100FaithleJournal

A Publication of Notre Dame de Sion* 10631 Wornall Road*Kansas City, MO 64114 Volume 30, Issue 5 March 2o12

CelebratingNotre Dame de Sion’s

Academics

Service

Traditio

n

Sisterhood

Community

Centennial

Track&Field Team Welcomes New

Coach

The Excitement behind the Hunger

Games Movie

Could your Facebook be Keeping You out

of College?

2 what’s inside

What’s InsIde

3 THE EDITOR’S INK

4 STAFF EDITORIAL

14 NOw pLAyINg

15 My LIFE IS AwKwARD

20 A LAST LOOK

IN EACH ISSUE

ON THE COVERCOVER DESIGN: Ali SweeCOVER INSET PHOTOS BY: Meg Cowan, Lionsgate Publicity, MCT Campus

Music and Art students take a trip to the Windy City.

Teachers flip the classroom and take on a new kind of teaching

Workout clothes from LuluLemon

are a growing trend.

16

17

10The school

celebrates its 100th year.

Obamacare provokes

freedom of religion

questions.

46

wHAT’S INSIDE pHOTOS By: Ali Swee, Wikimedia Commons, Taylor Escher, LuluLemon submission and Emily DeCoursey

Senior Abby McDowell sports a 1960s Sion uniform. (Photo by Ali Swee)

3editorials

Celebrating Our Past,Looking Towards the Future

Le Journal

is the official publication of

Notre Dame de Sion

High School

10631 wornall Rd.,

Kansas City, MO 64114. Member

Missouri Interscholastic press Assoc.

National Scholastic press Assoc.

Columbia Scholastic press Assoc.

International Quill and Scroll Melissa wilcoxpenny Selle

BY ALI SWEEEditor-in-Chief

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAli Swee

MANAGING EDITORTaylor Escher

WEB-EDITOR-IN-CHIEFKatie Mahoney

ADVISERAlison Long

FEATURES EDITORMaura Eveld

EDITORIAL/NEWS EDITOREmma Eveld

LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITORElizabeth Gianino

MULTIMEDIA EDITOREmily DeCoursey

A&E EDITORDelaney Bates

SPORTS EDITORAudrey Saracini

PHOTO EDITORLucy Gasal

REPORTERSLaura Travis, Sarah Holland, Meg Cowan , Shannon Laird

leJournal

Le Journal welcomes letters submitted by readers. The staff reserves the right to edit length and minor grammatical errors, but the

letter’s message will not be altered. The staff reserves the right to review letters and edit material that is inappropriate. Libelous,

slanderous, or obscene letters will not be printed. Letters must be signed.

Letters to the Editor

Jane McCormackCarole wall-Simmons

Ali SweeTaylor Escher

Michelle OlsonKay walkup

pUBLICATIONS BOARD

or all those not following me on Pinterest, here’s a shocker: I have

an obsession with cheesy, inspiration-al quotes. Flash back to junior year: com-monplace journals. I can take this time to formally apologize to my whole 4th hour AP class and Ms. McCabe for my overload of cheesy quotes. Every Friday, no fail, I recited some beyond awkward, yet slight-ly inspirational quote in my Lilly Pulitzer notebook. It’s embarrassing, honestly. They’re the type of quotes that could be vertically plastered across a pic-nicked picture. Luckily my dignity is still intact in the fact I’ve never re-duced myself to the pink-tinted hued photos with quotes written LiKe tHiS.

However, despite the endearing amount of cheesiness my Pinterest board entitled “Inspirational” holds, every time I look at it, I can’t help but smile. There’s quotes about God, hap-piness, finding yourself, friendship, life and appreciating everything we’ve been blessed with. There’s one quote in particular that always catches my eye and sends my brain reeling. It reads: “Ask your-self this question: will this matter a year from now?- Richard Carlson.”

Now, that’s a loaded question. But here’s my take on it: the choic-es we make, the classes we take, the people we surround ourselves with, the priorities we value, the ideals we hold sacred, all amount to who we are and who we become. There are moments where we make one life-changing decision, like that fateful day in 8th grade when you decided to attend Notre Dame de Sion. Those moments are the ones that

shape and mold us. Because in that moment, you chose to subject yourself to four years of endless studying, bi-monthly mass-es, freshman beanies, peer ministers, interfaith values, 20 minute lunches, white graduation dresses and you pledged to love every minute of it. And this is where the history be-gins. Almost 100 years ago, girls just like you, took a moment and commit-ted to immerse themselves in the mis-sion of Sion. Little did they know what

an incredible journey lay ahead. Since then, hundreds of girls have walked the halls of Sion, worn the coveted gold ring and donned the white graduation gown. Being here for four years has shown me how truly special this in-credible school truly is. Deeply rooted in a hundred years of history, Sion has shown me the values of faith, academ-ics, service and most importantly, sisterhood.

So, think about it. In a year from now, I’ll probably be off somewhere down South, not worrying about the 30 degree weather, walking to my political science class. I’ll look down and the glimmer of my Sion ring will catch my eye. And I’ll smile. I’ll remember all the teachers, the ones who stayed after school to help me figure out “just one more” math problem. I’ll remember the classes, the ones I stayed up studying until two a.m. just to get a B. I’ll remember the traditions, the ring ceremony, convocation and graduation. But mostly, I’ll remember my sisters. My 98 other Sion sisters who I shared four amazing years full of learning, growing and smiling. Then that incredibly cheesy Pinterest quote will bounce into my head and I’ll know the answer. Yes, yes, yes. In a year, everything I love about Sion will still ring true and I’ll know it’s one of the most im-portant decisions I ever made. So here’s to the history of Sion. What it is today and everything it will be in 100 more years.

“Ask yourself this question: Will this matter a year from now?”

-Richard Carlson, Author

In Our Next Issue...

Le Journal celebrates the Class of 2012! Profiles on every mem-ber of the class of 2012, senior

features and a look at where the class of 2012 will be next year!

This will be Le Journal’s last issue for the 2011-2012 school year.

LeJournalLive.comVisit Us Online!

F

4 editorials

Standing in Solidarity This staff editorial represents the views of the staff of Le Journal- 11 out of 14 staff members voted in support of this editorial.

