Vol 77 issue 4

THE

DART CULTIVATINg CONSENT As sexual assault becomes an increasingly acknowledged phenomenon, the Dart looks into what policies, prevention measures and discussions schools have in order to create a culture of consent.

St. Teresa's Academy | Kansas City, MO | Volume 77, Issue 4

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NEWS

Centerspread

4. Starbucks attempts to move into Brookside location

16. Cultivating consent: High schools handle sexual assault

Star Spotlight

Perspectives

6. Anne Papineau owns a craft shop on etsy

A&E 9. Students play "obscure" instruments

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Features

21. Practice makes unicorn 22. Covering with confidence 23. "The American Dream"

Sports

24. Swim team treks to the pool

Community

Reviews

10. Worst Christmas movies 11. Messenger Coffee Company

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

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26. Gates of Paradise come to KC

Last look

28. Buy local this Christmas

12. Teenagers run for governor 14. The rise of alternative churches

ask the dart 30. How do I stop being so nice?

Cover and back page design by Gabby Staker, cover photo by Anna Louise Sih

LETTER

from the e d i to r s

Editors-in-Chief Zoe Butler Lily Manning

WEB

Hey readers, Sexual assault has been an issue that has baragged us over the past few months, with news allegations and cases becoming public almost daily.

It has caused the fall of many in the entertainment and political realms, with notable men such as Matt Lauer and Harvey Weinstein being among the accused. In this issue’s centerspread story, the Dart investigates sexual assault in high schools, the forms it takes, how we are taught to prevent it and how it manifests in our everyday lives. Check out the the story by Julia Kerrigan and Kate Jones to read more about the topic.

On our Star Spotlight pages we have a Q&A with social studies teacher Anne Papineau. Read more about Papineau's embroidery shop in Lily Hart’s story with photos by Olivia Wirtz.

As rumors circulate about Starbucks’ move into the Brookside shopping area, the Roasterie launched a new ‘Keep Brookside Local’ initiative aimed at keeping big businesses out of the area. Read more about the developing initiative in Lily Manning’s news story.

With Christmas in just a few weeks,

2017-2018

the Dart couldn’t help but let out excitement for the holiday leak into this issue. Be sure to read Kendall Lanier’s review on some of the most popular Christmas movies, and if you are still on the hunt for the perfect gifts, check out ideas from Reagan Penn on our Last Look pages.

As always, be sure to check DartNewsOnline for breaking news stories, videos and podcasts, as well as our social media! This issue we have video coverage of Senior Airbands

by Grace Fiorella, a podcast featuring handywoman Katrina O’Connor by Kailee Ford and a explanation about the cancellation of interim week by Annabelle Meloy. H

Managing Web Editor Katie Gregory Social Media Team Aspen Cherrito, Kailee Ford, Riley McNett Breaking News Editor Trang Nguyen Multimedia Editor Kate Jones

PRINT

Design Editor Gabby Staker Visual Illustrator Nicole Slocomb Photography Editors Meghan Baker, Anna Louise Sih Page Designers Amy Schaffer, Anna Ronan, Delaney Hupke, Ella Kugler, Ella Norton, Julia Kerrigan, Katie Gregory, Lily Hart, Lily Manning, Margaux Renee, Riley McNett, Zoe Butler

COPY

Features Editor Margaux Renee News Editor Annabelle Meloy Lifestyles Editor Mary Massman Opinion Editor Julia Kerrigan Sports Editor Kendall Lanier Staff Photographers Amy Schaffer, Lucy Hoop, Madeline Loehr, Maggie Hart, Riley McNett Staff Writers Anna Ronan, Aspen Cherrito, Delaney Hupke, Ella Kugler, Ella Norton, Faith Andrews-O’Neal, Gabby Staker, Gabrielle Pesek, Grace Fiorella, Kailee Ford, Kate Jones, Katie Gregory, Katy Rouse, Lily Hart, Lily Manning, Olivia Wirtz, Reagan Penn, Riley McNett, Torri Henry, Trang Nguyen, Zoe Butler Adviser Brad Lewis page design by Gabby Staker

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news Editorial Policies Ownership and Sponsorship

DartNewsOnline and the Dart are created by the student newpaper staff and are maintained and published by general operating funds of St. Teresa's Academy, a Catholic institution frounded by the Stisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

DartNewsOnline and the Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic church, whether on a diocesan or worldwide level.

The Roasterie fightS big business with new campaign

Editorial Policy

The Staff of DartNewsOnline and the Dart are subject to prior review by the St. Teresa's Academy administrative team in circumstances that concern Catholic doctrine, student safety or illegal behavior. DartNewsOnline and the Dart will not publish reviews of sudent work or performances. Personal columns reflect the opinions of the writer, not necessarily the staff or school.

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DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage the community to post comments on the website. Letters to the editors can be sent in the following ways: in person to Brad Lewis in Donnelly room 204; by mail to St. Teresa's Academy, Attn: Brad Lewis, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; by email to blewis@sttersasacademy.org or to dartpaper@gmail.com. DartNewsOnline and the Dart reserve the right to edit or shorten letters for publication.

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, 2017

The Roasterie has #KeepBKSlocal shirts on sale and they give out free yard signs Dec. 1. The Roasterie has been leading the Keep Brookside Local campaign. photo by Maggie Hart

With Goodcents moving out and Starbucks moving in, he Roasterie launched a 'keep Brookside Local' campaign to fight against commercializing the area.

Story by Lily Manning Editor-in-Chief Photos by Maggie Hart Photographer

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t’s 2022. Danny O’Neill sits with his family around the dinner table. They are having a conversation about the Brookside shopping center, located just a few blocks from their home.

What was once a unique, charming and locally owned cluster of shops has turned into a division of national and international chains, with a Starbucks sitting on the corner of 63rd and Brookside Plaza.

O’Neill’s son asks him, “Dad, where were you? What did you do when big businesses came to Brookside?”

Back in present day, Danny O’Neill, “Bean Barron” and owner/founder of the Roasterie, is glad that he won't have to tell his son he didn’t try to stop the commercialization of Brookside.

Early in October, rumors started to circulate that Goodcents Deli Fresh

Subs, located at 63rd and Brookside Plaza, would not be renewing its lease in early 2018. Shortly after this, Starbucks filed a permit for the location, confirming suspicions of a move into the area, just across the street from the Roasterie.

After speaking with the owners of other local Brookside shops, O’Neill started the “Keep Brookside Local” campaign. The initiative is focused on preserving the local appeal of the Brookside shopping district.

When the neighborhood started to protest, O’Neill had just returned from Austin, TX. He remembered the phrase ‘Keep Austin Weird’ and thought something along those lines would work for the Brookside campaign.

“I thought, ‘What if we do a positive spin off that?’” O’Neill said. “We don’t want to be anti-anything, but we want to be for keeping the local charm of Brookside.”

Freshman Josie Fox does not live in Brookside, but visits the shops often wit her family. Josie does not really see a Starbucks having a large impact on business in the area or on the Roasterie.

“I think the Roasterie does pretty good business already down there,” Fox said. “I think that it might add another option for people, but I’m not sure if it will directly affect a business like that [in Brookside].”

O’Neill has no ill will for Starbucks, but feels the international chain would not purposefully fill the space.

“If there was nobody doing coffee, if we were doing a really nasty job on coffee, if nobody could get a seat, if nobody could get a cup of coffee, if we couldn’t recruit a local company to do coffee, then bring them in,” O’Neill said. “But the best use of space for the neighborhood is not a Starbucks.”

Senior Maeve Madden has grown up in Brookside, and holds fond memories of the Brookside shops being the first place she could go with friends and without her parents. Madden visits the area often, and believes it’s important to shop locally.

“I think it creates a sense of community when you’re supporting your neighbors who own those shops,” Madden said. “They’ve always been very local and friendly places to me.

I’ve been sad to see a lot of the shops struggle recently.”

Some of the struggle the shops face is due to what O’Neill calls “selling

BROOKSIDE MAP: AERIAL VIEW

= locally-owned businesses = chains

out”, the welcoming of a big company into a space simply because they can pay more than a local company is able to. With more money and resources, national and international companies are able to come in and drive rent to a price locals cannot afford. Some landlords accept the higher offer, but O’Neill, who is a landlord at other locations, feels that this is not right.

“Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should do something,” O’Neill said.

Madden and O’Neill both echo sentiments about the commercialization of the Country Club Plaza. While the shopping area was once dominated by local businesses, now commercial businesses take up most of the district.

