hield S
Volume 27, Issue 6
the
February 24, 2015
Saint Thom as Aquinas High School
CONTENTS CAMPUS NEWS
OPINIONS
Addressing the Uniform Debate: 4-6
Magazine Sale Should be Done Away With: 29
How Mass Gets Set Up: 7-9 Journalism Honor Society Named After Sue Waters: 11-12
Changes Should be Made to STA Period: 30-32
SPORTS
19 Seniors Sign Letters of Intent: 34-35
FEATURES
The Farnans: Longest Marriage of Aquinas Teachers: 13-15 Teachers who are Engaged: 18-19 A Closer Look at the Johnson County “Bubble”: 22-24
EXTRAS
Tommy Talks: 10 The Best of Social Media: 16-17 Centerspread: Faculty Marriages: 20-21
Clean Joke of February: 28
Students with Long Commutes to School: 25-27
Survey Says: 33
Cover Photo courtesy of Michele Gress Seniors James Pyle and Madison Holmes dance together at WPA. The couple dressed up as Clark Kent and Lois Lane for the “Dynamic Duo” themed dance.
Last Look: 38-39
THE
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Cap That: 36-37
Countdown 17
Days to Pro m
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Days Days to to Spring Grad Break uatio n
the
g hield S Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
11411 Pflumm Road Overland Park, KS 66215 913-319-2460 www.stasaints.net/shield Adviser Matt Hallauer
Co-Editors-in-Chief Janie Bachkora Jordan Eberhardy Centerspread Editor Anthony George Social Media Editor Alex Kinnan
Campus News Editor Katie Bernard
Reporters Jordan Bartz Ellie Heit Alex Kinnan Jackson McElroy Daniel Petracek
MISSION STATEMENT The Shield is a newspaper sponsored by Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and produced by its students to provide information, entertainment, and open forum, as well as a learning experience for its staff members. The goal of The Shield’s staff is to meet professional journalism standards. Staff members are responsible for the content of the newspaper and strive to report news accurately, objectively, and completely. The Shield is an open forum for student expression and aims to communicate the concerns of the student body as well as the faculty, staff, and Aquinas community. ADVERTISING The Shield sells advertisements to help with publication costs. All ads will be subject to the same scrutiny as stories. The Shield will not print any obscenities or any ads promoting products illegal to those under the age of 18. For advertising, please call (913)
319-2460, send an email to mhallauer@stasaints. net, or visit www. stasaints.net/shield SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions to The Shield are $2 per issue. Subscriptions can be sent to Saint Thomas Aquinas High School c/o Matt Hallauer.
LETTER POLICY Letters may be accepted by The Shield, provided that they are signed and do not contain libelous statements. The Shield reserves the right to edit the letters for grammar, obscenity, or space consideration, and also reserves the right to not print a letter.
Campus News
ADDRESSING THE ISSUE
A look at the reason for our uniform, how it is enforced and the opinions of students and faculty regarding it
By Katie Bernard
Photo by Katie Bernard | The Shield
Senior Holly Hanson (left) and Junior Abbey Hopfinger (right)pose for the Shield to demonstrate that a skirt four inches off the knees will look drastically different depending upon the girl.
All explanations for uniform rules were provided by Sarah Burgess. Why do we wear a uniform? Sarah Burgess, Atheltic Director
“The purpose of a uniform is to provide a uniform appearance in order to promote school identity and a sense of community, promote pride and responsibility in personal appearance, reduce the cost of buying clothes, and reduce competition among students based on physical appearance.”
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Julieana Hendricks, Science Teacher “To show uniformity and to show that we are united as a group it is important to enforce it because its a rule and its part of what is expected of you when you sign up to come here it is important to enforce it because if not everyone does it everyone gets a different message on what is appropriate and not”
Alie Carr, Class of 2016
“I like school uniforms i had them for 8 years in grade school and then I went to public school freshman year and it was annoying choosing an outfit every morning. The purpose is to make us look like we got our stuff together and we are a community of saints.”
the uniform does limit the individual right to express yourself it seems like. I personally really do like wearing a uniform because it’s super easy to get ready in the morning and comfortable. But I do want the ability to be able to accessorize the way I want to.”
“The overall purpose of the uniform is to look the same and like one body. But sometimes
“The purpose of a uniform is to keep students looking classy and well dressed.”
Caroline Backs, Class of 2015
Meredith Bush, Class of 2017
Skirts
Skirts should be worn comfortably around the waist and should not measure more than 4” off the floor all the way around when kneeling on the floor. Girls wearing excessively short skirts will receive detention and asked to wear pants, asked to lower hem to proper length or asked to purchase a new skirt.
Why?
We want our girls to look nice, and most of them do. ... I do know that 8-10 inches is too short ... so the closer to 4 you can get, the better it looks. I don’t expect every senior girl to go out and buy new skirts. But, if your skirt doesn’t fit you anymore, then you are expected to get one that does, or wear pants. Those girls who have a skirt 8 or 10 inches above the knee are the ones who will continue receiving detentions.
