Le Journal September 2026

LeJOURNAL Notre Dame de Sion High School | Volume 49 | September 2026

NEWS: PAGE 5

ON THE COVER: PAGE 12

A&E: PAGE 22

STUDENTS ATTEND THE NEW ENGINEERING CLASS

SKINNY CULTURE’S RESURGENCE AND ITS HEALTH IMPACTS

CONCERTS COME TO KANSAS CITY

CONTENTS

The world cup’s impact on KC

07

A recap of the Summer Australia exchange

12

The rise of GLP-1s, and its effect on skinny culture

ON THE COVER

06

FEATURES

08 10 24

Meet the new teachers Maggie Grilliott starred in the “Sound of Music” Meet three freshmen pushing the boundaries of their sports

17

Girl Groups Good or Bad

A&E

18

Summer blockbusters break records

20

The fall musical “SIX” is on the way

21 22

27

WHAT’S ONLINE Beanie Ceremony: The Crowning of Sion’s Queens-to-Come

BY CLAIRE STEINER

02 | LE JOURNAL

07

Sion Goes Down Undah

10

Maggie von Trapp

27 24

Fusion Restaurants review Kansas City is home to a thriving local music scene

SPORTS

26

PHOTO |GEORGIA GALLAGHER

Student uniform delays and a new engineering honors class

16

Sion needs to reject Skinny Culture

PHOTO | TIM MCCREY

04 05

News in Brief

OPINIONS

PHOTO | SOPHIA THOMAS

NEWS

Sion starts using a new organization system for sports Media day comes for fall sports

Storm the Court Storm the Court

editor’sink H

i everyone and welcome back to Sion! We’re Daniella Johnson and Sophia Thomas, and we are so excited to be returning as your Le Journal editors!

This year we’ll be bringing you five issues filled to the brim with stories that matter to you.

For this first issue, we wanted to focus on a problem that a lot of young girls are facing right now: the rise of skinny culture. It seems to be all over our feeds—all the hottest celebrities seem to be getting thinner, and more and more, it seems like the best thing to be right now is ultra skinny.

So how did we get here?

Why is skinny culture making a resurgence? And how does it impact our health? Flip to page 12 to see a deep dive on skinny culture making a comeback.

You can also hop over to page six to find out about

the new engineering class or uniform delays that students experienced. Or, have you been wondering about the nine new teachers and staff joining the Sion crew? Go over to page eight to find out who they are!

If you’re looking for a new restaurant, you’re in luck. A reporter went and tried the unique fusion restaurants around KC. Flip over to page 21 to see her review.

We’ve worked really hard on this issue, and we hope that you enjoy it. A special thanks to our new staffers. In a world that is constantly changing, we hope that this can provide insight and clarity into the major events affecting us.

So sit down, cozy up, and enjoy the issue. Thank you for reading. Here’s to a great year!

N

GOING PLACES

ew security resource officer Josh Smith is working at the school full-time this year. You might recognize him if you stayed after school last year, because he used to be the security guard from 3:30 to 6. You can now find him patrolling every day during school, or if you are in a French class, he may have stopped by.

“I am Haitian, so I grew up speaking a little bit of French with my mother,” Smith said.

Smith took honors French courses all four years of high school, then continued in college. Although Smith took these

courses, he chose to work with the same security company as his older brother, Jared Westbrook. Westbrook was the former security resource officer who had been stationed at Sion for the past two years.

“It’s very pleasant.

I love the school spirit,” Smith said. “Everyone’s spunky and mostly kind.”

Students bring him treats, talk to him in between classes, and welcome him with open arms. When asked if he could say one thing to the school, Smith said, “Les bons temps roulent.” (“Let the good times roll.”)

Love,

Security guard Josh Smith walks outside by the Grand Salle.

PHOTO | MARION SHAW

LeJOURNAL. 2026 | 2027 LE JOURNAL IS THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF NOTRE DAME DE SION HIGH SCHOOL - 10631 WORNALL ROAD - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64114

MEMBER

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

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.

PRINTER

Neal/Settle Printing, Grandview, MO

CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEFS

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Daniella Johnson Sophia Thomas

Santina Bonino

DESIGN EDITOR

REPORTERS Alex Cameron Elise Gedney Kate Reid Marion Shaw Zooey Goss

Nora Gedney

WEB EDITOR Claire Steiner

COPY EDITOR Luella Mook

BROADCAST EDITOR Addison Porter

keep up with us: @sionstudentmedia Use your camera to visit sionstudentmedia.com!

NEWS & SPORTS EDITOR Riley Pintado

FEATURES EDITOR Sophia Schlichting

OP/ED EDITOR Elena Vergara

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 03

NEWS

news in brief

A wrap up of major news at school, locally nationally and internationally

Freshmen Beanies

First Day

senior parking spots

club fair

The freshmen were crowned with beanies made by the seniors at the annual beanie ceremony Aug. 20.

“I think my favorite part is that my hat is similar to the others in my maison, so it kind of feels like a sense of community within the maison,” freshman Addie Achberger said.

Freshmen walked the purple carpet Aug. 17, for the official kickoff to the new school year.

“I really loved walking down the purple carpet,” freshman Anna Williams said. “It really made me feel seen, appreciated, and very welcomed.”

Getting to paint a parking spot is one of the perks of being a senior. Senior Grace Goforth painted her parking spot light yellow with her name and polka dots.

“My spot is really big. It’s basically two spots,” Goforth said. “It took two whole gallons for the base coat.”

PHOTO | LAUREN ELSBERND

PHOTO | GISELLE LOPEZ

Students chose their clubs for the school year at the annual Club Fair. Several new clubs were added this year, such as Little Free Library Club and Make it Matter Club.

“I started the Parliamentary Debate Club because of my love for debate,” sophomore Eden Patt said.

“I hope that everyone will feel prepared for our first tournament.”

PHOTO | KATE REID

BY ALEX CAMERON, ZOOEY GOSS AND KATE REID REPORTERS

PHOTO | MARIA CARSON

Châteaus

This year is the first time students have been put in groups that unify maisons. The groups are called châteaus.

There are six maisons in one château. Each is a mix of all grades and French teacher Elizabeth Lopez still has the close-knit community feeling of a maison.

The idea of châteaus came from French teacher Elizabeth Lopez when she visited a school in St. Louis that had similar groups to châteaus called houses.

“There was enormous school spirit and pride in their houses,” Lopez said. “So I came back and I’m like, we need to do that here.”

Instead of earning spirit points and service hours for your grade, you will be earning them for your château in a competition for a quarterly prize.

“The mixed-grade activities are good for new people coming to the school,” sophomore Pam Yi said. “If you can’t make friends in your own grade, then you can make friends elsewhere.”

International

ALL PHOTOS | REUTERS IMAGES

Dolly Parton Gains her wings

Nepal flash flood disaster

what to do in kc this fall

Global icon Dolly Parton passed away Aug. 25 at 80 years old after a short battle with cancer.

Parton had a 70-year-long career as a famous singersongwriter and actress.

Throughout her life, Parton was philanthropic oriented. She started the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 which helps fund the Imagination Library.

In 1999, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and has written 49 solo albums. She has charted 25 number-one songs and sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.

“Be the alligator girl. Be whatever your dreams and your luck will let you be,” Parton said in 1994 in her autobiography.

Nepal was hit by a catastrophic flash flood and mudslide Aug. 26, caused by a glacier north of a Himalayan peak, leaving 600 people dead and over 2,400 people missing.

The glacier broke off the Langtang Lirung mountain peak, triggering an earthquake with a magnitude of around 5.2. Debris crashed down the side of the mountain into the Lhende Khola river valley, and water levels rose drastically, flooding north-central Nepal and the Chinese border.

Kansas City Chiefs

Louisburg Cider

Plaza art fair

Official season started Sept. 14

Mill Cider Fest

Sept. 25-27

Sept. 26 and 27, Oct 3 and 4 PHOTO | REUTERS IMAGES

04 | LE JOURNAL

PHOTO | FLICKR

PHOTO | ZOOEY GOSS

PAVING THE WAY F

NEWS

The new engineering class is providing students with hands-on experience.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DANIELLA JOHNSON CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

or 15 students, school no longer starts at 8:45 every morning, rather 7:15, at a campus two miles from Sion, and in a space filled with catapults, 3D printers, a laser engraver and wood shop. These students, from every grade, are part of the newly premiered Engineering Honors course taught at the IDEA Space workshop.

“It’s just like a big, amazing space full of many different things you get to learn,” sophomore Cecelia Williams said. “We are right now working on CAD [a three dimensional printing] programming.”

IDEA Space is a non-profit innovation education center.

It is facilitated by the Barstow school, but intended for students from any school or program.

The class is taught by instructor Aaron Dalton, the director of IDEA Space, and the year-long curriculum, fit into a semester, is based on the engineering design process.

“It’s an intro to engineering, just the foundation course for all of the engineering classes,” Dalton said.

MARKED AS DELAYED

S

“They’re learning ‘how do you take an idea from start to finish through a design process, and how do you do teamwork? How do you use soft skills and professional skills to solve a problem?’”

Students have learned 3D printing basics, created a catapult powered by rice bags and practiced problem solving through critical thinking and trial and error. As an honors class, the course also includes quizzes and daily homework like isometric, or 3D graphing.

“My aunt has a 3D printer, so I’m hoping to be able to start using that,” sophomore Mackenzie Scianna said. “We’ll also be able to help out if anyone needs 3D printing, like robotics, and we’ll be able to help teach software.”

Although just a few weeks in, students said they have formed a thorough understanding of the role engineering plays in society and initiated real-world engineering designing skills.

“Overall, it’s a really fun class,” Scianna said. “If the opportunity comes up for the same class to happen again, I’d recommend it to anyone that is at all interested in engineering.”

Students faced uniform delays and sizing problems as the year kicked off.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SOPHIA THOMAS CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

leeves being awkwardly big, skirt lengths being long or just no new uniforms at all might sound familiar.

That’s because this back to school season has included an array of shipping delays and sizing issues.

Sophomore Eva Ippolito ordered women’s cut, adult small and white polos.

What she got in the mail were men’s cut, adult medium and purple polos.

“It was the whole entire wrong order,” Ippolito said.

The problem lies in the white polos.

These were one of two commonly delayed items, with the other being the grey skirts.

Schoolbelles said that it was a combination of two things that impacted the polos coming in on time.

“Our manufacturer oversold those certain sizes, and with the international supply chain environment, it just took an extra long amount of time to refill those,” Stephanie Palmisano, the chief marketing officer at Schoolbelles said. “Normally, it would take between two to three months because we do get them manufactured overseas. But with the craziness of the tariffs going on and then the war that sprung up, we were quickly trying to

change factories… and it just caused a ton of delays.”

