March 2016

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School | @stashield

The ShieldMarch 2016The Culture Issue

Staff Pages / 2Letter from the Editor / 3Editorial / 4Letters /5

The ReportsGallery / 8Why StuCo / 10Goodbye to Band / 13Required but Desired / 14BYOD’s Impact / 18Questioning Counseling / 20It’s Time to Dance / 22Pushing Past Pain / 24 Aquinas Spirit / 26

The SpreadsWhat I Thought That was Due Tomorrow / 28Race at the Show / 30Social Spread / 32Survey Spread / 34

The Back PagesBaseball Preview / 36Committing to Something Bigger / 39Unequal Match-up / 42Sticking It Out / 43Food Review / 44Icebreaker / 45Last Look / 46Calendar / 48

Winter’s Finale

Photos on Page 6.

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

11411 Pflumm Road Overland Park, KS 66215

913-319-2460

The Shield

Editor-in-ChiefAlex Kinnan

AdviserMatt Hallauer

ReportersAnnie Gellott

Hagan MarozasAnsley Reynolds

Seth Walker

Managing EditorDaniel Petracek

Social Media EditorsConnor Ragan

Olivia Rode

Freelance ReportersBecca Haeusser

Ezri KilleenMia Power

Luke DohertyKat Schartz

MISSION STATEMENTThe Shield is a newspaper sponsored

by Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and produced by its students to provide information, entertainment, and open forum, as well as a learning experience for its staff members. The goal of The Shield’s staff is to meet professional journalism standards.

Staff members are responsible for the content of the newspaper and strive

to report news accurately, objectively, and completely. The Shield is an open

forum for student expression and aims to communicate the concerns of the student body as well as the

faculty, staff, and Aquinas communityADVERTISING

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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 [email protected], or visit

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per issue. Subscriptions can be sent to Saint Thomas Aquinas High School c/o Matt Hallauer. Digital subscriptions

are free and sent via email monthy. Orders can be sent to

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LETTER POLICYLetters may be accepted by The

Shield, provided that they are signed and do not contain libelous

statements. The Shield reserves the right to edit the letters for grammar, obscenity, or space consideration,

and also reserves the right to not print a letter.

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issue 8 volume 28

2

The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield

Copy EditorEllie Heit

Senior EditorsOlivia Rode

Connor RaganAlex Wagner

<3 KCOur culture breaks through state lines.

AwardsIn 2015, The Shield was named a First Class publication by the National Scholastic Press Association with Marks of Distinction for coverage, content, writing and editing.

RecycleWhen finished with your Shield, the best thing you can do is recycle it and reduce the demand on the world’s landfills.

2Days to Spring Break

24Days to Prom

63Days to Graduation

Countdown

On the cover Photo taken by Grayson Dunst for The Medallion. Junior Emily Feuerborn performs at Winter Finale on Feb. 27.

3

Alex Kinnan Editor-in-ChiefThe Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield

March 2016

On April 3rd, your Kansas City Royals will ring in a new season of baseball. A team fresh off a World Series win is sure to excite us once again.

What is more fascinating to me, however, is the culture of this city. As a senior, I have been on quite a few college visits. Whenever I am asked where I am from, I always say “Kansas City” mostly because saying “Lenexa” will only give an outsider visuals of fields of corn and hay bales. Things Lenexa has none of. But I think another reason I consider myself a Kansas Citian and not a Lenexan is the same reason why we all spent the month of October glued to our TVs.

Kansas City isn’t just a city in Kansas or Missouri. Our “city” goes beyond. Beyond city

limits, county limits and even state borders. Kansas City is unique in the sense that our metro is made up of 14 counties, yet all 2 million of us share the same “culture”. Culture is a very important idea and its presence in KC is apparent.

At Aquinas, it is just as strong. This issue, “The Culture Issue” has taken a look at what the culture at Aquinas is really like. From athletics (Committing to something greater pg. 39) to the culture of tech, (BYOD’s Effect In the Classroom pg. 18) to Saints’ thoughts on community services (Required but Still Desired pg. 14), to a look into the race (Oscars pg. 30). Culture is powerful, so powerful in fact that it is why I am from Kansas City.

4

Responses to our February issue.

I always love flipping through The Shield but regrettably hardly sit down and thoroughly read every article; that was certainly

not the case with February’s “Love Conquers All” issue, in fact I couldn’t put it down (even my fourth time through)!

I was very impressed and excited to see The Shield taking on such progressive topics; climate change and global warming, in addition to safety and the threat of gun violence here at Aquinas.

I’ve overheard a wide range of emotions and critiques over the “Acceptance” story...I absolutely loved it! I think it’s great that The Shield recognizes that these differences ARE here at STA despite people’s’ conservative-Catholic views of the school and its students. A lot of people, even students, don’t realize how diverse Aquinas actually

is...different social backgrounds, religions, and sexualities. Diversity is not limited to race, and Aquinas is proof of that!

I appreciate the boldness that it took to post that kind of radical article in such a sheltered environment. I applaud you for taking such a risk by publishing such a different and intriguing article! This is the first time I’ve heard THIS many people talking about The Shield, especially after this much time has passed after the issue. Congrats and nice work!

Letters to the EditorThe Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School | @stashield

The ShieldFebruary 2016The Love Will Conquer All Issue

Staff Pages / 2Letter from the Editor / 3Editorial / 4

The ReportsGallery / 6Acceptance / 8Passions / 12Mo Knows / 15Faith into Action / 17Climate Change / 19See Something, Say Something / 22The Coldest Rooms at Aquinas / 23

The Spreads2015 Couples Game / 26KC’s Hidden Gems / 30Behind Closed Doors / 32Social Spread / 34 Survey Spread / 36

The Back PagesThe Dodgeball Wars / 38I’m in the Band / 40Icebreaker / 43Food Review: The Other Place / 44Last Look / 46Calendar / 48

Special Report Acceptance at Aquinas

Blast from the Past

Photos on 6.

Response to: Acceptance at

Aquinas

By: Senior Kena Flood

I’m going to be honest when I say that seeing a story about acceptance in the Shield surprised me, and I especially was not expecting anything to be mentioned about the LGBTQ community. But when I think about why I was so surprised, I realize I had little cause to be. Aquinas is made up of students from almost every walk of life Kansas City has to offer, and while not every situation of acceptance is perfect, some unfortunately far from it, I’d like to think that the individuals of Aquinas look past each other’s differences, because we know that in our community, love conquers all.

Aquinas would be nothing if not for its talented athletes, creative performers, bright students, and hardworking teachers. These individuals have given Aquinas its reputation for having outstanding academics and sports programs, but locally, Aquinas is seen as not much more than an elitist, Catholic school. Too often people associate Aquinas with naive, sheltered lives and homophobia. However, the Church teaches that we should accept people with love.

I truly believe that we only fully learn how to love others when we are exposed to lives unlike ours. We should embrace what diversity in race, religion, and orientation Aquinas encompasses in order to experiences, stories, and religions. We are able to solidify what we believe in and discover what amazing lessons the world has to offer.

Mark 3:25 says that “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” Similarly, though everyone is entitled to their own opinions, we must further work to overcome our differences and see the love that unites us all. When we focus only on our differences, on what we accept and what we don’t, we no longer are the community of saints, simply a jumble of people, probably passive aggressively arguing over what’s right and what’s wrong.

Response to: Acceptance at

Aquinas

By: Junior Maria Scanlan

Letter PolicyLetters 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. Submit letters in person to room 213 or online at [email protected].

5

Revise the Dress CodeDon’t let Rule 52 hold you back. In the average Aquinas

classroom, over 15 percent of students are breaking the dress code. However, since its founding, Saint Thomas Aquinas has required that its students wear uniforms and follow the Aquinas dress code.

As the policy currently stands, a student breaking any guideline will receive a warning that isn’t erased until the end of the school year. Each dress code violation after the first warning results in a detention. These penalties are unjust at times because there are aspects of the policy that are enforced and those that are not.

Activities Director Sarah Burgess said, “If it [students uniforms] gets to be looking sloppy, and less professional, I guess we’d make a bigger effort to enforce it [the dress code], but for the most part I don’t get hung up in the handbook.”

The issue is, some teachers do get hung up in the handbook, and some don’t. The rules need to be revised based on the parts of the dress code that are most commonly broken and are not punished by the majority of teachers so students face a policy that is consistently enforced.

The Shield suggests the administration update the dress code by removing or editing the following regulations that are commonly broken without repercussions.

