The Shield, 02/20/2014

hieldSS a i n t T h o m as A q ui n as Hig h S c ho ol

the

February 20, 2014 Volume 26, Issue 7

Inside

ALUMNI DANCES FOR NIKE

Page 7

JUNIORS COM-MIT FOR SPORTS

Page 9

ANDREWS LEADS TEAM

Page 9

Cold Weather Hits Aquinas

Page 2

Saints Sweep Bridge Building

CompetitonPage 2

2014-2015 Year Brings Changes

Page 3

Whose Love Will Conquer All?

Pages 4-5

TEENS MARCH FOR LIFE

Page 6

ALUMNI PERFORMS FOR STUDENTS

Page 6

New Students Enter Aquinas

Pages 3

Tweets of the Month Weekend Weather

Countdown

22 days until Spring Break

44 days until Prom at UnionStation

50 days untilWigs Out

Friday

53 46

37

29 28

23

Saturday

Sunday

After being sick for about two weeks with what the doctors said was just a virus, freshman Hunter Cussigh went to the doc-tor a second time. After blood tests showed his white blood cell count was off the charts, he was tested for leukemia.

One week ago today, Hunter was diagnosed with leukemia.

“Devastating. [It was] bsolutely devastating,” said Matt Cussigh, Hunter’s father. “You don’t know what’s going to hap-pen, and still don’t for sure.”

Hunter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells. The cancerous white blood cells survive while the healthy white blood cells die, causing the body to struggle to fight infection. According to the National Institute of Health, ALL is the most common type of cancer in children.

On Valentine’s Day, Hunter went into surgery in which a sample of his bone marrow was taken. Hunter also volunteered to donate bone marrow so “doc-tors can hopefully be another step to getting a cure and preventing [leukemia],” Matt said.

Hunter had another round of chemotherapy Monday and will have another round tomor-

row. He will then have rounds of chemo every Friday for the next 27 weeks. The family chose Fri-day for treatment so that possible effects of chemo would interfere less with school. After the total 28 weeks of weekly chemo, he will receive chemo once a month for a total of three years.

Hunter will be out of school for the next several weeks or a month, but will be returning afterward.

SAINTS WERE QUICK TO SUPPORT

The family appreciates the support of the Aquinas com-munity. Matt has used Twitter to connect with Aquinas students and to give updates on Hunter, and the family sees all of the support through Twitter.

Hunter also received several hundred texts on the first night, when his best friend, freshman Jasper George, put Hunter’s number on Twitter. The family credits Jasper with getting every-one at Aquinas rallied so quickly.

“[The support] helps me get through some of the really rough days and rough nights,” Hunter said.

The family appreciates everything people have done: wearing orange, writing Hunter’s name on

basketball shoes, or getting bracelets made. Matt said that the family certainly does not want any of the profits made

from the bracelets and shirts being made; rather, they want it donated to either Aquinas or the leukemia society.

“It warms your heart,” Matt said. “It uplifts you to know you have that much support out there.”

LONG-TERM SUPPORT NEEDED

The National Honor Society will be holding a drive at Aquinas on April 22 to get students on the national bone marrow registry for potential donations. Students must be 18 or older to sign up.

The family hopes the support continues., even after it’s not so

“trendy” anymore. Matt said he especially hopes the support con-tinues when Hunter loses his hair.

Meghan Woody, a 2009 Aquinas graduate, was diagnosed with leukemia after her freshman year of college. Now that she is in remission, she understands what the entire process is like.

“It’s really easy to be support-ive in the beginning,” she said, “but the support needs to continue. It’s always better to say something than to say nothing, even if you don’t know what to say.”

Hunter remains hopeful.“[I’m trying to] just be

strong,” he said. “And I’m lucky for what I have.” g

Photo courtesy of LAURA CLINEStudents hold up a sign for freshman Hunter Cussigh during 8th Period Friday. The sign was made by the cheerleaders, and several hundred students wrote messages of encouragement to be delivered to Cussigh.

by ANNIE SCHUGARTEditor-in-Chief

“The support helps me get through some of the really

rough days and rough nights.”

HUNTER CUSSIGHFreshman

RALLY FOR CUSSIGH

Photo courtesy of MATT CUSSIGHMatt Cussigh smiles with Hunter Cussigh after Hunter finished running the Greg Wilson Classic cross country meet.

2 The Shield February 20, 2014Campus News

The cold winter blast that has affected most of the country this winter has come to Aquinas, and the student body has noticed the change.

Not only have there been days of 10 below zero and a foot of snow that have resulted in four snow days this year, but the temperature of parts of the school itself has slowly decreased. The school is set to varying tempera-tures depending on the teacher. The place the student body feels the real difference is in the com-mons, which was mea-sured at sixty degrees—much lower than most of the school and was the second coldest place that was recorded in the school.

President Bill Ford said, “It can be really hard to tell if the school is any colder. The commons can be really warm one day and then really cold the next, even in February.”

One of the major reasons it is colder in the commons is because the doors that lead to the the commons are opened repeatedly and let the cold air in.

