LeJOURNAL Notre Dame de Sion High School | Volume 46 | October 2023
NEWS: PAGE 4
ON THE COVER: PAGE 14
A&E: PAGE 22
WRAPPING UP FALL SPORTS
DISPARITY BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE ADHD DIAGNOSES
A GUIDE TO HALLOWEEN HORROR MOVIES
what’s inside 4-5
Senior Showdown News
11
From Demons to Angels Opinion
20-21 Anger is Blinding News
KC Makes a Comeback Opinion
Comfort in the Horror Staff Editorial
12-13
22-23
8-9
14-17
24-25
18-19
26-27
6-7
Symphony Sisters Feature
10
Getting into Character News
Shifting Focus Cover
Study thorugh Melody Opinion
LeJOURNAL. 2023 | 2024 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, verified, and no longer than 200 words. Letters may be edited for length, grammar, spelling and content. Letters will not be printed if content is obscene, invasive, encouraging disruption of school and/or is libelous. PRINTER Neal/Settle Printing, Grandview MO
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STAFF EDITORIAL POLICY Le Journal is a student-run publication. Published staff editorials express the views of the Le Journal staff. Signed columns published in Le Journal express the writer’s personal opinion. The content and opinions of Le Journal do not represent the student body, faculty or administration. Content other than editorials, columns, review pieces or personal opinions are written to inform the general public and should remain unbiased. PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEFS Ella Alexander Arleth Guevara Lily Wilkin
A&E EDITOR Amelia Bedell FEATURES EDITOR Addie Doyle
PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Claire Boma
NEWS & SPORTS EDITOR Ella Satterwhite
WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Genesis Martinez Porras
OPINION & EDITORIALS EDITOR Caroline Deacon
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Bridget Bendorf
REPORTERS Lauren Haggerty Mary Kate Lillis Gabriela Swindle
Fear Factor A&E
Working Wisdom Column
What’s on the Menu A&E
Photo of the issue Vueltas y vueltas Dancing to the Hispanic Heritage Celebration playlist, sophomore Sophia De Lira and junior Wendy Castro clasp hands and twirl around in the circle drive Sept. 21. Both girls are in the Spanish for Heritage Speakers class and helped plan the celebration. “My heritage has always been important to me,” De Lira said. “My culture’s apart of me and embracing it is one of my biggest things. I choose how to live my life and do certain things based on my culture.”
editors’ink
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t’s finally fall! The leaves are turning different hues of orange, the air is crisp, Thanksgiving is right around the corner and the second issue of Le Journal is out and ready for you to read! We have spent the last month reporting, writing, designing and editing in order to bring you the best news magazine we can! So grab a hot glass of apple cider, curl up with a fuzzy blanket and grab your friends as you flip through the latest Le Journal. This issue is sure to put you in the mood for Halloween with stories on navigating the many different horror movie genres along with some scary movie recommendations that you need to watch (22-23). Or flip to pages 12 and 13 to read about why people might like horror movies and how the genre can be comforting especially to people who had previously experienced traumas. If you’re looking for a new bite to eat around town, flip to pages 26 and 27 to get the scoop on some authentic cultural
restaurants available around town. Then check out pages six and seven to learn more about how Kansas City is growing and becoming a relevant city in the United States. You can read about the recent Middle Eastern crisis on pages 20 and 21, where you will find information on the attacks in Israel, our connection to the Jewish and Palestinian victims through the sisters of Sion, and how to ethically stay informed. Check out our staff’s opinion on the return of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (11) and turn to pages 18 and 19 to contemplate whether listening to music while studying is the move for you. Stay up to date! If you’re missing fall sports already, turn to pages four and five for a recap of the season. More of a performing arts person? Read about the student-directed “Night of One Acts” on page 10. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed making it, and we will see you on the other side.
student space Storm Stomp CO-CHAIRS
Catherine Knopke & Natalie Stapp Meet this year’s Storm Stomp’s cochairs, seniors Natalie Stapp, and Catherine Knopke. Storm Stomp is a basketball event where students can fundraise money to participate in a 3v3 basketball or knockout tournament. “As I began to understand the cause and importance of this committee, I developed a true passion for the fundraiser,” said Stapp. “Not a day passes that I am not appreciative of my Sion education and I want that to be possible
for every girl.” Storm Stomp was reinstated last year, after being on a temporary hiatus due to covid. “Junior year when they announced they were bringing back storm stomp I knew I wanted to be a part of it because of hearing past sion alum talk about how much they loved the event,” said Knopke. “When they were looking for more Co-chairs for the next year I didn’t give it a second thought.”
With love, Lily, Ella and Arleth
on the cover Cover art features junior Elwyn Patterson. Illustrations and embellishment by Ella Satterwhite.
keep up with us: @lejournalsion
Use camera to visit lejournallive.com! OCTOBER 2023 | 3
news .
senior showdown As the fall season comes to an end, here are some of Sion’s best Senior Night and game highlights. BY GABRIELA SWINDLE REPORTER
S
ion field hockey played their cross-town rivals Pembroke Hill on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Seniors filled rows of the bleachers to cheer on their friends during one of their last games of the season. “It was just so much fun to have people there cheering for you,” Senior Piper Riffe said. “It was nice having the senior class supporting each other.” Riffe’s favorite memory of playing field hockey is whenever the team goes out of town. It’s one of their field hockey traditions. “Whenever we go out to dinner, [the coaches] pretend they’re twins and say it’s their birthday so they can get a free dessert,” Riffe said. “Then all of us have to guess how much the check was, and whoever was closest gets the dessert.” Tennis seniors also had a successful Senior Night against Park Hill. All doubles pairings won their matches. Senior Lauren Murphy, who’s played on Sion’s team for three years, was the only senior to play singles and won her match 8-0. For her, ending her final tennis season at Sion was very difficult. “I was really more emotional than I thought I would be.” Murphy said. “I thought I would be chill because we went to districts, but then we lost and I was such a sore loser. I was crying so hard. You don’t think you’re gonna be that sad about it, but it’s like, I’ve been doing it for three years, it’s over.” The nine Seniors on the team brought outstanding energy to practices and games, according to their teammates and coaches, regardless of wins or losses. “My favorite thing was how much fun [the seniors] brought to all our practices. Once school starts and matches begin, it can be a bit of a slog, especially when it is as hot as it was this year. They were always hyped up and peppy.” head coach Meghan Flanigan said. On Oct. 12, Sion volleyball played against their rivals, Olathe South, for their Senior Night match. Fans sat in the bleachers as Scream Team leaders led cheers. “I’m going to miss the overall energy that we all bring and volleyball at the same time,” senior Megan Burdge said. “We go to the gym, forget about everything and just enjoy what we all love doing. We have a very strong support system.” Unfortunately, Volleyball lost the game, managing to win only one of four sets. Volleyball head coach Taylor Kangethe is going to miss the energy the girls bring to each practice and how they are like big sisters to the younger girls. “I’m going to miss the leadership and intelligence they bring to the court,” Kangethe said. “Both of our seniors embody the saying ‘work smarter, not harder’
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and find creative ways to score points for the team. These seniors are very competitive and fight hard to win every point of every game and we will miss the fire they bring.” Seniors Caroline Hammett, Lucy Shively, Hannah Lange, and Arleth Guevara celebrated their Senior Night on Thursday, Sept. 28. Despite losing, the girls maintained high spirits throughout the game as their classmates cheered them on from the sidelines to boost their confidence. “Softball is what made me confident enough to make friends in high school, and it gave me something that I had never done before,” Hammett said. “I owe a lot of my friendships to Sion softball, and I absolutely love it. I’m gonna miss it so much.” Head coach Madi Osias has coached these seniors since their freshman year. “My favorite thing about the seniors is how they treat their teammates. They are truly leaders for us and take ownership of how the team approaches practices and games,” Osias said. “I think it’s every coach’s hope that their team would be close knit on and off the field, and our seniors have done a great job of making every player feel included and a part of something bigger than themselves.” On Oct. 28, senior Abby Pantaenius competed in cross country’s district meet. She has competed for Sion’s cross country team for four years. “I’m really going to miss having the support system I have now,” Pantaenius said.“I’ve done cross country for such a long time and it’s just always been very supportive. [cross country coach Reynold Middolton] Has just been there pushing me to go further and further.” Senior Trista Tidrow placed eighth out of 80 girls at golf districts Sept. 18. Tidrow has played golf all four years of high school. “I really enjoyed the girls I played with and against, the golf community is small compared to other sports but the girls are amazing, and the connections for a lifelong sport are abundant among the community.” Tidrow said. Golf head coach Courtney Mahon has seen first hand the improvement practice makes in Tidrow ever since freshman year. “My favorite thing about Trista was her commitment and drive to improve her game.” Mahon said. “Her freshman year she was brave enough to come out for the golf team and was clearly a very new golfer. Throughout the summer months, she decided to work hard on her golf game and, by her sophomore year, she worked her way onto the varsity squad.”
