The Miegian Newspaper: October 2020

2019-2020

The Miegian Vol. 94, Iss. 1 | Bishop Miege High School | 5041 Reinhardt Dr, Roeland Park, KS | October 11, 2019

04

News

06

Features

News Briefs & CMT

New Teacher Welcome, Facet of Miege, Noulin’s Band, & Bill Rost

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In-Depth

14

Sports

18

Columbus Day (no school)

Tues.

15 Oct. V Volleyball Senior Night

Survey

NACAC College Fair

20 22 24

No School

Opinion Senior Photos, Stag Thoughts, & Mental Health

2:30 Dismissal

Tues.

22 Oct.

August & September in Review

Puzzle

Maren O’Connell

Co-editor Kaitlin Thrun

Sports Editor Luke Lazarczyk

writing Staff

Staff Photography

Wed. 30 Oct.

Sat. 26 Oct. Daylight Savings Begins

Wed. 23 Oct.

Thurs.

24 Oct. V Volleyball State Tournament

B Soccer Regional Final Thurs.

31 Oct.

8th grade Day

Election Day

V Football Playoff Game

Fri. 1 Nov.

Career Day Fall Musical

V Volleyball State Tournament

Halloween Mad Lib

2019-2020 Miegian Staff

Sun. 3 Nov.

Sat. 2 Nov. Senior Group Picture

KMEA State Audition

Fall Musical

Fall Musical 1:00pm

Opinion Editor Maddy McBride

Fri. 18 Oct. No School

Blood Drive

V Cross Country Regionals

Fri. 25 Oct.

Photo Story

Stag Strut (early dismissal)

All Saints Day

Father Daughter Dance

National Art Day

3

Parent Teacher Confrences

Mon. 21 Oct..

Sat. 19 Oct.

Thurs.

17 Oct.

Wed. 16 Oct.

V Girls Tennis State Tournament

Halloween

Calendar

V Football vs.

Aquinas (home)

Mon. 14 Oct.

Environment

State Rings & Athletes to Watch

Stag Strut Turn in

Stag Strut Turn in Day

ACT at Miege

Editor-In-Chief

Maddy Bohon Cooper Brandmeyer

Fall Concert

National Dessert Day

Cover Photo | Lauren Wheeler

Moira Sutherlin Allison Masilionis Miles Haggerty Isabel Copeland

Stag Events

No School

Fall Musical 7:00pm

Fri. 8 Nov.

Wed. 6 Nov.

Tues.

5 Nov.

Sat. 9 Nov.

Mon. 11 Nov.

Red Bag Kickoff

CONTENT

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Content Overview

Thurs.

7 Nov. Open House 1:00-3:00pm

Tues.

12 Nov.

Sat. 16 Nov.

Be Aware All Month: Breast Cancer Awarness Month

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Down Syndrome Awarness Month

National Lung Cancer Awarness Month

Diabetes Awarness Month

Emotional Wellness Month

Respect Life Month

If you would like to send us any story ideas or letters to the editor, email as at newspaper@bishopmiege.com or contact our Instagram, @bishopmiegepress

Illustrations By|Allison Masilionis Design By|Allison Masilionis Fall Concert Photo By|Maddy Bohon Tennis Photo By|Maddy Bohon Soccer Photo By|Miles Haggerty Volleyball Photo By|Abby Henshaw Red Bag Photo By|Jenna Hiett

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News Briefs

Service Hours

Faithful Service

News Briefs LOCAL Shop with a Smile

Miege now has an official AmazonSmile foundation.

AmazonSmile donates 0.5% to an organization of your choice. Visit smile.amazon.com to support Bishop Miege while getting your shopping in.

NATIONAL

Making Moves on Mars

NASA’s next trips to Mars are set to discover extraterrestrial life under the radioactive terrain, which could be revolutionary. The first rover is planned to explore the Martian floor on July 17 of next summer.

Learn and Grow

The Ward Parkway Chick-Fil-A will be back this month with new renovations for an even better dining experience.

The Mental Health Club is welcoming new members to learn about and discuss the importance of mental health. Email kthrun20@ bishopmiege.com if interested in joining.

Action on the Go

E-cig Emergency

INTERNATIONAL Drifting Away

A 315-billion ton iceberg breaks off of Antarctica, the largest piece to break off in 50 years.

New program changes encourage students to do more good in the community

Chick-Fil-YAY

“Call of Duty: Mobile” was released in the U.S. as the franchise’s first free-toplay mobile video game, shooting to the top of the charts in hours.

Rebuilding the Rubble

Over the weekend, a French billionaire finalized his $109 million donation to rebuild Notre Dame following the devastating fire on April 15.

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National death toll rises to 16 after two more vaping-related deaths in Virginia and New Jersey. Scientists are still unaware of what exactly is causing the mysterious illness.

Tall and Mighty

Attention was on Hurricane Lorenzo as it hit the Azores Islands.

Forecasters project this hurricane will affect the East Coast of the U.S. this week.

Miles Haggerty

Staff Writer ighty hours. For many students, that can be an intimidating number. With sports, activities, clubs, and many other things going on in a teen’s life, it’s hard to find time for service. But with the help of the new service hour program brought together by the Theology department and CMT, that number is a little less fearful.

