The Northwest Passage: Volume 55, Issue 1

OUR PASSAGE

The purpose of the Northwest Passage is to relay important and interesting information to the community, administration and students of the Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

As a news magazine, the Northwest Passage will cater to the interests and concerns of the student body. Outside concerns and activities will only be covered if they somehow affect the school or students.

The Northwest Passage is a news magazine. The paper will be distributed monthly as possible. Subscriptions will be available to the community for $25.

The Northwest Passage firmly supports the First Amendment and

opposes censorship. The content of the newspaper will be determined and created by the entire staff. When questions concerning word choice, legal problems or ethics arise, the editorial board and adviser will discuss the problem to find the solution. In these cases, the editor-in-chief and editorial board will have the power to make the final decision.

Letters to the editor will be accepted and encouraged. The staff reserves the right to edit for grammatical mistakes, length and good taste. Letters may attack policy but not people. In no way will ideas or viewpoints be changed. The editor-inchief and editorial board reserve the right to refuse any letter.

PUBLICATION OVERSIGHT

Editor-In-Chief Izak Zeller

CONTENT MANAGEMENT

Copy Editor Sofia Ball

Design Editor Greta Grist

Photo Editor Ashley Broils

Photo Editor Kara Simpson

co-Social Media manager Ashley Broils

co-Social Media manager Bella Alvarado

WRITERS

Grace Rau

Zia Carter

ADVISER Chris Heady

DESIGNERS

Bella Alvarado

Kennedy Woolf

Stella Miyares

Will Fandel

Photo by Kara Simpson

My Strange Obsessions

Spending all my time doing one thing is so boring

by Izak Zeller

When I was a kid, I absolutely loved trains.

I was that weird kid who loved them for some reason. I still don’t know why. We all knew one of them. I just had this little obsession that I was content with.

I had model train sets galore all around my room. I had little train figures and watched videos of them.

It was something of a novelty to everyone around me. But it was cute. I mean, who doesn’t like a cute little kid?

But then I decided I was done. I was ready for something new.

And then it came to me.

I saw a bright yellow glow, lots of vibrant primary colors and a big blocky sign that said ‘The LEGO Store’.

I know, the obsession every kid has at some point. But I was really into them. I literally spent over a thousand dollars on Legos before I was 12. It was wild.

My room was lined with all the Lego sets I built. It kinda reminded me of one of those houses on “Hoarders”, except not as gross. I had a big bin full of random Lego pieces from all the sets and yard sales I rummaged through.

Oddly enough, building the sets didn’t make me particularly happy. I get bored pretty quickly, and Legos aren’t the most captivating toy in the world. But I loved the look of the finished product.

But then, the inevitable struck.

I decided Legos no longer cut it. They just didn’t fill me up like they used to.

So I sold every single set I could on Facebook Marketplace and cleared my room once again to make space for my next big obsession.

It had to be interesting, something that kept my attention. Something artsy.

Something like clay.

I got all the supplies I needed. Guides, background music, expensive sculpting tools and of course, lots of bakeable clay.

Hobby Lobby was my church, classic pop was my gospel and youtube DIYs were my bible. I sat in a makeshift studio for hours after school each day, making everything from videogame and movie characters to ordinary objects.

I brought my creations to school (hi Mill Creek kids) and proudly showed them off. Not everyone appreciated my obviously “masterful work”, but I didn’t care. I just knew what I liked.

Until I didn’t.

I completely ran out of ideas, and motivation, to keep my little hobby up and running. So I did what I usually do.

I dropped it.

I moved on to drawing. And then chemistry. Then law. Video games.

College. Art.

I’ve had so many obsessions I can’t even count. They’ve taken over my world one by one. All of them occupied space, in one way or another, during each era of my life.

But they all stopped around sophomore year.

It was different, more complex. All of a sudden, I had lots of things I wanted to obsess over. So many new shiny things to look at. I was in every club, at every meeting.

But for once, I actually got… tired. Not bored, just tired. Tired of always having something to obsess over. Tired of always having something to think about. Why did I have to obsess over 12 different things instead of just focusing on three or four?

I couldn’t do it anymore.

So I did one final drop. I dropped everything I didn’t need. Anything that didn’t satisfy me.

And, I’m happy to say, it’s been working out pretty well so far. I don’t obsess, and I try not to get to overcommitted. Sure, sometimes I still chase the next new toy, but now I always catch myself before I take it too far.

Senior Izak Zeller looks down at a Lego truck Aug. 7 in Room 151. Photo by Ashley Broils

Procrastinating Perfectionist

“Hello future me, it’s freshman year, and I’m days away from finals! Sometime soon I plan on cutting bangs, and this summer, I have lots of plans. I hope to write some more and draw a lot. We’ll see how it goes! So, by next year, tell me what you’re doing and where you’re at. Progress, right? Bye!”

