May 2016

J le

LE JOURNAL

ISSUE 6 VOLUME 34 May 2016

Senior Edition Pages 10-27

NEWS 5

Graduation at the Kauffman

SPORTS 5

Track Meet vs. STA

OPINION College Sticker Prices

6

Summer Internships

6

Who Should Your Roommate Be?

7

A&E Betty Rae’s Ice Cream Craze

8

Aubrey’s KC Adventures

8

Dorm Deals

9

SENIOR SECTION

2

13

Michaela Elsbernd

15

Mary Helen Guastello

16

Chandi Marsh

18

Aneliese Peeler

20

Claire Magsamen

21

Richelle Robinson

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LE JOURNAL May 2016

Final Countdown Senior staff celebrates their final issue of Le Journal. Front row: Laney Ulowetz, Rachel Ergovich, Ellie Schwartz, Sophie Nedelco, Madison Heide and Chioma Okuagu. Back row: Selena Hunter, Aubrey Makar, Kathleen Watz, Natalie Sopyla, Alex D’Alesio and Chloe Barrett. Cover Illustration by Aubrey Makar

LeJournal 2015-2016

Isadora Comens

Le Journal is the official student publication of Notre Dame de Sion 10631 Wornall Road Kansas City, Missouri 64114 MEMBER

Missouri Interscholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association International Quill and Scroll Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City Missouri Journalism Education Association

CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Sophie Nedelco Ellie Schwartz

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Ergovich

WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chioma Okuagu

WEB MANAGING EDITOR Alex D’Alesio

EDITORIAL EDITOR Abby Smith

A&E EDITOR

Chloe Barrett

{

SPORTS EDITOR Madison Heide

FEATURE EDITOR Natalie Sopyla

PHOTO EDITOR Laney Ulowetz

REPORTERS

Selena Hunter Aubrey Makar Natalie Williams Lucy Stofer Kate Noble Clare Kimmis Tara Jungden

Paige Dussold Lily Coit Rachel Doctor Megan Ostrander Toni Mathis Taylor Spies Kathleen Watz

Le Journal accepts letters to the Editors in response to published articles. Letters must be signed, verified and no longer than 200 words.

Letters may be edited for length, grammar, spelling and content.

Letters will not be printed if content is obscene, invasive, encouraging disruption of school and/or is libelous.

}

THE EDITOR’S INK

F

or seniors, life is probably speeding by. Surrounded by senior service projects, graduation parties, last-minute tests and the flurry of college decisions, it’s easy to get swept up in the events that make this time special. With our eyes trained on the future, it can be hard to focus on the present, our last moments of daily life at Sion.

If this is the case, let this issue of Le Journal be your reminder to slow down and appreciate the last four years and these last moments with your classmates.

Take time to read each senior profile and appreciate all of the memories and personalities that make our class great. Take time to reflect on how you’ve transformed and how you’ve grown with your friends (pg. 12). Take time to appreciate where the last four years have led you, whether it’s to a distant corner of the country or to pursue a unique career.

After living through so many changes and memories at Sion, Sellie 2.0 also has some words of advice for the other classes.

Freshmen: Try out as many subjects and activities as you can. High school is a time for experimentation to find what you love, and Sion is a supportive, comfortable environment to do so. Take advantage of it.

Sophomores: Use junior year to push yourselves, but find a few moments each day to do what you love and reflect on the bigger picture. While junior year is important academically, prioritizing your mental health is equally important.

Enter next year knowing you are fully prepared and capable.

Juniors: Make the college application process as enjoyable as possible by starting early and treating each essay and application as an opportunity to better understand yourself. While it is a grueling process, we can say (as we have heard seniors say for the past three years) everyone ends up where she is supposed to, so might as well enjoy the process with a support system of awesome college counselors and teachers who want to see you succeed.

Seniors: Thank you for giving us the best friends we could ask for, too many beautiful memories to count and the support and confidence to pursue our dreams. In the flurry of the end, let’s appreciate the many days of work, laughter and growth that have led up to these moments of reward.

Online This Month Girls Donate Their Locks Out of Love Over 20 women including students and faculty gave up their long hair for a good cause on April 21.

Weezer's Album Entertains Curiosity Weezer’s new album allows for creative custody of eccentric lyrics.

Close Call for Lacrosse Builds Grit Varsity team left stronger after losing 8-9.

lejournallive.com lejournalsion lejournalsion

Sincerely, Sellie 2.0

LE JOURNAL May 2016

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IN BRIEF Purple Reign

Beloved pop singer and music innovator Prince died on April 21 in his Minnesota home at the age of 57. Prince leaves the world as one of the best-selling artists of all time. "Prince inspired so many artists and people for the last 30 years," Spanish teacher April Schendel said. "He upped the bar for talent in the industry, created an original sound through the use of many different instruments, even writing hits for other musicians." (Photo by MCT Campus)

Blue Star Awards

Senior Olivia Neal was nominated for the Rising Star Scholarship from the Blue Star Awards affiliated with Starlight Theatre. Blue Star Awards recognizes excellence in high school musical theatre in the Kansas City metro area. Neal's performance in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" earned her the nomination.

Neal will attend the awards ceremony on May 19 at Starlight Theatre where the winner in her category will be announced. "I was so thrilled when they unrolled the banner. The whole cast was congratuling me, and I felt so loved," Neal said. (Photo by Megan Ostrander)

Debate Nationals

After a debate tournament against The Pembroke Hill School, senior Alyssa Moncure qualified for The National Speech and Debate Association’s national tournament in Student Congress on April 16. By receiving the highest combined scores in preliminary rounds and super session, she’s also obtained the Outstanding Representative award. The tournament will take place in Salt Lake City on June 12-17. "Congress is not one of my primary events, but I still feel like this was a good final opportunity to qualify for nationals and make something of my debate career," Moncure said.

(Photo by Kathy McShane)

Women's Soccer Pay

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The U.S. Women’s National Team publicized pay inequality after filing a federal complaint against the United States soccer governing body for reported wage discrimination, according to ESPN.com. Several top players, including Hope Solo and Alex Morgan, initiated the lawsuit based on the fact that the women’s team members in general are paid a quarter as much as the those on the men’s team. “I believe that the women should receive a better pay for the work they do. When you look at the numbers showing the pay difference, it's pretty shocking,” senior soccer captain Stephanie Ostrander said. (Photo by Wikimedia Commons) LE JOURNAL May 2016

WORLD WORLD

Iraq Protesters Storm Parlaiment

----------Hundreds of protesters stormed Baghdad's Parlaiment building on April 29, demanding an end to corruption. The protests remained largely nonviolent.

U.S. and Russia Reach Partial Truce in Syria -----------

The countries declared on April 29 that they had reached a partial truce in several areas, excluding the major divided city of Aleppo. Officials plan on including Aleppo eventually.

Irish Parties Create Minority Government -----------

After decades of debate and more debated results in February, major political parties settled on creating a minority government led by the Fine Gael party.

POPULAR COLLEGES // CLASS OF 2016

NEWS

University of Kansas 22 Students

University of Missouri 11 Students

Creighton University 7 Students

University of Arkansas 6 Students

UPCOMING

& local

*May 14 *May 15

Running With the Cows

Queen of the Holy Rosary, Bucyrus, KS $33-80

Carrie Underwood

Tickets from $46, Sprint Center

*May 18

Royals vs. Red Sox

*May 21

FroYo Run

*May 21

Sporting KC vs. Real Salt Lake

$10 with Student ID Kauffman Stadium

$32-48, Liberty Memorial

Tickets from $34, Sporting Park

NEWS

Graduation Location Changes Sion graduation festivities will take place in downtown Kansas City this year.

Freshman Sade-Joy Dugbo runs on the new track for the first home varsity meet. (Photo by Sophie Nedelco)

Track Dashes To Districts Sion hosts first home Varsity Track meet against St. Teresa’s.

BY RACHEL DOCTOR REPORTER

Varisty Track competed against St. Teresa’s April 12, in the first home varsity meet. The event was Sion’s first time hosting on the new field that opened earlier this year.

The meet was close with Sion trailing 74-86 at the finish.

“We ended up being down about 5 points by the end so it was a really close meet vs. STA and we still did really well,” junior Katie Buhrmeister said.

Sion athletes won the Sprint medley, 100 meter dash, 300 meter hurdles, 800 meter run, 200 meter run, 4-by-400 relay, high jump as well as both throwing events.

“I did the 4-by-400 which we got first in and got to beat St. Teresa’s so that made for it being an exciting race,” senior Aimee Rogers said.

This first meet used about 35-40 volunteers, all who were parents and faculty.

“The Sion community

was a huge part,” Assistant Coach Kate Pilgreen said.

“The amount of people coming to support and help was a real strength along with the new facility.”

It was the first meet on the track where students were able to showcase their abilities on their own turf.

“Having the space at Sion makes a big difference.

It’s really nice not having to drive to Barstow every day and being able to have practices here too,” Rogers said.

Although it was the first meet at Sion, there are hopes of hosting more events in the future that potentially involve more teams, according to Pilgreen.

Also, Kansas Relays took place April 22. The Sprint Medley Relay, run by junior Nora Malone, and seniors Maddie Kahl, Kaitlin Wagner and Lauren Blando with a time of 4:23.35, earned 6th place.

After this event, track has three meets left until Districts for this year.

In comparison to previous years where brunch, Mass and the ceremony were all car drives away, this year everything is significantly closer together so families

BY LILY COIT won’t have to spend the day driving across the city.

REPORTER Along with the location change, the Sion graduation, known for its traditions, is getting a major change this time has changed from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. year. Graduation festivities will take place This will allow graduation to be less hectic in downtown Kansas City with Mass at the and will allow seniors and their families Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, to spend the rest of the evening together if brunch at the Sheraton Crown Center hotel they wish, according to senior class sponsor and the Commencement Ceremony at the Jennifer Brown-Howerton.

“I’m hoping it will be more relaxing Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for the girls and they will have more time on May 26.

In previous years graduation festivities with their classmates to just bond and go have been held at Johnson County through the process and just celebrate the Community College, currently under day,” Brown-Howerton said.

Mc D o n o u g h construction, the “I really think it is going to hopes all the Ritz-Charles for students and brunch and Mass be a special day and one family members generally was that Sion girls will always give positive celebrated at St. feedback after the Thomas More. remember.” ceremony so that According - Natalie McDonough, High this can become a to High School consistent location School Division Head D i v i s i o n and tradition.

Head Natalie Senior Rachael Beck is excited for the McDonough, the administration had always tossed around the idea of having change and believes it is something to be the graduation ceremony at the Kauffman excited about.

“I’m really excited because I think all but after looking into it, the administration of the pictures are going to be really pretty realized how perfect it would be.

“We were talking about how cool because it is a lot prettier than the old place,” it would be to have it at the Kauffman,” Beck said.

