SENIORISSUE

2012

senior issue | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | May 17, 2012

129 students will graduate in STA’s 142nd graduating class. Seniors not pictured: Martha Ramirez, Brenna Scott

HALLO from the other side. This is Kathleen Hough, reporting live from kAwLege. Congrats, seniors, on reaching the end of the fairytale life of what I like to call St. Teresa’s Academy. I’m here to give you all a real-ity check—the inside scoop on your new life amongst a sea of the most complicated creatures known to man…BOYZ.

Luckily, most of my new college pals are products of single-sex, Catholic high schools and have a lot in common with my weirdness. In fact, my fellow all-girls school female friends and I have compiled some differ-ences of going to school with da’ boiz:

H Looking nice for class.You’re expected to do it. Every day. Even if you have class at 7 a.m. or got 3 hours of sleep last night. Do I decide to participate? No WAY. If one more girl in wedges and a dress tells me I look “so comfy” or “really tired,” I might have a heart attack. However, there are some pluses to not getting ready for class. On the days when I look presentable, people

around campus are like: “Oh my God, you look re-ally pretty today,” and I’m like: “Oh thanks, I have no idea what I did differ-ently…” I’ll also add that finals week has become quite enjoyable for me be-cause everyone looks like I do on a regular basis…total crap.

H It is no longer socially acceptable to discuss fart-ing/pooping/periods/lack of personal hygiene in public. Surprisingly, boys don’t think it’s as hilarious as we do when we haven’t showered for over four days and/or shaved our pits for a month. And when you complain about how your period is kicking your butt, the only thing close to sympathy you’ll be getting is: “NOT AT THE DINNER TABLE, PLEASE.” Don’t bother asking if anyone has a tampon in public. One of them will freak out like a little girl.

H You can run. But you can’t hide. Even at a school where boys and girls live in separate dorms, I cannot go three seconds without seeing someone of the opposite sex. Not only are you going to school with boys, but you are living, eating, breathing with them. Say goodbye

to four lunches a day and “Are you gonna eat that?”s, because I guarantee your girlfriends will become a lot more conscious about what they are putting on their trays in the dining hall when boys are next to them.

H STAY WEIRD. Even though you’re leaving STA behind, don’t leave behind the weirdo girl that was made here. If you don’t want to dress up as the sexy bumblebee for Halloween, then dress up as a bag of trash. If you aren’t feeling the mirror picz/selfie seshes in the bathroom, then don’t participate. I guarantee you will find the same hilarious, intelligent, down to earth, weirdo girls you formed genuine friendships with at STA at your college. And don’t let boys be an obstacle. I’ve met so many boys at this place that tell me they wish the girls at their high schools were like the STA girls they’ve met in college. You were born this way baby; you’re ready for the real world, and they will love you.

In the end, everyone loves an STA girl and wants you to share a little bit of the STA flavor with them. So get out there, be proud, and do your colleges the STA way—as happy as can beeeeeee, ‘cause you’re a girl from the Academy.H

by EMILY WEMHOFFewemhoff@dartnewsonline.com

As senior Marianna Messerli leaves for Northwestern University, her parents will be home for the first time without any children

2 | senior issue | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | May 17, 2012

the dartpeople and policies

Eric Thomas............................................................advisor

Emily McCann.................managing editor of designAnna Leach..........................managing editor of webNatalie Fitts......................managing editor of storiesEmma Wheatley............managing editor of photos

printRosie Hutchison..........................................cover editorMickey Redlingshafer.............................page 2 editorShaeffer Smith..........................................page 3 editorSara-Jessica Dilks.........................centerspread editor Sara Meurer...................................centerspread editorCaitlin Fletcher..........................................page 6 editorEmily Wemhoff.........................................page 7 editorKatie Parkinson.........................................page 8 editor

webLauren Langdon...........................................daily editorAdrianna Ohmes..........................................daily editor Lane Maguire................................................daily editor Nikki Rodriguez.....................multimedia web editorMeghan Lewis..................................web photo editor

policiesownership and sponsershipThe Dart is created by the student newspaper staff and is published by general operating funds of St. Teresa’s Academy, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Dart will not publish opinions that contradict the teach-ings and beliefs of the Catholic Church, whether on a diocesan or worldwide level.

editorial policyThe Dart is subject to prior review by the St. Teresa’s Academy administration in circumstances that concern student safety and illegal behavior by students. Otherwise, the policies above will guide the Dart. The Dart intends to be a public forum for voices regardless of diverse ages, sexes, races, cultures, religions or beliefs. Signed columns reflect the opinions of the individual, not necessarily the newspaper staff or the school community.

