Over generations, STA traditions have bonded and unified our sisterhood. The Dart reflects on the impact COVID-19 has had on our community’s customs. Read more on pages 18-20.
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Dianne Hirner
Editors-In-Chief
Charlotte Malone
Kaylee Lary
Mara Callahan
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Ellie Buttell
Anna Massman
Design Editors
Anna Stout
Annie McShane
Copy Editor
Annie McShane
COVER DESIGN BY Chloe Denk | Web Editor
Ownership and Sponsorship
Photography Editor
Anna Cucar
Sports Editor
Lina Kilgore
Web Editor
Chloe Denk
Social Media
Ellie McManamy
Dianne Haake
Features Editors
Tierney Flavin
Caroline Hinkebein
Lifestyles Editors
Megan Turley
Kyra Feiger
News Editor
Lina Kilgore
Staff Writers
Olivia Cooper
Katelyn Buckley
Jasmine Cervantes
Isabel Glover
Maya Tule
Sarah Schwaller
Lilly Reynolds-Andrews
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We are happy to bring you all the fifth issue of the year! Spring break is almost here and we are ready for some warm weather. In this issue, we are covering many different topics: from St. Patrick’s Day to Prom, we have it all!
On page five, Anna Cucar shares a photo essay about her “Gilmore Girls” watch parties with her mom. We are personally always down for a movie night and love how cute this gallery is.
Pages six and seven feature Ellie Buttell’s story on our new “first class” airport! Spring break is going to have a complete upgrade now that we can all fly out in style. The old airport will be greatly missed, but we are so excited for the new one. Check out all the great food options that will be available!
St. Patrick’s day is almost here and pages 10 and 11 highlight freshmen Tatum Walsh, the Irish dancer! Written by Charlotte Malone, this festive interview provides further insight into the art of Irish dancing and all that it takes.
Pages 12-13 showcase Annie McShane’s thoughts on the best book-to-movie adaptations as well as Ellie McManamy’s review of “Outer Banks” season 3. This media-filled review spread will give you plenty of ideas for what to add to your watch list (as well as what to not).
Lina Kilgore offers a lovely look back at Prom through the years on pages 14 and 15. This story highlights the beloved senior tradition and how it has evolved over the years.
On 16 and 17, Olivia Cooper’s story covers the evolution of technology in the classroom and how it has changed at STA over the years. This story will definitely make you want to go and check your daily screen time.
Isa Glover, Caroline Hinkebein and Dianne Haake cover the centerspread topic of this issue on pages 18-21, looking into reviving the traditions of STA. Over the years, traditions have seemed to slip due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this story goes into depth on why these traditions are so important.
Kyra Fieger writes about spring break staycations on page 22, detailing exactly how one can still have a fun vacation without going anywhere! On page 23, Megan Turley shares the names and good works of the Mother Evelyn O’Neill nominees. These girls have done some great service in our community and for the dear neighbor, and we are so proud!
On pages 24 and 25, readers will find columns by Charlotte Malone and Tierney Flavin. Charlotte shares about her experience learning to value alone time, and Tierney talks about the many “best” days of her life.
A fantastic story written by Sarah Schwaller focuses on the managers of STA sports. These hard-working managers are the backbone of STA athletics, and deserve so much credit. Read more on pages 26-27.
Tierney Flavin is back once again to write about the Kansas City Youth Court on page 29. Youth Court has so many benefits for our community, so make sure to read all about it!
We have had such a great time as Editors-In-Chief this year and cannot wait to see what our successors will do with this paper. The Dart will FOREVER hold a special place in our hearts. Hope all of our lovely readers have a fantastic spring break and a great fourth quarter! Signing off,
In the February 10 issue of The Dart, student quotes from senior Emma Hiss and freshman Madison Montoya were inadvertently switched. The Dart apologies for this error.
Photo Essay: “Gilmore Girls” Night
National News: New Airport
Tell Me Something Good
[Word] Search Through The Dart
Star Spotlight: Tatum Walsh
Review: Books to the Big Screen
Review: “Outer Banks”
Feature: Prom Through the Years
Feature: Too Much Tech?
Centerspread: True to Tradition
Feature: STAycation
Humans of STA: MEO Nominees
Perspectives: Valuing Alone Time
Perspectives: The Best Day of My Life
Sports: Hard to Manage
Community: Order in the Youth Court
Last Look: Fashionable Frees
Out of all the shows my mom and I have watched together, “Gilmore Girls” has become our favorite. Holding this show deep in our hearts, we decided to have a “Gilmore Girls” night Feb. 19, filled with all of Lorelai and Rory’s favorite treats.
Story by Ellie Buttell | Opinions Editor Graphics by Maya Tule | Staff Member
The Kansas City International Airport was first built in 1972, and its dated layout has consistently been controversial in Kansas City and beyond. The original airport, costing $250 million to build, was known for its “drive to your gate” convenience. With the curbside of the airport and the terminal being so close, most airports have been completely redesigned for better security since 2001.
Kansas City voted on building a new airport in 2017; however, the city broke ground on the project in 2019. Developers of the airport have stressed the need for convenience, accessibility and efficiency leading to the development of the new airport seen today.
The new facility has taken more than four years to build. Over the four years, $1.5 billion has been put into the new airport. This project is the most expensive single infrastructure in Kansas City’s history The developers expect the airport to live up to its hype, as it has attracted media attention for its new attractions.
The new airport has been estimated to have over 50 shops, including some Kansas City favorites: Made in KC, Parisi Coffee, and Bo Lings. Kansas City airport officials say 80% of vendors are local to the KC area. Kansas City locals, and those with layovers, are especially excited for this change as the past airport lacked a food court and had limited options.
The new design also includes better accommodations for accessibility There is a multi-sensory room that provides a quiet place for children and adults with autism, dementia, or a sensory processing disorder. It also includes a meditation room, an airplane simulation room, an inclusive play room, service animal relief areas, and many other options for travelers.
One of the most-awaited features of the new airport is the air travel experience simulation. The simulation allows its users to walk through and experience every part of flying before actually boarding a flight. This simulator includes scanning tickets, walking down a jet bridge, stowing suitcases, and
even an in-flight safety video. Travelers are able to book the experience online before their travel day This feature allows for adults or children with an extreme fear of flying to feel more comfortable on their flights.
The new airport, which opened Feb 28th, operates as a single-terminal facility. Unlike the old airport, every commercial airline operates out of the same building. This will allow travelers from all airlines to enter the same terminal.
While most locals from Kansas City enjoyed the swift security process in the old airport, developers have promised that security will be different, but still very efficient.
The structure of the airport is groundbreaking, as it is the largest all-glass facility in the United States. The airport measures just over a million square feet.
It represents Kansas City by including staples like fountains and barbecue restaurants. The title “City of Fountains” does not stop at the airport doors. It also includes several barbeque restaurants. There
was a BBQ contest held in order to decide what restaurants would be featured in the new terminal. The winner, Meat Mitch, now has a storefront in the new KCI.
The new airport also supports local artists. It features the largest public art program in Kansas City’s history including $5.6 million of newly commissioned art.