Teacher Opinion
“A student’s short skirt length can lead to other people’s being uncomfortable around that student 60 ( going up stairs behind
her? sitting in class with her?) as well as leading to, perhaps, erroneous ideas about that student, based on what is “on display”. For a skirt length, my opinion is that skirts should come to the top of the kneecap. This way, there would be no subjectivity involved in deciding whether the skirt is “long enough”, or not. Nor would anyone have to bust out a ruler to see whether the length is appropriate or not. Yes, this would look a little “Amish”, but we could all go up the stairs without fear of seeing someone’s “business”. We wouldn’t feel uncomfortable sitting in front of or in a class with seated girls. No one would be able to make assumptions about a student based on her skirt length.” Spanish teacher, Lisa Stoecklein said
What is an appropriate skirt length?
Knee or Lower 4" up 6" up 8" up 10" up 12" up Pants
Student Opinon
“I think that the faculty should rethink the mandatory length and base it off of other factors like hight.” Carr Said “The administration/ teachers should be more considerate when they give a detention on a Monday and want it fixed the next day. I can’t turn it around that fast in one night. I really only have one skirt and my mom isn’t going to want to pay 50 bucks for another skirt or pay 20 bucks to a tailor to fix it when I’m graduating in less than 100 days ... Around mid thigh or a little more would be
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Shoes
Shoes and sandals worn must have an enclosed heel. NO EXCEPTIONS. Slip on footwear like flip flops, rubber sport sandals, mules, and slip on tennis shoes, slippers, fur lined or regular moccasins, whether they have soles or not, are all examples of improper footwear for school. First No boots shall be worn Semester with skirts.
Uniform Violations First Semster and February
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an appropriate length. I also really think it heavily depends on each individual girl because for some girls they have longer legs than others so while one skirt length on one girl looks short on another it could look perfectly fine.” Backs said “The purpose is to keep our school looking classy and not trashy” Bush said
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Why?
“Shoes need a back strap because flip flops are dangerous in crowded hallways and stairways...(lots
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Campus News Prior to February, how many of your teachers allowed illegal tops?
If Aquinas required ladies to wear pants, would you have chosen a different school?
25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% of tripping and stepping on shoes). No straps and all we will see is flip flops. Boots look bad with the skirts in my opinion. What kind of boots do we allow? Uggs, army boots? We limit footwear to tennis shoes and dress shoes and sandals with a strap. Again, too many choices and it becomes a contest of who can express their individuality the best?”
Teacher Opinion
“I don’t [write students up for boots] unless its crazy obnoxious ... I think [boots] look tacky, I don’t think it reflects who we are,” Hendricks said.
Student Opinion
“More than likely [boots are] a uniformity thing. I understand that rule it does look drastically different and separate
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one uniform look from another,” Carr said. “I understand the purpose of not having open back shoes because they could slip off easily when walking to classes. But moccasins I don’t really understand why we aren’t allowed to wear them. If they have a back and some kind of sole on the bottom, they are just like any other shoe. Certain tall boots I can understand,” Carr said. “It is just a preference of style. The current era and generation we are in thinks it looks completely fine to wear socks over tights or leggings, while our teachers think it doesn’t look acceptable. It is just a difference of opinion really,” Backs said.
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Sweatshirts
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There is only ONE designated uniform sweatshirt students may wear with uniform skirts or pants. This crew neck sweatshirt comes in navy or gray and is available for purchase exclusively through the Saint Thomas Aquinas Spirit Shop. Jackets, coats, and sweaters or sweatshirts (other than those described earlier) may NOT be worn in school.
Why?
“Regarding the sweatshirts, I am not opposed to having more Saint Thomas Aquinas sweatshirts as uniform options. But once again, you provide more options then all of a sudden you see every club, sports, special event sweatshirt trying to be passed off as
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a uniform.”
Teacher Opinion
“Because so many kids do wear outside jackets it might be nice to have another option,” Hendricks said.
Student
“The sweatshirts we have available are not attractive. If the faculty wants students to stop wearing illegal sweatshirts then they should make sweatshirts that the student will be willing to wear,” Bush said. “I understand the purpose of not having outside sweatshirts like college teams but not not being able to wear an Aquinas one. I think if the administration was to change this to just Aquinas sweatshirts the students would be a lot happier,” Backs said.
Campus News
Photo Jordan Bartz | The Shield
The Aquinas choir leads the student body in the school’s alma mater at the all school mass celebrated with Archbishop Naumann. The singing of the alma mater has become an Aquinas tradition to start each mass.
Creating Mass Aquinas Style
A collection of student-volunteers that number to about 150, overseen by teachers, set up the details of Mass so students and faculty can celebrate the Eucharist together as a school.
