae have shared it on mous. their Facebook walls. No one can deny it. It’s “Hey Serenity, what is she interviewing a phenomenon at STA and it’s funny. But does you about?” junior Clare Mitchell shouts the fact that nobody knows who it is make it from across the hallway as I am interviewing funnier? senior Serenity Wallace.

In this case, the cliche “secrets secrets “About the Tumblr,” Wallace replies. are no fun, secrets secrets hurt someone,” is “Is it you?” invalid. In fact, almost the opposite has hapWallace shakes her head no. pened with the Tumblr page.

“Come on, Serenity!” Mitchell says.

“I think it’s so cool that we don’t know “I’M NOT THE TUMBLR!” Wallace starts who it is because it has been kept a secret for

“

“

Suspicious students guess the identity of the student who posts on the #STALife Tumblr page

so long,” senior Hailey Waldenmeyer said.

“I think the fact that [the Tumblr page] is anonymous makes it funnier cause it’s fun to think about who it might be,” senior Sarah Kane said.

“I think that it’s so weird that they’re not coming forward because it’s so funny,” senior Nicole Sakoulas said.

“I mean whoever it is, they’re like my new favorite person,” Kane said. “I just want to tell whoever it is, to not stop posting. Ever.”

The Tumblr sometimes mentions names of STA students, including Kane.

“You know that there’s a post about you, don’t you Sarah?”

“Stop, you’re making me red! But yeah I’ve seen it,” Kane said.

“What was your reaction?”

“Well, I was really happy when I saw it because it was so funny. I felt honored,” Kane said.

Administration’s Stance Why would any social networking site be a concern in the first place? In the 20112012 school year, four Twitter accounts were created and maintained by anonymous users.

During mid-day announcements, President Nan Bone requested that the accounts including the STA seal as a profile picture be taken down. However, according to the Student Press Law Center, the administration has no legal right to force a student to delete the #STAlife account. A representative of the Student Press Law Center wrote to the Dart in 2012, saying: “School officials have close to zero legal power to require that a student remove a private account or a Facebook page, personal blog, individual tweets, web site, etc. posted outside of school, especially if the material is otherwise lawful (not libelous, copy-right, or obscene, etc.).”

“Have you heard of the STA Tumblr page?”

“Tumblr page, what’s that?” Ms. Hoecker asks.

“Oh, you mean that funny one?” STA president Nan Bone asks.

“Yeah, that’s the one,” I answer. H

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | features | 5

?

priceless posts of #STAlife An anonymous student has posted everyday happenings at STA to a Tumblr page called #STAlife.

When I first heard

that we were building a chapel made of lace

compiled by ANNA LEACH and MADELINE KNOPKE

When my advisory wins the frosh fest skits competition

it’s like

When I first saw it

and then we look like

When I saw the new comfortable chairs

When I’m in class and I look through the window too the hallway and see my friend like When there’s boys on campus

So then I’m like

When there’s Chris Cakes in the Commons And my teacher’s like

graphics by SHAEFFER SMITH

ER Y MO E V

6 | features | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

9:42 AM N LOCATIO

TER AUGH D R YOU S HERE I

TRACKING

V E

Some STA parents use GPS technology on cell phones to follow their daughter’s location on weekends.

by SARA MEURER smeurer@dartnewsonline.com

Phonetracking apps The Dart compiled a list of the most popular parental phone tracking applications for iPhones, Androids and computers. compiled by MADELINE KNOPKE and CHRISTINA ELIAS

Sprint Family Locator

Mobile Monitor

This app allows parents to locate their children through an interactive map. It also will send text message updates to the parents notifying them if their child is not where they are expected to be. This app only has to be downloaded by the parent and is free.

This app allows parents to view their child’s call history, read all of their child’s texts, pinpoint the specific location of their child (assuming they have their phone with them) and view all of their child’s pictures and videos. Only the parent needs to have this app installed.

My Mobile Watchdog This is an online app that allows parents to monitor their child’s call history, texts, photos, videos and location through the web. It can notify a parent through texts with updates on their child’s location. This can either be downloaded on a computer or parent’s smartphone.

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | features | 7

Y

our mom shows up to the party you are at. She calls you to come outside.

How did she know you were there?

She tracked your phone through Family Locator, a free app on your mom’s cell phone that tracks your cell phone location.

Using GPS signals from a child’s cell phone, “phone tracking” can monitor when a child leaves or arrives to a certain location.

Most phone providers give parents access to satellite maps showing the location of any phones on the same payment plan. Parents can track their children’s phones through free apps on the parents’ smartphones or computers.

However, phone tracking poses multiple ethical questions. Is it right for parents to take away their kids’ privacy through phone tracking? Or should parents track their daughters because they want them to be safe? Many STA parents track their daughters. Here are some of their stories...

during her sophomore year, she told her mom Sometimes Kathleen will track her she would be at a friend’s house. However, daughter and discover Kelsey is not at the when Kelsey’s mom tracked her daughter’s location she said she would be. phone through an app called Family Locator, “Sometimes she tracks me and I’m not the map suggested otherwise. where I’m supposed to be and she gets The GPS told Ms. Kathleen really worried,” Kelsey said.

Rusgis that Kelsey’s phone Kathleen uses Sprint Famiwas by a creek near I-435 ly Locator on her computer and State Line Road. and through her phone Kathleen immediately to track Kelsey’s phone. got in the car and Family Locator uses drove to the location.

GPS tracking to proHowever, when she vide real-time satelarrived, there were lite maps of any and no teenagers in sight all phones on the and she realized that same plan, according the GPS must have to the app’s website made a mistake. on Sprint.com. Family checking in H Ms. Pam Winterman tracks Kelsey’s mom used her daughter, senior Natalie Winterman, Locator does not alert her phone to track her a phone when it is using Sprint Family Locator. photo by SARA daughter’s phone again. being tracked, which MEURER This time, Family Locator allows parents to read that Kelsey’s phone track their children’s Kelsey Rusgis was at junior Elena Flores’s phones secretly. KathWhen junior Kelsey Rus- house in Brookside. leen began using the gis went out one Kathleen started the car and tracking system about Saturday headed for the Flores’s house. five years ago. night Kelsey was not there either. She Kelsey used to hate soon discovered that Kelsey and having her mom conher friends went to a party near Audrey stantly knowing her 123rd Street and State Line. Wanting to catch location, but she now sees it as a positive Muehlebach her daughter in a lie, Kathleen arrived at thing.

While driving one day, junior Audrey the party, called her daughter from the “I at first really didn’t like it because it Muehlebach was completely lost. When her car and told her to come outside. When was like, why do you need to know where I mom called to ask where she was, Audrey was Kelsey walked outside to her mom’s am every second?” Kelsey said. “But then I embarrassed to admit she was confused, so she car, she was immediately grounded. started to like it because if I was in danger lied to her mom about her location. After tracking One year later, Kathleen still or something bad happened, she would Audrey’s phone, Ms. Vicki Muehlebach called her tracks Kelsey’s phone whenever know where I was.” daughter back and told Audrey that she knew she was she goes out and will not be Kathleen plans to continue tracking her lying. Audrey quickly admitted to her fib and explained home until curfew. She believes daughter in the future. the situation to her mom. According to Audrey, instancthat it is important to track “It gives me peace of mind knowing es where she gets caught lying to her parents about her Kelsey’s phone to make sure phone alone H Senior Natalie Winterman where she is,” Kathleen said. “I believe that location occur “often.” she is safe. if Kelsey Smith (the 17-year-old abducted in checks her phone while relaxing at home.

Audrey’s parents use their iPhones and iPads to track “[I track Kelsey] to make 2007 from the Overland Park Target parkphoto by SARA MEURER her cell phone through an app called “Find my Phone.” sure she is safe and to give ing lot and later killed) had this tracking Audrey’s parents began tracking her phone sophomore me the peace of mind that capability on her phone, her fatal outcome year when she started driving. They continue to track her she got to her destination may have been different.” H everytime she leaves the house without them. without bothering her,” “[My parents track my phone because] they started Kathleen said. “I also like to getting suspicious because I wasn’t always being truthful know when she is on her about where I was going,” Audrey said. way home and what Audrey’s parents track her mainly on the weekends to time I can expect Pam began make sure they know where she is. her so I can go Natalie using Family Locator “We feel, as long as we are paying for the phone, we to bed.”

Winterman when Natalie and her are in control of how it is used,” Vicki said.