finishing stronger
news
Holding up their posters, tennis seniors celebrate their season Sept. 28. As the first Senior Night celebration of the year, many classmates attended to support at Minor Park. “The posters were my favorite because my doubles partner Elizabeth Vance made mine and she’s been my partner for the all three years I played tennis so it’s just kind of emotional,” senior Lauren Murphy said. PHOTO | CLAIRE WEBBER
bringing the energy Celebrating a point, senior Megan Burdge hypes up her teammates at the Varsity Volleyball game at St. Teresa’s Academy Sept 5. Sion students attended in camo for the theme, Hunting for a Win. “Even in the loudest of gyms, you can always hear Megan communicating on the court and yelling for the ball,” head coach Meghan Flanigan said. “If I told our setters to only set the person who is calling for the ball the loudest, it would be Megan every time.” PHOTO | ALEXIUS WOLFF
COME HOME Sprinting home, senior Lucy Shively scores a run against Lincoln Preparatory Academy Sept. 11. The storm won 21-4 in three innings. “The Lincoln Prep game was both exciting and a good break,” Shively said. “They weren’t too good at throwing strikes, which made the game an easy win.” PHOTO | EVELYN CRAMER
A LANGE SHOT Focusing on the ball, senior Hannah Lange bats against Winnetonka High School Sept. 13. Lange, the team’s starting pitcher, will continue to play softball in college. “Throughout the whole season I felt as though we were always getting a little bit better every day,” Lange said. “But also the connection between the team was growing stronger as well. During senior night I really saw that connection shine through. I felt so loved and appreciated by everything the team had done for us.” PHOTO | ELLA GAMPPER
October 2023 | 5
opinion
KC MAKES A COMEBACK
From farm towns to an early railroad hotspot, Kansas City was never at the top of anyone’s list. However with phenomenal sports recognition and a now easily accessible airport Kansas City has put itself on the map. BY LAUREN HAGGERTY REPORTER
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ansas City (KC) has previously been known for its great barbeque, affordable living and - depending on the year - sports teams. Especially now, when people hear the name Kansas City people think of the red and yellow, super-bowl winning Chiefdom that consumes the city. In 2020, Kansas City’s football team, The Chiefs, won the superbowl for the first time in 50 years. According to KMBC news, on Feb. 5 between 800,000 and one million people gathered in the streets of downtown Kansas City for the Super Bowl Parade showing the city’s huge fan base, and bringing a lot of attention to the Chiefs due to the wide broadcast. The Chiefs 2023 Super Bowl win continued to bring attention to Kansas City, and benefited the economy. People across the country would fly in to watch the games. This helped small businesses, restaurants and hotels throughout the city. In 2022, the income of the Kansas City’s Chiefs rose from $45,000,000 to $540,000,000 according to STATISTA. This was due to the games becoming more popular and because Arrowhead Stadium has hosted multiple concerts such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Ed Sheeren. The Chiefs are not the only team bringing attention to Kansas City. Kansas City is building the first ever sports stadium dedicated entirely to a women’s soccer team- the Kansas City Current. The team will begin practicing and playing in the stadium next spring. The $120 million facility will seat up to 11,500 fans, but will eventually expand and seat up to 22,000, according to ABC news. Patrick and Brittany Mahomes, who are both co-owners of the team, supported the construction financially
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along with other celebrities such as Natalie Portman and Jennifer Garner. This venue is a “breakout moment” in women’s sports, USA Today Columnist and ABC News contributor Christine Brennan said. She adds that being located in Kansas City amplifies its significance since such a project is more expected on the East or West Coast. Not only is Kansas City building a stadium for the KC Current, but they are also relocating the Kauffman Stadium. The current plan is to build a new stadium in downtown KC where it will be more accessible and a city focal point. Kauffman Stadium has been home to the Kansas City Royals since 1973 and will stay there for a couple more years until the plans are finalized. “Our vision is to not just build a facility that does justice to the spirit of The K,” the letter from Royals Chairman and CEO John Sherman said. “We want to construct a world-class experience – a new ballpark district and all that comes with it – one that is woven into the fabric of our city, can host events and concerts, and boosts our local economy. We also envision incorporating our Kansas City fountains, the Royals’ crown and our team’s rich traditions and history in a new ballpark district.” The current plan for the new stadium includes two bridges that would connect a hotel and the ballpark. There will also be a plaza in between the exhibition center and ballpark with great shopping and food. The Royals’ lease for the Kauffman center runs out in 2030, so the new ballpark will likely be finished by then. However, the lease does not bind the Royals to their current stadium, so they can leave earlier when the new ball park is ready. “The one-time construction of the project will spur at least 2,000 jobs, $1.4
billion in labor income and $2.8 billion in economic output,” HR&A Principal Imran Aukhil said while presenting the firm’s economic study. With so many people traveling for games, concerts and work, Kansas City also recently replaced its airport with a new $1.5 billion terminal. In addition to creating a more modern and efficient travel center, the new airport gives travelers a sneak peak into what makes KC special. The food restaurants give people a glimpse of KC culture with a barbeque experience menu designed by team Black Magic, who recently won the “Made for KC BBQ Championship.” The airport also contains 28 unique art installations that comprise the largest-ever public art program in Kansas City’s history. One of the most prominent pieces is the “Fountain (KCI)” piece by Leo Villareal which represents one of Kansas City’s nicknames “The City of Fountains”. It was originally planned to be a working fountain, but it was eventually changed to an art piece due to possible damages and maintenance required. The new terminal also underwent sufficient changes for greater efficiency. Since the last terminal was built in 1972, before 9/11 and the need for extensive security, the check-in spots have all been improved with larger spaces and an upgraded baggage system. There are now 16 TSA security checkpoints, and all 40 gates are connected past security. Overall, Kansas City is continuously evolving and improving to become a greater American landmark. Through it progressive efforts, KC is putting itself back on the map and continuing to make itself a place of excitement, adventure and evolution for its current and future citizens.
opinion
FLY HIGH
Touching down, a Delta airplane arrives at the newly remodeled Kansas City International airport. The new airport opened May 2023. PHOTO | redlegsfan21 ON FLICKR
DIGGING DEEP
KANSAS CITY
Starting a new future for womens sports, Kansas City is building the first womens sports dedicated stadium, CPKC Stadium. The KC Current soccer team will start practicing and playing there Spring 2024. PHOTO | ZAHRA PARSONS
esb. 1853
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME Awaiting the crowd, Kauffman Stadium houses Kansas City’s major league baseball team The Royals. Kauffman stadium is set to relocate to downtown Kansas City within the next decade. PHOTO | CHRIS MURPHY ON FLICKR
RED RUSH
CHRIS MURPHY TakingPHOTO| the touchdown, Kansas City Chiefs fans An image thebeen insideplaying of Arrowhead celebrate. They of have at Arrowhead Stadium wasisfilled for a Cheifs Stadium since when 1972,itand undergoing upgrades game. within the stadium for the 2024 FIFA World Cup. PHOTO | CHRIS MURPHY ON FLICKR
OCTOBER 2023 | 7
feature
Symphony Sisters An in depth look at juniors Sophie and Isabel Heidelmann’s experiences playing in the Youth Symphony of Kansas City. BY BRIDGET BENDORF SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
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ibrant lights beam down, nerves coursing through your body, as you step onto the stage, instrument in hand, the nerves wash away. Juniors Sophie and Isabel Heidelmann feel this way as they perform the trumpet and flute in the Youth Symphony of Kansas City. The Youth Symphony of Kansas City is a program where musicians from a diverse range of ages compose and perform classical music. There are four levels: Debut, Philharmonic, Repertory, and Symphony. Isabel is second chair flute in the Repertory level and Sophie is second chair trumpet in the Symphony level. “Youth symphony always plays in the Kauffman Center as the last performance and it’s always really fun,” Isabel said. “It’s fun to hang out with people you don’t usually meet, there are about 50 different schools there.” Playing an instrument isn’t something you can pick up. It requires a lot of practice and hard work throughout the week. On top of juggling four AP classes, Isabel practices the flute for four hours each Sunday. “It’s just a big time commitment, especially with homework,” Isabel said. “It’s rewarding, it’s something I look forward to, it’s nice to see yourself progress and see yourself get better at something.” Sophie has a different routine; after quitting the piano last year to focus
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on the trumpet, she only practices 45 minutes a day, but records her compositions more frequently. “You can’t miss a day of playing the trumpet because you build up muscles in your mouth and they deteriorate quickly. If you miss one day it takes two days to relearn it,” Sophie said. “I’ll bring it on vacation with me if I have a performance coming up. It’s not that difficult but I am just used to not procrastinating anything.” Similar to sports and other extracurriculars, most musicians struggle with confidence at some point in their musical career. “I get horrible imposter syndrome and I realize I’m second chair but I think that I’m not this good and I feel like I should be last,” Isabel said. “It’s hard to get over because I still feel like I’m really bad at the flute but I’m not.” Being some of the younger performers in the symphony, they struggle with leading people older than them and accepting their talents as their own. “Last year I was first chair trumpet in Isabel’s level. I was with all these seniors and I had never been first chair in my life,” Sophie said. “It took me a
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while to realize I was good enough to be there.” Due to the Symphony’s intensity, Sophie’s level last year qualified for a trip to New York to play in the world renowned Carnegie Hall. Because the timing and scheduling of the performance was tight, Sophie had no time to mentally prepare for the concert. “It’s full of gold crested like pillars and a very fancy stage, it was honestly really intimidating,” Sophie said.“There were a ton of people there and it was nerve racking.” Not only are Sophie and Isabel dedicated to the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, but they are also devoted to the music program at Sion. They play during events such as the spring and fall musicals, mass, and Tri-M recitals. “Anytime I need something [Isabel and Sophie] say yes,” Sion music teacher Elizabeth Mulkey said. “They play in mass all the time, even though we don’t have that class in the fall we only have it in the spring.” According to Mulkey, Sophie and Isabel are more advanced than other musicians at this age. They sight read better than most and they pick up rhythms fast after receiving the piece. As the years pass, they grow more and
more as musicians at Sion and at the Youth Symphony. “They’re getting better at really paying attention to the musicality of things and not just playing notes and rhythms,” Mulkey said. “They’re thinking a little bit about the nuance and the dynamics and expression of the music.” With only a year and half left at Sion, Sophie and Isabel have started to look at their music beyond the school and the symphony. Sophie plans to audition for six different summer programs this upcoming year, but doesn’t plan on majoring or minoring in music, but maybe playing in a group in college. “I’m definitely not going to major or minor in music, I don’t know if I’m going to continue [playing] but I’ve spent my whole life doing it,” Isabel said. “Music is something fun right now and if I don’t like it in the future I won’t do it.” But for now, Sophie and Isabel are going to continue their dedication and progression at Sion and the Youth Symphony. Since they were four years old, music has always been a major part of their lives. It ’is something that has impacted their lives and given them unforgettable experiences. “It’s nice to just get out of everything while playing,” Sophie said. “You really have to focus on the music and your sound, and you kind of just forget about everything that is in your head from the day.”
