October 2019 by The Shield (Saint Thomas Aquinas High School)

so excited

Senior Caroline Zabroske celebrates during another score. Photo by Sarah LeBourveau (Medallion staff).

Volume 32

Staff Members Adviser I Matt Hallauer Editor-In-Chief I Rachael Lawler Senior Reporter I Brennan Schroeder Reporter I Alycen Ellwanger Reporter I Anabelle Goone Reporter I Anna Stoll Reporter I Hailey Krumm

Volume 32

The Shield Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

Reporter I Maria Palazuelos Reporter I Moorea Gailloux Reporter I Connor Klocke Freelancer I Rose Kindred Freelancer I Lorelei Teddy Freelancer I Lydia Saunders

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Social Media

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M I S S I ON S TATE ME NT The Shield is the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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 DV E RTIS ING 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) 319-2418, send an email to mhallauer@stasaints.net, or visit www.stasaints.net/shield S UB S CR I P TIO NS 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 mhallauer@stasaints.net L E T T E R S P O L ICY 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 32 I October Issue

CONTENTS

Ask Tommy

All About Eyes

Homecoming Recap

History of The Alma Mater

The Fungus Among Us

Multilingualism

The Impact of Homework

Fall Fun

Paranormal Encounters

The Beginning of Everything

Letter from the Editor

ey Saints! I’m excited to be writing to you in the inaugural issue of The Shield’s 32nd edition and for the first time as the Editor-in-Chief. Like all things in high school, my time on The Shield has flown by so far. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was a sophomore dreaming of being the Editor-in-Chief and thinking of all my big plans for the future. I have been so blessed with my staff this year who, although they haven’t been doing newspaper long, write and design like they’ve been here for years. In all honesty, I cannot stress enough to you the hours of blood, sweat, and tears that went into the making of our first real issue. This October issue covers a wide range of events from the mold incident, or I suppose lack thereof, to the benefits of bilingualism, which is an in-depth look at how speaking two languages has aided some of our Saints in their daily lives. In addition, I recently discovered that the alma mater was a collaboration between students and a teacher and since I had never heard much about the origins of one of the most integral parts of our school, I was eager to uncover the story behind it. And since this is an October issue, there had to be some spooky stories for Halloween. And of course, I cannot talk about this issue without bringing up our newest section: Ask Tommy. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, especially considering how hard it can be to find good advice without feeling as if

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you are being judged. Ask Tommy is all about students being able to voice their fears and frustrations anonymously and then to have Tommy the Saint offer the best advice possible for these students’ situations. Tommy is a pretty shy person, so their identity will not be revealed until the day the seniors graduate, which I think makes the column all the more exciting. Without a doubt, there is something in this issue for everyone, and I hope you derive as much pleasure from reading the stories as my staff and I did from creating them. This is shaping up to be an incredible school year in all respects, and I look forward to all the issues and stories to come. Let’s make this day count, Saints!

Rachael Lawler Editor-In-Chief

Survey Spread

October Issue

from the lesson. Anything that was taught is fair game to be on the test. In addition, study little bits at a time multiple days in advance in order to avoid cramming the night before.

Ask Tommy I need advice on not having good friends and finding a good friend group. Definitely start by being yourself. It may sound cheesy, but when you are yourself you will attract friends that appreciate you for who you are, not friends that want to be around youfor their own benefit. Be kind, be persistent in prayer and ask God for good friends, and don’t lose hope. You have so much to offer and the right people will come along at the right time.

I am very stressed with school and outside activities. How should I try and manage my time better and procrastinate less? How can I find the motivation to do everything that’s asked of me? School is a lot of work, there is no doubt about that, but you have to come into the week with a plan. Start by putting the phone down. Find a place that works best for you — some people like noise around them, others need complete silence. Either way, figure out how you work best.

Ultimately, the motivation to want to do well has to come from within. No one can force you to work hard, it’s up to you to take that responsibility and think about how bad you really want it. But don’t forget to take time for yourself. When life gets stressful, pray, relax, listen to music, or do something that makes you happy.

Does Timmy Novacek’s back hurt from carrying the entire sophomore class? You would have but from what I

Which parking lot do I park in? I’m a confused junior! That’s easy! If you are a junior, you park in junior lot. If you are still confused, that’s the one directly in front of the football stadium. Senior lot is for seniors. If you forget, just look at the word senior in “senior lot.” That would imply that seniors can park there.

How do you subscribe to BLTOTD? I’m not sure about this one but I believe you just contact Brandon Oddo and he can add you to his email chain.

How do I get my friends to stop vaping?

I do not understand the whole waiver situation.

It’s not an easy fix keeping in mind that it is an addiction, but I would start by telling them your concerns and encourage them in a positive way that because you care about them you really wish they would stop vaping. Continue to show through your example that you don’t need to vape.

If you have a 96 or above in a class at the time finals come around you are exempt from taking the final. In addition, if you have between an 86 and a 96 and have not missed more than two full days of school or 8 class periods at Aquinas, you will be given an exam waiver around finals time that you can turn in to the class of your choice. This will allow you to not have to take that specific final!