Health Care Mandate Stirs Up Controversy in the Catholic Church

U.S President Barack Obama hosts a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington D.C., including Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. (Photo from MCT Campus)

Catholics are saying ‘No’. Protests from reli-gious institutions are sweeping the nation in sup-port of the Catholic church’s decision to condemn the Health and Human Services edict, as they should. The Obama administration created the Patient Protection and Affodability Care Act, or “Obamacare.” So far 27 states have started or joined lawsuits filed against it, according to “Conservapedia.” Tucked inside Obamacare is the newly created HHS mandate, delivered by Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services. This mandate states that all em-ployers, regardless of their religious beliefs, have to offer health care plans that allow free access to the Plan B pill, or the morning after pill, birth con-trol pills, and coverage that includes sterilization of women. This has outraged the Catholic population. The right to life in all stages is the bedrock of Catholic principles. It’s similar to forcing an Islamic person to eat pork or asking a Hindu to eat a hamburger. According to Archbishop Dennis Schnurr from Cincinnati, this edict is alarming and a serious mat-ter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States. “The federal government, which claims to be ‘of, by, and for the people’, has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people-the Catholic popu-lation and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful,” Schnurr said in a letter posted on “The Catholic Telegraph.” Our constitution is supposed to protect all re-

ligions. If this mandate goes into effect, our consti-tution loses legitimacy. The constitution currently recognizes conscientious objectors. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t have to join the armed forces. Christian Scientists refuse to receive immu-nizations. If the Catholic people can’t trust the first amendment, what can they trust? Deacon Keith Fournier spoke out against the edict in a “Catholic Online” article. He believes that the Gospel demands a response which goes beyond the walls of our Church building. “This HHS Edict is a violation of the Free Exercise of Religion which is protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution,” Fournier said. “The Federal Government of the

United States is trying to force the Catholic Church to act against its deeply held religious convictions and to violate conscience.” But, the strong-willed Catholic people did make a difference. Originally the mandate was set to be put into place August 2012 but now is set for August 2013. Over the years Catholic institutions have worked to create places that can be morally and spiritually sound to their faith and offer the help that others need. This new mandate would take away all that they have worked for, just to create an-other stereotypical establishment, no different than the next. “Our insistence upon protecting the Right to Life and the Right to Religious Freedom are not just

our ‘religious’ position. They are rooted in our con-viction of the existence of a Natural Law,” Fournier said. There is an exemption that’s available for cer-tain places from having to follow this mandate. However, Fournier said that hospitals, universities, soup kitchens, and outreaches to the poor are not included in the exemption. Failure to follow this mandate will result in dis-ciplinary measures in the form of large fines. Many of the Church’s outreaches, ministries, and institu-tions could likely close as a practical result, accord-ing to Fournier. No matter what Catholic institutions do, con-traception, abortions, and sterilization will still be

available to the public. The Catholic Church is not trying to control anyone or ask anyone to quit using contracep-tion. The Catholic Church is just asking not to be forced to provide these ser-vices at their institutions.

“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York, said in an interview with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. If you don’t like working for the Catholic Church, or a Catholic organization, where insur-ance doesn’t provide this, then don’t. Free contra-ception and abortion pills are not hard to obtain. Despite what you think, 98 percent of Catholic women have used contraception at some point in their lives, according to The New York Times. Planned Parenthood even offers birth control for $15, according to their website. “The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs,” Cardinal Dolan added. From what I’ve seen, this appears to be the be-ginning of many new lawsuits. The compromise does say that houses of wor-ship and other religiously affiliated groups will not have to ‘pay, arrange, or refer’ employees in regards to this issue, according to a statement from Sebelius on March 16. But when you look at the HHS mandate as a whole, it is apparent that the Obama administration does not respect the right to life and the right to re-ligious freedom. This is a country that treasures freedom of re-ligion. We should not be forced to go against our religious principles. We as Catholics have the re-sponsibility to stand up and be heard. We should try to regain what we once had, and we should stick to what we believe in: the right for all life. Here’s my advice to all Catholics and people who believe in religious freedom. Stand up against this assault on religious liberty. You can contact your local congressmen to encourage them to remove or reverse this unjust mandate. Don’t fall to the pressure of society. Let’s keep our moral foundations intact.

“The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be pre-

vented at all costs.” -Cardinal Timothy Dolan

5editorials

“Beep, Beep, Beep.” You glance down at your iPhone from your overly annotated copy of Macbeth to see you have a new Facebook notifi-cation. You discover your friend has finally posted pictures from the party last weekend. Uh oh. The party you don’t remember. Thumbing through the pictures, you abruptly stop upon a photo of yourself holding a giant beer can smiling at the camera. You quickly scroll down to discover al-ready three likes and two comments on the picture. Thoughts begin to flood your mind: you are guaranteed to be the joke of your friends for the next week, your parents would ground you for the rest of eternity, and people are going to think you are some wild party girl when you just made one mistake. But, there is one group that does not cross your mind that you should be aware of: colleges. Before the internet, college admissions depended on test scores, essays, grades, extracurriculars, and teacher recommendations. Those things are still important, but some colleges today are using another resource in order to decide a student’s admission: social media. Although the information social media provides about a person is valuable, this rising trend must be stopped because it is wrong and an infringement of privacy. Students should not have to live in constant fear of col-leges seeing everything they post. There are things bound to go on-line people are not proud of, but it is unrealistic for a student to have to go back over pictures from the past two or three years of their lives to check for things to delete. Students should not have to monitor everything they post online, worrying about what col-leges would think. “I do not feel that it is an invasion of privacy if a student does not use their privacy settings on Facebook appropriately,” Kyle Johnson, Rock-hurst University Director of Fresh-men Admissions, said.

It is wrong for colleges to use the internet to evaluate a student. The best way for students to combat this issue is to check their privacy settings. If a college is unable to access a student’s profile, it is going to be very hard for them to find much information unless they put way more effort into

than is needed or practical. Students must be made aware of the

idea that more people are looking at their Facebook than they realize. Counselors, teachers, and parents should educate their children about online privacy

Students need to check the privacy settings on their online ac-counts. Many students are unaware of how little privacy they use online. Using online privacy is the best way for a student to ensure colleges will not use their Facebook to judge them for admissions. Although it is a great way to keep in touch and communicate with friends, a Facebook profile or a col-lection of Tweets does not give a full representation of a person. However, the way a person comes off online through their pho-tos, posts, and comments does not always line up with who they are in real life.

“People will judge us based on what we put online,” Erin Stein, col-lege counselor, said.

Another factor students should be aware of is what other people post about them online. It is quite easy for a person to monitor how their own words and photos come across, but it is quite the opposite when it comes to what others put up. Your “friend” who posted that photo of you drink-ing at a party is poorly representing you online. “Be careful of who you spend time with and who your friends are. Just watch the way you behave in general,”

Karen Phillips, counselor said. Watching behavior online and offline is the best way a student can be assured they will not misrepresent themselves to colleges. Stein

said students should use their social media accounts to showcase their strengths and represent themselves well. As the world becomes more interconnected through the internet, colleges, employers, and more are going to judge others through social media. While Facebook will likely never become a part of the formal college admissions process, Stein explained that more colleges will begin to use it for specific purposes like athletic recruitment and scholarships.

and safety. Teenagers also need to watch what they post about others on

Facebook and warn their friends to not post something they will later regret. Watch what you’re posting, liking, and commenting on on

Facebook. There is not much you can do about a post or photo a friend puts of you on Facebook besides ask them to delete, untag yourself, and or try to let it pass.

You can, however, watch the way you behave in the future around cameras and at parties and reconsider if the people you are

hanging out with will have a positive effect on you in the long run.

GoingBeyondtheGradeBookColleges Unfairly Use Social Media to Evaluate Students for Admission

BY LAURA TRAVISReporter

If you wouldn’t want your parent, teacher, or other adult you respect to see something you post,

Untag yourself from unwanted

Watch what you post about other people because it will

Represent yourself online in a way that will show your

Search your name to see what could potentially be

Clean Up Your

DON’T POST IT.

come back to you.ALWAYS

and PICTURES.PHOTOS

STRENGTHS.

OUT THERE.

