DISCUSSING DIVERSITY FACE-TO-FACESTA diversity initiatives encourage conversations about topics some find uncomfortable

FBLA competes in District competition ›› pg. 4 | STA students celebrate Galentine's Day ›› pg. 15| Junior breaks basketball record ›› pg. 26

the

St. Teresa’s AcademyKansas City, Missouri

2

CONTENTSthe Dart vol. 74 issue 6 6 March 2015

news6 // Giving from the heart

star spotlight8 // Valedictorian shares tips for school success

reviews10 // Book of Mormon: hilariously shocking

features15 // Friends share the love on Galentines Day

cover story18 // Admin presents diversity initiatives

a&e23 // Students pursue theater outside STA

perspectives24 // Teens should know KC's troubling past

sports26 // Diver Sophia Prochnow breaks STA records

community28 // Profile of Mother Evelyn O'Niell nominees

last look30 // What is the most popular name at STA?

discovering diversity | The Cultural Diversity Committee has a panel of teachers and other authorities discuss and answers questions about diversity Feb. 12. photo by MADDY MEDINA

splashin' around | Junior Sophia Prochnow attempts a dive at the STA dive meet Feb. 12. The judges assigned a random dive to be completed for each diver's turn. photo by HELEN WHEATLEY

girls night in | Junior Connor Hodes tosses a gummy bear to junior Maggie Knox to catch in her mouth at a sleepover for Galentines Day Feb. 14. photo by AUDREY CARROLL

15

18 27

3the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Gloria Cowdin, cover design by Mary Hilliard

From theEditors

We see it every day walking across the quad. We talk about it in our lit-erature and social studies classes. We consider it integral to the mission of STA.

Our diversity is an issue often ne-glected within the context of our student body. Increasingly, however, the admin-istration is moving to ensure students are educated on what diversity looks like at STA. The Dart wanted to be a part of this conversation.

As staffers discussed planning the issue, it was determined crucial to cover it with objectivity and precision. We wanted to be sure we showed all sides of the story.

The Dart hopes to help educate students about the amazing work our administration is doing to increase di-versity. We also wanted to acknowledge the fact that we, as a student body, have our own work to do to increase inclusion here at STA.

Coupled with this issue of cover-ing minority students at STA, we also wanted to represent other parts of

STA life that are sometimes lost in the shadows. For example, junior Maureen Whittaker’s story of going to father-daughter dance after losing her father or STa friend groups sharing the love on Galentine’s day.

In these moments of covering issues we don’t usually talk about, it become

even more important that we start a conversation about the implications. As always, let us know what you think.

Staff

Lis

t CopyOpinion Editor Torie RichardsonSports Editor Leigh CampbellFeatures Editor Mary HilliardNews Editor Anna Bauman

PhotographyWeb Editor Hannah BredarPrint Editor Jessie CulverJournalism Projects Editor Arinna HoffineStaff Photographers Lauren Zastrow, Meg Thompson, Maddy Medina, Katherine Mediavilla

PrintProjects Coordinator MaryMichael HoughCultural Correspondent Emma WillibeyBreaking Local News Editor Meredith MulhernGraphics Illustrator Mackenzie O’GuinPage DesignersMary Hilliard, Gloria Cowdin, Anna Bauman, Bridget Jones, MaryMichael Hough, Maggie Knox, Maria Don-nelly, Mackenzie O’Guin, Christina Elias, Torie Richardson, Amy O’Leary, Siobhan MillerStaff WritersLinden O’Brien-Williams, Alexandria Davis, Alexandra Frisch, Elsa Feigen-baum, Molly Bird, Helen Wheatley, Clare Kenney, Anna Hafner

WebCopy Editors Audrey Carroll, Madi WinfieldSocial Media Manager Katherine Green

Editors-in-Chief Libby Hyde, Siobhan Miller, Emma Willibey Adviser Brad Lewis

QuestionMonthly

What is one quality on which

you get most complimented?

“I'm funny”Senior Lizzy Sanders

“My smile" Junior Colleen DeRuyter

"I'm very outgoing and crazy"Sophomore Macy Trujilo

by MADI WINFIELDand MADDY MEDINAmwinfield17@stastars.orgmmedina16@stastars.org

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

“'I get compliments a lot that I'm kind of smart” Freshman Camille Goodwin

EditorialPolicies

Ownership and SponsorshipDartNewsOnline and the Dart are cre-ated by the student newspaper staff and are maintained and published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Dart-NewsOnline and the Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic church, whether on

a diocesan or world-wide level.

Editorial PolicyThe staff of DartNewsOnline and the Dart are subject to prior review by the St. Te-resa’s Academy administrative team in circumstances that concern Catholic doc-trine, student safety or illegal behavior. DartNewsOnline and the Dart will not publish reviews of student work or per-formances. Personal columns reflect the opinions of the writer, not necessarily the

staff or school.

Letters & Reader Interaction Policy

DartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage the community to post comments on the website. Letters to the editors can be sent in the following ways: in person to Brad Lewis in Donnelly room 204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, Attn: Brad Lewis, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; by email to blewis@stteresasacademy.org or to dartpaper@gmail.com. DartNewsOn-line and the Dart staff reserve the right to

edit or shorten letters for publication.

Comment PolicyDartNewsOnline and the Dart encourage readers to comment on all posts. Howev-er, DartNewsOnline and the Dart reserve the right to monitor and edit all comments on DartNewsOnline. Comments that dis-agree with the editorial policy will not be

published.

Photo Use PolicyPhoto illustrations are conceptual pho-tos that combine drawing and photogra-phy. All photos on the website are free for public use. If a reader is interested in high-quality copies of photos, please email DartNewsOnline at dartpaper@

gmail.com.Corrections Policy

DartNewsOnline and the Dart will publish corrections as soon as possible after the

error is discovered.

news

Each year STA holds a student-led freshman retreat as an opportunity for the new class to bond and focus on faith, according to campus ministry director Meredith Snyder.

Previously run by campus minister Joe La Scala, Snyder has taken over the event. New to the process, she was contacted by a group of upperclass-men called the Core Team to help her get started.

These stu-dents were selected last year for their position on the team, and worked to plan every-thing for the retreat from the activities to the theme. According to Snyder, they have “taken a lot of leadership and responsibility” in creating a retreat that will allow girls to get to know each other and themselves.

In November, the Core Team sent out applications for positions as group leaders or on the utility team. The team that takes care of the logistics is the utility team. This involves the technol-ogy set up, music, pictures, food and more. The small group leaders take part in the groups of freshmen, leading group discussions. The interest in these positions was so large that the retreat had to double up on the leaders so everyone could be included.

High interest in group leading posi-tions may have stemmed from the positive experiences at the freshmen retreat last year. Sophomore Paige Powell said she loved the retreat, and suggests that all the freshmen try to attend.

“It was a great opportunity to get to know my classmates and sisters better,” Powell said. “I became friends with people I never thought I would be friends with.”

According to sophomore Anna Moore, she too enjoyed the retreat. She found the activities a great way to grow closer with her classmates.

“I definitely became closer to girls I hadn't known that well during the retreat,” Moore said. “I suggest the freshman really get to know the people in their small groups.”

Months of planning finally reached their conclusion Feb. 27, when the retreat occurred. Though there were a lot of fun and silly activities in the retreat, the main goal was to build strong friend-ships through serious reflection, according to Snyder.

Senior small group leader Fee Pau-wels said she thought the retreat was a

good bonding experi-ence for freshmen.

"I had a small group so I got to learn a lot about them," Pauwels said. "It lets [freshmen] get to know each other, especially when they do big group stuff, not just small group stuff. They

get to meet a lot of friends and it's a lot of bonding experiences like games and stuff."

Snyder believes that it is more important to build bonds than to just leave with a bunch of acquaintances.

“Everyone needs somebody to lean on at some point,” Snyder said. “We really want to foster those friendships and that sisterhood between students.” H

The annual freshman retreat took place last Friday.by ELSA FEIGENBAUMefeigenbaum17@stastars.org

Students organize freshman retreat

It was a great opportu-nity to get to know my classmates and sisters better.