The Aquinas dress code states: “no boots shall be worn with skirts.”

This rule makes sense as tall boots with skirts could be seen as not “Promot[ing] pride and responsibility in personal appearance,” which is identified as one of the purposes for having the dress code in the Aquinas handbook. However, Ankle boots give the same appearance as high-top shoes, which are allowed. The rule should be edited to state that no boots that are taller than the ankle may be worn with skirts.

The Aquinas handbook allows that only “navy or nude colored tights or hosiery may be worn under the skirts,” and the dress code does not allow students to “wear socks over tights or hose.” These guidelines are broken by nearly every girl at Aquinas, so the rule needs be updated to allow what the students are wearing without issue from most teachers. This new rule should allow leggings in addition to tights and hose, and the color black should also be allowed. Along with this, the rule about socks should be completely thrown out.

Possibly the most widely broken dress code item is that of “polos with logos other than Saint Thomas Aquinas official logo” being worn. Although the Aquinas logo on the polos contribute to “a uniform appearance in order to promote school identity and a sense of community,” another reason identified for the uniform in the handbook, polos with other logos on them do not take

away from this sense of community. It is understandable, however, that large, distracting logos could violate another reason that Aquinas gives for its uniform. That being, “Reduce competition among students based on physical appearance.” Taking all of this into account, the rule should be changed to allow logos other than the official Saint Thomas Aquinas logo if they are not larger than an inch.

The dress code, in relation to shoes, states: “Shoes and sandals worn must have an

enclosed heel.” This rule is most commonly broken by the wearing of Birkenstocks. The rule should be edited to allow students to wear dress sandals which would include Birkenstocks and the sandals that are already allowed.

Revising the uniform policy is necessary because so many of the rules are being broken on a daily basis. Removing parts of and editing the rules would allow teachers to enforce this policy, and allow students a set of rules they know they will have to follow because there will be repercussions he or she will face from every teacher or the administrator if they do not.

Editorial

How The Shield Staff Voted

YESRevise the policy

NODon’t revise the policy

This editorial is the opinion of the majority of The Shield Staff. Below is a breakdown of the staff’s opinion on this issue.

15 Total Voting Staff Members

13 Voted 2 Voted

March 2016

BY THE SHIELD STAFF

Do you have a issue you want The Shield to take a stand on? Email us at [email protected] and we may make it our next editorial.

Why student government matters at Aquinas.

STUCO

BY ALEX KINNAN

Planning PromCanned food drive

Spring Olympics

Catholic Schools Week

On April 4thstudents will go to the polls and vote for their next executive council. Class officers will be elected the following week. Aquinas’ student government model is considered “traditional” by current standards, but its overall purpose can lead many students to wonder, “What is the point of having a student government?”

“We frequently approach the administration in order to voice the opinions of the student body, and often make suggestions for administrative change.” said executive council officer Patrick Lacy. “For example, this year we were able to eliminate the magazine sale and unable to continue the talent show. Student Council advocated for the talent show, but the final decision is always up to the administration.”

The Aquinas student government was very active in redesigning the school’s legal pullovers last year, according to StuCo moderator Phyllis Distler.

“We actively talk to

administration, and they actively listen,” Distler said.

Distler, who has been a StuCo moderator for 38 years, has seen StuCo become more interactive with the administration in recent years.

StuCo Executive President Isabel Kemp said StuCo pushed

to make the recent dodgeball tournament a reality, along with themes during Catholic Schools Week.

Aquinas has sported the same student government structure since its creation in 1988. With a tiered structure of an executive council overseeing the four class councils, its structure divides classes based on their graduation year. But that is

not encouraged by the officers.“We have focused on making it

less like a competition and more like a family,” Kemp said. “Equalizing between grades and working together was a real goal for us this year.”

Kemp said the grades worked together during the canned food drive to break the record and “freshmen weren’t afraid to ask for help.”

The Community SystemThis type of grade intermixing

closely pairs with the community system which is present at St. James Academy.

“It is a trend that is taking place in student government,” Distler said.

The community system organizes into seven communities. Each of these communities features on average five houses; a house is the equivalent to a seminar at Aquinas. All of this is overseen by three captains, one of which is the school captain, the equivalent to StuCo President, and the other two which are co-captains. St. James features 63 elected officials while Aquinas has 29. At St. James, each community features two captains, which oversee the houses. Each house also has a captain, which is why St. James more than doubles Aquinas in the amount of elected officials.

“The goal of the system is to create bonds between students and teachers and to form leaders,” St. James School Captain Danny Mauro said. “The house gives students a way to have a consistent group of people and one adult who they are with so that nobody becomes overlooked and community is built.”

At St. James, students compete in their Spring Olympics through their communities and decorate hallways in the fall by community rather than class.

Photo courtesy St. James AcademyA map of the St. James Community system. Each symbol represents a community, each community has five houses which are the equivalent to a seminar at Aquinas.

“Equalizing between grades and working

together was a real goal for us this year.”

Isabel KempStuCo President

March 2016

11the reports

“The house system fails to provide this sense of community within a class by pitting the student body of that class against itself,” Lacy said. “This sense of community is an important part of the high school experience for STA students, and the competition improves the quality of our school functions.”

“I don’t think it would benefit from expanding the amount of elected officials,” said Sophomore President Devin Diggs said. “I think six officers per grade works out well. More people helping us do certain events would be very beneficial to us, but adding more numbers to the actual meetings would cause chaos.”

If Aquinas wanted to restructure, it would directly affect students’ seminars, according to Kemp.

“Traditional student government is nice and those elected usually are ambitious and know how much work it will take.”The Work

“The only two weeks of the year that we are working long

and hard are canned food drive and homecoming week,” Junior executive council officer Elizabeth McCormick said. “There are other events throughout the year that require a lot of attention, but those are the only two that really test us.”

“Any voting election is what the voters make of it. I think here at Aquinas the students realize how

important their StuCo officers are,” Diggs said. “It’s not a popularity contest because the voters know that having competent officers is really important to their class’s success.”Finding a Purpose

StuCo’s overall purpose is one that is usually defined by the student’s who are in charge.

“The purpose of StuCo is to do all the work that no one else wants to do, like plan the dances or the canned food drive or homecoming week,” Senior class President Joe Skevington said. “StuCo isn’t a position of authority, it’s a position of doing the work no one else wants to do. We don’t get to just do whatever we want because everything needs to get approved by a whole ton of teachers and administrators. No one on stuco holds the slightest bit of authority. ”

“The purpose of Student Council, at its core, is to make the high school experience more enjoyable and meaningful for the student body,” Lacy said. “Student Council is influential in its ability to change its events and the way that they are run, but we have a minimal voice in administrative decisions.”

StuCo does listen to criticism. “The decision to do away with

town halls because having class meetings accomplished the same goal and can be scheduled to

each grade’s liking,” Diggs said. “If someone has any ideas he or she should bring them to a StuCo officer. We’d love to hear them.”

“People felt like precious seminar time was being wasted,” Kemp said.

It was also hard to make sure all officers were talking about the same topics as well.

The opinion of Student Council is in the hands of the students.

“I’ve never cared what people thought about me. I think it’s funny when people get mad at us and I always try to start ‘StuCo is corrupt’ or ‘impeach Skev’ chants,” Skevington said. “But I think (the anger) is annoying when there are people on StuCo who actually devote an unbelievable amount of time and effort.”

The future of Student Council is always going to be up in the air because it is the students who vote and who are elected and who decide how to use it.

“If you have an idea, ask administration, even if you think it will get shot down,” Kemp said. “Pushing for what you truly want is how change happens.”

“The purpose of StuCo is to do all the work that no one else wants to do, like plan the dances or

the canned food drive or homecoming week.”

Joe SkevingtonSenior Class President

Photo by Emily Conard | The MedallionJunior Elizabeth McCormick tallies cans during last year’s canned food drive. This is one of StuCo’s busiest weeks of the year.

Senior Alex Kinnan is editor-in-chief of The Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.

12the reports


When the Saints Go Marching Out

13the reports

BY DANIEL PETRACEK

March 2016

The band will remain in the bleachers during games, discontinuing its marching activities.

The halftimes of Saint Thomas Aquinas football games will be a little different next fall.

When the players run off the field and into the locker room, the Saints Brigade will not take the field. Due to decreased numbers in recent years, Band Director John Burgess has decided it is best to remove the marching aspect from the band.

In 2014, 14 senior band members graduated, and the band has been unable to regain the numbers it once had. Approximately 20 students have been in band each of the last two years. Color guard has also been absent from the Brigade during this time.