With the skirts, it was because of their manufacturer, which is based out of the Dominican Republic, that there has been such a big delay. The fabric arrived to that facility on time, but according to Palmisano, the sewing factory didn’t fulfill Schoolbelles’ request.

“Without us physically being there to sort of oversee that and do that ourselves, we have to rely on our sewing factory personnel, and they just simply did not do what we requested,” Palmisano said. “It is unfortunate. It doesn’t make it better for the families that were waiting on them to arrive.”

However, some students still haven’t received their orders, causing the school year to start off a little unprepared.

“I was like, okay, if I just order these [uniforms] I’ll be okay,” Ippolito said. “They did not come, so I had to resort back to my old uniform. I barely had uniforms for this year. It was just crazy.”

Another problem that students may have experienced was difficulty contacting the customer service department at Schoolbelles. This was because

Schoolbelles experienced a hardware failure of their main computer system.

Because of this issue, they diverted their customer service team from answering emails and calls to entering orders by hand.

The customer service team could not be reached for four business days.

“It was a very difficult position to be in, but we did the best we could with the resources and the situation that we were handed,” Palmisano said.

Despite these roadbumps, the majority of Sion students did not experience any delays or sizing issues.

One student, senior Evelyn Cramer, received all her uniforms with no major issues.

“My order arrived at my doorstep with of stud en plenty of time,” impact ts have been ed by de *accor sizing ding to issues lays or Cramer said. a poll of 201 st

41.3%

udents

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 05

NEWS

MORE

than a game

The World Cup left an impact on Kansas City soccer fans, players and everyone in between.

STORY BY SOPHIA SCHLICHTING FEATURES EDITOR DESIGN BY NORA GEDNEY DESIGN EDITOR “I’ve been fortunate to experience soccer in some incredible places around the world, and Kansas City belongs in that conversation,” Besler said. “What makes KC different is how personal it feels. People here genuinely care about the game, but they also care about welcoming people and making them feel part of the community.”

It’s clear that KC set the standard, not only in entertainment, but in how they accepted and welcomed new people. City buses were filled with singing fans from every corner of the world. Streets were filled with passionate soccer fans, waving their respective flags and colors. The KC area was brimming with energy, as the streets were flooded with a population of diverse new cultures, all gathered by the love of the game. Besler said that his favorite memory from this summer was of the first game hosted in KC. It was a riveting game. Argentina took the win from Algeria, thanks to Lionel Messi’s hat-trick.

“

“

I

t’s an early summer morning in downtown KC. There is a hazy fog whispering through the air. The sun is peaking through the gaps in between the buildings. Restaurants like the Yard House and Guy Fieri’s Dive & Taco Joint start preparing for the onslaught of people that are about to crowd their businesses.

Anticipation starts to rumble through the atmosphere, as the Power and Light District starts to come to life.

This is what years of preparation, anticipation and hope looked like. When Kansas City found out that they would be a host city for the FIFA World Cup, they knew that this was their moment to put KC on the map. So businesses got to work, soccer fans marked their calendars and everyone in between jumped in on the action. A deeper sense of community was formed and friendships were made as the city came together to make this experience a memorable one.

Former U.S Men’s National team player Matt Besler has been a part of these tournaments, both as a player and as a fan, but never in his hometown. He said that Kansas City made a statement with the way it embraced the fans, culture and the high stakes, proving that KC is a city full of soccer.

I hope people remember the feeling around the city. - Matt Besler

“I didn’t attend the game, but I was at FIFA Fan Fest and the energy in the city throughout the day was amazing,” Besler said. “It felt like a celebration and a moment when we could all say, ‘The World Cup is finally here!’”

As a lifelong soccer fan, this summer could be considered soccer coach Doug McLagan’s dream come true. Not only was the biggest soccer tournament in the world happening in his hometown, but his native country was going to be a part of it. Rumor has it you could hear him screaming in his office the day that Scotland qualified for the 2026 World Cup. “The fact that it’s in Kansas City, and then my team, who hasn’t qualified for 28 years, finally makes a World Cup, it was

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD Senior Sophia Roberts strolls through Meadowbrook Park where she stumbles upon the English Men’s National Team, including Jude Bellingham. Roberts spent many nights waiting around the park, hoping to meet some of these national stars. “It was an incredible experience. I made a poster and got several of their autographs,” Roberts said. “They were all so nice and genuine.” PHOTO | SOPHIA ROBERTS

06 | LE JOURNAL

IN THE CROWD Freshman Lyla Hoehn stands with alumnus Ava Hoehn and junior Tessa Hoehn at the Ghana/Columbia World Cup game July 3. “We had such a good seat, and we got to see not only the field but also everyone watching and celebrating,” Hoehn said. PHOTO | LYLA HOEHN

practically meant to be,” McLagan said.

While McLagan was unable to make it to a game, he did attend the FIFA Fan Fest where he had a blast. Food vendors lined the grass where a crowd mingled, as they stared up at the large screen, where Argentina and Algeria battled it out. Soccer balls roll as pickup games started amongst people who had previously been strangers.

The energy could only be described as electric.

“Everybody was mingling. It didn’t matter what country you came from, it didn’t matter what shirt you were wearing, everybody was just mingling together, having a good time,” McLagan said. “Then Messi scored those hat tricks, and it wasn’t just Argentinian fans going nuts, everybody was going nuts together.”

According to McClagan, Fan Fest lived up to the hype, but how did Power and Light do? Junior Anna Slattery vouched for the district. She enjoyed the crowded atmosphere and how everyone was experiencing the moment together.

“Whenever we would score a goal, my brother and I would get up on a very tall platform and be the tallest person on the floor,” Slattery said. “It was fun to be in the middle of it all.”

Slattery has always been a diehard soccer fan, playing throughout her childhood and then joining Sion’s soccer team. A common misconception about KC is that it is not a soccer city. But with over 40 club teams, the soccer crowd is vivacious.

For young soccer fans, this summer was the chance of a lifetime. Slattery agrees that this tournament changed KC for good.

“It felt more culturally significant because although I’ve experienced other World Cups, but never in the U.S. and it felt like more than just a game,” Slattery said.

“It’s something we can all collaborate on and work together for. That’s what made it really special.”

sion

News PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ELEANORE BODDE

down

undah T

Sion students went to Australia for an academic exchange and share their experience.

BY NORA GEDNEY DESIGN EDITOR

his summer, seven students ventured to Australia to kick off the first exchange trip held there in four years.

They each stayed with a host sister for three weeks, who brought them to school, sports games, the beach and more.

“I just loved being with my host family and spending time with my host sister.

They truly made my experience great,” junior Lauren Elsbernd said.

Students went to school four days a week for the time they were there. They took classes, met teachers and also had to wear the Australian school uniform.

“Honestly the uniforms there made me really appreciate the American uniforms,” Elsbernd said, “because we were in a button up, blazer, dress pants and sweater everyday.”

The students partook in three excursions that the Sion school in Australia set up for them. The first week, the program explored Melbourne, where they saw a market, Eureka Tower, and Melbourne central, which is a huge shopping center.

One highlight included visiting the popular penguin parade on Phillip Island where students viewed the penguins emerging from the water to nest at night.

“It was the most unique experience ever. It was so cool to think that this is something not a lot of people see.” sophomore Eleanore Bodde said.

Also while on Phillip Island, they watched pelicans get fed, saw a famous bike racing circuit and went to the beach.

The last school excursion was to Sovereign Hill. Meant to represent Australia during the gold rush, Sovereign Hill represents an old-timey town. Students learned about the rich history of Australia and had the chance to see the gold melting process. They also got to go underground into real mines, to see what it was like for the miners of the time.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BYEMILY MALDONADO

“It was kind of like Silver Dollar City with the old Missouri town, but it was cool to see something I was kind of familiar with,” Bodde said. “It was especially cool when we got to go down in the mines.”

Elsbernd stayed with her host sister.

One of Elsbernd’s favorite experiences with her host sister was going to an Australian footy game. Footy is a fast paced sport similar to American football but the game play is like soccer where there is no time breaks.

“It was so crazy, the stadium was huge and more full than most Chiefs games PHOTO SUBMITTED BY LAUREN ELSBERND I have been to,”Elsbernd said, “but not as hype though.”

Host sister Georgia Gallagher was Elsbernd’s host.

“I loved showing my exchange sister around my city and exploring it myself.

It was cool showing her the Australian culture,” Gallagher said.

While she loved having Elsbernd in her hometown she is also very excited to come to America. She said she is very excited to experience American high school and see how different it is.

“I am curious to see if it is similar to the movies,” Gallagher said. “We all kind of have an idea of American high school, but it’s different PHOTO SUBMITTED BY LAUREN ELSBERND actually seeing it for ourselves.”

All of the students that participated in the exchange said they would definitely recommend it to everyone.

“It is a once in a life opportunity and you will make memories and friends that last forever,” Bodde said.

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 07

feature

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK A deep dive into the new teachers and principal reveals their exciting experiences and weekend activities.

BY MARION SHAW AND KATE REID REPORTERS ALL PHOTOS | MARION SHAW AND KATE REID

CPhysics teacher hemistry I and

Britteny Berumen was originally on a path to pre-med.

She taught one chemistry class and then decided to get her masters degree in education at Creighton University.

“You guys have so much energy,” Berumen said. “The previous high school students I taught were like, ‘Oh, I’m too cool to do that’ and wouldn’t do a lot of the games and activities at the school, but you all are just so full of energy and so open to be engaged in a lot of things.”

08 | LE JOURNAL

P

rincipal Jana Cooper starts her day praying and reflecting on everything she is grateful for in her life, especially the opportunity to be a teacher.

“I always say teaching found me. Most of the students had very low socioeconomic status,” Cooper said. “I taught sixth grade English, and more than half of my students couldn’t read on grade level. I feel when you know better, you do better. It just hooked me, and I’ve been in education ever since.”

Cooper has a vision for the school. She hopes that the students realize that “You Only Sion Once.” That the memories you make here are the ones that define your future; not the latest test score or the game you lost.

“I want the girls to not feel so much pressure to be perfect.

I want them to really feel like they belong here and they’ve found their people here, and that they will have them in their life forever,” Cooper said. “ I just imagine them at each other’s weddings and the births

Sgraduated with 18

tephanie Bueneman

credit hours of pure math. She teaches college Algebra, Geometry Honors and the new Geogebra class.

She previously coached cheer for the past 27 years and won two state championships.

“All the traditions, all the ceremonies,” Bueneman said. “I love how Sion gives you so many more opportunities to choose from.”

Fun fact: she saved musician Rick Springfield’s life by pushing him back on stage before he fell.

of their friends’ children and all those things that I’ve had. I want that for everybody.”