Despite the changes in the graduation McDonough said. “And then the Cathedral is downtown and it would just be a beautiful location, the classic Sion graduation marriage because they are both so close,” traditions of white dresses, crown bearers and roses will stay the same.

McDonough said.

“I really think it is going to be a special With the exception of a medical school day and one that Sion girls will always and a Kansas City public school, Sion will be the only school to have a full graduation remember,” McDonough said. ceremony at the Kauffman, McDonough (Photo by Wikimedia Commons) said.

Go to lejournallive.com for more on track and coverage of a Varsity Lacrosse Game LE JOURNAL May 2016

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OPINION

Summer Internships Prove Beneficial

For many students, the pros of summer internships outweigh the cons.

BY KATE NOBLE REPORTER

Summer internships are beneficial for many reasons, and Senior Andi Swee is no stranger to the internship process. Swee began with her first internship, working for Pat Roberts’ campaign after her sophomore year, and a second internship for the Jackson County Democrats the summer after her junior year.

Internships ultimately supply students with more working experience, and working for both democrats and republicans in a professional setting taught Swee many important skills for her future.

“For the Pat Roberts internship, it really helped me with public speaking and interaction. We mostly walked door to door and called people a lot and did parades, so you have a lot of interaction with other people,” Swee said. “For the second [internship],

we used a lot of programs that track successful professionals. If students who and what people are voting end up making a good impression for and Google Spreadsheets. That on those professionals, it could be [experience] will help me when beneficial in the future when they need I’m older and working with those references and recommendations from their superiors. programs.”

These good impressions can Knowing how to collaborate be made by simply with peers in Virtual internships a professional being confident and increased 20 percent professional, and setting is from 2013 to 2014. acting as if one wants important for A company is 70 to work instead of any future 70% percent more likely to acting forced into profession and hire a previous intern. it. Making a good diving into that impression would be environment as Approximately 92 soon as possible percent of employers especially crucial for planning is nothing look at social media students but valuable. before hiring interns. on working and According to interning at the same (statistics from internships.com) place, like if someone US News, a survey by the National Association wants to intern at the same hospital of Colleges and Employers displays that they want to do their residency that recent graduates receive more job down the line.

Internships are also beneficial for offers if they partake in an internship determining interests. For example, program.

Networking can open doors to someone could go into an internship at so many opportunities, including a hospital and come out of it realizing future jobs. Summer internships give they have no desire to pursue a career students the opportunity to meet in the medical field because they

feel like fainting at the first sight of blood.

For those that may be unsure about what they want to do in the future, internships can narrow down possible fields and can give people ideas about what they are and aren’t interested in pursuing.

Finally, internships are beneficial especially before college because many students strive to get internships during and after college as well. Students would be far more competitive for a professional internship in college if they already had the experience and networking from an internship in high school. According to internships. com, students participating in two internship opportunities are more likely to receive a job offer, and approximately 40 percent of 2013 college graduates had partaken in two or more internships. The pool of students in college looking for internships is fierce, so participating in one during high school is the best bet for getting one in college.

Students Can Change the College Sticker Price Financial aid programs and new scholarship opportunities can lower college tuition.

BY ELLIE SCHWARTZ CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The price of a college can seem like a massive, granite wall keeping students from the schools of their dreams. It’s huge enough to dominate every thought of college, stable enough to stay intact through the most tumultuous college fights with parents and intimidating enough to keep students from even applying.

However, generous financial aid programs and new ways of finding scholarships give students ways to chip away at the cost of all types of schools. The sticker price, or total cost including tuition, books and fees, does not necessarily reflect the actual cost of a college education thanks to these programs, opportunities and hidden private scholarships.

The financial aid (sometimes called need-based aid) a family qualifies for varies from school to school. In some cases, the schools with the highest sticker prices also have the most generous financial aid programs which can make them as affordable

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LE JOURNAL May 2016

as state schools if a family qualifies.

The schools where students are likely to receive the most financial aid have three things in common.

First, they meet 100 percent of demonstrated need, which means they make up the difference between what a family can contribute and the sticker price through a combination of scholarships, campus jobs, grants (loan-free) and loans, according to U.S. News. To get an accurate idea of how much a family will qualify for, schools are required to provide fairly accurate “financial aid calculators” on their websites. That way, families can better predict if they will apply for aid before sending in applications.

However, schools with the best aid policies do not use the financial standing of a family to help determine its admission decision. They are called “need-blind” institutions, and their financial aid offices are separate from their admissions offices. By applying to need-blind schools, students assure that their financial need will not keep them from getting accepted. Students can find lists of schools that are need blind and meet 100 percent of need online.

Another indicator of a solid financial aid package is the average debt of graduates. As college tuition

rises, many students take out loans to pay for their tuition, only to find themselves with crippling debt as they graduate. Thankfully, data on student debt is available online, and some schools even provide loan-free aid to combat student debt.

New scholarship opportunities and programs to make college affordable can also lessen the blow of a high sticker price. Raise.me allows students to start raising money for college as early as freshman year of high school. Students record each high grade they get in a class, their extracurricular activities and test score achievements, and schools give them “micro-scholarships” for each entry.

“Micro-scholarships” range from $10 to $16,000 but can add up to major money by senior year. Participating schools range from University of Kansas to Creighton University to Tulane University and it’s free to join, making it an accessible method for most students. On average, students earn $5,000 each year for four years through Raise.me, according to the New York Times.

Programs like this one give students more control over the scholarship process and better idea of the merit-based aid they will receive.

Oher scholarship organizations

include Questbridge, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-Gates Millennium Scholars Program and Coca-Cola Scholar Foundation, although students must think ahead to see if they meet the conditions.

For schools with merit-based scholarships, students should ask admissions representatives about all available scholarships and their requirements before applying.

Sometimes schools do not publish required test scores or GPAs for scholarships (or even all of their scholarships) on their website, so students should actively search out whatever information they can find.

If a rep can’t tell a student anything but what is on the website, it is still a good opportunity to build a relationship with him or her which might give a student a better chance of getting a scholarship.

Even though the sticker price of your dream school may not budge, it’s worth the research and effort to find scholarships and aid opportunities that could make it more affordable. Using these ideas as a starting point, don’t be afraid to research before you cross a school off your list based on a cost that could shrink significantly. You might just break down the granite wall after all.

OPINION

Who Should Your Roommate Be?

BY LANEY ULOWETZ PHOTO EDITOR

A

huge dilemma for every senior is finding the right roommate for college. There’s so many options.

Literally. If you get on your school’s class of 2020 Facebook page, I guarantee you will find countless people posting paragraphs about themselves and why they would be your perfect roommate. So you stalk her wall, and you stalk her Instagram, and you stalk her Facebook some more. But what can you really gather about this total stranger other than what she wants you to see? The scary truth is that honestly, you can’t get much more than what she gives you.

This is one reason why rooming with someone you know is a great idea. It doesn’t need to be your best friend that you’ve known for 12 years (and quite frankly it probably shouldn’t be), just a friend, acquaintance, or maybe a friend of a friend. There are no surprises when you room with someone you know - she won’t try to kill you in your sleep (hopefully) and doesn’t have some weird, obsessive infatuation with hamsters you didn’t know about.

You won’t come to college totally alone because you’ve got a friend going into it. Maybe it takes you awhile to find your crowd and make some new friends; your roommate is someone who can include you in

BY SOPHIE NEDELCO

What to Expect During Rush

Your roommate should be someone you know.

Letting go of familiarity will benefit you later in life as well. You probably share similar interests with your friends, and you might even look like them. Fearfully clinging onto people who resemble you will do nothing to help you in the future. The awkwardness of acquainting yourself with your random roommate will not only begin to prepare you for other uncomfortable firsttime meetings (think job interviews) but also open your mind to opportunities you would have missed had you stuck with the status quo.

With a random roommate, you define yourself.

You have an opportunity to try what is normally out of your comfort zone. According to research by the University of Houston, roommates influence one another’s decisions on which clubs, teams and social organizations to join. These groups will have a lifetime of influence on wider social networks. Who knows, maybe you will like Christian rock after all or maybe you will make it a habit to join her on her morning runs. Chances are, she will inspire you one way or another.

What’s the worst that can happen? If my random roommate is a little crazy, I’ll have something to look back and laugh about later. If she doesn’t align with my morals, the experience will make mine stronger.

If my random roommate doesn’t become my best friend and my dorm room doesn’t completely match, it’s not the end of the world, and in just a few months, at semester, I can find a new roommate.

Your roommate should be someone random.

CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF n just a few months, I will wake up next to a complete stranger: my random roommate. Does she stay up until 3 a.m. or wake up at 5 a.m.?

Will our dorm room clash neon pink and green?

Does she jam to Christian rock or Nicki Minaj?

Basically, I have no idea who she is, where she’ll be from or what she’ll be like; and that’s the way it should be.

As class Facebook groups, GroupMe and Roomsurf blow up with 18-year-olds scouring for roommates, the diminishing idea of a random roommate gathers dust in the corners of teenagers’ brains. In an age where teens judge a person’s character by the content of their Instagram, the idea of living with someone they have never taken a selfie with is terrifying. But for this very reason, a random roommate is essential for our generation.

We have to break out of our screen-protected comfort zones to venture into the next chapter of our lives. This would be impossible with the last four years breathing old memories down our backs. You don’t want those reminders of your high school exboyfriend or drama-ridden friend groups to continue to haunt you past graduation. Rooming with your best friend or even your not-so-best-friend will limit you to what you were defined by in high school.The truth is that high school doesn’t last forever. So why would you want to bring it to college with you?

Rooming with a friend, you would be more tentative to try new classes, clubs or sports. Even worse, you would feel obligated to invite this high school friend to every event. Sooner or later, friends get sick of one another. If you are really that good of friends with her, then you would still see each other around campus.

I

plans. She can help you through anything that comes up once you’re at school - the awkward encounters, panic attacks, cramming for tests, lazy days, nights out - she’s always there. Going away to college can be tough, especially when you’re living out-of-state, so it’s nice to have a familiar face when you’re homesick.

Orientation Of course before you go to school, your Go over recruitment schedule, roommate can help you through the stress of hitting what to wear and expect and deadlines or just random questions about college as meet your Rho Gamma or Rho Chi they come up. In a sense, she’s a built-in friend who (recruitment guide) and your small group. will be by your side the whole way. You can even shop for dorm decorations together, rather than just guessing what the other person is getting and trying Open House to coordinate based off of texts.

Visit every sorority. Talk with the Long story short, rooming with someone you members and tell them a little bit know in college is one of the best decisions you can about yourself. make. Not only will she keep you comfortable in Tip: “The most difficult part of rush was the new environment, but she will help push you to come out of your shell and expand your horizons in keeping your energy up all day and all week college. You get the best of both worlds: a familiar long. It’s so important to keep smiling and keep your energy levels high because that will face and taste of home, as well show within every conversation you have.” as new friends, adventures, and Madison Hummel, Class of 2014 memories.

