October 2016

LE JOURNAL

ISSUE 2 VOLUME 36 OCTOBER 2016

Learn more about the presidential election Nov. 8 and healthy dialogue regarding the big

Decision 2016

pages 14-17

LE JOURNAL OCTOBER COVER STORY

14

2016 Election

Students practice “healthy dialogue” for the 2016 elections. Read helpful information on all candidates.

FEATURES

18

Leah LaFaver Spanish teacher has a strong passion for educating others.

Kaitlin Jones 20 Sophomore and her twin

sister attend rival schools.

Marx 22 Molly Senior faces rare condition affecting her vision.

SECTIONS NEWS

OPINION

Paintings for Charity 5 Oak Mite Bites 5 New Water Fountains 6 Honors Awards 6 New Kendra Scott Store in Leawood 7 Food for Thought Skits 7

Social Media Affects Campaigns8 Sexual Assault 9 Food For Thought 10 KC Column 11 Zodiac Sign Changes 11

SPORTS

A&E

State Recaps 12 Tennis 12 Basketball Adjusts to Changes 13 Seniors Commitments 13

Raising Cane’s 24 Rowing Workout Studio in Town Center 24 Cookie Comparison 25 Last Season of Grey’s Anatomy 25 Thanksgiving Recipes, Traditions and Travels 27

2 LE JOURNAL October 2016

Senior Zoë Mulkey counted down to the rendition of “Faculty Rock the House” in the senior Food for Thought skit.

Mulkey was impersonating her mother, music teacher Elizabeth Mulkey. (Photo

by Kate Noble)

Online This Month

Caught With My Hair Down The experience of a cross country runner caught off guard.

“Gilmore Girls:” A Year in the Waiting Fans have a long wait and high hopes for this Netflix revival.

Spirit Week Photo Gallery and Video Spirit week was held Oct. 10-14 with new themes.

EDITOR’S INK

L

et’s be honest. It’s only been two months since school started and I am already counting down the days until Christmas break. These two months have been filled with everything from school to extra curriculars and even trying to maintain a social life. Unlike freshmen year where weeks dragged on for what seemed like an eternity, the days during this final year are going by in the blink of an eye and somehow it is already the third week of second quarter. Please, Father Time, slow it down.

Because this is my last year at Sion I would like to recognize the events that have already happened one last time. My last Dig Pink Volleyball game Oct. 4. My last Night of One Acts Oct. 7. My last Spirit Week Oct. 10-14. My last First Quarter Grande Assemble Oct. 13. My last Storm Stomp Oct. 14. My last Her Majesty’s Theatre Oct. 15. I guess what they say is right; time does sure fly when you’re having fun.

As fall sports are coming to the end of their respective seasons, we are proud of the athletes’ hard work and dedication to their sports throughout the season. Now, the school migrates to winter sports. Although they have arrived little in number, these sports are mighty. With many of the basketball games at home this season, there are plenty of times this winter to show your pride and support the team. Tryouts for basketball are Nov. 1 and tryouts for swim/dive are Nov 7.

This issue highlights some of the important and exciting changes in our local and school communities.

New water bottle filling stations can be found around the school (page 6) and students adjust to the first quarter on a new honor roll system (page 6). Students are spending more time outside in the crisp fall weather, for fun or sports, but are suffering from a surplus of oak mite bites (page 5). Skits kicked off Food For Thought Oct. 21 trying to get students more motivated to participate (page 7). We did so well in Sock It To Poverty, I can’t wait to see what our school is able to do with FFT. In the United States there is one major topic floating around every news and media outlet: the election.

This year’s election is different than many of the ones before it. The two main candidates are surrounded with controversy and have people wondering “which one is worse?” rather than “which one is better?” Assistant High School Division Head for Curriculum and Instruction Ellen Carmody spoke about the importance of healthy dialogue, especially in political conversations, and introduced students to the concept of “dialogue is love.” The election, and all the crazy components that come with it, is highlighted on pages 14-17.

The official arrival of fall makes for the perfect time to get out those favorite sweaters and cardigans. And what better way to get into the fall mood than by cooking? Look at page 26 for some new recipes to serve on your Thanksgiving table. Don’t be afraid to spend some time following your passions this season like Spanish teacher Leah LaFaver (page 18) or overcome a challenging and scary obstacle like senior Molly Marx (page 22). Before we know it, the beautiful weather and sunny skies will be behind us, so enjoy those limited edition Pumpkin Spice Lattes (like the Try Gals) while you can, Sion. And don’t forget, Halloween is upon us so get out your costumes, eat as much candy as you want and happy Trick or Treating.

Sincerely, Abby & Megan

LE JOURNAL 2016-2017 Le Journal is the official student publication of Notre Dame de Sion High School 10631 Wornall Road Kansas City, Missouri 64114

Her Majesty’s Theatre Theme of “Her Story” inspired audience with performances by women, for women.

Lejournallive.com

PRINT CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Megan Ostrander Abby Smith PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Tara Jungden NEWS EDITOR Phylicia Barner-Lewis EDITORIAL EDITOR Lanie Jones A&E EDITOR Lucy Stofer

@LeJournalSion

SPORTS EDITOR Catherine Frerker FEATURE EDITOR Anna Tomka

@LeJournalSion

LAYOUT EDITOR Meg Schwartz

WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lily Coit WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR Kate Noble VIDEO CONTENT EDITOR Kelly Nugent PHOTO EDITOR Clare Kimmis BREAKING NEWS Maddie Young

MEMBER

Missouri Interscholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association International Quill and Scroll Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City Missouri Journalism Education Association

REPORTERS Reagan Amato McKenna Heegn Ellie Chaffee Ellie Magsamen Rachel Doctor Toni Mathis Olivia Dopheide Emma Miller Paige Dussold Paige Ritter Lauren Graves Sydney San Agustin Madisen Hane Meg Travis

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Le Journal accepts letters to the Editors in response to published articles. Letters must be signed, verified and no longer than 200 words. Letters may be edited for length, grammar, spelling and content. Letters will not be printed if content is obscene, invasive, encouraging disruption of school and/or is libelous.

LE JOURNAL October 2016

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Miss Missouri //

After winning the Saint Charles pageant in late September, Sion alumna Bayleigh Dayton became the first African-American Miss Missouri USA. In correlation with Sion’s mission, Dayton hopes to project service in her new leadership role. “When it comes to being a role model I think it’s all about service,” Dayton said via Instagram direct message. She will advance onto the nationally televised Miss USA competition in 2017. (Photo provided by Dayton)

Her Majesty’s Theatre //

This year’s Her Majesty’s Theatre theme was Her Story: by women, for women and about women.

The Petit and Grand Choeur, Symphonie and Jazz Band all performed outside under the big tent Oct. 15. AP Art students also displayed their artwork and spoke about their inspirations. Interactive story telling stations for the audience included a writing wall and Story Booth. “Her Majesty’s Theatre is unique because it involves art as well getting the audience up and moving,” Music Director Elizabeth Mulkey said. Seniors Madeline Dercher and Erin Quinn take a break between performances.

(Photo by Clare Kimmis)

Clown Sightings //

Clown sightings were a nationwide trend, prompting people on the internet, pranksters and in some cases real criminals to dress up like clowns. The first clown sighting was in Greenville, North Carolina. The craze was fueled by social media like the lighthearted twitter @ClownsSightings, to the much more serious and threatening Facebook page Flomo Klown. According to the Kansas City Star, police took clown threats seriously. Multiple area schools were put on lock down after social media threats that were later deemed not credible. (Photo by MCT Campus)

National Merit //

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognized seniors (clockwise from left) Angela Neunuebel, Elsa Brundige, Zoe Locke, Maria Arroyo and Katie Vopat (not pictured) as Semifinalists. National Merit Finalists will be announced in February. “I was really excited when I found out because it can open a lot of opportunities,” Arroyo said. “It’s really cool that so many of us here were recognized.” Seniors Ally Koehler, Claire Raulston, Honor Schleicher and Zoé Trouvé were also recognized as commended scholars. (Photo by Paige Ritter)

4 LE JOURNAL October 2016

WORLD

Battle Over Mosul, Iraq -----------

Iraqi forces began operations to take back the country’s second largest city, Mosul, from ISIS.

Thailand King Dies ---------

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand’s death ended his seven decade reign. The government is waiting another year to replace their leader.

Hurricane Mathew ----------

The destruction of Hurricane Mathew stretches from the Caribbean to the southeast U.S. and reached its height as a Category 5 in the eastern Caribbean.

New Clubs This Year // Get Involved

NEWS IN BRIEF

Philosophy Club

Leader: Suki Arnold

Medical Club

Leaders: Livy Wood and Sarah Totta

Chinese and Asian Culture Club Leader: June Liu

Comedy Club

Leader: Emily Bello

UPCOMING

& local

*Nov. 4

Food For Thought Ends

*Nov. 6

Day of the Dead Festival

*Nov. 8

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - Free Admission

Election Day

Polls close at 8 p.m.

*Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Break *Dec. 3

Winter Formal

$15 single, $25 couple

NEWS

Oak Mites Take Over Midwest Students and community with bite marks all over their bodies are tracing it back to Oak Mites.

BY SYDNEY SAN AGUSTIN REPORTER

People across the midwest are feeling the itch of the Oak Mites who have made a reappearance from last year, according to the Kansas City Star.

“I got my bites in the park,” Spanish teacher April Schendel said.

Oak mites are parasites that live inside galls, or abnormal growths, on oak trees. Normal pesticides will not kill them because the galls they live in protect them. They are not a serious threat unless the bites become infected.

Over 300,000 oak mites fall from oak trees each day, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“I got my bites just from going outside,” sophomore Sophie Hewitt

when bitten, the bites leave tiny said. “I usually get them on my arms welt-like itchy bumps that inflame and behind my knees, they get really the skin. According to freshman annoying.”

Shea Sullivan, she got her bites from

Many fall sports athletes have a Rockhurst High School football noticed they have more bites than game. most. This influx in the number of “I have them bites is due to the fact all over my that States affected thighs and they they practice

by Oak Mite Bites are swollen,” outside Sullivan said. “It’s everyday. this year so far annoying and Not just -according to Kansas City Star. it affects my the players everyday are being life, and affected, but now I am the families are also. concerned to

“Now my niece spend time outside.” has multiple bites on Ten to 16 hours after her body, being exposed to the my mom has mite people start to them and all feel that itchiness. The my little siblings oak mites can live up to have them,” junior 7 days on average, and softball player Mariah will stay on your body for Lynn said. most of that time according

To most the bites have been to an article by Kansas State just an inconvenience because

Entomologist Robert J. Bauernfeind.

Some students have been taking it into their own hands to try to get rid of the pests.

“We had to wash all of our sheets and beddings multiple times,” Lynn said. “I had to take a bath that had a cup of bleach in it and it killed them, but I keep getting them because I practice everyday outside for softball.”

Bite marks are usually found on the upper half of the body because they fall from trees.

Covering most of your skin when going out and taking a shower as soon as you get inside are the most effective ways to deal with the mites, according to the Kansas City Star.

“Wear long protective clothing when outside, wear bug repellant and stay away from oak trees,” nurse practitioner Monica Pfeiffer said. “If you have bites, allergy medications can help or over the counter steroid cream.”

Paintings Lend Positive Perspectives Students join together to fill walls of domestic violence shelter with new art.

BY RACHEL DOCTOR REPORTER

According to SafeHome-ks.org 2015

SAFE HOME BY THE NUMBERS:

To fill the rooms and hallways of a domestic violence shelter, the members of Art Club and National Art Honor Society joined together to create paintings for Safehome, a local organization dedicated to victims of domestic violence.

