The Dart: Vol 75 Issue 1

the

DART

the official student news source of st. teresa's academy | kansas city, mo

How much is too much? education for a digital generation

With high school students now straddling two centuries, the Dart investigates how technology can be used in a modern STA education. Story on page 18

students venture to asia | 15 Back-to-school photos | 30

2015-2016

DART STAFF

Adviser Brad Lewis Co-Editors-in-Chief Mary Hilliard Maggie Knox Torie Richardson

WEB

Managing Editor Audrey Carroll Sheduling Editor Madi Winfield Copy Editor Alex Davis Photography/Multimedia Editor Kat Mediavilla Social Media Manager Bridget Jones Social Media Editors Zoe Butler, Lily Manning

LETTER FROM

THE EDITORS

PRINT

Design Editor Mackenzie Nicole O'Guin Visual Illustrator Eleanor Grever Photography Editor Maddy Medina Page Designers Maggie Knox, Alex Frisch, Anna Hafner, Katherine Green, Clare Kenney, Bridget Jones, Christina Kirk, Violet Cowdin, Mackenzie Nicole O'Guin, Linden O'Brien-Williams, Helen Wheatley, Meg Thompson, MaryMichael Hough, Torie Richardson, Madi Winfield

COPY

Managing Editor MaryMichael Hough Opinion Editor Helen Wheatley Sports Editor Elsa Feigenbaum Features Editor Linden O'Brien-Williams News Editor Katherine Green

Staff Photographers Cassie Hayes, Libby Hutchison, Paige Powell, Kate Scofield Staff Writers Victoria Cahoon, Claire Molloy, Katie Donnellan, Gwyn Doran, Meredith Mulhern, Jeannie O'Flaherty

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From the moment we wake up, to when we go to sleep we are surrounded by it: technology.

We constantly gaze at our smartphones, stare at our computers or tvs, and take notes from SmartBoards. From home to school we are bombarded with screens. Our world is evolving along with the technological advances of our time.

To accommodate these changes and prepare students for future endeavors, STA has implemented technology throughout classrooms.

When we were choosing the cover story for our first issue, we thought it was interesting how different our high school experience as the class of 2016 was going to be from the freshman class of 2019. We decided to explore this idea and center our cover story about the evolution of technology in learning.

The math department is also experimenting with new methods of learning by implementing a “math hub” tutoring program, which you can find on the News pages. Also, be sure to check out the changes coming to the Country Club Plaza with the openings of new shops and restaurants on the Community pages.

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

The Dart staff made some changes for the new school year, too. We are now utilizing a “beat system” on DartNewsOnline to ensure a variety of organizations and areas of STA receive coverage, so be sure to visit DNO for news stories posted frequently.

The Dart is different this year, but we’ve kept many essential elements constant: we still strive for excellence in reporting, photographing and designing, and want to give the STA student body a reliable news source.

We hope to continue our tradition of quality journalism and follow in the large footsteps of last year's editors, who led the Dart staff to a successful year, complete with a Pacemaker finalist nomination.

Let us know what you think!

Your Dart editors-in-chief, Mary Hilliard, Maggie Knox and Torie Richardson

The Dart vol. 75

Table of

Contents

ISSUE 1

30 | last look | back to school gallery

26 | sports | Mike egner coaches cross country

15 24 | perspectives| equality for women in the military

23 | a&e | artist of the issue: amber brownlee

22 | Main ed | Edutcation for the digital generation

18 | cover story | Technology in education at sta

15 | features | Maternity leave policies at sta

10 | reviews | walt before mickey

8| Star spotlight | eilis leptien girl scout award

4 | news | advisory workshops

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11 September 2015

30 26 Monthly Question

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What are you the most excited about this year at STA?

I am most excited for either Mad for Plaid or for this spring soccer season because it was fun last year.”

Clementina Ferraro, sophomore I’m excited for theme days on Fridays.

Claire McHugh, senior

I’m most interested in my forensics class and sociology.”

Abigail Rose, junior

I am most excited to be part of a club this year.”

Cecilia Hodes, freshman I am most excited to start working on the musical this year.”

Caterina DeRousse, junior compiled by CLAIRE MOLLOY | staff writer

cover designed by Maggie Knox | page designed by Alex Frisch

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NEWS

STA launches new advisory workshop program 2.

1.

Students and administration work to improve advisory experiences. story and photos by LINDEN O'BRIEN-WILLIAMS features copy editor

For the first time at STA, administration hosted an advisory leadership workshop Aug 31. Each advisory selected two students to attend the workshop, in hopes to make advisory more comfortable, according to principal of academic affairs Barbara McCormick.

The program, taking place during students’ afternoon classes on a special schedule, invited two juniors or seniors from each advisory to share ideas with other students and administration.

The idea was to have a “round-table discussion” to bring about changes at the advisory level, according to McCormick. Following the last class of the day, students who did not participate were dismissed early while each advisor met up and discussed new ideas with his or her advisees.

The workshop opened with an introduction from McCormick and sophomores Tone’Nae Bradley and Bridget Dulle about the purpose of the workshop and some basic respectful ground rules. Next, groups of about six girls each were given a large piece of paper and told to discuss and write down their favorite parts of advisory.

Each group then presented their compiled lists, ideas ranging from snack drawers to time capsules to bonding game traditions.

According to McCormick, the idea for the workshop originated in a meet-

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1. Seniors Maddie Summers, left and Elaina Bailey place stickers to vote for their favorite elements from advisories.

2. Junior Kayton Froeschl, left and senior Connor Hodes share their findings from the workshop with their advisor, art teacher Theresa Wallerstedt Aug. 31. photos by LINDEN O'BRIEN-WILLIAMS

ing with the student leadership team last spring. “[The student leadership team] said that they would like to get together and share ideas and talk about their advisories,” McCormick said. “Basically [they wanted to discuss] what they do in [advisory] and how to build community or how to get freshmen to talk, just how to get more of a family.”

For students like freshman Anna Claire Tangen, advisory is already a comfortable experience.

“I like [advisory] a lot,” Tangen said. “[My advisor] is nice, the people are nice, everyone is just really nice.”

However, for students in junior Meg Rohr’s situation, advisory has been uncomfortable in the past and could “definitely be improved” with more senior involvement.

“Seniors could talk to the underclassmen, just like making conversation really, because once you feel comfortable with someone, then advisory is fun,” Rohr said. “But when the seniors were all off in a corner, they stayed scary because [we didn’t] know them.”

Senior Alison Muñoz agrees that senior involvement is important in advisories, an idea discussed during the workshops as well. “[In the past], the seniors just kind of kept to themselves and didn’t really include anyone else, so the rest of the

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

advisory kinda split up by grades,” Muñoz said. “But this year I feel like a lot of our seniors are really into bonding, which makes it a lot better.”

Muñoz says that she did not expect to gain so many new ideas from the workshop.

“Going into it, I kind of expected to hear about a lot of stuff I already was doing or that I knew about, but I was surprised how many other ideas I heard that my advisory had never considered.” Muñoz said.

Muñoz also feels that, in general, the idea-sharing workshop was a success.

“I thought that the idea as a whole was productive, but might have gone an hour too long,” Muñoz said. “I think it was a good idea and people probably got a lot out of it.”

According to McCormick, after the workshops, she hopes, in general, to see a lot more bonding in advisories and less grade level separation.

“Advisories are really the only place we have all four grades together, and it shouldn’t be age defined,” McCormick said. “[Advisory is] really the one place that we can say, ‘leave your senior or junior or sophomore or freshman status at the door and come in and just be a sister and lets see what we can do together.’” H

Math resource center being tested this year at STA

by KATHERINE GREEN news copy editor

For the first time in recent years at STA, the math department is testing out “a math resource for students other than just being in the classroom with their teacher,” according to Jo Weller, head of the math department.

Called the Math Hub, this resource is currently only available to a small group of students. However, it is in the works to be made available to all students at anytime necessary during the school day, according to Weller.

“That’s what [the math department’s] ultimate goal is,” Weller said.

“But, this is our pilot year, so we don’t really have the staffing to handle all the time and all the students and we don’t really have a place for it yet.”

The math department currently offers the Math Hub for a small group of algebra I freshman students and sophomore geometry students. Six upperclassmen work alongside math teachers Kelsey Romine, Diana Blessen and Weller to act as tutors towards the younger students.

“We think that it’s is a great idea to get some freshmen and some sophomores that have an extra math

resource,” Weller said. ‘They also get to build those relationships with upperclassmen.”