Senior Natalie Winterfriends started driving. She Audrey believes that her parents take phone man’s mom began tracking her uses the app to track her daughtracking to an extreme. cell phone during junior year. Ms. ter about once or twice a month.

“I can understand how parents want to know Pam Winterman also uses Sprint “When I first started using the where their kids are but I think the level of Family Locator like Kathleen Rusgis. app, it was to verify that she was extremity my parents go to is kind of ridicu“[My parents] track my phone if they where she said she was going to be,” lous,” Audrey said. “Personally, I hate it but think I’m lying about where I am,” Natalie Pam said. “Now, I mostly use it when it I can see how there’s a need for it.” said. starts to get close to her curfew on a weekNatalie finds it annoying that her parents end, so that I get an idea of how close she is track her cell phone, but she understands getting to home.” why they do it.

Pam plans to continue tracking her “I think it’s annoying that they do it bedaughter in the future. cause they think I’m lying,” Natalie said. “But “I probably will continue to track her if I I think it’s a good thing if I was in a situation need to find her for some reason and she is where they needed to get a hold of me or I was not answering calls or texts,” Pam said. in trouble and no one knew where I was.”

Ways to avoid your parents’ phone tracking

Find my iPhone Whether it is a parent trying to track their child or someone needing to find their lost phone, this app allows another device to locate the desired iPhone. Both the lost iPhone and the iPhone that is trying to find it have to have this app installed.

by MADELINE KNOPKE 1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > switch to OFF (iPhone) 2. Go to Settings > General > Cellular > Cellular Data> switch to OFF (Android) 3. Download the iPhone app “Untracked” and let it do it’s thing.

4. Download “Fake-A-Location Free” Turn your phone off and tell your parents it died.

5. Leave your phone at the house you’re supposed to be at while you go somewhere else.

WATCHFUL eyes

The Dart surveyed 90 STA students about their parents’ phonetracking habits.

24 %

of students feel negatively about their parents tracking cell phones

of students’ parents track their cell phones

48%

8 | opinion | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

cartoon by SHAEFFER SMITH

Empowering a new norm: girls can ask out boys According to Human Resources columnist, Susan Heathfield, empowerment is “the process of enabling or authorizing an individual to think, behave, take action and control work and decision making in autonomous ways. It is the state of feeling self-empowered to take control of one’s own destiny.”

St. Teresa’s has been empowering young women since 1866, teaching us how to be strong and have our voices heard. Teaching us how to be leaders, to be in control.

Some may think this state of empowerment starts after high school, when we are in the “real” world dealing with “real” issues.

But we can be empowered right here and right now, in the teenage world of dating.

We meet a boy. We like the boy. Then what? This is a conversation with three Rockhurst juniors. They would prefer to remain anonymous.

“Can girls ask boys out?”

“No.” Why? “Cause it’s offensive. That’s the role the

RIGHT ON

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

Here’s what they said: compiled by SABRINA REDLINGSHAFER

be the one to single-handedly lead our nation, man is supposed to play.” save us from an economic crisis and cre“Cause she should stay in the kitchen.”

“It’s too straightforward.” ate jobs for millions out of work. We would assumed Bachmann would advocate for “girl Granted, these boys are kidding on the power.” surface, but their sexist jokes have an unSo, according to Bachmann, dertone when a girl has interest in a of truth.

The staff editorial represents the The social boy, she should sit back helplessly, without any control, just norm tells views of the Dart editorial board: hoping he will call? This is abus it is not surd, but is what the majority acceptable 3 out of 5 editors voted in support of society believes as well. for a girl to of this editorial We should not have to wait ask a boy on a date. for a boy to come to his senses and send the first text message It is his job asking us “hey wanna grab coffee before to make the initiative. school:D?” We can do it ourselves. We have “Our girls are not allowed to [ask boys the power, the capability. And when we sit out] in our house. They have to wait for the boy to call.” back, hoping they will do all the work, we are giving up that power, and the existence of the In a radio interview with Sean Hanity, this relationship becomes dependent on them. statement was made by Michele Bachmann, a So tell us Bachmann, how are your daughfifty-six year old wife, mother and Congressters supposed to catch the attention of a boy woman, who ran for the Republican position they like? Or should they just give up if he is in the 2012 Presidential race. She wanted to

not asking them out himself?

Let’s ask our Rockhurst friends.

“Then how should a girl get a boy’s attention?”

“Push-up bras.”

“Yoga pants.”

“No, no...push-up bras AND yoga pants.”

“Uh, basically just look more like Kim Kardashian.”

Bachmann, along with most of society, have come to the conclusion that it is not socially acceptable for a girl to ask a boy on a date. But, it is completely and entirely normal for a girl to put on her carefully matched outfit from Forever 21, padded bra and most flirtatious smile to gain a boy’s interest. Maybe after all that, he will ask her for her number.

Let’s transform this law of society. Let’s make it normal for girls to ask boys out.

Because we could be missing out on a really great guy. Because we have the ability, the confidence to do so. So, go out there, embrace your power and ask him out. H

Would you ever ask a boy out? Why or why not?

“No, because that’s just really embarrassing, but if it was a really famous celebrity, then I would definitely ask them out.”

“No, probably not. It’s the thing for the guys to do; it’s their responsibility.”

“No, I would be too scared because traditionally boys ask girls out so if he hadn’t asked me out, I would just think he wouldn’t want to.”

Clare Kenney freshman

Ceci Ismert sophomore

Mimi Hart junior

Kenney

Ismert

Hart

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | opinion | 9

Women will unite and fight for a role in our maledominated government

by MENLEY BRENNAN mbrennan@dartnewsonline.com

Let’s take a look at history. When did women start to become powerful? Was it when we took jobs during World War II? Maybe it was when the Nineteenth Amendment was passed and we were finally able to vote.

When we look at the stereotypical “Leave It to Beaver” mom from the 50s and where we are now, women have come a long way. Some might even say that we have become the superior sex.

Let’s face it, women are powerful. So why, after working so hard and coming so far, would we give up what we’ve gained?

You might have heard on the news about Missouri’s Republican Senate candidate, Todd Akin, and his pro-life views. Look, Akin can think whatever he wants about rape and abortion and according to our Constitution, he has the right to talk about it too. The reason we should be angry, upset and even sad is that WOMEN are allowing MEN to dictate our lives.

Look how far we have come! There have been women running for Vice President, there are women in the President’s Cabinet and there have been women in Congress for years. With someone like Todd Akin speaking about our rights, all of the ground we’ve covered crumbles under our feet.

According to the Eagleton Institute of Politics, there are a total of 90 women in the U.S. Congress. That’s 90 out of 535 seats, which is a total of 16.8 percent. How can we allow 83.2 percent of men in our legislative branch to create laws about women’s bodies? We need to stand up and say NO; these are our bodies and WE will decide what happens to them.

Women and men are different beings emotionally, physically and mentally. How can men relate to anything that happens to us? The truth is, they can’t. Let’s flip the situation to where women are in charge of men’s bodies. It’s like we are telling them when and where they can have a vasectomy without giving them the option to say yes or no. I think we can all agree that is not right. So why do they continually try to control our bodies? The solution is actually quite simple. We just need to unite.

Across the country, thousands of women are pulling together to prove that we DO have a voice and that we WILL take control over their own bodies. Refusing to remain under male politicians’ grip, women will finally unite. Women are powerful and we will not give up that power so easily. Whether it is protesting at the White House or taking the more peaceful approach of writing a Bill, women will never give up. Men can do whatever they want to their bodies, as long as we have complete power over ours. H

Top 10 shows of the 90s

by CAITLIN FLETCHER cfletcher@dartnewsonline.com

I am proud to say I am a 90s child, like all of you. I was born in October 1994, right in the middle of the 90s. With the 90s came boy bands and, better yet, TV shows. I grew up watching some great TV: “All That,” “Keenan and Kel” and “Spongebob Squarepants.” However, some shows just take the cake for being the best TV shows of the 90s. So, with that being said here is my list of top ten 90s TV shows (in no specific order).

10. When I was making this list, there was one show I knew I could not leave out.

These babies have been stranded in the forest and on an island. They’ve traveled through the streets of Paris in a giant dinosaur. They’ve also traveled into their friends’ stomach to retrieve a watermelon seed. That’s right. I’m talking about “The Rugrats.” I have to say my childhood would not have been the same had I never met Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil and yes, even Angelica. I’m proud to say that I have eight video cassettes at home with multiple episodes of this amazing show on each. I also have the first “Rugrats” movie. There is no doubt that this is one of my favorite, if not very favorite, shows of the 90s.

