Volume 71 Issue 5

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H iss ue 5 H 8 December 2011 H st.

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breaking thr ugh Forty years ago, Sister Berta Sailer and Sister Corita Bussanamas founded an inner-city childcare center called Operation Breakthrough. Despite the odds the agency has faced, today it provides crucial aid to hundreds of children and families in need.

See pages 8 -9.

2 | news | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 8, 2011

DART

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people and policies

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Eric Thomas............................................................advisor Katie Hyde................................................editor-in-chief print Hannnah Wolf.....................managing editor of print Allison Fitts....................................................copy editor Mary O’Leary................................................news editor Lucia Maschler........................................opinion editor Katie McCombs..............................................a&e editor Kate Rohr........................................centerspread editor Lane Maguire............................sports & health editor Christina Barton.....................................features editor Rowan O’Brien-Williams....................lifestyles editor Sara Meurer.........................................in the mix editor Emily McCann........................................last look editor Caitlin Fletcher...............................................staff writer Sara-Jessica Dilks...........................................staff writer Lauren Langdon............................................staff writer Adrianna Ohmes...........................................staff writer Mickey Redlingshafer..................................staff writer

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photography Celia O’Flaherty..........................................photo editor Sarah Godfrey................................staff photographer Rosie Hutchison............................staff photographer Meghan Lewis................................staff photographer Shaeffer Smith...............................staff photographer

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web Cara McClain........................managing editor of web Chelsea Birchmier........................................copy editor Nikki Rodriguez.....................multimedia web editor Erin Sellers..................................................photo poster Emily Bresette......................................daily web editor Emily Wemhoff....................................daily web editor Abby Uche............................................daily web editor Natalie Fitts........................social media & circulation Emma Wheatley.......................................videographer Anna Leach................................................videographer Katie Parkinson................................standing features

Using the numbers, match the features of the new Windmoor Center classroom interior with the descriptions below. The center will open in late January.

policies ownership and sponsership The Dart is created by the student newspaper staff and is published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church, whether on a diocesan or worldwide level.

Chapel nears completion

editorial policy The Dart is subject to prior review by the St. Teresa’s Academy administration in circumstances that concern student safety and illegal behavior by students. Otherwise, the policies above will guide the Dart. The Dart intends to be a public forum for voices regardless of diverse ages, sexes, races, cultures, religions or beliefs. Signed columns reflect the opinions of the individual, not necessarily the newspaper staff or the school community. letters policy The Dart encourages letters to the editor. Letters can be sent in the following ways: in person to Eric Thomas in D204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, attn: Eric Thomas, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; or by email to ethomas@stteresasacademy.org. Letters should be limited to 250 words.

The Dart staff reserves the right to edit or shorten letters for publication. photo illustrations Photo illustrations are conceptual photos that combine the limitless possibility of the drawing with the realism of the photograph. They are not intended to be documentary photos of real moments. corrections policy The Dart will print corrections as soon as possible after the error is discovered.

dartnewsonline.com

photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

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These tracks will hold the dividers that will cut this room into four hightech classrooms.

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The front enterance is made of glass windows with doors looking out to the parking lot.

Windmoor Center will feature latest technology in four classrooms to aid student learning by

EMILY WEMHOFF

ewemhoff@dartnewsonline.com

The Windmoor Center and Chapel of St. Joseph will be open for students at the end of January, according to president Nan Bone. After 300 days of construction, thousands of bricks and dozens of board meetings, the building will finally be seen inside for the first time by alumnae, students and their families Jan. 18 at an open house. Bishop Finn will dedicate the Chapel of St. Joseph Feb. 2.

According to Bone, the Windmoor Center will be completed over Christmas Break, but the administration wants to wait to hold the open house until all the furniture has arrived for the inside.

The building, which began construction March 23, can hold up to four classrooms plus the chapel, all of which incorporate the latest technology, including a glass projection screen.

Two of the classrooms have the capacity for audio and video conferences.

“We are opening up the four walls of the classroom to make global classrooms,” Bone said. “[Students] can see and hear who they are visiting with anywhere in the world.”

Each classroom will have a teacher work station that has a digital document camera and everything a teacher needs to control all of the technology at their fingertips, according to Bone.

Document cameras are the latest electronic

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The floor in all four classrooms has been carpeted.

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These are wooden panels that will eventually be placed in the chapel.

imaging devices which can be used to display real three dimensional objects, such as pages from a book or artwork. Bone said this will help students to stay engaged in teacher lectures.

In the large hallway facing the Quad there will be a swiveling 60-inch plasma TV and an Apple touchscreen computer for students and alumnae to search for and look at old photos from the archives. The TV is also able to display student and teacher presentations to larger classrooms.

One whole wall will be magnetized glass from ceiling to floor in each classroom. The walls have dual capabilities as display boards for students and dry erase boards for teachers.

Including the new technology, Bone said they really wanted to capture the “STA spirit” in everything they created in the Windmoor Center and Chapel of St. Joseph.

“Everything is about our girls,” Bone said.

“From the black granite design on the altar, to the beautiful gold and black terrazzo floor. We wanted it to tell our story.”

According to Bone, there is also an archive wall that includes artifacts that date back to the very first church in Kansas City. Other artifacts include the first slate ever used by the students at St. Teresa’s.

Some students still feel unsure about how the chapel will turn out.

“I feel that the chapel has taken away the ‘Quad feel’ that I felt my first three years,” senior Megan Lewis said.

Senior Mackenzie Jones feels the same way.

“As a senior I was used to the way the campus looked with three buildings and I think the chapel blocks the view of the buildings from the parking lot,” Jones said. “I think the lace will take

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This entire wall will display a magnetized glass board that will serve as a dry erase board and projection screen.

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Teachers will have computerized controls over custom classroom lighting.

some getting used to because it is so different from the rest of the campus, but it is not the worst thing they could have done.”

However, they are still looking forward to the opportunities the Windmoor Center brings.

“From what I have heard there is a lot of new technology that [administration] is going to try out, and I am excited to see how that works,” Lewis said.

Jones is excited to have class masses in an area meant for services instead of the auditorium and thinks it will add a deeper spiritual aspect to the religious life at St. Teresa’s.

“Now we have a real Quad, I bet it will look beautiful once the fences and construction cones are gone,” Jones said.

When the WindLewis moor Center opens, administration hopes it becomes a place for all students to relax, but not necessarily sleep.

“We want it to be a quiet place to study or meditate, with not too many students crowding the building,” Bone said.

There were no unexpected changes to the building plans during construction and everything went smoothly, according to Bone. As chapel completion approaches, she is looking forward to the day when students are able to explore the inside.

“The [Windmoor Center] is going to be just breathtaking,” Bone said. H

December 8, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | news | 3

STA creates award to honor students

table talk H Sister Rosemary Flanigan, left, listens to Mary Kay McPhee discuss one of this year’s Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award candidates in Zahner Lounge Nov. 29.

Previous award winners gathered in the lounge to nominate candidates and decide upon the winner. photo by MEGHAN LEWIS

President Nan Bone and STA committee decide to extend Mother Evelyn O’Neill award to students

by CHELSEA BIRCHMIER cbirchmier@dartnewsonline.com Every March, students attend the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award ceremony in the Goppert Center to hear the two award recipients speak about their lives and contributions to the community. In the past, the two recipients have been adult women from the community, who, according to senior Erin Twaddle, do not capture student interest the way they should.

“I think a lot of people think [the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award ceremony is] boring and don’t want to attend it,” Twaddle said. “Not because it’s a bad

cause, but because it is too long to hold people’s attention.”

But this year, the award ceremony will run differently than usual. President Nan Bone announced at class meetings Nov. 11 that a student would receive the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award this year in addition to the usual adult recipient.

The Mission Effectiveness Committee, which consists of three students, Bone and a few other staff and Board members, started looking at changes for the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award last year and solidified its plans near the beginning of the school year.

The committee is looking for student applicants who actively volunteer and participate in community service, show leadership and maintain above a 73 percent GPA. The winning student will be announced at the ceremony March 5 and will receive a plaque and $250 for her charity of choice.

Bone hopes the award will change the way

students perceive the award and increase student involvement.

“Sometimes for the students, there’s not such a connect to the Evelyn O’Neill award,” Bone said.

“If there’s a great speaker and they have a great message, that’s great, but otherwise, sometimes the girls don’t know the winners, and they’re not that familiar with them. [O’Neill] was a leader, and we have those kinds of girls at STA. We think it will excite the rest of the student body.”

