Dart Vol 5, Issue 88, March 8, 2024

DART The

The STA community stretches around the globe, with alumnae living everywhere from London to Maui. The Dart contacted some of these graduates to get their stories. Read more on pages 14 and 15.

St. Teresa’s Academy Kansas City, MO Volume 88

In This Issue

4-5 Photo Essay: Dancing Through the Decades

6 News: A Faulty FAFSA

7 News: Changes in Service

8-9 Star Spotlight: Charli

10 Feature: Lenten Promises

11: Feature: Like Teacher, Like Daughter

12 Review: Books of Our Neighborhood

13: Is Marvel Still Marvelous

14-15 Feature: Around the World With STA

16-17 Columns: Rebecca McGannon and Sarah Schwaller

18 Sports: Sports Betting

19 Sports: Freshmen on Varsity

20 Feature: Disrupted Dreams

21 Community: Inclusivity on the Court

22-23 Last Look: What’s in my CarryOn?

On the DNO

Column by Jasmine Cervantes

2. My Love of Layover

Column by Lauren Rando

Treasured Hub of Family and Flavor

Green Out Game

Gallery by Molly Sonnenberg

“Long Live Love”

Gallery by Maya Tule

Dear Reader,

As we spring into this long-anticipated break, The Dart brings you our fifth issue of the year! Whether you’re headed to the beach or planning to enjoy a staycation, this new issue is a perfect read for your vacation. Before we look too far ahead, let’s get a blast from the past at the Father Daughter Dance, featured on pages 4 and 5 and designed and photographed by Isa Glover. As the fourth quarter begins, seniors wrap up service hours and college requirements. Turn to pages 6-7 to learn more about the delay in the FAFSA form and get updates from Campus Ministry on service.

If the news has got you down, hop over to see our beloved Charli on pages 8-9. Katelyn Buckley has put together a doggone cute Star Spotlight for you, readers!

In the spirit of springtime and Campus Ministry, look no further than Lina and Cassie’s coverage of Lent on page 10. And peek over to page 11 to read about our on-campus mother-daughter dynamics.

Hear from our resident experts on questionable local bookstores and Marvel movies, then broaden your horizons past our hometown and hear from STA alumnae who live overseas. Chloe and Wynnie got a chance to interview some of these globetrotting Stars.

Careful not to get whiplash as you head back to KC and read Rebecca’s column about the Union Station shooting and Sarah’s love of birds on pages 16-17. Turn once more to celebrate freshmen Stars on varsity sports teams and take a dive into the world of sports betting on 18-19.

Spend your break resting easy, and read Molly’s coverage of STA’s sleep habits on page 20. Lauren and Stella took their own staycation downtown to preview the Women’s Big 12 tournament and they detail the exciting evolution of this iconic, annual KC event.

And for one final check off of your pre-break list, be sure to see pages 22-23, where you’ll find Anna Massman’s Spring Break carry-on necessities.

We hope that you have a wonderful and relaxing week: you deserve it!

Happy — or should we say hoppy? — reading!

The annual Father-Daughter took place on Feb. 25.

Photos by Isa Glover

Dancing Throug

Daughters and dads wait for the

Juniors Sophia Marien-Brovont and Sam Hembree pose for a picture.

Freshman Ava Smith and senior Millie Lee hug for a picture. photo by Sarah Schwaller.

Father-Daughter Dance

The theme was "Decades."

| Associate Sports Editor

Senior Abby Margolin and her dad dance in the senior dance-off.

senior dance competition results.

Freshmen Julia Schwaller and Mary Kate Connor pose for a picture. photo by Sarah Schwaller.

A FAULTY

The US Department of Education rolled out a new version of the FAFSA financial aid application for the upcoming school year, but the improvements haven’t come without faults.

Story by Tierney Flavin | Editor-in-Chief

Ithink that will certainly be a net positive, but it’s really just got to be more clear and much smoother than it has been thus far,” college counselor Bryan Smith said.

On Dec. 31, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form was released to students after being renovated and restructured by the Department of Education (ED). The FAFSA must be completed by current high school seniors and annually by college students. As a result of the notoriously lengthy and complex nature of the form, the ED began making changes after Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act under the Consolidated Appropriations Act in 2021.

Developments were made both on the student end and on the schools’ ends. Within the former, the number of questions was edited from around 100 down to about 30.

“The whole pitch for this was that they were going to streamline [the form] so it’s not as confusing, not as laborious on students and families,” Smith said. “Particularly for lower income or first generation students, which are traditionally an underserved population, which I think is a very good and noble goal.”

The initial “soft launch” of the form occurred on Dec. 31, meaning the FAFSA was not accessible to parents and students at all times. Due to the breadth of the makeover, the website was being monitored to ensure its competency, according to the ED. “The execution has been lacking to say the least,” Smith said. “... It has not been flawless. It’s been marred with technical glitches and things showing as processing to the point now where it’s delaying basically everybody’s decisions. So I think the intent was there, but the execution has certainly not been there.”

As forms were submitted between January and February to meet university deadlines, the ED announced in a press release on Jan. 30 that student FAFSA data wouldn’t be provided to schools until at least “the first half of March.”

Typically, students receive financial aid package offers in conjunction with an acceptance letter, according to the ED. Due to this delay, though, students who received an Early Action or Early Decision acceptance from a university have yet to receive their scholarship letters based on the FAFSA. Some colleges who require the CSS Profile—a platform used by universities to award nonfederal aid—have been able to begin the award process.