Safehome provides support to approximately 7,300 individuals annually through both the shelter and other community services according to Safehome’s official website.

The shelter provides housing for more than 350 women and children. The lack of original art in the rooms for those residents was brought to the attention of theology teacher Bonnie Hagharian.

“My daughter is the director there and they have a very nice facility, but the one thing Provided various on and off site services to:

she mentioned they lack is art that isn’t a piece reprinted several times throughout,” Hagharian said. “It begins to be repetitious.”

Upon hearing from Hagharian, art teacher Michael Pesselato proposed the idea to the group of 10 to 15 girls who immediately wanted to become involved. The students were open about what they wanted to make their piece be but most stuck to landscape themes or abstract pieces, according to Pesselato.

“The inspiration for everyone’s pieces probably came from thinking what they would like to see if they were in that situation,” senior Geneva Sinkula said.

The project will run through October as the paintings will need to be matted and framed before they are able to be delivered to Safehome.

While all the pieces may vary, intentions from the artist are all the same.

“I think everyone is trying to help these women. They deserve to have a nice environment everyday, and unfortunately that was taken away,”

Responses to 24 hour hotline calls of people in need of either support or direct services:

Provided consuling over the course of 11,001 hours to:

Sinkula said. “We hope to instill the idea that someone is thinking about them.”

POSITIVE PAINTINGS The above watercolors were created for Safehome by Art Club and National Art Honor Society members (clockwise), junior Catherine Dehaemers, senior Geneva Sinkula, junior Sydney Crawford and junior Catherine Wilkerson

Total volunteer hours of 31,500 hours of service and support provided by

7,279 3,249 1,241 780 people

calls

victims

volunteers

Offered life saving shelter on site: (women and children included in total)

361 people

LE JOURNAL October 2016

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NEWS

Water Filling Stations Benefit All Student council decided to get new water bottle filling stations in order to promote student health.

BY CATHERINE FRERKER SPORTS EDITOR One of the five new water fountains throughout the Sion installed five water bottle filling school. (Photo by Meg Travis) stations this fall that were paid for by the Athletic Booster Club, according to Assistant High School Division Head Fran Koehler. anymore.

“We had been seeing all these other schools “The benefits are huge, especially when that had the water fountains and it was super looking at the alternative,” Vandenbrul said. “If cool,” junior class president Haley Ulowetz said. people aren’t drinking water, they’re drinking Each year Student Advisory Council makes gatorade or soda.” suggestions on a gift to improve the school. The These drinks are full of simple sugars past few years’ donations have included new that are quickly absorbed and used up, leaving microwaves and Keurigs. This year’s gift: the people feeling tired and craving more sugar, water bottle filling stations. according to Vandenbrul. This is “We thought it especially detrimental to athletes, would work really well so the station outside the gym is because you can’t get even more important. to the lunchroom from “People don’t think about the everywhere quickly during calories they get from what they the passing period,” drink,” Vandenbrul said.

Ulowetz said, “and they’re A recent study found that all placed somewhere individuals who consume more where you can just run out than one sugary drink each day and stick your water bottle have a 48 percent higher chance there and then be back in of metabolic syndrome, according time for class to start.” to the International Journal of The stations are placed Obesity. This can lead to a higher in strategic locations chance of stroke, heart disease and around the school: outside diabetes.

Plastic water bottles are being saved the gym, in the basement “I think they’re a benefit and I by use of new water fountains. (Phonear the science labs, in the to by Wikimedia Commons) like how it’s not only beneficial to south six and upstairs near each student, but it’s beneficial to room 215. the environment,” Dercher said.

“I like how they’re all over the school not In addition to encouraging students to just in one place. They’re easy to use,” senior drink more, the water bottle filling stations Madeline Dercher said. encourage the use of refillable water bottles The quality of the cold water and efficiency instead of plastic ones or other drinks that come of the filling station make drinking water more in disposable packaging. enjoyable, according to sophomore Kristen So far the stations indicate that almost Rogge.

10,000 bottles have been saved, assuming that Students aren’t leaving class as much to each refill takes the place of one plastic bottle. fill up their water bottles, according to biology “The water fountains surely are encouraging teacher Amy Vandenbrul. Vandenbrul has people to drink more water,” Vandenbrul said. also noticed that students aren’t complaining “They are encouraging people to stay hydrated about the taste of the drinking fountain water and that brings a lot of good effects.”

6 LE JOURNAL October 2016

Old

New

Summa Cum Laude: 4.0 GPA; no grade First Honors: Same below A3.8 GPA or higher behavioral Magna Cum Laude: misconduct 3.8 GPA; no grade Second Honors: penalty below B3.25 GPA or higher Cum Laude: GPA of 3.5; no grade below B-

Quarterly Honor Goes Latin

With the start of a new school year came a change in the honor system.

BY LUCY STOFER A&E EDITOR

A new Latin honor system was put in place to upgrade the system and reflect a more collegiate style. Last year the academic council worked on trying to see what the school could do to make it the highest quality college prep school possible and decided that the Latin honor system would help further the school towards that goal.

“They did a lot of research and they contacted colleges and looked at what other college prep schools in the United States were using, and they are using the Latin honor system,” Assistant High School Division Head for Curriculum and Instruction Ellen Carmody said.

The Latin honors system consists of three levels with the highest being magna cum laude, then summa cum laude, and cum laude. The biggest change, besides the names, is that there is now the added highest honor of magna cum laude which is awarded to students who receive over a 4.0 GPA for the quarter, compared to first honors which was awarded to a GPA over a 3.8.

The distinctions between the three levels and their requirements can be found on page 4 of the online student handbook.

Some students are upset about this change because of the new restrictions that to receive any honors award a student can’t have less than a B- in even an AP class. The weighting of AP and honors classes doesn’t give students a boost for the new honors system.

“A B- in an academic class is the same as B- in an AP class when regarding the new honor roll,” senior Angela Neunuebel said. “AP students have to work extra hard in their challenging classes to have above a B- in order to make any Honors.”

But Director of College Counseling Erin Stein said students should be assured that there are more important things that colleges look at regarding admission far beyond your high school honor system.

“I think the most important things for students to keep in mind is that this is a Sion recognition,” Stein said. “And while this is something you can put on your college resume and it is certainly something to feel proud of, it’s not something that colleges are going to place a lot of weight on in the college admission decision.”

NEWS

Goal Lowered in Annual Class Competition Food For Thought’s goal is lowered from previous years to become more attainable.

BY PAIGE RITTER REPORTER

Senior Zoé Trouvé wore an oversized sweater made of retro mustards and reds. Tinted glasses were perched on her nose. A smile spread across her face as she said, “I’m perfectly comfortable enough in my heterosexuality to say that if that man fixed my computer, I would melt.” Religion teacher Paul Kramschuster chuckled in his seat while the rest of the faculty turned to him for an explanation of Trouvé’s impression.

“My response to the people around me was that quote makes perfectly good sense in the context of 18th century Italian opera,” Kramschuster said.

Regardless of context, the impression ignited a roar of laughter from the audience. The traditional skit of seniors depicting faculty members was preluded by the freshman’s parody to “Pitch Perfect’s”

Riff Off, the sophomore’s re-creation “I think what happened in the of a presidential debate and the past was that someone was able to junior’s imitation donate a large of “Say Yes to the amount of money or a student had Dress.” The variety in content was wide, great connections but the themes were to receive the same: cans. donations so the Student amount raised was significantly Council’s skits Oct. 21 kicked off higher,” teacher and STUCO this year’s Food For Thought food sponsor Jennifer drive. Falling BrownHowerton said. short in recent years, this year’s “But that can’t be expected to FFT goal has been lowered to become happen every more attainable, year.” according to FFT According to Browncommittee coHowerton, chair and STUCO STUCO hopes to member Madeline receive at least 2 McMaster.

Senior Zoé Trouvé impersonates This year’s tons from each theology teacher Paul Kramschuster class. Aside from goal is to donate during the annual Food For Thought 8 tons of cans or the seniors whose skits. (Photo by Kate Noble) STUCO leaders non-perishables to Redemptorist Social Services, a have been preparing large donations significant difference from the 18 ton since the summer, this goal can be goal of last year. achieved if each student participates

just a little bit. To participate students can either bring in cans or donate money. When money is donated, each dollar is converted into two, 16 ounce cans to be counted into their class total.

“We are hoping people will see the new goal as more attainable and more of a point in going out to collect cans. And that people see it as something that can be accomplished,” McMaster said. “And hopefully that will motivate them more.”

In 2013, 18 tons were collected and in 2012, 22 tons were collected.

According to McMaster the goals of the last two years were being held to that standard. But with only 8.84 of the 18 tons goal reached last year and only 10.5 reached in 2014, STUCO hopes the new goal will seem more reasonable to students and encourage more involvement.

“Make Food For Thought great again,” sophomore Gretta Allen said in her skit. While she may have been spoofing Donald Trump, she was inadvertently promoting STUCO’s message for more involvement this year.

Kendra Scott Adds Store in Leawood ago and I got a Kendra Scott bracelet,” junior Kathleen Tushaus said. “Their jewelry makes the best gifts.”

According to Scott’s website, Scott started her business with a

BY ANNA TOMKA mere $500 and just a few months FEATURES EDITOR following the birth of her first son.

Scott would go door-to-door with a A new Kendra Scott store will be added to Town Center Crossing in box of her jewelry, in an attempt to wow potential mid-November, customers by according to showing them store manager her pieces Stephanie that included Maxwell. The natural stones bright yellow and custom storefront will shapes. Her be situated jewelry now adjacent to the has a broad Apple Store appeal. and is still “We cater undergoing to a wide range construction.

Kendra Scott’s unfinished storefront located of people.

The Plaza in the heart of Town Center. (Photo by Anna We have will no longer Tomka) sixteen-yearserve as the old’s come in, sole source to get the sought-after Elisa pendants and Danielle earrings, sorority girls, even my grandmother,” Maxwell said. “We have something two of their best-sellers.

“It was my birthday a little while for everyone.”

Town Center’s Kendra Scott store will officially open mid-November.

The store has already been successful at the Plaza location, which is more frequented by tourists than locals. Leawood was an obvious choice as their next location, with the large customer base and neighboring stores they felt they related to.

“My sisters and I literally get all of our jewelry from Kendra,” freshman Maddy Anstoetter said.

“I’m so excited that the new store will be so close to our house.”

Kendra Scott also gives back. In the last year, the company donated one million dollars and 50,000 pieces of jewelry to various organizations, according to their website.

Kendra Scott is especially passionate about donating to METAvivor, which gives hope to stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

“I’m looking forward to what the new store brings,” Maxwell said. “We’ll be hiring too.”

Illustrations by Anna Tomka of the bestselling Elisa pendant necklace and the Danielle earrings. Both are available for $65 in stores.

LE JOURNAL October 2016

7

OPINION

Photo by MCT Campus; Illustration by Olivia Dopheide

Social Media Posts Replace the Real Issues in 2016 Election Without any context, social media posts are hard to interpret and can be easily taken the wrong way. The increase of social media in this election leaves the interpretation up to each individual citizen, which can cause confusion and miscommunication. The personal lives of THIS EDITORIAL REFLECTS THE VIEW the candidates are completely unrelated from the OF THE LE JOURNAL STAFF. TWENTYcurrent issues facing our country. The three issues Americans care most passionately about are the TWO OUT OF 28 STAFFERS VOTED IN economy in general, unemployment, and federal SUPPORT OF THIS VIEW. debt, according to a study done by Gallup.