According to Bone, the goal of the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award is to showcase women who exemplify the traits of Mother Evelyn O’Neill, the sister of St. Joseph who moved STA from downtown Kansas City to its present location. “[O’Neill is] the one that stood up to the bishops,” president Nan Bone said. “She said, ‘We need to come south, and we need money to do it.’ With her determination and her grit and will, we got this thing done, and she moved us south in 1909.” H

Teacher has successful heart surgery STA science teacher expects to return to school second semester after heart surgery to repair valve

by ROWAN O’BRIEN-WILLIAMS robrienwilliams@dartnewsonline.com Science teacher Terry Conner deals with teaching three science courses—chemistry, physics and honors physics. Many may not know that up until recently, Conner had also dealt with a heart murmur—her heart had a leaking valve.

Conner had surgery Nov. 21 at University of Kansas Medical Center to repair the leaking valve. The day of the surgery, religion teacher Robin Good received an email that stated that the surgery had gone well and even taken less time than expected.

Conner had known of her condition since 2000.

According to Conner, doctors monitored the heart every six months and when the condition worsend, they decided to perform surgery. “[My condition] had been getting worse and it is better to repair [the heart] because if you don’t, basically your heart dies—well, [your heart] loses the ability to function properly so you die,” Conner said.

Conner has dealt with the idea of receiving heart surgery in her own way.

“When the doctors told me 4 years ago that I was going to need surgery I kind of freaked out,” Conner said. “My brain got used to knowing that I was going to need surgery. I’m frightened about 30 minutes out of the day and then I turn to spiritual solace and my husband helps too.”

Conner hopes to return by the beginning of second semester. In the mean time, science teacher Paul Anwander is taking over and teaching all three of her courses. Conner said she picked Anwander to take her spot because he understood the material to the extent necessary to teach honors physics. “[Barbara McCormick] contacted several people and had them come in and observe in the classroom for one day, and then I talked to Conner each one of them for five minutes and gauged who seemed most comfortable with the content,” Conner said.

Anwander recently graduated from the University of Central Missouri where he received his master’s in education.

“I am a new teacher,” Anwander said. “I did

warm hearts H Science teacher Terry Conner reads a card made by her students. photo by MEGHAN LEWIS computer technology and I’ve gone back [to school] to start being a teacher.”

Anwander believes his recent graduation helped him get this position at STA. “What helped me to get the spot was that I’ve recently been in college level physics at a level that is comparable or more advanced than high school classes,” Anwander said. H

Athletes to play at college level Four STA seniors have recently signed national letters of intent to play college athletics. Three are members of the varsity volleyball team: Taylor Migliazzo, Nicole Wemhoff and Kathleen Vogel. Varsity golf team member, Alexis Buford, has also signed.

Taylor Migliazzo: Oklahoma University, signed Nov. 10 “I signed to the University of OklaMigliazzo homa and I chose to sign there because they have a very strong volleyball program, it is a great school, I grew up being an OU fan and it is a good distance from home.”

Nicole Wemhoff: UMKC, signed Nov. 10 “I chose to sign there because of the coaches, the ability to play Division I volleyball and the school.

They have a good science program which is what I plan on majoring in. It is great because my family and friends can come see me play more because Wemhoff I am in town rather than if I had gone out of Kansas City” Kathleen Vogel: Loyola Chicago, signed Nov.14 “I chose to go [to Loyola] because I visited last spring when I was originally looking at the school before I broke my leg, and I loved the campus and the fact that it’s in the middle of Chicago. When they offered me a scholarship I pretty much knew immediately that that’s where I was going to go.”

Alexis Buford: William Jewell, signed Nov. 11 “I loved the campus, I will be playing in my first year; they have a vet program, great coach and I’m really good friends with the other girls who signed.”

STA club collects cans for polio

The Rotary-Interact Club recently raised funds through recycled aluminum cans to raise money for Polio vaccinations in western African countries. According to Rotary president Shaeffer Smith, the money raised from 12 recycled cans is equal to the cost of one polio vaccination.

Thus far, the club has raised more than 900 cans, equaling around 130 vaccinations.

The first two Smith days of the drive were relatively unsuccessful: only about 30 cans were donated, according to Smith. However, after the club officers spoke about their mission at the Plaza Rotary Club’s 25th anniversary, over 700 cans were donated from members. Smith hopes that more cans will be donated throughout this week.

“There are countries that are still affected by Polio,” Smith said. “We need to help those people.

For me, it’s all about helping others and getting others involved and as passionate as I am about helping others.”

The club currently has about 30 members, but welcomes any students interested in joining. Next semester the club plans to begin a communitybased service project.

“The girls who are in the Interact Club are really excited to help others and know that they’re making a difference,” Smith said. “We’re raising awareness and making a difference in the global community.”

Compiled by EMILY MCCANN AND KATIE HYDE

4 | features | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 8, 2011

just born H Freshman Averie Stapp holds her baby brother Jude Chadwick-Oswalt after his birth Aug. 4. Averie was in the operating room when her mom gave birth by caesarian section. photo submitted by the Chadwick-Oswalt family

you make me smile H Freshman Averie Stapp smiles at her baby brother Jude Chadwick-Oswalt while holding him up on her lap Nov. 20. While being photographed, Jude kept staring at the camera. photo by CHRISTINA BARTON

Sibling Stroll H Freshman Averie Stapp holds her baby brother Jude Chadwick-Oswalt while walking on the Indian Creek Trail by their house. Averie spends time with Jude everyday after school. photo submitted by the Chadwick-Oswalt family

gimme some sugar H Freshman Averie Stapp kisses her baby brother Jude Chadwick-Oswalt while holding him on Nov. 20. Averie and Jude are 14.8 years apart. photo by CHRISTINA BARTON

rock-a-bye baby H Freshman Averie Stapp looks at her new baby brother Jude Chadwick-Oswalt as she holds him Aug. 4 in the hospital. Averie often holds Jude. photo submitted by the Chadwick-Oswalt family

December 8, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | features | 5

teen sister( ) not teen mom

Freshman Averie Stapp becomes a sister at 14, begins new life with baby brother, bottles and spit up

by CHRISTINA BARTON cbarton@dartnewsonline.com

One day while at Noodles & Company restaurant, freshman Averie Stapp was pushing a baby in a stroller while getting a drink. Another woman walked over with her child, looking at the baby in Averie’s stroller to see if the baby looked like Averie. She asked Averie how old he was and then asked if he was Averie’s child. The 14-year-old then explained that the baby was her brother.

Not her son.

Since her brother Jude was born, Averie has encountered questions, dirty looks and plenty of stares while out with Jude. Yet according to Averie, she doesn’t mind the confusion: she is just happy Jude is here.

Big News

attention [to him]. She turns around when he drinks too much and is choking, and she will tell me what to do.”

The house is different too. According to Averie, it’s noisier, there is more laundry and Jude’s room has a really bad smell all the time. According to Chadwick, everything takes a little more thought.

“We can never go anywhere without planning it,” Chadwick said.

For example, when STA had the day off Oct. 14, Chadwick and Averie decided to go see “Footloose” and just take Jude with them. To try to avoid any problems with Jude during the movie, they decided to see it during Jude’s nap time.

“We just brought him in his car seat and put a blanket over him [in the theater],” Averie explained.

“He kept moving his head, but he stayed asleep.”

Averie also encounters baby problems, such as baby spit up. While on a hayride this fall, Averie was holding Jude when he spit up on her.

“I was just holding him and I was kind of holding him tight cause I was on the edge [of the ride] and it was bumpy. I didn’t even notice for a while,” Averie said.

Averie eventually did notice the spit up going down her shirt.

“My mom didn’t even care. I had to sit with it [the rest of the ride],” Averie said.

After Rachel Chadwick, Averie’s mom, had been sick, she finally told Averie she was going to be a big sister. According to Chadwick, the pregnancy was a surprise. Although Averie had been an only child for 14 years, she was excited to learn she was going to Dealing with the gap have a sibling.

Because Averie is 14.8 years older than Jude, he “I was really happy because I always wanted a will only be four when she goes to college. Chadwick sibling, but it was also sees negatives for Averie weird,” Averie said. “It due to the gap. was a little late.”

“When she is finishInstead of sharing ing [high school], he will the news with everyone, The other day, we were at Half Price Books, be going into kindergarAverie chose to only tell and I was carrying him with me to my secten so I think she will her close friends. Most of tion. A lot of people gave me dirty looks or be really sad she will be her classmates and her were staring at me. I just didn’t say anything missing that,” Chadwick teachers at Académie and kept walking. said.

