th

eS hieldS a i n t T ho m a s A q ui n as Hig h S c ho ol

September 30, 2014 Volume 27, Issue 2

CONTENTS

THECountdown

CAMPUS NEWS

NEWS

EXTRAS

SPORTS

FEATURES

Aquinas Welcomes Father Adam Wilzcak: 4-5

Bring Your Own Device: 6

Homecoming Week: 10-12

Missouri Catholic School Shake-Up: 14-15

Volleyball Stomps Southwest: 25

Troop Out: 26-27

Tommy Talks: 7

The Best of Social Media: 8-9

Clean Joke of the Month: 13

Centerspread: 16-17

Survey Says: 24

Cap That: 28-29

Last Look: 30-31

Norwegian Invasion: 18-19

Hunter Cussigh Continues the Fight: 20-21

Mr. Thelen becomes Brother Elias: 22-23

33 23286

Days to CannedFood Drive

Days toGraduation

Days toChristmas

Cover photo by Gabby Ciccarelli | The MedallionSenior Jacinta Duong paints a sign for the entrance of senior hall.

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

11411 Pflumm RoadOverland Park, KS 66215

913-319-2460www.stasaints.net/shieldCo-Editors-in-Chief

Janie BachkoraJordan Eberhardy

Centerspread Editor

Anthony George

Social Media EditorAlex Kinnan

Campus News EditorKatie Bernard

MISSION STATEMENTThe Shield is a newspaper sponsored by Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and produced by its students to provide information, entertainment, and open forum, as well as a learning experience for its staff members. The goal of The Shield’s staff is to meet professional journalism standards. Staff mem-bers are responsible for the content of the newspa-per and strive to report news accurately, objectively, and completely. The Shield is an open forum for student expression and aims to communicate the concerns of the student body as well as the faculty, staff, and Aquinas community.

hieldSthe

ADVERTISINGThe Shield sells advertisements to help with publica-tion costs. All ads will be subject to the same scrutiny as stories. The Shield will not print any obscenities or any ads promoting products illegal to those under the age of 18. For advertising, please call (913)

319-2460, send an email to mhal-lauer@stasaints.net, 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, provid-ed that they are signed and do not contain libelous statements. The Shield reserves the right to edit the letters for grammar, obscenity, or space consideration, and also reserves the right to not print a letter.

g

AdviserMatt Hallauer

ReportersJordan BartzKatie Bernard

Ellie HeitAlex Kinnan

Daniel Petracek

Campus News

Saints Welcome Father Adam Wilczak

Father Adam Wilczak has made his debut as co-chaplain at Saint Thomas Aquinas and has recieved a warm welcome from the students.

By Daniel Petracek

A scholarship football player, a competitive powerlifter, an American record-holder in the bench press, and now a chaplain at Saint Thomas Aquinas—the life of Father Adam Wilczak.

Aquinas has hit the jackpot the past two years by receiving a couple of young, lively priests. Last year, Father Daniel Schmitz became a part of the community. This year, Father Adam Wilczak joins him as the school’s co-chaplain.

Wilczak’s journey to the priesthood began after he graduated in 2002 from Hayden High School in Topeka. That summer, he helped on a retreat and felt a slight calling toward the priesthood. Wilczak dismissed the thought, however, after researching about the seminary. Noticing there were no girls or football team to play on, he did not quite see it as a fit for him.

Wilczak attended Benedictine College on a football scholarship that fall. After one semester, he transferred to Washburn for a year, and then returned to Benedictine for the next few years to receive his Religious Studies degree in 2007. After school, he entered the Benedictine Abbey, but left after a few months of discernment. The next year, while teaching high school, he asked for an application

to the seminary.By this point, he discovered

that the priesthood actually was for him. During his five years in the seminary, he did not once doubt that this was vocation. He grew more and more confident that it was his calling. Wilczak was ordained a priest this past spring, on May 24, 2014.

Less than half a year since his ordination, Wilczak is busy, not only as an Aquinas chaplain, but also as an associate pastor at Prince

of Peace Parish. Father Jerry Volz, POP Pastor, loves working alongside Wilczak.

