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The Shield October 2015 Issues 2015
Staff Pages / 2 Letter from the editor / 3 Editorial / 4
The Reports
Court 2015 / 6 Aquinas Votes / 8 Generational Issues / 10 Act Goes Digital / 12 Preparing for the Big Test/ 14 Frosh StuCo / 16 Parents of STA / 18 Snapping Saints / 20
The Spread
Halloween 2015 / 22 Clubs of STA / 24 Social Media / 26 Survey Says / 28 My Mom is a Teacher / 30 Future Careers / 38
A Time to Celebrate! Homecoming pictures on page 38
The Back Pages Rising Stars / 32 Food Review / 34 Teacher Royalty / 35 Icebreakers / 36 Last Look / 38 Calendar / 40
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield 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 $3 per issue. Subscriptions can be sent to Saint Thomas Aquinas High School c/o Matt Hallauer. Digital subscriptions are free and sent via email monthy. Orders can be sent to newspaper@stasaints.net 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.
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The Shield Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
11411 Pflumm Road Overland Park, KS 66215 913-319-2460
issue 3 volume 28 Editor-in-Chief Alex Kinnan
Adviser Matt Hallauer
Managing Editor Daniel Petracek
Reporters Annie Gellott Hagan Marozas Connor Ragan Ansley Reynolds Kat Schartz Alex Wagner Seth Walker
Senior Editors Ellie Heit Olivia Rode Social Media Editors Hagan Marozas Connor Ragan Olivia Rode
The Shield Online
www. stasaints.net /shield 2
Freelance Reporters Becca Haeusser Ezri Killeen Mia Power
Twitter @stashield
General News and updates from the staff.
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Sports scores and alerts.
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October 2015
What Saints Think
We took a look at where Saints stand on the issues. The term “The Donald” has become almost a symbol of just how crazy the looming 2016 election is going to be. This is why this issue is dedicated to not only seeing who the Saints would vote for, but also to asking some important questions to the people who will soon inherit this great nation from those before us. This edition has been deemed “Issues 2015,” as we look at some important topics in our country happening right now. Inside, you will find our survey (Page 8), where we took a good look at what Saints thought of the front runners for the presidential election. Also included is our “Generation Z”
story where you, the generation of now, told us where you stand on the issues in our country (Page 10). The goal of this issue is to show that your voice is important because your stance on issues that strike our country do in fact matter. What’s Ahead Look forward to our next issue, coming out in late November, where we will be giving a detailed overview on each Aquinas fall sport’s road to State. Shield reporters will be traveling to all major state championships to make sure you get a front row seat to the action. Good luck Saints! #STAte.
Alex Kinnan Editor-in-Chief The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
3
Countdown
16
days to the Canned Food Drive
65 days to Christmas break
Awards
In 2015, The Shield was named a First Class publication by the National Scholastic Press Associstion with Marks of Distinction for coverage, content, writing and editing.
207 days to graduation
Recycle On the cover
Photo taken by Michele Gress. Senior Jacob Barr dances in the conga line at Homecoming on Oct 3.
When finished with your Shield, the best thing you can do is recycle it and reduce the demand on the world’s landfills.
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Editorial
Let’s Get Competitive
Don’t let Rule 52 hold you back. Rule 52 is the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s policy to prevent undesirable behavior at school sporting events, but have they killed the competitive spirit in the process? The Shield talked to Activities Director Sarah Burgess to see her opinion on the “sportsmanship rule.” “Basically, Rule 52 is cheer for your team, and not against opponent or officials. Same rule for posters...positive, not negative,” Burgess said. She also added that there are gray areas in the policy. “Our kids are so worried about breaking a rule and being so perfect, they won’t cheer at anything for fear of being reprimanded.” Burgess wants Saints to focus on having a good time.
She said, “Bring a white board, get everyone on the same page from the front row to the back and it will be fun.” The so-called sportsmanship rule was adopted in 1988 by KSHSAA, with the goal of preventing hateful cheering at games. The rule has positives, enforcing the need to be respectful during the national anthem. However, where it begins to overreach is in its examples of undesirable cheers. Chanting “air ball,” “scoreboard,” “you can’t do that,” “this is our house” at a visitor event, rushing the field/floor or having a victory celebration on the playing surface/field, and bouncing beach balls are all acts deemed undesirable by KSHSAA’s Rule 52. It is of the opinion of the
majority of The Shield staff that KSHSAA’s Rule 52 is too restricting and is preventing fans from having fun and being competitive at sporting events. The Shield encourages Aquinas students to contact KSHSAA officials and request changes to the rule, along with following the current Rule 52 in a more logical manner. Don’t worry about violating Rule 52. Worry about making sure you are supporting your team to the very best of your ability. How to contact KSHSAA PO Box 495, Topeka KS 66601 Ph: 785.273.5329 kshsaa@kshsaa.org
How The Shield Staff Voted This editorial is the opinion of the majority of The Shield Staff. Below is a breakdown of the staff’s opinion on this issue.
YES
Rule 52 is too harsh.
13 Voted
13
0 Voted
Total Voting Staff Members
4
NO
Rule 52 is fine.
