March 2014

JOURNAL

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Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Page 10-13

A PUBLICATION OF NOTRE DAME DE SION

10631 WORNALL ROAD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64114

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 5 MARCH 10

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B & E’s GIRL CODE

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INSIDE

Spring Break Edition

LOOK

PAGE 4 Putting the rivalry aside, Sion and St. Teresa’s Academy together honor a student.

PAGE 14 Dominika Putecova, a Slovakian exchange student, spends second semester at Sion.

PAGE 15 Taylor Ramsey captivates her audiences and says singing is her calling.

BY MARY B. FREEMAN & ELLIE STINGLEY REPORTERS

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pring break is around the corner which either means assembling a relaxing playlist to listen to while soaking up the sun on the beach or trying to figure out what to do with yourself during an oh-so-glamorous staycation. Either way, this week-long break is a time to enjoy yourself, relax and appreciate the last long time away from school before summer sneaks up on us.

B and E have had our share of staycations and fun trips and would like to share two main tips we have learned.

Tip #1 for vacationers and even those who are planning to stay home: We have all had those weekends and long breaks where we promise ourselves that we will get ahead on homework or that big midterm project, but let’s face it, when does that ever actually happen?

JOURNAL 2013-2014

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Le Journal is the official publication of Notre Dame de Sion High School 101631 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO 64114 MEMBER Missouri Interscholastic Press Assoc.

National Scholastic Press Assoc.

International Quill and Scroll Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City

So don’t be afraid to read a couple chapters in that long reading assignment or do a couple sets of problems for math so you are able to completely enjoy your vacation without worrying about the fact that all of your homework is waiting for you at the end of the break. Especially for those roadtripping to Colorado or flying to a tropical destination.

In our experience, you may as well get some of the work done so it is not as heavy of a burden once the end of break rolls around.

Tip #2: Staying in Kansas City can rock your world if you take advantage of it. Yes, it can be fun tanning and relaxing by the sunset like a beach-goer, but in our experience it can be just as enjoyable lounging around watching TV, reading and enjoying the fact that you don’t have to worry about putting on a bikini for another two months.

But being a couch potato is not. The break will be even more fulfilling if at least part of it is spent in places other than the couch; taking the dog for a walk, going out to lunch with friends or exploring the city to find the next amazing hole-in-the-wall restaurant can make this break worthwhile.

There is always the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art to visit or go have a picnic at Loose Park.

Whether you are a beach-goer or a staycationer, B and E highly recommend you use spring break to rest, recharge and have fun. After all, it only comes once a year.

Girl Code.

INSTAGRAM MORP EDITION @EEEKAT

CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Sarah Allen Georgia Thompson

“The cooler kids on the block.”

-freshman Katia Hauptman

MANAGING EDITOR Madison Hummel NEWS/EDITORIAL EDITOR Emma Dopheide ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ashley Herring SPORTS EDITOR Mary Kate Hense

PAGE 17 “The Fault In Our Stars” is a must-read, especially before viewing the movie this summer.

FEATURES EDITOR Kim Fryer PHOTO EDITOR Kristine Sullivan

ISSUE 5

“I really am the only girl in the world with this wig.”

-senior Olivia Enright

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Katy Zahner WEB-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meghan Lally REPORTERS Sydney Daniels Georgia Evans Mary B Freeman Sarah Harris Meghan Kearney Sydney Manning Dana Routh Anna Schroer Ellie Stingley ADVISOR Alison Long

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THE EDITOR’S INK Georgia Thompson Co-Editor-In-Chief As the days leading up to spring break become fewer and fewer, I, along with many others, am noticing a significant change within the health habits of my classmates.

Chick-Fil-A nuggets and Culver’s butter burgers are being exchanged for carrot sticks and fruit salad, while numerous students ramp up their fitness schedule by temporarily joining gyms and classes.

As a born and raised health nut, I am proud that my friends are being more health conscious. It would be hypocritical of me to pretend that I don’t strive to eat as nutritiously as possible and maintain a healthy weight.

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But I have always been taught never to go overboard and let the desire to be thin take over my life.

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It is when this yearning shifts into simply wanting to look skinnier than your friends on spring break that I begin to worry. I see some of the restrictive diets and hardcore workout routines of girls and realize that this is the absolute worst way to become a healthy individual.

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So many students crash diet prior to big events like spring break or school dances, but the weight lost in this binge dieting is bound to come back.

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If you genuinely want to slim down and maintain a healthy lifestyle, instead try eating raw, organic foods and exercising a moderate amount without absolutely killing yourself. To read more about the differences between wholesome diets and unhealthy ones, turn to pages 10-13, where Le Journal investigates the prevalence of and solution to dieting in our society.

For those of you who have put the spring break dieting on the back burner due to your vacation taking place here in Kansas City, don’t be bummed out by your lack of escape to the beach or mountains. Check out page 17 for some fun and fresh ideas of activities to try on your staycation.

In this issue, we also take the opportunity to say adios to winter and welcome all that this spring has to offer.

In looking forward to warmer weather, turn to page 18 for the fashionable looks girls will be sporting this spring, along with some great upcoming concerts to start buying your tickets for.

For a wrap up of both the basketball and swim teams’ seasons, refer to page 8, while page 19 covers the fashion, winners and memorable moments from the recent Oscars.

All of us here at Le Journal could not be more ready for the snow to melt, to put our winter coats into storage and embrace spring with open arms.

While we acknowledge the positive aspects of this new season, we also strive to warn and educate you about how to prepare your body for spring in a healthy and lifelong way.

Dawn Brancheau was killed in an accident with a killer whale at the SeaWorld Shamu Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Feb. 24, 2010 (Photo by MCT Campus)

The Dark Realities of Shamu in Captivity

BY KATY ZAHNER MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Last year “Blackfish,” a documentary of Tilikum’s lonely life at SeaWorld and the overall consequences of keeping killer whales in captivity, came out and prompted several major protests of the park. Now this well-done documentary is back in the news. It was snubbed and received zero Oscar nominations.

But it was an important story. At only 2 years of age, Tilikum was tragically transported away from his home, ripped from his family and placed in captivity around the year 1981. In the thirty years since then, this Orca has become responsible for the deaths of two trainers and one SeaWorld guest.

Tilikum is the posterchild for whales in captivity and the mistreatment they endure, not just at SeaWorld but in parks worldwide.

The documentary “Blackfish” uncovers these horrors and also forces us to think twice about the commercializing of all wild animals in captivity.

People need to know the truth. Through the documentary “Blackfish” a dark reality hits home. It holds a universal message that even those who have never attended SeaWorld can take away from. It raises the question of whether it is justified or humane to take animals anywhere from their native environments and lock them up for our own viewing purposes.

For the full story go to www.lejornallive.com

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fter recieving a score of seven for their dance from physical education teacher Kate Pilgreen, posing as Simon Cowell, freshmen Gracie Snyder, Katia Hauptman and Lilliana Capelli rejoice in their team’s efforts.

For the first time in school history, the Freshman Class placed first in Sion Olympics. Seniors took second, sophomores took third and juniors brought up the rear in fourth place. (Photo by Sarah Harris)

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Gabriella Boston in a 2013 Washington Post Article.

So people who engage in low protein diets are essentially eating away at their own muscle mass. Less lean muscle results in fewer calories burned. Which THIS EDITORIAL REPRESENTS THE definitely doesn’t contribute to weight loss.

VIEWS OF THE LE JOURNAL STAFF.

According to Antonacci, crash diets can greatly NINETEEN OUT OF NINETEEN VOTED affect one’s mood as well. Physically, bodies are dissatIN SUPPORT OF THIS VIEW. isfied when they are deprived from vital nutrients, and mentally people are dissatisfied because their brains pick up on their body’s unrest. weight in five years, the NAANAD reported.

In preparation for Spring Break, many girls feel

“People tend to be crabby and glum,” Antonacci The words “crash diet” often have a negative conthe increased pressure to be thin, toned and tan. said. “An undernourished person hardly ever smiles. notation. Crash diets are characterized by extreme, The levels of glucose are low and its hard to be your s she sits down she glares at her thighs. She hates rapid weight loss often achieved through nutritional typical, smiling self.” the way they seem to rub together and expand to deprivation. There’s an increase in these types of diets

Five years ago, the rage was a Hollywood juice three-times the size they are when she’s standing. She beginning in January with the huge media push for diet, Antonacci said. People would drink excess sucks in her stomach in vain, because the ever present New Years’ weight loss resolutions, according to Overamounts of juice which would eventually cause rolls have doubled now that they’re no longer them to have massive amounts of diarrhea preelongated by her upright stance.

Feelings: venting them from even going on their Spring

There’s nothing she can do. She knows Actions: break trips. that when she returns home she’ll stare into the Guilt, remorse, fear of Get “in control” by Remember those 10 or 15 pounds that dieting or glass. Into the reflection that she can’t help but weight gain seemed to take forever to lose? Chances are, restricting be defined by. She’ll cringe as she flips the lights. they’ll come right back to you.

She knows what she’ll see all of the fat, the stretch By crash dieting, people lower their metamarks, the cellulite. bolic weight, so when they eventually gain the

Then she’ll make the decision, the decision Binge/ weight back, it returns in the form of fat, not the she’s made almost every day since she turned Diet/ muscle they initially lost, according to Boston.

Overeat twelve. Tomorrow, she’ll tell herself. Tomorrow Furthermore, chances are that all of the I’ll diet. Tomorrow I’ll start losing the weight.

Restrict weight lost from a diet will be quickly gained Tomorrow I’ll finally become the person I want back, according to Antonacci. Yet most people to be.

Feelings: Actions: gain back the weight they lost and then some.

This is the type of narrative that can attack Physical or Feeling “good” It’s a cycle, lose the weight, gain even more back, the minds of young women before they choose to emotional needs but anxious then diet again to try to shed those pounds lead to inability to about following a embark on a crash diet. Today’s culture is highly which will no doubt return yet again. restrict plan properly characterized by the need for weight loss.

Dr.Laura Eickman, creator of REbeL, a club

According to the The National Association that focuses on empowering women, had much of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, to say on the topic of dieting in general. Her 91 percent of college women have tried to maintain land Park Dietician Paula Antonacci. advice to people that are currently dieting is to stop. their weight loss through dieting. Twenty-five percent

Crash diets result in nutrient deficiency, emo “Ultimately, diets will not be good for you or of college-aged women binge or purge to lose weight. tional distress and eventual weight gain, she said. your body,” Eickman said. “Instead, learn to listen to

And more than 50 percent of teenage girls have

When the body is deprived of its necessary and respect your body. Practice mindful eating and tried unhealthy measures to lose weight such as skipnutrients it must find new sources to fuel itself. For exercise. Focus on health not size. And above all, ping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting and example, when protein is lacking in a diet, the lean know that your are so much more than what you see taking laxatives. muscle mass is broken down to make up for the lack in the mirror.”