“While the FAFSA is now available to students and families, the data has not yet been released to colleges. We are able to begin the financial aid process based on a completed CSS Profile,” read an email sent by The George Washington University on Jan. 30.

In response to these delays, 10 higher education

and financial aid organizations called for colleges to push their enrollment notification date—on which students must submit a deposit to one choice university—past the traditional May 1 deadline.

“During the pandemic, many institutions extended their enrollment, scholarship, and financial aid deadlines beyond the traditional May 1 date, and we urge institutions to make similar accommodations this year. We all want students and families to have the time they need to consider their financial options before making enrollment decisions,” they said in a signed statement.

“I think [universities] have been doing the best they can with the lack of direction and support they are getting,” Smith said. “But I know that it’s most stressful on the students and that’s who are suffering the most. Which is unfortunate, but I do know that it’s also caused a lot of scrambling on the college side too, because they’re trying to admit and enroll a class and that’s not going to happen until you know some cases. You know June 1st, which is a month later than it usually is.”

As of press time, 135 universities have alerted students of varying changes in their notification date, according to a spreadsheet compiled by Danny Tejada, a college counselor at a private consultation firm.

Counselors, financial aid officers and university executives are working to send out financial aid packages as best they can to put students at ease, according to Smith. He says that while the changes were necessary, it is unfortunate how directly the FAFSA’s delay is impacting students.

“I know the colleges from conversations I’ve had with admissions folks are trying to be understanding and their main intent right now is not to over promise and take money away from students — that’s exactly what they don’t want to do — but they also know that there’s a situation, a reality in which students could be walking across the stage for graduation and not know their financial aid package,” Smith said. B

Changes in Service

With the final quarter of the school year quickly approaching, one of the thoughts on students’ minds is service hours. The Dart is here to answer all of your service hour questions.

Story by Olivia Cooper | Lifestyles Editor

With the final quarter of school quickly approaching and seniors preparing for Prom and graduation, they must also finalize service hours for their culminating service project. This year’s senior service project looks a little different, however, than in years past. For starters, the requirement was lessened from 80 hours to 50 hours as current seniors were not able to participate in freshman or sophomore days of service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, senior service week was removed from the school calendar.

Director of Campus Ministry Renee Schultz who is in charge of the service project reflected on the decision to remove this event from the calendar.

“There was an issue of just taking away class time, I think,” Schultz said. “It feels like, especially this time of year, it’s really tight. And we have interim week and all that [so] it just was really hard to put it in this semester.”

The overall goal of this program Schultz explained, is for students to find a volunteer opportunity they enjoy. She feels that service is a concept that should be enjoyable and simple for students to continue in their lives.

“I hate putting a quantity on it, because it’s something that we just do,” Schultz said. “But, unfortunately, we kind of have to make sure that you’re getting that experience. Our goal is that you grow up to be the kind of adults that are aware and see issues that can make a difference and are looking for opportunities to do that.”

While service hours should be mostly completed in students’

own time, there are opportunities on campus that are available to students as well. Juniors, for example, are required to volunteer at an organization once a week during their block Catholic Social Teachings class, and those hours count towards their requirement. Schultz also explained that she has a way to help seniors who are struggling to complete their hours.

“One thing that I’ve done with a couple of seniors is crochet these covers for Sister Larraine Lauter, who came and talked to us about the water filters,” Schultz said. “So if you learn how to crochet these filters, I’ve got everything for people to take home and do that from home as a kind of a supplement.”

For many students who are struggling to find places to volunteer, Schultz recommends reaching out to places like Redemptorist Social Services Center and Kanbe’s Market as both are constantly seeking volunteers and are willing to work with STA students.

While a good majority of the service project comes from hours gained during junior and senior year, students actually start accumulating hours freshman year. Freshman and sophomore days of service count as the first hours; 10 are accumulated during junior year, 20 over the summer and the rest are to be completed during senior year. Seniors will not be able to pick up their caps and gowns for graduation until these hours are completed.

Finally, the service project is geared towards helping students gain an appreciation for volunteering. The final date to have these hours completed this year is April 23. Students can reach out to Schultz if they have any questions or concerns. B

Congratulations to STA’s Scholastic Art and Writing Award Winners:

Gold Key Winners:

Lucia Thomas - Art

Liza Newman - Art

Anna Valenti - Art

Adelina Lopez - Writing

Grace Shanahan - Writing

Silver Key Winners:

Taryn Carter - Art

Greta Medberg - Art

Grace Shanahan - Art

Lucia Thomas - Art

Honorable Mention:

Elaina Lobaugh - Art

Liza Newman - Art

Anna Valenti - Art

Lucy Boxx - Art

Mila Ellis - Art

Lucia Thomas - Art

Eliana Zamora - Art

Scarlett Heybrock - Writing

Anna Massman - Writing

Anna Valenti - Writing

Elizabeth Connor - Writing

Leah Lewis - Writing

Ellie McManamy - Writing

Charli on Campus

Charli, an unofficial STA mascot, frequently comes to visit campus. Megan Schaefer, her owner, talks about why she loves Charli...and dogs in general.

Story by Katelyn Buckley | Opinions Editor

What’s it like having her when you are at school?

She’s pretty easy to have around, and she brings kind of a calming effect to people and she seems to cheer people up. It’s also fun to bring her because she sees it as a sort of adventure. She just loves to run around the buildings and the campus.

What is your favorite memory with Charli?

Charli isn’t necessarily the smartest dog and my favorite memory is when we would take her to the south field of M&A and run around with her and whenever it was time to leave, she would always try to run full force through the netting and bounce off of it. We thought she did it because she was a puppy, but she did it just the other day.

