The Dart: Vol 72 Issue 4

VOLUME 72 ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 6, 2012 ST. TERESA’S ACADEMY KANSAS CITY, MO WWW.DARTNEWSONLINE.COM

the

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FAKE OUT

Regardless of the risks, STA students three and four years under the legal drinking age of 21 are buying fake IDs from other countries to buy alcohol and get into age-restricted events. page 10-11

photo illustration by EMMA WHEATLEY

2 | news | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

dart the

Hurricane Sandy extends college deadlines

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.

disaster area H Mr. William Heins, of the Sea Gate neighborhood of Coney Island, New York, collects donated clothing Nov. 4. Many higher education institutions in New York and around the East Coast have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. photo by MCT CAMPUS

East coast’s damaging storm, Hurricane Sandy, did more than physical damage

by SABRINA REDLINGSHAFER sredlingshafer@dartnewsonline.com

Superstorm Sandy’s damage to the East Coast caused colleges to extend the Nov. 1 deadlines for early application, early decision and scholarship applicants.

According to The Associated Press, Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast and transformed into a 5.8-magnitude damaging system, killing 125 people in the United States and leaving a peak of 8.5 million homes and businesses in the northeast without electricity.

Due to the power outages, lost internet and delayed postal service, more than 220 colleges extended their Nov. 1 application deadlines, according to National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Impacted East Coast colleges pushed deadlines back to ensure the colleges could process applications. Many other schools across the nation extended deadlines for applicants living in areas affected by the hurricane.

“The hurricane, obviously because of the

power, knocked out schools that were needing to receive applications,” STA college counselor Debi Hudson said. “But [it] also knocked out high schools whose students needed to submit for Nov. 1.”

Senior Elaine Schmidt, applying to a school in Connecticut, was among thousands of applicants whose college process was effected by the storm. She requested to not name the school for privacy reasons.

“The deadlines were extended, but they only wanted the extensions to be used by those who were actually affected by the hurricane,” Schmidt said. “I decided to turn my application in before Nov. 1 regardless of the extension because I didn’t want to take advantage of something that wasn’t intended for me.”

Despite the tragedies from Hurricane Sandy, college admissions offices have been understanding about student’s circumstances.

“We realize that many people are still being affected by power outages and school closings,” said Boston College’s Director of Undergraduate Admissions John L. Mahoney in an online notice. “Most importantly, the Boston College community hopes that everyone will soon be restored to their homes with full power, that all schools will soon be reopened,

and that normal routines will return to your lives.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan encouraged application extensions, tweeting “it’s the right thing to do.” (hyperlink this) Duncan further expressed his encouragement in a Department of Education release.

“Many colleges and universities have recognized the unanticipated difficulties that students are facing in completing their college applications, and some institutions have already extended their deadlines,” Duncan said.

“We encourage other institutions to consider being as flexible as possible in the coming weeks to accommodate students whose lives were disrupted by Hurricane Sandy.”

Although most deadline extensions ended mid-November, some colleges remain lenient towards affected students to ensure a fair application process.

“We will also accept late school reports and letters from high school counselors and teachers in order to complete these...applications,” Mahoney said in the Boston College Undergraduate Admissions notice. “Finally, if we can be of assistance in any way..., please feel welcome to call Undergraduate Admission.

Our thoughts and prayers continue for those who have been affected by this storm.”H

Spanish teacher pregnant photo by MAGGIE RELLIHAN mrellihan@dartnewsonline.com

Ms. Melissa Montoya interacts with her Spanish I class. Montoya recently got married and is now seven months pregnant, she will soon go on maternity leave.

“I’ll be sad to not have her as a teacher,” freshman Karissa Jambortez said. “But I’m very happy for her during this exciting time in her life.” H

December 6, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | news | 3

Local kidnapping stories instill fear Kansas City’s media portrayal of local abductions uneases citizens

by LANE MAGURIE lmaguire@dartnewsonline.com

Two girls wait at a bus stop. A man wearing dark clothing pulls up in a green pickup truck.

With a black-gloved hand, he motions toward the girls. Frightened, they run away. This story, a familiar one, was run by Fox4News April 13 following a police report of an attempted abduction in Kansas City. Recently plaguing the news has been the murder case of Jessica Ridgeway, a 10-year-old who was abducted and killed while walking to school Oct. 5 in Colorado.

“There’s high personal interest in these stories and they are often the first lead-off item in the nightly news, sometimes even on national news,” psychology & sociology teacher Pat Sirridge said. “And they are especially emotional if they involve a child. Often times they carry follow-up stories and now we have all these different alert systems out there for missing children. So there is a high degree of concern among the public. I think one of the reasons is that the thought does enter into people that, ‘It could have been me. It could have been my child.’”

And because these stories, that show up “early and often” in news reports, personalize fear, the media creates a fear in people that is out of proportion to the actual danger. According to an article titled “Is ‘Stranger Danger’ still true?

Maybe not” from hlntv.com, a child is 250 times more likely to be shot by a gun than kidnapped

by a stranger.

“In the entire 29 years that I was in law enforcement, I only recall two [kidnapping cases]…

It’s just not that big of a repetitive crime,” now retired Kansas City Officer Mike Arndt said.” It hasn’t been in Kansas City anyway. On an average you would have less than a three to five percent chance of being kidnapped in Kansas City over a period of time. [The likelihood of being kidnapped in this area] would be very minimal.”

Arndt is referring to what he calls “actual kidnappings” which refers to “someone forcibly taking [a child] and then usually there’s some sort of ransom or demand for their return.”

This is because Justice Department Statistics indicates that only 24 percent of all kidnapping cases are “stranger kidnappings,” whereas 49 percent are family kidnappings and 27 percent are acquaintance kidnappings. “[Stranger kidnapping] is a very low incidence kind of event, but the stories are so gripping for people because they often involve vulnerable people such as young children and that just raises a lot of fear in people,” Sirridge said. “‘That could’ve been my kid. I’m not going to let them walk to the bus stop. I’m going to drive them. They have to tell me where they are at all times.’ And the violence aspect of it increases the fear.”

Fear is a primitive emotion that serves as a survival mechanism. Also called the fight-orflight response, fear is a chain reaction in the brain that triggers the release or chemicals that increase heart rate and energize muscles among other responses to a stimulus. It is an autonomic response, meaning that it is unconsciously trig-

gered even if there is no real danger, according to science.howstuffworks.com. Relatively new findings about a new class of brain cells, called mirror neurons, explain human’s ability to show empathy and understanding, according to sciencedaily.com. These neurons allow people to recognize situations and experience emotion similar to those involved in the situation even if they are not actually experiencing the situation themselves.

“I’m worried about kidnapping because of stories on the news and also TV shows like ‘Criminal Minds,’” senior Sara Schwartz said. “My dad watches it and he always tells us, ‘This stuff happens.’”

Sensationalistic, gripping stories, though intended to increase and maintain viewership among news networks, may be beneficial as stories of kidnappings and missing children in the media instill a fear and an instinct to take greater precautionary measures, according to both Arndt and Sirridge.

Although sexual assaults are a more common occurrence than kidnappings, and increasingly so, according to Arndt, the general precautionary measures are the same. Schwartz said that she tries to always be aware of her surroundings.

She carries her cellphone with her when she runs and pepper spray whenever she goes out.

According to Arndt every precaution should be taken to avoid any unfavorable situation.

“Being aware of your surroundings, not going anywhere by yourself,” Arndt said. “Not putting yourself in the predicament or in the situation to make yourself a potential target. That’s the primary thing.”H

Teachers await feedback for new classes

Polls diverge classes’ strengths, faults so instructors can adjust spring plans

by EMMA WILLIBEY ewillibey@dartnewsonline.com

Most STA teachers distribute surveys over their classes’ content during October and November to fulfill the administration’s yearly requirement and alter instruction techniques for second semester. According to academic principal Barbara McCormick, student reviews allow instructors to evaluate their methods of delivering information.

“One of the highest priorities of having course s­urveys is gathering feedback from students in regards to how their classrooms are operating,” McCormick said. “The biggest thing is for teachers to know what students perceive as working for them.”

According to McCormick, teachers value responses to hands-on exercises and web tools. The electronic forms often include lists of in-class activities for students to rank so McCormick teachers can recognize effective procedures.

“It’s really important that teachers have that feedback and that insight,” McCormick said. “The goal is that you’re learning, not that we’re just throwing stuff at you.”

This year, instructors anticipate reactions to standard courses with new approaches like the “flipped classroom.” According to McCormick, student advice impacts new or revised classes more than it does traditional courses with firm schedules.

“I definitely think when a new course is offered, the feedback is really beneficial,” Mc-

Cormick said. “[For] old courses with new ways of teaching, it’ll be interesting to see [student] feedback forms.”

According to science teacher Terry Conner, the science department hopes to gage opinions of the flipped classroom by adding survey questions focused solely on the new structure. “[Flipped classroom teachers will distribute] just one survey for the course, but we’re adding in three or four questions for the ‘flipped classroom,’” Conner said. “The gist of it is what worked and what didn’t.”

Conner introduced the flipped classroom to the science department in response to previous end-of-semester polls. ­­According to Conner, students commented that they received an ‘A’ in Conner’s class, but did not absorb the information.

“If [students] get a good grade, they should feel confident that they learned that material,” Conner said.

However, Conner admits not all student appraisals are valid. According to Conner, some students criticize the class without considering their own faults. Like the self-governing flipped classroom, Conpoll time H Junior Dominique Spini takes an online ner’s surveys begin with assessments that student survey while sitting in Ms. Carolyn Hollstein’s prompt students to measure their effort classroom. photo by LEIGH CAMPBELL before judging the course.

Junior Dominique Spini agrees that data. According to McCormick, instructors students do not always provide well-founded determine areas that need adjustment by feedback. identifying recurring replies.

“To be honest, some people take [the “If five students say the same thing about surveys] seriously, but some people don’t,” one item, that raises concerns,” McCormick Spini said. said. “[We think], ‘I need to study why the To ensure that submissions are represencomment is coming off this way.’” tative, McCormick recommends instructors to Teachers then test repeated suggestions poll about half of their class. second semester, integrating them into the “If a teacher has anywhere from 75 to 125 curriculum if positive outcomes emerge. students, they need to have a good percent of “[The surveys] help teachers in perceiving those students responding to get the qualitawhat’s going well for them and what’s not tive feedback that’s needed,” McCormick said. going well,” McCormick said. “[Teachers] can’t After assembling these results, each change the past, but they can change what’s teacher meets with McCormick to analyze the gonna happen now.” H

Dart staffers win awards from NSPA

The STA journalism department collectively took home 10 awards at the JEA/ NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention held in San Antonio, Tx. All three of the STA publications, the Dart, the Teresian and DartNewsOnline, took home awards from the Best of Show competition. In addition, four STA students were recognized in the Write off Competitions.

Each year at the NSPA convention, high schools from around the nation submit their publication’s best work for the Best of Show competition. The Dart received fourth place in the newspaper tabloid category for the submission of Volume 72, Issue 3. The Teresian entered last year’s yearbook, “Dot Dot Dot,” and received tenth place. DartNewsOnline, the online news source at STA, earned third place in the publication website small school category. Being in the small school category, DartNewsOnline was judged against the websites of schools with 1500 or less students.