“Father Adam is a down to earth man who is very faithful and focused on Jesus and the Church. I really like his zeal for the ministry and it reminds me of how I used to be when I was a much younger priest,” said Volz.

Father Daniel Schmitz has known Wilczak for seven years. He also recognizes the passion

Wilczak has for the faith. Schmitz is excited to have another man similarly dedicated to serving God working with him.

With a year as chaplain under his belt, Schmitz has been a tremendous guide for his new colleague. Wilczak said, “I have had to ask Father Dan a lot about the day to day stuff, a lot of where to go and when to be there type of things. He has done a lot to make sure I get a good start to the year, both at the school and at the parish.”

Schmitz just hopes that Wilczak does not get too stressed out in his first year. He explained to Wilczak, “Some will choose to love and serve God and others will choose to be selfish. We simply point the way to heaven and offer help to all who seek Him humbly and honestly.”

What has really impressed Schmitz is Wilczak’s devotion to Mary. He describes it as being his best characteristic.

Wilczak said that the most difficult part about being a new priest was trusting in the Holy Spirit. People twice his age will come to him, asking for help. He cannot help but think to himself, “Who am I to give advice to this person?”

In every instance, though, Wilczak said that the Spirit has not once let him down.

Aquinas could not have asked for a more eager priest. Wilczak

“ I am looking forward to the energy and

excitement for life that is present at STA.

FATHER WILCZAKCo-Chaplain

”

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said, “I am looking forward to the energy and excitement for life that is present at STA. I am also hoping to impart some knowledge and love of God that I didn’t have at that age.”

Wilczak wants to be a vessel of the Holy Spirit. He said, “One thing I hope to be able to convey

to the school is that our faith is not something we do, but is who we are. Just as an athlete is still athletic when they leave the court or field, or the student doesn’t forget math when they walk into the hall, we are Christian even outside of the church or chapel.”

Wilczak will typically celebrate

daily mass on Wednesday and Friday in the chapel, while Schmitz will do it on Tuesday and Thursday. Wilczak celebrated his first all-school Aquinas mass in August. When talking about how his homily went, he said, “I didn’t see anyone walk out, so I’ll take that as a good sign.”

“I am hoping to impart some knowledge and love of God that I didn’t have at that age.”

~Father Adam Wilczak

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Photo by Katie Bernard | The ShieldFather Wilczak gets ready to sit down next to his co-chaplain Father Schmitz and server Natalie Gartland at Homecoming mass.

Eyes to the front of the classroom please...

Campus News

As the first period bell rings for STA period, a small crowd begins to form around technology teacher Christine Orel’s desk. Students and teachers have come to ask Orel and technology teachers Al Miner and David Shriver, who oversee technology at Aquinas, questions that range from “How do I register my Android?” to “Why is the internet so slow in my classroom?”

This has been very typical for the technology teachers as the ambitious BYOD program has begun to come full circle.

Aquinas has roughly 90 percent of the school’s devices registered, and the only issues have been with MacBooks and Android tablets. The main focus is helping freshmen who were not involved in the beta program last semester said Orel. As successful as the pilot

program was, there is still a lot of work ahead for everyone. “We want students to be able to fix problems on their own,” said Orel.

The BYOD program is helping crack down on issues such as stealing. With students’ serial number on file, the ability to steal a students device and get away with it becomes much more difficult said Miner.

Teachers who were excited about this program last year have been able to help those who were a little more hesitant with the program said Shriver. We are now seeing teachers take advantage of the technology and really wanting to understand what they don’t know

said Orel. That is where LanSchool comes in. The program, which can monitor students’ screens and control various aspects of the device, has been used by some but not all teachers, much to the surprise of students. LanSchool is a discipline tool. When teachers want or need to use it, they can. It is entirely up to the teacher, said Orel.

As Aquinas continues to fly into the very digital age, it is clear that the BYOD program is here to stay. “The administration has been very supportive in the success of this,” said Orel. The support that is really needed is from the teachers and students. They will always determine the success of the BYOD program.

BYOD Comes Full CircleTech Teachers talk about the past, present and future of BYOD.