Lafayette French immerAccording to Averie Stapp sion school didn’t know Chadwick, they joke that freshman she was going to be a big they will follow Averie sister. wherever she goes to “[My classmates] didn’t really know until they saw college. Averie agrees that her relationship with Jude [my mom], and even then, some people just thought would benefit if her family moved. she was fat,” Averie said.

“I would probably want to see him every week if I However, after a while, people started figuring out could,” Averie explained.

Chadwick was pregnant.

According to Averie, the large gap is also a positive “We went on an eighth grade trip, and [my mom] thing because it allows her to get to see Jude grow up came to a meeting really pregnant and people were and know him as a baby. like ‘oh she’s pregnant,’” Averie said.

Chadwick also agrees there are positives with the large gap between the siblings.

“I don’t think they will have sibling rivalry,” ChadNew Beginning On Aug. 4, Chadwick gave birth to her second child wick explained. “I think it will just mostly be a loving relationship.”

by Caesarian section. However, it had been a while since her first child, Averie, was born: 14.8 years to be The large gap has however caused some confusion for strangers while Chadwick, Averie and Jude exact. This time though, she would have extra support because not only would her husband Brian Oswalt be are out, according to Chadwick. Besides the confusion in the room during the caesarian section, but Averie at Noodles & Company, Averie has also been confused would be there, too. as Jude’s mom while at other stores.

“They only allow one other person to be in [the “The other day, we were at Half Price Books, and I operating room], so my husband was going to be was carrying him with me to my section,” Averie said. there, but I really wanted [Averie] in there with me,” “A lot of people gave me dirty looks or were staring at Chadwick said. me. I just didn’t say anything and kept walking.”

Ultimately, the hospital staff allowed both Averie and Oswalt into the operating room.

Responsible Sister Although Averie almost cried, she said her duties According to Chadwick, Averie is very responsible as photographer kept her busy once her brother Jude and has been very helpful in taking care of Jude. was born.

“She’s kind of my little helper,” Chadwick With a new baby at home, life is a little different. explained. “She spends time with him after school According to Averie, they have to wake up earlier to everyday and I’ll do other stuff.” get everything ready.

According to Averie, before doing homework, “Sometimes I have to feed him in the back of the she spends time with Jude. She also watches TV with car on the way to school,” Averie said. “I just kind him, takes him for a walk, talks to him or sings to him. of put [the bottle] in his mouth and don’t really pay Averie also sings a rap she wrote for Jude, “Hey Jude”

“

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by The Beatles or other songs.

According to Chadwick, Averie helps out whenever she can, like waking up with Jude some mornings.

“Today she woke up with him at 8 [a.m.] and let me sleep another hour,” Chadwick said.

According to Averie, she likes to babysit Jude and knows she will continue to babysit him throughout high school. “[I will babysit him] especially when he gets older,” Averie explained. “Maybe I will have to take him places.”

Chick Magnet

Jude has also become a fixture for Averie’s friends and tennis teammates. This year, the STA tennis team dubbed him the team baby. “[When he came to my matches], everyone took pictures of him and wanted to hold him,” Averie said.

Averie said her friends always talk about him, and when they come over, they like to hold him. Averie often holds Jude while hanging out with her friends in her room or he plays on the baby play mat she has in her room.

Freshman Arinna Hoffine, Averie’s friend, frequently sees Jude when she hangs out with Averie.

“Sometimes he’ll be in her room and we will be talking on her bed,” Hoffine explained.

“Or when we are driving, I’ll sit in the back seat with him.”

Hoffine has also Skype-d with Averie and Jude once when Averie was babysitting.

Averie said she sometimes wants to stay home with Jude instead of go out with her friends, but she still hangs out with them at least once every Freshman Averie Stapp weekend.

“Some of my friends always shares rap she wrote for her complain about me being home, brother Jude after he was but it doesn’t bother me because he is fun,” Averie said. born Aug. 4 According to Hoffine, Averie has not changed much since Jude was born, except for in relationship to Jude.

“My name is Jude “She spends more time at home [to be with Jude]. She is really proI think I just pooed tective of him and talks about him a lot,” Hoffine said.

THE JUDE RAP

From only child to oldest

Averie and Chadwick were very close and often did a lot together when Averie was an only child. According to Chadwick, having a sibling will bring them closer because Averie has been so helpful.

“If I didn’t have her around, I don’t think I could have gotten through the past few months,” Chadwick said.

The only real difference now Averie says is they have less time to spend together alone. For instance, since they live in Kansas, Averie has her learner’s permit so they had been practicing driving before Jude was born. After Jude was born, it has been harder for them to find time to drive, especially when her dad Brian Stapp is out of town. Chadwick also does not have as much time to help Averie with her homework. But Chadwick feels having a sibling will benefit her relationship with her mom.

“I think it will bring us closer,” Chadwick said. H

I smell really crude,

when it comes to food I have a bad attitude, but everyone thinks I am a really cool dude”

Graphic by Sara-Jessica Dilks

6 | main ed | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 8, 2011

Spread some holiday cheer this year

graphic by SARA-JESSICA DILKS

At STA, students are constantly being presentrely on these clubs and students to do the community service for them. During the Food for ed with opportunities to give back to our community. We pride ourselves on statements such Thought drive, how many girls outside of Community Service Club actually helped? Only 70. And as “neighbor to neighbor without distinction” and sure, they collected a lot of canned goods from “in this house, all must be friends, all my be loved, all must be held dear, all must be helped.” But the neighborhood, but how many did they collect from STA itself? Only 500. As a school of 562 girls how much are we really helping?

Sure, one can say our school does our part to that pride themselves on community service, it’s frankly embarrassing give back. The Comthat each girl couldn’t munity Service Club hosts an annual food bring in one can.

The staff editorial represents the It’s a shame that at drive. National Honors views of the Dart editorial board: STA, some girls skate Society just held a fund raiser for used winter by, doing the bare minimum when it clothing items. We all 7 out of 7 editors voted in support have to complete 90 comes to community of this editorial service. Some only volhours of service to unteer at events when graduate.

Clearly, there are it’s required as part of a club membership. Some only complete 90 hours plenty of girls that genuinely engage in commuof service to meet graduation requirements. nity service. They’re the few that make service Some only bring in contributions if it means their at STA seem successful. And they deserve a huge advisory wins free pizza or their class gets a dress thank you. But at the same time, they should be encouraging all the other students to care about down day.

As students, why aren’t we contributing more? getting involved, as well.

Maybe we’re too caught up trying to balance our Way too many people of the STA community sports with our homework. Maybe some of us think we’re too busy. Maybe there’s no reward.

RIGHT ON

TARGET Each issue, the Dart asks three people their opinions of the issue discussed in the main editorial.

Here’s what they said: compiled by KATIE McCOMBS

But this isn’t about us. It’s about others. The only reward we really need is the fulfilling feeling of helping others. If we had just as many girls bringing in canned goods as the amount of girls that bring in a dollar to buy a donut every Thursday, we may actually make a bigger impact.

STA needs to bring back the pride in community service that the Sisters of St. Joseph established. And what better time to do so than right now? The Sisters of St. Joseph are currently celebrating their 175 years of serving the world.

And in honor of this anniversary, they are asking people at every institution they sponsor to pledge 175 minutes of service before March 25.

That’s only 3 hours. Three hours of tutoring a fellow student. Three hours of volunteering at a nursing home. Three hours of playing with kids at Operation Breakthrough. Three hours of selfless service back to the community. Three hours of honoring the Sisters of St. Joseph.

After all, these women are first hand examples of women that have used their gifts and talents to help others. Service was a strong value of the foundation of STA, a strong value in our mission and should be a strong value in our hearts. We need to find new motivation to give back. We need to volunteer for others, especially during this time of the year. H

TOP FIVE: ways to help The Dart compiled five fun ways an STA student can get involved this holiday season compiled by LUCIA MASCHLER 1. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. There are thousands of people who go hungry every day. Just one of your evenings could make a huge difference.

2. Adopt a family. Many parishes have Christmas basket programs where you can give a family gifts and food for this holiday season.

3. Give some change to the Salvation Army Santas outside stores. It may seem small, but just imagine if everyone gave their spare change to charity.

4. Go through your old clothes to give to charity.

It’s time to get rid of those hideous sweaters that have been hiding in the back since 2005.

5. Help a fellow student study for a final. You may have wizzed through the study guide, but look out for those who might be struggling.

How could STA further do more to give back to the community?

“I think it would be great to set up a tutoring program or like a ‘big sisters’ type program with local grade schools. It would be great to help younger girls, like future Stars!”

“STA could further give back to the community by holding charities towards children with learning disabilities.”

