JOURNAL
Le
THE SPIRIT OF SION GOES
GLOBAL
PAGES 10-13
A PUBLICATION OF NOTRE DAME DE SION
10631 WORNALL ROAD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64114
VOLUME 32 ISSUE 1 SEPTEMBER 2013
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THE
INSIDE
LOOK PAGE 4
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PAGE 8 PAGE 14 Junior Catie Marx overcomes a life altering disease which inspired her to positively influence the lives of others. (Photo by Mary B. Freeman)
PAGE19 The Fine Arts Department has new ideas in store for this year. In Ceramics class, senior Dana Rozell, begins making an ocarina whistle. (Photo by Ellie Stingley)
ISSUE 1
Sion Edition
BY MARY B. FREEMAN & ELLIE STINGLEY REPORTERS
Two new freshman, Margo Gerke and Janie King, bring lots of energy and technique to the tennis courts for the 2013 season. (Photo by Sarah Allen)
2LE JOURNAL
B & E’s GIRL CODE Insider high school tips to help you thrive in the halls of Sion.
Senior Kitty Tankard stops by the new Quik Trip during her lunch period. (Photo by Dana Routh)
ON THE COVER
INTRODUCING
ILLUSTRATION BY KATY ZAHNER
he four years we call high school can be intimidating. Coming from two juniors who have had our fair share of awkward moments, we are here to tell you that everyone of you will make mistakes. We get it. But we figure that if you have advice from two girls who have been in the same boat, you are less likely to have as many of those uncomfortable moments. We cannot guarantee that high school will be perfect. But this column is to let you know that you are not alone. Here is our official “Girl Code, ” a guide to life at Sion. First lesson: Be yourself.
JOURNAL
Le
Le Journal is the official student publication of Notre Dame de Sion High School 10631 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO 64114 MEMBER Missouri Interscholastic Press Assoc. National Scholastic Press Assoc. International Quill and Scroll
Shout out to freshmen: you’ve basically hit the high school lottery. You have come to a place where you can be yourself, so let your light shine. No boys equals no judgment. Eat as much as you want, wear your hair as crazy as you want, forget the makeup and don’t hold back your personality, especially to make friends. Honesty hour: If your friends can’t handle you at your worst, then they don’t deserve you at your best. There is something else you need to know. Keep it classy at all times. At dances don’t do anything you would be ashamed to tell your future husband about. At rivalry games, remember that part of being the best is not acting like you are the best. And in regards to social media, don’t type anything you wouldn’t say in front of Assistant High School Division Head Fran Koehler. We are known as classy ladies and we need to keep it that way. Don’t forget that wherever you go, you represent Sion. So don’t tarnish our reputation, but don’t ever be afraid to be yourself. Whether you are sweet and shy or an artistic extrovert, we promise that at Sion you do not need to be afraid to embrace your individuality as countless Sion girls have before you. So you’ve won the high school lottery, now what are you going to do with it? Embrace it. Girl code.
2013-2014
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Katy Zahner
WEB-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meghan Lally
MANAGING EDITOR Madison Hummel
REPORTERS Sydney Daniels Georgia Evans Mary B. Freeman Sarah Harris Meghan Kearney Sydney Manning Dana Routh Anna Schroer Ellie Stingley
NEWS/EDITORIAL EDITOR Emma Dopheide
ADVISER Alison Long
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ashley Herring
PUBLICATIONS BOARD Sarah Allen Alison Long Natalie McDonough Moira Quinn Kamryn Schropp Penny Selle Carole Wall-Simmons Georgia Thompson Steven Turner Melissa Wilcox
CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Sarah Allen Georgia Thompson
SPORTS EDITOR Mary Kate Hense FEATURES EDITOR Kim Fryer PHOTO EDITOR Kristine Sullvian
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THE EDITORS’ INK
SARAH ALLEN AND GEORGIA THOMPSON CO-EDITORS IN CHIEF Well Sionians, it’s a new year. New senior leaders. New freshmen. New experiences. New beginnings.
these past few months in the Summer Rewind on Page 17. From Kenny Chesney to Red Rock, baby North West to the royal baby George, “Blurred Lines” to “We can’t Stop”, we’d say it was quite eventful.
We here on Le Journal agree that summer flew by in the blink of an eye. But for many it wasn’t merely spent lounging by the pool or catching up on seasons of Netfix shows, but expanding horizons beyond the country’s borders.
Though it is a bittersweet end to summer 2013, a new school year is among us, bringing new changes to the Sion community. While some students are enthusiastic about new alterations to our school week, such as the elimination of the 2:10 dismissal, others are quite distraught about the “Tradition in Turmoil”, Page 5.
This summer Sion students traveled to all parts of the world. Whether it be through the three exchange opportunities or the multitude of Sion sponsored trips, students experienced new cultures and lifestyles different from our own here in Kansas City. Throughout these travels, our students spread the spirit of Sion wherever they went, which is evident on pages 10-13.
A new year also brings in a new generation of Sionians. The freshmen. And trust me, we upperclassmen remember exactly how it feels to be both new and awkward, as shown in the My Life Is Awkward, freshman year edition on Page 18. So just believe us, ladies, it does get better.
Others may not have travelled to foreign lands, but road-tripped it across state lines. Whether this included sleeping, staring boredly at the Kansas landscape, or listening to your mom sing Broadway show tunes for hours on end, any Sionian can sympathize with reporter Kim Fryer’s column on Page 16 of the ups, downs, and unexpected curve balls a summer road trip offers. For former child stars, Amanda Bynes and Miley Cyrus, this summer meant going off the deep end with racy tweets and new looks. Page 4 more closely examines these once innocent stars’ breakdowns, a sad tribute to all girls’ childhood idols. Though beginning a new school year is exciting, we just couldn’t help but reminisce on all the highlights of
Something else the new wave of freshmen bring us is a wide array of incredible talents. Check out the Sion’s Got Talent: Freshmen Edition on Page 15 to see what cool traits and abilities the Class of 2017 has to offer. So though your tan lines are probably beginning to fade, the sweaters are sadly being pulled out, and summer 2013 is a thing of the past, Le Journal would like to remind you to keep your chin up and keep in mind all of the exciting experiences and events this school year has in store for us.
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NATIONAL MERIT
National Merit Semifinalists seniors Katie Eilert, Jennifer Bolton, Emma Dopheide, Cory Cole, and Nicole McMindes. (Photo by Georgia Thompson)
Five seniors qualified as Semifinalists in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. Jennifer Bolton, Cory Cole, Emma Dopheide, Katie Eilert, and Nicole McMindes all qualified for the first step in this scholarship competition. Finalists, announced in February, will continue in the competition this spring for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth about $35 million, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation press release. Sion Grade School alumni Aiden Alemifar (Rockhurst High School), Joseph Cochran (Rockhurst High School) and Shelby Hawkins (St. Teresa’s Academy) also qualified as Semifinalists in this academic competition. More than 1.5 million juniors in over 22,000 high schools around the country participated in the Preliminary SAT in order to enter this program. The category of Semifinalist represents less than one percent of high school seniors nationwide, according to the not-for-profit organization’s Sept. 11 press release.
PHOTO OF THE
ISSUE STORM STOMP
PHOTOGRAPHERS: WANT YOUR PHOTO TO BE THE NEXT PHOTO OF THE ISSUE? SUBMIT PHOTOS TO LEJOURNALSTAFF@GMAIL.COM
The annual Storm Stomp three-on-three basketball tournament took place Friday, Sept. 20. The faculty team Sheer Madness defeated the Campfire Girls, another faculty team, to qualify for the semifinal round. The event raised $30,000 for student scholarships. Physical Education teacher Kate Pilgreen, with the Campfire Girl team, is boxed out by math teacher Bob Lampen and Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations Eileen Johnson. Sheer Madness won the match 5-4. (Photo by Sydney Manning) LE JOURNAL
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ISSUE 1
From Disney to Disaster
Student
Opinions
“
I was a huge Hannah Montana fan. It’s crazy how she has changed. I even went to her concerts.
Child stars spiral down the path of scandal and confusion as they grow up. BY DANA ROUTH REPORTER In third grade, I would rush to my mom’s car after school and tell her to step on it. I would run to the garage door and throw my backpack on a chair just to get to the T.V. as fast as I could. The Amanda Show was on at 3:30 and I didn’t want to miss out. I thought Amanda Bynes was the coolest and funniest girl on the planet. Of course, like most other girls my age, I loved Hannah Montana with Miley Cyrus and The Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan. Nine years later, I watch E! News and see my old, childhood idols involved in some new scandal including drugs or car crashes. It seems child stars can’t escape the fate of growing up and becoming the center of bad situations, whether for attention or for a deeper reason. As I watched the Aug. 25 MTV Video Music Awards, my jaw dropped as I saw Miley Cyrus perform. From her uncomfortable dancing to her strange costumes and the dreaded foam finger, she was a
completely different person from the tween star I once adored. I know she is just trying to grow up and be her own person, but I don’t think she has to go to such extremes to prove her adulthood. I think her racy performance sends a wrong message to her old fans who once looked up to her. Her actions paint a distorted and unrealistic picture of what it means to grow up and be mature. Her behavior seems to follow a typical pattern of successful young stars spiraling out of control and it is hard to watch repeatedly. I cannot imagine the pressure child stars experience having to grow up so quickly and stand out. Regardless, I do think many celebrities like Bynes and Lohan have dealt with the pressure in a negative way. I don’t think we should be so harsh to judge their actions because I know I could not stand a camera in my face at all times. I sympathize with child stars like Cyrus or Bynes who have that kind of pressure, but I don’t think children should turn to them as models of how to grow up and deal with their problems. As more and more celebrity kids turn into adult scandals, we can only wonder who will be next to meet their fate.