Junior Dart staffers Anna Leach and Lauren Langdon were nominated for the Multimedia Feature Story of the Year prior to the Convention. Leach and Langdon’s coverage of Darren Criss and Tessa Smith received an Honorable Mention. STA alumna Celia O’Flaherty and Kate Rohr received Honorable Mentions for their photographs and designs respectively.

After they had arrived back in Kansas City from San Antonio, four STA publication students discovered that their entries from the write off competitions had been recognized. Junior Katie Parkinson earned a superior (the highest possible distinction) in the feature writing category.

Senior Lane Maguire received a superior in the sports writing category, while junior Sara-Jessica Dilks garnered an excellent for her entries in the computer design infographics competition. Yearbook staffer and senior Sarah Kostoryz received an honorable mention for her yearbook sports photography submissions.

Care Club reschedules freshmen mixer

The annual freshman mixer has been rescheduled for Jan. 18 after it was canceled due the sectional volleyball tournament occurring in Goppert Center Oct. 24.

Freshman Gabby Keller had been hoping the mixer would be rescheduled.

“When I first heard the news that it was cancelled, I was filled Smith with much passion of anger,” Keller said. “It honestly upset me thinking my plans for the weekend were ruined on such short notice.”

The mixer, put on by the Care Club, will now be held second semester, according to sophomore Care Club member Taran Smith.

“Care Club was disappointed when we realized we had to reschedule the mixer, but we are just glad we still get to have it in January,” Smith said.

“I think most of the freshman were pretty upset, especially the ones that aren’t on varsity and were instead forced to come to our game instead of getting ready or going out with their friends,” sophomore volleyball player Sam Smith said about the volleyball team’s reaction to causing the mixer cancellation.

4 | features | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

on the

December 6, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | features | 5

2.

1. hookah heaven H Senior Nikki Rodriguez tried hookah for the first time at Sinbad's Hookah Cafe Nov. 29.

2. deep breath H Senior Nikki Rodriguez discovered that after trying hookah for the first time, she became light-headed and anxious.

3. laugh out loud H Senior Danni Porter laughs while smoking hookah in a Rockhurst senior's house on Nov. 28. photos by Menley Brennan

1.

Five hookah bars are located in Westport. Due to the proximity to STA, some students socialize there

by MICKEY REDLINGSHAFER mredlingshafer@dartnewsonline.com

*Due to the sensitive subject of the story, some names have been changed.

Lounging on comfortable chairs. Smoking chilled flavored tobacco. Listening to soothing Middle Eastern music. Quietly socializing.

Hookah bars draw a young crowd with this atmosphere.

Including underage STA students.

There are 10 hookah bars in the Kansas City area. Five of these bars are located in Westport, 3.1 miles from STA. According to STA students who have attended some of these bars, they are not like the typical bar that serves alcohol.

Hookah bars draw a younger crowd, because Missouri and Kansas laws allow customers 18 and older to smoke tobacco. However, some STA students under the age of 18 claim they have been illegally admitted. These STA students see hookah bars as a hangout, but there are still health and legal risks.

What is a hookah bar?

A hookah bar serves flavored tobacco that is smoked through a hookah. A hookah is a smoking device that has tobacco pipes of Near Eastern origin with long, flexible tubes by which the smoke is drawn through a jar of water and thus cooled.

There are hookah bars around the Kansas City area. According to a number of STA seniors who attend these bars, the most popular places are Sinbad’s Cafe & Hookah Lounge and Hookah Haven, both are located in Westport. According to senior Nikki Rodriguez, to smoking hookah at a bar like this costs about $15.

STA senior Cindy Miller*, who recently went to Sinbad’s Cafe & Hookah Lounge with a fellow senior Danni Porter explains, that the tobacco in a hookah is often flavored and offers stimulating effects to users.

3.

Danni [Porter] and I got a small buzz of [smoking hookah],” Miller said. “It didn’t last long, but it just made your vision a little hazy.”

According to Miller, the hookah was prepared for them and brought to their table.

“At Sinbad’s, they prepare everything for you,” said Miller. “You go up to the register, order your flavor and how many people. They give you a card, and about five minutes later, a guy brings you your hookah. From there, you put the mouthpiece on the tube and you suck in the smoke. The shisha or tobacco is in a cup with foil over it, and charcoal on top of that to heat the shisha up, which then combined with the hot water in the hookah, creates the flavored smoke.”

Hookah bars are open to anyone 18 and older. Customers may smoke only hookahtobacco, not cigars, cigarettes or illegal drugs like marijuana. Smoking of any kind in bars and restaurants was outlawed in the Missouri Clean Indoor Air Law. Therefore, hookah bars cannot serve food or alcohol.

Miller, who is only 17, was admitted to Sinbad’s Cafe & Hookah Lounge despite her age.

“I did not have any trouble getting in,” Miller said. “They were not asking for IDs so they just let me in without question.”

According to the manager of Hookah Haven, Avaria Derseh, there is a wide age range of people who come there.

“On a typical night, we’ll see 18-year-olds to like 26 or 27-year-olds,” Derseh said. “The crowd is very laid back. [Hookah Haven] is just a small place to hang out, sit in comfortable lounge chairs and smoke hookah.”

Porter said hookah bars change up the routine.

“Cindy [Miller] and I went to the hookah bars one night to see what it was like because all of our friends were at Rockhurst homecoming and we were bored,” Porter said. “It was fun because we got really dressed up, which we don't often do, and got to go out. It kind of seemed illegal even though it wasn't so that made it a little more fun!”

According to Derseh, Hookah bars have “more of a social purpose than addictive purpose.”

“People often do not inhale the hookah smoke, but just sort of play with it,” Derseh

said. “This way they can still taste it. It is much like how many people smoke cigars.”

Miller agrees that the atmosphere of the hookah bars plays a role in the fun.

“Hookah itself isn't necessarily fun,” Miller said. “However, we went to Sinbad’s and the people and atmosphere [were] really fun.”

Rodriguez who recently went to Sinbad’s Cafe and Hookah Lounge agrees with Derseh.

“I would never want to go to a hookah bar alone, because it seems like a casual activity you do with friends to hang out and talk,” Rodriguez said “We went early, so there were not as many people as I was expecting. It had a very relaxed and casual environment. It felt like going into a coffee shop, but much more social and friendly.”

According to Derseh, Hookah Haven offers many different flavors and even sets up mixes of flavors so customers know what tastes good.

STA students at Hookah Bars According to Derseh, the Hookah Haven serves a lot of 18 and 19-year-olds, especially on the weekends.

“There is a live DJ on the weekends and it’s a really laid back environment,” Derseh said. “I would still say our crowd is lively, sometimes people even get up to dance... but for the most part, they are hang out smoke hookah and socialize.”

A number of STA seniors have visited the hookah bars and tried hookah, some of them claim they have gone although they are not yet 18. According to Hall, although she did not have trouble getting into Hookah Haven, she did have a problem telling her parents.”

“My parents didn’t know I went to the hookah bars,” Hall said. “I don’t think they would have wanted me to go to Westport at night, let alone go there to smoke tobacco.”

According to Derseh, Hookah Haven checks each customer’s ID. “We check IDs every time,” Derseh said.

“I don’t know how [Hall] would have snuck [into Hookah Haven]. We have recently let go 2 employees for not checking IDs enough. I like to uphold strict rules about checking IDs.” Hall believes that hookah bars are safer than trying hookah at home or a party.

“I think smoking hookah at the bars is much safer because there is a controlled amount

given to you,” Hall said.

Rodriguez thinks that going to a hookah bar with friends is fun, but she wouldn’t do it too often.

“I would only want to go [to the hookah bars] again in a larger group of people where it is a much more social activity,” Rodriguez said.

“I think hookah bars would be fun for being out on a weekend hanging out, but at a house, it would be more fun.”

Hookah health risks According to the American Cancer Society, a majority of hookah smokers do not realize the health risks. Waterpipe smoke, or hookah, contains significant amounts of cancer-causing substances.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hookah smokers often think that it is a healthier alternative than smoking cigarettes, but this is false.

According to the CDC “Hookah smokers are at risk for the same kinds of diseases as are caused by cigarette smoking, including oral cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, cancer of the esophagus, reduced lung function, and decreased fertility.”

According to Derseh, smoking hookah for two straight hours (and inhaling) is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes. However, he also emphasized that most people smoke hookah like they smoke cigars, without inhaling. Therefore, according to Derseh, smoking hookah is often less hazardous than smoking cigarettes.

Porter is aware of the fact that hookah can has similar health risks to cigarettes.

“I assume taking hookah is just like smoking a cig,” Porter said. “It kind of burns your throat and Cindy and I definitely got a 'buzz' but it was very short lived.”

Although Hall knows there are health risks, she does not think hookah is as dangerous to use as cigarettes.

“My friend [from Colorado who introduced hookah to me] told me that hookah is worse for you than cigs,” Hall said. “I still don’t consider [hookah] to be as bad as cigs though, because it is not something I, or most people, would get addicted too. It is more of a fun, social thing to go to the hookah bars than to smoke cigs.” H

6 | features | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

the end?

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

Thousands of years ago, the Mayans created a calendar which stopped with Dec. 21, 2012, creating much controversy over when the world will come to its demise.

by CECILIA BUTLER cbutler@dartnewsonline.com

what STA thinks

doomsday

Gloria Haswell aims a rifle at her steel home made of nine 40 foot steel shipping containers, housing 50,000 pounds of food. She fires three times, then goes to examine her home.

The test was a success. A bullet couldn’t break through the walls.

Haswell is featured on “Doomsday Preppers,” the National Geographic reality TV show about people who are bracing themselves for the end of the world.

According to National Geographic, Haswell is one of three million Americans preparing for the end of the world. She dedicates 50 hours a week to storing food, gathering weapons and creating survival gadgets. She doesn’t know when it will end, but Haswell is certain it will all be over soon.

Dec. 21, 2012, the next supposedly predicted Doomsday by the Mayan society is quickly approaching. All over, people like Haswell are bracing themselves for the end, trying to accomplish their life goals.

the facts

The 2012 phenomenon started with the ancient Mayan civilization. The Maya people date back to 1800 B.C. Scholars believe the Mayan civilization held close to 2 million people at its peak. They built hundreds of towering temples and pyramids, studied complex mathematics and developed the Long Count Calendar, which they are especially famous for.

The starting date for the Maya “Long Count Calendar” is Aug. 11, 3114 BC. The calendar is considered very advanced not only for ancient peoples but for modern times as well.

Using different blocks of time, the Mayas measured thousands of years in advance.

Dec. 21, 2012 looks like “13.0.0.0.0” on the Long Count Calendar. According to NASA, some people have interpreted this date as the end of the world because they believe the calendar does not go past “12.9.9.9.9.”

But NASA said, “the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on Dec. 21, 2012.” In reality, it is the start of a new cycle on the calendar. Dec. 21, 2012 is equivalent to Jan. 1 on modern calendars.

