Vol 76 issue 6

THE

DART

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF ST. TERESA'S ACADEMY | KANSAS CITY, MO

YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN CURRENT ISSUES SWEEPS THE NATION Students in the STA community and around the country using their voices to engage in political issues. The Dart investigates how students express their beliefs in today's world.

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P. 12 STUDENTS TRAVEL OFF CAMPUS FOR ADVANCED LANGUAGE COURSES

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P. 28 PREPARING FOR AN IRISH EXTRAVAGANZA

CONTENTS

4. LOCAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE CANCELLED 5. FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE COURSE PLANNING BEGINS

CADINA PALELEI EMBRACES HER SAMUI HERITAGE

6. ST. PETER'S SCHOOL RELOCATES TO SOUTHWEST TEMPORARILY 10. REVIEW: FREEZING MOO'S IS RULED BY LONG WAITS AND CHAOS 12. STUDENTS TAKE ADVANCED LANGUAGE COURSES OFF CAMPUS

8 EXPLORING STUDENTS' INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICS ON THE COVER

14. ALUMNAE MEET FOR MONTHLY BRIDGE CLUB

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21. COLUMN: OPEN LETTER TO MY HOLEY SHIRT 24. STUDENTS SUBMIT RIGOROUS APPLICATIONS TO ART SCHOOL

STUDENTS SHARE THEIR ONENOTE ART

25. TRACKING THE RUNNING CLUB

28. BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BROOKSIDE WARM UP ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

30 Cover design by Lily Manning; photo by Gabby Martinez Backpage design by Gwyn Doran

March 6, 2017

Letter

FROM THE EDITORS

THE STAFF Adviser 2016-2017 Brad Lewis Editors-in-Chief Linden O'Brien Williams Helen Wheatley

WEB

Managing Web Editor Madi Winfield Scheduling Editor Katie Gregory Social Media Editor Anna Louise Sih Social Media Team Members Catherine Ebbits, Kate Jones Breaking News Editor Victoria Cahoon Multimedia Editor Alex Davis

PRINT

After a contentious political season, many have shied from thinking, talking or reading about politics. For others, though, the results of the election have created reason to be more informed than ever.

Whoever you are, you have opinions. The Dart’s centerspread this issue covers how people are actually voicing these beliefs. As teenagers, social media is a key component to this action. Students have taken part in protests, marches and campaigns. Some have called senators, while others believe the best course of action is to avoid voicing political beliefs as it is. This story, by Hannah Jirousek and Katie Gregory, draws connections between these different actions, thereby covering the aftermath of the election as a whole.

Area private schools were planning a kind of student exchange: a chance for STA girls to experience life at Rockhurst High School, for instance. The much anticipated event was cancelled-- read about the decision and the reaction from the schools’ communities. Also on our news pages, find stories explaining the new course offerings for freshmen and sophomores. Find a story about news in the Brookside community, where St. Peter’s School will relocate to Southwest High School next fall.

On the features pages, find an

exploration of the high level language students at STA-- girls who are taking classes at a collegiate level, and leaving class during the day to do so. Also find a profile of the STA Bridge Club, a group of alumnae, grandmothers and mothers that meet to play competitive bridge on a regular basis.

Lastly, take a look at the incredibly competitive nature of applying to art school: what the process entails, the sometimes heartbreaking nature of a decision and the art that goes along with those choices. On our Last Look pages, see the best art created by students in their OneNote programs.

As always, thanks for reading and check out DNO for breaking news and multimedia coverage.

Fondly, Helen and Linden

Last issue's centerspread story included an outdated definition of Down Syndrome. The definition has been updated on DNO and the Dart staff deeply regrets this error.

page design by Hannah Jirousek

Managing Print Editor Mackenzie O'Guin Visual Illustrator Ellie Grever Photography Editors Cassie Hayes, Paige Powell Page Designers Maureen Burns, Zoë Butler, Gwyn Doran, Ellie Grever, Hannah Jirousek, Julia Kerrigan, Lily Manning, Gabby Mesa, Claire Molloy, Linden O'BrienWilliams, Mackenzie O'Guin, Margaux Renee, Gabby Staker, Helen Wheatley, Madi Winfield

COPY

Features Editor Zoë Butler News Editor Lily Manning Lifestyles Editor Claire Molloy Opinion Editor Gwyn Doran Sports Editor Katie Donnellan Staff Photographers Gabby Ayala, Meghan Baker, Helen Krause, Gabby Martinez, Meggie Mayer, Riley McNett, Anna Kate Powell, Sophie Sakoulas Staff Writers Cece Curran, Alex Frisch, Annabelle Meloy, Katie Mulhern, Margaux Renee, Isabel Shorter, Sophy Silva, Anne Claire Tangen, Natalie Telep, Lucy Whittaker

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Student government Editorial exchange cancelled due to Policies exclusivity

STA NEWS

Ownership and Sponsorship

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The chart, made by the senior class officers, represents the number of students from each Father-Daughter Bowling school who are participating in the catholic schools student exchange program.

Story by Gabby Staker Page Designer Photos by Sophie Sakoulas Photographer

A student swap between local Catholic high schools the week of Feb. 13-17 was cancelled because of concerns about a lack of inclusiveness.

February 13 came and went at St. Teresa’s Academy. The students never came.

Rockhurst High School Senior Class President Bernie O’Boyle and Student Government President Ryan Chandler had reached out to Kansas City Catholic high schools St. James Academy, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Notre Dame de Sion High School and St. Teresa’s Academy to schedule a student exchange. Inspired by a “two-for-two,” one-day swap between Rockhurst and STA in 2011, O’Boyle had hopes to unite local student governments and abolish long-held stereotypes. As of Feb. 2, all schools were on board with the idea. By Feb. 3, Rockhurst had withdrawn.

STA Senior Class President Gabby Ayala worked in collaboration with O’Boyle and Chandler. According to Ayala, the week of Feb. 13-17, each of the five schools would have one day to host approximately ten shadows- two to three from each school. She was excited by March 6, 2017

the possibility, but held anxieties about the likelihood of the exchange being approved.

“While our moderator thought the idea was possible, he still needed to run the idea past his higher ups,” O’Boyle wrote. “That is where the program was deconstructed completely, and unfortunately, it was only weeks before the program was to begin.”

In their presentation to Rockhurst administration, O’Boyle and Chandler cast the student government exchange as an opportunity to create a union between the Catholic high schools of the greater Kansas City area. In theory, the union would involve coordination on fundraisers and service projects to boost turnout and impact on the community.

“It is believed that if this exchange program goes well, we will have a gaping window through which to really make a difference in our Kansas City community,” O’Boyle wrote.

Their final argument pushed for the exchange as a way to break stereotypes.

"It is known that experiences, often times more than information, vaporize ignorance,” O’Boyle wrote. “Rockhurst boys are often labeled as arrogant and misogynistic. This stereotype is proven false time and time again within and outside the walls of Rockhurst, though no one seems to look closely enough. The program gives the incoming shadows that opportunity.”

Despite these reasons, the idea was not approved. Rockhurst administration

didn’t approve of Archbishop O’Hara High School, Bishop Miege HIgh School and Bishop Ward High School not being included. The “higher ups” also believed that sitting through classes at other schools would not be beneficial to the program.

However, Ayala said the exchange was never limited, and ultimately only included the schools that replied to their invitation.

After Rockhurst High School withdrew, Sion shortly followed suit, citing similar concerns about exclusivity.

They proposed hosting a summit of Kansas City student governments to understand how other schools conduct their meetings and plan events at a later date. Sion Student Body President Elsa Brundige told Ayala they were also worried about the “lack of cohesion and communication regarding the exchange program.”

While its cancellation was disappointing for many involved, there is hope for a future version of the exchange.

“I was utterly deflated afterward, to say the least,” wrote O’Boyle. “This program that had so much potential was no more, and there was nothing we could do or say to change that. That being said, Mr. Linscott did want us to move forward with some sort of exchange, just an exchange vastly different from the one we had planned.” H

New courses to be brought to life next year Story and photos by Cece Curran Writer

Many new courses are being offered next year. Out of the 20, eight of these new courses will be physical education classes.

Next year, STA will offer 20 new courses in various departments. The new courses available include new physical education, English, theology, art, science, performing arts and technology.

Out of the 20 new courses, eight will be physical education courses, including CPR/AED and first aid training, Eclipse Ball, Zumba, Tai Chi, Badminton, Pilates/ yoga and Yoga Stretch and Meditation.