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“If it was just slushies, smoothies and ice cream, it’d be perfect; however, the fact that they sell cotton candy, flavored donuts, and taquitos utterly disgusts me.” -Julie Steilen, junior
“It’s a terrible spot for traffic. I don’t go there usually because it’s way too crowded.” -Elizabeth Middleton, chemistry teacher
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“
I think Miley Cyrus has definitely gone down more of the Lindsay Lohan route but I admire her unique way of showing off what she loves.
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-Kennedy Whitaker, senior
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I think child stars were really talented but as they grew older they took advantage of their money leading them to do immature things and become weird.
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-Anna Fotouhi, sophomore
TRIP
There are mixed opinions on the latest Quik Trip store that opened at 435 and State Line Road Aug. 15.
HATE IT
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“I think it’s great. It’s hard for me to not stop when I pass by there. They literally have everything there. The computer feature is great and you can customize your own smoothie.”
(Photos by Dana Routh)
QUIK
-Mackenzie Manning, senior
OR
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-Lauren Trippel, senior
(Photos by MCT Campus)
LOVE IT
“It’s a lot cleaner and provides more options to choose from. It’s almost overwhelming.” -Abbie Young, junior
“It has everything you need. It’s like heaven on earth.” -Stephanie Ostrander, sophomore
EDITORIALS
A Tough Change to Tackle A recent change leaves many disappointed as a near 10-year tradition is swept away.
needed sleep after studying late the night before. Before the 2:10 was put into place 10 years ago, Wednesday mornings were late starts. The extra hour in the morning was filled with faculty meetings, clubs, This editorial represents the views of and publication work sessions. This was modified the Le Journal staff. EIGHTEEN out of 19 due to meetings running late into first hour. Knowing voted in support of this view. students and faculty still needed an hour a week, the Thursday 2:10 dismissal was put into place by admin The clock ticks 2:11 as seniors in Señora Schenistration. del’s sixth hour class sigh and try to concentrate on Ten years later, this tradition is wiped off the map the lesson. “We would be done with school right now,” all for more teaching time. But now meeting times for a student whispers. It’s a Thursday afternoon, and the clubs or organizations who meet after school are more girls struggle to keep focus. difficult. Many clubs and organizations depended on Celebrating 100 years of Sion in 2012 reminded that extra time. Now, if a student is involved in sports, students and faculty the wonderful aspects of the they head right to practice. Whereas before, they school, filled with tradition. would have had an hour for their club or meeting. But one of the traditions, the Thursday 2:10 Several teachers like Frederick used the Thursday dismissal, is gone. hour to play movies The change which students could in schedule was watch for extra credit. in response to the Removal of the early teachers’ overrelease left Frederick whelming request lost for when to host for continuity after school opportuni-senior Megan Neisius in class teaching ties. time. With so many different schedules each week last Not having the additional hour year, full schedules were far and few between. before or after school leaves no time for extracurricNow full schedules are in abundance. ular activities without staying later than an average Elimination of the early release has been a tough school day. With sports practices, school meetings alteration for students to adapt to. Many girls are and fine arts rehearsals, students, as well as faculty, frustrated with the change, arguing 2:10 was a Sion find they have longer days and less time for weekly tradition and say it was one of the aspects of Sion activities when everyone’s schedules are packed and they loved. Senior Megan Neisius is not in favor of busy enough. Administration believes the recent change. She said the early release gave her in this change, wanting to give teachers more class something sweet to look forward to during a long time and a better shot at finishing curriculum. But in week. reality, the earlier dismissal only took away 10 min “I always looked forward to getting out at 2:10. utes of class each Thursday. I guess I’m just really disappointed it’s gone,” Neisius Maybe if the teachers don’t have enough time said. to finish their curriculum or are wanting more class Disappointment is time, then the whole week what many students felt as of “review,” which is usually word of the new change replaced by study halls, before spread quickly. Waking up finals can be filled with class Thursday morning was altime. Teachers can finish ways welcomed by a sense curriculum and leave just two of relief. After a full week days for review rather than a of school, students were whole week. finally given a small but The 2:10 dismissal was fulfilling reward. English a part of Sion students and teacher Sally Frederick many faculty members truly agrees the extra hour was a enjoyed. There’s no doubt nice bonus for students. this tradition will be missed “For students, the by many, for Thursdays gave early dismissal was a nod many students something to to the fact that you are the look forward to at the end of (Drawing by Maggie Keenan) busiest of young women,” a long week. Although the Frederick said, “so the earchange may seem trivial in ly dismissal was a sort of reward for that hard, hard, retrospect, it was a small reward that gave students work and a break which you could use just for your substantial motivation. own personal needs and desires.” Now sitting in 6th hour on Thursdays, students Although an hour earlier dismissal may seem might be focused on the fact that “we would be out of trivial, these 60 minutes of freedom go a long way in school by now” rather than the lesson being presenta Sion student’s book. As time goes on, the days of ed, at least until the new schedule settles. The removal endless routine tend to all blend together. The 2:10 of the early release will be a tough change for many to dismissal put a spin on the week, breaking up the adapt to. Change can be hard to cope with, but we are same day in day out schedule. Having an extra hour capable of adjustment. If it’s not re-instituted, we will after school on Thursday was always a nice relief and survive. It’s just that the 2:10 dismissal was benefigave students the opportunity to get a leg up if they cial and loved, making this change more difficult to were lagging behind in class. It gave students the accept. chance to still stay ahead while catching some much
“I always looked forward to getting out at 2:10. I guess I’m just really disappointed it’s gone.”
Return of Steady Routine Change in schedule allows for consistent teaching time and better test scheduling. By Sarah Harris Reporter It’s a Thursday afternoon and the clock strikes 2:10 p.m. The freshmen don’t seem to notice it, but the sophomores, juniors, and seniors are itching to leave. With the abandonment of an early dismissal the students not only gear up for longer weeks, but also reminisce on the days when they were home an hour earlier. Although the administration has eliminated the early dismissal on Thursday, they’ve ultimately created a consistent schedule for all. “My initial thought was bummer,” history teacher Mary Murphy said. “But, I’ve grown to like it. I like the continuity it brings.” But what were we really doing with that extra hour? Maybe some of the student body was taking another shift at work or starting homework early. But most of us were either grabbing Panera before an after school practice, watching television for an extra hour before starting our homework or taking an afternoon nap. Though these things are all nice luxuries they aren’t required to function throughout the week and restrict us from maximizing a full seven hour week at school. Having a 3:10 p.m. dismissal on Thursday might not seem ideal to most students, but the change benefits them the most. With the extra hour throughout the day there are more full schedules which maximizes class time and spreads out the tests throughout the week. Last year due to the lack of full schedules, when there was a full schedule students were bombarded with tests all on the same day, causing unnecessary stress and anxiety. Now the schedule allows more flexibility on when teachers have test days. It distributes tests much better across the board. Furthermore, with the longer class periods, there is more time to cover information, so at the end of the semester students aren’t thrown last minute material for the final. Also, teachers are no longer disappointed they didn’t get through their whole lesson plan. With the regulated schedule and the dismissal at 3:10 p.m. on Thursdays, students taking tests have 12 extra minutes to answer those last couple of questions, recheck their answers, or even twiddle their thumbs because they finished the test early. Lastly, with the later dismissal many teachers are able to have enough class time to let the students not only start on homework but even finish homework in class. With your homework done you can even go to bed one hour earlier instead of just taking a nap. As a community we need to open our eyes and recognize the many benefits of leaving school an hour later just one day a week. With a 3:10 p.m. dismissal, the day is just as long as the other days of the week and after a while no one will even notice the early dismissal is gone. With the old schedules behind us, it’s time to look to the future and embrace the benefits of the new change. LE JOURNAL
ISSUE 1
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NEWS BRIEF } in
New Security Guard
BY GEORGIA EVANS REPORTER Everyday he stands outside in the front to greet and hold the door open. Security guard Mike Brazier has one of the most important roles at Sion− making sure we all are safe. Although Brazier is new to the staff this year, he said he takes his job very seriously. A typical day for Brazier includes walking around the grounds. At night he patrols the lots during sports games and events. In addition to guarding the lots, Brazier makes sure that the people coming in and out of the doors aren’t a threat to the students and faculty. “It’s pretty laid back, and the people are really nice,” Brazier said.
