The Shield October Issue
Student Anxiety
Senior Meg Goza stresses over homework. Many students face mounting anxieties while in high school, reported on in our cover story. Photo illustration and design are courtesy of Andrew Schoonover and Grace Mayer.
Volume 30
Staff Members Adviser I Matt Hallauer Editor-In-Chief I Andrew Schoonover Managing Editor I Annie Patton
Vo l u m e 3 0
Managing Editor I Grace Mayer
The Shield
Copy Editor I Delaney Smith Senior Reporter I Briley McGreevy Senior Reporter I Emily Raunig
Saint Thomas Aquinas high School
Senior Reporter I Rachel Raney Reporter I Deepthi Kailash Reporter I Madison McMillen Reporter I Clare Hernandez Freelancer I Rachael Lawler Freelancer I Maggie Slaven
The Shield
Social Media
t f i s
stashield aquinasameday Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield stashield stashield
MI S S I ON S TA TEMEN T The Shield is the student’s’ voice of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. Published by students for the good of the whole Aquinas community, The Shield serves as a source of information and as a spark for productive change. Student reporters learn about the world of journalism while practicing ethical, holistic reporting practices. The Shield staff is responsible for the content published, striving to share information accurately, objectively, and completely for all members of the Saint Thomas Aquinas High School community. A D V ER TI S IN G 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 S UB S C R I P TIO N S 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 monthly. Orders can be sent to newspaper@stasaints.net L ETTER S PO LICY 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.
Volume 30 I October Issue
CONTENTS
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Cover Story: Student Anxiety
Editorial: Bathroom Policy
Modern Catholicism
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Comparing Handbooks
Changes at JCCC
Canned Food Drive
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Social Spread
Aquinas Stereotypes
Last Look
A Great Month to be a Saint O
Letter from the Editor
ctober was a great month to be a saint-- and not just because there were so many days off. Starting off with Homecoming Week (from hallways to the dance and everything in between) the Saints community enjoyed continuing strong traditions that turn a school into a home. The girls golf team also made Aquinas history earlier this month: winning the 100th state title in Aquinas history. In just 30 years of being opened, Saint Thomas Aquinas has joined Shawnee Mission East as the only two schools to have 100 state championships. While October offered historic successes and fun memories, the Saints community is still striving to curb issues and take on problems head on. Our cover story, reporting on student anxiety, explains the different varieties, causes, and symptoms of student stress at Aquinas. Today’s youth, due to media and other acute problems, are faced with waves of temptations, anxieties, and issues. Most importantly, The Shield shares resources available to fight student anxiety.
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October is a perfect month to go out and enjoy the Fall season: getting pumpkins, enjoying the color changes, and many other Fall traditions. This issue share ideas to make the most of Fall while it lasts. This issue also covers topics such as Aquinas Steryotypes, comparing Aquinas policy with other schools, and the state of modern Catholicism-- each offering insight on different aspects of the Aquinas community. As October passes and November approaches, be sure to get active and fully take in everything that makes Aquinas great-- and makes being a saint so unique.
Andrew Schoonover Editor-in-Chief
Community News 100th Banner
The girls golf team won Aquinas’s 100th state championship on Oct. 16 by a lead of 13 strokes. The team consisted of senior Annie Patton, sophomore Maggie King, sophomore Elise Handley, sophomore Melanie Valle, freshman Brooke King, and freshman Jaclyn Koziol. Maggie King lead the team with a third place finish and a score of 80, Patton finished fifth with an 83, and Koziol and Brooke King finished in the top ten.
37 Days of Kindness
Homecoming Royalty
God Bless AmeriCANS
Seas the Night
Keith and Cheryl Williams visited Saint Thomas Aquinas on Oct. 19 to give a presentation about his organization. 37 Days of Kindness is an organization that promotes
The annual Saint Thomas Aquinas canned food drive will begin on Oct. 30. Student Council members have set the ambitious goal of collecting 200,000 cans for Catholic Charities and setting a new national record.
At the homecoming football game on Oct. 6, seniors Andrew Cunningham and Grace Jacobs were crowned homecoming king and queen. The students were selected by the student body.
The 2017 Extravaganza fund raiser will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11. This year’s theme is “Saints Seas the Night.”
National News California Wildfires
California’s wine country wildfires have destroyed more than 8,400 homes and other buildings. The fire series is being called the deadliest in California history. (Los Angeles Times)
Amazon Headquarters
Amazon claimed to have received 238 proposals from cities wanting to house a second headquarters. Just seven states had no cities file proposals. (The Boston Globe)
New Name
Robert E. Lee High School of San Antonio, Texas, has been renamed Legacy of Educational Excellence High School (L.E.E. HS). This decision was voted on by the district board of trustees. (NBC News)
World News Mysterious Stones
Archaeologists have found mysterious, ancient stone gates in the deserts of Saudi Arabia using Google maps. It is believed that the structures were built by nomadic tribes thousands of years ago. (NY Times)
Wrong Way
Italian marathon runner Eyob Faniel came in first at the Venice Marathon after the top competitors ran in the wrong direction. Faniel was the first Italian athlete to win the race in 22 years. (TIME)
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Anxiety Anxiety Anxiety anxiety
Anxiety Anxiety Anxiety 6
The Shield
Standing at your locker, your legs are frozen. After spending all night studying for a test in 1st hour, you still aren’t sure you’re ready for it. Your palms begin to sweat. A friend asks if you’re okay but the words catch in your throat as a weight the size of a bowling ball takes rest in your ribcage. “There’s no reason to be this worried,” you think, but no matter how hard you try to calm yourself, there’s no reprieve. Between balancing academics, extracurriculars, social life, ... this feeling
isn’t strange to you; in fact, you know it all too well.