By Alex Kinnan

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TommyTalks

SendiMessage

Saints! Wow, what a WILD Homecoming, it is safe to say I was super busy… I traveled to the Savannah to watch the freshman part the red sea, got some new coats and gloves in the sophomore Ski Shop, the juniors swam all around the JoCo bubble to bring me back to safety, and I even got to ride an elephant for the first time in the jungle thanks to the seniors. And of course, I squeezed the orange and dipped the strawberry with a wild student section to cheer on our saints to victory. I couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments so far this year from #SaintsNation. We need to keep this year RISING even more, and continue to not settle for anything less than greatness. Saints, keep doin’ you. This year, let’s keep raising the banners, working hard in the classroom, and giving to the community like never before. Only 33 more days until I can start laying my body across a net filled with thousands of cans for the food drive!

Peace and love,

Tommy

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social mediathe best ofAquinas

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Campus News

Saints in the W I L DSUNDAY1PM-10PM: HALL DECORATING

MONDAY-WEDNSDAYTHEMES

“Saints in the wild... is our call and challeng in life. We need to be Saints when life is crazy.”

Brian Schenk

“Around every corner there is a smiling face that brightens my day”

Jessica Pasley

“We are one of a kind”

Kristie Kellerman

Each member of court was asked their favorite memory or thing about STA. Their quotes, along with some from the staff, are below.

“This place is my home”

~Holly Hanson

“The energy and spirit is unlike anything I have experienced or

felt anywhere else, ever. ~Jordan Eberhardy

“I can go [to STA] every day and know I have a family waiting there

for me”~Jackson McElroy

SEPT.

15

SEPT.

14

SEPT.

16SEPT.

17

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Photos by Katie Bernard, Anthony George and Alex Kinnan | The Shield

THURSDAY10AM MASS

FRIDAY2PM ASSEMBLY

“Every friday night football and baske-

ball game, every sat-urday morning cross country meet, every

friend I’ve made, every class I’ve taken,

every dance, mixer and pep assembly

all create one of the best memories of

mine”Emily Downey

“The freshman skit is the best freshman

skit of all time”Craig Ewing

“[Singing the alma mater] shows that love really does conquer all”

Anna Biggins

“I’ve had so many incredible memories”

Danny Geist

“Aquinas has made me a way better

person in four years”Kyle Bollig

SEPT.

18

SEPT.

19

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Campus News

“If I were in highschool I would want to be friends with every single kiddo on

the court”Serena Price

“My best memory from STA is running onto the field before football games”

Kyle Bollig

“The game and the alumni coming home is

really what homecoming is all about”Phil Farnan

“The amount of joy I experienced when we won [state soccer] was

incredible and the shield on my jersey meant more than

anything else”Derek Engel

“I love how our school comes together and shows what it means

to be Saints”Matthew McCrave

“It’s been so much more than just a school, it’s been a home to me”

AJ Meyers

FRIDAY

Saturday

5 PM HOMECOMING TAILGATE

8 PM HOMECOMING DANCE

7 PM GAME KICKOFF

SEPT.

19

SEPT.

20

gpage 12Photo Courtesy of Michelle Gress | The Shield

CLEAN JOKE OF SEPTEMBER

Submit your school-appropriate joke to newspaper@stasaints.net for a chance for your joke to be featured in the next issue of The Shield

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

The Shield needs your opinions! If you are interested in writing an opinion article

to be featured in our next issue, contact Co-Editors-in-Chief Jordan Eberhardy

and Janie Bachkora for details. We would love to hear from you!

JEberhardy15@stasaints.netJBachkora15@stasaints.net

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How was the Roman Empire cut in half?

With a pair of Caesars.

Submitted by Sophomore Elizabeth McCormick

News

Missouri Catholic High School

Shake-up

50 year old Catholic school to close in Kansas City, while a new one opens in Lee’s Summit.

By Alex KinnanA new Catholic high

school is opening only 30 minutes away from Aquinas. The Archdiocese of Kansas City-St. Joe announced they will be

building a co-ed school in Lee’s Summit named after St. Michael the Archangel.