The upperclassmen helping the underclassmen receive service hours for their work as well as experience with helping other students. These upperclassmen volunteers must be comfortable with both algebra I as well as geometry and have to be patient and positive, according to Weller.

“I feel like by coaching [the underclassmen] through problems, I am not only helping them improve their

“

It feels good to know that I am helping girls with something that is really a struggle for them.

— Sophie Burke, senior

“

Math Department tests out new resource for math tutoring in a pilot year.

math skills, but also giving them more confidence to do the problems on their own,” one of the senior volunteers, Sophie Burke, said.

“It feels good to knowing that I am helping girls with something that really is a struggle for them.”

These students involved with the pilot year of the Math Hub meet during activity periods in their math teachers room two times a week. During these times, students will have the opportunity to receive help from not only their own math teacher, but either Romine, Blessen or Weller as well as the six upperclassmen.

“There’s a room full of [students and volunteers]and they’re going over worksheets that have been generated by [the teachers] that will help them understand material,” Blessen said.

The math teachers hope to extend the program to at least up to algebra II students and then the whole school, according to Blessen.

“I think everyone has struggled with math at one point or another,” Weller said. “I know I have, I have all these degrees in math, but it’s not like it all came easy to me. I think it’s really good for students to know that they have [older students] who know what [the student] is going through.” H

Check out "This Month in KC" on DartNewsOnline!

"This Month in KC" is a calendar of the events going on in Kansas City during the month of September, including concerts, festivals, a community barbeque, art events, and the circus.

by JEANNE O'FLAHERTY staff writer

ribbon cut | Seniors Hallie Ryan, from left, Sophie Burke, junior Linden O'Brien-Williams, seniors Emily Laird and Liz Countee pose at the Math Hub ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 24. photo courtesy of JO WELLER

page designed by Anna Hafner

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NEWS

Campus Ministry now leading all mission trips This year STA will not be having a Nicaragua mission trip, however there will still be several mission trips this year.

by ALEX FRISCH | page designer photos compiled by MADDY MEDINA | editor of photography

striking gold | Senior Mary Hilliard strikes the ground with a pick-axe while digging trenches for water lines on a mission trip in the village Valle los Morenos in Chinandega, Nicaragua May 26, 2014. This was STA’s first mission trip to Nicaragua. photo

by MADDY MEDINA

forming friendships | Junior Maura Knopke holds a girl during her free time from school in Chinandega, Nicaragua June 2 while on a mission trip with other STA students. This was STA’s second mission trip to Nicaragua. photo courtesy of ROBERT TONNIES

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This year STA will not plan a Nicaragua mission trip, according to theology teacher Robert Tonnies, who was the organizer for the mission trips the past two years.

“With the Nicaragua trip there was a really elaborate pre-trip process,” Tonnies said. “We had to fundraise all the money, which usually ends up being about $20,000, which is a lot."

According to Meredith Snyder, Director of Ministry and Service, the Amigos for Christ program had made some recent changes that no longer made it a good fit for STA. Starting this year, Campus Ministry will be running all mission trips. Teachers will still be able to sponsor mission trips, with the Campus Ministry office as a resource, according to Snyder.

“It seems to make sense to have [mission trips] all under the one umbrella of the service-ministry department,” Snyder said. “So that way we can make sure students are getting

meaningful experiences, even though they may be going through a variety of organizations.”

Despite the Nicaragua mission trip being cancelled for this upcoming year, according to Synder, there will still be several mission trips this year.

“We are going to continue our relationship with the Homes from the Heart program’s trip to Guatemala over spring break,” Snyder said. “That’s something we hope to continue for many years to come.”

According to Snyder, the Campus Ministry is also planning a domestic trip this year.

“We hope [the domestic trip] will diversify the service opportunities and make a more affordable option for students who may not be able to afford an international trip," Snyder said.

As well as school-wide mission trips, students may now substitute a week-long mission trip with a schoolapproved agency for Phase Two or

say cheese | Students, led by theology teacher Robert Tonnies and his wife, take a group photo at the airport before departing for STA’s first mission trip to Nicaragua May 23, 2014. photo courtesy of ROBERT TONNIES

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

1.

Phase Three of the junior/senior service project, according to Snyder.

Approval of this substitution would be at the discretion of Snyder and STA administration.

“We’re hoping to have ... different types of service,” Tonnies said. “That way if a student has been to one place, even if they pick a different place, hopefully it’s a different kind of service. Then you’re not just working with a different community, you’re doing something different and learning about a different aspect of social justice.”

According to junior Molly Muehlebach, who went on last year’s Nicaragua trip, the mission trips are “humbling” and “life-changing” experiences.

“It opened my eyes up to what I might want to do outside of college,” Muehlebach said. “Now I’m thinking about maybe doing something with volunteer work. I want to be a doctor, so one day I may want to help in third world countries.”

the NEWS FEED in the world Large quantities of Syrian refugees have fled to Austria and Germany. The majority of Germans cheer on the refugees and offer them food and toys. However, there are a few groups who have been protesting their arrival.

Muehlebach’s advice to anyone considering a mission trip is to “definitely go.”

"It’s such a great experience,' Muehlebach said. H 1. STA students pose on top of Cerro

Negro volcano in Chinandega, Nicaragua after climbing up it on their mission trip May 25, 2014. This was STA’s first mission trip to Nicaragua.

2. From top left: alumna Sydney Hunter, sophomore Maura Graham, senior Emma Jensen, and alumna Haley Sirokman smile with a group of Nicaraguan children during their free time from school June 2. This was STA’s second mission trip to Nicaragua.

3. Students, theology teacher Robert Tonnies and his wife, pray at the airport after arriving back in Kansas City from their mission trip to Nicaragua June 6. This was STA’s second mission trip to Nicaragua.

While in Nicaragua, the students and other volunteers helped dig trenches and place water pipes in Chinandega, Nicaragua. photos courtesy of ROBERT TONNIES

2.

3.

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

in the u.s.

The oldest occupied city in the United States, St. Augustine, Fla., turned 450 years old Sept. 8. In 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles founded St. Augustine. His goal was to set up a permanent city to link Spain to the New World.

in missouri The Applebee’s headquarters is moving from Kansas City to Glendale, Calif. Applebee’s headquarters has been in Kansas City since 2011, when it relocated from Lenexa.

About 90 employees will be left in Kansas City for backoffice support duties.

by CLAIRE MOLLOY staff writer

in kansas city David H. Levy donated his night sky observation logs to the Linda Hall Library on Thursday, where he also gave a presentation on astronomy and his other observations . He co-discovered Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which collided with Jupiter in 1994.

page designed by Katherine Green

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Star spotlight

Eilis Leptien story by ALEXANDRA DAVIS |web copy editor photo by MAGGIE KNOX |editor in chief

Junior and girl scout Eilis Leptien talks about working on her project about depression to achieve the Girl Scout Gold Award.

A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL SCOUT

"I did not think that I was going to be in girl scouts in high school. As [the troop members] got older and kept moving up, I thought that it would be over by the time I reached fifth grade in middle school [but] it kept going. I [stayed] because I liked the girls that I was in the group with. [The troop] became smaller as it went on obviously because [members] didn’t want to continue it as they grew up. In a small group like we had, we did certain things that were [specifically] for us. We could do anything we wanted basically that we [all] enjoyed."

A CONVERSATION-STARTER

"I want to start conversations about something that I find important. When I first started the project saying that I was interested in [having a focus on depression], it started a lot of conversations with my family. I’ve even been educating my family about it and my friends.

They’ve asked a lot of questions about [depression] so by doing this I’ve been going forth and educating friends, family, and even teachers that are helping me. So it’s just about starting a conversation about depression and what to do and how to help."

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THE TOPIC OF DEPRESSION

"We did workshops in the beginning to help [us] learn how to do your gold award and what [we] might want to do. We wrote down what we were interested in and things that affected us in our life. I’m really into psychology so I was thinking about the different things I could do with [that]. I chose depression because depression doesn’t seem like it’s something that we talk about much in school and not something that we touch on a lot unless you’re in a class that has it as a topic. And there’s not a lot of awareness for it. It has personal implications for me, it personally affects my life. I want to help people with depression and educate people."

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

BITS & PIECES Instagrams OF THE ISSUE Each issue, the Dart highlights students’ Instagrams. This month’s theme: summer throwback. compiled by BRIDGET JONES social media manager

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE famous star|St. Teresa's Academy mascot Twinks dances in front of the spectators at the first Rockhurst High School home football game of the season Sept. 4. Twinks participated in a mascot race against the Sion and Rockhurst mascots during halftime. photo by KAT MEDIAVILLA

My life sucks // My life rocks Here, a student shares a moment that really made her cringe.