24%colleges using Facebook to

evaluate applicants

20%colleges using Google to

evaluate applicants

12%colleges who found negative things about students online

85%colleges who use Facebook

for recruitment

66%colleges who use YouTube

for recruitment

-Percentages from a survey by Kaplan Test Prep in 2011

facebook

Health Care Mandate Stirs Up Controversy in the Catholic Church

6 news

Tigers Bump Up TuitionTuition Rises at Mizzou and Missouri Universities Causes Financial Worry

1909Melbourne, Australia

1856Constantinople, Turkey

1906Curitiba, Brazil

1869Marseille, France

1880Ramleh-Alexandria,

Egypt

1887Rome, Italy

Recognizing the Years our Global Sion Sister Schools were Established

Students Stun Chicago Music and Art Students Venture Into Chicago, Ill.

It was a whirlwind tour. From Sacred Heart lower school to the Art Institute to the Opera, music and art students covered all there was to see in Chicago.

“We chose Chicago because it is a vibrant city chocked with wonderful things to see and do. Lyric Opera’s production of Showboat was incred-ible and the Art Institute is absolutely rich,” music teacher Gary Adams said.

This year was the first time music and art stu-dents went to Chicago. They sang at Sacred Heart lower school and also at St. Joseph Village Assisted Living.

“Not only did the girls do an amazing job at Village St. Joseph , the elderly people in the audi-ence loved it,” librarian Jennifer Campbell said. “They were swaying, singing along, helping Mr. Adams conduct, and they all had huge smiles on their faces.”

They left early in the morning on March first and took a bus to their hotel in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue.

One of the first stops on the tour was the Art Institute which had a lot to offer the students.

“We saw lots of unique weapons and paint-ings,” junior Christina Flucke said.

They also did some shopping in Chicago at the Water Tower and went out for a fun dinner.

They even watched the Opera Showboat at the Lyric Opera.

“Chicago...its such a great city, with a great energy. And it is so fun to be there seeing all of the people, enduring the weather, and hearing the ‘L’ train all of the time,” Campbell said.

On their way home from Chicago they stopped by the worlds largest truck stop which was complete with a movie theater and a grocery store.

According to Fluke the trip was a success.“I love Chicago, the buildings were so cool

and seeing Lake Michigan was awesome,” Flucke said.

14outof1102011Siongraduates

becameaMissouriTiger.

Mizzou at Sion

BY LUCY GASALPhoto Editor

BY EMMA EVELDNews/Editorial Editor

An unforgiving pair: budget cuts and tuition hikes. Next year, Mizzou, the University of Mis-souri-Columbia and the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ tuition hikes will go into affect due to certain state budget cuts.

As for Mizzou, a school that many Sion girls decide to attend after they graduate, in-state tuition is being raised by 3 percent and for out-of-state students the tuition is being raised by 7.5 percent. This could affect many in-state but especially out-

of-state families next year when the tuition hike takes place.

“The state is cutting budgets across the public higher education system so we’ve

had to make the tuition higher to compensate for that budget cut,” Chuck May, Associate Director of Admissions at Mizzou, said.

The tuition hike is just one step to try to offset a $47 million budget gap from the cut in state higher education spending and campus costs.

“The Board of Curators voted on and ap-proved the new cost structure on Monday (Febru-rary 20th),” Heather Henning, Missouri’s Senior Admissions Recruitment Coordinator at Mizzou, said. “The non-resident tuition total will add up to $31,278.”

This new tuition rise, especially for out-of-state students, could affect student’s decision on attend-ing Mizzou.

“I live in Kansas so I won’t get in-state tuition which has made this a hard decision for my par-ents,” senior Grace Angrisano said. “They want me to be able to go to MU because they know that’s where I really want to go, but at the same time the pricey tuition has made them rethink sending me there.”

For some girls, such as senior Jane McCor-mack, the tuition rise isn’t a deterrent from their decision to attend MU.

“I think it’s reasonable. Mizzou has been growing at an enormous rate and has become more selective, so making improvements are a step in the right direction, even if tuition costs more. The jump isn’t a huge percentage so as long as it’s going to good use then I have no problem with it,” senior Jane McCormack said.

Some girls really just love Mizzou, so the tuition hike isn’t a problem.

“I think the tuition hike is a bad idea and I don’t like it...but it won’t affect my decision to go there because I really love MU,” senior Anne Lobb said.

Comparable Non-Resident Tuitions:

$21,750

$34,500

$12,905.05

(Photo by Taylor Escher)

Students performed for the first time at Sacred Heart Parish on Friday, March 2. Here the girls sang “Elijah Rock.”

7news

Debate Doesn’t Disappoint

HeroesAmerican

African

“....Bessie Coleman because she was the first African female pilot. It makes me remember to persevere in everything I do.”

“...Beyonce because she is a great singer and stands for women’s rights as well as being an African American hero.”

“...Aretha Franklin because she persevered, is talented, and deserves R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”

“...Oprah because she came from nothing to fulfilling the American dream.”

Varsity and Novice Team Rank High in Kansas City Parliamentary Debate LeagueBY MAURA EVELD

Features Editor

To celebrate Black History Month, the 3rd graders at Sion grade school created pictures of a better world inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The outside border is an emulation from Faith Ringold’s “Tar Beach”, which included a small quilt-like frame. (Photo by Elizabeth Gianino)

Nationwide, the month of February has been dedicated to Black History Month. This year in-cluded 29 days of celebration and remembrance of all African American heroes that have changed the way our society lives. Focusing on our school community, the Sion students from the grade school chose to participate

in Black History Month by designing, drawing, quilting, and crafting many art projects dedicated towards a specific African American. Caren Percell, the art/art history teacher at the Sion grade school assigned different projects for each grade that corresponded with an important African American. For more to this story, go to lejournallive.com

Team Standings

Individual Speakers Rankings

Power Speaking Ranks

1st Julia Balmaceda/Zenib Chaudri

2ndChi Chi Obi/Jae Pearl

14thPaige Espinosa/Rachel Tritt

1stZenib Chaudri

3rdJae Pearl

7thChi Chi Obi

3rdZenib Chaudri 4thChi Chi Obi

5thJae Pearl

KC Parliamentary Varsity Debate Standings

Black History Month...

The debate team has competed in more than a dozen tournaments so far this school year, and each one yielded success. “I believe we have had somebody advance to out rounds or place at every tournament we have attended this year,” debate team coach Kristie Pen-nock said. A look at the Kansas City Metropolitan Parlia-mentary Debate League standings proves their excellence. Three varsity teams take spots in the top 20 list for varsity parliamentary debate. Another six girls place in the top 20 as varsity individual speakers. “I already knew that our varsity team was definitely a show-stopper with our years of train-ing and harping our speech excellence,” National Forensics League president Chi Chi Obi said. Obi currently ranks second with partner Jae Pearl in varsity parliamentary debate, seventh as a varsity individual speaker, and fourth as a varsity power speaker. She also recently advanced to the sixth round (equivalent to semifinals) in Lincoln Douglas Debate at NFL districts March 2. “But I’m mostly proud to be the president of a debate team where the novices are performing excellently as well,” Obi said. The novice team, comprised of first year debat-ers, ranks high this year, with six teams in the top

20 for novice parliamentary debate and seven girls in the top 20 as novice individual speakers. “This year has been so much fun for me, and I’m so glad I do debate,” sophomore and novice competi-tor Sydney O’Dear said. O’Dear’s enthusiasm shows. She ranks eighth with teammate Lexie Johnson, first as a novice indi-vidual speaker, and first as a power speaker. But debate isn’t only about success and awards, Pennock said. Debaters learn skills beneficial for high school and beyond. “Debate is training for life,” Pennock said. “From the obvious things like presentational skills and critical thinking, to the not-so-obvious, like taking criticism constructively and learning how to find your way around unfamiliar buildings under time pressure, debate is a wealth of life lessons.” O’Dear agreed with the perks of participating in debate. “It keeps me aware of current events, open to other’s opinions, and I’m always thinking on my feet,” she said. To O’Dear, Obi, and Pennock, the countless hours spent preparing for and attending debate tourna-ments are not going to waste. “...There it is, this huge, international community that quietly pumps out the people who are going to be among the decision makers of the next genera-tion,” Pennock said. “That’s a pretty big deal, in my opinion.”