By Jordan Bartz
Six to eight hours is what most Aquinas students would describe their average sleep a night, while this is the time that Fr. Daniel Schmitz spends on creating his homily for each all school Mass. Fr. Schmitz said, “My homily takes the most time by a lot. It takes 6-8 hours of preparations because I have to think of a common issue that students can relate to. Have to get that ‘hook’ to catch their
attention.” The preparation of Mass goes way beyond just Fr. Schmitz. The Masses are mostly student led with the guidance of theology teachers Phyllis Distler and Mary Ann Hilgers, who help the students when they have a problem. Distler said, “It takes a lot to produce an all-school Mass. Obviously you have to have the priest, but it also takes Mrs. Hilgers’ and my own theology classes, along with
STAPLES, to set up the gym and to clean up afterwards.” The students who help lead this production of the all-school Mass are seniors Gretchen Cummings and Rachel Spenner, who are in charge of STAPLES, and Abby Pope, who is in charge of scheduling the senior eucharistic ministers. Pope said, “The preparation of Mass is student led. We find the people to bring up the gifts, distribute
Communion, servers and find readers. We go to Mrs. Distler and Mrs. Hilgers if we are having a hard time finding someone and they can kind of help us get the word out. This can happen a lot if we can’t find enough volunteers.” The morning before the Mass, the students bring in all the chairs from the commons and put out all the signs for where people are supposed to sit and where the eucharistic Ministers will stand.
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Campus News
Photos by Jordan Bartz | The Shield
Left: Staples members Alex Wagner and Anna Radetic place signs so Senior Eucaristic Ministers know where to stand. Right: Senior Rachel Spenner puts the finishing touches on the alter before mass by lighting the candles. The mass was held January 28th, the feast day of Saints Thomas Aquinas and was led by Archbishop Naumann.
They also make sure that everything is set up the right way on the altar and sacristans. Cummings said, “It takes a lot more time than you would think to do all this. We usually start preparing for it about a week and a half before the mass with a meeting of some kind. It’s sort of difficult because we have to kind of guesstimate the amount of hosts we need because we can’t bless more if we run out, but we also don’t want to have a bunch left over.” Distler said, “Between the STAPLES meeting and planning the STAPLES meeting, along with trying to help out finding people to do all the necessary jobs, I would say I spend about 7-8 hours per Mass on it.”
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For the morning Masses, the students usually don’t help out too much. That is usually the job of Fr. Schmitz and one of the theology teachers depending on the morning. On occasion, Father will ask a student or two for help if there is a ton of kids at morning Mass that day, but usually it’s pretty straight forward. Fr. Schmitz said, “For the morning Mass, usually I get there about 15 minutes early and only spend about 20ish minutes on the homily. I just say something about the saint of the day or the bible passage. The only setup I have to do in the morning is little details to the altar, like making sure that all the candles have oil in them.” Distler said, “I usually
don’t help all that much in the mornings except for a couple times a week when I am up here. I do have to give a shoutout, though, to Dr. Sullivan because many people don’t realize it but he’s always there to celebrate morning Mass with the students.” If any student wants to get involved with helping with the process of Mass, the easiest way would be to contact either Distler, Hilgers or one of the student volunteers. Distler said, “Any student from any grade can join STAPLES at any time of the year. If they just come to a meeting we have once a month on a Wednesday, then they can get signed up for whatever they would like to help out with.”
Campus News
Favorite Part about Setting up Mass? Fr. Schmitz: “I love saying the Our Father as a school. It’s when the most students are participating and praying to our Savior and for some reason it is just the moment that I cherish the most.”
Gretchen Cummings: “Sometimes if we get done fast enough in the morning then
we can have a little extra time and that’s always fun.”
Mrs. Distler: “Seeing all my STAPLES kids would be by far the best part because they are all just nice kids that are fun to be around.”
If you would like more information on how to join STAPLES, contact moderators Phyllis Distler and Mary Ann Hilgers, or student leaders Abby Pope, Rachel Spenner and Gretchen Cummings.
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TommyTalks SAINTS! Whatever you do in life give it 100%... unless you are donating blood. We might not have donated 100% of our blood but we had such a great turnout this year at our annual NHS Blood Drive. Even if you passed out, I’m sure it was worth it! But really, the Saints are the best at giving 100%. You can see that we give 100% each day by the hardworking winter athletes, the 19 senior-athletes that committed at the National Signing Ceremony, students handling their homework loads, the great second turn-in-day push with the magazine sale, and of course... giving it 100% on the dance floor at WPA! Maybe even 110%? It was an exhausting week and dance for sure so thank Jesus for Abraham Lincoln and George Washington giving us President’s Day #Merica. You should also probably thank your teachers too because they had conferences when you had your day off! Good stuff Saints, good stuff. Now how about what’s coming up? Spring Break is right around the corner people! Hope you are hyped up! But before then, winter sports championships are to be played, spring sports begin, and we HAVE TO HAVE A SNOW DAY! Right? Let’s finish off the grind before break with a positive attitude and smile. Remember to go make someone’s day, remember to take off your illegal sweatshirt ;) and remember to never pass the ball on the one-yard line @seattle seahawks. Stay swaggy Saints, Tommy
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Campus News
Journalism Honor Society Named for Sue Waters By Janie Bachkora
Photo by Jordan Eberhardy | The Shield
Sue Waters reacts to journalism students marching into her room to announce naming their honor society for her. She served as the Aquinas journalism adviser from 1988-1995.