letters policyThe Dart encourages letters to the editor. Letters can be sent in the following ways: in person to Eric Thomas in D204; by mail to St. Teresa’s Academy, attn: Eric Thomas, 5600 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113; or by email to ethomas@stteresasacad-emy.org. Letters should be limited to 250 words. The Dart staff reserves the right to edit or shorten letters for publication.

photo illustrationsPhoto illustrations are conceptual photos that com-bine the limitless possibility of the drawing with the realism of the photograph. They are not intended to be documentary photos of real moments.

corrections policyThe Dart will print corrections as soon as possible after the error is discovered.

dartnewsonline.com

ENS: Empty Nest Sydrome

Welcome to the wonderful world of boys

looking forward H Senior Marianna Messerli looks over a handbook for Northwestern University with her par-ents Rob and JoEllen. Marianna will be the last of three children to leave for college. photo by NATALIE FITTS

“She lights up any room she is in, except first thing in the morning.”

“I love to hear her laugh.” “She is my little princess.” Her father recalls the countless memories he has

of his only daughter. It is hard to imagine what life will be like this fall as his last child leaves for college, embarking on the next phase of her life.

She has waited for this moment for years. Free-dom. Independence. Anxiety. Nerves. She is finally going to college. After making the decision to attend Northwestern University in Chicago, it finally hit her that she is graduating. And that she is going to be nine hours away from her family.

It still hasn’t sunk in for her parents. It will be the first time in 23 years that they will have an empty nest. Dinners will be weird, with no kids around the table. They can hardly remember how to cook for two people. The house will be cleaner with no teenagers to pick up after, but they aren’t so sure it’s worth the trade off.

To ease the separation anxiety, he has promised his wife to take her somewhere after they take their only daughter to college. He said his wife will be a “hot mess”, and he thinks they will end up staying in Chicago for a couple of days in case their recent freshman “needs something for her dorm room.” Her mom is also predicting massive amounts of retail therapy on Michigan Avenue.

“All the emotions [of kids leaving for college] will be multiplied because she is the last one,” her mother said.

This “only daughter” will always worry about her parents. She is looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing many new things, but she knows it will be hard, especially since she is the last kid to leave and going so far away.

“When her brothers went off, we still had a child or two to keep us busy,” her father said. “This time there will an empty feeling, especially since she is the baby and the only girl.”

Unlike her older brothers who went to college at Pittsburgh State University and Kansas State Uni-versity, she knows she won’t be able to visit home as often. She still hopes she can keep the same close relationship with her parents.

They will miss the revolving door of friends coming in and out, talking about weekend plans or looking for food. They will miss everything about her. The month of May has been a cry fest for her mom. Graduation announcements, senior photos, prom, the senior fashion show. Whenever she thinks about graduation, it’s hard not to get teary eyed.

She knows her mom isn’t ready to see her go. Isn’t ready to see her last child depart on the next phase of her life. She sees how upset her mom gets, and she knows it will be hard to leave.

All summer her parents will both be coming home with things for her dorm. To her, it still feels

like she is in high school and it hasn’t really hit her she will be leaving. As excited as she is to experience college, it is scary to be going off on her own all the same.

“It will be hard to let her go and we will miss her tremendously,” her father said.

Her mom knows she is “very confident and capable,” just like she taught her to be.

For senior Marianna Messerli and her parents, August will be a time of new beginnings. For Marian-na, it means the excitement of college. For Rob and Joellen, it means an empty house for the first time.

For all three, it means a whole new adventure. H

Scan the QR code to read the complete story on DNO.

by KATHLEEN HOUGH

Former staffer Kathleen Hough shares her wisdom about entering a male infested environment.

Hough

May 17, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | senior issue | 3

by KATIE HYDEkhyde@dartnewsonline.com

Over the past four years at this great Academy, I have gone to school 600+ days and sat through 5,000+ class periods. My time at STA includes thousands of memories, stories and friends, many that I will always remember and will be hard to be replaced.

When I think about going to college next year and having to leave all the great things about STA behind, I get upset because I realize that many of the things I love so much right now will be hard to replace in college. Some of my favorite things about STA will be worth replacing in college, but others will be impossible to match.