Colleen McInerney senior

“STA does a great job with the food, diaper and hats and glove drives.

But I think STA could take it further by setting up a drive…that would benefit children in abusive homes.”

Regan Stiles junior

McInerney

Sydney Campo sophomore

Stiles

Campo

December 8, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | opinion | 7

Here comes Santa Claus, right down STA lane Use your smartphone to scan these QR codes and read more Christmas opinions on www.dartnewsonline.com

Santa Claus is coming to town

The Final Say Don’t forget your siblings this holiday season or leave them at church by themselves. Ever. Or they will never forgive you for it.

Anna Leach

wins t s i as m t s i hr

Some things are incomprehensible for a 3 year old’s mind.

For me, it was my mother’s pregnancy.

Her stomach swelled practically by the minute, her back always hurt too much to help out around the house and everyone always wanted to press their face to her tummy. Totally weird.

Also odd to my still-developing brain was the inundation of toys, clothes, rockers, high chairs, bottles, more toys, bibs, tee shirts saying “Mom’s Favorite”, games and more toys for someone that didn’t even exist yet.

The holiday season of 1996 was a bad, bad time for me.

The light bulb finally went off when my parents sat me and my older sister Kirsten down and explained that little baby Libster was taking a nap inside Mommy’s tummy for a couple of months until she was ready to come meet us.

Then I realized something: I wanted to be pregnant, too.

So I grabbed my pink pillow that I always kept on my bed, stuffed it up my shirt and called it good. The act went on for about 3 months.

I must say, I was a very convincing actress.

When my parents would ask me to help out around the house, I would retort that my back hurt. When I would plop down on the couch

All I w ant fo rC

F HO

Lucia Maschler

Rosie Hutchison

beside my dad to watch some TV at night, I would throw my smelly white-socked feet up on his lap and ask him for a massage because “the twins” were hurting them. I would tell my mom I had a craving for chocolate after chocolate after chocolate because it was all just a natural part of the pregnancy.

The act even continued at preschool, although my parents demanded that my pink pillow tummy stayed at home.

Needless to say, my parents were sick of the act. So they devised an ingenious plan to wean me off of the theatrics.

Christmas morning at 5 a.m. (remember those days?), I woke up and quickly launched my footie pajama-ed self off of my twin bed. I raced to my parents room, yanked on my mom’s hair, jumped on my dad, sang at the top of my lungs, until finally 10 minutes later they got up and led me and Kirsten, downstairs to open our gifts.

What do I see sitting in a white wicker rocker beside the tree? Two baby dolls, a boy and a girl.

My parents had literally “delivered” the babies to me as a Christmas gift. H

The Final Say Sometimes the weirdest Christmas memories are the best.

E YD EH I T A

by K

rtn ew so nli ne .co m

M WE

Lane Maguire

Sara-Jessica Dilks

ight

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The Final Say Santa is real, and everyone should just believe that already. We’re never too old for old Saint Nick.

E by

As I sat in the Starbucks at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, I saw a plump man with cherry cheeks and a big white beard walking out of a store. He was wearing red shorts, sandals and a red and white tropical shirt even though it was below freezing outside. It was at this moment that it hit me—Santa is real, and I just saw him walking in Minneapolis.

If I have ever told you that I don’t believe in Santa Claus, I lied. Apparently, believing in the fatty that sneaks in to my house and leaves me presents is socially unacceptable at my age. I guess I believed my mom for, like, two days when she said Santa isn’t real, but it just doesn’t add up.

I have some unanswered questions.

1. How do you explain the bites out of the carrots I leave for Santa’s reindeer every year?

Not sure how many people actually think about how the reindeer feel about flying around the world in one night, but it sure doesn’t seem like an easy job! They’re hungry, and it’s a known fact that reindeer love carrots. So when I see the bites out of the carrots and people try to tell me that Santa doesn’t exist, I start to wonder who bites them then. Is it my parents? No, they don’t have reindeer teeth, and I’m positive those are reindeer bites. The only possible explanation is Santa.

2. If it’s not Santa, then what are the sounds on the roof I hear every Christmas Eve? You’ve got to cut Santa some slack—roofs are tough to walk on, and he can’t keep quiet all the time. If you try to tell me that it’s my imagination that is making up those sounds, oh lordy. I’ll be the first to say I have a wild imagination, but I’m not that imaginative. It’s obviously Santa and his reindeer.

3. Who displays my gifts in such a professional manner?

My parents, you say? Well, as much as I love my parents, every year it looks like a job done by an experienced professional, such as Santa.

That’s not even my parents’ handwriting on my presents!

4. What about the Santa tracker? Is that real?

Okay, on this one, I’m still a little unclear on how they actually track him, but hey, government secrets are government secrets. Plus, I don’t think everyone would lie to us kids! That’s just cruel.

Just like my 7 year old cousin, I believe in Santa Claus. Although some parts are a little questionable in the whole “Santa” concept, most of it seems pretty rock solid to me. From his giant snow globe that watches us all year to his magic ability to squeeze 400 pounds of Christmas joy in to a chimney, Santa is a very real thing to me.

I hope that you believe, too, because he doesn’t give presents to non-believers. H

os

about who had to go pick him up.

Personally, I suggested we leave him there, but my request was denied.

So my parents drove back up to St. Charles, expecting to find a crying 5-year-old child all alone. But Jon didn’t even realize we were gone! If that doesn’t tell you how much love we share in this family, I don’t know what does.

This adventure honestly was not that out of the ordinary for my family. We just shrugged it off and avoided telling the public until now.

Every Christmas season I think about this story all over again and this is just too funny of an incident to keep in the dark.

Even today, Jon still holds a grudge. He brings it up almost every time he wants something from my parents. “Mom, please can you get me this game?

Remember the time when you left me afraid and alone at Christmas Eve Mass?” Automatically, my mom gives in.

I still think we should have left him there. H

n nt ile

by SHAEFFER SMITH ssmith@dartnewsonline.com

Christmas Eve 2002.

My entire family was running around the house enjoying the Christmas spirit and getting ready for Mass.

Leftover ham and mashed potatoes were still lying out as my sister Nicole was arguing with my mom about what she had to wear to church. My brother and I were still debating whether we should put out the “reindeer food” for Santa’s animals later that night or skip it altogether.

Because of the traditional Wemhoff chaos, we decided to take two cars to church because we didn’t have enough room for my family and my grandparents in one car. Mass was packed as usual, and my 8-year-old self could hardly stand the anticipation of waiting for Santa Claus that night.

Mass ended and we headed home. We had been home for 20 minutes when we realized that a certain someone was not with us.

That’s right: my parents had left my brother, poor little Jon, at church. Sometime after mass, Jon had escaped us and managed to sneak to the children’s choir to socialize. My parents each thought he was with the other one.

We were mortified.

First plan of action for my parents: F briefly yell and blame each other ew em about how they could leave ho their son at church alone. ff@ da Second plan of rtn ew action: argue son line. com

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Kate Rohr

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December 8, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | centerspread9 |9

8 | centerspread | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 8, 2011

perating for families in need

At service agency where dozens of STA students volunteer, two nuns establish inner-city center to help children, families with financial, emotional needs

Helping the whole person

“Doing it the hard way” paid off. Today, Operation Breakthrough operates out of an establishment at 30th Street and Troost Avenue. According to Sailer, the building, about five years old, holds between 550 and 600 kids from 6 weeks old to 6 years old. In the building, rooms are grouped into “neighborhoods.” Each neighborhood has its own therapist, social worker, educational coordinator and five rooms, each with a different age group.

“If a kid’s in [a certain] neighborhood when he enrolls, if he has a brother or sister that’s preschool age, that kid’s in the neighborhood with him,” Sailer said. “They have their own Halloween parties, own Christmas party, own parenting classes.”

Operation Breakthrough also has a teen center, including a lounge room equipped with sofas, video games and celebrity posters. There is also a library and a computer room which, according to Sailer, kids can use to do homework or just goof around on

by ROWAN O’BRIEN-WILLIAMS robrienwilliams@dartnewsonline.com

“

“

I don’t think we can say we knew what we were doing... We learned a lot of things by doing it the really hard way.

–Sister Berta Sailer

The sing-song words of “Hi, Sister Berta” ring through the painting-lined halls of Operation Breakthrough as Sister Berta Sailer passes by. Runny-nosed kids wearing mittens and hats return from playing in an outdoor courtyard. Babies take some of their first steps toward Sailer, using walls to steady themselves.

Kids, parents, employees and volunteers from all over the facility acknowledge Sailer with a smile.

