GALENTINE’S DAY

Shutdown Results Ripple

Across Government buildings were closed for the duration of the shutdown. Country The National Gallery of Art, among other museums, hasn’t been open for weeks. (Photo by Cecilia Mohácsi) 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 shut down, all federal shutdown, but several agencies were required popular tourist attractions to stop all operations across the country were and services that were temporarily closed. The deemed non-essential Smithsonian Museums, while essential functions National Zoo, National continued. Workers that Gallery of Art and World were considered essential, War I (or Truman museum) such as airport security Museum were just a few on and law enforcement, the extensive list of closures. continued to work without “When we were pay. But federal employees planning our trip to of the other nine federal Washington D.C. for the departments deemed non- March for Life 2019, we essential were furloughed, realized that the government meaning that they were sent shutdown caused all of home without pay. the Smithsonian’s to close

“Some employees too,” sophomore Olivia pulled up their pay stubs Overlease said. “This to see the $0, and I haven’t affected our planning done that because I think because a lot of the that it would upset me,” museums we planned on Borgmeyer said. “It’s just visiting were Smithsonians. frustrating because I feel like But, of course, I was we are being used as leverage disappointed.” in this argument and I feel Trump signed a like we have jobs to do and I bill passed by the House want to do them.” and Senate to reopen

Transportation the government Jan. 25 Security Administration and it officially reopened workers were expected to temporarily beginning Jan. continue work without pay 26. Trump and Congress but were calling in sick in have until Feb. 15 to reach unprecedented numbers a deal regarding national which created long airport security or another shut backups, according to the down will ensue. New York Times. “I was glad to be back

“We are in daily contact to work, it was great to with the TSA and remain see my coworkers because confident in their staffing they are really a second plans at the airports we family,” Borgmeyer said. serve,” Southwest Airlines “Knowing another shutdown Taneka Henderson said could happen in 3 weeks in an e-mail. “As always, is discouraging so we are we recommend you arrive scrambling to get caught at least two hours prior to up and to be as ready as departure.” possible, no one wants to be

Not only were several furloughed again.” key governmental services such as the Food and Drug CHECK LE Administration inspecting facilities and issuing food JOURNAL LIVE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE recalls halted during the SHUTDOWN

Feast Day Celebrates

Day of the Girl

Students participate in founders’ day activities and celebrate women around the world. BY EMMA HUTCHIN REPORTER

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 Up as the charity for that morning’s Sophomore Colliton Ana walk so that the money generated sings “And They’ll would be donated to them. Girl Up is an Know We are Sion,” organization that supports led by Campus education for all girls, all across the Minister world. “For a long time women have just been underrepresented and not seen as Stephanie PinoDressman on Feast Day. (Photo by Molly 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.”