September 2020 Issue

volume 39

LeJOURNAL Notre Dame de Sion High School | September 2020

NEWS: PAGE 5

ON THE COVER: PAGE 14

FEATURE: PAGE 24

DESIGNING REAL WORLD IMPACTS CLASS OFFERS OFF-CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES.

FINDING A NEW NORMAL AMIDST THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

FRESHMAN VIKKI MUCHAI: JOURNEY FROM KENYA TO KANSAS CITY.

what’s inside news and sports

04-05

Adjusted Night of One Acts

14-17

New Course for Seniors

COVID-19 & Communities

08-09

Online Experiences

Sophomore Ella Abicunas

Streaming on Twitch

20-21

Senior Tennis Q&A

Senior Elicia Baranowski

STEM Passions

24-25

Freshman Vikki Muchai

Kenya to Kansas City

LeJOURNAL. 2020 // 2021 LE JOURNAL IS THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF NOTRE DAME DE SION HIGH SCHOOL - 10631 WORNALL ROAD - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64114

MEMBER

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

Le Journal accepts letters to the editors in response to published articles. Letters must be signed, verifie, 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, ecouraging disruption of school and/or is libelous.

PRINTER

Neal/Settle Printing, Grandview MO

02 // LeJournal

10-11

Are Masks Effective?

Political Pandemic

12-13

Required Vaccinations

College Life & COVID-19

a&e

22-23

New Mask Precautions

Schools Return to Learning

features

06-07

Canceled School Trips

opinions

cover story

PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Madeline Hammett Avery Brundige

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Morgan Herriott

NEWS & SPORTS EDITOR Lauren Shaw

WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Maggie McKinney

video content editor Catherine Crayon

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Grace Hills

Kate McCarthy

A&E EDITOR

Brianna Legette Ava Albracht Liv Zender

Callie Cameron

FEATURES EDITOR Sofia Aguayo

PHOTO EDITORS

Kate Conway & Keely Schieffer

Multicultural Food in KC

26-27

How to Survive Quarantine

Connected Learning

student “It has made it a little harder not being able to do things the traditional way, but I know Sion is doing the best they can.”

- Freshman Maylen Smith

COPY EDITOR

EDITORIALS EDITOR

Ella Rogge

18-19

TikTok’s Impact on Gen Z

REPORTERS

“[Masks are] kind of annoying and it’s hard to find one that fits your face right, but I think we should be wearing them.”

- Junior Marin Ismert

editors’ink

W

hy hello there. We are your editors for the 2020-2021 school year and we couldn’t be happier. We’d like to welcome you all to the new and revised Le Journal.

We are dedicating this year to you: our readers. We want your suggestions, ideas and feedback, so please feel free to reach out!

Listen - we get it. These past seven months have been all over the place.

Our goal is to make Le Journal a space to bring us together when smiles are hidden behind masks and warm hugs are put on hold.

This issue predominantly covers COVID-19. Thankfully, we have some pretty cool people in our student body to help bring some positivity to the overwhelming pandemic coverage. Check out freshman Vikki Muchai and her story about moving from Kenya (pg. 24-25) and sophomore Ella Abiecunas’ experience with Twitch streaming (pg. 8-9).

We love diving deeper into the city we live in and the great

food that comes with it. Check out some great multicultural places to try and what we think of them (pg. 19). Speaking of food, good food is a necessity to successfully quarantine, especially when online school is a part of it. Quarantining can be much easier if you follow our survival guide that will show you all the best ways to thrive during your 14 day isolation (pg.

26-27).

We want to show you the good and bad sides of COVID-19 and its impact on the community. As you flip through the pages, remember that negativity is temporary. Allow us to provide some positivity in what is such a difficult time. And don’t worry, COVID-19 won’t be the center of every story this year.

We are so excited about releasing this first issue to you, our community. We hope you enjoy flipping through the pages as much as we enjoyed creating them. Talk to you soon! :) Madeline & Avery

photo of the issue

Serving Success

Junior Mallory Vance serves the ball, scoring the point in a doubles tennis match alongside her sister senior Addie Vance against St. Teresa’s Academy on Sept. 16 at the Minor Park tennis courts.

(Photo by Catherine Crayon)

keep up with us:

coming up: Spirit Week will be Sept 28 through Oct 2.

Monday: Tie-dye Tuesday: Safari Wednesday: Disney Thursday: Purple & White Friday: Holidays (Freshmen: Halloween, Sophomore: Valentines’ Day, Juniors: Fourth of July, Seniors: Christmas)

@lejournalsion

Sophomore Amelia Maguire and senior Mia Legato are dressed as angels and devils during gym class Sept. 11 2019. (Photo by Maggie McKinney)

Use camera to visit lejournallive.com!

space September 2020 // 03

news

1. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Senior Mattie Mills practices lines for the upcoming show she put together Sept. 16 (Photo by Catherine Crayon).

2. GETTING INTO CHARACTER

Sophomore Lauren Millard rehearses her part for the show at practice Sept. 16 (Photo by Catherine Crayon).

3. REHEARSE RESHEARSE REHEARSE

Sophomore Caroline Dold runs her lines Sept. 16 in preparation for Night of One Acts (Photo by Catherine Crayon).

1.

2.

3.

a modified night to remember In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Night of One Acts cast and its director, senior Mattie Mills, take a unique approach to performance night Oct. 9.

STORY BY CATHERINE CRAYON VIDEO CONTENT EDITOR DESIGN BY KEELY SCHIEFFER CO PHOTO EDITOR

M

ills has been part of Night of One Acts since sophomore year and is the first senior to direct the night by herself. Normally, Night of One Acts consists of various scenes from plays and improv. Due to COVID-19 restrictions issued by the government and the school, Mills has been tasked with reworking the entire night from the audience size to the type of performances. Practice still continues

04 // LeJournal

every day after school despite threats of cancellation due to COVID-19.

“This year, we’re taking a bit of a different path,” Mills said. “Due to COVID-19 and social distancing rules we are doing strictly monologues.”

Students will perform 13 monologues, one of which is a monologue written by sophomore Addie Hiestand and it will be the only student written piece performed.

“It’s kind of cool to be the only student written monologue,” Hiestand said. “I’ve never really done anything like this and I was initially a bit scared to submit anything. But now that I’ve gotten to see it performed, it’s definitely something I would consider doing again in the future.”

Junior Tess Tappan is participating in her second year of Night of One Acts and recalled Mills as one of the most positive, encouraging people she’s ever met, and it shows in her directing style. Tappan will perform Hiestand’s original monologue.

“I love being able to play multiple

different characters throughout the show,” Tappan said, “It’s a lot of fun working with people from other grades, especially the seniors. Mattie makes the whole process so upbeat and enjoyable.”

Mills has always wanted to be in this leadership role and enjoys Night of One Acts because many participants choose to take part in this performance in their early years at Sion. This year, five freshmen are on cast.

“Night of One Acts tends to be the entry point for a lot of students into the drama department,” Fine Arts teacher Maggie Killian said. “This year, we have a lot of freshman and sophomores in the cast, which is really cool.”

With showtime only weeks away and COVID-19 looming, Mills anticipates struggling with Night of One Acts the way she envisions it in her head.