Saint Thomas Aquinas journalism students created their own chapter of the Quill and Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists and named it after Sue Waters who forged Aquinas’ journalism program 27 years ago. ever! I was so surprised! It was On Tuesday, January 20, at the such a great, surprising honor,” start of first hour, a trumpet could Waters said. be heard blasting throughout SMC. This newspaper you are holding Head of the English Department was created using dozens of and former newspaper and computers. These pages that you yearbook adviser Sue Waters sat flip through contain an abundance behind her desk in utter surprise of colored ink. as a parade of These photos that yearbook and It was such a you view were newspaper great, surprising taken using statestaff members of-the-art cameras. marched into her honor! When Waters room carrying a walked into the Quill and Scroll SUE WATERS journalism room 27 banner. They Former Journalism years ago, none of announced to her that their chapter these things were Adviser of the journalism available. international honor society would “We had two computers (they be named the Sue Waters Chapter were the only computers in the of the Quill and Scroll International entire school), but nobody had a Honor Society for High School clue how to use them,” said Waters. Journalists. “Everyday I would just pray that I’d be able to figure it out.” “That’s like the nicest thing
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Her success during her seven years as the journalism adviser would lead most to believe that she definitely figured it out. During the beginning of first semester, senior Medallion staff member Brianna Woicke asked journalism adviser Matt Hallauer why students involved in yearbook, newspaper, and literary magazine didn’t get to wear cords at graduation. “I just feel like journalism kids don’t get enough credit for what they do for the school,” Woicke said. “Gabby (Ciccarelli, senior Medallion staff member) and I researched journalism national honor societies. We found Quill and Scroll and gave Mr. Hallauer the application,” Woicke said. Woicke also talked to Academic Principal Brian Schenck about
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Campus News
Photo by Jordan Eberhardy | The Shield
Senior Drake Stobie makes the surprise announcement to Mrs. Waters during her first hour class that Aquinas’ journalism honor society will be named for her. the society and asked his permission to wear cords. Woicke said he was more than fine with the idea. “Mr. Hallauer and I then figured out what criteria students needed to meet in order to join.” They decided that students must have completed a journalism class, participate in a service project, and have a 96 in a journalism class or be in the top third of their graduating class. “We were trying to decide on a name for our chapter, and we thought back to the beginnings of Aquinas student publications, and it became pretty obvious who deserved to be honored.
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total of 24 years Mrs. Waters [Waters] set the aadvising newspaper founded Aquinas tone for what and journalism, 17 journalism,” said another senior student publications at a high school in Omaha and Medallion staff should be. Bishop Miege member Liz High School Conard. and seven Counselor Laura Cline at Aquinas. Laura Cline, who Former Journalism She said after was the journalism Adviser that many years it adviser from was time, but she still misses it 1995-2005, said, “Sue Waters had high expectations for her journalism sometimes. “The coolness of the technology students and set the tone for what student publications should be. She has changed and the speed of getting things done has changed, gave us a firm foundation. She is a but the camaraderie and spending sharp lady with sharp skills and an time together and laughing, that excellent teacher.” hasn’t changed,” Waters said. Waters ended her career with
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Till Death D
Till Death Do us Part By Jordan Eberhardy
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Features
Mr. and Mrs. Farnan have been married for 45 years, making their marriage the longest of all Aquinas teachers. They shared some of the story of how it all started. “We meant forever when we said it and are both stubborn enough to hold on during the tough times.” This is what Mrs. Farnan said when asked what has allowed her marriage to be successful since June 7th, 1969 when she and Mr. Farnan got married. Phil Farnan met Betty Cockrill in high school when they were sophomores, and Betty was the new girl at the school. Mr. Farnan recalls being grounded after their first date on August 9th, 1964 because he got home late and had taken the car without permission. After that, they dated throughout high school and became good friends, even best friends said Mr. Farnan. The story of how Mr. Farnan proposed is an interesting one. The date, September 7th, was chosen with purpose. “That day is her dad’s birthday. She and her dad had a really awesome relationship and I had a lot of respect for him so I had planned to ask her to marry me on that day,” said Mr. Farnan. They had already picked out the ring together, but Mr. Farnan needed to go pick up the ring and couldn’t slip away to go get it since Mrs. Farnan was skeptical of him leaving. When he finally returned with the ring, Mrs. Farnan wouldn’t talk to him
because she was so irritated that he had left. “Finally I took the ring out of my pocket and tossed it to her and said ‘here maybe this will make you feel better’.” She said yes. “Our wedding was a formality. We knew we wanted to spend our lives together; the wedding enabled us to do that legally,” said Mrs. Farnan.