October 2023 | 9
news.
getting into
character
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ight of One Acts took place in the gym on Friday Oct. 13. It featured 15 cast members from freshmen to juniors and was produced by two student directors, seniors Suzanne Sade and Imani Cutler. Night of One Acts is the only Sion production to be directed by students, offering dedicated seniors a new angle to interact with theatre. It has also served as an informal opportunity for freshmen or people new to theatre to experience the performing arts at Sion. “Normally, it’s a way for a lot of underclassmen to get to know each other, get introduced to our theater program,”
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The theatre department put on their first production of the year, their annual Night of One Acts, Friday, Oct. 13 in the gym. BY AMELIA BEDELL A&E EDITOR
to run the show from start to finish. Over Patterson said. “So there’s all these little the course of rehearsals the cast grew things that are not part of the script that closer through their shared passions for were probably not intended by the author, performing. but that sometimes organically come out “There has been so much change and through the acting process.” growth in every actor on stage,” Sade said. Night of One Acts is unique because it “I’m proud of the kids, [and] I guess I’m is the only Sion production to use studentproud of myself too because I think I came written scripts. One of those scripts, out of my shell as well.” written by freshman Luella Mook, focuses While lots of freshmen may choose to on two best friends, Emerson and Silas, play a sport in order to make new friends, and their struggles as outcast teens in a others turn to the performing arts instead. small town. This year, more than half of the show’s cast “The people acting took the characters are freshmen. in some way that I never saw them being,” “My first theatre performance was Mook said . “But I was like, ‘Oh, wow, that actually last year’s Night of One Acts,” makes perfect sense. How could I not think sophomore of them acting like this?’” Summer Night of One Acts is a chance for makeup mishaps Bannigan performers at all levels to try new things Arms outstretched while leaning towards the audience, junior Rin Campbell delivers a monologue Oct. 13. With little said. “It and step out of their comfort zones. time between scenes, Campbell had to apply green turned out to Freshmen can easily make new friends in makeup in mere seconds. “I had to go directly off be really fun. the theatre community, and seniors given stage from my first scene and only had about a The directors the chance to step into leadership roles to minute before I had to go on as Green Goblin, Campbell said. “So that meant getting a huge did a really produce a show they can truly be proud of. glob of green onto my fingers and spreading it good job and “I think there’s just a general respect all over my face with little knowledge of how it it was super between people in the theatre community,” looked.” PHOTO | AMELIA BEDELL low pressure.” Sade said. “So when somebody gets that Since the chance to step up and do something new, production is more informal everyone’s pretty cool with that.” than the play or musical it allows more experienced actors to step outside their comfort zones and experiment. Junior Elwyn Patterson has acted in three productions in her time at Sion, and is using this Night of One Acts to challenge herself. “I feel the need to bring something Sade said. new that I’m not sure I felt in past shows,” “Kind of like Patterson said. “I’m not sure if that’s part low stakes of me growing as an actor, or just the acting and difference in environment.” figuring In theater it is common for scripts yourself and characters to evolve throughout the out.” rehearsal process. In the script “The Raven Sade and Auditions,” written by sophomore Heidi Cutler worked Nance, Patterson plays a character from with the actors Edgar Allan Poe’s poem titled “Annabel to perfect eight Lee”. The poem is thought to be about short scenes Poe’s wife Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe. in six weeks. “Suzanne and Imani Actors attended asked me, rehearsals Monday ‘What’s going through snowy surroundings through Thursday to your character’s head?’ Hiding underneath a thick layer of “snow,” freshman Finley Glennon practice individual and for some reason, watches the audience Oct. 13. Night of One Acts was Glennon’s first ever Sion production. “My favorite part of the show was seeing all my friends scenes, then on I just started talking. and myself improve and showing it to everyone,” Glennon said. Friday the entire ‘She’s like, a drama PHOTO | AMELIA BEDELL cast came together queen, you know?’”
Opinion
FROM DEMONS TO ANGELS The Victoria Secret Fashion Show returns, with promises of more inclusivity and representations of the female body, but has failed on keeping the Victoria glamor alive. ILLUSTRATIONS | MARYKATE LILLIS BY MARYKATE LILLIS REPORTER
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ong slim legs and tight-knit torsos have been the beauty standard since the 1960’s and Victoria’s Secret has never been afraid to lean into that stereotype. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows’ contribution to the unrealistic and exclusive representation of the female body by hiring Angels that fit their beauty standard: hourglass figure, small nose, slender and fit. According to Victoria’s Secret Chief Marketing Officer Edward Razik, fewer than 100 women in the world have the potential to be a Victoria’s Secret model. The infamous fashion show was discontinued in 2019 due to controversies, like alleged sexual harassment and declining sales. In a desperate last attempt to salvage their brand, the company has made great strides to make every woman feel heard, seen, and empowered in their new show called “The Tour 23”. While I can praise the show for representing more body types and races, I question the intentions of the rebrand itself. “I wouldn’t say that seeing my body type represented on the runway would make me love my body,” senior Kate Wren said. “I know it’s forced and only for the media’s acceptance.” The media’s acceptance and substantial desire to stay relevant seems to be the main motivators for the rebrand. The biggest scrutiny before the shutdown was Victoria’s Secret’s old rationale: to create a culture where they set the body and beauty standard, making it easier to control the market and sell their products. Now that this rationale has become socially unacceptable, the brand all of a sudden wanted to change.