The Reports What’s inside
8
Aquinas Votes
10
Through the generations
12
The Digital ACT
14
Preparing for the big test
16
New Frosh StuCo
18
Parents of Aquinas
Photo courtesy of Michelle Gress
Seniors Nicole Riggs, Isabel Kemp and Cole Younger pose for a selfie, on Oct 2. Photo by Alex Kinnan | The Shield
Seniors Sam Budetti and Matthew Malir have fun while escorting senior Michael Shanahan down the red carpet.
Issues 2015
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Aquinas Votes
As the 2016 presidential race speeds up, so does the Saints’ investment in the election. Election fever is sweeping Saint Thomas Aquinas, and the Saints are weighing in on the candidates and important issues. Results from a poll of Aquinas juniors and seniors, to which 145 students responded, shows that 71 percent of upperclassmen are interested in politics, 9 percent of which are obsessed. When it comes to eligibility, 54.5 percent said they will be able to and will vote and 34 percent said while they cannot vote, they wish they could. The issue students are most concerned about is the economy, with 36 percent of survey takers identifying it as the deciding issue when they favored a candidate. Other issues that ranked highly with students as being a crucial deciding factor include abortion with 16 percent and the way income and wealth is distributed with 17 percent. Issues that polled lower include the way healthcare operates in D.C., foreign affairs and immigration all with 7 percent, healthcare policy and terrorism both with 4 percent, and race relations with 2 percent. The candidate that Saints are most split on is Donald Trump. Of the survey takers, 38 percent gave him a positive rating, with 12 percent saying they would campaign for him
PJ Hopfinger
“My parents have taught me to never commit yourself to believing one thing forever, but I would say I am a Republican. Some of my support for Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush comes because it’s practical. They are both from Florida and Republicans need Florida to win in 2016. They aren’t wildly conservative, and support a pathway to citizenship, which is crucial. Jeb Bush has a proven track record as governor of Florida; Marco Rubio is younger and that concerns me, but everyone always says they are sick of established politicians, so that could actually be beneficial. I also support them because I think that Donald
BY KAT SCHARTZ
and 26 percent saying they would be OK with him as POTUS. However, 55 percent have a negative view of him with 29 percent saying they wouldn’t vote for him and 26 percent saying they would campaign against him. The consensus on Hillary Clinton was overall negative with only 17 percent giving her a positive rating with 14 percent saying they would be OK with her as president and 3 percent saying they would vote for her. 66 percent of survey takers gave her a negative rating, with 33 percent saying they wouldn’t vote for her and 33 percent saying they would campaign against her. Ben Carson and Bernie Sanders are the highest-rated Republican and Democratic candidates among the saints with Carson’s positive ranting at 38 percent and Sanders’ at 31 percent. Of the responders, 20 percent said they would campaign for Carson and 18 percent said they would be OK with him as president and he received a negative rating of only 9 percent. Sanders has the vote of 18 percent of responders and 12 percent said they would be OK with his presidency. He received a 19 percent negative rating from the Saints. Students were neutral, erring towards
Seniors Weigh in Trump is making a fool of himself, but if he won the nomination I would still support him over both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. The economy is getting better but I wouldn’t say we are out of harm’s way. We should have a balanced budget amendment, and shouldn’t have laws that harbors business that harm lower income Americans. I wouldn’t want my views to offend anybody, or take them to seriously because I am always changing my mind, just go out and vote because that’s the most important thing you can do as an American concerned about our nation.
Kena Flood
a positive rating of Jeb Bush. He received a positive rating of 34 percent, 20 percent of which said they would like him as president if their preferred candidate didn’t make it to the White House and 13 percent saying he was their top pick. He received a negative rating of 31 percent with 14 percent saying they wouldn’t vote for him regardless and 7 percent they would campaign against him. The Saints seem to not know much about Carly Fiorina, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz. Over 60 percent of students said they had no opinion on any of these candidates. Fiorina received 26 percent positive responses and 12 percent negative rating. Rubio received a 30 percent positive rating and a 8 percent negative rating. Finally, Cruz received a 17 percent positive rating and a negative rating of 15 percent. If the voting population of Aquinas decided the fate of the 2016 presidential election, it would most likely end up being Carson versus Sanders with most discussions and debates about America’s economy.
Junior Kat Schartz, @KatSchartz on Twitter, is a reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Daniel Petracek
“My parents are conservative, but I’m more left than Buddha. I always knew I didn’t agree with my parents, but I never knew exactly how I differed until I got into politics a couple of years ago. I’m voting for Bernie Sanders because I believe in everything he stands for: taxing the rich, equal pay, higher minimum wage, gay rights, improving criminal justice, legalizing weed, energy conservation, and expanding immigration. I’m not supporting Hillary because she’ll make decisions to make herself look good. I’m not saying people can’t change
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but it seems as if she is making decisions to try to stay popular. To me, race relations are the most important issue of the upcoming election because it’s obviously been a huge issue this year, and one that hasn’t been dealt with. But, it’s not limited to just black and white relations, but also Latino, Mexican, Chinese etc. Improving race relations would help in other large issues like the huge immigration debate we are having in America. I would highly advise voting in the upcoming election if you are eligible. If you don’t vote, you can’t be angry at the results, and it’s your duty as a citizen.