Obviously, the term media is a broad There’s no doubt the 2016 election can be umbrella of things. Social media, news outlets labeled as “The Social Media Election.” Multiple and television are all considered media. But today, times per day, candidates tweet, snapchat, update nearly every part of news culture is responsible for their Facebook status or post on Instagram. But turning one irrelevant detail into something that there is not one apparent valuable reason why mesmerizes and distracts the American people. this year’s election should revolve around what Details of someone’s personal life shouldn’t someone posts on social media. overtake current issues, like the refugee crisis or The culture of modern social and news global warming. media inherently brings out the petty side of both Another casualty of social media in this Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Clinton has election is a bigger divide between the two parties been targeted multiple times by both Trump and than any previous election. Social media has various news outlets about past scandals regarding allowed any person to freely say what they think, her husband and Monica no matter how extreme, and at the Lewinsky. Trump tweeted The 2016 election has same time locate people with the that Bill Clinton was guilty of created a bigger divide same views. It can be risky to have sexism and of having multiple affairs with women other than between the two parties a large group of people engage in heated arguments with another large Lewinsky. It escalated quickly then any previous group of people behind the comfort and Clinton was forced onto election. of a computer screen. The computer her heels to try and defend screen or phone offers anonymity herself against accusations and creates a disconnect so people say things they unrelated to her presidential campaign. After these would never say face to face. stories quickly blew up on social media, the focus The most obvious reason for an increased was shifted away from the future of our country usage of social media by the candidates is to and other topics that actually matter. appeal to millennials. Thirty-seven percent of Trump has also been the subject of some voters aged 18-29 turned to the candidate’s social overzealous digging of old past tweets and media profiles candidate for news about the statements. Users are obsessing over a simple election, according to a study by Pew Research sentence that was posted years ago. It’s pointless Center. to keep talking about things he might have said But by taking this course of action a large eight years ago, like his tweets that contradict his number of voters are alienated. Forty-one current views, when they have nothing to do with percent of adults aged 65 and older do not use the current election.

The increase in social media usage by the presidential candidates can be credited with a negative impact on the 2016 election.

8 LE JOURNAL October 2016

the Internet, according to a study done by Pew Research Center. The consequence neutralizes the benefit. What’s needed is a healthy balance between the two that would be more beneficial to the candidates.

Missing in this election is healthy political dialogue. This is beneficial and necessary for everyone in a presidential election. If more people were accustomed to portraying their views in a reasonable manner, then more progress could be reached within our political systems.

One change to start with could be in the form of advertisements. It is more beneficial to air positive advertisements and have positive associations in the political world than negative, according to a study done by The University of Rhode Island. Positive posts could be the next step after that.

Overall, social media emphasizes the antagonistic side over quality: what will get candidates more publicity. If the trend continues, our government will lie in the hands of who can fit more meaning in 140 characters. So before you post, think about the real issues at hand.

Heard on Twitter...

OPINION

More Than Just Wearing Black

Currently, under federal law, sexual assault prevention isn’t required in health and sex education classes, according to The Huffington Post. In February 2015 Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, and Vice Presidential

BY LILY COIT nominee under Hillary Clinton, introduced WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF the Teach Safe Relationships Act of 2015 that would require public high schools to include learning on “safe relationship

After hearing about the sexual assault behavior” to prevent sexual assault, of a Shawnee Mission East freshman, high school students in the metro area wore black domestic violence and dating violence.

Seeing the media’s perception of rape shirts to stand in solidarity for the victim and the “rape myths” that are supplemented and to stand up for awareness. as a result is equally critical. Media

This was a city-wide movement that coverage of sexual assault or rape can lead was demonstrated at several local high to the strengthening of stereotypes such schools like Rockhurst High School, St. as describing the act of a teacher sexually Teresa’s Academy and Mill Valley High assaulting a student as a “sex scandal.”

School. Along with wearing black, students No. That’s not a sex scandal. That is sexual spread the word about the injustice assault. More recently, the case of Brock through social media with the hashtag, Turner sparked anger among many. Several #WearBlackToStopAttacks. notable newspapers Wearing a People could wear a black and news outlets such black shirt is only TIME, CNN and the step one to actually shirt everyday and tweet as Associated Press referred solving this issue; “#WearBlackToStopAttacks” to Turner as a swimmer more can and should be done. everyday, but the issue will without recognizing that he committed a sexual

This certainly ceaselessly continue. assault. They failed to was an amazing call him what he really feat as word spread about the black shirts in one afternoon. But, is. A rapist. TIME didn’t note that Turner committed the crime until the third line what did wearing black shirts really do to of the story. Society is contributing to the solve the problem of sexual assault? People culture where sexual violence thrives. could wear a black shirt everyday and tweet The local action of wearing black shirts #WearBlackToStopAttacks, but the issue will happened over the span of one day. One day ceaselessly continue. isn’t enough time to spread awareness and

Every 109 seconds, somebody solve the matter of sexual assault. Focusing experiences sexual assault, according to on sexual assault for one day doesn’t do the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. crime justice. Wearing black shirts becomes

Educating ourselves and others about simply a memory while sexual assault is a sexual assault is one of the essential steps to permanent wound. Don’t let sexual assault combatting this issue. Education regarding become a memory. Constant dialogue, sexual assault must start at a young age, platforms for exchange, awareness and when adolescents’ brains are developing education need to be open at all times so and forming basic ideas. The importance of educating others is essential since 44 percent discussion doesn’t stop here.

The power demonstrated by local high of sexual assault victims are under the age of schools to gather and support a victim in 18, according to The Guardian.

College is too late to learn about sexual such a short time speaks volumes. It is now assault. Learning what a healthy relationship equally important to translate that power and passion for justice to end this issue is, how to intervene if a friend is in a toxic once and for all. This is a collaborative effort relationship and quite plainly, what sexual where everyone’s actions matter. Make it assault is, are basic ideas everyone should count. understand by the time they enter high school.

Wearing black to spread awareness about sexual assault is just the beginning to solving the problem.

Image by junior Morgan Hickman

How Do You Feel About #WearBlackToStopAttacks?

“I think it’s a good idea to raise awareness.”

Junior Lauren Wyatt

“Any awareness that can be brought to the issue is a positive, but there’s always more we can do.”

Librarian Jennifer Campbell

“The only thing a T-shirt does is show that you know about the topic. It shows your support for the problem, but not the actions you’re taking to resolve the problem.”

Sophomore Anissa McGinnie

HASHTAG WITH PURPOSE Freshmen through seniors stood in solidarity for #wearblacktostopattacks Sept. 21. Shawnee Mission East senior Katie Kuhlman started a Twitter campaign to raise awareness by asking students across the city to wear black shirts on that day. “It was great to see that we got the whole school to stand behind something that needs to be brought to attention,” senior Lucy Bahner said. (Photo by Chloe Long) LE JOURNAL October 2016

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OPINION

Students Need Inspiration for Food For Thought

Each grade’s student council members performed can-themed skits to kick off the fundraiser. Seniors Maria Arroyo, Elizabeth Jackoboice, Lucy Cruciani and Maddie Marquardt impersonate faculty. Below clockwise, freshmen Nina Trouve and Kyleigh Smith sing about cans, junior Mary Evans plays a contestant on “Say Yes to the Can” and sophomore Sarah Tappan impersonates Hillary Clinton. (Photos by Kate Noble and Ellie Chaffee)

Students’ low participation in the annual food drive calls for new tactics.

helping others and FFT gives students the opportunity to bring that mission to life.

With such a worthwhile cause, student council simply needs a way to display it so students can

BY KATE NOBLE become inspired to contribute. A video made by senior WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR Maddi McMaster, featuring music by senior Clare Carey, showed examples of who the food goes to, and how much of a difference Sion’s contribution makes Food For Thought is an annual competition to not only Redemptorist but to each individual’s that benefits Redemptorist Social Services, assisting those in need. Grade levels compete by bringing in as lives afterwards. Visuals like this are important in much sustainable food, like canned items, as possible. broadcasting the cause to the student body. It makes students recognize they have to step up to be the change, However, despite the good cause that should inspire and that helping out the less fortunate during this time students, the student body has of year is what really matters. struggled to reach student Each student has commitments, but it’s not like council’s goal. A catalyst they don’t have the time to focus on FFT. Surrounding is needed to spark distractions, like social media, interest and to reach television and other outside this year’s 8 ton activities pull students target. away from the drive. If Thanksgiving students spent as much is a time of year time promoting and when families have contributing to FFT as they the opportunity to did on social media, or gather with loved ones and watching Netflix, the drive appreciate all of life’s blessings. would be noticeably more But for the 13.4 percent of successful. people living below the Maybe another way to poverty line in the Kansas help encourage participation is by City metro area, according promoting FFT on social media, where to the United States Census students spend their time. Maybe it would Bureau, even basic needs spark interest. Instead of just focusing on are difficult to fulfill. These international social issues on Twitter, students are the people Food For could focus on the issues the Kansas City area faces Thought is aiming to help. and how FFT could combat those issues. Even by just Sometimes, especially around challenging each other to bring in more cans on social happy times like the holidays, it’s difficult to step media, the student body could make an impact onto the outside the fortunate bubble that many students real world. live in. However, looking at FFT with a different Following the essential skit-filled assembly, Student perspective could make all the difference in Body President Elsa Brundige announced plans to increasing motivation for the drive. utilize mini-incentives, like raffles, to reach smaller goals Students need to recognize those in the local community that face adversity, and prioritize helping along the way and to promote participation among grade levels. A penny war among the grades was already held those people. The school’s mission revolves around

10 LE JOURNAL October 2016

during Spirit Week to raise money, with the winning grade receiving all the proceeds to use during the FFT competition. The promotion of creative and healthy competition is just what the the drive needs to be successful.

The combination of identifying who FFT is benefiting and student council’s new incentives should make the drive a bigger success. But ultimately the success of the drive is up to the student body.

Whether it be going canning on Halloween instead of trick-or-treating or simply asking for donations from local grocery stores, there are so many ways to get involved.

This fall, let’s put the needs of others in front of our own. Set the example and be the spark that ignites a chain reaction for change.

Food for Thought Totals Through the Years...

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016 (Goal)

1

= 4 tons

OPINION (Photos by Madisen Hane)

Sauer Castle is a Real Haunted House of KC in Kansas City with a story behind it that an actor in a werewolf costume couldn’t emulate.

This is how I came across the story of Sauer Castle. Built in 1872 by German immigrant Anton Sauer, he and his family lived in the house for

BY MADISEN HANE REPORTER generations. The house gets its sinister reputation from the various members Halloween really isn’t my holiday. of the Sauer family that died while in Even as a kid, I never went to haunted the home from causes ranging from houses and I wouldn’t say I ever went tuberculosis to suicide.

When I visited the castle there all out for any of my costumes over the years. As I’ve gotten older though, was an undeniably creepy feeling in the air. Simply standing in front of I see the allure to being scared in the the castle was enough to send chills spirit of the season more and more. down my spine. With its crumbling This year I didn’t want to go brick exterior and stone lion statues to The Edge of Hell or The Beast. I sitting on guard on either side of wanted to find a real haunted house

The supposedly haunted Sauer Castle is an ancient KC landmark perfect for visiting during the Halloween season.

the ancient, sagging porch, Sauer Castle’s appearance is best described as foreboding. Any visitors to the property itself are met with a ninefoot-tall chain link fence surrounding the entire yard. Various bright yellow signs locked to the fence remind the especially daring that trespassing is punishable by arrest, as if anyone had the guts to actually go inside.

