The Dart: Vol 73 Issue 5

dart [

volume 73 | issue five | 14 february 2014 st. teresa’s academy | dartnewsonline.com

]

HOW WE SEE IT

With a generation statistically less interested in religion, some teens are drifting from the Roman Catholic Church.

How is Pope Francis, as well as STA, working to make the church more welcoming to young people?

Administration announces Academy Woman nominees ›› pg. 6 | Principal battles breast cancer ›› pg. 16 | Athletic fees rise ›› pg. 28

[CONTENTS] the dart | volume 73 | issue five | 14 february 2014

THE CHANGING CHURCH // 16 cover design by JORDAN BERARDI photo illustration by LIBBY HYDE photos by JESSIE CULVER KELLY FLETCHER and ANNA LEACH

perspectives

news

BEST BUDDIES // 24

4 // Administration consults with area schools on class cancellations

Colleges examine applicants’ social media 6 // Seniors hold first annual dance-a-thon

Math team goes to State

2

star spotlight

22 // People should pay more attention to the Winter Olympics 23 // Teachers should communicate to lighten students’ loads

Bridget Jones’s open letter to Mother Nature

WESTBORO BAPTIST // 26

7 // Junior Kylie Ceriotti

features 9 // Principal of student affairs battles cancer for second time 12 // Seniors experience college rejection

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

reviews

20 // Madeline Best makes her Oscar predictions

main ed

21 // Students should have an open mind about the Catholic faith

sports

28 // Athletic department’s fees increase

Athlete of the issue 29 // Andie Round breaks swimming records Scoreboard 30 // Dance team prepares for State competition

dart OUR STAFF

Editors-in-Chief Sara-Jessica Dilks & Natalie Fitts Adviser Eric Thomas

[ COPY ]

Managing Editor Jordan Berardi News Copy Editor Lindsey Valdiviez Features Copy Editor Emma Willibey Opinion Copy Editor Sabrina Redlingshafer Sports Copy Editor Anna Bauman

[ PHOTOGRAPHY ]

Managing Editor Siobhan Miller Print Photo Editor Adrianna Ohmes Web Photo Editor Hannah Bredar Staff Photographers Jessie Culver, Maria Donnelly, Kelly Fletcher, Julia Hammond, Katie Hornbeck, Anna Kropf

[ PRINT ]

Managing Editor Katie Parkinson Page Designers Jordan Berardi, Madeline Best, Cecilia Butler, Christina Elias, Sara-Jessica Dilks, Natalie Fitts, Cassie Florido, Mary Hilliard, Maddie Knopke, Katie Parkinson, Sabrina Redlingshafer, Emily Wemhoff, Emma Willibey Staff Writers Bridget Jones, Victoria Richardson, Jesse Walker-McGraw

[ WEB ]

FROM THE EDITORS As a Catholic school, religion is central to our identity as St. Teresa’s Academy. So with all the recent changes in the Church, we decided it was important to cover the faith that many of us share. From page 16 to 19, you will find a story, column and alternative coverage about both the local and the worldwide Catholic Church.

Also, a relevant issue facing many seniors at STA and high schools around the country is college rejection. Although it is certainly a sensitive matter, we wanted to cover the issue, especially because these months are prime time for seniors to be receiving admissions decisions from colleges.

Turn to pages 14 to 15 to read about

three brave girls who agreed to share their stories of denial heartbreak.

In addition, look out for multimedia coverage of the Pantene Beautiful Lengths ceremony on DartNewsOnline. One hundred twenty-seven girls cut their hair as a show of support for principal of student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker, freshman Madi Winfield and all those suffering from cancer.

Hoecker shares her journey on pages 9 through 11.

As always, feel free to share your opinions on the Dart with us via DartNewsOnline!

—Sara-Jessica Dilks & Natalie Fitts co-editors-in-chief

Hummus and anything I can find to dip in it.

Sabrina Redlingshafer

HLY MONSTTION QUhEad to eat eonreest

Managing Editor Anna Leach If you item for th would Web Editors snackur life, what Scheduling | Lauren Langdon of yo it be?

Multimedia | Libby Hyde Photography | Hannah Bredar Blogs Editor Gloria Cowdin Standing Features Editor Katherine Green Social Media Manager MaryMichael Hough Briefs/Breaking News Editor Leigh Campbell

Steak.

Siobhan Miller

Hint of lime chips or puppy chow.

McDonald’s ice cream cones! I already eat them multiple times a week so it wouldn’t be much of a change.

Mary Hilliard

Natalie Fitts

page designed by Natalie Fitts

3

news

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

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

Letters & Reader Interaction Policy The Dart and DartNewsOnline encourages the community to post comments on the website. Letters to the editor can be sent in the following ways: in person to Eric Thomas in Donnelly room 205; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, Attn: Eric Thomas, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, Mo 64113; by email to ethomas@stteresasacademy.org or to dartpaper@gmail.com. DartNewsOnline staff and the Dart staff reserve the right to edit or shorten letters for publication.

Comment Policy The Dart encourages readers to comment on all posts. However, the Dart reserves the right to monitor and edit all comments on DartNewsOnline. DartNewsOnline will not publish any comment that does not agree with its editorial policy.

Photo Use Policy Photo illustrations are conceptual photos that combine the limitless possibility of drawing with the realism of photography.

All photos on the website are free for public use. If a reader is interested in high-quality copies of photos, please email DartNewsOnline at dartpaper@gmail.com.

Corrections Policy DartNewsOnline will publish corrections to content as soon as possible after the error is discovered. The Dart will print corrections as soon as possible after the error is discovered.

4

President cancels school based on own judgement With a majority of students driving to school, Nan Bone considers girls’ safety when calling school off

enough for students to drive to school due to the weather conditions and news.

Next, she has to consider whether or not the school can get the parking lot,

by KATHERINE GREEN sidewalks and the quad cleared out standing features editor before students would arrive at school.

Bone factors all of these issues into her Sitting at her brother Gage’s final decision of whether or not to call off basketball game on the last day of school.

Christmas break, sophomore Kailey “If I have any suspicion that it McNett continued to refresh her might be a bad day the next day, I start Twitter timeline, each time seeing watching and listening to all the weather a new tweet about a school’s reports,” Bone said. “My goal is not cancellation or a snow day. What seemed like every two minutes, McNett to [cancel school] at 5 a.m. or 4 a.m. because [students and staff are] coming would once again check to see if St. from 44 zip codes. We have teachers, Teresa’s had decided to call school off like Miss [Mary] Rietbrock comes for the following day. from Warrensburg, so we have to be With little snow but freezing cognisant of everybody that’s driving. If temperatures outside, halftime rolled I wait till 6 o’clock, [teachers are] already around and Gage’s grade school, on the road.”

Presentation, called and cancelled.

During the most recent snow days, McNett began to lose hope. After Feb. 4 and 5, the automated school an hour passed with no call from phone call system that delivers news, the school, McNett began to doubt School Reach, called around 7 p.m.

Monday’s cancellation. Finally, around 7 the night before to announce that p.m., School Reach called with the school was off.The night before news McNett had been hoping a previous snow day on Jan. 6, for all day: no school.

Rockhurst High School, Notre St. Teresa’s, as a private Dame de Sion High School, school, does not fall under Bishop Miege High School the restriction of having to and the Shawnee Mission wait for a district to decide schools had all been called off whether or not school is before STA. cancelled for the following “STA usually calls day or even during a us before [the school’s school day. According to President Nan Bone makes cancellation] is read on the student handbook, the final decision. She tries the news, so we usually “In case of severe to call school off the day know first if we’re out of weather conditions, the before because students administration will either and staff come from 44 zip school before Rockhurst delay the opening of codes. She calls in with a does,” junior Sara Jane McQuaid said about school or close school secret code to notify news her brother’s school. entirely. In either stations.

“Rockhurst is usually case, teachers/staff called off last, will be notified by but in the times ‘school reach’ and that Rockhurst is it will be posted called off [before to the school St.Teresa’s], it’s website.” quickly assumed STA president that STA will have Nan Bone decides school because we are when to call off Scan here to read the rest of so used to them getting school, first judging the story on DNO! called off last.” H whether or not it is safe

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

fast FACTS

Admission officers checking applicants’ social media accounts

by LEIGH CAMPBELL breaking news editor

According to the New York Times, new research from Kaplan Test Prep suggests that online scrutiny of college applicants has increased. There has been a 5 percent increase in the number of college admissions officers who claim they have visited an applicant’s Facebook or another social media account.

“Admission offices are tech savvy and the use of social media to recruit students has increased dramatically,” STA college counselor Debi Hudson said. “It’s easy to check an applicant’s digital profile to learn more about them.”

STA senior Madeline Cozad decided to protect her Twitter account and delete her last name so college admissions officers could not view her account.

“I protected my Twitter account when I first started applying to colleges and I pretty recently unprotected it but I took out my last name from my account name so if people google search my name they can’t find me,” Cozad said.

According to the Kaplan report, 31 percent of 381 college admissions officers claimed to have visited an

just ADMIT IT

would be “very concerned.” applicant’s social media account. Cozad In comparison, another Kaplan surbelieves the number of admissions vey stated that 50 percent of surveyed officers viewing applicants’ profiles has students would “not at all concerned” if increased because the accounts are a a college admission officer were to do good judge of someone’s character. an online search of them right now, 27 “If I were a college admissions counpercent would not be “too concerned” selor I would probably check applicants’ and 14 percent would be “very conTwitter accounts just because you can cerned” while 9 percent said they would see who that person is and if you want be “somewhat concerned.” them to be at your institution,” Cozad Cozad believes that colleges have the said. right to view applicants’ online profiles As online checking has increased, because of the public there has been a nature of the internet. decrease in the numPosting too much However, acber of admissions personal information cording to the New officers who claim and/or pictures, as well York Times, lawyers that online scrutiny as info about a college like Sean Shear, has negatively affectyou’ve visited or anywho specializes in ed an applicant’s thing college-related, social media law, chances of admiscan be risky. believe that colleges sion, according to the — counselor Debi Hudson checking applicants’ Kaplan report. online profiles is harmful. Shear stat“General rule of thumb, don’t post ed that colleges might misidentify the anything that an admission office, emapplicant’s profile online which leads to ployer or your grandmother should not unfair treatment. see,” Hudson said.

“As we get into the college process At STA, 35 percent of surveyed I remind students to clean up all social students said they would be “not at all media and their entire technology presconcerned” if a college admissions offience,” Hudson said. “Posting too much cer were to do an online search of them personal information and/or pictures, right now. While 45 percent said they as well as info about a college you’ve would be “not too concerned” and 18 visited or anything college related, can percent said they would be “somewhat be risky.” H concerned. And just 2 percent said they

“

“

According to research from Kaplan Test Prep, the number of admission officers checking accounts has risen

The Dart surveyed 100 girls on their opinions of college officers viewing their social media accounts.

If a college admission officer were to do an online search of you right now, how concerned would you be?

Which social media site would be most concerned about a college admission officer looking at?