-Mari Nicolosi, senior

-Bri Baker, senior

-Mary Humphrey, junior

-Abby Snyder, freshman

Tuition Rises at Mizzou and Missouri Universities Causes Financial Worry

Comparable Non-Resident Tuitions:

$12,905.05

8 sports

The dive team, which grew from one to four divers this year, is losing their coach, Margaret Winkeler, who happens to be the wife of the swim team coach Paul Winkeler. “She was a tremendous asset to the team. We were lucky to have her. She’ll be greatly missed,” Athletic Director Dennis Conaghan said. Next year, Winkeler is be-coming a full-time mom. The Winkelers have three children: Mary Ellen, Rosie, and John. “I am really going to miss all my divers and the program as a whole, but I am now going to focus on being a mom,” dive coach Winkeler said. Being a vital part of the team, she will be greatly missed by the divers. “I am going to really miss Margaret being part of the team. She helped me so much this season,” freshman Abby Snyder said. This was Megan Benson’s first year diving. She wishes she had more than just a year to have gotten to know Margaret. “I think that was a really rough decision for Margaret to leave the swim/dive program,” Benson,

a junior, said. “Now Margaret will be able to spend more time with her kids and being a teacher. We will miss her dearly.” Winkeler felt like it was a successful sea-son. Junior Elizabeth Gianino, Benson and Snyder all made it back to finals at the Conference Championship. Senior Mary Tutera placed 7th in the diving competition with a new school record. The dive girl’s favorite memories include joking

around with Winkeler. “Margaret would al-ways make joking remarks about fellow diver Elizabeth Gianino. It was so funny,” Benson said. An important aspect of any sport or activity is re-

membering to have fun. “She made diving really fun and was always happy and positive. The swim/dive team is a fam-ily,” Snyder said. So the search is on for a new dive coach. “If anyone knows of a dive coach, please contact me or Mr. Middleton,” Conaghan said. “Characteristics of a dive coach should be no fear of heights or water, agility, and athleticism. In all seriousness though, the coach should have knowl-edge of dive, work well with high school students, and have patience.”

Diving into Motherhood Dive Coach Leaves Position to Focus on Her Children

Running Under New Leadership

Fifteen minutes until your first race of the season. You have been training for the 800 meter race for three weeks. As you lace up your New Balance spikes, the anxiety sets in. The crowd seems immense. The oth-er runners look tough. Your body is overpowered with a surge of adrena-line. Just when you begin to think this sport is not the sport for you, your coach sits down and instantly her confident voice and strong stare calms you. A coach can be a very important aspect of any sport and for the girls on the Track and Field team, they now have a coach to lead them. Last sum-mer, Lori Donnelly: mother, member of booster club, and personal trainer, was offered the position of head coach for the track team. “At the time I was caught with sur-prise. This was not something I had planned to do” Donnelly said. “So I counseled with God, my husband Pat, and my daughter (Mary Frances). The support I received from all three

ence when it comes to running” Jade Latson, junior, said. “She’s bringing aboard a lot of new coaches, so it will be a great opportunity for the girls, that are doing other events besides running, to perfect their skills.” Victory seems to be where the

Student’s Mom Assumes Head Coaching Position for the Track and Field Team

BY SARAH HOLLANDReporter

BY MEG COWANReporter

made it easy to accept my challenge with enthusiasm.” Donnelly has been putting in a lot of work preparing for the season, no-ticed her daughter, and Sion student, Mary Frances. “My mom has put in a tremendous amount of effort to help build the pro-gram.” Other mem-bers of the track team are also en-thusias-tic about Donnelly assum-ing the coaching position. “I hear she has a lot of experi-

track team is headed in Mary Frances’ eyes. “Success is a process, not a destina-tion,” Mary Frances said “and I believe Sion track is headed down the right road.”

What’s your event?What do you snack on

before you race? What’s your pump up song?

Sprints and relays

400 m

Fruits

Sunflower seeds and protein bars

Mental Giant by

Tech9

Teenagers by Chemical

Romance

800 and 1600 m Gatorade, fruit and water

Bottoms Up by Keke Palmer

Mary Frances Donnelly

Kayla Tanner

Michelle King

Meaghan Kearney

800 mNuts and my mom’s homemade energy bars

Get Outta Your Mind by Lil Jon

Swim Team Results

▶

StateTeam placed 11th

Senior Mary Tutera finished 7th in the div-ing competition with a new school record.

Sophomore Kristine Sullivan finished 9th in the 200 free in a school record time, fin-ished 12th in the 100 free (school record).

Junior JT Nelson finished 16th in 200 free.

Freshman Meaghan Kearney finished 12th in the 200 IM.

200 free relay (Kearney, junior Hannah Tutera, Sullivan and Nelson) finished 11th in a school record time.

Junior Laura Klover finished 15th in the 100 back.

The 400 free relay (junior Caroline Gates, Nelson, Sullivan and Hannah Tutera) fin-ished 6th with a new school record.

▶

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Basketball ResultsThe Storm beat Lincoln 53-43 for the MSHSAA District 14 Championship but lost to Pleasant Hill 46-42 in the sectional.

▶

“I am really going to miss all my divers and the pro-gram as a whole, but I am

now going to focus on being a mom.” -Margaret Winkeler

9sports

Student’s Mom Assumes Head Coaching Position for the Track and Field Team

Senior Meg Nulton

Storm Spotlight:

MUSCLE PULLS AND TEARSCheerleaders are likely to pull or tear muscles nearly anywhere in the body, due to the stresses of sudden, explosive movements.

BACK INJURYA cheerleader who falls to the floor on her back can fracture one or more of the

wings of the vertebrae, or she may fracture the part that connects the front and rear portions of the vertebra, an injury called spondylolysis.

WHIPLASHA fall from a height that snaps the head back can cause a whiplash injury. A cheer-leader sustaining such a fall may at the least experience dizziness and headache or

at the most dislocate or fracture a cervical vertebra in the neck.

SHOULDER INJURIESCheerleaders who tumble often experience shoulder injuries. In no other sport is an athlete so suddenly forced to support his or her entire body weight on the shoulders.

Top Cheerleading Injuries

A: “I started playing because of my older

brother. He played all four years at Rock-

hurst and he needed someone to practice

with at home. He taught me the basics

and I ended up loving it.”