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I think we both took the ‘Till death do us part’ line pretty seriously. Mr. Farnan Teacher
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The day of the wedding was terribly hot. The air conditioning wasn’t helping much with the record-setting temperatures since the parish priest kept turning it off. Mr. Farnan’s dad had come to the church several times to turn it on but it kept geting turned off since the parish priest was somewhat bitter about the Farnans requesting another priest, Father Peccararo to preside over their wedding. The oppressive heat caused one of the bridesmaids and a couple of others to pass out during the service, but the mood was lightened by quiet jokes made by Father Peccararo at a volume that only Mr. and Mrs. Farnan kneeling before him on
the altar could hear. Classmates of the Farnans came to the wedding because they had bets on which one of them would not show up. “We had everybody fooled. They had no idea what we were all about, which may explain why we weren’t all that close with many of them,” said Mr. Farnan. Since that day, the Farnans have been making the marriage work with patience, commitment, and faith. “I think we both took the ‘Till death do us part’ line pretty seriously,” said Mr. Farnan. “There was never any questioning that we could make it work no matter what happened.” Mr. Farnan says that he got his religion from his mother but his faith from his wife. He says that she has taught him what real faith is and what faith in action looks like. He says that he as a person and their relationship together have both benefitted from the foundation of faith that they have both relied on over the years. “Marrying your best friend is just a cool thing. Think about the very best friend you had during high school and think about if you could spend the rest of your life with that person, wouldn’t that be something special? Well that’s what I get to do every day,” said Mr. Farnan.
Photos courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Farnan Mr. and Mrs. Farnan pose seaside in Guatemala during a mission trip that they went on.
Relationship Advice from the Farnans to Teens:
• Enjoy your relationships but don’t take them too seriously because it’s not the only one you will have in your life • You aren’t making a lifetime commitment to someone until the day you get married, so don’t get too bent out of shape, angry, or sad when some relationships don’t last • Don’t take yourself too seriously • Know that the person you marry at 20 years old is not going to be the same person at 25, at 30, 40, etc. • Really get to know exactly who the other person is • Base your relationship on faith • Marry your best friend page 15 g
the best of
Aquinas
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Features
Two teachers tying the Knot By Ellie Heit
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Teachers Kadie Calovich and Megan Peterson are preparing for summer weddings. Say goodbye to Ms. Calovich and Ms. Peterson in May. The two are planning weddings and will come back in August with new names. After five years, Peterson will be exchanging vows in July, where she will take on the new name of Faries. She and her fiancé Richard met while line dancing in Texas, where they attended school. Her favorite song came
It was a moment of fate. MEGAN PETERSON Theology Teacher
on, and she saw him heading toward her. “It was a moment of fate,” Peterson said. Faries proposed while horseback riding. “After riding around on a private little trail ride, our guide stopped
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us at a scenic overlook of the lake and the valley,” Peterson said. He brought a picnic of wine, cheese and crackers, and then got down on one knee and proposed. Family will be a
priority for Peterson, who will also become a stepmother on her wedding day. Her family is very supportive as well, especially her sister. “She just always tells me to do what is going to make me happy,” Peterson said. Their main goal as they continue in their relationship is to be loving people towards each other.
Photo courtesy of Megan Peterson
Theology teacher Megan Peterson and fiance Richard Faries smile for their photographer as they take their engagement photos.
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Photo courtesy of Kadie Calovich
Kadie Calovich and her soon-to-be husband, Michael Clifford, smile outside of Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Kadie Calovich will be celebrating her wedding in June to Michael Clifford. They first met through his older brother, whom Calovich was friends with. After knowing each other for six years and dating for two, Clifford finally popped the question through an elaborate scheme. Her grandfather had asked for their help for the weekend at his lake house. Clifford, as a craftsman, insisted on
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The best thing is communication. Kadie Calovich English Teacher
bringing a giant toolbox. Afraid that her grandfather would try to use the power tools, Calovich did not want Clifford to bring them. He insisted, not letting her know what the box contained. After setting everything up, they went down to the dock together. Then
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she opened the toolbox. “There were beautiful white roses, some of my favorite goodies, and then he had the ring box on top,” Calovich said. There are many aspects to a good relationship. “The best thing
is communication,” Calovich said. Her parents’ marriage inspires her as she continues grow in her relationship. “They are there whenever we ask for help and whenever we need them,” said Calovich. “They are a very good support system.” One of their main goals as they continue together as a married couple is to raise a very strong family like their families did.
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Features
The Johnson
By Alex Kinnan Locally, the term “JoCo” is synonymous with things such as wealth, extravagance and excess. Which makes you wonder just how true that definition is. Just how synonymous is our county’s
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Over the course of 30 years, our county has turned itself
abbreviation with all things money? “Its very pristine and manicured,” Sophomore Maggie Sieben, who lives in neighboring Miami County, said. Many cities in Johnson County are very particular about how they want their cities to look.
The county even stipulates in its “subdivision standards” codes, rules like “shade trees” which requires land along and between streets to have trees planted. This code is something that no other county in the state of Kansas has.