“There used to be a day where you could go through [the Plaza] and there would be one after another, small local, unique shops,” O’Neill said. “There was a reason to go there. Now you go there and there is all the same stores that are in Cleveland and Dallas and Overland

Park and anywhere else.”

The campaign is a fight against this, and a push to keep Brookside the local place that O’Neill first fell in love with. When he saw a vacant building in Brookside and heard that a national chain might be moving into the space, his love for the Brookside area is what first drove the Roasterie into the retail market.

“Honestly, we had no intention of ever going into retail,” O’Neill said. “We thought since it’s Brookside, we’ll take it.

We would never have tried to get it if it was in another part of the city.”

To O’Neill, the threat isn’t Starbucks taking away business from the Roasterie. The threat is big companies taking away from the locality of the Brookside shops.

“We are living here for a reason, by choice,” O’Neill said. “Because we do care about the local and the charm and the uniqueness, and that’s important to us.” H

Brookside shopping area contains a mix of locally-owned businesses and chains. Goodcents, a beloved installment in the shopping area is moving out and may be replaced with a Starbucks location."

Altenative coverage

by Katie Gregory Managing Web Editor

page design by Ella Kugler

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Star spotlight

anne papineau Social Studies teacher Anne Papineau runs an Etsy shop called Midtown Modern KC where she turns her creative outlet into a business.

Story by Lily Hart | Writer Photo by Olivia Wirtz | Writer

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hat items do you make for your Etsy store?

I make embroideries.

So I make signs or images on hoops that are on fabric, and sometimes I embroider bags, and I’ve done bandanas and things like that, too.

What is your Etsy store called and why did you choose this name?

It’s called Midtown Modern KC because I had a blog that was that name and my blog was a house blog where I would show my husband and I’s renovations for our house and I just ended up going with that name.

What made you want to start this store?

I got people who reached out to me asking if they could buy my stuff and so I figured, well, why not start a store?

I did not [study art], I just have always done it. It’s been my creative outlet.

I’m coming up on a year [of having the store.]

How did you get into embroidery?

I just saw it and decided I wanted to do it. I was looking for a new art form that was easily travelable because last

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Christmas I was going down to Arizona to visit my in-laws and I love doing art.

I knew I couldn’t bring paint with me on the plane-- How would I do that? So, I figured out that I could do something like this and that would be fun.

Do you get a lot of orders?

Yeah, I get a steady stream. It’s about two to three orders a month which is pretty good, especially considering it can take me like a week to do. I’m trying not to have too many orders, especially with AP US History-- it takes up so much of my time. I had quite a few in the spring of last year but I had a little bit more time and now I don’t.

reminders or mantras or personalized things like that.

Your Etsy store is currently on a break because you’ve hit your maximum, is that the two or three orders a month that you do?

Yeah and it’s when I’ve hit the point that I’m overloaded, it’s too much stuff, especially knowing that I’m going to have to grade 74 essays from [AP US History], knowing where my stress level hits its maximum and knowing that I can’t get that done in time.

Do you get orders from all over the country or mostly people that are your friends?

Oh, all over the country. I sold one to Puerto Rico, which was cool. It was crazy, I was like ‘Why Puerto Rico?

How did you find me?’ But yeah, all over. I just sent one to Chicago last week. I’ve made a custom piece for Ms. O’Flaherty. She has one that says ‘Empowered women empower women.’

I love feminist pieces.

All the comments and reviews are just amazing, how does that make you feel?

People are so nice and they’ve been so kind about it. I had not expected such support nor did I expect to be so decent at it because I haven’t gotten any formal training, so it was just me figuring out stitches on my own and the Instagram community for embroidery is awesome.

There’s so many great embroidery artists that I follow and I see their tips and all that kind of stuff so that really helps. But people have been amazing and it makes me feel really good.

What usually inspires your pieces?

When I get angry about politics I go into embroidering and getting out my frustration that way. Right now I’m doing a series of landscapes which are kind of fun. I do calligraphy as well, and I have a sign up on my wall for the past like two or three years that said “Be kinder than you feel” so I just felt like I’m going to do something a little more permanent with that. It’s just good

What are some long term goals you have for your business or is it more of a hobby?

It’s just a hobby that I do because I just love creating. I love tactile art. I used to do weavings but those took so long so instead I turned to embroidery but it’s just a creative outlet for me and it may as well go to someone and I may as well get payed for it if I’m doing something with my time. H

History teacher Anne Papineau smiles in her classroom Nov. 20. Papineau's Esty store is called Midtown Modern KC.

page design by Anna Ronan

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bits and pieces

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE

Photo by Meghan Baker

The Dart chooses a staffer's photo to be featured each month.

My life sucks

Compiled by Kailee Ford | Writer

“Last week when I was volunteering, my car got a flat tire. Then my mom grounded me for it afterward.”

-Gurman Thabal, junior

In the NEws

Senior Karen Crouch points to the audience as she lip syncs “All I Want For Christmas Is You” during Senior Airbands Dec. 1. Crouch's group was called The Pumpkin Spice Gurlz.

My life rocks "When I was really little, I had a plastic fake flip phone, and brought it to the grocery store. I was with my mom and wanted some ice cream, so I pretended to call my dad who, in my fake call, agreed to buy me ice cream.

My mom was so amused that she bought it for me."

-Arwen Dickson, freshman

Each month, the Dart compiles local, national and world news.

by Delaney Hupke | Page Designer

Kansas City Recently, David Alvey beat out sitting Mayor Mark Holland to become the mayor of Kansas City, Kansas.

Alvey grew up in Wyandotte County and previously served as a member of the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. During his time in office, he plans to reduce taxes and unneeded spending, reinvest in Wyandotte Families and Neighborhoods and restore the mayor’s trust and communication. H

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United states On Nov. 16, the US House of Representatives passed a version of President Trump’s tax reform bill.

Their new bill lowers tax rates for middle-income workers, enhances family tax benefits, lowers the tax rate from 35percent to 20 percent among other things. It will also lower the tax for small businesses which can allow them to create more jobs. Later, on Dec. 2, the bill passed the Senate and will now go on to a live conference committee. H

World The Islamic State (ISIS) was defeated in Syria after they lost control over their self proclaimed capital, Raqqa. The Syrian military reclaimed their city on October 17.

Some see this as a great victory for Syria and as the decline of ISIS as a whole. On the other hand, this could also be a time of regrouping and becoming stronger for ISIS to create an “ISIS 2.0." H

A&E

a different way to play

The Dart explores how different instruments make students stand apart.

Story by Mary Massman Lifestyles Editor Photo by Trang Nguyen Breaking News Editor

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s a fourth grader, Mia Falcon entered the Prairie Elementary School band room, picked up her clarinet and began to play. It seemed to come easily to her. Falcon’s band teacher saw an opportunity that completely changed the course of Falcon’s musical career.

“My band teacher [told me I] should play oboe, because it's an instrument that not many kids play,” Falcon said.

As a current sophomore, Falcon has competed with her oboe in multiple competitions, attended oboe camps, befriended music professors and takes weekly oboe lessons.

“It's a lot more hard work than most other instruments,” Falcon said.

“But my parents really pushed me, because I know oboe is really good for scholarships.”

Sophomore Anna Hirte, who has played the trombone for the last seven years, also started playing in

Sophomore Anna Hirte tests out her trombone before the rehearsal backstage at Yardley Hall Nov. 19. Hirte been playing the trombone for seven years.

Sophomore Anna Hirte plays the trombone during a dress rehearsal at Yardley Hall Nov. 19. Hirte began playing the trombone while attending St. Elizabeth’s.

her elementary school band at St. Elizabeth’s.

“I didn't know what instrument to play so I picked that one. It didn’t look like a lot of the other instruments because it has no keys or anything,” Hirte said.

Hirte, who has two lessons a week, and practices by herself as well, feels that playing an instrument is a commitment, but one that pays off.

“If you want to be better you have

Sophomore Mia Falcon plays the oboe for the Fall Concert at Yardley Hall Nov. 19. Falcon started playing the oboe in fifth grade.

to always be listening to yourself playing, which is not as fun as it sounds.” Hirte said. “But playing is rather peaceful because I don't have to think about anything else, except for what I'm doing right in that moment.”

Although Falcon may have to be one of few oboe players in a band, practice harder than she does with any other instrument and even be accused of playing a fake instrument at times, she wouldn’t quit the instrument she’s grown to love.

“It's something that I can work towards, because I can always better myself at it,” Falcon said. “It's nice seeing where I've started from and building on top of that.” H

read the full story on DNO page design by Anna Louise Sih

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REVIEWS

Christmas movies to watch out for this season The best and worst movies for this season, despite what anyone else says.