Here, a student shares an especially exciting experience.

Photo by sophomore MauRA GRAHAM @MAURAGRAHAM

compiled by KAT MEDIAVILLA web photo editor

My life sucks My life rocks

“Three times this week I haven’t been able to get to class because the elevators were down. Because of my power scooter I couldn’t get up the stairs. I was stuck on the first floor of M&A and would just sit there and assume my teachers knew I was just downstairs.” - Tricia Melland, senior

"One morning I grabbed Starbucks and while I was in line, a limo pulled up and an older man got out. I was wondering who this man was and then it hit me that he was the host of [the TV show] Baggage. I googled him and realized the man was Jerry Springer." - Molly Bird, junior

That’s what

SOPHOMORE MAGGIE PRIM @MAGGIE_PRIM FORGET CROCS #BRINGBACKHEELYS2015

Each issue, the Dart shares entertaining student tweets.

SOPHOMORE OLIVIA MATLOCK @NERDYBIRDY7 CHARGED MY NETBOOK ALL NIGHT. WAKE UP WITH 59%. #THANKSJZ

she said

by BRIDGET JONES social media manager

SENIOR CLAIRE JEFFERSON @THEFOURTHCLAIRE "OH MY GOD, THESE STAIRS." -ANONYMOUS FRESHMAN

Photo by SENIOR JAMIE THOLEN @JTHOLEN

Photo by SOPHOMORE EMMA BOXx @BOXXOFFUN

Next theme: PETS #dartnewsonline

page designed by Clare Kenney

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REVIEWS

"Walt Before Mickey"

stands out among this summer’s big films

by TORIE RICHARDSON editor-in-chief

HHHH

After clicking on the first search result for “Plaza movie theater,” I scroll through the movies that appear on my phone, searching for one in particular. The first five movies that appear are rated R, mostly for violence, language and sexual content. Some of them look interesting, but I keep scrolling; they aren’t what I’m looking for.

In fact, the movie I’m looking for is completely different from any of this summer’s big hits. I end up going on a 30 minute drive to see this gem, and though I think it was worth it, some might disagree.

"Walt Before Mickey," characterized as a drama/biography, depicts the years 1919-1928, before Walt Disney found his ultimate success and was struggling to keep his business alive. It follows Disney through his young adult life, mostly detailing his business life, and portraying some aspects of his personal life.

If any scene was indicative to me of the type of movie "Walt Before Mickey" would be, it was the beginning. Walt narrates his childhood, where he tells his story in flashbacks.

In these flashbacks, he’s drawing on his father’s barn instead of doing what he’s supposed to. To the audience, this is a visual representation of what’s happening inside - his heart lies with drawing, not farming. Even if someone had never heard of Disney’s story, it was pretty obvious where it was going from the beginning.

However predictable the plot was,

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though, "Mickey" was very well made.

I noticed great camera work several times throughout, and the acting was pretty good, though I didn’t notice any extraordinary performances. But, for some reason, I never really got into the movie. I watched characters struggle in hard times and felt bad for them but not with them.

"Walt Before Mickey" FAST FACTS debuted: Aug. 14 directed by: Khoa Le only at: B & B Shawnee 18 Theaters

Maybe it was because I knew about Disney’s ultimate success. Part of me, though, thinks that the movie isn’t really the problem, our culture is.

In a culture characterized by dystopian action movies, we like to see things blow up, to feel the explosion shake under our chairs. We like things that are scandalous, things that allow us to escape our lives, if only for a moment. If we have time to stop and think in the theater, the movie isn’t dazzling enough, isn’t packed full of the action we need to feel alive.

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

"Walt Before Mickey" didn’t do any of these things, but it still deserves praise for the things it did do.

We’ve all heard the stories of big names who failed before they succeeded. Abraham Lincoln lost 5 elections (for Congress, etc.) before becoming President.

Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school basketball team.

And Walt Disney?

He went bankrupt.

These stories inspire and motivate us for about five minutes, before we sink back into a rut and come up with reasons that we’ll never be good enough. We don’t even stop to think that Disney’s failure didn’t last for just a day. For years, people considered his business, and his life, a failure.

The most important thing that "Walt Before Mickey" does is makes us live through these heartbreaking moments, and doesn’t let us experience the near-instant success we insist upon. The movie has moments, however cheesy, that will make you smile. But there are also frustrating moments times that the filmmakers refuse to let pass, because those moments were someone’s entire life.

Maybe you prefer action movies. But if you have any interest at all in going to see "Walt Before Mickey," I recommend that you do. When you go, don’t expect Hollywood glamor, or for the movie to be in 4-D Walt Disney World style. When you go, just expect a raw film that makes you think. That’s exactly what you’ll get. H

50/50 KC adds contrast to the Historic West Bottoms

by KATIE DONNELLAN | staff writer

HHHHH Normally when we think of art in Kansas City we think of the NelsonAtkins or maybe the Crossroads art galleries, but most would not associate large, metal shipping containers normally found on cargo ships to contain delicate exhibits of art. Art gallery 50/50 KC takes a modern and urban twist on art in Kansas City.

In an empty parking lot situated in the Stockyards District of the historic West Bottoms lie two connected grey shipping containers. Inside of these containers are two galleries. Cambria Potter and Hannah Lodwick, Kansas City Art Institute grads, created the project focused on fulfilling a hole in the Kansas City arts community.

The gallery opened Aug. 21, drawing a mixed crowd of young and old art fanatics and crunchy West Bottom dwellers.

I entered a group of people drinking luxurious wine and eating fine cheese while they babbled about the revolutionary vibe the gallery gave. There was a cultured buzz in the air almost as if it were fine art from Europe. With the weather at a perfect 70 degrees, people mingled outside the gallery to admire the shipping containers and their rough and edgy contrast to the

projected art inside them. from Howsare, Walsh includes a digital In addition to the gallery is a billprojector to project Google Street board with an "OPEN" sign designed by View images onto acrylic objects in her Ari Fish, Kansas City artist. The billboard exhibit. It was breathtaking watching will be switched out every other month the wall with shiny objects turn from a and a new one will be added soon desert to a crowded city street. according to Potter and Lodwick. The The two exhibits fought for my billboard adds a more finished and attention. The soothing sound of an professional feel to the outside of the old film projector complimented the gallery. Without the billboard the shipnew popping colors displayed by both ping containers would look isolated exhibits. I felt a mixture of the old with and dull. the sound and the new with the bright As I entered the gallery, I felt like I and vibrant colors. The gallery is an was truly experiencing the art rather excellent representation of the West than just looking at it. The limited space Bottoms and the mixing of the old of the containers forces efficient use of history with the new that is to come space but also something that will grab from this district.H onlookers attention to keep them inside and interacted.

The current show called COHOST features artists Robert Howsare of Kansas City and Kristin Walsh of New York.

Howsare’s exhibit includes projection with a vintage sound projector and silkscreening color onto a film strip. I felt as if I had been teleported art box|Cambria Potter and Hannah Lodwick, creators of into the early 1900s 50/50 KC, discuss future ideas outside their gallery in the experiencing a film Stockyard's District of the West Bottoms. photo by KATIE at the movies. Across DONNELLAN

Halsey’s debut album "Badlands" proves lyrical talent

by GWYN DORAN | staff writer

HHHH

Twenty year old indie pop artist Ashley Frangipane, known by her stage name Halsey, has already taken the alternative world by storm. Her 2014 EP Room 93 and single “Ghost” landed her spots on both the charts and multiple “Artists to Watch in 2015” lists. Halsey’s debut album "Badlands," poetic and captivating, will further her success even more.

With hits like “Hurricane” declaring “Don’t belong to no city / Don’t belong to no man,” Halsey writes haunting lyrics accompanied by a heavy electronic beat that’s guaranteed to linger in your mind long after you listen.

“Castle” opens the album, fittingly speaking of her quick rise to fame (“I’m headed straight for the castle / They wanna make me their queen”).

The electro pop jam transitions into “Hold Me Down,” a song that, when performed live, literally brings Halsey to her knees while she belts out the lyrics.

Definitely one of my favorite songs on the album, the tune is emotional and upbeat with bold, cutting lyrics (“Knock me out, knock me out / Saying that I want more, this is what I live for”).

Even though I blasted the album on my speakers when it came out, slow jams like “Drive” provided an ethereal experience when transitioning from one headphone to another. Halsey’s smooth voice singing into my ears

accompanied by the added sound effects of a car ignition and tires squealing on the pavement sent chills down my spine.