9. TJ, Gus, Mikey, Gretchen and Spinelli. If you’re not familiar with those names, then maybe you’ll recognize Ms. Finnster? No? If you don’t, then let me spark your memory.

“Recess” gave me many ideas of what recess had the potential to be. Obviously, I was never able to flip myself over the swing set, I never had a playground monitor quite like Ms. Finnster and I never met anyone

like those five kids that I wish had gone to my school, but a girl can still dream right?

8. Two words: football head. That’s right, “Hey Arnold” definitely made my list of greatest 90s TV shows. Every kid knew the sound of Helga’s voice calling “ARNOLD” whenever she was acting like she hated him (every kid who watched this show also knew Helga was actually in love with him).

I remember Helga’s shrine to Arnold in her room, and to this day, I still get a little creeped out thinking about it, not gonna lie.

7. “Do you have it? Guts!” Nickelodeon game shows were some of my favorite things to watch, but by the time I was watching them, they were reruns. Did it even matter? No, because “Guts” and “Legends of the Hidden Temple” were some of my favorite childhood shows. “Guts” had those very random, very cool looking physical challenges that I could only dream of one day completing. “Legends of the Hidden Temple” featured kids running through a “temple” trying to make it to the right room while the remaining team tried to recover the specific artifact. However, it wasn’t always easy: there were temple guards hiding all over just waiting for a chance to pop out at whoever crossed their path. I’ve never seen another game show quite like those I saw in the 90s.

6. “In West Philadelphia, born and raised...”

Any respectable 90s kid should be able to finish this song easily. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” was a popular show for any kid who loved to watch Will messing with his cousin Carlton or getting yelled at by his Uncle Phil. This was one of Will Smith’s first roles, and it is debatably one of the funniest shows of the 90s. So funny, in fact, that I can’t flip through TV channels on a Saturday without finding a rerun playing somewhere.

5. “Boy Meets World” is another show that needs to be mentioned if we’re talking about 90s TV shows. I’m not sure how I could’ve gotten through my childhood

without knowing Cory, Shawn, Topanga and especially Mr. Feeny. Even though I loved the show, the first and second season were by far the best, and then the college years ended up being kind of a let down.

But, this show still rocked my world. I loved everything about it, especially Cory’s ditsy older brother, Eric.

4. Don’t you wish that you could just point your finger and then whatever you want would be sitting right in front of you? I do.

All the time. Especially when I’m watching reruns of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”

That girl is living the life. She has some cool friends, awesome aunts and she’s a witch.

However, she doesn’t always get what she wants: most of the spells she casts turn out terribly wrong, but I still love watching her go through it every step of the way. From the time she accidentally makes a tornado in her school to the time when she visits an amusement park in outer space, I’ve been watching and I loved every episode of it..

expecting to find discussions on how these stereotypes are false. Instead, a Yelp question and response was the first result. The question asked, “Is Catholic school designed for anything OTHER than to make you promiscuous?” The question stunned me with its condescending tone implying that Catholic schools are built on the core goal to produce “easy” people. But even worse was the response from someone whose icon was, hypocritically, a provocative image of a girl in a mirror. The response said, “Don’t worry about offending anyone - all the Catholics I know are too busy getting laid to read this.”

It’s a usual occurrence for me to run to Target, Costco, Chipotle or Wal-Mart after school before getting home to change. I will get asked what school I go to and will proudly answer “St. Teresa’s Academy.” But the politeness stops there. Weeks ago, I was at a store with a friend, also wearing an STA uniform, when we were approached with the question, or better described as a statement due to the rhetorical tone, “God forgives you for everything ya’ll do bad, don’t he? Eh? Or ya’ll pay for the forgiveness?” The words

were followed with a snicker.

Each school, whether it’s associated with a religion, private or public, has a goal to produce academically strong graduates.

Of course, there are people who feed the stereotypical fire with their actions. But I would say the vast majority are doing the opposite. There is a lot more to attending a Catholic high school than money, drugs and sex. Instead, when I think of STA, I think of the homework which allows me to actually apply what I learn. I think of the teachers who are here for the overall benefit of the entire student body. Most of all, I think of the girls who are some of the most morally sound people I have ever met.

Because of that, I am proud to wear this tartan plaid every day. I am proud to tell people where I attend high school. We attend one of the most academically challenging schools in the Kansas City area, and because some onlookers are blind to that aspect, it is our job to set the record straight.

Sure, STA may be unrightfully associated with worldwide stereotypes, but aren’t we taught to break those barriers? H

Check out the final three Best Shows of the 90s according to Caitlin by using your phone to scan this QR code for DartNewsOnline.

As I flip through the channels on my TV today, I can’t find anything quite like these shows from the 90s. Sure, the occasional rerun is played, but there is nothing new that comes close to being as funny or as entertaining for me as the shows I watched in the 90s. All I have to say is thank God for Netflix, because without it I’d be missing those shows way too much. H

I attend a Catholic school, so what?

by JORDAN BERARDI jberardi@dartnewsonline.com

Every morning, I blindly dangle my arm off my bed and wait for my fingers to find my tartan plaid through the mess of clothes, papers and textbooks. Without giving it a second thought, I pull it on, zip it up and button it.

Fast forward eight hours. Not once during my entire school day did the skirt on my waist or the sweater on my shoulders cross my mind. But as I leave the one mile radius around STA, I am suddenly aware of the stereotypical Catholic school uniform.

I’m not completely sure when or why it became stereotypical for a girl who attends a Catholic school to be a “slut.” I searched “Catholic school girl stereotype” on Google

10 | centerspread | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | centerspread | 11

Last issue, readers were given the opportunity to vote for students from the Dart and Rockhurst’s Prep News staff to be coupled together on “blind dates” based on their matchmaker profiles. Now, the students reflect on their blind date experiences.

loveisn’t

BLIND Does“blind dating”still exist today?

by Adrianna Ohmes

Christian rock music filled the air, and the guy who her friend had set her up with was really nice. She’d been set up a handful of times before, but it had never Hart really worked out. She’d only been talking to this guy for a couple weeks, but she really liked him. They had hit it off from the start and he asked her out the next day.

Junior Katie Crow’s first date with her exboyfriend Zech was set up by a good friend.

“It was a great date,” Crow said.

They dated for about three months afterwards.

Junior Mary Hart’s blind date worked out a little differently. Her first and only blind date “was a favor for a friend” and didn’t go well.

“It was to a dance, and I paid for his dinner and mine,” said Hart. “He didn’t even talk to me the whole night.”

Both girls had looked at her respective date’s Facebook profile before they went out.

“It didn’t help,” Hart said. “Even if you’ve looked them up, you don’t know a person’s personality [from their profile].”

Hart had only looked at her date’s Facebook profile. Crow’s friend had told her date and her to Facebook message each other so they could see if they liked each other.

“I feel like Facebook messaging is no different than messaging someone on their phone,” Crow said.

So what is a blind date technically?

Social studies teacher Pat Sirridge said that a blind date is, “Literally getting set up with someone you don’t know, by someone you do know.”

If you can find your date’s profile online, and check them out, does that help you

get to know them before you actually meet them?

“You can get somewhat of an idea about a person based on their likes and interests,” said Crow. “It makes it easier to eliminate fish out of that sea.”

Facebook has 845 million monthly users, and Twitter has over 465 million accounts.

It’s easier than it ever has been to access anyone’s information online, and it’s easier to contact people you may have never actually known. “[Social networking] allows people to have access to more date-able people,” Sirridge said. “There used to be a stigma to online networking. It really has gone away.

It’s more acceptable socially now.”

So why do people continue to go on blind dates when you’ve never officially met the person and there’s a chance that it may not work out?

The date could be a hit like Crow’s or a miss like Hart’s. You could end up with a relationship or a wallet with less money in it and an unsuccessful evening.

“We believe that getting together is a big deal socially,” Sirridge said. “Being with people is the norm. [Blind dating] is just a way of getting people together, and it’s amplified with social networking.”

Both girls agreed that if they were set up by their friends again, they would prefer to hang out with their dates before they actually went out. They also said that they’d check out their dates’ Facebook profiles too.

“If I really trusted my friend enough, I’d go on another blind date,” Hart said. “But with my last one, it was just luck of the draw.”

The girls’ advice for anyone who’s planning on going out on a blind date is that you should get your friend’s opinion first and keep an open mind.

“If you haven’t met, you don’t know how they’ll be,” Crow said. “Don’t always trust a friend because they might have had a different experience.” H

H

to d se ar C th e h tne he ei ow w ck r m t so o at he nli ut ch bo ne m ys .c ak r om er ev da iew te ed s!