Located in Kansas City, Kansas, Sauer Castle sticks out as a true haunted house in an otherwise typical neighborhood for that part of town.

Although it has been a member of the Kansas Historic Registry since 1977, the house has never undergone any major repairs in its lifetime. The castle continues to decay and turn more and

Horror-scope Heartbreak

NASA announces existence of 13th zodiac sign causing an uproar amongst devoted horoscope followers.

meticulous” virgo is understandably upsetting. Hearing that the years of daily readings and advice columns they had read for libras is actually inapplicable to anything concerning them was undoubtedly disconcerting.

However, NASA explains that

BY TARA JUNGDEN PRINT MANAGING EDITOR because the zodiac has always had 13 constellations, they are not necessarily The importance of astrology making a change; they are just signs varies from person to person. informing us of a part of the zodiac Some find the belief in astrology that has always been there and was to be foolish, while others cannot only being ignored up until this point. live without their daily horoscope.

The decision to exclude this 13th Despite the naivety of believing constellation, Ophiuchus, occurred the position of the stars in the sky three thousand years ago when the has any relationship with a simple Babylonians established the 12 month earthling, there are scores of astrology calendar. Ancient astronomers were fanatics that actually behave and studying the zodiac and dividing it make decisions accordingly with their into pieces. According to NASA the horoscope. These are the people that Babylonians split the zodiac into 12 were left confused and angry when sections to maintain consistency with NASA announced the changes in the the calendar. zodiac divisions.

The only logical solution to this To have spent one’s entire life calamitous disaster that has already believing they are a “gentle and so negatively impacted such a vast harmonious” libra, and then to be majority of the first world, is to put told that they’re actually a “cranky, into perspective what the claims of the

zodiac based horoscopes actually are.

Get over the insignificant changes for which constellation relates to you. Recognize that the position of the stars and the earth’s relationship to them has nothing to do with you personally.

In the grand scheme of things, these changes could not be more trivial. Consider the actual, literal effects of the astrological modifications. Who are the changes affecting? How are the changes affecting these people? It is clear that the changes are irrelevant. No one is being harmed. A large portion of the world probably has no idea this announcement/discovery has even occurred. The only people “hurt” or traumatized by the zodiac shifts are the ones who actually believe in their horoscopes in the first place.

more into a house straight out of a horror movie each year. It is currently privately owned by Carl Lopp, the great great grandson of Anton Sauer himself.

The question that begs to be asked is: do ghosts actually live within the four walls of Sauer Castle? The eerie and unusual look to the nearly 150 year-old mansion understandably begs for the legendary label that the house currently holds. Separating fact from folklore however, Sauer Castle is a beautiful and rare old home with a vivid past that adds to the history of Kansas City. Visiting a supposedly haunted house allowed me to get caught up in the Halloween history of KC.

New Signs of the Zodiac -Astrology.com

Sagitarius: Dec 17- Jan 20 Capricorn: Jan 20- Feb 16 Aquarius: Feb 16- Mar 11 Pisces: Mar 11- Apr 18 Aries: Apr 18- May 13 Taurus: May 13- Jun 21 Gemini: Jun 21- Jul 20 Cancer: Jul 20- Aug 10 Leo: Aug 10- Sep 16 Virgo: Sep 16- Oct 30 Libra: Oct 30- Nov 23 Scorpio: Nov 23- Nov 29 Ophiuchus: Nov 29- Dec 17

Ophiuchus is the 13th zodiac sign.

(Illustration from WikiCommons and NASA.gov) LE JOURNAL October 2016

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SPORTS IN BRIEF Field Hockey //

The Storm suffered a hard 5-0 loss at home against Cor Jesu Academy Sept. 3. “They’re a tough team to beat,” junior Gillian Cruz said. “They come from St. Louis where there’s a lot of competition but I really feel like we tried our hardest.” Pictured is senior Elsa Walz defending against Cor Jesu senior Caitlyn Gund.

(Photo by Madisen Hane)

Volleyball // Senior Night Oct. 6 proved to be a success for varsity in their win against The Barstow School 25-15 in the first set and 26-24 in the second. Junior captain Bridget Roudebush was also ecstatic about the win. “Everyone contributed to the team and it was a great win to celebrate with the seniors,” Roudebush said. Pictured is senior Sophie Roberts.

(Photo by Megan Ostrander)

Golf // Freshman Barbara Mae King went to State solo Oct. 10 and placed 62nd. Though she was off to a rocky start beginning the first day, she managed to end up with a 92 by the end of the day. Day two she shot a 97. “I didn’t care if I played my best or worst because the experience was so neat,” King said. “I hope to be able to go back to State next year.” King is pictured left.

(Photo by Emma Miller)

Dance Team// The team performed their mix entitled “Jock Jams” during halftime at Rockhurt High School’s football game Sept. 23. Pictured is junior captain Mary Evans leading her team in their kickline routine. “She has very inspiring pep talks that help us get into the zone before we perform,” sophomore Emily Koca said. “She’s a great captain and makes the environment fun for everyone.”

(Photo by Paige Dussold)

Softball //

The Storm lost to Smithville High School 0-6 on day two of Districts Oct. 6. They came out on top the first day, winning against Excelsior Springs High School 7-5. “It was equally the most challenging and the most rewarding experience,” freshman Maya Bair said. “But that didn’t stop our work ethic and desire to keep playing.” Bair is pictured left.

(Photo by Madisen Hane)

12 LE JOURNAL October 2016

Gerke and Henne Win Second at State Varsity Tennis comes home with a second place trophy from State.

BY REAGAN AMATO REPORTER

Varsity tennis players senior Margo Gerke and junior Catherine Henne won second place at State in their doubles tournament Friday, Oct. 14. Gerke and Henne faced juniors Faith Wright and Katherine Dudley from Rock Bridge High School in their last match, losing 6-1 6-2.

This isn’t the first time the two of them have gone to State. Henne went to State freshman year, winning 6th for singles, and sophomore year, winning 6th in doubles with fellow junior Lanie Jones.

Gerke was named an All-State Athlete her freshman year, went to State sophomore year winning the overall 2A tournament with doubles partner and alumna Michaela Henne and went to State her junior year, winning 5th in doubles.

Both players have had success in the past at State.

However, this was the first time the duo went together.

Despite not having played with each other before, both Henne and Gerke were happy with the outcome of the tournament.

“I am thrilled to have gotten second place in such a hard tournament with such a great partner,” Henne said.

For Gerke, this was not an easy year. She found a DOUBLE TROUBLE Doubles partners junior Catherine Henne and senior Margo Gerke high-five in the middle of their set against Lee’s Summit West. “We have positive vibes during matches and always pump each other up,” Henne said.

(Photo by Olivia Dopheide)

large cyst on the top of her shoulder bone last year. She said the surgery to remove it entailed replacing the cyst area with a bone graft from her hip bone and screwing it into her shoulder. She did not know at the time if she was going to be able to play this season. After getting cleared by her doctor, Gerke not only played this season, but still managed to take home second.

“It was an incredible experience to place second at State this year because six months ago I had no idea if I would be able to play again or not due to intense shoulder surgery,” Gerke said. “It felt great to get back on the court and do so well.”

Gerke said the recovery was difficult. When the season started she hadn’t hit a tennis ball in 10 months.

“The girls overcame this and other obstacles to combine for a 21-3 record,” Varsity coach Brad Drummond said. “They only lost to one team, three times, and 21-0 against the rest of the schools is amazing.”

Drummond was also happy with how the tournament unfolded. He said they came from behind in two of their matches to win.

“More than anything, tennis is an intelligent game,” Drummond said.

“And as you watch Margo and Catherine play, you can see them problem solve, and communicate game plans and you can see them execute winning strategies.”

& Q SPORTS

Seniors Commit to College

A

Senior Ali Odermann has commited to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut for volleyball, while senior Natalie Arreguin has commited to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia for softball.

BY ELLIE MAGSAMEN REPORTER

Natalie Arreguin

How long have you been playing softball?

Eleven years.

What will you miss about your high school team?

The people on it and the joy that they bring day in and day out.

What made you decide on your college?

Really just the whole atmosphere surrounding the campus, it’s a place where I just feel comfortable. Also I love the coaches there on the softball team.

Natalie Arreguin focuses on the pitcher while preparing to swing in the team’s loss against Penney High School Sept. 6.

(Photo by Madisen Hane)

What are you looking forward to about playing in college?

Probably the whole college experience and meeting a new team and just experiencing college athletics.

Ali Odermann

How long have you been playing volleyball?

I’ve been playing volleyball since third grade and competitively since sixth grade.

What will you miss about your high school team?

I’m going to miss all of the girls on the team. We’re a really close team and I’ve gotten especially close with the juniors so it’ll be really sad to leave all of them.

What made you decide on your college?

I knew that I wanted to go really far away and to a small liberal arts college. The northeast has amazing schools and once I saw the campus and met some of the people and the coach, everything just seemed to click.

Ali Odermann serves at a Varsity Volleyball game against The Barstow School at Sion Oct. 6. (Photo by Megan Ostrander)

What are you looking forward to about playing in college?

To playing with new people. I’ve played with club and the same girls since freshman year. I’m also really excited to play for the coach at Trinity.

Seasonal Changes for Basketball Team

Assistant basketball coach Kate Pilgreen will take over as varsity head coach for the first few weeks of the season while Varsity coach Leslie Berger is on maternity leave.

BY CLARE KIMMIS PHOTO EDITOR

The first day of basketball tryouts is Nov. 1, the same day Varsity Basketball Coach Leslie Berger is expected to have her baby. Last season contained changes and challenges that included a new coach and major injuries. But this year the team will face a coaching switch and a new addition to the team.

Berger will be on maternity leave for the first six weeks of the season.

Varsity assistant coach Kate Pilgreen will take her place during this time.

Pilgreen and Berger both think this will be a smooth transition because they believe the basketball season will be a great one no matter what.

“I’m excited for this year. We are one year older, we have a year of getting to know each other under our belts and we have new talent rising,” Berger said. “I am sad to miss any of it. However, I know my players are hard workers.

I know my coaching staff is on board and everyone is in good hands.”

Last season Berger said her goal was State. Her team motto revolved around a Storm Troopers theme, because she said when one gets knocked down, another takes her place. Because of the injuries that plagued three players last year, Berger had to rely upon her upperclassman to take charge.

Pilgreen plans to do the same.

“Seniors always have to step up to take charge, but not only seniors.

Juniors have to step up as well,” Pilgreen said. “That’s the job of the upperclassman, to take ownership and be leaders.”

This year the four seniors on the team are Chloe Long, Madeline Dercher, Abby Smith and Marie Orrick. According to Orrick, she isn’t worried about the upcoming season because Berger worked over the summer with the team knowing she wouldn’t be present until the middle of the season.

Last year the varsity team lost 14 games and won 9. The players want to win more games this year.

“Berger has been working with the team all summer so that we are prepared for the season,” Orrick said. “Pilgreen is an outstanding coach and since she was assistant coach last year, it will be a smooth transition. We will have a great team this year and I predict an even better season.”

LE JOURNAL October 2016

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COVER STORY

Decision

(Photos by MCT Campus)

14 LE JOURNAL October 2016

COVER STORY

n 2016 In light of the upcoming Presidential election, students and faculty implement new goal of healthy dialogue to educate and empower the community.