Twenty-five percent of all dieters will regain the of vitamins from the food source, according to author

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BY KIM FRYER FEATURES EDITOR

High school lasts four years, a rivalry lasts a lifetime. We’ve all heard this motto in reference to the heated competition between Sion and St. Teresa’s Academy. But something even more important than rivalry transpired at the Sion vs. STA basketball game on Feb. 28 at STA.

Students put aside the rivalry for a mere five minutes to come together as one community and honor Rebecca (Becca) Lueke who passed away on Dec. 9 in an automobile accident.

In those few minutes, there was something more important than themes or the final score at the end of the game. In those few minutes, we were united as sisters.

This was a very different atmosphere than that of last year’s final basketball game where many students were caught up in so-called “twitter fights” and an angry rivalry. It was a breath of fresh air and allowed students to see what really matters and a chance for our students to really show our class.

As I stood at the bottom of the bleachers in the Sion student section, I felt an immense sense of pride LE JOURNAL

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our usually rowdy cheering section.

While the STA students belted their school song with pride, we stood silently in support. During any other game we would have been chanting back just as loud, if not louder, than our rivals.

But not this time. This time, we were sisters. And that’s the way it should have been.

Once the ceremony for Lueke concluded, we stood up, put on our visors and screamed our lungs out leading our team to a victory over Sophomore Camille Keane recieves a pass while St. Teresa’s Academy sophomore STA for the Irish Cup. Eleanor Luecke attempts to intercept the pass. (Photo by Sydney Manning)

While the final numbers on the scoreboard were satisin our student body. The gym was packed from wall to fying, and we cheered our loudest to support our team, wall with both girls decked in glitter and girls decked once the ceremony concluded the real meaning behind in tourist-attire. the game was even more satisfying than our win.

As the Lueke family took the floor to memorial- High school lasts four years, rivalries lasts a lifeize their daughter’s jersey, Sion students removed their time. But sisterhood and community? Sisterhood and visors and hats without any direction from the Scream community will forever rise above.

Team leaders. Some girls even wiped tears from their eyes. There was not even the slightest disruption from

(Photo by MCT Campus)

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LIFE AFTER SION:

EDITORIALS

CVS:

WALKING THE WALK CVS Pharmacies are discontinuing the sale of tobacco products in stores nationwide to promote the push for healthy living.

BY DANA ROUTH REPORTER

It isn’t common for retailers to practice what they preach, but for CVS Pharmacies, it was time to take action. Starting Oct. 1, the national chain will discontinue the sale of tobacco products in all 7,600 of their stores.

This step was a decision made to promote CVS’ future as a health center, according to its Chief Executive Larry J. Merlo who was featured in a CNN news story.

According to CNN news, this will result in the company losing a yearly profit of $2 billion. This might seem like a huge loss, but CVS Pharmacy thinks their push toward health-conscious facilities will make up for it.

With over 300 Minute Clinics residing currently in stores, CVS Pharmacies are also alternatives to regular doctor’s visits. And with drive-thrus for prescription refills and flu shot facilities, the store is a quick and easy way to fulfill health needs. It is admirable to see such a large company take a risk and stay firm in their beliefs and principles. They understand that to be in the health industry, all parts of the business have to add up.

If someone goes to a CVS to pick up their prescription to be well, but the person next to them is purchasing cigarettes, it conflicts with CVS’ overall idea of promoting a healthy lifestyle.

For a business to grow and move in a new direction, they must let go of old ways in order to progress and improve. CVS took this to heart and paved a way for other businesses to follow. The discontinuation of cigarettes and other tobacco products is a move that will spread way past the walls of CVS. It will encourage other health businesses to take a second look at how they are promoting healthy choices.

Although advertisements and campaigns have made extraordinary changes in the awareness of tobacco risks, CVS takes it a step further by stopping the actual sale of products.

Maybe they have risked a loss in sales in order to make a moral decision to promote health. Although risky, this is a smart move and should be looked up to as a model of how businesses should run.

Stopping the sale of tobacco products will set CVS Pharmacies apart from their competitors by making the push for health more legitimate. Sticking to one’s beliefs no matter what is not always easy, but CVS is proving that it is possible.

Two former Le Journal editors reflect on the world outside the doors of Sion.

MAURA EVELD CLASS OF 2013

While studying for midterms can be a blast, I can’t express how relieving it is to take a break and write to Sion – much more exciting than deciphering this Calc III problem: “Use Lagrange multipliers to find the maximum and minimum values of the function subject to the given constraint.” (Don’t worry, Mr. Middleton, I’ll figure this out before the exam. Hopefully.)

Le Journal asked me to write about what I wish I had known in high school, including the differences between Sion and the “real world.” I began by reading this prompt to many of the girls in my dorm. Each responded immediately and resolutely, laughing: “This isn’t the real world.”

I have to agree. I attend class, study, eat, and work all in a one-mile radius. More than 200 students live in each residence hall, and I have 20 freshmen neighbors just in my hallway.

And I don’t think in the real world I can walk into a dining hall full of ready-to-eat meals (and endless fro-yo), let alone set my dinner tray on a conveyor belt and watch the dishes miraculously disappear.

Notre Dame may not be the real world, but it most definitely isn’t Sion either.

So, in this new era of arranging life into list after list after list (thank you, Buzzfeed), I thought I’d lay out a few of the differences – serious and not-so-serious – that I noticed in my first semester and a half:

1.The concept of Kansas City is a very, very confusing issue. Though I began college assuming everyone understood our geographical location, I found out soon enough that wasn’t the case. Most think that Kansas City is simply a random town in Kansas (an already very misunderstood state). Breaking the news that Kansas City is, in fact, both in Kansas and in Missouri usually yields bug eyes and dropped jaws. And don’t even try to tell people that half of your school is from Kansas and half is from Missouri. It’s just too much.

2.In theme of geography: Even though we mid-westerners don’t have accents (a biased thought, I know), they do exist. And though it may be fun to point out every word that a fellow student says “wrong,” apparently it gets annoying.

3.Naps are necessary.

4.Professors are not permanently in one building from 8 am to 3:10 pm. In other words, finding a teacher is not as simple as climbing a few steps and rounding the corner with a 95 percent chance of locating him or her. Instead, there’s this pesky thing called “office hours.”

Once you schedule them in to your week, it isn’t difficult to meet with a professor, and most are very flexible for the students anyway. But at first it was tricky to grasp the concept that I wasn’t spoiled by the availability of high school teachers anymore.

5. At Sion, it is not unusual to see a student sporting a thick headband, wearing leggings with crew socks and holding a tote bag. Here, none of the above are common sights. (Don’t worry – I’m not walking to class in leggings and crew socks. It was a foreign concept that only the students from all-girls high schools understood.)

6.When the student population is multiplied by 20, it is impossible to know everyone’s name. This was at first terrifying, considering by senior year at Sion I felt I could almost name everyone in the school (OK, maybe not freshmen). But soon enough I started recognizing faces outside of class. Now school doesn’t seem so big.

7.Kansas City isn’t cold, and snow days are never necessary. Let’s just say life has been put into perspective after enduring weeks of a campus buried in more than two

feet of snow. We were gifted just one snow day-and only because the county declared a state of emergency for the -30 degree wind chill.

8.Boys. Predictable, I know. But that doesn’t make it any less true. On the first day of classes I have to admit it seemed, well, wrong. For the next week I had to get over the foreignness of the idea. Now it is a new normal.

9.Not everyone went to an all-girls Catholic high school. In fact, this idea is quite foreign to many. So not everyone understands the weirdness that comes with themed dress-up days, hairbrush nonexistence and French school songs.

10.But some people do. College is neat in that way: I have found some people who are very similar to me in background, starting from Catholic parish grade schools and graduating from all-girls private high schools (one of my roommates went to “Notre Dame Preparatory School’ coincidentally). And then there are some whose backgrounds are incredibly different. But we all are in the same place now with similar goals, and we have this incredible opportunity to find comfort in our similarities but to learn from and excite ourselves in our differences.

KATHERINE LOVE CLASS OF 2011 Greetings, my Sion sisters! I graduated from Sion in 2011 and am now a junior, majoring in journalism at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

I always love reconnecting with Sion and am glad to offer you some insights. Sion prepared me so well for college that it was hard to think of more than just two things that I learned after high school.

The first thing that comes to mind relates to college credit. The benefits of earning college credit in high school have become much clearer throughout college, and I am grateful to have completed AP and ACCP courses. Entering college with 14 hours of credit allowed me to finish my Spanish minor in 3 years, then study “abroad” for two semesters, as I’m in London now and will be Washington D.C. in the fall. College credit can also help you graduate in less than 4 years, if that’s something you want to consider, or allow you flexibility to take classes simply for fun, whether it’s tennis, art, creative writing or anything in which you feel remotely interested.

My second idea relates to high school math. I remember it being a stressful decision about whether I should “double up” sophomore year and eventually take AP Calculus. In college, I’ve realized that I absolutely did not need to double up and am glad I did not. Being a journalism major, only one math course is required, so I took a simple “Elementary Statistics” course that was fun and did refresh my knowledge of using basic equations to interpret statistics I read in the news or other everyday situations. If you really like math or are naturally good at it or plan to major in a math-related subject, you should definitely consider “doubling up.” But if math is stressful for you, and you plan on majoring in a non-math subject, I would say stick with the simpler math track.

Overall, high school and college are both so wonderful in their own ways. I have loved both experiences and miss the Sion community greatly. I think you’ll find that college offers a lot more free time. You might have class for only 3-4 hours per day, leaving you lots of time for studying, napping, working out, volunteering, etc.

Also, value your Sion teachers and the relationships you get to form in a small community. In college, you might see your teachers only a couple times each week, and it might be in a class of 100 students.

Study hard and enjoy your Sion experience. I wish you well in your college search. Vive Sion!

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Promoting Peace

Interfaith assembly brings different faiths together to discuss peace.

BY MEGHAN LALLY WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Interfaith Club sponsored an assembly on Wednesday Feb. 19 to discuss peace between religions.

Prominent figures from six religions composed a panel who answered questions regarding peace in their individual faith traditions.

Rabbi Rebecca Reice represented Judaism; Sister Audrey Doetzel, Catholicism; Dr. Farrah Zaery, Zoroastrianism; Bilal Muhammed, Islam; Ram Shetty, Hinduism and Rev. Christy Dorn, Episcopalianism.

After the panelists introduced themselves and answered a few initial questions, the floor was opened to students for questioning.

Interfaith Club President Zoya Khan and Vice President Neda Awad organized the event with the help of sponsors Penny Selle and April Schendel.

“My favorite quote from the assembly was ‘We don’t have to see eye to eye to stand shoulder to shoulder,’” Schendel said.

The Brain Bee Neuroscience competition spurs formation of new club.

BY GEORGIA EVANS REPORTER

For the first time, Sion students participated in what is known as a highly competitive and challenging bowl called the Brain Bee, held at the University of Kansas Medical Center. It is a Q&A format that tests the knowledge of local students in the neuroscience field.