“ “ — Paige Powell,

sophomore

4

Pauwels

FBLA members win at Districts

District results

*State qualifier Individual:

*Kat Mediavilla: 5th Agribusiness and 2nd Secu-rities and Investments

*Meredith Raymer: 2nd Business Calculations

*Gillian Cutter: 4th Health Care Administration

*Natalie Rose: 1st Health Care Administration and 3rd Personal Finance

*Isabela Solorio: Introduction to Business Communications

Sophia Prochnow: 2nd Job Interview

Meredith Raymer: 3rd Electronic Career Portfolio

Mackenzie O'Guin: 5th Impromptu Speaking

*Sarah Schaefer: 1st Public Speaking

*Haley Shaw: 5th Busi-ness Math

*Hallie Ryan: 1st Sales Presentation

*Christina Kirk: 1st Digital Video Production

Michaela Coleman: 2nd Business Ethics

Team:

Kiernan O'Boyle - Leeny O'Boyle - Meghan Brownlee: 2nd Webstie Design

Alex Mullins - Kailey McNett - Alyssa Sietzer: 2nd Digital Design and Promotion

Claire Benge - Rea-gan Shatto - Meghan Schmidt: 2nd Business Financial Plan

Moira White - Josie Buford: 2nd Business Plan

*Kay VanAsdale - Anna Hafner: 1st Business Presentation

*Torie Richardson - Meredith Raymer: 1st Desktop Publishing

Sophia Prochnow - Grace Kitts: 4th Banking and Financial Systems

*Christina Kirk - Mackenzie O'Guin: 4th Sports and Entertainment Management

Kristina Coppinger - Eileen Kerrigan - Kellie O'Toole: 4th Hospitality Management

Maureen Egan - Zoe Butler: 3rd Management Decision Making

*Brogan Caffarelli - Gillian Cutter - Lizy Hagan - Claire Molloy - Kat Mediavilla: 1st Parlia-mentary Procedures

Many girls earned honors at FBLA's competition. by ALEXANDRA DAVISadavis17@stastars.org

After being an active extracurricular for less than two school years, 35 members of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) won awards from districts, with 16 members qualifying for State.

Districts was held at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty Jan. 30 and consisted of a variety of competitive events. The events included multiple choice tests over different aspects of business, differ-ent projects such as design-ing logos for companies or creating business plans, oral presentations and role play scenarios.

FBLA was introduced in the 2013 - 2014 school year as a club by history teacher Alicia Stewart. There were roughly 50 students, with

about 35 students being official members. This year, the number of members has nearly tripled with 128 students participating. Stew-art, who also was in an FBLA organization at her college, is proud of all the students who took part in districts.

“I’ve competed in FBLA [and] it’s exciting to win and it’s nerve wracking,” Stewart said. “But I’ve never been so nervous as I was on Friday when they were announc-ing the winners. I was more nervous and excited for them than I’ve ever been for myself.”

FBLA’s main goal is to promote business education in schools for students. Ac-cording to the official FBLA website, the Future Business Leaders of America organi-zation is the largest student organization for business in the world, with more than 200,000 members in high school. H

Sixteen students will advance to State.by ALEXANDRA DAVISadavis17@stastars.org

say cheese | FBLA members pose for a photo at the District com-petition at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty Jan. 30. photo courtesy of ALICIA STEWART

5the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Anna Bauman

news

6

STA’s annual blood drive was held February 13. With 106 donors signing up to give blood, 45 people were able to donate a unit of blood each, which is about 500 mL.

Many students had to be turned away, however, due to problems in health, recent travel or scheduling problems, according to campus minis-ter Meredith Snyder.

“Our recruiter said we could go until 2 o’clock but then the people running the drive said they would need at least an hour and a half to break down all the equipment,” Snyder said. “They had to be out in time to clean the gym for the basketball game, so we had to stop after sixth period.”

According to Snyder, the blood drive went smoothly this year, with few health related problems.

“We had a couple girls who didn't feel very well and we had one girl who had to go home,” Snyder said. “Percent-age-wise, compared to the number of people who passed out to the people who had blood drawn it was very small. From what I heard about last year I think it all went pretty smoothly. My guess is that because of last year people were much more cautious.”

According to Snyder the the drive was especially helped by the many volunteers.

“There were 60 people who volun-teered which was great,” Snyder said.

Snyder also said that the staff was a big help with the drive.

Blood drive produces 45 units of blood

Volunteers and faculty were important factors in the success of the blood drive.by ALEX FRISCH afrisch17@stastars.org

smile through the pain | Shana Prentiss smiles at a volunteer while another volun-teers looks at tubes of Prentiss' blood on Feb. 13. Teachers as well as students donated blood in the Goppert Gymnasium. photo by KATHERINE GREEN

let me take a selfie | Junior Machella Dunlea snaps a selfie with the volunteers who drew her blood while she is donating blood on Feb. 13. Many students took pictures of themselves or the needle in their arm while donating blood in the Goppert Gymnasium. photo by KATHERINE GREEN

looking down | Students wait to get their blood drawn on Feb. 13. Not everyone could donate blood due to colds or other obstacles. photo by KATHERINE GREEN

“We had one faculty member per period just to be extra staff support if a girl wasn’t feeling well," Snyder said. “A lot of girls were late for their next classes, but I didn’t have any com-plaints from any teachers which was really great for them to be so flexible.”

According to Snyder, there is a great need for blood drives in the commu-nity.

“(Blood) is something that money can’t buy,” Snyder said. “We need donors. It’s a great way for students to give back to the community."H

A jury in Stephenville, Texas found defendant Eddie Ray Routh guilty of capital murder in the deaths of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield Feb. 25. Kyle was the author of the best-selling novel “American Sniper,” the inspiration for the recent box-office hit.

Gunman Joseph Jesse Al-dridge allegedly killed seven people and injured another before committing suicide in Tyrone, MO Feb. 26. Police are still investigating a mo-tive in the town of just 50 people.

Each issue, the Dart highlights groundbreaking events in the world, US, Missouri and KC.

More than 56,000 people congregated in central Moscow March 1 to honor slain political leader Boris Y. Nemtsov. Nemtsov, a known critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, was shot dead Feb. 27.

the NEWS FEEDin the world in missouriin the u.s. in kansas city

Several people suffered minor injuries March 1 at the Wheeler Downtown Airport after a plane lost power and crash landed. The plane came down on a gravel maintenance road.

by LEIGH CAMPBELLlcampbell15@stastars.org

7the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015

page design by Bridget Jones

Foo's Fabulous Frozen Custard reopensFoo's Fabulous Frozen Custard opened with a new, colorful update.by BRIDGET JONES bjones16@stastars.org

One word to describe the update to Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard located in Brookside would be: colorful. With bright purple walls and lime green accents, the small frozen treat shop has changed drastically from the older store that had not been updated since it originally opened in 1988.

Foo’s re-opened officially Jan. 23, three months after it closed October 30, 2014. Foo’s owner Betty Bremser claimed the the update mostly involved working with a contractor who set her up with an electrician, carpenter and plumber.

“I sat down and discussed the things I thought I wanted [such as] a wall to separate back and front,” Bremser said.

Bremser was involved almost every-day with the process of the update and remodel.

“I picked out the flooring and pro-cured some equipment and picked out the counter at Ikea,” Bremser said. “[I was involved] everyday calling people and going places for the remodel.”

welcome home| Foo's Fabulous Frozen Custard in Brookside has completed their new renovations. The counter has been lowered and painted a fresh new white making it more friendly and inviting. photo by AMY O'LEARY

Bremser has mostly seen a positive response, with few customers saying that they wanted the “old Foo’s back.”

Junior Meg Sweeny worked at Foo’s her freshman and sophomore years. She plans to start working again in March. Sweeny agrees that everyone loves the update to Foo’s.

“Everyone is talking about Foo’s right now,” Sweeny said. “If you haven’t heard about it or seen something about it you are probably living under a rock.”

Bremser is satisfied with the update and doesn't foresee anymore in the future, she would however like to include smoothies and coffee into the menu selection at Foo’s sometime in the future.H

bright new change |After the new reno-vations at Foo's Fabulous Frozen Custard in Brookside, the shop was able to keep their traditional chalk board.photo by AMY O'LEARY

8

star spotlight / bits & pieces

MadalynSchulte

What’s your favorite class right now?

“I love choir because it’s home. It’s a place you can always just

go back to. But Theology in Media is a lot of fun because it’s all these revolutionary concepts

I’ve never heard of before. So that’s a lot of fun to just sit

there and think about those.”

For underclassmen, any words of advice if they’re interested in becoming valedic-

torian?“Something I discovered this

semester, which is sad, but do your homework as soon as it

is assigned to you. Like, I leave Theology and Media seventh

hour, I have a free eighth, and I do [the homework] right then. I watch a lot of Ted-Talks, I went on a Ted-Talk kick, don’t listen

to four Ted-Talks in your eighth hour free. Do your seventh-hour homework for the next

day.”

Schulte is this year's valedictorian, a National Merit semifinalist and a participant in STA theater and choir.

by GLORIA COWDIN, photo by CHRISTINA ELIASgcowdin15@stastars.org, celias15@stastars.org

Are you nervous [about your speech]?

“Yes. Not so much the speech giving, because I’m not scared of public speaking, but writing the speech is what scares me,

making sure I say everything well.”