“Being Night of One Acts director is the peak of being a Sion theatre kid,” Mills said.

news

Future Problem Solvers Collaboration is Key

Senior Grace Steyer exchanges ideas on her project with class instructor Catherine Cox Sept. 16 (Photo by Olivia Shively)

Violet Tumlin ‘21

“This class is very beneficial because it provides me with the real world experience that I wouldn’t necessarily get from Sion’s normal courses.”

Kennedy Ruark‘21

“The teachers in this class give us a lot of time to be independent and they treat us with equal respect that they would treat their peers with.”

Dillan Elmquist ‘21

“In this class I actually get to talk with people that are in the workforce that we might be interested in studying.”

A new course allows students to explore a unique aspect of education.

passionate about and work with various community partners.

“The class is split into four teams and is working with three community partners,” senior Hannah McGraw said.

BY KEELY SCHIEFFER The class is designed to prepare CO PHOTO EDITOR students for their future years of school. eniors are the first to enroll in the new Since there is no set curriculum, the class is solely based on the insight of local Designing Real World Impacts class companies, and their ability and work at various to think outside of the box companies where they will “I think this is very to solve real-world problems. help identify modern-day insightful for students The class is focused more issues during the semester. on the strengths of the The class allows students because we are team and instructors rather to heighten their social getting to be apart of than individual relationships entrepreneurship skills as the real world in this between students and they pair with companies class.” teachers, according to senior that let students work off- Grace Steyer Grace Steyer. campus. Teachers Prentiss “This class is also getting Earl, Katie Durkin, Catherine you somewhat ready for Cox and Michelle Nebel lead college because it’s not all given to us as students at three different companies over if you sit in the classroom,” Steyer said. the course of the semester. Seniors are “We have to figure out what is best for our currently stationed at Burns & McDonnell project needs.” where they will pick a topic they are

S

Students have to work for their learning moment, which is a different experience according to Steyer. Designing Real World Impacts teaches students more than problem solving skills. Since the students are working with adults, they learn professional skills as well as what it is like to operate in a true work environment.

“It equips students with professional skills that will be very prevalent in their future careers,” McGraw said. “Several key skills are communication, collaboration, working in teams, and being intentional.”

The co-teachers work together as a team; however, each has a distinct role.

Each different role feeds into the main goal of teaching in a new way and being stewards of Sion, themselves and the program according to Cox. “I think this class really gives each student the autonomy to their own project, learn new information while becoming an expert, work with community partners, and create solutions that will help with the issue” Cox said.

September 2020 // 05

news

TROUBLE TRAVEL TROUBLE Exchange programs and school trips have been canceled due to COVID-19.

BY BRIANNA LEGETTE REPORTER

The 2020 exchange programs and school trips to Australia, France, Costa Rica, Spain, Jerusalem Farms, and Guatemala are canceled due to COVID-19.

“It’s a small sacrifice. I can’t go, but I don’t feel cheated,” junior Caroline Renner said, “The world is a changing place and I am going with the flow.”

Renner expected to hike the El Camino de Santiago in Spain last June. It would’ve been her first time out of the country without her family. She felt that if the trip was still on, the group would be restricted with limited space, equipment and public places, resulting in missed opportunities.

“The Camino is a cultural immersion experience that also adds elements of spirituality,” College Counseling Director Erin Stein said, “I was really excited to get to know the girls and bring to life this experience with them.”

Stein, who was officiating the trip, conveyed that this was a cultural immersion for the students. The trip is both a physical challenge demanding 15 miles a day, and a spiritual challenge. This network of pilgrimages stretches across Europe where over 300,000 tourists go to see the shrine of St. James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

06 // LeJournal

in Galicia, Northwest Spain. Students had already purchased their gear such as a backpack, fleece jacket, hiking shoes and other supplies before the Cancellation.

Fortunately for parents, a refund deposit was given back. Stein thought cancelling the trip was in the best interest of the safety of the students. The El Camino pilgrimage wasn’t the only major travel change this year. All regular school travel and trips have been canceled as well.

“We’re hoping to develop and maintain our connections this year,” said International Exchange Director Annie Riggs. “It gives our students in the world an opportunity to experience the language and culture in another Sion setting.”

Riggs expressed that there is a uniqueness to Sion’s exchange programs.

The foreign students say that they feel right at home at the Kansas City location.

The exchange program is an amazing experience for students, according to Riggs. Students may have the opportunity to travel internationally next year and host the following year. With disappointment in the air, it is all about retaining connections across the globe, according to Riggs.

“Within next year, maybe we’ll go, once it’s safe again,” junior Sophia Ong said.

Ong, who was scheduled to go on the French exchange last summer. She was saddened that she could not go and experience the country and its culture, Ong felt that the trip cancellation was a required sacrifice for the safety of students, other countries and schools.

“Students will not have that chance, and so many girls look forward to it,” said Polly Holmes.

Holmes is the coordinator for the Guatemala and Jerusalem Farms service trips over spring and summer break, which were cancelled. At Jerusalem Farms, students were going to help repair and work on houses and garden work. The Guatemala trip allowed students to help build fences, cook and visit an orphanage for children with disabilities. Holmes said it doesn’t make sense to travel, especially since some countries have closed air travel and have closed entry, such as Guatemala, Canada, India, and 70 others. Holmes and students were disappointed because they were looking forward to it, but felt that the cancellation was best for everyone’s safety.

“I know what an amazing experience it is for everyone,” Riggs said. “I think everybody understands why we can’t do it.

Disappointing as it is, it’s for the best.”

news

The Rigorous Act of Contact Tracing American schools struggle with quarantining students as this year’s extracurricular activities kick-off.

BY LAUREN SHAW NEWS & SPORTS EDITOR Contact tracing, a search-andquarantine process, contributes to Sion’s 25% online attendance rate as of Sept. 3.

Students are welcomed back in the halls in schools across the nation amidst a pandemic. New protocols include wearing masks, distancing at all times, and sanitizing desks after each use. However, some rules used in school cannot all be followed on the field or court. With the promise of fall sports in the air, athletic departments must find a middle ground for both the athletes and the CDC guidelines.

When one person is infected, they must track down, notify and quarantine together with anyone else they have been in contact with in the days prior.

In an attempt to keep the number of cases down, schools must quarantine

32

Students have had to quarentine due to contact tracing

(out of 137 polled)

12% Total connected learners as of sept. 18

(out of 137 polled)

whole teams to prevent spread. So far this year, cheer and tennis, have already been required to quarantine. Junior Sophia Ong, a member of the tennis team, recounted her isolating experience.

“It’s such a long time to sit at home, especially having just gotten used to being back into the school routine,” Ong said. “It was harder to be motivated to get work done and to hear and understand what was happening in class.”

The 19 players all had to be in isolation for a full 14 days to ensure the safety of the student body. After word got out of both teams being at risk of COVID-19, a new school rule was put into place to wear gaiters throughout the whole practice and while playing games.

Besides the athletic teams, other students have chosen to stay home for online learning at the beginning of the year to the end of the semester. This applies to sophomore Amé Beets, who was content with her decision to attend the connected learning program.

“Homework load is the perfect amount,” Beets said. “The teachers have been incredibly thoughtful about the

“The Zoom calls will glitch out, so I can’t always hear what the teachers are saying. It’s also very hard to just sit on (Zoom) calls all day.”

- Delaney Reidy (9)

“I have the house to myself since my mom is working, so I can stay focused easily.”

- Kamryn McKibben (11)

difficulties of learning through a screen and not in person.”