The commons isn’t the only cold place in the school. Anoth-er example is the school’s many

stairwells, which were recently measured at sixty-five degrees. The temperature in there can partially be explained the same way as the commons, but these doors are not opened and closed nearly as often as the ones that lead to the commons.

There is not a specific tem-perature that the school as a whole is set at. Each room’s temperature is dictated by the teacher.

“If a certain room is too hot or cold for a teacher’s liking, then they have someone come adjust it,” Ford said.

Some of the rooms that are colder than others include biology teacher Chris Berger’s classroom, measured at sixty-eight degrees. En-glish teacher Craig Ewing’s room was also sixty-eight

degrees. The coldest room found was P.E. and Drafting teacher Richard Hetzel’s drafting room, which was measured at a chilling fifty-five degrees.

Some that are warm include Latin teacher Greg Wilson’s room, which is at sixty-nine degree (or about room temperature). English teacher Susan Dillingham’s room was seventy-one degrees, a little higher than most. Speech teacher Steve DuBois room was at seven-ty-five degrees and the highest in the school. It all just depend on the teacher’s preference. g

CHILLY TEMPSHIT AQUINAS

The cold winter air has chilled some students inside Aquinas, while keeping others nice and toasty.

by JORDAN BARTZOpinions Editor

For the fifteenth year in a row, Aquinas students have won the regional bridge building competition.

Aquinas students swept the competition at the Kansas So-ciety of Professional Engineers (KSPE) Bridge Building Com-petition, taking all top 16 spots out of a pool of 60 competitors from schools across the area.

Sophomore Lucas Hill placed first. Hill, along with second place finisher senior Danten Cosentino, will travel to Chicago in May to participate in the international bridge building competition.

“I couldn’t believe I won. I thought there would be some-body with a bridge better than mine because I was one of the

first people testing [the bridge],” Hill said. “When the last bridge was tested, I just stood there in disbelief.”

Drafting teacher Richard Hetzel places a large importance on the bridge competition in class. However, he is quick to credit the students, saying that the kids at Aquinas care a lot about everything they do—which allows them to be successful in things such as the bridge building competition.

But Hill was quick to credit Hetzel.

“I think Aquinas is best known for their success because of our drafting teacher, Mr. Hetzel. He helps us in our design process and gives tips on building the bridge,” Hill said. “This allows Aquinas the success it has achieved over the years.”

Hill’s bridge weighed 12.3 grams and carried a weight of 47,328 grams, holding over 3800 times the weight of the bridge. The results were based on a ratio of the weight of the bridge and the weight carried. Cosentino and junior third place finisher Matthew Dye’s bridges carried the maximum weight of 50,000 grams and never broke; however, their bridges weighed slightly higher and caused their overall ratios to be lower.

Hill hopes to pursue a career as an architect or an engineer, but for now he looks to prepare for the international competition.

“I am very excited but also very nervous about the interna-tional competition,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to learn about engineering. However, the competition will be tough.” g

BRIDGE TO SUCCESS

Photo by BRYAN ZACK | The ShieldDanten Cosentino’s second place bridge is on display in the drafting room. Cosentino’s bridge was one of only two bridges in the competition that never collapsed under added weight.

by ANNIE SCHUGARTEditor-in-Chief

Aquinas students, under the direction of Richard Hetzel, swept the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers Bridge Building Competition.

“The commons can be really warm one day and then really cold the next,

even in February.”

BILL FORDPresident

The Shield 3 February 20, 2014

Campus News

HUNTER BROWNHunter Brown spent his

freshman year and the first half of this year at Mill Valley High School. Hunter chose to transfer midway through first semester this year.

“I wasn’t getting a positive vibe there and wanted a change,” Brown said.

Brown decided Aquinas was the right choice due to the influence from his brother, Teigan, who had transferred at the beginning of the school year. His decision also had a lot to do with his knowledge of the school’s soccer team. Brown had quite a bit to adjust to during his first two weeks at Aquinas, such as the uniform and phone policies, but does not regret his decision.

“Everyone has been welcom-ing and nice. Aquinas is awesome and is definitely one of the best decisions I have made,” Brown said

Hunter is planning to com-pete in track this spring and try out for the soccer team in the fall.

SARAH DeVINCENTSarah DeVincent came

from Notre Dame de Sion. Her decision to transfer was based on multiple factors, including recent changes being made at Sion, Aquinas’ grading system and block scheduling, and the school’s proximity to her house. She was also swayed towards Aquinas be-cause she already knew quite a few Aquinas students. DeVincent said she had a relatively easy transition.

“Everyone is super welcoming and really nice,” DeVincent said.

DeVincent plans to try out for tennis next fall.

GRACE L’ESPERANCEGrace L’Esperance attended

Shawnee Mission South. L’Es-perance’s older sister attended Aquinas, and L’Esperance chose to transfer due to encouragement from her parents. L’Esperance’s

biggest shock coming into Aqui-nas was the size.