“I have visited with a lot of kids over the years when they come in for lunch or come to a football game or something and at some point we’ll talk about service,” Campus Ministry director Mr. Bill Creach said. “A lot of them have never had a meaningful service experience. When you serve through an agency, you’re going to learn more about the problem that the agency serves.”

The new program will help ensure that students complete real and worthwhile service hours through approved agencies.

“We have some people that forge their service experience, and I think it’s going to be tougher to fake an experience from an agency than it would be to a neighbor or just an individual,” Creach said.

It’s not a laborious task to search for new agencies to volunteer at, opportunities are all around the USA. “If your mom or dad saw something on the news or read something in the paper, I think word of mouth from someone you trust is the number one way to find an agency,” Creach said. “Sometimes if you watch a lot of the local news, they’re doing stories on agencies that are helping.

After learning about Uplift

E

Miege student volunteers take advantage of Mr. Dessert’s summer program for a fun and easy experience. |Photo Courtesy of Ross Dessert

through mutual friends, freshman Emma Lazarczyk decided to join in on the fun.

“I got to make human connections with strangers and make new friends all while doing good through a great organization,” Lazarczyk said.

Service hours are meant to strengthen everyone beneath the surface.

These new changes to the way we execute service will provide an even deeper connection to the good in the world.

“Be it kids, senior citizens, mental health, physical health, or financial health, there’s just a lot of people struggling,” Creach said. “I’m impressed with the agencies our kids have connected with on their own without any help from the Campus Ministry office and I think it’s a great way to share that wealth of service agencies with kids that don’t know they exist.”

Some Approved Agencies City Union Mission Everyday a Hero Habitat for Humanity Special Olympics TurnStyles Uplift Unleashed Pet Rescue Harvesters Kids TLC Micah Ministry March for Life Prayer and Action Operation Breakthrough

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Features

Mr. Haluck

New Faces

Mrs. Haggerty

Before Miege: Worked at

Cristo Rey High School

Features

Before Miege: Taught French

at Montessori school

Miege welcomes nine faculty and staff

If he could learn any skill in a second: Fluent in Spanish

If she could learn any skill in a second: Time travel

Isabel Copeland

What he does outside of school: Builds robots and

What she does outside of school: Owns a business where

Feature Design

volunteers at Jerusalem farm

Mrs. Kellerman

Before Miege: Attended

Who inspires him on a day-to-day basis: His wife

Mr. Blanco

the Remote Support Center

If she could learn any skill in a second: Speaking another

If he could learn any skill in a second: Scripting

What she does outside of school: Goes on runs, cooks, and explores Kansas City

Who inspires her on a dayto-day basis: St. Therese

Who inspires her on a day-to-day basis: Students at

Miege

Before Miege: Worked at

K-State

language

she teaches German and French

World Language

Engineering

Mrs. Heller

What he does outside of school: Explores the city

Before Miege: Volunteered as president of the board for Happy Hearts Working and on the Board of Trustees for Miege

Who inspires him on a day-to-day basis: His

If she could learn any skill in a second: Computer skills

fiancee, Bri

What she does outside ofschool: Hopefully return to

IT Administrator

Learning Resource

playing golf and tennis

Officer Gregg

Before Miege: Worked at

Mrs. Dessert

Before Miege: Worked at

Roleland Park Police Department

Sacred Heart School and taught English and Spanish

If he could learn any skill in a second: Computers/

If she could learn any skill in a second: Flying

technology

What she does outside of school: Plays the ukulele and is

What he does outside of school: Police department

an actress in a theater production

Who inspires him on a dayto-day basis: His uncle who is

Who inspires her on a dayto-day basis: Her husband, Ross

also a police officer

Security Office

Dessert

World Language

|Cooper Brandmeyer/Katie Wolfe

Who inspires her on a dayto-day basis: God

Ms. Frank

Director of Advancement

Before Miege: Taught middle

school at St. Patrick’s and coached cheer at Miege for three years

If she could learn any skill in a second: Sign Language

Mrs. Hurlbert

Before Miege: School social

worker

If she could learn any skill in a second: To be bilingual What she does outside of school: Watches her kids at the

What she does outside of school: Explores Kansas City

soccer field and goes to Sporting Games

Who inspires her on a day-to-day basis: Her mom

Who inspires her on a dayto-day basis: Her dad

Mathematics

Learning Resource

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8

Features

Kaitlin Thrun

Rost’s Legacy

Co-Editor

F

or every generation of Miege seniors, there were teachers students had to have. Once upon a time that was Bill Rost and Bill Reardon. Reardon took on Social Studies, and Rost was on top of English.

“They were at Rockhurst the same time; they started at Miege the same time,” Mr. Bill Creach said. “They taught for about the same length of time, Reardon a couple years longer.

Those are the two (teachers) students definitely wanted.”

According to Mr. Creach, Rost “embodied the spirit of Miege.” Bill Rost began many of the Miege traditions including the auction. He was the MC for the auction for about 30 years. He was in charge of many Miege fundraisers before the development office was created.

“As for what he was to me… he was a lot of things,” Mr. Creach said. “He was my teacher… my role model.”