35

Not at all concerned

34

Facebook

45

Not too concerned

46

Twitter

18

Somewhat concerned

Very concerned

52

compiled by CASSIE FLORIDO graphics by CHRISTINA ELIAS

5

15

Instagram

Other page designed by Christina Elias

5

news

Senior class hosts dance-a-thon The class of 2014 held a Miege High School. Students 70s-themed fundrasier Feb. were charged $5 for entry and 8 to raise money for prom to be entered into the dance

overseen by senior class president Bailey Whitehead.

The gym was split in half, one side for contest. dance-aUnlike I think it will be awethon partica normal some, and I’m hoping ipants while dance, that STA students and the other the students from other side was for danceschools think so too. those who a-thon — senior Molly Laird had been included eliminated games or chose to give up. The last and challenges such as person left dancing won a dance offs, intense conga grand prize of $100. lines and other contests all

On Saturday, Feb. 8 the senior class held a 70s-themed dance-a-thon in order to raise money for future class events such as prom and graduation.

The dance-a-thon was open to not only STA, but surrounding schools like Rockhurst High School, Notre Dame de Sion High School and Bishop

“

“

by MADELINE BEST page designer

Along with dancing, there were also other activities such as a photo booth. Participants in the dance-a-thon were given a contestant number to wear while dancing.

The senior class had high hopes for this fundraiser.

“I’m hoping that we can get a lot of people to come,” senior Molly Laird said. “I think it will be awesome, and I’m hoping that STA students and students from other schools think so too.” H

Math Team advances to State meet students at a Leavenworth, Kan. contest After preparing their minds and schedules, scholars mastered League Jan. 11, math team moderator Megan Warr said. With Hagan, Shorter, Cigas exams after winter competitions

by EMMA WILLIBEY page designer/features copy editor

STA’s math team qualified for State after winter competitions. Freshman Lizy Hagan and junior Madeline Meloy qualified individually. Meloy, sophomore Sarah Cigas and juniors Eden Kreighbaum, Ellie Shorter and Anna Bauman earned team eligibility. To qualify for State on an exam, students must answer half of questions correctly. “[Qualifying for State] makes us look wonderful,” math team moderator Kelsey Romine said.

Additionally, Hagan and Shorter placed first in their grades among some 35

the NEWS FEED in the world

Ukraine Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned Jan. 28 in an attempt to calm the country amid violent protests.

The political crisis reportedly stems from anti-protest laws passed earlier this month angering anti-government demonstrators.

6

and sophomores Kellie O’Toole and Hallie Ryan, STA placed second of three schools.

“I was actually really scared that I wouldn’t know any of [the material], and I did a lot better than expected,” Hagan said.

Since August, math Hagan team has engaged in five mail-in exams over lunch/activity as well as two Saturday competitions, Warr said.

“If we have three or four girls who want to go, we’ll probably go [to a Saturday contest],” Warr said.

According to Warr, scheduling clashes prevent math team’s 10 members from frequenting meets. Meloy said she and alumna Elaine Schmidt could have attended State last year, but the April competition conflicts with prom, Junior Ring and an ACT. “Just finding the time to be able to dedicate to [contests] is hard,” Warr said.

Romine said the exams demand similar strategy. For instance, one problem reads, “How many integers between 0 and 384 inclusive satisfy the congruence 210x2 + 231x3 + 50x2+ 154x + 215 = 0 mod 385?” Consequently, Warr said State performance can enhance college applications, but should not induce stress. “[Math team’s gratification] is doing math because you really love it,” Warr said. H

The Dart compiled summaries of events happening around the world. compiled by LEIGH CAMPBELL

in the u.s.

The family of an executed fourteen year old African American boy convicted of murder in 1944 hope for a new trial and his name cleared.

After a two-day court hearing a judge still has not made a decision to retrial.

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

in missouri

ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” program aired a 16-month investigation of the University of Missouri’s involvement in swimmer Sasha Menu Courey’s rape allegations and eventual suicide. The Columbia Police Department has taken control of the case, which was previously handled by the University of Missouri Police Department.

in kansas city

Kansas City nurse Nikki Ferrell is competing on the love reality show “The Bachelor.” Ferrell is a rumored heavy contender to win the engagement with former professional soccer player Juan Pablo Galavis after Galavis was spotted eating at Oklahoma Joe’s. The show airs on Monday nights at 7 p.m. on ABC.

star spotlight

KYLIE

CERIOTTI Each issue, the Dart interviews one STA student who stands out. Junior Kylie Ceriotti recently traveled to London to dance in London’s New Year’s Day Parade. Here she talks about the role

by NATALIE FITTS of dance in her life. co-editor-in-chief

Dart: How did you get on the team?

Kylie: I went to a camp over the summer [with the STA dance team] and was asked to be on the All-American team. The All-Americans were the ones that went to London.

Dart: How many girls were on your team?

Kylie: From the camp [STA] went to, there were about 20 girls [on the All-American team]. There were about 300 girls [total] who went to London.

Dart: What did your team do in the parade?

Kylie: It was a 3-mile course. We would walk a little bit and wave at the people watching. Then we’d stop in front of these stands and we’d perform...I think we performed about seven times.

Dart: Where did you rehearse?

Kylie: At the hotel, they had a meeting room so we all got to spread out [and practice]. There were also drum majors [at the hotel] with us, so we got to see them do their routine and they got to watch us.

Dart: How often did you rehearse?

Kylie: We had rehearsals for two days, usually for a couple hours. We all got in formations and got with partners.

Dart: What was your favorite part about the experience?

Kylie: [In the group], I met lots of people from like Texas and Virginia, Rhode Island. That was the best part--meeting new friends from all over the United States...We all keep in touch and follow each other on Twitter and stuff.

Dart: What do you plan to do with dance in the future?

Kylie: I’m probably going to try out for a college team. If I don’t make that, I’ll definitely keep taking classes and keeping up on my skills.

a few things you should know: >>

This year’s parade featured more than 8,500 performers from 20 different countries across the globe

>>

Ceriotti’s All-American team was part of the Universal Dance Association, one of many organizations that send cheerleaders and dancers to the London New Year’s Day Parade

>> This year marked the 27th anniversary of the parade >> The parade is broadcast worldwide and regularly attracts

nearly 300 million viewers

pages designed by Christina Elias & Jordan Berardi

7

bits & pieces

instagrams

OF THE ISSUE Each issue, the Dart chooses the best Instagrams from STA students. This month’s theme was sunsets. compiled by SIOBHAN MILLER

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE

Photo by junior Caroline Crockett @caroline_c1203

what do we eat? | STA students raise their hands as a sign of luck to freshman Tess Rellihan as she shoots a free throw Jan. 27 in the Notre Dame de Sion gym. Students dressed in a “Survivor” theme wearing ripped clothes, camouflage and mud. photo by HANNAH BREDAR

or

HOT NOT? The latest trends and non-trends in pop culture today, as voted on by the Dart staff.

compiled by CHRISTINA ELIAS

Oscars Edition

NOT

MOVIE

HOT

ACTRESS KIDS FILM

Here are the most relatable, humorous and original tweets from STA students, chosen by the Dart staff.

Don’t forget to follow @dartnewsonline on Twitter.

compiled by LINDSEY VALDIVIEZ Linden O’Brien Williams @ThisIsLinden

6 Feb

In the past 3 hours on twitter, I could not find a SINGLE tweet not about school tomorrow or a wcw. Wowza Maggie Bowen @MyLifeIsBrowen

American Hustle

8

that’s what SHE SAID

Gravity

Photo by junior Kylie Ceriotti “Good morning :)” @15cerkyl

6 Feb

Sup STA you burn more calories when youre cold so get pumped for the cross-quad-skiing #38daystillspringbreak Lauren Nagle @NagleBagel2

4 Feb

Got my SNOWveralls on MaryMichael Hough @houghyadoin Amy Adams

Sandra Bullock

6 Feb

OMG guys they are so going to cancel school because we’re all tweeting about it!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!

Molly Laird @MolsLaird

2 Feb

just throwing it out there but if you cut up your pizza really small you could use it as a topping for another pizza Hayley Burgess @bayofhay Frozen

The Croods

6 Feb

my dad just asked me if Gretchen Wieners went to STA, I said yes

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

Photo by junior Hannah Bredar “Walkin’ on sunshine” @hannah_bredar

NEXT MONTH’S INSTAGRAM CONTEST THEME:

Family

hashtag your photos #dartnewsonline

features

After being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a mastectomy, principal of student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker shares her journey and hopes for the future.

L

ooking back, in some ways, the morning of Nov. 13 was like any other, according to principal­ of student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker. She woke up at 5:30 a.m., she took a shower and she washed her hair. She dressed, brushed her teeth and got ready for the day as if it were normal. But it wasn’t.

She couldn’t eat breakfast and hadn’t for hours. She was hungry, anxious and waiting.

Then, she got the call.

“We think we can take you in early,” a nurse’s voice on the other end said. So at 9:30 a.m., Hoecker gathered her things, met up with friends Diane Gupta and Sam Matthes, and went to the Indian Creek Campus of the University of Kansas Hospital for her mastectomy.

Shock and fear

It was October when Hoecker received the diagnosis of breast cancer. The first few weeks were a whirlwind of activity and confusion.

She found a lump. She had a mammogram and a sonogram, saw a surgeon, had a biopsy and then an MRI. “I think mostly I was in shock,” Hoecker said. “I was in shock, and then that night, I didn’t sleep at all because I was also in fear and horror.”

One of the first things she did was ask Matthes to be her advocate and go to doctor’s appointments with her.

“It’s so much to assimilate,” Matthes said. “I don’t care how bright you are, but there’s only so much we can assimilate when we get that kind of news.”

According to Matthes, being an advocate essentially means organizing a support system. “[Being an advocate is] photo by JULIA HAMMOND

recovery through

COMMUNITY

by KATIE PARKINSON | managing editor of print

helping make sure all her physical needs are met,” Matthes said. “It’s making sure there are people there for her spiritual and emotional needs so she can use all of her energy to fight the cancer.”

As an advocate, Matthes has been there to “keep it real,” as Hoecker describes it, and in her own words, to “be honest [while] looking out for [Hoecker’s] best interests.”

After Dr. Ami Jew of KU Med mapped out treatment options, Hoecker remembers walking out disbelieving and stunned.

“I’m overwhelmed by this,” Hoecker told Matthes.

“I don’t know what I would do if I was in your shoes,” was Matthes’ reply.

“That is so real,” Hoecker later described of this moment. “That is what I needed. I still felt overwhelmed, but I felt better. Being real about how you feel and having somebody do that for you is great.”

Linked by pink

“When you have a serious disease like this, you need a village,” Matthes said.

While this is often said about raising children, it is not as often applied to having a serious illness, although, according to Matthes, it should be. When people are confronted with such a scary, life-changing prospect as cancer, it can be easier to go into denial.

However, Hoecker found a different way of moving through illness. She found and organized emotional support for herself. Matthes likened Hoecker’s support system to a construction crew.

Matthes is the foreman, and it is her job to make sure the rest of the crew knows how they can help Hoecker.

pages designed by Mary Hilliard & Katie Parkinson

9

features

to you, and I think this has given her a new perspective on her relationship with you.”

While Hoecker has experienced a positive, caring response from her community, according to Matthes, this doesn’t always happen.