Each day, online learners log onto Zoom at the beginning of each individual class throughout the whole week. Online students may stay on the call for a few minutes, or even the whole class depending on the teacher, which can be draining to some online.

With the new adjustments connected learners face, teachers are also trying to learn how to figure out the new online learning system. From in-class projects to homework assignments, teachers are finding ways to integrate online and inschool students in the best ways possible.

“I think we, as teachers, can pull off a really rich and rigorous curriculum without overwhelming students at night,” English teacher Casey Engel said. “Just to involve them in class discussion as if they are physically sitting in class is great.”

As teachers and students alike adjust to the school’s new reality of COVID-19, contact tracing has been essential to the population’s safety. Although inconvenient to some, being quarantined by the rule of contact tracing could literally save lives.

“Online school is going smoothly and I really enjoy sleeping in late.”

- Amé Beets (10)

“The homework load is a lot heavier than I was expecting. It is very hard to stay engaged and organized at home.”

- Grace Dobbels (12) September 2020 // 07

feature

NOW STREAMING:

Fundemonca

VOLUME UP Sophomore Ella Abicunas laughs into her microphone during one of her daily Twitch streams.

08 // LeJournal

feature

Diving into the complexities of sophomore Ella Abiecunas’s second world: Twitch.

BY GRACE HILLS SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR There’s a new type of celebrity. Found in the niche of the gaming community, video game streamers like Abiecunas have been finding their footing on Twitch, an online streaming platform. But this type of fame isn’t pasé as fame tends to be - it’s holistic. The air of arrogance coupled with fame isn’t found here. Streamers talk to friends with hundreds of accents and interact with a live chat, creating a community.

“I tried streaming for the first time and it was so much fun because I realized people actually like watching,” Abiecunas said. “It’s fun to see.”

After streaming for 1-12 (yes, 12) hours daily, Abiecunas has created a platform for herself. After school, homework and family time, she can be found in her dedicated streaming room. It’s a quirky space, sporting the torches from “Minecraft” on her walls and the painting of her screen name, Fundemonca, which she decided on after typing random words into Google and that happened to be the first word to show up.

“My username used to be The Pro Ella,” Abiecunas explained. “When you stream people call you buy your username, so I changed it.”

Abiecunas’s username is not the only thing she has changed. She also designed a custom PC. It’s huge, about three feet in length and two feet by height. There are fans, wires and motherboards, cluttering the space. The intricacies behind this aren’t simple - it’s a posterboard example of dedication.

“It wasn’t easy to do,” Abiecunas explained. “But it was so worth it because now I get to play with all my online friends.”

There’s an importance beyond the internet with these streams. They also serve as a social

platform. Every time she streams she goes on a world tour, talking with friends from France, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and all across Asia. Abiecunas looks forward to meeting them once she turns 18.

It’s the online friends like these, who she meets through Discord or the game itself, that prompted her to start streaming. Abiecunas was just 14 when she started, putting her on the younger side since the beginning age for streaming is 13. Being a young girl on a gaming platform, she was a bit of an outlier, which led to some pretty disturbing chat comments from older men. But the community didn’t leave her vulnerable, they guard her chats for her.

Abiecunas sets her friends as “mods,” people who run the chat.

“At first I was a little reluctant for her, being a girl and young on the internet,” her mom, Laurie Abiecunas said. “But once I figured out that she was good at it and loved it, I tried to be supportive.”

When she began, her parents had concerns about strangers and the internet.

Abiecunas describes them as incredibly supportive - one of those parents who says if it’s what you love to do then do it. So they didn’t let those concerns get in the way between Abiecunas and her passions.

“I think we tried to let Ella have freedom and experiment and be herself,” her dad, Jason Abiecunas said. “And just know that we have her back if there’s ever a problem.”

Abiecunas’s personality has thrived on Twitch. From spending time with her multicultural friends to spending hours playing her favorite games, she loves every second of it. She’s got big dreams for her future in streaming, but for now she’ll spend her time enjoying it.

“When I stream I don’t need any encouragement because I love doing it.”

Abiecunas said, “It’s like a soccer practice, so you keep doing it. Every stream I look forward to playing with my friends every night.”

Behind the

STREAM DOUBLE MONITORS With her game on the right, and friends on the left, double monitors are vital to the stream’s success.

GAMING HEADPHONES Used to hear games and friends, headphones help alplify the gaming experience.

MICROPHONE To make sure viewers get the highest quality sound, a microphone is used for high quality sound.

KEYBOARD Each key is coded to a specific game move, leding the keyboard to control the play.

September 2020 // 09

opinion

Masked Up

Masks are effective, but only when everyone wears one properly.

Masks are effective, but only when everyone wears one properly.

“The mask helps prevent a person who is sick from spreading the virus to others,” according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Despite the known effectiveness of masks announced by the CDC, the four letter word has still spiked more controversy, protests and division than many political debate topics have.

The country has divided itself into “antimaskers” and “maskers.” Celebrities are being shamed on social media for not wearing a mask or wearing it improperly.

The controversy seems to be coming from what most controversy in the United States stems from: politics.

Elephant versus donkey. Red versus blue.

Conservative versus liberal. No mask versus mask. Wearing a mask has gone from a health precaution to a political debate, and not a necessary one.

Proponents of masks believe that everyone should wear a mask to prevent the spreading of COVID-19. They live in the “you wearing a mask protects me, me wearing a mask protects you” mentality.

Opponents of masks believe that individual freedom surpasses the right for the government to mandate an article of clothing that may not be beneficial. The

10 // LeJournal

constantly changing statistics, information and guidelines released since March haven’t helped skeptics of COVID-19 to comply with regulations.

Then comes the next heated mask debate: what kind. The most effective mask to wear is an N95. This has been a known fact from the beginning of COVID-19. At the start of the pandemic, medical personnel were dealing with a shortage of masks.

The reason for that should not have been because a non-essential worker shopping at Hyvee felt the need to wear a N95 mask.

“The N95 respirators are currently in very short supply and should be reserved for health care providers and first responders.” according to Johns Hopkins. Save the N95 masks for those who are working on the front lines and wear one of the hundreds of other options made available over the past seven months. Johns Hopkins recommends “look[ing] for masks made with at least two layers of fabric” which provides the next best level of protection.

If what kind of mask to wear leads to a heated conversation. The vulgar language yelled across the parking lot because someone’s mask isn’t covering their nose gives “heated conversation” a whole new definition. Possibly the most humorous part of COVID-19 is the liberties people take in the way they choose to wear a mask. It doesn’t take a medical doctor with a specialty in infectious disease to recognize that when your nose or mouth is uncovered, the mask’s effectiveness diminishes to near zero. There is only one

way to wear a mask effectively and that is to “put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin” according to the CDC. The many ways people have found to wear masks incorrectly seem to take more effort than wearing it correctly.

Masks spiked quite a conversation across the nation. While the conversation stems from the roots of deeper issues and controversies from political parties, it was one that should never have become politicized in the first place. Masks are not a political topic. Being a respectful citizen requires doing whatever is best for you and those around you. If wearing a mask helps other citizens feel more comfortable and safe, then the respectful thing to do is to wear it. Masks are effective and while they may not be the most effective option, they are what we have right now. It isn’t difficult to think about others before yourself.

Wearing a mask helps others and the most harm it does to you is cause a minor inconvenience. Ditch the ego, just wear the mask.