Story by Kendall Lanier Sports Editor

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s soon as it is Dec. 1st I am filled with excitment for my favorite part of the Holiday season...

Christmas movies. I could talk about my favorites for hours but, this time I took a look at Thrillist Entertainment's top three rated Christmas movies: It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, and A Miracle on 34th Street.

A Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

HHHHH

In A Miracle on 34th Street, an old man who goes by Kris Kringle, gets a job as a Santa impersonator at a large department store. He soon becomes close to one of the executive workers at the store and her young daughter Susan. Susan is not a firm believer in Christmas due to her mother’s opinions.

Kris Kringle is nearly attacked by a man from the competing department store that wants to take down the store. Kris Kringle acts in defense which is later brought to a larger scale and everyone suddenly thinks he is a violent man.

Many question his mental state and feel he should be locked up, but Kringle’s loving spirit earns his freedom. While this movie is ranked third, it deserves to be second. The mother daughter relationship in this movie touches all audiences. Despite the mother’s ideas of Santa Claus, she still gives her daughter the chance to believe in whatever she wants to. Her desire to believe in Santa Claus overpowers her mother’s opinions. The happiness and joy that Santa Claus shows forces everyone to believe in the myth. Even if in reality Santa Claus is an imaginary character that could never be real,

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this movie allows you to believe in the imaginary sense and the joy it brings to all ages. I definitely recommend "A Miracle on 34th Street" as a movie for everyone to watch during the holiday season.

A Christmas Story (1983)

HHHH

"A Christmas Story" is about a young boy named Ralphie who hopes for a BB gun for Christmas, his struggle to hide from a bully and his family’s many ups and downs. His family is filled with a grouchy dad, a loving mother and an annoying but adorable little brother Randy. If you are looking for some good laughs this holiday season, this is the movie to watch. It’s ranked 2nd, but I would easily put it in 1st place. The family brings holiday drama that comes with any family. Ralphie’s large desire for his ideal Christmas present draws the audience close to this character.

A big turning point in the movie is when Ralphie finally stands up to his bully and beats him up which leads to a rollercoaster of emotions and a not so fun punishment. This moment makes the audience feel sympathy for poor little Ralphie. Watching the light hearted drama of the family leads to many laughs and makes for the perfect holiday movie to watch with family. "A

Christmas Story" should undoubtedly be on the top of the list for your movies to watch this season.

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

HH

"It’s A Wonderful Life" is about a man named George Bailey who is not at all happy with his life. Once an angel is sent down to him, he begins to realize how much good he does for people and realizes his worth. While this movie is ranked the best Christmas movie of all time on Thrillist Entertainment, I would have to disagree and would place it in last place out of the three. It takes forever for it to get to the point. I was lost in the introduction and setup of the story which led to me not being able to enjoy the real meaning of the movie which is George realizing his worth throughout the Holiday season.

It is very boring and hard to follow because of the many added details that are needed to make the point clear. The only good thing about the movie is the ending.The ending shows the hope that comes out of the Christmas season and the emotional times that come with the happy times. It gives a very realistic look into what people deal with at this time of year, but I wouldn’t waste your time.

"It’s A Wonderful Life" is not worth watching this holiday season. H

Messenger Coffee Co.+ Ibis Bakery is study-session gold HHHHH

Imagine a coffe shop that is equally stunning as it is comfortable, making it the perfect place to get work done Story by Margaux Renee Features Editor

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his time of year is hectic. It often feels like every free moment is spent either finalizing papers or highlighting key terms on notes you took months ago. You toil for hours at Panera or the library with friends, quizzing each other until you all start blanking and resolve to save that last bit of studying for the morning. ‘Tis the season of finals. We all have our own ways of striving for success or at least trying to bolster our luck. Mine is Messenger Coffee Messenger Coffee Co. + Ibis Bakery, the perfect place to study.

Located at 1624 Grand Boulevard across from the Kansas City Star building, Messenger Coffee towers high in a bright red brick building trimmed in white.

Opening the front door reveals the flowing sounds of the bustling first floor. Inside, a long wooden coffee bar is subject to a patient line of customers tended to by about four baristas. The front room’s perimeter is lined with tables of varying sizes where friends sit and talk and colleagues plan out goals.

Long windows and a high ceiling create a bright space with an unmistakably happy atmosphere.

This may seem like any average coffee shop, but further inspection reveals that it is just the opposite.

The rest of the room is occupied by the sourdough and pastry bakery, which sits completely open to the public, even adorned with a bar where customers enjoying baked goods can watch as more are made in front of them.

If you make your way to the very back, you’ll find an in-house grain mill, where Ibis mills grain from sustainable

farmers to process and use in their own bakery.

After exploring and waiting for the line to die down, I order an eight ounce latte and a brown butter snickerdoodle cookie. It ran me about five dollars, which was extremely reasonable considering everything was handmade with high quality ingredients.

My name is called out by a barista and I’m greeted with Instagram-worthy latte art and my coveted cookie. I make my way to the staircase (that’s right, there’s a second floor), in hopes of finding a place to sit and to, of course, continue my exploration. Trying my best to balance my textbook-filled backpack while keeping my coffee level, I climb upstairs.

Now I don’t want to say that I heard angels singing when I stepped onto the second floor, so I’ll just settle with the fact that this level did not disappoint.

Mimicking the format of the first floor, the second level features Messenger Coffee’s roasting operation and quality control lab, sectioned off by a low metal divider. The rest of the room is studying gold.

This floor provides any kind of seating you could want, from the individual tables in the room’s quiet front, to the comfortable sofas in the back, arranged for conversation.

I settle in at a small wooden table, take out my highlighters and copy of Frankenstein and proceed to get to work, periodically taking sips of my latte.

Messenger’s coffee is bitter for my taste but actually compliments the sweetness of the snickerdoodle cookie.

The sounds of the first floor filter up as I read my chapter.

When my curiosity finally gets the best of me, it’s time to explore the third floor.

Another flight of stairs and I get to the reading room. It’s very small, charming, and extremely well-lit. Most importantly, it’s dead quiet. Imagine, the quietness of a library without the uncomfortable seating, spotty wifi and questionable people. This is where you’ll get hours of studying done.

When you get to that point in the study session where it all starts to be too much; you’re overwhelmed and don’t think you’ll be able to get that A you need, take a step onto the rooftop deck. Because you’re in the heart of downtown, you overlook the beautiful city-scape from all sides. It’s peaceful, and the most fitting place to recharge.

And because Messenger Coffee can’t help but to outdo itself, there’s an outdoor fireplace with sofas around it, so you can enjoy the fresh air without getting hypothermia.

Though I could go on about the time and effort that had to have been put into this space to make it as remarkable as it is, I would never do it justice. I would recommend you check it out for yourself and experience this coffee shop unlike any other and make some flashcards while you’re at it. H page design by Delaney Hupke

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features

Rockhurst High School senior Dominic Scavuzzo holds a campaign forum at the Lawrence Free State High School Oct. 19. Students were able to talk to Scavuzzo and ask him questions. photo courtesy of Dominic Scavuzzo

high school students make their mark on the campaign trail A new fad has taken over the state of Kansas: teenage boys entering the race for governor.

Story by Aspen Cherrito Writer Photos compiled by Maddie Loehr Photographer Alternative coverage compiled by Anna Ronan

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very day after school he runs to the TV, grabs the remote and jumps on the couch to get his daily dose of CNN. This has been the routine for as long as he can remember as his love grew for news and politics.

Ever since he was young, Rockhurst High School senior, Dominic Scavuzzo, had a large interest in politics, something he didn’t share with his family.

“My whole life I've been interested

12 December 11, 2017

[in politics] and in January I attended the inauguration of President Trump with a group from school," Scavuzzo said. "[I] met a bunch of senators and congressmen, got more interested in politics and then my school nominated me to go to a camp called Kansas Boyle State.”

At the political leadership camp, Scavuzzo and his peers noticed how no one really felt like they were being heard in their current Kansas government, and other than their group at camp, no other teens were really involved in politics.

“We started talking and we wished there was a way for us to get more politically involved. Upon leaving the camp, I did some research, expecting city councilman, and then I saw that there is no age limit to run in Kansas,” Scavuzzo said.

Right when Scavuzzo put his name on the ballot to run as a Republican candidate he was reached out to by multiple news sources and various people in Kansas began contacting

him. This then inspired sophomore Joseph Tutera of Rockhurst High school to also enter the race for Governor as a Republican, making him the youngest candidate at the age of 16.

