11411 Pflumm Rd. Overland Park, KS 66215 Volume 24, Issue 1 September 15, 2011 the SHIELD www.stasaints.net The student voice at Saint Thomas Aquinas 9/11: Remembering Tragedy, Bringing Hope Golf Head Coach Ryan Junior Abby Kern spends two Inside Best wins National Girls’ weeks in Hungary as part of a Golf Coach of the Year youth leadership trip. Award Features, page 4 Sports, page 12 2 September 15, 2011 Campus News Curfew law set for KCMO StuCo sends class Teenagers now are prohibit- Ann Hilgers, however, said the Breaking the curfew could curfew is unfair. result in the parents or guardians info through texts ed from certain areas on the “The kids who make good of the offender receiving up to a reminded them to bring money.” Plaza because of curfew law. decisions shouldn’t be punished $500 fine. When caught break- The new way of com- for the few who make bad deci- ing the curfew by the police, the Overall, this system is poised munication allows Student to be extremely helpful to the BEN GARTLAND sions,” she said. offender will be arrested and Hilgers said that passing a brought to Brush Creek Com- Council to send information school. There will most likely be Reporter no more confusion about things. law in order to stop the problem munity Center, where they will quickly to students. is not the right way to go about wait for their parents to pick For those whose parents like to A new law in Kansas City, the problem. The problem lies them up. MEGAN LUCAS be involved, there is a number Missouri has set a 9:00 p.m. in the kids’ home life, and the Exceptions still remain for Features Editor especially for them. curfew for teenagers under 18 in government shouldn’t step in work, school and church activi- “I do like it,” Wheeler said. certain entertainment districts. when the problem is at home. ties. “We will reach more people One of the many changes to Sly James, the mayor of “These kids need to be dealt Hilgers also does not agree because of it.” Saint Thomas Aquinas this year Kansas City and the city council with individually,” Hilgers said. with the punishment for break- The system works because is the class texts. The process is passed a new law on Aug. 18 “The government should not ing the curfew being a fine for of the company Text Bandit. If simple, just text the number of that prohibits teenagers under punish an entire group for the the parents. She said a lot of the class officers have something the class to 850-562-8398. Part 18 from the following areas after actions of a few individuals.” these kids come from families they need to say, they will text of the reasoning behind this is 9:00 p.m., unless accompanied Regardless of the new cur- that are at an economic disad- the class moderator, who will to better communicate with the by an adult: few, Melland is still unsure about vantage and it’s not right to take then send the message to the student body and to send out the safety of her kids. The Plaza more money from these parents. computer system. information for things such as The Country Club Plaza is one of her son’s favorite spots One of the concerns is that As Sullivan expressed, snow days and class events. Westport to hang out with his friends but this new law will cause people to “(Texting) is a form of commu- The new form of school Downtown Kansas City, now she encourages him to find hang out somewhere else than nication for this generation.” communication began last spring Missouri somewhere else to hang out. the Country Club Plaza and oth- Although the new system with the staff. It worked so well 18 and Vine “Honestly, I would rather er entertainment districts. This will reach many people, some that when the executive student Zona Rosa new law is not meant people still prefer the older way council asked for a way to better “The kids might not like it to discourage patrons of this system. communicate with the student For area mother Wendy from hanging out at the “I prefer my old phone,” but I think it’s wonderful.” body, it was suggested. Melland, this curfew was a wel- Country Club Plaza Senior Class President Brogan “We wanted to contact ev- come change. and other entertainment Moroney said. “Only about 50 eryone,” Student Council Presi- “The kids might not like it, districts. It actually is percent of the class has signed up - Wendy Melland dent Emily Wheeler said. “There but I think it’s wonderful,” Mel- quite the opposite. and I have about 80 percent on was a big issue with people not land said. Missouri resident “They’re not trying my phone.” participating.” Melland is a mother of three to discourage people Wheeler likes the new sys- The system was set up that lives within a few miles of drive him out to Town Center,” from coming down (To the tem but will sometimes use the recently, with the numbers of the the Country Club Plaza and Melland said. Country Club Plaza), they’re older way. different classes appearing on the visits there often. Once she was This new law will be in just trying to make it safe for “(If I had something I video screens. with her husband at a Plaza res- effect from Memorial Day everybody.” Melland said. needed out quickly) I’d tweet it,” “We used the system for taurant and was horrified by the weekend to the last Sunday in Yet, questions have arisen Wheeler said. “It’s too hard to go freshmen day,” Student Services things she saw. September. Elsewhere in Kansas as to if the curfew will actually through the moderator ahead of Principal Mike Sullivan said. “We “There was a parade of City, Missouri the curfew is work. time.” g drag cars just cruising down the 10:00 p.m. for those under 15, “Maybe, but I doubt it,” street, blasting music and they and 11:00 p.m. for 16 and 17 year Hilgers said. “These kids are seemed to be picking up random olds. used to breaking rules, so this Phone Numbers for Class Texts girls on the street,” she said. During the rest of the year, new one won’t affect them.” The sounds of the street the old law of an 11:00 p.m. cur- While this new law may not music have been replaced by po- few on weeknights and midnight be popular with the kids it af- Freshmen- text “STA15” to 850-562-8398 lice officers having to physically on weekends will still be in ef- fects, some parents welcome it. Sophomores- text “STA14” to 850-562-8398 take down and arrest trouble- fect. The curfew for the suburbs “We are happy with the law Juniors- text “STA13” to 850-562-8398 makers on the street. of Kansas City, such as Olathe, for the safety of everyone at the “I was absolutely horrified Overland Park and Gardner, still Plaza,” Melland said. “But we are Seniors- text “STA12” to 850-562-8398 at what I saw,” Melland said. remain the same as they have very sad that it had to come to Theology teacher Mary been. this.” g Parents- text Weather to 850-562-8398 Campus News September 15, 2011 3 I.C.A.N. is back Town hall meetings After a year’s absence, the Blaricum, junior Maddie Weis- send and sophomore Grace club I.C.A.N. is being started Weissend. encourage student input again. “We want to bring more people to I.C.A.N. by making New “town hall” style meet- Homecoming activities, Catholic and themes for Homecoming Charities Canned Food Drive, festivities as well as ideas for class ALEXIS LEIKER meetings on days when there ings allow students to ask are no other clubs meeting. We Penny Drive and Spring Olym- fundraising. Perhaps the most Managing/News Editor are going to work on having questions and voice opinions. pics. She wants everyone to know surprising change discussed at more posters and video an- the procedure for all the events the first meeting was the removal The club International nouncements. Also by adver- CARA OLDENHUIS so they can be involved. of Homecoming floats. Floats “During the seniors’ fresh- were taken away after moderators Children’s Awareness Net- tising to freshmen,” Maddie Editor-in-Chief work, or I.C.A.N., is back with Weissend said. man year we cheered when we felt too much time and money new leaders and fresh ideas. Some of the activities received negative money at the was being spent on them I.C.A.N. works to raise I.C.A.N. will host are the 1000 Student Council is offer- Penny Drive because we didn’t “Last year we spent about money for Touching Tiny Lives Mile Relay and possibly a mixer ing all Saint Thomas Aquinas know what it meant,” Wheeler 1,000 dollars on the float,” orphanage in Lesotho, South later in the year. The 1000 Mile students a chance to “Become said. “StuCo wants to make sure Husong said. “It became way too Africa. Touching Tiny Lives Relay has been popular with Legendary” this year, by simply everyone knows how things work much work for just one day of Foundation is a non-profit students in past years and the raising their voices. display.” organization, dedicated to sup- members of I.C.A.N.