“It’s really small compared to South,” said L’Esperance of her old school, which has nearly 1,400 students.

Like DeVincent, L’Esperance found the attitude of the Aquinas community to be generally kind and welcoming, although the uniform doesn’t thrill her. L’Esperance plans to go out for track this spring and compete in sprints and the long jump.

JAYLEN TOWNSELLJaylen Townsell transferred to

Aquinas from Blue Valley North-west. Townsell chose to transfer to Aquinas, despite common stereotypes that Aquinas students are stuck up and that the school is very strict, which many Northwest students hold about the Saints. He made the decision because he already knew a few Aquinas students, and Northwest was not a good fit for him. Townsell was particularly shocked by how wel-coming Aquinas was to him.

“I knew it would be pret-ty good, but not this good,” Townsell said

The hardest thing for Townsell to adapt to has been his

theology class because the materi-al is unfamiliar. Townsell is already playing basketball for Aquinas and is considering joining the debate team next fall. g

AQUINAS WELCOMES NEW STUDENTSFour students joined the sophomore class in January.

by KATIE BERNARDReporter

Photo by KATIE BERNARD | The ShieldFour students transferred to Aquinas this semester, (left to right) Sarah DeVincent, Hunter Brown, Jaylen Townsell, and Grace L’Es-perance (not pictured). “I knew [Aquinas] would be pretty good, but not this good,” Townsell said.

Rumors about changes for the next few years have al-ready begun to rapidly circulate throughout the school regarding new lockers and weight room, the “bring your own device” policy (BYOD), freshman enrollment, and maintenance.

Every five years, an archi-tecture group comes to Aquinas to inspect it. They look around at the structure itself, the heating and air conditioning, and the lighting, then prioritize what needs to be updated.

“They come in and figure out what needs to happen to keep our school from getting old and out-dated,” President Bill Ford said.

This year the architects came, which is what sparked next year’s changes.

LOCKERSNew hallway lockers are be-

ing considered. Price and installa-tion are both concerns.

“It just depends on the total package,” Ford said.

Funding for the lockers began at the Extravaganza with the “Sponsor-a-Locker” proj-ect, asking for $100 per locker. They are looking to replace all 589 lockers.

The anticipated completion is during 2014 or 2015 summer or Christmas break.

WEIGHT ROOMWith Randy Dreiling being

hired as the new Aquinas head

football coach, changes are bound to happen with the weight room and the equipment. The only im-mediate change for next year will be getting newer, updated equipment. The new weight equipment brand is Hammer Strength. It is used by many of the high schools in the Kansas City area and Lawrence.

“It is some of the best equip-ment out there,” Dreiling said.

The old weight room equip-ment is outdated in regards to both safety and structure.

“The squat rack function was inadequate at best and certainly not safe,” Dreiling said.

This new strength equipment is for the long haul and will be used for the next 20 years.

They are also talking to an architect about plans to eventually design a new weight room facility.

TECHNOLOGYIn order to keep Aqui-

nas up-to-date technologically, devices have started to enter the classroom. This semester, the ju-nior class has been permitted to bring their own devices to all of their classes. Academic Principal Brian Schenck said this has been very successful. This was a huge change for Aquinas, and next year even bigger changes are hap-pening with BYOD. According to Schenck, next year all students will be required to have their own device. Devices will not be provided by the school.

“Students will be required to bring their own device based on whatever they prefer as long as it meets the specific criteria that was emailed out earlier,” Schenck said.

Schenck said whether cell phones will be included in BYOD has yet to be determined.

OTHER TOPICSAs for all of those broken

benches and missing bathroom stalls, Ford said, “We will make a list at the end of the year like we always do and prioritize, and maintenance will fix what needs to be fixed.”

The rumors floating around regarding the remodeling of the library are false, according to Ford.

The estimated enrollment for the class of 2018 has yet to be announced. Also yet to be publicly released is which teachers plan on retiring at the conclusion of this year. g

2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR SPARKS IMPROVEMENT

Rumors run rampant through the Aquinas halls about the many changes for next year.

by JANIE BACHKORAReporter

Photo by JANIE BACHKORA | The ShieldJunior boys stretch after completing a strength workout during 1st hour. The weight room equipment has been rearranged since Coach Dreiling’s arrival.

6 The Shield February 20, 2014Features

There is a group of war-riors at Aquinas who possess the bravery and heart to stand up for justice and life in a world that exists under the gloomy shadow of a cul-ture of death. These warriors call themselves the Teens for Life Club, and they are determined to change the world—one small act at a time, until the darkness of unnecessary death is forever replaced by the simple beauty of a pro-life Earth.

“We are just a group of students who are active in the pro-life movement,” said president of the club, Gavin Montalvo. “The Catholic church teaches that life begins at concep-tion and ends at natural death, and we in Teens for Life do our best to support that message.”