Johnson County, ranked the 81st richest county in the nation based on median income in 2014, has an average income of $74,000 compared to that of neighboring Wyandotte County which has an average of $39,000. The county also has
County Bubble into a utopia of public services and high quality of life, and its residents have no idea. an impressively low unemployment rate which is 4.0 percent compared to that of the national average of 5.7 percent. In 2014, Money magazine ranked Overland Park the 39th best place to live, touting its schools and recreational amenities
such as Deanna Rose Farmstead. Life outside of the bubble is different. “We have more freedom than JoCo... fireworks, target shooting, skiing.” Sieben added. Junior Rhyann Fisher, a resident of Osawatomie County,
said, “People in Johnson County have to be doing something all the time.” Fisher added, “We don’t have things like movie theaters, bowling alleys and a wide selection of restaurants.” This would explain why Johnson County
also leads the state in consumer spending, nearly $5,000 more per person than the state average. A September 2014 article in the Kansas City Star even noted that Johnson County is known to have “decidedly deep pockets.”
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Features
81
st
highest average income in the nation.
“I have been asked before if I live on a farm, have horses and drive tractors by people from Johnson County,” Sieben said. “People who live in Johnson County are not typical Kansans,” Sieben added. In Miami County, you can tell someone who is from JoCo because “they will drive very aggressively,” Sieben said. “Johnson County residents are also very outgoing, sociable and hospitable.” They also make a point to show their knowledge of current trends and popular culture. “In Johnson County things become popular and trendy fast, and then slowly it becomes trendy everywhere else,” Fisher said.
Unemployment rate of
4% national average is 5.7%
According to the same September article in the Kansas City Star, people attracted to Johnson County’s suburban prosperity regularly approve higher taxes to pay for bells and whistles that make life nicer. 75 percent of the time, voters approved increased tax money for schools, police, streets, parks and bioscience research. The county’s formula for success has been thanks to its affluent population, moderate government and a sales tax revenue that has allowed general property taxes to stay low. Johnson County has been booming since the 1980s and what has developed since then has been an almost
Above statistics courtesy of the United States Census Bureau
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$74,000 vs$39,000 Johnson County average income compared to Wyandotte County’s average income
utopia of good schools, good amenities and healthy government. This leads many to wonder how much longer before the steady
growth stops and the famous term “JoCo” becomes a thing of the past.
Features
The Commute Outside the Bubble By Jackson McElroy
By Jackson McElroy How far are you willing to go for Aquinas? Despite living an hour away, some students make the commute each day to attend the school they love.
The love students have for Aquinas is present each day whether it be in the hallways, at sporting events, or by singing the alma mater before Mass. For some students, the love is shown by the time and commitment it takes just simply driving to and from school each day.
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CANNON AND SAVANNAH MILLER
“It takes usually between 45 minutes to an hour [to get to school],” said senior Savannah Miller. Miller and her younger brother Cannon live in northern Kansas City, Missouri, within 10 minutes of the airport. Since Savannah is a member of the varsity dance team, which practices at 6 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Millers have to wake up before 4:15. Waking up early to go to school sounds like a drag to most, but to Savannah it is different. “It is not as bad as most people think it is. I have gotten used to it over the past four years.” To help stay awake so early, Savannah turns on the music, rolls down the window no matter the temperature, and sings loudly to keep busy in the morning. Luckily for the Millers, they drive a diesel Volkswagon Passat that gets 52 miles per gallon; gas hasn’t been much of a problem for the Millers.
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RHYANN FISHER
Junior Ryhann Fisher has to get gas about three times a week. Fisher lives in Osawatomie, about an hour south of Aquinas. “It’s hard living so far away. I need a couple hours in advance if others would like to hang out. If my curfew is 11:30, I have to leave at 10:45 at the latest.” And if she were to forget something at school, she would just have to get up earlier the next morning and complete it before school. Despite the drawbacks, Fisher maintains a good attitude. “It’s a nice self-party. I get through a CD sometimes, but I also have to listen to the radio DJs for voices.”
REBECCA AND RACHEL RANEY The Raney sisters, on the other hand, have each other for company. Senior Rebecca and freshman Rachel live in the countryside of Miami County, way out on 239th Street. Before Rebecca was able to make the 35 minute drive on her own, her dad would have to take her to and from school. “I would be able to finish a lot of homework in the car, or I’d bring my breakfast with me, or even take a long nap,” Rebecca said. Since Rebecca is now driving, she has to stay awake, while younger sister Rachel can take the nap. “I get to take 30-minute naps to and from school, so that is an advantage,” said Rachel. And sometimes they “get stuck behind farmers in their huge and slow farm machines out where [they] live.”