October 2015
Front-Runners
Donald Trump
Hillary Clinton
✓ “Trump is a tough guy who refuses to budge and has
✓ “Given her background with her husband being a
a history of getting what he wants. Plus, he is never politically correct.” - senior Jake Sullivan
president before, she will get some good advice from him which could be very beneficial because while he was in office our country was in a good place.” - senior John Viso
X “The thought of him leading this country terrifies me.” - senior Olivia Rode
X “She was corrupt when she was the First Lady and she is corrupt now.” - senior Andrew Trites
Bernie Sanders
Ben Carson
✓ “He fights for the equality of every person, no matter
what race or gender. He wants to improve our education system, doesn’t take money from billionaires, wants to break up big corporations and is fighting for the working man and economically struggling families.” - junior Maria Weese
X “He’s a socialist and a little too liberal to me.” - junior
✓ “He is no doubt the smartest, most honest, and
respected candidate in the race. I like the way he speaks his mind and doesn’t hold back from his comments.” - junior Nathan Mark
X “I would never let him operate on my brain, much less run my country.” - junior Caroline Uhlig
Nathan Mark
5 Star Rating System I would campaign against them and donate money to groups opposing their candidacy. I would not vote for them regardless of who they were running against.
Jeb Bush
✓ “He is opposed to the Affordable Care Act, but thinks
that the government should create some kind of support system for people who have a health need that costs far beyond their means. ”- junior Justin Ellis
I have no opinion of them. I would be OK with having them as my president if my preferred candidate was not an option.
X “His brother didn’t do a good job running this country and I don’t have faith he’ll do any better.” - junior Maria Weese
I would campaign for and vote for them.
Photo of Bernie Sanders courtesy of Phil Roeder Photo of Jeb Bush courtesy of Michael Vadon Photos of Donald Trump and Ben Carson courtesy of Gage Skidmore
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The Reports
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201 Issues
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Issues Through
I think that Obama has done a fine job in trying to recover our country from the utter mess that George Bush left us in. He also captured the biggest terrorist in the world. -John Viso
We cannot trust the government, just look at this year’s debate topic: The United States should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance. Just the fact that it is a high school debate topic shows we can’t trust them. -Anthony Young
Minimum wage is meant to I think if we look be set by the at other countries market, not by the idea of gun the government. laws becomes Increasing very logical. the minimum Those nations get wage will only along perfectly well without increase inflation guns—obviously and will have a over here we larger negative would need to effect than it will accommodate positive. people who use -Kyle Walker guns for recreational purposes like hunting—but overall I think the effect would bring less of these tragic shootings we keep hearing about and less gun violence in general. -John Sweetman
Baby Boomers People born between 1946 and 1964. According to the U.S. Census Buearu, they were the wealthiest, most active and most physically fit generation up to that time. This generation recieved peak levels of personal income, creating a culture of consumerism in the United States.
In a recent survey conducted by The Pew Research Center, 44 percent of Boomers felt that gun control was important and 52 percent thought abortion should be legal in most cases. 48 percent of Boomers supported gay marriage and 52 percent supported marijuana legalization.
People born between 1965 and the mid-1980s. According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan in 2011, Gen Xers are highly educated, active, balanced, happy and family oriented. 83 percent said finding right person to marry and having a happy family is important. A higher percentage of Gen Xers stay married than
Boomers, and most want to be married. According to the Pew Research Center, 48 percent of Gen Xers felt gun control was important, 59 percent think abortion should be legal in most cases, 55 percent suported gay marriage and 53 percent supported marijuana legalization.
Generation X
Millenials
People born between the mid-1980s to 1995. According to the Pew Research Center, this generation is more upbeat about America’s future than past generations. In 2008, author Ron Alsop referred to Millenials as “trophy kids,” pointing to participation in sports being enough to recieve an award, a contrast to that of generations past. Millenials are known to
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The Reports
switch jobs frequently and are optimistic team players in the workplace according to a 2013 study titled “Youth Studies.” According to the Pew Research Center, 49 percent of Millenials felt gun control was important, 56 percent think abortion should be legal in most cases, 68 percent suported gay marriage and 69 percent supported marijuana legalization.
the Generations October 2015
Saint Thomas Aquinas students are some of the first members of Generation Z. We asked them where they stand on some of the biggest issues today.
Generation Z
Abortion
The Digital Natives People born between 1995 to 2010. According to a New York Times article from Sept. 2015, Generation Z is the next big retail disrupter. Marketers are calling them “Millennials on steroids.” Gen Z is very cautious of how they spend money, having grown up during the Great Recession of 2008-2012. The United States war on terror that started following the 9/11 terrorist attacks have also ridden them of the sunny innocence that millennials grew up with. Generation Z is the first generation to grow up with Google search from the beginning, but they are also the first generation to come to age during the era of smart phones. Many Gen Zers wouldn’t be able to remember a time before social media. Generation Z at Aquinas Saint Thomas Aquinas’ current student body consists entirely of Gen Z members, with Saints born between 1997 to 2001. In a survey conducted
by The Shield, this is what Aquinas students has to say about issues in our country. According to the survey • 79% of students make an effort to recycle • 51% want to see the minimum wage increased • 87% support renewable energy incentives • 72 percent agree that women and men should be paid equally • 68% believe in climate change • 30% trust the government • 84% agree racism is an issue in the United States • 65% support giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship • 58% support increased gun control • 58% are pro-life • 58% agree gay marriage should be legal. On par with the stereotype, Saints said that the economy is the biggest issue for them. This allows us to better see what
This survey is the opinion of 331 Aquinas students.