“This is what people want to see, and even if it’s a good thing, it’s all for profit,” freshman English teacher Chrissy Nance said “They’re only trying to rebrand because they know it’s best for PR.” The company has lost over 1.6 million dollars in the past four years according to Retail Dive. Interesting timing that they are now rebranding their image right when they start losing money. According to the New York Times, The Tour’s new advertising campaign is to be the “World’s leading advocate for women”. The company’s goal wants to display to their audience that they are revamping their name solely for the purpose of empowering women and not for financial gain. However, I am not buying it. Let me ask you this, what do you think of when you think of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show? I think of voluminous hair and glittery wings strutting down colorful runways with a celebrity artist debuting their new album on the overhead speaker. This image is what made Victoria’s Secret so iconic, the excitement and production of it all. What changed? The Tour is now composed of 10 notably accomplished women, including Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Winnie Harlow. These women are not seen strutting down a brightly lit runway, but are posing in drab tank tops against white backdrops and vast deserts. The art in the production will not be used for any purpose beyond display in the show. The displays are dark and moody, switching from scene to scene in an artistic way. Models are seen wearing clothes that aren’t even the Victoria’s
Secret brand. The show is completely random and unorganized, in an attempt to reclaim the spotlight and live up to their former glory days. While the tour has made necessary changes to the show, it is simply not enought to state you “advocate” for women. “Forced representation is not real representation,” Wren said. In order for Victoria’s Secret to rise to popularity again the company must prove to the people that it is not making these changes purely for the praise of media or greed but rather extend body inclusivity and positivity. What can they do to really turn their brand around? I am no fashion expert but I believe that if Victoria’s Secret hired people who looked like us, a regular dayto-day person for the show then it would be more attractive to the average viewer. By representing all races and body types, not on famous models, but on normal people, the authenticity of inclusivity Victoria’s Secret is striving for can be accomplished. Everyone deserves wings and the chance to fly regardless of their body type, race or other factor.
October 2023 | 11
staff editorial .
Comfort in the Horrors
Horror movies can be a form of comfort to people who have experienced trauma by creating a place for them to face their fears within the safety of their own home.
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ou are cuddled up safely under a blanket while your heart feels like it’s about to beat out of your chest. You stare at the TV screen dreading what’s coming but you can’t force yourself to look away. You hear a scream but you aren’t sure if it was you or the TV who let out that blood-curdling shriek. This is a scene many are familiar with, at least those who find scary movies actually scary. Despite the fear, there are many people who find horror movies enjoyable. When polled 37 out of 105 Sion students said they loved horror movies. “I adore horror movies,” senior Gracie Seiffert said. “I have always found them exciting. They have fun storylines and make you feel like you need to keep watching.” What is it that makes horror movies so appealing? No, they are not all psychotic killers. Many people who appreciate horror movies are thrill seekers who enjoy the pumping adrenaline of being spooked. More than that horror satisfies our human curiosity. They showcase the worst of humanity and show the audience more about the morbid psyche and civilization. “Horror is my favorite genre. But not the overly gory, torture fest movies,” senior Kate Wren said. “I’m talking about psychological horror that reveals some dark aspect of humanity without being so blatant.” Another reason that horror fascinates people is because watching horror movies can be comforting especially for people who have experienced a past trauma or have mental disorders such as anxiety. “You might expect that everyone with anxiety would avoid horror -- after all, why would someone who feels anxious want to watch something that is created specifically to induce fear or anxiety?” Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago, Coltan Scrivner said “However, my research finds that, on average, people with anxiety are more likely to be horror fans.” As backwards as this sounds, scary movies can create a safe place for people to experience their fears. Through cinema fear can be experienced as long as the viewer realizes they are not in danger.
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“My sister is terrified of the dark because her cousins locked her in a closet with the lights off,” freshman Raven Silvers said. “We watched ‘The Boogeyman’ together and it helped her because she knew that it was fake” By experiencing a fear through a screen the viewer gains a sense of control, something vital to making them feel safe. Control is the key difference between facing your fears in real life and through a screen. The viewer has the opportunity to stop watching or turn off the volume at any point, which removes the variable of helplessness that makes people scared and gives them power over their experience and now over their fear. Along with control, the falsity of the storyline allows the viewer to be safe. People would not find as much excitement in “Scream” if they were told it was a true story. Instead of the laughter that comes after watching the horror movie spoof, it would be dread filling everyone’s stomach. “Horror movies are fine,” freshman Claire Weber said. “As long as I know they are so unrealistic that they can’t happen in real life.” It may seem like the movie would rehash pain and trigger the viewer, but it can actually leave them feeling triumphant. If the scary movie has a happy ending, then it leads to a feeling of accomplishment. As an audience, we identify with the character we see on screen. A trauma survivor triumphing over the villain and justice being served allows viewers with a similar experience to rejoice alongside the character. “I mean that is what cinema as a whole is about,” Wren said. “It is the experiences of the human race and everything in conjunction with itself.” Instead of being scary some movies can even come across as funny. The films make what would be deathly terrifying into something artistic and sometimes silly. “I used to be so scared of clowns after attending the circus,” Silvers said “Then I watched the ‘IT’ movie and was like ‘what is this?’ It was the goofiest movie ever. That helped me get over my fear because it was so goofy.” This is not to say horror movies will fix
all of your problems, know your limits. If you have a deathly fear of dolls, you should not run to watch “Child’s Play” thinking you will leave the movie theater cured. While yes it might help, be aware that it could lead to greater anxiety. Know yourself well enough to know if your brain will start to wander in the middle of the night. “I’m already an overthinker, “ senior Kosi Okuagu said. “I don’t like to give my brain the chance to go into further unwanted territory.” Another thing to consider is how realistic the storyline will be. Will you and your friends be screaming at the character to not go down the dark hallway by herself, or will there be a plot twist that you could have never seen coming? The more predictable a scary movie is, the less scary and more of a joke it becomes. “If it’s a funny fake horror movie then I like it,” freshman Channing Chambers said. “But if it’s very realistic I hate it.” Along with the plot, you should also be aware of how realistic the special effects will be. “The movie ‘Nope’ has a weird cloud alien that sucks up people, buildings and other things,” Silvers said. “That gave me so much anxiety and we still talk about how clouds look like that alien. When the government announced that aliens existed it scared the crap out of me because what if it’s real.” Special effects have become increasingly better from the 1980’s horror movies to the most recent releases such as “Smile”. The Scream franchise started off with a spoof movie in the 80’s with inferior special effects compared to its 2023 counterpart, which showed hyper-realistic human bodies being brutally murdered. “The CGI nowadays is good,” Silvers said. “It’s so good that it’s scary.” All this to say know your limits and triggers but if you have a particular phobia you could try to explore it safely through experiencing it through film. Allow the movie to be a safe space for you to feel and be in control of your fears. This Editorial was voted yes by 7/13 of Le Journal Staffers.
STAFF EDITORIAL
I’m gonna unwind with a movie!
a bloody NIGHT
My favorite!
WHAT IN THE WORLD #$%@
HUH? It’s all gonna be okay
ILLUSTRATIONS | ELLA ALEXANDER
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shifting focus The unique challenges of ADHD among women causes difficulty in diagnosis and treatment, leading to additional mental health issues.
BY MANAGING EDITOR CLAIRE BOMA & NEWS/SPORTS EDITOR ELLA SATTERWHITE
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he bell rings. Attendance has been taken, with just a few minor delays from conversation between classmates, it is high school, after all. Students love to chat. But then the lecture begins. For the most part, it seems to chug along. Hands are raised for questions, a light tapping of keyboards or scratches of pens to paper fill the room. Homework is turned in before a new activity begins. No one knows how long a classmate stayed up to complete the two-page assignment. That she spent half the last class period staring out the window because she could see someone’s vanity license plate in the parking lot and thought for twenty minutes about what she might like on her own car, before a video snapped her attention back to the class. But she couldn’t focus on the content of the video because the host’s shirt had an intense wrinkle and a weird top button. And because her English essays are so detail-oriented, her teachers never assume she was struggling in that class. And her peers think she can be a bit standoffish sometimes. Her close friends occasionally spat with her because she “never listens.” No one knows she has ADHD. No one knows, because she’s she. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common conditions present in children ages 3-17, with over 3 million U.S. diagnoses among teens, according to 2016-2019 data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In recent years ADHD diagnoses have become more common in women, however only 6% of girls are diagnosed with ADHD compared to 13% of boys. This is because, for girls, receiving a diagnosis is far more difficult than it is for boys, mainly due to how ADHD presents in both genders. There are three types of ADHD. Impulsive/hyperactive type, inattentive/ distractible type, and combination type. According to Healthline, boys with ADHD tend to express their symptoms externally and are more often diagnosed with impulsive/hyperactive or combination types.
They struggle to sit still or pay attention in class, routinely getting out of seats or talking over others. They may also hit classmates or start altercations. These symptoms are obvious to parents and teachers, and so boys are recommended for ADHD testing at a much younger age and much more frequently than girls. Girls are likely to receive a diagnosis for inattentive/distractible type ADHD because they present their symptoms more internally. According to the Child Mind Institute, issues like forgetfulness, daydreaming and poor organizational skills are much more common, often appearring to adults as laziness instead of ADHD. “My brain functions in a way that many neurotypical people don’t,” senior Lucy Wittek said. “And that leads to discrepancies in creative processes, procrastination, attention, et cetera. I interact with my assignments in a very unique way that is often counterintuitive to neurotypical people.” Hyperactivity in girls shows through talkativeness more often than physical movement. Girls with ADHD may have strong sensory issues or be overly emotional. According to a poll of 17 teenage boys who have ADHD, almost 40% were diagnosed before third grade, and 92.3% were diagnosed before high school. Conversely, according to a poll of 24 Sion students with ADHD, only 33.3% were diagnosed between kindergarten and third grade, while 33.3% were diagnosed in middle school and 20.8% in high school. “My brother and I both have ADHD,” junior Rin Campbell said. “And I felt like I didn’t get as much assistance with homework or really just life in general because he was getting most of the help.” Even after diagnosis, women face additional issues. Treatment for ADHD is designed around men because of the diagnosis disparity. Little to no testing has occurred regarding the interaction of ADHD stimulant medications and female hormones.