Here is a list of the top 10 things I will miss most about STA and how I hope to fill those voids when I go off to college.10. Nan Bone

This is one of the things that will have to go unreplaced. Nothing in college will ever compare to hearing, “Good evening St. Teresa’s families. This is Nan Bone.” on my home phone. For one, I won’t have a home phone, and two, if the dean at MU is calling me as often as Nan does, I think I might have a problem.9. Themes

I don’t know if there will ever be another time in my life when I will need as many costumes as I did at STA. We dress up for games, Friday theme days, Halloween and the list goes on. In college, I’m sure I’ll need costumes for classic themed par-ties (think toga) and holidays, so a bin of costumes in my dorm closet will be a must.8. Fishbowls in AP Lit class

My classmates might think I’m joking about this one, but I’m actually not. However much I hate to admit this, fishbowl discussions in Mr. Fast’s class were some of the most interesting and thought-provoking class periods I had at STA.

These types of small group discussions will be hard to come by when I am going to a school with 30,000 other students, but I am excited to show off what we all learned from fishbowls if ever given the chance.7. Desserts

Describe STA in one word: food. Every last one of us has an obsessions with Waldo Pizza, Chipotle and JoJo’s (just kidding about that last one), but the supreme food at all of STA has to be desserts. Believe it or not, before I came to STA I didn’t know what a cake ball was. Oh how naive I was. I know that dessert still exists in college, but never to the same standard of quality and quantity as here at STA. This is another void that must remain unfilled, unless I have Maddie Dang ship me des-serts from Tulane on a monthly basis, which I’m thinking might happen. 6. Publication nights

If you aren’t a Dart nerd, you might as well skip this number because you’ll be annoyed at how much fun we have as a staff and how you’ll never be able to understand our overall goofiness. Publication nights were always a weird paradox for me because they ended up being some of the most stressful nights at STA, but also some of the most fun and rewarding. With the hypothetical questions at dinner to the spur-of-the-moment dance parties to Hall & Oates, it’s safe to say that publication nights will be something I can never replace.5. Sports

Whether it’s been me playing or me watch-ing others make STA proud, sports have been a huge part of my time here. I have loved the sense of community that comes with supporting our Stars on the field, and it doesn’t hurt that we’re pretty darn good at sports, too. Since I’ve been at STA, our school has brought home countless state banners. This is the one thing on the list that I think will be super easy to replace. Not only is MU good at sports, but they were the inventors of the concept of homecoming. Therefore, us Tigers know how to make sporting events competitive and fun, which is something the Star in me will always value. 4. Yard days

During every yard day, I always have what I like to call “Only at STA” moments. At what other school will you find girls playing kick ball, eating

ice cream and blasting music? The answer is that you won’t. STA is totally unique and it’s the mo-ments where I’ve experienced that one of a kind sense of community that I’ll miss the most. Most college campuses, especially MU, have beauti-ful quads in which to spend nice down time. Of course, the clowns with balloon animals and face paint won’t be there, but I’m pretty okay with that.3. Exploring campus

People often compare our school to Hogwarts and I think the most prolific connection we have to the fictional school is all of the hidden rooms and passageways that we have on campus. Spend-ing free periods with friends exploring the graffiti room, the fourth floor, the skylight above the audi-torium and, of course, the tunnel have been some of the more mischievous moments from my time at STA, but I wouldn’t take them back for one sec-ond (remember, Ms. Bone, I gave you a shout out earlier). Sadly, when I go off to college I won’t be able to replace this great thing about STA because in the real world, it’s called trespassing.2. The tartan plaid

Real girls wear plaid. We all know it’s true. In fact, Forever 21 and many other store have caught on to the phenomenon that is tartan plaid and started to sell things with that material in their stores. As this trend progresses, we can say, “Yeah. We were the ones to start the worldwide plaid craze.” I hope to make a quilt with my STA t-shirts and my old skirt and keep the tartan plaid with me throughout my college days. In the end though, us STA girls in the classic skirt will always wear it best. 1. The Class of 2012

It goes without saying that you girls are the funniest, sweetest, smartest, craziest, most unforgettable group of people that I’ve ever had the pleasure of being friends with, and because of that, you guys will never be replaced. Sure, college will bring about many new friends for us all and it’ll be so fun! I for one am excited to make friends with the girls on my dorm floor. From our sixth floor Facebook group, I have already learned that they can all quote “Bridesmaids” word-for-word, too, and there is something oddly comforting in that. But no matter where all of our lives take us, no matter what new friends we make, I will al-ways cherish the sisterhood we have formed here during our past four years. I love you all! H

I’ve loved every minute of high school. Well, that’s not entirely true. It’s probably more ac-curate to say I’ve loved every other minute of high school. I’m not going to try to convince you I was having a good time when Mrs. Bone wouldn’t call off school when there were about 10 inches of snow on the ground and every student’s Face-book status was begging, “Please, Nan, help a girl out!” I won’t brainwash you into thinking I was having a blast when I received a test back from Mrs. Weller bearing the ominous words “See me.”