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The Reports
58 30
10
percent are percent pro- percent are Pro-Life birth control Pro-Choice
Gay Marriage 58 percent support gay marriage
24 percent support civil unions for gay people 16 percent do not suport at all
Climate Change 68 percent believe in climate change. 32 percent do not believe in climate change.
Marijuana
44 percent support legalization for medical use.
25 percent support legalization for recreational use.
30 percent do not support legalization.
Statistics will not always equal 100, because students were given the option to not answer questions.
Senior Alex Kinnan, @alexkinnan on Twitter, is the Shield’s editorin-chief. This story was edited by Daniel Petracek.
Going Digital The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
BY DANIEL PETRACEK
The ACT is catching up with the 21st century by launching its first computerized tests.
In today’s technological age, it was only a matter of time until standardized testing began to take digital form, as the ACT has recently done. Tests like the ACT are a huge factor when it comes to college and the application and admissions process. Some juniors and seniors spend hours upon hours preparing for the test to get that one extra point that could make or break their college aspirations. That Saturday morning that students spend with their test booklet, answer sheet and pencil are very important. A few years from now, though, that picture may look a bit different. Instead
College Counselor of students frenetically Barb Bruns explained why bubbling in letters on a Scantron to finish a section, certain schools and districts were selected to be the they may be clicking away first ones to take the ACT on their laptops. online. “There This past are several April, the “The movement states that ACT was pay for the administered is to do entire junior online to computerized, class of the approximately but from what state to take 4,000 students at I’ve heard, paper the ACT on a school day,” 80 test sites, and pencil are Bruns said. according to ACT Inc. not going away.” “Those are the types of This marked the first schools that Barb Bruns time that an were chosen undergraduate College Counselor to do that.” college Those admissions first online exam was administered tests taken in April were online in America. no test run. The scores
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were completely valid and were sent to schools. ACT Inc. states, “The online ACT test will contain the same number of items and cover the same content as the paper test. The only difference is the mode in which the test is administered.” Students who prefer paper and pencil or are technologically challenged need not panic. ACT will continue to offer a paper version of the test as long as there is a demand for it. Bruns said, “The movement is to do computerized, but from what I’ve heard, paper and pencil are not going away. It is coming, but it’s just not fully implemented.”
October 2015
Standardized Test andardized Tes9ng Preference Preference
Computer 43.5%
Though the online ACT will likely be expanding in the upcoming years, Bruns does not see Saint Thomas Aquinas becoming an online testing center in the near future. There simply aren’t enough computers in the school. If Aquinas were to administer the online ACT, Bruns said students would probably bring their own device, which is not allowed by ACT at this point in time. Only school-controlled laptops or desktops are allowed for testing. Aquinas students were polled on their preference
Paper 56.5%
between paper or computerized standardized tests. The paper tests require a test booklet, answer sheet and #2 pencil, while the computerized version simply needs a desktop or laptop with access to the internet and the ability to disable certain features. 56.5 percent of students said they prefer paper. The online ACT brings about a lot of concerns. One worry is that the test scores of the online and the paper ACT are not totally comparable. ACT has performed extensive
research, and it has concluded that for the time being, the time allotted for each section will remain equal between both tests. “I haven’t seen any research that says that it will impact positively or negatively in any way,” Bruns said. “I think we need to really pay attention to ACT and what their studies show because they are so into research.” Bruns added, “I know they have done a lot of legwork prior to even allowing schools to do it on the computer. They’re going to have to prove that online testing doesn’t impact scores positively or negatively for the colleges to see it as a valid score.” Another issue with online testing is test security. There are definitely more opportunities to cheat when on a computer. Testing on laptops may make it more difficult for supervisors to monitor the room. ACT testing supervisors would have to be trained again to moderate a room administering an online test. Additional questions include how the desks will be organized and what to do if there are technical difficulties. Finally, online testing raises the question of when tests will be scored. Aside from the optional writing
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section, the computer would have all it needs right there to score the test. Imagine clicking the “submit” button and receiving a score moments after the test’s completion. Though the online test would have the capability for this immediate scoring, ACT plans to send out scores at the same time as the other tests for now.