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do you recieve adhd accomodations? Boys
yes 64.7%
35.3%
no
Girls
yes 57.1%
42.9%
no
do you participate in treatment? Boys
yes 52.9%
47.1%
no
Girls
yes 76.2%
23.8%
no
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This causes difficulty as medication is a vital component of ADHD treatment. Generally in the form of stimulants, medication allows those diagnosed with ADHD to go about their everyday lives with more ease. According to the Cleveland Clinic, ADHD medicine helps to reduce hyperactivity, increase attention spans, and regulate impulsive behavior by increasing the level of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, carry messages around the body and are responsible for responding to all internal and external stimuli. Without medication, normal tasks like completing homework or studying can become exponentially harder. One major difficulty ADHD presents is low working memory. Working memory is the portion of memory that deals with short-term memory and linguistic processing. Without the aid of stimulants, a lack of working memory can cause people to rush through their work. This is because if they don’t rush, they may forget how to do a task or forget their tasks completely. ADHD also negatively affects a person’s ability to focus. According to Medical News Today, for people with ADHD, some regions of the brain become hyperactive while others are hypoactive (less active). This leads to distraction, as the part of the brain not related to a task can easily be more active than the part of the brain working on the task. “ADHD affected my learning a lot,” freshman Raegan Falk said. “I would be very fidgety in class, which I still am. I would not be able to focus and pay attention. I had bad grades because I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t read very well because when I read I would lose focus and forget what I was reading.” According to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), hormone fluctuations due to both regular events like menstrual cycles and other medications women take such as any birth control or pregnancy medicine can cause increased ADHD symptoms. Other events such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can also lead to changes in ADHD symptoms. Increases in symptoms are associated with any decreased estrogen level. Such fluctuations are often not reflected in medicine prescriptions and can lead to difficulty in managing ADHD symptoms. “Through grade school and middle school, I struggled a lot. I wasn’t able to take tests very well and it took me
longer than a lot of other people. Even with being on my medications I would still sometimes struggle to pay attention,” senior Kate Peters said. “Now I’m better at it due to just growing up and making my dosage on my medication higher.” Another method of ADHD treatment is therapy. Therapy can cover many areas depending on the individual’s needs, but generally seeks to help people better manage their ADHD. Especially when ADHD is diagnosed early, organizations like the Center for Disease Control recommend that parents go to therapy sessions to better learn how to help their child. “I had to go through this intense tutoring program,” freshman Claire Steiner said. “It was finding my way of learning. Like, in school, I need visual pieces, because if I don’t have that, and I’m just listening to something, then I’m not going to be able to understand.” Beyond behavioral therapy, those with ADHD can also use therapy as a tool for managing large life changes such as the beginning of the school year. During times of transition, more organization is generally needed, and therapists can assist those with ADHD with the increased organizational load. Among 21 surveyed Sion students with ADHD, 76.2% participate in some form of treatment, with 66.7% on medication. Many students with ADHD choose to use accommodations such as extra time to take tests. 57.1% of those surveyed who were diagnosed with ADHD use accommodations. Comparatively, 64.7% of the 17 boys with ADHD who were surveyed received accommodations. This data suggests that males are more likely to receive accommodations for their ADHD. This reflects the general trend of female diagnosis being overlooked. Additionally, in our polling, girls were much more likely to feel their struggles with ADHD were ignored. 54.3% of the girls surveyed reported their difficulties were sometimes ignored, with 34.3% feeling ignored often. Only 11.4% of girls reported never feeling ignored. On the other hand, only 42.4% of boys reported their issues being ignored sometimes, with 39.4% saying their issues never felt ignored. The final 18.2% reported feeling ignored often. “I didn’t feel like I deserved accommodations because I was already performing well on tests,” junior Elwyn Patterson said. “But as I’ve come to know myself, I want that extra time. Accommodations are something I need and it’s something I’m eligible for and it’s something I can take advantage of. I don’t need to deserve it.”
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frequency of diagnosis by age
Due to the inefficiency of medication on girls and the lack of timely diagnosis, or any diagnosis at all, girls with ADHD struggle with their mental health significantly more than boys with ADHD or k-2nd even girls in general. grade According to a follow-up study of girls with ADHD in their early adulthood by Joseph Biederman M.D. et al, “By young adulthood, girls with ADHD were at 3rd-5th grade high risk for antisocial, addictive, mood, anxiety, and eating disorders.” This is caused by a disconnect between children with ADHD and those 6th-8th grade without. Those with the disorder are often behind their peers socially because they struggle to hold conversations, participate in group activities and read social cues. high These students may also be singled school out by their teachers for bad behavior or classwork, damaging a social reputation. 60% “Being behind on work made me 20% 30% 40% 50% 10% miss play time. I missed opportunities to socialize with my peers because I couldn’t girls boys finish my work,” Patterson said. “That was very isolating. I still had friends, but I had less time with them and, in my mind, it and frustrations on themselves, according to of ADHD lead to higher rates of depression was my own fault.” research by Stephan Hinshaw. and suicide in women effected by ADHD Social rejection can be detrimental These studies also show that girls when compoared to both other women and to a child’s health and development, and with ADHD are more likely to self harm or men with ADHD. this is especially exacerbated in young attempt suicide compared to other girls, or “I remember sitting at my kitchen girls with ADHD who are much more boys diagnosed with ADHD. counter for hours, staring at a blank likely to suffer from Rejection Sensitivity Women with ADHD are also more worksheet, willing myself to pick up a Dysphoria (RSD). likely to be victims of domestic abuse and, pencil and do the math,” Patterson said. RSD is a condition associated with according to Hinshaw and UC Berkeley “All that really took a toll on my mental ADHD where someone feels intensely psychologist Elizabeth Owens, have a much health. I knew I was smart. My brain is just emotionally distraught after real and higher rate of unplanned pregnancy at 40% wired differently.” perceived failure or rejection. compared to 10% in women without ADHD. It is a condition associated with These situations are caused by low self emotional dysregulation and is therefore esteem, and are associated with early social logically irrational, however for those who rejection and poor academic performance at suffer from it the feelings and experiences a young age, as well as other symptoms like are very real. forgetfulness and impulsivity. “Rejection sensitivity dysphoria is the “My academic struggles gave me real kicker,” Patterson said. “I experience anxiety,” Patterson said. “As in a generalized strong emotional reactions to rejection or anxiety disorder, which still follows me today perceived rejection. I felt like people didn’t despite the support I have received.” 100% like me, and I didn’t know how to act more Women with ADHD are disadvantaged by “normal” or make them like me. It wasn’t decades of neglecting women in studies. really a conscious effort, but it probably never From 1977 through 1993, the Federal made it harder for me instead of easier. 80% Drug Administration did not allow any The emotional side of ADHD is often person with childbearing potential to be a overlooked, but it has had just as much of part of a clinical trial. an impact on my life as anything else.” Layered with stigma around women’s For those with and without RSD the 60% health and mental health in general, years of social isolation caused by ADHD can cause progress in medicine was lost. sometimes other serious mental health issues like Continued perception of ADHD as a male anxiety and depression. diagnosis and the overlooking of inattentiveAccording to Biederman et al, girls 40% type ADHD symptoms makes it more with ADHD are 7.2 times more likely to difficult for women to be diagnosed, and have antisocial disorders, 6.8 times more treatment plans have been created in male likely for mood disorders and 2.1 times clinical trials. often 20% more likely for anxiety disorders than girls Combined with other issues such as without ADHD. lower self-esteem, women internalize This is because girls and women are symptoms and blame themselves for much more likely to internalize struggles their ADHD as reported by the American than their male counterparts, and are Psychological Association boys girls therefore more likely to take out their pain This along with the regular challenges GRAPHICS | CLAIRE BOMA
how often do you feel your ADHD is ignored?
October 2023 | 17
opinion .