STORY BY EDITORIAL EDITOR LANIE JONES AND REPORTER PAIGE DUSSOLD DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY REPORTERS MCKENNA HEEGN AND EMMA MILLER

W

ith the presidential election approaching, vitriolic discussions and divisive slogans are plastered wall to wall over Facebook, network and cable television, Twitter and talk radio. Past scandals, controversial stances on issues and name calling between candidates have sparked creative Saturday Night Live skits. Overall it has led to discussions across the country, but also in a place much closer to home.

Students have been encouraged to have an optimistic outlook by utilizing the concept of “healthy dialogue.” Assistant High School Division Head for Curriculum and Instruction Ellen Carmody gathered the student body to introduce the concept of “dialogue is love” and promote spaces of healthy dialogue when looking at this year’s election. While the school has pledged to treat others with respect in discussing the most pertinent issues, the same cannot be said for the rest of America when considering social media and newscasts. This triggers the question: what is important to Americans and how do we approach opposing views?

According to Carmody, the faculty has been working towards creating a balanced environment since the summer. Rather than sweeping it under the rug to avoid controversy, Carmody wanted students to learn how to understand other people’s opinions while staying strong in their own beliefs. Freshman Hannah Sue Kennish’s drawing was selected for a poster that was placed in every classroom reads “dialogue is love” which people can point to in case discussions get heated. It serves as a reminder that within the community, love and respect should be apparent.

“I love the idea of having a protocol for healthy dialogue,” Carmody said.

(Story continued on p. 16)

LE JOURNAL October 2016

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COVER STORY (Story continued from p. 16)

Similarly, American Government and AP U.S. History teacher Jennifer Brown-Howerton This notion melds together the mission said that this election’s tone is somewhat of the school with the election. The Sisters of unprecedented. Teaching at the school Sion have a book called “Spaces of Dialogue” allows her to put guidelines on her political in which they describe how exactly to create discussions, but the same respect is not evident said spaces of dialogue via compassionate in events like the presidential debates. listening. The goal is to support each other “I think it’s despite differing “I think it’s disappointing. We disappointing,” Brownopinions so that no Howerton said. “We one is devalued for wouldn’t allow it at Sion and it wouldn’t allow it at their stance on an issue. She wants the shouldn’t be allowed in national Sion and it shouldn’t be allowed in national student body and politics.” faculty to have the -Jennifer Brown-Howerton politics.”

A poll was taken ability to determine

by Brown-Howerton’s what is fact and what is opinion.

American Government class to use during This election, however, makes it a bit more lessons which included questions about difficult to do so. According to Carmody, there important issues, political affiliations and media is an unusual amount of mudslinging in the bias. According to senior Liz Hayes, the poll election which makes it even harder to discern was also used in discussion to compare their fact from fiction, especially when candidates class to other polls taken elsewhere in the don’t address the issues. Despite the challenge country. it has presented, Carmody hopes to equip “We talked about good questions to use for students with the tools they need to respect the poll then we ran it and discussed it in class others in political discussions. together,” Hayes said.

“I just hope that as a country we can move According to Brown-Howerton, this poll past it,” Carmody said. helped put the school in perspective compared Students old enough to vote in this to the rest of the country. election have other Millennials tend to things to take into “It’s crazy. They just fight and talk vote similarly and have consideration than similar issues that are simply the nominees’ over each other the whole time.” opinions. Senior Abby -senior Abby McLiney important to them. The school was the perfect McLiney has noticed place to poll to test the statistics surrounding that people find faults in both candidates, millennials in politics. no matter who they stand for. And the same “You could see the difference in the healthy dialogue Carmody is pushing for is younger voters and some of the issues that are nowhere to be found between the frontrunners important to them and the candidates they of the election. supported,” Brown-Howerton said. “There was “It’s crazy,” McLiney said. “They just fight a very similar correlation between [our] results and talk over each other the whole time.”

and what millennials said was important to them.”

One of the many unique marks of the election is the selection of candidates. Hillary Clinton is the first female nominee of the Democratic Party while the Republican nominee Donald Trump is a business tycoon and political outsider.

Trump may not be a long-time politician like Clinton, but he is not a total stranger to politics. Business is a very political environment, but instead of dealing with a country they are dealing with companies and large corporations. Former presidents like George Washington, Herbert Hoover and even George H.W. Bush were business owners before they were interested in politics.

MEET THE CANDIDATES HILLARY CLINTON

Hillary Clinton has a long history of political work beginning over 40 years ago before her marriage to former President Bill Clinton in 1975. She attended CLINTON Yale law school where she met him in 1971. During law school Clinton worked on the Watergate Investigation and Jimmy Carter’s campaign.

After Nixon’s resignation, Clinton went to Fayetteville, Arkansas and worked as a faculty member in the University of Arkansas Law School.

When her reign as First Lady ended in 2001 she was elected to the U.S. Senate and served there from 2001 to 2009 for the state of New York. During her time as a senator she announced her plans to run for president in

Candidates’ Views on Current Issues Abortion // CLINTON: Pro-choice and supported government funding of Planned Parenthood.

JOHNSON: Pro-choice and opposes Texas House Bill 2.

STEIN: Pro-choice and opposes Texas House Bill 2 which regulates abortion procedures.

TRUMP: Pro-life with the exception of rape, incest and pregnancy endangering the mother’s life.

Gun Control // CLINTON: Wants to implement non-optional background checks before allowing the purchase of firearms.

JOHNSON: Does not believe that gun restrictions will affect the safety of U.S. citizens.

STEIN: Believes guns should be regulated enough to not fall into the wrong hands.

TRUMP: Defends the right to bear arms and opposes gun-free zones.

16 LE JOURNAL October 2016

Syrian Refugees and ISIS // CLINTON: Proposed a plan to defeat ISIS utilizing protective measures such as reauthorizing military forces against ISIS and working with Muslim-Americans to fight against radicals in the U.S. JOHNSON: Expressed opposition of military intervention and violent measures in Syria and thinks the U.S. should take in more Syrian refugees.

STEIN: Stated that poor decisions in foreign policy have allowed ISIS to grow and is open to accepting Syrian refugees into the U.S. TRUMP: Advocated the possibility of using violent measures to defeat ISIS or putting mosques under closer surveillance.

Taxes // CLINTON: Proposes a tax increase on those earning more than $732,000 annually and would remove tax breaks for certain companies

to reinvest in government projects.

JOHNSON: Proposes replacing the income and corporate taxes with a federal consumption tax.

STEIN: Proposes a plan to remove loopholes and exemptions that allow corporations and the wealthy to avoid taxes.

TRUMP: Proposes tax cuts for businesses and all income levels.

LGBTQ Rights// CLINTON: Supports marriage equality and everything the Obama administration has done to ensure the rights of the LGBTQ community.

JOHNSON: Supported the legalization of samesex marriage and marriage equality.

STEIN: Supported the legalization of samesex marriage, marriage equality and greater protections for the LGBTQ community.

TRUMP: Has shown opposition against samesex marriage and supported state’s rights to decide transgender issues.

COVER STORY

He Said

Which Candidate Would You Support?

She Said Donald Trump “I understand the tax code better than anybody that’s ever run for president. I pay a tremendous amount of taxes.”

“I am looking to appoint judges very much in the mold of Justice Scalia.”

“The EPA is killing these energy companies. I’m all for alternative forms of energy, but we need so much more than that. I will bring our energy companies back.”

Hillary Clinton “I have said no one who makes less than $250,000 a year will have their taxes raised.”

“I want a Supreme Court that will stick with Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose and will stick with marriage equality.”

“China is illegally dumping steel into the United States’ markets...we’ve got to remain energy independent.”

Quotes from the presidential debate held Oct. 9 at Washington University

2008. Barack Obama appointed her Secretary of State which she was until 2013. In 2015 she announced, again, her plans to run for president.

GARY JOHNSON

Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson served as the governor of New Mexico.

He was elected as a Republican in the JOHNSON strongly Democratic state. He has taken on partisan politics many times in his career. During his time as New Mexico’s governor, he showed that public policy should not be handled by government spending and regulation. He also cut taxes in the state without losing revenue, according to johnsonweld.com. He left New Mexico with a balanced budget and a billion dollar surplus.

JILL STEIN

This election’s Green Party nominee is Dr. Jill Stein who was also the Green Party Nominee in 2012. According to jill2016.com, she STEIN is an environmental activist who focuses on environmental racism and injustice. Stein is also a practicing physician.

The links between illness and toxins in the environment inspired her to fight for the

environment and the justice of citizens.

DONALD TRUMP

6.2% Johnson 4.3% Stein

15.4% Other

23.4% Trump

50.7% Clinton

*225 students and faculty polled

MEET THE VICE PRESIDENTS Tim Kaine was sworn in as a U.S. senator for Virginia in January 2013, according to kaine.senate.gov. He is running with Clinton for the democratic party. He grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and attended Rockhurst High School before attending the University of Missouri and then Harvard Law School.

Mike Pence is the governor of Indiana running alongside Trump. He grew up in Columbus, Indiana and attended Indiana University Law School. According to in.gov, Pence was sworn in on Jan. 14, 2013 and has experience in legal matters, small business, and policy.

Ajamu Baraka, Stein’s running mate in the green party, is a human rights activist and an internationally recognized leader of the emerging human rights movement in the United States. He hails from Chicago, Illinois and has taught political science at various universities, according to ajamubaraka.com.

William Weld is running with Gary Johnson for the Libertarian party. According to their campaign, he was elected in 1990 as the governor of Massachusetts. During his time in politics, he has cut taxes 21 times, not allowed any increases and got rid of inefficient government spending.

Trump is not the first business oriented mind to pursue the presidency but he is the first nominee since Ross Perot that is not a TRUMP professional politician.

That means that the voter pool is not used to candidates of his kind: an ‘outsider.’

Trump attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics. During his time at school he worked with his father Fred Trump and in 1971 at the age of 25 he took over his father’s business and renamed it The Trump Organization.

His past involvement in politics doesn’t go further than funding and donations. According to U.S. News in 2007 alone Trump donated over $300,000 Important Political Issues to democrats like Hillary Terrorism 49.3% Clinton and Charles B. Rangel of the United States Economy 41.6% House of Representatives.

Immigration 39.2% In the same year he also donated almost $200,000 to Republicans including Senator Gun Policy 38.8% John McCain. In more recent years his donations have Education 30.6% shifted to benefit Republicans and despite the back and Rights of Racial/Ethnic Minorities 30.1% forth tendencies, Trump has not donated a dollar to a Foreign Policy 27.3% Information from an American Government poll of 225 students and faculty Democrat since 2010.

LE JOURNAL October 2016

17

FEATURES

CREATIVE CAUSE Spanish teacher Leah LaFaver pastes decorations onto a piece of paper with one of the El Centro Inc. Academy students. (Photo by Meg Travis) Spanish teacher Leah La Faver pastes decorations onto a piece of paper with one of the students at El Centro.

(Photo by Meg Travis)

18 LE JOURNAL September 2016

FEATURES

LaFaver Breaks Barriers Spanish teacher Leah LaFaver takes her passion for education and Spanish and applies it to her summer job at El Centro Inc. Academy for Children.

BY MEG TRAVIS REPORTER

C

hildren file out of the summer heat and into their classroom.

Waiting for them, 5-feet-tall and brightly-clothed is Spanish teacher Leah LaFaver, ears perked and ready to listen to and learn from her young students.

Kneeling down closer to ground level and contributing to the construction of some advanced Lego airplanes, she hears animated stories about mommies, daddies and friends. She not only hears these stories, but actively absorbs them and takes the time and effort to get to know her students and create a comfortable environment in which they can thrive.