With one clear goal in mind, Teens for Life participates in several events every year that aid the pro-life cause. In the fall, the club participates in a national movement called Life Chain. Once a year, people gather around the country to line the streets and hold signs in peaceful and silent protest of abor-tion. Aquinas teens make up a small part of the nationwide chain at 95th and Nieman. Montalvo recalls participating in Life Chain two years ago, when a woman came up to the kids and told them that they had

changed her view on abortion, just by their powerful witness to a just cause at such a young age.

Teens for Life also takes time to pray outside of Planned Parent-hood. Faculty sponsor Cathryn Radiel recalled that one of her most powerful memories regard-ing Teens for Life happened while the group was praying there.

“As we were praying, we wit-nessed a girl change her mind about having an abortion,” said Radiel.

Since the pro-life movement is about protecting life from con-ception to natural death, Teens

for Life also plays bingo at Villa St. Francis with the elderly once a year. The event allows for a chance to make a statement about the value of human life until its natural end.

Additional events that the group helps with include the Kansans for Life Banquet and the Wyandotte Pregnancy Center Ban-quet, a diaper and baby supplies drive, and the organizing of the annual Rosemary Maher Saint Walk for Life, which last year raised over

$20,000 for pro-life organizations.Despite all of these contri-

butions that Teens for Life makes throughout the year, the club is probably best known for the Walk for Life in Topeka and in Wash-ington, D.C. In the walks, students are able to join the greatest num-ber of people from around the country and unite with them to protest abortion.

“I think the best part of Teens for Life is being able to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves, like the unborn and the elderly. It also is a lot of fun doing

service and hopefully making a difference in the world,” Montalvo said.

All students at Aquinas are welcome to join Teens for Life in their battle to make the world a more nurturing place for every human life. Meetings for the club are typically once a month, during the first sec-

tion of STA Period. Upcoming events are discussed and planned during the meetings.

“It is so exciting to watch the kids get so excited about being pro-life and then to get their friends involved in the fight as well,” said Radiel.

The Aquinas army of war-riors for life is certainly growing, and they will not stop until they reach their goal of a pro-life na-tion and world. g

WARRIORS FOR LIFE

At the end of Catholic Schools Week, the Aquinas stu-dent body was in for a surprise—a surprise that had been building anticipation all week long. This surprise was a rock concert from the Mikey Needleman Band.

Needleman got the opportuni-ty to come back to the place where he called home for four years.

“It was truly a gift to come back and play for the Aquinas family in that way,” said Needle-man. “I have been back many times to play music, but this was the first time I was able to play a concert for the students and staff of my alma mater.”

This year, the band had nine concerts in six days for Catholic Schools Week. This all started five years ago when St. Teresa’s

Academy approached the band to play at their school for Catholic Schools Week. Needleman hadn’t ever done it before, but immedi-ately after they played that concert five years ago, word spread to oth-er schools—and principals started contacting them inquiring about the next year.

“It’s really just spread from word of mouth, and we feel very honored that schools enjoy having us,” Needleman said. “We started adding a few more concerts each year to Catholic Schools Week.”

Needleman was unable to lead music for Aquinas’s all-school adoration earlier this school year because his son was being born. So he suggested that his band come the next semester and play a full out concert like they do at other schools around the area. Aquinas agreed, trying to

keep it a surprise.Needleman loves spending

all week with the guys in his band during Catholic Schools Week.

“The camaraderie, the stories that come from the week [are ones] we’ll laugh about for a year” said Needleman.

And there was quite a few stories from this Catholic Schools Week.

For example, Casey, the bassist, had to buy a car because his car broke down. The band was nervous he wouldn’t make it to

one of the shows. Needleman’s wife also had

appendicitis during Catholic Schools Week and had to have her appendix removed. Some-how Needleman was able to play the shows without a hiccup and still be able to be at the hospital with her when needed. Ben, the guitarist, injured his head after a morning show; he taped it up, played an afternoon gig and then went to the hospital afterward to get stitches.

“But despite all these, we picked each other up and didn’t have to cancel or postpone one stop that week,” said Needleman.

He also loves when he plays at school the band has never played at before and immediately after the concert when students follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—and put up pictures or messages about the show.,

or when students go home and download records on iTunes.

The concert was full of vari-ety of good music. Students were surprised to hear some music other than just Christian music.

“I play all kinds of music: Chris-tian, secular, original, country, etc. Music is music,” said Needleman.

Needleman started perform-ing solo at coffee shops and clubs and developed a dedicated fol-lowing. From there, he recruited a couple other guys to start the Mikey Needleman Band. After college, they expanded more and more, wrote more and more, and performed more and more.

“If you were to have told me when I was 12 years old that I was going to make my living playing music, I would have been ecstatic,” said Needleman, “which is why I feel unbelievably lucky to call this a job.” g

by BRYAN ZACKCampus News Editor

Whether by marching for life in Washington, D.C. or praying the rosary outside of Planned Parenthood, the Teens for Life Club is determined to take a stand for life.

by JORDAN EBERHARDYReporter

“The best part of Teens for Life is being able to stand up for those who

can’t stand up for themselves.”