I need help with study habits and study tips. When studying for a test, act as if you are teaching the subject. Talk to your dog, a younger sibling, or just out loud to yourself and throughly try to explain everything you know. Listen in class, ask questions, and review all material

Tommy the saint Advice Columnist

Gen Monslow Freelance Artist

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to ask him can tell, yes.

Looking at Eyes A

survey asking Aquinas students who had the prettiest eyes had one common theme: A lot of Saints have pretty eyes. The 235 voters ended up voting for at least 135 other students, and 22 students voted for themselves. Junior Jared Simma has a clear preference. “Blue eyes are definitely the cutest, and if a girl has cute eyes, they’re definitely cute in my opinion.” But Simma said that he doesn’t really notice eye color when he’s talking to someone. “Looks don’t matter, it’s more about personality.” That’s also what some other guys said. They all have certain eye colors that they think are prettier, but they don’t typically pay attention to eye color when they’re talking to someone. Freshman Abby Ballard also agrees that blue eyes are pretty, but

she would like to argue that brown eyes are also pretty. Abby does often take note on different eye colors when she’s talking to others. However, she thinks that eye color doesn’t determine if someone’s cute or not. “I don’t think eyes can make someone prettier,” Ballard said. “Everyone is unique in their own way and God blessed each and every one of us with our different appearances.” Eyes may not make some people attracted to others, but our eyes do have a purpose. Our eyes are used to show emotion and express interest. The more you get to know someone, the more you can notice from their eyes. You can tell when they’re sad, mad, frustrated, or in love. Senior Frankie Koetting received multiple votes. Koetting said eyes are a defining factor in appearance, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the color of them. She said eyes are defining because “it is in my nature to look at

the beauty of things.” She loves pretty eyes as much as the next person, but she doesn’t find herself being attracted to someone based off their eyes. While the votes were very spread out, some students did stand out by receiving four or more votes (not counting self-votes): freshmen Abby Ballard, David Nelson, Will Fleming, and Ally Sarver; sophomores Emily Jurgensmeyer and Ava Orr; junior Andres Weida; and seniors Danny Eckerberg, Amanda Hamm, Frankie Koetting and Maggie Ryan.

anabelle goone Reporter

October Issue

Looking back at

Homecoming 2019 Homecoming is always an awaited week at STA. Not only is the dance one to look forward to, but the week of homecoming is full of fun and exciting activities. For an upperclassman, homecoming is an annual tradition. Though underclassmen, specifically freshmen, have a surprising week ahead of them. “[Homecoming week] was really exciting. Not at all what I expected.” Freshman, Ally Sarver said. Since the freshman are not able to attend the actual dance, homecoming week itself is particularly special for them. “[My favorite part of homecoming was] definitely the pep rally. It was cool to see the whole school come together,” Sarver added. This year the freshman’s theme was Peter Pan and though they got fourth in three out of the four categories, they managed to take third for their banner. Now for sophomores, homecoming week is expanded, as they can now attend the dance on Saturday night. “It definitely

A night to remember

Seniors Lydia Davis, Kelly Lane, Amy Gassel and Ellie Jurgensmeyer dance the night away at Homecoming. Photo courtesy of Kate Marshall (Medallion yearbook staff).

made the week more fun because we could actually go to the dance,” sophomore Ann Cole stated. The sophomores impressed the school this year with their banner winning first and their skit winning second. One of the most well known parts of Homecoming week is the Friday night football game. There, we crown Homecoming King and

“I was really, really happy with the sophomores. We beat the junior’s skit so that was exciting.” -Ann Cole

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Queen. This year’s Homecoming King and Queen were Gabe Kraft and Amy Gassel. Amy says that “it was something [she’d] always seen the past three years but never really thought [she’d] be a part of.” Amy was super excited and surprised when they announced her name for Homecoming Queen. She says that “it’s definitely something [she] will never forget.” Amy’s favorite parts of being on homecoming court were filming the video and watching the game Friday night with her fellow candidates. Along with all of the

weekend festivities, daily themes occur during the week. Gassel says her favorite theme this year was Back to the 2000s, with Wild Wednesday coming in second. Another beloved tradition of Homecoming week is the pep rally. This special assembly includes skits, performances from the dance and cheer team, and of course announcing the King and Queen of the teacher court. The King and Queen for this year were Mr. Kuppersmith and Ms. Hilgers. Homecoming week is filled with exciting and unforgettable events. Some of Aquinas students favorite Homecoming activities include the pep assembly, the decorated hallways and spirit days.

It was cool to see the whole school come together.â&#x20AC;? -Ally Sarver Pep Rally Tradition

Grace Smith, Michael Pierce, and Marika Davis perform in the senior skit, winning first place. Photo courtesy of Sydney Taylor (Medallion yearbook editor).

King and queen

Gabe Kraft and Amy Gassel are crowned homecoming king and queen at the homecoming football game. Photo courtesy of Ellie Loe (Medallion yearbook editor).