“When I saw the first teenager who was running, I started to think about it. But it wasn’t until I started to see all the nastiest vices of politics, I thought I could do something about it,” Tutera said. “I knew I could get involved with it at a low level or just go for it, and I decided to just go for it.”

Running for governor doesn’t come cheap, as just putting your name on the ballot setting you back a couple thousand dollars. Being a student has made it a challenge to raise money.

Both Scavuzzo and Tutera have been accepting donations to try to raise moneyfor their campaign. Tutera made it very clear to his parents that they aren’t allowed to give any money to his campaign.

“I didn’t want any help from them,” Tutera said. “I’ve got a website coming

Jack Burgeson 16, Sedgwick County Rockhurst High School sophomore Joseph Tutera presents his sophomore class president speech April 26. Tutera is running for the governor of Kansas as a republican candidate. photo courtesy of Joseph Tutera

Ethan Randleas 17, Sedgwick County Joseph Tutera 16, Johnson County

out, tuteraforkansas.com, where [at homecoming] and people will be able to buy merch, shook my hand and shirts, bumper stickers, etc.” was like ‘I heard you're The election will take place on running for Governor,’” November 6, 2018, to elect the Scavuzzo said. “[Also] next Governor of Kansas. If winning NBC came to my school the election, Tutera plans to move and followed me around, to Topeka while Scavuzzo plans on it was pretty crazy.” pushing off college until his term is Since entering the complete. campaign, Tutera feels “I would either go four years as if he has already gained lots of and then go to college or I would valuable experience. make someone in the party my Lieutenant Governor [Vice Governor] and then resign and as a teenager you can’t make them Governor,” Tutera said.

Because of their ages, reactions just have regular from the public have been mixed. republican policies, “Most people think it's a joke and they start to talk to me, they realize while I hold those, there are certain things I have I actually do know what’s going on in Kansas and realize I have to speak up about to something to say,” Scavuzzo said. stand out. - Scavuzzo Tutera’s reaction from the public has been a bit harsher, although he doesn’t let that bother him.

“I use to be very edgy about politics, “I had a really mean Kansas City but I finally understood that’s not Star article made about it, which the way to run things,” Tutera said. basically said I was just doing it as a “I’ve gotten to learn more about the joke,” Tutera said. “I think the hardest process and how it works and met a part though is all the rules and lot of cool people.” regulations that come along with it.

Although they may be some of You have to be very careful, especially the youngest candidates to run, they about raising money” haven’t held back from educating The reaction from the public themselves on all things politics. hasn’t just been local. In November, Tutera has stated that the news is his NBC came to Kansas City and did a bible, due to him religiously reading it segment over the teens running for 24/7.

Governor in Kansas.

“I think that tax cuts are a big deal, I “My principal walked up to me

Dominic Scavuzzo 17, Johnson County Tyler Ruzich 17, Johnson County

"

love the idea of rolling back corporate tax rates, I love those federal issues,” Tutera said. “While on the social side I am much more moderate and willing to compromise, I’m not a traditional marriage Republican. I am all for gay marriage, and abortion I’m willing to compromise on.”

Scavuzzo has been taking a different approach to campaigning to help him stick out, for a reason other than his age.

“The main things in my campaign, as a teenager you can’t just have regular republican policies, while I hold those, there are certain things I have to speak up about to stand out,” Scavuzzo said.

Despite the obstacles both boys have been facing, they both want to gain the experience of running and pursue their careers in politics.

“Political experience is the one thing I want to gain from this I want to go into political science, law school and eventually become a politician or lawyer,” Scavuzzo said. “This is a very rare opportunity I have that I’ve been using a lot to my benefit.”H page design by Julia Kerrigan

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"

Features

non-traditional worship garners attraction Students at St. Teresa's Academy and young people around the country are seeking Jesus in alternative forms of worship.

Story by Gabby Staker Design Editor Photos compiled by Gabrielle Pesek | Writer Junior Brynn Slattery didn’t have faith until she spent a week during the summer between eighth grade and freshman year in Trinidad and Tobago.

She didn’t really believe that God had a plan for her life or that she would end up spending hours each week in bible studies.

It was impossible to imagine that Ephesians 4:32 would become her favorite Bible verse or that she would meet some of her best friends in two little houses on 79th Street.

But when she came back from her mission trip that summer of 2015, she found Kanakuk Kamps and KLife: a community that has been shaping her life ever since.

“I went to Kamp that summer and became a Christian,” Slattery said.

Kanakuk, a summer camp with a mission of shaping hearts to “serve God first, others second, and themselves third,” was founded in 1926 by Dallas-native C.L. Ford, according to the camp website.

KLife grew out of Kampers’ need for an outlet to consistently find that same Christian community once they came home. In 1976, the sister program was started with the motto, “Impacting a youth culture for Christ.”

14 December 11, 2017

Though its boasts an old history, KLife is a part of a growing transition in young Christians towards seeking Christ in nontraditional settings.

Sermons are being live-streamed, music produced, and reflections blogged from organizations like the Cause Church of Kansas City, a member of the global Hillsong Family.

Since 1983, Hillsong has spread to 19 countries and produced over 24 albums, according to their website.

Within the past year, their church in Los Angeles, led by pastor Carl Lentz, has attracted celebrities such as Justin Bieber, the Kardashians, Hailey Baldwin, Nick Jonas, and Selena Gomez.

Growing up going to Episcopalian church services and Catholic masses, Slattery had a hard time connecting with the formality of it all. When she discovered Kanakuk the “uplifting atmosphere” was able to offer her more than traditional hymns ever had.

“I just didn’t get into it,” she said.

“Whereas [now] my church and Kamp services are relaxed and really cool worship… It’s a more welcoming environment.”

Freshman Avery Spooner has grown up going to church at Vineyard KC North, studied her faith in small groups at KLife and spent a week every summer at Kanakuk in Branson, MO., since she was six years old.

Like Slattery, she keeps coming back and investing time in that community because of the “spirit” with which God is celebrated.

“It always has a hyped-up, full of energy, never a dull moment [kind of] fun,” Spooner said.

In that same tradition, Kyle and Liz Turner founded the Cause Church

seven years ago in the popcornwreaking basement of Cinemark on the plaza, leading four friends in a bible study. Their membership slowly crept higher, and the Turners decided to build their current campus at 46th and Belleview Ave. Now, according to Kyle, a growing congregation means they must expand that home, and the Cause has expanded their church services to a North campus at Parkhill South High School.

Their mission statement is to “[build] a community of faith that is helping people live out the mission of Jesus. Until Jesus runs this town.”

The formation of a Christ-centered lifestyle is the link holding the movement together. Members of the Cause believe that worship itself isn’t sufficient. Turner says there must be “a heart for the home.”

For some elementary, middle and high school students in the Kansas City area, that home at found at KLife.

“You’ll go out from Kamp with a Kamp high,” Spooner said. “And it slowly starts to fade away when you’re not involved as much, not pushed as much. When you go back to school, you’re facing other challenges and sometimes your faith can fall a little bit.”

Spooner and Slattery meet with their Klub- other high school girls from Shawnee Mission East High School,Pembroke Hill High School, Kansas City Christian School and across the city- on Monday nights in addition to participating in other youth groups in their churches throughout the week.

“It’s nice to have leaders and other people your age who are going

Freshman Avery Spooner, left, holds a sign with K-life friend Shawnee Mission East freshman Meredith McGannon at K-life Hoedown Oct. 21. Spooner has gone to Kanakuk since she was 6 years old. photo courtesy of Avery Spooner

Fast facts on faith The Dart surveyed 138 students on their alternative faith practices.

Alternative Coverage by Ella Norton Page Designer

Juniors Caroline Penner, left, and Brynn Slattery pose at Kanakuk Aug 5. The camp’s mission is to shape a heart that serves God first. photo courtesy of Brynn Slattery

through the same stuff and can keep you accountable and to have friendships that are based around Christ,” Spooner said.

Slattery echoed the importance of accountability and having an environment that is a constant encouragement throughout the week.

“Monday’s obviously a hard day for anybody but [Klub is] a good way to finish my day and start off the week,” Slattery said. I would definitely struggle without it.”

It’s been three years since her mission trip to Trinidad and Tobago. Those three years

at Kanakuk and KLife have made an impact on her faith development, providing her with a type of worship that has helped to strengthen her relationship with God. Ephesians 4:32 is her favorite Bible verse and Slattery smiles as she recites, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God and Christ forgave you.” H

page design by Riley McNett

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centerspread

Cultivating consent:

high schools handle sexual assault As sexual assault becomes an increasingly acknowledged phenomenon, the Dart looks into what policies, prevention measures and discussions schools have in order to create a culture of consent.