GAVIN MONTALVOTeens for Life President

Photo by JACKSON MCELROY | The ShieldSenior Ellena Siscos, Junior Anthony George, and Sophomores PJ Hopfinger and Megan Ryan sold raffle tickets at the Kansans for Life Banquet on February 13.

NEEDLEMAN ROCKS AQUINASStudents and staff were treated to a surprise concert to end Catholic schools week by the Mikey Needleman Band.

Photo courtesy MICHELE GRESSMikey Needleman performs for the Aquinas students on the Friday of Catholic Schools week. “It was truly a gift to come back and play for the Aquinas family,” Needleman said.

Photo courtesy of MICHELE GRESSTeens for Life students traveled to Washington, D.C. to partici-pate in the March for Life.

“It was truly a gift to come back and play for

the Aquinas family.”

MIKEY NEEDLEMANAquinas alumnus

The Shield 7February 20, 2014Features

Kristin Sudeikis, class of 1997 Homecoming queen, has gone from choreographing for Aquinas musicals and dance team to choreographing in Sweden on the stage Beyonce performs on.

Aquinas alumna Kristin Sudeikis has gone from dancing on the stage of the Aquinas theater to dancing on the stage Beyonce dances on.

Sudeikis, class of 1997, is an estab-lished choreographer in New York City--most recently teaching classes in Sweden for Nike in early February.

Sudeikis started dancing at the age of three and continued to dance through-out her time at Aquinas. As a freshman, she was asked to choreograph for Aqui-nas’s musical “Greece” and continued to choreograph and participate in musicals throughout the years. She was also a part of the varsity dance team and StuCo, as well as crowned 1996 Homecoming Queen.

“As a high school student, I just knew that I’d always be dancing,” Sudeikis said. “I saw myself giving dance to as many people as possible, creating dance in whatever way that I could. I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity [to dance and choreograph at Aquinas].”

After studying dance outside of school at Miller Marley, Sudeikis began spending her summers dancing in New York City and Los Angeles. She received a schol-arship from Mia Michaels, who is now known for her choreography for “So You Think You Can Dance.” After graduating from Aquinas, Sudeikis started toured with a dance company based in Texas, teaching and choreographing for them. Sudeikis went on to major in dance at the University of Kansas, where she was also a part of the dance team and dance company.

Upon graduating from KU, she moved to New York City, where she said she had

known in her gut since she was 13 “without a shadow of doubt” that she would live there.

Sudeikis has since then started her own company, the Kristin Sudeikis Dance Com-pany. She was previously a choreographer for the NBC series “30 Rock,” has danced for Mariah Carey, and was featured on “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show.”

“I feel very called to keep moving, keep people moving, and continue to try to move people from the inside out—to move their minds, move their heart, move their souls,” she said. “I want to keep creating as much as I can.”

She also feels strongly about dancing for social change. Her company performs shows with a portion of proceeds going to an organization, such as an organiza-

tion called GEMS to assist the victims of child trafficking in New York. She now teaches dance to the kids assisted by the organization as well.

“Instead of just dancing, we were dancing for

a purpose,” she said. “When an audience comes, they know that they’re part of something greater than ourselves, some-thing that can make a difference in the world, something that can change a life.”

Sudeikis also founded the Pro-Love Movement clothing line and social change movement in 2011 with the motto “Be love. Wear love. Promote love.” Sudeikis is currently rebuilding the movement and will be relaunching it in the next six months with a new name.

“[The Pro-Love Movement] is just anoth-er way of creating consciousness in the world or creating conversation in the world,” she said.

Sudeikis continues to teach classes in New York City and choreograph for her dance company, as well as choreograph and teach at events such as THE NIKE

BLAST. This year’s event, which took place Feb. 1 to 2 in Stockholm, Sweden, was Sudeikis’s fourth year teaching.

Four years ago, a woman working for Nike happened to be in a class Sudeikis was teaching, which Sudeikis didn’t know at the time. Later, Sudeikis received an email which she “thought was fake.”

“I try to always give all that I can, whether there are 10 people in the class or 100 or 100—that really matters to me,” she said. “And it happened to be someone walked into my class that I didn’t know that was looking for someone to hire for Nike.”

There were 2300 people in attendance at THE NIKE BLAST this year.

“The stage is enormous, very dream-like. [I felt] extremely grateful,” Sudeikis said. “I honestly felt that grateful even way back when I got the opportunity to choreo-graph Greece [at Aquinas]. All of it serves a same quality of a feeling.”

Sudeikis remains thankful for her experiences as Aquinas as well as at her dance studio, Miller Marley.

“I think when any teacher or coach has faith in you and allows you to do what you do, the benefits are just infinite,” she said.

Sudeikis said she appreciates the willingness of the musical director as well as her dance team team director, Judy Frankovic at the time, to have faith in her to choreograph at a young age. Frankovic, now Visual Arts Department Chairwoman, clearly remembers Sudeikis.