And I certainly won’t attempt to persuade you that I enjoyed living off of an average of six hours of sleep a night for four years.

However, for every day I spent begrudgingly trudging through a foot of snow from class to class, for every “See me” test I received (there were multiple), for every sleep deprivation-induced meltdown, there are a million wonderful memories.

Smelling Waldo pizza drifting through the hallways. Reading “Heart of Darkness” and crying more at leaving Mr. Himes’ class than I probably will at graduation. Petting Critter and mourning his untimely death. Using the gloriously scented soaps in the third floor Donnelly bathroom. Cringing at the not so gloriously scented Quad in spring. Sprinting down the stairs to open up an issue of the Dart seconds after it arrives on campus. Crossing the line between friendly competition and blood feud with Sion more than once during a sporting game. Worshipping Kath-leen Vogel’s right arm. Pranking Mr. Fast every Wednesday on F weeks. Reading the State Cham-

pionship banners during mass. Running into the open arms of a friend. Eating four (or more) brownies in one sitting and feeling absolutely no shame. Feeling like I’m home.

And now, as I face graduation and The Great Unknown, perhaps too late, I have come to realize that my time here is not defined by the resume I accumulated, the grades I received or the classes I took. My time here is not defined by my JIP project or how well I can graph a rational polynomial function with two asymptotes and “funky” end behavior.

My time here is defined by each little moment with each one of you, even though some of those moments involved Fs, tears and flesh wounds.

We at STA are kind, we are crazy, we are bizarre, we are beautiful, we are hairy, we are hungry, we are weird and we are utterly perfect.

These past four years have been the most exhausting, exhilarating, hilarious, weird, mind-expanding, challenging and amazing years of my 18 year life.

I will miss you so very much. H

The good, the bad, the ugly

Top 10 things I’ll miss most

by ALLISON FITTSafitts@dartnewsonline.com

SENIOR COLUMNSScan the QR code with your smart-

phone to see more senior columns on DartNewsOnline!

by HANNAH WOLFhwolf@dartnewsonline.com

This is the last time I’m ever going to be writ-ing for the Dart. And naturally, it’s 1 a.m. the night before it’s due. Can you really blame me though? After two years of multiple 1000 word stories, countless interviews, and hundreds of rough drafts, I want to make this last one count.

This whole year, I’ve spent my time think-ing about “the first time I” got hurt, knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, or fought with my brother. But now that I have to say goodbye to the beloved academy, the homely publications room, and the tremendous Dart staff, I’ve spent my time thinking about “the last time I” am going to do things.

For instance, I recently spent my last publica-tion night listening to Nickelback on Pandora, de-pantsing Katie McCombs in front of Mr. Thomas, and trying to fit Sara-Jessica Dilks into a locker. I had to tell Mary O’Leary for the last time that she couldn’t make up headlines such as “three girls killed in school fire.” I answered my last hypotheti-cal question from Mr. Thomas, naturally with something to do about a statue of Helen Keller.

Other “lasts” include:The last time I pull into the parking lot at 7:41

and magically find a spot close to M&A.The last time I forget to check out of advisory.The last time I spend my period one free in

Mrs. Drummond’s office, even though we’re not allowed to do that anymore.

The last time I attempt to open a door and then realize I have to type in a code to get in.

The last time I have to ask if I’m allowed to get more than two slices of Waldo pizza.

The last time I come up with an excuse to talk to Ms. Bone just to get candy.

The last time I avoid walking on the seal because of bad luck.

The last time I call my mom to check me out of school just so I can go out to lunch or leave early to go shopping.

The last time I come to school without my netbook charged and have to ask a girl in every class for a charger.

The last time I was on time to class. Just kid-ding that was never.

The last time I ran a cross country race with Mary O’Leary and Meka Kelly, we were purposely in last place the whole race and may have gotten the slowest 5k time in history.

The last time Mr. Fast actually cared about our advisory... was never.

The last time I read a book for lit class was junior year.

The last time I turn off the snooze button five times before my mom has to wake me up.