Many band members were saddened when Burgess broke the news to the class.

Drum major and junior Adam Tritt said, “I, along with the rest of the band, was pretty disappointed. I had anticipated having marching this upcoming fall, so I feel as though I under-appreciated what I had this past season. It’s unfortunate that, for some, their junior or sophomore show was actually their last.”

Sophomore Janelle Augustine

had similar feelings, but remains optimistic.

“I was very upset about it at first, but I knew that it would make for a better band in the future,” Augustine said. “I loved marching. It meant that we got to go to marching competitions. It also meant that I had to have a 30-pound drum on, but I would do it again to be able to be a marching band once more.”

Tritt said that about 80 to 90 percent of the time in class was spent working on marching. Now, that time will be allocated to work on other areas.

“We will focus on more lyrical

music for formal performances as opposed to loud and fast football-game-style music,” Tritt said.

The band will continue to perform at football and basketball games, but they will just remain in the bleachers. The students will perform as a pep band during games and at pep assemblies. The drum line is also expected to have a bigger role in the

coming years.According to

Burgess, four reasons that students do not join band is because of scheduling, students wanting to focus on sports, being burnt out from grade school band, and not wanting to march.

It is possible, and band members hope, that more students will want to join the band since there will no longer be marching. But until the numbers increase, the marching will have to wait.

Photo by Emily Conard | The MedallionSophomores (left to right) Maima Lewis, Erin Sturd, Gina Rousselo perform at halftime of a football game last fall. The band will have much more time to practice non-marching performances next year.

Senior Daniel Petracek is the managing editor for The Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.

Required but Still Desired


14The Reports

Is community service really meaningful if it is not completely voluntary?

BY EZRI KILLEENWhen incoming freshmen get

their schedules for the first time, they often see the last class on the list and think, “Wait, I didn’t sign up for this!” After much examination, however, they will find that the class “Community Service” wasn’t ever an option. It was required all along.

Now, after further research, the freshmen will find that it isn’t actually a class--but it is a graduation requirement. Freshmen and sophomores are required to get 20 hours a year, 15 of them corporal works of mercy, while juniors and seniors need 30 total, with 20 corporal hours.

The requirement of service hours has led The Shield to beg the question: is community service really meaningful if it is not completely voluntary?

The answer? For the most part, yes.

The thought that prompted this question was whether community service came from the heart if the students were forced to do it. But even though it may not come from a place it should at the beginning of a student’s service, most of the time, the student grows to enjoy it.

“I think most people do [community service] because they have to, until they find that

one thing,” theology department chairman Ryan Best said. “Most students, after a few years... enjoy some of the service that they do. I would even say most of the service that they do.”

According to a recent Shield survey, 67 percent of students said they enjoyed their community service. Only 33 percent said they

only did it because they were forced to.

Many students are passionate about the service they do. Senior Jack Lind has found his niche working with middle schoolers. So far this year, Lind has accumulated 130 hours by leading retreats for 7th and 8th graders at Holy Trinity Parish.

Photo courtesy of Isabella PierceIsabella Pierce smiles with cast members after CYT shows she volunteered on.

Pierce helps with specialty makeup such as beards, as shown on the left.

15The Reports

March 2016

“I absolutely enjoy it. It has been one of my favorite things to do in my high school career,” Lind said. “Each retreat lasts a weekend and they are always one of my favorite weekends of the year. They make me a better person, have created and deepened relationships, and have helped me grow deeper in my faith.”

Junior Isabella Pierce also works

with children for her service. She has gathered almost 75 hours this year by working with Christian Youth Theater. She helps the kids put on their stage makeup and does specialty makeup for the students, as well as running backstage operations for the show.

“I definitely am going to be volunteering at CYT a lot more because it doesn’t feel like service, it feels fun,” Pierce said.

Many students find service hours on the March for Life DC trip. The students get 15 service hours for this trip, even though they only march for a short amount of that time. However, according to Teens for Life sponsor Cathryn Radiel, the group does

other anti-abortion activities on the trip that contribute to the given hours.

“I hope everyone is a little more Pro-Life after the service. Perhaps they heard, saw, or learned something that will help them or a friend of theirs in the future,” Radiel said.

Other common service opportunities done by students include time at TurnStyles, nursing homes, vacation bible school, and mission trips.

Saint Thomas Aquinas is not the only school to require service hours. St. Teresa’s requires their juniors and seniors to gain 90 hours from one agency over two years. One week out of both school years is devoted to just service; the students work at their agency instead of attending school. Most of the students there enjoy these weeks.

“I don’t think it’s something we would go do on our own, so I like how they push us out of our comfort zones through service week,” said Emma Swinney, a junior at St. Teresa’s.

Sometimes students will feel forced into service hours not only because of the graduation requirement, but also because they feel the need to put it on their college applications. The common misconception is that colleges look for the sheer amount of service hours on a student’s application. In reality, colleges look at the quality of the time spent in the service.

“I definitely am going to be volunteering at CYT a

lot more because it doesn’t feel like service, it feels

fun.”

Isabella PierceJunior

Photo courtesy of Jack LindJack Lind poses with fellow senior Patrick Lacy on the 2016 DC trip. Lind also volunteers on retreats for middle schoolers during the school year.

Do the Saints enjoy their service?

Courtesy of The Shield

16The Reports


“Colleges want to see what you do, how you and others benefit from your involvement. Do you gain any leadership skills? Did you learn how to handle confrontation, tough issues, etc?” College Counselor Barb Bruns said. “Their goal is to admit students who will be successful and also those who will contribute to the student life at their school. Service to others is not something that should stop once a student is in college.”

The goal of Saint Thomas Aquinas is to grow their students in mind, body, and spirituality, according to Best. Students are required to take core courses that grow their brain and physical education classes that grow their body, but there is no definite way to force the students to grow in spirituality. However, by requiring the students to do community service, the growth

in spirituality is encouraged. “Since we are a faith-

based Catholic institution… we can form the whole person, instead of just worrying about your brain, or your brain and your body,” Best said.

Best also said that many times students will go into service doing it simply because they have to and still wind up affecting someone’s life.

“Even if you do service hours, and you’re not heartfelt about it, or you have a bad attitude, God can still work through your bad attitude. [The person you are doing service for] could be profoundly helped, and you not even know it,” Best said. Junior Ezri Killeen is a freelance reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Alex Kinnan.

Cou

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of T

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BYOD Changes How We Learn

Photo by Alex Wagner | The ShieldSophomore Luke Lee (left) and Junior Baylor Hinz (right) work on their devices during first hour in the library on Feb. 26.

BY ALEX WAGNERJust four years ago, English

teacher Craig Ewing was one of the first to try beta testing to see if Bring Your Own Device would work schoolwide. Ewing bought extra devices for his students to work on in class during beta testing.

For two years, BYOD has officially been a part of Aquinas. According to the handbook the rules that students shall follow are to respect and protect the privacy of others, the intellectual property of others, protect the integrity, security of all electronic resources, and practice the principles of community.

To disobey one of these or be caught doing something for a non-educational purpose would result in a warning or a detention. Also, the punishment could be more severe depending on what was found on the computer. However, depending on the day or the teacher, a student may not get written up for doing

something they’re not suppose to do. They may just be told to but the device away.

“If the device is not being used to be more efficient or productive, then the device should be put away.” Academic Principal Craig Moss said,

Ewing said he has seen changes to BYOD over the four years. The most obvious is that every students now has a device and the educational value they provide is

tremendous. “You can find things out quicker,

easier, waste less time and learn more if you’re doing it quicker.” Ewing said

BYOD has impacted learning at Aquinas, and allows for students to have access to things outside of class that was not possible a few years ago. Students can communicate with a teacher over email about missing work, if absent, turn a paper in online, take notes and more. BYOD has had a major impact on the way students operate in the classroom especially compared to the way they use to in grade school.

FRESHMAN VIEWPOINT

The transition from grade school to high school can be a big jump with added pressure, so a device can help allay the the stress

17the reports

“If the device is not being used to be more efficient or productive, then the device should

be put away.”

Craig MossAcademic Principal

18the reports

March 2016“It is easier to take notes and

makes for an easy study tool,” said freshman CJ Younger.

He also noted that it is still such a big transition for freshmen because in grade school they did not use devices often. Trying to focus on the teacher with a device in front of them can be hard, but over time it became easier to focus on the teacher.