16 December 11, 2017

Story by Julia Kerrigan | Opinion Editor Kate Jones | Multimedia Editor Photo by Anna Louise Sih | Photo Editor

O

ver the past month it was impossible to open Twitter, Facebook and any other major social media site without being met by countless women and men sharing their stories of sexual harassment, assault and abuse using the hashtag #MeToo. Big names in politics and Hollywood were making headlines that included words such as “sexual harassment” and “rape allegations.”

Two summers before, America latched onto People v. Turner as Stanford student athlete, Brock Turner was sentenced to 3 months in prison after being convicted of sexual assault.

This caused sexual assault on college campuses to be highlighted as a more pervasive issue than ever before.

However, sexual violence is prevalent in our society far before people get to college.

According to a Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) study, 44 percent of all sexual assaults are under 18 years of age. According to Victoria Pickering, coordinator of Education and Outreach Services at the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA), children begin encountering rape culture in society from a very young age and that even fifth graders are “expressing sentiments of victim blaming.”

While there are resources at the college level such as The Office for Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination at UC Berkeley, a Public Religion Research Institute survey of 2,000 millennials showed that over half believed "incidents of sexual assault are somewhat or very common in high schools."

“High schools are basically where colleges were like 15 years ago — in the Dark Ages,” said Colby Bruno, senior legal counsel at the Victim Rights Law Center in an article from Al Jazeera America by Claire Gordon.

Guidance counselor Amanda Johnson Whitcomb believes that it is important to start an open dialogue about sexual violence early on in high school.

“As students starting to gain more freedom, getting their driver's license, starting to develop serious romantic relationships, going to more social events they are being presented to a culture where instances of sexual

harassment are more common,” Whitcomb said.

In order to best write policy on and start a conversation about sexual assault, it must be fully defined. By United States Department of Justice’s definition, sexual assault is “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.” The words “explicit consent” are a key part of this definition. According to the University of Michigan Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (UMSAPAC), to be considered explicit, consent must be freely given. It cannot be assumed through body language, appearance, or non-verbal communication and does not depend on dating relationships or previous sexual activity. In the case of intoxication, incapacitation, immobility or any other situation where a clear verbal signal can be made, consent is not valid. Additionally, consent should be withdrawable at any point in the sexual activity.

Any sexual activity outside these parameters is considered sexual assault, and rape in the case of penetration.

Because sexual assault falls under sex discrimination, it is covered by Title IX, an educational amendment that states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Pickering says that any school that receives public funding is required to have a Title IX coordinator and to have policies in place to prevent sex discrimination which also includes sexual harassment and sexual assault.

All Title IX schools are required to have an investigation protocol in place in the of instances of gender discrimination. This could be defined as anything from a schools refusing to have an equal number of boys and girls sports teams, all the way to sexual harassment or even the schools discrimination of LGBTQ students.

“The key to Title IX is making sure no one loses their access to education, and to help make sure that the victims voices are heard in that process,” Pickering said.

All teachers and administrators are

“mandated reporters,” and are required to report any instances of sexual harassment, assault and abuse to local authorities. Whitcomb says that if a student comes forward with a case of sexual harassment or assault she would report the case to parents, the local authorities and then refer the student to MOCSA. While STA is not legally mandated to use Title IX because it is a privately funded institution, they use the premise of it in their policies and provide MOCSA training, along with a diocesan program called “Protecting God’s Children” and self defense courses.

Programs have been specifically chosen to improve awareness and teach defense tactics for students’ time in high school and beyond.

In order to prevent sexual assault from happening in the first place, the culture that supports it must be questioned. Pickering defines rape culture as “a culture in which sexual violence is both expected and accepted,” It can manifest itself at the high school level through sexually explicit jokes, gender roles that expect dominance from men and submission from women, pressure on men to “score” sexually, assuming that men don’t get raped and blaming the victim for their assault, according to UMSAPAC. Principal of Student Affairs Liz Baker sees another example of rape culture at the highschool level during school dances, where groping is an issue.

“Some people just don’t know where the boundaries lie, it’s very quick but it is so much a violation of privacy,” Baker said.

The Kansas City Public Schools’ handbook touches on many of these elements of rape culture. It defines sexual harassment as “inappropriate or unwelcome behavior, or verbal, written or symbolic language which creates a hostile environment, including sexual threats, sexual proposals, sexually suggestive language and/or gestures and unwanted physical contact based on gender or of a sexual nature.” Any of these actions are requested to be reported to an administrator or staff member.

Whitcomb believes that these ideas page design by Zoe Butler

17

develop in adolescence, and that they allow rape to become normalized and even trivialized.

“Especially with young people, rape culture comes down to a lot of myths about rape and sexual assault in that people are not aware or knowledgeable about what it truly encompasses,” Witcomb said.

According to Chris Bosco, Assistant Principal for Student Life at Rockhurst High School, Rockhurst uses assemblies with MOCSA to perpetuate a discussion of why sexual violence is never okay.

Will Tampke, student body president of Rockhurst High School, has sat through a couple of assemblies on sexual assault, but questions how effective it is to sit students down and simply tell them not to sexually assault other people. While he believes it is important for Rockhurst administration to make a statement that sexual assault is not acceptable, he sees the most change being made through everyday conversations and interactions with others.

“If it isn’t okay to say something if a girl is in the room, it shouldn’t be okay if

she isn’t,” Tampke said.

When he does hear statements that perpetuate rape culture, Tampke believes it is important to encourage reform instead of demonizing the person or automatically labeling them as a misogynist. He believes that once people realize what impact their casual words and jokes about sexual violence could have, they might be encouraged to stop.

“You can't make a rape joke because you can't say the idea of rape is funny,” Tampke said.

Whitcomb believes that because the majority of sexual assault victims are women, it is vital for sexual assault and harassment to be included in school discussions. By starting this conversation in the classroom, teachers can amend some of these stigmas.

They can create a culture of consent and support for those who have experienced assault before or during high school.

Librarian Carrie Jacquin made a point of covering issues concerning women, including sexual assault, in her curriculum as a freshman english teacher. She kept in mind that her

students were just entering the world of dating and was also motivated by the statistic that 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted in the course of her life.

“It’s something that I think [teachers] have a duty to inform [students] about and try to raise your awareness about so you can protect yourselves,” Jacquin said.

Students in Jacquin’s classes had the option to choose sexual assault as their final research paper topic. Current junior Ann Leverich wrote her paper on the underreporting of sexual assaults on college campuses. When a close friend of hers was assaulted by someone they knew, she realized how important it was to clear up the misconception that rapists are strangers, as 80 percent of all rapists know their victim, according to MOCSA. “I think it’s important for more education on the topic for women to know it’s not their fault, because society tends to blame the women in those situations,” Leverich said.

Last year during junior-senior service week the underclassmen attended a Women’s Symposium, organized

grabbing the facts

Alternative coverage by Amy Schaffer | Page Designer

1 in 6 women

1 in 4 girls &

have been the victim of a completed or attempted rape

90%

approx. of sexual assault

victims knew their attacker

prior to the assault

18 December 11, 2017

1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted before age 18

by Jacquin, on one day in place of regular classes. Students went to several presentations on social issues, especially those that apply to women.

Leverich saw this as a chance to inform younger students as they enter high school and hopes it is continued in the future. She also notes how useful it is to have gone through self defense training at one of her sophomore class meetings.

"

The absence of a no doesn’t necessarily mean a yes

"

- Tampke

“You have to be able to defend yourself in tough situations, you don’t want anything to go too far,” Leverich said.

Before juniors and seniors go out for their service weeks, they are required to attend a “Protecting God’s Children” session that informs them how to spot signs of sexual abuse in children. This is a program offered by VIRTUS, created

by the Catholic Risk Retention Group.

“We always want [students] to be safe wherever you may be working, so education is going to lead to better awareness,” McKee said. “The more aware you are of what to look out for, ultimately the safer you will be.”

Sophomore year at STA, students attend a teen exchange program presented by MOCSA where they are allowed to freely ask questions about sexual violence. Tampke has attended one such event downtown, and tried to bring what he learned back to his peers at Rockhurst. “[‘No means no’] really should be ‘yes means yes,’” Tampke said. “The absence of a no doesn’t necessarily mean a yes.”

Pickering says that while the content of the presentations is the same no matter the gender of the crowd, it is the discussion afterward that differs. A RAINN study showed that women ages 16-19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.

Because of this, the post-presentation conversations with women tend to be more naturally flowing.

“Although we do know that

sexual violence can be committed by someone of any gender and experienced by someone of any gender, gender does play a big part,” Pickering said.