The airport includes two lounges. The USO airport lounge is available to active, reserve and National Guard members. The second is the Delta Sky Club, which offers complimentary food and high-speed WiFi.
When Feb 28th arrived, thousands of travelers were able to experience one of the most-awaited events in Kansas City Some booked a flight just to be one of the first people to experience the new airport.
The new facility offers opportunities that are not available in any airports around the country from the air travel experience room built for first-time travelers and neuro-divergent travelers, to the largest public art project in KC history The new airport offers a safer and more accessible experience for locals and those traveling to KC.B
“I am looking forward to going to Costa Rica over spring break and all of the senior activities during the spring.”
“I am looking forward to the warmer weather and being able to hang out with friends more!”
“I am looking forward to spending time with my friends and my family and cooking during spring break.”
“I am looking forward to going to Oklahoma with my mom for her 40th birthday and to just spending time with my family during spring break and getting prepared for my sophomore year.”
1. What opened Feb 28th in Kansas City? (Found on page 6)
2. What will the seniors be celebrating March 31st? (Found on page 14)
3. What is an alternative to traveling during Spring Break?
(Found on page 22)
4. What is a huge part of STA culture (the songs, chants, etc)?
(Found on page 18)
Irish dancing has provided freshman Tatum Walsh with community, a creative outlet and a form of exercise for over nine years.
Story by Charlotte Malone | Editor-in-ChiefHow long have you been Irish dancing?
I have been Irish dancing since I was in first grade, so nine years.
Where do you Irish dance?
I Irish dance at a studio in Mission Kansas called O’Riada Manning Academy of Irish Dance.
How did you get into Irish dancing?
When I was in preschool, my school teacher showed us a video of “Riverdance“ and I was like, “Oh my gosh, thats so cool.” I asked my mom if I could sign up and kept bugging her about it for years. Finally in first grade, she let me sign up.
Are you Irish?
Yes, my dad is Irish, but that is not the reason that I Irish dance.
Yes, I dance competitively with my studio. I travel to a lot of different places for competition. Last summer I traveled to Montreal to go to the North American Nationals, but this year it [nationals] is in Nashville. It’s kind of random. I haven’t gone to Ireland yet to dance, but I hope to eventually.
What sort of events do you perform at?
I did a Winterfest performance a few weeks ago with my studio. We do a lot
of prades and we are doing a Mavericks hockey game soon as well. I also dance at the Irish fest every year, as well as St. Patrick’s parades. Are you doing any special performances for St. Patrick’s Day? Does this ever make it difficult to travel for spring break?
We are doing the Brookside parade and the Overland Park parade. This year, most of the performances are earlier in spring
There are many different types of competitions, like regionals and nationals. Before a big competition, you are in the studio 5-6 days a week, you are stretching a lot and recovering. It takes a lot of preparation. I try to do a lot on my own in order to prep as well. To get into full costume for a competition or performance, it takes me 30-45 minutes now that I am more experienced.
What does your Irish dancing costume consist of? Is there more than one costume?
Every costume is covered in a bunch of crystals. The dresses are usually $1000 to $3000. There is oftentimes a color scheme; mine is gold, green and blue. There is also an underskirt, mine is green, and this is shown off when we do high kicks. I also wear a wig for competitions, which requires a ton of hairspray and bobby pins in order to stay in place. Sometimes people wear different color wigs than their hair, so they need to spray their hair with the wig color in order to make the blend seamless.
Do you see Irish dancing as a sport or an art?
I would say both. Irish dancing allows me to stay fit and exercise, but it also allows me to express my feelings through dancing.
What do you believe is the biggest misconception about Irish dancing?
Irish dancing is not just for Irish people. A lot of different people like Irish dance, and it’s not only open to one specific type of person. B
If there’s one thing a reader loves more than a good book, it’s a good adaptation of a good book. In this day and age, it seems like books are being turned into movies left and right. But, just because a movie was adapted from the book doesn’t mean it was adapted well. I’m here to give you three of the best and most book accurate movie adaptations.
Starting off strong, my first pick for one of the best book-to-movie adaptations is Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice.” Now, this choice was not an easy one, because the 1995 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is also spectacular. But, in my opinion, the 2005 version captures the essence of the story just a little bit better. The soundtrack is dreamy and magical, the scenery is beautiful and the dialogue is taken almost straight from the story, which is something that I really value in a bookto-movie adaptation. All of these factors are important to fully capture the spirit of a book on the screen, and I believe that the 2005 “Pride and Prejudice” has nailed them all.
The second book I want to highlight is “Bridget Jones’s Diary.” I have a bit of a different perspective on this one, because I did watch the movie before reading the story. Going into my first read of the book, I had low expectations. I didn’t think that the book could be nearly as funny as the movie, but I was very wrong. Told in a series of diary entries, the book reads like a romcom, and I found it hard to put down. I think that the on-screen version nailed the quirky nature of Bridget Jones and paints a perfect picture of her two love interests, Mark and Daniel. Although the movie is missing a few plot points from the book, like Bridget’s mother being a fugitive, it also adds some spectacular scenes that are fan favorites, like the fight between Mark and Daniel. Overall, I would say the “Bridget Jones’s Diary” movie is a wonderfully adapted version of the hilarious book.
My third and final choice for best book-tomovie adaptations is “The Hunger Games.” It is not often that a series, especially a dystopian series, is able to get a good adaptation for all of its books. Many movie adaptations of series don’t even get picked
up for a second movie, and when they do, they tend to stray away from important plot points of the later books. “The Hunger Games” series stays true to the books and does what its peers “Divergent” and “The Maze Runner” could not. The fact that all four movies are very “book accurate” and stick with the important themes of the story is truly what puts it above its competitors. In addition, the way that the creators of “The Hunger Games” movies brought the books to life is amazing. The sets and costume design perfectly showcase exactly what I pictured when I was reading the books. These accomplishments place “The Hunger Games” as one of my top contenders for best book adaptation.
If you haven’t had the chance to see these movies or read their books, I highly recommend that you do so. I am confident that you will agree that they belong among the top picks for best book-to-movie adaptations. B
With so many book-to-movie adaptations out there, it is hard to know which ones will be good. I am here to tell you three of the best adaptations that will be well worth your watch.
Story and graphics by Annie McShane | Copy and Design Editor
He grows distant from the Pogues, and becomes engrossed in his father’s unending search for tangible reward. His care for his friends shifts toward his father understandably, considering he has not seen him for a year. But, I think John B. begins to possess some ignorance toward the people who really do care for him.
just keep throwing in conflict after conflict. That’s why I was so thrilled to see that Pope, JJ, and Kiara had their moments. While they were short, they were impactful.
After two years of waiting, “Outer Banks” fans like myself have finally gotten their wish: season three has arrived! Ever since quarantine, “OBX” has been one of the few TV series to keep me entertained. There are numerous reasons as to why it became so highly favored.
The show follows the life of John B., an adventurous 17-year-old on a quest to hunt for the treasure linked to his father’s disappearance. His friends Pope, Kiara, JJ and Sarah all tag along and it becomes an exciting and extremely chaotic journey. Full of conflict and plot twists, “Outer Banks” is the perfect show to watch when you’re in need of some excitement.