Sock-It-To-Poverty BY ELLIE STINGLEY REPORTER First place wins free Winter Formal tickets. Second place wins free Fall Dance tickets. Third place wins a free “breakfast with Broderick.” If you are trying to motivate 400 teenage girls, that is the way to do it according to Student Council President Moira Quinn. This year Sock-It-To-Poverty took place Sept. 3 through Sept. 10. It has been among the many fundraisers at Sion for 13 years, but participation has increased dramatically in the past two years. Quinn credits this improvement with the motivation Student Council has instilled in students and faculty. Advertisement for the event included posters, Twitter and Instagram posts, reminders on classroom boards and frequent announcements. And since the addition of the maison competition, the fundraiser has increased its results by 50 percent, according to Quinn. “We’re trying to make it bigger and better,” Quinn said. Sock-It-To-Poverty has added to the healthy competition swarming around the school, according to Stephanie Pino Dressman, advocate of Sock-It-
NEW
ELEMENT
CONFIRMED New security guard Mike Brazier scans the front parking lot. (photo by Georgia Evans)
Storm Stomp
BY ANNA SCHROER REPORTER The crowd goes silent with anticipation. It’s the final game. The only sound in the gym is the faint swish of the cheerleader’s purple and silver pom poms. The last 20 seconds of the championship game at Storm Stomp 2013 all came down to two teams. “Team Get Lucky”: sophomores Camille Keane, Maggie Keller, and Tess Pereira; and faculty team “Sheer Madness”: Bob Lampen, Lance Younce, Andy Sheer, Maggie Smith and Eileen Johnson. After two hours of facing off with each of the 36 teams it all came down to two, shuffling and fighting their way in order to get the ball and score the winning shot. In the end, “Sheer Madness” carried the day. Every year this event is run by a committee of students. The committee consisted of seniors Madison Hummel, Ali Campbell, Margaret Schorgl, Claire Elbert and Maggie Keenen; juniors Ellie Stingley, Sarah Harris, Lexi Churchill, Elizabeth Shay and Lauren Groszek; and sophomores Olivia Dugan, Aden Mitiku, Stephanie Ostrander and Katie Pendergast. Last year Storm Stomp was able to provide scholarships for six girls, and this year the goal was to bump that up to seven. Hummel said reaching the goal is likely since they exceeded their $30,000 goal. “I joined the Storm Stomp committee because it was a good way to get involved with the Sion community and meet new people from the other grades,” Shay said. “This event is so much fun and I love seeing the unique and clever teams all going out for a good cause.”
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First discovered by Russian scientists in 2004 and confirmed by Swedish scientists August 2013 Temporarily known as ununpentium with temporary symbol Uup
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Will be number 115 on the periodic table
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To-Poverty. Some might think a maison rivalry for a fundraiser could mean disingenuous participation, but Pino-Dressman believes the healthy competition adds to the fundraiser in a positive way. “The fundraiser has started out slowly, but I think everyone will come through because of the prizes. Competition can be healthy,” Pino-Dressman said. People such as Jennifer Brown-Howerton, StuCo sponsor, and senior Amanda Malecki agree that prizes serve as a way to spur students’ competitive spirits while encouraging them to help the less fortunate. “I think at Sion the competitive aspect really gets the students going,” Malecki said. “Students should participate because we are so fortunate and we always need to help those that we can. And this is a really easy and fun way to do just that.” Maison Long came in first, Maison Zacharias came in second, and both Maison Koehler/Radovich came in third. A total of 1875 items were raised and, even though the number is lower than last year’s 2,000 items, Brown-Howerton and Quinn are very proud of the results. “Sock-It-To-Poverty will rock your socks off,” Quinn said.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN
SYRIA?
Currently, Russia and the United States are working on a diplomatic solution ending the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Here are some students’ opinions about US involvement in Syria.
Zoya Khan, junior
“I think U.S. involvement in Syria is vital, especially when Obama stated that if chemical weapons were used, action would be taken. Military pressure has led to Syria handing over their chemical weapons. America has a large international influence, and what’s the use if we don’t use it for good.”
“I think that we shouldn’t fight a war that is not ours. It’s not our problem to intervene.”
Maggie Keenan, senior
(Photo by Wikimedia Commons)
“Even though natural chemicals are used more in the lab, you never know what new element might make a difference.” -Kathleen Teel, Science Department Chair
Christina Rosasco, senior
“I think that the UN should be in charge of the investigation and the penalties for the chemical weapons. I don’t think that Russia and the US should be in control of how the investigation is handled. If individual countries are in charge of this, a war may start up because there is no global group backing the investigation.”
Ins
Break Every year $1.255 billion in personal items and accessories are stolen from vehicles. Many are victims of robberies, but most never imagined that crime would hit so close to home. Seniors Maggie Nelson, Katie Fairbanks, Claire Kramer and sophomore Ellie Schwartz were victims of theft. On Aug. 12, Nelson’s, Fairbanks’ and Kramer’s cars were broken into during golf practice at Minor Park. Just two days later on Aug. 14, Schwartz came to find her car broken into while she practiced tennis at Leawood Park. As they prepared to leave Minor Park, Nelson, Fairbanks and Kramer witnessed golf coach Dana Hoeper in an intense conversation with the owner of the course. Hoeper then proceeded to tell players that some of their vehicles had been burglarized. It is believed that the same perpetrator broke into the cars due to the nearly identical damages on the vehicles. Each car had a dent where a crow bar was used in an attempt to pry the door open, according to the authorities. Apparently that method didn’t work, because each vehicle also nursed a broken window. The thief stole Fairbanks’ purse, which was later found strewn across the road in front of Minor Park, along with her then empty wallet. The damages to Fairbanks’ Ford Escape and the stolen cards amounted to $700. Her entire door frame and window both needed to be replaced. “Be aware of your surroundings,” Fairbanks said,
Switchin’
the Position
Sion teachers are switching up their subjects this year. BY EMMA DOPHEIDE NEWS EDITOR
The first day of school can be scary, especially for freshman. But what most students don’t think about is that teachers often get nervous too. The first day of teaching a class they haven’t taught before can be nerve-wracking. This year, many teachers are making changes in their schedules, teaching classes that differ from the ones they previously taught. Suzanne Norberg, Shawn Watts, Kathleen Teel, Amy Vandenbrul, Bob Lampen and Pam Dykes are among the teachers who will be tackling new subjects this year. The reasons for the switches are scheduling issues, the retirement of some teachers and the addition of new classes to Sion. Vandenbrul, who teaches in the science department, went from teaching academic and honors Biotechnology and Environmental Science to just honors, while also adding honors Biology. She said one of her biggest concerns was not teaching academic level classes anymore. “I love knowing the entire student body, and now I will only be able to know half of each class,” Vandenbrul said. “It is difficult to explain how connected
This past fall, many girls have been victims of theft during sports practices.
BY SYDNEY DANIELS REPORTER “because you never know who’s watching.” The thief/thiefs stole a slew of Nelson’s items. Her purse, her wallet, a Ralph Lauren jacket and school books were all stolen. Later, officers found the purse and wallet on the side of the road, missing all cash and credit cards. Nelson said she was upset because she knew her insurance wouldn’t cover anything she lost. The damages to her car were $250, and roughly $300 of goods were stolen. Yet in order to even file an insurance claim, Nelson would’ve paid $2,500, thus deterring her from pursuing that action. “Take everything out of your car,” Nelson said law enforcement officers told her. “Leave the doors unlocked and take out everything valuable.” According to the police officers, if it appears as though nothing of much monetary worth is in the car, then most thieves won’t target it. Kramer had just finished her 18th hole when her coach approached her to ask if she had a purse in her car. Claire said her next thought was, “Oh my gosh my car was broken into!” Unlike Fairbanks and Nelson, her purse was not taken, only her wallet was missing. The damages to Kramer’s car amounted to $250 and $210 in cash and gift cards was stolen as well. “It could happen to anyone, but I do feel safe there [at Minor Park] because it isn’t an everyday thing,” Kramer said. I always felt to each graduating class and how well I understood the majority of kids.” Even though Vandenbrul will miss knowing everyone, she said she is excited about having some of her students two years in a row. She is happy to be teaching Biology again and ready to face the challenges of
Ellie Schwartz was no where near Minor Park when her vehicle was vandalized. Schwartz left Leawood Park where she’d been practicing for tennis and went to Halbrook Country Club to play a few tennis matches. Upon returning, she found the back window of her car shattered and her purse was gone. “Her car’s window was shattered and glass was all over the ground, it was scary,” junior Michaela Henne, a fellow teammate said. Later that day when Schwartz’s mom contacted the bank to cancel her debit card, she found that her daughter’s account was overdrawn by $200. The thief went to gas stations and Redbox, racking up a bill of over $500. Schwartz filed a police report and the bank reimbursed the money that was taken from her. “I would recommend not putting your purse in the back seat,” Schwartz said. “Keep everything locked and hidden if they can’t see it from outside the car, then they won’t take it.” It is believed that two men in a car donning a Texas License plate stole the items from the golfers at Minor Park. Schwartz is a different story. Neither she nor the officers working her case have any idea who targeted her. The day following the robberies, Kramer relayed the events to Co-Athletic Director Dennis Conaghan. Conaghan asked Kramer if she knew how many cars had been broken into that very same day between the hours of three and seven in Kansas City. One hundred-forty seven, Conaghan said. The girls don’t believe that they will ever find out who swiped their belongings, yet they all agree that their sense of security has been compromised. They all advise people to be more careful with their belongings and to hide valuable items. schedule has been altered this year. After four years of mainly teaching physical education to freshmen and sophomores, Lampen has made the switch to solely math, teaching AP Calculus, College Algebra, and Algebra I. “I used to teach math, then I left Sion. When I came back, I started teaching physical education,” Lampen said. “When the math positions opened, I took them.”