Out of the 280 students who answered The Shield survey, a majority of freshmen said BYOD is a distraction. In addition, trying to remember to bring their device home with homework everyday can also be a struggle for some freshman.

TRANSFER VIEWPOINT

Senior Kyle Walker, who transferred from Hutchinson High School last year, likes the BYOD system more than at his old school. Some teachers would not let students have their devices at all, and required students to take handwritten notes.

Walker said he would take notes on a device rather than handwritten

notes because handwriting can be atrocious and not easy to find and study from.

Being allowed to take notes on a device at Aquinas has been a big help to him, because he can make his notes more orderly and neat.

According to Walker, Hutchison was more relaxed about devices and policies regarding devices. If you were caught with a device you would be asked to put it away.

“Detentions weren’t an option for teachers to give.” Walker said

THROUGH THE YEARS

The seniors have had both sides to BYOD. The way it is now provides students with the ability to adapt to using devices before they are ultimately sent off to college. The way it is now provides students to learn for the next years of their life as they move on to college and need to know how to use a device.

More consistency with devices may be an idea to look at.

Senior Meghan Kindel said “having all the same devices would be much easier and cause a lot less issues.”

If all students and teachers had the same device. It would provide an advantage of being more understandable to the devices capabilities and allow people to help each other with different things on a device, said Kindel.

“You can find things out quicker, easier, waste less time and learn more if you’re

doing it quicker.”

Craig Ewing English teacher

Senior Alex Wagner is a Senior Editor for The Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.

Photo by Alex Wagner | The ShieldJunior girls work on their devices in the librarydevics during first hour on Feb. 26

Mona’sALTERATIONSMona’sALTERATIONS

& CLEANERS& CLEANERS

Rush

Alterations

13% of students say BYOD is a distraction for others.


3% of students say BYOD is a distraction for them

9% of

Seniors

2% of

Juniors

1% of

Sophs

Is BYOD is a distraction? 0% freshmen, 1% sophomore, 2% juniors, 9% seniors.

Results from The Shield survey from Feb. 24. 329 people responded

0% of

Freshman


20the reports

Where Saints Go When Things Go Wrong

In addition to Guidance Conselors, Aquinas students also reach out to friends for advice.

BY BECCA HAEUSSERTeenagers have so many

pressures and expectations, sometimes it may seem like our lives are spinning out of control.

“Being a teenager sucks because you are expected to know what you want to do for the rest of your life when you still have to ask to go to the bathroom. If we did as much reading, service, studying, exercising, and resting that they tell us is critically important for us, we would need twenty more hours in the day,” junior Grace Mitchell said.

On top of all these pressures, teenagers often go through individuals problems such as depression, chronic stress, the loss of a loved one, bad break ups, or parents’ divorce. This is where guidance counselors come in.

“I became a counselor because I have always enjoyed listening to others and helping them through difficult times,” said Shannon Gartland, who graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas in 2009. “I found that I was often someone my friends confided in about various problems they were having which led me to think about counseling for a career.”

Guidance counselors are definitely helpful for some people. Sophomore Maggie Gould lost her mom to cancer last year and talking

to guidance counselor Laura Cline has helped her cope with all of the changes in her life.

“After she died,” Gould said, “I would go to the guidance counselor a lot because I wanted someone to tell me what to do.”

Sophomore Hannah Holbrooks similarly lost her dad in seventh grade. Both girls agreed that friends who have never had similar experiences struggle to offer consolation.

“It’s hard to talk to friends because they don’t understand what I am going through, so I try to avoid talking to them about it,” Holbrooks said.

For these two girls, the guidance counselors at Aquinas have been able to help them through difficult situations. For others though, it’s intimidating to talk to a counselor. Junior Winnie Ryan had a friend

confide in her instead of a counselor, when she was going through difficult times.

“Even though she knows that the guidance counselor might help her, I think she would want someone to listen to what she has to say instead of someone who wants to solve the problem or vice versa,” Ryan said.

According to The Shield survey, 15 percent of Aquinas students said that they had gone to a counselor for help. Of those 45 students, though, 43 said that the counselor was helpful. So statistically speaking, if students are willing to go in to talk, they will be helped. Some students, however, do not feel comfortable talking to a counselor.

“It’s hard to talk to a stranger about what is going on in my life,” Holbrooks said. “If I had a personal relationship with the counselors, it might be easier.”

Junior Cristina McNamara had similar sentiments. “I wouldn’t go talk to a guidance counselor because they don’t know anything about me,” she said.

83 percent of the student body said that they would seek out a friend if they needed advice or consolation.

“Several years ago I had a peer helper program,” Cline said. “I polled students and asked which peers

“It’s hard to talk to a stranger about what is going on in my life.”

Hannah HolbrooksSophomore

March 2016

21the reports

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Junior Becca Haeusser is a freelance reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.

they would be comfortable talking to about a problem. These students were then specially trained in helping their classmates find solutions.”

“I think we’re going to try again this spring to get peer counselors ready for the fall because we’d agree: kids are much more likely to tell a friend, and we want those friends to be better trained,” guidance counselor Matt Hallauer said.

“With a friend you can be completely real and open up easily,” Ryan said. “For me, it was a little stressful at first and I felt like I never had the right things to say. But, eventually, it got easier and I enjoyed being the person she could always turn to.”

Friends are great people to turn to. But, occasionally, a trusted adult might be more effective.

“I just wish I could’ve been more helpful,” Ryan said. “I felt like I never had the right thing to say. It would have definitely helped to have had a little bit more life experience.”

“I would recommend for people to go to someone they know who has been through the same thing, because that’s the only way to really feel better,” Gould said.

Gartland, who is now a therapist at McCallum Place Eating Disorder Centers in Overland Park, said, “My advice for kids going through tough situations is to find someone that you can confide in and share how you are feeling. While it can be scary sometimes to be vulnerable,

connecting with others is a really important part of getting through tough times. Sometimes just talking about what you are going through and having someone truly listen can be very helpful.

“I would also tell them that asking for help is a strength and not a weakness,” Gartland said. “I think high schoolers often think there is something wrong with them if they are having a difficult time. In reality, however, even if it is not obvious on the outside, everyone struggles at times and being more open about that can help us connect with one another in a more genuine way.”

Results according to The Shield’s March survey.

It’s Time to DanceBY HAGAN MAROZAS

22the reports

Homecoming, WPA, and prom are events students look forward to all year, but does the student body understand how much preparation comes into play, as well as how much dances have changed throughout the years, and even how much they will continue to change?

“Dances are a highlight of the school year. Homecoming in the fall, WPA in the winter, and Prom in the spring,” senior Madi Hilger said.

For homecoming, juniors are in charge. The juniors start with thinking of a theme that would soon be confirmed with executive StuCo during the summer. Once the theme is finalized, invitations are being made and sent to all of the students able to attend the dance. Next, StuCco gets decorations to decorate the halls and the commons for the dance.

“There’s a whole week dedicated to homecoming; everyone knows about it,” junior Steven Rohde said.

One thing students struggle liking about homecoming is the music. Finding a DJ is difficult for any dance. Better music would

make it a better experience. “Being an upperclassmen

is more fun, it just gets old after an hour or two of being there, especially if you’ve gone for 3 years and heard the same songs every time you’ve been there,”

senior Christy Rheinberger said.

Some of the main differences WPA has from homecoming is that you wear costumes, girls ask guys, and sophomores are in charge of running it.

The sophomores think of a theme

and run it by StuCo. Once the theme is picked out the sophomores do the rest of the work. Wpa usually has a stricter budget. For the decorations, they get balloons and try to find a DJ. After all is said and done, they sell the tickets and most of the student body joins for the big night in February.

“We can’t have an aux because it will feel too casual and like a mixer. The administration has shut it it down for two years,” junior executive StuCo officer Itsy McCormick said.

The final hoorah of the year

is prom. Juniors and seniors are only allowed to attend. Years past, prom has been held at Union Station in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and Starlight in Kansas City, Missouri. They switch off between venues each year. This year is different, prom will be held at Arrowhead Stadium.

“Starlight is usually more fun of the two, but as long as Arrowhead goes well, I think we’ll stick with it for awhile,” McCormick said.

Juniors set up prom and pick the venue each year. There was a field trip to see Arrowhead and to start planning for the night in April. Juniors on StuCo met with a representative and party planner and picked out a theme. After the meeting, the party planner gives out ideas and does all the planning.

“It’s kind of hands off; we basically make the decisions and they do the busy work,” McCormick said.

“Prom’s my favorite dance


There’s more to a dance than the dancing

“The WPA topics get worse each year, it would be more fun it WPA was

formal and we had a better playlist.”