This editorial reflects the views of the Le Journal staff. Sixteen out of sixteen members voted in favor of this editorial.

opinion

STOP POLITICIZING PANDEMICS Hyper-politicization is causing Americans to suffer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BY MAGGIE MCKINNEY WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The news cycle has been dominated for months by three things: President Donald Trump, the United States Congress and COVID-19. Congress and the president have spent most of the year bickering over how to stop the spread of the virus, the severity of the pandemic and how to help the American people. Yet no one can ever seem to agree on the best way to deal with COVID-19. The pandemic has become unbearably politicized by both sides of the aisle in this country. The hyperpoliticization of this pandemic is incredibly harmful and gets in the way of developing long-term and effective solutions that help the public.

Ever since COVID-19 began to raise public alarm in March, it has been catastrophic to people’s health, safety, economic situation and job security.

Congress has many opportunities to address it, with economic stimulus bills, rent relief orders and federal mask mandates, but neither Congress nor the President of the United States can ever seem to agree on which bills to pass or what issues to address. Both the Democratic and Republican parties are too focused on their own agenda to get anything done, and it is preventing assistance that so many Americans desperately need in the midst of a global pandemic.

The politicization of COVID-19 also prevents the United States from

cooperating with other countries to develop a vaccine and overall control the spread of the virus. In May, Trump announced in an address that he would terminate the United States’ relationship with the World Health Organization, accusing the globally respected organization of ‘protecting China’ as the virus spread. It’s no secret that the president blames China for COVID-19, at times referring to it as the “China Virus.” But the United States provides 15 percent of WHO’s total funding over its two-year budget period, according to its official budget plan. Rescinding those funds deprives the world of money that is necessary for protecting public health around the world and aiding the development of a vaccine.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Sept. 2 that the U.S. would not join a 172-country effort to develop, manufacture and equitably distribute a vaccine for COVID-19, saying that U.S. opposition stems from WHO’s involvement and a desire to keep vaccine resources in the country. Trump and his administration’s emphasis on international affairs and petty politics over public safety and the common good puts the entire world in danger and prevents the fast solutions to COVID-19 that we so desperately need.

Partisan infighting in government is also delaying the necessary support that Americans need to survive the pandemic.

Congressional Democrats and Republicans have only authorized and passed one COVID-19 relief bill, the CARES Act, since March, giving Americans a one-time

payment of $1200. That money has since been used up. More than 41 million people have applied for unemployment since March, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Those 41 million still have to keep up with rent, buy groceries and pay bills without a stable income. This could be solved by another relief bill, but politicians cannot seem to put their agenda aside and work toward bipartisan solutions for the common good. The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion relief package, the HEROS Act, in May, which has yet to be brought to a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate but is highly unlikely to pass regardless. The Senate Republicans proposed a $1 trillion relief package, the HEALS Act, in July, but the chances it will be passed in the House are slim. While Congress spends time bickering over the details of the next major relief bill, Americans are suffering.

The public needs governmental aid to get through the pandemic, and hyperpartisanship is causing inaction that will damage the country in every aspect.

There is a time and place for politics. Some things are fundamentally political - issues like healthcare, criminal justice reform and education funding are worth having long-term, meaningful conversations over in a political setting.

Public health and COVID-19 relief is not. Government officials need to put ideological differences aside and work on a bipartisan bill that will benefit the American people the most during this pandemic. Inaction will kill. It has, and it will continue to if the pandemic remains a source of division in government.

September 2020 // 11

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100 cases This comes up in countless political controversies such as debates over gun control, masks and government mandated vaccinate was not wise and put people who could not get the from University of Georgia Urbana-Champaign quarantine. There isUniversity a thread of ofIllinois overwhelming individualism vaccination due to allergies or being immunocompromised college students have tested positive college students have tested positive throughout all of these issues that at high risk. Now more than ever, during a have reported at least 100 casesof Alabama 100University cases threatens the safety of all people. Not pandemic, it is crucial to get vaccinated sohave reported at leastfrom from University of Georgia vaccinating someone based on false that life can go on. If and when a vaccine from University of Georgia University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign information is inexcusable. is released, everyone should be required from University of Alabama Any COVID-19 vaccine that will come to get it and should be reprimanded if from University of Alabama University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign out will go through three phases of testing. they do not. Refusing to vaccinate puts During phase one, the vaccine is tested on other people’s lives in danger and preventsUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 20 to 100 people to ensure that it is safe, society from functioning properly. that it works, and that there are no major Although anti-vaxxers often argue that harmful side effects, according to the CDC. vaccines increase the chances of childhood Phase two tests for short term side effects autism, there are no ties between the two, and effects on the immune system among according to the Center for Disease Control hundreds of people. Phase three tests for and Prevention. The alleged cause of autism efficacy, safety, common side effects, and in vaccines was and still is thimerosal; compares the experimental and control however, between 1999 and 2001 the groups, as stated by the CDC. The extensive testing that will occur amount of thimerosal was nearly eliminated in childhood vaccines. prior to the release of the vaccine will ensure that it will have Today, only flu vaccines contain thimerosal and are packaged are an overall positive impact and help promote herd immunity. This packaged in multidose vials to prevent contamination, according develops when a major portion of the population gain immunity to the CDC. from a disease, thus decreasing the likelihood of spreading the The issue surrounding required vaccinations brings light to a larger issue in America: self versus society and our inherent disease, according to Mayo Clinic.

There is no reason that someone should be allowed to risk not only their safety, but the safety of those around them, just because they don’t think the standard applies. As with any vaccine, there is always a chance of getting sick, but that is a risk we all have to take if we want to help our community be healthy.

It can be a bit unnerving when there is a new vaccine, but ultimately one must remember the extensive research and testing that has taken place in order for it to be distributed and understand it is for the benefit of the greater good. In a study conducted by the Associated Press National Opinion Research Center, one in five Americans said they would refuse a vaccine and thirty-one percent said they were unsure. This statistic is unsettling because if only 49 percent of Americans were to vaccinate, it would be ineffective, as the majority of Americans would still be very susceptible to getting and spreading the virus.

All Americans need to pull together and vaccinate to save lives and ensure that lives return to what was once normal. In an attempt to protect its citizens, the government should be able to administer obligatory vaccination no matter the controversy The COVID-19 vaccine is still in experimental stages and is likely to surrounding it, which will effectively slow and eventually end be administerd through a plasma donation once it is narrowed down.

COVID-19 for good. (photo by MCT Campus)

“Despite concerns, Americans need to pull together to get vaccinated to save lives and ensure that ours Hand Sanitizer return to what we once knew as normal.”

Vaccination Station

12 // LeJournal

opinion

The College Experience: COVID-19 Edition The global pandemic changed the way prospective and current university students will be able to experience college life.

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STORY BY MAGGIE MCKINNEY WEB EDITOR IN CHIEF DESIGN BY LIV ZENDER REPORTER

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September 2020 // 13

cover story

ONE NATION UNDER LOCKDOWN The COVID-19 pandemic forces the world to adapt to new normalities.

STORY & DESIGN BY PRINT MANAGING EDITOR MORGAN HERRIOTT AND A&E EDITOR CALLIE CAMERON

September 19: Thirty-million-eight-hundred-forty-nine-thousand-fourhundred-sixty-three people across the globe have tested positive for COVID-19 thus far, according to Worldometer. Yet even with mask mandates and social distancing requirements, the amount of cases in the United States still continues to rise at a rapid pace.