Even if her music doesn’t enchant you like it did me, you should still care about Halsey. As a mixed race bisexual woman in a male-dominated industry, she boldly utilizes her platform on social media to call out the injustices she sees and experiences.

The thousands of young female fans following Halsey’s every move have a role model who is unafraid to use her voice to relay what she believes. Her catchy riffs and talented vocals shape the album, but the vulnerability Halsey pours into her lyrics is the driving force behind the alternative record.H

page designed by Bridget Jones

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features

Preparing for Leave STA does not compensate to faculty members that are new mothers and fathers.

by AUDREY CARROLL | managing editor of web

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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

maternity matter| Finance teacher Kayla Leatherman talks to a student in her classroom. photo

by PAIGE POWELL

Sweden

56

United Kingdom

Canada

USA

33

0

50

China

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Weeks of Paid Maternity Leave By Country complied by AUDREY CARROLL | MANAGING EDITOR OF WEB source: womenandtech.com

come,” Leatherman said. “Although, you can’t use this if you have a preexisting condition. Since it starts in June and I found out I was pregnant in June, I’m considered preexisting, so it’s limited. I have to pay $35 a month for the disability insurance, so it’s not a true maternity leave, but it’s really nice that St. Teresa’s is offering this to begin with because that’s better than a lot of schools and companies. With that said, I wish the United States as a whole offered a paid maternity and paternity leave; I think that

“

I wish the United States as a whole offered paid maternity leave and paternity leave.

— Kayla Leatherman, finance teacher

“

M

aternity leave has been a political topic discussed

by Americans for decades. American parents who are expecting a child do not get paid for the time they take off to raise their children The United States falls behind many countries such as Canada, Norway and Pakistan, who all offer paid leave for expectant parents. Not only does the national policy on maternity and paternity leave affect the U.S. as a whole, but it directly affects St. Teresa’s--a school with not only a large female staff, but a body of 600 girls likely to become mothers later in life.

Under the government’s Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), expectant parents are allowed 12 weeks of unpaid leave with the assurance they will still maintain their job when they return. St. Teresa’s Academy enacts this policy for their staff and faculty, which means paid maternity/paternity leave is not offered at STA, according to finance teacher Kayla Leatherman.

However, while STA does not offer paid leave, they do offer an additional service to help expectant employees, according to Leatherman.

“STA has a short term disability insurance that you can use for maternity leave for a set amount of weeks, and you get 60% of your in-

would be a good step in the right direction, but we’re not there yet.”

Many students agree paid leave is a step in the right direction for our country, and are surprised to hear STA has not already taken a step down this path. “[I find STA’s unpaid leave] absolutely surprising in the sense the STA expresses itself as an all inclusive support system for everyone in our community, including our

teachers becoming mothers and fathers,” junior Michaela Coleman said.

While unpaid maternity and paternity leave is a hard pill to swallow amongst the STA community because of the all-inclusive values instilled in its members, St. Teresa’s is completely in compliance with federal law on these terms. Theology teacher Michael Sanem suggests looking at the issue through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching to learn why STA enforces this law that seems to be unsupportive of their employees.

“The issue here is ‘Who’s responsible for this?,’” Sanem said. “If you look at it through Catholic Social Teaching you apply subsidiarity; if a lower level can deal with this, if a family can absorb the financial burden, then more power to them, but the reality is as far as development goes, the United States is one of the hardest countries to have a baby in... STA is a small entity that can’t absorb the burden...they would have to pay for a [substitute teacher] and a teacher on leave, and they just can’t afford to do that. This is not the fault of STA, it’s symptomatic of a larger issue.”

The Family Medical Leave Act was signed about 20 years ago by President Bill Clinton and demanded employers to provide up to 12

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features weeks of unpaid leave with continuation of health benefits in the event of family illness or a newborn child, according to the New York Times.

The government was heading in a progressive direction by providing an opportunity for parents to take off work to raise a child, but neglected noting a possible outcome of providing federal money towards the cause. Unpaid maternity leave under FMLA is a result of “a lack of foresight,” according to Sanem.

“When the government initiates [the FMLA], it forces companies to absorb the cost,” Sanem said. “So it’ll give you a mandate that says ‘This is really important, you should do this’ but it doesn’t give you the means to carry it out.”

Leatherman agrees, saying it would be a huge help to have financial assistance from the government because it is already hard enough to raise a baby, two in her case, especially for the first time. However, STA’s assistance in the process has been very helpful according to Leatherman.

“STA helps you create a payment plan,” Leatherman said. “If we hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be receiving a paycheck at all.”

According to Sanem, STA has been very helpful in letting him use two weeks of accrued sick days to take a paid paternity leave.

“I’m very grateful because it will allow me to take off more time than I could unpaid,” Sanem said. “[My wife], since she’s a small business owner, may not even be able to take more than two weeks of maternity leave…... I need to be able to be there for my family and help support and feed them.”

Catholic Social Teaching says families are the backbone of a community, according to Sanem, but it is difficult to start a family under

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FMLA. St. Teresa’s is going beyond their “Using Catholic Social Teachexpectations as an employer to ing and my own personal beliefs, provide for their employees, but [unpaid leave] is such a mistake still is unable to provide a fully paid in priorities because it makes it maternity or paternity leave. And also much harder to raise a family,” though faculty and staff at STA are Sanem said. able to receive this compensation, As an inclusive, Catholic instituother schools and businesses are tion, STA clearly recognizes the difnot so lucky. Catholic Social Teachficulty in raising a family in today’s ing requires the government to society and supports their employstep in and intervene at the point ees by offering options like short when small entities are struggling, term disability insurance or paid so now it is a matter of waiting for sick days. lawmakers to take action to help “[STA] is doing everything they the United States provide paid can, and beyond, to make this work leave for its citizens. H and trying to be prepared for when I leave,” Leatherman said.

“Overall, this job is family friendly, we have a great community here,” Sanem said. “Obviously it would be ideal to have paid maternity leave, but I don’t see how any small organization like STA who’s not making a large profit can absorb the cost future father | STA and benefits of it theology teacher Michael Sanem teaches on their own.” writes on the whiteIt is important board during advisory. to realize that Sanem and his wife while STA is a are expecting a baby boy in October. photo great community,

by PAIGE POWELL it is not isolated and suffers from unpaid maternity and paternity leave as a result of being a part of a larger institution, according to Sanem.

So it seems

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

Americans Asia Seniors Sarah Cigas, Meredith Raymer and Jewell Allen traveled to Taiwan, India, and China this summer.

by MEREDITH MULHERN | staff writer

8,286 miles from Kansas City, Missouri to India.

This summer, senior Meredith Raymer traveled 16 hours to Pune, India through the government program of National Security Language Initiative for Youth, or NSLI-Y. According to Raymer, the program is for students “to learn critical languages, which are described by the government as languages that aren’t commonly taught in school.”

NSLI-Y offers several opportunities for students to study various languages in countries such as Jordan, Oman, Morocco, China, South Korea, Tajikistan, Russia, Turkey, and India.

“I chose to go to India to learn Hindi,” Raymer said. “I chose India because I’ve just always loved India’s culture, such as Bollywood movies and their clothes.”

Raymer stayed with a host family in Pune, India. Pune is four hours east of Mumbai, and Raymer stayed for around six weeks.

“The people I lived with lived in a very nice house,” Raymer said. “It was really similar to a suburban, American house with a few style differences. It was a very suburban area.”

Raymer also attended school during the weekdays, learning Hindi from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Indian teachers. After the Hindi lesson, students would have dance class, music class, art class, or group meetings. On Fridays, Raymer and her classmates would do community service at a government school and play with the children there.

“We helped the children with their English [at the school],” Raymer said. “We just had conversations with them and it was really casual.”

Aside from school lessons, Raymer and the students she travelled with did many other creative activities. “[Students] had cultural classes as well,” Raymer said.

“On the weekends, we went on excursions as group on Saturdays. We went to different shopping centers, we went to a Sikh temple, a Hindu temple, a church and a farm.”

However, Sundays were spent with host families, according to Raymer.

“On Sundays, our families would take us places,” Raymer said. “My family took me shopping, we went hiking, went out to eat, just different things every weekend.”

in

Over the course of her trip, Raymer grew very close with her host family.

“My favorite part [of the trip] was my family,” Raymer said. “They were really great. I just really enjoyed spending time with them, and I had different things I would do with each of them. Every morning, my host dad and I would sit at the dining room table after everyone else had left for the day and we would read the newspaper. We would talk about what was going on and how Indian and American newspapers are different. My host sister and I would play basketball together, and my host brother and I would toss a ball around the house, and he taught me how to play cricket. My host mom and I would go on walks together and talk about everything. I loved them.”