“I think one of the things that happens when someone gets sick is that people disappear,” Matthes said. “I think they disappear because they are scared, and I understand that, but it’s probably the most counterproductive thing they can do. I would say that if you’re coming from the heart, there’s nothing wrong you can really say. How can saying, ‘I’m here for you’ be wrong?”

According to Matthes, sometimes people don’t realize how much their presence matters.

“I think the most important thing is that, Mary Anne and the people who are helping her, we can’t get through this without knowing people have our backs,” Matthes said.

was not angry.

“That’s not to say I won’t be mad down the road, but right now, being mad feels like a waste of my time,” Hoecker said. “I feel arrogant to think, ‘Why me?’ I just think it can happen to anybody, and I’m not some exception.”

Still, Hoecker was anxious.

This was exacerbated when circumstances required her to wait at the hospital for her mastectomy for over an hour and a half.

Doctors and nurses came in and out to ask questions about medications, and Dr. Jew marked her left breast.

Hoecker had a conversation with one of the anesthesiologists about STA’s track and field facilities and ran into a woman who had attended STA for two years. At times she joked with her friends, saying, “Well, I’m ready to go home now.”

At other times she would be real about the situation, admitting that she hated waiting.

Endless waiting “It was just, ‘I can’t believe As the Nov. 13 date of I’m waiting for a mastectomy,’” her mastectomy advanced, Hoecker said.

Hoecker said, “I don’t want to Matthes described the choose a mastectomy, but I feeling as “sitting on pins and feel I need to. My life is bigger needles.” than my breasts. My essence “I felt like it was really as a person is in my heart and important to let my mind and my conscience. It really comes my spirit go to a place that down to, ‘How do I love, and felt supportive,” Matthes said. how do I take in love?”

“Otherwise the scare takes Although she was unsure you over.” of the future and facing cancer At 12:30 p.m., Matthes and for the second time, Hoecker Gupta left the cubicle for the

L

According to Hoecker, there has been a network of people who have helped take care of her, prayed for her and supported her during this difficult time.

At STA, the student body dressed in pink to honor her and organized a Pantene Beautiful Lengths hair donation ceremony in her name.

Seniors Natalie Rall, Bailey Whitehead, Cecilia Butler and Audrey Muehlebach made a video, inviting students and support with a smile | Sam faculty to say how Hoecker Gutthes, a longtime friend of principal of student affairs Mary had impacted them or what Anne Hoecker has acted as her they loved about her. advocate. photo submitted by “We wanted to, as a SAM MATTHES student body, say how much we loved and appreciated Ms. Hoecker,” Rall said. “It was a team effort.”

Hoecker responded in an email that the video had “touched [her] heart enormously.”

“I just feel so much love coming from the students, teachers, faculty and friends and the administration,” Hoecker said. “I’m kind of overwhelmed at the recome together | STA students gather in Goppert Center to take sponse.” a picture to support principal of According to Matthes, the student affairs Mary Anne Hoeck- video reminded Hoecker of er Oct. 30. The girls arranged how important the girls at STA themselves in the form of the are to her. breast cancer ribbon. photo by “You end up havMORGAN MARSO ing a different value system in some ways,” Matthes AM 9:41 said. “You girls are nd a is e ra Str he Night like her kids. She Barb t f o ic us The M Duets is so committed

BEATS

Yo-Yo Ma R

Genre: Classical Before going in for her first About: Yo-Yo Ma is a world-renowned cellist chemotherapy treatment, who plays classical and contemporary pieces. principal of student affairs Mary Favorite song: music from “Cinema Paradiso” Anne Hoecker bought an iPod nano and filled it with soothing songs to help her through treatment. The Dart compiled a list of some of her favorites. Genre: Rock About: Made famous in the 70s, Taylor is known for his introspective songs. source: iTunes Favorite song: “Up on the Roof” compiled by KATIE PARKINSON

James Taylor

10

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

waiting room, and Jew was ready to begin the mastectomy.

ful,” Hoecker said. “They can talk if they want to, but a lot of people were reading, listening to music or sleeping. It was One more treatment weird to go through it, but the About two hours later, Hoecker regained conscious- first chemo was very peaceful.” ness.

After Hoecker settles into During the mastectomy, her pod, a nurse orders the the doctors had taken one needed medicine for that day breast and 11 lymph nodes. so it is fresh. Over the next Of those 11, only one was three hours, Hoecker is given cancerous. multiple solutions including an “I was very relieved,” anti-nauseous treatment and Hoecker said. the chemo itself, which lasts Following this were more about 45 minutes. Each treattests – a CAT scan, an echocardiogram for her heart, and ment is administered through a needle that is inserted in a a PET scan which revealed a port in the upper chest, just few more suspicious lymph under the collarbone. nodes.

“Sitting in a room where a The doctors told Hoecker that she needed to move into number of people are getting chemotherapy treatments as chemo, sitting in these reclining chairs with all these bags soon as possible.

Healing through poison hooked up is surreal,” Matthes said. “I felt like I was in an Hoecker had her first alternate universe.” chemotherapy session Jan. For her first treatment, 2, followed by more sessions, Hoecker came prepared with at first in two-week intervals, then one-week increments. By an iPod loaded with soothing the projected end date in May, songs from artists. Next to her, Matthes crocheted. she is scheduled to have 16 According to Hoecker, the treatments. side-effects of chemotherapy First, Hoecker checks in and has her weight, tempera- are worse than the treatment ture and blood pressure taken. itself, and she has experienced everything from fatigue and A nurse also draws blood so constant nausea to heartburn they can check the condition to hair loss. of her platelets.

“It seems like every day Then, she is led into a room divided into four “pods,” there’s a new [side-effect,]” Hoecker said. “I had one day each pod occupied with mulwhere I didn’t have anything, tiple patients, so there is no and it was wonderful.” privacy.

According to Matthes, “People are very respect-

Carlos Nakai

while she understands that chemo is accepted as one of the best treatments, she still believes it is a “dissonant” idea.

“I think it takes an incredible amount of courage to take the risk of letting somebody put poison in you as a way to possibly heal you,” Matthes said.

According to Hoecker, when a patient is done with all of their chemo treatments, everyone claps.

“When I went in for chemo, I told the nurse that I was a first-timer, and the nurse said, ‘You’ll find a lot of warriors in here, and you’ll be one too,’” Hoecker said. “And I thought that was absolutely true.”

Hope for the future

When Hoecker finishes chemo, and if her scans remain clean, she will be declared in remission.

According to both Hoecker and Matthes, while this is a difficult journey, good things can still come out of it.

“It can help you take risks in terms of being authentic in a way you might not have before,” Matthes said.

According to Hoecker, when she is cancer-free, she hopes to be more conscious.

“I want to be open to all there is to learn,” Hoecker said.

“I think this is going to help me be more compassionate. That is my hope and my prayer. I have a lot of support, and I think I will be very happy.” H

How to COPE The Dart looks at crucial terms to principal of student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker’s approach to dealing with breast cancer. compiled by KATIE PARKINSON Advocate: a person who organizes the support system and looks out for the patient’s best interests. The advocate coordinates the village and keeps an eye on the big picture.

Authenticity: the quality of being truthful in relationships, especially in the face of a serious illness such as breast cancer.

Being real: being able to express any feelings and confide one’s toughts, whether or not they are considered socially appropriate.

Emotional openness: the willingness to be vulnerable with another person about a tough situation.

Support system: the community around a patient that steps up to help with physical, spiritual and emotional needs. This could be everything from prayers and a shoulder to lean on to taking out the trash and delivering meals.

Barbra Streisand

Genre: New age About: Nakai often composes songs capturing the essence of his Native American heritage.

Favorite song: “Amazing Grace”

Genre: Vocal About: A singer and actress, Streisand is known as one of the best voices of her generation.

Favorite song: “Somewhere”

Andrea Bocelli

Kenny Loggins

Genre: Classical About: Bocelli is known as one of “the most exciting voices” in contemporary opera.

Favorite song: “Nessun Dorma”

Genre: Rock About: Loggins is a singer/songwriter, guitarist whose style leans mostly toward soft rock.

Favorite song: “Celebrate Me Home”

all wrapped up | Fibers students wrapped their pieces around trees in the quad in honor of breast cancer awareness. photo

by JULIA HAMMOND page designed by Katie Parkinson

11

U.S .P

features ce Servi tal os 4 1 0 22 FEB M] [6 P

d e t

c e j e

R

by SARA-JESSICA DILKS co-editor-in-chief photos by KATIE HORNBECK staff photographer

Seniors share stories of college denial heartbreak after receiving rejection letters from their top-choice schools.

lmost every day, senior Zoe Krygiel would rush to her mailbox in hopes of a receiving her acceptance letter from Washington University in St. Louis. After school, she would ask her father if he heard any news. During lunch, she would would go to the bathrooms and refresh her email inbox over and over again on her phone. The deadline for the release of admissions decisions was getting closer and closer.

In December, she received a message

from Washington University. It thanked her for her application. It recognized her dedication. And it apologized because the university “didn’t have a place” for her.

She was rejected.

“Not gonna lie, it really hurts,” Krygiel said.

“It sucks I didn’t get in even though I put in so much effort ... I went through eight drafts of my [application] essay and had probably four people edit it.”

One admissions officer at Washington University sent a photo of her newborn baby to Krygiel shortly after it was delivered. After

all, she was on “first [name] terms with so many undergraduate admissions officers” because they helped her work out several glitches with her application. Thus, Krygiel was shocked when she was not accepted to the institution, which boasts an exclusive 82 percent rejection or deferral rate.

In December, most colleges released the first round of admission decisions to students who applied early. In March and April, the second round of admissions decisions will be released to students who submitted under the regular deadline.

SENIOR JILLIAN GALLAGHER ›› rejected from Purdue University

SENIOR ANJA BROWNING ›› rejected from Yale University

SENIOR ZOE KRYGIEL ›› rejected from Washington University

A

12

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

cerely regret to inform you that we do not College counselor Debi Hudson said that she is unable to determine the amount have a place for you in the class of 2018’,” Browning said. “And then I just broke down of STA seniors who were rejected from into tears.” colleges, as most rejections are optionally Nearby state universities, including the self-reported by students. Regardless, University of Missouri-Columbia and the denial from college is a familiar scene for University of Kansas, enroll the highest high school seniors. number of STA alumnae. Mizzou, KU and Like many others, senior Jillian Galsimilar universities also accept the majority lagher recalls the painful rejection from of their applicants. Mizzou rejects or defers her dream college. She remembers the about 18 percent of applicants, and KU reexact time when she logged onto Purdue jects or defers seven percent, according to University’s application website: 4:30 p.m.

US News. However, other institutions value on Friday, Dec. 13. She read her admissions decision had been made. She braced high selectivity, and thus have much lower acceptance rates. herself. She saw the label: “Denied/Offer Since her rejection from Washington Reconsideration.” And she felt like her “heart University, Krygiel is now “super excited” just stopped for a second.” to attend Mizzou and plans to major in Gallagher toured Purdue University engineering. She still views Washington in 2012 and also attended their Senior University as a “phenomenal institution” Sleepover for the Women in Engineering and appreciates Program in November that her rejection 2013. According to US Getting rejected is a letter was personNews, Purdue has the sign to go somewhere alized. tenth-best engineering else “The fact [Washundergraduate education — Jillian Gallagher ington University] in the nation. For the acknowledged I did 2014 year, it has about all that hard work a 39 percent rejection or was enough for me to move on,” Krygiel deferral rate. said.