Hailey Krumm Reporter

October Issue

: a i n m O t i Amor Vinc f o s n i g i r the O r e t a M a m l the A Love Will conquer all

The alma mater is sung at Mass, after games, and assemblies. It was written in the 1988-1989 school year. Photo courtesy of David Shriver.

A look into the creation of a beloved part of the Aquinas community

t was the age of Nirvana and Madonna, a time when fanny packs were all the rage, and the only saving was done by the bell when Aquinas’ alma mater was created. Tom Field, the student behind the lyrics of the song and the uncle of Danny Eckerberg (who many students know for being on both StuCo and this year’s homecoming court), remembers how his involvement in the alma mater’s creation stemmed from “taking a course called ‘Survey of the Arts.’ It was the first semester of the 1988-1989 school year, and Mr. Hord was the course instructor. Being the first year of the new school, Mr. Hord knew an alma mater would be needed. He invited those of us in that class to collaborate in the writing of the music and lyrics of the new alma mater.” Before long, Field was throwing himself into the creation of one of our school’s lasting legacies, by listening to a tape and looking Tom at the score of the piece, which was a collaboration between Mr. Hord and John Michaels. Field would often have a thesaurus on hand, as it was the late eighties, and the age of personal computers had not yet dawned. He would painstakingly write out the lyrics before “run[ning] them by [his] parents, sisters and some friends. Once they were completed, [he] turned them in.”

It was from there that Mr. Hord would fine-tune everything as Craig Ewing, an Aquinas English teacher noted, “[Dennis Hord] ultimately decided what worked and what didn’t work.” John Michaels, the student involved in the creative process of the score of the piece, recalls how “Dennis Hord was like a mentor to [him and that] it felt more like a learning experience than a creative one. [He] learned something every day from him.” As all the pieces were coming into place, the alma mater began to make Aquinas feel even more established, even more like a real school. And from its genesis, some people realized the incredible nature of this song, including the previously mentioned Ewing who “thought it was always cool because the beat is the same as what KU or a lot of the schools in the area. The overall beat is similar to other alma maters of colleges. [He] thought it went over well, but [he] thought that we have done so much more with it than when we were just Field getting started.” Obviously, the result was the alma mater we know and love–and sing frequently. Although as Ewing points out, “Honestly, if you ask anyone, the first six or seven years of our school, they couldn’t tell you any lines from the alma mater. It has taken a life of its own since then.” At the time, it was just another cog in the developing wheel of Aquinas

“Being the first year of the new school, Mr. Hord knew an alma mater would be needed. He invited those of us in that class to collaborate in the writing of the music and lyrics of the new alma mater.”

October Issue

Making the Connection A Peek into an Aquinas Legacy “Being on homecoming court this year was extra special for me because my family has so many ties to the school.” Danny Eckerberg

Tom Walked

Tom Field smiles brightly in his school photo. Tom would helped with the lama mater as a junior. Photo courtesy of Danny Eckerberg.

s previously mentioned, Tom Field is the uncle of Danny and Emily Eckerberg. Danny Eckerberg was elected to homecoming court this year and stated how “being on homecoming court this year was extra special for [him] because [his] family has so many ties to the school. Many people don’t know this, but [his] mom and uncle were at Aquinas during its first year of opening in Overland Park. [His] aunt then attended three years later. [His] great aunt, Jane Cowan, was a former teacher and substitute teacher. She also had two kids, Joe and Danny, who graduated from Aquinas. [His] mom’s cousins John and Jake Darnell were both also on the homecoming court, and Jake

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Family Tree Barbara (Schweiger) Eckerberg: 1959 Lori Field Eckerberg (mom): 1992 Tom Field( uncle):1991 Annie Field (aunt): 1995 Jake Darnell (mom’s cousin): 2009 John Darnell (mom’s cousin): 2006 Joe Cowan(mom’s cousin): 2002 Danny Cowan (mom’s cousin): 2005 Danny Eckerberg: 2020 Emily Eckerberg: 2022

so Danny could run

Danny Eckerberg lounges for his senior photo shoot. Danny has attended Saint Thomas Aquinas since his freshman year. Photo courtesy of the Medallion.

actually won homecoming king of his class. [In addition, his] paternal grandmother and all of her nine siblings of the Schweiger family also attended Saint Joseph High School in Shawnee, which eventually became Saint Thomas Aquinas. [All of] these connections to the school have made all of [his] time at Saint Thomas Aquinas very special.”

in the beginning...