This year it was held Saturday, Feb. 1, and seniors Angela Wood, Alison Crank, Kamryn Schropp, Katie Eilert and Allison Elsbernd competed.

They competed until the fifth out of seven rounds. The eighth round is the semi-final round.

“We didn’t go to the Brain Bee to win a prize.

We went because we were intrigued and interested in the competition,” arts and physics teacher Linda Blasdel said.

According to senior Katie Eilert, the team was expecting a huge, intimidating competition with a ton of geniuses, but instead she said that the setting was comfortable, and everyone there practically had the same knowledge base as them.

“I remember one of the questions had to do with Down Syndrome and how it was associated with chromosome 21,” Eilert said. “And I randomly knew it, because of Bioethics with Ms. Amy sophomore year, so that was pretty cool.”

With the collaboration of Blasdel and algebra, geometry and anatomy teacher Marilyn Stewart,

Unbound from the Cycle of Poverty Organization beats cycle of poverty through small businesses.

BY ELLIE STINGLEY REPORTER

Lillian Naka and former 41 Action News Anchor Elizabeth Alex spoke to students on Feb. 18 about the initiative taking place in 21 countries by the Unbound Organization to support those stricken with poverty.

Unbound helps these people start small businesses to establish their economic independence.

Naka is a Mothers Group Coordinator in one part of Unbound, Microloans for Mothers, and has been involved with the program since 2009. Alex is the Community Outreach and Media Relations Director and helps spread awareness of the non-profit organization.

Naka and Alex are two of many members helping the organization reach over 9,000 mothers and 12,000 children to fight the cycle of poverty. Naka assists mothers in becoming self-sufficient by starting businesses such as farming, laundry services and intricate beadwork.

“We’ve found that people who live in poverty have some great ideas and enthusiasm,” Alex said. “They just need a little bit of help to find their way out of poverty.”

In Microloans for Mothers, mothers with sponsored children are put into small groups in which they collectively save money in a group account. Unbound matches each dollar the group earns in one month and the money slowly accumulates. After six months of saving, the group manages the money together and mothers can begin asking for loans to start businesses of their choice. Although they are small, these businesses provide income for mothers who are soon able to comfortably provide for their families.

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In one specific situation, a mother named Elizabeth started a business raising poultry and was eventually able to buy a cow, which gave her a constant source of fresh milk. According to Naka, milk is a very Naka travels the country to spread important product the word about Unbound. (Photo in Kenyan culture, by Ellie Stingley) and families are considered impoverished if they can not afford it for their tea. With the help of Microloans for Mothers, Elizabeth soon was able to provide for her family and drink her tea with milk.

“Yes, they did not go to school,” Naka said. “But they have a lot of skill and a lot of talent. And for Unbound, that is what we are trying to tap into.”

For Naka, the most rewarding part of working with Unbound is witnessing families transform from a newfound source of comfort because of their small yet successful businesses. Instead of waking up wondering which meal they will be able to have or if they will be able to eat at all, families have a constant source of income, which provides a sense of security in knowing that there will be food on the table every day.

With Unbound, education and tribal status have nothing to do with the potential success of a mother.

“We don’t care if you went to school. We don’t care what tribe you are from,” Naka said. “We take your hand and walk with you to the path of a dignified life.”

next year Sion will have a new “purple” club based off of the Brain Bee: Neurology Club.

The new club will be offered to girls who are enrolled in any physics, anatomy, biology or pathophysiology classes, so they will be familiar with the content of the questions being asked at the Brain Bee.

“The girls who participated this year were disappointed that we didn’t start the club sooner,” Blasdel said.

Seniors Angela Wood, Alison Crank, Kamryn Schropp, Katie Eilert and Allison Ellsbernd gather in front of the question screen before the start of the competition. “We were all anxious before the start. But once we started answering correctly, we felt at ease,” Schropp said. (Photo by Linda Blasdel)

New Form of Unity Website aims to update design, help admissions and connect both campuses.

BY ANNA SCHROER REPORTER A frigid wind rustles the tree branches outside.

Snow carpets the already frozen ground outside laying a thin dusting of white powder across Kansas City. It is a snow day. While the weather continues, so does the changing of the school’s website from the old design to the updated version, created by Communications Director Emily Taylor and Alumnae Relations Coordinator Lauren Golden, a project they have been working on since last June.

“What we wanted to accomplish was telling the whole story of who Sion is through one website,” Golden said.

The new website boasts a user friendly design complete with deep purple mega menu bars, created to present all of the information parents and students would need for admissions and academics. This site, managed and maintained by both Taylor and Golden, works to create unity between all of the school’s advertising devices for admissions. This includes the website and all print objects that exit the doors of Sion.

The updated design with the can’t-miss photo-blocked opening page serves as the entry point for information accessed through the menu bar. It also serves as a preview for rest of the website, where vibrancy is a theme throughout, an idea carried out by Taylor and Golden.

“The website was built from scratch,” Taylor said.

“We had to think what would work and look good to unify all of the school’s advertising methods.”

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The Gala That Gives

The annual Gala Auction’s car raffle funds supplies and helps out the school financially as well as sending someone home with a new car.

BY SARAH HARRIS REPORTER

Every year a car is picked, a name is drawn, and someone wins a new car. But like any raffle, there are always the doubts. Questions like, “I’m never going to win” or “Why should I even buy a ticket” might flood everyone’s mind, but someone has to be the lucky winner. But after the winner has been chosen and the raffle craziness dies down, doesn’t anybody ponder, “What ever happened to the car?” or “I wonder what they did with it.” This year Angus Dwyer, a Sion parent of Benedict and Prudence Dwyer at the lower school, will have to answer those questions after he won the new 2014 Rav4 on March 1 at the annual Gala Auction.

“Mr. Dwyer was shocked and stunned when he won. He was very reserved as he claimed his prize,” Director of Development Stephanie Volk said. “He had no expectation that he was going to win, I think he bought the ticket thinking that there was no way he was going to win. He just wanted to support the school.”

After the shock of winning has passed and a few weeks of digestion have gone by, the time comes to de-

cide what to do with the car. Keep it? Sell it? Trade it in? Last year, then junior Mary Kerns won the car, a red 2013 Prius. Kerns was at the Gala for choir when her name was announced and she recalls the experience fondly. Her family decided to do something unique with the car.

“My brother had just turned 16 so we decided to let him have it after we traded it in for a used car for him to drive,” Kerns said.

Even without winning the car there were many other prizes distributed at the Gala Auction. Senior, Natalie Moran won a $300 dollar gift card, freshman Lizzie O’Connell won a $200 dollar gift card and junior Maggie Kane won a $100 dollar gift card, all to Town Center or the Country Club Plaza. Also, Moran, Kane, O’Connell and sophomore Maya Visesio were all awarded two free concert tickets to the Sprint Center courtesy of Anna Molle Stasi ‘81.

Although the biggest incentive for selling the raffle tickets is the prospect of a new car, the school has a bigger reason for running the car raffle.

“The money raised from the car raffle goes to help the Sion experience. Everything in the day-to-day Sion experience is affected by the funds of the car raffle and the Gala Auction,” Maggie Smith, the faculty coordinator of the car raffle said. “It could be scholarships, athletics, student activities, professional development.

You name it, the car raffle helps it.”

The Toyota RAV4 on display at the front of the school was the car raffled at the auction, courtesy the Molle Automotive Group.(Photo by Sarah Harris)

The car raffle is over. The prizes given out. The money budgeted. And $50,000 was raised this year.

Though for now the car is gone to a new home, a new one will be auctioned off next year.

New prizes. New winners. New money. The car will be won and someone will have to decide what they are going to do about it.

But the car raffle isn’t about the car and the prizes, but rather the fact that the money goes to keep our school running and to make our experience better than those before us.

A Pint to Save a Life Students experience the benefits of donating blood at the annual drive.

BY ANNA SCHROER AND MARY B. FREEMAN REPORTERS

Students walk in slowly. Girls broken down by nothing seem to be quivering at the sight and anticipation of holding out their arms to give blood. The blood drive, held annually for over six years, four of which have been sponsored by the National Honor Society, is an event both feared and loved by the 60 students who signed up according to NHS wanting to donate blood to help save a life.

“Even though I fainted, I am so glad I donated,” junior Renae Rogge said. “I know it goes to people who need it, and I like that I am helping by doing something as simple as giving blood.”

For over five years, girls have come to the gym where the Community Blood Center awaits to collect donated blood, not knowing the true importance of their actions. People like religion teacher Bonnie Haghirian who knows first hand through experiences with her husband who needed blood donations the last nine years of his life know how the donated blood can help save a life.

“Throughout his cancer treatment he used blood products, and they all came from the Kansas City Blood Center,” Haghirian said. “His hemoglobin was low especially in the last year of his life so he was really supported by donations.”

With the help of NHS sponsors Beth Ingram and Kristin Hilgenfeld and through the organiza-

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2. tion by NHS blood drive chairs, seniors Alison Elsbernd, Emily Schnitker and Samantha Ruiz, this event could go on without flaw, according to blood donor junior Madeleine Campbell.

“The event was run very smoothly,” junior Madeleine Campbell said. “I was so nervous to give blood, and I was still skeptical while actually laying there giving blood, but it felt so good to know that my small pint of blood could go on and save up to three lives.”

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1. High School Division Head Natalie McDonough stops to have a chat with sophomore Katie Pendergast while the student makes all of the preparations to give blood.

2. In the reclined position junior Emily Baranowski remains calm, prepared and ready to give the needed pint of blood.

3. Junior Mary Gates laughs, relieving nervous tension before preparing to give blood. (All photos

by Anna Schroer)

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ISSUE 5

(Photo by MCT Campus)

DIVING INTO STATE Divers place at State and begin plans to focus on next year’s success.

U.S. Finishes in Fourth When the medal count was over, Russia, Norway and Canada beat the U.S.

BY GEORGIA EVANS REPORTER

Russia truly made a victorious showing in both hosting and participating in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Accumulating 13 gold medals, 11 silver and 9 bronze, Russia outplayed the United States who only placed fourth overall with 28 total medals.

According to Chris Roling of the Bleacher Report, the weather played a huge role in the outcome of many events, such as men’s snowboarding, which was even postponed until day 11 instead of day ten of the games.

The United States earned three gold medals in snowboarding, one in freestyle skiing and one in figure skating. The first gold medal was awarded to the United States for men’s slopestyle snowboarding when Sage Kotsenburg dominated with a score of 93.5.

Another important moment for the United States was when the ice dancing couple Meryl Davis and Charlie White won gold, which was the first time the United States has ever won the gold title in this event, according to Nancy Armour of USA Today.

Juniors Tasha Wyche and Katia Milazzo said they were more than excited about watching the games and keeping track of their favorite teams.

“I had a tab opened on my laptop with the medal count. I literally refreshed the page every hour,” Milazzo said.

And for Wyche and Milazzo, their home teams aren’t just the United States. Milazzo cheered for Italy, where she is originally from. Wyche cheered for Russia where she was born.

Wyche said that this Olympics was her favorite because during the opening ceremonies Russia connected with and reflected upon its history, and it was meaningful for her.