According to RAINN, two out of three sexual assaults go unreported, making it the most underreported crime in the nation. RAINN attributes this to victim blaming, fear of reprisal, slut shaming and social stigmas about the nature of assault that keep victims in silence. The same qualities that embed our society with a rape culture keep victims silent, so that 99.4 percent of perpetrators are able to walk free.

Baker hopes that by providing students and teachers with training through MOCSA and having a set procedure for if a student comes forward with sexual assault, harassment or abuse that provides them with a sensitive intake and assessment will provide safety and understanding on campus.

“The number one thing for everyone to know about sexual assault is that it’s never a victim's fault,” Pickering said.

“No one has the right to do anything with you without your consent.”

out of 1,000 rapes, 994 perpetrators will walk free

310 are reported to police 57 reports lead to arrests 11 cases get referred to prosecuters 7 cases will lead to a felony conviction 6 rapists will be incarcerated page design by Zoe Butler

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main ed

consent in curriculum

The responsibility of educating children about consent should fall on schools. Including consent in the curriculum in the first few years of school would give children liberty over their bodies and keep them safe.

Reading, counting and long division -- these topics, integral to a human’s ability to function in our society, are taught to us in the first few years of our schooling.

However, some other skills, like the ability to know when one has given consent or not, aren’t. The debate over what schools are responsible for teaching their students has been raging for years over a variety of topics. School curriculum, determined by the state's government, teaches students how to find “x” or that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell.

And these topics are important.

But while adults bicker over whether or not schooling should include the specificities of consent, young people are graduating and moving through the world without this key piece of knowledge, putting themselves and others in danger.

Search any social media site for the keywords "child" and "consent," and you will be flooded with stories from hundreds of parents about their child's

ability to easily grasp the concept of consent. They put this concept into terms their child can understand; "Sometimes, Suzy might not want a hug, and you need to respect that," or "Just like you wouldn't touch Billy's fruit snacks without asking him first, don't touch his body without asking first either." These children pick up the concept quickly and apply it to their lives every day.

If busy parents with a million things on their minds can figure out how to explain and emphasize the importance of consent to their children, why can't lawmakers who get paid to make our curriculum?

Many people have expressed concern that consent is too mature a topic for young children. However, as illustrated in the hug and fruit snack examples given above, consent is totally teachable to children without exposing them to the admittedly mature world of sex education. It makes sense.

Consent is not necessarily a sex education topic. Consent also needs to

Right on Target

Compiled by Olivia Wirtz

Writer

The Dart asked students, "How have you helped your friend in their grieving process?"

Freshman izzy bryars

Junior Elise Malone

"Schools should definitely teach about sexual violence becuase if we don't hear about it enough, people can start to forget it

"I think that schools should have a course where they talk about the morality of sexual violence, like we have Social Concerns here. That should be available in every school because everyone

is a real things and stop being aware of it."

20 December 11, 2017

be given just to hold someone's hand or give them a hug -- these are actions children complete every day. To teach consent to them through this lens would be fairly easy because it would be relatable to them and make sense to them through their own lives.

Teaching consent in the classroom wouldn’t just help those students who may deal with sexual violence in their life. Teaching consent would give children confidence and liberty over their own bodies, which would help them in dealing with not just sexual violence, but other bodily issues like eating disorders and body image.

What is the point of a classroom? Of a school? It should be to serve children and give them the tools they need to be successful and safe in the world. What could better accomplish this than to teach consent in a classroom? Teaching consent to our children would serve them, and their peers, in a multitude of ways. It would equip students to move through the world in a way that is respectful to their, and everyone else’s, bodies. H

should know about it; if not its explicit details, then about that it happens and the statistics. Young girls and boys should definitely be informed."

perspectives

Practice makes a unicorn Kristaps Porzingis earned himself the title of the "unicorn" and inspired me to become one.

Story by Delaney Hupke | Writer

I

t was a warm summer night in 2015 and the best NBA prospects were gathering at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Players step into the room with a hopeful glisten in their eyes while thousands of fans cheer them on. Everything about the night is perfect and it’s like nothing can go wrong. Or at least that’s how I imagined it would go.

On June 25, 2015, Latvian basketball player Kristaps Porzingis walked into the Barclays Center. He was the fourth pick in the first round of the NBA Draft.

This moment that decided his career for the following years should have been one of the greatest moments of his life. Where most players are met with cheering and applause, Porzingis was met with boos.

He didn’t let this get to him though.

He wasn’t going to let a few fans who probably hadn’t even seen him play get in the way of his dream and love for the game. On that night he said that his passion for the game sets him apart from other European players trying to make it in the NBA. And let me tell you, any time you are watching a Knicks game, you can see that passion shining through on the court.

Kristaps is in his third season now and he is looking better than ever.

They call him the “unicorn”, a title few have managed to earn. Kristaps had joined the prestigious ranks alongside Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel

Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, etc.

Think of a player that can shoot threes, make good plays, block shots--a wellrounded player--then add about seven feet and you’ve got yourself a unicorn.

When you see them majestically floating up and down the court and flying around everyone, you’ll see why they got this name.

Unfortunately, where Porzingis is a majestic, flying creature, I am a bounding elephant. But when you think about it, he wasn’t just born with all that talent. It probably took years of practicing and perfecting, learning new plays, practicing and getting along with different teams.

If you have ever seen me around school, you know that I am pretty tall.

Also, I play basketball. Those are two of the first steps to become a unicorn. In the game of basketball, I am far from reaching that level of talent, but that won’t keep me from dreaming. I know that my basketball career is probably not going to go past high school, but there is no reason that I shouldn’t play the best I can while I am here.

Coming from a running background, basketball and I don’t really get along right off the bat. That just means I have to work harder to play basketball because I have a cross country mentality. I’m used to the long, leisurely runs when I can talk to my friends and stop for a water break. Basketball is all go, go, go: sprinting up and down the

court, playing defense AND offense, learning plays, doing well under pressure, and there is barely 30 seconds to get a sip of water.

Kristaps Porzingis may be a unicorn, he is still also a human. I can only imagine how much work he has put in and I know it has paid off. Every game he plays I can see the effort that has been put in to get there. That shows me that there is still a sliver of hope that I can be a unicorn too.

So each day when I am on my way to practice, I remind myself of my old pal the unicorn and I change my frown full of dread to a smile full of hope. Even on the bad days, I can think of him and I just makes me work harder. Then after practice, I go home and as I’m sitting down for dinner I catch a glimpse of the TV and see Kristaps block a shot or shoot a three and I think to myself, “You can do that too”.

When I watch Kristaps Porzingis, it never fails to bring a smile to my face because in his eyes see that he wants to keep getting better. If Kristaps Porzingis can keep pushing to get better, even with all the talent he already has, then I should keep pushing to get better. He has shown me that practice, effort, and a little bit of passion and heart is what I need to get better. And who knows, maybe one day I can become a unicorn too. H page design by Lily Manning

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A covering of confidence Getting a spray tan doesn't make you a different person.

Story by Mary Massman Lifestyles Editor

A

s somebody who is naturally very pale, I love the look of a summer glow. So as I pulled up to Sun Tan City two nights before Teresian for my first spray tan, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to be tan at the end of September, almost two months since summer ended. As the temperatures dropped, and fall began, I would be reminded of warm summer months.

I spoke to someone in the salon who advised me the color and options that would be best for me based on my skin tone. Within only five minutes, I stepped in the spray booth and emerged with the beginning of a golden glow. Then, I went home and went straight to the mirror to appreciate my even skin tone.

The next day, my friends and I complimented each other on our newfound September tans and talked excitedly about Teresian plans.

However, one of my friends was faced with a different reaction. While sitting in a class talking about her plans to get a spray tan that night, another girl

commented “Oh, so you’re one of those girls.”

But why should we put down others who want to have a little tan before a big event? In a community where we are encouraged to help each other feel confident and lift each other up, spray tans shouldn’t be something to be embarrassed of. Spray tans are harmless.

When asking my friends why they like to get spray tans, I got fairly consistent answers of “I feel really confident” or “it definitely boosts my self-esteem.” So what is the harm in it?

Some people question the chemicals used in the tanning solution.

However, Dr. David J. Leffell, professor of dermatology and surgery at the Yale School of Medicine told Huffington Post in 2014 that “most dermatologists agree the spray-on tans or the tans in a bottle, which basically cause coloration of the outer layer of the epidermis are safe and effective,” when used properly. As long as you’re not ingesting a large amount of spray tan, which isn’t likely, you’re in the clear.

The solution that is absorbed by your skin gives you the color of a UV tan without the UV. Spray tans save you from the temptation to expose your skin to the harsh sun for a tan.