“So many of the kids respected her. So many times when you have a huge talent, your head kind of gets above that and people get turned off really fast, and that never happened,” Frankovic said. “She was always very

down-to-earth, very humble.”Frankovic said her dance talent was

definitely evident at the time. She remem-bered a time Sudeikis stopped doing fou-ette turns because she got tired, and Fran-kovic had already counted 17. Frankovic also said her choreography was “really fun and showy” and that she has “always been just an amazing choreographer.”

“Sometimes you would think you’d get really busy with all that, but her talents never kept her from being a truly genuine, nice person,” Frankovic said.

Sudeikis said her purpose of choreog-raphy is to give back.

“Dance is such a gift to the world and it’s been such a gift to me personally, and so many people have influence me,” she said. “I want to give that gift to as many people as possible in whatever way I can.” g

queendancingthe

by ANNIE SCHUGARTEditor-in-Chief

“Dance is such a gift to the world and it’s been such a gift to me. I want to give that gift to as many

people as possible.”

KRISTIN SUDEIKIS

“Find your intention, and allow doors to open as you know what

is at the base of what you want to experience on this planet.”- Kristin Sudeikis

Kristin Sudeikis performed at

THE NIKE BLAST in Sweden

earlier in February.

Photos courtesy

KRISTIN SUDEIKIS.

“Don’t wait for anyone else to tell you to do it, just go.”

“Continue to be kind—to your-self, to those you intersect with.”

“Surround yourself with people you want to be like because that

is exactly what will happen.”

“Remember that love is always the answer.”

“Share your gifts. Gifts are meant to be given.”

SUDE

IKIS’

Sw

ords

of w

isdom “My advice to the seniors of

Aquinas is pause. And then to breathe. It can all be so over-whelming. In 2014, [with] all the stuff coming at you, just

breathe. And know that it will all be okay, more than okay.”

8 The Shield February 20, 2014Opinions

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

hieldSthe

11411 Pflumm RoadOverland Park, KS 66215

913-319-2460www.stasaints.net/shield

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAnnie Schugart

CAMPUS NEWS EDITORBryan Zack

OPINIONS EDITORJordan Bartz

SPORTS EDITORTroy Hilderhof

CENTERSPREAD/FEATURES EDITOR

Annie Schugart

REPORTERSJanie BachkoraKatie Bernard

Jordan EberhardyJackson McElroy

ADVISERMatt Hallauer

MISSION STATEMENTThe Shield is a newspaper sponsored by Saint Thom-as Aquinas High School and produced by its stu-dents to provide informa-tion, 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 con-cerns of the student body as well as the faculty, staff, and Aquinas community.

ADVERTISINGThe Shield sells advertisements to help with publication costs. All ads will be subject to the same scrutiny as stories. The Shield will not print any ob-scenities 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 www.stasaints.net/shield

SUBSCRIPTIONSSubscriptions to The Shield are $2 per issue. Subscriptions can be sent to Saint Thomas Aquinas High School c/o Matt Hallauer.

LETTER POLICYLetters may be accepted by The Shield, provided that they are signed and do not contain libel-ous statements. The Shield re-serves the right to edit the letters for grammar, obscenity, or space consideration, and also reserves the right to not print a letter.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Opinions of Aquinas students, based off 257 student responses

to an poll sent via e-mail.

Want to see your opinion published on

this page?The Shield wel-comes opinion

articles from any Aquinas student

or faculty member as we seek to be

the voice of Aqui-nas, and approved

opinion articles will be published

on this page.

If you are interest-ed in writing an

opinion article or helping out in any way, please con-

tact editor-in-chief Annie Schugart

at [email protected]

BREAK FIVE-DAY RUTAquinas students often joke

about “never having Mondays” in school, even though typically only one Monday each month is out of school. While this is a common joke within Aquinas students, the benefits of not having school for one day each week would actually reap multiple benefits.

Four-day school weeks are becoming increasingly common across the nation, although it is typically for economic advan-tages in smaller districts rather than for educational advantages. However, the American educa-tion system needs revamping. In the next few years, the typical definition of “school” will likely completely revolutionize, and one of these changes should be regarding the monotonous stan-dard school schedule.

Many schools on the four-day week system give students three-day weekends; however, to reap the most advantages, the week should be split up by giving students every Wednesday off. Wednesdays would serve as a “mid-week weekend.”

If students at Aquinas were to have every Wednesday off school, it would eliminate the need for “A” days. The Odd/Even schedule during each two-day segment would allow for extra time for homework to be done either on Wednesdays or over the weekend, giving students more time to commit to extracurricular pursuits, other academic endeav-ors, for college visits or planning, or simply to gain enough sleep for health benefits.

Businesses could even set up one-day-a-week internships for high school students, allowing students to learn inside “the real world” during their time in high school.

The extra day of rest would also allow for students to decrease their stress levels.

Three-day weekends are always fun to have, but having Wednesdays off rather than Mon-days or Fridays would best serve the interests of faculty and staff.

The four days in school would, of course, have to be lengthened. Class periods would have to be about 20 minutes lon-ger, adding a little over an hour to each day of school.