Mr. Creach added that Rost even had kids around his age. His only son, John, was in Mr. Creach’s class. When Mr. Creach went over to John’s, he would get to see Mr. and Mrs. Rost and all of John’s sisters.

“I was lucky enough to come back here after college and get to teach with Mr. Rost and Mr. Reardon,” Mr. Creach said, acknowledging the fact he had the privilege of getting to see almost every facet of Mr. Rost’s life.

Many of Mr. Creach’s aspirations had to do with being the Rost and Reardon of theology.

“I wanted to be a senior theology teacher,” Mr. Creach said. “I wanted to be to the seniors what Rost and Reardon were to me.”

In the 38 years that Mr. Rost worked at Miege, he made an extreme impact on many students that attended Miege and many of his fellow staff members.

When Rost passed away in 2004, a senior journalist for the Miegian wrote

a tribute to him titled “Forever Young”.

Within this article, all of those who did not get the chance to know him had the opportunity to see his quirky and caring personality, a true testament as to who he was as a person. He would do things like grab his old fashioned pencil sharpener and talk into it during tornado drills.

According to both Mr. Creach and the article written by senior journalist Mr. Bill Rost, who was known for his warm smile and sense of humor. |Photo courtesy of Bill Creach Kristen Roberts, for years, Rost would of her problems and complaints during stop everything and run over to his homeroom. He would set his Beanie pencil sharpener.

Baby Lambchop on her desk and just be He would start winding up the there for her. handle and pop off the little silver part

After Rost died, the family set of it, and would talk into it like a radio. the visitation up in the Miege gym.

He would pretend he was talking to the According to Mr. Creach, there were police or emergency crews. lines out the attendance office doors of Roberts states in her article that people waiting to see him. she remembers telling her mother “He was well loved by me, as you about her first day of freshman year, know, and by students, parents, and when she first met Mr. Rost. colleagues,” Mr. Creach said.

“Well,” Roberts told her mother, Bill Rost’s memory continues to live “my English and Homeroom teacher is on in the Miege community, throughout insane. He sings and jumps on desks the Rost Herd and in his former coland talks to a Beanie Baby named Lamleagues as well as his former students, bchop. He also tried to call someone on Kristen Roberts being just one example. the pencil sharpener.”

Being in Rost means being in the According to Mr. Creach, the pencil herd that not everyone believes in,” sharpener skit typically happened every said senior Grace Brandl, one of Rost’s first Wednesday of the month when the faith family captains, “and being able school would test the tornado sirens. to prove them wrong. From last year to It never felt old because he always got now, members of the Rost herd defiinto it and put so much effort forth. nitely have more of a drive to particIt’s little things like this that made ipate in the competitions whether we up who Bill Rost was as a person. win or lose. I think a lot of that comes According to Mr. Creach, Rost had the from the winning energy that (execumost hilarious personality and the tive captain) Nick (Fahlstrom) and the kindest heart. As for what Roberts had (faith family) captains bring.” to say about Rost, he would listen to all

A Change in Art

Features

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Junior Leilani Elder works on perfecting her drawing in Portfolio Art. Portfolio Art is just one of the many classes students take before AP Art. According to Mr. Dennis Mueller, more than 130 kids have received college credit in the past seven years.|Photo by Cooper Brandmeyer

Maren O’Connell Editor-In-Cheif

T

he Art Department at Miege has been around for years, but it has been refined in recent years. With Mr. Dennis Mueller’s arrival almost eight years ago, the department has gone through significant change for the better.

“Mr. Salisbury came in, and I told him what I wanted to do, but we first had to prove there was an interest in art at Miege to make major changes,” Mr. Mueller said. “We completely restructured the curriculum five years ago into what we have today.”

The Art Department now includes seven classes, one being brand new to the curriculum this year: 3-D Sculpture and Printmaking.

“It gives them another opportunity for the kids to take an art class that is not completely based on drawing and painting,” Mueller said. “The new class gives them another opportunity to explore their artistic talents.”

For students, these classes allow them to express their creativity and develop new techniques.

“Everyone has a shot at exposing their great artistic skill, but that will reflect with your effort,” senior George Mendez (AP Art) said.

The curriculum range encompasses students’ interests depending on their understanding and artistic talent: Survey of Art, Intro to 3-D Sculpture and Printmaking, Introduction into Drawing and Painting, Drawing and Painting II with 3-Dimensional Form, Portfolio Art and AP 2-Dimensional Design.

According to Mr. Mueller, he is most proud of the A.P. Department during his time here.

“The six years before I came here, they had a single A.P. class and had 12 kids get college credit,” Mueller said. “After seven years, we have had now over 130 kids get college credit. So I think we have developed the Art Program.”

Every student is encouraged to explore a new skill, but are expected to show dedication and respect to the class.

“To anyone who wants to take an art class, all you really need is a good work ethic. You also need to enjoy art. You need to want to draw. Don’t take the class as a throw away class or you and Coach Mueller won’t get along very well,” junior Stephen Allen (AP Art).

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Features

Features

11

er,” said McDonald.

The songs the band sings are all original, one of the favorites being “Mrs. Sunshine.” The whole band helps create the song; however, Voravong creates most of the lyrics which he writes down in a notebook.