It’s Time to DanceBY HAGAN MAROZAS

22the reports

Homecoming, WPA, and prom are events students look forward to all year, but does the student body understand how much preparation comes into play, as well as how much dances have changed throughout the years, and even how much they will continue to change?

“Dances are a highlight of the school year. Homecoming in the fall, WPA in the winter, and Prom in the spring,” senior Madi Hilger said.

For homecoming, juniors are in charge. The juniors start with thinking of a theme that would soon be confirmed with executive StuCo during the summer. Once the theme is finalized, invitations are being made and sent to all of the students able to attend the dance. Next, StuCo gets decorations to decorate the halls and the commons for the dance.

“There’s a whole week dedicated to homecoming; everyone knows about it,” junior Steven Rohde said.

One thing students struggle liking about homecoming is the music. Finding a DJ is difficult for any dance. Better music would make it a better experience.

“Being an upperclassmen

is more fun, it just gets old after an hour or two of being there, especially if you’ve gone for 3 years and heard the same songs every time you’ve been there,” senior Christy Rheinberger said.

Some of the main differences WPA has from homecoming is

that you wear costumes, girls ask guys, and sophomores are in charge of running it.

The sophomores think of a theme and run it by StuCo. Once the theme is picked out the sophomores do the rest of the work. WPA

usually has a stricter budget. For the decorations, they get balloons and try to find a DJ. After all is said and done, they sell the tickets and most of the student body joins for the big night in February.

“We can’t have an aux because it will feel too casual and like a mixer. The administration has shut it down for two years,” junior executive StuCo officer Elizabeth McCormick said.

The final hoorah of the year is prom. Juniors and seniors are only allowed to attend. Years past, prom has been held at Union

Station in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and Starlight in Kansas City, Missouri. They switch off between venues each year. This year is different, prom will be held at Arrowhead Stadium.

“Starlight is usually more fun of the two, but as long as Arrowhead goes well, I think we’ll stick with it for awhile,” McCormick said.

Juniors set up prom and pick the venue each year. There was a field trip to see Arrowhead and to start planning for the night in April. Juniors on StuCo met with a representative and party planner and picked out a theme. After the meeting, the party planner gives out ideas and does all the planning.

“It’s kind of hands off; we basically make the decisions and they do the busy work,” McCormick said.

“Prom’s my favorite dance because it’s only juniors and seniors. There’s no awkwardness and it’s a cool venue,” Rheinberger said.


There’s more to a dance than the dancing.

“Homecoming is more of a high school thing, I’ll remember homecoming

more than WPA in years to come. It’s where memories

are made”

Elizabeth McCormickexecutive StuCo officer

Junior Hagan Marozas is a reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.

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Photo by Isabel Kemp | The MedallionSaints link arms to dance during WPA Feb 13.

Photo courtesy of Michele GressSaints dance during homecoming on Oct 3 .

Photo courtesy of Michele GressCole Younger and Isabel Kemp

walk on the dance floor.

“The WPA topics get worse each year, it would be more fun it WPA was formal and we had a better playlist.”

Steven Rohdejunior

21the reports

The Price of the Pursuit

24the reports

Athletes at Aquinas work towards success despite the risk of injury.

Everyone knows that one of the most serious sports injuries is the concussion. With new information about the nature of concussions and how to prevent and treat them, this potentially career-ending injury has changed over the years.

Obviously, the risk of concussion is different for every sport. Activities Director Sarah Burgess said that the two most common sports for injuries are football and rugby. Both sports involve a lot of contact.

Over the years, protocol for concussions and head injuries has changed with new information.

“Ever since the young man from Spring Hill died during a football game… people are more cautious and concerned,” Burgess said.

She is referring to Nathan Stiles, a football player from Spring Hill High School who passed away during a football game after getting hit in 2010. He died of a brain bleed. He had previously been out for a concussion and was just returning to play.

“Return-to-play protocol is a bigger deal now than it ever as,” Burgess said.

To ensure that all coaches are up-to-date on protocol, they are required by KSHSAA to take

concussion and sports classes. In sports such as football and

rugby, helmets are required in order to protect players. “We’ve always had the best equipment we could provide for our kids,” Burgess said. But in other sports, like soccer, headgear is not required by KSHSAA.

Head Soccer Coach Craig Ewing, has found a way to decrease

the number of concussions in soccer at Aquinas by requiring all players to wear headgear.

“The year before we got [the headgear] we had four varsity girls miss two or more months each, so we decided we needed to do something,” he said.

After doing research on different options, they chose headgear that was statistically supposed to reduce the risk of concussions by three times. “It doesn’t eliminate it… but at

least for us it’s greatly changed the number we have.”

Since the headgear has been required, the number of concussions for soccer has dropped down to about two per year Ewing said.

While concussions are serious injuries and can put someone out for a long time, they are usually not career-ending.

According to Burgess, career-ending injuries are not very common at Aquinas.

“We have had people who have torn their ACL multiple times, like two or three times, and they end up never playing again,” Ewing said.

ACL tears are caused by stress to the knee such as turning sharply, overextending the knee joint, or taking a hit to the knee.

Obviously playing more increases the amount of stress and likelihood of injury. “People are playing so much more than they used to. People are playing year round it seems like,” said Ewing.

While one concussion is usually not a cause for an athletic career ending, multiple concussions can also be.

Former Aquinas student Sammy Little was a varsity captain as a freshman before her soccer career was ended because of concussions.

BY MIA POWER

“Return-to-play protocol is a bigger deal now than

it ever was.”

Sarah BurgessActivities Director


She got her first concussion at the age of seven and had a total of ten concussions before she could no longer play.

“There are other injuries you have that you come back from in a week or two weeks. ACL tear, you’re done for the year. Concussion, you’re done for now a month or two months because there’s so much precaution,” Ewing said. “We know so much more now about head injuries than we used to.”

Senior Marianne Michaels had been playing soccer her whole life

before coming to Aquinas. She suffered three concussions her freshman year, one from basketball and two from soccer before she could no longer play sports.

Luckily for Michaels and other athletes that can no longer play sports due to injuries, Aquinas has much more to offer than just athletics. Michaels has found success in music.

“I think that, had I been able to continue playing soccer, I would have had a great time, but I am happy that I found music and I am thankful for the success I have had with it,” she said.

March 2016

25the reports

Junior Mia Power, @miacbpower on Twitter, is a freelance reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Alex Kinnan.

“We know so much more about head injuries than

we used to.”

Craig EwingHead Soccer Coach

The Assembly Drought

26the reports

BY ANNIE GELLOTT

It’s no secret that Saint Thomas Aquinas students love their STA periods. But with so many complaints about having them on Fridays this year, the administration has yet take advantage of this with more pep rallies and assemblies.

According to Academic Principal Craig Moss, there are actually multiple reasons that the schedule flipped this year. The biggest two are to make scheduling easier because most Maasses fall on Wednesdays and Fridays, and to make scheduling easier for pep rallies and assemblies.

While it may seem that the number of assemblies this year is less than that of last year, there have actually been the same amount. Each year, the winter season brings no assemblies, making the span between Homecoming and Spring Olympics seem endless.

Moss said, “A lot of the spring assemblies we just haven’t gotten to yet. As far as pep rallies go, there’s one in the fall right before the St. James game and one before Homecoming.”

If you’re left asking yourself why Aquinas never had a pep rally for any winter sport, the answer is that there was simply never one planned. However, administration is not opposed to having one in the future. They are open to having more pep rallies for any sport season throughout the school year.

Activities Director Sarah Burgess said, “Administration would not be opposed to more. It’s just that no one has come to us wanting them.”

Junior Annie Gellott is a reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Daniel Petracek.

Where Have all the Assemblies Gone?


Photo by Annie Gellott | The ShieldThe main gym sits empty. This year, there have been only two asseblies.

The Spreads

What’s inside

28What I Thought That was Due

Tomorrow

30Race at the Show

32Social Spread

34Survey Spread

@gabbiemarie: “You’ll get some serious chills when you see this

stud and I dancing at dinner theatre this weekend: saturday at

6:30 & sunday at 5:30”

From Instagram

Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Vestal’s Instagram

Three types of Procrastinators

Decisional

Avoiders

Thrill seekers

Yesterday You

Of students admit to havingproblems due to procrastination

There is one guaranteed method to not succeed in life. Procrastination. It is no joke that the act of procrastinating is a profound problem in our society.