“They’re going to have to prove that online testing doesn’t impact scores positively or negatively for the colleges to see it as a valid score.” Barb Bruns College Counselor Other standardized tests such as the College Board’s SAT and PSAT have not yet been administered online, but it would not be a surprise if that soon changed. Senior Daniel Petracek is the Shield’s Managing Editor. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Students Prepare For Standardized Tests
Here is how students at Aquinas prepare for some of the biggest tests of high school BY MIA POWER
T
PSAT are honored as National Merit plans, and a question of the day. he PSAT, ACT and SAT Semifinalists. There are currently While online resources are can be the most stressful three at Aquinas: extremely helpful, tests for a high school Daniel Petracek, Aquinas offers students student to prepare for. many ways to prepare “If you have a chance Zachary The ACT and SAT are two and for these tests inside huge factors that colleges use to to take PSAT Prep Winterman Grant Elias. and outside of school. compare students. While Midwest sophomore year, it is Elias said, Students have colleges only look at ACT score, “I first started opportunities to take coastal schools can look at both. definitely worthwhile.” preparing for a two-session ACT Doing well on the PSAT can the PSAT in the class before each ACT mean becoming a National Merit Zachary Winterman spring of my testing date. Students commended scholar, semifinalist or sophomore year can also take a even a finalist. These high honors Senior by taking the practice version of the can lead to some big scholarships PSAT Prep class with Mr. Ewing ACT during the fall. in college. and Mrs. Radiel.” He said they have the Here is how “Nothing will prepare Sophomores reviewed the material that would opportunity to take the students at Saint be on the test and helpful testing Thomas Aquinas you more than actually PSAT during the fall. techniques. A one-semester prepare for these taking a version of the Elias also said that in the PSAT prep course high-stress tests. real test.” weeks leading up to the test he is offered during On the ACT spent time completing practice test website there sophomore year to students who have packets as well. are resources Grant Elias potential to score high While studying the material and such as online Senior on the PSAT based on practicing strategies is helpful, Elias prep, sample previous standardized test scores. said the most valuable preparation questions, and a question of the According to the National Merit is taking practice tests. “Nothing day, in addition to helpful tips for website, about 16,000 out of all will prepare you more than actually test-takers. The SAT website offers taking a version of the real test. high school students who take the practice questions, reviews, study
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Statistics courtesy of Saint Thomas Aquinas, ACT Inc.
October 2015
2014
2015
63 Aquinas
70 Aquinas
graduates with a composite
28
graduates with a composite
28
ACT of or higher
ACT of or higher
National average: 21
National average: 21
Kansas average:
Kansas average: 21.9
22.0
The questions are similar to the real ones, and seeing my practice scores gave me an idea of what I needed to work on to get a good score.” Winterman also took the PSAT class his sophomore year. He said that taking the class is what helped him prepare
“Seeing my practice scores gave me an idea of what I needed to work on to get a good score.” Grant Elias Senior
the most. Both Winterman and Elias said that math was the section they studied the most for. Reviewing for math is especially important if it has been a while since you have taken Algebra II and Geometry. “Since I
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The Reports
took Geometry and Algebra II as a freshman, I needed a refresher on those concepts.” Winterman said. When asked what advice they would give to students who have not taken the PSAT yet, they both recommended taking practice tests. Winterman said, ”If you have a chance to take PSAT Prep sophomore year, it is definitely worthwhile.” Elias said, “Make sure you’re calm and relaxed on test day,” and “most important of all, be confident!” While the PSAT class that Aquinas offers was helpful to Elias and Winterman, who took the test in the fall of 2014, the PSAT has undergone some major changes for 2015. These include the timing, important features and scoring. Junior Jaden Castinado, who took the PSAT course during the 2014-15 school year, said that although he learned a lot of vocab and math strategies, the class was not as beneficial as it could have been because, they “spent all semester working on material that was not on the new PSAT.” While there are many ways to get ready for these tests, the best preparation is the quality education that Aquinas provides every day. Junior Mia Power, @miacbpower on Twitter, is a freelance reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Daniel Petracek
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Thankful for Our Freshman Leaders
Meet freshman Student Council for the 2015-2016 school year.
BY SETH WALKER
Photo by Seth Walker | The Shield
Freshman StuCo members and class moderator (from left to right) Greg Wilson, Danny Vale, Sarah Holzmiester, Catie Little, Greta Bins and Jack Denzel. Max McElroy and Claire Folkers are not pictured. The freshman class has spoken and the election results are in. Seven freshmen, Max McElroy, Jack Denzel, Greta Bins, Claire Folkers, Sarah Holzmeister, Danny Vale and Catie Little have all been chosen by their peers to lead the freshman class. The newly elected freshmen have wasted no time, as plans for a mixer, traveling to a freshman football away game, and a fundraiser for the canned food drive are already in the works. The canned food drive is a big goal for the freshmen this year. Last year’s freshman class had the biggest involvement and donated the most cans by a freshman class at Aquinas ever. Freshman class moderator Greg
Wilson thinks and hopes that this class can beat that record. Newly elected Student Council Freshman Class President Catie Little said, “Right now, we are coming up with ideas to raise money and cans for the canned food drive, although we do not have an event set, just know that there is something fun to come for this cause.” The freshmen also hope that their class has a good outing in Spring Olympics, saying that it is what they are looking forward to the most as StuCo members. The freshman class may not fully understand Spring
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October 2015
Photo by Seth Walker | The Shield
Five of the seven freshman StuCo members sit and listen to freshman class moderator Greg Wilson in a meeting about upcoming events during STA period. Olympics yet, and what goes on, but they are ready to bring their A-game. They have no easy task ahead of them, as one of the biggest obstacles for the new StuCo members is rallying their class, which is the largest in the school. They plan on getting everyone on the same page by having meetings during STA period to discuss upcoming events, class service and what they can do to get more involved.
“I love our class, and I am so excited for this year and years to come with them.” Catie Little Freshman
“Our class is the largest and most spirited, we just need to show it. Our class has a lot of great minds that we can put to good use and do some great things for our awesome school,” said Danny Vale, freshman class representative. “By senior year our class should outdo every class in our school through sheer spirit and Photo by Seth Walker | The Shield manpower,” Vale Freshman Jack Denzel sits and listens during a StuCo added. meeting with freshman class moderator Greg Wilson.