Lampen said he was excited to return to the math department, even though teaching AP Calculus required some preparation. “I taught the algebra stuff before,” Lampen said, “So I spent my energy re-teaching myself calculus over the summer. I also went to a week-long AP workshop.” Senior Julia Balmaceda, a student in Lampen’s AP Calculus class, said she thinks Lampen is doing a great job with the new class. She said she likes his teachFirst year AP Calculus teacher Bob Lampen teaches his class how to tell if a ing style and is understanding function is continuous. (Photo by Emma Dopheide) most of the material. “I think he’s doing really teaching freshmen. well. He hasn’t let anyone fall behind,” Balmaceda “Being a freshman teacher requires me to be said. “He slows down the class if anyone gets lost and more patient and understanding of the things they he’s happy to answer questions. He’s doing good.” simply have never been taught before,” Vandenbrul Lampen said he was happy to be back in the said. “I want to give a shout out to all the freshman classroom teaching his favorite subject. teachers for doing such a great job teaching the fresh “I’m a math dude,” Lampen said. “It’s my passion men all the extra stuff.” in life.” Similarly, Lampen is another teacher whose class LE JOURNAL ISSUE 1
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Double Trouble is Top Team The tennis team welcomes two new talented freshman that replace two top players that graduated. Story By Mary Kate Hense Sports Editor Tuesday Aug. 20 marked the day Sion tennis team gained two players full of energy, skill and techniques according to senior tennis team member Jessie Brown. Coming into the season Brown said that the team was a little nervous because they had lost two great players from the year before. But what they didn’t realize was that two freshmen had been long awaiting the day they could step foot on the court for Sion. “I was so excited for tryouts that I couldn’t sleep at all the night before,” King said. “I was really looking forward to meeting my future teammates and coaches.” Coach Karen O’Neill said that she knew about freshmen Margo Gerke coming into tryouts but had no idea how good freshmen Janie King was going to be. O’Neill said that King’s best quality is her energy level on the court. Senior Jenny Bolton said that she heard that King had previously played with former varsity player and state qualifier Brydie O’Connor. Brown also said that she thinks that the freshmen make the seniors work harder because of their skill level. Bolton said that she used to play with Gerke at Hallbrook Country Club when they were younger. And Gerke and King both previously played at Blue Hills Country Club. King practiced about three to four times a week for over two hours. And Gerke practiced with her coach, Chris Smith,
Freshmen Margo Gerke and Janie King conquer Lee Summit North at Minor Park. (Photo by Sarah Allen)
for four to five hours in the summer and two to three additional hours during the school year. “Margo has a lot of experience so she is pretty calm out on the courts,” O’Neill said. Tennis players are typically ranked on a ladder system according to senior Sarah Allen. Junior Michaela Henne is one, Gerke is two and King is three. O’Neill is impressed with Henne’s attitude and willingness to be a leader for not only the younger teammates but also for the seniors as well. “We really do have a great group of seniors,” O’Neill said. O’Neill’s hope for the season is to one, always try to get the team to go to state as a team because she believes it’s fun to have everyone there. And two, she
FALL SPORTS UPDATES FIELD HOCKEY Varsity lost 1-0 against Pembroke High School. Overall varsity record: 1-3
GOLF Won first place at 5 of the 6 tournaments they have competed in.
CROSS COUNTRY The team won fifth place at Liberty, first at Ray-Pec, and second at Blue Springs.
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VOLLEYBALL
would like to get the girls to stay for the second day, which is the individual state competition. This gives girls who may not be on a great team the opportunity to compete because the teams’ results from the previous day doesn’t affect girls being able to qualify. She said Sion’s toughest match was Sept. 12 against Lee’s Summit North. Last year Lee’s Summit North stopped their road to state, but this year they ended up on top. Bolton believes King and Gerke had a lot to do with the outcome. She said overall they beat teams this year by wider margins. “They are new players with new techniques, and they have four years ahead of them,” Brown said. -View a tennis photo gallery @lejounallive.com
Kansas City Teams Excel THE ROYALS
Lost 19-25 and 21-25 against St. Theresa’s Academy. Overall varsity record: 2-3
SOFTBALL
The team beat Grandview High School 13-8 in their home-opener.
TENNIS The team beat St. Theresa’s Academy 7-2. Overall varsity record: 6-2.
This is the Royals’ first winning season since 2003, and only three more victories will make this the biggest winning season since the 1980s.
Are you excited about the Royals’ success this year? Yes 60% No 6% (Photo by MCT Campus) Doesn’t Matter 34% The Chiefs have kicked off their season with a 3-0 start and are pushing for a fourth win, which would be the first time since 2003.
THE CHIEFS
How do you think the Chiefs will do this year? Really well Okay Bad Don’t Care
6% 64% 8% 22%
(Photo by MCT Campus)
-Poll taken from a random selection of 232 students.
Freshmen Flood Fall Sports
The number of freshmen participating in fall sports is steadily increasing each year.
TENNIS “I love playing tennis with the best girls I could ask for. It gives me a chance to relax and be involved in Sion.”
DANCE “Senior year is the best year to do dance because I learned how to manage my time.”
15
Softball
Volleyball
4 Tennis
3 Golf
Because, although performing in front of people on testing days is “the worst part”, it gives her a rush that motivates her to perform well. Because of the accomplished feeling she has when she earns a new belt after passing another level of difficulty. Because it has given her the opportunity to teach younger students the skills she has learned, making it twice as rewarding. Because breaking a wooden board is just as thrilling as it seems. Being able to jokingly intimidate people with her fourth-degree black belt status might also be considered an upside to taekwondo. However, Groszek is (Photo By Meghan Kearney) careful when it comes to telling people about her skills. “People always want me to kick for them or find a board and break it,” Groszek said. “It can be embarrassing sometimes, but then I remind myself how cool it is that I can actually break the board or kick super high.”
(Photo by: Sydney Manning)
CLAIRE KRAMER
GOLF
(Photo by Sydney Manning)
Start with your usual warm-up and basic skills. Then move to kicking combinations. Next is the real workout filled with learning new moves between every “Ya!” Lauren Groszek, junior, goes through this routine up to three times a week while also managing volleyball, school, and the other aspects of her busy life. Although taekwondo is not the most common sport among teenage girls, Groszek says she is glad she started the intense sport back in fourth grade after seeing a demonstration at school. She is often asked why she loves it so much, and she has her reasons. Because it gives her a fascinating fact to tell people when they first meet her. Because it has taught her discipline, healthy living, and leadership skills that she never would have learned without taekwondo. Because it helps her stay in shape even after eating bags of goldfish, her favorite snack. Because it is considered a team and individual sport, which gives her the best of both worlds.
BETSY BARNTHOUSE
8 Field Hockey
BY ELLIE STINGLEY REPORTER
WITH DANCE
(Photo by Sarah Allen)
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Taekwondo is Sport of Choice From breaking boards to high kicks, this junior hones her leadership skills through taekwondo.
FALL SPORTS
Freshmen By the Numbers
Cross Country
BY MEGHAN KEARNEY REPORTER Making new friends and adjusting to the homework overload can be intimidating for freshmen. Then add the extra responsibilities that go along with playing a high school sport. But according to Co-Athletic Director Reynold Middleton, freshman participation in fall sports is on the rise. “I like being on a team because it’s like a big family,” freshman Molly Marx said. “All the girls understand being an underclassman and encourage me to do my best.” Marx, one of three freshman golfers on the team of 11, started playing golf five years ago and says that she has loved it ever since. This year, Marx’s goals are to do the best she can, compose herself and show other teams that she is proud to represent Sion. She said she needs to focus on taking her time instead of rushing through the course. “I’m really looking forward to competing at districts and hopefully state,” she said. “We have a real shot of winning this year.” Golf is not the only team with a steady freshman roster. The cross country, field hockey, softball, tennis and volleyball teams all have high freshman numbers, Middleton said, coming to a total of 58 freshman participating in fall sports this year. Middleton said over the past five years, there has been a steady increase of freshmen participating in fall sports, averaging 52 girls per year. “I think the reason most freshman come out for sports in the fall than any other season is to meet other new freshmen and upperclassmen,” Middleton, also the cross country coach, said.
“Some sports, like volleyball and field hockey, have higher numbers since they offer freshmen teams,” he said. Tennis boasted eight new freshman, compared to an average of five over the last five seasons. “It’s good to have a lot of freshmen now so when we graduate, they will be there to promote our team and school,” junior Madeleine Campbell said. The golf and softball teams have a smaller number of freshmen try out each year with three participating in golf and four in softball this season. But even with smaller teams, the freshman have the opportunity to make a significant impact, senior Amanda Malecki said. “The freshmen are awesome. I love playing with them,” Malecki said. “They are great players and are going to do a lot of good things for our school within the next four years.” Middleton added that there is a great amount of talent this year in fall sports and believes there is no doubt that the freshmen will truly create a storm at every event they compete in.
BALANCING
“Golf is really hard because it’s everyday but it’s manageable with dance because I’ve gotten good at time management.”