One bad sunburn can increase your risk of melanoma, or skin cancer, a risk taken a bit too loosely. In 2017 alone, the American Cancer Society estimates about 87,110 new melanomas will be diagnosed. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults, especially young women.

It typically does not, in any way, protect your skin from sun damage. But why would you spend countless hours lounging at the pool, frying in the sun, if you already were tan? The sole reason I would ever sit in the sun, unmoving, for hours is when I’m trying to obtain a fresh-looking tan. However, this method is never healthy.H

MORE COLUMNS ON DNO I actually do like my family Story by Meghan Baker | Photo Editor

22 December 11, 2017

reading shouldnt go out of style Story by Kailee Ford | Twitter Editor

Denying Immigrants is denying our history In today's political climate. immigration and refugee debates are at the forefront, but our roots must factor into our decisions.

Story by Lily Hart | Writer

T

he year is 10,000 BCE. The first people cross the Bering Strait and begin to populate the Americas.

Some of these people would become Native Americans. Fast forward 11,000 years or so to the first English religious refugees to settle in Virginia, when they fled their homeland to escape religious persecution.

These Europeans were not the first people here in the ‘New World.’

They came to find hundreds of tribes of indigenous peoples who had established civilizations and had been there thousands of years- the first Americans. Since then, the rest of Americans have been waves of immigrants and their descendants.

When considering this, it puts immigration and refugee debates in a new light.

Today, the Trump administration has brought immigration and refugee debates to the forefront of politics by allowing closeted racism and xenophobia to come out in regard to the effect of immigrants on our country (focusing on the Middle East and Mexico using stereotypes about terrorism, job loss and drugs). These ideas have resulted in Trump’s travel ban on seven

predominantly Muslim countries and the authorization of his infamous wall, according to Time Magazine.

Also under the Trump administration, 60,000 Haitians have just lost their Temporary Protection Status (TPS) in the US and have been given 18 months to leave or face deportation according to the Washington Post. They have to return to a country still feeling the effects from its 2010 earthquake.

When deciding about political issues, we need to remember how this country came to be and our own ancestry as humans. Migration has been a part of the human race since as far back as we’ve tracked our history.

Supporting the movements to decrease opportunities for immigrants in the US or deport them, both legal and illegal, could mean life or death for thousands of people.

That being said, there have been populations of people from many different cultures in the US for hundreds of years; this is the only country we’ve known. That is the same way for many first and second generation immigrants today. Deporting them would be sending them to a country they’ve never known. Of the

Haitians losing TPS, 27,000 of them are US-born children, who have known no home but the US. It’s not just the fact that people don’t want foreigners coming into the country. There is a specific concern that a foreign culture will be imposed on Americans. History teaches us that our European ancestors did precisely this to the indigenous Americans in the last millennium, and their wildly destructive imposition of foreign culture is evident.

It is somewhat hypocritical that this is what some americans fear most in immigrants today.

It’s not only Europeans with PhDs that have won the Nobel Prize. It is the people fleeing their country because their lives are at stake and they have no other options. They are the people that have no chance in their home countries at a future because of certain laws or political chaos. We need to make becoming a citizen and even just legally immigrating here more accessible to the people that need it most. The "American Dream” is not waiting 20 years to be allowed in the country. This country was built on immigrants, so we cannot afford to deport them or deny them access to our country-now or ever.H

we need to stop focusing on the clothes

K-Pop isnt just gangnam style

Story by Ella Norton | Page Designer

Story by Trang Nguyen | Breaking News Editor page design by Lily Manning

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sports feature

swim team bonds during travel time For swim and dive team members, the drive is just another part of the experience.

Story by Ella Norton Page Designer Photos by Riley McNett Page Designer

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s the bell for the end of the school day rings, freshmen Marie Bruck and Erin Graham head to assistant swim coach and teacher Andrew Meyer’s room. Once everyone arrives, they race to the vans, all fighting for a seat upfront. They then drive 30 minutes out to Longview Recreational Center for swim practice for an hour and a half. When practice ends, Bruck is picked up and drives home whilst Graham gets in the van once more before arriving at STA and being picked up by her parents.

Graham and Bruck are two of the 28 girls on swim team who uses the van to get to and from Longview Recreational Center where the STA

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Senior Maddie Adam looks up at coach Kelly during swim practice Nov. 14. Adam has been swimming for STA since her freshman year.

swim and dive teams practice.The vans provide transportation for students so that parents don’t have to worry about transportation. The drive takes fifteen minutes without any traffic but Schirger says it generally ends up being a 30 minute drive.

The swim team practices at Longview Recreational Center as it is one of the few facilities that allows the swim and dive teams to practice right after school and fit the whole team.

“I would like to use a closer pool but I know it’s hard to to get in with scheduled timings and there are other teams that need to practice,” sophomore Elizabeth Schirger said.

Graham and Bruck weren’t surprised they had to drive out to Longview for practice as they had already been practicing out there already.

Using an off-campus pool for swim and dive team is pretty common in Kansas City as not every school has a pool on campus according to assistant Athletic Director, Tyler Abney.

“Traveling off campus to practice is just the nature of the beast,” Abney said. “At this point your options become drive to practice just as you would in the summer and other off-season sessions, or don't swim.”

On the way out there every seat in the van is normally taken as the girls fill in with all their bags,which are then shoved under seats and on laps. The sound of talking begins to fill the van, often causing the driver to remind them several times to lower their voices.

The question of, “does anyone have some food?” is asked multiple times, usually with a negative answer. Music is constantly being blared, sometimes chosen by the driver and sometimes chosen from the girls.

“It’s fun because you get to talk to your friends and everyone sings and blares music which is fun because you bond with your team,” Schirger said.

Athletic Director Mark Hough also said that he found it allowed girls to bond.

Swim team head coach Bridget Kelly instructs swimmers to swim laps during practice at Longview Recreation Center Nov. 14.

Longview Recreation Center is located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

“It’s nice to see the girls get to spend some time which each other,” Hough said. “I think they have fun with it. The drivers say the girls are generally having fun. And I suppose if they choose to they could knock some studying out as well.”

The bonding has also lead to some pranks, something assistant coach Amanda Johnson-Whitcomb is a firsthand witness to.

“The first time I drove the van, I wasn’t a coach at this time,” JohnsonWhitcomb said. “The girls thought it would be funny to not say anything when I took a wrong turn and thought I was going the right way. They didn’t want to go to practice so they were stalling and we were thirty minutes late because I went the wrong way and no one told me, it was so embarrassing so I had to go in and tell Rob [Cole] what happened. I felt like such a ninny but it was pretty funny. We bonded.”

Not everyone returns on the van, as for some it’s easier to drive straight home, causing more space on the vans.

“On the way back it’s less crowded as not everyone comes back and it's slightly more calm,” Graham said.

“Although, it depends on the night.”

The vans are not mandatory for swimmers and divers to take and many

Sophomores Claire Davis, from left, Olivia Grego, Annnabel Stevens and Lucy Bailey walk into practice Nov. 14. The swim team practices at Longview Recreation Center.

girls drive themselves.

“It’s mostly freshman as the upperclassmen drive themselves,” Bruck said. “We all get to talk and it’s good bonding time.“ Teachers get sent an email to register to sign up to drive the van and there’s generally two or three consistent drivers. Johnson-Whitcomb was one of the faculty who drove everyday last year and occasionally drives this year.

“It’s kind of fun to be driving in a big van as opposed to just three or four people in a car,” Johnson-Whitcomb said. “It’s fun to have a bunch of girls. It’s also a little distracting, and as the driver you have to be very conscious of many teenagers in the van.”

Johnson-Whitcomb said the drive out there also has it’s challenges, the main one being the duration of the drive.

“The downside is you do have to travel 30 minutes away from school and 30 minutes back so that is an extra hour away from doing homework, time from family or doing others things,” Johnson-Whitcomb said. “So it is a larger commitment. Swim team is a different commitment than other sports. And that’s not to say that other sports don’t have just as much or intense commitments, it just looks different for swim team because there’s

more travel involved on a daily basis.”

For Schirger, the drive was a big part of whether or not she would do swim again.

“I almost didn’t do swim team because Longviews kind of a haul,” Schirger said. “It takes a lot out of your day. It’s hard to manage homework and school with the drive and it’s far from STA but it’s nice that we have vans that take us out there so that our parents don’t have to drive.”

Sophomore Avery Owens also found that the drive was a big part in the decision of choosing to join the team again, although in her case she opted not to join again.