Around 34 thousand new COVID-19 cases are reported each day in the United States, according to Statistica. The nation has been in a panic ever since March, and six months later there is still no answer to when the nation may begin to shift back to the lifestyles they had before.

“I understand not wanting people to panic, however I think it should’ve been made a bigger deal in the beginning,” senior Sophia Allen said. “But no matter when we started quarantine it wouldn’t have changed anything to do with the duration of the virus since there isn’t a vaccine.”

Despite the United States being the global leader of confirmed cases, according to Pharmaceutical Technology, schools across the nation have begun to go back. In just their first couple of months

14 // LeJournal

back, students have already had to deal with altered classroom settings, new mask and social distancing protocols within the school building, having to quarantine due to contact tracing and some even learning how to operate 100% online classes. Senior Grace Hill had to quarantine and switch to connected learning after the enture tennis team was sent home for 14 days for contact tracing due to a confirmed exposure to COVID-19.

“Learning online was a lot harder than I expected because often we couldn’t see what was happening in the class if the teacher pointed their computer somewhere else,” Hill said. “It was also hard not being able to see friends and other family members, and being stuck in my house was very lonely knowing that all my friends were still together everyday.”

With no clear end to COVID-19 or the new protocols in sight, people across the globe are forced to learn how to cope with the new difficulties that the virus has brought. With the possibility of a change within a matter of weeks or even days, students are trying to take their new normal one step at a time.

cover story

September 2020 // 15

cover story

In The Halls: Temperature check. Beep. “No, No, and No.” Spray. Wipe down.

Adjust mask. Stand six feet apart. Virtual learning. Quarantine.

Sion’s routine has been rocked since COVID-19 hit last spring.

A weekly update shows the results of COVID-19. The most recent, Sept. 18, showed two positive cases (0.065%), 13 in quarantine (4.22%), and a total of 40 connected learners (12.99%).

“I’m really appreciative of the new changes because I know administration extensively worked to ensure safety precautions to keep us in school,” said senior Brynna Dow. “I actually really liked online because the teachers really accommodate online learners.”

The faculty is very committed to surveying students to continually improve classes. To give teachers time to prepare for both the in-person and connected learning adequately, Sion faculty is adding one additional professional development day each month, in light of having more daily duties and less planning time throughout the day. Students are also encouraged to sign up for feedback sessions, working with Gould Evans.

The lunch routine has also changed since COVID-19 hit. The hot lunch program has been modified to allow for safer preparation and delivery of food. GROW Kitchen & Kids, LLC lunch programs allows students to “pick 2” from a variety of salads, sandwiches, entrees, and sides. They have options like chicken and caesar wrap, yogurt with fresh berries and granola parfait, and quinoa salad.

The sports routine: Sports practice now requires students to wear a face mask when practicing and going to games to ensure the safety of all students and decrease the risk of exposure. The tennis and softball team were both exposed without masks and required to quarantine.

“Volleyball has us wear masks at all times now, including down time, practices and games,” Dow said. “We’ve had cancellations and rescheduled games, but we’ve been able to make them up.”

The arrival routine: Each student has a designated time slot between 7:30-8:45 and a specific entrance where a teacher waits to check them in. After taking their temperature and going through a series of three health questions, the students enter the building.

“I have not been virtual, but I think Sion has a great plan for those who are,” Student Body President Mary Hudak said. “I really like how teachers keep virtual students involved during classes and encourage participating. School is very different this year, but Sion is still the great place it has always been.”

HAVE YOU HAD TO QUARANTINE FOR CONTACT TRACING?

DO YOU FEEL SAFE WITH THE PROTOCOLS IN PLACE AT SION? YES NO

In Kansas City: March 12: Mayor Quinton Lucas gave an official statement declaring a state of emergency in Kansas City. All events in Kansas City with a predicted attendee number exceeding 1000 people were cancelled or delayed until further notice. The original state of emergency was forecasted to last for only 30 days.

“As community spread of COVID-19 continues throughout our region, we are taking aggressive action to flatten the curve and protect our most vulnerable brothers and sisters,” Lucas said in his statement. “We are asking our entire community to unite to prevent the spread of this virus and appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this time.”

Nine days later, Lucas issued a “Stay at Home” order requiring citizens to stay inside their homes, with the exception of “essential activities.” These activities included collecting necessary supplies, performing essential work and activities essential to one’s health and/or safety. For the first time in modern history, schools and nonessential businesses were ordered to close their doors until April 24. Kansas Citians were granted permission to engage in outdoor activities, provided that they followed the social distancing requirements. The order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. March 24, and reopening did not begin until May 15.

Another 94 days later, on June 26, Lucas announced that face coverings would be required indoors. On July 10, it was declared that the state of emergency and mask mandate would remain in effect until at least 12:01 a.m January 16, 2021. The mandate also encouraged the usage of masks outdoors when six feet of distance was not feasible. According to the CDC, masks are “most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.”

“I think Mayor Lucas had a solid response to COVID-19 because he quickly got the city-wide mask mandate out,” sophomore Sophia VanHorn said. “Even though some people were being difficult and taking off their masks the second they got outside, he clarified that masks should be worn in any public place.”

Now, two months later, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. As of Sept. 22, there are 11,072 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the area, according to the KCMO Health Department.

The mask mandate and state of emergency are still set to be in

ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

KANSAS MISSOURI 16 // LeJournal

*darker tint represents more severe risk level

cover story place until January 2021. Nonessential businesses are recovering from the losses they suffered throughout the shutdown. Schools are navigating the challenging decision of whether to reopen, go hybrid, or stay completely virtual. The impacts of COVID-19 in Kansas City are innumerable and constantly changing. Yet, Kansas Citians continue to find new ways to respond and bring relief to people across the city.

A Brief History of COVID-19

Across The Nation: At first COVID-19 seemed like a distant threat, but it quickly spread across the world, eventually burrowing into American lives.

Jan. 30: The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency. Feb. 29 the first American COVID-19 patient died. March 13: American daily life came to a drastic halt - no one was left unscathed. The nationwide shutdown left devastating effects on businesses, education, health, and more.

“I understand the need and desire to get a vaccine approved as quickly as possible,” Associate Director of Clinical Operations of Everest Clinical Research Amy Jones said. “The sheer number of positive cases and deaths is overwhelming.”

It typically takes years to develop an approved vaccine; however, the government is supplying billions of dollars to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The Trump administration awarded a $1.9 billion contract for 1000 million doses to be delivered by December. In September, the chief executive of pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, said they would know if the vaccine works as soon as October 2020. If approved, they expect to manufacture over 1.3 billion doses of their vaccine worldwide by the end of 2021.

“Clinical trials are run to test both the safety and efficacy of a potential new drug and takes six to seven years to complete,” Jones said. “We started COVID-19 trials around March and the government suggests we have a vaccine by the end of Oct. Seven months is extraordinarily fast to run clinical trials, confirm safety and efficiency and get the drug approved by FDA. My hope is that this pandemic has not been so politicized that we are taking risks regarding public safety.”

While officials race for a vaccine, social distancing and masks are of the utmost importance, according to Associate Professor at UC Davis School of Medicine Dr. George Thompson. Different types of masks have drastically different levels of effectiveness. Studies have shown that the N95 is the most effective, but even one layer of fabric is helpful to prevent you from spreading the disease.

When a COVID-19 patient walks into a hospital, doctors can treat it with steroids like prednisone and remdesivir, blood plasma transplants and blood thinner medication.