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Freshman StuCo is already looking ahead to senior year, saying that right now they may not be the most involved or spirited, but they have set a goal to do so by senior year. They believe that their class is one of the kindest and most welcoming in the entire school, and they plan on using that to their advantage. “By senior year, I hope our freshman class has grown as a community and has done many things to help those in need,” Little said. “I love our class, and I am so excited for this year and years to come with them.” Junior Seth Walker, @SethWalker3 on Twitter, is a reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Alex Kinnan.
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
The Parents Of Aquinas BY ELLIE HEIT & EZRI KILLEEN
While students push themselves on the field, the parents are working just as hard behind the scenes.
T
he parents of Saint Thomas Aquinas are often overlooked. They take us to practice, games, and everything in between. They comfort us when a game doesn’t go particularly well, or when we don’t get the part we wanted in the musical. While we know our parents will always help us out, there are some Aquinas parents who go above and beyond.
O
ne of these parents is Michele Gress. One may see her roaming around at school events, taking pictures of the game and capturing the excitement of the crowd with her camera. On her Shutterfly page, Aquinas pictures from every single activity can be seen, from a volleyball game to prom. She is the mother of Amanda, Class of 2011, and Kyle, Class of 2013. An active mom since 2007, when her daughter was a freshman, Gress has devoted her time to everything Aquinas. “I still do it because I love the kids and it feels like home here,” Gress said. When her kids left Aquinas, the last thing she wanted to do was leave. “When Kyle graduated, I didn’t want to leave,”Gress said . “We joked about how Kyle was graduating, but I wasn’t.”
Photo courtesy of Michele Gress.
Michele Gress celebrates the state win for the girls’ soccer team. She was also taking pictures of this event.
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The Reports
October 2015 Gress is especially active in the soccer community, because her son was the starting varsity goalie. “I cried at my first Senior Night tonight,” Gress said at the home game on Oct. 6. “I realized that this was the last year that had kids, like Lucas Bartlett and Tyler Stoecklin, who played with Kyle on the team.”
“We joked about how Kyle was graduating, but I wasn’t.” Michele Gress Parent Photo courtesy of Mike Bulleigh.
Bulleigh attends his last father daughter dance with his daughter Brianne. Brianne graduated from Aquinas with the Class of 2012.
S
ome other active parents include the Bulleighs. Mike Bulleigh and his wife. Parents of Brianne, Class of 2012, Nick, Class of 2017, and Beau, future Class of 2026. They have been mainly active in Field Hockey and football. “With Brianne, it was mostly out of need,” Bulleigh said. “The field hockey program was brand new and everyone was sort of feeling their way through it.” The Bulleighs and many other parents stepped up to the challenge, becoming chauffeurs and chaperons to the kids on the team. The Bulleighs are also very active in the football community. “My wife has helped with most of the team meals and other activities that the parents do for the boys each week,” Bulleigh said. The parents have also made social media accounts for football. Personally, Bulleigh created the logo and art for the spirit wear. He also filmed games and creates weekly highlight videos that are sent out to subscribers.
Senior Ellie Heit, @eheit0 on Twitter, is a senior editor for The Shield. This story was edited by Editor-in-Chief Alex Kinnan, and layout was done by junior freelance reporter Ezri Killeen.
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The Reports
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Snapping Saints In the age of social media, how can we not have a Snapchat? BY OLIVIA RODE
Photo courtesy of The Shield
Recently, the newspaper staff visited Manhattan, Kansas for a journalism conference. After attending a seminar about the use of social media, we decided a school Snapchat account would be awesome. It is a student-run account and will be in full swing during allschool activities, and sports events. At certain events, the login information will be given to a spirited student who will document just how fun it is to be an Aquinas student. By taking a picture of the emblem to the left, you can friend the account on Snapchat and get involved in the fun! Posters around the school can be used for the same purpose. Another project The Shield has decided to tackle is getting Aquinas a geotag! One has been submitted, and hopes are high that it will be accepted. So, add Aquinas on Snapchat, and who knows, maybe you’ll be the next chosen to run it.
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The reports
Senior Olivia Rode, @oliviarode on Twitter, is the Shield’s social media editor. This story was edited by Daniel Petracek.
Photo courtesy of Michele Gress.
The Spreads
What’s inside 22
Halloween 2015
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Clubs at Aquinas
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The Best of Social Media
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Survey Says
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My Mom is a Teacher
My Mom is a Teacher
The 411 on what it’s like to be in the same school as your parents.
BY ANNIE GELLOTT
“My favorite part of working at STA with our kids “I like being around Matthew’s friends and getting a peek into his attending is seeing them interact with their friends life. Most parents don’t get much of and teachers. The “school face” can be different than a glimpse into their kids day to day the “home face” sometimes. My dad also worked in stuff, but I do. I think I am really my school while growing up, so it is very natural for me to have a parent in the building. lucky for that.” I feel fortunate to share in this great experience of Lisa Andrews Math Teacher high school with my kids.” “I went to my mom’s seminar one time, and she told me to be quiet, and that was really awkward. It is kind of odd to see her in that setting.” Matt Andrews Sophomore Lisa Andrews’ Son
“Freshman year while working on the Roman History take-home test with some friends, we called him for help on a few answers and instead of giving us the answers he made us guess until we got them right.” Spencer Charlton Junior Greg Wilson’s Grandson
Deb Castinado Academic Counselor
“This year I’ve heard a lot of people complain about his class in front of me and I’m just like, ‘That’s my uncle.’” Shelby Innes Junior Craig Ewing’s Niece
“It’s actually kind of fun to have her in the building.” Jaden Castinado Junior Deb Castinado’s Son
The Back Pages
Photo courtesy of Michelle Gress
Seniors storm the dance floor at Homecoming on Oct 3.