Q: Who in-spired you to

play?

A: “Lacrosse is pretty intense this year. We have morning prac-

tices two days a week and several out-of-town tournaments.

You have to be really committed.”

Q: How intense is lacrosse

compared to other sports?

A: “According to my fellow teammate,

Sarah Murphy, a lax bro is ‘one whose

life revolves around the concept of lax; it applies to all aspects,

from the colorful array of pastels and pinnies that fill the

closet, to the pletho-ra of slang that slips its way into casual

conversations.’”

Q: What is a lax bro, and do you con-

sider yourself one?

According to LiveStrong.com

(Photo by Emma Eveld)

Dance Team Wins StateDance Team and Cheerleading Still Not a Sport

BY ELIZABETH GIANINOLayout/Design Editor

“Cheerleading is a sport be-cause to be on the squad you

have to take on all of the same responsibilities as an

athlete who plays a ‘sport’,” -Emma Hogg, senior

It was perfect. A perfect score. For the third year in a row, the dance team proved their high skill capabilities by winning the Missouri State Dance Championship. The team received thirty more points than second place. This group of 16 dancers now carry a new title-three-pete champions. They travel across the country to compete with the best. They have visible banners and trophies displayed throughout the school. Both dancers and cheerleaders jump, turn, split, flip-but still are not a sport. Sion dancers and cheerleaders spend count-less hours practicing and performing only as an ac-tivity. According to the Athletic Director Reynold Middleton, Sion follows the rules and regulations of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. And cheerleading and dance are classified as a perfor-mance group. The Assistant Executive Director of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Davine Davis said cheerleading and dance are viewed as activities under their bylaws. Each man-date suggests specific requirements for sports and activities as well as advocating equal opportunity for both genders. “The Office of Civil Rights questions how much competition their is. And because there is limited to no competition component for cheerleading and dance, both are classified as an activity,” Davis said. But the classification that Sion follows does not affect the cheerleaders’ and dancers’ view on their athletic stance. Both captains firmly believed that

their activity is a sport, even if it is unofficial. “Dance is a sport because it requires physi-cal strength, endurance, and flexibility,” Jane McCormack, captain of the dance team, said. To McCormack, dance is similar to any other sport because the team competes against other schools and receives points based on their perfor-mance. The more points they have, the better advan-tage they have of winning. In comparison, cheerleading is considered a sport to many, including captain Emma Hogg. “Cheerleading is a sport because to be on the

squad, you have to take on all of the same responsibili-ties as an athlete who plays a ‘sport’,” Hogg said. Hogg also believes that cheerleading requires the most energy and posi-tive attitude because they not only have to motivate themselves, but the crowd and teams as well.

Both captains agree that what distinguish-es them from sports is their training season. Cheerleaders and dancers are committed to an elev-en month season, and each week they practice only two to three days, rather than every day for three months. “Cheerleading is different in the sense that we are there all year long,” Hogg said. “Our season is the first to start, and last to end.” The cheerleading and dance teams share the same appreciation for the school’s support. However, both teams feel that it can sometimes be tough to be considered a sport by their classmates. “I think the student body takes us a little less seriously than other sports that work just as hard,” Hogg said.

10 c over story

100Years of

Gray Skirts, Algebra 1,

Academics,Lunch Rooms,

Graduation Dresses, Class Rings,

Service,Grande Assembles,

Mother/Daughter,Faith,

Freshman Beanies,Maisons,

Father/Daughter,History

and

11c over story

100Story and Layout by Ali Swee and Taylor Escher

Years ofGray Skirts,

Algebra 1, Academics,

Lunch Rooms, Graduation Dresses,

Class Rings, Service,

Grande Assembles, Mother/Daughter,

Faith,Freshman Beanies,

Maisons,Father/Daughter,

Historyand Classy Ladies.

12 c over story

he golden Sion logo banded across her ring finger glitters. It’s Friday morning. French teacher Pam Dykes’ smile stretches across her face. “It’s wonderful. Really, just wonderful.” She looks down, admiring the famous gold and purple ring sprinkled with pearls. It represents not only 20 years of hard work and dedication, but 20 years of students, smiles and memories. Head of School Alice Munninghoff beams. The school that has been her home for more than 33 years never fails to make her smile. And this par-ticular Friday is no exception. She’s heard the stories. The stories of girls seeing a Sion ring across the room at a party in New York. The stories of girls sitting next to a Sion alum on an airplane, connected by the golden band. She’s even experienced it, herself. Women stop-ping her in the grocery store, asking if she went to Sion. And that’s what makes it all so incredible. What started as a simple vision two broth-ers had over 100 years ago has become all this. It’s become the foundation upon which the students walk from class to class. It’s the New Grande Salle overflowing with cans after the Food for Thought Can Drive. It’s the laughter echoing through the hallways even hours after the final bell rings at 3:10. It’s 10631 Wornall Road. It’s our school, our home. It’s Sion. Let’s rewind. 100 years ago, to be exact. In 1912, the sisters of Sion moved from Marshall, Mo. to Kansas City, Mo. On Dec. 2, they opened their first Montessori school with six students in the Kansas City area. Notre Dame de Sion completed its first gradu-ating class of seven women on June 11, 1923. This began the story of the graduation ceremony. The women wore long, white dresses, went to mass and brunch, and received their diplomas that evening in the final ceremony. And the rest is history. For 1966 graduate Sheila Weiford, Sion has been her life. Weiford attributes her strong religious and fam-ily values to her years at Sion. “This school has not disappointed me one bit,” Weiford said. “I still love this school.” Sion moved to its new home on Wornall Road Weiford’s freshman year. With a new campus came

new changes to the school. Four houses or “maisons,” all named after colors in French, competed in intramural sports, newspa-per drives and school spirit competitions. “This school totally bonded through maisons my sophomore year,” Weiford said. The school was characterized by “European re-finement,” according to Weiford. Often called the “French Institute of Notre Dame de Sion,” students took French, ballet and even sewing classes, remi-niscent of the finest academies in Europe. “I adored the nuns. It was like a convent, we just went to school there,” Weiford said. However, shock came in 1968, when the Johnson County Sun published an article about the Center School District trying to buy the high school prop-erty, according to Susan Robards, 1972 Sion alum-

na and current grade school teacher. “My great aunt read the article and told my mother that she prob-ably would not get tosend me to Sion,” Robards said. A board was formed to

help the sisters run the school and get Notre Dame de Sion back on its feet. Then, the 1970s brought about radical changes with the addition of Spanish as a class and Sion’s two major publications: Le Flambeau and Le Journal. Sports expanded with the addition of golf, softball, tennis, track and cheerleading along with the origi-nal sports of volleyball and basketball. By the late 1980s, the sisters of Notre Dame de Sion withdrew their ownership and management of the Kansas City school. A group of alumnae, par-ents, and benefactors helped propagate the school into the next century. “I had two small children at the grade school,” Kay Walkup, academic dean, said. “I was a coun-selor and the academic dean then.” That day there was a parent meeting at the grade school and the sisters told parents that they were go-ing to close the school at the end of the year. “This was a total surprise,” Walkup said, tears filling her eyes. “The first thing I thought was how much I was going to miss the Sion girls.” Weiford remembers the dads going to Rockhurst High School and asking if they’d consider going coed. “Girls would chant ‘rather dead than go coed.’ It was the parents and students who fought for this