Part of the reason I like it so much is because of the characters. Each one has such a distinct personality, so you are bound to encounter one you relate to. I was most excited to watch season three to see what happens amongst them, and ultimately get more opportunities to connect with each character through the storyline.
This season changed my outlook on many of the characters — most dramatically toward John B.. As soon as Big John, John B.’s father, reenters his life, he starts to display more negative characteristics.
As for the other characters, I was pleasantly surprised. I am all for JJ and Kiara. Their new fling offers a fun element to the plot and shifts the focus away from just this whole treasure hunt ordeal, which I really liked. And even more — Pope! Pope is my favorite character. He is smart, emotionally intelligent and caring, and that is all very apparent throughout this season. When he goes out of his way to find his family’s cross and takes Cleo into his own home so that she has a place to stay, it shows how kindhearted he is. I also liked that we saw a somewhat different side to him this season: rebellion. His quitting school and wanting revenge was a fun shift from the regular goodie-two-shoes.
While almost all of the characters left me content, the plot did not do so as much. Don’t get me wrong — it was extremely clever. I liked the new implementation of Carlos Singh and his quest for treasure. However, I believe that the plot could have had more depth. I feel as though the central idea of the show completely overshadowed multiple opportunities for even more character development. For example, after almost every Pogue scene, one with Big John forcing John B. to look for clues followed. I don’t know about you, but at some point I would like that to stop being the only aspect of the show. It feels like the writers are almost running out of reasons to keep the plot going, so they
One central theme I love about this show is the constant familyhood. It has been present in every single season thus far, and I don’t see that aspect coming to a close. I love how despite whatever hardship the Pogues are facing, they support each other and remain together. They overcome any difficulty, and that shows a lot. “Outer Banks” does a great job of exemplifying this theme without making it too corny; every connection between the characters is believable and admirable.
All things considered, I am never fully let down by this show. Although the plot can seem repetitive because it is a continuous dispute, and John B. and his father aggravated me, I did really enjoy this season. It will always be one of my favorite shows, and an instant mood booster. I would rate this season 4/5 stars. I definitely recommend watching “Outer Banks” if you are on the edge; It is sure to keep you entertained. Now, onto season four! B
It [Prom] was really magical and fun and you looked forward to it,” said STA Alumna Virginia Bagby. “[It was] always just a night of dreams and you’d have a fabulous time.” Bagby, a member of the class of 1948, recalled as she reminisced on one of the most memorable nights of the high school experience. For her, this night of dreams was one she would never forget. In the years from 1946 to 2023, many things in the world have changed, but Prom at STA has been a constant throughout the decades.
The earliest noted STA Prom was in 1946, and covered in the yearbook (at the time called “The Avila”). Originally the Prom was for juniors and seniors, although juniors organized the dance while seniors received the invitations. The date chosen was on April 23 and the students danced the night away at the Little Theater of the Municipal Auditorium with assistance from Jim Lenge and his orchestra.
Just two years later “The Avila” shared insight on the 1948 Prom as it was again held by the juniors for the seniors, except this time the venue was Blue Hills Country Club. However, that was not the only detail highlighted in the yearbook. A preparty for the Prom, similar to today’s held annually at STA, was at the home of STA student Barbara Florian. Bagby attended this Prom her senior year and recounted her night and the events leading up to it.
“We had a fabulous time and took some wonderful pictures,” said Bagby.
Similar to today, the importance of choosing which dress to wear at Prom almost outweighed Prom itself, except dress websites and on-line stores were not available to Bagby.
“We went to Mrs. Witherspoon and she was a seamstress over in Kansas,” said Bagby. “They would rustle with some tape measure and make me something.”
This beloved dance did not stop in the 40s but continued
into the 50s with special emphasis on the Prom Queens. Contrary to today, for each Prom, three girls would be granted a special honor. One senior would be voted by the juniors to reign as Prom Queen, while two juniors would be granted the honor by the senior class to be Attendants to the Queen. At that time, Prom Queen material in STA’s eyes was described in “The Avila” through the election of 1958 Prom queen Kathy McCarthy:
“Kathy McCarthy was chosen by the junior class because of her
school spirit, friendliness, and sweet smile to reign as the Queen of the Junior-Senior Prom.”
The students of the 60s continued the crowning tradition with the addition of what is now known as Pre-Prom, as students would present their dates to the faculty and proud parents before the dance. Specifically, in 1966, the Prom was held at UMKC’s Pierson Hall with an appearance by Warren Durret and his orchestra. The night was one to never forget as it was commemorated by the seniors' chosen song of “An Affair to Remember” by Nat King Cole and the juniors' chosen song “Softly” by Henry Mancini.
In 1973 with the theme song of “I NeedYou” played by a band called The Salem Witch Trials, the Prom remained a dance for both juniors and seniors that lasted all night. Students would go to King Louie West after Prom for the opportunity to ice skate, bowl or play pool. These activities would go into the early morning hours and sometimes be followed by other festivities as described in the “Teresian” from 1973:
“At four o-clock, those who remained [at King Louie West] left for further partying or just to go home.”
Much remained the same for the 1976 Prom, with the addition of various ties to present-day Prom. 1977 graduate and STA alumnae director Paula Holmquist recounts that even months before the actual dance, there was a huge importance tied to
This March marks STA’s 77 annual prom. The tradition has lasted throughout several decades and this feature dives into everything Prom related.STA class of 1960 celebrates their Prom. photo courtesy of STA archives. STA class of 2017 celebrates their Prom. photo courtesy of Anna Louise Sih. “
getting ready for Prom.
“The anticipation for Prom is almost as big as Prom because you look forward to it so much,” said Holmquist.
Holmquist found that the excitement of Prom also came with the anticipation for the After-Prom party.
“There was a tradition back then that the girls would take their dates to an After-Prom and it was usually at King Louie’s out on Metcalf,” Holmquist said. “It was bowling, billiards, ice skating and you could play pool. Sometimes parents would have After-After Prom or they’d have breakfast for us, and invite us and we’d all have breakfast, so it was an all-night event.”
These traditions transitioned well into the 80s as the “Teresian” yearbook of 1989 recalls the events with a direct quote from a senior at the time, Kiran Chandra:
“There is something really neat about Prom night–you don’t get tired,” Chandra said. “Right before After-Prom, it seems like everyone gets a second wind, and it takes them clear through the next morning.”
Going back to 1986, the stars enjoyed “An Evening in Paris” complete with pictures next to the Eiffel Tower and a revolutionary change from a band to a disc jockey. Kim Hinson, a junior at the time, expressed her agreement with this change.
“A band wears out and a disc jockey plays way better music with more of a selection,” Hinson said.
Even a decade later, the STA Stars still knew how to make Prom a night to never forget. The dance theme, as recounted in the 1996 edition of the “Teresian” was “Nothing Lasts Forever.” Students attended Deer Creek Country Club, which differed from 1995’s event, where a boat was the dance venue. However, no matter where the dance was held, the Stars made sure to dance the night away–after the DJ requested that people on the dance floor remove their heels because the impact on the floor was causing the CDs to skip. And although the night could truly not last forever, the Stars certainly made memories they would never forget.