St. Michael’s expansive two story

campus will be opening in January 2016. According to the Archdiocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the school will be designed

to hold 550 students which can be expanded to 750 depending on the demand, and will become the newest Catholic high school

Photo by Joe Cory | Archdiocese of Kansas City - St. JoesphBishop Robert Finn (center) digs at the site of the new St. Michael’s High School in Lee’s Summit earlier this year

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built in the Kansas City Metro since St. James Academy opened in 2005. The school will be replacing Archbishop O’Hara High School, which opened in 1965 in Kansas City, Missouri and is roughly 30 minutes from Saint Thomas Aquinas. Despite this, Director of Admissions Diane Pyle doesn’t see STA being affected by it at all.

“I see Missouri same-sex high schools being the ones impacted by this.”

Aquinas is also at the enrollment number they want to be at and a new co-ed school will be a great option for this area of the metro, which is primarily served by large same sex schools such as Rockhurst, St. Tere-sa’s and Notre Dame de Sion said Pyle.

“The best thing Aquinas can do is welcome St. Michael’s into our Catholic community with open arms,” said academic principal Craig Moss.

While comparing the current and future high schools of the Kansas City Metro it is very apparent that Aquinas sits towards the bottom of the list when it comes to cost of tuition.

“It is important to keep costs low because we have an obligation to be good stewards of the gifts of the Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Kansas City Kansas,” said Moss.

Aquinas Activities Director Sarah Burgess said St. Michael will be a part of the Archdiocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, which means Aquinas will see them in some, but not all, sporting events in the coming years.

“There is always the potential to see them at any invitationals we may be in or ones that we host,” Bur-gess said, “especially at the sub-varsity level until their enrollment grows.”

St. Michael’s will be one of the largest co-ed Cath-olic high schools in the Kansas City Metro, raising the possibility that a new player is about to enter the metro. However Saints will have to wait until January 2016 to find out.

Missouri’s Lineup

1) Rockhurst2) St. Teresa’s 3) St. Michael’s opening 20164) Notre Dame de Sion5) Pope Pius X5) Archbishop O’Hara closing 20166) Bishop LeBlond

A closer look of Missouri’s Kansas City Metro Catholic School’s listed by size. (St. Michael’s is based on estimation.)

Kansas City, Mo

St. Joe, Mo

Lee’s Summit, Mo

Check out the renderings of the new St. Michael’s here: f i f k c s j . c o m / s t . - m i c h a e l -t h e - a r c h a n g e l - h s . h t m l

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Saint Thomas Aquinas continues to be a host of international students. Junior Anniken Isaksen is from Batsfjord, Norway and is currently living with senior Kyra Stark and her family.

“As an only child, it’s been a good weird having another person in the house,” Stark said. “I’ve never had someone to drive around with me, so it’s fun to have someone to jam out with.”

One of the ways

Isaksen has bonded with her new family is going to the grocery store with them to look at all of

the American food. The Stark family also had a Labor Day celebration, where Isaksen had the opportunity to meet the whole family and experience American

traditions. “I came to America to

learn about your culture and go to high school, so

I’m really excited!”Isaksen has also

joined field hockey. “I have met a lot of

great girls! I really enjoy going to practice after school and have a good time,” she said.

“I have also been to a Key Club event and am planning to go to the games at school.”

So far, she has felt very welcome and the students have been friendly. Now she is

trying to adapt to her new school and all of the expectations that come with it.

“It is really different from my old school in Norway. In my high school there were just 50 students total. We didn’t wear a uniform, and we did things differently.”

Some of Isaksen’s goals are to participate in as many events as possible and to make new friends.

She also wants to create memories for life.

“It is a big change, but change is good,” she said.

“ It is a big change, but change is

good.

ANNIKEN ISAKSENClass of 2016

”

By Ellie Heit

Features

Norwegian

InvasionTwo students from Norway have become

part of our community of Saints.

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Senior Lasse Nilsen is living with fellow senior Blake Heying’s family, and is from a large city called Stavenger. The Heyings have been extremely supportive and have helped him learn about the American culture.

“My host family is fantastic! They opened up their house to a complete stranger (with some background checks), to make my dream come true!” said

Nilsen. “They are also interested in learning my culture from Norway, and that gives me the feeling of being appreciated.”

His success at Aquinas came early when he became a member of the Varsity Soccer team. The team has given him the opportunity to make new friends.

“He has been great for team chemistry as

he loves life and being here at Aquinas,” said Head Soccer Coach and English teacher Craig Ewing.