DATE 1: SARA-JESSICA DILKS & JACK MCHUGH DATE 2: NATALIE FITTS & JOHN BERRIGAN DATE 3: MEGHAN LEWIS & CURRAN STECK WHO: STA junior/Dart centerspread designer Sara-Jessica Dilks with Rockhurst junior/Prep News multimedia editor Jack Mchugh WHERE: PetSmart & Joe’s Pizza in Westport WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 1

I

am going to be completely honest here: the only reason I volunteered to go on a “blind date” was because I knew I’d get matched with one of my best friends.

Jack and I mutually agreed to participate under one condition: that we would end up together. Neither of us was prepared to conquer the potential awkwardness that is associated with going on real blind dates.

So I rigged the voting to the best of my ability to ensure I didn’t have a sufficiently uncomfortable night with a stranger (I voted 30-plus times for Jack and I to be matched; he did the same thing).

Originally, we were supposed to eat at Hooter’s. Jack decided he didn’t want to waste gas driving 40 minutes into the Northland, and I decided I didn’t want to waste my Thursday night at a sexist restaurant.

Instead, we took a visit to PetSmart. We compared the lizards we each had as kids, debating whether a Pygmy chameleon or a leopard-spotted gecko was a better pet.

As we were tapping on the cages of the rodents, a suspicious employee approached us.

She seemed offended that we were provoking

love games

The Dart surveyed 100 students about blind dating and relationships.

the Dwarf Russian hamster from its slumber.

We desperately wanted to pet the guinea pigs, so we combined our charming personalities and convinced the worker to let us each hold a gerbil. I experienced something similar to a midlife crisis when my gerbil began to bite me repeatedly.

I figured having some pizza might make up for suffering through the fear that I might’ve contracted rabies, so we headed down to Westport to eat. We’d eaten at Joe’s Pizza together a few times; it seemed like we were just hanging out like any other night, debating whether the Dart or Prep News is better and discussing our weekend plans.

Apparently, we’re so comfortable around each other, Jack felt no shame in pointing out how STA girls are “annoying and whiny.”

He explained how he’s seen an outrageous amount of tweets pertaining to netbook errors, and that it seemed that STA’s blocking of Bubble Shooter equated to the Zombie Apocalypse. In addition, he noted how STA girls normally manage to incorporate the topic of Mr. Himes into any given conversation.

Offended, I shot back that many Rockhurst boys are cocky and disrespectful, and we continued to have a civilized argument about the stereotypes of both schools.

Altogether, I would choose arguing with my best friend over going on an awkward date with a stranger any day. H

92%

would Facebook stalk someone first before going on a blind date with them.

27% sure!

11% no way

89%11%

Natalie Fitts with Rockhurst senior/Prep News co-editor-in-chief John Berrigan WHERE: Noodles and Company & TCBY WHEN: Friday, Nov. 2

J

ohn and I both agreed that we had the least favorable prospects of all the dates.

First of all, we weren’t friends beforehand like Sara and Jack or Caitlin and Van. Actually, we had never even heard of each other. We aren’t even in the same grade. And he has a girlfriend. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t expect this to go anywhere. It was a date set up through a high school newspaper so I almost hope it wouldn’t go anywhere. But just the idea of going on a date, no matter how legitimate, with someone else’s boyfriend is weird.

But we went on our date to Noodles and Company and bowling despite all the awkward factors. He paid for my dinner, which made me feel awful because I wouldn’t want to pay for a stranger’s Whole-Grain Tuscan Linguine. Dinner had the occasional awkward silence, but overall, wasn’t too bad. Next, we went to Ward Parkway Lanes. We were planning on just playing one game, but the less-than-pleased employee informed us that a league was coming in soon. Who makes league on a Friday night? That’s a horrible business decision.

That forced us to decide what we were going to do next, which was unfortunate because as it turns out, we both hate making decisions. We eventually decided just to go to TCBY. Our frozen yogurt was accompanied by a few more awkward silences. Then Rosie Hutchison showed up to take our picture. She made it slightly less awkward until she suggested that after this date, we would fall in love. That was the pinnacle of awkwardness that marked the end of the date.

If there is a time requirement for a date to be considered an actual date, I’m pretty sure we didn’t meet it. All in all, our date lasted about an hour and a half. He proceeded to hang out with his girlfriend and I proceeded to try to find an ice cream shop in Westport with Jordan Berardi and Mattie O’Boyle in tow. That was that. End of story. End of my first and probably only blind dating experience.

If I learned one thing from my dating experience, it’s that dating, blind or not, is a weird concept. The idea of going out to dinner with someone you barely know to see if you want to get to know them more seems strange. That’s not to say I would decline if a boy asked me on a date. I’m just saying that I would prefer to know someone approximately 1.2 years before going on a date with them.

That’s not too much to ask, is it? H

WHO: STA senior/Dart photographer

Meghan Lewis with Rockhurst senior/Prep News managing editor of design Curran Steck WHERE: Brookside homes & Chipotle WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 31

W

hen I first signed up for this blind date with a Rockhurst boy, I was ecstatic. I mean free food and a hot date for the night, what more could a girl ask for? Not much.

Then I got to thinking. I asked myself, “Wait, Meghan. What have you done?”

Blind dates never turn out well. I mean never. If you have ever seen a romantic comedy in your life, blind dates always end up with the guy being a total freak (usually with a hidden “Star Wars” fetish or something) or it’s just completely awkward. I actually found myself looking at an online forum entitled “Ten Things To Do on a Really Bad Blind Date.”

My personal favorite bit of advice was to learn napkin origami so you could show off your skills during a long awkward silence at dinner.

I was clearly very nervous for my date and for the longest time I was frightened it was going to be a humiliating experience.

Then I found out who I was going on a date with. Phew, thank goodness, I know this guy! We decided upon a date: trick-or-treating on Halloween and Chipotle. It was pretty

TRUE LIFE: I GOT STOOD UP

f

ideal. First, we got $2 burritos at Chipotle for wearing our Halloween costumes. I wore a hot dog suit that was actually made for a dog, while Curran wore the full STA uniform equipped with a blonde wig. Clearly he/she was trying to impress me with his/her looks.

What a charmer.

Next came the trick-or-treating. We headed down to Brookside together, trick-ortreat bags in hand, ready for some candy. We, as 18-year-olds, did not exactly fit in. We were just a tad over age for this activity and started to get some looks from our fellow trick-ortreaters. One kid even yelled at Curran, “Hey, Scottish dude, get out of the way!” I nearly told the kid to lay off my girlfriend, but I bit my tongue. I realized it was probably inappropriate to yell at a little boy in a Superman costume whose parents were standing right next to him.

We proceeded down the block and stopped at each house to trick-or-treat. We definitely got a lot of looks that just screamed “Aren’t you a little old for this?”

We decided we had had enough judgemental looks for the night. We hugged and went our separate ways. Curran was everything you could ask for in a date. He wasn’t awkward, he was funny and he was a gentleman. Or should I say lady? Overall, my date rocked. I got what I wanted: free food and a date with a Rockhurst boy . . . or girl. H

photos by Menley Brennan and Rosie Hutchison

Senior Emily McCann reflects on how she got ditched on her matchmaker blind date, and discusses the typical norms of high school dating today.

67% maybe Would you trust your friends to set you up on a blind date?

WHO: STA junior/Dart co-editor-in-chief

Have you ever been on a blinwd date?

no yes

Blind dates can be great. Girl meets boy, both fall in love and thus begins a whirlwind romance that promises a fairy tale ending.

Unfortunately, I was on the other side of blind dating. The side full of disappointment and sadness.

I had contacted my date (this is a little against the tradition of blind McCann dating) and asked when we could meet. I gave him some times that worked for me and not surprisingly my date, who by the way was a younger man, was busy with work and school and was not going to be able to take me out in the near future. To say the least, I felt rejected. On a school-

sponsored date, I got ditched. It doesn’t get worse than that.

I wasn’t mad at him. I totally understand that his schedule was too busy. I mean he had to go to work and get good grades.

Having a good job in adulthood will help him snag a great girl so I respected his efforts to excel at a young age.

I also think he had some other reservations about going on a date with me. First of all, I have a brother who is also a junior.

It’s weird going on a date with your classmate’s older sister. Also, I guess I can be a little intimidating and some younger gentlemen might be slightly frightened of me.

However, I do see an upsetting pattern of high school boys blowing off high school girls.