Similarly to today, the 2000s embraced the Pre-Prom held in the auditorium where students walk across the stage with their dates and are subjected to countless videos and photos being taken of them. In 2006, the Pre-Prom began at 6:00 with an hour and a half left until the doors opened to the actual dance. Much like today, many girls would go out to dinner or take extra
pictures in the time they had to spare.
From 1946 to 2023, many things have changed around the world, whether it be various technological advances or the style of a dress, but one thing is for certain: Prom at STA is truly an unforgettable experience.
“It’s one of those landmark things that I think you will never forget because it is so different than any other thing you’ve done,” Holmquist said. “It was that privilege of stepping into the adult world, being responsible and having a great time.”B
Freshman Gabby Egan returns home from a long day of school staring at her computer screen. Exhausted, she opens her computer to stare at it for another few hours to complete her homework. She finds herself almost wishing to go back to writing on paper as she works, but with the evolution of technology in the classroom, that wish gets further and further away.
College European History teacher Mike Egner has been teaching for 48 years and has had first-hand experience with the evolution of technology in the classroom. He recalls when he began teaching at STA and students did not have their own personal computers.
“I remember when I first started teaching here and students didn’t have laptops; that part of the freshman curriculum was how to take notes in class on spiral notebooks, or legal pads or whatever they wanted,” Egner said. “That was part of the curriculum because that’s what you had to do in college as well. When students started getting laptops, gradually they moved into taking notes on laptops, but it didn’t happen overnight.”
Egner was the first teacher on campus to start using overhead projectors. He bought his classroom a used projector, and subsequently purchased an online website to use in class as well.
“I was the first person to do that before anybody else at St. Teresa’s had access to the web,” Egner said. “There was so much more online that you could use to add into what you wanted to share with students that students thought was great and so did the administration and everybody else; so they thought well, guess we should do that as well.”
Egner feels that technology has positively impacted his classes; however, Egan feels slightly different. She attended St. Thomas More and did not receive a school-issued personal device until halfway through her eighth-grade year and even then did not have extensive access to them.
“We had to keep them [computers] at school at all times, and if we had assignments at night on our computer, we weren’t able to do them,” Egan said. “We would have to wait till the next day or if we were signed in on a computer at home, we could do them that way.”
presence in the classroom is constantly changing. With STA students receiving and using their own computers at school, it brings about the question: are we using too much technology?
While Egan does agree it is much easier getting assignments online, she feels that she works faster writing on paper. Egner said that he still receives one or two students each year who prefer to take notes on paper instead of on their devices.
Both Egner and Egan agree that with computers, it can be easy to become distracted during class, as some students tend to work on other assignments.
“The only problem with using technology so much in class is that there are students who believe that they can multitask and they get a rude awakening sometimes when they find out that there can’t be mistakes,” Egner said. “As far as students are concerned, that’s a challenge.”
Egan also said it can feel really overwhelming constantly being on a device all day every day. She said she feels the most overwhelmed when teachers distribute all the week’s assignments in one day. She also said that when she gets home from school, she needs to lie down and let her eyes rest before she can start on her homework.
“When I’m home, I usually do my homework later in the night because once I come home I usually just lay down because of how much I’ve been at school,” Egan said. “I usually do my homework later at night to reset my brain.”
When it came to learning how to use the school’s devices, Egner and Egan felt it came naturally to them, as both took classes on how to use their devices. Egner participated in teacher in-service, and Egan attended STA Start Week.
As technology evolves throughout the years, so does learning in the classroom.
The
by Mara CallahanIn 1981, the first personal computer was introduced by IBM. Apple’s Mac Book soon followed in 1984.
In 1990, The World Wide Web was created
In 1993, the first Personal Digital Assistants were released by Apple Computer Inc.
By 2009, 97% of classrooms had one or more computers, and 93% of classroom computers had internet access.
Both Egner and Egan agree that it is also more efficient to turn assignments in on Teams as opposed to in person.
“I feel like I have more time to do stuff because if I forget an assignment, in the morning I can just do it really quickly and then turn it in, which I think is great,” Egan said.
The evolution of technology in schools can lead to the question: Are schools relying too heavily on the devices in class and websites that are used? Egner believes there is a point when schools do become too dependent on technology.
“Sometimes schools can become too dependent and lead students and teachers to become too dependent [on technology],” Egner said. “It’s really up to the teachers and the students to use good common sense about how far they can go. Technology’s changing all the time.”
Egner also noticed that the use of technology at STA sometimes depends on other high schools, and what they decide to implement into classes.
“We’ve always had the issue here with, okay, if Sion and Rockhurst are [changing up technology], we should be doing it too,” Egner said. “I don’t think that’s really good logic. But I think schools do that. They want to keep up with whatever other schools are doing.”
Technology is ever-changing and the evolution of technology will only continue from here. Although Egner does not know what will happen in the future, he knows that things will continue to change.
“I’m not sure where it’s going to go from here,” Egner said. “Maybe I don’t know enough about it. But the access to so much online is incredible. It’s phenomenal.” B
At St. Teresa’s Academy, time-honored traditions have been passed down through generations of alumnae. From the sisterhood and relationships found only here, to events like the Father-Daughter Dinner and Dance and the Mother-Daughter Luncheon and Fashion Show, STA traditions are unbeatable.” This is STA’s statement on tradition that appears on the school’s website.
Senior Maggie Reintjes has been a class representative for three years and serves as class president this year, in addition to being a member of Spirit Club since her freshman year. Contrary to the STA website tradition statement, Reintjes feels as though in recent years certain traditions have been lost or changed.
“Some of the traditions have kind of been erased,” Reintjes said. “Not all, but for instance, we used to sing “Lean on Me” every Mass and we would end it and everybody would dance.”
2019 alumna Margaux Renee remembers how special singing those unique STA songs was to her during high school.
“The way that we would all come together and share songs in a really passionate and earnest way will always be really special to me,” Renee said.
Reintjes believes this loss of traditions could be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My freshman year was not a [full] year and my sophomore and junior years were COVID-19 and [there were] a lot of traditions we weren’t able to participate in,” Reintjes said. Reintjes reflects on how she learned STA’s traditions her freshman year.
“My first time I learned the cheers was actually at one of the Future Stars nights when the middle school students come and watch the STA games [and]
they actually taught us the cheers,” Reintjes said.“Then at the first pep rally, they would teach us the cheers and for Spirit Club, you actually had to memorize them and say them as a freshman in front of the whole club and that was tough but it really helped us learn.”
Freshman Audrey Coppinger is also a member of Spirit Club and believes that students themselves need to put effort into school spirit and cheers. Contrary to Reintjes’s experience, Coppinger does not remember the chants being reinforced as thoroughly.
“It’s not that hard to learn the chants; it’s just that no one knows them,” Coppinger said.
Hope for reviving these treasured traditions is not lost.
“Students push against this loss; students notice it,” Reintjes said. “I don’t think it’s something that students like. The seniors can feel something’s missing and so they want to put their enthusiasm into their club, into their classes and into their sports.”
Reintjes and Coppinger agree that it’s the upperclassmen’s responsibility to bring back traditions that they are passionate about and pass them down to the younger classes.