The last time I crash one of Ms. Good’s adviso-ry parties to hangout with Mary Cate Feuerborn.

The last time I hand out fake free Chipotle gift cards with Marianna Messerli and Allison Fitts.

The last time I have a random girl hold the door open for me.

The last time I paint my whole body blue for a volleyball game against Sion.

The last time I dress up with my dad for the father-daughter dance.

The last time I wake up excited to go to school. The last time I attend STA. These “last times” are what make me not want

to leave or graduate. These last times make me appreciate my time here so much more. These last times are why I will always love STA. H

THE LAST

TIME I...

May 17, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | senior issue | 54 | senior issue | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | May 17, 2012

University of KansasLauren Barrett

Caroline Connor

Lucy Edmonds

Katie Evans

Megan Hodes

Jacqueline Kerr

Mary LeRoy

Anna Meyers

Theresa Murphy

Mary O’Leary

Jackie Regan

Hannah Reinhart

Libby Sauder

Brenna Scott

Laura Stacy

Kansas state University

Kennedy Burton

Katelyn Ehrnman

Lydia Thomsen

Benedictine collegeShannen Freeman

emporia stateUniversity

Nicole Kamradt

pittsBUrg state University

Miranda Green

BaKer UniversityJennifer Blake

kansas

creighton UniversityBrianna Casey

Kelsey Ceriotti

Mary Cate Feuerborn

Danielle Gatapia

Lizzy Imperiale

Caroline Mendus

Abby Suholaski

nebraska

University of arKansasMegan Lewis

Lucia Maschler

Katie McCombs

Rowan O’Brien-Williams

McLaren O’Rear

Cassie Odneal

Lane Schulte

arkansas

oKlahoma state UniversityMaggie Cussen

Kathleen Devine

Mary Kate Jenks

Logan Kembel

Margot Livers

University of oKlahomaAnnie DeRuyter

Taylor Migliazzo

oklahomacalif

orn

ia california polytechnic state University, san lUis oBispo

Christina Barton

fashion institUte of design and merchandising, los angeles

Maddie Doyle

pepperdine UniversityMeka Kelly

california state University, fUllerton

Alexandra Reddis

iow

a simpson college

Megan Lankford

coe collegeJessica Vincent

University of iowaLiz Wiens

tennesseevanderBilt University

Grace Crowe

Hannah Wolf

oregonUniversity of portland

Stephanie Hampel

georgiasavannahcollege of art and design

Miranda Johnsontexastexas state University, san marcos

Mayme Marshall

University of dallasColleen McInerney

tUlane UniversityMaddie Dang

Kate Rohr

louisianaalabama

University of alaBama

Kate Dujakovich

north carolina state University

Paige Wendland

north carolina

carleton college

Abby Uche

minnesotaUniversity of missoUri

Maddison Balachowski

Rachel Caffrey

Lindsay Cook

Elizabeth Daugherty

Allison Fitts

Amanda Florido

Sarah Godfrey

Emily Holt

Molly Kaniger

Cara McClain

Rosemary McGraw

Alex Mediavilla

Sara Pence

Madison Phillips

Erin Twaddle

Taylor Twellman

Katarina Waller

Haley Winslow

Emily Wunder

saint loUis UniversityKerry Egan

Mari Kerwin

Caitlin Nelson

missouriBrenna Palmer

Libby Randolph

Olivia Scheuler

Sarah Turgeon

UmKcAlex Greathouse

Erika Mikkelsen

Lorraine Sands

Nicole Wemhoff

washington University in st. loUis

Chelsea Birchmier

Erin Sellers

Kate Needham

missoUri state University

Sarah Bryant

Danielle Comford

Christie Fletcher

trUman state University

Hannah Haywood

Erin Hutchison

Mackenzie Jones

University of central missoUri

Trish Smith

Maddy Ismert

KaiLi McCamman

northwest missoUri state University

Emily Bresette

Kelly Muraski

rocKhUrst University

Claire McKeon

missoUri western state University

Megan Helt

fontBonne University

Rachel Shedd

maryville UniversityKrissy Bryde

william Jewell college

Alexis Buford

avila UniversityJasmine Colhour

stephens collegeAriana Goode

University of daytonKelly O’Byrne

Brie Sandridge

the ohio state University

Alexandra Radtke

ohio

gonzaga UniversityCelia O’Flaherty

washington

senior

stateof mind

loyola University chicago

Katie Beirne

Lucy McManness

Hannah Otto

Kathleen Vogel

depaUl UniversityKelsey Rodriguez

northwestern University

Marianna Messerli

illin

ois

massachusetts

floridafUll sail University

Martha Ramirez

University of denverAva Jurden

Melissa Lane

colorado state UniversityKatie Patterson

colorado

american University,washington d.c.