Philanthropy Day Houses will send out invitations telling girls they are interested in to return. Choose from your invitations which houses you would like to return to.

During this day you will learn a little bit about each sorority’s philanthropy.

Tip: “Be prepared with questions to ask each sorority. Find out if their values align with yours. That will make your decision all the better.” Georgia Evans, Class of 2015

Sisterhood Day Houses send out invitations again.

Choose which you would like to see again. Get a better understanding of the values of each sorority and ask any final questions you may have.

Tip: “Crash in a hotel room with your mom during the later days of rushing. As girls start getting cut, feelings are hurt and tears and drama start so it’s best to remove yourself.”

Georgia Thompson, Class of 2014

Preference Day Houses send out invitations.

Choose which houses you would like to visit for the last time.

Tip: “Don’t pick a sorority based off of the size of their house or their decorations. Try to have a genuine conversation and ask yourself each time, ‘Could I be friends with these girls?”’ Evie Hauptmann, Class of 2015

Bid Day

You will receive your official invitation to join a sorority.

Tip: “While recruitment week seems super dramatic and important at the time, it’s really not the end of the world if you get cut from a house you liked.” Kim Fryer, Class of 2014 LE JOURNAL May 2016

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OPINION

Aubrey’s Kansas City Adventures The castle provides a historic vibe to the city before its upcoming renovations.

BY AUBREY MAKAR A&E COLUMNIST

There are only a few places that become so prominent in my life that they are simply referred to as “the (fill in the blank)”. The castle is by far my favorite. It isn’t a castle, but looks like one from the outside. It was used as a jail which becomes apparent as soon as you see the bars on the windows and the metal framed beds on the decrepit floors.

This castle sits at 18th and Vine and has been abandoned for many years. Soon it will be renovated for special occasions but remains public

until then. The young couple who are renovating it hope to have their wedding there. Instead of a normal wedding, they want something that will also give back to the community, according to the Kansas City Star.

Inside and around the castle is some of the most amazing artwork that I’ve ever seen. The graffiti gives the castle a personality of its own. The bright geometric designs capture and mesmerize anyone who takes the time to appreciate the unconventional art.

Climbing is the fastest way to get to different rooms and reach different heights. Sometimes there is a wooden ladder that helps to get to the second floor. The upper floor is only a smaller circular room but there is a special escape window just in case the ladder doesn’t hold.

Behind the castle is a strip of concrete that leads up to a lookout point to watch the trains. The graffiti becomes more detailed as you go

along. Each piece makes a distinct statement and the artistic style becomes increasingly diversified.

Soon the castle won’t be my castle anymore. It will be a fancier place where people go to celebrate and not explore. Maybe when I return it will be renewed and I will love it. I only hope that it doesn’t lose its splendor throughout the years.

Next year is going to be tough because I won’t be in Kansas City anymore. I don’t know what other adventures college has in store for me, but I’m sure it will be great. Each city has secrets, but the best ones hide in Kansas City.

I’m not completely sure where I’m going next year. I hope to be in a city with more places to explore. Mostly, I will miss the people that accompanied me on the adventures.

My best friends were always there to come with me on each escapade and I know that I am going to miss them

so much next year. They supported me (literally and metaphorically) throughout all the times where I wanted to go see something out of the ordinary.

Each time I get a new story to tell my family even if I leave out the parts where I could have been hurt. My friends make each place special and stick out in my memory. I was never alone (partly because my mom doesn’t like it when I go places alone) and I’m thankful for their company.

I’ll never forget the unique moments where we experienced the same expressions of awe in the face of something new. I hold these memories tight and keep them forever. I know I’ll need to use them when I get homesick or feel the upcoming separation anxiety in the next year.

The city that has nourished my adventures will always be there for me.

It is the only city that I have known. It will always be my original love.

New Ice Cream Store Opens In Waldo Betty Rae’s Ice Cream brings a great new taste and feel to the neighborhood.

BY KATHLEEN WATZ REPORTER

A small ice cream store on the busy street of Wornall Road has gained popularity in Waldo. Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., has only been open for a short time but many people have come to love this quirky little place.

The colorful menu attracts attention as soon as you walk through the door. The calming blue and orange walls surround small wooden tables decorated with fresh flowers; inviting customers to sit and enjoy their treats.

The unique flavors of ice cream have become favorites of the customers who have ventured into the store.

While Betty Rae’s has the typical cookies and cream, vanilla and chocolate flavors, it is not like the typical ice cream place. It is unique

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LE JOURNAL May 2016

and different with signature flavors such as lavender honey ice cream and cantaloupe. These flavors add to the experience of the store, giving a new and different taste. The prices are not outrageous, averaging about $3 per scoop, affordable even for high school students on a budget.

As customers walk through the door at 7140 Wornall Road the soft music engulfs them. The colorful store is a break from the busy outside world.

The quiet atmosphere of the ice cream shop is a nice environment to go hang out with friends and eat ice cream. The workers greet everyone with a smile and they give customers the small sample spoons any ice cream fanatic knows and loves.

Not only is Betty Rae’s known for their delicious ice cream but they offer a variety of other tasty treats including milkshakes and coffee drinks ranging from $2 to $6.50. Any customer will leave satisfied and wanting more.

DELICIOUS //

(Photos by Kathleen Watz)

Dorm Deals

OPINION

See the best deals for your dorm from Ikea, Bed Bath & Beyond and Target.

BY CHLOE BARRETT

bedding

organization RÅSKOG Utility cart $29.99, Ikea

RÖLLEKA Memory Foam Pillow $8.99, Ikea

3-Shelf Metal Shoe Rack $29.99, Bed Bath and Beyond

Room Essentials™ Zippered MattressxCover $8.99, Target

Sterilite® ClearView Latch™ Storage Tote $4.49-7.99, Target

Therapedic® Memory Gel™ Mattress Enhancer $149.99, Bed Bath & Beyond

closet

laundry

18 Plastic Hangers $2.99, Target SKUBB Hanging Organizers $4.996.99, Ikea

Summer Entertainment

Studio 3B Multi-functional Jewlery/Scarf/ Accessory Organizer $14.99, Bed Bath & Beyond

S

M

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Collapsible Laundry Basket $19.99, Bed Bath & Beyond SKUBB Laundry Bag with Stand $9.99, Ikea Tide Pods $11.99, Target

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31 LE JOURNAL May 2016

9

32% democrat

10

29% independent LE JOURNAL

May 2016

68%

plan on rushing

96%

104

prefer the old uniforms

78% would send

their daughter to Sion

like block scheduling

57% lled have pu

the hardest year?

39% republican

8

i ng hter study

Political affiliation?

have 400+ service hours

ll-n ig

never received a pink slip

an a

20

58%

junior

20% senior ]18% 4%

sophomore freshman

SENIORS

Gabrielle Accurso

18

largest number of colleges applied to by one person

108 said they plan on voting in the 2016 election

Annalise Acuff

Blair Allen

University of Missouri

University of Missouri

University of Arkansas

Funniest pink slip? Lamp gave me one for thinking about looking at my phone.

Senior year memory? Sion Olympics.

Finals horror story? Having to take finals after everyone else because I was out of town.

Best outfit for Sion event? Kip from “Napolean Dynamite.”

Freshman year memory? 2:10 dismissals Song that sums up Sion? “Did I Shave My Legs For This?” by Deana Carter.

Senior year memory? The senior breakfast was a lot of fun.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Thor for Storm Stomp and Halloween this year.

The suit came with fake muscles.

What teacher would you take with you? Kram because he’s hilarious and gives good advice.

Senior year memory? The senior skit.

Favorite place at Sion? The NGS bathroom because it’s big and private.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Donald Trump.

Elizabeth Arroyo

Nathalie Barbeau

Chloe Barrett

Creighton University

University of Kansas

Drake University

Freshman year memory? Wearing jorts under my skirt for an entire week.

Funniest pink slip? “Pastel Loafers” —Mrs. Norberg.

Senior year memory? Anytime Mrs. Wilcox laughed at one of my side comments.

Best outfit for a Sion event? I was Carl from “UP” and carried balloons all day.

What teacher would you take with you? Mr. Conaghan because he’s crazy.

Freshman year memory? Awkwardly asking dates to Winter Formal.

Senior year memory? Swimming in State.

Favorite place at Sion? Mrs. Koehler’s office to talk to her and get starbursts.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Leprechaun.

Senior year memory? The Royals rally and celebrating the World Series win.

Favorite place at Sion? NGS. Finals horror story? My first final freshman year was English, and I didn’t read the directions so I analyzed all the poems when you only had to pick 2 or 3. My hand was still sore the next day.

Rachael Beck

Mena Biraralign

Lauren Blando

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Creighton University

University of Kansas

Senior year memory? When all the seniors on the basketball team got to start on senior night even though two of us were injured.

Freshman year memory? During the first few weeks of school I sat at a random lunch table with a couple people and from then on we've been best friends.

Favorite place at Sion? The music room because I enjoy the atmosphere and am usually surrounded by my closest friends. I can also listen to very musically talented students practice.

Best outfit for a Sion event? A banana for Storm Stomp. I was a part of the “Fruit Jamz.”

What teacher would you take with you? Mid because he always gives me food.

Funniest pink slip? Throwing food at a friend during lunch.

Finals horror story? I forgot my calculator for my math final and had to borrow an extra one from a random senior that was cleaning out her locker.

LE JOURNAL May 2016

11

SENIORS

Amelia Bodde

Beth Borgmeyer

Eva Bowles

Sarah Bradshaw

Pittsburg State University

Missouri University S&T

University of Iowa

University of Kansas

Major? Graphics Management Funniest pink slip? I don’t know where my sweater is so that’s all I get pink slips for.

Best outfit for a Sion event? I was a marine for superhero day.

Freshman year memory? Mrs. Dreas first hour class.

Senior year memory? The moment they announced we made it to State in robotics.

What teacher would you take with you?

Mrs. Teel because she’s funny and brings us snacks.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Kermit the Frog.

Freshman year memory? 2:10 dismissals.

Funniest pink slip? Haghirian, Bonnie texting under her potato chips.

Favorite place at Sion? Madame Bono’s room.

Best outfit for a Sion event? My green and yellow dinosaur ballet recital unitard.

I’ve worn it four times.

Best outfit for Sion event? A smile What teacher would you take with you?

Lamp, he’d make sure my karma stayed solid.

Funniest pink slip? Too many to count I have 62. Cussing in gym freshman year in front of Lamp is up there though.

Major? Social Work.

Margaret Brandmeyer

Abby Breckenridge

Elizabeth Burnham

Audrey Calovich

University of Kansas

University of Arkansas

Loyola University Chicago

University of Kansas

What teacher would you take with you?

Blasdel to keep me sane.

Freshman year memory? Blue and white.

Song that sums up Sion? "Digo Si Senõr."

Senior year memory? STA basketball game when we were zombies.