In his book about the 2012 phenomenon, Mr. David Stuart wrote, “no Mayan text, ancient, colonial or modern ever predicted the end of time.”

Yet people all over the world continue to prepare for the mass destruction of the world on Dec. 21, 2012.

When asked if she believed the world would end, freshman Gabby Keller laughed, “Oh I’m dead set.”

The Hollywood film “2012,” which made $225 million worldwide is a prime example of the media’s influence on the issue. Keller believes the world is in fact ending because of the movie, even though she has never seen it.

The 2012 Doomsday phenomenon has convinced people to quit their jobs and spend more time focusing on their life bucket list. Keller wishes to travel to the Caribbean before she will supposedly die on Doomsday.

“Then I can spend my last day like snorkeling with sharks, like living on the edge,” Keller said.

If so much research has been done to prove why the world is not ending, why are people still convinced it is?

According to theology teacher Michael Sanem, media is not the only influence on the topics; people’s natural instincts play a part too.

Sanem’s point is that modern society is going through so many changes in technology, medicine, politics, education and basic social matters, that people find the traditions they have grown up with are ending.

false alarm

“[Here is] what’s going to happen: Dec. 22 is going to come and the world is not going to end and all the Doomsday prophets are going to say ‘Oops we miscalculated something’, and they are going to set [the date] out another year or two,” Sanem said. He believes this cycle will continue until the 2012 Doomsday prophets lose credibility.

Gloria Haswell looks off into the distance, “[Prepping for the end of the world] is not a hobby, its a lifestyle,” she says. So maybe the world won’t be ending on Dec. 21, 2012. Regardless, Haswell and the rest of the “preppers” will still be preparing for the end of the world, trying to figure out the next date of anticipation. But that’s another story. H

nt s de stu of

9%

The Dart asked 77 students if they thought the world would be coming to an end in 2012.

sa yY ES

will the world end on dec. 21?

TOP 4... doomsday theories

The Dart compiled a list of the most popular Doomsday theories.

1) a shift in the poles?

NASA’s website claims, “A reversal in the rotation of the Earth is impossible.”

So no, the poles will not shift.

2) giant asteroids?

NASA finds all large near-earth asteroids before they hit. The organization argues, “Nothing is predicted to hit in 2012.” So no, a giant asteroid will not abolish humankind.

3) solar storm?

Around every 11 years, a solar storm occurs and, according to NASA, the solar storm that will occur in the 20122013 time frame is “no different than previous cycles throughout history.”

Humankind won’t be wiped out by the sun this year.

4) blackout?

Some believe an “alignment of the Universe” will cause a blackout. There is no such thing as this alignment.

“Neither NASA nor any other scientific organization is predicting such a blackout,” NASA’s site says.

91of%

students say

NO

graphics by SHAEFFER SMITH, CECILIA BUTLER and MADDIE KNOPKE

8 | opinion | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

cartoon by LIBBY HYDE

Is using your fake ID really worth it?

More students than anyone realizes have obtained fake IDs. Although this problem does not spread throughout the entire school, it seems to be more prevalent in the junior and senior classes. However, a lot of these students don’t realize the consequences they could face for having a fake ID. For one, having a fake ID could result in losing a lot of money. People who have paid $100 for a fake ID from a website which ended up getting shut down soon after. Did they ever get their ID? No. Did they get their money back? No. I’m not saying that anytime someone gets a fake ID, they will get ripped off because that’s not the case at all. However, it is a possibility that needs to be considered.

A lot of people may not know that having a fake ID is both a federal and state offense. If you are caught with a fake ID, you have the potential to be convicted of a Class A misdemeanor.

According to Sergeant Brad Dumit of the Kansas City Police Department, this means paying a $500 fine or serving six months of jail time.

A lot of places just throw out fake IDs when they confiscate them, but if you are caught with a fake ID and charged with a misdemeanor and then use a different ID later, you put yourself at a higher risk. If your fake ID is confiscated a

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

second time, and the establishment who conbecome involved, according to the STA student handbook. Generally this only happens when fiscates it decides to take legal action, you could there is drinking before a school-sponsored be charged with a Class 4 Felony, which would event, but if the punishment stretches to the mean more prison time and a more expensive fine. confiscation of a fake ID and the girl receiving These misdemeanors and felonies cannot a misdemeanor, then the school punishment would be determined by the administrators. In be expunged from your police record. So when applying for college, some cases, an assessment of the student will this can be hard. On The staff editorial represents every college applicabe required and all costs tion, there is a space that the assessment the views of the Dart editorial to say whether or not entails. board: Not only are you the person filling out the application has a putting yourself at risk, 5 out of 5 editors voted in support but if you are underpolice record. While it may not seem like a aged and purchasing big deal, someone who alcohol at any establishment, not only puts you at risk of having your ID has no police record is more likely to get into confiscated, but it puts the establishment at risk that college than someone who does. The same of losing their liquor license. Any other establishgoes when applying for jobs. ment could also face a fine if you enter a concert Not only do students worry about getting in trouble with the law, but also worry about underage with a fake ID or buy cigarettes using a getting in trouble with their parents. If caught fake ID at these venues.

In the end, students need to consider whethwith a fake ID, what will the ID owner’s parents er buying a fake ID is worth it or not. Is it worth do? More likely than not, they will punish their it to purchase alcohol, get into a concert or buy child.

Not only will the owner of the ID be subject to cigarettes if you could face a misdemeanor, a fine their parent’s punishment, but STA will probably and much more? You decide. H

Do the risks of having a fake ID outweigh any benefits?

“Yes, the consequences outweigh the benefits because if you get caught, you can get in so much trouble.”

“Yes, because the consequences of being caught aren’t worth it.”

Camille Porterfield junior

Hailey Waldenmeyer senior

Porterfield

“The risks outweigh the benefits. That’s a felony.

You can be charged for things that will follow you around for the rest of your life. You’re forging identification, and the risks can make it a lot worse for everybody.”

Mr. Michael Sanem theology teacher

Waldenmeyer

Sanem

December 6, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | opinion | 9

Fashion magazines: setting standards, lowering self esteem

by CAROLINE FISS cfiss@dartnewsonline.com

“She doesn’t have what they are looking for at all. I’m sorry for being so blunt, but these girls must be perfect. I mean absolutely perfect and extremely thin.”

Let me translate the Vogue Fashion Market Editor Jessica Sailer’s words for you: Sorry, really pretty, nearly perfect girl, but you’re just not perfect enough. (As a disclaimer, Sailer is my first cousin and she approved my publishing her comment above.)

This really pretty, nearly perfect girl has asked to remain anonymous. We’ll call her “M.” Now let’s rewind… “M” sent model photographs of herself to Sailer asking if she was Vogue material. In a direct e-mail response to M, Sailer suggested she be better off in the commercial arena, nowhere near Vogue. “M” just doesn’t meet the appearance standards required for a high fashion model. Being a Vogue model is now only a fantasy dream for “M.” She said, “Once you make Vogue, you’ve made it [as a model].”

Sailer was a model herself; she knows how intimidating the modeling industry can be.

Tall, thin, and beautiful, Sailer began modeling when she was 19. After a year of modeling for catalogues, she took a leap of faith to try her luck in Milan, Italy. During her time in Italy, she received a single call. The girl whose family and friends truly thought would make it big as a model returned back to the States with the realization that her talents would be better realized in another area of the fashion world.

Sailer landed an unpaid internship at Ralph Lauren’s Fashion Corp. during her last semester studying at NYU. After graduating, she was offered a job designing shoes for Ralph Lauren.

She made a lateral move to work for Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, as her assistant.

Eventually, Sailer was promoted to Vogue’s Fashion Market Editor where she remains today.

“M” has been modeling for one of Kansas City’s best agencies, which has asked to remain anonymous, for five months. According to the agency, they specifically scout tall, slim and fit models.

“It’s like only that body type that can make it big in the modeling industry—the stick skinny, look-like-they’ve-never-eaten-before girls,” M said. “ You won’t go anywhere if you don’t have it, unless you want to become an actress. A lot of models that aren’t the stickskinny girls do mostly commercial modeling.”

However, this is not to say the “type” of girl changes by much.

“Of course, they’re still really thin,” “M” said.

According to “M,” she is one to struggle in the modeling world because of her weight.

“Not saying that I’m fat, but I have been told that I need to lose five to seven pounds,” “M” said, “That’s definitely a self-esteem killer.”

Like many teen girls, including myself, “M” gets discouraged when she looks through a high fashion magazine. She thinks to herself, “so that’s what I’m supposed to look like.”

Why real trees are An overrated:

When I flip through Vogue, I see these “perfect” images of small-boned, stick skinny girls with long legs and a rigid frame. All the models in the magazine seem to have it all; they are flawless. It’s as if they scream: THIS IS WHAT BEAUTIFUL LOOKS LIKE. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE THIS. Well, guess what people, “THIS” is not real!

The definition of beauty displayed by these images is not something models can actually acquire.

by GRACE SLY “People need to realize that those models gsly@dartnewsonline.com The aren’t real,” “M” said. fake There is not a single picture taken of “M” is never that has not been Photoshopped in some way. better than From softening her facial features and removthe original. ing any blemishes to elongating her neck and We hear this conactually making her body look slightly thinner, stantly: processed foods anything will be done in order to make these are unhealthy, (certain) practically perfect models even more “perfect.” implants and plastic surgeries “They do it all the time,” “M” said, “[The are disgusting and “fake” friends industry] is screwed up, the whole thing.” should be dumped. The bias against To think that this is simply for the commerfake seems to be everywhere. And it is cial models, it is almost unimaginable to think true. Usually. about what is done to the high fashion models.

There is one exception to this rule: According to Regan McMahone’s article, Christmas trees.

“Unrealistic Expectations Always in Fashion,” I know Evergreens are an important ritual and staple in October 2009, international outrage broke to the holiday season. out when Polo Ralph Lauren Photoshopped I’ve heard the arguments that “rip-off” trees demean the an image of size 4 model Filippa Hamilton to meaning of Christmas and take away from the family fun of preparconstruct a misconstrued image of the model’s ing and decorating the tree. body. A photo of Hamilton was digitally slenBut I think differently. derized by mind-blowing amounts, creating a Three years ago, I went on my last tree hunt. If you’ve never disproportional image of her body. gone Christmas tree shopping with your family, Like many distorted photos of models, it is not a fun experience. It took us 30 minutes Hamilton’s photo could send a message that to drive to a tree emporium, stand in the freezsays it is normal to look like that. In reality, it ing snow and inspect every single tree to find the is not. “perfect fit.”

These unrealistic images toy with young I hated it from the start. Walking aimlessly for an hour to girls’ minds and implant impractical visions find a single tree (let’s not mention the struggle to tie it to the of “perfection” in their heads. They then begin top of the car) is not a ritual I would like to repeat. thinking that they must not be skinny enough Being able to buy only one tree that comes in a perfect size/shape or in the right shape if their bodies don’t quite saves both time and money. match the ones in magazines. It also shapes Although at face value a fake Christmas tree seems to cost more money, their minds to think that if people don’t look the money saved over time by reusing the same tree has a much greater impact like this, then they don’t look the way they on your wallet and, as Ben Franklin said, “a penny saved is a penny earned” (that “should.” might have no relevance, but I’ve always wanted to quote some wise, historical person).