DANCE “I like how I can do both sports and everyone helps me succeed. Dance helped make Sion 80 times better.” (Photo By Christine Reiger)
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THE SPIRIT OF
GLO Layout and Story by: Sarah Allen, Sydney Manning, Kim Fryer, and Anna Schroer
Expanding hearts, educating minds, empowering lives. The driving force at Notre Dame de Sion. This statement has been repeated to the student body since first steppping foot on campus for freshman orientation. But it is more than a motto painted across the walls of the Commons. It is a motto that has woven its way into the lives of students, ranging from freshmen
FRANCE AND ITALY
the cobblestone streets of Italy, junior Down Katherine Glaser made her way to where the Sion
tradition all began. She, along with the other American, French-studying students, trudged along the crowded roads. They made their way through the vibrant streetlife of Italy to the humble church where Theodore Ratisbonne had his visitation from Mary over 100 years ago, thus starting the Notre Dame de Sion legacy. “It was the trip of a lifetime,” Glaser said, “It was so surreal being there.” According to Glaser, though the entire trip had wonderful sights to see, visiting the Eiffel Tower was one of the best parts. “We lounged in the grass right beneath the tower waiting for our turn to go up,” Glaser said. “It was a special moment as I was able to be fully immersed in France.” When she wasn’t participating in organized
group activities, Glaser spent her free time going to the beaches and trying to find her way back to the hotel. Glaser had to weave her way around bustling local markets and avoid small European cars. On top of the crowded streets of France there was a language barrier. Glasier recalls attempting to ask for directions in French in order to get back to the hotel on time for an authentic meal. “Luckily, a lot of the people spoke English,” Glaser said. “If they didn’t, they were nice enough to try and help me communicate.” Glaser benefited from deepened friendships with her fellow classmates that has extended beyond their time together in France and Italy. “We really formed a bond,” Glaser said. “When I see them in the halls at school, I know we shared in a great experience.” Before Glaser knew it, it was time to return to America. On the last Sunday mass in Italy, with pictures of the Ratisbonne brothers surrounding her,
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Sion students pose along the cobblestone streets of France and Italy during their two week trip taking in the culture where the spirit of Sion began. (Photo submitted by Katherine Glaser)
“I went to an adventure camp in Thailand where we did service in a remote village as well as went scuba diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, kayaking, caving and visited temples. We even went to an elephant sanctuary.”
“I went to Romania because my mom and her friend own an orphanage there. We took a medical mission with us and some friends and I translated for them because I speak Romanian.”
- Sophomore Sarah Bradshaw
Glaser looked back on a trip that brought her closer to the roots of Notre Dame de Sion, amidst the continent where it all began.
(Photo submitted by Sarah Bradshaw)
- Junior Isabel Grojean
SION GOES
BAL to senior, from hemisphere to hemisphere. This summer, students boarded planes that would take them across the world. A journey that would allow their hearts to expand to the new people and languages surrounding them, educate their minds on the customs and traditions of the country and empower them to view the world from a different perspective.
30,000 miles above the earth, junior Haley At Buckley flies away from her regular Kansas City
life to spend two weeks in the not-so-familiar country
Students break for a picture in the European heat overlooking a town in Spain where thier Spanish knowledge was tested. (Photo submitted by Haley Buckley)
SPAIN of Spain. Armed with her iPhone and the comfort of seven other Sion students, Buckley was ready for this trip into the unknown. Over the summer, she and several others traveled through various cities in Spain. For Buckley, the trip was more than just another school travel opportunity. The students spent a day touring each town; visiting major monuments and religious landmarks. Buckley said that the trip was mainly centered on religion and the many differences between the United States and Spain. One difference that Buckley noticed was the friendliness of the people. Buckley said that whenever they needed anything, the locals were more than happy to assist them. “When we would go on scavenger hunts, we had to communicate with the natives. They were all very patient with us and tried really hard to help us as much as they could,” Buckley said. “It was not what I was expecting.”
Of all the things she experienced, Buckley said that the relationships she formed with the variety of people she met was the highlight of the trip. “The best part was experiencing a new culture and falling in love with it,” Buckley said. “I was so surprised about how much I really got to know the other girls on the trip.” Buckley said that she has always thought about studying Spanish in college, but it wasn’t until after she experienced such amazing things on the trip that she decided she would like to study abroad. For now, Buckley is back in her Kansas City home, but is excited about all the adventures awaiting back in Spain.
“I went to a camp for American Greek Orthodox Christians and visited places like monasteries and beaches for three weeks.” (Photo submitted by Isabel Grojean)
-Junior Evie Hauptmann (Photo submitted byEvie Hauptman)
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Students Sydney Manning, Kirsten Rasmussen, Jackie Meister, Catherine Ancona, Abby Synder, Maddy Lewing and teachers Bill Ray and Jennifer Campbell abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil take in the sights as they look down from the top of the famous mountain Corcovado where Christ the Redeemer stands. (Photo submitted by Maddy Lewing)
streaming down her face, senior WithJackietearsMeister embraces her newfound Brazilian
country. The chapel in the Brazil school includes the exact friends and slowly makes her way towards the plane statue of Mary and baby Jesus as the Kansas City lower where she will spend 13 hours flying halfway across school chapel does. Similarly, the phrase “In Sion I am the world. Meister turns around one last time to wave firmly established” is phrased in different languages goodbye to the teary-eyed girls and boys who have around the world. become her family, as last minute wishes of seeing “[The phrase] was in Portuguese on the walls each other soon or, as they say in Portuguese, “até of the Brazil school chapel and the Costa Ricans had logo” floated around. bracelets with it written on them,” Lewing said. This was not the type of bond Meister had Although each school had many of its own tradiexpected to form when she left Kansas City for Rio de tions, as they learned through cultural presentations, Janeiro to attend the international meeting of Notre the girls attested that deep down each student was very Dame de Sion schools around the world just two similar and shared the same yearning for unity. short weeks earlier. “I didn’t think we would all be so similar and have Meister was one of six students (four juniors, so much in common,” Meister said. two seniors) to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Rasmussen said that every school, no matter what school meeting as well as World Youth Day. country, had a strong sense of community and belong The girls quickly found that the trip would ing. surpass their expectations and be unlike any other Rasmussen celebrated her 17th birthday with this experience in their lifetimes. large Sion community on the trip and created one of the Senior Kirsten Rasmussen said the main purpose greatest memories of her life. At midnight on her birthof the meeting was to get to know the other members day, Rasmussen was woken up and led into the quad of of the international Sion community and come to a the school. To her surprise, every student surrounded broader understanding of their cultures and faith. her and began to sing happy birthday in ten different Because of this, students were given lots of time languages. After the singing ceased, Rasmussen was to mingle and get to know each other. individually embraced by each student. Junior Maddy Lewing said that through free “I just stood there while everyone showered me time and talking with the other international meeting with hugs and kisses,” Rasmussen said. “They were all participants, the girls learned about the differences so excited to be a part of my celebration.” in each Sion school in addition to the interwoven On top of an international serenade, Rasmussen integral parts of Sion that remain the same in each also got to visit the internationally prominent Christ
the Redeemer statue, which sits atop a mountain in the center of Rio de Janeiro. “We didn’t realize how big the city was until we got up there,” Meister said. “You could see beaches, mountains, all of downtown. It stretched on for miles.” As their time in Rio came to a close, the girls started reflecting on their experiences and their trip as a whole. Though they were sad to have to say goodbye, they knew they had gained lifelong friends that they still keep in contact with every day. “The trip made me appreciate technology because we can still keep in touch, although I would rather be with them directly,” Rasmussen said. The students from Brazil have planned a trip to America in January of 2014, and the girls have hopes of someday returning to their second home in Rio. “I wanted to go to Rio to have something good to write about on my college essay and looking back it was so much more than that,” junior Cat Ancona said. “It was life changing.” Going forward, the girls who traveled to Brazil plan to keep in mind all the lessons they learned from those they encountered and the cultures they were introduced to. Each proclaimed a shift in perspective and growth as individuals. “I learned that I’m not just part of the Sion sisterhood [in Kansas City], but that you are immediately accepted everywhere because of your Sion roots,” Lewing said. “We’re all part of the giant extended Sion family.”
“I went to Croatia to visit our foreign exchange student. Her family showed us the best places to stay, eat, and visit while we were there.”
- Senior Lilly Schaffer (Photo submitted by Lilly Schaffer)
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(Photo submitted byEmma Lisac)
FRANCE
CHILE
midst the crashing waves and blowing wind of the AMediterranean Sea, senior Mary Sizemore clings to her surfboard. Just below her swims a group of purple jellyfish. Sizemore had never been more than ten feet away from shore before this. And she was in a foreign country, on her own, with a French student she had just met. Sizemore participated in the Sion French exchange trip along with senior Sarah Allen over the summer before flying on their own to continue their exchange. “We flew straight from Rome to Paris and stayed with individual families for three weeks,” Sizemore said. Sizemore stayed an hour outside of Paris in a small town called Sermaise with her exchange student Claire, whose family spoke fluent English. “Sermaise has a bunch of cute little neighborhoods. It was super pretty, and the house that I stayed in was built in the 1770’s,” Sizemore said. Sizemore enjoyed the food more than anything. She was thrust into the French culture the very first night when the family decided to steam mussels for her first official French meal. “They showed me how to eat them and encouraged me to just try it,” Sizemore said. “They ended up being delicious and I had them many times after that.” When she was not at the family home in Sermaise, she travelled to Versaille, Normandy, and Collier, where France meets Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. “We could walk from the family’s vacation house in Collier down to the beach, and we even took windsurfing lessons,” Sizemore said. During Sizemore’s three weeks with her host family, Sizemore said that the main thing she had to remember was that she had to step outside her comfort zone while she was in France. “You have to stay calm,” Sizemore said. “You may not have cell service or know anyone around you or speak the language, but you’re going to get the most out of the experience if you keep your mind open.”