Katie Hyde

Us navySarah Burchett

emerson collegeHanna Katz

The Dart gathered information onwhere the Class of 2012 will be next year. In total, there are 129 graduating seniors, with 49 students attending school in Missouri.

compiled by EMILY MCCANN

The Dart breaks down the se-niors classes’ choice of college majors for next year. Each icon represents 1 percent.

$$$$ $$$$$ $$$

Science/Engineering/Architecture/Math

17%

English/Journalism/Language

23%

Nursing/Healthcare

16%

Visual/PerformingArts

8%Undecided

17%

Business/Finance

12%

Education

7%

$

MAJORdecisions

graphics by SARA-JESSICA DILKS AND SARA MEURER

by NATALIE FITTSnfitts@dartnewsonline.com

See ya, Sista!

When Allison and I end our DartNewsOnline blogs, we say “See ya, sistas!” to our readers. But come this fall, we’ll be saying it to each other.

When people talk about “empty nest syndrome,” they are usually talking about how parents are feeling after their child leaves home for college. I find that offensive because I hon-estly think I will miss my sister, Allison, more than my parents will. They will still have one lovely daughter at home with them, but I won’t have any more siblings here with me.

I think I got the short end of the stick when it comes to our family dynamic. For the first two years of Allison’s life, all she had experiences was being an only child. Plus, when I came along, she was still at an age where getting a little sister wouldn’t disrupt her routine of eating, sleeping and playing.

However, I’m at an age where essentially be-coming an only child will very much disrupt my life. I’ve never known anything other than having a sister whose door is only a few steps away.

I won’t have anyone to (reluctantly) share clothes with.

I won’t have anyone to make me listen to the band Celtic Women on repeat all the way to school.

I won’t have anyone to help me lose to my parents while we’re playing board games.

I won’t have anyone to get mad at me be-cause I suggest Planet Sub every single time we go out to eat.

I won’t have anyone to tell me what I missed in newspaper class.

I won’t have anyone to yell at me for not wak-ing up after my six alarms go off before school.

I won’t have anyone to incorporate a quote from “Bridesmaids” into every situation with me.

But most importantly, I won’t have anyone to talk to about anything any time I want.

Over the past few years, Allison and I have grown close enough that I feel comfortable talking to her about anything happening to me—good, bad or otherwise. If I’m having friend problems, I can go to her. If I’m annoyed with my parents, I can go to her. If I meet a cute guy, I can go to her. Sure, she may roll her eyes at me sev-eral times a day, but she understands me better than anyone because she knows everything that has ever happened in my life.

I know she’s only going two hours away, but soon I won’t be able to go into her room to talk about something serious or to show her a funny video of dachshund getting stuck in a sweatshirt sleeve I found while not doing my homework.

So sometimes I might just pop into your dorm room because you “have a face like sun-shine,” and I want to see it. Or I might just text you. Or Skype you. Or call you. Or tweet at you. Or send you a greeting card. Or post on your Facebook wall. I might even do every single one of those things every single day until you quit responding.

I understand though. I know you’re off meet-ing your new best friends, eating Shakespeare’s Pizza, going to sorority parties, getting student pricing for football and basketball games and doing whatever fun things people do in college. Don’t get me wrong—I’m excited to see what amazing, successful things you do in college and throughout the rest of your life. Just don’t forget about your little sis. My door is always open, just like yours has always been for me. You know where I live. H

Classmate Cousins

1997. prima donnas H Katie Evans and Libby Sau-der. dance in a ballet class together when they were younger. submitted photo2000. lean on me H Katie Evans, left, and Libby Sauder sit on a bench while they ride on a carousel together. submitted photo2002. twinsies H Libby Sauder, left, and Katie Evans pose for the camera in their matching bandanas, shirts and pants. submitted photo2008. we’re on a boat H Libby Sauder, left, and Katie Evans on a family cruise in eighth grade. sub-mitted photo2012. promenade H Libby Sauder, left, and Katie Evans pose for a picture before their senior prom April 20. submitted photo

by MICKEY REDLINGSHAFERmredlingshafer@dartnewsonline.com

Seniors Libby Sauder and Katie Evans attended St. Ann’s Grade School together and will attend the University of Kansas in the fall.