“When I think of short, curvy girls Secondly, the time consumption. From personal experience, the ritual of picking out a being up on a high fashion runway,” “M” tree, tying it to the car/driving it home and unpack, wrapping lights around and hanging orexplained, “I just think it would look naments on the tree is an all-day affair. Think of what you could be doing with that lost time! ridiculous or not right. That’s not OK, I understand that for many people, decorating their Evergreen is a special time for family conI shouldn’t think that way, but that’s nection and a fun activity but that’s why most fake trees don’t come with decorations. Christmas how [the modeling industry] has time should be spent with family and friends, enjoying the holiday and each others’ company, not shaped everyone to think.” obsessing over a plant.

Perfection is undefinable.

There are safety concerns for real trees as well. The National Fire ProI see beauty in everyone and tection Association reports that each year, over 240 home fires involving everything good. It may sound Christmas trees are reported and, added to the fires caused by holiday lights, cheesy, but God made us in His perfect image result in 21 deaths and $25.2 million in direct property damage. This is dangerand created everyone equally beautiful. Since ous, especially if the trees are placed next to fireplaces or decorated in flammable one’s inner beauty shines through the physibulbs. Fake Christmas trees are synthetic and malleable, making them less likely to cal aspects they possess, we can’t let some catch on fire and overall safer. high fashion magazine determine what Another struggle is the rotting over time. This brings me to my final point: taking the beautiful is in a perfect world. tree down. You can’t leave a real tree up for generally more than a week after Christmas, or, as STA is an excellent example of an I have observed, a distinct odor may find itself spreading throughout the house. This is not the environment that showcases true case with artificial trees. I am not ashamed to reveal my family’s laziness: usually our tree doesn’t beauty. I walk into school with come down until May (sometimes later). There’s no pressure to take it down (besides from some no makeup, no attention to my friends who think it’s weird for a Christmas symbol to be up through Easter) and the Christmas spirit hair and no worry about my can continue as long as you want instead of (once again, time consumption) immediately packing up appearance or what people the decorations and bringing the trees out to the curb. may think of it. I look I don’t know why “real” pine trees bother me so much that I decided to write a column on it, but they around to see that everydo. It’s just one of my Christmas peeves like how holiday music shouldn’t start until AFTER Thanksgiving, one else is also without preferably in December. But I believe the waste of time and money is a crisis and should be remmakeup and without edied as soon as possible. And the first step is to buy an artificial Christmas tree. H worries. We come to school as we are.

To me, that is true beauty. That is pure perfection. H

argument for artificial

10 | centerspread | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

December 6, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | centerspread | 11

IDENTITY CRISIS

MAKE IT OR FAKE IT

The Dart interviewed 270 students about the prevalance and use of fake IDs. 1 Do you know at least one person who has a fake ID card?

by JORDAN BERARDI jberardi@dartnewsonline.com

High school students in the Kansas City area find various reasons to purchase fabricated identification cards. From buying alcohol to sneaking into age-restricted concerts, the use of a fake ID comes with the risk of being in trouble with the law. But in this case it doesn’t matter because. . .

25

%

Madness in the method

“It’s really, really sketchy getting it,” Owens said. “There’s really no other word to use.”

A Rockhurst High School junior, 16, who also requested anonymity and will be referred to as Michael Walsh agreed with Owens’ statement on the ease of the entire process.

“All I had to do was fill out my information and take a picture,” Walsh said.

The only changes between a person’s true ID and false ID is a fake street address in a state other than the one the person resides and an earlier birth date. The information concerning physical appearance, such as eye color, height and weight remain the same in order for the ID picture and description to match.

Most fake ID suppliers require a group of ten or more people to order cards. With a group of this amount, each buyer receives two identical fake ID cards for $75-100 for the pair.

“It only got sketchy when we went to pay,” Owens said. “We all had to go to a grocery store and wire our money [to China].”

Chinese fake-out

Before it was shut down in August 2012, a popular supplier for fake IDs was ID Chief, an internet business run out of China which provided a simple ordering process with scannable false identification cards.

According to an article on WUSA9.com, Washington D.C.’s major news source, the IDs from this business are so reliable “they can pass through scanners designed to detect fraudulent cards.”

It is estimated the business was making $20 to 40 million a year solely on producing these IDs. Owens, Walsh and Freeman all obtained their IDs from this source before it was shut down. Each ordered with a group of ten or more.

Unlike Walsh and Freeman, Owens received the packet of IDs directly to her house. When opening the package, Owens was surprised to find the IDs not to be visible at first glance.

“It was sent in this Chinese box and in it was a wallet,” Owens said. “I was thinking ‘Oh, well it will just be in the wallet.’

So I was opening it and it wasn’t in there and I was like, ‘This is ridiculous. It’s not in here’. But then I was looking at the box that it came in and the top seemed kind of thick. It was sewn into the top of the box so I had to unstitch it all, and there was just the package of the IDs.”

FAKE FIRST

Freeman got her ID only weeks before ID Chief shut down.

She admits she was not nervous the first time she used her ID because the liquor store clerk was on the phone and “wasn’t really paying any attention to me.”

Contrary to Freeman’s first experience, the first

the decision has been made.

time Walsh used his fake ID, he was nervous. “[The first time I used it] I thought I was going to [expletive] my pants,” Walsh said. “I looked at it, then back at my [real] drivers licence just asking, ‘Do they have the same kinds of things?’

‘Is it missing the weird markings?’ Just stuff like that. But then it worked and I was like, ‘Sweet.’”

Looking back on that first experience, Walsh believes being nervous is its own risk.

“The more nervous you are, the more likely someone is going think ‘Wow, he looks really freaked out,’” Walsh said. “Then [the clerks] will wonder why.”

Out of the three, Owens has had her fake ID the longest but has had one of the copies confiscated.

“They asked me for my [fake] address and I didn’t know it,” Owens said. “So it was really just my own fault.”

The cashier confiscated Owens’ ID, but ended up returning it minutes later.

“I begged for it back,” Owens said. “Eventually they did [give it back].”

“But if I found it, I’d take it back.”

Unlike Freeman and Walsh, Owens says her parents are aware of the fact she drinks.

“My parents know,” Owens said. “We just have a really open and honest relationship about it.”

According to Walsh, Owens and Freeman, teenagers are searching for risk will find it in not only using a fake ID, but underage drinking as a whole.

“It’s exciting because it’s high risk,” Walsh said. “People like risk. It’s the same as rollercoasters. Like, why do people like rollercoasters? Well, because it feels like you’re going to die.”

Agreeing with Walsh, Owens believes a sole reason for teen drinking is the need for rebellion.

“People only do it because it’s something fun to do and we’re breaking the rules,” Owens said.

The preconceived idea

Owens believes drinking, a vital part of the high school and college experience, should not be restricted due to age.

Though the primary use for a fake ID is to get alcohol, Owens also argues some use their fake ID strictly to get into age Vice Section Sergeant Brad Dumit of the Kansas City Police restricted events.

“We can’t go to half the concerts if we’re not 21,” Owens Department says law enforcement sees many cases involving said. “[Having a fake ID] just opens up so many doors because fake IDs. In Missouri, if a minor is caught using a fabricated there’s so many age restrictions. Age, at this point, is identification card, the just a number. It shouldn’t hold you back from having charge is a misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine or the best experiences you can have.”

Along with Owens, Walsh believes there is a stigma six months in jail dependattached to those who own fake IDs. ing on a person’s current - Michael Walsh* “I think people see kids with fake IDs as [expletive] record.

Not only is the user of Rockhurst junior ups, alcoholics, stoners, and kids who don’t give a [exthe fake ID at risk for being pletive],” Walsh said. “Me, and a lot of my friends who have [fake IDs], are honor students or earn straight As.” penalized, but the estabIt was Nov. 10. lishment where it was used is also blamed if a minor is caught, The same STA student walked into the same store, confiregardless if the clerk or bartender knew the ID was fake. dent.

According to Ray Dunlea, who has owned the Gaf, a bar She saw the same stickers pleading those under 21 to and grill in Waldo, for eight years, he and his employees have caught fake IDs too many times to count. They confisstay away.

The same metal door handle greeted her hand along cate the IDs and ask the minors to leave. with the same chime.

The punishment for a business on a first She tucked the same brand of vodka under her offense is a fine. For the second offense, the arm. She grabbed the same two cases of beer out of consequences are a fine and/or possibility the frigid cooler. for the establishment to be closed temporarily. But for a third offense, there is a substantial She took the same steps to the counter.

A voice ordered her to place the alcohol on fine and the business is closed for three days, the counter and leave. which means loss of revenue for those days.

The Gaf was closed for two business days due to She walked out those same doors in a the use of fake IDs by local college students. different way, defeated.

Realizing the risk for himself and others, the RockShe walked the same distance to her car, empty handed. hurst junior, Walsh, admits he prefers not to use his fake ID if it is unnecessary.

But it wasn’t over.

“I don’t really like to use it because it is a risk,” Walsh It’s still not over. There’s said. “Nothing about it can be thrown on someone else. plenty other pairs of of eyes for You’re in trouble with your parents and you’re in trouble her fake ID to fool. H with the law.”

Walsh and Freeman agree their parents would confiscate the ID if they were caught.

“If my parents found it they’d take it away,” Freeman said.

risky business

“

“

It was Oct. 8, in by the collar and questioned. But the yanking never came. five days before the She made it to her car and got in. She let the air trapped in her Teresian dance. An lungs escape. Her chest deflated. Her heart slowed.

STA student parked a Her fake ID worked. reasonable distance The guilt was instant but fleeting. from the front entrance Four days later, it was Oct. 12, the day before Teresian. She to ensure herself time saw the same warning signs on the windows of a different to gather her thoughts liquor store. She felt the same clammy hands touch a different before entering. Her door handle. She quickly grabbed what she needed: one case eyes focused on the of Busch beer, another handle of McCormick vodka and an 18 traditional window pack of Keystone beer. signs. “We ID.” “Must be “ID?” 21 or older.” Her eyes She handed it over. latched on to the neon She dropped the same combination of dollar bills on the signs advertising Bud counter.

Light, Bacardi and Skyy.

“Alright, need help carrying this out?”