This is one of Tom Field’s final drafts. He discovered it after reminiscing about his experience. Photo courtesy of Tom Field.

for everyone to get deeply involved without much significance. in a multitude of ways. It would be As the years have gone on, impossible to credit everyone with the it seems Aquinas has forgotten the contributions they origins of its alma made in founding mater, but not its a new school. potent message, Any credit and both Tom is eclipsed by the Field and John immense pleasure Michaels are okay I derive from with that. hearing students Field stated more than 20 that “Regarding years later sing credit for writing those words after the lyrics, it really football games doesn’t bother me. and on other Sure, when special occasions. we hear it, my I’m not sure sisters and I joke how many high John Michaels around about not school students being credited with the writing of know the words to their alma maters; the lyrics, but it doesn’t really matter. I suspect not many. That’s yet one In 1988, STA was a small school. more reason STA is such a special That smallness made it possible to

“Dennis Hord was like a mentor to me, and it felt more like a learning experience than a creative one. I learned something every day from him.”

place.” Michaels expounded upon this idea with his tidbit of advice for current Aquinas students that “credit is overrated. Once you get to a point where seeking credit for your contributions is the last thing on your mind you will grow and develop like never before. Get involved for the sheer joy of contributing, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.” For them, it was never about the fame or the glory, it was simply about helping make Aquinas a better school environment with an even stronger community, which is a value still being upheld today. In fact, Field’s nephew, Danny Eckerberg is proof of this. Eckerberg feels a deep connection to Aquinas and particularly the alma mater “ever since early freshman year [when he learned] that [his] uncle wrote the words. It is very fun to hear the alma mater at sporting events and assemblies knowing that [he] has a personal connection to it.”

The alma mater is integral to our identity as Saints, and even its creation reflects our beliefs. After all, as Ewing noted “a lot of the beginnings of the school was a collaboration between students and teachers and administrators, everybody working together to get the school off the ground,” which is an idea that has remained true for Aquinas over the years over the years.

Rachael Lawler Editor-In-Chief

October Issue

The Fungus Among Us Mitigating Rumors and Clearing Out Questions

right yellow caution tape stopped many students in their tracks as they headed to their first hour classes on the morning of Friday, September 13th. To the surprise of those many students, the stairwell by the elevator was closed, and they were forced to take a detour en route to class. When students inquired as to why the stairwell had been closed, the answer they received was that there had been a discovery of mold in the basement. There was not a lot of informa-

You shall not pass!

tion immediately available about why there was mold, how dangerous it was, or when the stairwell would be reopened, and due to this lack of information, the ensuing rumors and buzz around the topic filled in the gaps for many students. Until President Bill Ford sent out an email on Sept. 19, there was a cacophony of rumors flying around about how school was about to be canceled, for a day, a week, even a month. The “causes” of the mold that many students believed were outrageous and occasionally

Signs and caution tape that were put up on Friday, Sept. 13, have continued to shut down the stairwell by the elevator six weeks later. The stairwell is being used to empty the basement.

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disgusting. A panic started about mold traveling through the air vents, and the sniffles and coughs students developed were thought to be mold poisoning instead of typical allergies. There was pandemonium of a large and comical scale among the student body for weeks. Though this “mold mania” seems to have died down at this point, there is still a large number of students in the dark about what really happened. Fortunately, the vast majority of rumors spread through the student body are not true. Credit must be given, however, to the creativity that the student body had in coming up with somewhat logical (but nonetheless crazy) explanations to the situation. But what really happened? The Shield talked to Academic Principal Brian Schenck about the matter. “(As to how the mold started)... that I’m not fully aware of,” Schenck said. “It was discovered when the air handling system in the basement went out during the summer. No one knew that the system was out for a period of time, so by the time they discovered that, the mold had already started growing.” Schenck said part of the reason no one noticed the system was out was because the air handling system in the basement is separate from that of the rest of the school, and by the time it was discovered, it was too late.

The lack of airflow combined with the summer humidity took a toll on the basement and some of its contents, including costumes, athletic uniforms, and other equipment. Mold also ruined all of the camera bags that are used by the Shield newspaper and Medallion yearbook staff even though they are stored in Room 216. The good news about the situation is that the severity of the mold is not quite as dire as many students imagined. “After testing, the results actually showed that it really wasn’t that heavy of a mold infestation,” Schenck said. “It tested light, but there is a protocol for clearing it out, and they (City Wide Maintenance) are in the process of doing that now.” The process he described includes taking out drywall and thoroughly cleaning everything, down to the studs. “It’s probably going to be the cleanest it has ever been in 30 years,” he said. Schenck is not entirely sure when the stairwell by the elevator will be reopened. He did mention that the cleaning is about halfway done at this point. The stairwell was closed six weeks ago. The true story behind the mold is nowhere close to as interesting as the outrageous rumors that were circling, but that should be a relief to students. There were many students concerned about their health and safety regarding the mold. Schenck said he would like those students to know this: “You guys have to understand that we’re never going to put you in harm’s way. Your safety is our top priority

An Unpleasant Surprise

Journalism teacher Matt Hallauer found mold covering his camera bags on August 6. The bags had been stored in a closet in Room 216 since Memorial Day. Photo courtesy of Mr. Hallauer.