“A big part of why I didn’t do swim team was because the drive was so long,” Owens said. “I’m driving this year so I didn’t want to drive on the highway for 30 minutes there and then on the highway 45 minutes back to my house during rush hour. I just don’t think I could handle that everyday.”

For Schirger, she’s glad she made the decision to join the team again.

“It’s a lot of time so you have to be dedicated but you get to spend time with your friends doing a sport you love." H

page design by Ella Norton

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Community

The Gates of paradise visit the nelson Literature and Pilgrimage students give their view on the relationship between the Gates of Paradise and Dante's "Divine Comedy."

Story by Gabby Pesek Writer Photos by Lucy Hoop Photographer

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The Gates of Paradise, located at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, are casts of the original 17 foot-tall doors created by Italian artist Lorenzo Ghiberti. Each panel of Ghiberti’s doors depicts a different scene from the Old Testament .

December 11, 2017

The Gates of Paradise are located in the Bloch Building at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Visitors are encouraged to fully experience the doors by touching the gates with latex gloves provided by the museum.

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eniors Claire Witt and Karen Crouch stare awe-struck at the 17 foot tall golden gates towering over them at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. The gates hold ten golden panels, each depicting, in intricate detail, a different pivotal story from the Old Testament. The Gates of Paradise were crafted for the east face of the Baptistery of Duomo in Florence, Italy. The painstaking process of casting and molding, then again recasting it in bronze to create the shining gold surface was done by Lorenzo Ghiberti in the 15th century. Kansas City currently holds one of two replicas of this great masterpiece.

Witt and Crouch are both in Literature & Pilgrimage, a class taught

by English teacher Kelly Fast and Theology teacher Michael Sanem. The class has been reading and exploring the narrative, "Divine Comedy". It is a long narrative poem written by Dante Alighieri in the 1300s. His Divine Comedy details Dante’s journey through 3 realms: inferno (hell), purgatory and paradise (heaven).

“The gates were the doors to the baptistry in Florence where Dante's from, and actually where he was exiled from. [Dante] mentions not the gates in particular but the baptistry in Inferno,” Witt said.

“He talks about how he had to break the baptismal font to save a person from drowning there. Just how people were mad he broke the baptismal font

because it’s holy and sacred but it ended up saving someone in the end."

At first glance, the whole gate may seem to tell one story. However, each of the ten panels tell a different story from the Bible including Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah’s Arc, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David and Goliath, and King Solomon and Queen Sheba.

“When we first walked in I was drawn to the one of King Solomon and Queen Sheba,” Crouch said. “I was drawn to that one because obviously there’s not a lot of women that are big and present in the Old Testament and I just find it very interesting that that made the door. It’s very interesting especially in the 14th century when women didn’t have a lot of power.”

After studying Dante’s "Divine Comedy" and The Gates of Paradise, Crouch and Witt both believe the gates represent the path to paradise more so than the gates of hell.

“I still think it’s the Gate to Paradise because going into a baptistery is where you’re first introduced to God when you are baptized,” said Witt. “[Gates of Paradise] represented the journey he was going on to bring more people to paradise away from hell.”

The panels are each unique and detailed, and looking close is the only way to see the story it beholds and the other stories within that story. Each story is one from the Old Testament, but if Witt could add a panel she would

change that theme.

“I think it would be cool if one panel is dedicated to a part of Dante’s 'Divine Comedy'. Because it is so well read even to this day,” said Witt. “It is so old, just like these doors, but they’re still revered.

So maybe one scene from each: Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise.”

Crouch, on the other hand, would continue on with the Old Testament theme and she would include the story of Ruth if she could add another panel.

“I’ve always been a fan of Ruth’s story,” Crouch said. “Because she had to endure a lot and a lot of pain in her life.

She ended up having to beg for money when this guy came up to her and said, ‘I’m going to marry you.’ Then she overcomes all that she was deprived of.

And she finally got her a happy ending.”

Both Witt and Crouch highly recommend reading Dante’s 'Divine Comedy' and seeing The Gates of Paradise.

“The nice thing about the 'Divine Comedy' is that you can read it literally, and it still is very cool to read,” Witt said. “But reading it allegorically is so much better because you can make connections to now and then. It’s definitely worth reading.”

“I would suggest reading in a book club just because there are so many metaphors and it’s so deep,” Crouch said. “I feel that you have to do in a group so that you can help each other see the details and the deeper meaning.”H page design by Margaux Renee

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lAST LOOK

the ultimate Brookside gift giving guide The Dart compiled the expected top-selling gifts this holiday season in local Kansas City shops.

Story by Reagan Penn | Writer Photos by Amy Schaffer | Photographer

Stuff 16 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64113 With over 80 percent of products made locally, Stuff has the perfect gifts this holiday season. With the handmade ornaments, greeting cards, locally made jewelry and so much more, Stuff has something for everyone.

Handmade ornaments These handmade paper pulp ornaments by artist Kevin Kloppenburg are sure to be a hit.

Especially since the artist came to the store to sign his art.

Brookside Toy and Science 330 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64113 "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" This book is perfect for any girl. With stories about strong women, it is sure to be an inspiration for anybody. The book is filled with 100 stories about 100 women from Amelia Earhart and J.K Rowling to Malala Yousafzai.

Lego Advent Calendar This unique advent calendar is sure to get anyone ready for Christmas. Every day on the countdown to Christmas, another piece is built, until it is finally Christmas.

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Brookside barkery and Bath 118 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64113 This pet shop has everything your furry friend will need this holiday season with everything from dog treats to cat loungers.

Dog Treats Dog treats are the perfect gift for your dog.

While you munch on holiday cookies, give your pup a dog friendly Christmas cookie so he or she can get in the season.

Dog Toys These toys make the perfect stocking stuffer.

With all sorts of designs, candy canes, gingerbread, a turkey and red and green balls, your dog will immediately be in the spirit.

5B & CO. Brookside 6231 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64113 With what seems like hundreds of candles in sight, this candle shop will have you wanting to buy every candle in the store, but two candles in particular might just grab your attention this season.

Frasier Fir This candle, an expected big seller will have your entire home filled with the scent of the outdoors. This candle will bring a fresh Christmas tree scent into your home. Not only will you smell of Christmas trees, you will also have sense of warmth through the cold months.

Plaza Lights This candle will bring you back to the beginning of the holiday season, with the lighting of the Plaza lights. The smell of the vanilla will remind you of the beautiful lights and fill your home with joy. page design by Amy Schaffer

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ask the dart

How do I stop being nice?

People are always stepping on me.

Each month, the Dart chooses a student-submitted question to answer.

Story by Faith Andrews-O'Neal | Writer Page design by Lily Hart | Page Designer

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f I’m being completely honest, here is what I would most likely do: quite simply, just stop being nice. Even if it’s a reflex: check yourself. Take no nonsense, and don’t be afraid of a little confrontation. You don’t like something?

Call them out. It’s hard and unbearably uncomfortable, but keeping all that inside is a bad, bad idea. If you don’t like how your friends are treating you, tell them! Don’t be afraid to let it rip, because this isn’t about being nice. If you have something to say, no matter how harsh you feel it may be, say it! At least people aren’t stepping all over you anymore, right?

Unfortunately (for both you and me), this is wrong. So, so very wrong.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, all the way back to 7th grade (*cue shrieks of horror*). Middle school Faith was in a very similar predicament, and took the aforementioned advice. Did people step over her anymore? Not really. But was it worth it? Not really.

Being callous and rude did me no favors. I ended up being a version of myself I don’t particularly enjoy looking back on. By stopping the niceness, you

end up with a giant wall that blocks out bullying, but sometimes also the chance to have great experiences with amazing friends.

Be sure to know that being nice does not mean that you have to let people walk all over you. Being nice can also mean having sensitivity to the best ways to communicate with someone.

Think of your favorite teacher. While they may not always be super strict, they usually have some type of way to keep the class in check. Take this strategy, and apply it to your own life.

It’s not rude to have a conversation about treating each other with respect and kindness. It’s not mean in any way to let people know that how they’re treating you is hurting you. That’s called self-love, and it doesn’t get much nicer than that!

So, here’s some advice that I highly recommend taking: Never, ever stop being nice. It’s an incredible thing.

It means you are open to all of the wonderful things this world has to offer. However, with that vulnerability,

comes the unfortunate side effect of people taking advantage of your kindness. That doesn’t negate all of the great things about being kind to others. You have the ability to create a life full of beautiful memories, and wonderful people, as long as you stay open to it. H Disclaimer: for entertainment purposes only.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @dartnewsonline @Dartpaper @Dartnewsonline 30 December 11, 2017

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