With every step, she “No, thanks.” became more paranoid It was over. The same expected jerking of her collar never about getting caught. Her came. She did it. Again. It worked. clammy hands gripped the This STA senior, who asked to remain anonymous for legal metal handle. The reasons and will be referred to as door opened and the Maggie Freeman, bought three chime sounded. All cuscases, or 90 cans, of beer and an of STA students tomer and employee eyes 18 pack of beer as well as two were on her. She panicked know five or more people handles of vodka using a fake but knew she had to get what ID. Her ID promises she is 23, of she came for. Her hands trembled with a fake identification card. legal age. She is 17. (according to a Moodle survey) as she grabbed two handles of McA recent survey on Moodle Cormick vodka and tucked them under revealed 67 of 270 STA students her arm. A bead of sweat surfaced on her back know five or more people with a as she reached for one case: 30 cans of Coors Light. One cooler fake ID - 25 percent. over, she grabbed another case of Bud Light. She made her way Though there are various reasons for obtaining the IDs, as to the front of the store. Her pulse quickened. She placed the well as a wide range of opinions surrounding the issue, it all alcohol on the counter. revolves around one key fact: a local lawyer and vice squad “How are you today, ma’am? Did you find everything police officer say the number of fake IDs in Kansas City is on alright?” the rise.

“What? Good. I’m fine. Yeah, I did. Thanks.”

It seems the reward is far greater than the risk.

“Can I see your ID?” “Mhm, yeah.”

Her fingers felt unnaturally cold as she pulled out her purple The scribble of information on a form, the flash of a camera and a one month wait are the only steps separating someone Vera Bradley wallet. She took the fake ID out of the side of the wallet dedicated only to it. Her real ID and school ID sat in a dif- who is underage from a fake ID. Most fake ID sales are made online. An order form is filled ferent pocket. She checked to make sure she grabbed the right one. She handed it over. When the clerk took it in his hands, her out and sent by the buyer. After creating the false ID the manuheart began to flutter in her chest, her hands felt numb and her facturer will send the ID to the specified address of the buyer.

According to another STA senior, 18, who wished to remain face went hot. The cashier took a look at the ID, then back at anonymous for legal reasons and therefore will be referred to her, a quizzical look on his face. as Jackie Owens, the ordering process was simple, but ques“How old are you?” tionable.

“23.”

Her mind flickered with thoughts.

He has to know. How doesn’t he know? He knows.

She dropped the money on the counter.

“Okay, have a nice day.”

She opened the door, expecting to be pulled back

65% SAID YES

It’s exciting because it’s high risk. People like risk.

MISSOURI ID#:502-23-6894

AVILA, TERESA 678 FAKE ADDRESS, KCMO DOB: 05-23-92 SEX: F HGT: 5-04

WGT: 120 EYES: BLU HAIR: BRN

2 Would you consider getting a fake ID card?

47% YES 50%

NO

3% I HAVE ONE ALREADY 3 If you did acquire a fake ID, how would you most likely use it? to buy alcohol & get into age-restricted concerts

37% to get into age-restricted concerts only

36%

to buy alcohol only

21%

i’d just like to have it

6% 18 AND OVER CONC

BASSNECTAR

ERT

KANSAS

ID#:502-23-6894

AVILA, TERESA 678 FAKE ADDRESS, KCMO DOB: 05-23-92 WGT: 120 SEX: F EYES: BLU HGT: 5-04 HAIR: BRN

Infographic by Sara-Jessica Dilks

12 | sports | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

constructive criticism H Newly hired dive coach Sharon Prothe gives technique advice to freshman Sophie Prochnow. photo by GRACE HODES

The STA athletic department recently hired a new head dive coach. The dive team’s newest member also coaches Rockhurst High School’s varsity dive team.

by SARA MEURER smuerer@dartnewsonline.com

This year, the STA athletic department hired Ms. Sharon Prothe as the new head dive coach. Prothe, who also coaches the Rockhurst High School dive team, will coach the team five days a week. The team began practicing in early November. The team consists of five members, including senior Elizabeth Arensberg. Arensberg believes that Prothe will have a positive influence on the team.

“She’s really team oriented and wants what’s best for everyone on the team,” Arensberg said. “I think she’s a more serious coach and we’ll get more stuff done.”

Prothe has enjoyed coaching the team so far.

“I love it,” Prothe said. “I do. Everybody comes really really ready to work and we have a lot of work to do to get ready for our first meet.”

According to Prothe, a typical practice involves stretching and getting warm, then focusing on two of the five categories of dives. The categories are forward, back, twist, inward and reverse dives. Prothe divides the week into the different categories so the team can focus on different dives each day. The practice ends with dry land, which helps which involves doing exercises to increase abdominal strength.

According to STA athletic director Mr. Mark Hough, the athletic department hired Prothe because she was very qualified for the job.

“Hands down she was the most qualified person for [the job],” Hough said. “Not just swimming and diving, but also her background in dietetics. Also she does a bunch of different kinds of workouts for females and high school athletes.”

This year was also Prothe’s first year coaching the Rockhurst dive team. Prothe believes that coaching girls has been a fun experience so far.

“It’s been really great to be around all the girls,” Prothe said.

“There’s a different energy at the pool when it’s all girls versus boys.

It’s just different in a fun kind of way.”

According to Arensberg, this year will be different than last because there was not a dive team last year.

“Last year, there was a team but everyone quit because there wasn’t a coach,” Arensberg said. “I think the athletic department hired a coach this year because girls were interested in it and you can’t have a dive team without a coach. We need a coach to explain how to do dives and to help us get in shape.”

According to Hough, Prothe will have a positive influence on the team this year.

“I think she’ll have a great influence on the team,” Hough said. “Not just the swim and dive teams, but we’ll have her around doing off season workouts and conditioning. She’s a registered dietician so we’ll have a couple different meetings where she can come in and talk to the girls about what they need to be eating.”

Prothe thinks the girls will have a successful season.

“I think we’re gonna have a great season,” Prothe said. “Diving points contribute to the swim total for meets. So diving is an event. So if we have divers that place, those points go towards the swimming total. Just having girls willing to compete puts us in a great place.”

According to Arensberg, the team has had a positive reaction to having a coach.

“I really like her, and I think the team does too,” Arensberg said.

“She’s cool. She’s really athletic and it’s cool that she coached the Rockhurst boys too.”

Prothe feels confident about the upcoming season.

“It’s all about being your best,” Prothe said. “Every day you improve. That’s what makes this season great.” H

laugh it off H The swim team’s coach Andy Wilcox, left, and dive team’s coach Sharon Prothe share a laugh before practice. This is Prothe’s first year coaching STA’s dive team. photo by GRACE HODES

Dietician hired as new dive coach

stretch it out H Coach Prothe instructs one of her divers to reach taller as they take off the board. The dive team began practice early November. photo by GRACE HODES eyes on the prize H Senior Elizabeth Arensberg prepares to do a back dive off a board at Longview Community College where she practices with the dive team. This is Arensberg’s third year of diving and she believes the new coach with have a positive influence on this year’s team. photo by GRACE HODES

CURRENTLY DOING IT December 6, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | sports | 13

Cross country members continue training in their post-season for the Pilgrim Pacer Half-Marathon.

by GRACE SLY gsly@dartnewsonline.com

BAM! The sound of the gun startled STA junior Heather Cigas as she waited for her teammates by the bathrooms of Shawnee Mission Park. Looking toward the sound of the shot she saw a crowd of runners lunging forward past the starting line.

Frantically, Cigas and her group sprinted toward the trail, passing by the slower participants and began the 13.1 mile trek around the park.

Cigas, joined by STA seniors Sarah Schwartz and Sarah Vickery, junior Cecilia Butler and sophomores Caroline Angles and Anna Bauman, ran these 13.1 miles as part of the sixth annual Pilgrim Pacer Half-Marathon on Nov.

How To:

10.

“We all thought it was a cool thing to do,” Bauman said. “Especially after cross country season.”

All of the STA runners were participants of the JV cross country team this past fall.

“We thought it would be easier to run right after cross country season because we are already in shape,” Cigas said. “When [cross country] ended, we kept on training.”

Training included running four days a week, about five miles each day. On the Monday before the Pacer, the girls ran 11 miles, from St. Teresa’s to Rockhurst High School and back. This gave them some confidence for the upcoming event.

“I’m kind of a little scared for the actual marathon but we’ve been training for a while so we should be good,” said Cigas the Thursday before the Pacer.

Her goal for the half-marathon wasn’t for a time or rank but to complete it as the athletes had never run the distance in training.

A pasta party was planned for the night

TRAIN FOR A HALF-MARATHON

before and home-made t-shirts were painted at Cigas’ house. “[Heather, Cecelia, and I] made t-shirts that said ‘Currently Doing It’ (in reference to the Nike Corporation logo ‘Just Do It.’),” Bauman said. “It took a long time but was worth it because we all had awesome matching shirts.”

These shirts stood out in a crowd of over three hundred runners participating in either the marathon(26.2 miles), half-marathon (13.1 miles), 10-kilometer (6.2 miles) or 5-kilometer (3.1 miles).

The cross country team paced themselves, preserving energy for the long treck. As they passed the first water station, a group fans made of parents and friends cheered them on with homemade signs.

According to Bauman, she, Cigas, Schwartz, Vickery, Butler and Angles chatted while they ran to keep energy high and spirits strong.

Towards the end of the race, the exhaustion began to affect a few of the runners who slowed. The group split as two of the other girls rushed ahead.

However, before reaching the end of the track the six students realigned and crossed the finish line. Together.

According to Pilgrim Pacer Run Results page, every STA participants finished in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 38 seconds.

After crossing the finish line, the girls were handed large bronze medals reading “Pilgrim Pacer Half-Marathon” in celebration of their participation.

Pumpkin pie was handed out to grateful runners and a feeling of relief and accomplishment filled the air as the girls sprawled across the ground.

After the marathon, Angles reflected on her experience, “It was difficult but fun.” she said, “The last three miles were painful but after I ran across the finish line, I felt great.”

Bauman felt she had learned perseverance by participating in the run. She learned that through hard work, one can achieve anything.

Cigas agreed, adding, “I was laughing when I crossed. I was so proud of us and, honestly, couldn’t wait for the pie.” H

The Dart compiled a training schedule based off the one STA runners used to prepare for the Pilgrim Pacer.

by GRACE SLY gsly@dartnewsonline.com

The first step is to decide to run one. This may is easier said than done. Persistence is key.

12-Week Program: Mondays: reserved for rest days and important for recovery and injury prevention.

Tuesdays: run at comfortable pace short distance (about 2-3 miles) and focus on finishing, not speed; by week five, increase to 4 miles Wednesdays: run longer and harder than previous day (4 miles increased to 6 by week 9) Thursdays: run shorter distance, about same as Tuesday Fridays: rest day: “relaxing” exercise (elliptical or cycling) Saturdays: 3-4 miles at increased speed Sundays: long run and focus should be on completing the distance, not speed. 4 miles for week one increased to 7 miles by week five and, 12 miles by week 10 and finally 13.1 miles on week 12.

Notes: Weeks 1 through 3 should be relatively low-impact and at a comfortable pace and effort should be toward finishing the distance, not time. Weeks 4-16 should have increased distance (Sunday’s run should increase at least a mile every week) and a few timed runs (but not an extensive amount).

Remember: DRINK WATER: hydration is a key component to keep the body healthy and able to exert as much energy as possible without causing injury to the body.

REST DAYS ARE IMPORTANT: days of little or no exercise are important because they allow energy storage and repairs damaged muscle tissues. According to active.com, runners should schedule rest days at least three times a week (preferably every other day).