Physical Education teacher Stacie O’Rear has decided to divide the freshman classes in half instead of having them take a full year of freshman P.E. O’Rear says they will still include all of the sexual reproduction, STDs, substances and nutrition. Next year, they will add in some basic first aid training, more mindfulness training and some CPR training. O’Rear says the students won’t be certified, but will at least have a basic introduction to CPR and AED. “We’re just kind of changing up [the way freshman P.E. is structured] a little, but hopefully getting the freshman maybe a little bit more time in their schedule so that they can meet with teachers or work on projects with other students,” O’Rear said, “just because their schedules are so tight.”

Out of the eight P.E. courses, a portion of them are for one fourth of a credit.

These courses include the CPR/AED and

A group of students practice yoga during class Feb. 14. The class is taught by dance teacher and yoga instructor Andrea Skowronek.

first aid training, eclipse ball, zumba, tai chi and badminton. However, pilates/ yoga, yoga stretch and meditation and independent study- physical education will be half a credit. The new course, tai chi, is an ancient art form that comes from martial arts. O’Rear described it as very slow, controlled movements.

All of these new P.E. courses are offering a larger variety of opportunities for students.

“I feel like the meditation part would be a good stress reliever for me, considering junior year is supposed to be really hard,” sophomore Ellery Stubbers, who registered for yoga stretch and meditation said.

Along with the P.E. courses, there will be some new technology, theology, art and dance courses available. Theology "Women as Witnesses" is a new elective that will focus on Christian women in scripture, tradition and the CSJs. “The theology department had a wonderful discussion about it, and felt that it would be a great course to offer at an all girls school” Principal of Academic Affairs Barbara McCormick said. page design by Gabby Mesa

Next year, the English department will be changing the courses that are taken junior and senior year. They are changing in length and availibility. AP English Literature is offered to both juniors and seniors next year, and College Composition will now be a year long course rather than just a semester long course. Eventually, the order that students take the two classes will change. “[The English department] feels that more students are ready for this particular AP course at the junior level,” McCormick said. “And that it capitalizes on much of the literature read their sophomore year, therefore they perform better.”

Along with the changes to a few of the English courses, there will be some other new courses available next year.

There will also be three courses offered over the summer. In addition to Personal Finance and Speech, Ecology will now be offered.H

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LOCAL NEWS

St. Peter's To relocate

fall semester

seeing it operate as a school again….

The school community was relieved to hear that we had a location and The local Kansas City grade that it was nearby. Relocating will be a big logistical challenge but the school school will be adding new families, and the entire parish, have been really supportive. There is a lot heat and air conditioning of planning to do but everyone seems units and bathrooms ready to roll up their sleeves and get to compliant with the ADA act work.”

Barbara Martin, a member of the among other modifications.

St. Peter’s parish and neighbor to St. Peter’s grade school will be Southwest, has seen the school open temporarily relocated to what was and close its doors to students several formerly Southwest High School times. during the fall of 2017 semester due to “I was excited to hear that plans renovations scheduled for this summer. for renovations were underway and a

According to St. Peter’s location had been found for St. Peter’s,” communications director Anne Pautler, Martin said. “And I was even more the renovations will take place in the excited that location was Southwest. north building and include new heat and air conditioning units, bathrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a new exterior stairwell, entrance on the east elevation, new finishes, flooring and millwork in classrooms and corridors.

Additionally, rooms will be redesigned to match more, and there will be a multipurpose space built between the school and church called the narthex.

Students will be released early this summer and will likely return to St. Peter’s in January of 2018 when construction is finished.

I’ve lived here for more than 40 years.

While the school undergoes It will be good to see the building in use renovations, students and teachers again and the neighborhood a bit more will move to Southwest, dubbed their lively.”

“Semester Abroad”.

Pautler says the building is currently in “Southwest was the first place that good conditions for its future inhabitants. came to mind for relocation,” Pautler “We plan to make a few repairs and said. “It seemed like a natural fit: there modifications but nothing extensive,” is plenty of room for us, it is right in Pautler said. “We are currently evaluating our own backyard and the school to what extent we will employ technology parents are familiar with it. Some are in the classroom like we do now, how even alumni. It is a beautiful, historic we do that, what sort of systems we will building, like our own, and I think use for internal communication, security, the whole community, St. Peter’s those types of things, but again the parish and beyond, will enjoy

Story by Gwyn Doran | Writer Photos by Meggie Mayer Photographer

"We are trying to help the kids look at it as an adventure...their semester abroad."

Anne Pautler

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March 6, 2017

building is in good shape in that regard too. It’s just a matter of getting set up.”

St. Peter’s sixth grader Nolan Shaw says he’s nervous for the move to a new building, but excited for the renovations.

"It will be weird going to school somewhere else,” Shaw said. “I’ve been at St. Peter’s for a long time. But the changes sound cool and it’s only for the fall.”

“We are trying to help the kids look at it as an adventure, something they will always remember: their semester abroad,” Pautler said. H

the NEWS FEED

by Lily Manning | Page Designer

Each issue, the Dart highlights groundbreaking events in the world, US, Missouri and KC.

in the world

State media in North Korea reports the country has successfully launched a new ballistic missile. Leader Kim Jong Un personally ordered the launch.

The launch has been confirmed by the US, who says the national security council will be holding meetings soon to discuss this behavior presented by North Korea.

the u.s.

The Oroville Dam failure caused almost 200,000 civilians to be evacuated from their homes in Northern California. The nation’s tallest dam stands intact, but the overflow spillage, is eroding, due to heavy rainfall this winter. Officials say that this could send a 30 foot wall of water downstream. California Governor Jerry Brown issued a state of emergency to help with evacuations.

Young Saint Peter’s gradeschoolers lineup to await for instructions from their teacher Feb. 9. The Catholic grade school will move to Southwest in the fall of 2017.

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1. A computer generated view of St. Peters' new Narthex connecting building from the North.

2. St. Peters' projected North building classroom views.

3. St. Peters' new stairway and entrance.

missouri Members of the Children and Families Committee of the Missouri House may consider a bill that would raise Missouri’s earliest legal age to marry to 17. Critics report Missouri’s marriage laws are among the loosest in the country, making MO a "sanctuary for child marriages." Currently in Missouri, children can marry at age 15 with parent consent.

kansas city

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The Kansas City Public Library is embracing the homeless in KC by offering free services. On the third Wednesday of every month The Central Library in Downtown KC offers Coffee and Conversations, a free session where homeless can come to grab a bite to eat, pick up some books, discuss their needs with one another or listen to a chosen presenter.

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page design by Ellie Grever

STAR SPOTLIGHT

CADINA PALELEI Story by Maureen Burns | Writer Photo by Helen Krause Photographer

Freshman Cadina Palelei’s dad grew up in the island of Samoa and has transferred his memories and different aspects of the culture to his daughter.

Where is your family from?

The Island of Samui.

Do you ever visit there?

Not recently because because of my dad’s business out there. His side of the family are big landowners so he is trying to convert his name into that.

Did you travel there a lot before then?

No because my whole life time he has been struggling with that. So he starting to plans for us to go out there because we have a big family Are both of your parents from there?

No, just my dad.

Does he ever talk about what it was like when he was there?

Yeah! He always described it as like an Island movie. Where he would wake up in the mornings and climb trees and always have these crazy adventures out there. That really what his childhood was, crazy adventures. And he came out here when he was like 12, but then he went back. So, he was born out there, he lived there until he was 12 then he moved here and then he moved back to the island and back here again.

He did a lot of moving.

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What kind of aspects of that culture did he pass on to you?

The whole concept of family because he was the youngest boy of 15, and so he really passed on the whole you need to be close to each other, always be there no matter how far apart you guys are Regarding that, are you still close to his family?

I’m not as close to his family as I want to be, but I would say that we’re pretty close. We all grew up together. And so my brothers and sister, we are all super close. My mom when I was little had a whole bunch of jobs and so my sister was more like a mother figure to me when I was little.

Do you still have a lot of extended family living on the Island?

Yeah, my grandma and her whole side of the family mostly still live there, and she still technically lives there. It’s just that she comes back here for medicine and better hospitals.

Are there any certain items that are significant to your culture?

There are tapa cloths that are very traditional that you use as a sort of tapestry, but more island specific because they did very much have tribes and where you came from and where you are is your boundaries. So certain designs were very specific to where you came from and so it is made out of this tree bark and takes a lot of time and March 6, 2017

processing to make it. Another thing is a Cava bowl which is what we use for special events to create what is called cava. It is a very traditional thing that you only use for family events.

How do you transfer some of the Island culture to how you live today?

I do have a very big tapa cloth in my room to remind me where I came from.