According to a study by researchers at the University of North Carolina and Boston College, boys and girls in the same grade account for 42 percent of relationships, older boys dat-

ing younger girls makes up about 40 percent of relationships and older girls dating younger boys makes up only 18 percent of high school relationships. Statistically, senior girls have the greatest disadvantage in the high school dating system. After my recent experience, I would have to agree.

Senior boys want younger girls because I guess they would be considered easier to manipulate. Junior boys want to date junior girls or sophomore girls, but most of them aren’t too thrilled about dating a “cougar.” Then here comes the problem: Senior girls want to date guys that are freshman in college, but unfortunately, freshman in college are away at college. So that leaves senior boys who we already know are interested in younger girls.

So senior girls are even the ones who get ditched on blind dates that aren’t blind at all. H

12 | sports | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

Post-season successes

STA fall sports teams participated in Districts in order to advance to Sectionals. Several STA teams moved past that and earned the chance to compete at State.

by CASSIE FLORIDO cflorido@dartnewsonline.com

GOLF

On Oct. 3, the STA golf team competed in the District tournament.

The team finished fourth overall with a score of 381. Even though the team did not qualify for Sectionals, three golfers qualified individually for Sectionals.

Senior Emily McCann placed first in the District tournament with a +9 score. Senior Jacqueline McGee and sophomore Ellie Shorter also qualified individually with the scores of +26.

At Sectionals, the team had two golfers qualify for the State tournament. McCann placed seventh in Sectionals with a score of +18. McGee tied for 16th with a score of +23.

On Oct. 15, the two golfers competed in the first round of the State tournament. McCann finished the first day of competition with a score of 89. McGee finished the round with a score of 103.

The next day, the two participated in the final day of the State tournament. McCann ended the day with a score of 90, resulting in a total score or 177. McGee ended with a total score of 196 after a second round score of 93. McCann finished the state competition tied for 15th place, while McGee finished in 52nd place.

Even though McCann earned All-State honors due to her top 15 finish, she was unhappy with her performance.

“I was disappointed with how I played personally,” McCann said. “I made All-State, but I definitely did not have very good rounds considering how the rest of my season has been.”

SOFTBALL

The STA softball team received the third seed in this year’s District tournament. On Oct. 3, the team faced Ruskin High School in the first round of the tournament. Ruskin was unable to win a game during the regular season, resulting in an 0-12 season. The Stars defeated the Eagles 15-0, advancing into the semi-finals. The following day the team faced Raymore-Peculiar High School. The Panthers defeated the Stars 11-1, forcing the team to fall one game short of the District championship game.

“There is definitely something we could have done differently [during Districts],” junior Erin Farmer said. “But I was pretty pleased overall.”

The team finished the season with a record of 12-15, improving from last season’s final record of 7-18. The majority of the team will return next season with only three seniors graduating.

Farmer says that going into next year, the team will continue to get better and learn how to work with each other and the coaching staff.

running ‘til the break of dawn H Junior Molly Laird runs at cross country districts at Blue Springs High School on Oct. 20. The team later advanced to State where they placed third overall. photo by CAROLINE FISS

bump, set, block H Juniors Abbey Haines, left, and Anna Kropf attempt a block at volleyball districts. The team advanced to sectionals but was defeated in the final round by Lee’s Summit West High School. photo by EMMA WHEATLEY

CROSS COUNTRY

On Oct. 20, the STA cross country team competed in Districts at Blue Springs High School. The team finished second behind Lee’s Summit West High School. The second place finish guaranteed the team a spot in Sectionals. Courtney Coppinger was the top finisher for the Stars, finishing in fourth place.

Sophomores Ann Campbell and Hayden Lee finished the race as two of the top ten runners.

Cross country coach Karen Moran said that after not racing for a week, she knew the team would be rusty in Districts. However, she felt like they ran well.

On Oct. 27, the team ran in Sectionals at Raymore-Peculiar High School. The team completed the race with a second place finish.

Courtney Coppinger placed second in the race with a time of 18:54:20, one second behind the first place finisher. Senior Lane Maguire and sophomores Ann Campbell and Hayden Lee also finished in the top ten runners.

“I told them going into [Sectionals] that they had not run their best race,” Moran said. “[The team] proved it [at Sectionals].”

On Nov. 3, the team concluded their season at the State race in Jefferson City.

The team finished the race in third place.

Coppinger and Campbell received All-State honors due to their efforts at State. Coppinger was the highest finisher for the Stars, placing 16th overall. Campbell was the second highest finisher for the Stars, finishing in 23rd place.

The team has received praise from other coaches and bystanders for their sportsmanship following their race at Sectionals. On a mo.milesplit online forum, several STA runners received recognition for cheering on opposing team’s runners and for their camaraderie while on the podium with Lee’s Summit West High School.

According to Athletic Director Mark Hough, he says that being able to compete at a high level and still wanting to see opposing runners compete at their best is exactly what he wants to see in an STA program.

VOLLEYBALL

On Oct. 22, the STA volleyball team began their postseason play in the District tournament. The Stars faced Fort Osage High School in the first round of the tournament. The Stars defeated the Indians in two sets with the scores of 25-11 and 25-12. On Oct. 24, the team competed in the final day of Districts. After defeating Oak Park High School in the second round, the Stars competed in the District championship game. The Stars held on to defeat Park Hill South in three sets in order to advance to Sectionals.

On Oct. 27, the team competed in Sectionals hosted by STA. In the first round, the Stars faced Liberty High School. The Stars defeated the Blue Jays 2-0. In the final round of Sectionals, STA competed against Lee’s Summit West High School. The Titans defeated the Stars in two sets, ending the team’s season.

“Overall as a team, I thought we had our moments [in Districts and Sectionals],” junior Miranda Schultz said. “We made silly mistakes, but we didn’t let that get us down, even if the result wasn’t what we initially intended.”

The team finished the season with a record of 19-17. Juniors Anna Kropf and Emily Wemhoff and Senior Holli Hogge were named First-Team All-District.

TENNIS

This year, the STA tennis team received a bye for the first round of the District tournament as a result of their 9-3 record. On Oct. 2, the team faced an 8-9 Park Hill High School team. However, the Stars lost 5-4 to Park Hill.

“We expected to go to State,” junior tennis player Grace Wells said.

Wells said the team underestimated the other teams in their District. Wells says the team did not mentally prepare for Districts because they did not think the competition would be hard.

The team had several players compete as doubles in Districts. The doubles team of junior Grace Wells and sophomore Hannah Bredar finished first in Districts. The team of junior Kathleen Conner and senior Mickey Redlingshafer placed second in the District tournament.

On Oct. 9, the two doubles teams competed in Sectionals. The teams finished tied for second with a doubles team from Liberty High School. With only the top two teams advancing to State, the team’s season came to an end.

For their performance, several players and doubles teams were named to the All-District team. Freshman Meghan King received First-Team honors. Junior Gabby Ferro was named Second-Team All-District. The doubles teams of Wells and Bredar and Connor and Redlingshafer earned First-Team honors. H

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | sports | 13

This season, winter athletes expect to celebrate their wins with a

victory dance

by EMILY WEMHOFF ewemhoff@dartnewsonline.com

SWIMMING

Big meets to watch: Springfield Invitational Jan. 25-26, Independent League Championships (ILCs) Feb. 7-8 Team goals: “Win ILCs for the fourth consecutive year and move up from our place at State last year,” senior Varsity captain Jane Evans said. Sophomore Taran Smith said a major goal is to “beat Sion.”

Looking forward to: “Bonding with the team,” Evans said. “Each year we grow closer and closer.” Smith is looking forward to team sleepovers and “getting back in shape.”

Team captains: Seniors Rose Hutchison and Jane Evans # of seniors: 9 Last year’s season: Awards: Senior Rose Hutchison received Kansas City Star first team All-Metro recognition for her performance in the 200 freestyle. Hutchison also set school records in both the 100 yard and 200 yard freestyle. Junior Katie Hornbeck broke the 100 breaststroke school record, while Evans, Hutchison, sophomore Lauren Zastrow and sophomore Haley Baldwin set a new 400-meter relay school record. The Stars finished 22nd out of 45 teams at State.

Rising star: This season, watch out for sophomore Haley Baldwin, who went to State in the 100 meter backstroke, 200 meter medley relay, 400 meter freestyle relay and 200 meter freestyle relay last year. In the 2012-2013 season, she is ready to break more records and help the team at the state meet.