At school, Lasse said the most difficult thing for him to adjust to at Aquinas is not being

able to bring his bag to each of his classes. Though there are lots of changes, Lasse is ready to enjoy this year

at Saint Thomas Aquinas.

“My goal for this year is to have an awesome time!” Nilsen said. “And with all the people I have met so far,

and this school, there is no doubt in my mind that this will happen!”

“ My host family is fantastic!

Lasse NilsenClass of 2015 ”

Stavenger, Norway (Lasse’s home city)Batsfjord, Norway (Anniken’s home town)

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Photo by Ellie Heit | The ShieldSenior Lasse Nilsen(top) and junior Anniken Isaksen(bottom) pose for The Shield.

Features

HunterCussigh

ContinuesTheFight

Sophomore Hunter Cussigh draws nearer to the “maintenance” phase of his treatment for his Leukemia and is doing so with a winning attitude.

By Jordan Eberhardy

Photo by Jordan Eberhardy | The Shield Sophomore Hunter Cussigh and senior Anthony Geoge talk in the school library. The Cussighs and Georges are close family friends.

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“ [Hunter] has made [this] into a positive thing that has brought our family

and community together.

ELIZABETH KINGClass of 2015

”

Sophomore Hunter Cussigh continues to fight his Leukemia by enduring chemo therapy every Friday and by maintaining a positive outlook about his diagnosis.

Hunter was diagnosed with Leukemia in February of last year and the school responded with much support. Hunter said that all of his friends have been very supportive. One friend in particular, however, really rallied support for Hunter’s cause. Jasper George started a social media campaign that became known as “#PrayForHunter.”

“I started #PrayForHunter because he’s my best friend,” said George. “I was focused on letting Hunter know there was a bunch of people there to support him. It was cool to start a hashtag that trended throughout the Aquinas community, but what I did isn’t as important as why I did it.”

Hunter’s cousin and Saint Thomas Aquinas senior Elizabeth King said that the bond between the George boys and Hunter is really something special.

“They are like brothers and their bond has helped them all through this,” said King.

Aside from friends,

Hunter has three siblings: Morgan, who is in eighth grade, Clara, who is in fifth grade, and Parker, who is in second grade. Hunter said that his siblings and his parents have helped him through this time by being there for him every step of the way.

“It’s amazing how

happy the Cussigh siblings always are,” said King. “They are always smiling and excited, and the three younger ones definitely feed off of Hunter’s positive energy.”

In his free time, Hunter likes to go out to eat with his family, especially to Red Lobster, and to watch TV shows

like The Simpsons.“He is such a normal

kid. He took something that was so life changing and potentially tragic and has made it into a positive thing that has brought our family and community together,” said King.

Hunter has completed the “Induction” phase of his treatment and is

currently completing the seven-month phase that consists of once a week chemotherapy treatments. Hunter described his weekly Friday treatments in a simple way: “You go in and get poked a lot,” he said.

“I am going through one of the hardest parts of chemo right now, but I am almost to the maintenance phase of treatment, which means I will only have chemo once a month,” said Hunter.

Hunter is expected to enter this maintenance phase around October.

“Hunter radiates happiness and his laugh can light up a room. He is absolutely awe-inspiring,” said King.

There is no doubt that the Saint Thomas Aquinas community has been inspired by the courage of Hunter, and the support will continue to follow him as he carries on his fight with Leukemia.

#PrayForHunter

Photo courtesy of Mrs. KlineBanner made for Hunter last year that was signed by students to give support.

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Features

German teacher Bryan Thelen, now Brother Elias, has two dreams: teach German to high schoolers at his alma mater and pursue religious life. Luckily, he doesn’t have to choose between the two.

Thelen recently joined the Society of St. Augustine, which is located on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas. This resulted in two noticeable changes. Thelen received a new name and a new outfit during a ceremony on Friday, August 29. His new name is Brother Elias del Socorro NievesI, or Br. Elias for short, and his new outfit is the typical black habit of an Augustinian.