Forty-three years ago, Sailer and her partner Sister Corita Bussanmas established the program that fosters these people and attitudes when they created Operation Breakthrough.

Operation Breakthrough provides day care services for low-income families. Its mission, according to operationbreakthrough.org, “is to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment... [and] also strives to support and empower the children’s families through advocacy, referral services and emergency aid.”

The STA community helps Operation Breakthrough run some of these services. Some STA students volunteer on their own time. Others volunteer through junior-senior service projects, ongoing volunteer projects that every upperclassman must complete at an approved agency, such as Operation Breakthrough.

STA parents donate time and money to the agency as well. Junior Meghan Lewis’s mother Ms. Lisa Dunbar organizes the annual uniform drive, collecting white polos and khaki and navy pants for the Operation Breakthrough children. H

the Internet.

Operation Breakthrough also provides an onsite dental clinic, food pantry, gift closet, clothing pantry and even a medical clinic.

Registered nurse Myra Haase helps run the onsite Children’s Mercy Hospital clinic at Operation Breakthrough. According to Haase, the clinic sees the children at Operation Breakthrough for yearly checkups, sick visits and also helps do physicals for the Salvation Army Children’s Shelter.

“Most of our kids have Medicaid,” Haase said.

“We know most of the kids that are here. We know the families, we have relationships with the families.”

Haase said knowing the families helps the clinic to better treat the patients. The clinic knows how to deal with families under special circumstances, such as transportation issues.

“They might have to catch three buses to get here,” Haase said. H

snackin’ on smiles H Sister Corita Bussanmas holds two children during snack time at Operation Breakthrough Nov. 28. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

Changing lives

sister, sister H Sr. Corita Bussanmas, left, and Sr. Berta Sailer pose for a photo. photo submitted by Operation Breakthrough

“Doing it the hard way”

The two sisters started Operation Breakthrough on their own at a time when few childcare regulations existed in Kansas City. In the 1970s, they worked as teachers at St. Vincent’s School in Kansas City, an elementary school with about 100 children.

According to Bussanmas, the parents wanted a school focused on dealing with students individually.

“We brainstormed with our parents with what they really wanted and with different things coming up in our elementary school, it was going to be more [about] each child working at their own level,” Bussanmas said.

However, Bussanmas said the sisters encoun-

tered problems when the diocese decided to discontinue its support of parishes with less than 100 children, including St. Vincent’s.

According to Bussanmas, the sisters knew they would need to incorporate, or become a tax-exempt organization, because the program would no longer be a part of the diocese. The parents and faculty of St. Vincent’s went to Jefferson City to complete the paper work that would incorporate the institution known as Operation Breakthrough.

“Now we would be able to go to the government and ask for funding because we are no longer a religious affiliation, we are a non-profit corporation,” Bussanmas said. “[Getting that money] is really how

precious moments H Sister Berta Sailer looks at an infant at Operation Breakthrough Nov. 22. Sailer and Sister Corita Bussanmas opened the center in the 1970s to serve families of Kansas City. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

we’ve been able to stay open.”

Bussanmas said the incorporation was beneficial because the government provided money without meddling in Operation Breakthrough’s programs.

However, Sailer and Bussanmas still had trouble getting Operation Breakthrough started, especially with finances.

“We had no funding at all,” Sailer said. “Nobody knew we existed. One time, the janitor came in and told us they had taken the trash can away because we hadn’t paid the bill. We didn’t have any money to pay the bill. So, Corita and I figured out where the city picked up trash and so every night we’d put a bag in front of this house with their trash and a bag

in front of another house. We did that for a couple months.”

Sailer also said that they did not have a set plan when Operation Breakthrough was in its early stages.

“I don’t think we can say we knew what we were doing,” Sailer said.

After becoming incorporated, the sisters learned about the technicalities of running the operation, one of these being the need for a board of directors.

“We go ‘what do they do?’” Sailer said. “We asked 100 people to be on the board of directors because nobody told us we only needed like 15. We learned a lot of things by doing it the really hard way.” H

HOW TO DONATE: What: Non-perishable food items, hygiene items, winter clothes for children ages 0-16. See Operation Breakthrough’s website for more items to donate Where: drop off items at the north east corner of 31st Street & Troost Avenue When: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the back door of the Operation Breakthrough building located on Forest Street Best time to drop off: Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

More information: Call Kim Davis at (816)-329-5213 source: operationbreakthrough.org compiled by Rowan O’Brien-Williams

eye to eye H (above) Sister Berta Sailer jokes with a toddler in a preschool room at Operation Breakthrough Nov. 22. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY who's there? H (left) Two girls peek out of a preschool room at Operation Breakthrough Nov. 22. photo by CELIA O’FLAHERTY

Ms. Kelli Hamilton has used Operation Breakthrough and its services for over 10 years. She came across Operation Breakthrough through Rose Brooks, a battered women’s shelter. Hamilton has two kids: a 12 year old son, Antonio Travis, and a 10-year-old daughter, Alexis Travis. Antonio started Operation Breakthrough when he was 2 years old, and Alexis began attending a few days after her first birthday, after being put on a waiting list.

“Operation Breakthrough has kind of changed my life,” Hamilton said. “I was in a very bad situation with my husband. He was very abusive to us...and my son is autistic and [my former husband] had jumped on my kid and gave him a black eye when he was three.”

Hamilton said Operation Breakthrough provided her with the services that began to improve her life.

Antonio’s speech therapist acted as a confidant during these times. The speech therapist and Hamilton’s advocate went to court with her to help her file a restraining order against her husband. She then went into a housing program for two years, graduating from the program and attending several parenting classes. “[Operation Breakthrough] actually gave me the courage to get away from my husband,” Hamilton said. “I don’t know where I would be if it hadn’t been for Operation Breakthrough.” H

10 | sports | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 8 , 2011

A day in the life of a swimmer PLAYERS POWER

Every issue, the Dart highlights an exceptional athletic achievement accomplished by STA students

by LANE MAGUIRE

FRESHMAN SYDNEY WIMES

Dance Team varsity

What: The team competed in their first competition of the season.

When: Saturday Where: Liberty High School How: The dance team competed in the hiphop and pom divisions of the Liberty KC Classic competition. They placed second in hip-hop and third in pom. This was the first year that the competition was held.

According to the team, the competition was small, yet competitive. Competitors included Notre Dame de Sion High School, Raymore-Peculiar High School, St. Pius High School, Center High School, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy and Barstow High School.

Why: “It opened our eyes to how much harder we need to work,” junior Caroline Fiss said.

Starfish H (above) Swim team coach Andy Wilcox holds a team meeting after the girls warmed up. (middle right) Captains Marianna Messerli, left, and Lucy Edmonds laugh while taking a break from swimming laps during practice. (bottom right) Senior, Lucy Edmonds laughs during practice Nov. 29. photos by CAITLIN FLETCHER

Swimmers adjust to labor-intensive practices as the season begins while also bonding as a team

us in the water by 3:45, but we usually don’t get in by then. [Practice] is hard and sometimes it’s not fun to swim.”

by SARA-JESSICA DILKS sdilks@dartnewsonline.com

Swimmers begin with a warm-up which consists of short distance sets, (50 or 100 yards) and a longer 300 individual medley.

The actual swim practice, which lasts for about an hour and a half, involves virtually nonstop kicking and drill sets. In total, the girls swim approximately 5,000 to 6,000 yards. The swimmers are placed into appropriate lanes according to their speed and alternate the four basic strokes: breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and freestyle. According to sophomore Mallory Radtke, Coach Wilcox helps to motivate them throughout practice. “[Coach] Wilcox is all about team, he always tells us to ‘swim for your teammates,” Radtke said.

Messerli believes that swim team is more challenging than other sports in some ways, partly because of the continuous and intense exercise routine.

“I think that swim team is definitely underestimated,” Messerli said. “People don’t understand how strenuous the workouts are. [Our only breaks] are between sets, when we get a minute-long rest.”

During the first part of practice, some swimmers must do “dry land” conditioning (or sets of stretches and planks on the pool deck), as other teams temporarily occupy the lanes.

“We don’t have enough pool space because there are two other teams practicing [at the same time as us],” senior Lucy Edmonds said. “You need to be doing these types of exercises so you don’t end up hurting yourself.”

In the locker rooms of Longview Athletics Center, 30 swimmers and five divers change into their tiedye, camouflage and striped one-pieces, discarding their backpacks and tennis shoes for towels and bare feet. Netbook cases are replaced by Speedo swim bags packed with towels and snacks.