What’s inside
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Rising Stars: Part One
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Food Review
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Royal Teachers
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Icebreakers
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Rising Stars: Regan Pittman
BY CONNOR RAGAN
Photo courtesy of Michelle Gress
Regan goes up for block on senior night against St. James Academy.
Part one of The Shield’s three-part series focuses on the senior volleyball sensation.
Senior Regan Pittman has always loved sports. Growing up, she tried soccer, basketball, and even wrestled for a little bit. But volleyball had always just been something she did for fun, on recreational teams. Freshman year of high school, though, that all changed. Pittman decided to try out for one of the most esteemed club volleyball teams in the area, the KC Power. Making the team, she fell in love with the sport, and has only gotten better with each season. “It’s been awesome,” said Pittman. “I’ve learned a lot, because a lot of good players just make you better.” She was thrilled to make the junior varsity team at Saint Thomas Aquinas her freshman year, but still had that drive to be better. In only her sophomore year, Regan was named to the varsity squad. She saw a decent amount of playing time, considering her age, but she knew that if she kept working at it, she had the potential to do big things.
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The Back Pages
Transitioning back and forth from Power and Saints volleyball isn’t ever an issue for Pittman, but she said that the big chances in the sport aren’t usually won through school-level play. Colleges and national team scouts tend to favor results at the club level, where they can see more competitive play and players traveling to compete. By the time Regan entered her junior year at Aquinas, she began receiving offers from colleges all across the country. She found it stressful, weighing the options and investigating each school, but finally decided on the University of Minnesota. Playing volleyball there would earn her a considerably large scholarship, but also allow her to continue her career at a high level. “It was a huge weight off my chest,” said Pittman. She was being considered by many other major Div. 1 schools, such as Ole Miss and Penn State.
October 2015
Photo courtesy of Michelle Gress
Regan spikes the ball for a point against Washburn Rural. Her technique has earned her the nickname “Regan Smash.”
“I’ve learned to be a better leader, because I often can get too competitive.” Regan Pittman
Not only has the local volleyball been going well for Pittman, but she has had the chance to take her game to the international level. The spring after her junior season, she tried out for the Under 18 national team, set to play in a big tournament later that summer in South America. Making the team was a dream come true for Pittman, as she would now get to showcase her talents on a much bigger stage. “It helped me become a better leader,” she said. Teaming up with 19 other top-notch players from across the United States, Pittman traveled down to Peru to compete in the Girls’ Under 18 World Championships, against teams from many other nations. There, the American team finished runner-up behind Italy. It was an impressive result, with many of the girls being noticed by scouts. Pittman, however, was already set on Minnesota. Now, in her senior year, Regan has already been a star, leading the Saints to an Eastern Kansas League title along with many other seniors. Their goal from the very start has been to repeat as state champions, and Pittman says the team feels confident that they can make a run at the title. As far as her own career goes, Pittman knows that she can do great things, and hopes that the game she loves will take her far.
Senior Connor Ragan, @csragan13 on social media, is a reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Alex Wagner.
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The Back Pages
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
The Food Review
Right Around the Corner This brilliant bistro offers brunch without breaking the bank. BY OLIVIA RODE get in relation to the price is The Wooden Spoon phenomenal as well. The one has all the characteristics thing that could be improved of a great restaurant. It has is the restaurant’s size. delicious food, awesome It’s located in a very small prices and is located only building and because of this, three minutes away from it is common to have to wait. Aquinas, directly across However, from Johnson County Overall Score- 4.5 SHIELDS its small size makes Community for a cozy College. atmosphere. Although The Wooden it serves Spoon is the predominantly perfect place breakfast for a delicious breakfast, food, such as a croissant without emptying your wallet, sandwich and the but only if you’re willing to revolutionary “panwich”— wait for it. scrambled eggs sandwiched in between two pieces of Address: 11823 College pancake— the Wooden Spoon is also famous for Blvd, Overland Park, KS their cheesesteaks and other 66210 Hours: 7:00 am-2:00 pm sandwiches. Another bonus is the pricing. Here, you Senior Olivia Rode, @oliviarode on rarely spend over 10 dollars! Twitter, is the Shield’s Back Pages The amount of food you
Photo by Alex Kinnan | The Shield
The “panwich”—scrambled eggs sandwiched in between two pieces of pancake— at the Wooden Spoon.
Editor. This story was edited by Daniel Petracek.
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the back pages
Shield Scale 1-Terrible 2- Poor 3- Average 4- Good 5- Great
October 2015 Were you surprised that you won?
“I was against teachers who have been here for 20 years and I’m a new teacher and I won so, yeah, I was surprised.”
What was your initial reaction when you were nominated?
“Are you serious? I didn’t know that it was actually a thing and had to have others explain it to me.”
Were you ever on homecoming court at your high school?