Cooper graduated from Sion in 2002. She also gave senior Caroline Reid her junior ring.

“I knew since I joined the school that she was going to give me my junior ring because she’s my aunt and she went here,” Reid said. “It’s exciting to see her in the halls and I feel that she understands more about Sion since she went here.”

Cooper received her bachelor’s degree in English from Truman State University.

She also has a masters degree in Teaching and also in Education from the University of Central Missouri.

Cooper is always with her family, whether it’s driving her kids, Ceci, Vinny and Max, from activity to activity or slowing down with them and having dinner.

“I wake up early, reflect on what I’m grateful for, pray, and be with my kids. I do like to be busy but I always end the day with good sleep,” Cooper said.

Tand Theatre Tech echnical Director

teacher Aaron Griffin found his passion for working backstage as a junior in high school.

Some of his favorite musicals are “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Hadestown.” His favorite production he has worked on is a play called “Noises Off.” “I really like that Sion has that aspect of a tightknit community, where even though you might not know everyone, you all suddenly do something to get along,” Griffin said.

Feature

PAlgebra II and

TFilled Life teacher

GU.S. History

APlacement and

ersonal Finance,

Geometry I teacher Grace Henges’s undergraduate degree is in Christian formation.

She is currently working on her masters degree in secondary education at Grand Canyon University.

“I like the allgirls environment,” Henges said. “I’ve never been at an all-girls school, so I especially love seeing the confidence and energy in [the girls].

Fun fact: Henges has been to around seven countries and has a cat named Garage.

overnment and

teacher Maggie Schlink got her passion for teaching from the women in her family.

“My high school history teacher helped me discover that my passion was more for sharing my knowledge with people.” Schlink said, “rather than organizing and researching.”

Schlink was also an AmeriCorps volunteer, an organization that helps provide support to high school students.

She loves exploring new restaurants.

APlacement and

his will be Faith

dvanced

Mark Ladd’s 13th year in teaching.

He decided to switch from St. Louis University’s physical therapy program to his passion, theology, his senior year.

“I’ve noticed the way that you all treat each other. It gives me hope,” Ladd said. “I can sense the closeness and the genuine concern that you have for your classmates. I haven’t seen both the quality and the quantity like Sion.”

He enjoys running with his wife as a pastime and is currently training for a half marathon.

dvanced

academic World History teacher Molly Stasieluk was inspired to start teaching because of her lack of teachers to look up to as a student.

“I love the community, the culture, the traditions. Everyone actually feels like a family,” Stasieluk said. “A lot of schools say that, but Sion actually feels like family.”

You can find her volunteering at Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium and with First Act Theatre Arts as a stage manager on the weekends.

honors Chemistry I teacher Liesl Riffe has spent her whole life at Sion since the age of five with her mom, vice principal of Sion’s grade school, Elizabeth Riffe.

“I am excited to join the science community again,” Leisl said. “I saw that there was an emergency need for a chemistry teacher, and was excited to fill it.”

She loves shopping with her mom and doing any fiber art she can get her hands on.

WOULD YOU RATHER...

The teachers answers to would you rather questions.

NEVER STOP...

40% DANCING

60% SINGING

TEACH ON THE DAY BEFORE WINTER BREAK OR DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN...

30% 70% DAY AFTER WINTER HALLOWEEN BREAK WEAR A BEANIE OR GRADUATION DRESS CONSTANTLY...

40% GRAD DRESS

60% BEANIE

Scan this QR code to read more about the new teachers!

HAVE ENDLESS...

70% DRY-ERASE MARKER

30% COPY PAPER

September 2026 | 09

Feature

Maggie

VON TRAPP

Senior Maggie Grilliot starred as Maria Von Trapp in an off campus production of the Sound of Music this past summer.

BY RILEY PINTADO NEWS & SPORTS EDITOR

A

fter two months of hard work, immense preparation and long rehearsals, Theater at Vis performed their youth summer production of The Sound of Music at St Teresa’s Academy July 23 through the 26. Senior Maggie Grilliot was able to fulfill her dream role of starring as the musical’s main character, Maria von Trapp.

“I see myself a lot in Maria, like in the sense of, if you’ve known me for five minutes, you’ve probably heard me sing,” Grilliot said. “Also, she has this essence about her, where she doesn’t say it out loud, but she just subconsciously can’t do things that she thinks are wrong.”

The Sound of Music is an iconic musical and screenplay based on the real life story of the von Trapp family. While aspects of their history have been changed for Broadway, It depicts the love story between Naval Commander Georg von Trapp, and the tutor to his seven kids, Maria. In addition, it shows the way in which Maria inspired a love for singing within the von Trapp

10 | LE JOURNAL

children. This ultimately allowed the family to tour as a world renowned music act after their escape from the Nazi regime.

Actor Julie Andrews is credited with popularizing the role of Maria after the release of the screenplay in 1965. The movie was a box office success and an instant classic, asserting itself as one of the most defining pop-culture moments of the ‘60s, and creating a legacy that lasts to this day.

“It’s so crazy that I got it, I still can’t believe it was real,” Grilliot said. “I grew up on the movie, and I knew all the songs by heart, so it felt close to home. Receiving the role was so exciting.”

This was Grilliot’s first production with Theater at Vis. The actor explained how she was encouraged to audition for the musical by her voice instructor, who also worked as the show’s music director.

“Her singing got her in the door, but she has a really positive attitude, which is pretty important for playing that part, also, she’s very cheerful,” Director Tim McCray said. “Even though she was new to our group, she felt very comfortable, and was laughing with other people and just had a very easy going personality. Which again fits Maria.”

Maria possesses a strong sense of justice, which gives her a loving demeanor and in turn allows her to bring an optimistic outlook within the story. Grilliot expressed how her favorite part of playing the lead was embodying the joy

that Maria a character brings. According to Grillot’s castmates, the Theater at Vis’ Maria not only spread joy to the other roles within the production, but also to the actors who played them.

“Maggie brought an original feel to Maria. Her unique charm and fun with the role was a great take on Maria,” Thomas Henson, her costar who played Georg von Trapp. said “My favorite part of working

”

Maggie brought an original feel to maria. her unique charm and fun with the role was a great take on maria.

Thomas Henson, Georg Vonn Trapp

”

with Maggie was the joys she brought to rehearsal. Everyday she came with a positive attitude and was ready to work.”

The cast and crew of The Sound of Music was composed of around 40 actors and crew members.

“The people on the cast were so nice, and the kids who played my kids were so funny. They were really the ones who got the whole show together. I couldn’t have done it without them,” Grilliot said.

“Everyone was so welcoming. A lot of people have been doing it for many years,

Feature

but they just welcomed me with open arms, and it was so fun to joke around and then have to walk in and focus on the scene. I met so many kind people and made some new friends.”

Both Grilliot, and her Henson said that the toughest part about putting on this summer musical was the abnormal stage location.

“We were not in the usual Visitation stage because it was being renovated,” Henson said. “So there was much less space backstage.”

Between memorizing lines, cues, quick outfit changes and nailing the famous soundtrack, playing Maria was a huge responsibility.

“I had to up my game with the singing and rank up,” Grilliot said. “I also have a wedding scene where he proposes and the scene ends. Then we walk off, and I have to sprint, and basically leap into this wedding dress. Then I have to go backstage, do the scene, and then sprint to the back of the theater, where I walk back down to the stage down the aisle. Most chaotic five minutes. It was like a workout.”

Grilliot expressed how her hard work was worth it. After three nights of performing the Sound of Music, Grilliot described the wrap as bittersweet.

“A part of me was sad because it was such an exciting time and I enjoyed every minute of it,” Grilliot said. “After the show, I helped pick up the set, and it felt like the past couple of months had come full circle. I think I was mostly just glad that I executed and didn’t make a fool of myself.”

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY MAGGIE GRILLIOT

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 11

cover story

SURVIVAL of the

THINNEST

GLP1s have brought skinny culture back in huge way, impacting both the mental and physical wellbeing of a generation.

STORY & DESIGN BY RILEY PINTADO NEWS & SPORTS EDITOR & SOPHIA SCHLICHTING FEATURE EDITOR

CONTENT WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS MENTIONS OF EATING DISORDERS, BODY IMAGE AND MENTIONS OF DRUGS. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS EXPERIENCING A CRISIS, CALL OR TEXT 988 TO REACH THE CRISIS HOTLINE.

A

rianna Grande’s recent activity in the public eye has resparked the controversial conversation over the skinny epidemic that the cultural zeitgeist has been debating since GLP-1s first became accessible to the general public in 2023.

Currently, it seems the public are unsure of how to approach the discourse about the skinny wave that has been flooding the media for the past three years.

Certain sides of TikTok are now claiming that all women are entitled to their dream bodies, and that the shape of a woman’s body is nobody’s business but her own.

However, when the most visible bodies in today’s culture are becoming dangerously thin, it raises concerns about the underlying message it sends to the younger generations.

The Timeline Beauty standards are an ever changing phenomenon. The features that women are expected to possess in order to be considered desirable cycle in and out of fashion, depending on the era. The inconsistency of what society deems attractive makes meeting the fickle standard unachievable and unrealistic.

Women are socially conditioned to chase after the traits that are deemed beautiful, despite the harm it may

12 | LE JOURNAL

cover story bring to their mental or physical health.

Society conditions them to do so, through complements and adoration of any lucky enough to possess whatever traits this moment grants pretty privilege to.

Body trends fluctuate in this same fast and vicious cycle, as this is not the first time that thin is in. Mothers, in addition to women of the older generations, will remember the Heroine Chic era of the 90s.

With British supermodel Kate Moss as the poster child for the aesthetic, her famous mantra “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” came to define a decade in fashion.

However, through the 2000s obsession with size zero, the new millennium took this trend off the runway and into retail stores.

As the clothing sizes became smaller, and the waist band on jeans became lower, diet culture, especially amongst pre-teen girls, spiraled into something sinister. Magazines aimed at adolescents were riddled with a plethora of dangerous diets that sparked a rise in eating disorders and body image issues across a generation. In addition, the media claimed celebrities with average and healthy body types such as Kate Winslet, Renee Zellweger and Raven-Symone were plus size.

With the growing popularity of social media, these same ideals were carried into the early 2010s, and onto Tumblr’s dashboard. The infamous magazines of the 2000s were replaced with the notorious Thinspo posts on Tumblr. A Thinspo was a picture of a very skinny stranger accompanied by an “inspirational” quote that was meant to encourage women to stick to very restrictive diets and intense workout routines. Quotes featured on these posts included statements such as “Skip dinner, wake up thinner,” and “Keep calm, and the hunger will pass.”