How old is Charli?

She just turned three.

What is Charli’s favorite thing to do?

She loves to pick things up and bring them to you and try to put them in your mouth. She also loves to get belly rubs.

What has owning a dog taught you?

We’ve had dogs for 30 years and they are a great example of accepting people for who they are. Dogs love you no matter if you are in a bad mood, or don’t look your best that day, they just don’t care. They just love you. It’s a great example for all of us.

How did you end up getting Charli?

We had another dog named Lucky who passed away three years ago in January and we immediately knew we wanted another dog. So we ended up looking at a lot of different breeders and we ended up finding Charli a couple days after she was born.B

The DART | designed by Katelyn Buckley

Promises

Every year, the STA community is brought closer together by Lenten traditions and promises.

Story by Lina Kilgore | Sports and News Editor and Cassie Hallier | Staff Writer

“

What are you giving up for Lent?” This question can be heard circulating the STA halls throughout the entire month of March, with students anxious to hear how their peers are challenging themselves this Spring.

The Lenten Season is a 40-day period of prayer and fasting commemorating the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert. It is a chance for Catholics to make changes in their lives and challenge themselves. While the things that people give up vary, they all share one goal: to grow closer to God.

Director of STA Campus Ministry Renee Shultz elaborates more on what this holy period that begins at the dawn of Ash Wednesday and ends at the dusk of Holy Thursday is truly about.

“It’s a solemn time for us to reflect on our own lives and see what we can fast from or give up the way Jesus fasted in the desert,” Shultz said.

The Lenten season also takes on tangible changes within the Church found in various traditions that are an integral part of this holy time.

“In Mass we don’t say all hallelujah, so you’ll mostly notice changes in our Masses and on Fridays, we don’t eat meat, so things change in the cafeteria,” Shultz said.

Various STA students take part in this time of tradition and reflection through their own version of fasting in the form of giving up certain objects or habits.

“I am giving up watching TV for Lent,” Sophomore Lydia Anielak said. “I have given it up every year for the last five years, and I think it is a really nice way to cleanse and it gives me more time to spend in silence and relax.”

Sophomore Muriel Gamble is also using Lent as an opportunity to reset.

“This year I gave up scrolling through my phone before I go to bed,” Gamble said. “I have watched a lot of documentaries about how bad using electronics at night is. I used to do this a lot because before bed was the only free time I had, but I want to break this habit.”

In order to participate in Lent’s holy season it is not required to give something up, as it is also possible to add something to your life.

“It [Lent] can also be a time for us to add things into our lives that would make us be more Christ, more like the people that we want to be,” Shultz said. “Not only does the Lenten season give people time to better themselves, it also helps build a sense of community.”

“I think Lent brings STA together because everyone shares what they are giving up, and we also hold each other accountable,” Anielak said. When we might be struggling, we can get through it together.”

Anielak is not the only one to notice this new togetherness of the STA community.

“I think Lent helps the STA community recognize that we are all working together,” Gamble said. It is a time of shared purpose.

In order to truly unite and work together as a STA community, Shultz believes students should remember the true significance of Lent’s 40-day period.

“Students should take away that this is a really important time to quiet yourself and do some self reflecting,” Shultz said. “Look at what should stay, what should go in your life in order to be the most Christlike people we can be.” B

Sweeny

Angela Sweeny - “Going through this process has been amazing. High school energy is so different. The energy that the kids bring in, it’s just so different. I love, love this age; Just because you’re all growing into adulthood, figuring it out, and it’s fun providing those tools to get you through. I just love that and I love seeing that growth from freshmen to seniors.”

Lauren Sweeny - “I love having my mom work here. Since freshman year, just for almost every free period I’ve sat in here. It’s nice to know that I always have someone I can go to during the day if something is overwhelming.”

Like Teacher, Like Daughter

Harman

Mimi Harman - “The biggest benefit is that I get to see my daughters every day, which makes my day. And checking in on them, and being able to live such a busy life, it’s so great to see them because I also know that it’s fleeting and college and adulthood is right around the corner and I won’t have all this time with them.”

Mary Harman - “It’s just kind of like a nice escape. Sometimes I’m really packed with homework and I just need some place to go. No matter what grade I’m with, even students that haven’t had her, it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I love your mom.’ It honestly connects you more to other people in a way.”

Katherine Harman - “It’s not like I need to go see her every day, but it’s really nice to just have her here just in case. Like, I’m not feeling good or if, like, [I have]social problems or whatever, I could always just go across the hall and talk to my mom instead of having to call her.”

Taber/Knopik

Sarah Taber - “I think it’s been really good for me. As an educator, actually, to be both the parent and an educator. Because I see both sides, I see her coming out, maybe stressed about an assignment. If she’s stressed out, that probably means my students are stressed out, too.”

Luci Knopik - “I think over the years it’s been kind of fun because I feel like my mom’s pretty cool. A lot of people love having her in class.”

STA mothers and daughters reflect on the experience of having a family member at school every day.

Story by Ellie McManamy | Social Media Manager

Boo

s of Our

Neighborhood

WStory by Dianne Haake | Web and Lifestyles Editor

hether you’re looking for something specific or want to wander aimlessly between shelves, bookstores are your place, and what better way than to support ones established and independently owned in the KC area?

Wise Blood Rainy Day Prospero’s

I recently had the pleasure of visiting a few of these businesses, starting with Wise Blood Booksellers in Westport, conveniently tucked inside Mills Record Company (the best of both worlds for an avid reader and record collector like myself).