However, there are disadvan-tages to the program. U.S.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has said students need to spend more days in school to prepare them for college and the workforce because the real world runs on a five-day week.

Yet according to a US News report, most schools who have switched to the four-day week have found it beneficial. It has increased the attendance of stu-dents because students are more focused and have an extra free day to schedule doctor’s

appointments or other conflicts that would typically remove them from school.

Instead of remaining confined by the status quo, the Aquinas community needs to be daring enough to be the school that makes a great change, allowing students to make the most of their high school edu-cational years. While it may draw a lot of criticism at first, every bold decision that has ever ac-complished anything has drawn criticism as well. g

by ANNIE SCHUGARTEditor-in-Chief

AMERICAN HUSTLETHE WOLF OF WALL STREETCAPTAIN PHILLIPS

12 Years a Slave

GRAV I T Y

Which movie should win Best Picture?

Her, Nebraska, Philomena

26%

25%

23%

10%

10%

6%

Sandra Bullock“Gravity”

49%Leonardo DiCaprio

“The Wolf of Wall Street”

74%

Cate Blanchett“Blue Jasmine”

1%

Amy Adams“American Hustle”

37%

Christian Bale“American Hustle”

13%

Judi Dench“Philomena”

2%

Matthew McConaughey“Dallas Buyers Club”

6% Meryl Streep“August: Osage Co.”

10%

Chiwotel Ejiofor“12 Years A Slave”

6%

In a poll sent to all students via e-mail, a definite majority of the 238 respondents said they would not change the current schedule.

Students like the status quo“The State of Kansas requires that students be in school for 1,116 hours per year. How should Aquinas reach those hours?”

Same Schedule70%

16%

7% 7%Start the year earli-

er to end earlier

Fewer days, longer day

Shorter day, more days

Who should win Best Actor? Who should win Best Actress?

The Shield 9February 20, 2014Sports

ANDREWS MAKES AN IMPACT

“ONE...TWO...THREE...SAINTS...FOUR...FIVE...SIX...FRAT!”

The Saint Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball team breaks it down before a game. Assistant Coach Pete Andrews says camara-derie is the best part about being part of the basketball team.

“We spend so much time together that we become a family,” Andrews said. “A few years ago, we started calling ourselves a fra-ternity. We break it down before games with that chant.”

Andrews, a senior, played basketball his first three years of high school. Due to concussions, Andrews unfortunately was not able to play this season, but he still wanted to make a contribution to the team any way he could.

During the fast-paced games, the head coach staff can’t track every rebound, foul, and point the players make. Andrews helps keeps live stats on the bench for the staff to look at during time-outs and at halftime.

But the work doesn’t end there. The team could always use an extra hand at practice. Andrews is a major link between the players

and the coaching staff. “I go to practice every day to

help out as an extra body doing whatever needs to be done, like getting the scout team ready, An-drews said.

“The day after games, I watch the film and do the official stats and look for things we could work on that goes unnoticed.”

Senior Austin Kruse appreciates An-drews’ role on the team.

“Pete is a great guy to be around. He always brings a posi-tive and fun attitude to practice,” Kruse said. “He is encouraging to

everyone on the squad and gives good advice during practice.”

The most difficult thing out being an assistant coach is putting in the time. Andrews said some days he’ll go to prac-

tice, scouting, and team dinner, then come home to watch a few hours of film and do homework.

“Pete has been unbelievable for us behind the scenes. He really works day in and day out to help prepare us for our upcoming opponents,” senior John Kohnle said. “There’s no question that

without his assistance we wouldn’t have team we are today. He’s a special part of this team and no one could ever replace him.”

Still, the time put into the job can be overwhelm-ing, but that doesn’t both-er Andrews.

“It’s a lot of com-mitment,” Andrews said. “But I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t

love it.”The Saints have kept a strong

attitude so far this season. “Coming in, we struggled

early because we are a young team with limited varsity experience,” Andrews said. “Our goal was to prove people wrong, which we’ve done a decent job of. We’ve really started to hit our stride lately.”

Winning their last four of five games, the Saints rebounded back and are poised to make a charge in the post-season.

“At the beginning, we suf-fered some tough overtime loss-es,” Kruse said. “We’ve bounced back to win a string of games. We are starting to get healthier and peak as a team.”

The Saints hope to continue their streak of wins and make a deep push into the playoffs. Despite the team’s recent success, there’s no doubt that without An-drews, the team wouldn’t be where they are today. g

Senior and Assistant Coach Pete Andrews helps out the Aquinas Boys’ Basketball team.

by TROY HILDERHOFSports Editor

“It’s a lot of commitment, but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t

love it.”

PETE ANDREWSSenior

“[Andrews] is a special part of this team, and no

one could ever replace him.