“As freshmen we need to carry on [our traditions] to the next classes,” Coppinger said.
Reinjtes does her best to make sure students are participating in tradition and showing school spirit. With 10 members per grade, Spirit Club focuses on getting the student body excited and involved in school activities and events through consistent reminders, engaging flyers and pep rallies.
“We’re never gonna force someone to go to a sports game but bringing it up constantly will make people at least question going to the game,” Reintjes said.
When Renee was a student at STA, attending sports games were some of the most memorable STA events she could recall.
“Games of all kinds were generally pretty big deals,” Renee said. “I don’t remember missing a big basketball game or anything like that. Everyone went and it was a big part of the culture.”
There was also plenty of support for STA theater performances. According to Renee, when she was in a musical or play, all of her teachers knew and the events themselves were always very well attended.
“A really big part of the culture was everyone attending each other’s events, whether that be sports, arts, theater and so on,” Renee said. “At a certain point we all become one with the culture of showing up for one another and the sisterhood.”
A tradition that everyone has the opportunity to partake in are the many themed dress-down days throughout the school year, particularly during Spirit Week leading up to Teresian. Reintjes feels
Current and former STA students reflect on how to keep longstanding traditions alive after the COVID-19 pandemic disruption.
Massman that participation on theme days has been declining.
“For Spirit Week people used to go crazy; you would walk in the quad and everyone would be dressed up, but last year nobody really dressed up because we were still in masks and the year before that [as well]; school spirit has been on the low over the last couple of years,” Reintjes said.
Reintjes noticed an exception to this low participation was the FatherDaughter Dance, held last month.
“People have gotten really creative with it, like at the Father-Daughter dance, that was awesome,” Reintjes said. “There were some pretty great costumes [in the past], but this year there was nobody who wasn’t in a costume.”
Coppinger, on the other hand, enjoys themed dress down days at STA because of how students tend to go out of their comfort zones for these days specifically.
“Those [theme days] are really fun because you get to see how outgoing people are with costumes,” Coppinger said.
Renee believes it takes time for students to become involved after enrolling at STA.
“The upperclassmen were more into it [themes],” Renee said. “When I was an underclassman, I remember not really getting it or feeling too embarrassed to wear a silly costume and then by my junior and senior
“It was a really happy moment for us to realize, wow, we have come this far. We’ve been through a lot. We’ve changed. We’re so different from our freshman year. There was a very special moment for us passing it on to the freshmen, realizing the journey that they’re about to go on.
Maggie Reintjesyears, everyone around me was doing it and everyone was excited about it. Definitely the seniors are the most into it because you get this feeling of ‘oh, this is my last time.’ The sense that it was all coming to an end soon was really powerful and drove us towards giving it our all.”
Renee also believes the closeness of traditions came naturally over time.
“I don’t think that they’re necessarily taught, it’s just one of those things where it’s like, ‘oh, we’re going to the game, you’re coming to the game’; it’s almost a non-negotiable tradition,” Renee said. “Even with [themed] Fridays it’s not cool to not show up and not look stupid. We’re all looking stupid together on a Friday and that’s the beauty of it.”
One of STA’s longest-standing traditions is Junior Ring, recognized by many generations of STA students, according to Reintjes.
“[Junior Ring is] very special because that’s your realization that you only have one more year and it bonds you together,” Reintjes said. “I was in a store and I saw a mom who went to STA and recognized the class ring. We started a conversation and we wouldn’t have had that conversation if she didn’t see the ring. That’s a very special tradition.”
As a class officer, Reintjes had a special role in planning the Junior Ring ceremony.
“The other class officers and I actually hand wrote a little letter to every single person and we called up all the students and handed them their rings and gave them a card and a hug; it was very special to have that moment with our classmates,” Reintjes said.
To Reintjes, the class ring is a strong symbol for STA.
“It symbolizes the bond between everybody in your class, the bond that this sisterhood has and that people are there for each other in that,” Reintjes said.
Renee echoes this.
“You’ll have conversations with people that didn’t go to a school like STA and they don’t understand [the big deal about Junior Ring] because they don’t have that same culture,” Renee said. “From the outside it does sound kind of silly, but we all understand it to be a special reminder [of the sisterhood]”
Similarly to her special role in the Junior Ring ceremony, as class president, Reintjes was charged with giving a speech at the Passing of the Legacy ceremony. During this event, seniors welcome freshmen to the sisterhood and gift them necklaces engraved with St. Teresa of Avila as well as a card and a hug.
“It was a really happy moment for us [seniors] to realize how far we have come,” Reintjes said. “We’ve been through a lot. We’ve changed. We’re so different from our freshman year. There was a very special moment for us passing it on to the freshmen, realizing the journey that they’re about to go on too.”
Coppinger had a similarly impactful experience with the ceremony as well.
“I still have my necklace and it was cool because we all saw seniors passing it on to us, and us saying, ‘we’ll be them someday,’” Coppinger said.
Like Coppinger, Renee has her necklace even years after graduation and wears it every day as a reminder that STA will always be with her.
“I do remember being given this [necklace] and I still carry it with me all the time, 24/7, so that ceremony is with me,” Renee said.
A tradition that students wait to participate in throughout high school is earning Senior Privileges, such as coming to school late or leaving school early during free periods and special seating reserved for seniors only, Friday theme days and parking in the senior lot are just some of the additional privileges students wait years for. Reintjes has noticed not everyone is aware of these privileges.
“I had to talk to some freshmen about sitting in senior seating and parking in the senior lot,” Reintjes said. “There are some valuable aspects of seniority as in learning your way around and keeping the tradition alive.”
Despite wishing that underclassmen would respect seniority more, Reintjes also believes that it is the seniors’ responsibility to properly enforce the senior privileges they wish to keep.
“There’s definitely been a loss [of seniority] but I think it’s a matter
of whether the class wants to assert it or not, “ Reintjes said.
This is very different from when Renee was a senior at STA.
“My experience of STA was that [seniority] was taken pretty seriously,” Renee said. The senior lot is the main privilege that we all enjoyed and it’s the biggest rite of passage to park there.”
The continued tradition of sisterhood is another aspect that perpetually bonds STA students and alumnae together.
“[At] STA as a school, the sisterhood is very strong, and it does last past your high school years and I don’t think that is the way for kids at other schools,” Reintjes said. “Once kids go out of high school, they’re like, ‘I don’t want anything to do with high school,’ which is understandable. But at STA there’s something there that makes kids want to do something with it. They want to come to the reunions and be involved.”
Coppinger agrees with Reintjes and can feel the sisterhood that STA has to offer.
“[Traditions] are really important because it’s our sisterhood bond; it keeps us all together,” Coppinger said.
“St. Teresa’s is a very unique schooling experience that I don’t think is paralleled anywhere, at least in Kansas City,” Renee said. “The experiences of friendship and sisterhood and especially community that I had in high school is something I’ll always search for and I really am not positive that I’ll ever find again. Even though they [traditions] might seem silly or part of the daily life of the time, they’re things that I don’t think I’ll ever get back.”
Since STA’s establishment more than 150 years ago, traditions have been the backbone of the school’s history, and are an integral part of continuing the legacy of sisterhood into future generations. Reintjes feels that the reason traditions are so important is their community-building effect.