The video I took of myself nearly two months ago plays over and over again on a loop.

At least I completed one of my summer goals — I now have bangs that are always somewhere between too long and too short. But as for the others… I’ve done practically nothing. I didn’t “write some more and draw a lot.” I’ve barely picked up a pencil the entire summer.

And why’s that?

Because I’m a procrastinating perfectionist.

So what exactly is a procrastinating perfectionist? Let me frame it like this: If a procrastinating perfectionist doesn’t think they can do something perfectly, they’d rather not do it at all. A procrastinating perfectionist will put off writing an essay until the day before it’s due — while worrying about it all week, of course — and then spend all night editing until it’s perfect.

We’ve all heard it before: “Perfect doesn’t exist.”

But I, as a procrastinating perfectionist, have convinced myself that those universal truths of existence don’t apply to me. I’ve convinced myself that if I try hard enough, I’ll reach the unattainable ideal of “perfect.”

But I don’t.

I fall short, and I fail. I don’t do justice to the precious ideas I hold dear in my heart. I make mediocre art, and I write elementary-grade sentences.

And then, I freeze up.

I become paralyzed by the thought of not being perfect. I don’t want to fail. And if I don’t try… I can’t fail.

So I’ll stop trying.

I’ll have masterpieces that I want to create but always tell myself, “Someday. When you’re better, when you’re older, when you’ll finally be able to do it perfectly.”

I’ve always wanted to paint something wonderful, a breathtaking landscape or a dazzling city, like the artists I admire. I have the tools — the paint, the canvas, the inspiration, the time. And yet, I freeze as it comes time to pick up the brushes. My mind replays my doubts, and

suddenly I’m back to dreaming rather than doing.

Sometimes the best thing I can do when I’m stuck in that state of mind is just begin. It’s my biggest hurdle. But I find, more often than not, I’m the only thing holding me back.

Once I sit down with a pen and paper, when the ink and ideas start flowing, I realize:

Hey, what I’m making isn’t so bad.

I won’t pretend that breaking the habits will be easy.

It’s not.

All too often, I slip back into my tendencies and spend time avoiding my fears rather than confronting them. When that happens, I remind myself to take a step back to be able to see the situation clearly.

Perfectionism is like wearing someone else’s glasses — it distorts reality. The lens of perfectionism doesn’t let you see you’re doing fine. Not “perfect,” but perfectly fine.

Maybe my summer didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped, but life’s a work in progress. There’s always going to be room to improve.

Not every sketch needs to be flawless. Not every first draft needs to be brilliant. Not every sentence needs to be contemplated for hours.

It may not be perfect, but… that’s okay.

Sophomore Grace Rau sits in front of her unfinished work July 27 in Room 7. Photo by Ashley Broils

It may not be perfect, but… that’s okay.

-Grace Rau

Most of the time, I’m the only thing holding me back

by Grace Rau design by Bella Alvarado

New Beginnings

Freshman Bo Bronson prepares herself for a new school, schedule and volleyball team

Summer was almost over.

For some this meant stewing at home, saving every last second for TikTok whilst stressing over summer reading projects. But for freshman Bo Bronson this meant eating sweet pork by the pool, playing beach volleyball and getting up at 5:45 a.m. to watch the Hawaiian sunrise. Bronson was the happiest she had been in a long time. There was no time to worry about Varsity volleyball tryouts on August 14th or her first day of high school the day after.

She was safe, for the moment.

“All right,” the pilot said. “We’ve just arrived at the Kansas City airport from Las Vegas. Thank you for flying Southwest, we now ask....”

Riiiiiiing.

A silence filled the hallway followed by the sound of applause. As Bronson walked past her 7th grade social studies room for the last time the thought she tried forcing out for so long finally made its way back.

Middle school is over.

Bronson was already over the saying, “Well in high school they won’t let you get away with (blank) anymore.” But just a few weeks after she had achieved “the impossible”.

She had driven eight hours to Hyatt, Chicago for a volleyball tournament. Although this wasn’t just any volleyball tournament, this was the 2023 USAV Girls Junior National Championship, in the 14 and under National Division.

And after the four longest days of Bronson’s life, competing against over 76 teams, she scored the winning point in their last match.

Bronson dedicated six years of her life to volleyball, improving her form, watching NCAA college volleyball games on YouTube, perfecting drills, playing game after game.

And her first year of making it to nationals her team had won.

With the season being over, so was Bronson’s time with club volleyball.