Did you ever think about being valedic-torian before high

school?“I didn’t necessarily [think about it] before high school, but once I was in high school, I was just sort of like ‘Oh, this would be really, really fun.’ I thought it would be a really fun honor to be valedictorian and now

I’m like, ‘Crap, I’ve got to give a speech… I’ve got to sum up four years of experience in, like, ten

minutes of speaking and not screw that up.’ So that’s some high pressure. That’ll be fun.”

What do you want to study in college?

“Engineering and math. I have no specific fields for either of them. That’s for fresh-man year, I’m just going to figure it out

there.”

How long have you been doing theater?

“Well, I tried out freshman and sophomore year, but I

didn’t make it until junior year, Urinetown. I was a cop and that was amazing. Then I did Qual-ity Street and Into the Woods, and now Midsummer [Night’s

Dream].”

Do you prefer plays or musicals?

“That’s a tough question. A lot more work goes into a musical, so I almost feel a little more at-tached to it, like the play, I can’t

believe it’s already tech week this week. The musicals I’ve

done have been really death fo-cused and the plays we’ve done have been very comedic. I like them both. [The plays are] less dismal, but the music is always

really great in musicals.”

9the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by MaryMichael Hough

Here, a student shares a moment that really made her cringe.

“I was home alone watching tv and I heard scratching upstairs and then all of a sudden I hear what sounds like people running through my house.

I get the courage to just go out to the living room and my cat is chas-ing a squirrel. I screamed and called Rachael Skeens and she called her boyfriend and he scared it out."

-Gillian Cutter, junior

“Lily Manning, Anna Kate Powell, Isabelle Begnaud and I were at the McDonalds on Town Center and they picked us to do the “Pay with

Lovin Challenge.” So they had us take a selfie with our cashier and we ended up getting all of our food for free.

-Camille Goodwin, freshman

InstagramsOF THE ISSUEEach issue, the Dart high-

lights students’ Instagrams. This month’s theme: school

spirit.

Photo by senior Megan Ehrnman @meganehrnman

Photo by junior Leeny O'Boyle@leenyoboyle

Next theme: spring break#dartnewsonline

by MEREDITH MULHERNmmulhern16@stastars.org

by MARYMICHAEL HOUGHmhough16@stastars.org

My life sucks My life rocks

Sophomore Maura Knopke@MauraKnopkeI just spent half an hour dancing to Lana Del Rey in a banana suit with my family...hmm I wonder who else in the world can say that.

Junior Maureen Whittaker@mwhittaker4can we talk about how it was 75 degrees a week ago and now there’s an inch of snow on the ground ¿?

Senior Suzie Fiss@SFiss“Lets just get a little human,” Mr. Fast talk-ing about getting advisory pets

Each issue, the Dart shares enter-taining student tweets.by HANNAH BREDARhbredar15@stastars.org

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE

My life sucks // My life rocksHere, a student shares an especially exciting experience.by MARYMICHAEL HOUGHmhough16@stastars.org

Photo by sophomore Samantha Panis@samanthapanis

look at me now | Junior Kenzie Grimaldi, left, takes a group photo with fellow juniors using a selfie stick at the Father-Daughter Dance Feb 8. photo by MEG THOMPSON

That’s whatshe said

10

reviews

by LIBBY HYDE

by LIBBY HYDElhyde15@stastars.org shocks audiences

with crass humorWith its hilarious

characters and laughable plot, Book of Mormon

has been praised as one of t h e funniest broadway musicals of its time.

Book of Mormon tells the story of Mormon, Elder Price, and Price’s partner in service, Elder Cunningham, as they are placed in Uganda to complete their two year mission. Throughout their time in Uganda they face comical yet crass situ-ations, such as a warlord who controls the area which they live. He’s a tyrant obsessed with torture.

While the plot is exciting and en-tertaining, its constant mockery of the Mormon faith goes a bit too far. I found myself laughing in every minute of the musical, but I can imagine that many people who watch it are offended by its constant jabs at the religion.

It also verged on racist at specific moments of the plot. Much of it seems to directly point to many stereotypes

that are common for Americans to have regarding native Africans.

The decision of whether or not this is a worthy musical to watch lies at the crossroads of these two issues -- while it is hilarious and entertaining, it is also in-appropriate and insensitive. This is espe-cially true for the Mormon faith, which is often misunderstood and misinterpreted by the media.

My opinion may even be swayed to favor the show a little bit, on account of the fact that I saw it on Broadway in New York (and it was my first show). So natu-rally the awe-inspiring wonder of the “big city” overcame the offensive comments at some points.

While this musical kept me laugh-ing the entire time, it also caused me to reevaluate its humor regarding stereo-types.

Overall, while some may deem it worth your time to see it live in Kansas City, I would warn you that you may find your-self offended by it as much as I was. H

BY THE NUMBERSby ALEXANDRIA DAVISadavis17@stastars.orgLauded as "the best musical of the

century", Book of Mormon has won several awards.

9Tony Awards 5

DramaDeskAwards 4

OutterCriticsCirclesAwards 1

Grammy

whenfebruary 28 - march 8

whereKansas City Music Hall

run time2 hours 30 minutes

H H H

As I sat in an adjusting seat in a big, warm room -- despite the chill of winter, Selma began to play on the giant screen in front of me. After being engulfed by darkness for a few seconds, the voice of Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) drew me out of my comfort zone and into a troubling and extraordinary movie.

Selma not only follows Dr. King, the face of the Civil Rights Movement, as he encounters Jim Crow Laws, outright racism and the struggle for revolution, it also follows those who might have considered themselves “ordinary” in their quest for change.

While watching Selma, I never felt as if I were watching a documentary; it was as captivating as any other movie, if not more so. Don’t get me wrong, docu-mentaries have their place, and are often intriguing and educational. However,

the viewer is often drained trying to keep up with the plot. This is not so with Selma. The screenwriters took me on a journey, and I could easily follow the sto-ryline they set out for me.

The journey was also made possible with stun-ning camera work. There was never a time that I felt I was out of the loop when it came to viewing the movie. I saw what was important; nothing more, nothing less.

In addition, Selma’s actors were so good, I wanted to cry along with their struggles. I felt my heart breaking for Mrs. King (Carmen Ejogo), who had to often be without her hus-

band and withstand rumors about his faithfulness (or lack thereof). But my heart also felt courage when Dr. King stood on the front

lines, know-ing what he was meant to do. From beginning to end, I felt drawn in by this movie.

This movie was honest, and evoked strong emo-tion, not just from me, but from those seated in the theater beside me. I didn’t often find myself lost in thought throughout the film, but I couldn’t help but think about the beauty of being seated by blacks and whites alike.

But my reflection didn’t stop after watching. On my way home from the movie theater, after I had stopped

raving about the camera work and storyline, I began to wonder if I would have been willing to stand on the front lines opposing police officers and others in authority in the name of justice.

Many people in Selma were based on real human being who simply stood up for what they knew was right. They didn’t know that actors would be honored to portray them less than half a century later.

I am left with conviction: am I even willing to stand up for what is right in my daily life, say, when a friend of mine is gossiping about someone?

Everyone can learn something from Selma. Not only should we be grate-ful for those who stood for what was right, we can also learn to do the same, even if in ways we deem “unex-traordinary.” H

From beginning to end, I felt drawn in by this movie.“ “

11

"ONE DREAM... can change the world."

page design by Mackenzie O'Guinthe Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015

rating PG-13

duration 128 minutes

genre biography drama

features

12

She misses him. She misses riding with him on the four-wheeler at her family’s farm. She thinks about him not being there for her biggest moments: First Communion, graduations, her wedding… and she misses him all the same.

She was five when he passed. She peeked into her parents’ room on the way to the bathroom and glimpsed her uncle performing CPR.

“Go back to bed,” her aunt told her. “Go to your room.” As she walked away, she saw paramedics rushing up the stairs.

“And that’s all I remember.”Junior Maureen Whittaker lost her

father Brian when she was five. She doesn’t recall much about him.

“I think because I was so little, it’s almost a bit easier,” she said. “I didn’t have a lot of memories to hold onto. It’s actually kind of depressing. The only

thing I really do remember was the morning he passed away.”

Even so, the reminders still remain, hitting her hard at random times.

“It’s not that I have a mindset of, ‘Oh, I don’t have my dad here,’” she said. “If someone asks me about it, I [think], ‘Oh, yeah, that’s a thing.’ I’m just accustomed to it… but, I mean, it’s never really something that you just get over… As I’m growing older and finding myself, it’s kind of hard not to have a dad… I’m glad I have a group of friends who don’t look at me differently when we talk about dads.”

Luckily, she found a reliable father figure in her life.