Mary Sizemore and her hostess Claire Strehaiano enjoy lunch at a small cafe on one of their visits to Honfleur, France. (Photo submitted by Mary Sizemore)
Sydney O’Dear and her Chilean hostess Maria Vegara enjoy a weekened at the beac, a mere couple hours drive from their home in Santiago with fellow St. Georges school friends. The students went without any parents varifying to O’Dear the vastly different amount of responsiblity put on Chilean teenagers. (Photo submitted by Sydney O’Dear)
the walled-in doors surrounding her host Through Maria Vegara’s house in Santiago, Chile, senior
Sydney O’Dear, fresh off the plane, attempts to try out her spanish. As she walked through the foreign kitchen for the first time O’Dear tried speaking her classroom taught spanish to describe the avocado Vegara’s mother was preparing. “Oh, aguacate,” O’Dear said, gesturing to the vegetable being sliced. “Est palta in Chile,” Vergara’s mother said correcting O’Dear. This was just one of the many differences between the Chileans’ language and the American-taught spanish. O’Dear was unaware of the differences in culture between America and Chile, knowing only of what Vegara had told her when she was in America visiting O’Dear the previous winter. However, O’Dear quickly learned that simple Spanish words were different, night life was different and even the schools were run differently. “When the Chilean students visited America, they were given a uniform and a schedule,” O’Dear said. “But we didn’t get that when we went there, we did our own thing.” O’Dear attended school with Vergara at St. George’s College in Santiago describing it as a vastly different coed environment than at her Sion home. Throughout the four and a half weeks she spent in Chile O’Dear longed for some of the the comforts of America such as the food, her family, and her native language, yet she also never wanted to leave her host family whom she greatly bonded with. “I loved my host family. They were spunky just like Maria,” O’Dear said. “The atmosphere in Chile was amazing, so different.”
AUSTRALIA
most high school students spend their While summer taking a break from school life, senior
Mackenzie Manning found herself doing the opposite. She was attending classes and wearing a uniform throughout the month of July, but she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Manning was one of four Sion students that traveled to Melbourne, Australia for the second half of an international exchange. Last winter, Caitlin Bond, a Sion exchange student from Australia, stayed with the Manning family for a month. Originally, Manning wasn’t planning on traveling to Australia, but after the friendship she and Bond shared, Manning said she knew that she had to go. “After seeing what an amazing time [Bond] had in Kansas City, I didn’t want to miss out on the same experience in Melbourne,” Manning said. “I’m so glad I ended up going.” Manning spent one month with the Bond family. During this time, she explored the city, swam at the beaches, attended classes at Our Lady of Sion College and flew to Sydney for a weekend. Of all the extraordinary adventures she experienced, Manning said the last one was her favorite. The day before she left, the American students went to a wildlife park in Melbourne. Here, the students took a plethora of pictures with the friendly animals. “It was the first time all the exchange students and hostesses were together,” Manning said. At the time, there were also French students visiting the Australian Sion school. “The kangaroos would hop right up to you, it wasn’t like a regular petting zoo at all,” Manning said. “It was such a fun way to end the trip.” Since returning home to Kansas City, Manning hasn’t stopped talking about her experience down under. She’s already plotting when she can be reunited with Bond, and says she can’t wait until she can see her new Sion Sister again.
Sion students Mackenzie Manning, Michelle King, Samantha Ruiz and Cory Cole experiance the true natural aspect of Austrailia as they explore Healesville Zoo with their hostesess from Melbourne, Australia. (Photo submitted by Cory Cole)
“I attended a camp held at Cambridge University for a month. The new people, city, teachers, and memories I made have made it the trip of a lifetime!”
“I went to Spain to visit Maria Vidal and fell in love with the country and the culture, and I want to live there one day. I felt like I belonged there.”
- Junior Emma Lisac
- Junior Alexandra Dykeman (Photo submitted byAlexandra Dykeman)
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Passionate Perseverance Junior Catie Marx deals with a life changing disease. A disease that stumped even the doctors. BY MARY B. FREEMAN REPORTER Flashback to two years ago. Second week of school 2011. At this time a Freshman, Catie Marx sits in class, listening intently, completely unaware that next week her life will change forever. Because next week Marx will no longer have peripheral vision. Because next week Marx’s vision will continue to decrease until she can barely see out of her eyes. Because next week Marx will begin to develop hot spots on her legs and feet, giving her the sensation of being on fire. Because next week the doctors won’t know what to do with Marx, so they will send her to the Mayo Clinic with the hope that they will be able to diagnose her. Because next week Marx’s symptoms will stun 50 of the finest doc-junior tors in America. “I have all the symptoms of having a brain tumor without having an actual brain tumor,” Marx said.“That was why it was really confusing.” Now a junior, Marx’s doctors are calling her condition psudotumorcerebrite with chronic migraines because they do not know what else to call it. Today Marx is still suffering from psudotumorcerebrite, but on a much smaller scale. She only gets hot spots every once in awhile, her vision has increased from looking through tubes to seeing like a horse with blinders, and her migraines have been controlled to about one a week. With feeling better, however, a price has to be paid.
“For my medicine I have now I get short term memory loss,” Marx said. “So it’s really hard and stressful for school because I will study hard for a test the night before and then I would come into a test the next day like I don’t remember any of this.” Marx has slowly learned to overcome this obstacle with her favorite study tool: a white board. Marx says that she has to use muscle memory to study or she will not remember anything. As a result of her memory loss, she has faced other non school-related challenges as well. “I forgot how to play the piano so I had to reteach myself how to do that,” Marx said. However, Marx has not let her disease wary her positive attitude. She maintains a positive outlook on her life because her condition has taught her a very valuable lesson: there is always someone out there that has it worse than you do. “When I go to the Mayo Clinic I see kids that are two to my age that have all kinds of diseases and I am the healthiest one there. Seeing this has made Catie Marx me feel like, yeah, there are days that I feel awful but there is someone out there who is even worse than me, so I am grateful for what I have,” Marx said. This disease has also inspired Marx to pursue many service opportunities because she was helped by countless others. As a result service work has become her passion. Though she can no longer play sports because her vision is not good enough and her immune system is not high enough, Marx has spun her bad luck into good luck for those in need. Even though another symptom of psudotumorcerebrite is that normal sickness such as the common cold for Marx is much worse than for a healthy person, she refuses to let it slow her
“I always told myself I was going to get back to school. I was going to get there.”
(Photo by Mary B. Freeman)
life down. Not coming to school never crosses her mind. While most Sion students dread the long hours and early mornings that school brings, this type of normalcy is Marx’s goal. “When I first got sick I went to the hospital that night I was put on a medicine that I ended up being deathly allergic to. I was put in the emergency room,” Marx said. “They were getting ready to transport me to the main hospital and I remember asking ‘Do I get to go to school tomorrow?’ I just wanted to go to school. I always told myself I was going to get back to school, I was going to get there. My parents weren’t sure.” Marx has been at school for a year and a half since she was diagnosed with psudotumorcerebrite. Though her illness still lingers, she appears to be a normal Sion student, but in reality every day is a struggle for her. Marx, however, has allowed her experiences to make her a stronger person, one that is appreciative every day for the health she has, and one that truly has a heart larger than the world.
Service with a Smile
Camp Barnabas is a Christian camp in Purdy, Mo. for children with life-threatening illnesses. Marx spent much of this past summer at the camp volunteering.
(Photo Submitted by Catie Marx)
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“I went in thinking that I was going to give the campers the best week of their life. But in reality I was given the best week of my life. It was life changing. I will never forget.”
- Catie Marx, junior
(Photo Submitted by Catie Marx)
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(Photo by Ashley Herring)
After having many fans send in artwork to Mumford and Sons, the band said they were amazed by some of the amazing art pieces. The band, consisting of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Ted Dwayne and Winston Marshall, had the idea to have fans enter a t-shirt design contest in order to display their creativity and talent. Senior Jessie Brown created a t-shirt, displaying her artistic skill, in honor of the band. “I wanted to enter the contest to see where I would end up and how many votes I would get without a huge fan base, like the other people who entered,” Brown said. The musicians were looking for designs that were original and new. Brown wanted to create a t-shirt design that was more of an abstract silhouette with designs to fill the shape in. “I included each band member with his instrument used during performances,” Brown said. “I cre-
THE MAN
BEHIND THE BOW TIE New staff member contributes more than just quirky bow ties. BY KRISTINE SULLIVAN PHOTO EDITOR It is hard to miss Steven Turner, the new Associate Head of School for Curriculum and Instruction, when he walks down the hallways. He adornes a big smile and a signature bow tie. Today’s is lime-green with purple polka dots, just one of 25 bow ties Turner owns. Last year Turner, a Duke University graduate, was the Academic Dean and Latin teacher at Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, an all-girls school in New York City. Although male teachers were a minority, Turner and the male teachers at Sacred Heart together instituted “bow tie Tuesday” as a sort of gentleman’s club. And ever since Turner has preferred the bow tie to a tie. “There were a few more male teachers at Convent of the Sacred Heart but I feel like I am in good company here,” Turner said. “I’m used to working in a school where it is difficult to find a men’s room.” But Turner is much more than a bow tie and enjoys cooking, mostly Italian, can speak Latin and was the lead singer of his college band, The Vines.