“When we have these traditions to look forward to like Teresian, Junior Ring, Prom and the Mother Evelyn O’Neill award, people look forward to those and it builds on the community,” Reintjes said. “[School] is not just a place to learn in.” B
Ever since its founding, traditions have been an integral part of STA culture. As the oldest high school in Kansas City, STA’s “brand” highlights our culture, mission and sisterhood.
People choose to come to STA because of the traditions practiced here. For this reason, it is important to keep these intact for future generations of Stars to enjoy. For traditions to continue, people need to be willing to show up and participate; a non-negotiable culture of participation is needed.
Tradition is about building relationships through shared experiences. It’s an additional layer of knowing your classmates in a way that might not have been realized only in the classroom. Quality time well spent through these traditions is exactly what makes the STA culture and sisterhood grow stronger.
Understandably, some of these time-honored STA traditions went by the wayside during the COVID-19 pandemic, when we were remote and/or forced to socially distance, but we need to be mindful about keeping the customs that make our school so unique. Getting into the habit of missing traditions is getting into the habit of missing the true essence of an STA experience.
Although some may think certain traditions are “stupid,” as one STA alumna points out, the special part about STA is that everyone is being “stupid” together. STA is incredibly non-judgmental, which can be different from some other schools; we can all look goofy without being embarrassed. In fact, at STA it’s embarrassing to not look silly dressed in costume with all your classmates. Crazy is normal for STA. Part of keeping these traditions going is learning to support and value others in your grade and at STA at large. When our basketball team wins, it’s not just pride for the basketball team alone, it’s pride for the whole school.
What are you going to remember about your time in high school? Doing homework or putting on your goldout outfit and going to the big game? Everyone cares for each other because all students are bonding through these traditions. Traditions are what make STA, STA and as a student body, we need to prioritize retaining these opportunities for special experiences with each other.
“Yes, I do think that STA traditions have been preserved even though the school has had to adjust a lot for our health. Like the color throw at the end of the year, and also spirit week before the Teresian.”
“I don’t think the traditions have been held up as much after COVID. The Little Sister/ Big Sister program flourished only for a short time. I sometimes wonder how far that program could have gone.”
With spring break right around the corner, some students are packing their bags for distant destinations and in other cases, planning to stay in Kansas City to explore all the city has to offer. One group of students, who spent their break at home last March, still have fond memories of their experiences.
Current juniors Rosie Curran, Millie Flavin and Catherine Gyllenborg grew closer during this staycation and now hold a newfound love for the downtown KC area. The girls decided to record their expeditions via their Instagram account @sb.in.kc.
“The Instagram was just on a whim,” Curran said. “We weren’t really planning on making an Instagram account until it was the first day of spring break. I wasn’t really that close of friends with Millie before spring break. Catherine and I were friends and then she and Millie were friends and we were just like ‘we’re all staying, we might as well make something of it.’ Millie, Catherine and I are still super close now, partially because of [these outings.]”
Flavin believes that proper planning and a positive attitude can make a staycation a great experience.
“Having a staycation can be just as fun as traveling,” Flavin said. “ I would definitely suggest finding out who’s staying in town and make a plan to hang out with them. Create a list of new places you want to go to because exploring your own city can be super fun.”
Students who stay home can feel insecure, especially when seeing their peers’ vacations on social media. Curran said to stay optimistic and that being open to exploring new places can be eye-opening.
“You shouldn’t feel insecure about staying in town because you can make your own fun out of it,” Curran said. “Even if you explore by yourself, you can find the city in your own way and get the chance to look at your home in a different light.”
The students went to many different locations in the Kansas City area and certain places were greatly treasured. All three agree that Kansas City is full of hidden gems that are ripe for exploration.
“Some places I think people [would] love would be Mud Pie Bakery, The KC Zoo, Deanna Rose Farm, Messenger Coffee, thrifting, Billie’s Groceries and Jun’s Sushi,” Flavin said.
“Prospero’s Book Store is really cool,” Curran said. “There are a lot of levels and the basement
bookshelves are made out of cement. People leave messages on the bookshelves all the time so they can come back and look at them. We also [went to] Revelation Records, pretty much just a lot of places that you wouldn’t really think of going to in downtown KC, which was fun.”
In addition to exploring specific places, the students also gained experience in navigating the city.
“We drove everywhere last spring break, but for people
who don’t have a way of getting around the city, I know the streetcar is currently being built all the way down Main Street and there’s always the bus,” Curran said. “Some people may think being with your parents is lame, but I think it could be a good way to spend time with them if you need a ride somewhere. It’s [also] fun if you have an older friend or sibling to drive you places too.”
Curran said there are many ways to get around KC and visit local places. Regardless of what your spring break plans are, a staycation can potentially relieve everyday stress and help create excitement aside from normal activities.
“I love the term staycation because I think a lot of people can use it and relate to it,” Flavin said. “[This way students] can still feel like they had a well-spent and productive break.” B
The Mother Evelyn O’Neill award is given to students who exemplify an outstanding commitment to service. The Dart asked the nominees what their reaction was when they were announced as finalists. The winner will be announced today.
“I was honestly super surprised when I was nominated because I didn’t think anyone would have nominated me, and when I was announced as a finalist I was even more surprised. When I saw the other finalists, I was super honored to be recognized for the leadership opportunities I do and have done in the community along with some of my peers who I look up to so much.” B
“I was super excited when I found out I am a finalist for the award! I was a finalist last year as well, and so I feel very blessed to be recognized again. Obviously, I don’t do service for the recognition, but it is nice for other students to see what people are doing.” B
“I was very grateful to have been nominated for the award. It’s such an honor to know that a fellow peer or mentor of mine believed I was eligible for this wonderful award. When I discovered I was a finalist I was flattered and beyond excited. I am so elated to have been nominated for this, especially alongside some of my amazing classmates!” B
“I was excited and grateful for the nomination but recognition is not why I do the work I do. I am glad STA gives out this award because it is an important part of STA’s values and vision. I am proud to be someone other students will be inspired by, to also volunteer and lead through service!” B
“I was shocked. There are so many amazing people that we have in our STA community that deserve to be recognized. I couldn’t believe that I was chosen and felt very honored.” B
“Honestly, shock! I am so happy to be considered for this award! I really want to bring some of my own experience back into the work force so we can change outdated practices and make real progress.” B
Last week, I found myself sitting alone in my new favorite coffee shop, Front Range. I had originally come to get some homework done, but after I finished my work I found myself reading for over an hour. As I eventually got up to leave, I realized that this exact experience would have terrified my freshman self. I walked out the doors with a slight smile on my face, finally able to recognize my own growth.
Being alone used to be my biggest fear. The thought of being by myself or missing out on any plans used to terrify me. I would always try to keep myself busy with plans, even if I didn’t really feel like going. I would have so much anxiety about what other people would think if I didn’t do something one day, or if I had to miss out on an event. I spent more time stressing over plans during and before an event than actually taking the time to live in the moment and enjoy it.