High School and college students are one of the largest populations affected by procrastination. 85 to 95 percent of students admit to having problems due to procrastination.

According to a Psychology Today article by editor at large Hara Estroff Marano published on August 23, 2003, these students were more likely to eat poorly, sleep less, drink more and be more stressed out.

Procrastination is a learned habit.

There are three common types of people who report procrastinating. Decisional procrastinators can never make a decision, therefore they

never actually get started. Avoiders are those who fear failing or not being able to doing a project to the best of their abilities so they delay

starting. Thrill seekers delay starting things because they enjoy the rush of doing it at the last minute.

The number of chronic procrastinators have quadrupled in the last 30 years. Brandon Gaille reports that 40 percent of people have experienced financial loss due to procrastination.

The cost of procrastination is not just financial. Psychology Today reports that over the course of a single semester,

procrastinating students have more colds, gastrointestinal problems and insomnia.

The number of chronic procrastinators have quadrupled in the last 30 years.

The culture of procrastination is spreading through the nation.


28the spreads

Said Tomorrow February 2016

BY ANSLEY REYNOLDS

Students of Saint Thomas Aquinas are staying up later and later in order to finish assignments and study for tests.

“I think one of the biggest issues is time management skills. Students don’t understand the time required to learn a skill, how to study properly or how to make the best usage of their time,” said social studies teacher Terry Droge.

On any test day at Aquinas you will find the halls littered with people

cramming because of their previous lack of studying. This results in lower test scores and extra stress.

Procrastination spreads like wildfire. Students who begin procrastinate in school soon become

professionals who procrastinate in work and parents who procrastinate with their children.

All of this procrastination leads to missed opportunities, failures and stress.

“Students don’t understand the time required to learn a skill, how to study properly or how to make the best usage of their

time.”

Terry DrogeSocial Studies Teacher

Hours of homework each night

8Ways procrastination can destroy your life

You lose precious time

You blow opportunities

You won’t meet your goals

Ruin an important school

Lower self esteem

Make bad decisions

Damage your reputation

Health issues related to stress and anxiety

29the spreads

Junior Ansley Reynolds is a reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Alex Kinnan.

30The Spreads

The 88th Oscars doesn’t seem to be only awarding celebrated actors this year. This cinematic award show is addressing a public issue that has resulted in an uproar of demise in the public sphere.

Being considered one of the most controversial Oscars that has ever been seen within any cinematic award show, Chris Rock, host of the Oscars, addressed the problems as regards to racial discrimination and sexism within Hollywood. There was an uproar in the public eye recently dealing with the issue that no black actors or actresses were nominated for any awards.

With the public encouraging Chris Rock to step down from his job as the host of the award show, the roar grew even louder. With Hollywood also having a very powerful grip on national relations and influence, Chris Rock took the topic head on.

In Chris Rock’s ten minute opening monologue, Rock took his time on addressing these issues, using humor in an utterly frustrated crowd. Rock also seemed to please both sides of the argument, accepting the issue of

race but also conveying a little bit of humor against the argument itself.

“It’s the 88th Academy Awards, which means this whole no black nominees thing has happened at

least 71 other times...Why are we protesting? The big question: Why this Oscars...Because we had real things to protest at the time,

you know?” said Rock during his opening monologue at the Oscars, seemingly conveying the idea that the issue might be bigger than it appears. “Everything’s not sexism,

everything’s not racism.” But Rock didn’t only take the

side of the denial of racism in Hollywood, he also proclaimed the other prominent message being thought about in the public sphere.

“Man, I counted at least 15 black people on that montage. I’m here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White People’s Choice Awards. You realize if they nominated hosts, I wouldn’t even get this job. So y’all would be watching Neil Patrick Harris right now.”

With much humor in his tone, Rock was able to address the elephant in the room, and that is what connected the audience.

According to PBS, 73 percent of Hollywood actors are white and only 12.5 percent of actors are African American.

One must also come to grips with reality and understand racial bias’ do exist, whether you’re white, black, or Asian. One can’t simply

protest that racial discrimination is an absent issue in the world. The work on the inclusion of racial groups into the cinematic scene can be bettered throughout Hollywood and that must be our


Is #OscarsSoWhite?BY LUKE DOHERTY

This year... it wasn’t just an award show

“I think there are going to be some big changes in

the Oscars next year.”

Lucas HillSenior

Labeled for reuse by Creative Commons

31The Spreads

March 2016

duty; an equal chance for everybody.

With race not being the only topic addressed, there was also moments of pure admiration. The Oscars is about actors, and that is what is meant to be celebrated.

With Leonardo Dicaprio winning his first Oscar, the audience gave a standing ovation to the well deserved actor.

“Thank you all so very much,” DiCaprio said. “ Thank you to the Academy. Thank you to all of you

in this room. I have to congratulate the other incredible nominees this year.”

He also took his time on stage to address climate change.

“And lastly, I just want to say this: Making ‘The Revenant’ was about man’s relationship to the natural world. A world that we collectively felt in 2015 as the hottest year in recorded history.”

With the 88th Oscars being considered the most controversial one, the light of cinematic awards

still gleamed with the original purpose of the award show.

Awarding celebrated actors, directors, and writers for their role in movies, we must not forget the reason we gather around for the Oscars.

Senior Luke Doherty is a freelance reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Alex Kinnan.

Labeled for reuse by Creative Commons Leonardo DiCaprio celebrates first Oscar by winning best actor in a leading role for “The Revenant”

Twitter @SteveDuboisStudents of Aquinas: it is bad form to refer to your computer lovematch forms as your “shopping list”.Twitter @JenniNguyenwait uh so was today newpaper’s layout day or something i had no idea

Shutterfly @MicheleGressSeniors cheer as they complete their final Dinner Theatre rehearsal.

Instagram @DevinDiggsReady to get back on track.

Instagram @MakaylaBassiYou know your life is out of order when your math grade is higher than your choir and foods grade.

Twitter @MorganMcEnroeSenior Year.

THE SOCIAL SPREAD

Twitter @AndyCarta

Twitter @RachelSpeckin Six word horror story: My dog doesn’t like to cuddle.

Snapchat Filters

Twitter @EmmaFergusonKelsey texting and driving.Me adding backs to my Birkenstocks.Jack parking illegally. Called out.

Twitter @MaddieGeigerMost of my regrets in life tend to be about food, such as eating a whole pizza like I did last night.Instagram @MarieSchellIf Leo can finally win an Oscar you can text back.

Twitter @MaggieMartinSo accurate it hurts @LukeCurran

Twitter @ZachSchnellerNothing has changed lmao.

Twitter @MattEwertCelebrity look alike @ColeGiess

Twitter @AbbieMeyerI literally face-swap with everything.

Snapchat @GraysonDunst

34The Spreads


The Survey SpreadWhat will you be doing during Spring Break?

What are you most looking forward to during Spring Break?

News Bites

6Number of Oscars

Mad Max took home on Feb. 28.

319Number of delegates

Donald Trump has following Super

Tuesday victories.

288Number of three-pointers made by

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry

this season as of Mar. 2. It is the single-

season record and the team has 23 games

remaining.

The Back PagesWhat’s inside

Senior Riley Pint pitches in a game against Blue Valley

West last season.

Pitching for the win

Photo Courtesy of Michele Gress

42 Unequal Match-up

43Sticking It Out

44 Food Review

36Baseball Preview

39Commiting to

Something Bigger

In recent years, the Saint Thomas Aquinas baseball team has risen to some prominence due to the immense talent of the young players. Solid outfield play, a precise infield unit, a dominant pitching staff, and superb batting has led this team toward the top of Kansas, and even the country. The Saints brought home a state championship in 2014, but couldn’t quite work the same magic in 2015. This year, led by a determined group of seniors, the team hopes to reach that ultimate goal again.

Head Coach Lorne ParksThe Saints have always had a

strong baseball team, and this is in part because of veteran coach Lorne Parks. Parks has coached many teams at Aquinas, in multiple sports, in his 16 years at the school, but his most successful is the varsity baseball

program. He realizes that last season, despite a 19-3 record, could have been even better. However, it seems there is a silver lining for the Saints.

“We lost to the same team (Blue Valley West) three times,” explained Parks. “We didn’t lose too much to graduation; we got a lot of our players back.”

High school baseball is often not

a show of who can have the most tenured players on the field, but rather the most talented. Parks sees that this team has potential, which ultimately can be one of the most valuable assets.