As for Raymer’s overall impression of India, she only has positive things to say about her time abroad.

“Indian people are really nice,” Raymer said. “They’re really relaxed people for the most part. They all seem to be calm and happy. There’s something about how fast paced we are in America that they don’t have. They’re really generous. Indian people take such good care of people… they treat people so well and anything you could possibly want, they’ll give you.” H

Pune, India Location: Maharashtra Population: 2.538 million Time difference: 10.5 hours Known for: software companies

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features 7,523 miles from Kansas City, Missouri to Taiwan This summer, senior Sarah Cigas spent five weeks in Taiwan teaching English to children.

Cigas travelled through a program called Aiding Individuals with Disabilities, also known as AID. “My mom had heard about [the program] through her friends,” Cigas said. “She suggested that I apply, so I applied, and I got the chance to teach English there.”

Cigas, who has been to Taiwan before, says she “wasn’t nervous at all.”

“I kind of knew what to expect and I was excited for that,” Cigas said. “I was just scared for the actual teaching part because I had no experience as a teacher. I didn’t know how I was supposed to teach.”

According to Cigas, teaching the children did prove to be difficult.

“We didn’t know how to teach,” Cigas said. “We did the workshops [before travelling to Taiwan], but it didn’t really prepare us for when we were at our actual schools. We had to learn from our lessons every day and try to figure out what to do. That was kind of a struggle because we were really on our own, and we’re just kids and we didn’t know what we were doing.”

According to Cigas, she and the other student teachers spent most of

16

their time teaching and at their house.

“We thought we would be living with a host family,” Cigas said. “But [the program] just rented us a house. There was a member of the military doing civil service that stayed with us and some random old guy who was cool. In the mornings, there would be a van that would pick [the student-teachers] up and drive us to school. We would teach that day, eat breakfast and lunch there, and we would go back to our house and have dinner brought to us from restaurants. We would just stay at the house at night and hang out and work on our teaching plans for the next day, and we did that Monday through friday for two weeks.”

During the weekends, Cigas and the other students in her group would be taken to see various tourist attractions and the city.

“We got to make pottery, see some temples, and walk around,” Cigas said. “At night at the house, we could go on walks.”

After four weeks of teaching,the last week of the program was a “tour week.” All of the participants in the AID teaching program came back together from their individual schools that they taught at and “rode around in tour buses around the country.”

“We would stay in hotels or hostels at night and visit tourist attractions during the day,” Cigas said.

“We also went to a lot of night markets. They were

so cool, at night, you go to these outdoor markets and you can buy stuff for really cheap. We could buy clothes, gadgets and food.”

Besides the travelling and teaching experience, Cigas’ favorite part of the trip was “the food, the fruit and the people.”

“The food and the fruit were so good,” Cigas said.

“Everyone always made sure I had fruit because they knew I loved it. My group in my house was great and we became a family. We lived together for four weeks, and so that was a really good bonding experience.”

For Cigas, her trip to Taiwan was an experience she will “never forget.”

“I would definitely recommend [going to Taiwan],” Cigas said. “I developed skills on how to be a teacher, so that was really helpful to me. I would tell everyone to go to Taiwan.

It’s a really fun place.”

As for future plans to go back, Cigas has some ideas.

“The military guy that was living with us told me he could see me living in Taiwan,” Cigas said. “So now I really want to live there. But, even if I don’t live there, I would still want to go back.”

Taoyuan, Taiwan Location: southwest of Taipei Population: 2.058 million Time difference: 13 hours Known for: the Pingpu tribe

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

7,116 miles from Kansas City, Missouri to China.

This summer, senior Jewell Allen travelled to China for a Christian mission trip under Rain Ministries.

“Rain Ministries has two branches,” Allen said.

“I went through the Royal Servants branch. I chose China because of the type of ministry we did there. We worked with high school students.”

Allen’s travels included a one-week training period in Wisconsin and five weeks in China.

“The first week I was in Wisconsin at training camp,” Allen said. “Training camp was really hard.

It prepares you for the conditions to go overseas and they purposefully make the training hard so your ministry [in China] will seem easier.”

According to Allen, teenagers attending the training camp were required to wake up at 5 a.m., carry heavy packs around, and run everywhere. After the training period, Allen and her group travelled to Fuzhou, China where her group did ministry toward children.

However, Allen and her team faced some obstacles.

“In china, it’s not allowed for Christians to come in and minister to other people,” Allen said.

“So we went [into China] as tourists. In Fuzhou, we were able to be a

little bit more direct with our Christianity because it was a bigger city. So, we just played with the kids and sang with them, read them Bible stories, and did art with them.”

After stopping in Fuzhou, Allen’s group travelled to a small city west of Nanning, China. “[The city] is a really small town,” Allen said.

“We had to be really lowkey with our Christianity.

We disguised our ministry as a cultural exchange.”

Allen and her team did this by exchanging different holidays with the Chinese high school students they worked with.

“The high school students would tell us [a Chinese] holiday,” Allen said. “Then we would tell them an American holiday, which would be Christmas or Easter. Then we could tell them more about God and Christianity. We still couldn’t tell them a ton [about Christianity].

We had to wait for them to ask, which was really hard.”

Allen and her team continued to work and bond with the Chinese students, which made them “super close,” according to Allen.

“My favorite part was working with the high school students,” Allen said. “It’s amazing, a lot of them didn’t speak English very well, so they were kind of shy. It was amazing how the language barrier didn’t hinder them from loving us. We built such great relationships with them.”

After their time with the Chinese students, the

group travelled to Beijing, China for a period of debriefing.

“We went to Beijing to process our growth and challenges and just to prepare us to go back home,” Allen said.

The group also had time to explore the city, according to Allen.

“In Beijing we went to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in one day,” Allen said. “Then we went to the Great Wall [of China] and the pearl market, which was really cool.”

After her time in China, Allen said she would “definitely recommend any of the Royal Servants trips.”

“I would recommend [Royal Servants trips] to people who are Christian who want to go on a mission trip or grow closer to God or themselves,” Allen said. “I would go back on another Royal Servants trip, but probably not to China just because if I had the chance to go overseas, I would go somewhere new.” H

Fuzhou, China Location: Fujian Province Population: .

2.124 million

Time difference: 13 hours

Known for: min opera

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CENTERSPREAD

How MUCH is too MUCH? EDUCATION for the GLOBAL GENERATION With HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS now straddling TWO CENTURIES, the Dart investigates how TECHNOLOGY can be used in a modern STA EDUCATION.

by MARYMICHAEL HOUGH | managing editor of copy and MAGGIE KNOX | editor-in-chief

text time | Seniors Hannah Wells, left, and Jamie Tholen use Tholen's phone in a free period. This year. phones are allowed to be used in free periods. photo

by KATE SCOFIELD

18

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

ACCORDING

to the Dart’s survey of 72 STA students, 100 percent use technology at school, and 93.1 percent of those students have concluded that technology is an important aid to them while learning. What does this show about our school’s initiatives for modern learning? With our education for a digital generation, how much technology is too much technology? and peers is sometimes compromised as a result of heavy technological incorporation at STA. “The only downfall I see [of using technology] is that [students are] losing some of the skills of the face to face conversation and how to communicate,” Blake said.

Senior Grace Girardeau agrees that technology causes distractions and also believes that the use of technology in the classroom could threaten a student’s comfortable learning habits.

“As long as the technology isn’t forcing students to do anything in a way they do not prefer, then it is a valuable part of the classroom,” Girardeau said.

“Once it starts affecting how they do their work or studying and they feel they have to do things a certain way, then it’s not worth it.”

“

Focus and attentiveness are two qualities that we are, without being conscious of it, allowing to slip away.

— Robert Tonnies, theology teacher

“

Author and internet entrepreneur Peter Thiel defines technology as “any new and better way of doing things.”

In an attempt to discover this “better way,” STA teachers and administration have taken steps to incorporate technology in and out of the classroom.

Certain initiatives have brought about the addition of netbooks and 3D printers, along with the expansion of the “flipped classroom” technique. What do STA students and teachers think of this recent increase in technology?

How much is too much?

Technology plays an important role in theology teacher Robert Tonnies’ classes. By using video clips and images to spark discussion and programs such as Moodle and Google Drive for readings and homework, Tonnies, who teaches Theology and Media, believes the amount of readings done in his class would not be possible without technology. However, he attributes the subtraction of certain technologies, such as netbooks, from class with strengthening class discussions and forcing students to be more present by limiting temptations posed by multitasking.