Seniors Katie Evans and Libby Sauder have known each other for a long time. Not only have the two gone to school together since kindergar-ten, but they are cousins. Both their heads are full of memories of each other.

They remember playing pool games in the Evans backyard before they were even in school. They remember attending St. Ann Catholic School together, and they remember being at prom together as their senior year at STA was coming to an end. These two have grown close throughout their lives, and both hope to grow even closer next year as they attend the University of Kansas. The Olden Days

According to Sauder, in kindergarten, she and Evans participated in the St. Ann’s talent show with their class. They performed some type of “Spanish dance thing.” Each girl-boy pair was sup-posed to link arms and begin to dance. This dance turned into Evans and Sauder linking arms and running in circles for the whole audience to see.

Both Evans and Sauder explain that many of their memories contain other family members, es-pecially Evans’ little sister, junior Jane. When Katie and Sauder were 6 years old, they were sleeping over at the Evans house. While Katie and Sauder were playing downstairs, Jane stayed upstairs and proceeded to hit her head on the corner of a dresser. Her head started bleeding, and when Katie and Sauder found her she tried to convince the two it was not blood running down her face, but snot.

“Libby never had a sister and always wanted one,” said Ms. Molly Sauder, Libby’s mom. ”She al-ways loved hanging with Katie and Jane, because she felt like they could be her sisters.”

When they were young and it was time to go home after they had been playing at the Evans’, Ms. Maureen Evans, Katie’s mom, would drive Lib-by back home. While Maureen and Molly would chat, Libby would hide in the Evans’ car so she wouldn’t have to go home. According to Molly, many times Maureen would drive away with Libby still hiding in the back seat. STAying Together

Libby explains that she and Katie have always joked around. Starting in high school, the two began to impersonate their moms, according to Katie. Whenever their moms are talking on the phone, Libby and Katie call each other too, just to make fun of them. Katie explains you would know the two were sisters “in a heartbeat.” According to Libby, their moms “are basically the same person.”

On Student Appreciation Day during Katie and Libby’s junior year, Libby brought a Santa Claus Snuggie as a picnic blanket. This Snuggie was not used as a blanket for long. Soon Libby and Katie put it on together and ran around the field joking around with their friends. From Cradle to College

In August, Katie and Libby will pack up their stuff and head to Lawrence. At KU, the two will live in dorm buildings next to one other. They could end up in the same sorority, or maybe even some of the same classes. Their freshman year will be filled with firsts. Libby is comforted that she will have Katie, a family member who is going through the same new experiences as her, living so close to her next year. Katie is excited to stay close with Libby next year, explaining that no matter what happens they will always have a “family-bond,” and she loves their relationship because they “get to be weird together.” The two cousins are ready for KU together and beyond. H

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Libby never had a sister and always wanted one. She always loved hanging with Katie and Jane, because she felt like they could be her sisters.

Ms. Molly SauderLibby’s mom

6 | senior issue | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | May 17, 2012

“Get doubles from the vending machine because it’s awesome and it makes your day better.” —Miranda Green ‘12

“Find some way to get onto the roof of Donnelly. I’ve been up there five times.” —Danielle Gatapia ‘12

“Have a solid thirty minute conversation with Mr. Himes. There is never a dull moment and you will walk away with loads of great advice and fun facts.” —Rosemary McGraw ‘12

“Go down into the tunnel and sign your name on the wall because it’s tradition.” —Mary Leroy ‘12

“On a Friday, go around to every advisory party and try to mooch some food with friends. You won’t need to eat for at least two days after.” —McLaren O’Rear ‘12

“Do a prank that really sticks with people.”—Elizabeth Daugherty ‘12

“Become friends with Mrs. Egelhoff. She gives the best candy and you have the best excuse for being late to class.” —Alexis Buford ‘12

“Go all out for theme days because it’s one of the best parts of being a senior.” —Kelsey Ceriotti ‘12

“Discover the catwalk above the stage. But don’t walk on it.”—Kelsey Rodriguez ‘12

“Go from the developmental office to Nan’s office to Berardi in order to get a chocolate fix that will last you for a week.” —Mayme Marshall ‘12

“Take a swing at Ms. Montag’s pinata that she has for her last senior advisory party every year.” —Nicole Kamradt ‘12

“Write your name in the dome. It’s really exciting just going up there, but beware of the fourth floor ghost.” —Christie Fletcher ‘12

“ “Have the best silliest free of your life. Krissy Bryde senior

“ “Go to every Sion game you possibly can. Megan Lewis senior

“ “Have a conversation with security Bob because he is mysterious and lovely. Mary Kate Jenks senior

STA

by Sara Meurersmeurer@dartnewsonline.com

The Dart asked seniors what they would put on a list of things students should do before they graduate.