Heads topped with zebra-printed and rainbowcolored swim caps rapidly bob under and over the turquoise pool water. Eyes covered by metallic-lensed goggles make it almost impossible to identify any one of the submerged swimmers. Instead, the hydrodynamic swim gear makes the girls resemble “aliens”, as described by junior manager Sarah Vickery.

Later, Coach Andy Wilcox gathers the girls for a pep talk. He then passes out “goal sheets”, designed to motivate the girls, with encouragements such as “[Goals] are essential to really keep us alive.”

3:20 p.m. — All Aboard the Bus

SENIOR ALEX RADTKE

Inside the swim team’s silver van, the girls eat fruit snacks, blast music and talk loudly, contributing to what sophomore Katie Hornbeck calls a “chaotic” atmosphere. According to junior Grace Scovell, this atmosphere allows for bonding time.

“I think our team is closer [than other sports] because [some of us] take a bus out to practice, so that’s fifteen minutes each day when we spend time together,” Scovell said.

However, others carpool to practice in order to avoid the crowded bus. In senior Marianna Messerli’s car, the girls have sing-offs and dance or what Messerli describes as “just being weird”.

“My carpool is definitely the party carpool,” Messerli said. “I think it freaks the freshman out but we definitely have fun! I think just being weird lets everyone kinda relax.”

3:45 to 3:50 - Changing into Swim Gear Upon arrival, the swimmers head straight to the locker rooms to change and “stall” for about 10 minutes.

“We do everything we can to avoid getting in the water,” sophomore Claire Fisher said. “Wilcox wants

4:10 - 5:45 p.m. — Practice Makes Perfect

5:45 p.m. — Meeting with Wilcox

After leaving the pool, the soaking wet and “exhausted” swimmers gather around the cold metal bleachers. The girls listen to a 15-minute talk led

by Coach Wilcox, who offers encouragement and discusses upcoming events.

“You’re supposed to be tired, you’re supposed to be grumpy, and you’re supposed to be sore,” Wilcox advised. “If you really wanna [achieve your goals], I want you to take them here (motions to his heart), here (motions to his mind), and here (motions to the sparkling blue pool).”

6:00 p.m. — Stars On 3!

After the 15-minute talk and before being

dismissed, all teammates must participate in a team cheer directed by Coach Wilcox.

“At the end, we gather around and put our hands into the middle, and he picks someone to lead the ‘Stars on 3’ [cheer],” junior Maddi Hughes-Zahner said.

Senior Hannah Reinhart believes that in the end, the close bond of the team outweighs the intensity of practice.

“We all have days when we don’t have the most positive mentality, but we all overcome it due to how we pick each other up,” Reinhart said. “Our teammates are really what helps us to get through [practice].” H

December 8, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | health | 11

Karate kid: martial arts becomes a hobby Sophomore Emma Connelly learns Tae Kwon Do, karate to help mentor, instruct other participants

by ABBY UCHE auche@dartnewsonline.com Loud pop songs are blasting as a handful of adults work out in the Woodside Tennis & Health Club. Belt tied, bare feet rubbing against the carpet, she walks past the various exercise equipment and approaches a walled-in modified basketball court. As she reaches the open doorway, her stance becomes rigid, she places her hands in a prayer-like position in front of her body and bows at the waist. After she is acknowledged by her sensei, she enters the room. This is how sophomore Emma Connelly has begun each of her karate classes since she first started practicing this martial art form as fifth grader. “[Bowing is] a sign of respect,” Connelly said.

“You’re just showing the respect to the teacher.

[It’s like saying] ‘Here I am,’ ‘I’m ready to learn,’ ‘Thank you for teaching me.’”

Connelly has held this sense of respect for the martial arts from a young age. Connelly was in second grade when she first developed an interest in karate.

“As a little kid I used to play with one of my friends and we would pretend to be karate masters,” Connelly said. “We used to have play dates every Saturday and we’d make up karate stories with our Beanie Babies.”

A year later, these games inspired Connelly to start taking Tae Kwon Do classes. However, by the time she reached fifth grade, Connelly decided that she wanted to switch to karate instead. A friend referred Connelly to a new program taking place at Woodside. Connelly tried the program and became one of Sensei Fabio Rodriguez’s first students.

“I started with about one kid, then two kids,” Rodriguez said. “[Connelly] joined when there were about three kids.”

When Connelly began with the Woodside program, she entered as a Tae Kwon Do green belt.

However, she began practicing karate with a clean slate as a white belt, the lowest belt level of the nine colored belts.

“In Tae Kwon Do, I skipped five belts and had made it to green belt, but when I transferred over [to karate], I basically had to start over.” Connelly said.

Starting over was necessary because there are technical and stylistic differences between the different martial arts forms.

“When [Connelly] joined us she [was learning] a different style,” Rodriguez said. “She had to go back to white belt, and she’s been with us all the way to brown belt.”

Even though Connelly began as a white belt, Rodriguez considers her an advanced student.

“She’s already considered advanced,” Rodriguez said. “It’s taken years, but she’s stuck with it,

HEALTHY

HABITS Each issue, the Dart provides suggestions for changes in daily habits to increase the well-being of the mind, body and soul.

by MICKEY REDLINGSHAFER

karate kid H (above) Sophomore Emma Connelly practices karate at Woodside Tennis & Health Club. Connelly started participating in Tae Kwon Do when she was in second grade and then switched to karate in fifth grade. (below) Connelly holds her all the belts, or levels, she has mastered. According to Connelly, she is currently a second degree brown belt and aspires to earn her black belt before college. photos by ADRIANNA OHMES and she’s done very well.”

Currently, Connelly is a second degree brown belt with aspirations to earn her black belt before she graduates from STA. In karate, earning a new belt level is based on both skill and time commitment.

“For most of the belts, there’s a certain amount of time [required to earn them],” Connelly said. “[Your] instructors want to make sure you really know the material and that you’re not rushing yourself. It’s about technique.”

As a student increases in age and skill, they earn different colored belts to mark their progress. In karate, there are typically nine belt colors.

Students begin with a white belt, and then progress on to yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, red, brown and finally black. There are three different levels associated with a brown belt: brown belt, first degree brown belt and second degree brown belt. Before Connelly can reach her goal of becoming a black belt, she must test for her first degree brown belt. Connelly hopes to earn this year.

As a brown belt and one of the most advanced students at Woodside, Connelly is expected to be more independent in her pursuit

of this goal. Connelly is also given the opportunity to take on more leadership and responsibility.

One way she does this is by helping to instruct the lower belt level students during their class.

“We expect that when you’re an intermediate that you can help instruct people who are [at a lower level] than you, and once you’re red and brown especially, we can use your help to teach the previous forms that lower students need to learn,” Rodriguez said. “So especially at brown belt you become somewhat of a mentor or instructor.”

According to Connelly, she has been helping less advanced students for about two years.

Mentoring these students is a part of Connelly’s responsibility as a Sempai, the Japanese word for “senior student.” In addition to measuring skill level through the belt system, karate students are also given more general rankings. The younger less advanced students, typically those at or below a red belt, are referred to as Ko Hai. Then usually when a student earns their brown belt, they become eligible for the title Sempai. Later, as a student progresses through the eight degrees of the black belt, they become eligible for the title Sensai or “teacher.” H

MIND

BODY

SOUL

According to everydayhealth.com, solving different kinds of puzzles helps you exercise different areas of your brain. For example crossword puzzles work with the memory and language areas of your brain, and jigsaw puzzles exercise your parietal lobes. Latin teacher Sue Marquis enjoys working on crossword puzzles.

“I like to do crossword puzzles [to keep my brain busy],” Marquis said. “I have several I do on my iPad, including one in Latin.”

According to runnersworld.com cross-training is good for your body. By changing up your workouts your body will burn more calories and use oxygen more efficiently. English teacher Sarah Knopik says that working out has become a big part of her life.

“I [participate] in cross-training; it’s a good way to stay excited about fitness,” Knopik said. “I swim once a week, do weight training twice a week, and run a couple times [a week]. For me it is about clearing my head, when I work out my head feels better. It seems to help keep a balance.”

According to studies at Harvard University, getting a good amount of sleep enhances your mood. If someone is sleep deprived they become more stressed, angry, sad and mentally exhausted. Sleepfoundation. org says that teens need a minimum of 8.5 hours of sleep a night.

“During the week I try to get as much sleep as I can,” sophmore Lizzie Luallin said. “When I get a good night’s sleep I always feel better the next day. I can focus better in school, and I am always in a better mood.”