What part of your culture are you most proud of?

We’re very family oriented and very confident in what we do.

Do you see yourself returning to the island often?

I would like to try and go back often because my mom hasn’t been there before and she really wanted to.

Did your dad ever mention the pros and cons of the living on the island versus living in the U.S.?

Yes, he like that here is a bigger world and you are able to go outside your family and people that you know. He also like going back home so that he could be with his family because practically the whole island is their family and the next island man that walks up, you could call him uncle and just tell him your last name and he’ll be like oh yeah I know this one of those kids and it’s really cool.

It’s very common for people to say a last name and people to just know it and come up with all of these memories. H

THE MONTHLY QUESTION

BITS & PIECES

by Helen Wheatley | Editor-in-Chief

What is your favorite movie, or the best movie ever made?

“My favorite movie is Gettysburg because it taught me how smart Robert E Lee was but how he let his pride get in the way and cost him the victory.”

- Ed Chronister, substitute teacher “The best movie is the Bee Movie because it has a very interesting and different plot line.”

- Devin John, Junior

“Avatar because it’s a nice blend of imagination and creativity, but it brings in childhood, adult views, politics, military, nature and preserving the environment” - Reilly Johnson, Senior “Nashville is the most impressive

by Sophie Sakoulas Photographer

Each issue, the Dart highlights students' Instagrams. This month's theme: Valentine's Day

movie that’s ever been made, not just because of its content but because of its technique.”

- Steve Himes, English teacher

MY LIFE SUCKS / MY LIFE ROCKS

by Annabelle Meloy | Writer "After getting some of that good good rolling ice cream, I crashed my car but instead of hitting another car I hydroplaned and hit a tree. All my friends driving behind me thought I was swerving on purpose."

-Hannah Bland, Sophomore

I N S TA G R A M S OF THE ISSUE

@katelowe_: lots of love #valentinealways

“Balancing gymnastics and school work has always been a challenge, but one that I can handle. During competition season I travel almost every weekend for meets. From Chicago to Colorado to St. Louis.

Somehow you just make time for things that you love.”

-Francine Vaughn, Sophomore

THAT'S WHAT

@beautifullovelymistakes: @sophiebunch Happy Valentine's Day

SHE SAID

Each issue, the Dart shares entertaining student tweets.

Compiled by Helen Krause Photographer

Faith Palausky, Junior @faithpalausky: “I couldn’t ever spell apocalypse before Himes’ class but now I can so at least I learned the important things” Margaret Jordahl, Sophomore “Remember when the main thing teens were talking about was whether that dress was black and blue or gold and white? What a time to be alive.”

Isabelle Fleming, Sophomore @iflemingo: “The best part about silent study is listening to the chefs talk about what happened on the bachelor last night.”

Sofia Young, Junior @sofiacyoung: “I can no longer count the amount of times people have told me I look like Corinne from the bachelor.” page design by Margaux Renee

@hannah_grant12: Happy Valentine's day to the best significant OTTER a zoo gal could ask for! #zoocrew #zoopuns

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REVIEWS

Freezing Moo is not worth the wait Story and photos by Lucy Whittaker | Writer

Freezing Moo's ice cream rolls are not worth the drive to Overland Park or the half hour wait.

HHH

your name and you go up to the window and they make your ice cream in front of you. This was kind of chaotic especially when it was really busy. Sometimes you couldn’t hear your name being called, and if you did then you have to awkwardly squeeze your way through groups of people to get there.

Despite everything else, the ice cream was delicious. I had “The Green Monster” which was green tea ice cream, condensed milk, and lychee. I love green tea ice cream and putting it with condensed milk was perfection. I also had one with strawberries and mango, which was delicious. The ice cream rolls are harder than regular ice cream so you have to cut into it with a spoon, you can’t just scoop it. However, when you actually eat it, it’s the same texture as regular ice cream.

I loved the ice cream and the atmosphere of Freezing Moo, but in the end, I do not think it was worth the drive out there and the wait. H

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I did it. After months of seeing it on Snapchat stories, I finally went to Freezing Moo. I made the trek all the way out to 135th Street, and the Waldo side of me was dying. Located on the corner of a strip mall in Overland Park, it was quite the hike.

Freezing Moo makes fried ice cream rolls, a dessert that originated in East Asia. The rolls are made when they pour milk over the ice grill, which freezes the ice cream and then is scraped off the grill into rolls.

When I first walked into this small ice cream shop, I fell in love with the decor. All the walls were covered in Post-it notes and pictures. They have a bluetooth printer that you can use to print off pictures and tape on the walls along with an abundance of Post-it notes. This unique decor added a sense of community to the store which is something you can’t find anywhere else.

The first time I went to Freezing Moo, it was around 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night. I definitely do not recommend making this decision. It was packed. And, when I say “packed,” I mean I could barely move. I waited in line for about five minutes and ended up waiting for my ice cream for about 45 minutes. The second time I went, however, was much more pleasant.

I went on a Monday afternoon right after school, and it only took about about 20 minutes in total.

1. Freezing Moo invites customers to leave pictures and notes on the walls. They opened in Inside there are six stations and each of them has an ice grill. The November of 2016.

2. Freezing Moo specializes in fried ice cream rolls. They have six ice cream rolls on the menu. person at the grill calls out

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March 6, 2017

'Split' full of personality Story by Gabby Mesa Page Designer

The movie 'Split' took a pretty heavy topic, but what really made an impression was James McAvoy's portrayal of the role.

HHH Picture it. You’re chilling at home over spring break binge watching American horror story: Asylum. The entire scare factor comes from the fact that it's set in a mental hospital where the halls are haunted and everyone is just a bit off.

That's merely one example of hollywood using mental illness to create horror.

Some argue that another example is the movie “Split,” but I found my self sympathizing with the main character, not scared of him.

The film tells the story of a man named Kevin, played by James McAvoy, who has 23 personalities. Three of his personalities dubbed as “the hoarde” work together to kidnap three teenage girls, and the drama follows them throughout their confinement in a

basement. The teenagers not only have to deal with being kidnapped but with the uncertainty of not knowing which personality they are dealing with whenever they encounter "Kevin."

The audience should have no problem deciphering between the personalities because James McAvoy acted the heck out of the role. One of the personalities, named Hedwig, is a nine year old boy and Kanye fan. Even though I knew in my heart of hearts that the actor on screen was a 37 year old man, I found my self lost in the high pitch tone of his voice, his questionable dance moves and his childlike reasoning. I was completely convinced that McAvoy had entered into the mindframe of a nine year old.

Hedwig’s character often serves as a comic relief for a movie that takes on some serious topics, namely DID, or dissociative identity disorder. Hollywood has repeatedly been criticized for its use of the mental illness to build Horror and suspense in films. Some critics even argue that Split specifically, causes audience members to dehumanize those with the disorder but I would have to disagree (for the most part).

During the film, I found myself sympathising with Kevin who had no ill intentions and voiced his desire to overcome his disorder. When he realized the things that “the hoarde” had been up to, he also voiced his desire to help, going as far as asking one of the kidnapped girls to kill him. To the point of critics, the inclusion of a far from human, cannibalistic personality called “the beast” was highly questionable. But in the case of split, it is the job of the viewer to understand that the movie is fiction and not an accurate representation of those who suffer from DID. Controversy aside, the movie was suspenseful until the very end. I wouldn’t call it scary but, but if you're not a scary movie person I would suggest being prepared to look away from the screen a few times. Three fourths of the way through the movie I had to hold my mom's arm because she covered her eyes, started to get out of her chair and said, “I’m leaving.” For me, Split didn't live up to the gasp invoking trailer but it was still pretty good. If you're thinking about seeing it.. go! You can decide for yourself if it was worth all of the controversy. H

London rapper takes hip hop by storm Story by Mackenzie O'Guin Managing Editor of Print

also made me wary, because many young contemporary rappers are growing in popularity– young gangbanger wannabes Stormzy's potential to that forget that originally gangster rap was become one of rap’s big a lament of thug life, not an advertisement for it. The only bars a lot of new-schoolers names continues with his would risk seeing are those fabricated debut studio album, Gang in the confines of their music. Stormzy Signs & Prayer. taps into the old school art of creating an HHHHH unglorified exposé of hood life.