“Results actually showed that it really wasn’t that heavy of a mold infestation.” Principal Brian Schenck beyond anything.” Ford’s email to parents specified that CityWide is owned by “one of our families” and CityWide assigned a project manager who has a child enrolled at Aquinas. If there was a health concern, CityWide would have been motivated to mention it. Senior Phillip Bell was rumored to have gone into the basement earlier this year and consequently

developed a terminal form of cancer. Phillip says he would like the student body to know that this is not true. As to how the rumor may have started, he says he has no idea. He declined to comment further on the matter. Any students who were concerned about the mold can now rest easy knowing that they are not at risk from being around the mold, and the only real concern they should have is finding a detour to class until the stairwell is reopened.

Connor Klocke Shield Reporter

October Issue

TEACHERS It’s a tough job with long hours, but Aquinas teachers are motivated by the impact they make.

Many times, teachers are underpaid and underappreciated for all of the work they do. They spend countless hours working outside of the classroom, dedicating most of their free time to grading papers and thinking up lesson plans. So, why do it? Many teachers at Saint Thomas Aquinas teach because it brings them great joy. They enjoy educating students in certain subjects, while also teaching them lessons from their own lives. A majority of teachers appreciate teaching because of the impact they have on students’ lives–and not just in the classroom. Technology teacher Courtney DeNegri graduated from Aquinas and her dad is Aquinas teacher David Shriver. She said, “I would hope that I give the kids the skills to problem

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solve, and maybe cope with failure outside of the classroom ... I let them know that life is [just] going to happen, so we shouldn’t let the bad things get to us.” Teachers also serve as role models for students. Math teacher Casey Curran said, “Teachers impact students’ lives by being good role model[s] and being fair.” Phil Farnan, who has taught at Aquinas for 32 years, said that the most rewarding thing about teaching is “when students get the lightbulb moment [and] knowing you made an impact on a student’s life.” Many teachers were inspired to pursue this profession because of a teacher they once had. History teacher Terry Droge said, “I had some really fun teachers in high school that made learning a joy.”

Math teacher Karen Ruder said that “[loving] ‘most’ of [her] teachers” made a beneficial difference in her schooling experience. What qualities make someone a good teacher? English teacher Allie Sabata, a member of 2019 Teacher Court, said being “patient, relatable, personable, [and] experienced” makes up a solid teacher. Sonya Salazar, theology teacher, said a teacher needs to be “passionate and knowledgeable in their academic area, competent in managing the classroom, open to new and different ideas, [and] someone who likes kids!” Farnan said it is important for teachers “to love kids, [of] all kinds.” Farnan also said teachers need to realize that you will be, for the most part, underpaid and underappreciated. A teacher must have “a

sincere desire to ‘awaken’ your students to your subjects, to learning, to improv[ing] themselves, [and] to treating others with respect.” A teacher must be devoted, enjoy what they do, and above all, a teacher must realize that they are influencing kids as they are figuring out who they are. Most teachers hold themselves to a standard. For example, being honest with students is a top priority to some teachers. One standard Sabata holds herself to is “to not let any child leave [her] classroom not feeling loved, [or] leave confused on a topic, unless we have an appointment to discuss their confusion.” Droge preaches to “always own up to mistakes that you make and be willing to fix and learn from your mistakes.” Curran said you must “always be real and honest, and always be prepared!”

ALYCEN ELLWANGER Reporter

October Issue

The gift of Bilingualisum

“Language is the roadmap of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” - Rita Mae Brown Frank Smith, a psycholinguist who has been acknowledged for his contributions in linguistics, said, “One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” Today, the world is full of different languages and cultures who work with one another in a truly beautiful way. Christine Pham, a senior at Aquinas who is fluent in Vietnamese and English, said, “People who are bilingual have more opportunities to meet new people and enjoy different hobbies and activities. Being able to communicate with people from other cultures is a huge social advantage and can open up so many more doors in life.” The more globalized and advanced the world becomes, the more important it is for people to be able to grow with it and know more than one language because that knowledge will open up many doors with numerous opportunities. There are a great number of benefits to being bilingual and high schools, like Aquinas, help their students set a foundation for a foreign language. The problem is, many students tend to either not take their foreign language classes seriously, or they don’t continue learning it once they leave high school. The importance of communication is often overlooked, and it is arrogant to believe that one can travel the world and expect all of mankind to understand his or her native tongue. In order to travel

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Family fun

Junior Tamara Lopez poses with her aunts, grandma, and mom in Mexico. Tamara goes to Mexico every summer and for some holidays as well. Photo from Tamara Lopez.

the world, you must be willing to adapt to new cultures and methods. This adaptability includes the ability to communicate with new people in various dialects. Sanaz Mohammadrabie, a senior at Aquinas who is fluent in Farsi and English, said, “When I travel to Iran every summer, it is nice to fully understand the language to be able to speak to the citizens.” Being able to communicate to people in different dialects is just as helpful in the United States. The United States is a melting

pot of cultures and being able to experience and learn about the way of life of other people is really important. The more you can communicate with people from all different types of backgrounds, the more cultural beauty you will get to experience in your life. Not only does bilingualism give you numerous social advantages, it also gives you many advantages when it comes to careers and jobs. Tamara Lopez, a junior at Aquinas who is fluent in Spanish and English, said, “In my opinion, the best advantage of being bilingual