How the rise in teenage anxiety is affecting Aquinas A nxiety has become more than just a synonym for worry and apprehension; it’s an epidemic plaguing teens across the nation. According to the National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH), 25.1% of children age 13-18 are affected by some type of anxiety disorder, and that number is growing each year. The rising pressures of our overachieving society have taken a toll on students. High schoolers are taking extremely challenging classes in the name of getting ahead and are facing more competition to get into colleges. They are competing against not only their neighbor down the street, but students across the world. This environment has become the perfect foundation for anxiety to fester. Over the last decade, anxiety has overtaken depression as the most common reason students seek counseling services. The reason they cite the most as the root of their problem: school. “People expect so much from us these days with sports, schoolwork, social life, not to mention choosing what college to attend. We just can’t take [it],” said an anonymous Saint Thomas Aquinas student. “I have friends that will smoke marijuana just to relieve some of the stress and anxiety that they are dealing with.” This isn’t an uncommon narrative. In an anonymous survey sent out by The Shield, 77% of respondents said that they experience school related anxiety either everyday or weekly, and multiple responses cited unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drug use or alcohol as ways of escaping
their anxiety. Guidance counselor Laura Cline said school work is also taking away from family time, which can cause student anxiety to rise even more. “Homework can also interfere with family time,” Cline said. “By the time homework is done, there is no time for family. Families can forget to have fun together, and I think that can be so medicinal.” However, there is a fine line between stress and an actual anxiety disorder. Cline said students need to be able to identify whether or not they need help. “A little stress can be motivational. If we know we have a test or something that needs done, a little stress nudges us to get going,” Cline said. “ When we begin losing sleep, having physical symptoms, being plagued with worries, or having panic attacks, we need to seek help.”
“People expect so much from us these days...We just can’t take [it].” -Anonymous
Many students aren’t seeking the help they may need. Of the people who reported experiencing panic attacks, nausea, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping, and/or headaches, nearly half said that they do nothing to relieve their symptoms. This worrying trend may
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be affecting Aquinas more so than other schools in the metro. Aquinas is located in Johnson County: the most affluent county in Kansas, raking in almost $20,000 more annually per household than the US average. Though STA pulls kids from all over the socioeconomic spectrum, its private school status along with its $10,000 annual price tag attracts a majority of students that are middle to upper middle class. Although affluence is known to help people achieve better opportunities in life, new studies show it’s also a factor in declining mental health. Suniya S Luthar Ph.D., professor of psychology at Arizona State University, explored the effects of socioeconomic status on mental health in teens and found that upper middle class teens are among the most prone to anxious tendencies. “The children of affluent parents expect to excel at school and in multiple extracurriculars and also in their social lives,” Luthar said, “It plays out in crippling anxiety and depression, about anticipated or perceived achievement ‘failures.’” Along with the overwhelming pressure and possible socioeconomic connections to anxiety, scientists have theorized another reason for why teenagers might seem especially anxious: brain development. In the brain, the amygdala is the region responsible for fear and aggressive behavior. During the teenage years, this region develops relatively early compared to the frontal cortex, the region responsible for reasoning and control. The frontal cortex continues to develop during adulthood, usually until age 25. This development causes teens to have a brain capable of understanding fear and anxiety, but not as capable of fully rational thought. According to psychiatrist Richard A. Friedman, a contributor to the New York Times, many people deal with a sudden onset of anxiety in their teenage years. “[Adults] typically report an
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Photo courtesy of Porsche Brosseau uneventful childhood interrupted by adolescent anxiety. For many, the anxiety was inexplicable and came out of nowhere,” said Friedman. Aquinas senior Abigail Monaghan has been struggling with anxiety since 8th grade. “I was sitting in religion class [when I first experienced an anxiety attack],” Monaghan said. “I don’t know how it happened. I just remember sitting there in class having a hard time breathing and couldn’t swallow and it was really blurry... [anxiety attacks] sometimes happen even if nothing really caused it.” After years of battling with her anxiety, Monaghan says that she has finally found a balance in her life. “Since I told my mom [about the anxiety], I see a therapist and I am on medication,” Monaghan said. “After I got help, I have been doing a lot better. It always helps to talk to either a friend, trusted parent or even a therapist and I can’t stress enough how important it is to seek help.” While Monaghan is now
comfortable with her anxiety, she wishes people would take it more seriously. “People will come up to me and say, ‘Oh my gosh I was in math and I had a panic attack,’ Monaghan said. Of course, at first I ask them if they are okay and they usually say that they just got nervous or just want to brag they were nervous to then find out they got a 93. Well that’s not really anxiety. I wish people that actually suffered from anxiety would speak up and I wish people that joked about it didn’t,” said Monagham. There are multiple different types of anxiety disorders, however Cline said the main ones she sees at Aquinas are generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder. GAD involves a persistent worry about any number of things, including family, friends, health, or other issues. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), sufferers of GAD may expect the worst out of events when there isn’t any cause for concern. A diagnosis is made
“From relationships to school, it’s the biggest struggle in my life.”