Favorite place at Sion? The New Grande Salle.

Best outfit for Sion event? My frat outfits.

Song that sums up Sion? "We R Who We R" by Ke$ha Freshman year memory? Freshman retreat and just being awkward.

Finals horror story? I projectile vomitted before one of my finals junior year, but it’s okay because I got an A on it.

What teacher would you take with you?

Lamp because he hates everyone just as much as I do.

Favorite place at Sion? The library because it has carpet that keeps me warm in the cold winter months.

Funniest pink slip? Writing “Seniors” on one of my regular white polos.

Freshman year memory? Beanie week.

What teacher would you take with you?

Conaghan, so he could yell at people and help me make friends.

Senior year memory? Royals World Series Parade.

Song that sums up Sion? "Stay Gold" by Stevie Wonder.

Senior Transformations

12

Sarah Tritt

Emmie Gragg

Lisbeth Juarez-Lopez

“TBH, I’d probably fight freshman year me.”

“I hope that Freshman Emmie would have a girl crush on Senior Emmie... in reality I would probably just think I was annoying.”

“I remember freshman year thinking that I was finally in high school and therefore I was old and mature but looking back, I was still a baby.”

LE JOURNAL

May October 2016 2015

Sara Watkins

“I think I’m a lot more mature and a lot less awkward.”

SENIORS

Isadora Comens Senior Violinist is a tough act to follow. She leaves behind her a legacy of hardwork and dedication.

BY TARA JUNGDEN REPORTER

Cassidy Campbell

Emily Carter

University of Missouri

Creighton University

Freshman year memory? Getting freaky at Blue and White.

Funniest pink slip? 98% of my pink slips are because of leggings.

Song that sums up Sion? "Work" by Rihanna.

Favorite place in Sion? The couches in the NGS.

What teacher would you take with you?

Mrs. Wilcox to help me write my essays.

Senior year memory? Going out to lunch with friends.

Best outfit for a Sion event? I had fun dressing in goth for spirit week.

Song that sums up Sion? "We’re All in this Together" - High School Musical.

Anna Ciani

Allie Cocks

University of Nebraska

Truman State University

Planned major? Business Administration.

Freshman year memory? Falling on my face in the lunch room in front of everyone and face planting in my spaghetti.

Funniest pink slip? “Cradling and stroking classmate’s face during Mass from Bonnie Haghirian.

Planned major? Psychology Favorite place in Sion? Where ever there is the least amount of people and a space to sit on the floor against the wall.

Finals horror story? Once my math final took me four hours to finish. The girl who I was supposed to drive home thought that I had left her at school.

Serena Colyer

Isadora Comens

Claremont McKenna College

University of Texas at Dallas

Freshman year memory? Being mistaken as a foreign exchange student for the first month of school.

Favorite place at Sion? The library because my friends and I always spend time in there.

Senior year memory? Getting up at 3 a.m. to watch the sunrise with friends.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Ben and Jerry's "celebrity couple" with Olivia Neal What teacher would you take with you?

Kram because he could organzie a protest.

Funniest pink slip? I brought my dog to school and let it loose in Lamp’s room during class.

Eyes focused closely on the sheet music in front of her, swaying from left to right in a way that is so slight it is nearly unnoticeable, Comens performs Sonata no. 1 fugue by Bach for the spring concert. Her final performance as a Symphonie de Sion member, but only the start of “I like playing the violin but I also really love to just hear the music and be apart of anything music related,” Comens said. “It’s not just about playing violin solos or winning awards, it’s about performing in groups and taking part in music together.”

Despite the large majority of Comens extracurricular activities being music related, she has chosen to major in Neuroscience with only a potential minor in violin. Her choice has been made to ensure that the demands of a music major don’t strain her current love of the violin by putting too much pressure on the laid back relationship she’s always had with music.

“I don’t want to major in music and have to practice seven hours a day and ruin the fact that I actually enjoy it,” Comens said, “Because right now I really enjoy playing.”

While it has been made certain that a professional, competitive musical path is not the one Comens is seeking, she does aspire to continue music recreationally for as long as she can. With her years of experience playing in the pit at school musicals, Comens has already discovered just one of the numerous possibilities for her future life of recreational music.

“I’m sad, but I’m not

surprised that she’s not majoring in music,” music teacher Elizabeth Mulkey said. “I know that she’s not only incredibly talented musically and artistically but she also has great abilities academically and wants to pursue other fields.”

It is undoubted that the absence of Comens will be recognized at every school Mass and concert by all the students that were able to to witness the eloquence she exerted in every piece she played for the student body in the gym. And while her aspirations on the subject that dominated her Sion reputation, music may not be what others expected of her, the values that Comens hold on music and music appreciation are sure to last her a lifetime.

“I think what a lot of people don’t realize is that being interested in music is more about just enjoying it than having to be the very best or winning some sort of award,” Comens said.

Considering the scores of musical accomplishments Comens holds including numerous top rating performances at Solo and Ensemble and the place of first chair second violin in state orchestra, it is proven that she is one of the very best (high school) violinists in the state. However, Comens’ extraordinarily humble personality makes it nearly impossible to get her to confess just how extensive her accomplishments really are.

“She has a great presence and I think people really respect her,” Mulkey said.

“She doesn’t have a diva attitude about her abilities.”

After five minutes of talking to Comens about her history and future in the violin realm, any stranger can come to realize that she couldn’t care less about the prestige or the awards-she plays solely for her love of the music.

LE JOURNAL JOURNAL LE May 2016 October 2015

13 13

SENIORS

14

Addison Crawford

Carolyn Crowe

Alexis Cucchiara

Milan Cucchiara

University of Arkansas

Miami University

Texas Christian University

Mississippi State University

Song that sums up Sion? "Once in a While"

by Timeflies.

Senior year memory? Getting ready to leave for college and having all my teachers supporting and helping me.

Which teacher would you take? Mr. Conghan because he would keep my smiling and have wise advice.

Freshman year memory? Two words: Finals. Binder.

Funniest pink slip? When Lamp gave me a pink slip for my socks not covering my leggings while I was in the hallway crying.

Senior year memory? Royals winning the World Series.

Which teacher would you take? Mrs. Wilcox so she could proofread all my essays.

Funniest pink slip? Watts gave me a pink slip for using my iPad-I don’t have an iPad. Song that sums up Sion? "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers.

Freshman year memory? Rockhurst games on “the hill.”

Funniest pink slip? I was wearing purple socks where literally you could only see like half a centimeter of them showing.

I don’t know how Koehler caught me.

Song that sums up Sion? "Here" by Alessia Cara.

Alexis Cutrera

Alex D’Alesio

Caroline DeCoursey

Anna Demetree

University of Evansville

University of Notre Dame

Loyola University Chicago

University of Kansas

Which teacher would you take? LaFaver, I love talking to her and she always has good advice.

Freshman Year memory? How awful cardio day was! And of course the nature walks.

Funniest pink slip? Taking a phone call during class.

Which teacher would you take? Murphy.

She can help me with research papers.

Freshman year memory? Beanie week and 2:10 dismissals.

Funniest pink slip? That awkward moment when you don’t have any pink slips.

Favorite memory? Royals Parade.

Freshman year memory? 2:10 dismissals.

Funniest pink slip? Lamp gave me one at 3:09 in gym class for checking my phone.

Major? Nursing.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Definitely Superwoman.

Major? Speech Pathology.

Which teacher would you take? Mr. Conaghan. There would never be a dull moment.

Song that sums up Sion? "Work Hard Play Hard" by Wiz Khalifa.

FInals horror story? I’ve never studied for finals so they haven’t been stressful.

Katie Donnelly

Delaney Dorman

Olivia Dugan

Lauren Dwyer

Emporia State University

University of Missouri

George Washington University

Hendrix College

Freshman year memory? When I had a red Kool-aid streak in my hair that was supposed to last two weeks. It lasted a year, and everyone called me “white trash Katie.”

Funniest pink slip? For biting Maddie.

Song that sums up Sion? "Sweet Caroline."

Which teacher would you take? Mid because everyone needs a little awkward silence in their life and I can’t see calc going well.

Funniest pink slip? Two pink slips two days in a row for carrying a blanket.

Favorite memory? The Royals Parade.

That was one of the best days of my life.

Major? Political Science.

Song that sums up Sion? "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips.

Favorite place at Sion? NGS because it’s a relaxed place to talk to friends in between classes.

Freshman year memory? Freshmen sleep over at Camp Tekakwitha.

Which teacher would you take? Mid because he always makes math so easy to understand.

Favorite memory? Sion Olympics.

Favorite place at Sion? Long’s room because I spend so much time there.

Finals horror story? I forgot my calculator for a Chem final.

LE JOURNAL May 2016

SENIORS

Michaela Elsbernd Senior started off using reading and writing as an escape, but it soon turned into a lifelong hobby.

BY CLARE KIMMIS REPORTER

Lia Ehren

Michaela Elsbernd

University of Kansas

Truman State University

Major? Marketing.

Freshman year memory? Being scared I’d get lost or walk into the wrong class accidentally.

Song that sums up Sion? "Know Yourself"

by Drake.

What teacher would you take? Señora Gomez.

What teacher would you take? Engel because I can always talk to her about books, and she’s always willing to give a pep talk.

Major? International Business and French.

Song that sums up Sion? "Sing" by My Chemical Romance.

Rachel Ergovich

Frances Evans

Creighton University

St. Louis University, Madrid

What teacher would you take? Long because who else would I eat lunch with?

Freshman year memory? I fell up the stairs on the first day.

Where is your favorite place to go in Sion and why? Room 111 because they are the only one’s who like me.

What teacher would you take? The Spanish department so we could gossip about los guapos de Madrid.

Freshman year memory? Aluminum foil beanie.

Best outfit for a Sion event? I dressed up as Jack Freestone with Lia Ehren aka Alana B for Sprit Week.

Mary Beth Ferber

Anna Fotouhi

University of Kansas

UMKC School of Medicine

What teacher would you take? Conahagn because I can always listen to his stories.

Song that sums up Sion? "Time of my Life" by 3 Doors Down.

Where is your favorite place to go in Sion and why? Mrs. Koehlers office to grab a starburst and have a little chat.

What teacher would you take? Mrs. Blasdel.

Major? BLA/Chemistry.

What song sums up your experience at Sion? "Good Life" by Kanye West.

Where is your favorite place to go in Sion and why? Mrs. Dreas Mobile because it was cozy and always bumping.

Michaela Elsbernd types for hours straight on her computer as she moves past a writer’s block and works to achieve her goal for the month of April: adding 20,000 words to her novel in progress.

Elsbernd never really had an interest in reading or writing until junior high when she was bullied and books created a much needed escape.

Harry Potter was the first book series that got Elsbernd interested in reading and allowed her to forget a reality she was desperate to ignore.