WARM UPS: warm ups (short exercises before an athletic events) help prevent injury and should be performed before any run.

Warm ups reduces chance of injury and allows oxygen into muscles, preventing shortness of breath.

STRETCHING: stretching helps loosen and lengthen muscles.

Stretches should be performed after a short 5-10 minute warm up as stretching “cold” muscles can lead to tearing and strains.

CARB LOAD: it is suggested runners eat mainly carbs the night before a race (includes pasta, bread, rice) for energy boosts but food consumption should be minimal (it takes 36 hours for food to be processed enough for usage in a race). H source: HalfMarathoni.net

1.

2.

finishing strong H Sophomore Caroline Angles, from left, sophomore Anna Bauman, junior Heather Cigas, senior Sarah Schwartz, junior Cecelia Butler, and senior Sarah Vickery complete the final stretch of the Pilgrim Pacer Half-Marathon Nov. 10. photo submitted by SARAH VICKERY

1. t-shirt triumph H Participants in the Pilgrim Pacer Half-Marathon show off their shirts that say “Currently Doing It”. photo submitted by SARAH VICKERY. 2. Pilgrim Pacer pride H Junior Cecilia Butler, from left, sophomore Caroline Angles, sophomore Anna Bauman, junior Heather Cigas, and seniors Sarah Vickery and Sara Schwartz pose with their participation medals. photo submitted by SARAH VICKERY photos compiled by KATHLEEN KEAVENY

14 | lifestyles | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

Cecilia Zanone 1. When and why did you first start doing ballet?

I was really little like 3 or 4. My mom just put me into dance classes. I was doing lots of classes like gymnastics and jazz and tap and stuff but I stuck with ballet since I liked it the best.

2. What is your position in “The Nutcracker” this year?

I’m in the flower scene. It’s half student dancers and half professional company dancers, and I’m also in the snow scene in the first act and the flower scene is in the second act.

3. What are some of the perks of being in “The Nutcracker”?

You get to be around the professional company dancers and since I think I want to do that as my career, it’s nice to see their ability and how well they dance.

4. What are some of the downfalls of being in “The Nutcracker”?

The only one is how much time it takes up, especially on the weekend, but it’s all worth it because I really like it and I get to be with all my friends at dance anyway.

5. Can you describe the tryout process?

The two main people of the ballet school come into class and observe.

It’s not really an official audition--just for them to see what you can do and if they think you’re ready, they’ll send you an email telling you what part you got and what cast and stuff like that.

Most people get in [“The Nutcracker”] but it also depends on height or age or if you aren’t at a certain ability but I would say most people do get in.

6. How often do you practice?

Four days a week for [“The] Nutcracker” and regular dance classes everyday except sunday. For the most part, class is 4:30 to 8:30 everyday.

7. How do you get ready for a performance?

I go two and a half hours before show starts and have a warm-up class with the company. It’s usually about an hour long. Then we go back to dressing room, put makeup on, get dressed, then we put on our shoes and the costume. Underneath the costumes, some girls wear nude leotards with nude straps and pink trunks (they’re like granny panties) and then pink tights.

Sophomore stars shine in

“The Nutcracker” STA sophomores Cecilia Zanone and Turner Conwell are both participating in this year’s production of “The Nutcracker.” “The Nutcracker” is an annual performance done during the Christmas season by the Kansas City Ballet and students at the Kansas City Ballet School. “The Nutcracker” runs from December 1 - 23 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

compiled by EMILY MCCANN

Turner Conwell 1. When and why did you first start doing ballet?

I was about four or five. My mom just signed me up.

2. What is your position in “The Nutcracker” this year?

I am a flower and in the snow scene.

We are the core. There is us and then the snow queen and king. In the flower scene, there’s us and then the dewdrop who is the soloist.

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

3. What are some of the perks of being in “The Nutcracker”?

As a little kid, you’re usually an angel or a mother ginger extra and you move your way up to usually a soldier. Then maybe party scene

Her headphones were in.

Her music was loud, blocking the sound of the cars passing by on the street next to her.

Her dog’s leash was in her hand.

It was a typical workout for sophomore Gina Ptacek on a route she ran three to four times every week. The only difference was the construction on her street, making the traffic heavier than usual.

At least, that was the only difference until her black labrador retriever, Bindi, spotted a squirrel.

Before long, her dog had pulled her right into the street. Right into the path of a car. Right onto the hood of that car.

kid and then you might move up to a ginger or a trepak then maybe mirliton and then finally as a student, the best is flower or snow.

4. Do you get nervous?

Yeah, I do. Some people say it helps not to go over it and just be confident.

I just tell myself I’m confident and I know it since I’m there so much practicing it. I’d feel more nervous if my family and friends were there because it just like shows them what I’ve accomplished.

5. What are some of the downfalls of being in “The Nutcracker”?

The commitment and the hours you have to put into it. [I feel like I

Bindi had always been difficult to run with.

She had even chased squirrels before. But one thing she had never done was gotten Gina hit by a car.

Despite her shock, and the obvious shock of the driver, Gina only remained on the car for about five seconds before Ptacek sprinting back to the sidewalk. But she did not run straight home. No, she still had one mile left to run. Even though Bindi had messed up part of her run, she was

miss out on stuff because of ballet], especially during the season and trying to live up to the expectations of the artistic staff. They just have really high expectations. I have really close friends at ballet since you’re there a lot.

6. How often do you practice?

With [“The] Nutcracker” and regular practices and youth ballet, we are usually called for classes six days a week but when [“The] ]Nutcracker comes up, we end up coming in almost every day. A typical night is 4:30 to 8, but it changes when you have rehearsals and what comes up.

Usually, Saturdays are 10-3 but with “[The] Nutcracker,” it can go longer.

not going to ruin the rest of it. Besides, the pain was not that bad and her leg was not bleeding that much, was it?

Before she had time to make sense of the situation herself, she had arrived home, knowing she would have to explain what happened to her mom.

“I fell,” was not a sufficient response for her mother. She had to tell the whole story to her mom, which she would later have to recount to her entire lunch table once her friends saw the cut on her leg.

She has continued to run the same route just as frequently since the incident, but she has left Bindi at home. H

&Present

December 6, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | lifestyles | 15

The Dart: Past Write. Photograph. Rewrite. Edit. Tone.

Caption. Create. Place. Rearrange.

The process of producing a newspaper is complex. Writers, photographers and editors all have to communicate and work together. This is made a thousand times easier by the technology that many take for granted. Staffers of the Dart can message each other on Moodle, share stories and feedback on Google Drive and design pages on Mac. But how would a paper run without modern technology?

In 1947, the Dart staff of 14 seniors spent countless hours producing an eight page paper every month - without any digital cameras, computers, photo-editing software or audio recorders at their disposal.

The Dart talked with Ms. Regina Howard, editor-in-chief in 1947, about the differences of producing a paper then and now.

Equipment and technology “I think we used an awful lot of glue, rubber cement and scissors,” Howard said.

“Very basic things. Very basic.”

According to Howard, in 1947, most of the technical work on a newspaper was done at a printers, so the only tools the staff used were simple ones such as manual and electric typewriters, pens for drawing and non-digital cameras.

Today, Dart staffers use Mac desktops, laptops, netbooks, digital cameras, video recorders, audio equipment and a variety of software to help create the paper.

“I just think that if we were to try the same type of stories now, with the technology that you have, I think I’d really appreciate that,” Howard said.

Writing Although the actual techniques of writing and reporting have not changed, the execution has.

“Oh my goodness,” Howard said. “It probably took at least a half hour [to type] each article. Some of the girls didn’t know how to type, so we’d have to type their articles for them. If something got typed incorrectly, we had to redo it before we sent it to the printer.”

Because it was so hard to make last minute changes to text, everything was proofed four or five times in advance of sending it to the printer.

Currently, each story in the Dart is edited about five times before publication, according to managing editor of stories Natalie Fitts.

The majority of this happens in Google

Photography and art One thing that has changed throughout the years is the significance of photography and graphics to readers.

“I think [technology] is very interesting - the way we rely more on photography and are visually focused,” Howard said. “The printed word is very important, but so are the visuals.”

When Howard was on staff at STA, visuals were less prevalent and more complex to make.

According to Howard, both photos and artwork had to be engraved and transferred to a wood block, which was then put onto paper by a printer.

Photographers organize and edit their photos in Adobe Bridge and Adobe InDesign.

“For instance, if [a photo] has bad exposure, you can brighten it up and tone it,” videographer Caroline Fiss said. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be doing what [the Dart staff] did in 1947.”

Designing pages Perhaps one of the most dramatic changes is the way in which page layout and designs are created.

Back then, individual photos, stories and art were sent to a linotype printer, the industry standard for newspapers and magazines at that time. According to Howard, these printers were “as tall as the ceiling.”

Then the articles would be placed in a galley, a metal tray the same length as the paper. Metal type would be placed in this tray, and a paper would be placed on top of this. A roller would go over it and long sheets of content were produced.

Once they were satisfied with the style of an article, they would cut out the content and glue it to a page the same size as the newspaper, laying it out how they wanted it to look.

“Then once we had it pretty well arranged, we’d work on headlines,” Howard said.

According to Howard, this is called a physical setup.

In contrast, today, this whole process is condensed into one simple step. Page designers work with Adobe InDesign CS6, which allows them to rearrange items, create effects and save progress with great flexibility.

“Nowadays we have so much control, where back then it was a gamble on whether your spreads would turn out the way you wanted them,” blogs editor Libby Hyde said.

Publishing Once everything was on the page correctly, Howard would send the paper to

VOLUME 72 ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 11, 2012 ST. TERESA’S ACADEMY KANSAS CITY, MO WWW.DARTNEWSONLINE.COM

democrat republican

2012

junior illinois senator

massachusetts governor

Columbia University + Harvard Law School

Brigham Young University + Harvard Law School

BIDEN RYAN paul

joe

First aFrican american President

michelle obama

dart

by KATIE PARKINSON kparkinson@dartnewsonline.com

Drive.

“The fact that other people can view [your story] and add comments and edit it helps the writing process and makes a stronger story,” standing features editor Madeline Best said.

2

daughters (malia & sasha)

Founder oF Bain caPital

ann romney

5

sons

(tagg, matt, josh, ben & craig)

christian MOrMOn

“The path we offer may be harder, but it leads to a better place. And I’m asking you to choose that future.”

BARACk

“America has been patient. Americans have supported this president in good faith. But today, the time has come to turn the page.”

MITT

ROMNEY OBAmA born in: DEtrOit, Mi born in: hOnOLULU, hi

the

Ms. Regina Howard talks to the Dart about the differences of producing a paper then and now

DNC: RNC: charlotte,nc tampa, fl

then vs now H The Dart compiled photos of an issue of the Dart from 1966 and one from 2012. photos

by ADRIANNA OHMES

the printers one final time for publishing.

“I think [my favorite part] was when we’d have it all complete, and we’d pick it up at the printers and bring it and distribute it to the students,” Howard said. “You had to go out to a professional printer, so that was an adventure too.”

While today the adventure is not physical (pages are now exported to the printer’s as PDFs) the feeling of satisfaction remains.