“I was never on homecoming court at high school or college. But first year teaching, I guess I’m doing something right now.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Oh, my gosh! I love the Royals. I am a huge Royals fan. I’m a pretty young person so it’s still fun to hang out with friends, but my life is Royals games.”
Do you have any wise words of advice for the students?
Queen Kennedy
“Get involved and be active. Don’t just sit around and expect things to happen, because they won’t. You have to get involved and try to make a change.” Photo by Connor Ragan | The Shield “I was so excited. I went into mission work and only got a few likes. I got a job and I only got a few likes. But I became queen for teachers, and I got hundreds. It was fantastic,” Kennedy said.
The Royal Faculty
Aquinas students voted John Rost and Kat Kennedy, both first-year teachers, as their teacher homecoming king and queen. BY BECCA HAEUSSER
Were you surprised that you won?
“I was, but I had all kinds of kids tell me they voted for me so I had a weird feeling. It’s a good thing I offered that extra credit, just kidding.”
What was your initial reaction when you were nominated? “What are you talking about? Do I have to do anything?”
Were you ever on homecoming court at your high school? “No”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I like to play golf, fish, spend time with my boys and watch them play sports.”
Do you have any wise words of advice for the students?
“Live for the moment while you’re here because it goes fast and build a relationship with God because it is tough to go through life alone.” Photo by Connor Ragan | The Shield “Hopefully the students noticed that we left room for the Holy Spirit between us. I was impressed with how graceful Miss Kennedy was,” Rost said.
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Backpages
King Rost
Junior Becca Haeusser is a freelance reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Olivia Rode, senior editor.
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
The Homecoming Icebreaker
Cole younger Meet our 2015 Homecoming King, who is also a varsity soccer player and spirit boy
What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten? I had a shark eye one time. It was the worst thing I’ve ever tasted.
If you could be one Aquinas teacher, who would it be and why? John Tompkins because he lives such a relaxed and chilled out life.
What is your most embarrassing moment at Aquinas? Freshman year I spilled Mr. DuBois’ lunch tray on him. All the seniors laughed and I cleaned it off him.
What is your biggest pet peeve and why? It’s when people touch my nipples. I just hate it so much. What will you miss most about Aquinas? Definitely seeing all my friends everyday. The community at STA is unlike anything we will ever experience again. I am going to miss all the great people. Do you scrunch, fold or wrap your toilet paper? I fold my toilet paper.
What is your favorite song played at homecoming and why? Sweet Caroline because it gets me going.
Photo courtesy of Michele Gress
Senior Cole Younger smiles at the crowd after being crowned Homecoming King.
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The back pages
Interviewed by junior Ansley Reynolds,reporter for the Shield.. This story was edited by Alex Kinnan.
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
The Homecoming Icebreaker
Isabel kemp
Get to know our 2015 Homecoming Queen amd executive president. What is your favorite fast food chain? Chipotle. I get a bowl with white rice, black beans, chicken, mild salsa, corn salsa, cheese, guac, and lettuce.
Most embarrassing moment at Aquinas Sophomore year at the white out basketball game, I was doing the Wiggalo and I fell down the bleachers, rolled down the stairs, cut up my leg, and got a concussion.
Do you prefer to sleep on your back, side or stomach? I sleep on my stomach.
What is your favorite memory at Aquinas? Canned food drive and all of the late nights at the grocery store, canning with my friends, and the whole week in general. (The decorating day, watching everyone carry in their cans, counting the cans, all the funny jokes, and delivering the cans Friday afternoon.)
What is your spirit animal and why? A monkey because I think they are fun and cute. What song makes you cry? “I Was Here� by Beyonce. She sang it at World Humanitarian Day and it was the Canned Food Drive song two years ago.
Photo courtesy of Michele Gress Following being crowned Homecoming Queen, Isabel and her dad take a selfie. Isabel was named executive president last spring.
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The back pages
Interviewed by junior Ansley Reynolds, reporter for the Shield. This story was edited by Alex Kinnan.
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Last Look on Homecoming
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2 Photos courtesy of Michele Gress 1) Saints varsity cheerleaders cheer on the football boys during the game against Gardner, on Oct 2. 2) Senior Annie Washburn and senior Christopher Schilling dance at the Homecoming dance. 3) Senior Cole Younger and senior Isabel Kemp pose after being crowned Homecoming King and Queen.
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield
Last Look on Homecoming
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Photos courtesy of Michele Gress 1) Sophomore Nick Whiteside gets down at the Homecoming dance. 2) Senior James Cosentino breaks through the line and gains yardage. 3) Senior Riley Pint and senior Allie Koster pose for the camera at Homecoming.
October/November 2015 Games Of The Month #STAte
Friday 10/16 & Saturday 10/17 State Tennis @ Valley Center (near Wichita) Monday 10/19 State Golf @ Dub’s Dread Golf Club (near Legends), 8am Saturday 10/31 State Cross Country @ Rim Rock (Lawrence), 10 a.m. State Volleyball @ the Expocentre (Topeka), time TBD A spirit bus will be offered for fans; listen for an announcement to sign up.
Friday 11/6 & Saturday 11/7 State Soccer @ Hummer (Topeka), time TBD Friday 11/20 Sub-State Football @ 7 pm, location TBD
The Student’s Voice
The Shield