![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
KANSAS CITY — With its century-old architecture and central location, Kansas City’s Union Station remains one of the city’s iconic sites, boasting bustling shops, restaurants and specialized attractions.
Harker journalism staff share their impressions of the local spot during their trip to the Spring 2024 Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association Convention.
A franchise of railstop restaurants founded in the 1870s, Harvey’s transports visitors back to the era of railroad travel.
Serving American comfort food, the two-level restaurant serves as a hub for both tourists and locals. Assistant general manager Joan Starkweather takes pride in the timeless traditions of Harvey’s, including her favorite dish: the candied brisket KC Classic burnt ends.
“We’re known for our Sunday brunch buffet,”’ she said. “This last Easter, we had tables all the way to the other side of the station. We tripled the size of this place, it was crazy.”
For those looking for a quick bite, the Brancato’s Whistle Stop Market provides grab and go meals. Tucked into the side of Harvey’s, they offer a more typical train station fare, like refrigerated sandwiches and salads. However, the pizza oven and sandwich station brings customers the same homemade experience as the main restaurant.
First year journalists and conference attendees Lucy and Kayla from Ladue Horton Watkins High School visited Harvey’s during their lunch break and noted the margherita flatbread as their favorite dish. They appreciate the ambience that Harvey offers in the heart of Union Station, reminiscent of their hometown.
“It kind of reminds me of Union Station in St. Louis,” Lucy said. “We have one at home, but this one is more open and really pretty.”
The restaurant pays homage to Kansas City’s history as a railway junction through more than just aesthetics. Women, known as the Harvey Girls, made up the majority of the staff. “Harvey Girl Tours” take visitors through the history of both the station and restaurant.
“We’re going off of the vintage style of when it first opened, the ’50s style of the Harvey Girls,” Starkweather said. “My favorite part of the restaurant is upstairs. It has an incredible view of the ceiling and the Grand Hall.”
Bright red and vivid blue trains run through sets adorned with deep green foliage, racing past mini gas stations and weaving through crowds of plastic figurines, all to the clanking of plastic wheels on toy tracks. As part of the 8,000-square-foot Model Train Gallery housed in Union Station, the complex delights its quarter million annual visitors with various intricately designed scenes. Kansas City native Scott Walterbach visits frequently with his family and friends.
“We come during Christmas, or when they have events here,” Walterbach said. “My favorite part is the way the kids’ faces light up when they see the trains and the joy that brings them.”
The exhibit features not only trains but also their accompanying landscapes and landmarks, from bushes and trees to representations of different Kansas City buildings. Visitor Dave Lee pointed to the detail and care that volunteers take when constructing the complex tableaus.
“I’m fascinated by this train exhibit,” Lee said. “I’ve been thinking about how much whoever created these model train sets enjoyed that work. It must be their dream, their passion in life and then we get to enjoy seeing what they created.”
Whether a long-time train aficionado or just passing through the city, Union Station’s Model Train Gallery is sure to appeal to all. The dedicated care of their volunteers to maintaining the elaborate scenes shines amid Union Station’s many attractions.
Cryptic symbols like the Illuminati pyramid adorn the walls of Union Square’s Escape Room, inviting passerby to enter the room and solve the mysteries that await.
Established in 2016, Escape Room features three different types of rooms: The DaVinci Code, Medieval Puzzle Dungeon and Baker Street, from least to most difficult. Participants are given one hour to solve the puzzles and navigate through the brain-teasing challenges, like figuring out codes and using them to unravel different stories.
Being a gamemaster involves providing an overview of the rules in each of the rooms, and offering subtle hints to participants when needed. Zoe enjoys interacting with individuals and watching how they solve clues.
“Our goal is to give a good engaging activity for families and companies to work on team building,” Zoe said. “We’ve gotten a lot of schools and businesses here, and it really teaches them how to communicate as a team and work together.”
After working at Escape Room for two years, Zoe notices the work that goes into making different games, and the teamwork built among the employees. Linked with her own personal memories, she reflects on why the Escape Room is important to her.
“I love that this escape room is in Union Station. It’s such an old historical building,” Zoe said. “It’s cool to be able to say that I work here. It’s been around since 1914, and I also came here as a child and did Science City. So I grew up coming here and it’s something very nostalgic for me.”
A ferocious wolf creeps toward the home of an oblivious Big Pig. Though she pretends not to hear the kids’ cries of concern, the actress’ heart fills with emotion, moved by the audience’s show of energy. With their shouts crescendoing into a roar, she disappears off-stage, leaving an aura of suspense in her wake. So intensifies the conflict of “The Three Little Pigs,” brought to life by the Theatre for Young America production team.
Since 1974, the Theatre for Young America has put on theater shows for youth. Located at City Stage Theatre in Kansas City’s Union Square, the production holds a unique home in the center of bustling Kansas City. For the company’s fiftieth anniversary, they decided to bring back their most iconic shows, with the cast currently preparing for their “Goldilocks & the Three Bears” run from April 9 to May 4.
“We do shows for children and families, and we really believe in literacy,” Artistic Director Valerie Mackey said. “We try to hook it with books that the kids read in schools. We tell the stories honestly and we try to promote connection, love and peace, especially in a world that doesn’t always reflect that. If we start at the beginning about collaboration, cooperation and mutual respect, I feel that builds students up.”
Click here for full article about Theatre for Young America.