Although it may be perceived as a seemingly small space, don’t let its appearance fool you. They offer a wide selection of both new and used genres ranging from fiction to literary criticism and everything in between. I felt especially drawn to Wise Blood’s display of works published by local authors which allows readers to discover writers from within our neighborhoods, which aren’t always easy to come across at big-chain bookstores.

Along with the calm ambiance, the staff was incredibly amiable and available to answer any questions, making for a pleasant experience and plans for more visits in the future.

My next stop just so happened to be on a drizzling overcast day, and that is the perfect time to visit Rainy Day Books in Fairway. The quiet atmosphere and diverse literary choices are perfect for keeping up with the latest releases, whether you’re looking for the latest tell-all by a celebrity or a suspenseful hardcover.

Unlike Wise Blood, however, Rainy Day Books is more contemporary-focused and acts more as a traditional bookstore carrying anything from autobiographies to fiction. If you’re on the hunt for something in particular, feel free to ask a staff member to place a special order for you, which makes it easy to get hold of hard-to-find books.

My final stop was Prospero’s Books, a two-story media store that sells and buys books and music located in Midtown. This place is a reader’s dream come to life and I’m not sugarcoating it one bit. If the vintage décor and stacks of books aren’t convincing enough, the selection of 50,000 books will be sure to guarantee.

As well as a place to shop, Prospero’s hosts a variety of events throughout the year such as readings and live events on the third and second floors.

If, like me, you’re a student needing to study or looking for a place to settle down and catch up on your favorite novel, Prospero’s offers plenty of areas to sit back and relax.

One of my favorite things about this place was the shelves of books outside the building for people to pick up freely outside of shop hours, as well as free book boxes throughout the surrounding area. You can instantly tell how passionate about reading Prospero’s owners are and they make it their mission to find you something you’ll love. B

Is Still Marvelous?

In the wake of poorly made Marvel movies, I – The Dart’s resident Marvel expert – examine where Marvel went wrong and where redemption lies.

Story by Annie McShane | Editor-in-Chief

Ironman. Captain America. Spiderman. Over the years, Marvel Studios has created stories for some of the most iconic superheroes of all time. After releasing the second-highest grossing film of all time, “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019, it would’ve only made sense that Marvel continued to dominate the superhero genre. But they’ve done the exact opposite. The question the whole world is asking, “where did Marvel go wrong?”

As you loyal readers are well aware by now, I’m a self-proclaimed expert in many different areas, including Marvel movies. I’ve been a fan for practically my whole life and have seen nearly every film in theaters, from the original “Avengers” to “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” I would go as far to say that I am a Marvel fanatic, or at least, I was. Although I still hold so much love for the franchise, even a fan as loyal as I cannot deny that the quality of Marvel is going downhill.

I place the root of the downfall in the Marvel TV shows. As a big fan of shows like “Daredevil” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” I was ecstatic when Marvel announced that they would be making TV shows in 2019. But I could smell the descent coming as soon as the names were released. A show about Wanda and Vision called “WandaVision.” Really?

But in spite of my reservations about the poorly named TV shows, I remained true in my loyalty and watched them. I got through the first crop in 2021 as a consistent viewer, but nowadays Marvel is releasing shows at a mile a minute. I can’t keep up anymore!

Since I haven’t been as loyal of a viewer lately, I went to see Marvel’s newest movie “Madame Web” in the name of research. I hadn’t heard a single good review before seeing it but still tried my best to go in with an open mind. But right off the bat I could tell that this movie was in no way going to be Marvel’s saving grace. The writing was absolutely awful. The once quippy and sarcastic nature to Marvel’s humor is gone; this movie had scarcely any humor at all.

I was willing to look past the humor in the first half. The plot intrigued me and the exposition had me wondering where they

would take the rest of the movie. But there was barely any rest of the movie; the whole thing felt like the beginning. The action – if you can even call it that – didn’t start until the last 10 minutes and the fight scene with the sorriest excuse for a villain might have been the worst in Marvel history.

Throughout the movie, there were hints that the filmmakers were leaving a lot to be explained in the second movie, but I can’t imagine that this could possibly get greenlit for a sequel.

Although Marvel has seemingly created a multiverse of madness (see what I did there?), I believe that there is still light at the end of the tunnel. Although it did not entirely live up to the “Thor: Ragnarok” standard (because let’s be real, nothing can live up to “Thor: Ragnarok”), “Thor: Love and Thunder” was an entertaining and comedic Marvel movie that gives me some semblance of hope for the future.

The TV series “Hawkeye” also did a great job keeping the comedy factor high while still maintaining a nice balance of action-packed fight scenes. The characters, Clint Barton and new additions alike, were reminiscent of old Marvel movies. I could definitely see characters like Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova becoming some of Marvel fans’ new favorites.

My advice to Marvel? Number one: keep up the comedy. After all, this isn’t DC; the movies are supposed to make us laugh. Number two: work on the marketing. In this day and age, promotion is key, and a clever title and a good trailer go a long way. And number three: keep it simple. Marvel doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. All people want is a solid action-packed movie with some good comedy and likable characters. I truly believe that holding these three things in mind when making new movies and shows is what will help bring Marvel back to its original glory. B

In the words of the STA mission statement, “St. Teresa’s Academy educates young women to think critically, encourages them through Catholic values to love the dear neighbor without distinction, and empowers them to change the world.” For many STA alumnae, changing the world hasn’t stopped after high school in KC. The STA community reaches far and wide, boasting alumni all over the world, from Hawaii to South Africa.