First Montessori School in KC area

1912

1923First Graduating

Class

Construction for Locust Campus

1927

Wornall Campus Built

1962

1944Von Trapps Visit Sion

Sion Through the Years

“Girls would chant ‘rather dead than go coed.’” - Sheila

Weiford, Class of 1966

19331940

19151921

1950

Evolution of the Sion Uniform

T

13c over story

school,” Weiford said. Head of school Alice Munninghoff was also in-volved in the saving of Sion. At the time, she was high school principal and worked tirelessly from November to June to save the school she so dearly loved. “We were working out the financial model and running the school at the same time, trying to se-cure enrollment. It was a challenge because at that time the future wasn’t really certain,” Munninghoff said. As the school transitioned from being owned by the sisters of Sion to an independent Catholic school, there were still challenges ahead. “It’s kind of like that gospel passage: ‘blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ It was a leap of faith,” Munninghoff said. And faith it was. Twenty-three years later, Sion’s enrollment boasts over 400 students. “I think the key ingredient to continued success is to be faithful to the mission,” Munninghoff said. “If we can contin-ue to have people absorb and inter-nalize the mission then go forth into the world and live it, out of that will come all great things that can happen.” Looking back through the past, Walkup has seen lots of improvements throughout the school. “The sisters came from all over the world, Turkey, South America, France,” Walkup said. “And now ev-erything is coming full circle to developing interna-tionally with the exchange programs.” Looking into the future, Walkup wants to see the global education really grow. “I’d like to see more academic interchange be-tween schools. With technology, people on the oth-er side of the world are only minutes away,” Walkup said. “I’d like to see teacher exchanges with other schools in the world like teachers from the school in Costa Rica coming here to teach Spanish.” Walkup would also like to see the two campuses to have closer bonds and to see a continued process to have more activities with both schools. She’d also like to see the high school as a community center

where parents can come to listen to speakers about the needs of young people and especially young women.We continue into the future with the hope that Sion will forever be our home. For the hundreds that have walked the Sion halls and wear their gold and purple ring with pride, the school holds an unbreakable bond. “I always joke that Dennis [Conaghan] and I will be buried in purple and white caskets,” Weiford said. The same bond that ties Weiford with Sion has connected alums to the school over the years. Years ago, Weiford met a 97-year-old Jewish woman named Rheta Aaron-Sosland, who had at-tended Sion.

“Her memory had faded but I wanted to hear more stories about how the school was in the 20’s,” Weiford said. At first, Weiford struggled to connect with Aaron-Sosland. But then, Weiford men-tioned something that made Aaron-Sosland’s eyes widen. “I asked, ‘did you ever have Mere Ida?’ ” Weiford said. Mere Ida had been

Weiford’s 4th grade teacher and one of the most influential people she met during her days of Sion. “At that moment, I finally connected with her,” Weiford said, smiling. “I looked at her and said, ‘Rheta, I had Mere Ida.’ ” Stories. The stories that connect us, bind us and tie us. The halls of Sion are filled with stories. Our stories. Stories of today. Their stories. Stories of the past. Stories of those who fought for this school. Stories of those who have been touched by the mission. Stories of those who carry their Sion education in their hearts and in their ev-eryday lives. Holding back tears, Munninghoff summed up the Sion experience: “At the end of the day, we stand on the shoul-ders of giants. For 33 years, I have never been without somebody who wouldn’t help me,” she said. “People came to help, to celebrate or just to be there. There are lots of really good academic schools in the country, but there’s only one Sion.”

“If we can continue to have people absorb and inter-

nalize the mission then go forth into the world and live it- out of that will come all great things that can hap-pen.” - Alice Munninghoff,

Head Of School

MaisonsCreated

1965

1968Sion Almost

Bought by Center School District

Le Journal and Le Flambeau Created

1970

1989Sisters relinquish ownership of Sion

Wornall Campus Renovated

2011

Sion Through the Years

Graduate Trivia: Class of 1923 to

Class of 2012

First Graduating

Class7

Fewest Number of Graduates

100th year Graduating

Class

99Class of 2012

Largest Number of Graduates

4Class of 1924,

1931, 1933, 1946, 1952

114Class of 2004

and 2011

Class of 1923

14 entertainment

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Ifyoubuya$59dressatmacys.comthroughthissite,$1.77isautomaticallytransferredintoacollegesav-ingsaccount.

Ifyoupurchasesomethingonlinebyfirstgoingthroughthissite,1-25percentofyourpurchaseisautomaticallyputintoacollegesavingsaccount.

iPhonePowerBundlewithhead-phones,adapter,andUSBcord:

$15(was$50)

Thissitepartnerswithbusinessesfromrestaurantstohotelstogetdiscountsforitsmembers.

SequinSkaterDress:

$40

Websites thatsave

Now Playing:TheHungerGames

All American Rejects at Beaumont

Club4/4

Spring/Summer City Market at 5th and Walnut

4/1

Narnia the Musical at

the Kauffman Center

4/6

Kansas City?

Premiere of the Titanic in 3D

4/4

What’s Happening in

Lady Antebellum

at Thompson Square

4/6

KC Royals vs Cleveland

Indians at Kauffman Stadium

4/13

Hunger games Sparks Excitement Among Studentswould you rather have

Katniss with gale or peeta?

what are you most excited about seeing in the movie?

which book is your favorite of the series?

KatnissshouldbewithPeetabecauseGaleisso

volatile.Peeta,unlikeGale,isabletoeasilycalm

KatnissdownandheismoresupportiveofheropinionsthanGale.”

-MaryMertes,freshman

“Iammostexcitedaboutseeinghowthey

portraytheactualHungerGames,if

theyfocusonthegoreofthewholesitua-tionormoreonthe

personalside.”-KellyMcGurren,

senior

“Thefirstoneismyfavoritebecauseit’soriginalandsetsthethemefortherestof

thebooks.”-MaddyeWilson,

junior

Jennifer Lawrence playing Katniss Everdeen com-petes in the Hunger Games as District 12’s female tribute. (Photos from Lionsgate Publicity)

MyLifeIsAwkward Phrase of the Day:

15entertainment

MyLifeIs Awkward...Awkward Phrase of the Day:Spring Break

“Last year I heard my brother and a few friends talking about how they awkwardly woke up next to each other holding hands.” -Allie Lampo, junior

“My family took a trip to Orlando, Florida. When we got to our room, we found out it was a honeymoon suite. The room had a giant bathtub in the middle surrounded by mirrors. To make things worse, my brother and I got really awful sunburns and couldn’t sleep on the floor so we slept outside on lawn chairs.” -Lucy Hodel, junior

“My brothers and I dug a giant hole in the sand and an older lady accidentally fell in it. Whoops.” -Bailey Crawford

“My family went to the Dominican Republic and we were taking a tour around the capital. A bunch of venders came up to us, trying to sell us stuff. This one guy said something to me in Spanish and points to a donkey. I didn’t know what he said, so I just smiled and nodded. Next thing I know, he picks me up, puts me on the donkey, and starts leading me away. I thought he was kidnapping me, so I started yelling for my mom. Turns out, he just wanted to take pictures.” -Jackie Meister, sophomore

Asweheadintofourthquarterandfinalspreparation,keepthesefactsinmindtoensurestressfreestudies.