“[My father’s] best friend Barney became basically my dad,” she said. “He came to all those Father’s Day things with me, and Father-Daughter dances, but he just passed away in May.” She sniffled, eyes welling. “Sorry, I didn’t think I would cry.” Her voice softened.

“It was just like losing him all over again.”

He was her Confirmation sponsor, but he passed away the day before the ceremony.

“We had a Confirmation practice later that day,” she said. “I had to find a whole new sponsor, which I didn't want to do because it was just -” Deep breath. “I wanted him.”

Her dad never attended any father-daughter events, but Barney often took his place.

“People obviously looked at me and [thought], ‘Oh, who’s that guy with her? She doesn’t have a dad,’ but for me it wasn’t like that,” she said. “It wasn’t, ‘Here’s this person who’s standing in for my dad.’ It was, ‘Oh, I’m here. With my dad.’ But not.”

Her father-daughter experience took a new turn when she came to STA. The particular day is etched in her mind, burned into her brain.

Junior Maureen Whittaker attended Father-Daughter Dances without her dad.by MADI WINFIELDmwinfield17@stastars.org

DANCING WITHOUT HER DAD

13the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Maggie Knox

“It was a Monday night [freshman year],” Whittaker said. “Grace [Gi-rardeau] had texted me a selfie of her and her dad. She [said], ‘We have a serious question for you...’ She waited 30 minutes to respond. And then [she sent] a picture of her and her dad hold-ing a poodle shirt, and she said, ‘It’d be so nifty if you’d step into the fifties with us at the Father-Daughter Dance!’ I thought, ‘Is that what getting asked to homecoming feels like?’”

After discovering that Whittaker would not be attending the dance, Girardeau decided to ask her herself.

“Father-daughter [events are] so much fun, and [I was] so excited for it,” Girardeau says. “I figured she should have an opportunity to go.”

Girardeau presented the idea to her dad, who loved it.

“He loves Maureen and he loves the Father-Daughter dance,” she said. “I have two sisters, so for the past couple

years, he [attended] with multiple girls. He thought it’d be fun.”

Attending the dance together al-lowed the girls' budding friendship to blossom.

“I guess we were pretty close friends,” Girardeau said. “Now, we’re best friends… but this definitely brought us closer. It’s become one of our favorite memories together.”

After missing the registration dead-line, they “weren’t feeling it this year,” according to Girardeau.

“This year it didn’t interest me as much,” Whittaker said. “I wasn’t upset or anything. I just stayed at home with my family, which was nice.

Though Girardeau “doesn’t really know much” about Whittaker’s situa-tion, she appreciates her best friend’s spirit and resilience.

“She frames a lot of photos,” Girardeau said. “She has given me a couple throughout the years, and I love

them. She’s a very nostalgic person. She loves picture frames and remem-bering things.”

Maureen still misses her father with her whole heart, but the pain has subsided over time, thanks to friends like Girardeau.

“Last year, I went over to her house to get my [costume] and we tried ev-erything on,” she said. “We went down-stairs and her mom [said we] looked ridiculous. We took a family picture, but with me in it. It was just kind of cool to be there with her family… because not everyone gets to have that experience. They’re great.” H

1.

1. Then-sophomores Maureen Whittaker, left, and Grace Gi-rardeau pose with Girardeau's father at the 2014 Father-Daughter Dinner Dance. photo courtesy of MAUREEN WHITTAKER 2. The texts above were sent between current juniors Grace Girardeau and Maureen Whittaker during their freshman year at STA. Girardeau and her father invited Whittaker to join them at the 2013 "Decades" Father-Daughter Dinner Dance. illustration by MAGGIE KNOX

2.

features

14

DIFFERENT DUOStable manners| Senior Gigi Gray sits with her brother-in-law Daniel Brocato during dinner at the 2015 Father-Daughter Dance Feb. 8. Gray's father, Kevin Gray, passed away from cancer. The fourth annual Kevin Gray Father's Day run will take place this year. photo by ARINNA HOFFINE

identity crisis| Senior Caro-line Crockett sits with her older brother Chase Johnson at the Freaky Friday themed Father-Daughter Dance Feb. 8. photo by ARINNA HOF-FINE

Here, other STA students attend the Father-Daughter Dance with their brothers.

15the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015pages designed by Maggie Knox and Maria Donnelly

STA sisters before misters

pizza my heart| Juniors Grace Girardeau and Maggie Knox reach for a slice of pizza at the Galentine's Day party hosted by Girardeau Feb. 14. photo by AUDREY CARROLL

lost in the shuffle| Junior Maureen Whit-taker shuffles the cards from the game Ammonia Feb. 14. photo by AUDREY CARROLL

From the Heart

63% 50% 80%

of surveyed students partici-pated in Galentine's Day.

of surveyed students celebrated Galentine's

Day on Friday rather than Saturday.

of surveyed students had casual plans for

Galentine's Day.

compiled by MARIA DONNELLY mdonnelly15@stastars.org

The Dart surveyed 63 students about their plans for Feb. 13.

features

16

Multiple girls sit around in a circle on the floor of junior Grace Girardeau’s room. They are all dressed in pajamas; some went as far to dress in printed onesies. Crispy M&M’s, popcorn, and chips surround them. They’re focused on an intense Cards Against Humanity game, and many let out bursts of laugh-ter. Alternative music plays softly in the background.

For Girardeau and her friends, this is Valentine’s Day.

Girardeau got the idea for the name “Galentine’s Day” from the popular show "Parks and Recreation", which airs on NBC. The main character of the show, Leslie Knope, holds a Galentine’s Day party ever year on February 13 to honor her friends and the love they have for each other, not for significant others.

Girardeau’s boyfriend, Rockhurst High School junior Chris Massey, was out of town over Valentine’s day. Girardeau decided “it would be really fun to bond with all my girl friends, and

STA girls put an untraditional twist on Valentine's Day by celebrating with friends.by MEREDITH MULHERNmmulhern16@stastars.org

wild card| Juniors Maggie Knox, from left, Grace Girardeau, Maureen Whittaker, and Connor Hodes play the card game Ammonia at a Galentine's Day party hosted by Gi-rardeau Feb. 14. photo by AUDREY CARROLL

clear as mud|Junior Lauren Ryan puts a facemask from Zum on junior Audrey Car-roll's face at a Galentine's Day party Feb. 14. photo courtesy of CAMILLA CESTARO

The story of Galentine's Day

[Valentine’s Day] would be the perfect night to do it.”

“I think [spending time with friends] is a great way to spend [Valentine’s Day] because people make it weird if you’re single,” Girardeau said. “People awkwardly don’t know what they’re gonna do that night, and I invited people who are single and not single so it won’t be a pity party or anything.”

Senior Eden Kreighbaum also held a Galentine’s Day party, except Kreigh-baum’s was held Feb. 13.

“My Grandma Bunny was a home ec teacher for years,” Kreighbaum said. “So I decided to ask her to host my Galentine’s Day. Everything we ate was either heart shaped or strawberry and we ended dinner by making edible valentines.”

Kreighbaum was also inspired by Leslie Knope on "Parks and Rec".

“I really could care less about Val-entines day, but then when I watched 'Parks and Rec' I decided I was totally

missing the point,” Kreighbaum said. “You can make Valen-tines mean whatever you want, and since Galentine’s means so much to me, why not celebrate that?”

To both girls, Val-entine’s Day is more

than appreciating romantic love.“I think putting requirements on any

day, whether you are single or not, is just too confining,” Kreighbaum said. “If Valentine’s Day is about love, celebrate it however you see best.”

“[Galentine’s Day] is a fun way [to cel-ebrate] because it doesn’t make it about Valentine’s Day,” Girardeau said. “Then you’re just hanging out with your friends and it doesn’t matter what holiday it is.”

Everything we ate was either heart-shaped or strawberry.“ “

— Eden Kreighbaum, senior

17the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Maria Donnelly

Junior Payton Seever decided to spend her Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend Rockhurst junior Matthew Ruskamp.

“I would’ve gone to Grace’s Galen-tine’s Day party if I didn’t live so far away and if it wasn’t such a hassle to get back to Grace’s,” Seever said. “But I had fun with Matt.”

However, Seever did have a Galen-tine’s Day of her own.

“[STA junior] Kristina Coppinger and I did [Galentine’s Day] the day before Valentine’s Day,” Seever said. “It worked a lot better than trying to work against being with our boyfriends.”

Overall, all three girls agree that their unique Valentine’s Day plans were a success, but according to Seever, “girls shouldn’t worry about Valentine’s Day as much.”

