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French Day
Kicking off spirit week, French students celebrated their language with food, games and friends. From arts and crafts to playing french card games, students celebrated the tradition of French day on Monday, Oct. 8. The red paper flowers that were created appeared throughout the day. The school represented French day with various costumes. Students sported berets, chef hats and mime face paint. “We got to pray in French and eat chocolate croissants,” junior French student Maggie Keenan said. Keenan was not the only one who enjoyed the food. As the French students gathered in circles in the Original Grand Salle, they munched on their French-inspired feasts and played games. Senior Megan Benson cheers as the seniors grasp the victory in the Quidditch match. (Photo by Lucy Gasal)
A Century of Spirit
Sion celebrates 100 years of spirit through a week of games and fun. Juniors Georgia Thompson and Madi Lamb play the French card game “Mille Bornes” on French Day. (Photo by Mary Kate Hense)
Fall Festival Oct. 6 marked the kickoff of Sion’s centennial celebration with the annual Fall Festival at the Grade School. The festival was true to its fiesta theme, thanks to fiesta decorations, chips and queso, crafts such as maraca decorating and confetti eggs as well as performances by Flamenco dancers and a Mariachi band. “I think there was a good turnout,” Volunteer Chair Lucy Curfman said. “It was a little cold, which may have kept some people away.” The Fall Festival Committee added something new this year - a parade around Hyde Park, complete with a police escort, fire truck, Kona ice truck and kiddie train. “I think the Fall Festival is important to Sion because it embodies the school’s philosophy on togetherness and unity,” Fall Festival Committee Co-chair Brenna Dougan said.
Grade School student Valeria Carigan dances to the Mariachi band. (Photo by Sarah Allen)
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BY GEORGIA THOMPSON Reporter
The week of Oct. 6 through 13 was dedicated to the celebration of 100 years of the Notre Dame de Sion School. Stretching from the fiesta-themed Fall Festival at the Grade School to the 100th Anniversary Party, the week was filled with themed dress days, in-class activities and all-school events. In order for the week to be one remembered for years to come, Student Council Vice President Kamryn Schropp said STUCO had to brainstorm for new ideas and fun ways to include the entire student body and faculty. “We planned for months. STUCO played a large part in coming up with a lot of the themes and planning the logistics for the games, Pep Rally and the breakfast,” Schropp said. “Our goal was to raise school spirit while incorporating Sion’s history. Stuco believed that if we showed our passion for Sion, then the rest of the students would too.” Along with the school celebration, Sion’s 100 years have been recognized citywide. Kansas City, Mo. Mayor Sly James, a former Sion Grade School parent and Board of Trustees member, formally commemorated the school by issuing a proclamation that established the week in Sion’s honor. “It was a request that the school made because of the Mayor’s relationship with Sion, and he has always been such a big supporter. We told them that in honor of our 100th anniversary we had an entire week at the school dedicated to celebrating our centennial,” Alumnae Coordinator Lauren Gyllenborg Golden said. “They responded that they would be interested in doing a Mayor’s Proclamation that would announce the celebration week.” Teachers honored the history of Sion by incorporating activities into their class schedules.
“In my American Government and history classes we drew some comparisons between what we were normally studying to what the historical and political situations were in 1912 when the school was founded, and drew some connections between the two. We really looked at what situations the first Sion girls would have been living through,” teacher Becky Haden said. “I think it’s important to learn about how we developed as a school and get in touch with our history and traditions so we can go forward in a meaningful way.” The week that centered around the celebration of Sion was a success in Dean of Students Fran Koehler’s opinion. Due to the centennial, she believes the school was more energized. “It feels like Sion has received a fresh coat of paint. It’s a positive, new energy,” Koehler said. “History is who we are. We have a unique mission, we are a strong school, and I feel as if we have a lot to celebrate.”
Junior Kirsten Rasmussen, who dressed up as Draco Malfoy on Harry Potter day, cheers for Slytherin during the Quidditch match. (Photo by Kim Fryer)