If I didn’t have any plans, I would have a lot of anxiety about being “lazy.” I used to think that if I wasn’t constantly doing something, I was
wasting precious time. I hated having free time, because it made me feel like I wasn’t using my potential to the fullest. I would remind myself constantly that there were people out there doing way more than me, and comparison became a huge obstacle.
I eventually got to a point where I became super burnt out trying to always keep up with others around me, and then I discovered the power of alone time. This was especially prevalent when COVID-19 hit, since I had simply no other choice than to be alone. I wanted nothing more than to spend time with other people who didn’t happen to exist in my “quarantine bubble,”but this excruciating time of isolation ended up being a huge blessing.
I began to find ways to spend my time that didn’t require other people, as well as doing things I would have done with others by myself. I found myself reading more, hammocking and spending time with myself and my thoughts. I began to understand myself as a person more and learned about who I am when not surrounded by the distractions of the world.
As life returned back to normal, I found the pressure of always having to do something begin to creep back
into my life. With this pressure came the anxiety of being alone. This time, however, I decided to not let my anxiety get the best of me. Instead, I chose to work on my fear.
I started by giving myself at least one night a week just for me. This night could be used to catch up on laundry, read, watch Nexflix aimlessly for hours, or honestly just sleep. I found that I was a lot happier with my newfound habit, and could see the results in my daily life. My social battery was able to last longer, and I began to enjoy the time that I spent with others more. After having that taken away from me for so long during the pandemic, it was a gift to be in the same space as others again. I wanted to live more in the moment than always stressing about the future. Now, I find myself going out in public, or showing up places alone, and being completely fine with it. Grocery shopping by myself has become one of my new favorite activities; it’s crazy to think that I used to be so afraid of something like that. I will go get breakfast or lunch by myself and while I used to have a bunch of anxiety about what people would think if they saw me sitting alone, I care a lot less now. I have learned the importance of prioritizing my own happiness instead of always looking to fit other people’s agendas. Alone time is my new favorite activity, and I am happy to be able to look back and recognize my own personal growth. B
The twangy chorus of “Best Day of My Life” by the American Authors plays through the radio of my mom’s car as the Sporting KC practice facility fades away from my view. It was too perfect of a coincidence; I decided then and there that this would be the best day of my life.
I was eight years old and a major soccer fan. I had just gotten to interview Aurelien Collin in front of huge lights and cameras after watching the team practice. It was the coolest thing I had ever done and I couldn’t possibly imagine doing something better.
But, inevitably as life goes on, there were other days that I proclaimed as “the best days of my life.”
Two years before that, my parents had taken me to a Big Time Rush meet-
and-greet before their concert. I got to meet Kendall Schmidt, who at that point I figured would be my future husband. Of course, that day was the best day of my life.
Somewhere between those two days, my mom and I flew to Belgium to meet my pen pal of a few years by then. When I got off of the fast train that came from the Brussels airport and I saw Philoe for the first time, I figured that would be the best day of my life.
As I progressed through elementary and middle school, there were innumerable days which I claimed would be the best days of my life.
Namely, in sixth grade, I read and watched the entire “Harry Potter” saga within a two-month period. Matthew Lewis who played my favorite character — Neville Longbottom — ended up being at Comic-Con that year in Kansas City. Of course I had to be there and by whatever means possible get a picture with him. After waiting in line with my dad and my uncle I finally met him. It had to be the best day of my life!
As I look back now, I know that the day that I stood in a dreadfully long, sweltering line and forced my parents to pay far too much money to take a photo with Neville Longbottom was not the best day of my life. Neither was the day that my mom and I got lost in a foreign country and were three hours late to meet Philoe’s family at the train station.
Reflecting on them, I see now that all of these “best days” are very different, and the sheer amount of them probably qualifies the use of the word “best” as a logical fallacy. But who am I to discount a younger
me’s “best day” when each of these days has been, at that point in time, special to me?
When my mom and I went to Belgium for the first time, I had no idea that there would be second and third times that I got to stay with Philoe. When I met Big Time Rush and saw them in concert, I never knew how many more concerts (and celebrity crushes) would be to come. So as all of these “bests” have been seemingly repeated, I forget about how perfect they felt as they were happening.
I still feel embarrassed to recount my past “best days,” though. Now, I am humiliated by the outfit that I wore — and even my presence alone — at Comic-Con. I laugh along when my friends pull up the video of me as the Youth Reporter. Even though I still love boybands, and even saw Big Time Rush in concert last summer, I can’t help but shudder when I think of the card that I gave to Kendall at the meetand-greet.
I think that sometimes I forget the excitement that came with child-like wonder and the newness that every day brought with my “best days.” I need to work on remembering that feeling, and not just how interesting I look in that photo of me at ComicCon. B
St. Teresa’s sports are not possible without a crucial group of people — managers. Managers have long been a part of STA sports; however, they are often under appreciated, especially considering the amount of work they do behind the scenes. Two managers, senior Katherine Judge and junior Sara Gibson, share their experiences with the managing world, their roles and how they grow in STA spirit and appreciation when managing.
For the past two years, Judge has been a varsity basketball manager. She began managing after she stopped playing basketball. She still wanted to be involved in STA athletics — just not necessarily playing in them — and managing offered the perfect opportunity for her to do that. Judge finds that the commitment level between management and playing the sport is the exact same, if not more for managing.
“You have to make sure things are done ahead of time,” Judge said. “It’s just a little less physically exhausting.”
Additionally, for Judge, managing offers a heightened sense of school spirit and passion for the sport. Judge reflected on
Gibson works very hard as a manager, and these relationships are merely a reward for that. She outlined her duties for both sports, and each practice, she has a multitude of responsibilities that help things run smoothly. This could include anything from attendance to clean up, but her work is something she finds very fulfilling and fun.
“I think it’s nice to have something that I can be recognized for and just something to be a part of,” Gibson said.
Gibson has played both of the sports she manages, so she is able to easily compare and contrast the commitment level between managing and playing. She, like Judge, finds that the commitment level is comparable. Gibson, similarly to athletes, also has to adjust her after school activities, such as work, to accommodate to the sports schedule.
Gibson encourages those who may not want to play sports to manage as well.
Managers work hard to make sure everything in the athletics world runs well, and athletes appreciate them greatly for all that they do.
her experiences, especially those from before and during the basketball games.
“You just kind of get to have fun on the bench and do your own little cheer things,” she said. “For free throws, we stand on the benches and hold our spirit fingers up.”
The relationships created in basketball range from the players to the coaches, and are often strengthened through the time spent together. Judge feels that she has grown closer to players, but even closer to the coaches. Coach Kiera Hardy is one of the relationships that Judge especially values.
“I’d say that with the coaches [relationships] have definitely strengthened because they aren’t trying to coach you, they are just your friend,” Judge Said. “Hardy and I bicker all the time, ‘with love,’ as Hardy says. With the players, I wouldn’t say it has weakened,
Gibson is a manager for varsity softball and varsity soccer and she also loves the relationships that managing creates for her.
“You get to be friends with everybody [on the team], and you get the team aspect without being on the team, which is really fun,” Gibson said. “And I also think that it makes the school year
much more fun; it goes by so quickly and there’s always something to look forward to which is really nice.”
but it’s just different.”