“Being from Russia and watching the opening ceremonies sent chills through me. It really let me know how truly special being adopted is,” Wyche said.

“It might be cliche, but it is still meaningful beyond belief.”

USA’s Meryl Davis and Charlie White win gold in the ice dancing competition during the Winter Olympics at the Iceberg Skating Palace in Sochi, Russia, on Monday, Feb. 17. (Photo

by MCT Campus)

8 LE JOURNAL ISSUE 5

BY MEGHAN KEARNEY AND GEORGIA THOMPSON REPORTER AND CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF

Stay calm. Ready: one, two, three, go. Within three seconds it’s over. This is the process sophomores Margaret Brandmeyer and Rebecca Jacobs went through eleven times at the Missouri State Swimming and Diving Championships on Feb. 21 and 22, both completing the dives that finished their season.

“State is more intimidating than any other meet,” Jacobs said. “The girls are extremely better, and there is a much different atmosphere.”

Though this was the first year on the team for Jacobs, she competed with the same composure as the many other divers at state.

“I made sure I had all my dives down before state,” Jacobs said. “I mentally prepared myself by making sure I was calm and my emotions were under control.”

Jacobs finished 12th out of 32 divers and received an all-state honorable mention. Unlike Jacobs, Brandmeyer is no state rookie, so she said she knew how to prepare herself.

“I would strategize and work on the same dives as last year and became consistent,” Brandmeyer said.

“I taught myself the amount of pressure I needed to put on myself to succeed.”

Brandmeyer also received the same honor as she placed 9th, which was an improvement from last year where she took 17th.

“This was her [Brandmeyer] first successful state meet. She had freshman jitters last year and got rid of them this year,” Coach Steve Robbins said. “Both of the girls were consistent, which set them apart from other girls.”

Along with the divers, junior swimmer Meghan Kearney made it to finals and helped score a total of 23 points, finishing 20th out of 49 teams by placing eleventh in the 200 m individual medley and fourteenth in the 100 m fly.

Though this year was more successful than last year for Brandmeyer, she plans on doing even better next year by placing in the top eight at finals. Jacobs said she also plans to have a personal best and place in the top 10 next season.

“Next year, I want the team to build on the suc-

Surprising Success

As basketball season starts to wrap up, the team focuses on sectionals.

BY SYDNEY MANNING REPORTER

Whenever one door opens, another one closes.

As Sion athletes prepare for the upcoming soccer, track, and lacrosse seasons, basketball is playing on.

Although it wasn’t a record breaking year, the basketball players say they are still happy with the way the season went, especially with the District Championship they clinched with a win against Grandview.

“I think that even though we are a really young team, there is still a lot of talent,” sophomore Rachael Beck said. “When it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter if you are a senior or a freshman, as long as you have the skill to keep playing at that level.”

Fellow teammate and junior Anna Romano said she didn’t think the size of the team was a problem.

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While in midair completing a front double, sophomore Rebecca Jacobs ends her season finishing 12th. (Photo by Meghan Kearney)

cess they had this year,” Robbins said. “In every meet and every practice they will do better which requires training in the off season.”

DIVE TEAM HISTORY STARTING IN 2007

-2011, 2012, 2013 MARY TUTERA PLACED IN THE TOP 8 AT STATE. -2013 THREE GIRLS QUALIFIED FOR STATE THAT HELPED THE TEAM FINISH 2ND OVER ALL. -2014 SOPHOMORES MARGARET BRANDMEYER AND REBECCA JACOBS SCORED THE MOST POINTS IN THE HISTORY OF SION

“I guarantee you, we work harder than most other teams. It’s not the size of the team, but the size of their hearts,” Romano said. “We’re determined, because everybody thinks we aren’t good enough and nobody comes to our games, so we want to prove everyone wrong.”

The basketball team closed out their regular season with a victory against St. Teresa’s Academy to win the Irish Cup on February 27, 2014. They went on in the postseason to beat Center High School on March 1, and dominated against Grain Valley High School on March 4.

The storm took the district title for the fourth consecutive year in a row after beating the Grandview Bulldogs 54-39. The team will go head-to-head Wednesday against Clinton High School for the Sectional title.

Depending on the outcome of Wednesday’s game, the team will advance to the Quarter Final game and then onto the State Championship.

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Senior Megan Neisius is one of many players who is excited for Crawford’s coming. Neisius said her age will allow the players to relate to her while still learning

BY MADISON HUMMEL from her. Crawford brings experience unlike anything MANAGING EDITOR the team has seen before.

The air is filled with anticipation and excitement “She has experience at the woman’s college level for the lacrosse team as the spring approaches. La- which we’ve never had before,” Neisius said. “Plus she’s crosse players dust of their cleats, relocate their sticks an alum so she already knows the ropes of Sion, so I and prepare for the season ahead. can’t wait to grow with this team along side her.”

But the players aren’t the only ones gearing up Junior Sydney Summers agrees with Neisius and for the upcoming season. Previous player and alumna hopes Crawford’s experience will bring a lot of imMolly Crawford is returning to the field not as a play- proved skill to the team. Although her insight to the er, but as an assistant coach this year. Crawford played game will be beneficial, Summers addresses the confour years at Sion and furthered her lacrosse career at cern some have of being such a young coach. She asthe University of California Berkeley sures her critics that it will not be an where she was captain. issue this season.

She heard there was a job open “We always respect our coaches, ing for coaching and contacted Athno matter their age,” Summers said. letic Director Dennis Conaghan for “If anything it’ll make working hard an interview. Conaghan knew her more fun having a young coach when she was a former student, so he around.” accepted her offer and invited her in This upcoming season will not to talk the job over. be the team’s first experience with

Crawford left a legacy of leadera young coach. Rosalind Johnson ship and success at Sion, Conaghan was the assistant coach last year, -Dennis Conaghan, said. He knew Crawford would be and plans to return to the team this co-athletic director the perfect person for the job. spring. Recalling memories with

“She was always such a leader at Johnson, Summers is confident Sion,” Conaghan said. “I know the girls will learn a lot Crawford will fit right in. from her.”

“We always used to joke with Ros which made the

Crawford’s youth is an aspect the athletic direc- season so much fun,” Summers said. “It’s great to have tors and students are hoping will be a real benefit to the a young female coach that relates to us, while still helpteam. Conaghan said when they were looking to hire, ing our game improve.” they needed someone young who could demonstrate

Determination Delivers Success for Future with Golf and College

Former Sion lacrosse captain Molly Crawford returns as assistant coach this spring.

“She was always such a leader at Sion. I know the girls will learn a lot from her.”

Irish Cup

Champions

The Storm Varsity Basketball team retained the Irish Cup by beating St. Teresa’s 64-47 Feb. 27. Sion has won the trophy, created in 2009, every year except one.

1. STA player Eleanor Lueke plays in the game that honored her older sister, Becca; 2. Cheerleaders lead the Sion student section in a cheer; 3. Kristen Murphy, the team’s lone senior, looks for a teammate to pass to.

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Senior Maggie Nelson

BY MADISON HUMMEL MANAGING EDITOR

Accuracy, determination, dedication and hard work are just a few things that senior Maggie Nelson says she has learned from her experiences on the golf course. Nelson has been golfing since she was 9 years old, and she is hoping to continue her golfing career at the College of Charleston or Ole Miss.

Senior Amanda Malecki, Nelson’s teammate, describes Nelson as the player that inspires others to play well and always fights hard for her goals.

“Golf looks easy to a lot of people, but I can tell you it’s not. You really have to know what you are doing to play well,” Nelson said. “There’s more to golfing then what you see on TV.”

Nelson said she is not just looking at College of Charleston and Ole Miss for their golf programs, but because she also loves the atmosphere the South offers. Nelson said she is enjoying the process of finding a roommate and is looking forward to the warm weather.

“When I visited Charleston I fell in love with the campus and the size of the school,” Nelson said. “ I am really looking forward to spending time on the beach.”

Nelson has yet to visit Ole Miss, but hopes to make a trip in the near future.

Nelson said she is excited for next year, but as her time to head to college draws closer, she is getting worried about the distance between her family and friends.

“I love the two schools, but I never imagined being 25 hours away from home,” Nelson said. “I love both, but the distance will definitely be a challenge.”

Kelly Nelson, Maggie’s mom, said Nelson started golf at the age of nine and was a stand out from the beginning. A UMKC golf coach gave Nelson lessons through a YMCA summer camp. Here is where the coach noticed Nelson’s natural talent.

“He used to always come up to me and tell me how good Maggie was for her age,” Kelly said. “He would always say ‘you make sure you let me know when she goes to college.’”

Kelly said golf was always recreational for Nelson before she came to Sion. Her freshman and sophomore years she played but didn’t have the passion yet. The summer between her junior and senior year Nelson realized her love for the game and was determined to make the state team.

“I began to see her become more serious about it,” Kelly said, “She started to practice a lot more and focused on make the state team for her senior year. It was really cool to see her put that kind of effort into it.”

Kelly said Nelson’s determination got her where she is today. Kelly said Nelson is not one to take no for an answer and will always do whatever it takes to get what she wants. In this case, what Nelson wants is to make something of her golf game.

“She is always able to find a way. That’s one thing I’ve never worried about Maggie, if Maggie wants something she figures out a way to get it,” Kelly said.

Her hard work and determination is paying off and Nelson hopes to sign with one of the schools sometime in the spring. She she will either have a signing at Sion or will having an intimate signing with close family and friends.

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t 7:00 a.m. her first alarm goes drastic, but if your life isn’t changed, then this time off. 7:05 the second one rings. next year you will be starting another diet instead of 7:10 her parents are pulling her out maintaining an everyday regimen. of the bed. She brushes her teeth and warms her car. She grabs her cinnamon Life cereal and drives to school.

EXERCISE She walks into Spanish III and opens her

With Spring Break right around the corner, girls assignment book. March, already? Her name, are experimenting with different workout facilities Courtney Linscott. She is a cheerleader. She knows such as Fusion Fitness and Title Boxing. the expectations. She knows what is expected of a

The American Heart Association suggests exercheerleader. Perky. Happy. Skinny. cising at least 150 minutes a week. Personal Trainer

Spring Break is only a few weeks away and the and Fitness Evaluator from Front Door Fitness, Ellie countdown to a week off of school has started. Some Kretschmer, said the amount of exercise an individmight be hitting the slopes or driving around the ual should get weekly depends on the individual’s country for a college visit, but most are going to be at goals. She suggests to work out more than the bare the beach. Mexico, Florida, and Gulf Shores, Ala. are minimum of 150 minutes a week if you are trying among the most popular destinations. Sun tanned to improve your skin, new bikinis fitness level or and the beach for a lose weight.

“If dieting worked, we wouldn’t need all of week. The warmer “I think weather is here, these different products and companies, exercise is vital in and that means and eventually, diets would go out of busiimproving your showing more ness because everyone would have lost health, speeding skin. up weight loss, unwanted weight.”