“They pretty much come up with a riff, and then we form a song around that, and then form the instrument pieces around that,” vocalist Voravong said. “Then I’ll just ad lib the melody, and if what I ad lib is good, then that pretty much is a song with some extra writing.”

“It’s like a musical outlet, but it’s different when you’re making your own music.”

Noulin Voravong

The Rocking Stags

Seniors create own songs and plan future as a band MOIRA SUTHERLIN Staff Writer

T

he loud, booming sound coming from the drums, and the screeching sound of a guitar tuning is the sound Noulin Voravong hears every Saturday while he is rehearsing for his band.

Senior Noulin Voravong is not only involved in choir at Miege, but Voravong is also involved in his own band outside of school. The band, Rosemary Cline, consists of five members, including senior Colin McDonald. The rock band has been together since middle school.

“In seventh grade, we had a talent show at St. Elizabeth and I wanted a

band to play there,” Rockhurst senior Augie Sonnenberg said. “It started out as me, Maddy [McBride], and Noulin. Then they went to some other things. And then we kind of just quit for a couple years and then we came back together.”

Voravong likes many aspects of the band and enjoys participating in it. The best part of the band is creating original music, he said.

“It’s like a musical outlet, but it’s different when you’re making your own music,” Voravong said. “You can just sit back and listen to it in college.”

McDonald likes the band because he believes that the band is special and it gives him a unique feeling.

“I would say this band is special to me because it creates a sort of feeling for me that everything just makes sense and I can just do whatever,” said Colin McDonald.

Although the band members enjoy participating in the band, they do face some struggles and difficulties balancing school activities and the band.

“It is hard balancing the musical and this,” guitarist Colin McDonald said.

Although they face difficulties, McDonald says the band gets along and plays well with each other.

“We aren’t the nerdiest people when it comes to music theory and gear, but we definitely play well with one anoth-

Left: Vocalist Noulin Voravong sings into his microphone while senior Colin McDonald plays the guitar to the song they are rehearshing. Above: Rockhurst senior Augie Sonnenberg plays guitar to the song the band is rehearsing, which is their favorite song, “Mrs. Sunshine.” |Photos By Cooper Brandmeyer

After approximately two hours of rehearsal, Voravong takes out his cell phone and starts to record the song they practiced over the rehearsal. Voravong said he wants to do more than just record their songs on his phone. He hopes to record some of their music in an actual studio. If the band has the chance to record, he has more long-term goals.

“Hopefully, we start recording and performing soon. I really just want to be able to hear the stuff we’re writing,” Voravong said. “It’s an assortment of genres and their vibes. As for the future, if we do have success, we plan on continuing with the band, and also getting online degrees. Getting the degrees would ensure a fall-back plan.”

Noulin Voravong’s Song Writing Process: 1. Creation

2. Freestyle

3. Revision

“The Guitarists come up with a riff.” “We all jam to the song and try to find “We write it all down and add cool things to our own parts. I try to create the melody.” the song.”

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In-Depth

One We planet Earth must change our ways, before it is too late Kaitlin Thrun Co-Editor

P How often do you recycle?

All the time Sometimes Not at all

Do you feel your choices personally effect the environment?

Definitely Sometimes Not at all Information found in survey sent out to students through email in September.

Illustrations & Design | Maren O’Connell

ollution. Plastic. Deforestation.

These are just a few ways humans impact the environment negatively.

Almost every decision a person makes impacts the environment in some way, whether it is driving a gasoline–powered car or throwing a plastic water bottle in the trash rather than the recycling bin.

Despite the fact that the environment has always had problems, the issues are becoming more widely discussed due to the critical nature of the situation. Over the summer, BBC news released an article about climate change, stating that instead of 12 years to save the Earth, humans have been faced with 18 months. This source came from an IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report from 2018.

According to the IPCC report, action must be taken on carbon emissions by the end of 2020 to keep the Earth’s temperature from increasing 1.5 degrees Celsius.

At the current rate that carbon is being produced, according to the IPCC report, the Earth’s temperature could increase by 3 degrees Celsius by 2100, which will be the highest temperature the earth has ever been faced with.

The only way known to prevent that as of now is by cutting carbon production 45 percent by 2030. BBC News was clear that the plans must be on the table by the end of 2020 if the UN and IPCC intend to keep the Earth from reaching the 3 degrees mentioned earlier.

“The climate math is brutally clear: while the world can’t be healed within the next few years, it may be fatally wounded by negligence until 2020,” said climate scientist Hans Joachim Schellnhuber in 2017, according to the BBC article.

Schellnhuber’s words ring true today. The world’s population has a limited amount of time to fix the environment, but there is time. Many think that the environment is too far gone, but there is

time to reverse it. To do so, the world’s population must start now and world leaders need to begin to take responsibility. Climate change is currently dealing the world its most crucial cards, and Miege students and staff are noticing.

“I’d probably say climate change is one of the biggest (environmental issues),” said sophomore Andrew Heise. “It’s not really being recognized.”

However, Heise is not the only person concerned with climate change.

“The increase in climate is concerning because the climate is affecting everything,” environmental science teacher Ms. Amy Reed said.

On September 20, 2019, thousands of young people around the world participated in a climate strike, advocating for politicians to make a plan to combat climate change and express their concerns for the world as it begins to heat up.