The employment of religious symbolism Before listening to Stormzy’s Gang Signs was also surprisingly purposeful. I & Prayer, I had never heard the young British grime rapper, but now I don’t think I’ll was instantly interested by the title’s be able to keep his name out of my mouth. juxtaposition of faith and organized crime, a concept many mafia movies and rappers There’s something special about an alike have explored. The album’s cover even album when you press play on the first track and within a few seconds, you know. presents a ghettoized rendition of Da Vinci’s Last Supper, the table laden in all black, From the get, one thing was clear – this album is intentional. The first sound audible “disciples” clad in balaclavas, and in Jesus’ place, Stormzy himself. Ordinarily, while is the ominous crackling of a storm rolling in, and it becomes clear Stormzy is not just I appreciate religious allusions in music, a persona – he’s a force of nature. Through I am not a fan of religious music. Thus, imagine my surprise when definitively a thick London accent, the rapper’s spiritual twin tracks “Blinded By Your Grace, lacerating lyrics are compelling and, Pt. 1” and “Blinded By Your Grace, Pt. 2” more importantly, convincing. The blatant shone as standalones and even moreso as gangster that attracted me to the album page design by Claire Molloy

evidence of Stormzy’s varied skillset. The album’s intertwined coverage of faith and thuggishness made me respect Stormzy for naming his album Gang Signs & Prayer not because it sounded like the G thing to say, but because that’s actually the story he tells and the content he discusses.

By the time I finished “Lay Me Bare,” the haunting final track, I was thoroughly impressed by and obsessed with Stormzy.

Gang Signs & Prayer is only his first studio album, and I’m already fantasizing about what’s next, wondering what could happen should Stormzy ever partner with American producer Thundercat or Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar, to name just a couple dream collabs. I can’t imagine what Stormzy could do in the genres of underground horrorcore and gangsta rap I was brought up on.

In the end, I wholeheartedly endorse this up-and-comer. Working for a rap label, I’ve developed an eye for which artists are a storm brewing and which will fizzle out. In regards to Stormzy? The name speaks for itself. H

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FEATURES

STUDENTS TRAVEL TO ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY TO FULFILL LANGUAGE NEEDS STA students taking French class at Rockhurst University walk towards the building where their class takes place.

Story by Margaux Renee Page Designer Photo by Riley McNett Photographer

Freshmen who begin on an advanced language track at STA have the option to go off campus in the future.

At about 1:30 p.m.s on Wednesdays, senior Gloria Mun makes her way from Anatomy, her 7th period class, to her house which sits just a short walk west of STA’s Donnelly building. In the span of about 20 minutes, she changes out of her STA uniform, raids her fridge for a snack and rushes to her car for her French Literature course at Rockhurst University.

For most high school students, going to class consists of merely hurrying down the hallway during passing period.

But, for some advanced students at STA, heading to class looks more like Mun’s routine.

French teacher Alice Amick explains why there is a need for

12

the partnership with Rockhurst University, especially with some Freshmen coming into STA at a higher level.

“The courses taken off campus would start at college level French 5, and it usually is a student from Academie Lafayette who started at a higher level,” Amick said.

Amick teaches French 1 and 2 as well as college level French 3 and 4 as an adjunct professor of Rockhurst University.

She explains that within the dual credit system, students can take French 3 and 4 at STA while earning credit through Rockhurst University, hence the “college” distinction. Spanish teacher Julia Gargallo seconds that this system is the same with higher level Spanish.

“The courses are really looked at from two different perspectives,” Amick said. “Do they satisfy high school credit?

And, then, do they satisfy college credit?

They’re evaluated independently in that way,” Amick said.

Gargallo touches on the relationship that the language department at STA has with the professors at Rockhurst.

“The Spanish teachers have a very close relationship with the chair and the March 6, 2017

Spanish professors,” Gargallo said.

She explains how this was reflected when she was invited to teach a class in the evenings at Rockhurst. She continues detailing the partnership saying that, Rockhurst Spanish professors come to STA twice a semester to observe the Spanish courses. “They are always very pleased,” Gargallo said.

Both Gargallo and Amick agree that the STA-Rockhurst partnership enables students to not only have options, but make their own choices in regards to language.

Because Mun attended Academie Lafayette for elementary school, she started in French 3 as a freshman and began taking courses off-campus as a junior.

“Last semester I took a [French] film class where all we did was watch movies and we had to answer questions about it, which was literally the best class ever,” Mun said. She detailed that her class was only on Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“It was really long, but it was really nice,” Mun said.

Like Mun, senior Elsa Feigenbaum

took a language course at Rockhurst last semester but had a somewhat different experience.

“I was in Spanish 3100 or advanced composition and conversation,” Feigenbaum said.

She emphasizes the sheer workload of the class as well as how time consuming it was.

“It was definitely harder than any of the classes I’ve taken at STA, though I feel like I was really prepared for it,” Feigenbaum said. “But definitely the next level.”

Feigenbaum goes into how it was challenging to balance all of her classes.

“My course load is really heavy and so it made it a lot more difficult,” Feigenbaum said.

“Still,” she continues, “I would definitely recommend taking a class at Rockhurst because I definitely think it will help [you] feel less nervous for college just knowing what the atmosphere [will be] like,” Feigenbaum said.

Mun agrees and would also recommend the option at Rockhurst adding that the professors recognize that you are a high school student and are happy to work with you.

“It’s a good experience, the teachers really accommodate to your needs, they know you’re a high school student.” She adds that she has definitely benefited from the university environment. “It challenges me to be more confident in myself and in my french,” Mun said with a smile. H

A sign displaying "Rockhurst University" hangs in front of the school. Rockhurst is where multiple students from STA take language courses at a higher level.

French professor Melany Adams writes in French on the board during class Feb 9. Students from STA go to Rockhurst University to study at a higher level of French on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the week.

off campus credits: who's enrolled?

The Dart compiled the amount of students taking language courses off campus during the 2016-2017 school year. Data is courtesy of registrar Kathy Walters.

Alternative coverage compiled by Helen Wheatley | Editor-in-Chief

3

students taking College Spanish V

8 1

page design by Julia Kerrigan

students taking College French V

student taking College French VI

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FEATURES

STA BRIDGE CLUB DEALS TO SISTERHOOD Story by Zoe Butler | Features Editor Photos by Cassie Hayes Photo Editor

Each month, STA's bridge club, consisting of alumnae, grandmothers and mothers, meets, sparking a community in and of itself on campus.

Nancy’s eyebrows raise, her eyes light up and her smile widens as she looks at Barb from across the table.

“Remember the time we threw Comet [bathroom cleaner] upstairs all over where they used to board - those bathrooms upstairs? We threw it all over the place.”

They both burst into a fit of laughter as they continue to reminisce about their high school years at STA. Having been best friends since grade school, Nancy Connell and Barb Flynn’s friendship didn’t end with their graduation from STA in 1964. Now, they use STA’s monthly Bridge Club as another way to keep in touch. “[We don’t see each other] so much with our kids grown up, but since our 50th [high school anniversary] we’ve been together more,” Flynn said.

This is a similar situation for many of the women involved in this club. Having some ties with STA, whether that be alumnae, having kids that went there, or grandkids that currently attend, one of these women described seeing these familiar faces as “sensory overload”.

The idea to start a bridge club at STA first came from STA president Nan Bone, originally thinking it would be a good idea to teach the students. They decided that the girls probably wouldn’t be receptive to the idea, and it was then that they thought to make it a game for the alumnae. This idea was put into practice shortly after by long

14

time STA affiliates Jean McDonnell, Jane Quarnstrom and Michelle Meurer and overseen by Kathleen Barry.

In addition to the monthly meetings, the club also funds a scholarship for a girl at STA, what is referred to as an “annual scholarship”. This means that after the women have paid their dues, they give whatever money they have left, resulting in a scholarship that is anywhere up from $1,000.

Although bridge club co-founder Jane Quarnstorm stresses a noncompetitive environment, according to Sheila Eikermann, bridge player and grandmother of junior Ruthie McKee, there is a different idea amongst most of the other women.

“Bridge is always competitive,” Eikermann said. “And that’s not just us, everybody that knows how to play bridge wants to win.”

Eikermann and Schloegel have been playing bridge at STA as a team since the beginning, and before that they’ve been on several different teams. But where they first learned to play was at home with their families.

March 6, 2017

“We learned to play bridge at home from our mom and dad,” Eikermann said.

“We were probably about 10 or 12 and there were four girls, so as one would move out and go to college, then the next girl would move up. So, I was the fourth girl, and I remember that they wanted to play what seemed like every night, but just for an hour. I’d be saying, ‘But, I have homework!’ and they’d say, ‘But just for an hour!’ It was a family game.”

According to Eikermann, the teams consisting of sisters have an upper hand.

One of the other teams that shares this advantage is STA president Nan Bone and her sisters Barb, Kathy and Diane.