Harry Potter helped her become interested in young adult fantasy fiction, which is now her favorite genre to write. The character Hermione Granger shaped Elsbernd’s goal of becoming a strong and brilliant young woman.

“Harry Potter definitely inspired me because the characters helped me through some dark times,” Elsbernd said. “The fact that J.K. Rowling has the ability to touch so many lives through her writing is what I would like to achieve one day.”

Harry Potter still serves as inspiration for Elsbernd to this day, as well as the other inspirational factors in her life. Cassandra Clare wrote the “Immortal Instruments” series, which is one of Elsbernd’s favorite book series. Clare came to Kansas City to speak, and Elsbernd got to ask her a question and listen to her speak.

Through listening to Clare, Elsbernd related her writing to Clare’s literary style because both center around angelic beings and fantasy fiction.

“I connect to fantasy fiction because I grew up with it,” Elsbernd said. “My dad is a big fan of the genre, and I remember watching movies with him and listening to audiobooks with him.”

Today, fantasy fiction serves as Elsbernd’s own world.

“Fantasy fiction doesn’t have the same limits as our world,” Elsbernd said. “I can do anything and create characters who can be anything. It offers an escape from the monotony of everyday life.”

“Hidden Wings,”

a novel about a girl with Angelic powers, is what Elsbernd is currently working on. She wrote the first draft over the course of year but decided to start her second draft after her writing style changed. She has also written a set of short stories called the “Kate Smoke Files.”

While she was always comfortable writing, Elsbernd never shared her stories with anyone until joining writing club freshman year. There, she gained a voice and is surrounded by people who have the same interests as her. Writing club was the first place she shared her short stories, “The Kate Smoke Files.” It is where she receives instructive criticism from her peers and from an inspirational figure in her life, English teacher Shawn Watts.

“She has been working on a novel for a couple of years, and she sent me the first chapters to read. It’s very good, very suspenseful, and very professional,” Watts said.

Though her stories are yet to be published, she hopes that one day her books will touch lives the way they have touched hers. In the near future, Elsbernd hopes to write 20,000 words to add to “Hidden Wings” in the month of April through participating in Camp Nanowrino. Camp Nanowrino is a program in which you join an online cabin and set a word count for the the month of April. The people in the cabin will help Elsbernd to achieve her goal and maybe even go above and beyond it.

“Camp Nanowrimo is amazing.

I think it will help me because it is giving me a deadline to work with. I usually don’t have one,” Elsbernd said.

“I’m kind of struggling right now due to all the homework, but when I have free time, I actively try to write and meet my goal.”

Elsbernd is planning on majoring in international business and French at Truman State University. Because of this, she decided to minor in creative writing in order to do what she loves most while majoring in something she is interested in. Even though she is not majoring in literature, she still hopes to publish her books one day.

“I write because I have this interesting story that I think some people can relate to,” Elsbernd said.

“I’ve had these characters in my mind, and I want to share them with people.”

LE JOURNAL May 2016

15

SENIORS

Mary Helen Guastello Senior's individualistic attitude drives her into the fashion world as she sets off to New York City for college.

BY LILY COIT REPORTER

Even in the standard Sion uniform, senior Mary Helen Guastello makes a statement. With her hair tied in a high messy bun, her classic Adidas Stan Smith sneakers, which she plans on wearing under her graduation dress, and a large brown leather bag, she stands out amongst the rest.

Guastello’s individualistic philosophy began with her mother, Betsy Guastello, a powerful female force in her life who taught her the importance of being herself.

“She is a determined young woman, passionate and spirited who has always remained true to herself, and that sometimes is not an easy road to follow during the school years when peer pressure can be a bit overwhelming,” Betsy said.

Guastello’s mother became the basis of support for all her endeavors and would introduce her to the industry that she would later pursue: the world of fashion.

Guastello was just 11 years old when her mother wanted her to watch a documentary called “The September Issue” which follows editor-in-chief of American Vogue, Anna Wintour, in the production of the legendary fashion magazine. But it wasn’t Wintour who caught the attention of a young Guastello. It was creative director at large of Vogue, Grace Coddington.

“She really is the one who did it for me. I just saw her and said, ‘That’s what I want to be, that’s what I want to do,’” Guastello said. “I want to be able to have that power in such a tedious industry.”

To make her mark, Guastello values individual style.

She references a quote from designer and businesswoman, Rachel Zoe: “Style is a way to say who you are without speaking.”

Guastello claims she is a rather shy person and is a people pleaser who enjoys staying in the background. But when she saw that quote for the first time, it struck a chord with her.

16

LE JOURNAL

May 2016

“That quote changed me as a person, and it made me look at what I want to do and who I want to be,” Guastello said. “[It helped me say to myself] ‘This is who I am, I’m going to wear what I want to wear, and I’m going to do what I want to do, and I can’t worry about what other people think of me.’”

Guastello’s style developed as she created a personal style that she loved and felt was her own. She fell into the cycle of wearing the typical, trendy things everyone else was wearing in middle school and then suddenly stopped, thinking that this wasn’t who she was or what she wanted.

“You can wear whatever you want because you are your own person,” Guastello said.

Guastello tested the industry she fell in love with last summer interning for entrepreneur and CEO of the website StyleCaster, Ari Goldberg.

She landed this internship through her friend Gaby Azorsky, a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

Guastello managed this on her laptop, skyping occasionally with Goldberg to be updated on new tasks. She assisted in itineraries and personal information as well as the creation of new apps such as “Selfkie” and “Globalist.”

“To have a little bit of experience has just been an opportunity of a lifetime and I’ve learned so much before even being exposed to what [the fashion industry] actually is,” Guastello said.

Next year, she will take her selfdescribed classic but edgy style to FIT. According to Guastello, about 75 percent of the students who get accepted are transfer students, meaning the chance of acceptance directly from high school is incredibly slim.

But Guastello’s unabashedly exuberant personality and eye for fashion got her into FIT’s class of 2019 where she will be studying at the Baker School of Business, majoring in fashion merchandise marketing.

Guastello will embark on a new journey this fall in New York City in an industry where it is critical to be different from the rest.

“At the end of the day you have to tell yourself you are your own being,” Guastello said. “You get to decide who you are and you can’t let other people tell you what to do.”

Olivia Garrison

Tatum Gibbar

University of Missouri

University of Kansas

Freshman year memory? The Vera Bradley Bag. Funniest pink slip? Ms. Selle gave me a pink slip once for talking during Mass and I still feel bad about it because she is the sweetest.

Favorite senior year memory? Royals winning the World Series.

Funniest pink slip? Lamp gave me a pink slip for one ankle showing.

Song that sums up Sion? “Never Forget You” by Zara.

Finals horror story? Freshman year I was so stressed out for my first final that I got ready in my sleep and fell down the stairs.

Emmie Gragg

Devon Graham

University of Alabama

DePaul University

What teacher would you take with you?

Paul Buckley Kramschuster.

Favorite place at Sion? The men’s locker room to use Mid and Lamp’s mini fridge.

Song that sums up Sion? “Catholic Schoolgirls Rule” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Song that sums up Sion? “Food Glorious Food” by Ice Age the Meltdown.

Freshman year memory? Completing the Presidential Challenge so that I didn’t have to run in the last cardio day of the year.

Favorite senior year memory? Kathleen Watz coming back to Sion.

Mary Helen Guastello

Kristina Hagedorn

Fashion Institute of Technology

University of Kansas

Song that sums up Sion? “Independent Woman” by Destiny’s Child.

What teacher would you take with you?

JCam because she makes awesome mixtapes.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Kelly Osbourne. I had the lavender hair. The tattoos. Everything.

Freshman year memory? Never going to class.

What teacher would you take with you?

Wall, I enjoy her humor.

Song that sums up Sion? “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.

Favorite senior year memory? Senior breakfast in parking lot.

SENIORS

Abby Hamilton

Madison Heide

Sarah Faye Helton

Jordan Hermes

University of Kansas

University of Notre Dame

University of Kansas

Texas Christian University

Best outfit for a Sion event? Once I dressed up as Wolverine and people thought I was a member of Mumford and Sons.

Song that sums up Sion? “Lipgloss” by Lil Mama.

Freshman year memory? Taking selfies on the shared school laptops.

What teacher would you take with you? Pil, so we can play dodgeball.

Favorite place at Sion? Couch in Long’s room because naps.

Favorite senior year memory? STA/Sion basketball games.

Finals horror story? Finals week is a horror story.

Freshman year memory? Definitely beanie week. It gave me a sense of the Sion traditions and from that point on I knew I’d love going to school here.

What teacher would you take with you? I’d take Mrs. Dreas with me because who wouldn’t want to take Mrs. Dreas to college?

Favorite senior memory? Finally winning every school event.

Best outfit for Sion event? I painted myself blue for Greece.

Funniest pink slip? Anything from Lamp.

Song that sums up Sion? “Sanctuary” by Pino.

Favorite place at Sion? Journalism lab.

Caroline Hodes

Emma Holland

Madeline Hollenbeck

Selena Hunter

University of Arizona

Texas Christian University

University of Arkansas

University of Missouri

Freshman year memory? Accidentally hitting Abby Jurgeson in the head with a chair giving her a concussion.

Favorite place at Sion? The art room because art class always brightens my day and I can be messy.

Favorite senior year memory? Going to Ethiopia for my senior service project.

What teacher would you take with you?

Wall because she knows what I can and can’t do and will push me to do my best work.

Song that sums up Sion? “We’re All in This Together” by High School Musical.

Freshman year memory? Masions and how I was the only one who talked.

Freshman year memory? I took selfies on the school laptop in art class and a senior found them and posted them on Twitter.

Favorite senior year memory? My favorite memory is every day when Hilge yells at me to take off my sweatshirt.

Freshman year memory? Blue and White, what a time to be alive.

Funniest pink slip? I’ve only gotten one pink slip for having my dance team bag in the south six ... under a bench.

Favorite place at Sion? Anywhere my best friend is because we bring the party everywhere we go.

Rebecca Jacobs

Lisbeth Juarez-Lopez

Abby Jurgeson

Maddie Kahl

University of Colorado Boulder

Union College

University of Missouri

Miami University

What teacher would you take with you?

Señora LaFaver because she is so amazing and funny.

Finals horror story? I woke up 10 minutes before a final one morning. Thank God I live three minutes from Sion.

Song that sums up Sion? “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper.

Finals horror story? Anna Lillis crying her way out of the Spanish final.

What teacher would you take with you?

Long: she’s my momma.

Funniest pink slip? Bathroom pink slip from Lamp: we got in a fight about Missouri State School Bathroom Laws, I won the fight.

Freshman year memory? I don’t want to remember freshman year.

Funniest pink slip? “Excessively talking.”

I think that describes who I am pretty well.

Song that sums up Sion? The school song because we all just hum along until we get to the end.

Finals horror story? Showed up 30 minutes late to my English final freshman year because I thought it started at 8:30.

What teacher would you take with you? Kram because his intellectual intelligence would be very helpful.