“It’s fun to get to see the product of all of our hard work,” Fitts said. “We put a month’s worth of work into one issue, and it’s nice to be able to see it and hold it and

look at it other than on a computer screen.”

Still the same Despite all the changes in technology over the years, some things about journalism remain constant.

Howard’s advice to young journalists today?

“Keep up on developments,” she said.

“Keep aware of any improvements in communication, because that’s what we’re working on, and always be cautious of what you say and write. Check your facts because the printed word is so permanent. It’s always there.” H

16 | A&E | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

2012 College Football Awards

The ESPN College Football Awards recognizes the greatest in collegiate football.

Players’ achievements are recognized with awards such as Most Outstanding Player, Best Quarterback and Most Outstanding Interior Lineman, among others.

Date: Dec. 6 Time: 6:30 p.m.

Channel: ESPN Hosts: Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Tom Rinaldi and Samantha Steele

2013 People’s Choice Awards

The 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors

VGA TEN: 2012 Spike TV’s Video Game Awards

The Spike TV Video Game Awards allows gamers to vote for their favorite games and features through various categories. Some categories include Most Anticipated Game, Game of the Year, Best Performance by a Human Female and Best Graphics.

Date: Dec. 7 Time: 8 p.m.

Channel: Spike TV Host: Samuel L Jackson

The 70th Golden Globe Awards

The People’s Choice Awards allows the public to vote on their favorites in music, movies and television.

Date: Jan. 9 Time: 8 p.m.

Channel: CBS Host: Kaley Cuoco

The 70th Golden Globe Awards will honor the best in television and movies of 2012. This year the Golden Globes will present 14 film awards and 11 television awards in categories such as the Best Original Song.

Date: Jan. 13 Time: 7 p.m.

Channel: NBC Hosts: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

American Country Awards

New York Film Critics Circle

The Academy Awards

33% The American Country Awards

27%

27%

The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes seven individuals each year for their cultural achievements. According to the Kennedy Center Honors website, these individuals are “recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts” and will each receive a medallion at the ceremony.

Date: Dec. 26 Time: 8 p.m.

Channel: CBS Recipients: Bluesman Buddy Guy, actor and director Dustin Hoffman, comedian and television host David Letterman, ballerina Natalia Makarova and rock band Led Zeppelin

The 55th GRAMMY Awards

The GRAMMY Awards honors artists’ achievements with awards like Record of the Year.

Date: Feb. 10 Time: 7 p.m.

Channel: CBS

The 18th Critics’ Choice Movie Awards

The Critic’s Choice Awards website states that these annual awards “honor the finest in cinematic achievement.” The event includes awards for Best Actor and Best Actress.

Date: Jan. 10 Time: 7 p.m.

Channel: The CW

ARTIST OF THE

ISSUE

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

The 66th British Academy Film Awards

The British Academy Film Awards recognize great achievements in film. Actors and filmmakers receive awards such as BAFTA Award for Best Film and Best Foreign Film.

Date: Feb. 10 Time: N/A Channel: BBC Host: Stephen Fry

Independent Spirit Awards

The Independent Spirit Awards honors independent films with awards for Best Film, Best Foreign Film and the Truer than Fiction Award.

Date: Feb. 23 Time: 9 p.m.

Channel: IFC

Marie Green sophomore What are your favorite things to bake and decorate?

I normally do cupcakes.

Why did you decide Green to start decorating?

My mom got me a book [called “What’s New Cupcake”] about how to decorate cupcakes.

8%

Golden Globes

This annual competition allows women from around the world to come together and compete for the coveted title of Miss Universe.

Date: Dec. 19 Time: 7 p.m.

Channels: NBC, Telemundo Hosts: Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic Host country: United States (Las Vegas) USA contestant: Olivia Culpo

23%

2%

7% College Football Awards

The 61st Miss Universe Competition

According to the NYFCC website, the “New York Film Critics Circle have consistently recognized and defended films that may otherwise have been slighted by audiences and the entertainment industry. The NYFCC has from the start prided itself on striving to recognize a higher standard of film.”

Date: Jan. 7 Time: N/A Channel: N/A

Miss Universe Competition

The American Country Awards are the only country award show to allow viewers to vote on their category favorites. The show awards country artists for their achievements in music, video and touring.

Date: Dec. 10 Time: 7 p.m.

Channel: FOX Hosts: Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth

The Grammy Awards

2012: Waiting for the win

BY THE NUMBERS: The Dart surveyed 120 students about which award show they were most looking forward to in the upcoming season. compiled by KATIE PARKINSON

Do you have any inspirations? If it is a holiday, I make something themed that way.

I really like the show “Cake Boss.” That kind of started my interest in baking.

When decorating, what are your favorite designs? I like making flowers. I do those out of marshmallows. I also like to make animals.

I use cookies, candy, chocolate; just anything that works that is edible.

When do you usually do your baking and decorating? I’ve been doing it for advisory parties a lot and for special events.

What is your all-time favorite thing you

The Dart previews this season’s red carpet events so you can keep up with Hollywood happenings.

by CHRISTINA ELIAS celias@dartnewsonline.com

Screen Actors Guild Awards

The Screen Actors Guild Awards (better known as the SAG Awards) recognizes “outstanding performance” by movie and television actors. Some awards presented include Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Date: Jan. 27 Time: 7 p.m.

Channels: TNT, TBS

The 85th Academy Awards (the Oscars)

The Academy Awards, one of the most

highly anticipated shows of the season, honors the achievements of actors and filmmakers with awards such as Best Original Score. Best Animated Short Film and the Academy Honor Award.

Date: Feb. 24 Time: 7 p.m.

Channel: ABC Host: Seth MacFarlane

have ever made? For the Fourth of July, I did the American flag out of cupcakes.

Has there ever been a time when something went wrong? I was making little pies and [when] I put the icing in the bag, it exploded and went everywhere.

What is the hardest part about baking?

Probably trying to make sure that everything doesn’t get all messy.

Do you have any future plans with decorating? I don’t have any plans for being a cake decorator. I just like to do this for fun right now. H

December 6, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | A&E | 17

Do you hear what I hear?

The Dart reviews new holiday albums by various popular artists.

by EMILY WEMHOFF ewemhoff@dartnewsonline.com

Colbie Caillat “Christmas in the Sand” Release date: Oct. 26

California-native Colbie Caillat uses her own experiences to create a CD that relates to those who don’t have white Christmases.

Colbie Caillat’s latest effort “Christmas in the Sand” includes songs that are familiar, but have a brand new sound. The California native creates a beachy holiday collection comprised of eight Christmas classics and four originals. The title track “Christmas in the Sand” is a funny take on how Christmas appears to those who have summer year round. Lyrics include: “I saw Santa in his bathing

suit/Tried to catch a wave, but he tried too soon.”

The highs: “Santa Baby” and “The Christmas Song” showcase the singer’s signature acoustic flair and breathy voice. Throughout the entire album, Caillat does not attempt to create modernized pop hits. She does her own take on classics like “Silver Bells” that are fun and interesting.

The lows: None. Caillat doesn’t stray from what works.

But I’m a fan of traditional Christmas music, so I gave it an A, no plus.

Grade: A

Scotty McCreery “Christmas with Scotty McCreery” Release date: Oct. 16

Scotty McCreery, 19-year- old “American Idol” season 10 winner, known for his low vocal range, released a fulllength holiday album that captures his Christian roots and authenticity.

I actually really do not like Scotty McCreery so this was painful to listen to (too much twang for me). How ever, most of the songs on the album are well-written, and there is just enough country twist on them to make them different from other Christmas albums.

Scotty is a good singer,

photos by MCT CAMPUS

but I just cannot get past his twang and strangely distracting deep voice.

The highs: The semi-good songs on this CD include his original creation, fast-paced “Christmas Comin’ Round Again” and the classic, ultra-country “Mary Did You Know.”

The lows: Low points of the album include “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Jingle Bells” because he is trying too hard to make both songs his own and ends up making bad country/blues/ Christmas carol mashups.

Grade: C-

Cee Lo Green ”Cee Lo’s Magic Moment” Release date: Oct. 26

The pop-soul singer and judge on NBC’s “The Voice” released a Christmas album featuring Christina Aguilera, The Muppets and Rod Stewart, among others.

When I first saw the album cover, I was horrified by the fact that Cee Lo Green was riding shotgun accompanied by a reindeer driving a flying car pulled by magical white horses. I didn’t want to listen to the CD based on the strange cover alone. But cover art aside, this was surprisingly quality music. Cee Lo uses his Christmas classics to balance out his few disaster original songs. If you were worried that Green would lose his signature weirdness in a sedate Christmas CD, you were wrong.

The highs: “Please Come Home for Christmas” and “Mer-

Lady Antebellum “On This Winter’s Night” Release date: Oct. 22

In their first full-length Christmas album, Lady Antebellum treats listeners to a collection that captures the essence of Christmas.

The overall sound for this album is modern and polished. The CD includes holiday standards like “A Holly Jolly Christmas” as well as their original “On This Winter’s Night.” This album illustrates Lady Antebellum at their best: singing traditional, country-leaning songs.

The highs: “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas”

and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” have compelling vocal arrangements that make you want to keep listening. I especially enjoy their unique rendition of “Silver Bells” because it has a different sound than the original.

Their song “On This Winter’s Night” is worth a listen as well.

The lows: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is a mixture of too many genres.

Grade: A-

Use your smart phone to scan this code for more Christmas music album reviews.

ry Christmas Baby” are two genuine and warm-sounding soulful songs that make up for the bad.

The lows: The lows of the CD include “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” featuring Christina Aguilera who pretty much ruins the song, and “All I Need Is Love” featuring the Muppets, the most cartoonish, absurd track I have ever heard in my life.

Grade: C

18 | health | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

Junior experiments with Paleolithic diet

Vegans, vegetarians, vegetables, oh my!

Mary Gibson ditches processed foods for all-natural, energyboosting meals

by SIOBHAN MILLER smiller@dartnewsonline.com

Eat like a caveman. Junior Mary Gibson listened as her father, James Gibson, described the diet he began Jan. 12. James started the Paleolithic diet after hearing that carbohydrates and processed foods were the leading causes for American obesity. Since James’ diabetic son was required to take 6 units of insulin for every 100 grams of carbohydrates he ate, James began reading food labels and was astounded by the high carbs. After reading a book that said that humans were healthier during the Paleolithic era because they only ate natural foods, James began the Paleolithic diet. James suggested the diet to his daughter for health purposes.

“It’s not about losing weight, it’s about eating better,” James said.

Mary began the diet after James told her about its energy benefits for athletes.

The diet excludes processed foods like sugar and milk.

“You’re basically just supposed to eat like a caveman,” Mary said. “You don’t eat any processed foods, only foods that would have been eaten during the Paleolithic era like meat, nuts, fruits and vegetables.”

According to Mary, an example meal when on the diet would be spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Mary recommends this diet only to students who are serious about athletics.

She plays for varsity softball and is a state qualifier for her 400 meter track time.