You just kind of get to have fun on the bench and do your own little cheer things. For free throws, we stand on the benches and hold our spirit fingers up.
Senior Katherine Judge
Home Game vs. Shawnee Mission @ 4:30pm
Home game @ 4:30pm vs. Lee’s Summit North
& FIELD
Home meet @ vs. Multipe schools
27 Soccer Tournament @ Aquinas vs multiple schools
Senior Lucy Rouchka has been dancing since she was three years old, and at STA since her freshman year. Rouchka recounts some of her favorite memeories, one being the trip to Orlando for nationals last month.
“My favorite moment has been being able to travel as a team and going to nationals and being able to spend an entire week together and being proud of our dances, and seeing all of our hard work pay off this year,” Rouchka said.
Roucka added that she is not planning to continue her dance career after graduation, but is grateful for the moments she has gotten to experience because of her time on the dance team.
“Especially with this team, just being able to be around my teammates and seeing how hard they work inspires me to do even better,” Rouchka said. “The feeling of finishing a dance and knowing that you did it well encourages me to keep working.” B
Choosing one book to recommend is an incredibly difficult task for Englih teacher Sarah Taber; she simply loves so many. Among her favorites are “Great Expectations,” “Never Let Me Go,” “The Elegance of the Hedgehog,” “The Round House,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Hamlet,” “Life on Mars,” “Mrs. Dalloway” and “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Her most recent remarkable read is Ruth Ozeki’s “A Tale for the Time Being.”
“This novel follows two characters, one in Japan and one on a remote Canadian island,” Taber said. “Their paths intersect via a Hello Kitty lunchbox that has a journal in it. We learn about both of them in alternating chapters.”
The relatability of the writing and content is the main aspect that leads Taber to recommend this novel to all STA students.
“It is a story of growing up, of dealing with a father who’s lost his job, of finding strength in the natural world and also through a really cute Buddhist grandmother, one of my favorite characters in the novel,” Taber said. “It’s about learning to be comfortable with the present moment, not worried about other times [in the past or future].”
Taber enjoys the self-reflection she finds drawn out by the character’s and storyline taking place within the novel.
“My favorite part of the book is when the young protagonist goes to stay with her grandmother at a Buddhist temple,” Taber said. “She shifts her sense of time, and that made me think about my own perspective on time. You’ll like this novel if you enjoy thinking about philosophy. I often find myself drawn to stories that also explore questions of existence, time, memory, or identity.” B
“My current artist obsession at the moment is Brent Faiyaz,” junior Jasmine Cervantes said. “I cannot stop playing "ALL MINE" and "Clouded." To driving and me being in my room, those two songs are on nonstop. I love Brent Faiyaz and his angelic voice.”
“Currently, I’ve been obsessed with Lana Del Rey’s music, specifically from her album “Born To Die,”” junior Ellie McManamy said. She also just came out with a new song called “A&W,” and I can’t stop listening to it! She has such calming music, and it is perfect for latenight drives or study sessions.”
“If I ever have a moment and don’t know what to listen to, one of my favorite go to albums is “Wincing the Night Away” by the Shins,” senior Kaylee Lary said. “This has a mixture of upbeat and slower singing songs. I love putting this on when I’m doing homework or just hopping into the car.”
The Dart staff shares their recent song/artist obsessions
Sophomore Danni Haley spends at least two hours every month sitting in the UMKC Law School courtroom. But she sits behind the bench as a judge.
Haley does so through the Kansas City Youth Court: a program that allows metro area teens to sit in on, adjudicate, defend and weigh in on real court cases of other teens.
For students like Haley and senior Sydne Sylvan, the Youth Court has helped narrow in on career opportunities for the future. Sylvan was interested in participating when she received an email from STA associate principal Liz Baker with information about the Court. Having previously expressed interest in the law, Sylvan completed the online application complete with short answer responses and a teacher recommendation.
In actually participating in the Youth Court training — including a shortened version of the Bar Exam — Sylvan’s interest in the law grew as she experienced real-life courtroom scenarios.
“The benefit is for me I get to work with lawyers and judges,” Sylvan said. “I get to learn more about the law.”
Haley went into the Youth Court having done debate at STA, wanting to explore similar extra curricular activities. She has learned, though, that through the law she can help her community.
“I just love helping people to the full extent,” Haley said. “I feel like I can have empathy for people in understanding that they are kids, just like me.”
For the community, the Youth Court aims to re-route at-risk youth from juvenile courts and detention programs by using their peers to guide them through a court-like process for minor offenses.
“For the youth that come in to receive their punishment, the benefit is that they get a second chance to do better instead of going through family courts,” Sylvan said.
The Youth Court has been operating in Kansas City for 30 years. The students who serve on the court are between the ages of 13-18: the same age as the youth who are facing charges.
“It’s been shown that [the youth] are less likely to [commit these offenses] again,” Haley said. “[This process is] better because they don’t have to go through the whole process of real courts; instead, they’re talking to other kids face to face.”
Besides providing real legal experience, the Youth Court introduces its members to other parts of the Kansas City community.
“I’ve learned to be more empathetic towards other people’s situations,” Sylvan said. “I have learned that not everyone has had a fair
chance. Some of the kids go through a lot of situations that a lot of us wouldn’t even like imagining going through.”
Haley feels like serving on the court has shown her a positive side of the legal system.
“I feel like being able to see different cases and backgrounds makes you wish that people want to help [the youth] and give them better opportunities in life,” Haley said. “We get to try and set them on a good path before they continue these patterns.”
The students who serve on the Youth Court have to experience the hardships of these professions as well.
“Realizing that, at the end of the day, your words have a really big impact on someone’s life,” Haley said. “I think that’s kind of just like a ‘wow moment’ about the Youth Court.”
Haley recommends applying for the Youth Court for anyone interested in law or who wants to serve the greater KC community.
“[The Youth Court] gives kids the opportunity to get some experience with what you might do later if you’re interested in law while helping your community,” Haley said. “It has made me more
aware of not just my own experience, but realizing this is actually going on in other people’s lives.”
Applications to the Kansas City Youth Court can be accessed through their section on the UMKC law website.B
STA students serve on the Kansas City Youth Court to gain experience in a real court room.The “Tom” Thompson Courtroom at the University of MO-Kansas City School of Law, pictured on Feb. 22, is the monthly site for the hearing of the Kansas City Youth Court. photo by Jasmine Cervantes.
The free periods enjoyed by STA students mean that each period of the day sees them flocking to open rooms all over campus to do work in their free time. The Dart has compiled a list to show you which spots are most popular.
Last
By Chloe Denk | Web Editor
16% of responses commonly went to the math hub for a free or activity (out of 107 responses)
9) 10)
7% of responses commonly went to a tutor room for a free or activity (out of 107 responses)
2) 5)
6) 7) 8)
16% of responses commonly went to the math hub for a free or activity (out of 107 responses)
13% of responses commonly went to M105 for a free or activity (out of 107 responses)
10% of responses commonly went to M101 for a free or activity (out of 107 responses)
7% of responses commonly went to D008 for a free or activity (out of 107 responses)
10% of responses commonly went to M102 for a free or activity (out of 107 responses)
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