“I think that’s why we [win], I really do think that it’s just because we’ve played so much together,” Eikermann said. “But Michele and I have almost always been opponents, and I’m the little sister, so it’s very fun for me to play with Michele instead of against her.”

Eikermann and Schloegel keep up their families' games with a Monday night poker night, where all of their siblings gather at their eldest sister’s house.

STA alumnae and friends gather in Verheyen the first Wednesday of every month to play bridge. Called the Bridge Stars, these ladies are often involved in other bridge clubs and compete regularly.

STA alum plays bridge with three women in Verheyen Feb. 8. Every member of the Bridge Stars club has either graduated from STA or has ties to a current student.

“It’s always competitive, but we play for pennies so the most you’re gonna win or lose would be $2,” Eikermann said.

“Usually it’s 30 cents,” Schloegel said.

“You don’t get too mad at anybody,” Eikermann said.

While they continue to play with their siblings, they are beginning to teach the next generation what they’ve learned, hoping to keep the tradition of family card games. According to Eikermann, both of their daughters have agreed to learn, now they just have to do the hard part of teaching them.

In addition to STA bridge club, most of the women know each other through other groups, many of them being in other bridge clubs.

“I was just asked to be in a prayer group [with women from here],” Eikermann said. “And I am in a prayer group with several of them [already], and we have a book club with almost everybody here from this group...I’m in two [bridge clubs] that have been around forever, but one I quit when I was having my fourth child.”

It was here that a woman cut in to

say that “Patty’s driving tonight” and Eikermann explained that this was for “another bridge club”.

Virginia Coppinger, bridge player and grandparent of sophomores Addie and Kate Coppinger, says that she takes every chance she can to play bridge.

“There’s a lot of us that are in different bridge groups, like at Carriage Club every Thursday,” Coppinger said. “You gotta keep going. You gotta keep that mind thinking.”

Although STA’s bridge club can get competitive, it is nothing compared to Kansas City Bridge Studio, “Kansas City’s premiere bridge club,” which is designed for daily games, lessons and special events.

“People go to play for master bridge points,” Eikermann said. “We don’t go to that place, because we don’t want to be at that level of competition. Very competitive. Like you call the director when somebody makes a mistake instead of just saying ‘whoops’. So we don’t want to be there. And there are probably other places [like that].”

STA’s club’s intimacy is an attractive quality in many of these women’s eyes.

One woman even described it as similar to a speed dating environment where you “meet for five minutes and move on”.

But the most enticing feature is seeing the faces of women they used to see at this same place many years ago.

“We can’t tell a lot of [our high school stories],” Bone's sister said. “We can’t because my sister’s the president. I’ll tell you one thing, the friends you meet at St. Teresa’s remain friends the rest of your life". H page design by Maureen Burns

BRIDGING THE GAP: Basics of the game Alternative Coverage by Claire Molloy | Lifestyles Editor

1

Get four players into two teams and sit across from each other

2 Deal each player 13 cards 3 One player puts down a card clockwise, each player 4 Going lays down a card of the same suit (if possible)

player with the highest 5 The card at the end of that round

(aces play highest) wins what is called a trick

going until all 13 cards 6 Keep have been played team with the most 7 The tricks after all the cards have been played wins (must get seven to win)

for as long as 8 Repeat desired

15

CENTERSPREAD

america electe

STUDENTS PROTESTED: YOUTH INVOLVEMENT SWEEPS THE Story by Katie Gregory | Web Editor

Hannah Jirousek | Writer Photos compiled by Helen Krause | Photographer Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service

A

fter an unprecedented election cycle, the nation has had time to reflect on the evolution of American values in today’s modern age. Many citizens were captivated by the divisive and revolutionary political movements that inspired millions around the world, including members of the STA community. Throughout the election, numerous, controversial acts were brought to the public’s attention, including FBI investigations into Hillary Clinton’s email server and the leaking of now-President Donald Trump’s highly debated comments about women.

These events shocked and called to action citizens around the country, making its way through the halls of STA. Many students of St. Teresa’s were impassioned by this contentious topic, prompting them to rally behind their political stances.

16 March 6, 2017

ed,

E NATION

SOCI AL M E D I A In a way, the election acted as a catalyst for motivating people to educate themselves on current events.

Though the majority of issues discussed during the 20 months of the election were rooted in campaign rhetoric, other matters garnered attention from diverse audiences. The uprising of engagement can greatly be attributed to citizen reporting while sharing their personal experiences, rather than the traditional mainstream media. Citizens across the country utilized different platforms to learn about and discuss the issues most important to them.

In an age of instant connection, the passion for pertinent issues has only grown. Outlets such as Twitter and Instagram reached greater audiences than ever before and encouraged young people to become involved and informed regarding both the election and other political matters. Many citizens used these mediums to organize themselves and rally around certain issues, calling for people to contact their legislators, organize protests and question their beliefs.

“Social media had a huge impact on me, because if you are around people with the same opinions for most of your life, and then you're exposed to something different, even if you don’t end up with the same beliefs as that, you start to question your own beliefs,” sophomore Nicole Ficklin said. “Social media is usually pretty educational, though sometimes you have to be a little wary.”

However, some students felt that social media lost some of its effectiveness, only adding to the divisive nature of the election. “...Up until about the day after Trump was elected, I sort of used social media,” senior Jeanne O’Flaherty said. “I posted one or two pictures on the day that I

got to vote for the first time, and the day after, too, when the winner didn’t turn out to be who I voted for. However, I’ve been staying away from that recently because I think it’s turned into something where some people just use social media to rant, not really to listen to other people, and no one’s really getting anything done.”

PO L I TIC A L ISSU ES Several hot button issues dominated news cycles over the past months, such as abortion, health care, immigration, and the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

Voters viewed the differences between Trump and Clinton as divisive rather than inclusive. Protests broke out on both sides of the aisle regarding abortion, including the March for Life in Washington, D.C., it’s sister marches and the Women’s March on Washington, which came under fire for blocking prolife organization New Wave Feminists from partnering with their cause. “The Women’s March platform is pro-choice and that has been our stance from day one.…the anti-choice organization in question is not a partner of the Women’s March on Washington. We apologize for this error,” the Women’s March official statement read. Members of STA’s Stars for Life club traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the March for Life, and other students participated in the Women’s March in Kansas City.

The Affordable Care Act, a universal health care bill passed under Barack Obama, has been a point of contention for both sides of the aisle since it’s signing in March 2010. In his 100 day plan released after his election, President Trump promised to repeal and replace the Act, a plan supported by many of his voters. Many Clinton supporters feel that the Act is a life-saving one, while Trump supporters feel that the flaws outweigh the positives and that it should be replaced.

Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has cracked down on undocumented immigrants, calling for the hiring of 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, which would increase the number of employees by 50%. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, appointed by Trump, moved to implement this order, signing memos authorizing the mass hiring. page design by Gabby Staker

ADVOCATE!

CONTACT YOUR MISSOURI REPRESENTATIVES Alternative coverage by Katie Mulhern | Writer Illustration by Gabby Staker Page designer

(816)421-1639

4141 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite # 101.

Kansas City, MO 64111

D SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (816)471-7141 1000 Walnut Street, Suite # 1560.

Kansas City, MO 64106

R

SEN. ROY BLUNT

(816)842-4545 101 W. 31 Street Kansas City, MO 64108

D REP. EMANUEL CLEAVER Photos courtesy of Tribune News Service

17

CENTERSPREAD One issue that neither Trump nor Clinton discussed extensively was the Dakota Access Pipeline, though this was very important to many citizens. Oil pipelines are have been a controversial implementation throughout their long history in the United States, but particularly so in recent years; the annual number of significant accidents on oil and petroleum pipelines has shot up by almost 60 percent since 2009, according to federal data interpreted

by The Associated Press.The Dakota Access Pipeline, or DAPL, is just one example. The project, whose proposed route would run through the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota, had people from around the United States protesting for months.

E XP R E SSI O N A N D P R OT E STI N G Prior to the election, emotions weren’t as strong regarding political issues, but after the heat of the election raged through social media and news outlets, many students rose up to the debates that engrossed conversations.

As the nation looks into the unknown future under President Trump's new leadership, some students and faculty around STA remain hopeful that tensions will die down.

"A lot of people are still angry about [Trump's] election," sophomore Bella Brown said. "And I just think it’s time to move on. He’s president whether we like it or not.”

However, protests and rallies continue to be planned around the nation.

"I would say [protests] will continue to be effective if they don’t die down.