“We’re a bunch of girls,” Seever said. “Sometimes Valentine’s plans are all we can think about.” H

lay it on thick | Junior Lauren Ryan applys a facemask to junior Italian exchange student Camilla Cestaro's face at a Galentine's Day party Feb. 14. photo by AUDREY CARROLL

pizza pizza| Junior Darcy Sullivan, far left, and Maureen Whittaker, far right, listen to someone telling a story while junior Kellie O'Toole takes a picture of fellow junior Connor Hodes in the background during a Galentine's Day party Feb. 14. photo by AUDREY CARROLL

cover story

18

White 86%Hispanic 6.2%African American 3%Multiracial 2.8%Asian 2%

50 figures total

By the numbersThe Dart compiled statistics about the racial diversity at STA, according to the administration.by CHRISTINA ELIAS

19the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Christina Elias

diversity

According to the STA mission statement and philosophy, the school community “val-ues, and therefore embraces, a culturally, economically, eth-

nically, and racially diverse student body. Community members bring divergent backgrounds and experiences that help develop the understanding and appre-ciation of others that are vital in today's global community.”

This philosophy has been at the heart of the mission of STA since its founding, but some students believe the

school needs more diversity.“I think [diversity at STA is] pretty

lacking... there’s not that many people of diverse backgrounds here,” senior Abi-gail Ellias said. “[Backgrounds are] fairly consistent, at least at surface level.”

However, according to principal of student affairs Mary Beth Compton, diversity is a “broad term” that expands past ethnic or racial backgrounds.

“It’s certainly that, but also cultural background, socioeconomic status, religion, your upbringing, your learning style,” Compton said. “That’s really what

we’ve kind of been trying to communi-cate at our student event and then our recent faculty and staff inservice.”

According to Compton, there are more white students than minority students at STA.

“But there’s still diversity on our campus,” Compton said. “Can we take steps to learn more and maybe to cre-ate more parity in those numbers [of white students and minority students]? Absolutely.”

Junior Jewell Allen agreed that STA could improve its diversity.

In this issue, the Dart explores administration efforts to improve diversity at STA. Because it is a core value of STA, many students say an increase in diversity is very important.by MARY HILLIARD and ANNA BAUMANmhilliard16@stastars.org and abauman15@stastars.org

White 59.2%African American 29.9%Hispanic/Latino 10%Other 4.5%Multiracial 3.2%Asian 2.5%Native American 0.5%Hawaiin/Pacific Islander 0.2%

stack upThe Dart compiled statistics from the 2006-2008 U.S. census bureau regarding racial diversity in Kansas City, Mo.by SIOBHAN MILLER

the Kansas City

let's talk about

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

cover story

20

“I think we do do a good job diversifying but I think we could do a lot better espe-cially with our teachers,” Allen said. “I think we should make a huge point to diversify our staff.”

A faculty with various backgrounds is “an important component” to diversity at St. Teresa’s as a whole, accord-ing to Compton. It would al-low “all students here[to] look at someone and see some-one who looks like them”.

Scholarships are another element that could contrib-ute to a more diverse stu-dent body as well, according to Allen.

“I think it would be a good idea to offer scholarships specifically for girls who are not as economically stable,” Allen said.

Most current scholarships are around $3,000, according to Compton. But there are ef-forts to provide scholarships to support two students from a low income Catholic elementary school.

“We don’t want economics to be a barrier for a whole class of girls to come here,” Compton said.

Recruitment of potential students is another way STA could become more diverse, according to senior Grace Sly.

“Most of the places senior ambassadors go are Catholic schools anyway,” Sly said. “It’s all people who are going to end up here.”

According to admissions director Roseann Hudnall, it can be difficult to recruit students from public schools because they do not have time in their school day.

School fairs are a way to reach public school students outside of the school day.

“We will go wherever they will allow us to,” Hudnall said. “[Local Catholic high schools] all go to the same schools so anybody that’s willing to have us come, we go to them.”

In an effort to increase di-versity and inclusion aware-ness, The STA Board of Directors approved a new diversity initiative in the fall of 2014.

“[Diversity] has always been a goal and a huge component of our school mission, but we want to bring it to the forefront and kind of reenergize it,” Compton said.

One element of the initia-tive is the creation of a new parent committee. Last year the Star Parents Association formed a sub-committee called the Star Galaxy Com-mittee, co-chaired by STA board members and current parents Michelle Wimes and Dr. Marion Spence Pierson. According to Wimes, the name of the committee was coined by Dr. Spence based on the definition of the word galaxy in conjunction with the STA mascot, the star.

“[Dr. Pierson] wanted to build on your mascot, the star,” Wimes said. “She thought that this whole no-tion of how you define gal-axy, ‘a large system of stars

held together by gravitation-al attraction, an assembly of brilliant or notable persons or things,’ she thought that was a great definition of people coming together with a lot of intelligence, a lot of brilliance and coming together for the good of St. Teresa’s and I thought it was

the per-fect title.”

Ac-cording to Wimes, the goal of the committee is three-fold: to increase educa-

tion and awareness around the concepts of diversity and inclusion, to develop a common language so people feel comfortable talking about these ideas, and lastly, recruiting diverse students and faculty to STA.

During the 2013-2014 school year the Star Galaxy committee conducted a climate and needs survey for all students, faculty and staff, the results of which were re-cently shared at the student diversity assembly Jan. 26.

In addition to the recent diversity panel for students, the faculty had a diversity training in-service on Feb. 9.

“These trainings have been the start of those kinds of sessions for us to learn and lean in to conversations that sometimes if you don’t feel certain, can kind of feel uncomfortable,” Compton said.

According to Wimes, em-

bracing diversity and inclu-sion and becoming culturally competent are “vital skills” STA students will need to succeed in the 21st century.

“If STA is not teaching students how to navigate situations with people from vastly different cultures, backgrounds and experi-ences, with varying thoughts, perspectives, and opinions, then the school is really do-ing a disservice,” Wimes said.

To be successful in the 21st century, according to Wimes, the focus of educa-tion will be on creativity, col-laboration, communication, and critical thinking. All four of these skills will “require the ability to operate comfortably in heterogenous environ-ments”.

“The development and nurturing of inclusive behav-iors while welcoming people of diverse backgrounds are critical to students’ success,” Wimes said.

According to Ellias, a more diverse student population would be an asset to educa-tion.

“I think it would just bring a lot of perspectives that we don’t have,” Ellias said. “Differ-ent cultures coming together is something we should be having as people who are about to go out into the real world...the more diversity, the more well rounded you are.”

“Diversity is at the core of our mission, of our vision for the school,” Compton said. “It has been since we were founded by the sisters of St. Joseph.” H

[Diversity is] also cultur-al background, socioeco-nomic status, religion, your upbringing, your learning style.

“ “

— Mary Beth Compton, prin-cipal of Student Affairs

21the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Christina Elias

4. sister sister | Juniors Moira White, from left, Abby Small, Annie Alderman, and Nicole Blanck work on a lab in the Fo-rensic Science class on Feb. 20. photo by MARIA DONNELLY

IN THECLASSROOM

1. inclusion inspiration|The Cultural Diversity Committee showed the documentary “Mighty Times: The Children’s March” Feb. 5 in the audito-rium. The film was about the children protesting for the rights of African Americans in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. photo by MADDY MEDINA2. sister sister|The fibers and textile class listen to STA teacher Lisa Dibble explain how to use a sewing machine.photo by MARIA DONNELLY3. work it|The United States History class works in groups to fill out a worksheet in class Feb. 20. photo by MARIA DONNELLY

1.

2.

4.

3.

cart

oon

by M

ERED

ITH

MU

LHER

N

right onTARGET

Abigail Elliassenior

Does STA have a diverse community?

compiled by ANNA BAUMANabauman15@stastars.org

main ed / A&E

As I open the most recent “Star-beams,” I notice the colorful smiling faces featured on the cover -- girls of all different shapes, sizes and races.

What does this say about St. Teresa’s Academy? It sends the message that STA is an ethnically diverse community with opportunities to offer anyone who walks through its doors. It shows a colorful and diverse student body with girls from all different backgrounds. This is indeed the exact issue that the administration should continue to try to improve.

Is STA a place filled with girls of all different cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds?

STA has a strong philosophy that em-phasizes “neighbor to neighbor without distinction” heavily in every situation. Diversity and awareness are concepts that are preached daily within the walls of this academy.

Yet, how often do we talk about where we actually stand in terms of how we reflect that mission? It seems as though the marketing of STA sug-gests a large diversity on campus, yet, walking across the quad during passing period, I seem to pass an infinite num-

ber of caucasian girls without seeing much else.

Because of this obvious disparity, the administration has begun to open lines of communication with students about what this level of diversity means.