“There are going to need to be some kids that step up when they get the chance,” he continued. “One of the spots left open from the graduating class was at second base, and this new transfer, (senior) Chase Cowley, could fill that hole.”

What to watch for: “We lost (senior) James Cosentino last year to injuries, so getting him back will help. His bat alone helps the lineup tremendously.”

Goal for the season: “We’re going to take it one game at a time, but it’s too early to make that prediction. The seniors are taking leadership, which will be great for us in the long run.”


36The Back Pages

Saint T omas Aquinas

Saints

2016 Baseball Preview

“There are going to need to be some kids that step

up when they get the chance.”

Lorne ParksHead Baseball Coach

BY CONNOR RAGAN

March 2016

37the Back Pages

Pitcher/Outfielder Blake LillisOne of the more experienced

players on the roster, senior Blake Lillis has always been reaching for the top. In his first varsity season, his sophomore year, the Saints made a run all the way to the state title game and ultimately won it. Since then, he has yearned to get back there, and felt last season’s end result didn’t quite justify the team as a whole.

“We were obviously disappointed at the end of last season,” said Lillis. “We had high hopes to repeat as state champions and just fell short of it at the end.”

Lillis was a key member of a powerful pitching staff, including fellow senior Riley Pint and graduate Garrett Hutson.

With every strength comes an area of concern.

“We’re really going to need the underclassmen to step up this year, to help us with pitching and batting,” Lillis explained.

Lillis ended the season with a

0.86 ERA (earned run average), second best only to Hutson, whose single season produced a 0.71, the best in Aquinas history.

What to watch for: “It’s definitely this pitching staff. We’ve got the flame-throwing Riley Pint in the lineup, plus myself and Bayler Hinz.”

Goal for the season: “Focusing game-to-game and hoping to repeat what we did in 2014: winning a state title.”

Utility player Christian ChalabiA powerful bat for Aquinas,

classmates refer to him as “Dinger.” Senior Christian Chalabi is a loud, inspirational leader both on the football field and on the baseball diamond. Chalabi was another player who made his varsity debut in his sophomore season, and helped the Saints in their run to a second state championship. While that season was a dream for him, last season was more of a learning moment.

“Last season didn’t go as

planned,” explained Chalabi. “I was very disappointed; losing is never fun.”

He remains optimistic, though, and sees the early talent in this team.

“I feel like this team has the attitude and work ethic to win another title.”

Despite having an outstanding previous senior class, it wasn’t solely those players that helped the Saints.

“We lost a couple of key seniors last season,” said Chalabi, “but for the most part, we were a junior-dominated team.”

What is known as a “utility player,” Christian will be available to play any position on the field. “I’m ready to go wherever (Coach) Parks needs me,” he said.

He feels that the experience and number of players that have some varsity time will ultimately be a huge benefit for the team.

What to watch for: “Our team chemistry this year is going to be amazing.”

Goal for the season: “Rings.”

Photos courtesy of Michele Gress

Seniors Blake Lillis (left) and Christian Chalabi (right) look to lead the Saints to another state title this season. After graduating, Lillis will continue his baseball career at the University of Arkansas, while Chalabi will play at William Jewell University.


38the Back Pages

Shortstop James CosentinoAnother in the line of outstanding dual-sport athletes

to come through Aquinas, senior James Cosentino has been a force for the football and baseball teams. His junior year was hampered by injuries in both sports, which left him seeing little playing time when baseball season rolled around. However, he feels he is well-recovered and ready to make another run at a title.

“Last year didn’t quite end up as we hoped,” Cosentino said. “Our goal was to win another state championship, but unfortunately we fell short.”

As many of the players noted, which certainly speaks for the baseball program as a whole, last year’s senior class was very important to their team.

“We had talented seniors that taught us many important things, like how to act as a team and how

to be a better baseball player as a whole,” explained Cosentino.

This year’s team will have 10 seniors on the roster, including 4-year players such as Riley Pint and Dallas Mitchell. Another of the “senior leaders,” Cosentino will be a major contributor to the team in his final season as a Saint.

What to watch for: “We definitely have great team chemistry, and there is great team leadership with all of the seniors we have.”

Goal for the season: “We all have it engraved in our minds: get back to that state championship. I think we have a very good chance of doing that.”

Senior Connor Ragan, @csragan13 on social media, is a reporter and social media editor for The Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.

Photos courtesy of Michele Gress

The Saints will look to win another state title this season, and the return of senior infielder James Cosentino (left) from injury will certainly benefit the team. Cosentino will play his college baseball at the University of Kansas.

Committing to Something

Greater

Students take talent to the next level

39the Back Pages

March 2016

BY OLIVIA RODE

40The Back Pages

Saint Thomas Aquinas athletes are no strangers to success. This may be why they are so sought after by college coaches. This year, over 20 seniors have signed on to play college athletics around the country.

“We try to prepare our players both mentally and physically for college athletics. From the type of practice we run and our expectations in practice and games,” says Head Girl’s Basketball Coach Rick Hetzel. This dedication contributes to the number of kids that have committed.

Committing to a college is a big deal, and the fact that so many Aquinas students are recruited is impressive. Senior Tom Killilea was approached by many coaches to recruit him to play football for their school. When asked why he chose Kansas State he replied, “I wanted to play for the hardest working football team in the country.” This inclination for hard work is a motive instilled in every Aquinas student. It allows for a successful high school career, and a successful college career as well. Regan Pittman, a senior volleyball player, is another example of a student wanting to be the best she can be and who needed a competitive environment to do so.

“It comes down to three simple

things: to play for the best, with the best, against the best,” said Pittman who will play at Minnesota. Yet again we see this pattern of wanting to succeed.

“I get to be on the court with

other college athletes who WANT to win and play just as bad as me,” expressed senior Rhyann Fisher. Her passion for basketball will be shared on and off the court next year

at William Jewell. College athletes look for an environment where this can be found; a place where they can advance their skills. If one isn’t wanting to get better or lacking a particular passion for the sport

then they most likely will not be a college athlete.

According to the survey taken by a large portion of Aquinas students, only eight percent of senior girls and 11 percent of senior boys consider college sports, with only a couple actually going on to sign to one. One of the most crucial commitments someone can

make is to participate in a sport on a collegiate level. This is an opportunity not available

to just anyone, and why so little participate in them. It takes a special love, courage, and of course hard work, to be able to label oneself a collegiate athlete.

For some, college athletics hasn’t been a lifelong dream, but a recent one. However, athletic programs have allowed the student to go through the process of recruitment with ease; both for those who have been preparing their entire life for it, and for those who have recently discovered their calling to it.

“We try to prepare our student athletes both mentally and physically to become outstanding

“I get to be on the court with other college athletes

who WANT to win and play just as bad as me.”

Rhyann FisherSenior Basketball Player

Photo by Emily Conard | The MedallionSenior Michael Shanahan, who has committed to Missouri Southern State, leads the charge during the cross country state championship race at Rim Rock Farm.


March 2016

41The Back Pages

young men and great high school football players...I know they will be prepared for the rigorous challenges that playing college football presents,” Head Football Coach Randy Dreiling expressed. The atmosphere is similar for every sports team here.

Nothing but positive comments were made about each students sport.

“Baseball is something that I can play everyday of the week. I couldn’t imagine not playing,” senior Christian Chalabi said. Senior Michael Shanahan similarly stated that,

“I can’t see myself not running, it’s become a part of my life.”

This shows that a love of the sport truly does conquer all when deciding whether or not to continue one’s athletic career.

However, seniors Christopher Schilling and Carter Kensinger put it in more relatable terms:

“Few things in life are better than playing football,” and

“Playing lacrosse is by far my favorite thing to do besides eating food.”

Senior Olivia Rode is a Senior Editor and the Social Media Editor for the Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.

Photo by Michele Gress Senior Tom Killilea, takes off down the field to block for his teammate. Killiea was the starting offenisve tackle for the football team in his senior year.

Photo by Michele GressSenior Christian Chalabi waits for the ball, so he can hit a dinger. Chalabi was a starter for the baseball team starting his junior year.

Photo by Michele GressSenior Rhyann Fisher dribbles down the court starting a fast break. Fisher has been on the vaisty all four years, but was plagued by injury this year and had to sit on the sideline.

The debate betweeen athletics and academics at Aquinas begins as students take sides.

BY SETH WALKER

The Unequal Matchup

Saint Thomas Aquinas academics are something the school is known for. Education provided for students is held in high esteem, so much so that in 2011 the school was awarded the Governor’s Award for academics.Some students travel from far places to attend the school and receive such an excellent private education.