In this respect, LaFaver says she finds value in possessing the intuition to understand her students past the surface of the classroom and the drive to get them interested in learning.

This past summer, LaFaver worked at El Centro, Inc. Academy for Children’s summer program in Kansas City, Kan. where she taught a variety of subjects to a class of 2nd-6th graders.

“I showed up for three hours and I would focus on academic study. I oftentimes pulled [material] from my daughter’s Brainquest or one of her old textbooks,” LaFaver said.

A sizable portion of the children in her class were bilingual in Spanish and English, so LaFaver was able to use her background in both languages to break down some of the linguistic barriers. Her bilingualism also proved beneficial in developing closer relationships with the students and their families, and through that being able to key in on each child’s specific academic needs.

“There was one boy who would get really angry when you said it was time to read, and halfway through the summer I finally figured out that he’s reading at a 1st grade reading level as a 5th grader,” LaFaver said. “[At El Centro] you take on a lot of the responsibilities and it’s a lot about connecting with the parents. I knew how to speak Spanish which was really helpful, then I’m able to speak directly with them.”

Since childhood, LaFaver has been exposed and attracted to the awareness of different situations. Her early life and experiences began her fascination with Spanish and the ability that different languages have to express thoughts in many unique ways. A career in education was not LaFaver’s first occupational aspiration, though.

“I had thoughts of being a Spanish teacher, if a

“Essentially teaching chose me, just like Spanish. I could never get away from it. It just kept coming back to me.”

-Spanish teacher Leah LaFaver

teacher at all. I was originally going to law school, but then I had a baby and started subbing and realized, ‘Yeah, this is great,’” LaFaver said. “Essentially teaching chose me, just like Spanish… I could never get away from it, it just kept coming back to me.”

Years ago LaFaver taught at a school in Chicago that focused on teenagers who had been dismissed from other schools. The unique environment required a patient hand to get her students motivated about learning and to acknowledge that each person had a story beyond the classroom.

“I loved teaching freshmen [in Chicago], they have a lot of energy. The important thing was harnessing that energy,” LaFaver said, “and getting those students in Chicago to care, while also understanding that they might be 16 with two children and up all night working at White Castle, and that’s why they can’t stay awake in your class.”

In her time at El Centro, LaFaver was assisted by senior Mackenzie Hutcheson. Hutcheson came in 3 days a week consistently throughout the summer to work alongside LaFaver and served as another outlet for the children. “[LaFaver] had the largest class in the school with a wide range of ages so I would help one group of students with spelling or math while she worked with another group,” Hutcheson said. “Working with these kids definitely changed my outlook on life… it really made me stop and think everyday about just how fortunate I am.”

At El Centro, LaFaver not only worked hard to help her students reach their full potentials, but also strived to empathize with them and understanding any internal problem.

“When the kids were having a rough day for whatever reason, you’d get into that with them. You can’t just say, shut up and do your work,” LaFaver said. “If you just force it then you’ll never understand the issue.”

LaFaver has since taken the values she gained teaching in Chicago and El Centro to Sion, where she has also made an effort to make connections with students and to care for them as more than just numbers in a gradebook.

“Senora LaFaver has really made an effort to get to know me and all of her other students on a more personal level; we aren’t just students to her,” senior Ali Odermann said. “A lot of teachers at Sion care about us as students but I think Senora cares about us as people.”

Working as a teacher at Sion has also made LaFaver realize that everyone is dealing with something, and that what happens beyond school walls can affect how well someone performs within them. “[Throughout my life] I’ve developed a lot of mercy in understanding that what a student goes through affects their ability to learn,” LaFaver said. “That can even apply to Sion, you don’t have to be on the southside of Chicago to be dealing with something,” From her eye-opening experiences in Chicago and at El Centro to her time at Sion, teaching has become and continued to be a passion of LaFaver’s as she continues to find joy in education and making lasting connections with her students.

“My favorite thing about teaching is making the subject interesting and relevant because I [have] found so much value in it,” LaFaver said. “I’m an introvert. I’d rather stay home and write, believe it or not. But when I get in front of a class, then it’s different.”

CLIMBING THE LADDER Spanish teacher Leah LaFaver’s daughter, Miette, shows off a Jacob’s Ladder she made while at El Centro last summer. “[She] had a great time and said she loves it and wants to do it again,” LaFaver said. (Photo submitted by Leah LaFaver) CREATIVE CONNECT LaFaver uses what she learned from her previous teaching experiences at Sion to work hard, make strong connections with her students and help them to explore their creativity. “I like to be creative..everyday I do something for other people and helping them get in their minds and helping them,” LaFaver said. (Photo by Meg Travis) LE JOURNAL October 2016

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FEATURES

Keeping Up With The...

Joneses

Sophomore Kaitlin Jones makes her home at Sion, while her twin sister Rhianna Jones attends St. Teresa’s Academy.

BY PHYLICIA BARNER-LEWIS NEWS EDITOR

G

etting ready in the morning side by side, each put on a different uniform, one with a gray skirt and the other with plaid. Sophomores Kaitlin Jones and Rhianna Jones may be twins but they vary from each other in many ways. The two have contrasting personalities, hobbies and physical features but most importantly schools. Now, it is hard for even them to tell that they are twins because of how disconnected they’ve become. It wasn’t always this way.

“We were closer back then. We dressed the same, acted the same and we were encouraged to do everything together,” Jones said.

Being a twin but having such distinctive qualities as individuals helped the two make the decision of going to different high schools.

“Once we hit middle school, we just started to have different interests and we needed to grow on these individually. Our parents understood that we needed a break and supported our decisions,” Jones said. “We both knew that STA and Sion were both academically rich schools and no matter where we went we would reap the benefits.”

Leaving the fate in her daughters’ hands, mother Penny Jones knew Jones and Rhianna had respective strengths and deficits. She knew both girls would grow in their high school careers without the help of each other.

“Both girls are hungry for knowledge and are willing to make the sacrifices to allow them much success,” Penny said. “This is what is special about both of them. They are not afraid to try.”

Knowing that someone she lives with is in the other student section makes the rivalry a little more serious for Jones.

“It honestly brings us closer. We are able to release this natural competitive nature we both have in the rivalry,” Jones said. “However, it’s all in good fun and we don’t go home and fight if Sion beats STA.”

Transportation to both schools was a challenge to establish. Jones takes the Sion Grade School bus to the high school while Rhianna is driven by their mother in an STA carpool. The two have their own activities they take part in.

“I play basketball and softball,” Jones said. “Rhianna manages basketball, is in drama club and Future Business Leaders of America.”

Despite what anyone wants to believe, including their parents, they are fraternal twins, not identical.

“She has dark hair, brown eyes and she’s taller,” Jones said. “I have blue eyes, blonde hair and I’m more athletic.”

According to Penny, Rhianna and Jones have always had different tempers, likes and dislikes. Due to differences like these, she was never confused on who was who.

“Being the oldest, Kaitlin will always be my first child. She is my meticulous, gotta be perfect one. I love the way she is fiercely independent,” Penny said. “Rhianna will always be my baby. Rhianna is more laid back and easy going. I love that she is not afraid to speak her mind.”

Jones only shadowed Sion and Rhianna only shadowed STA because they both knew exactly where they wanted to go. Both have their own reasoning as to why they made the decision they did.

“A lot of people ask me this and I don’t know really.

Maybe just the community of the school and it seems like an everyone-knows-everyone type of society,” Jones said.

“I really appreciated this because, coming from a small grade school, it helped me transition.”

Though the Jones twins attend rival schools and it can sometimes be challenging to keep up with their separate activities, Penny doesn’t regret granting their wish to be themselves and make separate decisions.

“Sometimes it’s difficult,” Penny said. “But they are doing so well at their respective schools, it’s worth the sacrifices.”

TOP CHOICE Before going into high school, Kaitlin Jones and Rhianna Jones were able to pick where they wanted to attend. “We had free range in choosing schools. As long as they were Catholic, private, and all girls. It kind of narrowed our choices regardless,” Jones said. (Photo submitted by Kaitlin Jones)

TRICK OR TREAT In season, Kaitlin Jones (right) and Rhianna Jones (left) went trick-or-treating back in 2004. Dressed in different costumes, they were easy to distinguish. “We both didn’t want to [go trick-or-treating] without each other or our mom,” Jones said.

(Photo submitted by Kaitlin Jones)

20 LE JOURNAL October 2016

FEATURES FLIP SIDE Although they attend rival schools, twin sisters Rhianna and Kaitlin Jones still find time for one another. (Photo by Kelly Nugent)

Kaitlin Jones Rhianna Jones Name a major similarity between you and your sister.

Quentin Tarantino movies Name a major difference between you and your sister.

Hair color Are you more athletic or artistic?

Athletic Favorite high school memory?

Mackenzie O’guin’s Sweet 16 Favorite thing to do when you get home from school?

Sleep

Name a major similarity between you and your sister.

American Horror Story Name a major difference between you and your sister.

I like Kanye and Rhianna likes the 1975 Are you more athletic or artistic?

Athletic Favorite high school memory?

P.E. freshman year with Pilgreen Favorite thing to do when you get home from school?

Eat a whole box of fruits snacks #smackables LE JOURNAL October 2016

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FEATURES

Through the Senior Molly Marx has, and continues to face, an extremely rare condition affecting her vision.

BY ABBY SMITH PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

F

eet aligned. Shoulders adjusted. Hands perfectly positioned. She stares intently at the small white ball on the ground in front of her. As she casually glances up to check her aim once more, a veil drops over the scene.

Suddenly, the tree she was just looking at is not a tree anymore. Or is it? Her body clenches in panic while her wide eyes dart from side to side, frantically searching for something, anything in focus. Her attempts are fruitless though. For now, her world has become a blur.

It was this bright spring Saturday, during a round of golf with her dad, that senior Molly Marx’s life changed forever. Little did she know this would be her last day playing the sport she loved, the last day her vision would ever be considered normal.

“All of a sudden, I couldn’t see anything,” Marx said. “All I could see were blurry outlines.”

A few months earlier, during Christmas break of her junior year, Marx began taking Accutane, a strong prescription drug used to treat severe acne. Her doctor warned her of possible side effects, but none came close to losing vision. So when she started noticing changes towards the end of third quarter, confusion and fear quickly set in.

“I started having constant headaches and my vision became a little fuzzy. Sitting in the back of a classroom, I just couldn’t see anything,” Marx said.

Marx soon went to her dermatologist for her monthly checkup and received eye drops to help with what her doctor said was most likely a minor side effect of dry eyes. Two weeks later and still nothing had changed.

Meanwhile, this new vision had started creating problems in Marx’s routine actions: driving was difficult, not to mention schoolwork and attempts at playing golf. It wasn’t until that Saturday though, meant to be a casual outing with her dad, that Marx and her family knew something was seriously wrong.

“My dad took me home and I just immediately fell asleep because I was so exhausted,” Marx said. “The next morning I

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woke up and I still couldn’t see anything.”

It was at about this time that both Marx and her mother began voicing the idea that, what should have been the impossible, could be coming true right before their eyes. Years earlier Marx’s older sister, Catie Marx, developed seemingly similar symptoms in response to a commonly used drug, Doxycycline, used as treatment for bacterial infections and acne.

With the mystery surrounding her symptoms, her sickness was slow to be diagnosed and has left her with lasting consequences.

“Catie got sick the day after freshman orientation,” Marx’s mother Cathy Marx said.

“The length of time it took to get an accurate diagnosis caused extensive damage to her optic nerves, including permanent loss of her peripheral vision.”