Class of 1977 graduate, Eileen Bell, moved to Ireland over 40 years ago after graduating from Rockhurst College, or Rockhurst University as it is known now, to connect with her Irish roots, her relatives who live in Ireland and explore the country. Bell’s father was from Dublin and her mother’s parents were from Wexford and Kilkenny. She did not anticipate staying in Ireland permanently, but after a few months, she ended up staying for good.

up staying for what has been 40 years. Unemployment was really high, and I luckily got a job unrelated to my degree but that supported my early time in Ireland. I hadn’t originally intended on living here for as long as I have. But look, it has been a great experience.”

Bell works for Enterprise Ireland,

With a focus on international markets, Enterprise Ireland have 40 offices around the world and she has been able to travel overseas for work across many countries.

“My career initially began when I was able to get a job with the Irish Trade Board, which

Around the World Around the World WithSTA Alumnae

Hawaii

Helen Wheatley

Ireland

Eileen Bell

Italy

Thais

Montagner

The Netherlands

Katie Tampke

United

Kingdom

Elizabeth Meyers

WithSTA Alumnae

South Africa

Molly Hirner

The STA community stretches around the globe, with alumnae living everywhere from London to Maui. The Dart contacted some of these graduates to get their stories.

Story by Chloe Denk | Design Editor and Wynnie Sprague | Staff Writer Alternative Coverage by Anna Stout | Design Editor

“The year I graduated from Rockhurst my sister actually was here and my youngest brother spent the summer here [Ireland],” Bell said. “I came over and I thought

I’d stay for like three or four months and I ended

the Irish government agency that invests in and works with indigenous industry assisting those businesses to grow globally. Her business advisory role encompasses being the Digital Entertainment sector lead, so she works with a lot of TV film, animation, VFX and AR/VR immersive technology companies.

merged with another Irish government agency to become the organization I work for now. I did a stint overseas in our office at the World Trade Centre in Amsterdam, Netherlands,” Bell said. “And that was very interesting. So working for a big organization like Enterprise Ireland is great, presenting lots of opportunities

“IfeellikeI’vedonealotof travelingsinceI’vebeenover here,mostlypersonaltravel. That’sbeenreallyfun.I’vemet alotofreallygreatfriendsand it’sbeenreallyexcitinginalot ofways.”

to do many different things. And I have found that very, very good and rewarding.”

Bell is close with her family, some of which live here in the United States, and some who live in Ireland. She says her favorite part of living in Ireland is being close to family, Irish culture and lifestyle.

“I’d have to say my family here: my sister, her two daughters and my cousins,” Bell said. “I’m close with my cousins and that’s one of the big reasons why I’ve stayed. Another reason I stayed is because I love my job and I think I have made a positive difference with some Irish companies.”

Kansas City, Bell has been able to maintain a connection to STA and some of her lifelong friends that she made during her years here.

“I see my friends in Kansas City regularly as I come back to the US a couple times a year. I think it’s important to nurture those relationships,” Bell said. “You know, we’ve shared so much and all the tales from St. Teresa’s. Those were formative years in my life and it has really shaped me into who I am. A lot of things that people work hard at now around inclusion, diversity, corporate social governance and business ethics were lived during my time at STA. Helping others, respecting all, exploring new

“The island really lends itself to self exploration, and I was just stoked on everything I was learning about myself, and I still am. It’s just been a continual process of discovery, and I just love it.”

opportunities and doing good, those things were always present.”

max. And then I’ll come back to San Francisco and get a real job and figure it out.’ And that was almost four years ago.”

“I think if you’re living in another country, the best thing you can do is try and make friends [with] the people that are actually living there that have grown up there or that have been living there for a while.”

Despite not originally planning on staying in Maui, Wheatley was drawn to the sense of community and lifestyle of the island.B

going“Myfavoritepartofsomewherenew longandstayingtherefora gettingperiodoftimeis intoaroutine thatmakesyoufeellike you’retrulylivingthere.”

Since some of her family members live in Dallas and

“Youhavetoputyourselfout thereifyou’regoingtomake friends,becausethere’snobody hereforyouifyouaren’tthe personincontrolofthat situation.”

Helen Wheatley (Class of 2017) has now been living on the island of Maui in Hawaii for almost four years after moving there post-college after she studied in San Francisco. For Wheatley, moving to Hawaii was unexpected, but she was drawn to the adventure it provided in a COVID-19-infected world.

“I’ve always had that travel bug and Hawaii felt like the closest I could get to seeing a bigger part of the world while being in the US because of COVID,” Wheatley said. “I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll go out there for six months, maybe a year

TA Wake-Up Call

A Wake-Up Call

Here’s how I’m feeling after the recent KC Chiefs parade shooting.

Story by Rebecca McGannon | Staff Writer

here isn’t a cloud in the sky on this perfect day while I’m chomping away on some chips and salsa courtesy of Los Tules, my friend Maya Tule’s family restaurant. I’m starving due to this morning’s activities of walking and shoving my way through Grand Boulevard to see our Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. The conversation has come to a standstill when one of my friends picks up a call from his mom. “What?” he said. “Oh my God. Yeah, I’m okay.” He hangs up the phone. “There’s been a shooting down at the parade,” he said. My friends and I all gasp, chatter and pose questions about the details. Suddenly, we can all hear the sirens much louder.