Major? Engineering.

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SENIORS

Chandi Marsh

Marsh paves the way for that is also doing the same thing,” Sion students by exploring Marsh said.

Marsh believes that girls need her passion in computer to be exposed to engineering and sciences. computer science classes at an early LUCY STOFER REPORTER

Buzzfeed is one of the most popular websites for teens and is a large source of social news and entertainment. Most students love to visit the site to see the latest on their favorite celebrities or take a funny quiz, but senior Chandi Marsh dreams of working for and designing websites for companies like Buzzfeed and Google. Marsh has a passion for computer sciences and tech that she hopes will carry on as a career in her future.

This is not the conventional route as the tech industry is still dominated largely by males. Marsh wants this to change. Her advice for getting more young girls interested in computer sciences is to tell them that they can do anything and not be discouraged because it is a male dominated field.

Since Marsh has taken so many computer science classes outside of the all girls school atmosphere, she has encountered her share of males that think they are smarter and superior to her. She has learned to have a tough skin and not let it hurt her.

“Girls aren’t just exposed. The girls that I know that are into [computer science] k n o w someone or they have another female figure

age so it feels like an option to them as opposed to an unlearnable foreign language.

“I think it’s so cool that you can just put a ton of words and numbers together and then get such a big outcome,” Marsh said.

Marsh is also interested in the Washington University in Saint Louis creative side aspects of computer Freshman year memory? Running out of sciences and hopes to take a wide gas multiple times in my sister’s car. variety of classes in college to broaden Funniest pink slip? Drinking Diet Coke her horizons and learn as much as she and refusing to throw it away.

Favorite place at Sion? Pil’s office because can about the field as a whole.

Marsh’s love for tech all began Pil is bae. from her admiration for her mom Song that sums up Sion? “I’m Different” by 2 Chainz. who works in Information technology and constantly encouraged and inspired Marsh to become interested in computer sciences. Along with enrolling Marsh in computer science and coding classes when she was younger, Marsh’s mother, Chanel Rayfield would have her take apart their computers and put them back together to learn about the engineering side of computer sciences.

“My mom put me in coding class when I was really young and that sparked my interest because I remember we created this little cartoon character that danced and I thought University of Kansas that was really fun,” Marsh said.

Favorite senior year memory? My friends According to Marsh, she thinks of her mom as one of the biggest role wearing hijab in solidarity with me. models in her life and really looks up Favorite place at Sion? Ms. P’s room, because Ms. P. to her. Rayfield, describes Marsh as a Finals horror story? Forgetting my hardworking young lady who believes calculator and no one giving me one in treating everyone fair and loves because “If I give it to you, I have to give volunteering and helping others. it to everyone.”

“I’ve seen Chandi transform into her own identity when she started loving the things about herself that make her a unique individual, like for instance her natural hair,” Rayfield said. “She also is not as shy as she was in middle school, and now you can find her enjoying the moment and just dancing without being concerned about what others think.”

Part of Marsh’s tendency to pursue her goals lies in her ability to move on from her biggest challenges. Marsh had a love for track that lasted her all through high school until she suffered UMKC School of Medicine from multiple injuries but has managed Freshman year memory? Making pom to overcome this and got to compete in finals for the first time in Sion history. track again for her senior year.

Funniest pink slip? I got a pink slip for “I like to break out of my shell having my dance team bag on the a lot.” Marsh said. “Even though I’m bench in the South Six. Like what even interested in computer science, I think is that? if you’re interested in something you Finals horror story? I don’t have one should still try to do other things too.” because I slay my finals.

Camille Keane

Manahil Khan

Daria Kinchelow

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Maggie Keller University of Kansas What teacher would you take with you?

Mrs. Dreas because she is the best person on the face of the planet.

Finals horror story? My first final of high school I wore my uniform when everyone else was out of uniform.

Song that sums up Sion? "We’re All In This Together" by High School Musical.

Guthrie Kimball Missouri State University Freshman year memory? When I was getting my beanie, the senior giving it to me pronounced my name “goo-thrie.”

Favorite place at Sion? The Music Room/ OGS, because it’s always so peaceful.

Finals horror story? Finals week in general is a horror story.

Sarah King Texas Christian University Freshman year memory? Rockhurst football games and awkward mixers.

Song that sums up Sion? "Sanctuary" sung by Mrs. Pino Dressman.

Finals horror story? Sophomore year I thought Mr. Conaghan’s final started at 10 instead of eight so I missed the whole thing.

SENIORS

Top 4 Interesting

Collge Majors Jessica Korth

Grace Lesniewski

Isabella Lightner

Loyola University Chicago

Creighton University

Stephens College

Major? Psychology.

Freshman year memory? Planning for Winter Formal in September.

Favorite senior year memory? Kairos 49.

Favorite place at Sion? I like the ceramic mirror shelves because I can admire the artwork I made and the artwork God made (my face).

Freshman year memory? 2:10 aka the best thing ever.

Song that sums up Sion for school song. I love it yet I know all the words. Oops.

Finals horror story? Half of was missing. Unlucky for us reprinted and had to take it.

dismissal you? The still don’t our test we had it

Major? Fashion Communication.

Funniest pink slip? Looking up fashion on my laptop the first week of freshman year.

What teacher would you take with you?

Wall because I love her.

Freshman year memory? The most awkward Winter Formal of my life.

Speech Pathology “My little brother went to a speech therapist because he could not talk as well. After watching him improve I have always had an interest in speech therapy. Helping kids improve their linguistics skills to carry on with them for the rest of their lives is something I look forward to.” -Anna Demetree

Animation/ Digital Cinema

Ellen Lilek

Anna Lillis

Claire Magsamen

Kansas State University

Creighton University

University of Nebraska

What teacher would you take with you?

Conaghan because no matter how boring the topic, he is able to make me laugh.

Song that sums up Sion for you? “Work” by Rihanna ft. Drake.

Finals horror story? I got the days mixed up so I had to wing it.

What teacher would you take with you? Mr. Conaghan so that we can meet Warren Buffet together.

Freshman year memory? Braces Funniest pink slip? Standing next to my desk instead of sitting from Mrs. Norberg.

Favorite place at Sion? The new field.

Funniest pink slip? I thought wearing a teal coat to class was funny. On the other hand Ms. Engel did not.

Favorite place at Sion? The couches in the NGS are always really inviting.

Best outfit for a Sion event? When Chioma was the Preston Burke to my Christina Yang.

Aubrey Makar

Chandi Marsh

Rachel Martin

University of Dayton

Clark Atlanta University

Loyola University Chicago

Major? Graphic Design.

What teacher would you take with you?

Theodore Ratisbonne because he was original homie.

Favorite senior year memory? Having school off for the Royals parade.

Finals horror story? I got hit in the face with a water bottle before my last final.

Major? Computer Science.

Freshman year memory? Wishing I was at Sion, I transferred my sophomore year.

Favorite place at Sion? The peace garden because it’s a great place to read.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Dressing up as a baby for the Sion vs. STA basketball game.

What teacher would you take with you?

Leah LaFaver because she is mi gemela and the most well-rounded person.

Freshman year memory? Pretty sure my "Dance of the Chromosomes" video is still somewhere on Facebook.

Senior year memory? Being photo editor for yearbook.

"Majoring in animation is merely the next step for me, getting me closer and closer to my goal of becoming a movie-maker and animator. I've always loved stories and storytelling and movies/ animation are the way I want to tell my stories." -Devon Graham

Elementary Education “I have always loved kids and been really passionate about how a child’s environment affects their development as well as their future.

There are children who are not as blessed as I am, and I want to help them choose the right path.”

-Katie Donnelly

African American and African Diaspora Studies "I feel like it's pretty comprehensive and intersectional with other multicultural studies and gender studies. I became interested after reading critical race theory and learning about African settlement around the world or diaspora."

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SENIORS

Aneliese Peeler

Senior musician prepares to release her debut album this May.

BY AUBREY MAKAR REPORTER

Singing was always a passion for senior Aneliese Peeler. From the age of three, Peeler was always singing around her house to the amusement of her family. It didn’t become a serious dream until the eighth grade when she realized her musical talents of playing piano and ukelele would come together in her own songs.

“I took piano lessons in the third grade, and my mom taught me the ukulele,” Peeler said. “My grandpa is also a songwriter, and he is one of my many inspirations. He is always there when I need to ask for guidance to look over my works.”

Peeler describes her sound as indie-pop because of her beginnings in that genre. Listening to artists like Taylor Swift and ZZ Ward helped her to find her own voice and to find her passion in her work.

“I was influenced heavily

by ZZ Ward when

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I started writing. She is more of a bluesy artist. I wasn’t mentored at all in songwriting, and it was more of something that just happened,” Peeler said. “My favorite song that I’ve written is called ‘Getting Better’ because I feel like it’s relatable and more personal to everyone who is feeling down in the dumps.”

Peeler is able to find other influences from her own experiences and is able to draw in on the experiences of her friends in their daily lives. Senior Serena Colyer aided Peeler in the drive to produce her own album that will finally be released in May of this year simply titled “Aneliese Peeler”.

“It started freshman year when she asked what I wanted for my birthday,” Colyer said. “I told her she should make me an album and the deadline is graduation.”

Peeler plans on self-producing her album and handing it out to friends to get her singing and songwriting career started.

“In five years, I hope to see myself working in Los Angeles for a Hollywood record company,” Peeler said.

Madison Masilionis

Megan McCormack

University of Kansas

University of Kansas

Teacher you would take to college? Mrs. Mulkey because she knows me too well and always pushes me farther than I thought I could go.

Major? Music Therapy/ Psychology.

Senior year memory? Senior night of the musical when my best friend gave me flowers and made me cry.

Teacher you would take to college? Blasdel, she’ll help me with my mental stability.

Song that sums up Sion? "Let the Good Times Roll" by Ray Charles.

Favorite place in Sion? The gym, because dance team...of course.

Favorite Sion costume? Zombies.

Sam McDonough

Mary McEnerney

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Benedictine College

Teacher you would take to college? I would take Conaghan with me because he would scare away all the people I wouldn’t want to be friends with, and the cool weirdos would stick around.

Major? Business.

Favorite place in Sion? Counselor’s couches.

Teacher you would take to college?

Madame Bono because she is always so happy and radiates so much positivity.

Major? Communications.

Freshman year memory? My winter formal spray tan, dress (high-low) and sparkly golden stilettos.

Erin Mills

Danielle Mollerus

Kansas State University

University of Mississippi

Freshman year memory? Cardio day = worst day of the week.

Major? Engineering.

Funniest pink slip? Lamp gave me a pink slip for HOLDING my phone during passing period.

Favorite place in Sion? Visitors locker room. No explanation needed.

Freshman year memory? Freshman Retreat because we all got to know each other and it was our first bonding experience.

Song that sums up Sion? "I Don’t Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw.