“I feel like my “It can cripple “It makes me feel like I’m parents me and make me lose drowning in work and having don’t self-esteem.” believe no way to get out of it.” me.” “I start
shaking and crying, and I can’t stop.” “Anxiety is something I have to deal with on a daily basis.”
“I have panic attacks almost daily and honestly, it’s just a normal thing for me.”
“It feels like everything is collapsing all around me.”
“I feel that there should be more of an exploration about the difference between stress versus anxiety. There is a difference.”
“It feels like you’re burning on the inside.” “I go to Mrs. Cline a lot and I am so happy to have her around.”
“After a long day of school and sports or work,most students don’t get home until 8 p.m. And by that point, you feel so overwhelmed, studying is almost impossible.”
”I have trouble eating sometimes because I feel nauseous all the time.” Quotes are taken from an anonymous survey sent out by The Shield.
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Many students say school is the primary cause of their anxiety. Students also say the combination of sports and academics make studying almost impossible. Photo courtesy of www.pexels. com.
when a person is experiencing physical symptoms, including: restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and others. GAD is treatable through many different types of therapy, and medication. Panic disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences random panic attacks and thus develops a fear of getting a panic attack. Symptoms of a panic attack include
“I can’t stress how important it is to seek help.” Abigail Monaghan Senior pounding heart, sweating, trembling, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, and more, all lasting up to 10 minutes. This disorder may make people change their entire lifestyle to try to avoid getting a panic attack. This disorder is highly responsive to treatments such as medication or therapy. Other common anxiety disorders include social anxiety disorder, which
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is an intense fear of interactions with large amounts of people, and obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD), which involves thoughts and fears to lead to rituals or routines. As for what Aquinas can do for student anxiety, Cline said the staff at Aquinas is always here to support those struggling with anxiety. “Teachers are always available for extra help if a student is not understanding class work,” Cline said. “If a student lets us know what’s going on, there might be more we can do to help. We need to develop a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset.” Schools across America are beginning to put programs in place that help those suffering from seriously debilitating anxiety. High schools are now starting to employ teams of people who check in with absentee students, too anxious to show up to school, and encourage them to work through their fears so they don’t miss out on their education. At Roosevelt High School in Seattle, 20 minutes of daily free time has been added to the day, similar to Aquinas’ STA period, to catch up on homework, check-in with teachers, or just to
simply relax. On the other side of the country, Lexington High School in Massachusetts has integrated new classroom lessons specifically to teach mental health knowledge and relaxation techniques. The success these programs and accommodations are seeing has led more and more schools to begin formulating their own plan to fight anxiety and poor mental health in their students, slowly minimizing education’s major part student anxiety. Affecting millions of teens around the world, anxiety can be absolutely crippling. However, as public awareness grows, new research, treatments, and resources are available to help those ready to take back their lives from anxiety’s hold.
Madison McMillen Deepthi Kailash Rachael Lawler
These numbers are courtesy of an anonymous survey sent out by The Shield. Design courtesy of Freelancer Rachael Lawler.
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to
Saying hello Sweater Weather Briley McGreevy
Raina Miyake “My favorite place to take pictures is hands down the downtown area. I love finding hidden areas downtown to use as backdrops. Sometimes I’ll be downtown with friends see a cool wall and mark the area in my Maps app. The best part about the city is that there’s tons of different backdrops in one area, so you can just walk a couple blocks and find a ton of cool areas. Most grasses have turned golden brown which is really nice for keeping a subject the main focus. There’s just less noise in the photo that way too, and that way the subject is what the eye is immediately drawn to. Those are the type of photos I like best, where the person or object is the most dominant part of the picture.”
Senior Reporter
Photo courtesy of Raina Miyake.
Valeria Taborda
Photo courtesy of Valeria Taborda.
“I recently went to a haunted house down in Bonner Springs called 3rd Street Asylum. I also love going to this restaurant called Char Bar throughout the fall since it has an outdoor spot where you can play ping pong, bean bag toss, etc.”
Lauren Johnson “I take some of my pictures downtown in the Westport area, but I also love taking shots out by where I work on 191st and Pflumm. I [take them] in random fields and stuff because there’s so many wild flowers and pretty trees and ponds. I love going to the cider mill during fall and seeing everyone and their dogs but I also love going to the arboretum because it’s so beautiful and the people in the main building are so sweet.”
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Photos courtesy of Lauren Johnson
Meghan Lynch “I love going to new places all around KC. Being outside and going on adventures is my favorite. With fall coming, the weather is so nice. I love putting on a comfy sweater and seeing all the fall leaves. I love all the Halloween traditions such as haunted houses in the crossroads and watching scary movies. Going to the pumpkin patch is always very fun with friends and family. “Halloween Town” has always been one of my favorite movies since I was little. It’s a classic.”
Photo courtesy of Meghan Lynch.
Laura Cisper “I like to take artsy pictures around Kansas City and all over Johnson County, mainly parks, the cider mill, and the river market. I like capturing memories and food and taking good pictures of my friends.”
KCHauntedHouses The Beast With an open scene floor plan, The Beast is not the average KC Haunted House. This 40 minute attraction features a Werewolf Forest, where you are required to find an exit in pitch black darkness. It was termed “the best” by passionate haunted house goers.