Br. Elias’ journey to discover his vocation was neither short nor easy. His search for his vocation began here at Aquinas (Class of ’08) when he was a student. His faith in high school wasn’t very strong until he had a friend invite him to youth group at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

“I started going and started to rediscover my relationship with Christ,” said Br. Elias. “I always fought the battle of making sure that [youth group] was integrated into my life, and that I wasn’t living a double life, one at youth group and one elsewhere.”

Senior Thomas Mains, who has gone to Holy Trinity’s youth group, called Lifeteen, for six years, has also reaped the benefits of youth group at Holy Trinity.

Mains said, “Lifeteen is special because everyone there is a family, and we all have a common goal to serve God. I love everyone there so much, and that’s why I go every week.”

The summer before Br. Elias’ senior year is when he began considering the priesthood and being open to religious life. He prayed about it, talked to his family about it, and contacted the Vocations Director. He decided to first attend the University of Kansas.

After his freshman year at KU, Br. Elias taught in a program called Totus Tuus of Kansas City, Kansas. Totus Tuus is a Catholic youth program that promotes Catholicism and shares the Gospel. Its goal is to help young Catholics grow in their relationships with Jesus.

“I was exposed to the religious life. It was at that point that I wasn’t so much looking at diocesan

priesthood, but I really felt God calling me to religious life,” said Br. Elias.

His sophomore year he started visiting different religious communities, including the Norbertine Order in Orange County, California. The Nobertines profess poverty because it demands simplicity, celibacy because it opens its members in the Spirit, and obedience because it opens its members up to God’s will.

“I entered the Norbertine Order and was there for a very short time before I said ‘this is not for me. This is not God’s plan for me,’” said Br. Elias.

He returned to KU and finished his teaching degree and started teaching at Saint Thomas Aquinas in 2012.

“I still had a good prayer life, but I continued asking God what He wanted from me. I realized I might still have a vocation to the religious life,” said Br. Elias.

He had a spiritual director who was an Augustinian, so he visited his community a couple of times and stayed with them for a few weeks in the spring of 2014. He wasn’t positive if the Society of St. Augustine was the right community for him, so he asked if he could live with them in April in order to pray with them and experience what their lives were like. After three months, he understood that God wanted him to be there, so he applied, was

German teacher ditches his slacks and tie for a religious habit.By Janie Bachkora

Mr. ThelenBrother Elias

I realized I might still have a call to the religious life.

BROTHER ELIASGerman Teacher

“”

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Photo by Tiffany Nguyen | The MedallionBrother Elias stands at the front of his German III and IV combo class. He says that he has heard his students use the word jedi multiple times when talking about his new wardrobe.

accepted, and is now a novice.Senior Brandon Flaspohler

knows Br. Elias better than anyone. Their families have been friends since Br. Elias was only three. Brandon’s older sister Allie was preschool friends with Br. Elias. and Brandon has known him his entire life.

“Don’t let the black habit fool you. Br. Elias is still the fun-loving guy that he was before receiving his new wardrobe. He still watches Doctor Who on Netlfix and still spends his free time in a pen collecting club,” said Flaspohler.

Br. Elias will be a novice for one year. During that year, he will pray and discern if this is truly God’s Will. He can leave the community if he feels that he should, and the community can ask him to leave if they feel that he should. When one year is completed, he will take

temporary vows, which last three to six years, and then he will take permanent vows.

“That’s the point when I would sign on the dotted line,” said Br. Elias.

The Society of St. Augustine consists of three priests and Br. Elias. One priest is the pastor of three churches, one is a professor

and chaplain at Donnelly College, and one is a canon lawyer. The Augustinians’ charism, or purpose, is to “grow closer to God through building community,” said Br. Elias.

Br. Elias knows how difficult it is to realize your vocation and pursue it, so he has offered advice to anyone considering religious life.

“I think that St. John Paul II said it best when he said, ‘Be not afraid.’ That really resonates with me. It can be very scary. You might feel alone, but talk to one of the chaplains here at Aquinas. Be very open and honest with God. You can’t discern God’s Will unless you’re talking to Him and asking Him what He wants from us.”

Br. Elias feels that kids often focus too much on the negatives of religious life.

“Religious life allows you to devote yourself to the whole church in unique way,” said Br. Elias.

“Don’t let the black habit fool you. Brother Elias is

still the fun-loving guy that he was before receiving

his new wardrobe.