“Maybe toning up and Dr. Laura Eickman, REbeL founder I should start feeling good working out?” because of those endorphins,” Kretschmer said.

“Do I look fat in my swimsuit?”

At Front Door Fitness, the trainers try to give “I need to diet.” people workouts with minimal equipment by doing According to FoxNews.com, this is what a lot of body weight exercises. Kretschmer said it is most girls between 15 and 20 are saying. truly amazing how good a workout you can get with In today’s world, physical appearance is a few hand weights, a band and your body. Lack of constantly scrutinized. The headlines of all equipment should never be an excuse to not get a the magazines talk about the weight loss good workout. and weight gain of celebrities. Praising the

For Spring Break, freshman Ally Koehler is going thin and annihilating the others. Teens and to Mexico. She said it does make her want to look young girls read these magazines and go to great and feel her best knowing she will be in a swimsuit, lengths to achieve the “perfect image” through dietbut she pretty much keeps the same workout routine ing. regardless of the season.

But diets often fail, because the dieter turns to

“I exercise around five times a week. My favorite the wrong types of foods, cuts down too much of their thing to do is Cardio Kickboxing at Lifetime Fitness,” caloric intake and sometimes doesn’t eat anything at Koehler said. “It is an hour long class of getting the all. heart rate up, endurance, punch/kick combos and

“In the long term, dieting is ineffective. Approxigood music. I go to Zumba occasionally as well. Runmately 95 percent of dieters regain any weight lost and ning outside is also a staple in my workouts.” oftentimes, more,” founder and president of REbeL

Senior Kennedy Whitaker is going to Playa Del Inc, Dr. Laura Eickman said. “If dieting worked, we Carmen, Mexico for Spring Break. However, she isn’t wouldn’t need all of these different products and comjust exercising specifically for the trip. She has always panies, and eventually, diets would go out of business loved working out and looks forward to it every day because everyone would have lost unwanted weight.” because it enhances her mood and relieves stress.

No matter what the stories say and what the

“My favorite thing to do when I exercise is run results are, there is always going to be someone, someoutside,” Whitaker said. “I love being outdoors and where that thinks they need to diet for Spring Break. can run so much longer than I could just on a treadFor summer. For prom. mill. I also do Title Boxing Club, and have a personal

Yet the key to dieting is not to do it. The only trainer.” way to achieve a healthier body is to change the entire

Fusion Fitness instructor Pam Curry said that lifestyle, according to Dr. Mehmet Oz. Exercise. Food.

Fusion sees an increase in the number of high school Healthy lifestyle. Change the exercise plan, the food students attending classes between New Year’s and that is consumed and lifestyle you live. That may seem

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349 Sion students were surveyed.

FLORIDA

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(Photo submitted by Courtney Linscott)

ALABAMA

6.0%

(Photo submitted by Carolyn Crowe)

COLORADO

4.9%

(Photo submitted by Maddy Lewing)

...Continued from page 11

Spring Break. But over the past several years, they have seen an increase in the number of high school clients who have made working out a part of their lifestyle year round.

At Fusion the instructors stress the importance of self-empowerment. Curry said exercise and a healthy diet are part of developing the whole person.

Shock your body and find an exercise that’s fun and challenging at the same time. And remember, too much of anything leads to negative results.

“Our bodies and muscles need time to recover after working out. Most experts recommend that we exercise three to five times a week. Depending on your fitness level, the number of days a week you workout will vary,” Curry said. “Again it’s about balance; working out every day excessively will have the same result as the yo-yo diet. The results won’t last.”

Senior Megan Neisius usually exercises six days a week. At 24 Hour Fitness she works out with a trainer twice a week. He makes her keep a record of her daily food intake and develops a monthly workout plan.

She also cycles and attends weight classes along with swimming, running and playing lacrosse.

Carriage Club Pilates and Barre instructor Shannon Mortimer has a background in ballet and modern performing art. She believes that keeping your body in motion is vital to health - meaning moving your spine in all directions while strengthening and stretching the muscles 360 degrees around which helps to keep you healthy at any age.

Mortimer said it is best not to only use cardio because it is pure fat-burning. This will not build muscle nor create muscle strength. She said you must also maintain a balanced fitness diet, just as you would a balanced diet with food.

“If you are going to do both cardio and weights in one workout session, then begin with cardio and then do weights so your muscles are warm,” Mortimer said. “However, many people do cardio four times a week and on the off days do weight-lifting which is great as well. A third component equally imperative to cardio and strength training is stretching and that should be done daily.”

How quickly you see results from exercising depends on many factors and will be different for each person’s individual body. Mortimer said it depends on age, maintaining a good diet and metabolism. It also depends on the amount of time you are willing to spend doing cardio and muscle strengthening exercises. She said if you are doing all of these things then you should notice some results in two weeks.

Mortimer said, “You must stay consistent with your exercise routine. It is a lifestyle change, not a fad diet or spontaneous workout regime.”

Exercising to target those trouble areas such as the arms, inner thighs and muffin tops can be a struggle for some people. For muffin tops, Mortimer said the best exercise is anything cardio that gets your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes at least 4 four times a week. And planking in all different directions is the best for strengthening.

Mortimer said tricep dips, pectoral push-ups and tricep push-ups, or bicep curls along with tricep curls and shoulder military presses will help you strengthen your arms. Consistency is key for results.

For inner thighs Mortimer said a great simple exercise is holding a bridge pose and repetitively squeezing your knees together.

English teacher Janet Zacharias made Yoga a regular part of her lifestyle 12 years ago primarily for the stress relief. Yoga, with its stress on deep breathing and concentration on muscles, helps the mind and the body. It improves concentration, muscle tension,

12 LE JOURNAL ISSUE 5

balance and muscle tone. Zacharias as well as English teacher Casey Engel began Yoga Club because they thought that many students could use a few minutes of de-stress time in their day.

“Going to Yoga Gallery in old Overland Park, Ks. helps me to attend classes regularly, meet like-minded people, and not “skip” poses I don’t like, which I sometimes do when I am practicing at home,” Zacharias said.

FOOD

Food isn’t just an inanimate object that is talked about at lunch or is pulled out at the end of the day.

Food is much more than that. It can be the difference between high and low cholesterol. When someone consistently makes good food choices they are less susceptible to cancers and are able to live longer.

Although that may not seem to make a difference to most high schoolers today, the food that is consumed today is going to determine what happens tomorrow. Junior Lauren Stollman knows how important the food she puts in her body is.

“I noticed that when I eat bad food I don’t perform my day to day tasks as well as I could, and I am not motivated,” Stollman said. “However, when I feel light and I put good foods in my body, I feel like I can get the most out of my body and I have the proper energy for my day.”

Stollman changed her lifestyle and eating habits when going on the Paleo diet February 2013. The diet is contrived after the foods eaten in the Paleolithic Era. This includes eating things that are natural and nothing that is man-made or processed. The diet sticks to proteins, lots of vegetables, fruit and nuts.

Dieting is about food. Certain foods even tout prevention from deadly diseases. For example broccoli is rich in sulforaphane, an antioxidant that can reduce the risk of many cancers, especially lung, stomach, colon and rectal cancers according to RedOrbit.com.

Also, blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, which are compounds that help protect the heart, and may prevent the growth of cancer cells. Studies suggest that blueberries can protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and can slow and even reverse age-related memory loss and

BODY BLAST

Detailed descriptions from Shannon Mortimer- A Pilates and Barre Instructor

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This is a basic squat. It works the quadriceps, the gluteals, and the erector spinae of the back.

3

This is an overhead press. It works the deltoids and triceps if you straighten the arms all the way, as well as targeting the right legs’ gluteals and hamstrings and the left legs’ quadriceps and gluteals.

This detailed exercise works the right deltoids, right triceps, the left gluteals and hamstrings, and your abdominals, latisimus dorsi, erector spinae, and scapula stabilizers, anterior serratis again the whole core front and back.

4

With this particular plank exercise you are making your right set of obliques (internal and external) work very hard to stabilize your spine. While you are using your outward rotators of the right hip, hamstrings, psoas, and gluteals all of that right leg.

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This works all 4 sets of abdominals, your left quadriceps and left psoas. If you are pushing down with the right leg, then you are also working hamstrings and gluteals.

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These work all 4 sets of abdominals and particularly the obliques of which the muscle fibers run on the diagonal for rotation. If it is a weighted medicine ball then you will get a little biceps and medial deltoid. All depending on what you do with the ball.

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Curry says that the healthiest way to lose weight is to realize there is no secret formula. But, she says you can take steps to lose weight while increasing your health. It matters what you eat and how you treat your body.

Mortimer believes that everyone is created differently and needs a different variety of foods and good fats to provide the foundation for a daily lifestyle regime. If there were a secret to dieting, a way to keep the weight off, it would have to be consistency.

“If you don’t enjoy it, you will not continue it for a very long time,” Mortimer said. “It needs to be a lifestyle change.”

Finding the right balance is extremely important because it is hard to stay 100 percent dedicated to a diet without slipping up here and there. Eating foods that are not enjoyable causes people to have intense cravings. A person’s mind rebels against the restrictions making the cravings more intense.

According to the article “Why Your Diet is Making You Fat,” author Cynthia Sass says that these cravings taunt the dieter and cause them to start to miss the foods that they were once able to eat.

Koehler says that she tries to focus on eating proteins, fruits, vegetables and the good kinds of fat that Mortimer was referring to, like avocados and nuts that help the body absorb the nutrients.

Stollman agrees that protein is key to any diet, although she is on a Paleo diet. She chooses to eat egg whites instead of normal eggs for her breakfast because she says that they contain good proteins.

DANGERS OF DIETING

Flipping through the pages of Us Weekly Magazine, it seems that people will do just about anything

Weight loss is hard to do and even harder to to alter their bodies into that “perfect image.” Like maintain as a lifestyle. It’s not that people aren’t mosinger Christina Aguilera who shed pounds on the tivated to lose weight. It’s that it’s difficult to keep the Fresh Diet. This is a home-delivery meal plan created weight off. by a Paris-trained chef. Or there is J-Lo’s new diet

According to the article “Can Dieting Make You obsession with Tracy Anderson’s new food delivery Fat” by Janet A. Tomiyama 30-64 percent of those program that boasts organic ingredients. who lost weight from a dieting program regained

Then there’s the mushroom-packed meals for all of it or more after a two to five year time period.

14 days that singer/songwriter Katy Perry uses as her Though right now that’s not on the mind of Linscott. secret to losing weight. It’s called the M-Plan diet. It

The day is over Linscott is at home. Her stomach promises to remove unwanted bulk from “problem growls, and she tries to suppress the hunger. She looks areas” like the stomach and thighs quickly. around the kitchen for a snack. Apple. Chocolate.

According to junior Julie Steilen girls diet Sandwich, or soup. because they are self-conscious about their weight.

“Maybe I should eat the apple today since I had She believes it is okay to diet, as long as it is healthy, the chocolate yesterday.” especially for those who play sports or are trying to

“Maybe I need to have the sandwich because of enhance their athletic performances. the protein.”