“Antibodies are sterile for about 12 weeks. They will decline over time, but then you have memory cells in your body that know how to make it,” Thompson said. “If you get COVID-19 again, those memory cells should wake up and produce it again, much quicker than the first time. The second time you shouldn’t get as sick or you might not get sick at all. I think you’re going to get a vaccine every year, or every other year” COVID-19 is a droplet spread infectious disease. When someone coughs or sneezes those little droplets fall down within six-eight feet. COVID-19 affects certain age groups differently. Little kids don’t have the receptor that COVID-19 binds to, to cause infection, so they rarely get sick. After that, the mortality rate doubles every decade of life after 30. This is another cause for school closure, not only worry for the kids but for the older teachers. Currently, there are over 478 schools going virtual in the U.S., according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Right now companies like AstraZeneca are in phase three of clinical testing according to Executive Biologics Sales Specialist John Broeker.

“You really need a significant number of the population to be immune (typically in the upper 70s to low 80s),” Thompson said.

“So I think those are the numbers we are looking for to sort of resume our lives back to how we all remember.”

JANUARY 9 The first COVID-19 case is confirmed in Wuhan, China.

JANUARY 20 The CDC confirms the first U.S. COVID-19 case.

MARCH 13 President Donald Trump declares a national emergency for COVID-19.

MARCH 18 Over 320,000 students enroll in online courses.

MARCH 19 The U.S. State Department advises citizens to avoid all international travel.

JUNE 11 Restrictions are beginning to be lifted in each state.

AUGUST 3 The first school in the U.S. reopens in Georgia.

SEPTEMBER 12 Pfizer announces their advancements in a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine.

September 2020 // 17

opinion

we we need need to to tik-talk tik-talk TikTok, a growing social media app facing threats of banning, can be both damaging and uplifting to Gen Z and the other 500 million users.

BY CATHERINE CRAYON VIDEO CONTENT EDITOR

“I think it depends on your mind set, there are a lot more positive people on the app but it can be upsetting to see all these influencers that look a certain way.”

- Gracie Orf, freshman

“It can be funny sometimes, but sometimes I feel like it encourages cancel culture and has mixed messages about positivity.”

- Sophia Allen, senior

“It really depends on what you pay attention to. I think there are some positive creators but there are also some people using their platform for reasons maybe that aren’t necessary” - Anna McQueeny, senior

18 // LeJournal

I

f you haven’t heard of TikTok, a multinational app continuing to grow in popularity, you are missing out on possibly the biggest social media app release since Snapchat or Instagram. With 315 million global downloads, dancers, influencers, comedians have taken their shot at fame on the app and although many may try, few will prevail.

One user who has cracked the code for fame is 16-year-old Charli D’Amelio, who blew up on TikTok in the Fall of 2019. Since then, the viral dancer has racked up a mindboggling 86 million followers, 6.5 billion likes, appeared in a Super Bowl commercial, released a make-up line with her sister, Dixie, and continues her exponential growth to fame. This Connecticut teen has achieved the virality that many users strive for. But to what point is this app doing more harm than good?

“These comments may look sweet and innocent from the start but are actually very harmful to a girl’s body image.”

Scrolling through my For You Page, a place where various videos from creators appear to endlessly swipe, comments on some of these videos say “Well, looks like I’m not eating today” or “The things I would do to be able to look like this.” These comments may look sweet and innocent from the start but are actually very harmful to a girl’s body image. Seeing skinny girls receive more attention can lead to unrealistic body image expectations and in-turn insecurity in young girls. This can be seen with teenage boys too. An uplifting body positivity creator on the app right now is @xobrooklynne. The majority of her content is dedicated to promoting the idea

that all bodies are beautiful and to embrace the body you are in.

TikTok has also become a great space for social awareness, posts about the Black Lives Matter movement and other current issues in our nation circulate and educate the teenage and young adult population, widely recognized as “Gen Z.” With current news sources becoming so politicized and biased, TikTok offers a point of view by teenagers for teenagers.

“TikTok offers a point of view by teenagers, for teenagers.”

Rumors about the banning of TikTok, owned by the company ByteDance in the United States circulated in early September after President Donald Trump stated in a press interview that he vowed not to extend the deadline past Sept. 15. As I’m writing this article a day after the promised vow and, believe it or not, TikTok is still alive and well. Trump then decided that all American assets to the app must be sold

by Sept. 20. Microsoft, the trillion dollar technology company, bid on an asset for TikTok but when this bid was rejected, it was instead given to Oracle an “American multinational computer technology corporation.” As of now, TikTok in the United States, continues to live on.

Although the Chinese-owned app is well-known for the funny trends, addicting dances, and its ability to bring light upon important social justice issues, the negative influence it can have on the generation’s self-image and self-confidence shouldn’t go unnoticed. With claims and tweets circulating as fast as ever, TikTok’s popularity will continue to grow in the United States until President Trump, ByteDance and Oracle decide it’s fate.

A TASTE OF KC

opinion

A cultural food review of various restaurants in the Kansas City area.

BY KATE CONWAY CO PHOTO EDITOR

PAROS ESTIATORIO Location: 10561 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206 Hours: 11am-10pm $$$$ Paros Estiatorio is under the same ownership as Cozy’s Cafe and is a Greek based restaurant that serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The french toast sticks, piled high with strawberries and brushed with powdered sugar and syrup were absolutely delicious and very filling. The service was fast and the servers were very helpful. On the dinner or lunch side, they serve more authentic Greek food, offering a very diverse menu. The atmosphere was uplifting and authentic. I would highly recommend swinging by to get your Greek food fix or a delicious brunch at this cute cafe.

KUNG FU TEA

Location: 7504 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66213 Hours: 11am-7pm $$ Kung Fu Tea is one of the more popular locations to get boba tea in the area, but boba isn’t worth the hype. The novelty of boba is understandable but the follow through is not there. I was under the impression that the tea would be sugary and the boba “bubbles” would pop in your mouth, but that was not the case. The most popular mango tea was bitter and was not what was expected and honestly I could not finish it. The boba was odd and not like other boba I had in the past. The service was slow but they were helpful when deciding what to order. Overall, I would not get this boba again, maybe next time it won’t be a choking hazard.

HAPPY DRAGON Location: 1230 W 103rd St, Kansas City, MO 64114 Hours: 11am-9:30pm $ Happy Dragon has such an extensive menu that it was challenging to decide what to order. The sweet and sour chicken, served with fried rice, a spring roll, crab rangoon, and a choice of egg drop or hot and sour soup, was a lot of food for just $10. It had excellent flavor and it was very authentic. It even made for better leftovers the next day for lunch. The service was very quick and also allergy and COVID-19 friendly. This is the first Chinese food restaurant I have been to where the food is authentic and affordable and where they care about my food allergies! Happy Dragon is hands down the best Chinese food I have had.

September 2020 // 19

feature

Not So Simply

STEM

Elicia Baranowski takes college courses to get ahead in STEM.

BY ELLA ROGGE EDITORIAL EDITOR

W

NON-STOP STUDYING (above) Baranowski depicted studying in the library after school. “A bad grade is no reason to stop,” Baranowski said, “it’s just more of a reason to keep going and work harder.” (photo by Ella Rogge)

Waking up at the crack of dawn and going to bed long past dusk, senior Elicia Baranowski works on homework for hours on end to stay on top of her studies. She said she is following her family’s footsteps into STEM, taking Calculus II and Engineering Physics at JCCC along with her classes at Sion. Baranowski manages to stay prepared while under such stress by spending her time in between classes, before school and after school studying.