BRANDON FLASPOHLERClass of 2015

”

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SurveySays

Sur ey SaysHow long does your BYOD devide battery last? Did you do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge?

Layout by Anthony George

What type of device do you have?What your favorite homecoming theme day?

Monday: Saints in the Wild

Tuesday: Saints Around the World

Wednesday: United Saints of America

Thursday:Blue & Gold

Friday:Class Color

1% 52%9% 37%has to stay plugged in

1-3 hours all day more than a day

MacBook

iPad

Windows laptop

Windows Surface

Other laptop

Other tablet

30%

34%

19%

6%

5%

4%

9%6%

32%

33%

18%

24%

76%

Yes

No

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Sports

Saints Stomp Southwest As the Saint Thomas Aquinas girls’ volleyball team walked onto the Blue Valley Southwest court Tuesday night, it seemed that they were in for a good night. Guided by eight senior players, the team began with a bang and never looked back. As the Saints took to the court, led by seniors Carly Nusbaum, Sara Sullivan and Shelby Jackson, they were already in the right state of mind. After Southwest conceded the first point, the game went back and forth, with both teams scoring a few points. Though the Saints had been able to cruise through their previous match ups, Southwest posed a bit more of a challenge. After the two teams had traded a few points, Aquinas was beginning to gain some momentum over the host Timberwolves, forcing Southwest into calling a timeout. Upon returning to the court, the Saints seemed even more electric than before, rattling off seven points in a row before giving up one. Junior Regan Pittman and sophomore Bridget Doherty were solid up front for Aquinas, shutting down whatever came their way. As the Saints began to pull away, it was clear that they simply wouldn’t allow the game to speed up,

keeping it slow on Southwest. The first set ended much as it began, with the Saints claiming it 25-13. Returning to play the next set, senior Shelby Jackson delivered an aced opening serve, and Aquinas proceeded to win the next nine points of the set. The communication appeared to be perfect amongst the girls. Everyone was connecting and they rarely allowed a slip-up. “I’ve never been on a team that had such good chemistry,” said Pittman, a second-year member of the varsity volleyball program. Senior Kristen Hornung was also a strong presence up front for the Saints, making key blocks against the Southwest returns. After the Timberwolves seemed to completely melt down, Aquinas won the second set with a score of 25-6. Coming out of the intermission, Southwest showed up with a completely different mentality. Though it was kept close at the start, it seemed that the Timberwolves were determined to come out on top in the third and final set. Though they managed to stay in it with the hosts, the Saints were having a tougher time in this set than they had in the previous two.

“We got some kids in that hadn’t really played a lot,” explained head coach Kim Bogart after the game. “I think we got nervous and had to put our starters back in.” Some of the inexperience showed as the Timberwolves were able to hold on through the longer-lasting points, endurance and experience played major roles. When the game came down to the wire, it looked like it would be the last point that would decide the third set. Aquinas, however, fell behind 22-16. The team’s senior leadership stepped up, they recovered eight consecutive points and took the lead, 24-22. The Timberwolves claimed the next point, but a final surge prompted the Saints to an exciting late comeback. The Saints won with a score of 25-23. Though they were able to cruise through the first two sets with ease, a challenge introduced itself to the girls late in the game. But as their season theme promotes, “Ohana”, the girls stuck together. “Ohana” means family, and to the Aquinas volleyball team, Ohana means that they will always fight till the very end, side by side, and emerge victorious.

By Connor RaganThe Saints’ volleyball team defeated Blue Valley Southwest in a game that showed what Saints’ volleyball is all about.

Photo by Liz Conard | The MedallionThe volleyball team takes a moment to huddle up.

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Sports

Saints Troop

Out for

Soldiers

By Jordan Bartz

The soccer game between Saint Thomas Aquinas and St. James

Academy has become more than a rivarly in recent years.

Going overseas to defend your country can be tough but with the help of a community of Saints one Saint in particular has seen the benefits that a little gratitude can bring.

The money raised at the Troop Out game this year went to a special cause that hit close to home.Theology teacher and Senior Master Sergeant Leo Brown was sent over to Afghanistan last march and his unit will be the recipient of the donations that were raised at the Troop Out game win against St. James.