“I remember sending a text to the volleyball group chat on the way home that said ‘I just felt like I should tell you guys that I’ve been crying in the car thinking about all the memories we shared. I’m gonna miss you guys so much!’.”

Yet another chapter in her life she was forced to finish.

Because now there was highschool.

You could say Bronson forgot about it, just like she forgot to vacuum the upstairs hallway or forgot to take out the trash when her mom asked.

She went to the pool with her best friend Sophie, made s’mores cookies, went to volleyball camps in Nebraska and at KU, she had open gyms, sleepovers, she even saw the Barbie movie.

But none of it worked.

The nerves became unbearable. ****

“....that you unbuckle your seatbelts, handle your luggage accordingly and enjoy the rest of your day.” The intercom buzzed off.

Bronson was no longer in Hawaii. And before she could dust the pretzel crumbs from her sweatpants or sling her Northface backpack over her shoulder, every worry she had suppressed over the past few months came tumbling down.

How would I find my classes?

Who would I sit with?

What if I messed up at tryouts?

What if I didn’t make the team?

Over and over Bronson taped, and rewinded every bad scenario she

could think of from all her teeth falling out on the first day to driving into a volcano, causing the world to explode.

But eventually she got tired, one way or another she would have to walk through the back to school section in Target, she would have to set an alarm for 6:20 a.m., she would have to face tryouts.

“Now I’m a lot less nervous,” Bronson said. “I feel like everybody’s been telling me that high school is so much better than middle school.”

She’s hoping they’re right.

As for if Bronson’s teeth will fall out, as for if the world will explode, as for if she’ll find her classes, as for if she’ll make the team we don’t know.

All that she knows is that on August 15th at 7:40 a.m. she’ll walk through those double doors. On August 15th at 7:40 a.m. her first day of high school will have started.

Freshman Bo Bronson poses Aug. 7 in the Main Gym. Bronson plays club volleyball for Kansas City Power. Photo by Kara Simpson

MAP OF NORTHWEST

by Zia Carter & Sofia Ball design by Greta Grist

FALL FASHION

Two students talk about their favorite fall outfits

CECILIA CHEN

C: JEWELRY

Handmade and altered. Silver chains, charms, and faux-pearls. Materials for making are found at craft stores, Amazon, Aliexpress, or Temu. Pearl bracelet found at Target. Chain found at Nordstrom.

D: SHIRT

Essential black trainer shirt. Versatile look. Hand-me-down. Casell brand. Similar to Casell’s “Scallop Crop Tee” in black. Slim fit. Recycled fabric. Lookalike found online. Sizes 34-44. £44.50, or $49.84 on-brand. A similar style could be acquired at local thrift store.

“Silver metal, and then pearls and stars. That’s like the only jewelry I go for.”

-Cecilia Chen

“You can wear [this shirt] with pretty much any outfit. You can dress it up or down–however much you like.”

-Cecilia Chen

A: PANTS

“I kind of just based everything off around the pants”

-Cecilia Chen

Statement gray cargos. Grungy y2k streetwear. Stradivarius “Popline Parachute Trousers with Stoppers” in pearl gray. 100% cotton. Elasticadjustable waist and ankles. Seamless. Stone white, brown, khaki, stone beige, black, or dark gray alternatives. Sold in sizes xxs-xxl. Bought while on sale. $49.90 full price.

Photo by Kara Simpson

“I’m just here balling on a budget,”

-Cecilia Chen

MURPHY GALLOWAY

C: JEWELRY

NECKLACE 1 - This sterling silver necklace with a pale blue teardrop bead in the center was purchased by Galloway at the Renaissance Fair years ago.

NECKLACE 2 - The coffee colored plastic beads, dangling on a gold chain caught Galloway’s eyes at her local farmers market.

EARRINGS - These earrings from Hillcrest thrift mirror the Earth’s elements throughout the amber oval beads, linked by copper wiring to olive green ones. Both beads are made of plastic and if examined closely can be seen to have a white marbling, which fades toward the front.

BRACELETS - The beaded bracelets are both from a Turkish pop up store, which put all their proceedings towards funding Ukraine. Galloway admired the mix of crystals, glass blown beads and sterling silver charms. The leather bracelet was gifted from a friend and represents a more down to earth aesthetic, similar to that of the others which seemed to hold more spiritual meaning.

D: DRESS

This handmade dress, inspired by nature, is one Murphy Galloway’s favorite pieces. Its sage coloring gives off earthy tones and its flowy fabric gives into a bohemian aesthetic. The fern detailing trails down the skirt, which is cut and layered to a tissue style. “I bought it because it definitely reminded me of something a fairy would wear,” Galloway said. “The shop owner showed me this and I just knew that I had to get it.”