According to the New York Times, an estimated four million people in thousands of cities all over the globe turned out for the global climate strikes. Three different strikes were held in Kansas City.

According to KMBC News, hundreds of Kansas City’s population participated in the strikes, held at Mill Creek Park on the Plaza. Numerous students from KC area high schools were in attendance of an earlier strike at noon.

However, climate change isn’t the world’s only problem right now, and it isn’t just students from other schools that

are concerned. Many Miege students have strong opinions on how the Earth is deteriorating today, what the biggest environmental issue is, and how the world, as well as the Kansas City/Miege community, can help fix it.

“I think the world’s biggest environmental issue right now is plastic,” senior Hannah Bennett said. “People need to recycle more. Miege should have recycling bins in the hallways. It’s an easy and accessible way to recycle. Too many students throw their recycling in the trash at school because it’s hard to find a recycling bin.”

According to Bennett, in environmental science taught

by Ms. Reed, her class watched a video on how the United States has been selling trash to less developed countries.

Bennett described the people in these less developed countries, physically digging through trash, searching for anything they can find that is useful to them.

Yet it isn’t just the United States that is sending their trash off to less developed countries. According to Time Magazine, developed countries such as France, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and more have been exporting their garbage out of country to poorer countries; these countries are typically of Southeast Asia origin, China once being the number one importer.

On the authority of plasticpollution coalition.org, China implemented the

National Sword Policy at the beginning of 2018, in order to develop their own “domestic recycling capacity by restricting imports of waste.” This has left Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries to pick up the slack. Time Magazine stated in its article that Malaysia has recently become the number one importer of waste in the world. This may not last long, as these less developed countries are pushing back against the more developed countries, going as far as to send back the waste to where it came from.

“I exhort everyone to see the world through the eyes of God the Creator: the earth is an environment to be safeguarded, a garden to be cultivated,” Pope Francis said.

Even Pope Francis is taking a role in environmental activism. He is dedicated to preserving God’s creation for all the world to experience.

“I know the problems of the environment, but I don’t know how to act on them and change them,” said junior Jesus Hernandez “So I don’t have the power to change it because I am not administration or have any leeway to do anything about it. I’m a teenager. I don’t know anything. I mean, I know about climate change.”

Many may feel the way Hernandez feels; however, students can utilize that desire to help and know what’s happening to educate themselves. In order to act on something, a person must be educated on it. That’s what the international climate strike on Friday, Sept. 20, was all about — educating others, and using that education to bring awareness to the issue at hand so that people in power can make a difference.

“They (major companies) should keep people they’re making money off of safe and healthy by using environmentally friendly products,” Hernandez insisted.

Every company, government, country, city, community, and person have a responsibility to take care of this planet.

There’s only one earth. There is no Planet B.

In-Depth

13

Expand Your Environmental Knowledge Take Ms. Reed’s Environmental Science Class The class doesn’t cover every aspect of the environment, but it is a great way to grow your knowledge of the world around

Read recent news articles about environmental crises For example, you can keep yourself updated about the A mazon Rainforest fires. It might be scary, but it is worth it to be educated.

Try to minimize your carbon footprint Various websites can calculate your carbon footprint, which is the total amount of emissions you as an individual accumulate. It takes in the length of your showers, how much meat you consume, and much more.

Figure out your carbon footprint using this QR code.

14

Sports

Journey of Dominance

Senior cornerback, Niko Barber stares down the Blue Valley North huddle preparing to make the goal-line stand. On fourth and goal, Barber deflected a pass in the end zone to hold the Mustangs to zero points on the drive. | Photo Illiustration by Cooper Brandmeyer

Holmes and players work towards a sixth straight title Luke Lazarczyk

sports editor ure dominance— this is very rare in the world of sports, especially in football. There are only a handful of coaches who have had a time of pure dominance. Some of those coaches include, Belichick, Saban, Lombardi, Walsh, Noll, and of course, Holmes. In his seven years as the football head coach, Jon Holmes has succeeded in putting the Miege stamp over the entire Kansas 4A division similar to how the coaches listed put their stamp on the entire NFL. With five straight state champion-

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of the fact that out of the 98 players, 89 percent of the players were present for workouts at each summer workout.

Coach Holmes knows the workouts are not a walk through the park.

“We push them [the players],” he ships, Holmes has put this era of Bishop said. “They never back down from a Miege football into legendary status. challenge.”

The journey to success is not easy.

Coach Holmes said he knows the It requires the entire team to dedicate players’ importance and does not take themselves to the success of the team. total responsibility for the team’s sucThe team started its work this year early cess. in the summer. The first day of summer “The players make everything,” he workouts was June 2, and the players said. have been dedicating themselves to win On the team, Coach Holmes has a state ever since. few players he said feels define Miege “They (summer workouts) are a lot football. Seniors Mason Weber and Max of work,” said senior Niko Barber who VanMeter have both played varsity understands the importance of the time throughout the past two years and workouts. “It brings us together as a are the starting defensive ends for the family.” defense this year. Weber has improved With 98 players on the roster, every year to become a better defensive Coach Holmes said he was very proud

Besides also being the first state leading the team end and has championship for Coach Holmes, it through the now received Sports is very unique among the five state summer,” Coach multiple college championships— it was close. The Holmes said. offers, includgame was tied at 28-28 heading into “You’ve got a ing one offer the fourth quarter, and Miege won the lot of those kids who have worked on from Princeton. fourth quarter 14-0, starting the legvarsity and a lot of players who are VanMeter has hungry to make an impact.” endary run. Since then, there has been also been able With this streak, there have only one playoff game that was less to work to make himself a poten- than a 30-point difference, which was a been those who have despised Miege through the streak. Coach Holmes has tial college ath29-point victory versus Pittsburgh last learned to embrace it. lete and is close year.