Brown said, “The biggest effect that the donations from home have on people here is a big boost in morale. When you are away from home for five months and

you have another month or so to go before you get to see your family and friends, anything tangible from home is a concrete reminder of those relationships.”

English teacher and varsity soccer coach Craig Ewing said, “I think it’s really nice to make an impact for the troops like this especially with it going to Mr. Brown and his unit.”

The game started nine years ago as a way to grow Saint James Academy’s soccer program. The last four years is when the fundraiser started after Brian White (B White) came up with the idea to hold the fundraiser.

Ewing said, “The first two years in 2011 and 2012 the money went to cell phone for the troops so that they

could call home. Last year the money went to the Wounded Warrior Foundation and this year the money went to Mr. Browns Unit.”

The game, which was won by Saint Thomas Aquinas 4-0, raised items ranging from toothpaste, shampoo to snacks for the troops. The money was collected through t-shirt sales, company donations and what was collected at the game by the Aquinas soccer girls.

Brown said, “ After the ‘send off’ Aquinas gave me in March, I expect a Walgreen’s to be mailed to us!” Brown continues. “This ‘troop out’ is not a surprise to me at all and yet it’s just another concrete sign of Christ-like hearts looking out for me

The biggest effect that the donations from home have on people here is a

big boost in morale.

LEO BROWNSenior Master Sergeant and

Theology Teacher

”“

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Photo by Michele Gress | The Shield Junior Zach Schneller celebrates after scoring

in the second half against St. James.

and my fellow Airmen at Bagram Airfield.”

Ewing said, “The game has really grown a lot over the past few years and I think the fundraiser has helped a lot with that. The work hand and hand, the fundraiser helps out the game and the game helps out the fundraiser. It also helps that it’s a rivalry game that is almost equal to the one that we have with Rockhurst.”

Brown said, “The biggest thing I want to tell the Aquinas and St James students and staff, is what I said in the commons at my “send off”. When I was in seminary, a friend told me that the heart of all prayer is gratitude, because everything

we have is ultimately a gift from God. Thus, our response to everything we have - especially difficult things, our crosses, if you will - should be ‘thank you’. The charity and kindness that has been shown to me and my fellow service members here by doing the “troop out” is simply an example of God’s grace and goodness. So, thank you! Ewing said, “The game has really grown a lot over the past few years and I think the fundraiser has helped a lot with that. The work hand and hand, the fundraiser helps out the game and the game helps out the fundraiser. It also helps that it’s a rivalry game that is almost equal to the one that we have

with Rockhurst.” Brown said, “The biggest

thing I want to tell the Aquinas and St. James students and staff, is what I said in the commons at my “send off”. When I was in seminary, a friend told me that the heart of all prayer is gratitude, because everything we have is ultimately a gift from God. Thus, our response to everything we have - especially difficult things, our crosses, if you will - should be ‘thank you’. The charity and kindness that has been shown to me and my fellow service members here by doing the “troop out” is simply an example of God’s grace and goodness. So, thank you!”

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Photo by Michele Gress | The ShieldVaristy soccer team celebrates a 4-0 win over St. James Acadmey with the studnet section at the troop out game on August 29.

CapThat

8/6/14 Freshman Orientation

Winning Caption:“New year, new school, new deodorant”

Submitted by: Senior AJ Meyers

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Senior Video

9/7/14

CapThat is The Shield’s monthly caption writing contest. Submit your best and funniest captions for the above photo

to newspaper@stasaints.net. The winning caption will appear in the next issue of The Shield!

Photo by Gabby Ciccarelli | The Medallion

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Last Look1

2

4

5

3

Photos by Alex Kinnan | The Shield1. The sophomores throw paper snowballs in their skit.2. JV dance team performs facing the underclassmen3. Seniors brace for impact.4. Junior girls sing a song from High School Musical 2.5. Cheerleaders pump up the crowd.

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6

7

8

9

Photos by Alex Kinnan | The Shield6. Sophomores conclude their skit.7. Freshman dance in front of their student section.8. Senior Pam Shalo gives a motivational speech to the senior section during the skit.9. Varsity dance team performs their Top Dawg routine.

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Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

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