B: SHOES

These black leather Doc Martens are from the seventies and eighties punk scene and were a hand me down from Galloway’s mom. “They’re really comfortable and easy to wear to music venues because whenever you’re dancing around you get stepped on a lot. I’ve had to glue the soles on a couple of times just because they’re so expensive and hard to break in.”

“Having one main style or one main aesthetic is very much stressed in the fashion world,” Galloway said. “But when you’re a person that just loves fashion just do whatever you want and dress however you want because clothes are meant to be worn, not kept in a closet.”

-Murphy Galloway

Photo by Kara Simpson

Big Screen Big Screen Barbie Barbie

Spoiler-free Reviews and Opinions

by Zia Carter design by Stella Miyares

3/5 Stars

Personally, I was more of a Bratz girl growing up. So, in preparation for the movie, I watched ‘Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper’. I skimmed through Barbie vlogs and watched the first episodes of the Life with Barbie homevideo series on Youtube.

Let me tell you, I fell in love with it. I enjoyed seeing Barbie interact with her doll friends and family, hearing her nonstop genuine positivity and watching as she confidently persisted to find a solution in the face of her hardships.

All my research was for nothing, I decided, as 2023’s ‘Barbie’ played out before me on the big screen.

Not only was I watching a version of Barbie that I did not know, but I was watching a film that I did not pay for. What trailers and clips advertised as a lighthearted and nostalgic comedy, is actually an allegory planted in comedic soil.

First, I do not know this Barbie. She is grown up, complex and philosophical. I don’t hate this at all, but her complexities are not where the differences end. She is more whiny and negative, less hopeful and resilient. She is relatable.

Personally, I’m disappointed by this. I love the undefeatable Barbie, the hopeful Barbie. I love Barbie who is as kind as Cinderella and as sacrificial as Tiana for a dream that she believes in.

The second most glaringly obvious component of the Barbie movie is its commentary and metaphors. What is

most entertaining about this aspect is the comedy used to cover up the seriousness behind its conversations. What is least entertaining is the discourse that they consequently brought about.

This fact alone has made ‘Barbie’ a lot more intriguing than a regular film to me.

My personal analysis of ‘Barbie’ is that it attempts to reach a non-extreme conclusion to the current gender conversation.

It points out that no matter who is in charge, there will be oppression as long as there isn’t equal power for both genders. Yet simultaneously making a dig at men by alienating and mocking them through their stereotypes. In contrast the film also encourages men to be in socially or legally submissive power roles from beginning to end. I found this hypocritical and unappealing to watch.

For the sake of simplicity, though, I’m focusing solely on the movie’s content.

‘Barbie’ is entertaining and hilarious. I also didn’t hate the mature struggles facing the main characters. However, this Barbie universe is a little too independent of its canon counterparts, I didn’t like its false advertisement, and I found various aspects a little obnoxious.

Lastly, my biggest issue with the movie is its lack of ability to properly convey its themes. Or at least do so without hurting others. This stifled its potential and only encouraged unrest in a society yearning for social justice. And so I rate it 3/5 stars.

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Photo courtasy of Lily Reiff

Photo courtasy of Alex bergman

Photo courtasy of Claire Reed

Photo courtasy of Ellie Zeller

Photo courtasy of Abby Fenton

Photo courtasy of Catherine Ancell

Photo courtasy of Catherine Ancell

SENIOR WILL ENSLEY REMEMBERED AFTER DEATH IN CAR CRASH

Will Ensley, rising senior and dedicated member of the community, passed away on July 26.

Ensley was rushed to the hospital after an accident on Metcalf Ave. and West 115th St. The nine-car collision resulted in the shutdown of Metcalf Ave. south of College Boulevard for hours.

“Death is always difficult to handle, but especially when someone is so young,” Gruman wrote in an email sent out to parents. “It will be important to recognize that all of us will need time to process what has happened, and to express our feelings.”

Ensley was a varsity swimmer who is the current record holder for the 50-yard breaststroke at Northwest. He trusted his teammates and his friends to support him through his highs and lows.

“Will was an amazing presence in our community,” Gruman said. “We will keep the family close in our thoughts as we hold our Northwest community close as well.”

Students may visit the main

office from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m, no appointment needed if they wish to talk to a social worker or counselor. If they need to talk to someone outside of those hours, Gruman encouraged them to use the 988 National Hotline for management of mental health and crisis situations.

I think the show this year is going to be really good, especially considering how much we learned of the show just at camp.

-

Junior Carter Tomac

Playing his trombone, junior Carter Tomac performs Master of Puppets by Metallica July 27 on the Football Field. Band camp is a week long camp where band students learn the music to the football half time performance.

Photo by Ashley Broils