The one thing Aquinas might be known for more than academics is athletics. Since the school opened in 1988, the Saints have won 89 state titles and sent off numerous athletes to play in college. The school has sent two players to the NFL, and two players to Major League Soccer.

At times the school seems to favor athletes over students with exceptional academic ability. For example, students going on to play their sport in college have a signing ceremony where they individually commit to their universities. Students who have received academic scholarships receive no such special treatment, and are not equally honored.

In regards to the signing

ceremony, Academic Principal Brian Schenck said, “No, there isn’t really anything like it, but it’s like comparing apples and oranges.” Schenk’s reasoning being, that it is difficult to compare the two subjects as they are very different.

Activities Director Sarah Burgess had a different view on it, “We have the national letter of intent signing day because it’s a national signing day and we have to honor it, we try and acknowledge all of our students who achieve academic greatness whether it be through a mass (senior mass) or other things.”

Schenk is correct, there are a lot more academic scholarships given out to Aquinas students than athletic ones. Nine percent of senior athletes at Aquinas are going on to play their sport in college and just 4% of seniors are going on to play NCAA Div I sports. The fact of the matter is that students who go to play their sports in college receive more attention because they will be in the public spotlight. “They receive more recognition because they’re on TV

and sports are more popular, that’s really the only reason,” Burgess said.

However, a recent Shield survey found that 64% of Aquinas students agree that the school gives better treatment to athletes than it does to other students. When asked if he thought athletes received better acknowledgment Junior Matthew Sandoval said, “Yes, I think they do, I don’t think it would hurt to put more emphasis on academics.” Junior Keshav Kailash had a different opinion on it, “Yes, I believe they receive more recognition, but rightly so. I mean football brings in the most revenue for the school so it’s fair that they receive more recognition than the debate team.”

The gap between the recognition of academics and athletics is noticeable, however Aquinas does its best to recognize both and make all students accomplishments known.

Photo by Jenni Nguyen | The MedallionSenior’s sign their national letters of intent during a signing ceremony in February.

42The Back Pages


Junior Seth Walker is a reporter for The Shield. This story was edited by Alex Kinnan.

The boys’ lacrosse team has been preparing for months for this season. While having to compete against other spring sports like rugby, track, and baseball, the lacrosse team is going strong with 39 players.

“We have a strong senior class and a couple of really good sophomores,” assistant coach Mark Blaise said.

One of these strong seniors is Carter Kensinger, who is committed to play lacrosse at Carthage College in Wisconsin.

“In the sixth grade while I was signing up for football and a guy was playing catch with friend with lacrosse sticks,” Kensinger said. “That’s when I got the idea of trying the sport and signed up that coming spring.”

Lacrosse is a sport that requires a lot of dedication, on and off the field. To prepare for the season, Kensinger started working out several months before the season began.

“I played wall ball a lot over the offseason whenever I could. Usually I played wall ball before I worked out at my gym. I shot in my backyard and up the school as well.”

Dedication is nothing new to this team. You can often find several of the players in Blaise’s room during passing periods getting their helmets readjusted or sticks renetted.

“All of us are focused and working hard to be the best team we can be,” Kensinger said.

After setting the goal to make playoffs, the lacrosse team is ready to work as hard as possible to achieve it.

“What we expect for the upcoming season is what coach Blaise has toldus since the very first day of practice,” senior Alex Speckin said. “Get better everyday and trust the system, because when we do that, wins begin to fall into place.”

While the boys’ lacrosse team is one to be reckoned with, the newly formed girls’ lacrosse team is slowly becoming a powerful force.

“This year will be a JV only team,” said Doug Davis, the new Head Girls’ Lacrosse Coach. “This year is about development and getting a basic understanding of the sport.”

The girls’ lacrosse program began earlier this year, when a few freshmen, namely Katie Hillyer,

approached Davis and asked him to coach. After coaching for the boy’slacrosse team for six years, Davis was ready to pave the way for the new program, especially for his daughter, who will be attending Aquinas next year. They were able to form a basic budget and begin an official club. Only two of the 24 members have experience, but they are quickly developing.

“I am impressed with the early signs of how well they were able to learn and apply new skills,” Davis said.

Sticking Out the Season

43the Back Pages

Senior Ellie Heit is The Shield’s Copy Editor. This story was edited by Daniel Petracek.

BY ELLIE HEIT

March 2016

Both lacrosse teams are ready to battle their way to victory as their seasons commence.

Photo by Ellie Heit | The ShieldSeniors Wesley Weissend (left) and Carter Kensinger (right) work hard during a drill at practice after school . They also have morning practice several times a week.

Bella Napoli, an Italian restaurant in the Brookside shopping district of midtown Kansas City, is a true local destination. The restaurant was founded in 2001 by Jake Imperiale. Under the guidance of his mother, the two worked hard to bring authentic Italian food to Kansas City.

Upon arrival you are greeted by smiling faces and the warm smell of coffee and freshly-cooked pasta. The dining room provides an intimate look out onto the Brookside shopping district. To

start, my friend and I dined on sourdough bread with olive oil. The beverage selection was plentiful with premium roast coffees and Pepsi products. Our server was very attentive and personable, helping guide us to our entree orders.

I ordered the tortellini and my friend the calzone. The kitchen service was sluggish for a Monday night, however, the restaurant was fairly busy. Despite the wait, our food was well worth it. Served in a warm dish, the tortellini was well-seasoned, but I didn’t think the

portions were worth the 15 dollar price. On the other hand, The calzone was a monstrosity and only cost 11 dollars. Overall, Bella Napoli is worth the trip over to the Missouri side. Just steer away from the more expensive options on the menu.

Hours: Monday - Thursday • 11am - 9pmFriday & Saturday • 11am - 10pm

Sunday • CLOSED

A Local GemBrookside Italian resident, feels close to home.

BY ALEX KINNAN

Shield Scale1- Terrible

2- Poor3- Average

4-Good5-Great

6229 Brookside Boulevard Kansas City, Mo 64111

Overall Score- 3 SHIELDS

ggg

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Photos by Alex Kinnan | The ShieldFrom left to right: Bella Napoli entrance in the Brookside shopping center. Tortellini, served with fresh peas and tomatoes. Calzone

with pepperoni and fresh mozzarella baked inside.

The Food Review

Senior Alex Kinnan, @alexkinnan on twitter, is editor-in-chief of The Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.

March 2016

Xavier DoeringThe Icebreaker

Meet Xavier, the state champion sophomore rugby player with All-American allocades.

45The Back Pages

What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime?I’d like to be a Professional Boomerang Thrower.

If a movie was made about your life, what would it be about and what actor would play “you?” It would be about my life in Australia & Malcom Butler would play me.

Are you more of a morning or night person?I’m a night person because I like to party.

Favorite radio station?Favorite radio station is either 103.3 or 106.5.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?I’ve eaten a beef jerky called road kill, it was kangaroo flavoured. I was in the actual outback of Australia.

Favorite golf club? Favorite club would have to be the driver because I like to try and hit the ball as hard as I can to see how far it goes. I’m entertained pretty easily.

Senior Alex Kinnan, @alexkinnan on twitter, is Editor-in-Chief of The Shield. This story was edited by Ellie Heit.Photo courtesy of Michele Gress.

What is your biggest pet peeve?My biggest pet peeve is when people don’t hold the door for others. Just not good enough.

Photos by Connor Ragan | The Shield1.) Junior Angelo Allegri pulls up for a long-range jump shot, which kept Aquinas in the game.2.) Senior Karter Odermann makes his way down the tunnel of Saints before the tip-off.3.) Junior Ben Hagenkord scans the court for a teammate before shooting the ball himself.

Last Look STA vs SJA The Saint Thomas Aquinas Shield

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March 2016Last Look STA vs SJA

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Photos by Connor Ragan | The Shield4.) Senior Duron Lowe drives hard to the basket.5.) Coach Reilly calls the team together for a discussion.6.) Whatever the result, the Saints will stand proud and sing the alma mater with unity and pride.

March/April 2016Our Top Events of the Month

The Students’ Voice The Shield

Wednesday 3/23Girls Soccer @ Gardner Edgerton, 7pm Wednesday 3/30Softball @ Gardner Edgerton, 4:30pm

Friday 4/1Boys Tennis @ Pembroke Hill, 4pm

Saturday 4/2Track and Field @ Shawnee Mission South, 9am

Tuesday 4/5Our Game of the IssueBoys baseball@ Blue Valley Southwest, 4:30pm

March 2016

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