“I really thought I was gonna get in Gallagher makes a point of not dwelling [to Purdue],” Gallagher said. “I felt really on her rejection from Purdue. Now, she is confident.” excited to study engineering at Saint Louis Senior Anja Browning shares a similar University, which she said is “an amazing story of college-denial heartbreak. Even school.” For other students who are rejectthough it was a “total shot in the dark,” Browning knew she wanted to apply to an ed from their top-choice college, Gallagher Ivy League school. After financial research, advises to not worry. “[Getting rejected is] a sign to go she decided to apply to Yale University.

Browning did not necessarily expect to somewhere else,” Gallagher said. “Wherever you’re supposed to, you’ll go. If you get debe accepted into Yale, which has one of the highest rejection or deferral rates in the nied [from a school], that’s not where you’re really meant to be.” country at 93.2 percent. Yet after she inBrowning maintains she would have terviewed with a Yale alum, who described the university’s innovative course-selection been a great fit for Yale.

“While sometimes I can go insane and process, political emphasis and “so many great opportunities,” Browning was sure the get stressed by school, I really love the environment of going to school and learning,” school was her perfect fit.

“My jaw dropped to the floor when [the Browning said.

Laughing, she added, “If [Yale] can’t find alum] was talking about it,” Browning said.

“And I’d started imagining and daydreaming a place for me, then maybe they didn’t really look!” about going [to Yale].”

Browning’s next step is to find an affordRight after taking her hardest exams able undergraduate education. She hopes during finals week in December, Brownto eventually be accepted to graduate ing came home. She logged on to Yale’s medical school at Yale in a few years. application site. She noticed a message, “Right now, since I’m not getting into which said decisions had been made. She opened her admissions decision letter from [Yale], I feel more like I have to put myself the dean at Yale. She had to re-read it a few above their level,” Browning said. “I try to have the mindset that I’m too good for times. Then it hit her. “[The letter] said something like, ‘We sin- them.” H

“

“

what are THE CHANCES? The rejection/deferral rates of some extremely selective institutions are much higher than the rejection/deferral rates of some popular institutions for STA students.

KEY =

REJECTED

ACCEPTED

SELECTIVE SCHOOLS

93.9% HARVARD UNIVERSITY 4 applied

92.9% YALE UNIVERSITY 7 applied

75.7% UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 7 applied

POPULAR SCHOOLS

18.5% UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - COLUMBIA 72 applied

7.7% UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS 41 applied

21.8% CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY 18 applied compiled by SARA-JESSICA DILKS Source: US News/Naviance Database

page designed by Emily Wemhoff

13

A&E

Investigating the minds Competitors dish advice on winning Mad for Plaid, STA’s annual fashion show

by TORIE RICHARDSON staff writer

coming into fashion | Junior Mary Burke models her team’s outfit at Fine Arts Boosters’ third-annual Mad for Plaid fashion show Jan. 31.

Her team of Willa Knight, Gloria Cowdin, Grace Wilmot and herself won the first-place prize of $500. photo by BRIDGET JONES

pep talk | Seniors Katherine Viviano and Bailey Whitehead emcee the third-annual Mad for Plaid fashion competition Jan. 31. photo by BRIDGET JONES

14

show me the money | Then-freshman Meg Sweeny, from left, celebrates her People’s Choice Award with teammates Meredith Mulhern, Mary Kate Concannon and Siena Hutchison at last year’s Mad for Plaid. The group, “Spartan Tartans,” also included then-freshman Gabi Dorrell. photo by JORDAN ALLEN

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

Mad for Plaid, a fashion competition where teams of six competed for a $500 grand prize, was held by the Fine Arts Boosters January 31, but it is never too early to start preparing for next year. This story features the experiences of three students who have competed in past competitions.

1. Mad for Plaid is open to beginners.

Sophomore Siena Hutchison’s team “Spartan Tartan” won the 2013 People’s Choice Award with “no sewing skills whatsoever,” according to Hutchison.

“We just knew how to do a basic back-andforth stitch,” Hutchison said.

2. Utilize beginnerHutchison friendly tools.

Stitch Witchery is tape that forms a strong bond between fabric when ironed, according to 2014 competitor and sophomore Bella Meisel.

‘14 QUEENS Juniors Willa Knight, Gloria Cowdin, Mary Burke and Grace Wilmot won STA’s Mad for Plaid as “The Fantastic Four” Jan. 31.

Congratulations! H “I would advise every [team] to use [Stitch Witchery] all the time,” Meisel said. *Bonus tip from Meisel: “Make sure all excess Stitch Witchery is clear of the iron before starting!”

3. Make Meisel your design unique.

If Hutchison were a judge, the most important thing she would look for is “creative use of the plaid, because it’s such an important part of the competition.” “[In last year’s competition], someone used the plaid as the back of their dress, which I thought was stunning,” Sanders Hutchison

shout to win | Freshman Madi Winfield, center, celebrates her team’s People’s Choice Award at Mad for Plaid Jan. 31. Winfield’s team, Hecka Rad, included freshmen Mackenzie O’Guin, Christina Kirk, Jade Riedel and Caterina DeRousse. photo by BRIDGET JONES

behind the designs said. “Someone else used it as a bow.”

Junior Lizzie Sanders, who was the model for her 2013 team, also thinks creativity is an important part of the competition, but said, “make something comfortable, because you’re going to be in it for a while.”

4. Do not wait until the last minute to start.

Sanders said her team “had a couple of weekends where we sat down and worked.”

“It’s not something that you can just do in a day, but it’s not something too overly consuming of your time,” Sanders said. “It’s just a fun little project when you

don’t want to do your math homework.”

However, Sanders estimates 20-30 hours of work of her design, and Hutchison said she wishes her team “would’ve started earlier.”

5. Past winning designs indicate which techniques work.

2013 winners Courtney Coppinger and Jill Campbell’s design was “really beautiful and it was really well-made,” according to Hutchison.

According to Meisel, “[Coppinger and Campbell’s design] was bright and colorful and that is why it won.”

“I think [Coppinger and Campbell’s design] was the most realistic,” Sanders said.

STYLE PROFILED What do judges search for in Mad for Plaid designs?

walking it out | Freshman Madi Winfield models her team’s outfit at the third-annual Mad for Plaid Jan. 31. Her team, Hecka Rad, won the People’s Choice Award. photo by BRIDGET JONES

50%

Clever plaid

25%

Cohesive look

25%

Ready-to-wear

dressed for success | Juniors Mary Burke, from left, Grace Wilmot, Gloria Cowdin and Willa Knight celebrate as they receive a $500 prize at the Mad for Plaid fashion show Jan. 31. photo by BRIDGET JONES

“[The design was] something I could see someone actually wearing.”

6. Most importantly...

“I would say the stereotypical ‘have fun,’” Sanders said. “It should be like, ‘Let’s go, I’m wearing a poncho... this is awesome.’”

“And relax,” Meisel said.

“It’s gonna turn out fine, just calm down.”

To those interested in Mad for Plaid, competitors agreed that anyone who wants to should compete.

“We never thought in a million years we would’ve won [the People’s Choice Award],” Hutchison said. “We just got stuff together and made it work.” H

dressed to kill | Then-senior Jill Campbell, left, awaits feedback as classmate Courtney Coppinger models a handcrafted dress at last year’s show. The girls, whose team was “Seams Crazy,” won $500. photo by JORDAN ALLEN

Design between the lines Sewing abilities are to pool their resources and secondary to unique ideas, use what they have to create a winning STA fashion according to judges compiled by TORIE RICHARDSON

Fine Arts Boosters’ Mad for Plaid press release explains the pie chart’s information.

1. Clever plaid “[T]he skirt can be altered, hemmed, embellished, refitted, or torn apart and reworked into an entirely different garment.

Each team will receive two skirts but it is not necessary to use both.”

2. Cohesive look “[Besides the skirts], other pieces and accessories can be made, borrowed, purchased inexpensively at any thrift store or resale shop. We encourage teams

statement. Purchasing new retail items to complete your look is discouraged.”

3. Ready-to-wear “[Neatness] can be achieved any number of ways: Sewing by machine or hand, using hem tape, Stitch Witchery or other iron-on adhesives, or using items not typically associated with sewing such as colored duct tape.

“A brief trip to a crafts store will turn up many good options in addition to or instead of sewing.

Teams may utilize any and all resources such as an aunt who sews, a mom who hems, or a dad who wields a grommet machine.” H

page designed by Emma Willibey

15

cover story

The Catholic Church is experiencing radical change, partially due to the newly-officiated Pope Francis.

How are these changes affecting St. Teresa’s Academy students and our generation?

by JORDAN BERARDI managing editor of copy

“How is the Roman Catholic Church changing with the election of Pope Francis and with recent changes at STA?” some are asking.

Today, the Roman Catholic Church is less popular with Millennials than with any other generation.

However, the church is signaling a new and more accepting shift of ideals that are more widely embraced by today’s teens.

The pope is appealing to a younger generation by speaking about social issues such as homosexuality, birth control and abortion, but not in the same way as previous popes. Pope Francis is less likely to condemn anyone based on these social issues and is more likely to refrain from judging than predecessors. He famously said to America magazine, “I am a sinner. This the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.” With this attitude, he has shied away from judgement.

Here at STA, several aspects of the Roman Catholic community have become more prevalent and

more frequent. For instance, consider the building of the new chapel, the implementation of class mass, the push for juniors to attend Kairos and the involvement of students in prayer services and masses.

According to STA campus ministry staff member Joe LaScala, the school is hoping to strengthen the Catholic faith community through these student-focused changes.

However, the two youngest generations are significantly less religious than their parents and grandparents, according to a project conducted by Pew Research Center.

The project found that only eight percent of American grandparents to most current teens were unaffiliated with a religion. This percentage rose to 13 percent with their children, the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964). Again the percentage swelled with the Millennials and has reached an unaffiliated population of 26 percent. Every year, more and younger people are falling away from the church - Catholic and otherwise.

involved in the retreats and by having more wrote. “Everyone is talking about Francis.” prayer activities that are interesting to According to Charity Sr. Diane Steele, students,” LaScala said. president of the University of Saint Mary in In 2012, Kairos, the four-day spiritual reLeavenworth, Ks. in the same NCR article, treat, was directed toward the junior class the Pope’s inclusiveness is helping move rather than exclusively the senior class as toward “restoring the image of the Catholic it had been before. In an article published Church in the eyes of young people.” in the Dart in 2012 titled “Juniors now Cardinal Timothy Dolan agrees. Dolan, encouraged to participate in Kairos retreat,” who is the president of the United States Good discussed the retreat being directed Conference of Catholic Bishops, believes toward juniors. The reason? To shift the the church’s need for restoration and compositive results of Kairos to an earlier time mitment comes from the “sinful behavior” in a student’s high school experience. of Catholic clergy. The sexual abuse scanHow have students reacted to these changes? dals throughout the United States have hit With the transition of the faith life at STA close to home with a recent convictions of and around the world with the new papacy, a Kansas City clergy members. many find comfort in the pope’s message.