“We embrace that,” Coach Holmes to receiving his Throughout the five years, the said.“If people are talking about us, we first official offer team has not just had player personare doing something right.” nel changes, but also a few coaching after recording

multiple sacks in changes.

“When guys leave, it is for better multiple games, jobs,” Coach Holmes said. “We have including six still had our same nucleus of eight sacks versus (assistant coaches) guys.”

Rockhurst.

Coach Holmes said he makes sure Another the coaching staff is improving. player who “(We) always [have] to evolve as Coach Holmes a coaching staff,” Coach Holmes said. said embodies the Stag football “(We) focus on the struggle to do better.” team is senior The goal each year is to win state, left tackle Brian but Coach Holmes has a few other Burns. Burns is goals. Mainly, Coach Holmes said he the only offensive lineman was set on beating Rockhurst and starter from last Aquinas this year who both beat Miege year and has last year. committed to On October 4th, Bishop Miege Harvard after faced off in a rematch with Rockhurst Senior Max VanMeter rushes past the offenreceiving many High School. After losing 14-13 last sive line on a pass against Blue Valley North. offers, including year, the Stags redeemed themselves |Photo by Cooper Brandmeyer four other Ivy to defeat the Hawklets 34-7 in a huge League offer. redemption game.

These players Another goal is to win EKL, which “Coming in as a freshman, have all been a part of the seven year Miege has done in four of the past I never thought I would be journey with Coach Holmes. With the seven years. The team is looking to a here” VanMeter said, “Coach five straight titles, there were also two new group of seniors to lead the team years of developing as a team. In Coach and ready to take on bigger roles on (Holmes) taught me how to Holmes’ first year as head coach, he led the team. be humble.” - Max VanMeter. the team to the 5A State Championship

where Miege lost to Bishop Carroll.

“The seniors have done a great job Even though taking a championship loss is tough to handle, Coach Holmes said he feels this was a big part of the journey to becoming a great team.

Dawson Downing: 2012-2015. Missouri University Football “In the 2012 year, we understood how good you have to be to Colin Grunhard: 2014-2017. Notre Dame Football be a state champion,” he said.

The 2012 season was critical in helping Miege become a footJohn Ryan: 2014-2017 ball powerhouse. Two years later, Coach Holmes won his first state Dylan Downing: 2015-2018. Kansas University Football championship in a 42-28 win against Topeka Hayden. Coach Holmes said that this championHudson Bentley: 2015-2018. Washburn University Football ship was the most satisfying with being his first.

15

Coach Holmes’ Players of the Past

“Leilani is a junior middle blocker who has a tremendous impact on the net.” -Coach Rush

Mikey Welsh | Senior

“Mikey just makes plays all over the field.” -Coach Holmes

Brianna Moylan | Senior

“Brianna has the most experience on our team. She can play multiple positions but shines as our defensive specialist.” -Coach Rush

Charlie Hill | Junior

“A three year varsity runner will likely be out in front this season looking to get into the 16 minute mark this year.” -Coach Hair

Tony Salas | Senior

“Tony is a stud. He’s so competitive and the younger guys follow his lead on how to play your hardest.” -Coach Huppe

Grace Meyer | Sophomore

Lauren Myers | Freshman

Erin Garr/ Ella Martin | Juniors

Molly Lynn | Senior

“Look for her to make an even bigger impact on the team this year (than last year) as a leader and our frontrunner trying to get back to state.” -Coach Hair

“As a freshman, Lauren is an incredibly mature player. She has been able to turn around matches several times where she was down considerably.” -Coach Donaldson

“Juniors Erin Garr and Ella Martin are both stepping into a new attacking role as outside hitters.

Their vertical jump and range will make her very much a threat in the front row.” -Coach Rush

“She (Molly) has done an outstanding job in improving her tennis skills the past couple of years.

She has been the lead Captain lending invaluable assistance to team members.” -Coach Donald-

Zephan Rodriguez | Junior

Diego Olivas | Senior

Matthew Virgil | Senior

Audrey Howard | Junior

Garrett Hagen | Senior

Phillipe Wesley | Junior

Sports

17

Athletes to Watch

“Mariel is an incredibly concise tennis player. She has more patience than all of the other players.” -Coach Donaldson

Leilani Elder | Junior

Photo and Photo Illustration by | Cooper Brandmeyer

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Mariel Allen | Junior

Sports

Luke Lazarczyk sports editor “(Zephan’s) a strong leadership presence on the team, and will play a key role in determining whether or not the team can see the success it saw last season.”