“There’s no goofing off,” Baranowski said. “I’m studying and doing homework almost every single second here, like if I have a break I’m studying.”

Baranowski’s friend, senior Hannah Borgmeyer, describes her as working hard at all hours of the day, making sure she is on top of her schoolwork. Borgmeyer met Baranowski freshman year in World History class and has grown close to her over the past three years.

“The amount of work she takes on is impressive,” Borgemeyer said, “and she still makes time to hang out with her friends.”

Baranowski is known to always make time for her friends despite her full schedule of swim, classes at Johnson County Community College and Sion. The moment she gets back from such activities she continues to work and study.

“I will leave for like an hour, hang out with my friends and train for swim,” Baranowski said, “but when I come back I’m studying.”

Baranowski was first introduced to the STEM field at an early age, with her dad being an engineer and her brother studying to be one as well. Her mom pushed her and her brother to participate in STEM summer camps and encouraged them to pursue education, leading her to be math oriented in her studies.

SISTERS IN STEM (left)

Baranowski depicted with friends Sade Dugbo, Samantha Wilson, Nicole Jackson and Genieve Klobe at a STEM camp located at Burns and McDonnell. “My mom is the one who has really pushed me to go above and beyond.” Baranowski said. (photo submitted

by Kerri Baranowski)

20 // LeJournal

feature

“What I think drives her most in STEM is a challenging field that allows for creativity,” Baranowski’s mother, Kerri Baranowski said. “She has the opportunity to be a bit of a pioneer since there aren’t many women in the field.”

Baranowski, who has her master’s in psychology, is Baranowski’s biggest inspiration, and caused her to want to get her PhD. Baranowski strives to earn her PhD, planning to major in electrical engineering and computer science, while minoring in cybersecurity.

“I think it would be really interesting to do cyber security for a big time company,” Baranowski said, “or to work in labs and do research, maybe even helping some startup companies.”

In addition to her classes in the STEM field, Baranowski also flourishes in expressive classes such as English.

Her previous english teacher Casey Engel describes her as being authentic and easy-going while also remaining majorly future oriented and ambitious.

“She’s just Elicia, she loves to laugh and interact with people,” Engel said. “As a student, she’s always chosen an incredibly rigorous schedule. I think it’s so cool she’s chosen to advance her studies through JCCC.” Baranowski said she remains level headed by immersing herself in her studies while allowing herself to take breaks for the little things.

These include training for swim after school everyday and spending time with her friends, and those who support her through all of her endeavors and help calm her down.

“I support her by encouraging her and telling her she’s doing her best, that she can do it,” Borgmeyer said, “and I bring her ice cream or coffee if she ever wants it.”

Throughout all her high school and college classes, Baranowski is known to express herself through her hard work. Going above and beyond to stay ahead in each class whether that means staying up late or waking up early, Baranowski focuses on her education which she describes as meaning the world to her.

“It takes a lot of perseverance,” Baranowski said, “if you get a bad grade it’s discouraging but it’s no reason to stop, you learn a lot of lessons from your failures.”

“Her strong work ethic is driven by her knowledge that her education matters in so many ways,” said Engel. “It’s helped her define who she is and who she wants to be.”

September 2020 // 21

sports

Saftey at Sion

All athletes participating in fall sports have new precautions, such as wearing masks during practice and limited spectators at events.

STORY BY REPORTER LIV ZENDER & DESIGN BY COPY EDITOR KATE MCCARTHY

C

OVID-19 has affected many aspects of life over the past six months, especially the addition of new sports protocols. Between the eight fall sports, most teams are required to wear masks throughout practice, administration has ensured the limitation of spectators, and several have already had to quarantine due to positive tests for COVID-19. For example, both field hockey, volleyball, and softball are required to wear masks. Softball is only required to wear masks in the dugout, while field hockey and volleyball must wear masks at all times. Senior Grace Steyer does not feel that regulations have overly affected the season, however, she does feel that the few precautions being taken might not be enough.

“The precautions that we are taking are probably not all the ones that we should be. It’s hard to stay socially distant, especially throwing around the same ball, and not sharing supplies,” Steyer said.

A team that has strict regulations and precautions is the cross country team. Spectator limitations depend on individual meets and spectators are required to wear masks at all times. Junior Kate Lovick has started to adjust to the new changes that she confessed have affected her mentally.

“All the people watching usually makes me super nervous but there

aren’t that many people there anymore, so there isn’t as much pressure,” said Lovick.

Before the school-wide rule that all students are required to wear masks during practice, if one athlete tested positive for COVID-19, the whole sports team would be required to quarantine. This rule has led to both tennis and cheer teams having to quarantine at home for 14 days.

Junior Lizzy Hoffman began the tennis season hoping to improve her skills. This 14-day quarantine has affected her ability to improve, as well as limited her potential for the season.

“This quarantine has affected my season because I didn’t get the chance to improve as much as I wanted. We were able to play our first match and everyone ended up winning their own games” Hoffman said.

Golf is a sport that has been affected less by precautions. Since golf is outside and is not a contact sport, the team does not have as many regulations as some of the other teams. Junior Juliana Vergara and her other teammates are required to wear masks inside of the clubhouse, but outside the athletes are allowed to take off their masks as long as they are social distanced.

“Our season hasn’t been overly affected by the virus, golf is a pretty distanced sport already… I think the precautions they are taking are completely fair and necessary currently, and they’ve been working

out well,” Vergara said. Dance team’s opportunity to leave the state this year for nationals is still up in the air.

Junior Carmen Phillips thinks that dancing with a mask has required a learning curve, but it has also gotten easier with time.

“Dancing with a mask has definitely been different. It is sometimes hard to breathe and do facial expressions, but we have gotten fairly used to wearing them, so it has definitely gotten easier,” Phillips said.

Overall, most coaches and athletes are appreciative to even start their season. Many schools around the Kansas City area have either cancelled or postponed their sports seasons. Although precautions and regulations may not seem ideal, they are keeping people safe and are keeping the school open as well. Field hockey coach Gwyn Savage appreciates that the season has not been shortened, moved or cancelled, since most schools have taken that route. He also believes that these changes will not affect the athletes performance.

“We’re more than happy to take any precautions necessary just to be able to practice and play this year,” Savage said. “It hasn’t restricted us too much, we’ve cut out some contact warm ups and drills, and I’m sure the freshmen have also welcomed not having to get water and ice up and down to the field.”

masks: what you need to know

PRos:

Best protection and most comfortable material

PRos:

Most breathable and easily able to be taken on and off

PRos:

Comfortable, lightweight, and has average protection

Cons:

Least breathable, hard to take on and off, heavy material, and hot

Cons:

Scratchy material, large and not as protective

Cons:

Less breathable and harder to take on and off

22 // LeJournal

news Last Minute Lob Sophomore Kendall Torres throws the softball as hard as she can to first base in an attempt to achieve the second out of the inning against St. Tereseas on Wednesday Sept. 16. (Photo by Kate McCarthy) (photo by Catherine Crayon)

Interview with tennis senior Addie Vance.