Marx’s parents took her to the Emergency Room early Sunday morning, but the doctor didn’t seem too worried at her sudden loss of vision and headaches. In addition, Marx was experiencing very regular heat flashes, mostly around her feet. According to Marx, one could feel the fire-like sensation radiating off the skin even without direct contact. Even after getting a CT scan, all physical evidence appeared to be fine.

“They discharged me and on my paperwork they diagnosed me with ‘blurry vision,’” Marx said.

As their concern mounted, Marx’s pediatrician recommended her to an eye doctor where she finally met the first professional to realize something was off. Although her vision had improved slightly to a narrow field, excluding peripheral vision, her optic nerve had swollen drastically, pressing up against her pupil and causing backflow swelling in her brain, according to the opthamologist.

“The eye doctor told me to immediately stop taking the medication. He basically said that if I took much more I would go blind,” Marx said.

Immediately following this discovery, Marx spent an entire week undergoing all sorts of tests at the eye clinic. A few days after the testing completed and little success had been made, Marx’s mother decided it was time to involve the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., one of the top research hospitals in the country, and the same hospital that Catie had been to years before.

“Knowing that she was going to the Mayo

Clinic, seeing the same neurologist, getting blood work where I had blood work done, and having to have a spinal tap was really hard on me,” Catie said. “I never wanted to see my little sister go through that.”

Many tests and scans later, it turned out that Marx was one of only five known cases of this happening in the entire world. The biggest threat facing Marx was the extreme swelling of her brain and buildup of spinal fluid, hence the severe migraines and backaches she had been experiencing for so many weeks. The only way for them to reduce this dangerous swelling was by means of a spinal tap, where a large syringe is inserted into the lower spine to drain many tubes of fluid.

“It hurt so bad,” Marx said. “I could feel [the syringe] in my hip as they went between muscles and nerves to reach my spine. And it took almost an hour and a half.”

Marx spent the entire week leading up to Junior Ring at the Rochester Clinic and returned the day of the ceremony, officially diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri, the same diagnosis as Catie. Symptoms Marx experienced included brain swelling, severe headaches made worse with eye movement, blurred vision, hair loss, brief episodes of blindness and neck and back pain. However the exact cause of the excruciating heat flashes is still a mystery. She went back to the Mayo Clinic over the summer and will have to return again in another six months for a follow-up.

“The Mayo Clinic has been an amazing experience in terms of coordinated care amongst the physicians and specialties–there is a reason they have the reputation that they have,” Cathy said. “It’s truly amazing.”

Today, Marx’s symptoms have been reduced significantly. Nonetheless, she still gets headaches on a regular basis, around four per week, which for her is a “pretty big improvement.” Her new counteractive medication, while slowly bringing improvement, causes short-term memory loss.

She will remain on the medication for two more years with the hope that her vision will continue to improve, but she knows that her vision will never return completely back to normal.

“I remember having clear vision,” Marx said. “Now, everything just seems dull. Colors aren’t as bright, lines aren’t straight. In a way, everything just seems flat. It’s pretty weird.”

FEATURES

Blur

While missing a significant chunk of her junior year was hard enough, life hasn’t gotten a whole lot easier for Marx in terms of dealing with homework. According to Marx, even a task as simple as reading is a struggle now; the movement of her eyes back and forth across the lines of text still causes discomfort. A similar problem arises in math class having to focus her eyes on so many small numbers and symbols. Not to mention that this all occurred near prime time for finals and college testing.

“Now nothing’s the same,” Marx said.

“I’m never going to be the way I used to be. I can’t focus the way I want to so it’s just very frustrating.”

While it is expected that Marx will recover more fully than her sister, doctors are still baffled at this rare sister duo. The exact cause behind both of their reactions is still largely unknown. According to Marx, one of the hardest obstacles for Catie was that no one was able to relate to what she was going through.

“It helped because [Catie] was like ‘yeah, I understand,’” Marx said. “It was just nice to have someone who knew what I was going through.”

Unfortunately, Marx can’t golf anymore, as the lasting side effects don’t mesh well with the extreme focus and movement involved in the sport. However she was able to find relief through returning to her service camp this summer, Camp Barnabas, where she spends a week with kids diagnosed with special needs. Today, according to Marx, she gets her strength and positivity from her supportive family.

“Now, this kind of sounds weird, but we just laugh about it,” Marx said.

“Like what are the odds that this would happen to both of us.

There’s really nothing you can do but laugh.”

Senior Molly Marx continues to deal with lasting side effects after being diagnosed with psuedotumor cerebri last spring. (Photo by Abby Smith) LE JOURNAL October 2016

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The entrance to Health House creates a modern vibe and draws a customer in. (Photo by Megan Ostrander)

Health House Rows Away Competition A new workout studio in the heart of Town Center puts a unique twist on the average workout.

BY MEGAN OSTRANDER PRINT CO-EDITOR -IN-CHIEF The bright lights of the unmarked building illuminate the dark, mostly empty parking lot.

It is 6 a.m. on a Thursday. As the doors of the building open, loud music fills the air. Sometimes it is interrupted by an energetic voice that sounds confident and encouraging. The inside of the gym is smooth and sleek; it is obvious it is a new building. More people begin to enter and the instructor motions for class to start.

Health House, a new rowing studio in Leawood, is located on the north side of Town Center Plaza right next to New York & Company.

Without a sign on the outside of the building, it was hard to find at first. However, once found, the place became unforgettable.

The cool black interior walls made the space

sophisticated while creating contrast from the white tables. The workout space itself was filled with two even rows of rowing machines with weights along the left wall. The water design on the walls made the space calming, helping to lower heart rate and encouraging strong stamina.

Once the class began the instructor was very encouraging. Walking along the lines of machines, she was helpful and gave advice on how to have proper form or how to work the rowing machine.

For 45 minutes the class was busy, either on the rowing machines or on the mats; either way, everyone was constantly moving. The timed intervals were challenging, but not impossible.

Every workout was designed to be at a person’s own pace, and there was no judgement on how well the maneuver was executed.

Open Monday-Thursday 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., Friday 5 a.m. to noon, Saturday 8 a.m. to noon and Sunday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., there is plenty of time to find a class after or before school. With

roughly nine classes, with the majority centered around rowing, there are plenty of options to choose from when deciding to workout.

Health House also focuses on muscle specific training everyday of the week that isolates targeted muscle groups in order to ensure proper rest and recovery while still achieving results.

Compared to the prices at Fusion Fitness, another popular workout studio in the area, Health House is more expensive. Single classes at Fusion Fitness cost only $15 and unlimited classes for one month cost $119. Classes at Health House can either be bought separately or by a membership ranging in price from $25 per class or $125 for an unlimited monthly membership.

While a new workout place in the heart of Town Center seems like any other building nestled among various shops, teenagers that play sports or are looking to stay in shape could heavily benefit from the classes offered at Health House. Whether wanting to work on full body or just in a particular area, Health House has it all.

Bringing Cane’s to K.C.

Raising Cane’s Three Finger Combo (Photo by Lauren Graves)

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LE JOURNAL October 2016

One of Kansas City’s newest food joints, Raising Cane’s serves up not only delicious food but a family-friendly feeling like no other.

BY LAUREN GRAVES REPORTER Raising Cane’s, a new food chain to Kansas City that opened up over the summer, serves only one main item: chicken strips. Found in Westport, Blue Springs and now in Overland Park, Raising Cane’s has made-to-order food with good prices, a great atmosphere and an even better taste. When initially pulling up to the Westport location, Raising Cane’s appears to be nothing more than an average fast food joint, but when stepping in, the atmosphere couldn’t give off a more unique vibe. Customers are greeted by friendly and fun workers with a smile at the door. Bright red furniture with matching walls gives off a family-friendly vibe.

Even with a clean and vibrant interior and plenty of space to eat, there’s also the option of the small outdoor patio in the front.

The menu consists of only four combos; the 3 Finger Combo, the Box Combo, a Classic

Chicken Sandwich and the Caniac combo, which offers anywhere between 3-6 strips.

All combos, starting at $6.39, are served with a side of texas toast, french fries, coleslaw, a fresh made lemonade, sweet tea or fountain drink and the restaurant’s special Cane sauce.

The chicken itself is mouthwatering and prepared to near perfection with every bite. With its juicy flavor and perfect crunch it should be considered one of the best.

Compared to other places, like Stroud’s or Kentucky Fried Chicken, the tenders can be seen as unseasoned when eating them alone, but once they are dipped into the almighty special Cane’s sauce all the savory taste is there.The lemonade and sweet tea are both specially made in the restaurant and the sides of fries, toast and coleslaw are just as good as the main dish and may even have you going back for seconds.

In all aspects, the appetizing food and unmatchable service is enough to have tons of cars lined up in the drive-thru, but the vibrant environment and consistent good vibes makes one feel right at home while sitting in a booth.

A&E

Favorite Cookies Around Town out of 101 students polled

Blue Chip Cookies favored by 54 percent

Insomnia Cookies favored by 27 percent

Murry’s Ice Cream & Cookies favored by 3 percent (Photos by Ellie Chaffee)

Battle of the Best Cookies in KC With young, friendly service, the environment feels perfect for teenagers.

After a short wait, the “Double Chocolate Chunk” Cookie came out fresh and warm. For $1.50, the price was reasonable for the tasty treat.

BY ELLIE CHAFFEE Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on REPORTER the weekend and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Looking for something to satisfy for a total of 16 or 18 hours every day that sweet tooth? Head to one of the throughout the week, Insomnia Cookies popular cookie places in Kansas City stays open for those late night cookie this fall. cravings.

Three cookie places that are However, Blue Chip and Murray’s buzzing this fall include Murray’s Ice do not compare to these long hours.

Creams & Cookies, Insomnia Cookies Blue Chip is open Monday through and Blue Chip Cookies. Only two Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and minutes walking distance from each Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and other, Murray’s and Insomnia can be found in Old Westport off Pennsylvania Murray’s is closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and open from 12 p.m.

Ave. and Westport Road. Blue Chip is to 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. located in the Town Center Plaza off Don’t have time to head to Wesport West 117th St. but want a package of their cookies?

Seen on Snapchat stories and Before 3 p.m. Eastern time, Insomnia Twitter, Insomnia Cookies was the Cookies can be shipped from a local obvious standout with it’s popularity store that day. Snickerdoodles, peanut growing across the nation with its butter chip and white chocolate delicious cookies that can be shipped, macadamia nut are a few types of delivered or picked up. Entering the cookies that can be shipped in packages shop, the warmth and fresh smell of with up to 24 cookies. Each price the cookies create chocolate cravings. will vary depending on the amount

Murray’s, Insomnia and Blue Chip cookies are taking over this fall, but only one will come out on top.

of cookies, along with an additional shipping fee of $12.99.

Another way to receive fresh cookies is through pick up. Simple and efficient, people can order up to 300 cookies, assorted or personally picked, along with ice cream, milk or water, cookie cakes, and more with no additional fee. All orders can be picked up within the hour. The vegan and gluten free chocolate chip cookies are also now available to be ordered for pick up.

Murray’s Ice Cream & Cookies is another popular shop. With an open, colorful environment, it’s a great stop for people of all ages. However, the cookies don’t compare to Insomnia, tasting dry and not as fresh.

If Westport is too out of the way, Blue Chip is definitely worth the trip for one of their famous iced sugar cookies.

The cookies are also reasonably priced the same as Insomnia’s for $1.50. With cookie cakes decorated with seasonal icing, Blue Chip also provides fun and festive treats for fall.