12 | A&E | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 8, 2011

Christmas classics Senior film blogger critiques seasonal films and evaluates the timeless movies essential to a very, merry Christmas

by KATE ROHR krohr@dartnewsonline.com

“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

“The Holiday”

If you get a little exhausted with all this Christmas cheer, then “The Holiday” is just the film for you. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet star as two women who meet on the Internet and decide to switch houses during Christmas, so they can both escape their awful love lives.

It is sweet and romantic, which is a nice break from all the other “Christmas spirit” movies.

The animated film that we all know and love tells the epic tale of the misfit Rudolph in his quest to eventually save Christmas.

The movie includes fun characters such as Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snowman.

“Elf”

“Santa Clause”

Don’t miss this sweet Christmas movie starring Tim Allen as a dad who somehow gets roped in to becoming “The Santa Clause.” It will remind you of your younger days when no one questioned Santa’s existence, and it definitely gets you in the Christmas spirit. Don’t be sad when the credits start to roll on the screen—there are two more! Though “The Santa Clause 2” and “The Santa Clause 3” are not nearly as good as the first, check them out.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

This is nonstop Christmas fun for the whole family as we watch Buddy the Elf discover that he’s really a human and travel to New York City to meet his real dad, who turns out to be a real Scrooge. Buddy’s innocence and love of all things Christmas is endearing and hilarious, and “Elf” is riddled with bits of Will Ferrell’s comic genius.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Yes, there is a reason you should see both versions of this movie—the story is just that good! This is the live-action version, and definitely one of Jim Carrey’s funniest roles. It was one of Taylor Momsen’s first acting roles, as she plays the sweet Cindy Lou Who.

“Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

A mean, green, Christmas-hating machine named the Grinch tries to steal Christmas from the cheery, peaceful and Christmas-loving Whos of Whoville.

Based on the children’s book of the same title by the genius Dr. Seuss, this 26-minute Christmas TV special is a classic for families, so don’t miss it this December!

This classic movie brilliantly explores the overcommercialization of Christmas, as plainly explained by a little kid who happens to carry a blanket wherever he goes. It stars your favorite characters, including the everdepressed Charlie and that little dog who we all wish lived in our backyard, Snoopy.

It’s A Wonderful Life

If you want to feel inspired this holiday season, look no further! This legendary Christmas classic tells the story of George Bailey, an ordinary man whose guardian angel prevents him from committing suicide on Christmas Eve by showing him what the world would be like without him. You won’t be able to walk away without feeling uplifted and happy.

photos compiled by KATE ROHR, LAUREN LANGDON, ANNA LEACH , KATIE PARKINSON

“A Christmas Story”

This is the hilarious story of a little boy and his dream of the perfect Christmas gift, a Red Ryder BB Gun. This film is overflowing with iconic scenes, from the infamous leg lamp to the bunny pajamas, and is filled with great lines (“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.”) Nothing gets you in the spirit for family time and gift-giving like this movie.

This movie is so good that TBS plays it for 24 hours on Christmas Eve, so there are no excuses for missing it!

“Home Alone”

No one can resist the conniving yet adorable Kevin McAllister when his family abandons him on Christmas and he is left to defend his home from robbers. Written and produced by John Hughes, this film is simultaneously touching and hysterical as Kevin misses his family and fends off the idiotic robbers. Merry Christmas, you filthy animals.

December 8, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | A&E | 13

SENIOR

Seniors have created teams to compete in “Air Bands” Saturday during the SCOsponsored Christmas Dance. Each group hopes to win the choreographed dance contest in Goppert Center.

SHOWDOWN Remember the Tartans

Group members: Stephanie Hampel, Alex Mediavilla, Katie Hyde, Kate Rohr, Erin Sellers, Celia O’Flaherty and Hannah Haywood Excited to: “Just be on stage and act crazy. I remember watching the seniors every year, and it looked like fun.”

To audience: “They’re going to be seeing a lot of plaid. We have Celia O’Flaherty in our group so it’ll get crazy.”

Stephanie Hampel, senior

Teachers’ Petz

Fat 5

Group members: Kathleen Vogel, Sarah Godfrey, Trish Smith, Anna Meyers, Margot Livers, Katie Patterson, Taylor Migliazzo and Meka Kelly Excited to: “Perform and dress up in costumes and basically make idiots out of ourselves.”

To audience: “We started practicing about a week ago, so, I don’t know, it’ll be interesting.”

Kathleen Vogel, senior

Group members: Lane Schulte, Libby Randolph, Lydia Thomsen, Maddy Ismert and Megan Hodes Excited to: “Do our dance in front of the whole school and have fun.”

To audience: “We’re just having fun. We want all the other airbands to do well, but they have some competition.”

Lydia Thomsen, senior

by KATIE PARKINSON kparkinson@dartnewsonline.com

G-g-g-gen X

Group members: Brie Sandridge, Katie McCombs, Mary O’Leary, Brianna Casey, Theresa Murphy and Kelly O’Byrne Excited to: “Show off our acrobatics and unique stunts that we do in the dance.”

To audience: “To prepare themselves because they will never see anything as talented.”

Theresa Murphy, senior

STABDC

Group members: Haley Winslow, Libby Sauder, Lindsay Cook, Martha Ramirez, Alex Radtke, Danielle Comford, Molly Kaniger and McLaren O’Rear Excited to: “Get up there and dance. I’ve been waiting for this since freshman year.”

To audience: “We’re going to be the really good group, but also the really funny group too.”

Haley Winslow, senior

graphic by SARA-JESSICA DILKS photos by ERIN SELLERS, CELIA O’FLAHERTY, SHAEFFER SMITH, MEGHAN LEWIS

Kitty Qu 14 | lifestyles | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 8, 2011

Teachers open up about the lives of their cats, proving “teachers’ pets” are not only in the classroom

ns

Graphics by Sara-Jessica Dilks

by KATIE McCOMBS kmccombs@dartnewsonline.com

Feline fanatic

She tries to deny it, but feels as if it’s becoming her name. Science teacher Mary Montag is “The Cat Lady.”

“I’m kind of falling into that stereotype of a cat woman,” Montag said. “If I get more cats, hello, it could be bad.”

Montag has two cats: an eight year old cat named Topcat and a one and a half year old named Miss Bea. Topcat, also called Toppy, Topster or T-man, is a tuxedo cat. Montag rescued him from an unstable home July of 2010.

“Topcat was the biggest kitten of the litter, so he was ‘top cat,’” Montag said.

Topcat is full of energy and reminds Montag of a duck, because he is always “talking.” According to Montag, he also often resembles a “cat-dog.” “[Topcat’s] like a ‘cat-dog’ because he loves to have his chin and belly rubbed,” Montag said.

“He’s a cool little cat.”

Montag said that because of Topcat’s unfortunate upbringing, he is reserved at times.

“He is pretty shy around people because he Montag came from a bad home,” Montag said. “But, he’s the most unique, lovable fellow I’ve ever had.”

Miss Bea was a completely different story. She roamed the STA campus and was often referred to as Lil’ Bitz. After much contemplation, Montag rescued Miss Bea about one year ago and later found out that she came from a broken home.

Miss Bea, otherwise known as Beatrice or BB, is a black American short-hair and is more territorial, according to Montag. But, she is fun and spirited. “[Miss Bea] is like a kitten,” Montag said. “She is incredibly playful and always greets me at the door.

She loves to be cuddled, but hates to be picked up.”

Although both cats were from broken homes, Montag insists that they’re now in a permanent residence filled with tender love and care.

“My home just doesn’t seem right without a cat,” Montag said. “I would have a house full of cats. I have a furry heart and they’re just part of the family.”

Cat crazed

Although they are twin brothers, 8-year-old Rufus and Maximus could not be more different, according to Latin teacher Sue Marquis, their owner. Rufus has red hair and Maximus is black and white. Rufus is lovable and Maximus is “socially inept.” Marquis does not like to admit it, but she favors one of her cats over the other.

“I try to love both of them equally,” Marquis said.

“But with Rufus, you just can’t help it. [He] knows how to show the love back. Max doesn’t know how to

300

WORDS Modeled after Brady Dennis’ original 300 words, this series captures people and moments in 300 words: no more, no less

by KATIE HYDE

purr-fect H Latin teacher Sue Marquis plays with her cats in her home. Marquis said she can not imagine life without her cats. photo by KATIE McCOMBS show it.”

According to Marquis, although Maximus is awkward in public, he receives a lot of praise because of his looks.

“Max gets a lot of attention when he goes places because of his mustache,” Marquis said. “But, he just doesn’t know how to be with people.”

On the other hand, Marquis said Rufus is more playful and endearing towards others, but always picks fights with his brother.