The Edge of Hell Featuring the longest snake in capacity in the USA, Medusa is present at every Edge of Hell walk through at 24 feet . The five story haunted house offers optical illusions and a walkway format.
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Editorial
Let Students Do What They Have to Do Students and teachers both talk about the importance of bathroom breaks. M
ost students can relate: having an intense urge to use the restroom-- sitting uncomfortably in class--being denied relief simply because a teacher says. The embarssament of being denied and having to count down the minutes until class ends is almost unbearable. Teachers not letting students go to the bathroom during class is becoming more prominent at Aquinas. Some teachers are let students go when they have to, while others rarely allow students to go. Overall, the Aquinas bathroom policy is not that rigid. Students are given 10 minutes in between passing periods to get ready for the next class, as well as to use the bathroom if necessary. Other schools take bathroom policy differently. According to Dr. Catherine Pearlman writing for the HuffPost, some schools give students three hall passes to use in each quarter. Some teachers at Aquinas
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use a similar method: seen by administration issuing three tardies per semester, used when students forget something from their locker. Some teachers at Aquinas hand these out when students have to go to the bathroom. Tardies are associated with punishment. So by giving a student a tardy, it disrupts natural bodily functions . A common response students get when asking to use the restroom is simply, “You had 10 minutes during passing period, what were you doing then?” While students are given time to use the restroom, students have other priorities during those ten minutes (such as printing things off, visiting teachers for quick help, or handing a form into a teacher). Senior C.J. Eddy said, “sometimes it takes longer than ten minutes if you’re sick and they [teachers] don’t understand that. Not many students abuse their privilege, a few do, but not enough to take it away.”
There are also students who feel uncomfortable going during this time period, so they ask to excuse themselves for a little bit during class. English teacher Andrew Lee said, “There are times, however, that it can be embarrassing to use the restroom, so I could see a student’s point of view. In the end, I would rather error on the side of students and give them the benefit of the doubt. I don’t want them feeling uncomfortable,” Having to use the bathroom and not being able to takes a student’s attention away from class; moreover, it is also a health issue. According to Dr. Steve Hodges (a pediatric uroligist) of Parents, “students must be allowed to use the restroom when the urge arises—not 10 or 20 or 60 minutes later. It’s a health issue, and it’s no joke. Suppressing the urge to pee can damage a growing bladder, thickening and aggravating
the bladder wall and increasing a child’s risk for accidents, bedwetting, and urinary tract infections.” Some teachers will not ‘let the student use the restroom for a whole class period, taking the student’s attention away from class to their bodily functions-and over time putting their health at risk. For females specifically, using the restroom irregularly is not uncommon. For the 474 young women attending Aquinas, getting their periods is not self-chosen and anticipated; it is inaccurate and non-predictable. The crucial need to use the restroom by many young girls can dramatically affect the student’s mental state during class and a number of health issues. Teacher’s view of using the bathroom as an issue is often due to students abusing the system in the past. There will always be a few students that abuse bathroom breaks. This, however, should not harm students genuinely needing to use the restroom. Instead of punishing everyone for the abuses of a minority, teachers and school policy should reflect a more fair approach: punishing the minority on an individual basis instead of causing unnecesary pain. English teacher Craig Ewing said, “If I find out [that students are not actually going to the bathroom], then I have to come up with a solution such as notifying the office that so and so will be going to the restroom; need it monitored.” If every student was abusing the right to use the restroom, then that’s when it should be appropriate to not let them go during class, but just because a few did does not mean
everyone does. There are appropriate times during class when a teacher does not let a student go to the bathroom. During an important discussion, a test, or a quiz are understanding times for teachers not to let students go to the bathroom. Lee said, “I don’t have an issue with it if it falls under one of two categories: an emergency or a pause in the class (self-guided work, etc.).” While people should not feel free to use the bathroom during this time, if there is an emergency, there is an emergency. Teachers should be understanding of this and let them go, because the student’s attention will definitely not be on the discussion for the rest of the class. There is a problem when this happens on a daily basis. “If someone asked to go on a regular basis, I would definitely address it subtly,” Lee said. When forming school and classroom rules and policy, Aquinas faculty should not punish the majority of students for the abuses of a few. Faculty should not fixate on the misuse of restrooms by some students. Rather, it is more practical for faculty to consider the intense pains of many students, the potential (and proven) health hazards, and the majority of students who are simply just trying to use the restroom. At the end of the day the administration needs to ask theirselves, is student’s five-ten minutes of missing out in class outweighing 90 minutes of discomfort?
Emily Raunig Senior Reporter
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Modern Cath o l ic is m
Widely unnoticed, modern Catholicism varies greatly from the traditional faith life.
