NEWS
Shutdown Results Ripple Across Country Congress now has until Feb. 15 to find a budget solution. BY MOLLY CONWAY PRINT MANAGING EDITOR
The effects of the government shutdown rippled across the country during the longest government shutdown in history, as it officially lasted 35 days. President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach an agreement regarding funding for building a wall at the U.S.Mexico border. So as the clock struck midnight on Dec. 21, the government officially shut down. During the shutdown, Trump continued to push for funding from Congress to build the wall, as it was a key promise of his presidential campaign, but members of the Democratic Party in the Congress are firmly opposed. While Trump and Congress negotiated to reach a deal during the 35 day shutdown, 800,000 federal workers were impacted by the partial government shutdown, according to the Guardian. “Pay for the first four weeks of the shutdown will be one payment deposited no later than Jan. 31 and some banks my post the deposit earlier as a courtesy,” Contract Specialist for the Department of Agriculture Wendy Borgmeyer, mother of sophomore Hannah Bormeyer, said. “I’m a little worried about what problems will come up while we were off.” During the government
Feast Day Celebrates
Day of the Girl
Students participate in founders’ day activities and celebrate women around the world. BY EMMA HUTCHIN REPORTER
Government buildings were closed for the duration of the shutdown. The National Gallery of Art, among other museums, hasn’t been open for weeks. (Photo by Cecilia Mohácsi)
shut down, all federal agencies were required to stop all operations and services that were deemed non-essential while essential functions continued. Workers that were considered essential, such as airport security and law enforcement, continued to work without pay. But federal employees of the other nine federal departments deemed nonessential were furloughed, meaning that they were sent home without pay. “Some employees pulled up their pay stubs to see the $0, and I haven’t done that because I think that it would upset me,” Borgmeyer said. “It’s just frustrating because I feel like we are being used as leverage in this argument and I feel like we have jobs to do and I want to do them.” Transportation Security Administration workers were expected to continue work without pay but were calling in sick in unprecedented numbers which created long airport backups, according to the New York Times. “We are in daily contact with the TSA and remain confident in their staffing plans at the airports we serve,” Southwest Airlines Taneka Henderson said in an e-mail. “As always, we recommend you arrive at least two hours prior to departure.” Not only were several key governmental services such as the Food and Drug Administration inspecting facilities and issuing food recalls halted during the
shutdown, but several popular tourist attractions across the country were temporarily closed. The Smithsonian Museums, National Zoo, National Gallery of Art and World War I (or Truman museum) Museum were just a few on the extensive list of closures. “When we were planning our trip to Washington D.C. for the March for Life 2019, we realized that the government shutdown caused all of the Smithsonian’s to close too,” sophomore Olivia Overlease said. “This affected our planning because a lot of the museums we planned on visiting were Smithsonians. But, of course, I was disappointed.” Trump signed a bill passed by the House and Senate to reopen the government Jan. 25 and it officially reopened temporarily beginning Jan. 26. Trump and Congress have until Feb. 15 to reach a deal regarding national security or another shut down will ensue. “I was glad to be back to work, it was great to see my coworkers because they are really a second family,” Borgmeyer said. “Knowing another shutdown could happen in 3 weeks is discouraging so we are scrambling to get caught up and to be as ready as possible, no one wants to be furloughed again.” CHECK LE JOURNAL LIVE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE SHUTDOWN
Feast Day and International Day of the Girl celebrations featured a movie, the Sion cookie, walking for Girl Up and learning about Project Period Wednesday, Jan.16 in the gym. Students first flocked to the Grande Salle dressed in civvies and received a small journal for writing responses to the stories presented in the film “Girl Rising.” But first, Assistant Principal for Curriculum Ellen Carmody shared a few reasons why it’s important to celebrate international women, while also embracing what it means to be Sion. “We decided to combine it because of the importance of education and women, and the Sion mission fits in really well with that,” Carmody said. “It’s kind of what we do. So we thought it’d be a great tie in around the world.” Next, Mission Director Annie Riggs described her trip to Jerusalem and its connection to Sion’s founders. “Sion’s Feast Day is a day when all those in the family of Sion gather to celebrate and give thanks for the gift of the charism that was placed in the hearts of founders Theodore and Alphonse Ratisbonne,” Riggs said. “We remember Alphonse’s great hope, his great heart and the work of his hands in service to others.” This year, Feast Day was tied in with International Day of the Girl, which is actually Oct. 11. But due to Open House, celebrations were moved. It was decided that the event would be connected to the mission and charism of the school. As does “Girl Rising,” a film about providing education and equality to all girls around the world. It was meant to show this social issue to students, according to Riggs. “As we thought about how our students might migrate the charism, we liked the idea of learning more about the challenges and barriers that other girls around the world have to overcome to receive an education,” Riggs said. Another challenge is why Project Period was created. Launched here by sophomore Alyssandra Heefner, she plans to help women in the Kansas City area obtain feminine products. Heefner and her friends are collecting donations of pads to give to homeless and impoverished women. “Women have to resort to other methods to control their periods, which can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome and other infections,” Heefner said. “Women often have to choose between food and pads.” To close out the assembly, students downloaded the app Charity Miles on their phones, which donates money to a charity of the user’s choice for each step they take. Originally, the walk was to take place outside, but due to inclement weather everyone walked a lap inside the school instead. Students were asked to select Girl Sophomore Ana Up as the charity for that morning’s Colliton walk so that the money generated sings “And They’ll would be donated to them. Girl Up is an Know We are Sion,” led by Campus organization that supports Minister education for all girls, all across the Stephanie Pinoworld. Dressman on Feast “For a long time women have just Day. (Photo by Molly been underrepresented and not seen as Conway) worthy enough to deserve an education, and I think developing countries have figured it out,” Carmody said. “They help push a future forward. Because when women succeed, everybody succeeds.” FEBRUARY 2019
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