STUDY THROUGH MELODY Listening to music while studying is not a one-size-fits-all scenario, it only works for certain people in certain situations. STORY BY PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF ELLA ALEXANDER & LILY WILKIN DESIGN BY WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF GENESIS MARTINEZ PORRAS
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ou set a cup of coffee next to the papers on your desk, preparing for a long night of studying. Your goal is to stay focused and absorb all the information you need for the big test tomorrow. As you sit there you debate putting in your headphones. But you can’t decide if listening to music will actually help you study. You weigh the pros and cons and decide listening to music is for you. Music can help drown out distracting sounds. It keeps me from getting distracted by what’s going on around me, because I’m sure we all know about how family or pets make the most noise when you are trying to finish an important assignment and study for a big test. However, listening to music is not for everyone. lt can be an effective study tool in certain situations but it is dependent upon multiple factors such as personality type, what subject you are studying and most importantly what genre of music you are listening to. Personality type plays a big role in the benefits of listening to music. According to a study done by health care practitioner Stacey Dobbs and psychology professor at University College London Adrian Furnham, being an introvert versus an extrovert plays a role in whether or not music is a distraction. The study found that introverted people perform worse on cognitive tasks when background noise such as music, nature sounds, or brown noise are present. The Med School Insider equates this to Eysenck’s theory that extroverts are under-stimulated and respond well to
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more stimuli, unlike introverts which are already overstimulated. Another factor to consider is what subject you are studying. Different types of work require different genres of music. Whether it be rap or classical, every genre can be beneficial if used correctly. Out of 99 responses to a student poll, 34.3% state that they switch up their genre depending on what they’re studying. According to a Vaughn College study, listening to classical music is extremely beneficial to studying for a math test. Its mind-enhancing effects can make even the hardest problems seem a little bit easier. This effect is called the MozartEffect, it works so well it even has its own name, so give that a try the next time you’re struggling to study for a “Mid test.” However if you are trying to take notes for your history test or writing an essay for your English teacher, you might want to listen to music that doesn’t contain lyrics. When listening to music with vocals your brain is forced to multi-task and cannot focus on the work at hand, leading to lower reading comprehension and worse writing skills (Kevin Juball, Med School Insiders). “I can only listen to classical or jazz music but they can’t have anyone singing or any lyrics,” freshman Ella Gampper said. “They also can’t have any covers of popular songs that I know because that causes me to lose focus.” If you are trying to memorize science facts or Latin roots for anatomy, you might want to stay away from music
altogether. Although music boosts your mood which indirectly aids in memory formation (J Boel published in the National Library of Medicine) if the testing room is silent you might find it difficult to recall information. However, what works for one person may not work for another. Based on a survey sent out to 112 students, only 74% listen to music when studying while 26% do not. Switching up the genre can also aid in concentration and motivation while studying for long periods of time. “I listen to pretty upbeat music unless I am writing an essay or something,” junior Charlotte Zender said. “In that case, I turn on some chill music so that I also don’t have to worry about the queue or skipping songs.” Music affects our moods, so what you are listening to can affect your cognitive performance. We’re all guilty of procrastinating homework or studying for a big test. In an article written by Nicky Davis, on study.com, listening to music can help with concentration and endurance during those long cramming sessions. “[I listen to] Rock for everything. It goes nicely in the background because it is loud and fast-paced so it’s motivating,” junior Elwyn Patterson said. “It’s easy for me to tune out because after a certain point all the electric guitars sound the same. I need the energy boost to get through the day.” There are pros and cons when listening to music. According to Healthline, music can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can also help
Opinion opinion
increase your focus, and motivate you. According to the study done on females ages 18-27 in 2007 by Devarajan Sridharan et al., it was found that classical music can improve your focus level. The researchers discovered evidence that music can engage your brain in such a way that it more easily recognizes patterns, which can help with cognitive function. Music can also reduce anxiety. By playing calming jazz or lo-fi you might find that your nervousness decreases and you are able to concentrate better than before. On the other hand music can be distracting. Studies show that playing music at high volumes is more distracting and playing songs with fast tempos can make you lose focus. There have been many late-night study sessions where one might find themselves dancing around the room
using a hairbrush as a microphone instead of actually studying. “I don’t listen to music while I study because it distracts me,” junior Aurbey Nichols said. “And I’d be way less productive because I’d just be singing and not doing any homework.” Overall, music has both benefits and drawbacks. It comes down to knowing yourself well enough to determine how you best study and the situation you are studying in. But try branching out of your comfort zone. If you’ve never listened to classical music while doing math then you should give it a go. Who knows? You might even get the bonus questions right on your next assignment.
October 2023 | 19
news .
anger is blinding
Attacks in Israel and the Gaza Strip have led to worldwide increases in antisemitism and islamophobia. Sion students are uniquely situated to understand the plight of those affected in the Middle East through the interfaith charism of the Sisters of Sion. BY CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LILY WILKIN AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR BRIDGET BENDORF
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rmed Hamas militants infiltrated Israel in a sneak attack Oct. 7, killing hundreds of Israeli citizens and taking hostages while using air strikes followed by foot soldiers in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The entire region is under crisis. Since the original attack, the Israeli government has launched retaliatory strikes, affecting over two million people living in the Gaza Strip. The conflict has sparked topics of pain, blame and activism across the globe, and repercussions are very real even in our own Kansas City community. “Certainly our community has been in immense pain since the initial attacks, and this pain has so many layers,” Sion alumna and Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen of Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy said. “For many, the victims are literal biological siblings and loved ones. The Jewish people are so small that it seems just about everyone knows someone directly impacted by the attacks. The sense of Jewish peoplehood means that every Jew feels a deep connection to every other Jewish person, biologically related or not.” Following the attacks, the Congregation of the Sisters of Sion formally shared the following statement to its schools and affiliated organizations: “We acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense. However, we cannot ignore the increasing violence suffered by the Palestinian people. Both peoples have a right to a secure future. We hope and pray for all those who have lost loved ones, for the injured to recover from their wounds and for the hostages to be returned to their families.” The sisters currently have residences in Ein Karem and Ecce Homo, which are pilgrim houses in the heart of Jerusalem. The charism of the organization depends on teaching a dialogue of love through an interfaith lens.
“It’s difficult to articulate how complicated and complex the history of the Israeli-Palestinian’s reality is,” Sist. Marge Zdunich, N.D.S., said. “It’s a very complicated history and honestly I lived there for seven years, and even though I think I know quite a bit, there is always something new I am learning.” Ultimately, the conflict stems from ownership of land. After centuries of conflict in this area of the world, including the Israeli-Arab War of 1948, two Intifadas (or uprisings) which forced Palestinians out of the holy lands and into the Gaza strip and the West Bank, and various treatise organized by outside countries, no solutions have truly been achieved. “Israelis and Palestinians have not really addressed some of the issues about sharing the land,” Zdunich said. “Instead of really trying to develop some kind of dialogue between the Palestinians and the Israelis, who as far as I can see from having friends among both, the people want to live in peace but the governments of those two regions haven’t been successful in trying to bring the two communities together.” According to an Associated Press article updated Oct. 24, floods of photos and videos claiming to show the conflict are appearing all over social media and some footage has “been intermingled with users pushing false claims and misrepresenting videos from other events.” The media plays a huge part in affecting the larger opinion of societies around the world. “It’s incredibly hurtful,” senior Aleena Khan said.“[Misinformation is] leading to a major dehumanization of the Palestinian people. News outlets aren’t referring to them as real human beings.” For the Jewish people, Hamas continues
Israel declares Independence and is gifted land from Great Britain. Palestinians are displaced from their homelands.
Israel wins the Six Day War suffering 700 casualties and emerging with control of the West Bank, Gaza strip, Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsuala. Oct 3, 1973
May 14, 1948
Jun 5-10, 1967
1945 WWII Ends
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Egypt and Syria fight the Yom Kippur War to retake the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights.
to evoke terror. They declared Oct. 13 as the “Global Day of Jihad,” calling for worldwide harm against Jews. According to multiple Jewish news sites, many schools and organizations closed for the day due to safety concerns. The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park chose to stay open, and locals were encouraged to welcome students arriving for their day. Representatives from Sion arrived early in the morning to offer support. “Your presence [Oct. 13] was beyond powerful,” Bonney-Cohen said. “Everyone in the school has been talking all day about the magnitude of seeing and feeling the support of the community.” Despite everything happening in the Middle East, Sion recently hosted its third annual Life Beyond Sion Conference, which featured keynote speaker Dr. Amal ElsanaAlh’jooj, an Israeli-Palestinian Bedouin woman and activist. She has also been personally affected by the attacks, and she left students with strong messages of peace and empowerment by sharing the story of her life. “Anger is blinding,” Elsana-Alh’jooj said. “If you go to help people and you go with anger, you will hurt them. If you go with mercy, you will patronize them. You must go to them with love.” In her speech, she spoke about her experiences shepherding animals in her village in Tel Arad. She explained that the sheep were easy. They went about grazing and moving along to the guidance she gave them. The goats were the trouble-makers. They made up their own minds and charted the path. “We are followers. We hear things, see in the media and swallow information,” ElsanaAlh’jooj said. “Think. Feel. And do. I loved herding sheep, but the goats challenged me. They never listened and they did what they
The first Palestinian Intifada, or protest, against Israeli occupation breaks out in the West Bank and Gaza. The Militant group Hamas Sep 13, 1993 is created.