I
t is more than just a religion. It is more than just a 2,000 year old tradition. It has influenced the lives of billions. It continues to help the world through service, guidance, and hope. It is Catholicism. The modern Catholic experience, the way Catholics perceive, practice, and pass on the faith, has constantly developed throughout history. However, many Catholics today may not fully grasp just how unique modern Catholicism is. Books and relics from (relatively) recent history provide a snapshot of traditional Catholicism. The Manual of the Catholic Church (copyright 1906, from the Archbishop of Chicago) showcases a drastically different style of Catholicism. Mothers during this period had a very strict job: “committing a very great mistake, and worse than a mistake, when they do not teach their daughters all that they know themselves about house-keeping,” (280). The Church was also a staunch advocate for Latin being used within the faith. For, “the Church wisely judged it necessary to preserve the use of the Latin in all her public offices, chiefly for two reasons: First, to preserve the greater uniformity in all external worship ... Secondly, ... incapable of change, [to] preserve the purity of the religion itself,” (7-8). These teachings, and a wave of others, were reapplied in a series of Councils in the early 1960s: commonly known as Vatican II. More
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than 2,000 clergy members from around the world, as well as women, reformed Catholic truths in a more practical way following World War II. Reforms of Vatican II did not go without check. This was a transitional period within Catholicism, causing Catholics to see beliefs as uncertain. Essentially two factions within the faith were formed: a progressive side embracing reform and a traditional side resisting change. Most Catholics share a fervent support for the core of the faith. However, whether or not a wide variety of reforms were needed is still debated. Catholics today are among the first generations to know only post-Vatican II Catholicism. Senior Maria Schmeer views the modern Catholic experience as a blessing, considering how her parents and grandparents experiences. “In 5th grade I got to be an altar server, so definitely pre-Vatican II I would not have been able to do that-- because I’m a girl.” Schmeer said. Serving at Mass fostered a more fervent appreciation for both the Mass and the eucharist for Schmeer. The use of vernacular (common language) has also helped Schmeer. “I love Latin, don’t get me wrong,” Schmeer said. (It was her favorite class freshmen year.) However, “Having it in the vernacular has made it more personal, and that helps enhance the experience aspect of the faith,” Schmeer said.
Andrew Schoonover Editor-in-Chief
Instead of strict rules, modern Catholics focus on the experience of Catholicism. Doubting the faith is welcomed today, seen as a journey to find a deeper appreciation for Catholic truths. The missionary aspect of Catholicism, especially in a more globalized world, has also flourished due to Vatican II. Stacy Cretors, director of mission focus at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas, has seen a shift in faith aspects that attract students in college. “While facts once drove the engine of belief, many researchers are showing that current generations are relying more on their experiences of faith to drive their beliefs. There’s been more of an emphasis on smaller, more personal group formation that relies on relationship rather than large group classroomstyle formation,” Cretors said. Cretors relies on an experiential style of evangelization-- not a rulesbased approach. Catholics live out the legacy of Vatican II: a more personal and experiential faith life, with debate over whether reforms were appropriate. Modern Catholicism is defined by its progressive application of Catholic values. At its core, Catholicism has passed on a powerful set of values, truths, and traditions that have stood the test of time. Modern Catholics, as well as today’s young people, are responsible for sharing these values with the contemporary world.
Photo by Andrew Schoonover
Comparing relics throughout time To fully appreciate how unique modern Catholicism is, it helps to see relics of the faith from different eras side by side.
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Student Handbooks T
he debate over private versus public education is one that has spanned decades. One side claims that private schools promote an “elitist” culture, while the other bases academics on “political agendas.” And a wide variety of similar complaints and accusations are often found in the middle. Last year, The Shield covered the no-politics policy at aint Thomas Aquinas High School during the 2016 election. This was just one example of certain rights that students at Aquinas and other private schools sacrifice compared to public school students.
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Mandatory theology classes, in school prayer and services, religious holidays, and uniforms are noticeable distinctions of Catholic schools. Due to the lack of government funding and consequential lack of government involvement, private schools are allowed more flexibility when it comes to curriculum, policies, and procedures. This article provides an overview of the differences between the policies of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and those of Mill Valley High School based on their individual student handbooks.
Annie Patton Managing Editor
Mill Valley High School NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION Discrimination against any student on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or religion in the admission or access to, or treatment in the district’s programs and activities is prohibited........requirements contained in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. TRUANCIES
Unexcused absences may evolve into truancy under the Statutes of the State of Kansas. With certain limited exceptions, every student between the ages of 7 to 18 is required by law to attend school. If a student is absent from school without a valid excuse, either all, or a significant part of a day, three consecutive days, five or more days in any one semester, or seven days in a school year, he/she is truant....All
cases of truancy must be reported to the appropriate statutory authorities. Kansas Law 72-1113 allows police officers to take a student found off
school grounds during the school day into custody and directs the officer to deliver the student to the school.
HIGH SCHOOL MEDICATION POLICY
The supervision of medications shall be in strict compliance with board policies and guidelines. For any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be self-administered or administered by school personnel, the parent must give consent and must agree to release the school district and personnel from liability...
Students in grades 9 through 12 may carry and take their own prescription medication unless the prescribing health professional specifically orders the medication to be administered
through the health room. Medication is to be carried in prescription bottles with the name of the medication and directions attached...
USAGE OF “OVER-THE-COUNTER” MEDICATIONS
Students requiring any “over-the-counter” medications such as Tylenol, Advil, or any cold/allergy preparations should report to the Nurse’s Office. Medication
will then be dispensed under the direct supervision of the school nurse. Parents who prefer to provide specific medication for their child should bring it directly to the Nurse’s Office in the original container, properly labeled, to be
Aquinas
given as directed from the Nurse’s Office.