-Coach Hair

“Diego is our all-time leader in career assists and is now starting to score more goals. He’s one of the most technical players we’ve ever had in this program.” -Caoch Huppe

“(Matthew) worked his way in the offseason to be a big part of the team holding down the right tackle position.” -Coach Holmes

“She (Audrey) is dedicated and focused on improving her game.

She has a very good chance of qualifying for the State tournament this year.” -Coach Schultz

“He’s (Garrett) only 6 goals away from holding the all-time career goals scored record. He’s a big time player for us who can play anywhere along the front line.”

-Coach Huppe

“Phillipe is one of our big playmakers. He always seems to make plays when his number is called.”

-Coach Holmes

Photo credits Luke Lazarczyk Cooper Brandmeyer Maddy Bohon Katie Wolf Abigail Henshaw

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Survey

Kit Kat 11.2%

Reese’s 13.6% plain chocolate 18.4%

Halloween at Miege

Survey

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Students sent in over a hundred Miege-themed scary stories. Here are the ones chosen by the Miegian Staff.

A Y

quinas beating us in football.

What is your favorite candy to receive on Halloween?

Ben Backes|Junior

ou wake up Monday morning and you're getting ready for the day. You're going through your regular routine: getting dressed, eating breakfast, and then driving to school. You arrive to Miege and you're standing at your locker when you hear some classmates behind you mention some homework they forgot to do. You panic a little bit and your hairs stand up on your arms. You turn around nervously and ask them what homework they had forgot about, even though you know exactly what they are going to say because you forgot to complete the assignment as well. You tremble as you hear the words slowly come out of their mouth: "m-e-m-b-e-a-n". You scream.

Ashton Verhulst|Senior

sour candy 12%

other 44.8%

I T I

was once approached by Mr. Groene.... and he wasn’t wearing a belt!

Isabella Guadamuz|Junior he story of how Mr. Koesterer roams the tunnels every October. If you listen closely through the AC vents you can hear him faintly saying his famous phrase "A Ramos.”

Tyler Marchand|Senior

What was your favorite Halloween movie growing up?

Halloweentown

t was the night of Halloween, when all the juniors were a fright hoping to have some spooky fun on this cheery night. But alas their fun was cast astray, because Mrs. Switzer assigned a seven page essay. With their heads down in dread, they skulked home while looking like the walking dead. As each junior sat down to attempt the monster essay that was waiting, they looked through their emails while procrastinating. As they were scrolling they were suprised to find, an announcement from Mrs. Switzer that she had changed her mind. As the juniors screamed for joy, they ran out to hopefully find some candy to enjoy. As the night was growing dim, and the amount of candy was growing thin, they all sent Mrs. Swizter a thank you email, one so touching and compassionate it made Mrs. Switzer's heart frail. Moved by these letters she thought that no more essays would be for the better.

Joey Vogt|Junior

Hocus Pocus The Nightmare Before Christmas Monster House

Other

Information found in September survey sent to students through email where 123 responded.

Graphs | Kellan O’Connell

I A

n regards to brevity: "Wait, what essay?"

Katie Taylor|Senior

very long time ago, a group of students went down in the ground to explore the hidden tunnels crisscrossing beneath the school. After crawling for perhaps hours, their hands and knees caked with dirt, the students came upon a gruesome sight. It was the figure of a man, to put it vaguely, but there was very little human about it. Its skin was gray and cracked, stretched paper-thin over feeble bones. What little hair it had left clung to its skull like spider’s webs. Its limbs were long, too long, and its fingers and toes were no different. Horrified by the sight, the children froze in place, motionless, until the figure slowly turned its head and stared at them. Its milky-white eyes seemed to gaze through, giving the impression that it was looking past them whilst also staring deep into each one of their souls. Slowly, with a creaking and crackling sound that chilled its listeners to the bone, the creature opened its mouth, and with a dry, croaking voice, spoke. “Good Morning Bishop Miege! Here are your morning announcements!” Instantly, the children fled in fear, and nothing was seen of the creature ever again.

Joe PautLer|Junior

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Opinions

You are loved...

Picture Perfect KCMO Cooper Brandmeyer

Kaitlin Thrun

Photographer

S

M

1. Skyline from Liberty Memorial Penn Valley Park, on 2 Memorial Drive

The Memorial allows for some of the best photos in Kansas City, it is very open and has one of the best backgrounds of all of downtown Kansas City.

2. Bloch Fountain 30 W Pershing Rd.

You can go either way when it comes to taking photos in front of Wollman Fountain, whether in the night time with the fountain glowing with lights or in thw day time with Union Station in the background.

3. Loose Park Rose Garden

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Co-Editor

y entire life has been subjected to mental health issues. Since I was in fifth grade, I have had depression. Yet I haven’t just seen the effects of mental health issues in myself, but in the lives of my friends too. Freshman year, my friend, Harrison, took his life on April 10, 2017. Suicide has had a tremendous impact on my life, especially today.

September 2 of this year, one of my best friends, Sam Serrano, committed suicide as well. He was supposed to be my date to homecoming. We had grown up down the street from each other. I had known him since before kindergarten had even started. I wrote this in response to his death, because people need to know one thing does not define them and that they have a purpose. I will miss my boys forever.

This one’s for Sammy.