It is so important for the administra-tion to continue to take measures to educate students about diversity. For

example, students have participated in a panel discussion on what diversity looks like at STA, yet this panel focused too much on what STA is already doing to increase diversity. While it is good that STA is acknowledging area for improvement in diversity, I have not yet witnessed enough conversation about what diversity looks like right now.

Isn’t the first step to acknowledge the dangerously low numbers of diversity we have here?

In a perfect world, St. Teresa’s would be as diverse on campus as it looks on paper in our “Starbeams” newsletter. The reality of STA: we have more work to do before we are at this level of diver-sity.

Only after recognizing what STA looks like now can we move forward to look at how we can actually implement initia-tives to reach out to diverse communi-ties and welcome them to STA. H

STA should continue discussion on diversity

5 of 5 editors voted in support of this editorial[ ]

After watching a panel on diversity awareness, the administration can continue to educate students on the importance of diversity and inclusion at STA.

The Dart asked students their opinion of the main editorial.

“I think it’s pretty lacking . . . there’s not that many people of diverse backgrounds here; it’s pretty consistent, at least on surface level.”

Micah Welchsenior

“Diversity is more than just race and religion . . . We’re diverse in terms of each individual person being themselves, and I think that’s something that we foster too, being yourself.”

Jewell Allen sophomore

"I think we could do a lot better es-pecially with our teachers . . . I would really love to have a black teacher.”

22

Take a BowJust like any sport, the more you

practice, the better you get. This is also true with theater, according to head of drama department Shana Prentiss. At STA, multiple students take on the extra commitment of various theater productions in addition to commit-ments at school.

According to Prentiss, currently “a good majority” of students involved in STA’s productions participate in theater companies outside of school. Among these students is sophomore Libby Terril, who has been in 40 different productions with various organizations such as Christian Youth Theater, or CYT, Rockhurst High School, Immeasur-able Productions, and Leawood Stage Company.

For Terril, it all began when she was 5 years old and participated in The Sound of Music at her church. At age 8, she auditioned for her first show with CYT, which she is still involved with now. CYT’s auditions are open, meaning Terril has no room to be preoccupied with stage fright.

“I don’t get stressed out about it,” Terril said. “I think starting at such a young age gave me a lot of confidence so I never had stage fright.”

For Terril, balancing theater and other parts of her life is “hard, but not impossible.” Though it requires a lot of energy, she says her 40 productions are a huge part of her life.

“The thing I love more than anything else is performing,” Terril said.

Like Terril, freshman Bella Pichardo also participates in theater outside of school. In addition to Into the Woods, Pichardo has acted with Theater at Vis and Rockhurst.

According to Pichardo, Theater at Vis is more relaxed than STA, but pre-pared her for the difficult process that the STA musical was.

“It helped me get some knowledge of music, learn how to harmonize and all that,” Pichardo said. “It teaches you the basics before you get into the intensity of high school theater.”

Senior Hillary Talken is also involved in theater outside of STA. Talken has been involved with CYT since the sum-mer before her seventh grade year, when she did a summer camp. Not only is Talken’s family heavily involved, but she has made many lifelong friend-ships.

“Some of my best friends in the whole wide world, I’ve met through theater here and CYT,” Talken said.

Beyond friendships, Talken says her faith has grown through her involve-ment in theater outside STA, specifically because CYT emphasizes God in their organization.

“It calms me down, because the one thing they always say is that you’re not doing it for the audience, but you’re do-ing it for God,” Talken said.

But Talken has not only grown in faith. Having extra practice with per-forming has carried over

to other aspects of her life, as well.“Well, it definitely gives you confi-

dence, like speaking in public and all that and I’m a lot more comfortable with adults, too, through CYT,” Talken said. “I think those have helped me a lot, especially as I’m going into college and having to have interviews. It makes it easier to communicate.”

Perhaps the most challenging aspect for Terril, Talken, and Pichardo is balancing other commitments with the sizeable commitment of multiple shows.

“It’s just balancing but then also real-izing that you have to rest,” said Talken. “If you are constantly focused on all the things that you have to do, it becomes too much and you think you can’t do it, even though you really can.”

Though theater asks for quite a bit of time and energy, the three girls agree that the auditions, practices and late nights during tech week are fully worth the end result: the show. H

the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015pages designed by Christina Elias and Mackenzie O'Guin

23

STA students in outside theater organizations must juggle various responsibilities.by LINDEN O'BRIEN-WILLIAMSLOBRIENWILLIAMS17@STASTARS.ORG

perspectives

24

As I investigated the Country Club Plaza’s history for a news article last semester, I perceived founder J.C. Nichols as a visionary. From browsing the Plaza’s website, I learned to admire Nichols’ use of “ornate” Spanish decor, as well as his forward-thinking incorporation of roads throughout the shopping district. But, after further research, I discovered Nichols’ genius was reserved for a select few.

In short, Nichols’ housing developments included racially-restrictive covenants, allowing the homes to be available to whites only, according to a UMKC article. These racist operations, which peaked in the 1920s, explain Troost Avenue’s identity as Kansas City’s “segregation line.”

The Troost area did not

originate as an African-American hub, according to an Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City blog. From the mid-19th to early-20th centuries, the location attracted the city’s wealthiest homeowners, with a stretch called “Millionaire’s Row.”

According to a KCUR article, “moderately priced homes” were constructed along Paseo Boulevard in the 1880s, but a market crash opened these homes to less-affluent African-Americans. In addition, many African-Americans living in the West Bottoms around the turn of the century relocated after “an expansion of the railroad and commerce.” The community headed east, past Paseo.

To elites who associated African-American neighborhoods with low opportunities, Nichols’ western developments were appealing, according to the Reece & Nichols agent’s article. Upper- and middle-class homeowners like judges and doctors shunned the eastern parts of Kansas City, leaving these areas to the lower-class African-Americans unable to leave.

According to the UMKC article, the drawing of school districts in the 1950s confirmed Troost as a racial dividing line, with Southwest High School west of Troost admitting whites alone. When integration attempts

reappeared in the 1970s, the Nichols Company bought Plaza-area land at high values to repel African-Americans from the area, as author Tanner Colby noted in his book “Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America.”

Today, although Southwest’s demographics have shifted, Nichols’ influence persists.

In the zip code 64112, which encompasses the Plaza’s shopping area, the median value of a housing unit with a mortgage in 2011 was $335,690, according to City-Data.com. For zip code 64109, with two-thirds of its area east of Troost Avenue, this value is more than halved: $142,266. In addition, African-Americans account for 3 percent of 64112’s population; in 64109, this number jumps to 71 percent. And, according to Mapquest, the drive from 4702 Oak Street (at 64112’s northern border) to 3901 Locust Street (at 64109’s southern border) is two minutes.

Despite Club KC’s benefits, could we create a solution that breaches rather than manages Kansas City’s divide?

According to Dr. Jacob Wagner, the director of UMKC’s Urban Studies program cited in the UMKC article, we cannot integrate until the inner city improves.

For those managing our city, this means directing money toward poverty-stricken neighborhoods, not toward another upper-class suburb. Developers must also allow the urban neighborhoods to financially sustain themselves by reserving contracts for local business owners.

Wagner said this improvement requires open-mindedness from college graduates, the next generation of leaders and of home-buyers. In both areas, we need people who understand the difference between Kansas City’s urban and suburban residents as one of circumstance, not one of ambition. Such citizens will revamp these areas to relieve those confined to poverty, as well as to unlock their city’s potential.

When we STA students become college graduates, I hope we see similar opportunity in the inner city. I do not condone living in the suburbs, but I would hate for someone to believe that is the only route to a prosperous lifestyle. Perhaps inner-city poverty will continue throughout our adulthood. If so, as privileged recipients of quality education, we should alter these standards. If we use our resources to further our careers while neglecting our city’s well-being, we only encourage Nichols’ legacy. H

Know your past... ...change your future

by EMMA WILLIBEY ewillibey15@stastars.org

Teens should understand KC's racist history

25the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Torie Richardson

Know your past... ...change your futureIt's about time we all did the earth a favor

Every day, forestland larger than the size of New Hampshire, Delaware, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey combined is destroyed.* In the next 40 years, 70% of Earth’s coral reefs will cease to exist*. As much as one-fifth of all species on Earth today will become extinct in the next 30 years.* An average of two million people worldwide die each year due to air pollution.**

I think it is safe to say that we are all in a lot of trouble.

However, every little effort put towards helping the environment can make a huge difference. In particular, we at STA could improve our efforts to creating a better world.

The other day I was walking across the quad and a girl in front of me tossed her aluminum can into the trash, instead of the recycling bin, and a little part of me died inside.

A big part of helping our environment is just bringing an awareness to others. We can help at STA by planting gardens, recycling more, stopping balloon releases (it

kills birds) and restricting the killing of butterflies freshmen year (monarchs may soon be on the endangered species list). These are just a few specific examples I noticed in my experience at STA, but there is so much more we can do as well.