COLLEGE VISIT DAYS
If possible, students are encouraged to use days that Saint Thomas Aquinas is not in session for college
Students are allowed to miss school for a college visit for up to 6 days (no more than 3 days in any one school year) in their 4 years at Saint Thomas Aquinas. visits.
More than 6 in 4 years will be counted as being out of town and thus will count against their exam waiver. ...All college visits must be verified in writing, on college letterhead with a signature from whomever you met with stating that you were there and took an official tour...
PARENTHOOD
Even with the care and guidance of the Catholic family and school community, it may happen that a student becomes pregnant. At such a time, the school has a dual responsibility toward both the good of the student and the common good of the school. First, the common good requires that Saint Thomas Aquinas continue to teach the value of chastity and to oppose anything that would encourage premarital teenage sexual activity. Saint Thomas Aquinas also promotes a respect for all life, especially that of the unborn, and stands strongly against abortion. In considering the good of the student involved, we follow the leadership and directives of the Catholic Church, which urges us, as an education and faith community, to provide an environment where a pregnant teenager can find support, compassion, and forgiveness. We further hope to offer teenagers who, unfortunately, have already experienced an abortion, a spirit of reconciliation. Therefore,
we will not automatically expel such teenagers from the school community. Saint Thomas Aquinas recognizes that the pregnant student or student father has made a mistake that cannot be undone, and seeks to offer support to carry the pregnancy to term. There is no attempt to discipline the student(s) for the purpose of punishing a moral offense. This is an issue between the students, their priest-confessors, and God. Care will be taken that there is no discrimination in the manner in which young
men and young women are considered in this issue. There is no encouragement for students involved with a pregnant girl to get married. Nevertheless, they are expected to assume responsibilities concomitant with the act of bringing a new human life into the world. This implies a change in their priorities. The pregnant girl should be caring for herself as a mother-to-be. The father should respond in a stance of support for the mother and the child. This involvement in the procreative process may require dropping
Each case of student pregnancy presents the possibility of unique circumstances, which require specific interpretation. The school administrators, chaplain, and pastoral leader are responsible for making such interpretation and/or decision.
out of some extra-curricular activities.
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The 100th Banner T
he Saint Thomas Aquinas girls golf team’s highly successful season has come to an exciting end. Regarding the regular season, golf coach Ryan Best said, “We never placed lower than 3rd in any tournament.” The team set and achieved their goal “to capture three championships to finish the year, the EKL championship, 5A Regionals, and of course 5A State,” Best said. Led by senior Annie Patton who placed 5th overall; the team won the state title by 13 strokes. Other honorable mentions include sophomore Maggie King in 3rd, freshman Jaclyn Koziol in 9th and freshman Brooke King in 10th. With this win, Aquinas received its 100th state banner. This is an impressive feat considering the school, which opened in 1988, has been open only 30 years. Also, with this win the girls golf program goes down in the school’s history as the school’s first state champions (in 1992) and its 100th. “(I) couldn’t be prouder of how hard they worked in order to step up and get number 100 for the school!” Best said.
Girls Golf Wins
The girls golf team celebrates after winning the State Championship. Photo by Sharon Henes.
Awareness Month
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Domestic Violence
ccording to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men will encounter some form of domestic abuse within their lifetime. Every minute in the US, nearly 20 people are abused by an intimate partner. These statistics apply to physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional/psychological abuse. There are 951 students attending Saint Thomas Aquinas, based on these statistics, regardless of gender, 238 students will experience domestic violence at some point in their life. It is the job of members of the Aquinas community to speak out and to stand up against abuse. History teacher Lauren DeBaun said, “Domestic violence is more common than people think, unfortunately. Those who have experienced domestic abuse often do not talk about the trauma they have experienced. There are a lot of factors involved in speaking out which include vulnerability, feelings of shame and guilt, the fear that no one will believe them. Domestic violence is not just physical abuse, it can be emotional/psychological, sexual, or even financial abuse. The more it is talked about, the less it will be shrouded in secrecy and shame.”
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Breast Cancer
t is estimated that in 2017, there will be 252,710 new cases of breast cancer and 40,610 deaths according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer affects people all across the nation, Saint Thomas Aquinas being no exception. Paula Little, mother of Junior Catie Little, was diagnosed with breast cancer when Catie was just seven years old. “My breast cancer diagnosis came as a complete shock to me.” Little said. ”I had a 1st, 3rd, and 7th grader, and had just turned 40. I had no idea that such a scary time could bring out so much beauty to my world. Friends and family rallied around our family. People that hadn’t been to church in a long time came back to the church and prayed for us daily. Our family began praying a daily rosary and we all realized that every day is a gift and joy and faithfulness will get you through a rough time!” On November 7th of this year, Paula will be celebrating ten years of remission. Breast cancer is life altering. Awareness is so much more than pink ribbons. It’s seeking a cure. It’s donating. It’s helping those afflicted by this disease with hope, love and prayer.
JCCC Construction Facilities Saints use to practice are being replaced.