Right now, with a majority Republican Congress and a Republican President, if protesters continue to show up, they’re going to be able to do everything they want to do,” social studies teacher Patrick

Nielsen said. “If you continue on with the civil protests and the good means of protest in the way that makes sense and in a way that is legal, which for the most part it has been, then it’s going to be a big impact.”7 The day after Donald Trump's inauguration, people across the world marched with the Women's March on Washington and it’s smaller sister marches, organized by small groups of women from many different cities and countries.

The Women’s March on Washington's mission states, “We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up.”

The marches broke records and the Women’s March on Washington has been labeled one of the biggest protests in United States history, according to The Independent.

Many STA students attended the event in support of its cause, but others felt the March was aggressive toward the incoming president.

“I agree with people marching for whatever they believe in," Brown said. "But the timing of the Women’s March seemed like an attack on him, in a personal way, and I just don’t think that that’s healthy for a new person in office to encounter."

Other students, however, felt the march was a unifying event for the nation.

"I just remember getting off the bus and walking to the crowd, and there was a huge mass of people, and one girl, in particular, standing above the crowd with a sign that just said ‘Rise,’"

"This election was sort of like the telephone game. Something would happen, and by the time it reached you it would be completely different."

Sophomore Bella Brown

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March 6, 2017

Area high school students Willa Ivancic, Morgan Reece, Sarah O'Sullivan, Elianna Lee and Ella Norton attend the Women's March in downtown Kansas City Jan. 21.

Half a million people gather outside the Capitol building during the March for Life Jan. 27. They march for the protection of all human life from womb to tomb.

Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service

O'Flaherty said. "...It was really powerful.

It was definitely a source of hope.”

IN THE C L A SSRO O M Though each citizen had their own individual reaction to the election outcome, some students felt their teacher’s actions following the election were polarizing to people who didn’t share similar political beliefs.

“I would say there is a bias, a lot of teachers try to not express it, but it does sometimes come out,” freshman Elianna Lee said.

After the tensions felt by all on Nov. 8, many students believed their teachers did not act with the level of maturity and level-headedness expected of them.

“After the election, I saw teachers crying in front of their whole class and making Trump supporters feel

A protestor wearing traditional Native American clothing holds a sign reading "#NoDAPL #NoDAPL". The protest occured in front of the Richard Rolling Federal Building Nov. 15. photo

by Gabby Martinez.

badly,” Brown said. “One of my teachers was crying and saying ‘Women are doomed.’ [But] we’re not going to see all the feminist values that we’ve built up completely decline within four years. It was making me, as well as other Trump supporters in my class, feel terrible just for supporting him.”

Though party partiality can be occasionally seen, some teachers often try to avoid arguing politics.

"I just don’t like to be the kind of person that throws their views on to other people and makes it seem like my view are more important than others, Nielsen said. "I respect the way that other people feel about politics and I also respect that other people aren’t going to change my mind and I’m probably not going to change other people’s minds either."

As the new presidential administration

continues to settle in, political discussions at school maintain their prevalence.

“In the early stages of the election and right up to the first couple days of it, [teachers and faculty] were kind of trying to stay neutral,” sophomore Nicole Ficklin said. “If someone was very adamantly anti-Trump, [teachers] would try to ask them to calm down a bit, but in the last couple of weeks, teachers have really kind of given up on that in class.”

Though these past few months have been seen as some of the most divisive in recent U.S. history, many students have hope that our nation can overcome political differences to work towards the common good.

“We all want the same thing; we all want good education, we all want people to be well off, we all want these things,” page design by Gabby Staker

senior Marin Brown said. “I love people, I love life and I think we have a very difficult time understanding why people are conservative or liberal. It’s all about getting what we see as the best good for the most people.”

Discussing the issues facing our nation can be a powerful tool to create positive change through the sharing of ideas and knowledge.

“To only listen to the people with whom you agree fails you,” O'Flaherty said. “If it’s something you believe in, then you should take pride in that and always, no matter what your beliefs are, share them with others. Our ability to think and share with other people is what makes us human.” H

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MAIN ED

VOICE YOUR OPINION After researching it In today’s world, people have strong, unapologetic political views. As American citizens, the right to voice beliefs comes with the responsibility to inform ourselves.

In recent months, America has been racked with discontent over the election of Donald Trump. The dissatisfaction has arisen on national and local platforms in the form of social media, news, marches and everyday discussion. These platforms give everyone the right to voice their opinion, regardless of a person’s age, gender, ethnicity and background. As a democracy we are given the right to voice our discontent, but does this right

RIGHT ON TARGET Compiled by Helen Wheatley Editor-in-Chief

What do you think is the most effective way of voicing your political beliefs?

Abby Schipfer, Freshman "I believe the best way to express political beliefs is not to. I know that everyone has an opinion, and learning from experience, sometimes it's just necessary not to share. Some people take politics very seriously and could lead personal opinions to something physical. I just chose the safe route."

Sophomore Reilly Donnelly "I think the most effective way to voice your political beliefs is to let your actions speak for themselves."

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ever get abused? And when exercised, is it exercised successfully?

We live in America during a time where for key changes to happen, these key changes need to be voiced clearly and effectively, and uneducated ranting across social media does not count as this. Social media is both a gift and a curse that new generations have been given. Using it effectively, we can connect with people across the world with the same beliefs and feelings we have. Yet it can also be dangerously misconstrued, and be a breeding ground for false information and slanderous arguments. Sadly, we see this behavior from those who already have the power to change things in our world, but if we, those who do not have that direct ability, do not partake in this behavior it can make changing our nation all the more easier.

Many students at STA in particular have found their political voice through the women’s marches held at the end of January. The official website for the Women’s March on Washington reported that over 5 million participated in the marches worldwide, with 1 million of these people participating in Washington D.C. According to their website the march was held to stand together “for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families”.

After the marches took place, social media platforms were bombarded with posts of people showing the pride they took in a nationwide movement. Many of these posts included signs that people had brought to the march, and a

handful of these signs held messages that did not coincide with the messages of unity that the Women’s March Website preaches. Instead, some were divisive between our two political parties and many slanderous to our new president. Regardless of political views, all should agree with the unity that the Women’s March website preached, and the messages some signs sent did not do this.

As these movements become more prevalent in our ever changing democracy, as citizens it is our duty to pay attention to what these movements actually stand for, and that we participate in them with full knowledge of this, rather than just participating to tear someone down. H

Illustration by Ellie Grever Visual Illustrator

7 out of 7 editors voted in agreement with this editorial.

March 6, 2017

PERSPECTIVES

WHY THE AGE GAP NEEDS TO BE BRIDGED Story by Victoria Cahoon Breaking News Editor

Why and how I believe the age gap can be closed.

your siblings have or even those few things younger generations at school seem to consistently do just to get on your nerves.

Cutting in line? Let it go. Singing that overplayed song on the radio? Don’t hate, you know you secretly love it too.

By building those simple steps up with the little things, we’ll start to forget the gap that separated us in the first place. If we do that, as we get older, we won’t be approaching teenagers asking them why they had to create those floating menus that never stop moving.

There needs to be a basis of respect

Standing in line at the Noodles and Company on State Line road, a man in his late 50s approached me and my mom and began talking about the new electronic menus they have. He turned to me and said, “This is your generation's fault.” As I stood and took the blame by smiling awkwardly, I turned to my mom for something to say and began to think of half a dozen comebacks.

“Should I be the one to take the blame for this even though I personally don’t have a preference over electronic menus?”

“Since you can blame me for electronic menus, does that mean I can blame you for our world's environment?”

Luckily my amazing mother came to

by Gabby Ayala | Photographer my rescue and answered with a simple, “Oh yeah, we noticed the menus were different too!”

Usually a situation like this wouldn’t make me that uncomfortable, but I’ve been working three to four days per week in a restaurant for seven months, where the majority of customers are older than me and I’ve realized some of the gaps there

by Sophie Sakoulas seem to be between generations.

Photographer While this may seem like an unsolvable task, just think about how simple it would be to let go of certain differences you and

between all people no matter what age. I’m not saying we should get rid of the whole “respect your elders” philosophy, but if each generation continues to treat the other with disrespect, it will continue to be an endless cycle of blame and hate.

While I don’t have an exact answer to this problem, I do have some basic words of wisdom (yes, I’m allowed to have wisdom at the age of 16 - believe it or not). Treat others the way you want to be treated, regardless of age.H

OTHER COLUMNS ONLINE THIS MONTH

AN OPEN LETTER TO Women unite to empower all women SWIMMING Making time to drink tea can benefit your day

page design by Zoe Butler

by Gabby Staker | Page Designer

Why sta needs traditional art classes

By Ellie Grever | Visual Illustrator

21

PERSPECTIVES

Story by Lily Manning | News Editor

YOU AREN'T JUST A NUISANCE I NEED TO COVER UP: AN OPEN LETTER TO MY HOLEY SHIRT Story by Lily Manning | News Editor

Instead of being forced by my mom to patch it up, I’m extremely proud of the holes in my STA polo.