“Focus and attentiveness are two qualities that we are, without being conscious of it, allowing to slip away,” Tonnies said. “I think we’d rather have those qualities, if given the choice.”

The loss of these qualities is not based solely on technology’s presence in the classroom, but on the human tendency to experience media in small fragments, according to Tonnies. He attempts to combat this by giving his students both a diverse set of reading material as well as creating an environment where they can heighten their ability to focus.

According to science teacher Renee Blake, communication with teachers

Blake was one of the first teachers to incorporate a “flipped classroom” at STA. According to Blake, the use of technology in the classroom prepares students not only for college, but also for a career because the widespread use of technology is “not going away.” “[Technology as a learning tool] is basic college prep,” Blake said. “We’ve got to expose [students] to as many technology tools and opportunities so they feel comfortable and wellprepared.”

Blake does believe, however, that not every assignment lends itself to be

electronic and that relying on technology should also bring flexibility from teachers.

According to senior Tricia Melland, flipped classrooms allowed her to make up most of her work missed in her biology and social concerns classes.

Melland battles Mitochondrial Disease and has missed months of school on end due to treatment and rehabilitation. Melland believes that the use of her netbook and being able to communicate through Moodle has aided in the furthering of her education despite her absences.

“If STA wasn't so technologically advanced there is no way I would be graduating with my class this year,” Melland said. “I would have been homeschooled until I was 16 and then taken my GED, just like all my other friends who have [mitochondrial disease].”

Principal of academic affairs Barbara McCormick thinks that because STA is part of a global chain, students should be prepared for their futures in the best way possible.

“If we look at the research and we look at society as a whole, globally, we’re linked,” McCormick said in an interview for an earlier Dart story about STA’s STEM initiatives. “We’re using technical tools to be not only consumers of information and skills and concepts, but producers. It’s important that we become knowledgeable and willing to adapt and utilize knowledge and skills in tandem with one another so that we can be a candidate for the business world in the future.”

According to Tonnies, the science department should always be innovating with technology, because “that discipline is becoming a tech-driven discipline.” Tonnies believes, however, this is not as imperative in the English department because for a student to

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19

CENTERSPREAD

tweet, tweet | Junior Macy Trujillo takes a break from studying to text a friend during a free period in science teacher Amy Carlson’s classroom. Trujillo says she often lets her phone distract her from her school work. photo by KATE SCOFIELD

be a “prominent thinker they aren’t going to have to know innovative technologies in order to be successful.”

“One of the great things about [STA] is that teachers have the freedom to develop the education in each classroom in unique ways; you can’t draw the line without infringing on some of that freedom,” Tonnies said. “[As a result] it’s what makes our classes here so good.”

However, Tonnies thinks that this freedom for teachers needs to be carefully used, considering that he sees benefits in both kinds of learning: technological or not.

"Where St. Teresa’s should want to go is a carefully chosen balance between the appropriate amount of technology and the appropriate amount of choosing to not use technology because there’s benefits to both,” Tonnies said. “

20

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Both Tonnies and Blake agree that technology affects STA outside of the classroom by causing students to lose some of the skills involved in face to face conversation and communication skills.

“We should be really careful about [using technology] in the St. Teresa’s setting because our sense of self is involved, our sense of spirituality is involved and our sense of community is involved,” Tonnies said. “A good example of that is the new advisory phone rule. Cell phones at school interrupt community, they interrupt relationship building and they interrupt the sense of self within that community.”

Tonnies also believes that as STA moves forward, our community should continue to ask ourselves one question: Why do we all physically come to STA every day?

“If we aren’t utilizing the fact that we

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

are physically present [at STA], then we may have forgotten what’s beneficial about all of us being here,” Tonnies said. “There’s incredible value to all of us being here, and I hope that as more and more of our education at St. Teresa’s becomes digital, we continue to respect and acknowledge the value of being here.”

Blake agrees, as she sees in-class time as an opportunity for deeper learning and interactions between students and a teacher.

“It’s in the classroom where I can help them apply [terminology from video lectures] to more hands-on [work],” Blake said. “For me personally, I could never go back to the way I taught before, because technology is that important,” Blake said. “It is important for me, it is important for my students and for their future.”H

DIGITAL DIGITS

The Dart surveyed 72 STA students of varying grades. compiled by MADI WINFIELD | WEB EDITOR OF SCHEDULING

Today 3:00 PM

HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY AT SCHOOL?

Does technology in the classroom help you learn?

34.7% were like YES! 6.9% were like NAH 58.3% were like KINDA

38.9% 54.8% 05.6%

all the time

66.7%

use primarily Web sources for homework

most of the time not very often

62.5%

take flipped class es

graphics by MACKENZIE O'GUIN | DESIGN EDITOR

the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 February 2015 21 page designed by Mackenzie O'Guin page design by Christina Elias21

MAIN ED

TECHNOLOGY

The world is no longer what it was 50 years ago: innovations and technology play a major role in our lives. Technology affects billions of people, and students need to be able to learn and develop with the changing world.

Using technology in the classroom allows students the ability to familiarize themselves with many programs they will likely need in the future. Students need to develop these technological skills in order to be prepared to communicate and network in the workforce. Not only does technology in the classroom equip students for the future, it also helps spark discussion in the classroom.

With modern videos and documentaries, teachers can use media to relate their discussions to the students and the modern age. In the 21st century, students will more likely participate in a discussion that interests them with relevance.

Many may worry about technology’s negative effects. However, if STA is mindful about the advances it makes in terms of implementing these new technologies, then both students and teachers alike will benefit. As long as technology does not eliminate face-to-face interactions between peer students and teachers, it remains a great way to modernize the STA education. H

[

]

6 of 6 editors voted in support of this editorial

right on

TARGET

cannot replace students'

PHYSICAL INTERACTION

illustration by ELLIE GREVER| visual illustrator

The Dart asked students their opinion of the main editorial.

How well do you think STA uses technology in the classroom?

compiled by MEREDITH MULHERN | staff writer

Leeny O’Boyle senior

22

“I think STA uses technology efficiently, and we are given good access to it. I think some teachers see it as a distraction and limit the use of netbooks.”

Taylor Crimmins sophomore

“I think using PowerSchool, gmail...and other applications is very helpful and convenient, but some courses don’t utilize them enough”

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

Sarah Cozad junior

“It depends on the subject and the teacher. Science, history and theology use it really well...I don’t think STA does the best job, but it’s not the worst.”

A&E

Artist of the Issue:

AMBER BROWNLEE

Senior Amber Brownlee shares her interest in many art forms.

by ZOE BUTLER social media editor

Amber Brownlee’s arms were outstretched, grasping the waist of the person in front of her, someone else grasping her own. Eyes closed, all 13 dancers took their first breath together, somehow becoming one body, feeling like the same person.

Senior Amber Brownlee’s interest first sparked for dance at age three, when she started taking her first dance classes. She also began drawing and painting before she could write. Currently, she takes classes at City in Motion three days a week and doodles everyday. “[Art has] given me a way to express myself," Brownlee said. "It’s like it’s freed me in a lot of senses. It’s allowed me another way to connect with

people."

With her parents and two sisters being dancers and choreographer/ dancer Martha Graham as her inspiration, Brownlee has found a way to funnel her creative energy into three different art forms: painting, drawing, and dancing.

“I think [drawing] is where I get out my angsty feelings, and painting too,” Brownlee said. “I don’t have to be happy when I’m drawing. I’m quite often not, because that’s when I make the good stuff. I think dance is the opposite. I dance the best when I’m happy, so that’s where I put all of my positive energy.”

Brownlee has grown up with art, but it is evident that it is so much more than just an after school activity. For her, it is so singular, a way to tune everything else out and focus on just that for up to hours at a time.

“Dancing gives you that connection

BROWNLEE'S BIG PICTURE: What's Next?

Brownlee shares her plans for dancing later in life.

compiled by ZOE BUTLER social media editor

that allows you to move past yourself and into someone else,” Brownlee said.

This spring, Brownlee will be graduating from STA; in the fall, she will be beginning college. Brownlee will be picking her college based off each school’s dance program. The schools she is considering each require an audition, some an audition solo.

Brownlee has been working to repiece her fathers dance solo from 1992 as an audition solo for her three college choices: University of Iowa, University of Missouri-Kansas City and University of Texas.

“I want to be a professional dancer, and I’m considering sculpting, too, and combining the two,” Brownlee said.