Best Sion Costume? Zombies for the Sion vs STA Basketball Game.

SENIORS

Alyssa Moncure

Olivia Neal

American University

Sarah Lawrence College

Major? African American and African Diaspora Studies/Political Science.

Funniest Pink Slip? Mrs. Koehler told us to move. I told my friends at the table, “Come on guys let’s stage a sit-in. It’s like Civil Rights all over again.” Needless to say I got a pink slip for “Disrespect to Mrs. Koehler.”

Major? Acting.

Funniest Pink Slip? Wearing a red fur coat to class.

Freshman Year Memory? Kathleen Watz fixing my dress on stage in Oklahoma after it ripped open.

Favorite Place at Sion? The Music Room because all the shenanigans start there.

Sophie Nedelco

Kate O’Keefe

University of Missouri

University of Kansas

Freshman year memory? Watts’ promise to straighten her hair for our graduation.

Finals Horror Story? I dreamt I got a G on Sra. Schendel’s final. Less than an F...

Best outfit for a Sion event? Tie between Shawn Watts (freshman) and Mel Wilcox (senior).

Favorite senior year memory? Le Journal.

What teacher would you take with you?

Mrs. Dreas to tutor me in math and go to the KU basketball games with me.

Song that sums up Sion? "Sanctuary."

Favorite senior year memory? Leading Kairos.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Zombies for the STA/ Sion game.

Chioma Okuagu

Stephanie Ostrander

St. Louis University

Rockhurst University

Major?Neuroscience/Spanish(Pre-med) Funniest Pink Slip? Wearing floral shoes...

I don’t own floral shoes.

Favorite Place at Sion? The parking lot because my car is there and that means I’m going home.

Song that sums up Sion: "Bet You Can’t Do It Like Me" by DLOW.

Major? Nursing.

What teacher would you take with you?

Conaghan because he’s the total package.

Funniest Pink Slip? “Acting out another student’s injury” from Norberg because Mary Beth was limping down the hallway and I was mimicking her.

Claire Magsamen Senior singer learns life lessons and earns valuable experience through years of choral singing.

BY PAIGE DUSSOLD REPORTER

She’s been all around the world, she can memorize information right away, she’s always driven to be outstanding. This is the life of senior Claire Magsamen, and she has a strong disposition and a decade of choral experience to thank for it.

It’s astonishing to think that such an integral piece of Magsamen’s life was discovered serendipitously by her mother, Christy Magsamen, through simple word of mouth. When Christy heard about Allegro she knew she must remember it for her daughter who had always loved singing as a young child.

“I knew that kids could join the Allegro choir in the third grade, but I panicked when I saw a sign at school about tryouts because the kids actually had to try out at the end of second grade,” Christy said.

When her mother asked her if she would like to sign up for the choir Magsamen replied with almost no hesitation; “sign me up,” she said.

“I got a letter in the mail saying I’d made it and I felt

really proud of myself because it was the first thing I had ever done on my own,” Magsamen said.

Allegro Founder and Artistic Director Christy Elsner has seen Claire grow in the decade she has been a member of Elsner’s choir.

“We have seen her develop from a fidgety third grader into a confident, secure, strong young woman,” Elsner said.

Allegro has been a positive influence on her life in more ways than ever expected. Not only does the rigorous memorization make her an ace at remembering information for school, it also teaches life lessons that are applicable to any situation.

“Our directors always push us to go above and beyond to not be the 99 percent of high school students that don’t try,” Magsamen said. “She always says go the extra mile and be the 1 percent that is outstanding.”

The stage presence Magsamen learned through a decade of choir will carry into her college experience where her planned major is broadcast journalism.

“Claire will have an incredible collegiate experience,” Elsner said.

“We need more women sports broadcasters. She will fight for what she wants and hopefully break down any gender barriers that remain.”

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SENIORS

Aneliese Peeler

Katie Pendergast

Tess Pereira

University of Central Missouri

University of Arkansas

University of Kansas

University of Kansas

Which teacher would you take with you?

Mrs. Watts because she’s super chill and can help me write my English papers.

Major? Music Technology.

Favorite place at Sion? I like the music room because it's a fun place to chill, Mrs Mulkey is rad, and there's a piano.

Which teacher would you take with you?

The whole KP squad: Kate Pilgreen, Kristen Pennock, Karen Phillips and Kramschuster, Paul.

Funniest pink slip? Wearing socks that say Sion on them.

What song sums up Sion? "Work" by Rhianna.

Which teacher would you take with you? Mr. Conagahan because he understands my weirdness.

Favorite senior year memory? Kairos.

Favorite place at Sion? NGS couches.

What song sums up Sion? "Club Can’t Handle Me" by Flo Rida feat. David Guetta.

Favorite freshman year memory? When swim/dive team got 2nd place at State.

What song sums up Sion? "Work" by Rhianna.

Favorite place at Sion? I like the south six/ commons.

Best costume you’ve worn for a Sion event?

Effie from "Hunger Games."

Richelle Robinson

Aimee Rogers

Emma Romano

Izzy Romano

Swarthmore College

Oklahoma State University

University of Missouri

Northwest Missouri State Univ.

Major? Psychology.

Freshman year memory? Mrs. Norberg called me a secret garden because she always forgot I was in her class.

Senior year memory? My French exchange student Josephine came to stay with me.

Funniest pink slip? I haven’t gotten one.

Freshman year memory? Walking blindfolded to a campfire on freshman retreat.

Which teacher would you take with you? Mr. Conagahan, he just cracks me up.

Major? Physical Therapy.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Woody from Toy Story.

What song sums up Sion? "Stressed Out" by Twenty One Pilots. Haha get it because we’re stressed?

Favorite place at Sion? The dark room because nobody will know you’re there.

Seriously if you ever need to hide hit that place up.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Hippies.

Which teacher would you take with you?

Zacharias so she can proof read my essays.

Senior year memory? Sion/Sta basketball game.

Best outfit for a Sion event? My group and I won Storm Stomp for best costumes: Scooby-Doo.

#teacherstakeprom

Five teachers talk about their high school prom highlights.

Journalism teacher Alison Long “My husband and I went to the Peppercorn Duck Club and had the best dinner ever then we went to John Knox Village and maybe stayed at prom one hour before leaving. I loved my dress, and I loved that I went with my future husband.”

BY TAYLOR SPIES REPORTER

History teacher Kristin Pennock

“My junior year, I missed because I was at DECA Nationals in Anaheim, California during the Rodney King riots. My grandparents back home were flipping out, afraid I was in the path of the riots. I wasn’t too upset about missing prom, because the boy I liked was at Nationals with me in Anaheim.”

Science teacher Amy Vandenbrul

French teacher Yvette Turner

“Senior prom, I got in a fight with my date because he insisted on dancing like a Backstreet Boy.”

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Katarina Qamar

LE JOURNAL May 2016

“There was a mosh pit at my prom.”

English teacher Casey Engel

“I went to prom with my first high school boyfriend, Thad. It was 1992 and we had prom in the high school gym with cardboard props and 10 thousand balloons.”

SENIORS

Richelle Robinson Senior’s perserverance and hard work through tough times pays off with scholarship.

BY ABBY SMITH EDITORIAL EDITOR

Ellie Schwartz

Abby Seitz

Princeton University

Rockhurst University

What teacher would you take with you?

Madame Bono so we could talk about French movies when I get stressed.

Song that sums up Sion? “Up All Night” by One Direction.

Favorite place at Sion? Art room with the big windows on a snowy or rainy day.

Major? Economics.

Major? Pre-Med. Best outfit for a Sion event? I wore my velvet track suit for soccer mom day during spirit week.

Senior year memory? Kairos 49.

Song that sums up Sion? “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin .

Freshman year memory? The retreat.

Anna Sell

Natalie Sopyla

Nebraska Wesleyan Univ.

University of Missouri

Senior year memory? Directing the play “Steel Magnolias.”

Major? Directing in theatre.

Song that sums up Sion? “Seize the Day”

by Newsies the Musical.

Favorite place at Sion? The Old Grande Salle, there is always something going on there.

What teacher would you take with you?

Engel because we’d chill and have deep conversations, and she’d find me interesting Buzzfeed articles.

Best outfit for a Sion event? John Lennon.

If you don’t remember, go look at my Insta because it was LEGENDARY. Major? Broadcast Journalism.

Andi Swee

Cheyenne Teasley

Bentley University

Johnson County Community College

Favorite place at Sion? The patio whenever it’s really nice outside.

Major? International Business.

Finals horror story? Every math final.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Heidi and Spencer from The Hills.

Senior year memory? When I (finally) finished the common app.

Funniest pink slip? I’m still trying to get one. I want one.

Freshman year memory? Regret.

Senior year memory? Leaving class to go play guitar.

What teacher would you take with you?

Mr. Monaco, my history teacher from Paseo.

Bright blue-green eyes peer through the large frames of her purple-rimmed glasses. Her head nods up and down, furiously taking down all the anatomy notes her hands can muster. In this moment senior Richelle Robinson allows the quiet, studious side of her personality to take over, but below this seemingly shy cover lies a personality of spirit and rock-hard determination, one that carried her through an extremely strenuous college application process.

Thirty-six essays. 15 schools.

Two weeks. With this impressive accomplishment, Robinson easily steals the award for craziest application process. However with no hesitation she claims every second was worth it; all those years of hard work have resulted in a full-ride scholarship to Swarthmore College.

After being encouraged to do so by her cousin, Robinson decided to apply for QuestBridge her junior year, a program that helps match motivated low-income high school students to some of the nation’s top universities. Through this program, she was able to apply to many schools with none of the consequences.

According to Robinson, all it took was putting in the work to actually follow through with it.

“It seemed like a program specifically tailored to me and my needs,” Robinson said.

Growing up attending Sion Grade School, Robinson at first had a difficult time adjusting to life at Sion High School. Even though she is very glad to be at Sion now, it took Robinson a while to get used to the different kinds of people, lesser ranges of diversity and greater levels of affluence she was surrounded by

on a daily basis. This combined with family problems at home during her freshman and sophomore years left a significant gap between her life at home and her life at school.

“To me, Sion was kind of a world of privilege that I had a hard time relating to,” Robinson said.

Throughout it all, there remained one person whom she could always count on: her mother, Billie Robinson. According to Robinson, they are more like best friends or sisters than a mother-daughter duo. It is from her mom that she has learned to make wise decisions and set herself up for success in the future.

“My relationship with my mom is really special because it’s just me and her. Though we may fight a lot we also know each other really well, and I wouldn’t trade the relationship I have with her for anything,” Robinson said.

One of the ways in which Robinson and her mother connect is through playing the piano. According to her mother, it is a family tradition and they carry this on by playing old music from relatives such as two great-grandmothers and Billie’s own mother.

Robinson’s chatty personality at home differs from the more subdued side she usually shows at school.