Turner is married and met his wife, Yvette, while both were teaching at a middle school in Georgia. Now Yvette is a French teacher at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee. Turner and Yvette have a 2-yearold son, Hudson, who keeps them busy, he said. Although Hudson is too young to fully recognize the move from New Jersey to Kansas, Turner said he believes Hudson notices a change in daily life, and thinks Hudson realizes they see each other more. “I used to spend three to four hours in my car just traveling to and from work,” Turner said, “Now, my job and home are close, so Hudson sees me more.” The Turners’ move to the Midwest was not a surprise. Turner was look(Photo by Sarah Allen) ing to make a move. He had just finished his master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Seton Hall University and was looking for the next step. The job opening at Sion was ideal because it was near Yvette’s family. “It’s nice to spread out and breathe, which we are finding it easier to do here,” Turner said. Not only is Turner an integral part of the administration, but he also teaches one hour of Latin. His class mostly consists of freshmen and one sophomore. He started taking Latin his freshman year of high school and stuck with it. “Errare humanum est,” Turner’s favorite Latin phrase, translates to error or to make mistakes is human. Turner interprets that as, things may not go right the first time, but eventually we will get where we want to go.
Freshmen Edition
According to Admissions Director Sharon Radovich, freshman Emily Hovis is a United States Equestrian Federation athlete. And Music and Performing Arts teacher Elizabeth Mulkey said freshmen Maria Arroyo, Natalie Arreguin and Julia Bond are three wonderful freshmen singers. She also calls freshmen percussionists Tara Jungden and Anna Cosner the powerhouse of the symphony. And these are just a few talented students.
(Photo submitted by Lisa Hagedorn)
By Ashley HeRRing Arts and entertainment editor
ated the design by incorporating my own ideas using black sharpie pens.” Amy Shapley, art and technology literacy teacher, said Brown does a great job of putting life into her artwork, and that her work has all the joy and life of reality. “I believe her photorealism and her graphic design technique helped in creating her T-shirt design,” Shapley said. After the band analyzed numerous art pieces, they would select a winner. The winner’s design would be added to the official store, receive $1,000 and a Mumford and Sons goodie bag. Although she didn’t win, Brown’s t-shirts are still being sold for $15 and can be purchased by facebook messaging her. Senior Jackie Meister said, “I’m not able to go to the concert, but I still bought a shirt because it’s really good and creative.” Brown said she’s excited to wear her designed T-shirt at the live Mumford and Sons concert Friday Sept. 20 and hopes to see many other people wearing the T-shirt as well.
Natalie Hagedorn Gymnastics “There are many reasons why I do this sport. One is because it’s fun and I have met many of my best friends there. Another is that this sport is challenging and not very many people can do it or choose to do it.”
ERIN QUINN DANCER (Photo submitted by Erin Quinn)
Mumford and Sons T-shirt contest is just one outlet for senior’s creative side.
Sion’s Got Talent:
“I love dance because it offers an escape for me from the outside world. It lets me be free from difficulties and allows me to enjoy a life with absolute bliss.”
CLAIRE RAULSTON VOLLEYBALL (Photo submitted by Leah Nelson)
T-SHIRTS AND TALENT
“I play because I love the game and it’s a great way to meet people. I play for PVA when I’m not playing at Sion and travel to national qualifiers during the year and national championships during the summer.”
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Kim’s Declassified Survival Guide
(Photo by Road Trip Mom)
After experiencing a road trip with my mom, I realize every girl needs a survival guide. BY KIM FRYER
FEATURES EDITOR You know those movies where the teenage girls suddenly decide they’re going to roadtrip across the country with no other plans except to live by the motto of “YOLO”? You sit there watching the movie, chuckling over it’s unrealisticness, claiming that no person in their right mind would ever do that. I am here to tell you that it can and does happen, people. Only instead of a teenage girl having the idea, it was my mother who randomly wanted to take me across the country. Given the knowledge and experiences I obtained from our vacation to God-knowswhere, Colorado I realized that every girl needs a survival guide, you know, just in case your mom ever wants to be adventurous. Survival Tip #1: Bring entertainment for the road. I guess I should specify that entertainment means something different to my Broadway star-wannabe mother. I didn’t anticipate how long a 12-hour car ride would be and the only items I came prepared with were my cell phone and an awful Redbox movie (that I couldn’t force myself to watch the whole way through). That was only my first error. The second? Turning on the radio. Sure, it was fun at first. We sang the lyrics to every Beyonce song imaginable, adding the only dance move you can fit in a restrictive car - fist pumping. Lots and lots of fist pumping. And then fist pumping transitioned to head banging, and I’m talking about me wanting to slam my face into the car window after eight hours of my mother’s voice at top notch (I’m only kidding, mom, you have a lovely voice…). For some reason unbeknownst to me, she feels the need to sing, no, to belt every song ever written by mankind when behind the wheel, regardless of whether or not she truly knows the words. This means that while the actual song may proclaim that “Shorty is like a melody in my head,” the variation I got the pleasure of hearing was “Chinese melody stuck in my head.” Not to mention when you’re driving through
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the middle of nowhere-Kansas, radio stations’ signals aren’t exactly prime. This meant we had to check the car’s inventory of cd’s, and the only ones in tow were either a snoozeville Nora Jones or an old Hilary Duff album. We went with our homegirl H-Duff because teenage angst is the best kind of angst. Especially when sung by the woman who gave me life. Next road trip I plan on bringing a large assortment of ear plugs, decent movies, and food. It is in all of your best interests to do the same. Survival Tip #2: Know where you’re going. This seems like an obvious tip, but apparently not. My mom and I took off into the unknown with no plans except to stop somewhere in the vicinity of mountains. This landed us about 20 minutes outside of Boulder, Co. where we finally decided it might be smart to reserve a hotel room. Never trust Yahoo! answers of what a “cute, cozy hotel” is. Never. I have never been so horrified in my life. I refused to go in. Sue me, I’m a little high maintenance. It was on to plan B. Only there was no plan B. On any other Wednesday in Boulder, this would not have been an issue. Except this was not just an ordinary Wednesday. This was the day of the University of Colorado Boulder freshman orientation as well as a large scale music festival. In other words, my mom and I had just spent 12 hours in a car and now had no place to stay. Picture Mary and Joseph going door to door in Jerusalem, looking for a room in an Inn to sleep, and that is a pretty accurate depiction of the situation at hand. Literally. There. Were. No. Rooms. In the entire city. Finally, after what felt like hours of searching for somewhere to rest our weary heads, a questionable hotel with an even more questionable “Sporting Wing” welcomed us inside their moldy walls. I kept telling myself I could survive a less than average hotel room for one night. And then my mom just had to tell me about finding a nest of spiders in her bed one night in Colorado and how she was scarred for life by the event. Mom’s Bedtime Stories: 1. Kim’s Sleeping Cycle: 0. Never again. Survival Tip #3: Always check the weather. After we got over the minor hotel fiasco and spent a few hours meandering through Boulder, we moved on to city number two - Estes Park. Estes Park is truly one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on Earth, in my opinion. And what better way to take in the landscape than a horseback ride through a national park, right? The sun was shining in full force as our tiny car took the turns up the mountain and into Rocky
Mountain National Park. Blue skies and white, fluffy clouds overhead seemed to be the perfect backdrop for a relaxing horseback ride. Only we failed to check the weather forecast for the rest of the afternoon. By the time we made it to the stable the sky was starting to look dark and that shining sun was lost. The stable hands made multiple jokes about hurricane-like rain and packed ponchos in our saddlebags because they “never come in early for storms.” Thirty minutes into the ride as we reached the peak of the mountain, a full force hurricane hit. I say hurricane because you could hardly see with the amount of rain, hail, and lightning. Not to mention the sonic booms of the thunder. And we were on horses. On top of a mountain. On the highest point. Everything I’ve ever learned on National Geographic told me this was a dangerous situation. The professional wrangler was there to aid us with a comforting tale of a woman who was struck and killed by lightning on this very mountain just two weeks earlier. Really, lady? Way to kick a girl when she’s down. But have no fear, we packed ponchos complete with giant holes that allowed all the rain to seep into places that you don’t want rain seeping into. I was finally able to cross “Ride through Rocky Mountain National Park on horseback in a hailing thunderstorm” off my bucket list. But still. Always. Check. The weather. Survival Tip #4: YOLO, friends, always remember YOLO. While the trip was full of many unexpected surprises, all in all our carefree mindset seemed to work for the best. The hilarious and thrilling memories I have with my best friend mom are too countless to try and fit into one article. Had we planned out every moment of our vacation and known exactly where the road was going to lead us, we would never have found the adorably cozy bed and breakfast nestled into the side of a mountain or pulled over to capture the rainbow filled sky on a fast moving highway. We would not have discovered that although the sign may say “do not enter” you can do so at your own risk, though not advised. Or that you can feed chipmunks out of your hand on top of a cliff. But mostly? We would never have made the hilarious lifelong memories that we did. All because a little bit of spontaneity can go a long way. Maybe Drake was right. YOLO really is the motto for spontaneous trips .