Dinner with Mom

Senior Sanaz Mohammadrabie and her mom eat a delicious dinner while in Iran. This was on one of her annual summer trips to Iran. Photo from Sanaz Mohammadrabie.

so far has been that I’m able to communicate with my family and being able to help more people at work. A lot of times people will come in that only speak Spanish, and it’s a good feeling knowing that I’m making their shopping experience more convenient and enjoyable.” Being bilingual not only helps the customer, but it also helps the employee! If businesses have employees who speak more than one language, they will attract a wider range of customers. This will help increase the money that the

business earns and it can lead to those employees being paid more. Being able to speak a second language will also increase job options. Numerous job positions list bilingualism as a requirement. Since that requirement eliminates everyone who is not bilingual, it means that there is less competition for those specific jobs. Many jobs like those in the field of healthcare, customer service, sales representative, or public relations are looking for employees who can speak more than one language. By learning a second language,

a person’s career choice and job opportunities are much more numerous than those of a person who only speaks one language. As beneficial as bilingualism is, students tend to not take the opportunity that they are given to learn it seriously. Pham explained, “Looking back at my high school career, I wish I had taken my foreign language courses more seriously because even though the vocabulary terms and grammar rules seemed irrelevant at the time, now having a basic foundation in Spanish, French or German could

October Issue

Cousin Time

Senior Sanaz Mohammadrabie spends some time with her cousins in Iran. This was also on one of her annual summer trips to Iran. Photo from Sanaz Mohammadrabie.

have major benefits for you in the future.” Pham further explained, “For instance, I work at Tous Les Jours, a French bakery, which requires a good amount of social interaction with customers. The majority of customers are bilingual, while some only understand their native tongue. One customer I came across only spoke Spanish and I couldn’t communicate well with her because I didn’t retain any knowledge from my sophomore and junior Spanish classes. “So I strongly advocate for underclassmen, as well as college students continuing their linguistic studies, to take foreign language

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courses with serious intent. In the future, you may be offered the opportunity to travel or [receive a] job promotion because you had put in that greater effort in high school.” High school foreign language classes may not teach you to become completely fluent in a language, but they set a strong foundation for you to one day master the language. Aquinas French teacher Emily Trader strongly advocates for a greater importance placed on learning a second language. When asked about the U.S. education system’s approach to foreign language and what she would

change if she could, she responded, “For one, start earlier! Studies of the brain by psychologists show that the younger a brain is, the easier it is to learn a language. Additionally, I’d like to see more emphasis placed on learning a language. Many schools start foreign language education in elementary school but only as an elective - a class that meets irregularly and infrequently. To master a language, students need to spend as much time studying it as they do math or science.”

Maria Palazuelos Reporter

Miss Asia

Christine recently participated in Miss Asia, representing Vietnam as Miss Vietnam. She finished in the Top 12. Photos from Christine Pham.

Editorial I have always been extremely interested in languages and cultures. My native language is Spanish, I learned English when I was about 3, I am currently learning French, and I plan to learn Italian and Portuguese in the future. I hope that you will also begin growing an interest in cultures and languages as well because it makes life even more beautiful. So, next time you go to your foreign language class, look at it as something that can open numerous doors for you in life.

language will benefit you when “Sometimes I wonder it comes to employment, but it what my life would be will also make you more openminded and it will help you feel like without another more connected to other cultures language. I’d be missing and to the world. Bilingualism is a way the out on a lot.” world takes one step closer to becoming a world where Tamara Lopez everyone can share interests, celebrate differences and diversity, and live in unity with Tamara said it best! Being one another. If that’s not a good bilingual is a big part of my life. It opens up so many doors for me enough reason to learn another language, I don’t know what is. and allows me to form so many connections with others that I Maria Palazuelos would not have made otherwise. Speaking more than one Reporter

October Issue

HOMEWORK:

An Uncertain Certainty

o part of the student life is more well-known than homework. Day after day students bring school home with them, whether having to complete math problems, write essays, or do worksheets. Opponents to homework argue that it is not helpful to learning, only adding stress to students’ already busy schedules. Homework supporters suggest that assignments allow students to become more familiar with the material, increasing their mastery. The question is, does homework have enough of a benefit to outweigh the added stress? In recent times, several studies have been conducted over the helpful/harmful nature of homework. According to Richard Walker’s 2012 study, where researchers compared the amount of homework given to students with their exam scores, when more time is spent on homework, test scores are actually lowered! The researcher additionally states that there is no real benefit to assigning homework until later in High School (Grades 10-12 specifically). The reason for this discrepancy

