Claire Magsamen

Alyssa Moncure

American University 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.”

Sophie Nedelco

University of Missouri 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.

Chioma Okuagu

St. Louis 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.

Olivia Neal

Sarah Lawrence College 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.

Kate O’Keefe

University of Kansas 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

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.”

the STA/ Sion game.

Stephanie Ostrander

Rockhurst University

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.

Aneliese Peeler

University of Central Missouri 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.

Katie Pendergast

University of Arkansas 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.

Tess Pereira

University of Kansas 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.

Katarina Qamar

University of Kansas 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? Walking What song sums up Sion? "Stressed Which teacher would you take with you? Freshman year memory? Mrs. Norberg blindfolded to a campfire on freshman Out" by Twenty One Pilots. Haha get it Zacharias so she can proof read my called me a secret garden because she retreat. because we’re stressed? essays. always forgot I was in her class. Which teacher would you take with you? Mr. Favorite place at Sion? The dark room Senior year memory? Sion/Sta basketball Senior year memory? My French Conagahan, he just cracks me up. because nobody will know you’re there. game. exchange student Josephine came to Major? Physical Therapy. Seriously if you ever need to hide hit Best outfit for a Sion event? My group and stay with me. Best outfit for a Sion event? Woody from that place up. I won Storm Stomp for best costumes: Funniest pink slip? I haven’t gotten one. Toy Story. Best outfit for a Sion event? Hippies. Scooby-Doo. #teacherstakeprom BY TAYLOR SPIES REPORTER Five teachers talk about their high school prom highlights. History teacher Kristin Pennock “My junior year, I missed because I was at DECA Journalism teacher Alison Long Nationals in Anaheim, California during the Rodney King “My husband and I went to the Peppercorn Duck riots. My grandparents back home were flipping out, Club and had the best dinner ever then we went afraid I was in the path of the riots. I wasn’t too upset to John Knox Village and maybe stayed at prom one hour before leaving. I loved my dress, and I about missing prom, because the boy I liked was at Nationals with me in Anaheim.” loved that I went with my future husband.” Science teacher Amy Vandenbrul “There was a mosh pit at my prom.”

French teacher Yvette Turner

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