ListB cket

May 17, 2012 | the dart | dartnewsonline.com | senior issue | 7

“Nugget the backpack of Mr. Himes. I’m still kinda working on that myself, but it would be quite the story to tell.” —Shannen Freeman ‘12

“Become friends with Mrs. Berardi.” —Erin Hutchison ‘12

“Go to Europe with Mr. Egner.” —Theresa Murphy ‘12

“Get a picture on Mr. Whitney’s board.”

—Emily Holt‘12

photos by Emma Wheatleyewheatley@dartnewsonline.com

Enrollment & TuitionThen: 529 students $9,200

Now: 570 students $9,750

Social MediaThen: In December 2008, Facebook had 130 million active monthly users. Mr. Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook for college students.

Now: Facebook currently has about 900 million active monthly users. However, newer social net-working sites Twitter and Pinterest have more than 500 million and 11.7 million users respectively.

MusicThen: Released in October 2008 as the lead single from her album I Am...Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” has sold over 6 mil-lion digital copies internationally. The iconic music video spawned a dance craze that was parodied by everyone from Justin Timberlake on Saturday Night Live to President Barack Obama. The video won the Video of the Year award at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

Now: Despite winning Best New Artist at the 2009 Grammy’s, British artist Adele truly broke onto the American music scene with her 2012 Album of the Year, 21. The lead single of the 2011 album, “Rolling in the Deep,” spent 59 weeks on the Bill-board Hot 100 chart.

PoliticsThen: With Republican President George Bush’s two-term limit reached, the 2008 president elec-tion was a race between democrat Barack Obama and republican John McCain. Obama, who was previously a state senator for Illinois, won, and was inaugurated in January 2009, with former US Sena-tor Joe Biden as his vice president.

Now: Republican Mitt Romney, former Mas-sachusetts governor, is the leading challenger of Obama’s campaign for a re-election. Other Repub-lican candidates who have officially withdrawn, are Mr. Herman Cain, Mr. Rick Santorum, Mr. Newt Gingrich and Mr. Jon Huntsman. The election, to be held Nov. 6, will determine the 57th president of the United States of America.

CelebritiesThen: On Feb. 8, 2009, R&B artist Chris Brown was arrested in Los Angeles after assaulting then-girlfriend, pop singer Rihanna. In August of the same year, Brown was sentenced to five years of probation, six months of community service, and one year of counseling. Rihanna currently has a five-year restraining order against Brown.

Now: Reality TV star Kim Kardashian married NBA star Kris Humphries in August 2011 after being together for nearly a year. Two months later, E! aired a special on Kardashian and Humphries’s wedding, drawing in 10.5 million viewers. However, after 72 days, Kardashian filed for divorce, inciting another media frenzy.¬

SportsThen: During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, US swimmer Michael Phelps won eight gold medals, breaking the previous record of seven gold medals in a single Olympic Game, set in 1972 by US swimmer Mark Spitz.

Now: When quarterback Tim Tebow began his career with the Denver Broncos in 2011, he also began a craze called “Tebowing.” Tebowing was inspired by Tebow’s “victory dance” of kneeling on one knee with his fist supporting his head. Tebow-ing originated when Tebow went into the position while in pregame prayers and after touchdowns. The fan who coined the term also created a website where people can submit photos of themselves Tebowing.

From Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” to Obama, the class of 2012’s freshman year was full of pop culture and news. The Dart compares the events and people of the 2008-2009 school year to now.by Natalie Fittsnfitts@dartnewsonline.com

MoviesThen: Twilight hit theatres on Nov. 21, 2008, earning over $35 million in its first day alone. 2009’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earned over $58 million in its first day in theatres. This Harry Potter movie was the sixth book to be turned into a movie from the hit book series by British author J.K. Rowling.

Now: The fourth of five Twilight Saga movies, Breaking Dawn: Part One, premiered Nov. 18, 2011. Opening day grossed $72 million. However, the final film in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows–Part 2, was the highest grossing movie of 2011, earning over $1 billion worldwide, breaking its own previously set records.

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8 | senior issue | dartnewsonline.com | the dart | May 17, 2012Photos by Sara-Jessica D

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