In 2015, the nearly two and a half decades of extreme thinness was abruptly interrupted by the body positivity movement of the mid to late 2010s. After years of scrutiny and stigmatization against larger bodies, the body positivity movement saw the rise of women feeling beautiful and existing happily in their bodies, no matter the shape or size. More curvy bodies found their way into the mainstream, as the beauty standard shifted from ultra thin to full and luscious curves.

Body positive influencers began blowing up online, and celebrities such as Meghan Trainor and Lizzo, who preached body positivity, found immense success during this era. Although thin wasn’t completely out of the standard, it felt like a step in the right direction.

The Miracle Drugs Ozempic. Wegovy. Zepbound. Mounjaro.

All of these are brand name GLP-1s. And all of these have gone viral on social media for their ability to help patients lose weight at a rapid rate. Celebrities like Serena Williams, Chrissy Metz and DJ Khaled

have partnered with these brands, sharing their weight loss journey. The drugs blew up, and so did “skinnytok.”

When GLP-1s first hit the market, doctors and patients alike were shocked by the rapid success of the drug. It was unlike anything ever seen before. The discovery that the GLP-1 hormone could stimulate insulin was a major step forward for Type 2 diabetics. Some were even able to come off other medications, all thanks to the GLP-1s.

Later discoveries also found that obese patients could also majorly benefit from this drug.

According to Columbia University, 30% of the U.S. population is obese, so these drugs can make a truly positive impact on the population. It can help these patients come back to a weight level that is healthy for their bodies.

For a diagnosed obese person who weighs between 200-400 pounds, these drugs can lead to a weight loss up to 100 pounds. It can also lead to better blood pressure, a 20% decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease and a decrease in inflammatory markers. Some have even seen a reduction in Alzheimer’s and dementia. Obese patients and Type 2 diabetics were rejoicing. It was positively impacting their health, and their everyday lives.

Then, in 2022, these drugs exploded all over the internet. It was discovered that GLP-1s were an easy way to shed a couple pounds. It was a phenomenon no one had ever heard before. This “wonder drug” was instantly a main topic of conversation on social media, as people, specifically women, fought to get their hands on this magic.

The hastiness with which women got the drug caused a national shortage, declared by the FDA in 2022. But the funny thing is, most of the people hounding to get the drug, weren’t actual patients. They were women who wanted to lose a couple pounds and get ready for “bikini season.”

According to John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, GLP-1s work similarly regardless of race, ethnicity, age, initial body mass index. However, there is a stark difference in the amount of weight lost between men and women. Women were able to lose about 10% of their initial body weight, while men were only able to lose about 6%. This is a huge statistical difference. So while every patient was able to lose weight, women were able to lose the most.

Meanwhile, type 2 diabetics and diagnosed obese patients were unable to get the drug they had been using for over 20 years.

WARNING SIGNS OF MALNUTRITION According to Dr. Doug Burgess, University Health Behavioral Services

Loss of strength and endurance

Excessive hair loss

Poor concentration and mental fog

Abnormal blood pressure or sugar

Talk to a Provider The shortage lasted for 3 years, until early 2025 when the FDA declared the shortage over. However, some damage was done during this 3 year time period.

Abnormal menstruation and swelling

STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 14...

September 2026 | 13

cover story

STUDENT TAKES Student opinions and experiences regarding skinny culture

“I’ve seen a lot less body positivity online in most formats. Art, tiktoks, reels, people just aren’t as kind. I think it’s because people are so comfortable online. they aren’t worried about the outcome of their actions.”

-Sadine Hine ‘30 “We were on such a good track and then Ozempic and Wegovy skinny came back into view and no one pushed back. so GLP-1 culture brought us right back to 2009, when supermodel Kate Moss famously said, ‘Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.’ and we are bringing it back. it’s always been around, since like the 1800s, but we should be moving forward not back.”

-Abby Gural ‘27 “For the celebrities, it’s their choice on what they do, but people look up to them. children look up to them and they see them getting skinnier and feel ashamed to have the littlest fat on their bodies. I know girls who are starving themselves just so they can follow the crowd and be pretty in others’ eyes, when they should only be worrying about their health.”

-daphne sanders ‘29

14 | LE JOURNAL

STORY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13...

Because patients were unable to get the drug from a provider, compounding pharmacies opened. Compounding pharmacies were able to make similar alternatives to brand-name drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound. While this was beneficial because it allowed actual patients to get the drug again, compounding pharmacies were almost too available. Some patients are willing to pay any amount of money to buy this drug, but now they don’t have to. It is as simple as online shopping, which is a good thing for patients who qualify. But for those who don’t, it is dangerously easy to start a drug without talking to a provider first.

Without talking to a provider, patients are unable to learn what the drug truly does, and how to remain healthy while taking it.

Nurse practitioner Karie Sedlak has worked in cardiology for over 20 years. She runs a heart failure clinic and an aesthetic medicine clinic called Skin Fix Medical Aesthetics.

She believes that GLP-1s are mostly beneficial, but for the right patients. As a provider, it is her job to thoroughly screen her patients and make sure they are truly candidates for the drug. In the hospital side is where most of the patients are type 2 diabetics or obese. And for these patients, the drug is a necessity. GLP-1s allow them to get back to a normal weight level, and ease up on other drugs.

“We’ve never seen anything like it in our years.

People are losing so much weight that they’re able to start backing off of some of their blood pressure medicines, their diabetic meds or reducing their dosing on other meds,” Sedlak said.

The Wegovy and Ozempic websites are filled with success stories.

Fathers and mothers who were able to lose weight and feel good in a healthy, moving body.

One of the stories on the website was about a patient, Heath, who has been taking Wegovy since 2023. He was 342 pounds when he started and says he could feel the impact his weight was having on his body. He was winded going up stairs, pained sitting down and nervous about how this would affect his

health long term.

“I took my family to a theme park, and one of the rides they were most excited about, we tried to get on. I had to get off because I was too big to fit in the seat. And that hurt,” Heath said on the website.

Heath then talked to his physician about solutions, and started Wegovy. His doctor recommended a low calorie diet and an increase in physical activity. The weight loss has been tremendous and made a huge difference in Heath’s life.

This is one example of how with the right provider and for a patient who qualifies, GLP-1s are practically magic.

You’re Using it Wrong When the shortage ended, the compounding pharmacies did not. Meaning, people can still go on the internet and buy a GLP-1 with the tap of a few buttons. This makes GLP-1 easy to misuse, as people now don’t need a provider to screen them or educate them to get access.

Women looking for a quick-fix can microdose, meaning they only take a small amount at a time. This is not FDA approved because it has never been tested for safety and effectiveness. This puts women at risk for different hormonal movements, and shifts in metabolism. There is also too much unknown to know if this is safe for the body at all. But because of compounding pharmacies and their easy accessibility, many are doing it anyway.

This is also dangerous for teens on social media, as their feed shows them the extremely skinny body type that has become the new normal in recent years.

With the easy accessibility of GLP-1s, it is far too easy for teens to hop online and start giving themselves a drug they know little about and without a physician’s opinion.

“I can’t speak on behalf of other providers, I’m sure many do a great job, but I’m sure there’s also providers that probably lack some of the education with it,” Sedlak said. “It is really important because if you’re not feeding your body and you’re losing weight, you’re going to lose muscle because your body’s going to start eating your muscle stores for energy and then the hair loss. You’ve got to eat.”

Not eating can lead to scary healthy side effects, because without the advice of a provider, GLP-1s can become an eating disorder very quickly. Sedlak said that it is necessary to exercise and eat healthy while on the drug. GLP-1s will cause appetite to decrease, and while this is good for late night snacking and unhealthy eating habits like alcohol, it can cause patients to stop eating altogether.

Not eating can lead to dangerously low heart rate and blood pressure. It can also lead to a loss of muscle and hair loss, as the body loses energy and fuel to power those muscles and hair follicles.

The term ‘Ozempic face’ stems from this.

cover story As patients don’t eat, they lose their muscle mass which leads to the gaunt, sickly look talked about online. The most severe effect of not eating is ileus, which is complete stasis of the gut, meaning it’s not moving at all. That has an FDA black box warning and is an emergent situation. It can also lead to osteoporosis, a medical condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and much more likely to break.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

That is what makes this easy access so dangerous. Without a provider screening patients and making sure they are true candidates, it is too easy to slip into this dangerous cycle.

mind over matter Patients are now battling between their body and their brain. What energy they do have is focused on how they can lose more weight. This is why eating is so essential. There is a way to balance the body and the brain. Filling the body with nutrients and protein will help the body remain healthy and strong while the drug works. Exercise will help the muscles remain strong.

All of this will help the patients remain their best self, and feel good in their own body.

“You have to fuel your body with nutrients. It’s like trying to drive a car without gas,” Sedlak said. “Your car is eventually going to stop if you don’t have gas. And so if you’re not eating healthy, you’re not eating, period.”

Nutritionist Holly Hagman loves to help women feel good about themselves and their bodies. She says that confidence stems from within, and changing your mental attitude will completely shift your view.

“I would encourage young women to try focusing on what their body can do instead of what it can’t,” Hagman said. “Try not to compare yourself to others. Instead celebrate the things that make you feel confident. I also love getting people to move their bodies and lift some weights. Feeling strong and powerful is a game changer for confidence.”

Teenagers seeing extremely skinny celebrities and influencers online has created an unrealistic body image for girls. But if girls are watching videos everyday that are telling them how they should look, how can it not impact them?

As teenagers grow and learn more about themselves, they go through a lot of change, which is scary and new.

It can help them to have a support system to help guide them through this time. Maybe that’s their mom, their grandparents, their coaches, teachers, whatever the case, having

an adult present to this change can make a lasting impact on the teenage years. Teens, specifically girls, are very impressionable during this time. They are still navigating who they are as a person, and who they hope to be. This is also a time period where they are deeply insecure and unsure of themselves.

If they see extremely skinny celebrities online or “eat less, skinny more” videos, those are sure to leave a mark. That is why having a support system is so important, to help the girls learn the difference between being skinny and being healthy.

But if their grandma is commenting on other people’s weight in public, or their coach mentions concerns about someone not fitting into the uniform, that will solidify the belief that being skinny is the perfect body.

Having a support system that promotes self-love and confidence can deeply influence a teen girl. This can help the girls work towards feeling good about themselves and their bodies, not focusing on feeling skinny.

Finding healthy solutions that benefit the mind and body are what Hagman specializes in. She stresses the importance of eating, and the importance of eating right.

“Teenagers and young adults should really not be dieting. Undereating or following a restricted diet can lead to longer term health issues,” Hagman said.