Dec 1, 1987 1986 NASA’s Challenger Explodes
Negotiations in Norway result in the Oslo Accords.
Me d
news
n rra e it
ean Sea Golan Heights
wanted to. Be wary of the media. Avoid being a consumer. Be goats, not sheep.” Avoiding being a consumer means staying informed on the perspectives of both parties. Since the war broke out, the world has seen a large rise in antisemitism. Eim Karem and Ecce Homo “It was an antisemetic attack, we can all Sisters of Sion Convent agree and acknowledge this, it was done on a holy day,” junior Greta Grossman said. “It was done on the 50th year after the Yom Kippur war, which was on holy days for both Muslims and Jews, it was very premeditated and I think that is the most disturbing thing about it.” Because of the war’s complicated and complex nature, there is an abundance of misinformation in the media, which only heightens antisemitism and islamophobia. This spread of misinformation is doing significant damage to these communities, and media outlets have begun comparing this war to other violent historical events, which causes more issues for these groups of people. “I think there is danger in comparing this to a lot of things. I’ve seen people compare it to the Holocaust, I’ve seen people compare zionism to nazism or facism,” Grossman said. “We shouldn’t be comparing it to anything else, because it is a unique situation and it is very complicated, and I think comparing it heightens this misinformation, and can cause extremism on both sides.” Being educated is the first step to helping aid in the war, because being educated allows the Sion community to speak up about misinformation in the media, and it allows students to keep a grasp on what is happening in this complex situation. Grossman encouraged peers to find truly credible sources and to find reliable research. “I do think we should be educated and kept up to date on what is going on,” Grossman said. “It is important to be aware, because being aware rules out the possibility of being ignorant.”
Tel Aviv
West Bank Jerusalem
Gaza City Gaza Strip
Dead Sea
Israel
egypt
The Second Palestinian Intifada protest begins in an effort to reform the status quo at the holy site, Temple Mount.
Sep 28, 2000 2000
George W. Bush. is re-elected for a second term
Aug 15, 2005 Israel begins withdrawal of settlers and military forces from the Gaza Strip. After Israel’s withdrawal, Hamas and other militant groups fire rockets from Gaza to Southern Israel.
Jordan
U.S. President Donald Trump formally recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This sparks protests and violence in Jeursalem, Gaza and the West Bank.
Hamas launched an unprecedented attack onto Israel leading to at least 250 deaths and 1,500 injured making it the deadliest attack in decades.
OCT 7, 2023
Dec 6, 2017 2020
COVID-19 is declared as a global pandemic.
October 2023 | 21
A&E .
Fear Factor Tfanatic’s favorite month. I happen
he month of October is every horror
to be one of those people, I’ve been watching scary movies for as long as I can remember and I’ve always loved the heartracing and bone-chillingly scary aspects of the most iconic films. As a seasoned horror lover, I don’t get scared easily, so if you do take my recommendations, be aware that everyone’s reactions to scary movies are different and horror is subjective. Watching a horror movie
Comedy horror is perfect for people who don’t do well with scary movies. The comedic aspect takes some of the bonechilling anticipation away without completely eliminating what makes the movie frightening. A majority of the time comedy horror isn’t necessarily scary, but they have the anticipation aspect that makes horror fun to watch. I would thoroughly recommend this subgenre to people who can’t stomach gore or people who get a little too jumpy during a paranormal thriller. Comedy horror is also a good way to end a horror marathon and wind down, and make those bumps in the night a little less terrifying.
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BY LILY WILKIN CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
is a different experience based on the subgenre you’re watching, and because of the large difference in content between the subgenres their scare factors are vastly different. The different subgenres I’ve outlined are: Comedy Horror, Slasher, Gore or Splatter, Psychological Thriller, and Paranormal. The movies I’ve recommended here are perfect for a scary movie marathon with friends, so grab some popcorn and blankets and settle in for a freakishly fab-boo-lous night.
Comedy
RECOMMENDATIONS Chucky | Hulu Dolls aren’t so cute and fun anymore. Scary Movie | Max A parody that tops all parodies.
Check out these freaky horror reccomendations for the five main horror subgeneres.
Splatter I wouldn’t classify most gore or ‘splatter’ films as scary or frightening. Having realistic blood and guts isn’t enough to constitute a shiver inducing movie in my eyes. The point of a splatter film is to make the viewer nauseous because of vividly realistic special effects rather than have them shaking in a corner. Like slasher films, the splatter subgenre follows a formula of sorts, usually regarding some kind of crazy rural hill-billy cannibal.
RECOMMENDATIONS Texas Chainsaw Massacre | Max A small town, and a crazed murderer with a chainsaw and a mask of human flesh. Saw Series| Hulu Could you beat the traps?
Illustrations | Lily Wilkin
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Psychological Psychological Thrillers are my personal favorite genre of horror. They cause an extreme amount of anticipation, and an ominous feeling looms throughout the entire film. These movies aren’t for the faint of heart and this is one of the scariest forms of horror. These movies usually involve either kidnapping or a home invasion. The thrill of not knowing what comes next is perfect for people who love the feeling of their heart racing and palms getting sweaty.
RECOMMENDATIONS Escape Room | Hulu Do the participants have the wits needed to escape? Silence of the Lambs | Netflix Can Clarice save Hannibl Lector’s final victim?
Paranormal Slasher Slasher films typically follow the same formula, taking away from its scare factor. This subgenre usually follows a group of highschoolers in a small town that’s plagued by a psychotic serial killer with a sharp object. Slasher films can be both laughable and terrifying, depending on how predictable they are. Usually it’s easy to see where the film is going, making it a less scary and more fun watch. These films are perfect for friend groups that have one or two people that struggle with those more blood-curdling installations.
RECOMMENDATIONS Scream Series | Paramount + Ghostface makes a haunting call to houses, check out what happens next. Friday the 13th | Hulu Jason Voorhees haunts a group of kids at summer camp.
Films involving demonic entities and ghosts are by far some of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen. I’ve watched multiple paranormal movies that have made my fear of the dark 100 times worse. Like I’m talking sleep with a lamp on and Hannah Montana playing in the background. These movies tend to be more scary because of the unknown aspect. There’s nobody to tell you it isn’t real because nobody knows whether ghosts exist or not. A majority of the time a paranormal horror film will make you shake and sweat, and maybe even scream a little.
RECOMMENDATIONS The Conjuring | Max Ed and Lorraine must find out what’s haunting the Perron family, and why it wants them. Smile | Paramount + Don’t look them in the eyes.
October 2023 | 23
column .
Working WISDOM
Working a job in high school can add a little more to your plate, but the benefits and lessons you’ll gain outweigh any stress. BY ADDIE DOYLE FEATURE EDITOR
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Jassociate position at Andy’s uggling school and her
Frozen Custard, junior Vivian Kuntz has learned a lot about what it means to work. Kuntz stated that her job has taught her how to work with difficult customers and express patience throughout her shift. “I can actually make money, pay for things I want to, and feel more independent,” Kuntz said. “I pay for my own gas, but I
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can also now buy myself fun things like concert tickets.” Something that sets her job experience apart from classroom learning is expiramenting with topping choices and their proportions. “Right now we have our 87 concrete named after Travis Kelcie, and I suggested customers add cheesecake because that is one of Taylor Swift’s favorite desserts. I have gotten more creative in ways I didn’t expect.”
rowing up with two business owning parents, work ethic has always been strongly instilled in my character. From day one I was playing in the mud at my dad’s job sites and crawling in between clothes at my mom’s store. As I’ve grown up, I have gained a large appreciation for the importance my parents put on working. In eighth grade, I worked my first solo shift at my mom’s boutique, Addie Rose. Ever since that day I have been taking weekly shifts. From my individual experience and shadowing my mom in my formative years, I know a lot about clothing merchandise, advertising, and clientele. Clothing stores are great places to gain a marketing eye. Each time I work, I take a lap around the store and arrange items to make the boutique look more open, appealing, and organized. Now, each time I’m in a clothing store, I can either criticize or appreciate a floor and its layout of apparel. Working in retail also allows employees to learn the ins and outs of wholesale companies and sales points for specific products. I had the opportunity to go to “market” with my family. This unofficial term is a mini-city lined with wholesale clothing stores where retailers can order packs of model clothing from the showrooms. As a child, my family traveled to the Los Angeles market monthly and occasionally the Chicago showrooms. During these trips, I watched how these exchanges worked and learned insider facts like how a regular pack of clothing has an extra small, two smalls, two mediums, and a large. Small details like this are what differentiate classroom learning from working in the field of business.