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is the reason for which the homework was given. According to Gerald LeTendre of Pennsylvania State University, most homework given out is a result of inadequate coverage of the topic, not an attempt to accelerate the learning process. This “remedial” homework is unhelpful because it turns students away from the material, causing them to think of the assignment as “something they have to do,” as opposed to something that helps them learn. According to the Walker’s study, there are many better options for how students use their time. The researchers state that there are clubs, sports, and other activities that can be much more beneficial than simply doing excess busy work There is, however, a clear upside to homework. There are five main benefits to doing homework, helping students on a physical and psychological spectrum. The first of these advantages is an increased sense of responsibility. By receiving and completing homework, children can learn important aspects of responsibility, from meeting deadlines to producing

high-quality work. This, of course, can be beneficial in acquiring and maintaining steady jobs. Homework also teaches kids about time-management. If students use their time wisely and do their assignments thoroughly, they are more likely to receive a higher grade. Through homework, students are inspired to work smarter and accomplish tasks on time. This can teach kids to be proud of their work and motivate them to excel. Glenda Faye Pryor-Johnson, writer of The Memphis Parent, states, “When your child does homework, you do homework,” emphasizing the beneficial interaction homework provides between parents and their children. This interaction can help children bond with their parents, as well as provide a positive mentality towards homework. As the saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” By completing homework, students can learn perseverance, an important skill for the future. By working hard and accomplishing difficult problems, kids will see their

hard work paying off and will be less likely to give up in the future. This attitude is very useful in the job market as well. Finally, students’ self-esteem can be greatly benefitted by accomplishing their homework problems. Completing homework increases students’ confidence, also causing the “I can do this” belief to form in their minds. Homework also increases the students’ mastery of the material, and can lead to less panicking before the test. Less panicking leads to better grades, and better grades lead to happier parents—and happier lives. It is obvious that homework has many pluses and minuses, but its overall impact is hardly cut-andgive out more. dry. Senior Melanie Valle states that Those who believe in the one’s attitude towards homework benefits argue that the homework decides its outcome. tests and expands student under “The impact of homework really standing of the content taught, and depends on how the student wants that homework can also provide a it to be.” She said homework can be useful source for a huge benefit to “The impact of homework application of the students if they really depends on how the material. As for embrace it and althe added stress, low it to serve its student wants it to be” they say that poor purpose—to help time-management them understand is to blame, not concepts better. Melanie Valle the amount of However, “If homework. The amount of stress is students have a mindset of ignoring lessened if students keep up with homework, they will not fare so well their assignments. because they decided it can only be Theology teacher Leo Brown a hindrance and nothing more.“ might not assign homework on Another riveting aspect of the a regular basis, but this does not homework debate is the variation mean he is against homework. He in homework amounts via teachers. believes homework can be beneficial Some teachers are lenient with their if it is assigned for the right reasons. assignments, while others give out “Homework is a means to an multiple hours of work every class. end, like everything done in class.” This discrepancy is mostly because He said it is important for stuof the different teaching methods of dents to remember that “a school is different fields. While theology and training for deeper realities, both tech classes usually do not assign academically and spiritually,” meanlarge quantities of homework, math, ing that students should treat school science, and english classes tend to

as a stepping stone to the future. Brown said homework helps students learn to prioritize, because there will be some points in life when one cannot accomplish all tasks assigned to them. He acknowledges that students can become very stressed as a result of too much homework, but he urges them to persevere, because after all, “God does not leave people hanging.” It is clear that the effect of homework is more complex than simply “good” or “bad.” Opinions vary on the subject, and both points of view have good reasons for their mindset. As the debate rages on, there is but one certainty—homework exists, and it is unlikely to go away soon.

Brennan Schroeder Senior Reporter

October Issue

An Autumn Atmosphere A look at seven local activities that are essential for a Kansas City fall season Leaves, pumpkins, and scary costumes bring comforting memories of the fun in fall. There are many hidden places around Kansas City that can contribute to the fall aesthetic we all love.

On a cold day, stop by Messenger Coffee to get a caffeine fix. It is an ideal social or study scene with a view of the skyline. The coffee roasts on the second floor while sunshine pours through the windows on the main floor or rooftop. Local pastries made in the bakery are seasonal, so you are guaranteed a delicious fall treat. Be sure to take a picture in front of the orange wall on the rooftop patio!

913 Nutrition, along with other nutrition clubs in the area, have Halloween shakes and teas that are perfect for anytime of the day. Sophomore Ella Douglas loves 913 because they have â&#x20AC;&#x153;great seasonal drinks that taste good, but are also really [healthy] for you.â&#x20AC;?

messenger coffee

Here they create seasonal drinks and snacks that are very fitting for fall. The social and study scene is ideal. Photo by

Sophomore Sarah Gay enjoys the fall football games “because it is so fun to show school spirit and hang out with friends.” The Boys of Fall will have games every Friday until Football State, so dress in theme and support STA!

The City Market in downtown Kansas City has a variety of local products and flower arrangements which encompass the autumn atmosphere. It is a fantastic place to enjoy the crisp fall air while supporting the local businesses. Nearby, the lawn in front of the Nelson Atkins Museum will be filled with glowing yellow trees—a sight you will not want to miss.