These students give up a lot of their time, sleep, and gas money to come to Aquinas. Is it worth it? Absolutely. “I chose Aquinas because it has a very good arts program, and I am really into art. It also
MADI JOHNSON Freshman Madi Johnson transferred from McLouth High School in mid-January. McLouth is a town of 880 people in Jefferson County, which is considered to be part of the Topeka Metropolitan Area. Her former high school had around 150 students. It takes Madi an hour to get to and from school each day. “It is not too hard, getting sleep can be tough though but so is forgetting something. Living so far makes it hard to attend activities,” Johnson said. Johnson, too young to drive, has her dad take her to school in the morning and has her mom or older brother pick her up in the afternoon. “In the car,” Johnson explains, “I usually listen to music and play games, or just talk to my dad when I’m feeling up for conversation that early in the morning.”
has some really good academic classes that fit what I want to do when I get older, and way more sports opportunities. I am really happy I chose Aquinas,” Johnson explains. And Fisher echoes, “I love
it here! I do it to get the great education and to make the best memories I can. I know Aquinas is the best and when you want to be the best, you got to go with the best!”
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CLEAN OF
JOKE
FEBRUARY
What did the baby corn ask the mama corn? Where’s popcorn?!
Submitted by Freshman Mallory English Submit your school-appropriate joke to newspaper@stasaints.net for a chance for your joke to be featured in the next issue of The Shield
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Opinions
End The Magazine Sale Saint Thomas Aquinas students are some of the most ambitious, hardworking and confident people I have ever met. Our annual canned food drive can confirm all of this and more. Which is why the amount of enthusiasm that was shown for this year’s magazine sale should convince administrators that we need to change. A far better alternative that will allow more Saints to reach more people, and appeal to consumers even a month after
Christmas, is the Scrip Program. It is used at many parishes and schools to meet fundraising goals. According to the program’s website, “Scrip works equally well for one-time fundraising goals or year-round programs.” The program allows supporters to buy gift cards at face value to the companies offered such as Nike or Whole Foods, then a percentage (5-20 percent) of what is purchased on the card goes back to the organization that is trying to raise money.
Saint Thomas Aquinas students are being set up for failure year after year and something must change.
By Alex Kinnan
The annual magazine sale which has been around for many years, has been on a downhill spiral for atleast a few years. This year’s campaign was the most pathetic I have ever seen it. On behalf of my fellow students, we can do better, we are capable of much more. This year’s sale proved that we cannot and should not have the sale again next year. Print magazines aren’t a popular product anymore, especially a month after Christmas. Saints
also only can really sell to their families, limiting the amount of success each student will have. The Scrip program will allow busy Saints and busy parents to support the activity fund year round by simply doing regular errands. This program will prove superior to the magazine sale because it will reach more people and allow supporting Saint Thomas Aquinas to be as easy as it is to love.
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Opinions
More Freedom for STA Period
By Daniel Petracek
A saving grace for those bogged down on homework, STA Period gives students an hour and a half of free time. Students could get even more out of the time if they were allowed to travel freely. The bell rings. It’s 9:50 and a student leaves his or her own STA Period to go make up the math quiz he or she missed last week. After completing the quiz, the student heads for the door before being stopped by the teacher. The clock reads 10:20. The traveling period has just ended and STA 2 has begun, meaning the student is forced to stay in the room for 20 more minutes with no homework to do. The block of the day purposed for productivity has just been wasted. Situations like the one above occur quite frequently. Countless times have I heard students ask teachers to get something from their locker, to get a drink or use the restroom, or to ask a
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teacher a question. And countless times have I heard in response, “You’re going to have to wait ___ minutes.” Our STA Period system, is divided into the sections shown to below. Students may only leave a room during the designated travel times (about 9:50, 10:15 and 10:40). This can often
be an inconvenience for students who are trying to efficiently use their time. Two years ago, the hour-long seminar was transformed into a 90-minute STA Period. The purpose of this was to increase the length of the school day to more easily meet archdiocesan requirements.