“The diet is basically pointless to anyone not serious about athletics unless they are looking to lose a lot of weight,” Mary said.

Mary added that it is important to have the diet monitored by a doctor to ensure that the dieter is receiving vital nutrients.

As of Nov. 10, Mary had been on the diet for 4 weeks and said that she feels more energized. However, she said that the diet’s harsh restrictions are hard to follow.

“Occasionally I cheat on the diet with a brownie or something,” Mary confessed.

A friend of Mary’s, junior Christi Backer, thinks that Gibson is crazy for dieting because she is already fit.

“She has, like, negative body fat and is super toned due to the fact that she works out a lot,” Backer said.

However, Backer states that the diet has not impacted Mary’s behavior.

“The only really changes in her behavior would be that she talks about food and eating and dieting a lot, but that’s also just kind of who she is,” Backer said. “Plus, what STA girl doesn’t talk about food a lot?” H

THIS NOT

THAT:

WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST?

The Dart presents substitute options for breakfast so you can start your day off on the right foot

by EMILY WEMHOFF ewemhoff@dartnewsonline.com

how about them apples? H Both vegans and vegetarians can find an abundance of fruits and vegetables year-round at downtown Kansas City’s City Market. photo by JORDAN ALLEN

Students discuss meat-free lifestyles, how to distinguish vegetarianism from veganism

by MADELINE BEST mbest@dartnewsonline.com

Vegans, vegetarians...what’s the difference? Actually, there is a fine line between veganism and vegetarianism, and sometimes, the topic can become slightly tricky to those unfamiliar with the differences.

Vegetarianism is defined as refraining from eating meat products like red meat, poultry and seafood. Therefore, a vegetarian diet focuses heavily on fruits and vegetables.

Vegetarianism can be adopted for reasons like health or religious beliefs. One of the most popular reasons for vegetarianism is personal views on animal cruelty. Some people, like junior Kiley O’Toole, feel badly about eating any type of meat.

“It messed with my head that this thing on my plate that I’m about to stick in my mouth was alive,” O’Toole said.

Another reason many turn to vegetarianism is health. According to health and fitness teacher Stacie O’Rear, by replacing unhealthy proteins like red meat with foods like spinach and nuts, people can cut unhealthy fats and maintain a healthier diet. This may seem easy, but by eliminating a main source of protein, a body can become protein deficient. Protein deficiency can lead to the weakening of the body’s immune system and slower healing for injuries. However, vegetarians have found ways to maintain a healthy protein intake.

“I eat peanut butter everyday,” O’Toole said. “I try to keep up with my protein [since] my doctor always warns me about that.”

Adding extra protein like peanut butter can help maintain a vegetarian diet.

Peanut butter waffle, not pancakes and syrup

Instead of dousing a waffle or pancake in syrup, boost protein and fiber with a few tablespoons of peanut butter. Studies have shown that people who regularly include peanut butter in their diets are less likely to develop heart disease or type 2 diabetes than those who rarely eat nuts. Choose a whole-grain waffle and add raisins, sesame seeds or a banana for even more fiber.

Like vegetarianism, veganism is a diet that rules out all meat. However, a vegan diet is considered stricter because it also dismisses animal products such as dairy, eggs and honey. Junior Ciara Collins switched from vegetarianism to veganism last February.

“I decided to become a vegan for my health,” Collins said. “Some aspects of it are better for you and for the animals because they are treated badly.”

Collins feels healthier since switching to veganism.

“I have more energy and I feel like I am getting more vitamins because I’m eating more fruits and vegetables than I did before,” Collins said.

Similarly, veganism can also lead to protein deficiency and loss of calcium. To stay healthy, O’Toole and O’Rear recommend taking supplements in order to maintain a healthy balance of iron.

According to Collins, one of the hardest things about veganism is cutting out foods that include dairy products such as ice cream.

“It can be hard, especially going to this school where everyone is always eating dessert,” Collins said.

To help vegans avoid these temptations, hundreds of vegan cookbooks have been made which include recipes ranging from pizza to pancakes, Collins’s favorite.

If someone is considering adopting either of these diets, there are a few things to consider. First, it is important to research whether a diet like this is right for a specific individual. People should take O’Rear and O’Toole’s advice and talk to parents and doctors before switching. Also, they should research which supplements would be best to take as a vegan or vegetarian. It is important to remember, as Collins suggests, the sacrifices one is making when it comes to the foods he or she must give up. H

FOOD GROUPS As the boxes get smaller, so do the food choices for vegetarians and vegans.

Omnivore -Beef -Shrimp -Duck -Pork -Oysters -Buffalo -Turkey -Fish -Bison -Lobsters -Goose -Mussels -Quail -Crab

Vegetarian -Milk -Custard -Whipped cream -Yogurt -Ice cream -Eggs -Sour cream -Butter -Cheese -Cream -Baked goods -Honey

Vegan -Veggies -Fruit -Beans -Lentils -Tofu -Nuts -Whole grains

Sources: www.chooseveg. com www.vegetariannutrition.org compiled by MADELINE BEST

Strawberry parfait, not a donut

Oatmeal, not a muffin

If you have a sweet tooth in the morning, head straight for a low-fat strawberry parfait.

This healthy breakfast tastes like dessert and will save you from donuts packed with trans fat and empty calories (about 200-300 per donut). Eating a few donuts will sky-rocket your blood sugar, only to leave you hungry soon after. On the other hand, a parfait that layers fiber-rich bran flakes, yogurt and your fruit will provide a more nutritious start to your day.

Your most important meal of the day should be filled with one serving of a whole grain carbohydrate, one serving of a high-calcium food and one serving of fruit. Eating a high-fat muffin for breakfast suxpplies you with a large sugar dose that results in a crash. Instead, instant oatmeal with flax seeds, yogurt and almonds will keep you going well past lunchtime. It packs almost 20 grams of protein.

December 6, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | in the mix | 19

20 QUESTIONS WITH...

BECCA FERRON

by EMILY MCCANN emccann@dartnewsonline.com

1. Most played song on your iPod? Probably “Live Like You’re Dying” by Tim McGraw.

2. Morning person or a night owl?

I’m a night owl. I usually go to bed around midnight.

3. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be an interior designer because I like designing rooms and making things look cool.

4. Waldo Pizza or Chick-fil-A? Waldo Pizza.

5. If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do?

I would probably fly to NYC with all my friends and stay in a really awesome hotel.

6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

I like driving down to Florida and seeing my cousins.

7. Who was the last person you hugged?

Probably one of my friends.

8. Best vacation you ever took?

I went to North Carolina this summer with my best friend Madeline and we stayed at Hilton Head Island for a week.

9. If you got a day off school to do anything, what would you do?

I would honestly probably just hang out with my friends and take a road trip to visit my sister at Mizzou.

10. Favorite thing about STA? I like the people and the advisory parties.

Just the fun atmosphere.

11. What are two things you can’t live without?

My phone and my headphones.

12. What is your dream college?

My dream college would have to be on the beach in California. It would have to be really pretty and near a big city.

13. Scary movies or romantic comedies?

I like scary movies [like] the movie “Case 39.”

14. Do you want to live in KC when you grow up?

I would prefer to live somewhere hot.

15. M&A or Donnelly?

Donnelly because M&A always smells bad and it’s cold, so I don’t like it.

16. Cats, dogs or reptiles?

Definitely cats. I have two named Violet and Theove.

17. How many siblings?

I have two sisters. One younger sister in eighth grade and an older sister who is a sophomore in college.

18. Dream car?

I’d probably say a Jeep.

19. Your style in one word.

Girly. My favorite outfit to wear would be skinny jeans and a big sweater and a scarf.

20. Which celebrity would you switch places with for a day?

I would switch with Miley Cyrus because she has really awesome hair and an amazing life. H

paying tribute H STA senior Erin Thompson mourns with Shawnee Mission East senior Addison Steiner at a memorial before Shawnee Mission East senior Tyler Rathbun's funeral Nov. 30. Rathbun died in an ATV accident Nov. 25. photo by CAROLINE FISS

DAYS OF OUR

LIVES

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

STUFF STA GIRLS

SAY

The Dart prowled Twitter for the most catchy and intriguing statuses on the social network compiled by MENLEY BRENNAN

Just learned that America collectively eats 100 pounds of chocolate a second. #MURCA #soproud -Abby Dearth

Dearth

i can hear my cat snoring in the other room -Sarah Flattery

Flattery when you go to see a movie in your uniform and girls stare at you like you’re an alien... #staprobz -Sophia Hall

Cigas

Hall

Tomorrow marks the third weekend in a row of getting up before 7 #roughlife. -Heather Cigas

A mere 2 days until the Christmas dance.

Approximately 47 days until Kairos retreat.

Just 8 days until first semester exams.

Exactly 57 days until Project Runway at STA.

A brief 15 days until Christmas vacation.

And just 196 days until summer. H

MY LIFE

ROCKS

INSTAGRAM

CONTEST

At the night of the auction, I was working coat check with Sr. Joan. Not only did I get to hang out with the sweetest lady at St. Tampke Teresa’s, at the end of the night, she let me have half the tips that we got! Sr. Joan and I made bank and [we both] walked away with $30! My life rocks.

- Katie Tampke, junior

MY LIFE

SUCKS On [Nov. 16], I went ice skating and I was doing great until some guy fell, [causing] a bunch of people to run into him and all of us to O’Brien fall. Someone’s skate cut my hand and I had to go to the ER and get three stitches, and now I can’t move my pinky for seven days. My life sucks.

- Kaitlin O’Brien, sophomore compiled by CHRISTINA ELIAS

light it up H Junior Madeline Cozad wins this issue’s Instagram contest with her picture of the Plaza lighting ceremony that took place Thanksgiving night Nov. 22. photo compiled

by KATHLEEN KEAVENY

20 | last look | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 6, 2012

FORK put a

in it

On Nov. 20, students gathered with their advisory during lunch/activity to celebrate Thanksgiving. While some opted to feast as a single advisory, others combined as a floor.

1.

2.

5.

3.

4.

1. hungry, hungry H Freshman Clare Kenney discusses plans for the break with advisory members during the Thanksgiving advisory parties Nov. 20. Students in the Rueschhoff advisory also listened to music. photo by LIBBY HYDE 2. light it up H Sophomore Gracie Fleming, left, and junior Angelica Vincent decorate a Christmas tree in Ms. Shana Prentiss’s room. photo by NATALIE FITTS 3. first feast H Foreign exchange student Kathy Zhang enjoys her first Thanksgiving meal with her advisory in Mr. Eric Thomas’s room. photo by NATALIE FITTS

4. get it, got it, good H Junior Katy Owara, left, watches fellow juniors Emily Cosgrove, Paige Drummond and Libby Torres attempt to move a piece of pie from the pan to her plate.

Their advisories, Whitney and Dibble, combined for the annual party. photo by NATALIE FITTS 5. pile it on H Junior Rachel Birchmier fills her plate at the annual Thanksgiving advisory party. The advisories on the second floor of the Donnelly Building enjoyed a shared table of food. Students visited different rooms on the second floor enjoying the feast Nov 20. photo

by LIBBY HYDE