• Aimfor7-8hoursofsleepatnight• Gotobedandgetupatthesame

time• Exerciseregularly• Avoidcaffeineintheevening• Limitnapstothirtyminutes• Avoidlookingatclockswhenyouare

goingtosleep• Enjoynaturalsunlight• Eathealthyfoods• Usedeepbreathingexercises• Maketimeforyourselfeveryday

Stressandsleep

(Photo by Emily DeCoursey)-Information from Wellness.BYU.edu

Fourth Quarter Stressing You Out? Take Note...

16 entertainment

Bottom: Groove Pant (Regular)

Top: Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve

Bottom: Free Crop

Top: Swiftly Racerback

How to be aHipsters reject the culturally ignorant attitudes of mainstream consumers, and are often be seen wear-ing vintage and thrift store inspired fashions. Because of the rise of various online photo-blog and social networking sites, insights into urban hipster culture is reaching sheltered suburban audiences at an exponential rate. Cultural “norms” have been deconstructed by hipster culture as a whole.

#1 Throw away your TV’s, buy yourself a canvas bag, talk

about joining the Peace Corps, and join social networking sites to be-come what you’ve always dreamed of being: A Hipster.

#2 Look to a local thrift store for acceptable Hipster

clothing. You can go to Urban Out-fitters, it may be 5 or 6 times more expensive but will generally last twice as long as other stores.

#3 What to wear? Here are some ideas. Anything with a bronze or gold owl on it: earrings, necklaces, braclets, or anything will work. Lace

tights with shorts will create the look too. Even if you don’t need glasses, own-ing a pair of wide rimmed glasses is a must. Try to wear a romper and cinch the belt, and maybe even strap on those ‘Jesus’ sandals. Unisex accessories, espe-cially scarfs, look very Hipster. Ray Ban sunglasses are essential. Artsy shoes like toms, moccasins, or oxfords with a heel are what to wear.

Where do you see Lulu Lemon?

LuLu Lemon 1 out of 3 girls shop at LuLu Lemon

“I saw other dance team girls wearing it andthe headbands are so comfortable & stay in while dancing- it’s perfect.”-Kimmie Bolton, senior

“I heard about it about a year ago and slowly started seeing the logo everywhere.” -Grace Angrisano, senior

Each hipstershows their own personality with their glasses that they wear to school. From top to bottom

Top: Cool Racerback Bottom: Inspire Crop II

$98

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What is it?Hipsters are a subculture of men and women that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter.

senior Devon Sweeting, freshman Afton Apodaca, junior Marina Dennis, sophomore Georgia Thompson, and sophomore Olivia Enright. (Photo by Ali Swee)

17features

As some students may have noticed, certain classes have switched things up a bit or “flipped” them around. For students of Joan Knotts, Marilyn Stewart, Penny Selle, Kristi Hilgenfeld and Elizabeth Middleton the tables have turned. These teachers have implemented a new “flipped” kind of teaching style where the students take on more responsibility for in-class work. “A flipped class-room is one where students are made responsible for get-ting the notes and information most-ly on their own,” Middleton said. “And the class time is spent on ques-tions, problems, discussions, etc.” Middleton ex-plained that this method helps students process the information they learn in notes, and gives them more time to apply what they see and hear. “Flipping” a class-room is intended to reduce the frustration students experience while doing their homework and using a new concept. “In a ‘flipped classroom’, students can work with each other and with the teacher to apply the con-cepts, discuss and answer questions,” Middleton said. “In some cases, the class can run more effi-ciently and actually cover more material than they would otherwise.” Selle said that the teacher becomes more of a facilitator than a lecturer. Teachers are the guides to each students’ individual progress, while students can work at their own pace. “The people who are ahead do not have to wait for the students who are needing more help,” Selle said.

Teachers’ Teaching Style Takes a Students Do Homework in Class and Learn at Home

BY AUDREY SARCINISports Editor

Hilgenfeld goes over student’s questions in her College Algebra class. (Photo by Emily Decoursey)

T“Students who need more help will be able to con-sult the instructor, and work with other students to problem-solve at school.” There are bound to be challenges with any modi-fication in the curriculum, it seems as if students are adapting to keep up. They have to take on a lot more responsibility in order to decipher what infor-mation is useful and where to find it. “They’re no longer going to have someone just give them all of the information in class,” Middleton said. “They start to learn how to find what’s impor-

tant on their own.” Some students don’t feel like this new method is as beneficial as the teachers be-lieve. It has been hard for some to change their way of thinking after being taught the same way all their life.

“It’s really hard to go home and teach yourself a lesson when the videos are usually only fifty sec-onds long,” sophomore Julia Balmeceda said. “If you are confused about the video, you can’t ask your teacher any questions until the next day.” Middleton said that this method doesn’t need to be used everyday in class. She has informally in-troduced the flip to her students with an occasional YouTube video and is making a gradual transition. “Flipping” is just another teaching option other than the usual notes. This method is supposed to provide students with the tools they need to find the right infor-mation on their own. The internet, textbooks and video instructions play a large part in the “flipping” process, and should be very useful to the students. Basically, “flipping” condenses fifty minutes of notes into fifty seconds of video.

N

“A flipped classroom is one where students are made responsible for getting the notes and infor-

mation mostly on their own. The class time is spent on questions,

problems, discussions, etc.”-Elizabeth Middleton,

Chemistry Teacher

Flipped Classroom: Students can work with each other, discuss, and answer questions in class; students watch video and learn on their own at home

Purposes:

Seniors (from left to right) Caitlin Allen and Annie Lobb discuss their work in class. (Photo by Emily Decoursey)

-Allows for discussion-Class can run efficiently and cover more material-Khan Academy: website used for learning tutorials

-Teacher becomes a faciliator, versus a lecturer-Students can work at their own pace-Teach students how to find the right information on their own

RU

senior Devon Sweeting, freshman Afton Apodaca, junior Marina Dennis, sophomore Georgia Thompson, and sophomore Olivia Enright. (Photo by Ali Swee)

HEART

18 features

Heart disease. It is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, ac-cording to the Center for Disease Control. Age. As we get older, our risk for heart disease increases. Bodily health. As we continue to age, the healthier we eat, the less risk we have for developing heart disease. But we have nothing to worry about, right? Wrong. The way we live our lives now can and will affect the way we live our lives later, according to the Heart Association of America. People and teachers everywhere are taking steps to increase awareness and change the way people think about the body and the heart, including through our own halls. Science teacher Kathleen Teel, is involved in the A Change of Heart Campaign funded through the University of Kansas Hospital. The campaign fo-cuses on three important factors. First, to be aware of your risk for heart disease. Second, to have an as-sessment to find out your “baseline” risk. Third, to be an advocate for a healthy heart and spread the message to your friends and family. “The more our students see people taking care of themselves, and the more they learn about healthy habits, the more likely they are to do these things for themselves and share what they’ve learned with their friends and family,” Teel said. “Our students need those positive role models.” In her Biology II ACCP class, Teel ensures her students leave understanding the importance