JOHN KOHNLESenior

Standings

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

BOYS’ SWIMMING

WRESTLING

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

BOWLING

Record: 8-8Update: “We didn’t start out the season how we wanted to, but we have come on strong and begun to play as a team and play together. We have four games left until the playoffs and are looking to finish the season strong and make a good run intot he playoffs. We are going to need all of our amazing fans.” - Senior John Kohnle

Record: 14 - 2Update: “The season has been going well! We’ve had a few close games that could’ve had more effort with but we’re confident in how we’ll do the rest of the season. Our ultimate goal going foward is to win state.” - Senior Allie Dierks

Previous Finishes: 1st (twice), 2nd (five times), 3rd (twice)Update: “I think the season has been going pretty well. We have had a lot of bowlers that have gone beyond our expectaions. While we had some trouble early in the season we have started to pick it up and have a shot to making it to state.” - Senior Matt Geller

Update: “We’ve had a good season so far. Everyone has improved throughout the season. We are looking to give our best shot at state.” - Sophomore Sam Clark

Previous Finishes: 1st (twice), 3rd Update: “It has been a very odd season. There’s been a lot of injuries that has made our team small. Although our chances as winning state as team are slim, we will all compete as one team. - Senior Luke Henes

As of February 18th

Photo by BRYAN ZACK | The ShieldSenior Pete Andrews (top) is walked down with mother and math teacher Lisa Andrews on Senior Night. Andrews (bottom) gives Junior Cole Friedman a high five on Friday’s game against Blue Valley.

by JACKSON McELLROYReporter

Five junior athletes have already determined their college, all committing for their athletic talents.

The Saints are star athletes. Each year, about 23 commit to play collegiate sports. Some wait until their senior year to commit to their future college. Oth-ers have their future decided as early as sophomore year.

When junior Jamie Kutey started playing soccer at age five, she immedi-ately knew that she wanted to pursue it. Her passion for soccer has led this All-American soccer player to choose to attend Marquette University. Kutey chose Marquette going into her sopho-more year of high school.

“I had to commit this early be-cause once I went on visits, coaches would put offers down and if I didn’t accept one of them in the time span of a week, the money would be gone because they wanted an answer quickly,” Kutey said.

Kutey, a member of the Olympic Development Program (a regional team of hopeful young athletes looking to compete for Team USA), started being recruited freshman year. After numerous emails, college visits, and offers, Kutey was able to narrow down her choices to four schools. Marquette really intrigued her because of the friendly soccer environment as well as a beautiful campus.

“On my first visit with them, I just knew it was the right school because no other school made me feel wanted,” said Kutey. “I wanted to be a part of the family.”

Junior Carlyle Nusbaum committed to Lipscomb University this past August.

In order to commit to a school, an ath-lete needs to be committed to the sport. Nusbaum, who only started playing vol-leyball in seventh grade, has two weeks off the entire year between club and school teams. Each year she competes in several big tournaments, some having over 100 teams. These tournaments are where the college scouts go. Nusbaum had a few different options on where to play volleyball. However, Lipscomb felt like home. Many juniors haven’t even given a thought to college. But when you have great talent and a love for the game, it is always in your mind.

“For my position as a hitter, it is pretty much the norm of committing during, or before, your junior year,” Nusbaum said.

Most recently juniors Molly Schmidt and Olivia Meyers committed to play soccer for Benedictine. Counting Jamie Kutey and Taylor Reynolds, four juniors have committed to schools for girls soccer.

“The early signings in girls soccer began about 10 years ago and now it is just the way it goes. Larger schools will finish their recruiting sometimes at the end of sophomore year of high school,” said varsity girls’ soccer coach Craig Ewing. “We have been blessed at Aquinas to have had and still have so many elite girls soccer players.”

The early committers of this year’s junior class plan to sign their letter of intent next fall. Already having their athletic future set, these girls look for-ward to what is to come.

Kutey said, “We decided that [Marquette] is the place for me. I love the coaches and school so much, and look forward to playing there!” g

JUNIORS COMMIT

EARLY

Photo by JORDAN

EBERHARDY | The Shield

Seniors Tia Weled-ji, Ellen Loughman, Annie Poelzl, and Mary Disidore sign their Nation-al Letter of Intent.

10 The Shield February 20, 2014

Last Look

Photo by BRYAN ZACK | The Shield

ABOVE LEFT: Seniors Joe Linder and Paige Hopfinger take a break from dancing to smile for the cameras.

Photo by JORDAN EBERHARDY | The Shield

ABOVE RIGHT: Juniors Karley Monaghan and Carter Sehon embrace in a hug while dancing.

Photo by JANIE BACHKORA | The Shield

MIDDLE RIGHT: Senior Spencer Gochis and his date from another school dance in their bright pink.

Photo by TROY HILDERHOF| The Shield

BELOW LEFT: Seniors Tia Weledji and Maggie Holmes sport Survivor and camou-flage costumes.

Photo by BRYAN ZACK| The Shield

BELOW RIGHT: Senior Paige Hopfinger, senior Elizabeth Navickas and sophomore Sa-mantha Hilderhof had three different ways of dressing for the outdoor theme.

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAYStudents dressed up for “The Great Outdoors”

at the WPA Dance Saturday.