“Instead of looking for help from weight loss medications, unless under the supervision of a doctor, I would suggest leaning into healthier eating habits like including more fruits, veggies, high fiber foods, and whole foods into their meals and snacks, getting good sleep, managing stress, and exercising.”

Beauty isn’t Pain Sedlak stressed that the goal isn’t skinny, it’s healthy. While society today has improved in some aspects such as plus size mannequins and models, there is still an underlying thought that skinny is better.

And it’s a slippery slope, because promoting obesity is not the goal. The goal is promoting health, which is different for every body.

Every person has a different metabolism, genetics and height which impacts their weight, but this gets lost in the noise. Instead of focusing on how unique and diverse everyone is, society focuses on their faults, continuing to create new drugs or makeup or skincare that is meant to help women stay young or remain beautiful.

“There’s so much more behind it, and it’s really what we want to be healthy.

Skinny isn’t necessarily healthy, so I think changing that term is always a better way of looking at it,” Sedlak said. “I try to tell my 12-year-old daughter you look healthy, or we want to be healthy instead of saying you want to be skinny. Let’s exercise, let’s build muscle, let’s eat healthy. I always want people to know you are beautiful before we even get started. It’s not the Botox, it’s not the fill, it’s not whatever I’m putting in your face. You are beautiful to start with.”

FAC or T FIC TIO N wit

hn

utr

itio

nis

t ho

lly

Common beliefs about GLP1s debunked,

by Nutritionist Holly Hagman, MS

e to ON: FIC1TyoI u don’t ehaatv less.

st Pat, ju a GL e on at you e il h W h ge w chan

es, hoic

c FAcCusTo:n healtlthhyy fats. Dsoune’ts

o fo ein, hea stion is t e ant t port ods, pro ause dig im ’s o c It ber f ds that fi h o hig fo into ss. lean uscle lo m d an

FICTION: While on a GLP-1 exercise is not necessary.

FACT: Exercise is important and great for stress management, sleep quality, and healthy metabolism.

FICTIO

N:

While perso on a GLP -1, n’s re lation it will fix a ship to fo od.

FACT:

If som histo eone alre ry a dietin of disor dy strugg d le g looks , this wil ered eatin s with a ln g and r elate ot fix how or yo-yo s to f a per ood. son

September 2026 | 15

editorial

kill comparison culture S

MOOK ILLUSTRATION BY LUELLA

kinny Culture is making a comeback. In our community, it is a necessity that we do not condone it or glamorize it.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, health visits for eating disorders in children under 17 have more than doubled in the United States from 2018 to 2022. John Hopkins suggests that this increase could be related to youth struggling with underdeveloped coping mechanisms, due to the key stages of development missed during COVID isolation. Another theory is that adolescents’ access to the internet could be a cause of the increase in eating disorders.

Social media exposes young, impressionable adolescents to a variety of unsafe, fad diets or fitness trends that plant unhealthy thoughts into their heads. Some examples of these fad diets include the keto diet (which excludes carbs completely, instead focusing on veggies and meats), juice cleanses, intermittent fasting and, most recently, the high protein diet.

According to Mayo Clinic, high protein diets are not inherently unhealthy. They can trigger short term weight loss, due to protein increasing the ‘full’ feeling. More extreme high protein diets, such as the carnivore diet, can limit carbs and plants to the extent of nutrient and fiber deficiencies. High protein diets that include lots of red meat can increase the risk of heart disease and raise cholesterol.

The truth is, in general, high school students should not be extremely worried about what they are consuming. According to the National Library of Medicine, the negative consequences of adolescent dieting outweigh any temporary benefits. Diets can commonly lead to deficiencies, especially in iron and calcium. In addition, even a small reduction in energy intake can decelerate growth. In girls, sustained diets can lead to a loss of menstruation and a huge increase in long-term risk of osteoporosis. It is much safer to practice intuitive, balanced eating.

All of this attention on new diets, grams of protein and grams of sugar on the internet are building this adolescent skinny culture.

In our community it is common to hear talk centered around these activities key to skinny cultureeven if it is never explicitly posed in the name of getting thin.

In the lunchroom there is chatter about sugar content, grams of protein or even calories. Comments about food composition can increase ‘food noise’ (constant thoughts and worries about food), especially among young people. In most cases, these diets and comments are not actually about health.

A societal focus on ‘health’ in the name of weight loss has invaded all parts of our lives. This is even more extreme in predominantly female communities. Our gym culture is typically centered around extreme calorie burning activities such as running, biking or hot pilates, versus men, whose gym culture is centered around lifting weights and building muscle (in other words, getting stronger).

Girls seem to be partaking in rigorous gym routines, finding time before school, after school or late at night to get in any sort of conditioning. It’s starting to feel like, for some, rest days aren’t an option.

When exercise routines increase dramatically in intensity or

16 | LE JOURNAL

In our community, we should focus on taking care of one another.

regularity, but consumption remains the same, or even decreases, this is known as ‘underfueling.’ The National Library of Medicine describes underfueling as when energy intake is inadequate to support basic physiological processes after the energy expenditure from exercise.

According to a Forbes study, 51% of Gen Z feels the pressure to “get fit” and lose weight before going on vacation. More than half of Gen Z respondents cite social media as the reason they feel that pressure.

This reveals that the majority of the high school fitness trends are not, in fact, based on the goal of getting fit, but on getting thin.

Everyone wants to look snatched for their spring break Instagram post.

Underfueling paired with excessive exercise can very quickly turn into an eating disorder. It can look like constant worries about eating ‘healthy,’ guilt surrounding eating, an obsessive need to work out or deciding to skip meals all together.

Once these thoughts begin, they quickly grow, especially as the body’s stored nutrients begin to decrease, the brain starts to function on a perpetual fight-or-flight, that makes stopping these unhealthy habits feel like a death sentence.

As a community, one of the most important things to do for the health of our student body is to create a space that pushes back against this romanticizing of eating disorder culture. It starts with each and every one of us.

Give compliments based on personality not appearances. Try swapping comments on physical traits for “You’re so funny,” or “You have the best ideas,” or “You’re one of the kindest people I know!”

Making this change takes personal value away from looks and instead places it on personality.

Don’t talk about food as good or bad. When eating a sweet treat it is absolutely unnecessary to joke about ‘being bad.’ When someone is eating a salad it is unnecessary to tell them they are inspirational. Comments like these spark comparisons between what everyone is eating.

They also create mindsets that view some foods as nearing criminal and others as saintly. No food is inherently good or bad, they just fulfill different functions.

Every person has different nutritional needs based on metabolism, activity level and genetics. Therefore comparing what people are eating just breeds an unspoken competition of underfueling.

Eat your lunch. Let other people eat their lunch.

Nobody needs to be talking about what they are eating, whether or not they ‘should’ be eating it or if they’re ‘bigging out.’ Don’t joke about having to hit the gym after eating a particular food. This too creates guilt around eating and an unhealthy mindset of “burning off” calories that teenage bodies actually need to continue healthy bone, brain and ovarian development.

Lets not build a school that celebrates activities in the name of being thin. Let’s end the comparisons and the comments, and instead celebrate each persons’ personality.

Showing love looks like being able to acknowledge that we have a problem.

This editorial reflects the views of the entire Le Journal staff.

girl gunk

F

Girl groups have become very scandalous in past years despite their audience mainly being young girls.

emale artists in the pop industry have always been under heavy scrutiny.

Every movement, word and outfit is closely monitored by the media.

Recently, there has been a rise in female pop artists leading global music charts, new music releases and tour revenues.

According to Luminate, in 2024 female artists in the music industry had a growth rate of 130.1% — 112.9%.

With this rise, these artists have also been met with negative responses from the media. So much of today’s society is focused on tearing women down through comments on their body, clothing and lifestyle. But when does this image turn away from what the press presents as fact, and become something the artist themselves promote as well?

One of the most prominent groups that play a large role in this conversation is Katseye. Katseye is a global girl group that advocates for female empowerment, and their audience mainly consists of young teenage girls. Your teenage years are one of the most formulative years of your life. According to the research done by the Society for Media Psychology and Technology, exposure to sexualized music is related to self-objectification among adolescent girls, which is then related to the development of beauty ideals, body surveillance, body esteem, dieting patterns, anxiety levels and mathematical performance.

With so many young girls in their audience, a message of female empowerment is amazing. But recently, they have played less into that ideal and more into the male gaze. For example

opinion “Hootie Frutti,” a song off their new EP, is not technically an explicit song, but contains sexual innuendos and other suggestive language.

Because of this, even if parents regulate their children’s music, their kid would still have access to the song and its language, because it does not contain profanity. If Katseye’s main message to their audience, an audience largely consisting of young impressionable teens, was female empowerment, their songs and the way they present themselves should reflect that more than the way it does now.

Katseye’s main message is female empowerment which, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality, is [the] process by which women gain power and control over their own lives and acquire the ability to make strategic choices.

But Katseye is not in complete control of their own choices as a group.

Katseye is managed by the Hybe x Geffen entertainment company. Hybe is responsible for idol training, creative development and performance. In contrast, Geffen controls the marketing, such as public image, music production and media distribution.

With so much of Katseye being controlled by their entertainment company, their message of empowerment is completely at odds with their image and music. With how they conduct themselves, through the lyrics in their songs, the way they are dressed and the way they perform, their message speaks more towards the freedom of self expression. But self expression is not the same as female empowerment.

STORY BY ELENA VERGARA OP/ED EDITOR DESIGN BY NORA GEDNEY DESIGN EDITOR

PHOTO BY WIKICOMMONS

september 2026 | 17

A&E

SuMmer

This summer, going to the theaters made a comeback.

Movie fanatics flocked to theaters to see box office breaking films.

BY ALEX CAMERON AND ELISE GEDNEY REPORTERS

Blockbusters

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION | ALEX CAMERON

18 | LE JOURNAL

A&E

R

evenue from ticket sales has increased significantly reaching over $4.2 billion. Compared to the pre-pandemic summer of 2019, box office sales are 5.7% ahead. Not only has revenue increased, foot traffic has as well.

According to The L.A Times, attendance has increased nearly 23% compared to 2025.

IMAX theaters even sold out the day Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” was released. Only 25 theaters are able to play the film as intended, on the 70 millimeter IMAX screen. The film was so popular at the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles to the point that the only time available was 7 a.m. which eventually sold out.

Sophomore Adria Nelson had the experience to see “The Odyssey” as intended. Arriving at the movies around seven in the morning, she sat in the seats recommended by Nolan and stayed in the theater for three hours. She is one of many who have had positive reviews of recent movies.