On Sep. 6, 2012, the bishop of the Kan“I think the pope is a huge reason [Rosas City-St. Joseph, Mo. diocese, Bishop man] Catholicism is sparking up again, at Robert Finn, was convicted for failing to least among younger crowds,” senior Abby report Fr. Shawn Ratigan, a former Kansas Dearth said. “He is making it kind of cool to City pastor, for producing and being in be Catholic again.” possession of child pornography. Ratigan A Quinnipiac University poll found in has also since been convicted.

October 2013 shows 89 percent of AmerHow is St. Teresa’s theology changing for ican Catholics have a “favorable” or “very students? favorable” opinion of Pope Francis. Only Though Kansas City has been part of four percent have an unfaevents like these, vorable opinion, according the STA community I feel like the pope to the poll. has been working is bringing it back STA senior Mattie toward strengthento the basics of O’Boyle finds herself to be ing the religious life what our faith part of the 89 percent who in general, according should look like. favor the Pope. to LaScala, a leader — senior Mattie O’Boyle “I feel like the pope of STA’s campus is bringing it back to the ministry. basics of what our faith should look like On Jan. 12, 2012, the Chapel of Saint and I think that’s better than focusing on Joseph opened in the Windmoor Center, the rules and regulations of the church,” a new fourth building providing space for O’Boyle said. about 150 students at a time. The chapel According to Dearth, “[Pope Francis] has is now used for various religious and edumade incredible strides because he is apcational activities such as meditation for pealing to a generally less religious youth.” theology teacher Robin Good’s spirituality However, several conservative political class along with class masses. leaders such as Texas senator Ted Cruz At the beginning of the 2011 school and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin year, campus ministry implemented class have publicly expressed their discontent masses: Catholic celebrations for a differwith the pope. ent graduating class each Wednesday.

What kind of relationship do teens want with “The class masses give us an opportureligion? nity to have a few minutes of quiet time to As Milllenials identify less any specific just reflect,” STA president Nan Bone said. religion, Roman Catholicism specifically “I’m glad we have the opportunity to give has also seen a decrease in interest among that to girls.” teens and young adults. According to a LaScala also believes in the value of involving students in ministry and has been separate study conducted by Pew Research Center, one in 10 adults under the moving toward student-led activities. age of 30 has left the Catholic faith after “We are trying to get students more

“

“

FAC NG CHANGE

What is Pope Francis doing to fix this trend?

On March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, was elected the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. In the 10 months of his papacy, Pope Francis has made several statements which express his views on the church as it stands and his hopes for its future.

Foremost to Francis’s mission is his commitment to serving the poor. Pope Francis attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 21 and said, “I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.”

Pope Francis has also been open about his liberal views on several social issues surrounding the Roman Catholic Church.

To a group of reporters aboard a plane asking his view on homosexual priests, Francis made a heavily publicized statement saying, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?”

However, Francis has asked leaders of the church to be not solely focused on issues such as this and other social issues such as contraception and abortion.

He said, “The pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently.”

In addition to the pope expressing more liberal views on such things as homosexuality and giving to the poor, he has chosen to live his papal life modestly.

Pope Francis lives not in the papal palace, but instead in a two-bedroom apartment. In an interview with America magazine, while sitting in his apartment, he explained the forgoing of living in the papal estate by saying, “I chose to live here, in Room 201, because when I took possession of the papal apartment, inside myself I distinctly heard a ‘no.’”

The president of Kansas City’s Rockhurst University, Fr. Thomas Curran wrote an article published by National Catholic Reporter titled “Church historian: Francis could be moving church to new area of reform.” He wrote that the Pope’s outward exposure of his personal beliefs of a modest life as well as his addressing of social issues has made him a topic of conversation.

“It is exciting, this message that is capturing the mind of people around the world, both Catholic and non-Catholic,” Curran

photo courtesy of MCT CAMPUS

16

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 7 february 2014

compiled by LAUREN LANGDON | web editor

page designed by Sara-Jessica Dilks

17

cover story 2.

1.

3.

1. The Windmoor Center was dedicated in 2012 by Bishop Robert Finn. 2. Sophomore Maddie Torti receives communion then continues to sing with Praise Band during the communion meditation during sophomore class mass Jan. 29. 3. Students listen to a homily during their sophomore class mass about the importance of charity and Mission Week at STA. photos by LIBBY HYDE and ANNA KROPF

having been raised Catholic. Half of those who left the Catholic Church did so before the age of 18, according to the study titled “Religion Among Millennials.”

The reason for leaving the Catholic Church remains unique to each person.

However, according to the same study, “not believing in the religion’s teachings” was attributed to the disaffiliation of 65 percent of previously Catholic-affiliated adults between 18 and 30 years old.

Because a large majority of STA students were raised Catholic and are actively engaging in ideas of the Roman Catholic Church through school masses, daily prayer and religious curriculum, Catholicism remains central to STA. However, with the generational shift in religious importance, some STA students find they are part of the 10.1 percent who were raised Catholic and have since left the faith.

Before attending STA, O’Boyle was raised Catholic and attended Catholic services until the summer of 2013.

O’Boyle sporadically attended services at a non-denominational Christian church with a friend and former STA student Annie Keel, whose father is a pastor. She began seeing major differences between Catholicism and non-denominational Christianity. “[The non-denominational Christian church] appealed to me more because it wasn’t about rituals and standing up and sitting down and kneeling [like the Catho-

16

lic Church is],” O’Boyle said. “It wasn’t so formal.”

O’Boyle’s lack of interest in the formal nature of the Roman Catholic Church is one aspect many teenagers and young adults identify with. Some 32 percent of those who left the Catholic Church between the ages of 18 and 30 were “dissatisfied with the atmosphere at worship services,” according to the Pew Research Center.

Dearth was also raised Catholic and has since identified more with the non-denominational Christian church similar to O’Boyle. Dearth also says the ritualistic nature of the Catholic Church played a factor in her disinterest in the religion.

“Catholicism is more of a set of rules and principles you have to follow in a certain way,” Dearth said. “That kind of turned me away because I like having freedom with my faith.”

This trait of wanting freedom and disliking a set of rules is a common characteristic of the Millennials, according to a different Pew project which studied social and demographic trends. Consequently, the Catholic Church is becoming less popular among some Millennials.

However, freshman Allison Nagle feels the modern Catholic Church has veered from its traditional roots and dislikes this change. Nagle, who plans to pursue life as a nun, sees the structure nature of the Roman Catholic Church to be diminishing. Nagle attends traditional Catholic

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 7 february 2014

mass at St. Rose Philippine Catholic Church, which is in Latin and includes various aspects of the Catholic traditions before Vatican II. “I think the church is really trying to get the youth involved by putting in these happy songs with clapping and stuff,” Nagle said. “And that’s fine, it’s how some people like it, but … that’s what turned me away [from the non-traditional masses].”

Nagle believes the Roman Catholic Church is changing its mass rituals to accommodate the youngest generation.

She recognizes Millennials other than herself see the rituals as traditional and “boring.” The Pew Center’s research bears this out. Their study says this generation is seeking entertainment and stimulation.

According to Pew, going to mass and following the same ritual weekly is not appealing to the common millennial.

Though Millennials are statistically less likely to be affiliated to any specific religion, STA intends to grow in ministry and appeal to the changing religious interests of students, according to Bone.

Bone believes Pope Francis is dedicated to “unifying the whole Catholic community all around the word.” This sense of strengthening a community is also found in the faith community at STA. “If we just think about ‘What would Jesus do?’ when we live our lives, then I think we are taking the message of Pope Francis,” Bone said. H

compiled by LAUREN LANGDON | web editor

Pope pulled me back after bishop pushed me away

by NATALIE FITTS co-editor-in-chief

was chosen, he would share all the tradiIn May of my tional beliefs that the popes before him freshman year, had supported and that I disliked.

I was sitting in However, I started to realize there mid-day advisory might be changes in the church coming when I first when I saw a headline about Pope heard about the Fitts Francis taking a selfie with a group scandal in the of teenagers. It may seem silly that Catholic Diocese this seemingly insignificant event was of Kansas City-St. Joseph. One of the the catalyst for my change in opinion. sophomores was talking about how she However, it shows how Francis is trying had seen her former priest on the news to connect with younger generations, that morning after he was arrested for which is something I have rarely seen child pornography. leaders of the church do before.

Just like I do everyday, I went home, From that point, I have actively sought grabbed a snack and every section of the Kansas City Star and started reading. Sure for news about the pope. And I have liked most of what I have seen. enough, the priest, Shawn Ratigan, was He founded a commission on abuse to front page news. Like many teenagers help protect child from abuse by priests who are raised religiously, I was already and aid those already affected. going through my phase of doubting the He encouraged women to take on church I grew up in. However, this news bigger roles in the church. really fired me up.

He invited straying Catholics, like myJust when I thought I couldn’t get angriself, back to the church. er, news came out that Bishop Robert Finn He has called the internet a “gift from had know about the situation with Ratigan.

God.” I was fed up. I told my dad he needed to He shuns most stop tithing to our material goods, as seen parish, I stopped Pope Francis has made in his modest choices of going to church and me respect the Catholic clothing and cars.

I voiced my disapreligion much more These are only some of proval of Finn. than I have for the past the things I’ve read about Before this two years.

Francis recently. scandal, I had tried — senior Natalie Fitts Scrolling through the to ignore what I news stories about Pope disagreed with or Francis in the past few months made me disliked about the Catholic church. But unbelievably happy and hopeful for the that all changed. I began to notice everychurch because most of them were posithing. I disagreed with their stance on gay tive and uplifting. The world is recognizing marriage. I didn’t like their opposition to that he’s bringing the church into the birth control. I think priests should be able modern age. The transition is long over to get married. I want women to have the due, but it’s better late than never. opportunity to be ordained. When I really It was only last year that I claimed I thought about it, I realized I didn’t agree with all the practices, traditions and beliefs would never return to the Catholic church.

However, Pope Francis has made me of the Roman Catholic Church. respect the Catholic religion much more So despite having been confirmed, I than I have for the past two years and no longer identify as Catholic. In fact, I’ve perhaps even for my whole life. If he and been harboring a lot of animosity toward his predecessors continue on the same the church. So when the cardinals were picking a new pope, I could not have cared path, I might end up back in the church where I started. H less. I figured that no matter which man

“

“

that’s what he said

The Dart compiled several tweets from Pope Francis’s official Twitter account, @Pontifex. compiled by Mary HILLIARD page designer

@Pontifex | 2/4/14: “Dear young people, Jesus gives us life, life in abundance. If we are close to him we will have joy in our hearts and a smile on our face.” @Pontifex | 11/28/13: “Let’s try to be open to God’s word, and open to the Lord’s surprises when he speaks to us.” @Pontifex | 10/5/13: “Dear young people, you have many plans and dreams for the future. But, is Christ at the center of each of your plans and dreams?” @Pontifex | 9/12/13: “The only war that we must all fight is the one against evil #prayforpeace”

right on target

The Dart asked students about Pope Francis’s changes to the Catholic Church’s image.