According to her mother, Robinson is one of the most mentally strong and fearless people she has ever come across. Her wry sense of humor is another quality that Billie will miss dearly next year. “[Richelle] has an ingrained mental and moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand obstacles or danger,” Billie said.

Robinson’s genuine character not only rubs off on her mother, but her friends as well. Her stubbornness, thoughtfulness and drive to achieve seem to inspire all those around her.

“She’ll go for [anything] full hearted, without hesitation, and if she fails, she’s able to get back up and laugh about it,” friend since kindergarten and fellow senior Guthrie Kimball said.

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SENIORS

Laney Ulowetz

Abbey Valentine

University of California, Davis

Union College

University of Alabama

Kansas State University

Major? International Relations/Pre-Med What teacher would you take with you?

Gómez. She brings joy to my life.

Song that sums up Sion? "Work" by Rihanna Best outfit for a Sion event? When Chioma was the Preston Burke to my Cristina Yang.

Finals horror story? I’ve had to take my final on my birthday every year.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Guy Fieri, senior spirit week What teacher would you take with you?

Mrs. Wilcox, so she can help me with my writing and make me feel guilty for not doing the work.

What teacher would you take with you?

Ellwanger because she’s the best ever.

Freshman year memory? Going to Rockhurst games and awkwardly talking to boys on “The Hill.”

Best outfit for a Sion event? The day we dressed up as soccer moms, people couldn’t tell my mom and I apart.

Favorite senior year memory? State Robotics Competition.

Song that sums up Sion? "Home" by Phillip Phillips What teacher would you take with you?

Mrs. Stewart because she is good at reminding me to do things when I forget.

Hannah Valentine

Maya Visesio

Kaitlin Wagner

Sara Watkins

Kansas State Unversity

Kansas State University

University of Arkansas

University of Kansas

Major? Business What teacher would you take with you?

Kram because he would lead me towards right relationships!

Favorite senior year memory? When dance team won state because I was so proud of all our hard work and the family we created the past four years!

What teacher would you take with you?

Stein, because she gets me.

Song that sums up Sion? "This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan Best outfit for a Sion event? Disney Day. Hana and I dressed up as Lilo and Nani.

Favorite senior year memory? Guatemala.

What teacher would you take with you?

Madame Bono because she is like a mom to our class.

Major? Kinesiology.

Song that sums up Sion? "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Kimmy Gibler for the 90s.

Major? Business What teacher would you take with you?

Mr. Ketter so I would never have a technology problem.

Finals horror story? I got in a car accident on the way to my science final sophomore year and I still had to take it that day.

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Kathleen Watz Creighton University Funniest pink slip? Junior year Mrs. Koehler tried to give me a pink slip for wearing high tops to school but I was a visitor and didn’t even go to Sion at the time.

Favorite senior year memory? Moving back from Arizona one day before Senior year started.

Senior Twins Alexis Cucchiara / Milan Cucchiara

Alexis What is your favorite part about having a twin? My favorite part about having a twin is always having someone to be there for you. Somebody who always knows what you are going through.

What is your twins best quality? She is the most motivated person I know.

How often will you talk to your twin next year? I plan on probably talking to her a few times a week. I don’t know how often we will call each other, but Photo submitted by Alexis Cucchiara I do plan on using snapchat to keep us in communication.

Milan What is your favorite part about having a twin? My favorite part about being a twin is always knowing that I have someone there for me no matter what.

It’s like having an automatic friend wherever I go.

What is your twins best quality? My sister's best quality is that she helps me with anything I need. If I need anything at all, I know I can come to her and she will be there for me.

How often will you talk to your twin next year? Since I’m going to Mississippi State University and Alexis is going to Texas Christian University, we probably won’t talk as much as we do now obviously, but I think we will talk about every other day to every couple of days.

Lauren Blando / Brandon Blando What is your favorite part about having a twin? My favorite part about being a twin is that growing up I always had a friend to talk to and play with.

I was never lonely because he was always there.

What is your twins best quality? My brother's best quality is his sense of humor and ability to make me laugh even in my worst days.

How often will you talk to your twin Photo submitted by Lauren Blando next year? I plan on talking to my twin often next year even though we won’t be at the same school. It will definitely be weird being without him next year.

Alex D’Alesio / Joey D’Alesio What is your favorite part about having a twin? I love having a twin, because I have someone to experience everything with, like applying for college.

What is your twins best quality?

Joey’s best quality is his positive, optimistic attitude. He is always smiling.

How often will you talk to your twin next year? I will probably try to talk to him everyday or at least every other day, because he is one of my best friends.

Photo submitted by Alex D’Alesio

SENIORS

Abbey Valentine / Hannah Valentine Abbey What is your favorite part about having a twin? I love to always have someone to talk to and I love being able to go to Hannah if I forget things.

What is your twins best quality? Her caring heart and motivational talks.

Hannah What is your favorite part about having a twin? My favorite part about having a twin is having a Photo submitted by Abbey Valentine permanent best friend.

What is your twins best quality? She has the most caring heart and sassy personality.

How often will you talk to your twin next year? I plan on talking to her everyday because we are going to Kansas State and we are rooming together.

Izzy Romano / Emma Romano

Izzy What is your favorite part about having a twin? My favorite part of having a twin is always having someone to do things with you.

What is your twins best quality? Her best quality is forgiveness.

How often will you talk to your twin next year? Phone calls or face timing probably once a week.

Emma What is your favorite part about having Photo submitted by Izzy Romano a twin? You always have a partner to do things with you that you do not want to do.

What is your twins best quality? She’s honest and will always tell you what everyone else is afraid to say How often will you talk to your twin next year? We will probably talk on the phone once a week and probably snapchat almost everyday.

Camille Keane / Michael Keane What is your favorite part about having a twin? I get to wear his huge baggy sweatpants that are so soft .

What is your twins best quality? His best quality is his ‘lax attitude.

How often will you talk to your twin next year? Everyday since I will be going to the same school and the basketball court and football field are close together so I will see him in between practices.

Photo submitted by Camille Keane

Aneliese Peeler / Trecen Peeler

What is your favorite part about having a twin? My favorite part about having a twin is our relationship and how we never get into serious arguments.

What is your twins best quality? My twin's best quality is definitely his sense of humor.

How often will you talk to your twin next year? I won’t talk to him as much when we are in school but when we come home for holidays i will talk to him as much as I can.

Photo submitted by Aneliese Peeler

LE JOURNAL May 2016

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What Would Wilcox Do?

Because you can’t really take your high school teachers to college (unfortunately), we gathered up some of their words of advice that you can bring instead.

BY ELLIE SCHWARTZ CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Bre White University of Kansas What teacher would you take with you?

ALong so I can be stylish going to class.

Favorite place at Sion? Lunchroom because that’s where the food is.

Favorite senior year memory? First seniors rock the house I got hit in the head and couldn’t stop laughing about it.

Caton Wilson University of Missouri Funniest pink slip? Calling in my lunch order at the beginning of clubs and getting caught because I said “extra avocado” too loudly.

Song that sums up Sion? “Riding Solo” by Jason Derulo.

Favorite senior year memory? Royals Parade.

Rachel Young University of Kansas Favorite place at Sion? The gym because that's where dance practice is and that's my favorite thing about Sion.

Best outfit for a Sion event? Paris Day freshman year because I had my mom take a bomb solo pic.

Song that sums up Sion? “Get It Right” by Miley Cyrus.

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LE LEJOURNAL JOURNAL May 2016 2015 October

SENIORS

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! 50

47

40

38

33 5 19

7 43

3

34

27 14

6

48

41

1

29

23

9

10

15

42

21

37

11

45

16

36

35

4

30 49

20

13 8

2

31

Spain

32

24 44 12 22

39

28 46

51

25

26

18 17

1 American University (1)

18 Missouri University, S&T (1)

35 University of Alabama (2)

2 Benedictine College (1)

19 Nebraska Wesleyan University (1)

36 University of Arizona (1)

3 Bentley University (1)

20 Northwest Missouri State University (1)

37 University of Arkansas (6)

4 Clark Atlanta University (1)

21 Oklahoma State University (1)

38 University of California, Davis (1)

5 Creighton University (7)

22 Pittsburg State University (1)

6 DePaul University (1)

23 Princeton University (1)

7 Drake University (1)

24 Rockhurst University (2)

8 Emporia State University (1) 9 Fashion Institute of Technology (1) 10 George Washington University (1) 11 Hendrix College (1) 12 Johnson County Community College (1)

25 Saint Louis University (1) 26 Saint Louis University, Madrid (1) 27 Sarah Lawrence College (1) 28 Stephens College (1)

29 Swarthmore College (1)

39 University of Central Missouri (1)

40 University of Colorado, Boulder (1) 41 University of Dayton (1) 42 University of Evansville (1) 43 University of Iowa (1)

44 University of Kansas (22) 45 University of Mississippi (1) 46 University of Missouri (11)

13 Kansas State University (5)

30 Texas Christian University (4)

47 University of Nebraska (2)

14 Loyola University Chicago (4)

31 Truman State University (2)

48 University of Notre Dame (2)

15 Miami University, Ohio (1)

32 University of Missouri, Kansas City (2)

49 University of Texas, Dallas (1)

16 Mississippi State University (1)

33 Union College (Lincoln, Nebraska) (1)

50 University of Wisconsin, La Crosse (1)

17 Missouri State University (1)

34 Union College (1)

51 Washington University in Saint Louis (1) LE JOURNAL

May 2016

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SENIORS

SAIL THROUGH SPRING SEMESTER

1.

2.

3.

5.

4.

1. Senior Stephanie Ostrander clears the ball during the soccer team’s home opener against Grain Valley. “We were very rusty as expected, but we found a way to win even though we didn’t play our best,” Ostrander said. (Photo by Rachel Ergovich) 2. Senior Mary Beth Ferber lets loose at Sion’s MORP mixer. “I really wanted to just have fun since it was my last MORP ever,” Ferber said.

(Photo by Megan Ostrander) 3. Senior Katarina Qamar breaks from the lacrosse team’s huddle during their game against Blue Valley. “This year of lacrosse has been really good because our team picked up right from where we left off,” Qamar said. (Photo by Kate Noble) 4. Senior Elizabeth Arroyo works on her chalk drawing from this year’s Fine Arts Day. “I decided to do a picture of a soda can instead of traditional pop art to add a twist to the theme, and it was really fun to make,” Arroyo said. (Photo by Laney Ulowetz) 5. Senior Jordan Hermes donated 10 inches of her hair for Pony Up. “I was scared to cut my hair because I haven’t had it short since I was little,” Hermes said. “You don’t really realize it’s happening until you hold it all in your hands." (Photo by Sophie Nedelco) 6. Senior Hannah Valentine hurdles during Sion’s first home meet against Saint Teresa’s Academy. “I was excited to have the track this year and be able to host a meet at Sion,” Valentine said. (Photo by Sophie Nedelco)

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LE JOURNAL

May 2016

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