Many recent films have become box office hits and the dedication of people showing up is why. Movies are considered “hits” if the money earned from the ticket sales is higher than the price to make and

“

It was the little things about how alone people can feel sometimes,” senior Finley Glennon said. “I think it was a really good metaphor for how you really aren’t alone out there, and that there’s someone there for you, even if they’re a rock-shaped alien.

“

market the film. The largest grossing film of the year, “Spider-Man: A Brand New Day” has earned over $2.33 billion.

“I think business increased drastically over the summer,” AMC manager Trinity Callahan said. “Especially Spider-Man. It’s had world record-breaking movies.”

Director Destin Daniel Cretton, has been praised by the media for his visual effects and stunts chosen to be performed in the movie. He has recently taken over the Spider-man “Home” Trilogy. Having previously directed “Shang-Chi” he went from making one of the smaller Marvel productions to working on one of the most known superhero trilogies. Later Cretton said, the original running time of the film was two hours and 50 minutes, but was cut to be two hours and 25 minutes for theatrical release.

Music also plays a big role in making a film. Its ability to make people smile or make people cry is why many directors use it to evoke. “Backrooms” is an example of using music to provide feelings of something being off. Director, composer and producer Kane Parsons blended ambient sounds with lounge music to create the soundtrack we hear today.

Parsons may not be the first to be director, composer and producer of one film, but he is notable for being the youngest director for an A24 film ever.

According to a Le Journal student survey, 165 students out of 204 reported going to see movies this last summer in theaters. The majority of people who did go reported seeing “Spider-Man: A Brand New Day” and the runner up was “The Odyssey.”

People are now willing to go to the movies from sun up to sun down to experience everything, from seeing Tom Holland as Spider-Man to hearing Nolan’s Soundtrack. Among the highest reasons for the rise in theatre attendance is the feeling of connection films of the summer have brought. A film that has been outspoken in bringing people together is “Project Hail Mary.” Released March 20 it made the top 250 on Internet Movie Database for its use of effects and the emotional impact and lasting effect it had on its audience.

Based on a survey done at California State University, movies have been known to help focus and memory. While many may watch movies for fun, it is also a way to relieve stress and take your mind off hardships. Being able to relate to characters in films has been proven to strengthen real life relationships and make people more empathetic. While not all films are the same they all have the intention to bring people together in a room to watch a single story.

“The cinema is a form of social participation with strong equality properties” psychiatrist Noah Uhrig said in the survey. “The costs of attending the cinema are less prohibitive than other forms of cultural consumption such as the symphony, the ballet or the opera.”

Going to the movies has become more and more accessible compared to other forms of art consumption. Along with this, small actors and directors are breaking into the Hollywood scene. Up until now Hollywood has stayed true to who is popular or widely known, but unknown names like Inde Navarrette, Megan Lawless, and Juliano Krue Valdi have appeared in major blockbuster films such as “Backrooms,” “Obsession,” and “Michael.”

“I think everyone should make movies, whatever your interests are,” Film Club co-founder Giselle Lopez said. ”Making and watching movies allows us to build community, interest and talk with each other, which is what the world needs more of now.”

MOST watched movies

42% 27% 14% 10% 4%

Other: 3%

STATS FROM SION STUDENT MEDIA POLL OF 205 STUDENTS

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 19

A&E

SIX!

BY DANIELLA JOHNSON CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The fall musical, “SIX,” is underway with cast and crew preparing for the November performance.

B

SIX SONG RECS

from the cast and crew:

1. Ex-Wives 2. All You Want to Do 3. Six 4. Don’t Lose Ur Head 5. I Don’t Need Your Love 6. Haus of Holbeinn 20 | LE JOURNAL

etween now and November, every weekday after school, room 137 is transforming afternoon by afternoon into a British concert stage. That stage is, of course, the backdrop for “SIX” - the fall musical.

“I find SIX special because it’s a story that’s not often told about six women, Henry VIII’s wives,” Theatre Arts Teacher Aaron Griffin said.

“History mostly focuses on Henry VIII instead of his wives and their story, and I really like that it focuses on the women and his story and their perspective on it.”

Freshman Ava Kopitas was cast as Catherine of Aragon, sophomore Eva Ippolito as Katherine Howard, sophomore Fin Riccardi as Anna of Cleves, junior Ciel Magaña-Mora as Catherine Parr, junior Elliana Hishaw as Jane Seymour and senior Maggie Grilliot as Anne Boleyn.

The musical “SIX” follows these six wives through a pop-singing battle in which they relay their stories to determine which wife will be crowned leader of the band. Through deliberation and sing-offs, the wife determined to have experienced Henry at his worst, is inaugurated as the leader.

“I was actually so excited when I learned the musical would be ‘SIX’,” senior Nora Dameron said. “I feel like it’s such a different step from what we’ve done in the past, but in a very positive way.”

The musical was announced at the spring awards ceremony, and received a wave of positive feedback and anticipation from students.

However the celebrated announcement carried the caveat of a pending approval.

“I applied for the license at the end of April before the announcement but then I was not approved until the end of July, which that’s a first. That’s never happened before,” Director of Visual and Performing Arts Elizabeth Mulkey said. “‘SIX’ is a fairly new release, so when there are new releases, companies won’t let everyone do it all at once.”

With the rights to perform “SIX: Teen Edition,” the almost identical but slightly cleaner

version of “SIX,” and planning underway, it was time for the next step: cast the actors. Auditions took place Sept. 1 and callbacks were Sept. 2. “[For the auditions], memorizing the song and singing in front of everyone is scary,” junior Savannah Clayton said. “You turn in your sheet music ahead of time, get a time slot for your audition with a bunch of other people and then you go in.”

Auditionees prepared both a monologue and at least 24 bars of a song, both from memory.

While described as a terrifying process to undergo, all auditionees are cast to some role and join a tight knit and supportive team.

“We’re all very committed. The theater community at Sion is really great. I think that’s what makes the shows, it’s really the people,” Dameron said. “We’ve proven we can take anything and perform it well. We cope with setbacks, like if someone forgets a line it’s okay, we all know how to improvise. If someone wants to stop, it’s okay, you’ve got five people covering.”

Along with the hard work of the cast, members of the crew also begin day one.

They’re in charge of everything involving stage management from lights, to sound, to stage and prop changes, to make-up and cues.

“Essentially I’m kind of like the puppeteer for the show when it comes to the lights and all that stuff,” senior and stage manager Jae High said.

“If Crew didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have a set. We wouldn’t have any lights. It would just be talented actors and singers on stage, but there wouldn’t be any flair.”

After over two months of practice, rehearsal after rehearsal and hours of practice, the show will be performed Nov. 5-8 at Avila’s theatre.

“I see every single step of the show and how it’s being put together and how hard everyone’s working. That’s what truly makes it magical,” High said. “There’s a lot of performers that we have here that are nervous and they really get to come out of their shells and be themselves, and same with crew. You really find your people in a place like this.”

A&E

Two W rlds, One Plate

A review of resturants in Kansas City that are either fully fusion resturants or have fusion elements to them.

BY ELENA VERGRA EDITORIALS EDITOR

Buck Tui’s Brisket Pad Thai PHOTO | @BUCKTUIBBQ ON INSTAGRAM

Kiwami Sushi & Ramen 3.5

K

Kiwami Sushi and Ramen’s salmon, shrimp tempura, spicy tuna and unagi sushi taocs.

PHOTO | @KIWAMIRAMENSUSHI ON INSTAGRAM

BucK tui

B

standard cookout items are featured, too.

One of the best items I ordered, despite the cost, was the brisket pad thai.

It features traditional pad thai that’s then topped with their brisket which is seasoned with traditional barbeque and Thai spices, that despite the $28, was well worth it.

Along with the Pad Thai, I also got their brisket rangoons, which are an appetizer, and their Isaan Thai sausage. The rangoons, which were $11, were similar to normal crab rangoons, but with that smokey barbeque flavor that comes from the brisket. These were incredibly delicious, and I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something a little more lowkey. Lastly, the Thai sausage, which for a half order was $14, was probably the most interesting item because I had never had anything that tastes like it before. They were surprisingly fresh and though they were smoked like a traditional sausage you would get from a barbeque restaurant, they didn’t have that classic smoky barbeque flavor.

With how comforting both the food and the environment Buck Tui cultivates, I would definitely recommend giving them a try. They offer something new and exciting, especially because barbeque in Kansas City isn’t the most revolutionary idea.

4.8

uck Tui is a Thai barbeque fusion restaurant located in Overland Park.

When you enter the restaurant, you are met with welcoming staff and an energetic environment that you can feel from the people eating and working there. One of the coolest things about the restaurant is the mural they have as an accent wall. It’s colorful, and has so many aspects from Thai and barbeque culture alike.

Examples of the Thai culture featured are the long-tailed boat, Thailand’s version of a gondola, the flag of Thailand and vegetables native to Thailand. Aspects of barbeque culture such as a grill and other

ILUSTRATIONS BY ELENA VERGARA

iwami is a ramen and sushi restaurant that opened in October 2025. Upon walking in, the restaurant itself was lively with customers. The decor featured wooden accents that made it feel both modern and cozy and they had a bar where you could see the chefs preparing the food. The environment was welcoming, as we were greeted upon arrival, and though we went in late, the restaurant was still full of people.

And while Kiwami advertises ramen and sushi, they offer a wide variety of other menu items such as bento boxes, dumplings and poke bowls. One of the main attractions, and why I was so inclined to try them in the first place, was their newly added sushi tacos. Though, now I realize that the option of more items does not always make the restaurant better.

While originally I was excited to try the sushi tacos, honestly, they were just okay.

They were mostly rice, and what toppings they had, while yummy, always fell off the top or when you took a bite of the taco due to the shell constantly breaking or bending because it lost the crunch as time went on.

Along with the tacos, we ordered a specialty roll called the dragon roll, a spicy tuna roll and their gyoza. The dragon roll, priced at $12.75, had eel, avocado and cucumber, and was delicious compared to others like it that I’ve had before. On a similar note, the spicy tuna roll was solid and well priced, only costing $7.50, despite it being a very basic item.

In contrast to these items, the gyoza is not something I’d order again. While only $7.25, they had a chewy texture as if they had been left sitting out for a while, and were similar to what you can find in the freezer aisle of your local grocery.

So while the tacos themselves were

fun, they were sub par, at best. Despite the tacos and gyoza leaving something to be desired, the spicy tuna roll and dragon roll I ordered with my meal were quite delectable and made the experience much more enjoyable. Overall I would recommend going to Kiwami because despite some items being mediocre, the vibe, aesthetics and the signature items they advertise, such as the normal sushi rolls, were delicious and offered a more uplifting experience to the evening. *3.5 out of 5

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 21

A&E

it’s

MUSIC CITY

THE BIG ACTS

F

or the longest time, seeing a bigname concert in Kansas City meant ubering to T-Mobile Center, road tripping to Azura Amphitheater or walking a marathon through the parking lot at Arrowhead. This summer, something changed. The Morton Salt Amphitheater opened June 3. The Morton Salt company moved its headquarters from Illinois to Overland Park last year, and is already making an impact in the community, through sponsorship of the Chiefs and the construction of the amphitheater.