J
ohnson County Community College is planning to get rid of their track and tennis court as they implement their Facilities Master Plan. Keith Davenport, the manager of the student activities department at JCCC, said it will include “two new buildings, several renovations, and a new athletic park. One of these buildings will sit where the tennis courts currently are.” According to the JCCC Facilities Master Plan (October 2016), initial priorities are a career and tech building, arts building, renovations for welding, additional learning classrooms, resource centers, and the creation of a college gateway and front door. This could cost
anywhere from $65.1 million to $101.3 million. So, what does this mean for the Aquinas community? Luckily, Aquinas will still be able to use JCCC for practices until the 2019 season. Justin Wrigley, head track and field coach, said “Losing the JCCC facility will most certainly be an inconvenience but every coach knows that you can not dwell on things that you can not control. The priority for us has to be finding a new location and determining what our new practice schedule and routine will be. We won’t be the first or only school to not have a track facility so we can not use it as an excuse, rather we must find a way to thrive
regardless of the circumstances.” Petra Shinn, a tennis coach at Aquinas, said “we enjoyed this last season and look back with thankfulness to the convenience we had since 1988 for being able to facilitate a high school tennis program. I am confident that we will be able to adjust to a different way of doing this.”
Clare Hernandez Reporter
Maggie Slaven Freelancer
JCCC Construction Plans
The new arts buildings are replacing the track and tennis courts. These building locations may have changed from this original plan made in 2016. Image from the JCCC Facilities Master Plan.
October Issue
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StuCo Update Executive StuCo Officer Mary Clare Halpin talks about this year’s Canned Food Drive.
In what way can students contribute to the Canned Food Drive this year? Students can be a part of our quest to break yet another national record while feeding thousands of the AmeriCANS living in our own community by asking parents to donate or having their businesses donate! Getting large donations is the best thing you can do because it gives StuCo the opportunity to spend the money that will most benefit your class. This is also tax-deductible. Go canning! Raid your pantry and go door-to-door for cans! Buy some cans! Use the attached flyer to go bagging! Be a part of the national record-breaking process! The theme for this year’s Canned Food Drive is “God Bless AmeriCANS. Why did StuCo pick this theme? “God Bless AmeriCANS” became our theme to help us not only think about the national record, but also help us to think about the Americans in our area that we are feeding. As a Student Coucil, we wanted to initiate pride in the Aquinas community for the good that we “can” do, but to also inititate pride for the people of our country that Catholic Charities helps [in] our area. Though we may not be able to end hunger nationwide, as one we can start to end hunger in Johnson County. What are your own personal goals for the Canned Food Drive? What goals do you have for the community? I hope that we really come together as a class, and that we are able to grow together in this process. As a community, I hope that we can get to 200,000 cans and feed as many people as possible in Johnson County. I hope that as a community we can also draw attention to how great Aquinas is and show our nation what it means to be glad to be here.
Grace Mayer Managing Editor
November October
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November November
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Movie Review: IT Delve into the spookiest film of the season.
H
orror movies are some of the most profitable movies out there because many of them are easy to make and they make easy money. Throw in a few basic jump scares, a creepy premise, some characters to kill of, and these movies are guaranteed to make a profit. Every year theaters are filled with these type of low-effort, disposable horror films, but some do break the mold, and the movie It does just that. There are impactful things that separate It from a basic horror film. In the beginning, this becomes evident straight away with the scene of little Billy walking out in the rain and a rise of sweeping music picking up –a type of score that many horror films don’t hold these days. The movie’s approach to horror also leaves behind an impression on viewers. Instead of just focusing on disposable jump scares and random gore, the film brings forth inventive horror specifically fitted with the story it is telling through the evil clown, Pennywise. When Pennywise shows up to terrorize the kids, the characters’ greatest nightmares
unfold immersing the viewers right into the moment. What the clown does – everything he does– psychologically messes with the kids. The horror is even more amplified with the use of atmosphere and tension when these kids come face-to-face with their fears. As these events unfold, the audience feels trapped and secluded with them. Pennywise is the horror that exudes in every scene. There’s no need to rely on easy horror tropes because of how effective the terrorizing clown is. Pennywise is completely cemented in pop culture now. Everyone knows who this clown is. The way this film uses Pennywise, the presence he is given and how they present him, is smartly done as it gives him the most menacing view audiences can have of him. Bill Skarsgard, the actor who plays Pennywise, twitches, drools, giggles, and grins maniacally. It’s a smile that’s so unsettling, yet brings so much to his character, audiences won’t forget it. His mannerisms, and the makeup as well that make this character so ghastly, unmistakable –it stays
with viewers. It’s the stuff of nightmares. As the movie progresses, the film also builds investment in the main characters, the seven kids, which further amplifies the horror even more. Nobody wants any of those kids to die, or to even suffer. The story takes time to unfold, giving us time with these friends, and the bonds they form as they help each other with the struggles they go through. But the movie isn’t afraid to embrace the humor and levity that fits the characters so well and makes viewers like them even more. They’re young, naive, innocent, and when faced with Pennywise and their greatest fears, audiences are only wanting to see the kids win. This all ties back to how It is more than just a horror film. The movie encompasses itself as a coming-of-age story embracing growing up, maturing, and facing the fears we have.
Jack Mayer Freelance Reporter
October Issue
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The Social Spread Briley McGreevy Emily Raunig
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Check out @margaretpigott__’s vlog at the Louisburg Cider Mill.
Insights on Saints social media posts around and outside
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t
of Aquinas.