WSophia Grantham spends
orking at Starbucks, senior
her free time crafting drinks and heating up food. Grantham and senior Piper Rife decided they would apply for a barista position over the summer, and have continued to work ever since. “ I’ve definitely learned a lot about customer service,” Grantham said. “One lady yelled at me because we didn’t have cold brew when
As with any local small business, my experience working at Addie has opened my eyes to the importance of a steady clientele and loyal customers. Some people have been consistently shopping with us for 16 years. Another outreach is social media and the business analytics behind it. I’ve learned how to create and edit a website, design a post that will land in the correct algorithm, and spread the word about promotions or pop-ups. Clientele has, likewise, taught me a lot about perspective and reaffirmed my belief that everyone has a story. Any workplace you may be a part of has diverse people who keep it running. The stories I have heard from my coworkers, managers, and customers stick with me through my everyday life. They push me to consider different perspectives with a sense of compassion. Growing up in a Catholic school with peers of similar beliefs can drown you in a closed narrative. The escape through work opened my view to all different types of people, instilling a greater appreciation for diversity within me. Every niche you have will teach you real-world lessons, similar to what I have gained from Addie Rose. These unique experiences make working crucial to building character, especially in your young adult life. Likewise to that of the boutique, growing up in construction has also given me experiential knowledge. When I was younger, I saw my dad’s construction company, Doyle Custom Homes, as a playground and climbed on all the dirt piles at the sites. As I’ve grown, I have begun to see what the company has to offer. I have learned so much from my dad that I can use to my advantage in my adult life.
there was obviously nothing I could do about it.” Grantham also makes money from painting home murals and uses her Starbucks paycheck to buy gas and other small purchases. “A lot of my coworkers are really funny and they’re all different ages,” Grantham said. “I like changing up and not being surrounded by peers.”
I have worked in the restaurant, retail, and construction industries. Within all of these, I have had my fair share of negative customer interactions, the most being present in the construction industry. Building a home is a significant life step, and customers plan for their perfect home. These aspirations can make for a lengthy build process. As the contractor, you must work with these people day and night to meet their demands quickly. Along with my customer service experience, I have discovered the vitality of the world of finance and budgeting. A crucial aspect of high school jobs is to give you real-world views that a classroom can’t teach. I learned about the finances that went into the purchase of homes and gained more insight into the budgeting behind home purchases. I got to listen to the process of homeowner loans, what to consider when furnishing a new home, and how to pay off your mortgage. Thanks to these components, I feel confident in my knowledge of buying a home. Aside from niche knowledge, juggling my position as a hostess on top of my job at Addie Rose has formed me into a more organized student and cut down on my procrastination. Students who work a job or two on top of school will be well prepared to juggle adult life in the future. With so many potential positions for teens in the Kansas City area, I think we must get some work experience in these high school years to widen our perspective, learn the ins and outs of various industries, and explore our passions to create potential possibilities for our future.
October 2023 | 25
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What’s Menu? on the
Kansas City is bustling with diverse cultural restaurants, if you just know where to look.
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BY CAROLINE DEACON OPINION & EDITORIALS EDITOR
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A Warm Welcome
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at Wah Gwan
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at Ricos Tacos Lupe
own Southwest Boulevard, a street filled with authentic Mexican cuisine, resides Ricos Tacos Lupe. With friendly, swift service, and a surplus of heavenly Mexican dishes, Ricos Tacos Lupe is a true hidden gem of Kansas City. Pick either Chile de Arbol or Cilantro Tomatillo salsa with a basket of chips, right before savoring the smokiness of
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the chorizo taco. Or fall in love as you cut into a hot pork tamale, and relax as the doughy smell engulfs you. Sink your teeth into a freshly made burrito, spilling out with carne asada, refried beans, and onions, all for under five dollars. Don’t forget to enjoy the sweet, cinnamon flavored Horchata. This restaurant draws you into Mexican culture, with bright colors, and a colorful mural painted in celebration of el Dia de los Muertos. From the warm welcome to the homemade salsas, Ricos Tacos Lupe provides a delicious experience no one should miss out on.
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therwise known as “What’s Up” in the Patois language, Afro-Caribbean restaurant Wah Gwan serves a combination of rich Jamaican and Nigerian cuisine. With a home-like atmosphere, eccentric furniture pieces, and colorful artwork, this restaurant off of Troost Avenue is definitely worth a visit. Coconut Curry Shrimp, Egusi Soup, and Nigerian Chick Stew are just a few options on their diverse menu. The light, dough-like fufu served with the fresh Egusi soup melted like a cloud in my mouth, and the two times
I’ve visited so far have been nothing short of exceptional. And if you’re just feeling dessert? Grab a slice of the mouthwatering mango raspberry or lemon rum cake. This fusion restaurant is shockingly affordable for the outstanding hospitality and rich, flavorful dishes. So the next time you’re in a stump of where to go, but feeling like a mix of rices, spices, and a home cooked meal, head down Troost Avenue for a bite to eat.
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any people’s immediate
to stop by the nearest Chick-Fil-A, but you have a better option. Shagan’s Indian food is just around the corner. Located only five minutes away from Sion, and incredibly affordable, this restaurant is perfect for seniors checking out, a quick pick up snack, or a hot meal after a long day. Enjoy some classic butter chicken with home-fresh rice, or a helping of chicken curry, bursting with flavorful spices. If you are just in the snacking mood, order a hot samosa with sweet and
spicy Tamarind sauce. And after you’ve spiced yourself out, cool down with a refreshing Mango lassi. With Bollywood music playing in the background, and many options to choose from, this small, peaceful restaurant is perfect for an outing with friends.
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orange chicken from Hyvee, a far cry from the experience Sichuan Dynasty has to offer. Sichuan is an absolutely delicious option for someone on the lookout for an authentic Chinese meal. The menu may be intimidating at first, with countless dishes to choose from, but you can’t go wrong. For the noodle fanatics, relax over a bowl of DanDan Noodles, and douse the
dish in chili oil to add a splash of earthy spice. Or split an order of the Cumin Lamb, and let the smoky, pungent flavor become an addiction. Although I was not previously a fan of tofu, Sichuan’s Ma Po tofu soup changed my mind, and with a steaming bowl of hot rice set on the side, this authentic Sichuan dish has become one of my all time favorites. In the future, if you’re craving a hot Chinese meal, or even just a divine mix of spices, take a trip to Sichuan Dynasty.
fter a long day out and
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about Ward Parkway A Mall, you might be inclined
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at sichuan dynasty
at shagan’s
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Bite Into Baklava
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and hummus will leave your mouth bite into a honey filled Baklava. When walking into the comfort of watering. After you fall in love with the homemade hummus, spend Baba’s Pantry, not only is a full stomach ensured, but some time looking over their deli, and take a the homey hospitality will container home for have you wanting any excuse to come back, later. Or purchase the addicting Dolma, a whether for a Baba’s Kebab or the unique rice delicacy wrapped in grape leaves. As Rose Lemonade. you sit with friends on N EACO colorful cushioned benches, INE D AROL C | O surrounded by greenery, PHOT
nder the pastel pink sign written in Arabic script lies the door to one of the best Mediterranean restaurants Kansas City has to offer. The happy greens and pinks of Baba’s Pantry’s exterior invites you into a warm, cozy atmosphere filled with red-rimmed paintings and bright blue walls. After a welcoming of eclectic hues and furniture, the smile at the counter will offer a second greeting. If doubtful of what to order from their inviting menu, a plate of crispy falafels, pita bread,
at Baba’s Pantry
October 2023 | 27 September
Take this quiz to find out your fall persona
THIS OR THAT
DESIGN AND ILLISTRATIONS BY AMELIA BEDELL A&E EDITOR
Pumpkin Patch
OR
Haunted House Cute Costume
OR
Scary Costume Pumpkin Spice
OR
Pumpkin Chai Charlie Brown: Great Pumpkin
OR
Hocus Pocus Candy Corn
OR
Chocolate Eyeballs If you answered mostly this SIDE you are a
If you answered mostly this SIDE you are a
Pumpkin Princess
Spooky Spirit
You have been preparing for fall weather all year. The crisp air is perfect for you to show off your sweater collection, and you love long walks through orangeleaved orchards. A perfect fall day for you would involve sitting with you friends and drinking a warm homemade apple cider, preferably getting cozy under a blanket whilst binging your favorite Halloween movies.
You love to go above and beyond for Halloween, and you wouldn’t miss a chance to scare your friends or family! As soon as the air turns cold, it’s time to celebrate the spooky season by watching your favorite horror movies. A perfect fall day for you would be going to a haunted house with your best friends and dressing up as a terrifying clown or a wicked witch.