Her dreams stretch even farther after becoming a professional dancer, she “[has] to and [hopes] to keep with up with arts” throughout her whole life. H

photo by MADDY MEDINA

NEXT: Join a touring dance company

AFTER STA:

Audition to dance in college

Finally: Settle

down, get a house, have her own studio

LAter: Start

her own dance company

pages designed by Mackenzie O'Guin and Linden O'Brien-Williams

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PERSPECTIVES

recent female Ranger school grads are paving the way towards women's equality

by ALEX DAVIS |web editor of copy Recently in the news a small group of women have graduated from the most notorious leadership school the United States Army offers: Ranger School. This school is composed of an intense 61 day combat leadership course that actually only allows men to attend. That is, until a test trial allowed women to participate in Ranger School to see if they could handle it.These women sent shock waves throughout the military community, and were often doubted with people saying that they wouldn't last a week. Of course, these female graduates proved their doubters wrong. They faced the intense combat head on and in the end were able to stand tall as they graduated.

This is just one of many steps towards gender equality in the military. The military can still be seen as a male dominated industry, and even though women now are actively participating in it, there are still some areas that only allow men. For example, the fact that even though these women graduated from Ranger School, they can't actually serve as Rangers.

The exclusion of women in military combat can possibly be attributed to the early definitive gender roles and inequalities during America’s colonial era. Men were expected to be the “supporters” of the family, while the women stayed home doing housework and rearing children. Because of this, it kind of makes sense that when the first foundations of the US Armed Forces

24

only allowed men in combat. Of course, there were those women later on who served as nurses and aides during the Civil War, and even fewer who actually cross-dressed as men to be in combat.

It wasn’t until 1948 where women, by law, were a permanent part of the military.

It’s kind of weird to think that there is so much segregation between men and women in such a modern society, especially in the military. Thankfully, times are changing. Old rules and restrictions are growing outdated and being molded to fit with the times.

There are those that see the need for positive change and are taking the steps to do so. The female graduates of Ranger School are a prime example of this. They are helping other women everywhere by giving them the courage to do “the impossible”.

The next thing to ask is this, “So what can I do?” Well, we can do a number of things. If you have interest in joining the Armed Forces, speak up! You’ll never know just how much you can achieve not only for yourself, but also for other women in the military as well.

Take that opportunity, that risk, and see where it takes you. And if you have a friend who is thinking about joining the forces, offer your hand to them and support them!

Be proud of them!

Cheer ‘em on!

I think another important thing to take from this is that this doesn’t only have to apply to the military. There are still many male

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

dominated industries in the US that have these gender walls in place. Many women still face inequalities today that are really unacceptable. However, the achievements of the women graduates are giving hope to these women, to anyone really, who feels like they are being held back because of their gender. It’s as if they are saying, “Do what you love with everything you’ve got, even if it seems impossible, because you yourself can prove that it isn’t.” H

Read on DartNewsOnline "chipping away at the sisterhood"

by Katherine Green, copy editor of news

"seniors should get open lunch" by elsa feigenbaum, copy editor of sports

"daycare isn't funny'" by meredith mulhern, staff writer

paving the way | Patricia Smith, left, is one of the first 60 women permitted to train in the Ranger School, part of the training proces for the Army Rangers. photo illustration by HELEN WHEATLEY

self exploration is a romantic commodity of the past

by HELEN WHEATLEY | opinion editor Ever since the dawn of modern technology some 25 years ago, most of Generation Y has been living under the constant stimulation of our virtual world.

Nurtured by our omnipresent parents, we tend to be extremely focused and goal-oriented. Join these two factors with our present day approach to education-22 years spent soaking up information in a square room-- and you’ve got a deadly concoction determined to create automatons for the working class. With our lives already planned out for us, has self exploration become a thing of the past?

Generation Y tends to be highly respectful of our elders. We believe those who are older and have more life experience are therefore wiser. We listen to them telling us what our options for life are, but we listen so closely that we don’t hear the rest of our future existence screaming in our ear.

It seems as though American lives have been planned out for us from the moment of our birth. While being

constantly stimulated by the many schools of thought out there, we forget it’s possible to create our own.

Graduate high school? Check. Attend college? Check. Internship? Check.

Master’s degree? Ten years at a desk job? Twenty years as CEO? Family?

Retirement? Check, check, check. Make money, build the economy, have a family, live a happy retirement, die.

While this paradoxical system may not be new to humanity, it is constantly enabled and gratified by our lack of attention to the consequences. Self exploration is quickly becoming a romantic commodity of the past. Curious as to where you should live after college?

Interested in the number of children that will suit you and your future partner?

Just hop on over to Buzzfeed, and all of life’s long-pondered questions will be answered for you, by another 20-something year old hoping to catch a break as quiz-writer.

We no longer have the need for asking ourselves what will truly fulfill our lives, because we believe there are only

a few tangible options. Any step taken that shies off the beaten pathway of life and career is deemed impractical or too difficult.

We must continue to nurture the sense of curiosity in our children and in ourselves. While many new technologies help us further our developments and explorations, it’s important that we pay attention to the ways in which they hinder us.

When young kids dream about their lives, we want them to dream about grand endeavors and explorations, about being fearless and immune to criticism, and unfearing of any challenge.

We want them to be superior to no one and inferior to no one, and to dream of things larger than themselves. Mostly, we want our new generations to accomplish great things in the scope of humanity, and as humans always have, if we strive to do so, we can. H

what disney channel taught me about being a strong woman

by MARY MICHAEL HOUGH managing editor of copy Let’s flashback to the golden years.

Before the usual “well the kids I was babysitting for were watching it” or “it was my little brother’s turn to pick so I had no choice” excuses, there was a time when I was proud of my devotion to good old Channel 70. Disney Channel played a major role in many of our childhoods, but what exactly did it teach us? Don’t get me wrong, the countless awkward encounters between sexes and outrageous outfits were entertaining, but I’ve realized that Disney Channel

provided me with a lot more than than cheesy lessons and jokes. Disney Channel taught me how to be a strong and independent young woman.

As the youngest child in a family with working parents, I was partially raised by inappropriate movies and family-friendly sitcoms. So, naturally, when I think of my childhood heroes a select group come to mind: my grandma, Elle Woods, and Disney Channel’s founding mothers.

Many of you are probably rolling your eyes at this point, but if you dig deeper into the premises of these Disney Channel shows and movies, you realize that the values of the characters weren’t completely irrelevant and out of touch.

Kim Possible was a determined teenage girl who maintained a strong GPA and some interesting extracurriculars. Raven Baxter was a sassy teenage girl who promoted positive body image and used her talents to help others. Ren Stevens was an overachieving teenage girl who crushed high

expectations and attempted to keep those around her in check. Zenon Kar was a mischievous teenage girl who challenged authority and fought for what was right despite punishment. Although dramatised by the addition of evil villains, supernatural powers, unrealistic schemes, and a few futuristic gadgets, each of these stories taught us to not only achieve, but surpass the goals set by ourselves and others.

These relatable characters have provided us with the tools we need to thrive as confident leaders. As a young woman searching for the inspiration to be a strong-willed and driven individual, look no further than 11 pm on the channel that is probably still programmed into your TV’s favorites.

For these reasons, it seems as though the amount of homework sacrificed and relationships ruined fighting for the remote really were worth it. Mom, I told you so. H

page designed by Helen Wheatley

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SPORTS

The Life of a New Dance Team Member For 6 freshmen, the start of high school comes with competitive tryouts, early morning practices and bonds with fellow teammates and upperclassmen.

by ELSA FEIGENBAUM | sports copy editor

Upcoming Dance Team Performances: Wednesday, Sept. 16 Thursday, Sept. 17 Wednesday, Sept. 23 [Each performance will be held prior to home volleyball games.] so you think you can dance| The Dance Team practices a new routine Friday, Aug. 28 before school. The Dance Team practices before school Tuesday mornings and after school Friday afternoons in the Goppert Center. Next week the team is holding a funraiser selling Chris Cakes. photo by CASSIE HAYES

Fresh out of grade school, every STA freshman has to adjust to the new life of high school. For 6 of these freshmen, this additionally entails adjusting to the life of a STA dance team member.

One of these six is freshman Olivia Thomas. When she was three years old, she started at Miller Marley School of Voice and Dance. After falling in love with the sport and sticking with it, she was thrilled to learn STA had a dance team when she shadowed last year.

This lead to her attending tryouts last April, on a day with a deeper importance.

“April 10 was my aunt that passed away’s birthday,” Thomas said. “I kind of tried out for her, and I think that was her helping me.”