Dear holey polo, I remember yearning for you my freshman year. I showed up on my first day of high school with my skirt pleated and a notecard’s length from my knees and my white polo gleaming and new (and without sweat stains in the armpits).

When my mom and I discussed what color and style polos I wanted that previous summer, we both settled on white, short sleeve shirts. It was what everyone had worn in grade school and I might as well continue wearing what I thought I was comfortable in, right?

I had always wanted to go to St. Teresa’s, and in my first year at

22

the beloved Academy I realized two things: not everyone wears a short sleeved white polo, and high school, especially at STA, is a lot of hard work.

I soon noticed how the uniform polo choices had broadened since grade school, it wasn’t the custom to wear a bright white shirt, instead girls wore black and white, in both short and long sleeve options. Each student had their personal preference and wore what they were comfortable in.

A few months into my freshman year, I decided I needed long sleeves for the next year. I also noticed quite a few upper classmen had something in their wardrobe, this thing soon became what I thought of as the embodiment of the STA girl I always dreamed of being. This thing was you, holey polo.

As soon as my freshman year ended and the order forms were sent out for new polos, I demanded my mom buy me a March 6, 2017

few of those coveted long sleeve shirts. I walked into sophomore year waiting for those holes to sprout through my shirt.

In this year I realized another thing those holes require work, work that only a true STA girl can achieve. School only gets harder from freshman year, and I realized this as I tackled essays, tests, and hours of homework thrown my way as I struggled to find my place sophomore year.

But, finally, at the end of that year, the stress and workload upon me splintered the elbows of my polo shirts and the holes emerged. With this breakthrough came a comfort at STA that I had only previously found at home, a thankfulness for the workload that has made me believe I can really achieve anything, and an appreciation for the hard-working girls surrounding me.

So, here’s to you, holey polo.

Love, A Really Thankful GirlH

Story by Meggie Mayer | Photographer

The importance of the amount of sleep is vital when driving the everyday route to STA.

Screeching, booming, wailing. I jolt to the sound which screams in my ears.

Sluggishly, I swing my feet one by one onto the frigid, hard floor as I hit ‘stop’ on my 6:30 a.m. alarm. I slip into my plaid skirt, shuffle downstairs, grab an apple, and slide in my car. As I put my key into the ignition, I calculate the amount of sleep I had the night before. Babysat til 6:00 p.m., ate dinner til 7:00 p.m., wrote a paper til 9:00 p.m., studied til 11:00 p.m., and read what seemed like fifty chapters til 12:30 a.m.. After I finished chores, showered and brushed my teeth, I finally sank into bed at 1:00 a.m.. Five and a half hours later, I sit in my freezing car. Drowsily I inch forward onto Ward Parkway. All of a sudden the screeching of tires, booming collision and wailing from pedestrians ring in my ears. I sit in complete shock, watching a driver ram into a tree, head slumped over their shoulders, asleep at the wheel.

Every day, people are subjected to the effects of a lack of sleep due to school, extracurricular activities and work.

Students should be given later start times to allow more hours of sleep per night, resulting in academic improvement and

END THE DROWSY DRIVING AND LET ME SLEEP less vehicle accidents.

Lacking the recommended hours of sleep also results in drowsy driving, an impairment of driver alertness, attention, reaction time and judgment on the road.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety

"Students should be given later start times to allow more hours of sleep per night."

Administration reported that 100,000 of crashes are due to drowsy driving. The majority of accidents happen between midnight and 8:00 a.m. Every morning I drive to school at 7:30 a.m., making myself more vulnerable to drowsy driving. With later school start times, students will be able to sleep more and page design by Zoe Butler

avoid the risks on the road.

With the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep, students work more efficiently in the classroom. If schools provided later start times there would be no temptation to sleep in class or arrive late. The Brookings Institution published a study which tested the difference between grades from students that began classes early and of those starting late. It exhibited a significant increase in scores from those who started at a later time, with benefits roughly twice as great as those disadvantaged students. This study proves that late start times improve a student’s academic performance and prevents drifting off in class.

The decrease of grades and incline of crash rates among teenagers are direct results of a lack of sleep. Schools can help resolve these problems by creating later start times that work efficiently with their students. H

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A&E

STUDENT ARTISTS APPLY FOR ART SCHOOLS Story by Alex Frisch | Writer Photos by Madi Winfield Managing Editor of Web

Take a look into the rigorous process of applying to extremely selective art and design colleges.

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ven after spending countless hours creating a portfolio with around 50 pieces of artwork, crafting an artist’s statement encapsulating what inspires their art, submitting test scores and transcripts and deciphering the ins and outs of a foreign application, website applicants to the University of Arts London could be eliminated as a candidate at any point in the application process. Following the preliminary series of intensive interviews, art students applying to the University of Arts London will have a final, fate-altering interview.

They will either receive a green dot or a red dot on their portfolios. If they get a green dot, they've been accepted; a red dot means rejection.

Senior Cat DeRousse has made it through the first grueling stage of the application process for the University of Arts London and now awaits her final interview where she will learn whether or not she’s been accepted into one of the most highly ranked art schools in the world, according to QS World University Rankings. DeRousse is terrified for this final interview.

“It’s been really stressful,” DeRousse said. “I think about it every single day.

My first thought waking up every day is about [the interview]; I’ve had nightmares about it.”

While not all art school application processes are as intense as the one for the University of Arts London, many of them follow a similar application format.

Art schools will usually request an official high school transcript, standardized test scores and a resume of extracurricular activities. When applying to most art colleges, however, students are often also expected to submit all portfolios, have multiple interviews, and submit as many

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1. as a dozen assorted essays, usually about art in their portfolios, according to senior Sarah Ferron.

Once the artwork for a portfolio has been chosen, applicants have to begin the process of documentation.

According to Ferron, the process is comparable to a very intense photo shoot for the pieces in a portfolio which took her over fours hours total to complete.

“Documentation is taking the best photo of your work that you could possibly get, getting it at its best quality,” Ferron said. “You can’t have anything in the background. Some people choose to scan their images; I chose to take photos. There’s special lighting you have to use. You have to do a full-on photo shoot.”

There are different types of art schools as well. According to Ferron, when looking into art colleges, it is important to decide what type of art to study. There are two different kinds of art schools: design schools and fine arts schools, according to Ferron. Design schools focus more on mediums like illustration and animation, while fine arts schools focus more on mediums such as painting, sculpting and photography.

“The biggest difference between them though is that design work is almost always done for a company, so it’s more... comercial,” Ferron said. “Fine arts is more so art for the sake of making art, rather than for a customer... It’s less corporate.” H

2.

1. Senior Cat DeRousse holds up one of her pieces of artwork, a shawl made of handprints. DeRousse says her work with hands represents he relationship with touch.

2. A tape measure rests on top of a piece of senior Cat DeRousse's artwork. This piece, made by DeRousse during her junior year, involved hours of transferring sketches from paper to glass.

TO READ INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS WITH STA ARTISTS CAT DEROUSSE, SARAH FERRON AND BAILEY BRISCOE, AS WELL AS ART FROM ALL THREE, VISIT DARTNEWSONLINE. page design by Madi Winfield

SPORTS

sports in brief: basketball and swim

The Dart compiled information from the STA Feb. 17 and 18 swim and dive State competition and STA's Feb. 25 basketball game against Sion.

Briefs by Katie Donnellan | Sports Editor

STARFISH compete at STATE The Starfish competed at State Feb. 17 and 18 at St. Peter’s Rec-Plex in St. Louis, Mo. Senior Libby Hutchinson raced individually in the 200 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. Freshmen Brooke and Lauren Fallis, sophomore Kate Lowe, and junior Mia Schloegel qualified the 200 Medley Relay. Junior Maddie Adams, sophomore Caroline Penner, and senior Libby Hutchinson qualified a 200 and 400 freestyle relay. The Fallis twins were represented at State by junior Maddie Adams and senior Molly Winkler.

The 200 medley relay finished 42nd

St. Teresa’s Academy lost to Notre Dame de Sion High School at Sion Feb 23. The final score was 53-50. The Stars led most of the first half, but Sion rallied back in the second half.

The theme was Kiss and the student section was led by the senior Spirit Club members.

The Stars started District play Feb 25 and look to make it to Sectionals starting March 8.