“If you’re killing and starving yourself then that’s

“Maybe I should have soup, but only if it has a not a good thing,” Steilen said. vegetable base.”

Curry said that you want to equip your body, not

There are so many choices. When looking for a starve it. diet or a way to lose weight know what the regimen

According to Dr. Adam Haycock the worst of all entails. And in the end, always be safe. are crash diets. They can lead to malnutrition and an unsatisfying relationship with food. He also made it clear that crash diets are not effective in the long run because the cravings will consistently come back. A person cannot fully rid themselves from these temptations unless they undergo a lifestyle change.

And Curry said that cutting your calorie intake significantly to lose weight has consequences.

“The most significant is the slowing of your body’s metabolic rate. This usually results in more weight being gained after the extreme dieting is over,” Curry said.

According to Curry, the yo-yo approach to weight loss takes a toll on our metabolism making it difficult to maintain weight loss. The fluctuating of body weight is extremely dangerous because this losing/gaining weight action lowers the body’s immune system functions.

Ultimately Kretschmer The store-bought smoothies have as many calories as Water has no calories and helps provide enough oxygen said that losing weight reala cheeseburger. The extreme portions of fruit, vegeto the brain. Also, drinking water also supports nerve tables, and added simple sugars are the cause of this. function and helps you build muscle. ly comes down to a simple equation: expending more energy than you consume.

“It is important to consume the appropriate amount of nutrients your body needs so your metabolism can work at its optimal rate,” Kretschmer said.

“Which is why drastically Energy, protein, and fiber bars are just one step Switch the bars for an apple and a cheese stick. The new restricting your calories is away from a candy bar. There are too many addoption has just as much fiber and protein while cutting out

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According to Dr. Eickman, dieting disrupts normal metabolism, leading to food cravings, bingeing, reduces cognitive functioning, impairs memory and is associated with increased irritability and tiredness.

Unless one is cutting out a food group due to an allergy, doing this is not helpful to their body or helpful in losing weight.

“With all this in mind,” Dr. Eickman said, “it doesn’t make sense to me that we would choose to diet when it doesn’t really work and has such negative side effects.”

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It’s no surprise that the foods we eat have a significant impact on our weight, but Kretschmer says that exercise helps expend energy, which speeds up weight loss.

Unfortunately there is simply nothing that exists today that makes someone lose weight and keep it off too. Somewhere down the line people need to realize that sometimes in life there are no short cuts or easy way outs.

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decline in cognitive function.

Success or failure depends on the amount of food consumed. For example, when someone works out and burns 200 calories, but then eats a 600 calorie double cheeseburger from Five Guys, the workout is wiped away.

“Diet [food choices] is more important in terms of weight loss. It’s really hard to lose weight simply through exercise if your diet is poor, while you can definitely lose weight with proper caloric intake without working out,” Kretschmer said.

One of the most common mistakes in a diet is the food choice, or lack thereof. One of the worst decisions is to not eat. Skipping even a few meals can be detrimental to someone’s metabolism.

“Your body needs energy in the form of nutrients and some healthy fat in order to keep the metabolism and ‘energy regulators’ in your brain working.

This creates lots of problems,” Mortimer said. “If you are not intaking calories, your body will divert to breaking down muscle fiber to burn as fuel and then you are being counter-productive. Not eating actually slows down your metabolism and you need a strong, good-working metabolism to burn fat away.”

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends eating 2,000 calories a day. These calories are made up of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

“I am known for bringing apples to events. I always have an apple in my purse because if I get hungry that is something good to eat,” Stollman said.

Changing what someone eats doesn’t mean that now all they eat is fruit and vegetables. Everything is okay in moderation, even the whole smoked ham sandwich with extra fries at Oklahoma Joe’s can be enjoyed from time to time. Everything in moderation.

“I love baking, so of course I “cheat” when I’ve made something good. I let myself eat the food that I love like anything chocolate/peanut butter, but the key is moderation,” Koehler said.

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the unhealthy ingredients.

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Introducing DOMINIKA PUTECOVA a typical high school experience, like in movies.”

For the second semester, Putecova came to Kansas City, which she said she likes better because it is a bigger city. She also likes going to Sion better than the school in Wichita because it is full of American stuBY EMMA DOPHEIDE dents.

NEWS/EDITORIAL EDITOR “It’s really nice. It has hills--Wichita was flat,” Putecova said. “Kansas City is bigger, and there are more

A girl leaves her family for an entire year, embarkpeople and things to do.” ing on a journey to a country she had always dreamed of Although Putecova has been away from home for visiting. A country 5,319 miles away, where the people seven months, she says she has never been extremely speak an entirely different language. A country where homesick. she would know nothing and no one. A completely new “Sometimes I miss it a little bit, but never really been situation. homesick,” Putecova said. “I try to Skype my family

Although this vaguely resembles the plot of a movevery week.” ie, this is the real life of Dominika Putecova, who came Putecova will be returning to Slovakia in May or to America from Slovakia in August.

June, after the school year ends. She said she will miss

Putecova said that she had always wanted to exthe people she met in America, especially her host perience the United States, which she had heard about family, the Stevensons, whose eldest son is a student and seen in movies. So she went to American Interculat the Grade School. tural Student Exchange and told them, “I want to go to “I’m going to miss people here and my host family,” America.” A couple of months later she was scheduled Putecova said. “It will be so different to come back beto travel to Wichita, Kan., where she stayed from Aucause there’s a big gap in my life now. I’m excited to gust to January. see friends and family but will be a little scared to go

“I was excited until a week before, and then I got home.” so stressed,” Putecova said. “But I flew with five other Dominika Putecova first studied at an international school Slovakians, so that made me feel better. in Wichita, Kan. before coming to Sion this semester.(Photo Putecova said she has enjoyed her time in America, and has liked getting to take part in a different kind of

Putecova said she enjoyed her time in Wichita, but by Emma Dopheide) experience than she had in Slovakia. was ready for a change.

“My favorite thing about America is that you have more choice in school of

“The school in Wichita was an international school, so not a real American experience,” Putecova said. “I’m not saying I didn’t like it, but I just wanted more of what you want to do,” Putecova said. “And that the people are more open.”

Slovakian exchange student is spending this semester in Kansas City for a typical high school experience.

Walking the Runway to Assure Fashion Career Sophomore Isabella Lightner models in hopes of further pursuing a career in the fashion industry someday.

BY MADISON HUMMEL MANAGING EDITOR

The fashion industry, known for its cut throat competition and long-legged models, is an intimidating world unknown for many, but for sophomore Isabella Lightner it’s just another hobby.

Lightner began modeling when she was just 14 after auditioning for the Kansas City Fashion Week model casting, and she hasn’t slowed down since. She says she has always been interested in the industry and didn’t let her location get in the way of a dream.

“I don’t live in, or close to, any of the major U.S. cities: New York, L.A., Chicago,” Lightner said. “So I looked up fashion opportunities in Kansas City and saw a model casting and went and auditioned.”

Lightner was involved in an agency for a short time and shot with photographer Michael Dar in Chicago. She says she knows the importance of taking advantage of any opportunity she can get her hands on.

Lightner has learned any gig is a great way to get a foot in the door by meeting other models as well as networkers, stylists and designers. She hopes to carry on a career involving fashion, possibly as a blogger or editor, so she believes getting involved early through modeling is crucial.

“Meeting people now is a great way to network and make contacts to get my name out there,” Lightner said.

Lightner admits that there are many challenges that come with modeling. She was forced to grow thick skin and not take offense to the comments people in LE JOURNAL

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the industry make about her. She quickly had to learn that her look wasn’t going to be loved by all. The industry is picky and not every model is what they are looking for.

“You have to take judgement well and not be upset if someone offends you,” Lightner said. “Also, auditioning for something and not getting it can be hard, but I just have to get over it and move on.”

Along with challenges, Lightner adds that there are perks to the model life. She said she has made many friends throughout her time in the industry, and the friends she has made are nice and encouraging towards her work.

Lightner also enjoys simply being around fashion itself. She enjoys every aspect of it: the clothes, the makeup, the lifestyle. Hoping to continue in the world of fashion, Lightner could not be in a more ideal position.

“Fashion is what I want to do for my career and being around it a lot is just absolutely fabulous,” Lightner said.

Sophomore Mary Helen Guastello is a good friend of Lightner’s and has seen her modeling career grow from the beginning. Guastello said Lightner is great at what she does, but is never one to brag.

“She is not the typical quote on quote model,” Guastello said. “She is very humble and unassuming.

She approaches her interest with preparation, hard work and commitment.”

Guastello agrees getting a foot in the door early is a great idea if Lightner wants to continue in the fashion industry. She said modeling will allow her to explore the fashion world as a whole. Guastello does not model herself, but knows a good catch when she sees one.

“Bella is a very unique model,” Guastello said.

“She has a lovely edge and carries herself so well.”

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“The waterskiing world is a judge-free zone,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton’s older sister, Mary, is also excited about having Anna join the team. Everyone from her

BY GEORGIA EVANS dad to her youngest brother Luke participates, so her REPORTER decision to start when she was four made the bond

Ever since senior Anna Hamilton was four years with her sister even stronger. When they were little, old, she has participated in the rare sport of water it was easy to divide Anna and Mary’s ski friends beskiing. She is part of a long sibling legacy of water cause of the age difference. Now, Mary says, it will be skiers that have all had faith in her skill ever since she cool to be able to hang out with each others’ mutual started: her seven older siblings that all have been on ski friends. the KU team, to be exact. To Anna and the rest of the

According to Mary, she is a little better at the Hamilton family, waterskiing isn’t just a sport, but a ski type called slalom and Anna is better at the type way of life. called trick, so they like to teach each other how to

This June, she will be a proud member of The improve whenever they get the chance.

University of Kansas’s waterskiing team. And if that

Also, their birthdays worked out so every three isn’t enough, she will also join her older sister, Sion or four years they’d have to compete against each alumna Mary Hamilton, and brother Hunter Hamilother at competition. Mary admitted that she was ton on the team. disappointed that Anna had beat her in trick once at

According to Hamilton, the waterskiing team is state. But she also said that those feelings didn’t last like a club, so anyone long, because wacan join, and whether ter skiing is more “I’m excited to be able to partake in colleone makes it into Diabout having fun giate tournaments and meet so many new vision I or II depends than getting a people from different teams.” solely on their scores. good score.

- senior Anna Hamilton And Hamilton’s scores On the have pushed her into University of Division I. Kansas team, one’s ability can range from beginner to

“I’m excited to be able to partake in collegiate advanced, so Mary knew that Anna would make the tournaments and meet so many new people from team, and probably even the top five for the Girls’ A different teams,” Hamilton said. team. According to Mary, the team is really good this

Hamilton’s favorite part about waterskiing is the year and is just getting better and gaining new talent community of people she meets through the sport. like Anna.