Fresh Faces

A D V A N C I N G T O S TA T E

BY CO-PHOTO EDITOR KATE CONWAY

The new varsity volleyball coach, Brittany Boerigter, started her coaching career 14 years ago. She does not lack experience coaching volleyball, with 10 years of coaching club volleyball under her belt as well as two years of coaching college volleyball teams. “Every team is different. Sion has a great atmosphere, I love how hard our team is working this season, lots of changes are happening!”

Boerigter said, “I love coming to practice and games. I know the girls’ hearts are in it this season. The teams are working hard and developing the right skill set.” (photo by Madeline Hammett)

Q A Q A Q A Q A

Do you have any pregame rituals?

One pregame ritual I always do is just try to block out any doubts or negative thoughts I have. I convince myself that I am just as good as my opponent and that I can win if I put my mind to it.

What is your favorite tennis memory?

My favorite tennis memory is getting 7th place in the doubles state tournament my junior year with Logan Dixon.

What pushes you to strive for your success?

The fact that tennis is a team sport at Sion pushes me to strive for success. I know that the outcome of my match affects the overall team’s success. Working for my teammates is a huge motivator.

What is your biggest hope for this tennis season?

My biggest hope this tennis season is that everyone stays healthy and we will be able to finish out the season, as our team is just coming to an end of a two week quarantine. My sister Mallory and I are playing doubles together this season so my other hope is that we are able to make it to state this year!

The new softball coach, Nick Ellwanger, is not new to the Sion community. His daughter, Lauren Ellwanger, is a junior, and his wife, Erika Ellwanger, works as a Sion counselor. Nick Ellwanger has been coaching sports for 20 years, this is his first high school coaching job. “I know I have a lot to learn about coaching at the high school level, I want to do a good job for the players and the school,” said Ellwanger.

“Despite learning as I go, the players make it all worthwhile. They are an awesome representation of Sion, and I really enjoy watching them play the game and give their best.” (photo by Madeline Hammett)

September 2020 // 23

home

is where the

heart

is

feature

24 // LeJournal

Native Dress Freshman Vikki Muchai wears her native clothing from Kenya. (photo illustration by Sofia Aguayo)

feature

Freshman Vikki Muchai moved from Kenya at age 10 to be reunited with her mother after two years.

BY SOFIA AGUAYO FEATURES EDITOR Sitting nervously in an airport about to move 8,412 miles away from her birthplace, Freshman Vikki Muchai anxiously awaits reconnecting with her mom after two years of being separated. Now she wakes up every morning to her new life- far different from what she grew up with, and filled with things she has never heard of before. Muchai moved from Nairobi, Kenya in 2017 when she was 10 years old and started a new life here in Kansas City with her mom and sister.

Muchai’s mom, Ann Mutura, moved to the United States two years before, in 2015. She initially got an invitation to live in California with someone because of personal reasons.

Meanwhile Muchai and her younger sister, Nikki Muchai, stayed in Kenya with their dad and other extended family members. “[My mom] was in California because she came from someone’s invitation,” Muchai said, “and then she moved to Missouri because she had a cousin here.”

After making the move, Muchai says she likes it here in the United States even though life here is drastically different than what she was used to before.

“I would say that here it’s safer, there’s more opportunities, and it’s more developed.”

Muchai said.

Even with these new opportunities, Muchai still sometimes misses how her life was when she still lived in Nairobi. Her dad passed away from diabetes the year after her mom left Nairobi to

LIFE BEFORE

Taking a family picture during an event in Nairobi, Muchai now recalls times spent with her family before they immigrated. “I don’t remember much about before we moved, but we were definitely a fuller family back then,” Muchai said.

come live in the United States.

“Before my dad died and my mom left it was a full family so we were happy there,” Muchai said.

The emmigration process can take a long time. Mutura said she was “very happy and relieved” when she knew it was going to work out for her daughters to be with her again. Muchai and Nikki had been living with Mutura’s sister after their dad passed away and they were anxious to see their mom again. “(The moving process) was scary but exciting because I got to see my mom after two years,” Muchai said.

When she moved, her expectations for what life was like here were a lot different than what she has experienced since. Fortunately, she knew a lot of English before coming because, according to her uncle, it is the language of communication in schools back in Kenya besides Swahili, which she also speaks and writes. Because the United States is more developed, Muchai faced different challenges, despite the many more opportunities waiting for her in the United States.

“I wasn’t expecting everything to be the way it is, it is so much different than I thought it would be,” Muchai said.

“School is harder than I thought it would be, it was easier back home. I never even knew basketball was a thing until I moved here.”

One thing Muchai had a hard time adjusting to is the winter. Her uncle, Donald Aduba, who moved to the United States 38 years ago said they adjusted well except for the cold weather.

“Being in a different temperate climate, they had to dress much differently during winter time than the kind of weather they are used to,” Aduba said.

Although she would not want to move back permanently, Muchai said she would definitely want to go back to visit her family and her hometown.

“I miss my family and how our family was before the death and the move and everything. I think we were happier, not that we’re not happy now, but it was much more fuller and happier back then,” Muchai said. “Overall I am happy I moved because I get to stay with my mom.”

REUNITED AGAIN

After seeing their mother again after two years, Muchai and her family decided to take a trip to Branson to celebrate their arrival. “I was really happy to see her after so long and it was just a fun vacation,” Muchai said.

Photos submitted by Vikki Muchai

September 2020 // 25

opinion

quarantine survival guide Tips and tricks to thrive as a connected learner.

BY AVERY BRUNDIGE PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

fuel up on probiotics Blueberries, dark chocolate, broccoli, sweet potatoes and ginger are just a few examples of probiotic rich foods. Probiotics boost your immune system. Your body will be even healthier when it comes time to take on the world again.

switch up your study space This one is crucial for online school. Throughout the day, try to switch up your study spaces.

Rearrange your desk, move to another room, login to Zoom from your backyard! Nothing can make you more stir-crazy than sitting inside all day long.

26 // LeJournal

opinion

use meditation and yoga to de-stress Virtual school can be stressful. Yoga and meditation are two ways you can overcome the mental toll. Through apps like Headspace or Calm and YouTube channels like Yoga With Adriene, you can take a mental break from everyday stress and find your zen.

pick up a new hobby One way to boost your spirits while in quarantine is to pick up a new hobby. Whether it be jewelry making or puzzle doing, trying something new can give you something to get excited about doing.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll find your new favorite pastime.

try contactless delivery Food delivery apps like Doordash and Postmates have “no-contact delivery services”. Delivery workers will ask where to leave your meal to ensure a clean, safe exchange.

September 2020 // 27

ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT 1. SNEAK BEAK

Waiting to go up and present during the senior class meeting, Senior Mary Hudak looks back to check on her bird, Barley.

“The best part of bringing Barley to school was seeing him bond with the teachers, namely Hilg and Kram,” Mary Hudak said. (Photo by Madeline Hammett)

2. CHICK CHAT

During the senior class meeting, Senior Mary Hudak announces the 2020 spirit week themes. “I for sure want to bring [Barley] again, hopefully when the pandemicis over and students can handle him!” Mary Hudak said.

(Photo by Keely Schieffer)

1.

3. IM-PECK-ABLE FRIENDSHIP

Senior Emily Weians patiently waits in line to get a closer look at Barley after the first senior class meeting. “I’m not really a fan of birds but I love Barley,” said Weians, “my favorite part [of meeting Barley] was watching him fly around the gym.” (Photo by Keely Schieffer)

3.

2.