BASKETBALL

Games to watch: Home Jan. 24 vs. Sion, Home Jan. 10 vs. Lee’s Summit Team goals: Junior Paige Lankford’s goal is to “build new team chemistry and of course, win and do well throughout the season.”

Looking forward to: Junior Maggie Herrington is looking forward to improving as a team from the year before. “I know we’ve lost five or six players, but I’m sure that the new freshmen will be able to work hard,” Herrington said.

Team captains: Seniors Maggie Rellihan and Becca Lueke. “Both are great leaders,” Lankford said. # of seniors: 2 # of returning starters: Two, Lueke and Rellihan. According to Herrington, “[Rellihan] is out for the first half of the season with a knee injury.”

Last year’s season: Notable win: Notre Dame de Sion High School Feb. 14, 60-53 Postseason: Lost to Lee’s Summit High School in the District semifinals Feb. 22, 51-31 Coaching changes: “Sadly, we lost our JV coach, Coach Fletcher and our Varsity Assistant Coach Criswell,” Herrington said. “Our new assistant is Coach Megan Nyquist.” According to Lankford, Varsity coach Chance Stephen decided to “give us a really hard schedule to make us better. I’m interested to see how this season turns out.”

Rising star: Senior Becca Lueke is back for her fourth year on Varsity after a breakout junior season. She is looking to lead the team back to the District final. “We are going to be a young team, but I do not think this will hurt us,” Lueke said. “I am more driven to win Districts since it is my last year.”

hips don’t lieH Junior Katie Daniels practices her cheer routine in downtown Kansas City Oct. 24.

Daniels received the All-American award this summer at Universal Dance Association camp. photo by LIBBY HYDE

DANCE TEAM

eyes on the prize H Junior Paige Lankford practices her jump shots at Weltner Park on State Line on Oct. 24. Lankford looks forward to bonding with teammates this season. photo by HANNAH BREDAR

take your mark H Senior Grace Scovell prepares to dive into the pool to begin swimming laps Oct. 25. Scovell looks forward to her senior season. photo by LIBBY HYDE

Competitions to watch: Lee’s Summit North Invitational Jan. 26.

“This is where we get to see our competition for State,” junior Katie Daniels said.

Team goals: According to Daniels, one of dance team’s goals is to “place at all of our competitions and get a banner at State, which means third [place] or higher.”

Looking forward to: “Competing with our new pom and jazz routines,” junior Camille Porterfield said. “[The routines] are really different than anything we’ve done before.”

Team captains: seniors Sara Meurer and Caroline Fiss # of seniors: 2 # of returning varsity dancers: 6 Last year’s season: Finished fourth of 16 teams at State, earned second in their hip hop routine and fourth in their pom routine. Fiss, Meurer and Daniels all received the honor of All-American this summer at Universal Dance Association camp.

Rising star: Sophomore Sydney Wimes is looking to make an even bigger impact in her second season. Wimes, who received the Rookie of the Year award last year from her teammates, is ready to help lead her team to a State title. H

14 | lifestyles | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

Onward and Upward

Many STA students’ cars have a blue sticker saying Onward and Upward. These stickers are in honor of Kevin Gray, father of alumnae Lindsey and Caroline Gray, and their sisters, senior Peepers and sophomore Gigi. Kevin passed away in the summer of 2011. According to Peepers, the stickers say “Onward and Upward” because it was a saying her father loved and used all the time. She likes the stickers because they remind her of her dad and all he did.

“When I see someone driving with the sticker, I usually speed up to try to see who it is and then it gets uncomfortable if I don’t know them,” Gray said. “Every time I see [the stickers], it just reminds me of what a good person my dad was and the true impact he left on Kansas City.”

STA

There are many different types of STA bumper stickers. According to junior Kathleen Connor, she likes her STA bumper sticker because it helps her make connections with others around Kansas City.

“I love having an STA bumper sticker because it lets people know where I go to school,” Connor said. “It is really cool because I can meet others through it. Alumnae will approach me and talk about when they used to go there. Parents will ask me if I like it and what it is like and other students can tell I am an STA girl just by my sticker.”

300

WORDS Modeled after Brady Dennis’s original 300 words, this series captures people and moments in 300 words: no more, no less

by NATALIE FITTS

Florence to Venice to Kansas City— junior Mady Sargent knew the journey was not going to be short, but she did not know it was going to be so long.

After a four-day vacation in Italy with her mom, Mady went to the Venice airport, hoping to get a flight home to the US that day. Because her mom is an employee of Delta Airlines, they can get discounted tickets, as long as they fly on stand-by.

They had checked the status of the flights before they left the hotel and it looked like seats would be available.

However, when they got to the ticket counter, they were told no seats were open. No big deal. They were used to waiting for last-minute cancellations. However,

Pursue Good Stuff

Junior Emily Hafner got her Pursue Good Stuff bumper sticker from her mom. She put it on her car because she likes the message it sends.

“To me, [the Pursue Good Stuff bumper sticker] means to seize life in a positive way,” Hafner said.

as flight time creeped closer, they realized they were not getting on the flight.

They immediately began looking for flights on other airlines. Their only option was easyJet, which would be making a stop in London.

Oh, and they would have to spend the night Sargent in the London Heathrow Airport. That was definitely not in the original plan.

Not long after landing in London, Mady remembered something. They were in London. So were the Olympics. Maybe this delay would be good for something after all.

However, she was not even able to finish getting ready to go out to celebrate the games with other tourists before realizing it was too late to leave the airport for the night. The only part of London she would get to see was the inside of the airport. So she swallowed the latest of many disappointments of the day and went to order her fish and chips from the airport pub before heading off to bed: a chair stationed next to an abandoned ticket counter.

Maybe next time, London. H

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | lifestyles | 15

Bumper stickers of STA Run. Senior cross-country runner Courtney Coppinger has a “run.” bumper sticker because she loves to run.

“I feel like [running] is a large part of my life,” Coppingier said. “I got [the bumper] sticker at Gary Gribbles.”

Dance Team

Some members of the STA dance team have a dance team bumper sticker. According to junior Katherine Viviano, her favorite part of the bumper sticker is the slogan on the sticker.

“My favorite part is that it has the famous DT (dance team) slogan,” Viviano said. “DT4L (dance team for life) and also, it’s a small shape: not too big, but still visible.”

BKS

Of the average 150 cars in the STA parking lot on a daily basis, about 72 percent have some sort of bumper sticker on them. Thirty-seven percent have an STA-related bumper sticker. The Dart explored some of the most popular ones at STA.

Many STA girls, and people living in the surrounding areas have bumper stickers with the letters BKS, which stands for Brookside.

Senior Kelly Stokes has and loves her BKS sticker. According to Stokes, she got her BKS on her 16th birthday from her mom.

“I think having a BKS sticker helps [me] connect with people all over,” Stokes said. “I get compliments on it and I will be somewhere further away and have people say they are also from Brookside. I think it’s cute.”

Vineyard Vines

The pink whale is the logo for Vineyard Vines, a designer that many STA students like to wear. According to senior Natalie Winterman, she likes Vineyard Vines clothes fine, but does not wear it much. She mostly likes the way the whale looks.

“I put the whale on my car first because it was free,” Winterman said. “I also loved the way the pink whale looked on my car. It’s really

compiled by MICKEY REDLINGSHAFER

16 | A&E | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

Take

the

Scan this QR code with your smart-phone for Luna’s frosting recipe

ARTIST OF THE

ISSUE

Every issue, the Dart interviews one of STA’s rising artists about her talents and inspirations compiled by MADELINE BEST

cake

Senior Maria Luna plans to pursue a career in the culinary world over more traditional career options

icing on the cake H Senior Maria Luna frosts cupcakes as she bakes. Luna would like to eventually open a bakery. photo by TAYLOR STEEN

by JORDAN BERARDI jberardi@dartnewsonline.com

HILLARY TALKEN sophomore What type of music do you sing or perform? I perform a lot at [St. Margaret of Scotland] church.

I like alternative music, but I’m pretty flexible. I also perform a lot of musical songs.

the piano, the guitar and the ukulele.

How long have you been singing? [I’ve been singing] for as long as I can remember.

I started singing along with the radio and [I was a] cantor at church. Since then, musical theater has really helped me develop my voice.

Talken

What instruments do you play? I can play

Why did you decide to start singing and playing instruments? I’m not sure it was a conscious decision. It was just something I’ve always done. I really love it, and it would be really hard for me to ever stop.