She has grown up with people involved in waterskiing

“I’ll love being able to say, ‘Hey Anna, I’m gonna from every state that she says have taught her new go get the boat. I’ll drive you for a set if you drive me things that she would have never have learned before. for a set,’” Mary said.

Senior Anna Hamilton is continuing the legacy of waterskiing at the University of Kansas.

Top 10 Waterskiing Colleges:

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1. University of Louisiana Monroe 2. University of LA Lafayette 3. University of Alabama 4. Rollins College 5. Florida Southern College 6. University of Kansas 7. Arizona State University 8. Miami of Ohio 9. Michigan State University 10. Grand Valley State University (Info from ncwsa.com)

Recognizing Ramsey Freshman Taylor Ramsey shows Sion what an important addition to the drama department she has become.

BY GEORGIA EVANS AND EMMA DOPHEIDE REPORTER AND NEWS/EDITORIAL EDITOR

Lights. Camera. Taylor. Freshman Taylor Ramsey started singing at the ripe age of two and has been in the spotlight ever since. Whether it was her school or her church, Ramsey has more than proven her talent for singing and acting. Her first time singing in front of a group of people was when she was seven and had a solo in her choir that her mom lead.

“It felt like it was something I’m supposed to do, like it was my calling,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey’s mother, Mia, said that although Taylor had always been singing, she really picked it up recently.

“Taylor would always sing,” Mia said. “But she really aggressively and actively started singing solos at church in the last two to three years.”

Ramsey played Motormouth Maybelle in this year’s Sion musical “Hairspray.” Her role included endless amounts of dancing and acting, but the most memorable part of her role was her singing.

After some of her solos, she was completely surprised by the multiple standing ovations.

“I had no idea people would like my singing as much as they did,” Ramsey said.

One of Ramsey’s fellow actors, senior Ralvell Rogers from Rockhurst High School was impressed with Ramsey’s singing. According to Rogers, when he heard her sing her solo, it was amazing.

“I thought that she sounded better than Queen Latifah in the movie version of ‘Hairspray,’” Rogers said.

For her mother, watching Taylor sing her solo in “Hairspray” has been her favorite memory of her daughters voice. She said seeing the crowd’s reaction was amazing.

“There was a slight pause when she got through, and then everyone erupted,” Mia said. “I was crying the whole night. It was so unexpected and it blew me out of the water.”

Music teacher Elizabeth Mulkey is a huge supporter of Ramsey’s talent. She claimed that she immediately knew that Ramsey would be a huge hit and bring talent to the production.

“I was trying to hold in a smile because it was an audition and you’re not supposed to show that amount of emotion in front of everyone, so that was

Ramsey belts out “I Know Where I’ve Been” in the opening of the second act of “Hairspray.” (Photo by Sarah Harris)

hard. But I was completely thrilled,” Mulkey said.

Mulkey hopes Ramsey will join the choir and get a permanent schedule to perform the National Anthem at Sion’s sporting events.

“I knew from the beginning that Taylor was something that people would never forget,” Mulkey said.

Mia said that the main emotion she feels watching her daughter sing is pride.

“I’m extremely proud,” Mia said. “It always surprises me because I don’t know what’s going to come out, but I am just extremely proud.”

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(Photo By Georgia Evans)

Kim’s Declassified Survival Guide Although this is my last column, I’m leaving you with some final tips to help you survive the rest of high school.

BY KIM FRYER FEATURES EDITOR

As we near the home stretch of another school year, I suppose it’s about time I face the reality that my high school career is over. I know, I don’t know how this happened either.

It seems my time at Sion is almost up and, brace yourselves, this will be my last column. Fear not, dear readers, I am not going to leave you unprepared. Rest assured you will be well equipped to conquer these halls without me next year. I’m going to share some tips I’ve learned along the way.

Survival Tip #1: Just because there is food available, doesn’t mean you should eat it.

Four years in high school have nursed within me an unashamed love of all things edible, but looking back I realize that I probably should have thought twice before consuming everything in my path.

You see, as a hungry 14-year-old who had just shed my baby fat, my mind was blown by the fact that there were vending machines. Vending. Machines. Inside the school. I couldn’t believe that I could walk into the cafeteria and buy myself a candy bar whenever I felt like it. And I took full advantage of the Twix bars.

Coming from a grade school where donuts were banned for their unhealthy nature, I couldn’t imagine anything better than unlimited candy, pizza lunches and bake sales galore. It took me a of couple years (and a few gained pounds) to realize that just because they offered food didn’t mean I needed to consume it. When it comes to food, ladies, use some self control. Let it be known, the freshmen fifteen doesn’t only apply to college students.

Survival Tip #2: Having a social life is beneficial.

While this applies to all grades, juniors, I’m mainly talking to you. Junior year weighed down on me as the most academically rigorous year, and sometimes I forgot what it meant to do things for leisure. As important as it is to study for tests and get all your homework done, it’s also important to remember that having a social life is actually beneficial to your health and wellness.

In the same way that I really needed some extra time to figure out factoring, I also needed some extra time to talk to my friends. To go out. To, I don’t know, have a life outside of schoolwork and ACT prep and college selections. It can get overwhelming and it’s easy to forget how to interact with other humans. Not leaving time for yourself can also lead to insanity. Believe me, I know.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane: semester two, U.S. History final. I was in the zone. My vision was starting to blur as my eyes were glued to my quizlet set full of questions that I would need to know for the exam. I was beating myself up, because I couldn’t seem to get any of the answers right, so I isolated myself until I could.

I was actually studying first semester’s U.S. History quizlet, hence not having the sharpest memory. Ha. Awesome. Had I ventured outside of my isolated study bubble and taken a second to chat with friends, my mind may not have been as fried. I might have noticed that I was studying the wrong semester final. Perhaps I wouldn’t have had a mental breakdown.

Bottom line: take a break from schoolwork every now and again. It just might save your sanity (and keep you from studying 100 of the wrong flashcards).

Survival Tip #3: Take advantage of single-sex education.

Although it is hard to imagine, the real world consists of both girls AND boys. Shocking, really. We only get four years to enjoy the perks of attending a school with 400 of our best gal pals, and you should

Junior Lauren Stollman believes her workout regimen is a way of life.

By Sarah Harris Reporter CrossFit is a way of life. It isn’t something to try one time and move on, at least that’s what junior cross-fitter, Lauren Stollman has found out a year after starting CrossFit 913 in Overland Park, Kansas.

“When I started it after the first time I was unsure about how I liked it, but I wanted to try it again so I did. Then I wanted to do it again and again and again,” LE JOURNAL (Photo submitted by Lauren Stollman))

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take advantage of everything that entails.

If I had a dollar for every time my mom asked, “You’re leaving the house… looking like that?” I’d be the richest person in the world. That’s the beauty of not having to worry about boys in the classroom. No offense, ladies, but I could care less if my hair is a little bit (or a lot bit) tangly during the school week. And it’s not the end of the world if I forget to wipe the zit cream off my face when I wake up.

In about two months, this will not be the case for me, so I’m letting you know in advance. Take advantage of all the time you have in a school full of girls.

Let your hormones flow freely, ladies. Take those extra five minutes in the morning that you would have spent straightening your hair to finish your REM cycle.

Not only is having an all-girls school beneficial to your sleeping habits, but it’s beneficial in the classroom as well. I am more than eager to raise my hand and share what I think is the answer in math class… even if they are wrong the majority of the time. I’m not ashamed to speak my mind or stand up for my ideals, and that is the confidence that has been instilled in me thanks to four years spent among women who are equally as confident in themselves.

Unlike grade school, I don’t have to worry about the boy sitting next to me making me laugh with his immaturity or being afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Thankfully, as I prepare to graduate on to bigger and more manly classmates, I realize that I am ready for this. Four years have showed me that it’s always okay to speak your mind, boys in the room or not.

Survival Tip #4: Don’t sweat the small stuff.

If I’ve learned anything during high school, this is the most important. Quit worrying about the things that really don’t matter at all. Yes, high school grades matter. Yes, you should do your best to be your best.

But. BUT. If I could go back and redo my high school years, I would sit back and enjoy every second of my time. I don’t look back and remember the tests I cried over or the homecoming dresses I struggled to find.

Stollman said.

CrossFit is a fitness program that targets weightlifting and other types of sports and exercises to create a high intensity workout. The program is designed to prepare their clients with overall fitness so that they are ready for any workout. This is good because with CrossFit no one knows the workout until the day of the workout. The work out of the day is posted on their website everyday so that the workouts are always fresh. The workouts have not only strengthened Stollman’s body but also taught her how to see herself in another light.

“It has changed the way I think about the body. I have gained so much confidence about my body and I love every part about myself because of it. I see how useful every part of my body is and the importance to keep myself properly nourished so that I can sustain my energy and care for my muscles,” Stollman said.

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The Fault in Our Stars Novel touches hearts around the world, serving as a reminder of what we have.

BY MARY B FREEMAN REPORTER

Sion Girls Utilize Their Staycation The iconic Kansas City skyline hosts various sights like the Kaufmann Center of Performing Arts, Union Station and the Western Auto sign. (Photo by Sydney Manning)

Students find ways to stay entertained in Kansas City over spring break.

BY SYDNEY MANNING REPORTER

Spring break destinations like Gulf Shores, Ala. and Seaside, Fla. have become more popular over recent years, sparking the over-asked question, “Where are you going for spring break?”

But, many students don’t travel anywhere for many different reasons, and they end up staying in town over the week long break. Although some Sion students don’t see our city as a very enticing place to spend their time away from school, Kansas City hosts many unique areas and events that make a staycation in Kansas City more of a score and less than a bore, according to junior Zoey Sweeney.

“I usually stay in town, because my parents like to take it easy,” said Sweeney. “We had a busy Christmas break, and sometimes it’s just nice to have a staycation.”

Sweeney says she doesn’t do anything too out of the ordinary over her days off, but she still enjoys her time away from school.

“I sleep a lot. I also spend a lot of time with fam-

ily and friends,” Sweeney said. “But I really enjoy the Country Club Plaza on a spring Kansas City day. It’s fun to grab lunch or dinner and shop around.”

Like Sweeney, sophomore Selena Hunter spends her spring breaks in Kansas City. Over the years, she said she’s made quite a few memories in this city.

“I love going to Union Station, because they always have something fun going on,” Hunter said. “I went to Science City a lot with my family and church groups when I was younger, and I still love going there now.”

Kansas City was ranked 15th on Business Week’s list of America’s 50 Best Cities for places like the Sprint Center, Sporting Park and the Country Club Plaza. The City of Fountains also boasts many delicious restaurants filling every appetite. New innovations coming to the city, like Google Fiber, help the curb appeal of this gorgeous town to entice the rest of the nation.

There’s always something to do around town, even if it’s just a visit to the Liberty Memorial to see the Kansas City skyline. If you’re stuck at home this spring break, don’t fret; get out and explore the city that millions call home.

Sion’s Favorite Places in Kansas City Sporting Park “My family has season tickets to Sporting KC, so we go to every game. My favorite thing is definitely the atmosphere.