On February 14, during the Super Bowl parade 22 people were shot, 11 of them children and one adult was killed. Two adults and two juveniles have been arrested regarding the shooting and face charges of second degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. According to police reports, one of the adults was in a verbal argument when it escalated as he pulled out a handgun.

As I’ve had time to reflect upon these events, I have come to the conclusion that it is no longer acceptable for me to assume “this would never happen to me.” For as long as I can remember, after a mass shooting has occurred I have shrugged my shoulders, commented something resembling remorse and moved onpartly because I feel like I lack knowledge in the latest political decisions regarding gun safety, and partly because it would be too heavy to bear every shooting on the news with me. But this day I did not shrug my shoulders and say, “This is terrible.”

After hearing the news, my friends and I retreated to Tule’s house, only a short drive

from the restaurant. We huddled around her TV and anxiously

on the local news channel. News anchors filled us on the events that our parents

had so anxiously called us about. As friends and family flooded my phone, I panicked when I hear the reporter mention a 15-year-old girl was hurt. What if she went to STA? What if one of my friends was hurt?

How many times will I say “this would never happen to me” until I’m at the wrong place at the wrong time? How many times will I roll my eyes at my mom telling me to be safe until I’m the one people watch on the news?

This recent local shooting showed me that this is not something I just hear about on the 5 o’clock news from Lester Holt or David Muir. I am begging leaders of our country to enforce and increase gun control before more lives are lost. While gun control policies tend to be complicated and fueled by politics and money, it’s still the job of politcians to look after the children of this nation. Since this job has yet to be done, it’s increasingly important that we make our voices heard and don’t take no for answer. How many more lives will be lost until change is made? B

After gunfire broke out, some people took cover and others fled during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally on Feb. 14, at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. (Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/TNS)

switched

A Fascination With Migration

Though often overlooked, birds are essential to our ecosystem and environment, and are also my favorite type of animal.

Story and Photos by Sarah Schwaller | Opinion Editor

Since my childhood, my mom has graciously indoctrinated me with extensive knowledge of birds. In fact, we even have one. Her name is Squawk, and she is a 38-year-old red-lored amazon. This has all contributed to a great appreciation of the sometimes overlooked warm-blooded vertebrates that constitute the class aves

Kansas City and the surrounding areas are a major trafficway for bird migration. Birds make the long trek each spring and fall, travelling from Canada to Mexico. Of course, they will need to take breaks – and when they sometimes stop, Kansas and Missouri are perfect places to do that. With vast amounts of fields, forests, wetlands and places that are a perfect mix of all, birds have found a haven in which they can rest, and subsequently thrive in. In my case, I was able to observe birds in my own backyard, as well as the parks near my home.

Like most animals, birds are extremely active early in the morning and later in the evening. My grandmother inspired me to dive into the world of wildlife photography, and during the spring of 2020, I learned how and when to conduct my own observations and research. I often woke up early, but after the sun was up, and walked to parks near my house, equipped with my camera. Early spring didn’t have much to offer me, just birds typical to Kansas City, but in a couple of weeks, that all changed. Over the course of a month, I saw 37 species that I had never seen before. At first,

I questioned the regularity of this observation and wondered, as a person who noticed birds far more often than her peers, why I hadn’t even noticed these species before. Even in my documentations, I had completely overlooked one of one of the key characteristics of the consistency of birds that I loved so much. Those birds were always in the park at that time of the year; I had just never slowed down and looked close enough to see them. I was guilty of the same conundrum that I often made fun of my friends for: that was simply not paying attention to birds at all. I loved capturing them all on my camera, and posting them on a photo Instagram account I had. In fact, Canon USA left comments on a couple of my posts. I had lots of fun with it, and was able to submit my research to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for their own data tracking.

face and sat down on my hand. She sipped graciously, and I held my breath in shock. Aside from my own bird, I hadn’t had such a personal interaction with one, and this experience really set off my appreciation for these tiny creatures.

Hummingbirds are another species that I have had a chance to closely interact with and investigate. In the summer of 2019, I made it my mission to hold a ruby-throated hummingbird and feed one from my hand. It was a challenging feat that required me to sit outside for countless hours, practically getting eaten alive by mosquitos at times. It was a long process: holding the hummingbird feeder

All of this is to say how important it is that these birds keep returning and are supported. With the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, these species are protected from being hunted, killed, captured, sold, traded or transported, but this is not the only thing that needs to be done to support these beautiful creatures. Higher temperatures caused by necessary

in my hand, I had to gain the trust of these petite birds and make it known that I was not a threat. After several weeks of waiting, one (who my Mom and I named Tinkerbell) finally approached me, inspected the holes in my

that can zinnias, sunflowers, petunias and honeysuckle. Flowers are also a wonderful way to observe entire ecosystems and food chains, making them an even more interesting addition to gardens. As well as flowers, trees and shrubs are wonderful for birds to find refuge in.

I am so grateful to both my mom and grandmother for launching me on my flight to discovering the beauty of birds; they are always around us, and supporting their wellbeing can support ours in return with a bonus chance to spend time outside and give us an awareness of the majesty of nature. B

A beautiful bird perches on a wire and enjoys a sweet orange.

FRESHMAN ON VARSITY

Freshmen share their thoughts on playing at the varsity level.

ADDI MOYLAN

“Being a freshman on varsity is an amazing experience! I have learned so much from my teammates and coaches. It is a confidence booster and a great way to meet other students. The upperclassmen are very welcoming and show leadership and team spirit. They have created such a fun environment to be a part of!”