Who or what are your inspirations? I

mix it up H Senior Maria Luna mixes a batch of cupcakes in her kitchen. Luna aspires to be a pastry chef one day. photo by TAYLOR STEEN

am really a fan of Sutton Foster, who is a big musical theater name. I also like Julie Andrews, which kind of makes me a dork, and Florence + the Machine is also someone I admire.

What is your favorite thing about music?

I just like it because it affects everyone. I love how everyone can relate to it. Not everyone watches sports, but most people listen to music every day. We don’t even realize how influential it is.

How are you involved in music at STA? I’m in the musical, choir and praise band. H

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | A&E | 17

Different strokes for different folks

brushing up H Chinese art and culture teacher Valda Hsu paints leaves on her example painting for her students to observe. photo by ANNA LEACH

master class H Students in the Chinese art and culture class work on landscapes as Hsu walks around giving pointers. photo by ANNA LEACH

Chinese art and culture teacher Valda Hsu’s painting adorns a wall of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s Ford Learning Center, a position that dictates many artists’ fantasies. But as Hsu discovers her work flanking students’ pieces, she isn’t satisfied. Instead, Hsu silently rehashes her routine: remove the piece, hide it, and tuck it in the trash. Now, with students’ creations seizing the spotlight, Hsu reaches fulfillment.

Until next time, that is.

Through leading art workshops like those at the Nelson-Atkins, Hsu acquired advice, fresh ideas and, yes, the need to showcase students’ work before her own. Since 2006, Hsu has demonstrated Chinese brush stroke painting to institutions ranging from area grade schools to UMB Bank. With the presentations’ streamlined nature, Hsu aims for students to depart with at least one gratifying piece. On a long-term scale, though, by fusing modern elements into Chinese tradition, Hsu hopes students will find common ground with the art form. “[People think], ‘This is so entirely Chinese and ancient,’” Hsu said. “But I’m going to gap it and approach it as, ‘We can make this 21st century, too.’”

Hsu’s interest in western techniques developed at Pasadena, Ca.’s Art Center College of Design, but general love of art stemmed from her upbringing in China. Be warned, though— no flashy, kitschy, soap-opera revelations foreshadowed Hsu’s country-spanning pursuit of an arts career. Fourteen-year-old Hsu was simply an ambitious girl capturing a lifelong fascination.

“Before I could even write my name, I was painting on rice paper,” Hsu said. “Art really enriched my life.”

The projects, internships and responsibilities branching from Art Center shaped a tight schedule for Hsu. Soon, her editorial illustration studies shifted into a blur of hand-drawn costumes, posters, album covers and even Swiss watches. Though rewarding, LA’s breathless pace attracted competition and demanded top-quality work.

“In a huge city, there is a mixture of different grades of people, [and] you just don’t know who’s real,” Hsu said. “It’s so fast-paced in LA [that] you don’t have time to make mistakes.”

Between independent tasks, studio classes and tutoring duties, Hsu’s creative focus consumed her college life. After graduation, as more time with in design led toles family time, Hsu sought a solution.

“I was able to produce a lot of work, but I had no life,” Hsu said. “[I thought], ‘I want a place where I can actually have a schedule and watch [my child] grow up.’”

This desire, coupled with a designing position at Hallmark, directed Hsu to the Midwest.

Though the move enabled a more stable lifestyle, one factor appalled Hsu—the absence of art classes at her son’s elementary school.

“How can a school not have an arts program?” Hsu asked.

Hsu didn’t reason with the idea. Instead, she intervened with the school despite her son’s reluctance, plunging into the teaching world and gradually garnering attention from the Kansas City Art Institute and Kansas City Young Audiences.

“Once I started to teach Chinese art, I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, there’s no limit,’” Hsu said. “I just fell in love doing it.”

According to Nelson-Atkins studio programs manager Lisa Schlagle, students share the enjoyment, as Hsu’s adult painting class filled all slots on its first appearance. Artist Elizabeth Franklin, who first attended the course five years ago, appreciated its eagerto-learn atmosphere and Hsu’s guidance on refining her brushwork.

“A lot of the class was repetition,” Franklin said. “Although every time I went, I learned something new.”

While the sessions garnered compliments, Schlagle reports that they also raised demands.

Requests for more weeks included with Hsu’s class littered Nelson-Atkins e-mails, confirming the lessons’ success. However, the course’s popularity isn’t limited to its Nelson-Atkins following.

“It’s really obvious that she enjoys what she does, and that makes the experience even better for the kids,” KCYA coordinator Diane Gregg said of Hsu’s workshops for grades K-12.

“They’re getting exposed to the Chinese culture and an art form they might not see otherwise.”

Hsu utilizes students’ interest as a platform for her teaching style. The unbridled energy children exhibit when honing a new skill motivates Hsu to approach the topic from an equally revitalized viewpoint.

“I feel like I’m refreshing my own eyes to see the culture again,” Hsu said. “If I’m not with [students], I wouldn’t know to revisit that feeling. They’re so pure in their heart; the experience is so honest.”

Even speaking of her students’ enthusiasm possesses Hsu with positivity; her eyes gleam as she discusses aspirations to update Chinese art. Blending media, threading English into paintings, recreating part of the ancient Chinese scroll “Second Ode to the Red Cliff” for an upcoming Nelson-Atkins exhibit—the opportunities are limitless. And with or without others involved, Hsu’s passion for art is the same.

“You can retire from being a teacher, but you can never retire from being an artist,” Hsu said. H

pretty in pink H Hsu recently rediscovered Chinese brush style and many of these designs become homemade cards. photo by ANNA LEACH

strokes of genius H Hsu praises senior Alexis Jenkins’s use of color and strong brush strokes in her painting project. photo by ANNA LEACH

Artwork by VALDA HSU

Teacher Valda Hsu fuses western and Chinese influences to reframe students’ approaches to art

by EMMA WILLIBEY ewillibey@dartnewsonline.com

Scan this QR code with your smart-phone for more of Hsu’s artwork

18 | health | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

Students, teachers attempt gluten free lifestyle

signs of the times H Brookside's Cosentino's Market offers a gluten free food selection. Many grocery stores have begun selling gluten free options to meet their shoppers' needs. photo by GRACE HODES

BY THE NUMBERS:

CELIAC

The Dart compiled a few statistics on gluten intolerance compiled by LEIGH CAMPBELL

15 to 25 percentage of consumers who want gluten free foods, according to CBS News. time to veg out H Sophomore Viridiana Hernandez, center, reaches for olives in the Bistro Kids salad bar. Hernandez must work her eating habits around the popular wheat-based foods at STA because she suffers from a gluten intolerance. photo by GRACE HODES

More of the STA community is going gluten free for many reasons

by LEIGH CAMPBELL lcampbell@dartnewsonline.com Nearly two million Americans have Celiac disease, a “huge” spike compared to a decade ago, according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic. Celiac disease prevents people from consuming gluten, which is most commonly found in wheat and grains. This means people who are gluten free cannot have common foods like pizza, cookies, bread, bagels and donuts. Most of these foods are central to life at STA, according to sophomore Maddie Thompson, who suffers from gluten intolerance.

According to Celiac disease sufferer and drama teacher Shana Prentiss, the sudden spike in people going gluten free is due to doctors becoming more aware of the symptoms.

“We are way too grain dependent in this country,” Prentiss said. “The first thought for me when I was diagnosed was that I was just devastated. What am I going to eat? But the reality is that I feel so much better. I have so much more energy. I am not in pain all the time.”

Gluten free diets are characterized in three types:

THIS NOT

THAT:

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACKS The Dart offers healthy alternatives to greasy, fatty after-school snacks

by EMILY WEMHOFF

7

billions of dollars Americans will spend on foods labeled gluten free this year, according to market research from Mintel.

Celiac disease, gluten intolerance and as a weight loss diet.

Celiac Disease “Every once in a while, I see a donut and I think that that sounds really good,” Prentiss said. “I actually feel fortunate that I do get sick from it. What prevents me from doing it is knowing how horrible I will feel after.”

Celiac disease is a genetic, permanent intolerance to gluten usually triggered by a traumatic event, according to Prentiss. The new Mayo Clinic study also suggests that Celiac is four times more common now than it was 50 years ago.

“I started feeling really sick and awful all the time and I really had no idea,” Prentiss said. “I probably spent about six months trying to self diagnose it, trying to cut certain things out of my diet.”

Celiac is an autoimmune condition, which means that it causes nutritional deficiencies and may result in conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, osteopenia and osteoporosis. People suffering from Celiac can have severe intestinal damage as well as gassiness, abdominal pain, abdominal distension and diarrhea if they consume gluten, according to americanceliac. org.