For a fantastic fright, junior Gabi Cox loves “the West Bottoms [because it is] so fun to go to the haunted houses.” Lurking around 12th street, Kansas City has a total of three haunted houses; the most popular being the Beast and the Edge of Hell. Macabre Cinema offers a haunt surrounding fears and popular thriller movies. Named the Haunted House Capital of the Nation, it is sure to make your heart race just standing in line. The Worlds of Fun Halloween Haunt is a popular attraction as well. On top of all of the rides, there are at least ten haunted houses that will give you a scare.

fall football and flowers

A woman walks out of the River Market’s City Market with a bouquet of flowers. Photo by Moorea Gailloux.

Apple cider and doughnuts are many students’ favorite fall treat. The Louisburg Cider Mill offers an experience of watching the apples turn into cider, serving as a great atmosphere for seasonal photos. There is also a corn maze, apple orchard, and many more activities.

The student section and cheerleaders cheer during a Friday night game. Photo courtesy of Maddie Huigens, Medallion yearbook staff.

Finally, a perfect pumpkin experience can be found at Faulkner’s Pumpkin Patch in Lee’s Summit. It is junior Maddy Terril’s “favorite one to go to as there are so many activities and things to do.” With the options of two mazes, golf, playing with goats, and much more, you are guaranteed to have a day full of fun.

MOOrea GailLoux Reporter

October Issue

Parano

t e rs un

l E nco a m r

Saint Thomas Aquinas students share their spooky stories.

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I was in non-competitive forensics, giving my persuasive speech. My topic was about ghosts and how they are real. I have had some paranormal experiences in my house, and I was sharing them in my speech. As I got to the core of my story, I paused. When I paused, the lights flickered. Everyone in the room got really freaked out. I cannot explain how or why it happened. Whether it was coincidence or not, it made my speech even more believable. My belief in ghosts and the paranormal is further solidified by my experience, and I think my experience at Aquinas in my forensics class may have changed a couple of people’s views on ghosts, and at the very least, freaked them out. -Katelynn Condley

I was in the basement of Aquinas last year before the mold. I was getting the net for the canned food drive we use to put cans in. I saw a pale woman’s face smiling at me through the little window in the door of a dark classroom. I froze in fear and couldn’t move at all. I snapped out of it and ran upstairs, and then made a freshman get the net. I thought someone was actually in the classroom at first, but no one was. I was not about to enter the room, because that would be stupid and I’m not in a horror movie. I am traumatized and will not return to the basement ever again. Lauren McEnroe, who went down to the basement with me, didn’t believe me and doesn’t to this day. I know it’s true, though. I saw it with my own eyes. I believe in ghosts now. -Gabe Kraft

I was sleeping in a dorm at Naismith Hall for a camp over the summer. I woke up around 3 AM. I didn’t know why I woke up, but I couldn’t fall back asleep. At about 3:30, I felt my bed start to shake. I thought it was just me shivering, so I kind of ignored it, even though I was really scared. It stopped shaking at 3:33 AM. Then, I felt my feet being pulled towards the bottom of the bed. I moved down a little bit, so I [knew] for sure it wasn’t just me. At this point, I was really freaked out and didn’t sleep the rest of the night. I was too scared to ask to switch rooms, so I just took 2 Melatonin and I didn’t wake up at all the next night. I went straight to a mission trip afterwards and woke up around 3:00 every night there, and for several nights after. It eventually stopped happening. My mom was very sympathetic, but my sisters and my friends didn’t really believe me. The other players that were at the camp said they had similar experiences in previous years. -Caroline Bien

Anna Stoll Reporter When I was 8, I was swimming in a pool with my family. They were all in the shallow end, and I was in the deep end by myself. I felt a hand on my ankle grab and start to pull me down. I thought it was just one of my siblings playing with me, but when I looked down, there was nobody there. My family thought I was joking until they saw how serious I was. Now I totally believe in ghosts. -Jenny Goza

October Issue

The Social Spread

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October Issue

ast ook

up, up, up Senior Ben Bourdow does push-ups to celebrate another score. Photo by Lily Hutteger (Medallion staff).

the moment Senior Amy Gassel and her mom react to hearing her announced as Homecoming Queen. Photo by Katie Muckerman (Medallion staff).

Unstoppable tank Junior Tank Young evades a St. James tackle during the 28-21 win on Oct. 11. Young had 199 yards. Photo by Maddie Huigens (Medallion staff).

all we do is win The students cheer on another victory. Photo by Olivia White (Medallion staff).

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champs again and again

first win of many

The golfers jump for joy after winning state for the third straight season. Photo courtesy of assistant coach Sharon Henes.

The student section cheers during the soccer teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Troop Out game. Photo by Hannah Bellau (Medallion staff).

Queen of hearts Senior Kelly Lane decorates Senior Hall at the start of Homecoming Week. Photo by Megan Whorley (Medallion staff).

red sea another trophy Senior Nolan Mauk, senior Aiden Higgerson and sophomore Logan Seger start the league championship race. The boys, wearing uniforms from the 1990s, won the championship. Photo by Hannah Koepp (Medallion staff).

The Aquinas crowd flooded the stadium in red on Oct. 13 as the Saints flooded the Wolves 62-7. Photo by Maddie Huigens (Medallion staff).

October Issue