POLLY FENDLER

“Being a freshman on varsity is really fun but it can also be very intimidating. I felt a lot of pressure to perform at the same level as everyone around me and held a really high standard for myself all the time. The upperclassmen on both teams were extremely kind and helpful with this, though. I think the coolest thing was that it didn’t matter if they were better than me or not; either way they were all always willing to help. They definitely make the sports a lot more fun and easier to navigate your first year.”

KENDALL RAGSDALE

“Varsity is more fun but taken more seriously than JV. I liked varsity because I got to be around more experienced girls that are good at softball so I learned a lot from them and have grown to be better at the sport. It made me more mentally tough because it was hard being compared to all the “better” girls but it was definitely a good experience. My family supports me greatly and I’ve been playing for years. My parents help me practice as well as get me to practice. My friends also support me greatly and have cheered me through the whole season and it was overall a really good experience.“

$PORTS BETTING

Story by Jo Marshall | Staff Writer

In the heart of bustling Kansas City, where the Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions, fans of Mizzou continue to relish in their victory over Ohio State and KU enthusiasts anxiously await March Madness, lies St. Teresa’s Academy. Amidst the thrill of nail-biting games, exuberant celebrations, and the tradition of “Red Friday” dress-down days, students may find themselves wanting to know more about the burgeoning sports powerhouse of their hometown. While a foreign concept to many, sports betting plays a big role off the field. As these local teams take home victory after victory, so do many fans, in the form of sports betting.

Sports betting, a form of gambling where fans stake their wagers on the outcomes of different sporting events, has become increasingly popular over the years. A few popular sports to bet on include football, basketball and horse racing, but fans bet on any sport. In bracket events like March Madness, fans can place money on whose bracket is the most accurate, or who got the overall winner correct.

When betting on individual events, fans follow an order of operations. They select the sport, game and type of bet, with options including moneyline, point spread and over/under bets. Moneyline bets are bets on which team wins the game. Parlays, which are typically more specific bets, allow fans to combine multiple bets for potentially greater returns. Once fans decide what they’re betting, they place their wager.

Today, these bets typically occur on online platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel. Before these existed, friends would often bet amongst

themselves, designating one person as the “bookie” who sets odds, collects wagers and pays out winnings.

Odds play a huge role in sports betting, indicating the likelihood of a particular outcome and the payout. They can be presented through various formats, like as a decimal, a fraction or American (moneyline). For example, a moneyline bet could display odds of +150 for one team and -120 for the other. If a team has positive odds, it is decidedly the underdog, and less likely to win. Teams expected to win will have negative odds. Positive odds indicate the potential profit betters could make from betting a $100 wager, while negative odds show the amount betters must wager to win $100. This serves as an incentive for betters to bet on the underdog.

Sports betting regulations vary by jurisdiction, with some states legalizing and regulating it, while others prohibit or restrict it. In Missouri, sports betting is entirely illegal. This results in many Missourians heading into Kansas to bet. While sports betting is legal in Kansas, it is illegal to participate in monetized sports betting under the age of 21. Bettors must understand the laws and regulations in their area to ensure they comply with legal requirements.

While sports betting offers fans the potential for significant financial gains, it also carries inherent risks. Bettors should be prepared to accept losses and understand that winning is never guaranteed.

CONGRATS TO OUR VARSITY BASKETBALL STARS ON WINNING DISTRICTS!! GOOD LUCK TONIGHT!!

DISRUPTED DREAMS

What factors play into morning fatigue, and how do we break the cycle?

Story by Molly Sonnenberg | Staff Writer

You should give up Celsius for Lent!” my friends encourage me, after contemplating what habit I should give up for the 40 days. Not so fast! Drinking Celsius has been the quintessential start to my morning for two years. Even though I’ve been waking up around 7 am for school since I was a kid, the morning tiredness never disappeared. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone; one look around the school in the morning and a stranger would think we were paid to drink Celsius and Alani Nu’s. What’s affecting these sleep patterns? Why is it hard to fall asleep early at night, and even harder to wake up?

According to “Better Health,” most teenagers only get 6-7 hours of sleep per night, whereas 8-10 are needed. According to a survey with 90 responses, STA students average just around that 6-7 hour mark. Before sleeping, over 50% of respondents said to unwind they use their phones, which could be the cause of this lack of sleep. According to “Better Health,” teenagers who put their phones aside for an hour before bedtime get up to an extra 21 minutes of sleep.

Sophomore Francie Brewster agrees that putting your phone down before bed is key for a good night’s rest.

“If I’m not looking at a screen it helps me fall asleep faster,” Brewster said. “It distracts you, and you can see something that makes you anxious.”

Another factor that can inhibit sleep is caffeinated beverages. Health experts recommend that people consume caffeinated stimulants only in the mornings because drinking them at night can cause late nights and feelings of anxiety. Even drinking these beverages as much as six hours before bed can cost people an extra hour of sleep, according to the “Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.” Around half of STA students who responded to the survey said that they drink caffeinated beverages in the morning, whether

that’s every day or a few times a week.

A good night’s sleep is critical for a productive day ahead. If you find yourself dozing off in first period or maybe after lunch, consider reading before bed, meditating or simply just putting your phone away. Keeping your bedroom dark, starting your bedtime routine early and sticking to it and waking up at the same time every day are more tips for quality sleep. Arguably, a routine eight hours of sleep is more important than the next day’s quiz in the long run.B

BON THE C URT

We go to the Women’s Big 12 tournament every year and have seen first-hand how Kansas City promotes women’s sports.