Earth is such a beautiful, incredible home and we need to take care of it and all its inhabitants, just like it has done for us. H

*According to “World Centric”**According to “LoveToKnow”

Students will benefit from challenging theology classes

“I really want to take Theology and Media, but I don’t think I will; I heard it’s really hard!”

“Yeah, Contemporary Theology sounds interesting but theology classes aren’t supposed to be hard! I don’t want to hurt my GPA .”

These are parts of a conversation I heard in a free period the other day. As a current Theology and Media student and a prospective Contemporary Theology student, I was really surprised at what I was overhearing from my peers.

It’s true that STA offers theology classes that are considered more challenging, but I think they are

some of the most interesting classes offered in our whole curriculum. I have learned interesting things in Theology and Media such as media theory and gender biases in society, and have also analyzed how different TV shows reflect or impact culture. Many would be surprised to learn that the class is not all centered around theology. I have a couple of friends who say that Contemporary Theology is really challenging, but they are glad they took it because it has helped them learn more about philosophy and their personal beliefs.

The argument that a theology class should be easy and help you maintain a good GPA is invalid because all classes at STA are designed to

challenge students and help them explore their personal learning strategies. Also, an opportunity to take a class that could expand your knowledge from previous theology classes with topics like media theory and philosophy is one that should be taken to prepare for college when many courses are very different from the ones taken by high school students.

So although class registration for next year is over, consider changing your theology class choice or plan on taking a more challenging course next year. I can guarantee you will gain a lot more from a harder class than a class you took to get an easy A. H

Homegrown businesses cultivate the community

Kansas City is home to some of the best locally-owned restaurants, and offers numerous opportunities to buy local foods and goods. Increasing the amount of local products we buy helps local businesses and their owners to reap the benefits. By supporting places right around

the corner, we are giving vested interest in the community in which we live. While local goods may be more expensive, the money circulated in the community is beneficial for consumers and producers alike. Small businesses are vital to the sustainability of the community because they encourage

entrepreneurship and increase creativity. By breaking away from a “chain-store” mentality, consumers are able to see the value of impacting the life of a local business owner.

So, the next time you’re looking for a place to eat, try Googling “best local Kansas City restaurants" and paying one a visit. H

by AUDREY CARROLLacarroll16@stastars.org

by MADDY MEDINAmmedina16@stastars.org

by ANNA HAFNERahafner16@stastars.org

26

Junior Sophia Prochnow broke two STA dive records Jan. 27 and Jan. 30 at the Red Bridge YMCA and Springfield Invitational.

“You kind of have a feeling that you break a record just based off your scores but you don’t know where you stand until the meet is completely over,” Prochnow said. “You don’t know what your cumulative score is until all is said and done. So I knew it was a possibility but I wasn’t positive.”

According to Prochnow, she broke

sports

flippin' out | Junior Sophia Prochnow competes at the dive meet Feb. 12, as the STA swim team watches from be-hind. photo by HELEN WHEATLEY

Sophia Prochnow breaks STA dive record

the 6 dive record and 11 dive record. The 6 dive competition consists of completing six dives for judges and adding each of the dives scores to-gether. Similarly, the 11 dive competi-tion consists of completing 11 dives, each dive with varying degrees of a set difficulty.

Prochnow broke the record by 6 dive record by 5.6 points and the 11 dive record by 28 points.

Alumna Kennedy Reller previously held the 6 dive record with a score

of 199. Reller also held the 11 dive record with a score of 314, according to STA athletic director Mark Hough.

“[Prochnow] has always had a natural talent for diving, but until recently, she was reluctant to attempt some of the more difficult dives,” head dive coach Steve Robbins said. “In the last month Sophia has shown a new level of determination and confidence which has made her success possible. She has overcome the fear of her dif-ficult dives and replaced that fear with a positive outlook.”

Robbins credits Prochnow’s grow-ing success to her new willingness to try more difficult dives; according to Prochnow, this means completing dives like a front double flip.

“For me my hardest dive is prob-ably my front double flip because I have been scared of it for a long time,” Prochnow said. “I can do it fine, it is just scary every time I do it.”

Although excited about the records, Prochnow’s greatest goal is to qualify for the State competition. She was only 5 points from qualifying in the six dive competition.

“I am really pleased Sophia has elevated her game,’ Robbins said.

Prochnow plans on continuing to dive as a senior next year. H

4The judges consider the starting position, approach, take off, flight, and entry into the water when judg-ing a dive.4Divers are awarded a score from each judge, ranging from one to ten in 1/2 increments.4The scores from each judge are added together and multiplied by the degree of difficulty of the dive.

by LEIGH CAMPBELLlcampbell15@stastars.org

Junior broke the 6 dive and 11 dive STA records.

Fast FactsThe Dart compiled infor-mation on how divers are judged.compiled by HELEN WHEATLEYhwheatley17@stastars.org

27the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Amy O'Leary

Junior breaks recordby MACKENZIE O'GUINmoguin17@stastars.org

Rewind to Eleanor Lueke’s fresh-man year. After making it onto the var-sity basketball team, she easily broke the previous three-point record of five in a game when she scored seven three-pointers. This record remained undefeated until Jan. 29, when Lueke once again broke the record with eight three-pointers in a game against Belton, which STA won.

“At first, I didn’t react much because there were still a couple minutes left in the game and I tried to stay focused, but when I got to the bench and they announced it to the crowd during a timeout is when it really excited me,” Lueke said.

Lueke is not alone is her excite-ment, according to teammate Anna-Marie Fiorella.

“I was on the bench with four other girls,” Fiorella said. “When Eleanor hit the eighth three, we literally went nuts. We were like animals on the bench.”

Lueke credits her success to sup-port from her team and coaches, both on and off the court.

“All the girls on the team and the coaches were all happy for me,” Lueke said. “There were a couple minutes in the game when they were all trying to just get me the ball so I could hit my eighth [three pointer] and beat the re-cord, and it meant a lot that they were all so supportive of me. Let’s just say there were many three ball signs from [AnnaMarie Fiorella] and the girls!”

Head basketball coach Megan Ny-quist agreed that Lueke couldn’t have broken the record without her team

Nyquist, however, give Lueke full credit for her athletic accomplishment.

kick it | STA varsity dance team performs during half time February 10. The dancers brought in gradeschoolers from their year-ly dance clinic. photo by JESSIE CULVER

BY THE NUMBERS

Eleanor Lueke scored eight three-pointers in game against Belton High School.

ballin' | Lueke shoots a basket during STA's home game against Belton February 10. photo by JESSIE CULVER

The Dart compiled a series of statistics from junior Eleanor Lueke's year. compiled by KATHERINE MEDIAVILLAkmediavilla16@stastars.org

On average, Eleanor has...12.5 points per game5 rebounds per game45 3-pointers for the season77% free throw shooter2.5 steals per gameseason high of 30 points

“The only involvement we as a coaching staff have had in [Lueke’s] success is letting her know that she has the green light to shoot in our offense,” Nyquist said. “El worked hard in her off seasons and put in the time to be the good shooter she is. There is not much we as coaches do for a player like that besides provide an offense where someone with her basketball skill can excel.”

Nyquist went on to say that she had high hopes for not only Lueke, but the team as a whole.

“Not only do I see [Lueke] breaking any record she wants at STA," Nyquist said. "I see a [team] that can do great things].”

Lueke is unsure of what her future in basketball might hold for her.

“I mean, who knows?” Lueke laughed. “I might break more records. Maybe I’ll get a few more three point-ers someday.” H

community

28

After freshman Gabrielle Pesek saw a family’s grati-tude at a bake sale for "ad-opted" Christmas families, she experienced not only surprise at the difference between her circumstances and those of the family, but also satisfaction in bridging this gap through service.

“The mom was just in tears,” Pesek said. “She said, ‘Thank you so much; this is the best Christmas ever.’”

Pesek has engaged in many such efforts since joining Challenge, an all-girls volunteer organization at 10 years old. Pesek, now a team leader, nominated herself for STA’s Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award for service this year.According to director of development Barbara Cusick, Pesek is one of five finalists who will be recognized at the ceremony March 10.

“I don’t know if that’s the norm—if most girls nomi-nate themselves,” Kindle Pesek, Gabrielle’s mother and club president for North Kansas City’s Challenge

groups, said. “I was proud of [Gabrielle] for taking the initiative and being her own self.”

Gabrielle discovered Challenge through her mother’s position in the organization.

“[Challenge] asked me to help out with the camps and stuff—putting together themed dinners and little gifts for the girls,” Kindle said.