Want your posts, Snapchats, or Tweets featured in The Shield? C ontact @ B ri l eyMcgreevy or @ ERauni g on T w i tt er. October Issue
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Aquinas Stereotypes Explained Debunking the many stereotypes of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
Aquinas Recruits its Athletes A
quinas is often accused of recruiting its athletes. Activites Director Sarah Burgess disproved this theory. “Great programs, teachers and coaches attract great students,” Burgess said. “A real myth out there is that we give
athletic scholarships. We do not. We do give tuition assistance to any and all families who need or request it.” According to Burgess, President Bill Ford handles the tuition assistance. “I beleive it is strictly based on the family yearly
tax return.” Burgess said. Along with tuition assistance, Aquinas also offers a Guardian Angel scholarship, set up to help students who suffer from a tragedy. The death of a parent or a house fire,for example, qualifies students for this fund.
Administration Watches the Student Body’s Social Media It is believed by some seen by a member of the According to Sullivan,
students that the Aquinas administration watches the student body’s social media for any innapropriate posts. While it would take a lot of unnecessary manpower to watch every student’s social media pages, that does not mean what a student posts will not accidently be
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Aquinas staff. “With so many teachers, parents, students and staff on social media, most anything that has an STA tag of some sort will be seen by someone at the school,” Principal of Student Services Mike Sullivan said.
administration often does not see an inapropiate post until it is reported by a parent or student, which happens quite often. “They [students] are proud of our school and don’t want to ruin our reputation.” Sullivan said.
Rachel Raney Senior Reporter
Theory: Aquinas Teachers Make Six Figures I
t is rumored that Aquinas teachers are paid $100,000 or more for a yearly salary. Principal of Student Services Mike Sullivan shared that Aquinas
teachers do not make a yearly salary of six figures. “I’m sure teachers don’t make six figures.” Sullivan said. English teacher Phil Farnan, who has taught
at Aquinas for 30 years, confirmed Sullivan’s take on the issue. “I don’t make anywhere near six figures. I don’t think any teacher here does.” Farnan said.
Theory: Aquinas Has Easy Academics
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t other high schools in the Johnson County area, a 90 percent is an A letter grade, while at Aquinas, a 96percent would be considered an A. Some public schools in the Johnson County area take this fact to mean that Aquinas academics are easy. The reasoning behind this is that it is easy to get a
90 percent, so Aquinas had to raise their standards to give students a challenge. According to Sullivan, this is far from the truth. “Aquinas academics are second to none in the city and state.” Senior Katrina Nguyen, who transfered to Aquinas from Blue Valley North West, gave insight into her
view on this topic. “I think it changes the mindsets of students.” Katrina said. With this higher academic standard, students are more motivated. At Aquinas, there are high academic standards, meaning an A letter grade will be higher and harder to obtain.
October Issue
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The Survey Spread numbers come from the 325 students who submitted a response to the Shield’s email sent out on October 13.
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Rachel Raney Senior Reporter
October Issue
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Delaney Smith
The
Copy Editor
Halloween Costume Ideas
Solo Costumes 1. Pennywise (IT) 2. Pregnant Kylie Jenner 3. Post Malone
12. Gordon Ramsey 13. Moana 14. Jake Paul 15. A Frat Boy
4. A Snake 5. Wonder Woman 6. Dancing Pumpkin Guy
6 7. Spiderman 8. A Fidget Spinner 9. The Snapchat Dancing Hotdog 10. An Avocado 11. Pope Francis
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Group Costumes
16. The Evolution of Taylor Swift 17. The Stranger Things Kids 18. The Riverdale Gang 19. Rick and Morty
19 20. Robbie Rotten and Sporticus (Lazy Town)
21. Daenerys and Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)
21 22. The Trump Family 23. The Obama Family 24. Beauty and the Beast 25. Mia and Sebastion (La La Land) 26. The Belcher Family (Bob’s Burgers) 27. Beyonce and Her Babies 28. The Sprouse Twins 29. The Beast and Belle (Beauty and the Beast) 30. Handmaids (A Handmaid’s Tale)
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1. Seniors Grace Jacobs and Andrew Cunningham dance at the homecoming dance. Jacobs and Cunningham were elected homecoming king and queen. Photo by Jerrien O’Dwyer, The Medallion. 2. Seniors perform at the homecoming assembly. The senior class took first in the skit competition. Photo by Katerina Miller, The Medallion. 3. The Aquinas girls golf team finishes up their state tournament. The team won first place. Photo by Katie Bousum, The Medallion. 4. The Saints Spirits dance team performs at the homecoming assembly. Photo by Katerina Miller, The Medallion. 5. Students pose at the October 13th football game against Blue Valley South West. The theme for the game was Christmas in October. Photo by Maggie Gould, The Medallion.
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1 5 Last Look
1. Photo by Andrew Schoonover. Senior student council member Thomas Kennedy picks potatoes for the annual canned food drive. 2. Photo by Andrew Schoonover. Students sign a “Chiefs Kingdom” banner during lunch. 3. Photo by Andrew Schoonover. Senior student council member AbbyKate LaSala poses with potatoes. 4. Photo by Emily Raunig. Senior Kelli Byrd poses with her dogs in the Rosary Garden. 5. Photo courtesy of Michele Gress. The Homecoming Court poses with donuts.
October 2017 September 2017
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October Issue
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The Shield Volume 30
The Students’ Voice of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School 11411 Pflumm Road Overland Park, Kansas 66210 (913) 345-1411 stashield
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