According to senior team captain Ally Pribyl, she remembers her tryouts as a freshman being a stressful experience since she did not know what to

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expect. As for the most recent tryouts, she and the other upperclassmen tried to make sure the newcomers felt welcome.

With her acceptance into the school’s dance team, Thomas proceeded to spend her summer practicing and attending a week long Universal Dance Association (UDA) camp with her teammates.

“I think that was a part of how our team really became a team,” Thomassaid. “We did a lot together that whole week and I think that was one of the parts I loved.”

According to Pribyl, while the team is close now, she remembers there being strong divisions between the classes while she was a freshman. Her and the other upperclassmen have worked hard to eliminate that this year.

“The seniors on this team make you feel like a part of something,” Thomas

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

said. “They’re so nice and everything they do they just include everybody.”

According to Thomas, the school year beginning means learning how to balance her school work with practices three times a week. For two hours, Thomas and the other dancers run, learn new material and clean up their dances to be ready to perform. Thomas says that though she is younger, the coaches still treat the freshmen and the upperclassmen equally.

While dance team comes with a high commitment and a lot of hard work, Pribyl wants freshmen to know it is worth it in the end.

“You feel good once you have gone through the year and you do well at competition,” Pribyl said. “Just realizing that it’s going to all end soon, so just make the most of it.” H

Egner returns to coaching History teacher Mike Egner is coaching cross country after 10 years of coaching in the '90s.

by HELEN WHEATLEY | opinion copy editor

It was 1989. The cross country team had just been created out of freshman and sophomore recruits from the track team. With only 18 girls and a first-time coach, the future and success of the team lay in history teacher Mike Egner’s hands.

Flash forward 26 years.

It’s 2015 and Egner is assistant coaching the STA cross country team again, after the success of his ten-year run as head coach during the '90s.

After making the decision to teach part-time this year, Egner has put forward his extra time to coach the 50 cross country runners. As an assistant coach, Egner says he enjoys running with the girls during practice.

“Part of my job is to help run and supervise them,” Egner said. “I do as best as I can to keep up with them.”

Egner helps the athletes understand the technicalities of running, like their form, the biomechanics of running, injuries and nutrition. Egner says he is passionate about the sport itself, and understands its difficulties.

“Running is a life sport,” Egner said. “Coaching is teaching, so a lot of the girls I taught last year I give a lot of advice to and run with when I can.”

One of Egner’s main goals when coaching is to give the runners constructive criticism and do whatever he can to keep them motivated during practice.

“It’s a grueling, demanding sport, so you’ve gotta

have some positive strokes when you finish with that run,” Egner said.

Cross country team cocaptain Hallie Ryan says she enjoys Egner’s passion for the sport and coaching style.

“Each [coach] brings a different perspective to the sport,” Ryan said. “ Mr. Egner really promotes dedication.”

During Egner’s first 10 years of leading the group of runners, he coached the team’s current head coach, Karen Moran. “[Egner] set very high standards for us and instilled a work ethic in us that I still feel today,” Moran said.

During Egner’s last year of coaching in 1999, he recruited Moran to help out with coaching the STA team.

Moran says her coaching style is heavily influenced by the way Egner coached her during her time at STA. “I am trying to instill the same work ethic in my girls that Coach Egner did with us,” Moran said. “I would not be who I am today without coach Egner’s influence in my life.”

Twenty-six years ago, Egner built the cross country team from the ground up.

After leading them to qualify for State every year, securing four district and two state championships and coaching the womam that would later return to guide the team, the girls think of him as a mentor and friend.

Egner is passionate about and ready to continue his legacy during the coming year. H

it's a stretch| Coach Mike Egner stretches alongside senior Emma Jensen to warm up their muscles at a cross country meet Sept. 5. photo by CLARE KENNEY

here's a tip | Junior Mary LePique converses with Coach Mike Egner at a cross country meet Sept. 5 prior to running. photo by CLARE KENNEY

page designed by Meg Thompson

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COMMUNITY

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the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

Plaza adds new boutiques The addition of several shops and restaurants provides a diverse market for consumers.

by BRIDGET JONES | social media manager

Vineyard Vines

Madewell

Kendra Scott

Location: 4700 Broadway St. next to Lucky Brand Jeans and across from Barnes and Noble

Location: 309 Nichols Road next to Vera Bradley and Kate Spade

Location: 412 Nichols Road next to Helzberg Collections

Looking for a new pair of jeans to wear to your pumpkin patch girls day out or to your pumpkin spice latte date? Then check out Madewell for their super soft tees and great jeans. H

Kendra Scott is known for their statement earrings that will complete your Teresian outfit. Check out their accessories with everything from necklaces to travel makeup bags. H

Trying to find a last minute gift for your dad or boyfriend? Pick up a tie from vineyard vines. Don’t forget to get some of their classic pink whale stickers and lanyards. H

Survey the scene New store openings on the Country Club Plaza increase the variety in activities.

For more info about new stores on the Plaza, go to DartNewsOnline

photos by KAT MEDIAVILLA | editor of photography/multimedia

2.

1.

1. The Country Club Plaza stays busy despite an overcast Tuesday evening. New addi-

tions to the Plaza, such as a new Vineyard Vines, Sephora and Kendra Scott Jewelers have been built in the past year.

2. The storefront of Vineyard Vines displays a sign for items on sale. This Vineyard Vines store is new to the Country Club Plaza.

3. Inside Kendra Scott is a small sitting area surrounded by numerous display cases of jewlry. This store is new to the Plaza..

3.

page designed by MaryMichael Hough

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LAST LOOK

BACK TO BLACK AND GOLD Students begin the school year by attending events such as Frosh Fest, the Club Fair, and a Rockhurst football game.

Photos by KAT MEDIAVILLA and BRIDGET JONES web photo editor and social media manager

dances in s k in w T t o STA masc pectators at the he s front of t t High School home urs first Rockh of the season me Mediavilla footbal ga t a K y b hoto Sept. 4. p

Senior Caitlin O'Toole holds a sign at the Community Service Club's table at the Club Fair Aug. 24. photo by Bridget Jones

ound Mrs. Absher to ar er th ga y or vis ad er sh Ab e Members of th St. Teresa's Academy. The of ad qu e th in ing aw dr k al plan their ch A division of the Frosh Fest M& e th in ird th d ce a pl y or vis Absher ad

by Kat Mediavilla o ot ph .

26 g.

Au t es nt co t ar chalk 30

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015

ork together w ry o is v d a rt a the Stew halk design c e h T .

Freshmen from 6 2 g u eir chalk art A of St. Teresa’s ry a to complete th rs e iv n n a the 150th commemorates Kat Mediavilla y b to o h p . y m e Acad

Junior C at in a cha erina DeRousse lk s ring for drawing of an hades ST he chalk de r advisory’s Fr A class osh sig tradition n. Frosh Fest is Fest a a freshme t STA and help n annual n s classma bond with their incoming tes fe Kat Me and advisory. l ow diavilla photo b y

Students ga ther to sing Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" towards the end of the a nnu Frosh Fest c halk compet al ition.

Students ate lunch, dance d and bonded with their advisories du ring both ac tivity periods Aug. 26. photo b y Kat Mediavilla

to join Spirit s t n e d u t s s urage Twinks enco 4. photo by 2 . g u A ir a f lub Club at the c s Bridget Jone page designed by Torie Richardson

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in the

DNO

All the news that's (not) fit for print Meet the New Teachers This year, St. Teresa's welcomes new staff members, all with unique backgrounds.

by LIBBY HUTCHINSON | staff photographer

DNO Vlogs

This year, DNO will feature three vlogs covering a wide variety of topics. Scan the QR codes to watch their introductory videos.

Stay Woke: An Introduction Senior Audrey Carroll keeps students updated on current events around the world.

by AUDREY CARROLL managing editor of web

Patrick Nielsen Social studies teacher

Maura Lammers Long-term English substitute

C.K. in K.C.: Hi Hat Coffee You've said it before: "There's nothing to do in Kansas City."

Junior Christina Kirk is here to change your mind.

by CHRISTINA KIRK page designer

Liz Baker Principal of Student Affairs

Confessions of a Black Girl: (Re)introduction Senior Torie Richardson answers the questions about race you've always been afraid to ask.

Steven Perry Choir director

by TORIE RICHARDSON editor-in-chief

Check us out on social media!

Katie Weber English teacher

Renee Fietsam Mathematics teacher

the Dart | dartnewsonline.com | 11 September 2015 | page designed by Madi Winfield

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