Our current STA Period is definitely better than the seminar that juniors and seniors will remember. It was only one hour and had just two sections. I still believe, however, that the system can be improved. I feel that, in this time meant to be productive, there are restrictions that prohibit
STA Period Schedule (3rd Hour) Announcements
9:40 - 9:50
STA 1
9:50 - 10:15
STA 2
10:15 - 10:40
STA 3
10:40 - 11:05
Return to Homeroom
11:05 - 11:10
students from fully taking advantage of their time. Consider a student who has to talk to a teacher for five minutes or has to print off a paper in the library. Instead of being able to leave when it’s convenient, he or she is required to remain there until the next traveling session. The rule is punishing the kid stuck in a room for an extended period of time when he or she was hoping to get something else accomplished during his or her free time. STA Period is a time to work on homework, attend club meetings, seek help from a teacher, work on projects with classmates, and much more. Some tasks do not require a 25-minute block. Academic Principal Brian Schenck
“
explained that the reason for a divided STA Period benefits students and teachers. Schenck said, “My concern would be for kids getting help on work. Teachers don’t have to worry about kids coming in and out [of their room]. They can focus on helping their students.” While the divided STA Period does prevent students from coming in and out of classrooms at any time, I do not believe traveling students would be a distraction. Students can still learn and teachers can still give students their attention, especially with sign-out sheets in each room to keep track of students. Schenck also said that he did not think an open-travel STA Period would decrease students’ productivity. So if teachers are capable of handling students with an Teachers don’t opentravel STA have to worry Period, about kids coming which in and out [of their I fully room]. believe they can, then there Brian Schenck can only Academic Principal be good
”
that comes out of it. challenge the students? Schenck said, Give us more freedom “Students need to and have us take on balance their time. the responsibility of an [Along with STA Period] open-travel STA Period. they also have before With the busy and after school.” schedules students Time management have, nothing is worse is definitely a valuable than wasted time. While skill that students should Students need strive to develop to balance their during high time. [Along with school. But STA Period] they if a typically also have before reliable student and after school. accidentally grabs the Brian Schenck wrong Academic Principal book, he or she should not be punished by wasting 20 minutes, a free-traveling STA especially when the Period may not make student is actually a huge impact, it will trying to be productive. surely benefit students I don’t see a problem who occasionally find with a teacher allowing themselves in situations the student to make a with nothing to work on. quick trip to his or her My proposition locker. offers a very simple While a few solution: students teachers are more should be allowed to lenient, many teachers travel freely during STA very strictly enforce Period. It would be the rule of no travel, beneficial to students and rightfully so. I have who wish to make good no problem with the use of their time, and enforcer, just the rule. for those who don’t, it I agree with the will have no effect on fact that students need them. to learn to manage I ask the their time. So why not administration to
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Opinions consider this idea. Obviously, it could not be changed until next year at the earliest, and even if it did, I would only experience it for one year. That is not my concern, though. I just hope that future Aquinas students can have the best high school experience. As a busy high school student, time is definitely my most valuable resource. I know that an unintended waste of 20 minutes can add enough stress to ruin a student’s day.
A divided STA Period is simply unnecessary, and allowing students to travel freely would have no harm. Until there is a change, students should plan their STA Period ahead of time and be prepared for any scenario.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM
YOU
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The Shield wants to hear your opinions about school issues, world issues, or anything else on your mind. If you are interested in writing an opinion article to be featured in our next issue, contact Co-Editors-inChief Jordan Eberhardy and Janie Bachkora for details. We would love to hear from you! JEberhardy15@stasaints.net JBachkora15@stasaints.net
Layout by Anthony George
Sur ey Says Which Grammy Albumn of the Year Nominee do you think should have won?
Morning Phase 2%
x 33%
Beyoncé 35%
Which Grammy Record of the Year Nominee do you think should have won?
“Fancy” 6%
“All About that Bass” “Stay with Me” 44% 5%
ne
ne
No
No GIRL 0%
In the Lonely Hour 14%
None 16%
What do you want bae to give you this Valentine’s Day? Stuffed Animals
$$$$$
17%
“Chandelier” 11%
“Shake it Off ” 12%
None 22%
What is your favorite Valentine’s Day movie?
Chocolate 23%
11% 11%
The Fault in our Stars 8%
The Last Song 10%
The Notebook 55%
The Proposal 7%
Safe Haven 12%
Titanic 8%
Dinner
17% A Smile and/ or a Hug
5% Jewelry
16% Flowers
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CapThat Last Issue:
Winning Caption: “Moses channels his inner McFly.” -Miss Dillingham This Issue:
15 / 17 1/ y t r a p s d r a w A y m e d a Ac P
llion
Meda en | The
y iffany Ngu hoto by T
Photo by
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2/14/15
the Meda
llion Staff
WPA Dance
CapThat is The Shield’s monthly caption writing contest. Submit your best and funniest captions for the photo to newspaper@stasaints.net. The winning caption will appear in the next issue of The Shield! IT’S
FRE Waterway gives E Students & Teachers THE PERK!
JCCC Honors: Dig deeper. Aim higher.
• 10¢ Off Every Gallon of Gas • Discounts on all washes
Waterway.com/thePerk All you need is a valid Drivers License and School ID. YOUR NAME HERE D S tude iscoun t Ca n ts a nd Te rd for achers
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Last Look 1
2 3
Photo by Tiffany Nguyen | The Medallion
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1) Freshman Sereena Weledji goes up for a lay-up in the game against Bishop Miege. 2) Dance team captains Megan Bartolac and Sarah Mayerle show that they have just as much muscle as the basketball players on the court. 3) Senior Chris Bollig excitedly jumps up from his seat as he is announced as a starter in the game against Bishop Miege. 4) Junior Rhyann Fisher salutes the crowd and senior Holly Hanson during introductions of the Bishop Miege game.
5
6
7 9
8 Photos by the Medallion Staff 5) Senior Jessica Pasley dressed as a deer for the dynamic duo theme; her date Nathan Stukel (not pictured) was a hunter. 6) A group of junior girls pose together in their various costumes. 7) Seniors Pam Shalo, Annie Bartolac, and Jordan Rezac dance together to the “Cupid Shuffle� 8) Juniors Meg Loughman and Caroline Shaw tear up the dance floor at WPA. 9) Senior Sam Doyle points to the camera in the middle of the crowded dance floor.
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g the
g hield S Saint Thomas Aquinas High School