Despite being president of Gabrielle’s group, Kindle said she encourages her daughter to plan the club’s meetings and service proj-ects.

“The idea is that these little girls live up to the team leaders,” Kindle said. “[That] in high school, [volunteer-ing] is still cool; it’s still attractive.”

According to Kindle, hav-ing high-schoolers as team leaders inevitably leads to mishaps. Nevertheless, Kin-dle said the girls’ motivation to perform a service project trumps these errors.

“In terms of the projects, we let the girls decide [what to do],” Kindle said. “If they fail, they fail, but I think they learn from that. We re-ally like for them to actually experience [service], that it’s person-to-person.”

In this way, Kindle said, Challenge integrates Catho-lic values by asking the girls

growing in service by EMMA WILLIBEYewillibey15@stastars.org

Freshman Gabrielle Pesek, as a volunteer team leader, shows girls the value of faith and friends.

to incorporate one “virtue” into daily life.

“The whole point of Chal-lenge is that the girls truly grow and make Christ their best friend,” Kindle said. “With that, you can really do anything.”

Freshman Jocelynn Mor-ris, who joined Challenge in August, agreed their goal is to present religion as a relat-able concept. Each week, Gabrielle and Morris play Christian songs and lead activities related to a theme, such as “Who am I?” or “Does God care about me?”

“[We do] a little game of some sort,” Morris said. “I know the girls love to do skits. That’s always the girls’ favorite thing.”

In addition to leading her Challenge club, Gabrielle assists at her church each weekend. Despite volunteer-ing for years, Gabrielle said she has felt time constraints upon entering STA.

“I feel I’ve been so swamped,” Gabrielle said. “I want to plan a Challenge meeting, but then I also have to do four hours of homework.”

While Gabrielle par-ticipates in both sports and extracirriculars, she claims these activities have not overpowered her passion for Challenge.

“School’s always first, and then service is probably

second,” Gabrielle said. “If I have, like, softball prac-tice, and then I have some commitment to service I’ve already signed up for, I’ll probably go to the service [event].”

Furthermore, Gabrielle is utilizing school breaks to volunteer.

“During spring break, I’m going to Chicago to be a missionary for holy week, and I’m going to be serving the poor mostly,” Gabrielle said, also citing plans to perform mission work this June in Atlanta, Ga., and to participate in World Youth Day 2016 in Poland.

Ultimately, the girls’ in-vestment in Challenge’s faith foundations enriches the community, Gabrielle said.

“A lot of the girls, [Chal-lenge] has definitely changed their lives, and you can see it,” Gabrielle said. “In the beginning, the girls [were] like, ‘Ew, I don’t really want to do [service]; it’s too much work.’ And [now], they have a different attitude toward it.”

Gabrielle encourages other students to partake in similar oppurtunities.

“[Many girls say], ‘Oh, I don’t know what I’ll be do-ing,’” Gabrielle said. “Just try it. You won’t know until you try it, and I can guarantee you’ll love it.” H

...........................

29the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2014page design by Siobhan Miller

1. read aloud|Mary Jo Peterson reads her responses regard-ing friendship questions from her notebook.2. hands in the air|STA freshman Gabrielle Pesek, right, leads a group of girls in their Challenge meeting Feb. 20. Pesek has been leading the group since August.3. show and tell|Gabrielle Pesek, left, watches Ella McNeil read her friendship scenario from the options given Feb. 20. The theme of the group’s meeting was friendship, including God’s friendship.4. look it up|Mary Jo Peterson, left, and STA freshman Gabri-elle Pesek look for a movie clip to illustrate an example of a positive friendship Feb. 20. The group of fifth and sixth grade girls led by Pesek meets on Friday nights. photos byANNA HAFNER

...........................................

“The LA Catho-lic Worker was kind of my roots. My godmother [Hortencia Hernandez] runs the situation out there. … [The children are] from my heritage, all in a Spanish, impoverished area. [Their fami-lies] didn’t come here to establish a life of crime; they’re just trying to make a life of their own. It’s sad to see no one will

accept them.”“I would go

[to LA Catholic Worker] in the summers, for the summer camp. That’s the only time my family can get out there. I spent most of my summers there for the longest time. [I] started [par-ticipating in] the summer camp at age 3, … [but] I started volunteer-ing there when I was older.”

learning gardenthe

1.

2.

3.

4.

.................................................“I’ve always wanted to go in

the medical field, but com-ing into this experience [at Our Lady’s Montessori], I’ve wanted to do service with my profession. My ultimate goal would be to travel to a third-world country and do mission work there.”

“I love serving to children; I have a connection with children. I just feel every child should feel loved. I was

planning on going an AMIGOS trip [to a Spanish-speaking country], but the finances conflicted. I’m trying to set up a medical mission with Joyce Meyer Ministries where [the trip is] just one week and $1000. Also, [there] will be more opportunities in college where I can actually help medically rather than be an assistant, to feel more involved.”

Branching Out

Of The Same SeedJunior Lauren Ryan, a finalist for STA's 2015 Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award for service, shares her history with volunteering.by EMMA WILLIBEYewillibey15@stastars.org

...... Down to the ROOTS

Give blood, give lifephotos by KATHERINE MEDIAVILLAkmediavilla16@stastars.org don't look | Juniors Sarah Gorden, left, and Emily Laird rest during lunch/activity Feb. 13.

The gym was open from second period to sixth period for students and faculty to donate blood for the Community Blood Center. photo by KATHERINE MEDIAVILLA

blood pumping | Junior Machella Dunlea gives blood on her birthday, Feb. 13 in the Goppert Gym. Right before finishing her donation, Dunlea's blood splattered, staining her shirt. photo by KATHERINE MEDIAVILLA

heart to heart| A roll of heart shaped stickers rests on a volunteer table during the annual blood drive held in Goppert Feb. 13. Those who donated blood were given one of these stickers and a snack. photo by KATHERINE MEDIAVILLA

take a seat | A table of student volunteers waits until help is needed during the STA Blood Drive Feb. 13. Volunteers passed out snacks and water in addition to assisting fel-low classmates back to their classes after donating. photo by KATHERINE MEDIAVILLA

the waiting game | Junior Sarah Gorden waits her turn in line before donating blood Feb. 13. Gordon, as well as fellow students and teachers, waited anxiously as their turn to donate approached. photo by KATHERINE MEDIAVILLA

brace yourself | Senior Maggie Hutchison glances up at her nurse as he checks his watch. Feb. 13 marked Hutchison's first time donating blood for the STA blood drive. photo by KATHERINE MEDIAVILLA

Students and teachers who were at least 16 and above a certain weight could donate blood Feb. 13. Although people volunteered, due to criteria like iron levels being in a certain range, not everyone could follow through with getting blood drawn.

30

last look

The Name GameMa(di)(ddy)(ddie)(ttie)(dison)(deline)(delynne)(deleine)(daline)

Natalie

Allison

Maggie

Jessica ClaireMol-

Mary

Elizabeth

KatherineAbigailAmeliaSophia

Emma AlexGraceEmily

Madi/Maddie/Maddy is the most popular name in the school, with a total of 18 girls

Meg(an)(han)Meg/Megan/Meghan and Clare/Claire tie for second most popular

name at STA with 17 girls each

Liz/Lizzie/Lizzy is the third most popular name in the school, with a total of 16 girls

Mary has a total of 15 girls, putting it in fourth place

Cla(re)(ire)and

Maggie has a total of 12 girls, placing it in the top five most popular names at STA

compliled by BRIDGET JONES, designed by TORIE RICHARDSONbjones16@stastars.org | vrichardson16@stastars.org

VictoriaBridget 31the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015

page design by Katherine Green

Humans of STA

Students perform at Creative Grounds

32the Dart // dartnewsonline.com // 6 March 2015page design by Mary Hilliard

In the

Take a look at the current coverage on DartNewsOnline

STA varsity basketball lost to Notre Dame de Sion High School last Friday. STA dressed as characters from "Holes," a 2003 Disney movie.

sion meat| Senior Emily Godfrey sits on senior Madeline Mul-len's shoulders in front of the STA student section while holding up a shirt with the phrase "What do we eat?".

center stage | Juniors Jed Rellihan, from left, Hayley Burgess and senior Monica Stanely perform the "I Love You Song" at Creative Grounds Feb. 12.

photos by HANNAH BREDARhbredar15@stastars.org

dancing queen| Senior Sophia Hall performs a personally cho-reographed dance at Creative Grounds Feb. 12. Hall has danced since she was three-years-old and plans to continue in college.

Gallery: Diggin' Holesphotos by KAT MEDIAVILLA and MEG THOMPSON

hands up|The STA student section holds up "spirit fingers" while a player shoots a free throw at the Sion basketball game at Sion Feb. 26. The theme was "Holes."