“I think he’s done a good job. He’s shown acceptance toward everybody and I just think its going pretty good.”

freshman Lily Levi “I think its great because [the mindset of Pope Francis] is what God wants : acceptance.”

junior Elaine Kerr “He is just more focused on more important issues... he is just going back to the traditional doctrine.”

junior Whitney Klump page designed by Sara-Jessica Dilks

17

reviews

‘American Hustle’ to sweep Oscars

by MADELINE BEST page designer

This past year was full of cinematic masterpieces, making the choice for winners for this year’s 86th annual Academy Awards difficult.

With a total of 58 films up for various nominations and nine up for Best Picture, it is anyones game.

Popular favorites like “American Hustle,” “Captain Phillips,” “Her,” “12 Years A Slave” and “Gravity” lead the way in nominations, while some films were snubbed from the running. Tom Hanks, who starred in both “Captain Phillips” and “Saving Mr. Banks,” received no nomination for best Actor in a Leading Role.

Since Hanks is absent from this category, I predict the Oscar will go to either Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in “The Wolf of Wall Street” or Matthew McConaughey for his

role in “Dallas Buyers Club.” I have to admit, I would like to see DiCaprio win, so he can finally receive an Oscar.

Another noticeable snub was “Blackfish” in the Documentary Feature category.

“Blackfish” gained high popularity this year for its exposure of animal cruelty at Seaworld.

The documentary originally aired on CNN and then was placed on Netflix instant streaming, which helped its circulation among viewers.

Finally, I noticed “The Great Gatsby” had only received two nominations for Costume Design and Production Design.

I was surprised to learn it had not earned a nomination for Cinematography, considering the film was full of unique camera angles and grand decorations, or that none of the lead or supporting actors had earned nominations.

While Meryl Streep is yet

again up for best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in “August: Osage County,” I have a feeling she might be outdone

by Amy Adams, who was also nominated for her role in “American Hustle.”

Nominated for her part in “American Hustle,” Jennifer Lawrence is, in my opinion, the clear winner for Actress in a Supporting Role.

As much of a Jennifer Lawrence fan as I am, I admit she has some tough competition, considering Oscar newcomer Lupita Nyong’o is also nominated for her role in “12 Years A Slave.”

When it comes to Actor in A Supporting Role, I can already assure you Bradley Cooper will be walking away with the Oscar.

Another clear winner hard to argue against is “Frozen” for Animated Feature Film. If you have not already seen this

BEST’S OSCAR PICKS

BEST ACTOR

Leonardo DiCaprio The Wolf of Wall Street Previously nominated three times for his work in “Blood Diamond,” “The Aviator” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.”

20

BEST MOTION PICTURE

BEST ACTRESS

American Hustle

Amy Adams American Hustle

Nominated for 10 Oscars overall, but only earned $1,113,368 in the first week after its release Dec.13.

First nomination for best lead actress; previously nominated four times for best actress in a supporting role.

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

movie, I cannot express how much you are missing out.

Disney has yet again made another smash hit.

As you can tell, I have a sneaking suspicion “American Hustle” will be picking up quite a few of the awards this year, considering they have 10 award nominations, which ties them for first place with “Gravity.” In the end, my prediction for Best Picture is “American Hustle.”

Will my predictions be right? There is only one way to tell. Tune into the 86th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2 at 7 p.m. to see who walks away with an Oscar and who did not quite make the cut. H

editorial

editorial cartoon by MARY GRACE MASCHLER

Give the Catholic faith a chance The staff editorial reflects the views of the Dart editorial board.

As teenagers, we often question our faith. After all, we are in a life phase where everything seems confusing, especially Catholicism. We are making new friendships, trying out new things, and some of us even develop new beliefs.

Sometimes along the way, we fall away from what we believe. However, this time of confusion is when we need faith most. St. Teresa’s Academy was named after a woman who also had a hard time jumping into her faith. St. Teresa of Avila was sent to a convent at a young age and at first hated it, but eventually devoted her life to it.

We do not all have to become saints, but we should at least give Catholicism a chance, like St. Teresa did, for many reasons.

First and most important, we have a new and exciting pope changing the face of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has raised eyebrows with his statements on homosexuality and questioning effects of capitalism. He has examined the

bond even deeper. It is amazing to look around during a class mass and see your sisters gathered together for a purpose celebrating the Catholic faith.

Additionally, the church offers us a chance to grow personally. Achieving personal fulfillment means abandoning ourselves and putting others first. At STA, we participate in service week and mission week to offer our time to others.

In the Catholic tradition, ultimate satisfaction is promised to those who give up 5 of 7 editors their desire for self-satisfaction. As part voted in support of the Catholic faith, STA forces us look of this editorial outside of ourselves and see what we can can do for others.

As Catholicism has modernized over and ethical standard to live by. As young adults faced with peer pressure, we need the past few years, teenagers have a hard decision to make. They must a code of ethics to tell us what is right decide whether to stick with the faith in and wrong. which they have been raised or go their The church also gives us a sense own way and choose a different path. of community and fellowship. When STA students should give the Catholic we attend school mass and see everyfaith a chance because it asks us to give one singing “Lean on Me” and reciting prayers together, it makes the sisterhood more and be more. H church’s “obsession” with issues such as abortion, gay marriage and contraception, instead saying there should be a greater emphasis on helping the poor and marginalized. He is setting a new standard for the papacy. It is easy for teenagers to relate to a man who preaches the Bible’s true message of love and compassion.

The Catholic Church gives us a moral

[

]

right on What are the benefits of being part of the Catholic faith?

“You meet some “I can always rely on “In times that TARGET people who a community to be you feel alone, Each issue, the Dart asks three people their views on the main editorial

have very nice personalities and are very personable.”

senior Maggie Herrington

there when I need them.”

junior Greta Smithmier

you always have God and a whole community to support you.”

sophomore Kat Mediavilla page designed by Sabrina Redlingshafer

21

perspectives

Winter Olympics

deserve more praise

and ski-jump aren’t sports we typically associate with high-level athletics. Maybe some people just aren’t very informed about the Winter Olympics, or maybe they genuinely aren’t interested, but the Winter Olympics should be taken more seriously.

by ANNA BAUMAN The sports in the winter sports copy editor Olympics are not something to This February marks an be taken lightly. Just like sumevent we have all been anxiously mer Olympic sports, these sports awaiting, a special time that only require extreme dedication and comes every four years...the Win- skill. Winter Olympic athletes are ter Olympics! some of the only few in the world Or maybe you just found out who participate in these sports, about it. making them all the more special.

Many people overlook the Take ski-jump for example. winter games and consider them In the ski-jump event, skiers fly inferior to the summer Olympics. down a nearly vertical ramp of More popularly watched sports snow at extremely high speeds, like swimming, gymnastics, then launch into the air, positionsoccer and volleyball steal the ing their body nearly parallel to spotlight and have a much higher their skis. The goal is to go as viewership than the less common far as possible, usually about the sports in the Winter games. length of two football fields, with Cross-country skiing, bobpoints also awarded for style. sled, curling, figure-skating, luge Watching someone fly through

22

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

the air on skis with their body bent in half is much more exciting than watching someone run around a track, right? Right.

Figure skating is another underrated sport. Some consider it unworthy of the name “sport,” but that statement is far from the truth. Figure skating involves a huge amount of strength and flexibility, more than is needed for many other sports. The skater jumps, leaps and spins through the air, all while essentially wearing knives strapped to their shoes.

That is impressive, not to mention very entertaining to watch.

There are countless other winter Olympic sports just like skijump and figure skating you may never be able to enjoy watching if you don’t give them a chance.

So don’t skip out on watching the winter Olympics solely because it consists of sports you’ve never heard of. You might find you like it much more than you ever thought you would. H

Teachers should communicate about assignments then other teachers could reduce small and time consuming assignments and students would be less likely to end up with five or six hours of homework per night.

How are students expected to do well on class projects when we have four

by GLORIA COWDIN different projects due in four different blogs editor classes on the same day? Or even just three projects in three different classes?

Why is it so difficult for teachers to Take the projects, add extracurricucommunicate large assignments to each lars, jobs, other homework, studying for other? tests and home obligations. It’s a miracle Let me back up a little.

I don’t have as many extracurriculars we get anything turned in when it’s all as most STA girls. I’m not currently play- due on the same day.

So much is lost with this lack of coming a sport, or in a theater production, or munication. Girls put a fraction of the in any other school-related activity. effort they normally would into projects.

I do have an after-school nannying Most of us just focus on finishing the job two or three days a week and piano basic requirements and turning things in lessons/practice, plus driving siblings on time. As a result, our learning experiaround and doing chores. But even with ence suffers. this seemingly simple schedule, there On one of these exhausting weekwere still two nights this week when I nights, the lost communication affects only got 5 hours of sleep. our house-life as well. We begin to priorWhen teachers don’t communicate itize everything. Work on a paper or eat with each other about large assigndinner? Edit a powerpoint or take a showments, smaller homework becomes a er?

Finish those last two worksheets nightly struggle. I understand someone or go to bed? Our parents and siblings somewhere will always complain about homework, no matter how little is actual- become second to schoolwork. I live with ly received; but if teachers told each other them, so why should I put any effort into building our relationships when I could be when they’re assigning large projects,

finishing that last APUSH chapter? The workload continues by rolling over into the weekend and consuming our Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Between this workload and other obligations, weekends provide little relief.

I understand school isn’t easy. It shouldn’t be. We go to a wonderful college preparatory school. It should prove a challenge, but it shouldn’t become a burden because of the lack of communication.

There is a simple remedy for this lack of communication. If teachers shared information about large assignments, then students could focus on one task and actually do well on it. It’s painfully simple, but somehow it has yet to become a reality. Teachers could make a group calendar, or walk down the hall and talk to their fellow educators. The smallest steps could make the biggest difference.

To the teachers reading this, I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I realize you all work incredibly hard to make our experience at STA the best it can be, and I thank you for that. With all of you piling on large assignments at once, however, your best intentions keep us up at night, make us nervous wrecks and ultimately diminish our learning capability. H

An open letter to Mother Nature the cold reality, literally. Sure, that is? Well, it’s because of you. I don’t know what’s been it’s nice to have a variety every now and then, but everyday? up with you lately, but you I don’t think so. I can’t even seem to be very indecisive.

One day you will be a beautiful, count how many times I’ve sunny 55 degrees and the next gotten dressed for school, you’re cloudy and below zero. then had to go back upstairs and I’m just confused. I

by BRIDGET JONES staff writer Please get your change mean just yesterbecause day I was wearing act together and Dear Mother Nature, the shorts and getting keep the weather I don’t enjoy waking up weather frozen yogurt, then patterns steady. every morning and rushing was not BOOM, today I’m to figure out if I should wear what I in boots and my boots or tennis shoes, leghad expected, all because of big winter coat, freezing my gings or no leggings, a winter butt off walking from class to you. It’s kind of ironic when coat or my STA fleece. It’s a it’s 60 degrees out and I see class. Most people don’t like real struggle everyday having this fast-changing weather. It’s big piles of snow in corners to change my entire wardrobe like you’re tricking us, teasing of parking lots and pushed from the day before. And do together on the side of the us with the idea of summer, you, Mother Nature, know why just to dump right back into road. The snow is confused

“

“

too. It doesn’t know if it should melt, or tough out your warm temperatures and the hot sun beating down, because it will soon be joined by more. Last week I left my house at 5 p.m. and it was sunny and warm.