A manageable drive to Riverside, this modern, outdoor amphitheater has changed the KC concert game.

“I liked how it was outside. How

Students spent their summer going to various concerts, but Kansas City also has a thriving local music scene.

STORY BY LUELLA MOOK COPY EDITOR DESIGN BY SOPHIA THOMAS CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Morton Amphitheater opened this past summer, leading to more big acts coming to Kansas City. you felt the natural elements, but also were listening to music,” senior Stella Henderson said. Henderson saw two concerts at Morton Amphitheater over the summer, Rufus Du Sol and Luke Bryan.

Junior Violet Hrabe also went to Morton Amphitheater this summer. She came to the concert with moderate expectations, as she was seeing Five Seconds of Summer, which is not one of her personal favorites.

“It was a solid 9.5,” Hrabe said. “The seating was great. We were on the lawn originally and we got seats for free. But all the seats have a good view. Even the ones we had originally on the lawn were good.”

But Morton Amphitheater doesn’t stop

at a good view and a beautiful atmosphere, according to junior London Trahan.

“I had really good food,” Trahan said.

“I think there were $2 hot dogs and their pizza was so good. It was a little over priced, but it’s a concert.”

Morton Amphitheater will continue having concerts till the end of October, featuring artists such as Pit Bull and Lil Jon Sept. 25 and Chris Stapleton Oct. 9 and 10.

However, Teddy Swims, Kacey Musgraves, Doja Cat and many more will be performing at tried and true T-Mobile Center in the upcoming weeks, for those that would rather not brave the elements.

are lots of different venues to explore the THE TINY BUT MIGHTY There local music scene.

E

very year, while the bustling, big names are gracing Kansas City for one night, there is a whole local music scene available every day, any given week.

Not just that, the tickets are cheap or the music is entirely free. What could be better?

No matter what type of music, KC has options. Go line dancing and listen to live country music at Guitars & Cadillacs in Overland Park, or visit the East Bottoms for some blues or classic rock at Knucklehead’s. If one is feeling extra adventurous, or want a safe space to mosh out those school stressors, local hard-core and emo venues such as Howdy (a paywhat-you-can, minors venue on Stadium Drive) or North KC’s The Rhino are great options.

The Ship, a nautical themed bar and

22 | LE JOURNAL

restaurant in the West Bottoms also provides weekly fun. Every Tuesday, The Ship has a live country performer for their “Honky-Tonk Tuesday” showings. Alongside the live band, these shows include two-step dance lessons in the middle of every set.

“It was very welcoming,” senior Gracie Goforth said. She attended a Honky-Tonk Tuesday in late July. “No one was judgy.

Even if they were really good [at dancing], and they could tell other people weren’t, they weren’t rude.”

Attending a Tuesday night concert at The Ship would be a great introduction to two step and western dance, for anyone looking to improve their skills before braving a higher stakes environment like Guitars & Cadillacs.

The Ship also has live DJs, jazz music and nights of reggaeton music. No matter

one’s taste in music, it’s worth checking out the Ship’s upcoming events.

“It was very inclusive, very welcoming, very good energy,” Goforth said.

This story would not be complete without talking about jazz. Visit The Blue Room in KC’s historic 18th and Vine district to experience some of the country’s best jazz music, in one of the birthplaces of the genre.

Take the opportunities to enjoy this school year—support local musicians, local venues and the arts in our city. The next Friday night (or Tuesday) you and your friends don’t know what to do with yourselves, look up any of the venues named, or any of the dozens of others in KC, and be guaranteed a fun night of live music.

A&E

DROP THE SPOT

Check out these venues across Kansas City to explore and enjoy the local music scene.

The Rhino

Iworks, there’s an actual stage (so a

t’s the same as Howdy, except the AC

little less DIY) and there’s an ice cream place inside. I would say it is a more refined option for those interested in dipping their toes in the scene. It’s also nice because there’s a movie theater next door, so if you decide to dip, there are other entertainment options. Just make sure young people are in the band that’s performing, because on occasion it’s not a young band, so there are no high schoolers there, just a bunch of married 35-year-olds wearing vans and rocking MCR tattoos.

The Ship

ITonk Tuesdays, and every time has

have attended several of their Honky-

been great. The music is always high quality and fun. The first night I went, the KC country band Western Cuts performed, and they were fantastic.

There is a true sense of community at these shows. Having only gone a couple times, the regulars started to recognize me. Everyone wants to help teach you to two-step or cheer you on in your failed attempts. My one comment is that it would be nice if more young people were there—my friends and I have certainly been the only high schoolers in attendance, the next youngest being UMKC students.

The Blue Room

Amusicians and a classic vibe. I think uthentic KC experience, amazing

everyone from Kansas City should go to The Blue Room at least once in their lives. This is another venue that truly feels like a community. It’s like being transported back in time to a 1920s jazz bar.

Howdy

Ogrungy venue, but it has all the

kay, so Howdy is a very little, slightly

Guitars & Cadillacs

TI ended up going on Father’s Day. It

his was a unique experience, because

was sort of deserted, except for the families of the performers. There was a great dance floor and good covers of very famous country songs. I would recommend learning the most famous line dances before going out to Guitars & Cadilliacs. I would say that of all the venues I’ve mentioned, this is the most like going out.

heart in the world. For the people that are into the hard-core genre of music, I would say 10000% go. Make new friends—everyone there knows each other—mosh, crowd surf, go to the Waffle House on Front Street after. If you are not a fan of heavy guitar, or yelling in the vocals, I would say Howdy might not be the place for you.

MAP | GISGEOGRAPHY.COM

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 23

Feature

Freshmen Hall of Fame With new freshmen, come experienced athletes. Whether it be balance, focus, BY CLAIRE STEINER EDITOR-INor coordination, these students have something special and unique to bring ONLINE CHIEF to the table.

W

Longly also finds that gymnasts struggle with self love. As ith agility and ease earned from a she grew up in the gym, she became self conscious of the way she lifetime of perseverance, freshman looked in her uniform, constantly comparing herself to other girls.

Elizabeth Longly tumbles on the “Growing up in gymnastics, you’re constantly going through gymnastics floors with an impressive puberty and seeing yourself in a leotard every single day. It journey as a gymnast. definitely lowers your self confidence,” Longly said. “You can Longly was introduced to gymnastics be the most confident girl in the room at at 5, bringing her energy school but when you get to the gym, you and spirited personality automatically feel so low about yourself to each practice. As she because some girls are skinnier and some grew, practices became girls are more muscular. It’s definitely hard more challenging but to not compare yourself when you’re around her skills continued to so many different body types growing up and flourish. Longly worked on maturing.” her form in the summers, She noticed how stereotypes of waking up each morning gymnastics would feature a skinny girl with for a 6 a.m. practice lasting a certain weight goal. This outdated view of six hours. During school, how athletes should look was something that she left early from class to left gymnasts like Longly feeling insecure and arrive for a three and a half ready for a healthier approach. hour practice.

“With Livvy Dunn, she’s this very skinny “Elizabeth was always high energy,” parent gymnast and definitely shines a light on of Longly, Chris Longly said. “She would be what gymnastics used to be about 20 years constantly tumbling around the house, doing ago where a Gymnast had to be a specific somersaults, climbing up on things, doing weight,” Longly said. “Where now, gymnastics cartwheels and handstands nonstop. So knowing is starting to be recognized as a sport where she had some ability to do gymnastics, we gymnasts are strong and confident and thought we needed to get her into some tumbling muscular instead of an unhealthy skinny.” classes.”

After two elbow surgeries, Longly had to This tireless dedication was noted as she learn first hand how to build her gymnastics became a level 9 of 10 in gymnastics, with the tier career back up, both physically and mentally. above her being college level. In 2025, she ranked She faced lots of difficulty in continuing top 25 of her level in the country for the floor gymnastics when she had to abruptly stop competition. She is also recognized as a leader, as practicing to heal. the younger competitors look up to her for advice However, with great determination and and guidance. dedication, she quickly found out that even “Part of my talent is being able to lead a though she had to take a break, her ability to team even if it is a one person event,” Longly perform would stay with her. She was able to said. “I am definitely one of the few girls on my jump back into practice, showing her coaches team who steps up to lead and people will listen her true potential despite the obstacles she to me. When you get good, you have all these faced. little girls looking up to you and it’s really nice.”

“Gymnastics is definitely a sport where However, Longly pointed out that there can your body knows what it’s doing even if you’ve be some challenges when it comes to gymnastics. been gone for months,” Longly said.

She feels the constant pressure of needing to Though Longly experienced ups and downs, perform a certain way to impress recruiters. she always had her peers. Spending a large “The biggest challenge is making a name for amount of time everyday at the gym with yourself and proving you’d be a good person on her teammates and coaches, supporting her [a university’s] team,” Longly said. “I remember through positivity and cheer, taught Longly I was in sixth grade when my coaches started TOP Longly performs as a level 8 during that they were more than just people on the her Nationals floor routine when 13. talking to me about college camps and having BOTTOM Longly at 7 years old competing sidelines. an Instagram where coaches [from universities] Union Station while saluting the judges “I have a whole group of girls cheering could follow me because they start looking at you at before she begins her beam routine. me on. I think that’s one of my favorite parts,” sophomore year. It’s crazy. Especially when your in PHOTOS | SUBMITTED BY ELIZABETH Longly said. “You don’t only have a team, you sixth grade and you’re like ‘I’m not even in middle LONGLY AND CHRIS LONGLY. basically have a family.” school yet.’”

24 | LE JOURNAL

Feature

F

rom flipping in gymnastics and fighting in taekwondo to splashing into dive and bringing the excitement in cheer, freshman June Langenbach loves a busy and active life.

Langenbach has always enjoyed having a packed schedule and being nimble. So it was no surprise that she took up competitive gymnastics and taekwondo early on. She found practice the perfect time to work on her flexibility.

But after 10 years, Langenbach dropped gymnastics and picked up taekwondo.

“In [taekwondo] warm-ups, she caught the owner’s attention because of her flexibility and how she could kick her leg all the way to her face and do a full splits,” parent of Langenbach, Heather Langenbach said. “I don’t think she realized that that was a special skill until someone else pointed it out.”

At 10 years old, Langenbach then took on dive where she learned techniques that rejuvenated her flexibility. Then, she decided to try competitive cheerleading as a freshman where her gymnastics skills came in handy. “ I think [gymnastics] was a really good start,” Heather said.