STA won the previous STA vs Sion game that took place at St. Teresa’s Jan 24.H

out of 45 teams with a time of 2:01.97. Hutchinson placed 33rd out of 36 swimmers in the 200 yard freestyle and 31st of 37 swimmers in the 100 yard freestyle. The 200 freestyle relay placed 26th out of 45 teams and the 400 freestyle relay placed 26th out of 39 teams.

The dive team was represented by sophomore Caroline Armstrong who competed in the 1 meter diving event.H

Sta basketball falls to storm

Top: Sophomore Caroline Armstrong prepares to jump in for warmups.

Armstrong has qualified for state the past two years. photo by Gabby Ayala Bottom: Sophomore Lily Farkas shoots a free-throw at the STA versus Sion basketball game at Sion Feb. 25. STA dressed like members from the band Kiss for the theme. photo by Katie Donnellan

page design by Linden O'Brien-Williams

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SPORTS

getting to know the running club Several dedicated members of STA track and cross country teams are getting in shape with the unofficial Running Club. Here, the Dart explores the club's basics.

Story by Natalie Telep | Writer Photos by Meghan Baker | Photographer In the months between cross country and track season, and over the summer, some long-distance runners have taken it upon themselves to stay in shape by creating an unofficial running club.

Some of the regular participants are senior Emma Kate Callahan, senior Mary Lepique and sophomore Addie Coppinger.

“Some days we’ll have like ten girls, sometimes we’ll have two,” Coppinger said. “The club is not an STA sanctioned club, so there is no adviser or coordinator.”

According to Coppinger, all the running club’s workouts are organized by the girls, without supervision.

The club has no specified route, but common routes include running on the Ward Parkway grass median, the Trolley Trail and Sunset Hills streets.

“We mostly run outside, but on cold days we’ll do the treadmill or elliptical in the weight room, and then we’ll just do track workouts occasionally,” Coppinger said. “The workouts that the club usually does are much like the workouts they do with the STA cross country team.”

The running club meets on the upper level of the Goppert Center everyday after school.

“We’ll talk and eat our snack and stretch for like 10 minutes,” Coppinger said.

After snacks and stretches, the group discusses what they want to run.

“We’ll run whatever,” Coppinger said. “We kind of talk about it

"It's on our own and go with the flow... There's no coach or anything."

Addie Coppinger

and sometimes we’re not feeling a long run.”

Although many of the participants of the running club are members of the STA track or cross country team, the running club is not exclusive. According to Coppinger, anyone is welcome to join.

“It’s on our own and go with the flow,” Coppinger said. “There’s no coach or anything.”

Track tryouts began Feb. 27 and ended March 3, which will likely mark the temporary end of the running club.H

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March 6, 2017

Freshman Delaney Hupke, left, and junior Grace Laird laugh as they run on Feb. 15. Laird has been running for STA’s cross country team since her freshman year.

a running tally:

The numbers behind the Running Club

The Dart compiled some figures detailing participation in the Running Club.

Alternative coverage by Katie Donnellan | Sports Editor

Running club members...

Typically run miles in a week

2

20-30

Usually own pairs of running shoes to alternate

15-20

Junior Natalie Kistler, left, and sophomore Addie Coppinger prepare for their run on Feb. 10. Both Kistler and Coppinger have run for STA’s cross country team.

Dress for weather degrees hotter than the actual temperature Do

2 "hard workouts" per week

page design by Linden O'Brien-Williams

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COMMUNITY

SHAMROCKIN' IT: THE PREPARATION BEHIND THE PARADE The Dart takes an inside look into the months of planning that Story by Julia Kerrigan | Page Designer Photos by Paige Powell | Photo Editor go into the Brookside St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The first day of the new year people are still recovering from Christmas, Facebook is filled with resolution posts and the last thing on everyone's mind is a holiday in the middle of March. Everyone except for The Main Event president, Jennifer Gamble, who begins planning the Brookside St. Patrick’s Day Parade. An early start on this is vital with the process involving applying for a parade permit, having insurance, working with the KCPD to choose a traffic plan, publicizing and choosing a lineup.

Despite the long list of tasks, Gamble is unfazed.

“It’s not really that hectic of a process,” Gamble said. “The day itself is a little hectic.”

As many as 120 applicants will sign up to be in the parade, and 100 are chosen.

This is the first year a $30 charge has been added for entries, to offset the costs for security. Once the applications are all in, it’s time to choose which will make it into the lineup.

"We’re looking for entertainment value, that they do focus on St. Patrick as the theme of it, and we like to have the local Brookside schools and churches and families in the parade,” Gamble said.

Entries range from businesses using the day to promote themselves to families who make a tradition of it. One of these families is the “Growney Clan" led by Ed Growney. Their float features a 9 foot statue of St. Patrick made of papiermâché, sporting a cotton ball beard, old church vestments and a shepherd's crook made by Growney himself. The statue sits on a castle, symbolizing Old Castle, where Growney’s ancestors lived under the name “O’Growney." For the 364 days it isn’t

28

in use, Growney keeps his St. Patrick in his garage, which ultimately serves a greater purpose.

"If you open the garage door, you see this big giant staring at you, so we thought, ‘Well, if crooks break in there they’ll probably be shocked into running,’” Growney said, laughing.

Leading the parade are the dancers from O’Riada Manning Academy of Irish Dance, who begin their parade practices in early January. Students from the seven different levels are gathered in order to learn the routine, become familiar with the structure of the parade and prepare for their events.

O’Riada Manning has had dancers in the parade for over 20 years now. Coach Joseph Manning affectionately describes it as an “Irish reunion”.

His sister, administrator Grace Manning, handles all the paperwork and sends it to Gamble. After participating in the parade for so many years, that part is a breeze. The dancers have a much harder task, requiring they start rehearsing new choreography early Jan. Irish dancer Chaela Gilman has been doing this every winter since she joined O’Riada Manning five years ago.

“You have to practice the routine a lot at your house to make sure you can do it at any spot with anybody,” Gilman said. “Then when you do it in the parade you have to be focused the whole time.”

This year, the parade will be held March 11, the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. This year’s theme is “Shamrockin’ it.”

“I encourage everyone to come out,” Gamble said. “It’s always a fun time.” H

1 March 6, 2017

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1. Ed Growney waves to the crowd at the Brookside St. Patrick's Day Parade. Growney was the Honorary Grand Marshall of the Parade. photo courtesy of Megan Lewer 2. Irish dancers at the O'Raida-Manning dance studio practice for the Brookside St. Patrick's Day Parade. The O'Raida-Manning Irish dancers dance in the parade every year.

3. The Growney family rides on their family float at the Brookside St. Patrick's Day Parade. photo courtesy of Megan Lewer 4. Irish dancer Anna Davis practices for the Brookside St. Patrick's Day Parade. Davis dances for the O'Raida-Manning dance studio.

Check out DNO to see a parade prep video

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page design by Mackenzie O'Guin

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LAST LOOK

STUDENTS SUBMIT their surface pro MASTERPIECES Story and drawings compiled by Isabel Shorter | Writer

Students at STA have turned doodles into masterpieces with the help of the new Surface Pros.

It’s no surprise that when given the surface pros, the STA students would all use it to doodle during class. But what was less expected, was that these in-class boredom-driven drawings would turn out to be masterpieces. Some of the drawings take a class period and some can take weeks of dedicating a whole hour to the drawing. Whether the drawings were made in OneNote or any other desktop application, these are the most intricate drawings. H

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March 6, 2017

1

3 1 and 2 by freshman Aria Utt 3 by senior Mara Cressey 4 by sophomore Lizzie Concannon

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page design by Helen Wheatley

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+

IN THE DNO +

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW ON DARTNEWSONLINE

WINTER PLAY PROFILE STORY BY SOPHY SILVA PHOTOS BY LINDEN O'BRIEN-WILLIAMS

DEBATE AT STA FEB. 13

GALLERY BY ANNA KATE POWELL

TEACHER SQUADS

PHOTOS BY KATE JONES

MAD FOR PLAID 2017 GALLERY BY ANNE CLAIRE TANGEN AND KATIE MULHERN

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FATHER DAUGHTER DINNER DANCE GALLERY BY ANNA LOUISE SIH AND GABBY MARTINEZ

SWIM & DIVE STATE FEB. 16-18 GALLERY BY GABBY AYALA

DARTTUBE BEHIND THE SCENES OF "THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)" VIDEO BY ALEX DAVIS

STARGAZER: LIBBY TERRIL ASPIRING NURSE ASSISTANT PODCAST BY MACKENZIE O'GUIN

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