“I get an instant headache, my stomach swells and gets bloated to where it is almost hard,” Prentiss said about her reaction to gluten. “I get really bad stomach

pains in my intestines. I just feel sick for days.”

Gluten Intolerance Bagels, no. Goldfish, no. Pretzels, no. Granola bar, yes!

This is what Thompson was thinking as she looked over the tennis team’s snacks before her match. After being diagnosed in 2009 with a gluten intolerance, she has had to adjust to life without gluten.

“I can’t just eat whatever I want anymore, and I’ve had to completely change my diet,” Thompson said. “I have to always think about what I’m eating. I can’t just see something my friend’s eating and say, ‘Oh, that looks good,’ and take a bite.”

Unlike Celiac disease, a gluten intolerance does not cause permanent intestinal damage and the symptoms’ severity vary from person to person. It is characterized as “gluten sensitivity.” A person with gluten sensitivity has Celiac-like symptoms but does not actually have the disease, according to americanceliac.org.

Gluten Free Diet The gluten free diet has become a popular way to shed a few extra pounds, according to CBS news.

Sophomore Viridiana Hernandez recently decided to try the gluten free diet for two weeks at her doctor’s suggestion to lose weight with the diet.

“I like wheat and I used to eat that every day, and

now I can’t,” Hernandez said. “I think [the diet] has been working because my stomach doesn’t hurt as much.”

Prentiss also encourages people to try a gluten free lifestyle.

“I eat more fruits and vegetables and more fresh foods,” Prentiss said. “So in many ways it has been really good for me. I definitely eat less processed foods than I used to.” H

Yogurt is a great source of calcium and vitamin D and an easy, nutritious snack. However, pay attention to the yogurt you buy—avoid ingredients you cannot pronounce and choose low or nonfat varieties. Greek yogurt, one of the best kinds of yogurt, has roughly the same amount of calories as regular yogurt, but can pack up to double the protein and cut sugar by half. Smoothies with 100 percent pure fruit juice, ice, your favorite yogurt and fresh fruit are another healthy after-school option.

After school, you usually look for a snack that boosts your energy before dinner. Trail mix is the perfect solution because it blends many food groups into one easy mixture. A healthy base for trail mix is a combination of dried fruits, mixed nuts and seeds. Nuts, like peanuts, almonds, walnuts and cashews, contain magnesium, iron and zinc. Dried fruits are filled with antioxidants, fiber and carbohydrates. Seeds, including sunflower and pumpkin, are a good source of minerals and protein.

This snack will fill you up without making you tired. The whole wheat pita contains healthy carbs, fats, vitamins and fiber that keep you fuller longer, while the hummus provides lots of protein and few calories. By choosing something like chips and salsa, you are mindlessly eating close to 400 or 500 calories and consuming almost 40% of your Recommended Daily Allowance of sodium. A balanced snack like pita bread and hummus will keep you satisfied longer and add a variety of flavors to your diet.

Yogurt, not cookies

Trail mix, not ice cream

1.8

millions of Americans with Celiac disease, according to CBS News.

4,598

Google citations of non-Celiac gluten sensitivity for every science journal article about the condition, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Pita and hummus, not chips and salsa

November 7, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | in the mix | 19

20 QUESTIONS WITH...

MS. KATE ABSHER

by EMILY MCCANN emccann@dartnewsonline.com

For this issue of the Dart, we will be interviewing Ms. Kate Absher, the new STA service director.

fall finale H STA choir students gather in front of their teacher, Mr. Greg Monsma, before the last piece of the fall choral concert Oct. 10. photo by JORDAN ALLEN

INSTAGRAM

THAT’S WHAT SHE

CONTEST SAID

The Dart prowled Twitter for the most catchy and intriguing statuses on the social network

compiled by MADDIE KNOPKE

girl on the run H Senior Annie Palmer won DartNewsOnline’s Instagram contest with this photo of senior Carrie Hudson in the quad Oct. 31. The contest racked up 134 submissions. Palmer won a $10 Chipotle gift card as a prize. photo submitted

by ANNIE PALMER

DAYS OF OUR

LIVES

The Dart created a countdown to some of the most anticipated upcoming days of school compiled by SIOBHAN MILLER

MY LIFE

ROCKS

On Oct. 1, a friend and I went to the Florence + the Machine concert at Starlight and made a giant, blinding fluorescent orange poster saying “Florence Welch, homecoming Hoeser Oct. 13?” . . . Some Starlight employees saw us and gave us [front row] tickets. So halfway during the concert, when Florence was taking a moment to talk to the crowd, we raised the poster again to her and she looked at it, bent down to us with the microphone and asked us what the poster meant . . . I was so speechless but we both answered that it’s a dance, and Florence goes, “Oh, are you inviting me?!” and we respond, “YES!” and she replies, “Well, I’d love to come!” and takes our poster and props it up on the drum set for everyone to see. My life rocks.

- MaryKat Hoeser, sophomore

MY LIFE

Exactly 44 days until Christmas vacation.

24 days before the SAT. Just 31 days until the

Christmas dance.

Approximately 10 days until the auction.

A mere 37 days until semester exams.

Only 14 days until Thanksgiving break.

And only 225 days until summer. H

SUCKS

I’ve had two iPods stolen and I luckily was given a [handme-down] iPod from my friend when he got the iPhone. When it was pouring rain, I hurried outside to put a cake, my purse Wilhelmus and a bag of plates in the backseat of my car. I thought I would throw my iPod over to my front seat to clear some of the things out of my hands and keep it out of the rain. As I threw it over the seat, it bounced off my front seat and into a cup of water in my console. My life sucks.

-Katie Wilhelmus, senior

compiled by CHRISTINA ELIAS

1. How did you get involved with service?

At my old school, I got really interested in service.

2. What is your favorite type of service?

I love working with older people.

3. What is the best thing you’ve seen so far about STA? Watching girls help the older people with computers is really cool.

4. Tell us a little bit about your family.

I have a baby named George. My husband’s name is Evan and he’s in law school right now. I have a dog, Zuzu.

5. Favorite food frequently available at STA? Waldo Pizza, it’s so delicious.

6. What is the most played song on your iPod? “Pumped Up Kicks” is overplayed in my life.

7. If you had a million dollars to donate to a charity, which charity would you choose?

I think arts in lower income schools, specifically theater.

8. What is the best vacation you ever took?

I went to Montreal on my honeymoon. It just had really good food and it was very French. I had, like, a life-changing sandwich.

9. If you could change one thing about Kansas City, what would it be?

I want good public transit.

10. Scary movies or romantic comedies?

Romantic comedies.

11. If you could switch place with any celebrity for a day who would it be?

Jack Black is one of my favorites.

12. What is your favorite restaurant?

Webster House. That’s where I got married.

13. In what ways do you hope to get more girls involved in service?

I just would like to do events that are fun so that kids can volunteer and be as excited for it as they are for getting extra hours.

14. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Morning person.

15. What are two things you need to get through a typical workday?

Coffee and visitors in my office. If I don’t have visitors, I’ll go home and cry.

16. How do you define your style?

Preppy, but not super preppy. Anthropologie is where I would go with $100.

17. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in KC, north of the river.

18. If you had a mascot for your life what would it be?

Rosie the Riveter. Or I’d be a Billiken because I went to [Saint Louis University].

19. What would you do with a day off from work?

I’d do a Ferris Bueller thing. I’d go to a museum, a baseball game and star in a parade.

20. What is the one thing STA girls should know about you?

I’m really goofy, and I think when I’m walking the halls, I’m kind of shy. I’m not shy anywhere else in life. H

20 | last look | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | November 7, 2012

2.

3.

double

take

4.

On Oct. 31, the majority of STA students took part in celebrating Halloween by dressing up in various costumes.

1. shewolf H Seniors Serenity Wallace and Mattie Davis dress up for Halloween Oct. 31.

Wallace decided to be the wolf from “The Three Little Pigs” for her last STA Halloween.

2. lighting up H Sophomores Dorian Bailey and Emily Godfrey lounge in a free in the choral room Oct. 31. Bailey dressed as “trailer trash,” while Godfrey matched ballerina outfits with sophomore Maria Flores.

1.

3. throw me a bone H Mr. Greg Monsma talks with junior Natalie Nuessle in a free Oct. 31.

Monsma’s dog, Derby, accompanied him to school for the day.

4. sticky situation H Freshman Sophia Prochnow untangles the decorative spiderwebs in the quad Oct. 31. The class of 2013 decorated the STA campus for Halloween. photos by EMMA WHEATLEY