As I was driving home just two hours later it was freezing and lightly snowing. This is getting out of hand. Maybe you’re going through a rough patch, or maybe you enjoy being so cruel, but please get your act together and keep the weather patterns steady.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours, The Freezing-Wait-No-I’m-Hot-Just-Kidding-It’s-Cold-Again Bridget H

page designed by Sabrina Redlingshafer

23

leisure

Nighty night Girls of all grades still sleep with their childhood stuffed animals.

These fluffy friends have acquired their own unique personalities from years of wear and tear, adding to their sentimental value. story by GLORIA COWDIN blogs editor

photos by KELLY FLETCHER staff photographer

Junior Marie Green cuddles her stuffed pink blankie. photo by KELLY FLETCHER

24

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

M

any people associate stuffed animals and blankets with children, but many STA students continue to sleep with these childhood tokens. The Dart intertviewed a student from each grade to discover the sentimental reasons behind keeping stuffed animals and/or blankets throughout high school and even college.

When freshman Emma Swinney was young, she feared her house would catch on fire while she was sleeping. Her number-one priority if such a tragedy struck: saving Froggie and Mousie.

“I would sleep with them in my shirt so they wouldn’t burn,” Swinney said.

For more than 10 years, Swinney has slept with her stuffed frog, Froggie, and stuffed mouse, Mousie. When Swinney

J

unior Maggie Hutchison has always relied on a former tablecloth, Blanket, and stuffed pig, Piggie, for comfort and entertainment. Piggie stars as Batpig on weekends, but at night provides the perfect-sized pillow. Blanket was once a tablecloth sewn by Hutchison’s grandma, but became employed as a blanket when Hutchison wanted a night-time companion like her sister Rose’s blanket.

“My sister was so attached to her ‘night-night’ — they might as well have had it surgically removed,” Hutchison said. “I wanted to be like her, so I started carrying around this little tablecloth.”

Hutchison acquired Blanket over 13

was young, her grandma bought the stuffed animals for her at estate sales.

Despite their previous lives and the wear Swinney has put them through, Froggie and Mousie are still in one piece.

“Mousie came with bells,” Swinney said.

“I apparently ripped them off right after I got [her].”

Swinney still sleeps with her stuffed animals today and plans to continue doing so. Froggie and Mousie have a bright future, with Swinney planning on passing them on to possible future children. Swinney expects these childhood relics, who already had a mysterious past when they were given to her, to continue providing children with comfort for the rest of their days. H

years ago and admits that it has become a bit tattered. Piggie was a birthday gift to Hutchison when she was 9 or 10. Piggie requires the best care when traveling. “[I] used to pack [Piggie] in my suitcase when we’d go on trips, but its head had to be peeking out of the flap so it wouldn’t suffocate,” Hutchison said.

As for the future, Hutchison plans on taking Piggie to college in two years.

“I might have to take Piggie with me just because I need to hold something when I go to sleep,” Hutchison said. “I don’t think my blanket will be able to make the journey. It’ll just have to retire to a special place in my room.” H

W

hen senior Grace Wells leaves for college next year, she will not be alone. Her stuffed monkey Freddy will accompany her.

Wells has slept with Freddy since she received him as a birthday gift over 10 years ago.

“All of my friends think it’s hilarious that I have a stuffed monkey that I still sleep with,” Wells said. “They call him my boyfriend because he’s the number one guy in my life — even though he’s stuffed — and when I brought him to school for the pictures they asked if it was ‘bring your own boyfriend day.’”

Wells doesn’t need Freddy to sleep,

but she enjoys having him with her. “[Freddy’s] the perfect size and he is super soft, but not too soft,” Wells said.

When Wells went to a medical summer camp at Villanova University sophomore year, Freddy was with her.

When Wells goes to college next year, Freddy will be with her. Freddy goes where Wells goes, as long as he fits in her suitcase.

“I will for sure be taking [Freddy] to college with me,” Wells said. “My roommates can judge me all they want but Freddy is coming. I think it’s a comfort thing. I will feel more at home if I have him there.” H

page designed by Cecilia Butler

25

community

street signs | A woman from the Westboro Baptist Church holds a sign in protest outside of the George Strait concert at the Sprint Center on Jan. 18. Pickets are held to inform members of the public of “sins.” photo by ANNA LEACH

Students encounter Westboro Baptist Church

Kansas-based church protests concerts held in downtown Kansas City, including recent concert at the Sprint Center

by JESSE WALKER-McGRAW staff writer

Disclaimer: This article contains graphic slurs within direct quotations. The editorial board of the Dart decided to leave this language uncensored in order to accurately report the views of the Westboro Baptist Church.

On Jan. 18, Natalie Kilgore, an STA senior, took a selfie. The selfie was different from others she has taken.

In its background, stark against the night sky, were signs held by picketers reading “America is Doomed” and “God Hates Fags” in large, colorful letters.

As Kilgore’s group walked, they doubled back intentionally to look at the protesters.

“I don’t understand them,” Kilgore thought.

The night’s protesters are members of the Westboro Baptist Church, run by pastor Fred Phelps. Their website proclaims that their beliefs are guided by the idea that God hates nearly everyone, and will send those He hates to hell. Main targets on the website include homosexuals, people of other

26

religions and America in general. The Westboro Baptist Church website counts 1,181 weeks that they have “held pickets on the mean streets of doomed America” and 6,795 American soldiers that “God has killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.” They protest where they see sin, from funerals of soldiers to various churches.

The night Kilgore saw them, the Westboro Baptist Church was protesting across the street from the Sprint Center, which was hosting a concert with country musicians George Strait and Eric Church.

One of the protesters, Betty Phelps, the daughter-in-law of Fred Phelps, did not know much about the musicians.

According to Betty, there was a simple reason the Westboro Baptist Church was there: the number of people passing.

“Look around,” Betty said to a reporter. “You’re here.”

However, Betty was sure that the “singer” (she only referred to one, and did not mention a name) “doesn’t use his platform to get up there and tell

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

some truth and to encourage people not to sin.”

Since the goal of the protest was “to spread the message to this generation,” as Betty said, the Sprint Center on the night of a busy concert was the perfect place, in her opinion. The message was the same as it was in the past: “[America] is doomed because of the way it is going, that is, acceptance of homosexuality, passing same-sex marriage laws, etcetera, etcetera,” Betty said.

According to Betty, not tolerating homosexuality is part of God’s law, which “does not change.” The congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church does not obey all laws put forth in the Bible, however. According to Betty, the members of the church believe that some laws are “ceremonial laws” such as not wearing two types of fabric at the same time, and were done away with when Jesus came. Other laws, such as the one against homosexuality are “moral laws” and “from the beginning to the end will be the same.”

fast facts

Westboro Baptist Church information compiled by ANNA LEACH managing editor of the web

In 1995, pastor Fred Phelps founded the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) in Topeka, Kan. Despite the Baptist title, the WBC is an unaffiliated Baptist church.

shouts in the street | Betty Phelps, a member of the Westboro Baptist Church chants “God hates fags” along with other picketers Jan. 18. Phelps is the daughter-in-law of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps. photo by ANNA LEACH

Does that mean that all homosexuals are damned to hell?“Yes, in Revelations it says that dogs--that’s a metaphor in the Bible for homosexuals--are without,” Betty said. “That means without--outside of Heaven. Fags do not go to Heaven.”

When Betty was not speaking to passersby, she was quiet, She has been in the church since 1973. According to Betty, she joined because she wondered who the New Testament was speaking about when it mentioned people who were not going to Heaven. In Betty’s own words, she wanted to know “who were the goats” in the metaphor of the sheep and the goats, which involves God sending the sheep (saved people) to Heaven, and the goats (not saved people) to Hell.

Betty came to believe that Catholics are included in the “goats” section: Catholicism is idolatry, and not just because of crosses. “[Catholics] believe that the priest or the pope can intercede for [them],” Betty said. “There’s only one intercessor and that’s Jesus Christ.”

The church’s views were echoed up and down the line of sign that said things like “Fags are the Beast” and “Christians caused Fag Marriage.”

One sign, held by a 12-year-old boy, pictured President Obama’s head, with horns Photoshopped on, surrounded by fire. A woman near the boy explained that Obama is the beast the Bible speaks of. Her evidence: he’s in power and “obviously goes against God” by supporting gay rights and pro-abortion laws.

grand protest | Cars line Grand Street in front of the Sprint Center, where the protest took place on Jan. 18. The picket ran from 6:15 until 7:45p.m. photo by ANNA LEACH

The protesters were situated directly in front of McFadden’s Sports Saloon, where one employee said she was used to them.

According to her, the protesters rarely deter customers, although sometimes customers become offended and complain to the restaurant. There’s “nothing [the restaurant] can really do about it,” the employee said.

Sergeant Christopher Bentch stood nearby, keeping a close eye out. He’s said he was there to “preserve peace.”

Usually, protesters only engage in verbal arguments with passerby, not physical fights, and Bentch said he wanted to keep it that way. He’s been to hundreds of these protests with other policemen. They always know where the next protest will be for one reason: Westboro calls to tell them.

Kilgore said she wasn’t too shocked by the protesters she saw. She laughed as she talked about stalking the church’s social media accounts in the past and leaving “Your Momma” jokes on its Vine videos.

“I thought [the protesters] were just ridiculous,” Kilgore said. H

The WBC consists mostly of Phelps’s family and is known for its cult-like environment and extremist views, especially regarding those who do not identify as heterosexual.

The group claims to have conducted 52,026 demonstrations since June 1991.

Picketing locations include “homosexual parades and other events,” funerals of “impenitent sodomites,” and over 400 military funerals of troops “whom God has killed in Iraq/ Afghanistan in righteous judgement against an evil nation,” according to the WBC website.

The WBC preach against “all forms of sin” and consider most of their ideals summarized within the five points of Calvinism: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints, according to WBC’s website.

The WBC have also gained press from their protests at funerals, including those of American soldiers.

Often, protests occur at concerts or regard other members of popular culture such as One Direction, the cast of “Duck Dynasty,” Lady Gaga and Bill Cosby. source: WBC website, Southern Poverty Law Center

standing around | Members picket on Grand Street. photo by ANNA LEACH page designed by Madeline Best

27

sports

ATHLETE of the

ISSUE compiled by LIBBY HYDE multimedia web editor

Junior Anna Marie Fiorella, or Fio, is the only junior playing basketball this year. As a varsity team player, she devotes two and a half hours every day after school for practice and two to three games per week.

“The best game I’ve played this season was the second half of the Truman game,” Fiorella said. “I went in and we were down by 40 points, and just did my best and scored about 13 points in the last half of the game.”

Fiorella discovered her love of the game from her brother Michael, nicknamed “Big Mike” by his younger sister.

“My brother played and he basically taught me how to play basketball,” Fiorella said. “He made me play all the time, and he just got me into the sport so much.”

With her enthusiasm and love of the game, Fio is a key leader on her team.

“Fio is always enthusiastic and keeps everyone motivated to play hard and hustle every play,” sophomore Grace Kitts said.

According to Fiorella, the best part of being on the team is how close she is with the other players, despite being the only junior.