of bodily health for all ages. Every year, the girls choose a topic on bettering the human body or why certain diets are horrible for your body. This year, junior Jae Pearl chose how to gain weight in a healthy way. “I struggle with keeping on weight and losing too much weight at a given time, so that prompted me to further explore what I could do to put on weight in the healthiest way possible,” Pearl said. “I used this project as my starting point to live a healthier lifestyle.” Heart disease alone is not the only thing women and teenagers need to be aware of and focus on from a young age to prevent later in life. Being healthy from a young age includes focusing on bone health, nutrition, staying active and more. But, according to Teel, it is not as daunting a task as it seems. All it requires is moderation in what you eat such as lean meats. It is important to be active. “Girls, women in general are so concerned about weight,” Teel said. “A healthy weight main-tains a healthy body.” Senior Fallon O’Reilly, a student in Teel’s Biology class, is writing her presentation on women’s bone health. She picked this topic because women already have increased risk factors, but risks can be decreased if awareness was available at a young age. “Because women already have multiple risk fac-tors that are uncontrollable,” O’Reilly said. “I want-ed to discover what one could do to control their own future bone health.” Despite the knowledge that heart disease, bone disease, weight issues, poor nutrition and so much

more only effects women much later in life, it is undeniable that the most important time to make healthy habits it now: in our teens. According to Pearl, old habits die hard and the older you get the harder it will be for your body to adjust to new lifestyles. O’Reilly, too, believes healthy lifestyles now is the most important thing. “It is important that awareness for women’s body health is provided,” O’Reilly said, “because one doesn’t think that the way they live and the actions they take now affects the way they live later in life.” According to Teel, everything we do has a cause and effect. But, the way we live now can have an even greater affect twenty, thirty, even forty years from now. “Understanding how carbohydrates and pro-teins fuel our body is part of my standard curricu-lum,” Teel said. “But I also want my girls to under-stand how important it is to take care of yourself when you’re young.”

BY SHANNON LAIRDReporter

The

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.

More than 2,500 Americans die from heart disease each day, equaling one death every 34 seconds.

Laughing relaxes and expands blood ves-sels, which helps protect the heart.

To Reduce Risk of Heart Disease:

Be physically active

Don't smoke

Eat healthy

Maintain a normal weight

Fruits or vegetables

Fiber-rich, whole grains

Lean meat, fish or skinless chicken

Fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products

Foods broiled, baked, grilled, steamed or poached

Foods low in saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, so-dium, and added sugars.

Heart Disease Facts:

A person is more likely to have a heart attack on Monday morning than on any other day of the week.

Children and teens can lower their risk of getting heart disease by changing or controlling risk factors that can lead to heart disease later in life.

Information from: http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/hic/topics/hsmart/children_risk_factors.cfm, http://facts.randomhistory.com/heart-disease-facts.htm, http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_women_heart.htm, http://www.goredforwomen.org/heart_healthy_at_any_age.aspx

Science teacher Kathleen Teel discusses bodily health with junior Hope Kimzy. (Photo by Ali Swee)

19features

Maintain a normal weight

Fiber-rich, whole grains

It’s Monday night. You hop onto your couch and click on the television. Dancing with the Stars is on right now. You love watching the

celebrity - professional duos ballroom dance, shake and shimmy their way across the expansive floor. It’s so poised, classic and entertaining to watch. For junior Alex Lozano, though, this ballroom dancing is a reality, not just something she can watch on Dancing with the Stars. Lozano has danced all her life, and recently, for a little over a year now, has begun ballroom danc-ing. She caught an interest to this sort of dance when her dad’s client and close friend recommend-ed she check out Louis & Company, a ballroom dance studio located in Overland Park. After one lesson, she was sold. “Ballroom dance is definitely my favorite type of dance. I absolutely love it!” Lozano said. Ballroom dancing entails a lot of practice, two to five times a week to be exact, and therefore, also a lot of competitions. According to Lozano, at each competition she has 4 to 5 dances to perform, and not only does she have to perform them once, but usually she has to repeat these dances three times for the judges. The judges score each individual performance, so sometimes Lozano does really well on one dance and not too great on another. “It just depends,” said Lozano. These competitions take place all over the city, and in some cases, away from Kansas City. According to Lozano, it all depends on the certain competition. Lozano has had two partners so far during her ballroom dancing career but for “regular, social dancing” Lozano gets to share her talent with many other ballroom dancers. And the dancing is just the half of it. Lozano also enjoys the fun outfits each competition brings. “They [the outfits] usually come in bright col-ors with lots of glitter or anything that makes them stand out. Depending on the dance, the outfits can range from being almost like swim suits to full ballgown dresses,” Lozano said. As for the music that starts all of this ballroom dancing, it could be anything from Elvis, when Lozano is swing dancing, to Shakira or Usher when she is salsa dancing.

“You can ballroom dance to just about any-thing!” Lozano said. One of Lozano’s favorite parts of ballroom dancing is the new people she gets to meet every-day from practices and competitions. “I definitely meet a lot of new people at com-petitions and even at the dance studio. There are always new people coming in for lessons or just to watch the dancers, so I definitely get to see a lot of new faces,” Lozano said. Meeting new people and sharing the same interest is Lozano’s favorite part about ballroom dancing. One thing some don’t realize is that danc-ing in those long dresses aren’t as easy as it looks. According to Lozano, it takes a lot of practice and poise. “Probably one of the most embarrassing times for me was when I completely wiped out during a practice in front of everyone!” Lozano said. “I was working on this spin with my partner and I was in a full length dress and as I came out of the spin my dress got caught under my foot and I completely fell backwards on the floor. Everyone was watching me. It was terrible!”

Although Lozano loves every detail that comes along, even the embar-rassing ones, she can’t deny that she especially loves winning medals after she competes. “I don’t know where ballroom dance will take me, but I will definitely continue to dance for as long as I can,” Lozano said.

BALLROOMDANCING

BY EMMA EVELDNews/Editorial Editor

Junior Alex Lozano dances with partner Alex Bar in a competition judging their ballroom dancing routines. (Photo submitted by Alex Lozano).

20 last look

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Junior Mary Kate Kelly takes a sip of wa-ter during chemistry class. Kelly received her monogrammed tervis tumbler as a Christmas present from her sister Sarah. (Photo by Maura Eveld)

Sophomore Mackenzie Hayes walks to the commons before school. Hayes purchased her monogrammed tote from landsend.com for $30. Adding the monogram cost $6 extra. (Photo by Maura Eveld)

Senior Caroline Shay calls her mom be-fore school. Shay got her monogrammed cell phone case for Christmas, but similar cases cost $49.99 at lipstickshades.com. (Photo by Maura Eveld)

nitials, just three smple letters, have made a comeback from the 80’s. Visitors cannot walk down a single hallway without spotting a monogram printed on - well, you name it. Tote bags, cell phone cases, bracelets, and headbands all have been decorated with bright colors and curly fonts. Junior Maggie McLiney (right) even has a monogrammed bumper sticker. McLiney works at The Monogram Shop in Overland Park, and she owns quite a collec-tion of monogrammed items herself, including a laptop, rainboots, pil-lows, and earrings.

Sophomores Maggie Keenan and Lilly Schaffer review together before school. Keenan owns six monogrammed headbands, which she bought at The Monogram Shop’s Sion Night in February. (Photo by Maura Eveld)

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