It’s so much fun and I look forward to every game!

Town Topic Hamburgers “I like the milkshakes and the small town feel in the middle of the city. I usually get a hamburger with fries and a chocolate milkshake. It’s a great $5 meal for someone as broke as I am.”

-Freshman Nora Malone

Tea Drops in Westport

-Senior Jessie Brown

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

“I love tea so I go there quite often. I always get the chai boba tea. There’s a room in the back of the store that has lots of tea grounds; I love going around and smelling all of them.”

“I like the Nelson Atkins beacause I really enjoy art. Sometimes when I go, I try to sketch some of the statues and paintings. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in Kansas City.”

-Sophomore Katie Pendergast

-Junior Aubrey Horstmeier

In John Green’s novel, “The Fault in Our Stars”, a character named Lidewij Vliegenthart writes. “...never was Shakespeare more wrong than when he had Cassius note, ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves.’” Easy enough to say when you’re a Roman nobleman (or Shakespeare), but there is no shortage of fault to be found amid our stars.”

There are many faults in the stars.

One is cancer, and it is rampant in “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green.

This book, made into a movie for release this summer, is a work of art. It is beautiful.

It is wondrous.

It transports the reader to the world of Hazel Grace, a 16-yearold girl who is living, breathing and walking up stairs daily with lung cancer. She carries around a bulky metal case wherever she goes: her portable lungs.

Quickly into the novel Hazel happens upon Augustus Waters: snarky, crystal-blue eyes, mysterious, charming and one-legged. The following is a conversation between Hazel and Augustus as written in “The Fault In Our Stars.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?’

Augustus half smiled, ‘Because you’re beautiful.”

This marks the beginning of a love story worthy of Shakespeare. A love story that is not full of scandalous twists and turns, people who cheat on each other or who hopelessly chase after one another. This love story is not cheesy. It is simple. It is sad. It is treacherous. It is joyous. It is revolutionary. It wields the power to invoke a smile and a waterfall of tears in the same chapter.

However, if you are not one for tragedy, steer clear.

Although this is a novel that leaves the reader smiling, it will not do so without first stealing every last tear.

Needless to say, tissues are a must while reading.

From Greens’ heart-piercing storyline to the witty sarcasm of his characters, expect to be both enveloped in tragedy and to feel the urge to smile uncontrollably throughout this entirety of the book. Expect as well to be enlightened through Green’s small blurbs of wisdom that are interwoven within the thoughts and dialogues of his characters.

If you are seeking for something to keep you occupied for the break, I highly encourage you to pick up this 313 page novel. But fair warning: allot yourself at least three hours to read it when you first pick it up. You will not want to stop. You will not be able to set it down. The powerful words of this novel will hold you hostage.

It is a masterpiece painted in words. Read it and enjoy a little infinity.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Augustus half smiled, “Because you’re beautiful.”

-The Fault In Our Stars

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ISSUE 5

WHAT IS YOUR...

SPRING FASHION?

UPCOMING

CONCERTS YOUNG THE GIANT MARCH 19, THE MIDLAND STARTING AT $25

LORDE

STARTING AT $90

beg sen pla per ute ing gir

guy Ho An rou yon “no

wo

APRIL 15, SPRINT CENTER STARTING AT $55

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

“I love mixing vintage and bohemian items with more structured and chic pieces. My style draws a lot of inspiration from eras of the past.”

EMMA LISAC, JUNIOR

TRENDING...

- VINTAGE CLOTHING - HATS - GEOMETRIC STYLES AND PRINTS - BLACK AND WHITE CONTRAST

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PREPPY “I’m excited to wear pastels and skirts this spring. I think dressing semi-modest is important but that you can make it cute.”

MEGAN MCKENZIE, JUNIOR

TRENDING...

- BOLD COLORS PAIRED WITH DENIM

Ju Sn as

BY RE

JULY 30, SPRINT CENTER STARTING AT $120

ARTSY

W

MARCH 21, THE MIDLAND

MILEY CYRUS

OR

Y

MY LIFE IS AWKWARD:

SPRING BREAK EDITION

“I met Brody Jenner on spring break last year. That’s not awkward I just like to tell people I met the man of my dreams.”

- NATALIE CARUSO, JUNIOR “I was skiing a couple years ago and decided to go off what I thought was a mini jump. I didn’t realize that they had dug down another four feet below so instead of going off a one foot jump I went off a five foot jump and landed flat on my face.”

- GOLD JEWELRY

- LAUREN DWYER, SOPHOMORE

- FLORAL DRESSES PAIRED WITH A JEAN SHIRT

“I went on my older brother’s senior spring break trip once. I was a frightened 11-yearold. #scarred4lyfe.”

- OXFORD SHIRTS

- COURTNEY LINSCOTT, JUNIOR

IN

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Se a Ap

BY RE

ine wo Im ozo ger sen Co she ry

spr tio run in fro fin wh Pos tho reo

G

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E

YOU ASKED

WHO TO PROM?

Junior Anna Romano and senior Sophie Snider decided to go out on a limb and ask celebrities to the upcoming prom.

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BY ELLIE STINGLEY REPORTER

0

With the stress and excitement of fourth quarter beginning, prom is around the corner for juniors and seniors. Finding the perfect dress, coordinating dinner plans and going through multiple hairstyles to find the perfect one that will not fall out within the first 20 minutes of the dance, are all on the to-do lists of girls hoping for an amazing night. But there is one thing many girls consider the biggest part of the night: the date.

Some take their boyfriend, some take their best guy friend and some are set up by mutual friends.

However, girls such as senior Sophie Snider and junior Anna Romano have chosen a different, more unique route to finding the perfect date. They have gone beyond their usual friend group and even beyond the “normal” community.

As an avid fan of Ben Rector, Snider decided she would take a chance and ask the 27-year-old singer to

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accompany her to her senior prom.

“I wanted to ask him because he is my absolute favorite person on this earth,” Snider said. “Plus he is so funny on Twitter and in person, so I figured he would be an amazing prom date, even though he is about twice my age and married. And he looks amazing in a tux.”

Snider asked Rector with a video including clips of his “Beautiful” music video and reenactments of clips from the video including Snider and her friend, senior Mackenzie Manning. To increase the chances of a response, she tweeted it to him and convinced other people to reply or retweet the message. Then she anxiously waited and hoped for a reply.

“If he said yes, I would be so shocked and nervous, but also so excited,” Snider said. “I honestly don’t think I would even believe it, because he’s kind of sarcastic and sassy.”

Like Snider, Romano thought it would be a great story to tell if her celebrity crush, American Olympic freestyle skier Nick Goepper, agreed to go to prom with her.

“I wanted to ask him, because he is absolutely adorable, and there is just something about an athlete,” Romano said.

Instead of devising an extravagant plan to convince the Olympian to accompany her at prom, Romano plans on asking him via Twitter, which is a big way Goepper communicates with his fans; He has over 63,000 followers and frequently retweets shoutouts from them.

“I would feel absolutely overjoyed and happy if he said yes,” Romano said. “I’d just feel like the world could end right there, and I would be happy.”

Although both girls do not fully expect the famous men to accept their invitations, they cannot help but be hopeful that the answer will be yes or they will

INTRODUCING THE SPRING STUDENT PRODUCTION

POSSUMTROT

1984, Cole said.

The storyline follows Petrat, a strong female protagonist who is like any other highschooler struggling to find herself in her senior year. She and her friends engage in ridiculous antics to relieve themselves from

BY SYDNEY DANIELS the mundane lives that they are subjected to. The main REPORTER

Imagine a world where there is no warfare. Imag- events center around a big red button that all children ine a world where everything is fair trade. Imagine a have been warned to never touch. Until one day, Peworld where economic imperialism is nonexistent. tra chooses to not only touch, but sit upon the button, Imagine a world where the climate and the warming turning her entire world upside down.

Senior Sam Ruiz is the director of the show. Acozone layer are no loncording to ger issues. According to Ruiz, she and senior playwright Cory “Being able to help my performers grow Cole are workCole, this is the world that not only as actors on the stage, but ing closely toshe has created for her stoas people in general will be the most gether to best ry “Possumtrot.” rewarding aspect of working on this convey the vi “Possumtrot” is this show.” sion that Cole spring’s student produc - Sam Ruiz, director has for the tion. The production will show. The bigrun on April 12 and 13 in the Old Grande Salle. The interesting name comes gest challenge according to Ruiz, is the time constraint, from a proposed name for Kansas City. Cole says she because the cast and crew only have five and a half finds the name silly and old-midwestern sounding, weeks to put everything together.

“Being able to help my performers grow not only which is the perfect backdrop for her story. After all, Possumtrot is a small midwestern town very much like as actors on the stage, but as people in general will be those in Western Kansas. Possumtrot criticizes the ste- the most rewarding aspect of working on this show,” reotypical dystopian dramas such as George Orwell’s Ruiz said.

Senior Cory Cole’s student production, a dystopian futuristic satire, opens April 12-13 in the Old Grande Salle.

at least receive some form of a response.

“It’s not every day you’d get to go to prom with a celebrity, and it would be a great story to tell,” Snider said.

3 WAYS TO ASK A CELEBRITY TO

PROM

1) MAKE A CREATIVE VIDEO This is the most common way to ask a celebrity to prom, therefore in order to stand out your video has to be creative. And by creative we mean a cat in a tuxedo singing.

2) USE SOCIAL MEDIA Tweet at a celebrity asking them to prom. If they don’t reply the first time, tweet at them 100 more times. They will get the message soon enough.

3) STALK THEM

If the two other ways don’t work, resort to stalking their Hollywood mansion. You may end up with a restraining order rather than a famous prom date though.

LET’S TAKE A

SELFIE

The 86th annual Academy Awards were held on Sunday, March 2. The live telecast of the event drew in close to 43 million viewers according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Television host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres hosted the show for her second time. One of her biggest moments of the night was when she gathered 10 famous actors for an impromptu selfie. DeGeneres tweeted the selfie which ended up becoming the most retweeted item ever. The tweet currently has almost 3.4 million retweets.

(Photo by MCT Campus)

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1.

SION OLYMPICS

2.

3.

T

he four classes battled at the annual Sion Olympics Friday Feb 28. From presenting class dances, tug-of-war to a ping pong tournament, many different talents were utilized and elicited through the many different events. Sion Olympics is traditionally won by the seniors, but this year the freshmen surprised many when they took the gold. The seniors won the silver, sophomores bronze and the juniors took fourth place.

1. Seniors present their dance routine, choreographed and performed with help from members of the dance team.

(Photo by Sydney Manning) 2. Freshmen participate in the tug-of-war. They ultimately won the event, toppling both the juniors and the seniors.

(Photo by Sarah Harris) 3. Junior Elizabeth Herbert sings the school song at the closing ceremony of Sion Olympics. (Photo by Sarah Harris) 4. Senior Kim Fryer interviews senior Jasmyne Roth for the sister game. Seniors and their younger sisters were asked questions about each other. (Photo by Sarah Harris)

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4.