“I’ll probably be the only senior next year, so that a big responsibility,” Fiorella said. “Everybody on varsity bonds so close together because it’s a five to six month commitment where you are with these girls every single day.” H

runnin’ the court | Anne-Marie Fiorella gets ready for a play during the STA vs. Sion game Jan. 27. photo by KELLY FLETCHER

28

Athletic fees on the rise The cost to play sports increases to meet the needs of each team

The addition of the sophomore basketball and volleyball teams have caused the fees to rise. According to Hough, more

by MARYMICHAEL HOUGH programs were added to encourage girls social media manager to participate in sports instead of being Sophomore Mary Hilliard runs cross cut due to a shortage in spots. country in the fall, swims in the winter and According to Hough, when the fee was plays lacrosse during $275 last year, the athletic department the spring. Based on was continuously asking for more checks the current cost per from parents during the actual season for sport, by the end of things such as a bus trip or t-shirts. The this year, Hilliard will athletic department noticed that the total have paid $975 in cost was becoming more than the original fees. fee and decided to create one initial fee In the last year, with no additional charges.

Hilliard the athletic depart“It’s tricky,” Hough said. “We would nevment has increased er want a girl to decide not to play a sport the athletic fee from $275 to $325. With because of the fee so we do everything approximately 350 athletes total, these we can to try and make sure that we are fees provide the athletic department with spending most of the money we receive about $113,750 to cover operating costs. from the fees.”

Each student who participates in a According to Bone, the athletic departsports is responsible for paying a fee. ment never had a “surplus of funds” left at According to STA athletic director Mark the end of past years.

Hough, the fee is calculated by taking “We were usually struggling to make the operating cost of a specific sport and ends meet, and that’s another reason we dividing it by how many girls participate decided to raise the fee,” Bone said. in the sport. This amount is then entered Both Bone and Hough have decided to into the student handbook to notify parfind alternative resources if more money is ents and athletes of the change. needed at the end of this year.

“The coaches come to me and they tell “This is definitely where we draw the me what they want and what they need, line when it comes to the actual fee,” for example, what tournaments they want Bone said. “If we do still find ourselves in and if they want to travel,” Hough said. need of money, we are looking to try and “Then [president Nan Bone and I] try to organize a fundraiser instead of going to work all that into the new budget and fee.” your parents.” H According to Hough, all the money is pooled, instead of being kept separate according to sport.

“There is so much that is shared between sports, it would be too difficult to pull out single items and decide which sport would have to pay for what,” Hough said.

Necessities such as officials for home games, transportation to and from games, entry fees for tournaments and off-campus facilities are all a part of the operating costs that the fee pays for. According to Hough, the athletic fee has risen because these necessities have become more expensive. stacking it up | The cost to “[The athletic department] definitely play sports at STA is rising doesn’t like the idea of a sports fee, but due to the increase in teams then again to try to offer the things that and necessities for each team. we want to offer, we can’t do it all on a graphic by EMILY WEMHOFF limited budget,” Hough said.

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

STAR SCORES compiled by CASSIE FLORIDO page designer

between the lane | Sophomore Andie Round swims to the edge of the pool after a lap at swim practice. Round recently broke the 100 meter fly record. photo by MARIA DONNELLY

Swimmer breaks records

Sophomore Andie Round ranks at top of State in her first season on the team

by LEIGH CAMPBELL breaking news editor

She has been described as the “best swimmer in STA history,” broken three records and has nine of eleven possible State qualifying times in just half a season on the team.

And she’s just a sophomore.

Swimmer Andie Round broke STA’s 100 meter free and 50 meter free records Jan. 25-26 at the Kansas City Classic Swim and Dive meet. Round also broke the 100 meter fly record Dec. 30 at Lee’s Summit High School.

“I am really proud of Andie,” teammate Taran Smith said. “I believe her competitiveness is what helps her break those records. She is extremely competitive, in a good way, and uses that to push herself to work harder.”

Round’s performance at the KC Classic Swim and Dive meet propelled her to the top ranked swimmer in Missouri for the 50 and 100 meter freestyle races.

Alumna Rosie Hutchison previously held all three records. Round broke the 100 meter free record in a time of 52.65 seconds, the 50 meter free in 24.23 seconds and the 100 meter fly record in 59 seconds, according to swim manager Rachel Alexander.

“I used to train club with Rosie and I can not be more honored to hold a record that she had before me,” Round said.

Although a sophomore, this is Round’s first year swimming for St.Teresa’s.

Round credits senior swimmer Katie Hornbeck for convincing her to join the team. “[Hornbeck] was relentless in asking me to join and I was hesitant at first,” Round said. “You know, it was an entire different thing to add to the mix of things

water break | Round finishes a lap during practice. Round currently has the fastest time in the state for the 100 meter and 50 meter freestyle. photo by MARIA DONNELLY

and I was nervous. I finally decided to join. I couldn’t be happier.”

Round is focusing her efforts on the 50 and 100 meter freestyle races, which she hopes to win at State. She has nine of eleven possible State cuts, or qualifying times, according to Alexander.

“I really just want to be happy with how I swim at State, which is sometimes a problem for me,” Round said. “I always want to do better but I am working really hard and I hope I can achieve those goals for myself and my team.”

Round has mapped out a plan for herself for the next seven years. She would like to compete in the 2016 Olympic trials and place at nationals in the summer of 2015. She wants to go to college on the coast and be a contender for the 2020 Olympic team.

“I will let the sport take me where it takes me. Nothing is impossible, nothing unattainable,” Round said. H

Basketball (7-10) loses to Blue Springs South 53-37 defeats Liberty North 39-24 loses to Blue Valley North High School 66-35 loses to Lee’s Summit West 41-33 loses to Grandview 61-31 defeats McPherson High School 52-45 defeats Platte County 61-53 loses to Truman 70-36 loses to Lee’s Summit North 67-52 loses to Lee’s Summit 49-35 defeats Visitation Academy 41-38 loses to St. Thomas Aquinas 57-25 loses to Blue Springs 47-33 loses to Notre Dame de Sion 52-45 defeats University Academy 46-25 defeats Lincoln Prep 57-45 defeats Pembroke Hill 51-40 @ Ursuline Academy Feb. 14 @ Incarnate Word Academy Feb. 15 @ Metro Academy Feb. 18 @ St. James Academy Feb. 20 vs. Shawnee Heights Feb. 24 Districts Tournament March 3-7 State Tournament March 12-22

Swim & Dive places first at Lee’s Summit meet defeats Blue Springs 111.5 - 74.5 defeats Sion 97 - 87 palces third at KC Classic Glendale places third at Springfield Invitational Independent League Championships Feb. 11-12

Dance places first in jazz, second in mix, and third in pom at the Lee’s Summit North Invitational @ Kemper Arena Feb. 15

page designed by Cassie Florido

29

sports STA dance team earns first in jazz and second in the mix category at Lee’s Summit North dance competition

by MARY HILLIARD | page designer

The STA dance team won the jazz category at the Lee’s Summit North Dance Invitational Jan. 25. The winning dance included all fourteen members of the varsity team and featured junior Syndey Wimes individually at the beginning. The group routine, performed to “Dancin’ Fool,” was choreographed by coach Christina Monaco.

“In the past we have had choreographers come in and teach us our dances,” team captain Katie Daniels said. “It’s really awesome and convenient that coach Christina does all the choreography herself.”

The Stars wore black tops, blue skirts, black gloves and black feather hair pieces for the dance. According to Daniels, they each had to completely rhinestone the costumes the week before the competition.

According to the Lee’s Summit North Dance Invitational brochure, the jazz category incorporates the elements of dance technique, concentrating on technicality, rather than precision or formation.

The dance team also earned second place in the Mix category, a combination of the dance, pom and high kick styles.

The team also earned third place in the Pom category. In the Pom category, the dance is performed with “a strong visible use of the pompoms throughout the routine,” according to the Lee’s Summit North Invitational informational brochure.

Pompons are required to be used during at least eighty percent of the routine.

The dance team’s next competition is Feb. 15 at Kemper Arena. H

Dance ‘til you drop 1.

2.

4.

5.

6.

30

3.

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

1. The varsity dance team practices their final pose after they finished their routine Jan. 17 in the gym.

2. Junior Meghan Daniels does crunches at the beginning of practice Jan. 17 in the gym.

3. Junior Sydney Wimes practices her penche Jan. 17 in the gym. This is Wimes’ third year on the varsity dance team.

4. The varsity dance team practices Jan. 17 in the gym. The team practices Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 6 a.m. and Fridays at 5:30 a.m 5. Senior Katie Daniels dances during practice Jan.17 in the gym.

6. The varsity dance team stands in formation at practice after running through their routine Jan. 17 in the gym. photos by KATIE HORNBECK

last look

2.

3.

g strength in lengths

1.

4.

1. Students hold hands as friends and family cut eight or more inches off their hair for Pantene Beautiful Lengths. photo by MARIA DONNELLY 2. Sophomores Lily Walsh, left, and Zoe Jackson study the contents of the bags given to each girl who donated their hair at the Beautiful Lengths ceremony Jan 31. Each bag had a paper eight inch ruler and a pair of scissors. photo by LINDSEY VALDIVIEZ

3. Junior Gretchen Dudley cries while junior Gloria Cowdin snips off eight inches of her hair. photo by LINDSEY VALDIVIEZ 4. Seniors Frances Neuneubel, left, and Alondra Tule take a picture prior to the hair-cut countdown. Neuneubel survived cancer in the eighth grade. photo by LINDSEY VALDIVIEZ

pages designed by Cassie Florido & Maddie Knopke

31

in the www.dartnewsonline.com

by MADDIE KNOPKE page designer

musical chairs

photos by ANNA LEACH and SIOBAHN MILLER

As a part of Mission Week, faculty and students participated in the second annual musical chairs competition in the Goppert Center Jan. 31. This year, the game was held during Activity 1 and students, faculty and staff were still invited to watch. See the entire gallery at dartnewsonline.com

op-doc

“11.” he responded.

Of the roughly 200 students who ate at Bistro Kids yesterday, only 11 of us used a plastic plate.

When Bistro Kids was introduced to STA in 2012 they offered only reusable plastic bowls and plates as well as reusable silverware. This was until our administration asked them to offer an option for students needing to take their food to-go, according to Max, the head Bistro Kids chef at STA...

See dartnewsonline.com to continue reading this opinion piece accompanied by a video.

video by LAUREN LANGDON story by LIBBY HYDE

Students’ shouts and cheers echo off the walls of the Goppert Center, and screams are heard as locks of hair fall to the gym floor. Girls look in their reflections and exclaim at how different they look with more than 8 inches less hair. beautiful lengths Finishing out STA Mission Week on Jan. 31, 127 STA students volunteered to See dartnewsonline.com to continue donate their hair to Pantene Beautiful reading this feature story accompanied Lengths... by a video.

32

the dart | dartnewsonline.com | 14 february 2014

accountabilities

story by KATIE PARKINSON and LAUREN LANGDON photos by ANNA LEACH

Started over 40 years ago, this unique process of handling free periods is designed to foster the safety and responsibility of STA students. Read about STA’s accountabilities at dartnewsonline.com page designed by Maddie Knopke