“They get along, but Rufus is always antagonizing Maximus and jumping over him,” Marquis said.

Although both cats come with a lot of baggage, Marquis can not imagine life without them.

“I don’t know what I would do without my kitties,” Marquis said through tears. “If I’m sad, the people I talk to are my cats.”

Marquis explained that the hardest part of being a cat lover is their death. To ease her grief, Marquis always calls a vet in to her home to put her cats to sleep when it is time.

“I hold [my cats] in my arms until they go to sleep,” Marquis said. “So they know they are loved when they go to Heaven.”

Marquis considers herself a “cat lady” at heart

because of her deep love for the species in general.

“I think people have so much love to offer,” Mar-

quis said. “And cats have love, too. Cats were just love at first sight, kind of like Latin.” H

No amount of “Facebook stalking” could have prepared the Miller family and their Norwegian exchange student Aaste Holtan to meet each other.

Their family had searched through every single picture on Aaste’s Facebook. They had even translated posts on her wall from Norwegian into English on Google Translate. Aaste also “stalked” what would be her new family.

When the day finally arrived to meet in person, nearly nothing happened as planned.

The family was 30 minutes late to pick up Aaste, got lost on the way there and accidentally left her present at home.

After exchanging some “awkward hellos” in the hotel lobby, the family was standing in a haphazard

circle around Aaste when Mr. Sean Miller went in for the first hug.

“The Americans think I am a bad hugger,” Aaste said.

“She was a sidehugger,” junior Keara Holtan Miller said. “Over time, we taught her how to hug like an American.”

Keara’s sister, Siobhan agreed it was awkward.

Firstly, there were “50 million” cameras inside the lobby. Keara’s dad took pictures of them first with his camera, then with his phone; then the professional photographer and a woman from the

foreign exchange company snapped a few.

Then came the part Keara had prepared for: the drive home. Although she had burned a CD to prevent interrogation in the car, Sean turned it off and the family spent the drive home firing one question after the other.

Four months after that awkward first meeting, Aaste has become another member of the Miller family. She shares clothes with Keara. The sisters joke with her about her love for American squirrels. Last week she and Keara had an “intense” Kung-Fu battle while doing the dinner dishes.

Aaste even sassed Sean when the two played Bunko over Thanksgiving break.

Welcome to the family. H

cat fight H Latin teacher Sue Marquis’ cat, Rufus, hides under a desk in his home. Both Marquis and Montag both consider themselves to be “cat ladies.” photo by KATIE McCOMBS

December 8, 2011 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | in the mix | 15

CAPTION THIS

THE FIRST

TIME I...

by HANNAH WOLF hwolf@dartnewsonline.com

Post a caption for this photo to dartnewsonline.com and vote for your favorites. The winning caption gets a free Dart t-shirt!

Scan this QR code with a smartphone to enter your caption or go to dartnewsonline.com photo by SARAH GODFREY

MY LIFE

SUCKS

I was walking across the Quad with Mickey Redlingshafer after getting snacks from the vending machine period 8. We were in the middle of the Quad when I felt something land on my head. Thinking it was a Kenney leaf, I went to take it off.

I soon realized that it wasn’t a leaf, and a bird had just pooped on my head. Embarrassed, I kept my hand over the poop, and quickly ran to the bathroom before Mickey could see it. My life sucks.

— Maggie Kenney, junior

MY LIFE

ROCKS Two weeks ago I went to New York City with my mom for my birthday, even though my birthday was in April. One night while we were there, we got to go see “Saturday Night Live” with “Coldplay” and Emma Rebein Stone. Julianne Moore [from ‘Crazy, Stupid Love’] sat down next to us in the front row with her daughter and husband. Afterward we went to get sushi where the SNL cast later showed up, including Gwenyth Paltrow. My life rocks.

—Emma Rebein, junior compiled by MARY O’LEARY

DAYS OF OUR

THAT’S WHAT SHE

The Dart created a countdown to some of the most anticipated upcoming days of school

The Dart prowled Facebook for the most catchy and intriguing statuses on the social network

LIVES compiled by SARA MEURER

Exactly 1 day until the end of first semester.

Only 2 days until the Christmas dance.

Exactly 17 days until Christmas.

Approximately 23 days until 2012.

Exactly 66 days until the Father-Daughter Dance.

About 93 days until spring break.

Approximately 133 days until senior prom.

And only 171 days until summer.

SAID compiled by NATALIE FITTS

The first time I thought Santa wasn’t real, I opened the trash can Christmas morning to see the cookies and carrots I had left out for Santa and his reindeer the night before. I was in first grade, and people had tried to tell me Santa didn’t exist, but I kept denying it. I didn’t care if people made fun of me, I didn’t want to be placed on Santa’s naughty list.

I knew the Santa I believed in wouldn’t have just thrown away the cookies I made. So I quickly made up my own excuses for this incident. Maybe Santa was full from eating all the other kids’ cookies? Maybe his reindeer didn’t even like carrots?

Throughout my childhood, several occasions arose that made me question Santa’s existence.

For one thing, my Santa didn’t wrap his presents. But my cousins always bragged about “unwrapping” Santa’s presents. Why would he wrap their presents and not mine? This idea lacked consistency. Whatever the case, we both we’re still receiving presents from this mysterious man that supposedly came down our chimney while we were sleeping.

I always wondered why my parents never let me sleep on the couch by the fireplace to wait for Santa. They tried to say they were scared that I would fall off and hit my head on the coffee table.

Maybe they were just scared I would see bicycle before they had the cameras rolling.

And that bicycle mysteriously happened to be the exact same hot pink, Barbie bicycle that Target sold. This was also the case with my Hello Kitty boombox that only Best Buy carried.

Like any other child, I spent hours writing the perfect letter to Santa. I explained how I should be on his “nice” list rather than his “naughty” list even if I didn’t make my bed sometimes. I told him, in specific order, everything I wanted. And I trusted my mom to take the letter to the post office while I was at school.

Sometimes I questioned if this letter even made it to the post office. There were a few times when I found the list in my mom’s purse. She told me that the mail was delayed a few days or that she hadn’t had time yet to run by the post office.

Now that I think about it, her excuses never really made sense. Every time, I would tell myself that Santa would still know what I wanted even if he didn’t get my letter in time. He just knew.

One year my parents came home with a new puppy on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t decide if it was a good or bad thing Santa came a day early. I was also confused why my parents were carrying in a puppy rather than Santa shimmying down the chimney. Maybe he didn’t want to hurt him?

Whatever the case, I was definitely surprised that Santa was able to make a puppy up in the North Pole’s toy shop.

Another thing that made me question Santa’s existence was the giftcards he would leave in my stocking. What made this suspicious was the fact that my name and the amount was always written in my mom’s handwriting. I must have been too happy to get gift cards to even recognize that detail though.

Despite all of these suspiscious times, my faith in my man Mr. Claus hasn’t changed. I make a plate of cookies for Santa and his reindeer. I stay up late on Christmas Eve, hoping (or fearing) that an old man will come into my home bearing gifts.

Everytime I hear a noise that night, I wonder if there is a sleigh on my roof with eight reindeer and a big bag of gifts.

I’ll admit, part of the reason I believe in Santa is that I’m scared I won’t get presents when I stop. I also believe in Santa because it keeps me in the holiday spirit and adds to the wonderful atmosphere of Christmas.

Santa is real because I believe he is real. H

16 | last look | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | December 8, 2011

2.

3.

GOBBLE,

GOBBLE

1.

5.

Advisories participated in annual Thanksgiving celebrations Nov. 22. Some advisories planned parties with their whole floors, while some chose to prepare their own feasts.

Stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, salad, corn, green beans, rolls, pumpkin pie and soda covered tables and girls laughed, relaxed and enjoyed the last school day before Thanksgivng break.

4.

1. advisory sisters H Junior Danni Porter, left, and sophomore Grace Wells laugh together during their advisory’s Thanksgiving feast held in Verheyen Nov. 22.

2. bottoms up H Spanish teacher Carolyn Hollstein sets out beverages for the Thanksgiving feast. The Hollstein advisory joined forces with all advisories on the second floor of the Music & Arts Building to prepare food to share.

3. the last supper H Music teacher Michelle McIntire’s advisory eats a Thanksgiving feast in their classroom.

4. giving thanks H Computer teacher Kathy McCarthy shares an embrace with librarian Jackie Hershewe during the Thanksgiving feast on the second floor of the Donnelly Building.

5. maximum capacity H Science teacher Mary Montag’s advisory and some guests watch a movie after enjoying their Thanksgiving feast. photos by SHAEFFER SMITH