Summer
REWIND {
“I spent a lot of time visiting my siblings that live out of town.” - ANGELA GRIFFIN, JUNIOR
“I mostly hung out with friends and watched TV.”
AND
- JASMYNE ROTH, SENIOR
NORTH WEST
{
“I would not refer to this past summer as relaxing, but it was so exciting and memorable.” - ELIZABETH JACKOBOICE, FRESHMAN
“I was a nanny for two kids.”
- SARAH BERKOWITZ, JUNIOR
{
On June 15, rapper Kanye West and reality TV star Kim Kardashian, gave birth to America’s own “Royal Baby,” North West. The beautiful baby girl’s first picture was released during an interview with Kanye on the Kris Jenner Show.
WHAT DID YOU DO THIS SUMMER?
(Photo by MCT Campus)
TOP 5 SONGS
1.
{
ROYAL BABY
The whole world was watching on July 22 when news broke that the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middelton, was in labor with her first child with husband Prince William. After an 11 hour labor, the new parents and baby made their first appearance in front of the central London Hospital.
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(Photo by MCT Campus)
A look back on the Summer of 2013
BLURRED LINES ROBIN THICKE FT. T.I. + PHARRELL
2. RADIOACTIVE IMAGINE DRAGONS 3. GET LUCKY
June 1
RED ROCK
“I loved how they incorporated the colored powder.”
“It was a lot of fun because so many people were there.” - HARPER LANNING, JUNIOR
“ It always has a fun venue.”
“It was great music but the tickets were a little expensive” -ANNA HAMILTON, SENIOR
“ I didn’t really know any of the bands, but the atmosphere was very cool.”
(According to Billboard Charts)
8.5/10
8/10
- ANNA DEMETREE, SOPHOMORE
“It had such a positive vibe to it.”
AVERAGE
RYAN LEWIS FT. RAY DALTON
July 6
KENNY CHESNEY
- AMELIA JONES, SENIOR
RATING
HOLD US 5. CAN’T MACKLEMORE &
June 15
COLOR RUN
DAFT PUNK
CAN’T STOP 4. WE MILEY CYRUS
EVENTS
9/10
- MAGGIE NELSON, SENIOR
- MEREDITH GEORGE, JUNIOR
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ISSUE 1
Premieres
“I can’t wait to see what happens. I can’t stop watching it. I love all the plot twists.” -Alexis Cutrera, sophomore
Season seven of the hit BBC show Dr. Who will return this April. But be on the lookout for the drama’s annual Christmas special on Christmas day.
@AMANDAMALECKI
“I prefer vine videos better because they are shorter and seem to be better quality! The Instagram ones take too long to watch. ” -Elsa Brundige, freshman
“Definitely vine because it’s short and sweet! The videos are more creative and funny than Instagram videos and in general.” -Jacquie Whalen, junior
“Throwback to last week with my girls #vive”
“I’m ecstatic for the next season. I’m excited for the new doctor and that there is a new series of the show.” - Aiden Fogle, junior
ISSUE 1
“Louder than a lion.”
DR. WHO
VINE OVER
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@OLIVIAM123
“I like Vine because Instagram is really hazy and Vine is cute how it keeps playing over and over.” -Mary Horn, senior
“I personally like vine better because its more popular than instagram videos and because most vines are hilarious.” -Claire Magsamen, sophomore
FOLLOW @LEJOURNAL AND #LEJOURNAL TO BE FEATURED
MY LIFE IS AWKWARD:
FROSH YEAR
{
“Kirsten Rasmussen and I did the jump splits at freshman mixer.”
{
{
- JACKIE MEISTER, SENIOR
“My burrito caught fire in the lunchroom microwave on my birthday.”
- EMILY BARANOWSKI, JUNIOR
{
“It’s suspenseful. I’m excited to see what plot twist there are. Last season they left us hanging.” - Claire Raulston, freshman
{
AMC’s most watched cable drama, “The Walking Dead,” returns on Sunday Oct. 13 at 9/8c. Entertainment Weekly called the series the, “Greatest thriller ever produced for television.” The drama has won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Prosthetic Make-up and has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series.
“I’d say we crushed it.”
{
ABC’s hit drama “Revenge” returns Sept. 29 at 8/9c with more drama than ever before. ABC says enemies will fall and threats will rise in the new season.
@SPOPP022
THE WALKING DEAD
“I’m excited for the new season because the premiere is one hour.” - Madi Lamb, senior
{ REVENGE
BLUE AND WHITE EDITION
{
{ MODERN FAMILY
Fresh off a fourth consecutive Emmy win for Outstanding Comedy Series, season five premieres Wednesday Sept. 25. According to ABC.com, the cast holds many surprises this season. Tune in at 9/8c to find out what secrets this season holds.
INSTAGRAMS
{
Fall
Television
“On dress up like a teacher day I dressed up like Mrs. Watts and my hair was over-the-top frizzy from trying to braid it as curly as hers.”
- SOPHIE NEDELCO , SOPHOMORE
A New Year For Arts
Music teacher Elizabeth Mulkey brings new opportunities to the arts program. BY ELLIE STINGLEY REPORTER
A new music classroom, a new music teacher and a new festival to tie the entire department together all mean a brand new year for the Fine Arts Department. New teacher Elizabeth Mulkey came to Sion this year from the Holy Trinity Fine Arts Department where she taught music classes and directed musicals for kids in fourth through eighth grade. Mulkey said she felt very welcomed when she arrived at Sion and was excited to start the year. “Everyone here is very kind and says thank you frequently, which is my favorite part,” Mulkey said, “The students are very appreciative of the time in class and they always say thank you on their way out,” Mulkey will be directing the theater production this year. Hairspray, the upbeat musical set in the ‘60’s, will be performed Jan. 24-26 at Avila University. AudiSenior Hanna Meek coils a pot during fifth hour tions will be held Oct. 28 and 29. ceramics. (Photo by Ellie Stingley) The Renaissance Festival, also called Her gives a sense of communiMajesties’ Theatre, tas.” will take place Oct. Along with the Renais14 and will involve sance Festival and musical, every section of the the Fine Arts Department Fine Arts departhas a variety of activities and ment including Petite projects planned for the year. Choeur, Grande -Elizabeth Mulkey, teacher One-act long student-directChoeur, symphony, ed plays will take place in drama and visual May. Visual Arts classes will enter shows at St. Mary’s arts. At the festival, there will be Renaissance characCollege, Avila University and the Rising Star Program ter cardboard cutouts with head holes to take pictures at Johnson County Community College, in which in as well as music from the time period. students have the opportunity to earn scholarship “This is another chance, besides the musical, for money. AP Art continues to prepare students’ college all the fine arts to come together as one unit,” visual portfolios and help them get the appreciation they arts teacher Linda Blasdel said. “It’s really neat how all deserve for their work. of Sion comes together as a community in the arts. It
“I’m able to not only get feedback from my art teacher, Mrs. Blasdel, but also from professors on the College Board, which is a really important thing for me - to know that what I’m doing artistically is accepted and acknowledged by university professors,” senior Maggie Keenan said. New does not always mean bad. According to Blasdel, the Fine Arts Department is working towards a positively fresh year to show the rest of the school how hard they work. “Last year my AP Art students were the best I have had in the 12 years I have been teaching here,” Blasdel said, “I’m really excited to see what this year’s students will do.”
“Everyone here is very kind and says thank you frequently, which is my favorite part.”
Elizabeth Mulkey teacher of music and the arts performing program directs her students in the band. (photo by Ellie Stingley)
Student Like
Teacher
TEACHER
(Photos by Kristine Sullivan)
According to senior Amanda Malecki, senior Olivia Enright and teacher Porsia Tunzi are mirror images of one another. Last Fall senior Dana Routh dressed up as teacher Amy Vandenbrul on teacher dress-a-like day. Senior Kennedy Whita- DANA ROUTH, ker was amazed how SENIOR much they resembled each other. “I never would have thought a simple changing of her hair part would make such a AMY VANDENBRUL, difference,” Whitaker said.
OLIVIA ENRIGHT, SENIOR
PORSIA TUNZI, TEACHER LE JOURNAL
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FIRST WEEK FUN T
he first week of school was jam-packed with activities, especially for freshmen. They experience traditions such as beanie week, freshmen field day, the Father/Daughter BBQ and orientation with funnel cakes for the first time. They are introduced to Sion’s passionate pep assemblies, sporting events, and the singing of the school song as a community.
4.
1.Freshman Abby Smith plays Little Sally Walker with her freshman classmates at the Freshman Food Truck Day. Later they ate fresh funnel cakes. (Photo by Sarah Allen) 2.Freshman Lauren Cordes tie dyes her shirt with her senior maison buddy during freshman field day. (Photo by Kristine Sullivan) 3 Freshmen Madeline McMaster, Madi Wiessler, and Lizzie O’Connell enjoy burgers and hot dogs at the Father/Daughter BBQ. (Photo by Kristine Sulivan)
2.
4. Freshman Jade Harvey smiled as she received her beanie from senior Lauren Hunt. (Photo by Kristine Sullivan) 5. Freshmen Paige Behnken and Liliana Capelli dance and sing along to “That’s What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction during freshman field day. (Photo by Kristine Sullivan)
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5.