“In gymnastics, you learn a lot about conditioning, strength training, flexibility, and body awareness which really translates well to any sport that you would do.”

Unfortunately, the shift in sports left her with challenging obstacles to overcome. She was moving into unfamiliar grounds with dive and cheer and it made Langenbach ask herself if she would ever be as good as she was before.

“The hardest thing about dive was mental blocks,” Lagenbach

F

reshman Brenna Kilby focuses on the finish line, gliding a graceful 30 mph down the track in her shiny green and butterfly accented soap box derby shell. This is it. This is the Masters World Championship. She pays close attention, keeping her car as straight as possible while gradually picking up speed. She zooms past the finish line, clinching second place in the nation.

Soap box racing features a competitive race where motorless cars drive down a hill, as athletes steer their cars, purely running on gravity, to the finish line using focus and strategy to win it all.

When asked about soap box racing, parent of Kilby, Dawn Kilby, describes it as being a STEM-driven, gravity racing, wholesome sport where racers learn the mechanics of the derby and build friendships.

For Kilby, this sport holds a special place in her heart, as she comes from a line of soap box derby legacies. This tight knit community traces all the way back to her grandpa.

“It really is a loving community,” Kilby said. “It’s really about making bonds with people and giving and getting advice to learn as you continue racing.”

One of Kilby’s favorite parts of racing is the people she meets.

With hundreds of athletes, the soap box racing community is competition on the starting line but, more importantly, family outside of the race. Fellow racers share advice about techniques to use and what to avoid.

“It’s competitive, but nobody holds grudges against anyone,” Kilby said. “You learn from other people about how to get better and give advice to the kids who race.”

said. “If you get in your own head about a skill or something, it’s hard to come back. The hardest part is getting back at it and still being as good as you used to.”

But as she continued competing, Langenbach found that she could overcome her doubts. She progressed so much that she started training at KU, working with advanced training gear, like trampoline balance equipment, to strengthen her movements in the water.

“I wanted to keep getting better at dive and the summer wasn’t enough for me,” Langenbach said. “KU has this amazing program that has really cool things you can use like bungees, so instead of smacking the water, they will lift you up.” Langenbach at 6 years old after placing in all categories at the Emerald City Meet With cheer and dive as a for gymnastics. priority, Langenbach holds a PHOTO | SUBMITTED BY JUNE packed schedule. Still, she said LANGENBACH enjoys every minute of it. She constantly trains for dive at KU or cheer whenever she gets the chance.

“She’s always learning something or working on something,” Heather said. “She’s usually practicing her cheers, stunts or dances. She likes to constantly be working on whatever sport she’s in at the time.”

Relied on by Kilby for his support and new game plans, her grandfather knows the ins and outs of soap box racing. He is the engineer and mastermind behind every car Kilby has ever raced.

The car is specially made for each race and league. For example “the shell is completely carbon fiber for Master’s. For Super Stock, it’s plastic and for Stock, it’s fiberglass,” Kilby said.

But the car can take some time getting used to. Because of the tight frame, racers are made lay flat on their backs with a small area to see the track. It can become cramped and can affect a racer performance.

“It definitely helped me with my claustrophobia,” Kilby said.

In 2025, Kilby traveled to Akron, Ohio for the All-American Soap Box Derby where she competed in the All-Star Masters Division. Kilby, who qualified for the final race, set her car up, sped down the track and came home with a second place trophy and proved herself a stellar racer..

“You get one set of wheels and one chance down the track,” Kilby said. “So getting first in three lane and all stars just proved I belong in the top three because of my performance.”

Kilby wins second place nationally at the 2025 All-American Soap Box Derby and poses with her iconic green soap box racing car.

PHOTO | SUBMITTED BY BRENNA KILBY

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 25

SPORTS

CHANGING

ILLISTRATION | ADDISON PORTER

T

he Athletic Department for the 20262027 school year has implemented Bound, a platform dedicated to high school student-athletes, families and coaches to follow athletic programs.

From game schedules and ticket purchasing to athletic registration and communication, Bound has become a new part of all athletic programs. Athletic Director Anna Avila-Williams said this change creates a more organized system to manage the information of hundreds of student-athletes.

“Before we had papers of all studentathletes’ medical records,” Avila-Williams said. “It’s a way cleaner process than just a binder of papers on the shelf.”

Previously, the athletic department had to maintain 300 different student files in binders. This included medical and physical records while also ensuring parent agreement forms were completed.

Last year, a Google Form was sent out to organize some of the information, but compared to Bound, the system wasn’t as advanced.

Bound allows student-athletes to register while providing the Athletic Department a place to manage schedules, scores, records,

BY BROADCAST EDITOR ADDISON PORTER

and communication throughout each season.

But Bound has received pushback from student-athletes and their families.

Senior and field hockey player Cecille Kowalewich said her mother was upset about the registration process. She said it was an overly difficult and disorganized registration.

“The digital process took my mom hours to complete due to errors, and she would prefer paper over digital,” Kowalewich said. “Then she had to put in my medical records. It wouldn’t accept it.”

Senior and field hockey player Caroline Reid also experienced difficulties when completing her registration.

“I tried to complete the form myself, but errors kept appearing,” Reid said. “It took over an hour for my mom to finish it.”

Bound is not new to the Kansas City area. The platform is used by the athletic departments at Olathe Public Schools, the Blue Valley School District, the Shawnee Mission School District, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. James, and the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.

“The Program is user-friendly for parents, students, and our Athletic Department,” Olathe East Athletic Director Allison Brown said. “Since using Bound, the Athletic Department has never run smoother.”

“It took a long time for physicals to get processed,” senior Cheerleader Nora Dameron said. “I had girls text me in middle of the night saying I don’t know what to do.”

Brown said since instituting Bound, it has been helpful for parents to view programs and schedules for the season.

There has been no backlash from parents or students since starting Bound.

“Parents have found this really beneficial because it directly states all their child’s games and competitions for the season,” Brown said.

It’s a new age, and with that comes the need to upgrade. Bound might be different and unfamiliar, but Avila-Williams and Brown both said it represents the beginning of a more organized system for athletes.

“Bound has helped our communication, scheduling, and programming this past year and has been very beneficial,” Brown said.

“

THE BIGGEST FRUSTRATION IS LEARNING THE NEW SYSTEM

“

THE GAME

Bound is a new program the Athletics Department launched for better organization the athletic program

- AD Anna Avila-Williams

“I think everybody has a learning curve learning the new system,” Athletic Director Anna Avila-Williams said.

PHOTO | SALLY MORROW

26 | LE JOURNAL

SPORTS

STORM

THE COURT Media day made its comeback with fall sports.

Junior Lucy Souan poses for a tennis photo.

Junior Ava Grojean gets help with a pose from Daryl Slaughter, the photographer for media day.

The Sion varsity volleyball team posing as they do their hype video.

A

white backdrop covered the wall of the gym Aug. 22, as fall sport athletes stepped in front of the camera, adjusting their jerseys and posing with their teammates. For many student athletes, this was their first time experiencing an official media day with a professional company.

“I reached out to Daryl Slaughter and his business is Slaughter Photography,” Athletic Director Anna Avila-Williams said.

Avila-Williams said the hype videos will be used for Instagram and they will be played on the big screen for volleyball home games.

“I knew we would need photos for Instagram and loved the photographers’ work that basketball had used previously,” Avila-Williams said.

The Sion Athletics Instagram has been working hard on trying to promote all the games. Avila-Williams is in charge of the Sion Instagram with sophomore Clara George, president of Sports Media Management club.

“Theres a lot to learn. I’ve always loved videography and graphic design,” George said. “I hope this club gives others a chance to build their skills while supporting our school’s athletics.”

Before, athletes only did individual headshots, all with the same pose, and a team photo. Now, student athletes can showcase their personalities in photos with

STORY BY SANTINA BONINO SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR PHOTOS BY SOPHIA THOMAS CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sophomore Lily Gencarelli and sophomore Hope Johnson share a moment with their tennis rackets as guitars.

unique individual and family photos.

This media day included a hype video for each sport. The athletes ran to the front of the camera waving their hands and doing dance moves. Many even got to showcase their skills for the video. The athletes posed and laughed with their teammates.

Senior Frances Groves, a varsity volleyball player, loved doing something new for a change, especially for her last year. Groves has played volleyball for Sion since freshman year and has never done anything like this before.

“I feel like it got us hyped up for this upcoming season,” Groves said. “We did a video walking up shaking our jerseys which was so cool.”

Seniors’ headshots will go on the wall

Junior Eleanore Bodde strikes a pose showing off her varsity volleyball jersey.

Senior Maria Carson laughs with sophomore Scarlett Lind during media day.

of the Grand Salle and the gym. Many seniors are excited, but others are a little hesitant.

“I’m so excited to take photos with my friends, but a little nervous for my face to be on the wall,” Senior field hockey player Nora Miller said.

“

I’m so excited to take photos with my friends, but a little nervous for my face to be on the wall,” - NORA MILLER ‘27

Senior Maria Carson has been on the softball team for the past couple of years and it has made a shift in her Sion experience. So having a media day really brought that all full circle.

“Media Day was such a special experience because it gave me a chance to make memories with my teammates that I’ll be able to look back on forever,” Carson said. “It was so fun getting to celebrate not only our team, but all the friendships, laughs, and memories we’ve made along the way. I’ll always be grateful for the people who made this season so meaningful.”

SEPTEMBER 2026 | 27

UNDER

THE WESTERN The circle drive was filled with dancing and country music Aug. 29 for Sion’s first western dance.

SKY

PHOTOS BY MARION SHAW REPORTER Students gather around the Photo Bus to take pictures. This photo-op was a popular stop at the dance Aug. 29.

FAR LEFT: Senior Zoë Miller rides the mechanical bull during “Under the Western Sky” fall dance Aug. 29. “It was really fun but way more difficult than I thought it would be,” Miller said.

Seniors Abby Gural and Elisa Stremel swing together during “Under the Western Sky” fall dance Aug. 29.

Senior Evelyn Cramer dances with seniors Abigail Guerra and Daniella Johnson at “Under the Western Sky” Aug. 29. “I loved dancing to “Unwritten,” “Cupid Shuffle” and “Cotton Eye Joe,” Cramer said.

Sophomore Clara George dances to “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid with her friends on the circle drive at Under the Western Sky Aug. 29. “I danced to multiple songs but the one I vividly remember was Cotton Eye Joe,” George said.

A guest dances to “Payaso de Rodeo” by Caballo Dorado at “Under the Western Sky” Aug. 29. Students often joined the dance floor to take part in line dances and group choreo.