I’ve thought I’ve found myself when

ince taking up a passion for photography in sophomore year, I’ve really come to notice the best places to take senior year photos. I put a lot of care and time into my photos I take and look for the best possible places, so you can as well. In order to get the best possible photos, take your pictures during the “Golden Hour,” which is between 6:15 pm - 7:00pm.

Opinions

5200 Pennsylvania Ave.

it was only a part of me I was seeing. I had only found one part.

When I’ve lost myself... I had only lost one part of myself. I wasn’t gone.

Only a piece of me was gone.

I think we get confused about the different facets of ourselves. I think we that we, as human beings, mistake one piece, one part, one facet of ourselves for all of us.

But we are not one thing. We are many beautiful things, collected to form one.

We may do bad things sometimes, but just because we make mistakes does not mean that that mistake is forever a facet of you.

We are good and we are beautiful if we chose to put that effort in.

Every life matters. Every breath matters. You matter, and you are beautiful... made up of so many fabulous, unique,

and fantastic aspects.

You are Loved.

Remember that message and repeat it to others that you love. If they can’t hear it, scream it. Scream it until they understand that you love them and that so many other people love them. Don’t give up on someone you love, otherwise you never really loved them to begin with it.

Fight for your loved ones. And remember that if you feel lost or that you’ve found a part of yourself, know that that is only one piece, one part, one facet of yourself. You still have so much to discover about yourself and about the world. You have so much to live for.

You have potential, so use it to be the very best version of yourself.

Mental health is important. Your mental health is important. Never forget that.

Stag Thoughts

The colors of the flowers allow for a very vibrant photo, as well as a great background. Include sunlight so it brings out everything in the background, as well as you.

4. Nelson-Atkins Museum 4525 Oak St.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you win a medal in?

The Nelson Atkins Museum is a focal point in Kansas City because of the many different spots that are available, such as the reflection pond and the stairs out in the front, just to name a few.

5. Graffiti in the West Bottoms

• KC Royals Mural

Southwest Blvd and W 25 St.

• Kansas City I’m So In Love 1919 Baltimore Ave.

Mauricio Salas

• Kansas City Art Alley 500 block of E. 18th Street These places really show what Kansas City is all about. It goes to show how much people take pride in Kansas City. Also with all the vibrant and different colors, wear something fun to match the backround to make a really good photo.

|Photos by Cooper Brandmeyer

sophomore

Lauren Wheeler

Ronnie Pflumm

Senior

Emmy Burris Junior

“Putiing on my shoes super quick.”

Freshman

“Racing, because I want to go fast.”

“Solving math problems, because I’m good at math.”

“Making mac & cheese. I make it all the time and super well.”

22

1,000 Words

1,000 Words

1. Superman While junior Jack Kincaid and senior Mikey Welsh run around the gym with senior Jake Ryan in their arms, the freshman student section cheers them on. The boys represented the football team at the Fall Sports Pep Assembly. | Photo by

August | September

1,000 Words

Katie Wolfe

2. #TeamMackenzie The candle in the chapel memorializes Mackenzie Cowan, who fought brain cancer for four years with many family and friends by her side. The Miege students made banners to give to her family and prayed at her candlelight vigil. Students spent time in the chapel the last month praying for her, and they continue to lift up her family. | Photo by

Maddy Bohon

3. A Look Outside During CMT Day away at Strawberry Hill, senoir Molly Donegan reaches for a piece of povitica. After being treated to samples of povitica the students took a tour of the factory and a look on how povitica is made. | Photo by Isabel

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1

2

7. First Holy Celebration Freshman Dawson Utt serves as an alter server at the first All-School Mass. Father Justin Hamilton leads the Miege community in prayer. | Photo by Lauren

6

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5

4. Freshman Fun During the Freshman Welcoming, freshmen Jasmine Tolson and Michael Madrigal play the hula hoop game. For the first time in three years, Miege brought back the freshmen event. 5. Boogie Down Sophomore Annika Smith and Jenna Dorsett dance the night away at the 80s mixer. As they brought back the fanny packs, the scrunchies and the neon, they were ready to boogie.

6. The Royal Dance At the “Home Is Where the Stag Is� dance, seniors Brian Burns and Sophia Stram have their Homecoming slow dance in the middle of the dance floor. Nominee Stram dances in the middle with other canidates including Queen Ashton Verhulst. | Photos by Katie Wolfe

Wheeler

Copeland

3

Page Design by Isabel Copeland

7

Create Your Own

Spooky Story!

Many ________ things ______ around the underground Adjective

Verb

tunnels of Miege. Every thirty years when ___________ falls Holiday

on a ___________ moon, they rise above. Creepy ____________ Adjective

Plural Noun

slinked the halls. As everyone fled the grounds, the

_____________________ stayed to defend. They punched Favorite Miege Club

_________ and rushed ____________. _________ , they were Noun

Plural Noun

Adverb

cornered! ___________ surrounded them. They didn’t know Plural Noun

what to do! ____________, _________________ turned the Adverb

Favorite Teacher

corner. Shocking the students with his/her impressive _______ skills. Everyone worked together to save Miege. In Noun

their honor, a huge pep assembly was held. ________ people Number

showed up, and everybody lived ________ ever after.

Adverb