Each cookie place brings their own style, but none compare to the fresh, warm taste of Insomnia Cookies.

Less About Anatomy, More About Grey “Grey’s Anatomy” has evolved to focus more on character drama and less on medical mystery.

BY MADDIE YOUNG BREAKING NEWS EDITOR

With the Season 13 premiere of Shonda Rhimes’s medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” I have found myself contemplating the real reasons why I decided to start the show on Netflix nearly three years ago, and I have arrived at one simple explanation: the medicine.

After dissecting a sheep’s heart in freshman biology I knew that a medical career was something that I was very interested in, and I thought that there was no better way to explore this potential life path than to snuggle up in a warm blanket with a bowl of popcorn by my side and watch the drama of “Grey’s Anatomy” unfold.

Starting with Season One on Netflix, it is safe to say that while the show involves the drama of main character Meredith Grey’s, played by Ellen Pompeo, complicated first-year intern life, the show incorporates a lot more real-world medical situations than produced in later seasons.

However as the characters and their interwoven relationships evolved, the show began to spend more time focused on drama and less time on anatomy. As someone who began watching the show to experience the medical dialogue and

hospital setting, this shift was disappointing. I found myself losing interest in the unrealistic dramatized relationships between the everchanging characters that were prevailing in the show and wishing for a more anatomy based focus.

For example in the most recent completed season, Season 12, the show lends two full episodes strictly to the drama between characters. The show retraces the evolution of the now broken relationship between characters April Kepner and

(Used with permission from EPK.TV)

Jackson Avery, played by Sarah Drew and Jesse Williams respectively, in episode 11. It also hashes out the court battle between characters Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins, portrayed by Sara Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw, for custody of their daughter in episode 22.

On top of the show focusing more on satisfying the drama addiction of its viewers, the show is beginning to struggle for new plots to keep the show fresh and entice viewers. The show has already seen a mass shooting, a plane

crash, a blackout from an intense storm, a ferry boat crash, the departure or death of most of the show’s characters and a very memorable car crash resulting in the death of one of the most beloved characters on the show, Derek Shepherd, played by Patrick Dempsey.

This thought leads me to a very important and predictable question: Has this show reached the end of its era? Sadly, I have come to the conclusion that yes, this show’s glory days are gone in terms of both medicine and drama. The series has been drawn out for too long and has begun to lose meaning as important characters have been eliminated, plots have been repeated and relationships have become impossibly and unrealistically woven together.

This being said, I still can’t help but wait in anticipation every Thursday night as each new episode of Season 13 airs. With each new episode the relationships between the characters take on new meaning and as a viewer of the past 12 seasons it is almost impossible not to become invested in these fluctuating relationships. Over the 12 seasons my interest in the show has shifted from medicalbased to drama-filled, and stopping the show now would be the equivalent to stopping a good book before reading the glorious and enlightening ending.

Thus, it is probable to say that if you are looking for a complicated and intriguing drama, “Grey’s Anatomy” is the series to divulge in, but as far as the medicine is concerned I would suggest finding a different outlet.

LE JOURNAL October 2016

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Upcoming Concert Events Compiled by TONI MATHIS, REPORTER

Tech N9ne//

Tech N9ne will be perfomring his “The Calm Before the Storm” tour at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. He will be performing with around five other special guests. This event is known as “Fright Night Edition,” a Halloween event every year at the Midland. The concert is Sunday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. with $33 for a ticket. (Photo by MCT Campus)

Troye Sivan//

TRY GALS

This will be Troye Sivan’s first tour in Kansas City, Mo. His tour name “Suburbia” comes from the song on his album “Blue Neighbourhood.” The “Blue Neighbourhood” idea came from Sivan living in a small town and fantasizing himself venturing out into the world but missing home. Sivan will be performing at the Uptown Theatre in Midtown Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $60 to $75 since the event is “sold out.”

(Photo submitted by senior Taylor Spies)

Le Journal staffers juniors Lauren Graves, Anna Tomka, Kelly Nugent and senior Tara Jungden posted a new video about pumpkin spice drinks and treats. Their next video involves the BeanBoozled Challenge.

Find these videos, based on Buzz Feed’s Try Guys, on lejournallive.com.

Carrie Underwood//

Carrie Underwood will be performing at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan. “The Storyteller” Tour comes to town Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. “Storyteller” is Underwood’s first album in three years including tracks about revenge, heartbreak, marriage, and motherhood. The price of tickets ranges from $50 to $76. She will be in the Kansas City area at Sprint Center on May 15.

(Photo by MCT Campus)

CHECK IT OUT

ONLINE

Charlie Puth//

Charlie Puth cancelled his performance at the Uptown Theatre in Midtown Friday, Oct. 28 due to illness. This would have been Puth’s first performance in Kansas City, Missouri for his “We Don’t Talk” tour. The name of his tour relates to his hit song “We Don’t Talk Anymore” featuring Selena Gomez.

(Photo by MCT Campus)

Go to lejournallive.com watch the video.

D

ELLE

C CAN

Bon Iver Releases Five-Year Working Album: 22, A Million album, song “8 (circle)” music video was released. The video is simple yet inspirational, showing thousands of symbols and patterns appearing on the screen with the beat of the song.

The ninth track, “____45____”, is one to play once then always hit “skip” when it flashes on the screen. The band tries too hard here to be different, mixing too many instruments together in an attempt to be unique.

“29 #Strafford APTS,” the fifth track, is the one song that will convince people to become a Bon Iver fan. It is the most harmonized song on the album with autotune and the soft sounds of piano key notes. After listening to this song, the terrible ninth track will be forgotten.

“22, A Million” is available on iTunes for $9.99. The album is also on Spotify and YouTube. This music is something different from any other type of genre, deserving 30 minutes of people’s time.

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d E A T h b R E a s T,” may cause a headache but Bon Iver’s music overall is uniquely amazing.

“22, A Million” is remarkable with acoustic vibes following Vernon’s auto tune voice. The songs mix new sounds with instruments not usually heard from an indie rock band, all

BY TONI MATHIS wrapped up into electronic sounds REPORTER like dubstep.

The Indie rock band Bon Iver first Their song “33 ‘GOD’” was formed in 2007 with eight members. released a month before the album Bon Iver has not released an album dropped on Sept. 30 and made an since 2011 until “22, A Million.” Justin appearance on the Bon Iver YouTube Vernon, lead singer, has been working channel as a lyric music video. This on this newest album for a five-year is the top song on iTunes from the album. Compared to the other tracks, period contemplating whether to continue or ditch it. The album’s it is a slower song with a hint of 10 tracks last for a total of about 30 autotune and melodies of a piano. minutes. Song titles, including “10

Four days after the drop of the

The band has been silent for many years but is now ready to show their newest album with beats never heard before.

, ,

Confessions of an Awkward Trick or Treater...

Emma Hutchin Freshman

“One time in the fifth grade, some guy in a gorilla suit chased us down the street.”

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LE JOURNAL October 2016

Taylor Pitzl Sophomore

“When I was in sixth grade, one of our parent’s friend followed us around in a black hoodie.”

Meredith Oswald Junior

“[My friend and I] decided to ride in our wagon full of candy down a hill. The wagon tipped over, and he tore his rotator cuff.”

Clare Carey Senior

“[My friends and I] decided to race down the street and it had just rained so the leaves were wet. My foot slipped and I fell into a storm drain.”

A&E

TRY THIS: Thanksgiving Traditions, Travels and Treats

BY MEG SCHWARTZ LAYOUT EDITOR

As Turkey Day approaches, mix up traditional holiday plans with one of these teacher-approved recipes, students’ traditions or a trip to see extended family.

Tried and True Traditions 25% of students travel for Thanksgiving.

75% stay at home.

“I go to Texas. It’s kind of a family reunion.”

-Sophomore Sade-Joy Dugbo “We deep-fry a turkey.

You’re not supposed to do that because it [can blow] up houses. But we do it anyway.” -Junior Sydney Crawford

“My family has a talent show every year. Whoever won the previous year judges it.”

-Sophomore Liz Oltjen

“On Thanksgiving we do a version of white elephant where we make videos or give different gifts that are funny about each other [relating to] inside jokes.”

-Junior Morgan Hickman

“We go to Baltimore to see extended family.” -Freshman Inaya Khan “Most years for Thanksgiving my family goes to Milwaukee to see my dad’s side of the family.” -Senior Nora Malone “We go to our condo in Branson with the whole family.” -Sophomore Maddie Griffin

Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Brussel Sprouts

French-Cut Green Bean Casserole

SUBMITTED BY: KATIE MULDER

SUBMITTED BY: CASEY ENGEL

Ingredients: 3 Medium Sweet Potatoes 1/2 lb Brussel Sprouts 1/2 cup Coconut Oil Salt and Pepper

Dressing: 1 Tbs. Olive Oil 1 tsp. Dijon Mustard 1 Tbs. Maple Syrup

SUBMITTED BY: CAFETERIA STAFF

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

Directions: 1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Peel and cube sweet potatoes and cut off ends and halve Brussels sprouts. Place these in a large mixing bowl.

3. Melt coconut oil and drizzle over vegetable mixture. Mix together until all vegetables are coated with oil. Salt and pepper vegetable mixture.

4. Spread mixture on baking sheet in one even layer.

Optional: 1 handful dried cherries chopped 1 handful chopped pecans

5. Roast until vegetables are tender and slightly browned - about 40 minutes.

6. Remove from heat.

7. Mix dressing ingredients in a bowl.

8. While vegetables are hot, place in bowl and add dressing. Mix until thoroughly coated.

9. Add dried cherries and pecans if desired.

Ingredients: 1 cup + 3 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup cranulated sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

Ingredients: 6 cans French-cut green beans 1 can of regular cream of mushroom soup 2 cans of healthy cream of mushroom soup

Salt & Pepper Cavender’s seasoning 3/4 cup shredded parmesan French’s Fried Onions

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix together green beans and cream of mushroom soup in a large bowl.

3. Add salt, pepper and Cavender’s seasoning to taste.

4. Add the shredded parmesan.

5. Pour contents into a casserole dish.

6. Bake for 30 minutes.

7. With 10 minutes left, top with French’s Fried Onions.

8. At the final minute, broil.

1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup melted butter 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla topping: 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1 1/2 cups very hot water

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a medium sized bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and spices. Set aside.

3. In a smaller bowl, stir pumpkin, milk, melted butter and vanilla together to combine.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix to create a thick batter. Pour into a small 8-inch cassorole dish with high sides.

4. In a separate bowl, stir sugar, brown sugar and pecans together. Spread over the top of the batter evenly. Pour hot water over the entire thing (WITHOUT STIRRING A THING!) and bake for 40 minutes or once middle is set. (Be sure to place on a baking sheet in case it bubbles over.)

(Photos by Meg Schwartz) LE JOURNAL October 2016

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“Can’t Hide Sion Pride” The spirit week theme, “Can’t Hide Sion Pride” ruled the week. Monday was Awkward Stage; Tuesday was Toddlers & Tiaras; Wednesday was Movie Themes; Thursday was Business Casual and Friday was Spirit Shirts.

1.

2.

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LE JOURNAL October 2016

3.

1. Senior Angela Neunuebel channels presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for Thursday’s theme, Business Casual.(Photo by Kate Noble) 2. Sophomores Maddie Griffin and Emily Koca apply makeup on Toddlers and Tiaras day. (Photo

by Abby Smith) 3. Juniors Anna O’Byrne and Melissa Hamilton dress in their grades’ theme “Twilight” for movie day. (Photo by Ellie Chaffee)