Story by Stella Baska | Staff Writer and Lauren Rando | Staff Writer

etween the smells of popcorn, the loud shrill of referees’ whistles and the bright jersey colors, the Big 12 women’s post-season tournament is always a thrill. What we didn’t realize was how much this Kansas City-hosted set of games helps promote women’s sports.

This tournament decides the champion of the Big 12 conference, a Division I group of mostly Midwestern teams, like KU, Iowa State and Texas. This competition is extremely important to the teams because it can predict success in the NCAA tournament.

STA basketball coach Kiera Hardy also sees the importance of the Big 12 tournament.

“It showcases how talented women’s sports is, specifically basketball,” Hardy said. “I think it is a great stage here in Kansas City, with very loyal fans. It’s just a great production every

time the women step on the floor.”

With help from several sponsors and volunteers, Kansas City hosts the Big 12 tournament each year.

One of the sponsors of the Women’s tournament is Win for KC, a non-profit organization promoting women and girls in sports. This organization is extremely important to Kansas city; girls’ sports camps, marathons and other events are often organized by Win for KC.

Previously, the tournament was set up to be at the same time as the men’s at Municipal Hall downtown. This was problematic because a majority of people watching basketball downtown were supporting the men.

For example, when we went and ate in the Power and Light District, the TVs were on the men’s game and many people were engaged with them. Now, the women have their own week at the T-Mobile center, which promotes attendance and attention.

This is a huge advancement for women’s sports in Kansas City. However, previous attendees, while acknowledging the positives, still see improvements to be made.

“I think Big 12 representatives should tap into some of the schools,” Hardy said. “I know they send emails, but they should start bringing teams or Big 12 representatives to different schools,

promoting it.”

Despite lacking school promotion, the women’s tournament has gained more viewers over time. Many more people are learning the value of the Big 12 women’s basketball.

In our experience, each year’s attendance has increased. The first year we went, we could move all the way to the front few seats and no one would notice. Last year, however, sports fans filled certain sections of Municipal Hall. Iowa State fans, for example, filled rows, brought signs and cheered extremely loudly.

Kansas City has done a great job through the years for inclusivity in sports.

“You are starting to see an increase in women’s and girls basketball, but soccer and lacrosse are also taking off,” Hardy said. “The variety of sports available to student athletes is amazing. Women are able to play

football or wrestle, and it’s showcasing how talented women are.”

Within this variety of sports, Kansas City has made it a priority to promote female athletics.

The KC Current, the city’s women’s pro soccer team, proves huge milestones for women’s sports. Their stadium, located downtown, is the first women’s soccer stadium ever built. Kansas City has also developed plans for a pro volleyball team in 2025. If these plans follow through, this will be another example of promoting women’s sports in Kansas City.

Another facet of female athletics in Kansas City is the abundance of youth sports. There are many leagues for girls to join the sport of their choice, such as school parochial leagues and clubs. Local organizations also host national youth volleyball and basketball tournaments at places as prominent as Bartle Hall.

This year, we will be continuing the tradition of supporting women’s sports and attend the Big 12 tournament this weekend. Keep an eye out for an upcoming gallery on the DNO, and consider buying a ticket for a game or two! B

TAKING ON THE CARRY-ON

Whether you’re checking five bags or none, your carry-on will undoubtedly play a key role in your travel day experience. Packing efficiently ensures that you have only the necessities and nothing extra to weigh you down as you catch flights. Remember to pack these travel essentials next time you fly!

PASSPORT

Humble, yet mighty. Although an obvious choice for international travelers, the passport can also be used for identification when traveling across the country.

notables:

Hand sanitizer, change of clothes, toothbrush, pen, lip balm, camera, neck pillow

SNACKS

Because why go anywhere without them? Packing snacks for your travels prevents you from buying the limited, overpriced items sold in airports.

SKIN CARE

The dry air travelers experience while flying can leave skin feeling parched. Bring a travel-size mist or some lotion to ensure you feel and look fresh all day.

CHARGERS

If you have the forethought to bring a portable one, more power to you. Otherwise, a regular charger works equally well to prevent catastrophic boredom.

MUSIC

Noisy eater sitting next to you? Want to feel like the main character for a while? Any listening device could be the difference between a golden-globe travel experience or hours of agony.

LAPTOP

Having a laptop with you can turn a long layover into a productive few hours. It’s also much safer carried on with you than thrown around in any checked luggage.

WATER BOTTLE

Overpriced plastic water bottles? Bleh! Most airports have plenty of filling stations for those who come prepared (like you!). Bring a reusable water bottle and skip those painfully expensive purchases to be kind to yourself, your planet and your wallet.

A BOOK

The lack of service up in the clouds can cut you off from electronic devices, but physical sources of entertainment (aka books) are always reliable.

2023-24

dar t s t af f

Advisor

Dianne Hirner

Editors-In-Chief

Annie McShane

Tierney Flavin

Features Editors

Anna Massman

Design Editors

Anna Stout

Chloe Denk

Opinion Editors

Katelyn Buckley

Sarah Schwaller

Photography Editor

Jasmine Cervantes

Associate Photo Editor

Maya Tule

Sports/News Editor

Lina Kilgore

Associate Sports Editor

Isa Glover

COVER DESIGN BY

Maya Tule | Associate Photo Editor

Ownership and Sponsorship

Web/Lifestyle Editors

Dianne Haake

Olivia Cooper

Social Media Editor

Ellie McManamy

Staff Writers

Cassie Hallier

Jo Marshall

Lauren Rando

Molly Sonnenberg

Rebecca McGannon

Stella Baska

Wynnie Sprague

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